HoneyKids speaks to Kirsty Spyropoulos, mum of three-year-old Leo, about why her family decided on Tanglin Trust School and how its nurturing environment helped him easily adjust to school life.
Sending our kids to school for the first time can be quite nerve wracking. To us, our wee ones may still seem like babies, but in reality, they’re sponges ready to take on the big, exciting world. Which is why we’re big fans of institutions like Tanglin Trust School, who go the extra mile to make our little ones feel nurtured, confident and ready to fully immerse themselves in their new school environment.
Still not convinced? We spoke to Tanglin Trust School mum Kirsty Spyropoulos about her family’s decision to enrol their three-year-old son Leo into Tanglin Trust’s Nursery and to find out more about why they’re so happy with her choice.
Hi Kirsty! What were the most important factors for you in choosing a school for Leo?
We wanted a school that Leo could attend until we left Singapore. That’s why it was important that the school we chose had not only an outstanding academic record but also excellent pastoral care and facilities. We also wanted a nurturing Infant School environment so Leo wouldn’t feel lost in a big school. Tanglin Trust School ticked all the boxes for us.
And what do you think was the ultimate deciding factor that led you to choose Tanglin Trust School?
When we looked around Tanglin, we immediately felt at home. The teachers in the Nursery took time to speak to us, and our tour guide was knowledgeable and had a genuine love of the school. All the children we saw seemed so happy, confident and excited to be there. Everything we saw reinforced the school’s promise of a caring culture. And this, combined with its outstanding academic performance, was just what we were looking for.
How has Tanglin Trust School lived up to your expectations so far?
Tanglin has completely exceeded our expectations in every aspect. As new parents, we felt supported and welcomed at every stage. Leo settled in well from day one. He is always full of excitement! In fact, he can’t stop talking about everything he has been doing during the day, which I think says it all!
What does Leo say he loves most about the school?
He absolutely loves everything about it! He loves his teachers, the playground, his visits to the school library, Mandarin and music lessons, and the fun, innovative activities that are lined up every day.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with other parents on the hunt for a school?
All of the schools we looked at offered tours and I’d advise parents to go on a few different ones. You’ll quickly get a feel for the school and whether it would be the right fit for your child, plus you might be able to chat to a few teachers, which is really helpful.
What do you value most about the school?
We value the quality of the learning environment, the opportunities offered, the outstanding teaching staff, and the school’s commitment to supporting each child to bring out the best in them. The increase in Leo’s confidence together with his love of going to school is a testament to both his teachers and the school’s environment.
Are you satisfied with the level of communication you receive from the school and how they engage parents?
We think it’s excellent! We receive the school’s weekly newsletter every Friday via email which has key school news and developments. Parents also have access to an online portal that holds all the information you could ever need about the school. The teachers are very accessible (thanks to their open-door policy), so it’s very easy to contact them if needed.
My favourite thing is the Interactive Learning Diary, which is updated every few days with photos and details of what your child has been doing. I also enjoy the fact us parents are encouraged to get involved when we can in cooking and library sessions in the classroom; we recently had the opportunity to accompany Leo on a field trip. As a result, we feel very engaged in Leo’s school life.
What do you think about the school’s facilities?
Tanglin is a not-for-profit school so it invests heavily in its facilities, which is clear to see. The Nursery, with its central area and classrooms coming off it in ‘pods’, has been so well thought through. It provides a calming yet stimulating and fun learning environment for the children. There is so much for the kids to explore and the teachers make sure there are new things to discover all the time – Leo is constantly learning without realising it! The library is the most fantastic facility and has furthered Leo’s love of reading. The large, high quality, outdoor playground is also another favourite!
What does Tanglin Trust School do in terms of building a community for parents?
There is a very welcoming parent community here at Tanglin. You are immediately included in a network of parents through your child’s class. There are many opportunities to attend programmes and events, such as hot topic presentations through ParentWise or joining an interest group through Friends of Tanglin. This fosters a great sense of community among the parents.
How did Tanglin Trust make your child feel welcome?
Tanglin has an excellent programme to welcome Nursery children into the school. Just before the summer holiday, all parents and children visit the school to meet their class teachers and explore the classroom. Then a couple of days before the term starts, you get an individual meeting with the class teacher while your child familiarises themselves with their new classroom. In the beginning, Leo attended school on alternate days for the first few weeks so he enjoyed a smaller class size and more individual attention from the teachers. As a result of all of this, he settled in really quickly.
Thanks, Kirsty!
This post is in partnership with Tanglin Trust School.