My Island School

"Island School has given me the opportunity to develop as a person. There are many opportunities available to Island School students. Since Year 7, I feel like I've come a long way and gained a lot of self-confidence. Not only is the academic environment here encouraging, students can choose from a wide range of extra curricular activities and even given the opportunity to lead projects of their own. I feel that this is very important in a school as secondary school is a time of not just academic achievement but also self discovery."      

Danette Chan 12W

"Being a proud Island School student since Year 7, this school means much more to me than just an institution. It’s a place where we learn (of course) but we’re taught not only what’s written in textbooks but also how to become a 21st Century learner, a team player, and a leader. Island School is like a mini society that prepares us for the future both intellectually and socially. We are guided by the Island School code, which promotes the idea of positivity and respect within the international community. The Island School code, in my opinion is successful in creating the supporting atmosphere that encourages individuality and diversity of our students.

I still remember back when I was in Year 6, the moment I walked into the maze of stairs and tall people, I decided that school was just something to get over and done with. This is not something I’m very proud of! To be honest at the time I was curious about things, but I didn’t have a strong passion to learn. However, this feeling only lasted the first two weeks.

Words of encouragements and recognition from teachers meant a lot to me. Commendations and awards given out throughout the year also help change my mind and gave me that extra push. My passion for learning grew day by day; it became almost difficult to not develop an interest in discovery with the positive learning environment we are surrounded with. I think that becoming individual learner is very important. With the facts constantly changing in today’s world, we need to learn how to adapt and to find things out for ourselves.

In my opinion, we need to become aware of our environment and the world besides our own local community in order to become a world-class citizen. There are just so much opportunities offered to you here and high school to me is about experimenting and taking risks that perhaps later on in life you won’t have the time or courage to take. That way, you won’t be regretting things in the future.  In the past 5 years, I have developed a strong sense of belonging and pride of being a student here. And this is why whenever people ask me which school I’m in, I’m always very proud to say “I’m from Island School.”  Bonita Leung 12W

"Though Island School means a lot of different things to me, they all have a common thread which is the sense of community. The very philosophy of Island School is based around the idea of ‘community’. It is an idea that is instilled in students right from day one – right from when the new year 7s come and find that they do everything with their tutor group. This initial, strong bond within the six houses only develops and it leads to a fierce, yet sporting inter-house rivalry in events from chess, to basketball, to debating.

But the sense of the community does not stop at an inter-house level, in fact, Island School’s renowned high level of performance, determination and sportsmanship in inter-school events feeds off the same qualities found at a house level. Our school’s great sense of community, competition and pride doesn’t only win us medals in sport but, I believe, also provides the fuel for students to strive for and achieve academic excellence."    Deep Vaze 11N
 

"When I first came to Island School I didn’t know what I really loved. I knew that I enjoyed sports but that was it. Within the first few months at being at Island, I had competed in the school swimming gala, inter house running, netball and basketball. Not to mention the inter school swimming and running.

The opportunities that were given to me were more then I could possibly imagine. As each year has passed, I have stuck with some of the same opportunities, such as running, swimming and netball, but have also picked up other commitments such as hockey, Wanbo, Islander team and fair committee. I learnt that as I progressed through Island School the opportunities that were available for me grew and the teachers supported whatever I was interested in. Now I am one of the 6th Formers who help, encourage and lead the younger students and I am grateful to accept the responsibilities that go with the role.

Some people might tell you that Island School is just like any other school. Some might tell you it is not as good, and others will say that it is better. But what I have realized, is that the most important thing about our school, is not that the students are given countless opportunities for whatever they are interested in, not that the teachers and students are all there to support and help you; it is that we are not about just educating the students, helping them get the grades they want. It is about the journey. Island school wants you to get the most you possibly can out of your time there. They want to prepare you for times you will face when you leave. They want to give you a life experience you will never forget. They want the best for you in every aspect possible, whether it be in sport, arts or grades."    Evie Lant 12E

Ajit Gidwani remembers being an Islander and talks about Kabliji School