Generations in School
Garden International School upholds its motto, bringing out the best in people, as seen with these two families
Garden International School (GIS) has been successfully “Bringing Out the Best in You Since 1951.” What’s amazing is that the school was established prior to the nation’s independence and continues to produce capable, well-rounded individuals throughout the years.
With its British-based curriculum, the school caters for students from three to 18 years old—offering both IGCSE and A-level qualifications. Naturally, having been around for over 70 years, the institution has not only produced notable alumni but also educated multiple generations from the same family. In fact, we’ve even heard of a family that has had three generations schooled by GIS. In this legacy issue, we talk to Jackie Chua and her son Aris
Razlan, plus Taranjeet Singh and his son Soheil Singh, who are all alumni of the school. We discover how GIS prepared them well for university and life, making the institution a preferred and trusted choice for themselves and their family.
JACKIE AND ARIS
Jackie recalls, “Back then, I always looked forward to going to school because it was such a wholesome and nurturing environment.” She commended her alma mater for not only celebrating academic achievements but also placing equal emphasis on the extracurricular development of its students.
“The teachers, [mainly] from the UK, also brought a different approach to teaching. They encouraged us to speak up and have opinions, which helped us build confidence very early on,” she says and gives special mention to her maths teacher, Helen Lopez, with whom she remains friends till today.
With such a positive experience, it’s no wonder that she and her
husband chose to enrol their children for such an enriching experience as well.
“Some of my highlights at GIS had to be the sports tournaments. I played football and basketball, and I was also on the swim team,” shares Aris who represented the school even at the international level.
“GIS gave me a sense of belonging through sports, friends, and support from my teachers, encouraging a healthy mentality of academic excellence and wellbeing. Throughout my time here, I have been surrounded by inspiring teachers and students who push you to be the best you can be,” he adds.
TARANJEET AND SOHEIL
“A product of GIS too, I value the experiences and fellowship I enjoyed as a student. Even 40 years later, we’re still connected, despite being in different parts of the world,” Taranjeet describes how GIS shaped him to be a global citizen. “I commend my parents for their foresight in investing in my education, and the value it has brought me is unbelievable. So when it came to my children, it was a no-brainer—gis sets you up for the future, and my wife and I consciously chose the school to provide our children with the same exposure [and develop their] independent and critical thinking skills,” added Taranjeet, who’s the CEO of Quantum Steppe Advisory.
“Like most other students, I didn’t really know what I wanted to pursue. It was through speaking with my teachers that I discovered my passion for economics, which led to me to pursue my degree in economics, politics and history,” shares Soheil. He is not only grateful for the guidance but also appreciates how teachers incorporated new ways of learning, integrating technology and different mediums to prepare him for the future.
Clearly, GIS brings out the best in students by equipping them with the right skills to prepare them for life through its holistic approach to education—a smart choice for producing smart individuals.