Australian International School (AIS)

1 Lorong Chuan, 556 818.  ais.com.sg

“During break times, I can practise gymnastics freely”
Lily Gardner, Year 5

Where’s your favourite place to hang out at AIS?
There are many large, open spaces in AIS and during break times I can practise gymnastics freely. My school also has lots of shaded areas which shelters us from the hot sun and rain.

If you could only do one lesson for the rest of your life, what would it be?
We do PYP (Primary Years Programme) at AIS. The best part is picking what we want to focus on and we can research topics that we feel passionate about. My favourite subject is Maths. Our teacher makes all our lessons really interesting, and she teaches us different ways to solve problems. I enjoy algorithms best.

If you had $1000 to buy something for your school, what would you buy and why?
I already feel like it has everything, so I’d donate the money to our school charity which helps other schools in need.

What three things do you like best about AIS?
Firstly, everyone is really welcoming and friendly. Secondly, I love how my teachers are so expressive and they make even the most boring lessons interesting. Lastly, AIS is a really big place with many facilities. This means that learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms, but also in the fields around us for example.

What job would you like when you’re older?
I’d like to be a lawyer. I’m confident in public speaking and want to stand up for people who are not able to do so for themselves.

Canadian International School (CIS)

371 Tanjong Katong Rd, 437128. cis.edu.sg

“The library is a solid rock when assignments become overwhelming”
Reese S, Grade 12

What’s your favourite thing about CIS?
The teachers. Having been at CIS for over 10 years, I’ve grown up here and it’s a community that wants to see us succeed. I will really miss the support I feel every day from our teachers after I graduate. 

Where’s your favourite place to hang out there?
I like the library. Our librarian Ms Miller is always there for students. The cool, calm feel of the library is a solid rock when assignments become overwhelming.

If you were to be stranded on a deserted island with one person from your school, who would you choose?
While her post-surgery shoulder is not built for island survival, I know my DP Business teacher Ms Keohan would do whatever was needed to survive. Alternatively, I’d choose our coordinator, Ms Baptista, who always knows what to say in any situation. Or Sal, who works at CIS’s Red Dot Cafe. She’s why I can keep up my daily dose of caffeine and start my mornings with a laugh.

What’s been your favourite school assignment so far?
Through my extended essay on Apple Music, I’ve learnt a lot about their operations. It was an intense month-long project, but easy to work on since it was a topic of my choice.

If you could only do one lesson at school, what would it be?
Business, which I aspire to go into. The classes bring together subjects I enjoy, like Psychology and Maths, in interesting and challenging ways. Next, I’m excited to learn more about finance, which I’d also love to venture into.

Dover Court International School (DCIS)

301 Dover Rd, 139644. nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/singapore

“All our differences give us a sense of belonging”
Astrid, Year 11

How’s school life?
This is my ninth year at Dover Court, and it feels like home to me. I enjoy the diverse nature of the school, with students from all over the world and of all abilities. Being part of such a community allows for open-mindedness and a global mindset.

What do you like most about DCIS?
Being a teenager it’s the community feeling, and how all our differences are what gives us a common sense of belonging. Also, my teachers are amazing. They see me as an individual and create fantastic learning opportunities, making sure that we know they’re there to support us.

What are you looking forward to learning this year?
I’m in Year 11, so it’s all about the IGCSEs. At Dover, we do the IGCSE over three years and we’re in the final stretch right now. I can’t wait for the feeling of accomplishment once I am done. I’m also excited about our Duke of Edinburgh Award, where we’re doing an overnight trip to Pulau Ubin. We prepared for this throughout the pandemic and it’s finally happening!

What’s been your favourite school assignment and why?
Last year I was one of two Deputy Head students responsible for organising the World Children’s Day event. We held workshops, built a display around Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and got other students involved in sharing ideas. It was a great opportunity to be part of the process, from planning to leading the day, and receiving positive feedback from teachers and students.

What area would you like to go into when you leave school?
I want to work with children and my plan is to become a teacher. I have dyslexia and the support I have been given from my teachers has helped me get to where I am today. I hope to one day be able to do the same for others. 

Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM)

 Jalan Marlborough, Puteri Harbour, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.  marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org,  admissions@marlboroughcollege.my

“We’re encouraged to do things outside of our comfort zone”
Cordelia, Year 11

What do you like most about MCM?
Marlborough College gives me many opportunities to explore and grow. I’m an academic scholar but have discovered the world beyond the classroom through sports. We’re privileged to have a great campus with many onsite activities and before and after school clubs. We’re actively encouraged to do things outside of our comfort zone, which is a great way to build resilience in a safe space. 

What’s your favourite lesson?
Games. During the school year we rotate sports so we can play at a competitive level and enjoy different activities, from climbing to kayaking in the school lake. 

Tell us about a project you’ve enjoyed…
During my years in Prep school, I adored our humanities and science tasks involving model making. Over the years, I’ve made skeletons, solar systems, rainforest habitats and World War trenches. You could pick what suited your interests and what you wanted to explore. It didn’t have to be a model, it could be a painting, a book review or a presentation. 

St Joseph’s Institution International (SJI International)

490 Thomson Rd, 298191. sji-international.com.sg

“Students are encouraged to become spectacular people!”
Eleanor, Grade 6

What do you like about SJI International?
The encouraging environment. School feels like a second home with people who feel like extended family. Everyone is inclusive and supportive, and students are all encouraged to become spectacular people!

Where do you hang out at school?
I love going to the Raphael playground during break times. People go there to play tag, and there’s also a basketball court with hoops and a handball court. The shaded areas are good for those who don’t have hats or just want to relax.

If you could only do one lesson at school for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’d like to do art as it’s part of my daily routine. I love getting inspired by other people’s art, making the world a better and more colourful place.

If you had $1,000 to buy something for your school, what would you choose?
Trampolines! We have some but I would buy even bigger ones that you could flip on, encouraging everyone to be active.

What job do you dream of?
I would love to be a fashion designer. Sometimes clothes I like don’t fit me, because of the gigantic growth spurt I’ve had over the past few years. I want to make designs for all sizes, so that everyone can wear outfits they like.

Tanglin Trust School

95 Portsdown Rd, 139299. tts.edu.sg

“We all feel that the teachers genuinely care about us”
Suzanne G, Year 13

Where’s your favourite place to hang out at Tanglin Trust School?
The Sixth Form Common Room. There are couches for relaxing, tables for studying, and a kitchen if you’re hungry or need to grab coffee. There’s a lively atmosphere there, and it’s also a great time to interact with others. Teachers often join us which adds to the sense of community. 

If you were stranded on a deserted island with one person from your school, who would that be?
Ms Lott, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) coordinator. Throughout my Gold DofE experience, she has taught me countless tips and tricks for camping in the wild. She’s not only amazing with survival skills, but she also has an amazing character. Her enthusiasm makes me feel like I could climb Mount Everest!

If you had $1,000 to buy something for your school, what would you choose
Artwork for our new Tanglin Centenary Building. Hitting our 100-year milestone is an impressive achievement, and a big sculpture or painting to commemorate our history would be the perfect addition.

Tell us why your school rocks …
Not only do our teachers make their subjects engaging, but it’s fun to chat to them during break times and lunch, and we feel that they genuinely care about us. We have an immense number of opportunities for co-curricular offerings, ranging from MasterChef to Debates to Rock Climbing. Our Tanglin mascot, Griff the Lion, turns up everywhere, and it’s always fun to see a giant lion walking around school.

Dulwich College Singapore

 71 Bukit Batok West Ave. 8, 658966. singapore.dulwich.org 

“I love the eco-garden where students grow plants and vegetables”
Milly Worthington, Year 9

What do you love about school?
My favourite part is the friends I’ve made. Some of them have left Singapore but we keep in touch online and I now have friends all over the world.  

Where do you most like to hang out at school and why?
I love the eco-garden in Senior School, an outdoor roof garden where students grow plants and vegetables. It’s shady and cool, and a great place to sit with my friends and eat lunch. Away from the school, I’m a keen performer so I love the Alleyn Theatre. At Dulwich we’re lucky to have the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre.

If you had $1,000 to buy something for Dulwich College, what would it be?
Something fun like a cotton candy machine or a chocolate fountain. I’d put it in the quad so everyone could enjoy it.

What would you like to do when you leave school?
I’d like to be an actor. Dulwich is a great place to be involved in the performing arts – we have amazing facilities and there are a lot of opportunities to perform. 

Singapore American School (SAS)

 40 Woodlands Street 41, 738547. communityambassadors@sas.edu.sg

“I really love my friends and teachers”
Sunny Hughes, Grade 8

What do you like most about Singapore American School?
All the different courses. I also really love my friends and teachers. They’re all so kind, especially my friends, and there for me emotionally and academically, whenever I need help. 

Where do you most like to hang out there?
The library. It’s got so many books, and comfortable places to just hang out, or catch up on schoolwork. 

If you had to be stuck on a desert island with someone from your school, who would it be?
One of my friends! 

Tell us about some of your favourite projects…
Many of our projects are awesome. For example, in Science, our project was to use our knowledge from class to create an infographic or video on asteroids. 

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)

1 Tampines Street 73, 528704. uwcsea.edu.sg

“I like how the school taught me to get better at tennis”
Miles, Grade 5

What do you like about going to UWCSEA and why?
Playtime and learning is fun with my friends. I eat in the canteen and can buy burritos from the Mexican stall and the Indian stall has Murtabak. 

Where’s your favourite hang out?
The handball courts because it’s really fun to play, and I have a lot of friends who like doing the same thing. I also like the playgrounds and especially the climbing frame; it’s a good feeling of achievement when you reach the top and you can have great conversations with people up there!

What’s the most interesting thing you learnt at school today?
It was about the Arts Festival. Next term we’re doing a musical with three other classes. I’m going to be singing, while others will play the cello and piano, or act. 

What’s been your favourite school assignment so far?
I like how UWCSEA taught me to get better at tennis, which I now play two times a week. I’ve moved up a level and we sometimes compete against other schools. My other favourite activity is the science experiments. We came second in the egg drop – the winning team used a newspaper instead of a plastic bag as a parachute.