For 11 years, Nirmala Shankar and Narendra Raghupathy’s two children have thrived in GIIS’s nurturing and forward-thinking environment. We spoke to them to learn more about why they’re so happy about their choice...
One of the toughest decisions we’ll make as parents is deciding a good school for our children. After all, that is where they’ll spend most of their formative years developing foundations necessary for success in the future. Upon moving to Singapore, Nirmala Shanker and Narendra Ragupathy were looking for an international school that focused on holistic development and also imparted universal values – qualities they all found in GIIS. For 11 years and counting, the family has been nothing but happy about their choice. Here’s what we learned:
Hi Nirmala and Narendra! Could you please share with us how you found GIIS?
We moved to Singapore in 2007, and one of the most important considerations for us at that time was to look for an international school that provided high-quality education at a moderate price, focused on holistic development and also imparted universal values. GIIS seemed to be the right choice as it had an international standard of education, focused on all-round personality development and provided a platform for Indian students to stay connected with their culture.
What was your ultimate deciding factor?
There were actually a lot of factors that led us to choose GIIS. We loved the fact it was an international school with a strong connection to universal values, a unique range of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, excellent academic results and approachable admissions staff who were able to answer all our queries and concerns.
And does it continue to live up to your expectations?
The biggest motivator for us is that both the children love to go to GIIS and feel that it’s a home away from home. The teachers are warm and approachable and go the extra mile in making our children comfortable. The response time to any parent queries is excellent. The principal is always accessible and has a strong connection with both students and parents.
The school provides a great platform for students to showcase their talent, be it in any area. My children have immensely benefited from being able to participate in dance, music and storytelling competitions, to name just a few. They have had the opportunity to take up leadership positions in the Student Council. I can proudly say that the school has moulded both my children into well-rounded individuals.
The emphasis on the core values propounded by Mahatma Gandhi, the focus on environment and sustainability, the interaction opportunities for children through Leadership Lecture Series where leaders from various sectors visit the campus – all of these have broadened my children’s horizons.
Do you have any advice for other parents trying to choose a school?
My advice would be to look for a school that has a balanced approach to academics and personality development. Of course, focus on choosing a school with a strong academic track record but the activities and opportunities offered by the school to nurture the child into well-rounded individuals should also be given equal weight.
As the world is rapidly progressing through the 21st century, our children need to be ready to embrace its new developments and ready to face new challenges. It’s therefore important to choose a forward-looking school capable of giving students the skills to become future-ready.
How have GIIS’s facilities benefited your child?
GIIS SMART Campus has enriched our children’s learning process. Facilities like digital and virtual classrooms, massive libraries and student-centric learning spaces keep the children engaged in a progressive learning environment. Skill-based studios (like Culinary Lab, Radio Studio, TV Studio and so on) also provide opportunities for the students to learn unique skills and keep their excitement levels high. Combined, these facilities make the students happy learners and keep them motivated.
Thank you, Nirmala and Narendra!
This post is in partnership with GIIS.