BOUNDARIES
PUSHING THE
Do you know what it takes to build and program a robot from hundreds of Lego bricks? TARISH is a technology whizz who has found his calling as a student at ISS International School (ISS). He tells us about his passion, and what’s next.
What was the impetus to study computing?
ISS provided me with the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects to find something that really engaged me. The turning point was enrolling in the Design and Technology class, where the robotics and programming subject caught my attention!
And you recently built the largest and fastest robot in class?
Our teacher armed us with materials and information and encouraged us to discover and create, as we built robots and programmed them to perform tasks. I extended the learning and discovered how programming languages are created. My robot can perform tasks like pushing cans and obstacles. I also participated in the National Youth Council’s New Age Hackathon 2.0 and developed a mobile app to assist senior citizens.
Why are you attracted to computing?
It’s fascinating because small programs, with just a few lines of code, can perform big tasks, which benefit so many people. The possibilities are endless.
Where has this led you?
During the summer vacation, I worked as an IT support assistant and one day I hope to work for an innovative technology company. In the meantime, I’ll continue being the “mini IT support guy” for my friends at school!
What role did ISS play in discovering your attraction to computing?
I look up to the school motto of “Realising Potential” and I’m thankful to have discovered this passion here. The school’s unique customised approach to nurturing students as individuals has allowed me to learn more about myself, and transform my interest into a lifelong passion. In fact, ISS has taught me various life skills that I will require later in life.
The new GESS campus
“Since 2008, we’ve been operating two campuses to cater for strong demand; joining the two into one consolidated site will bring the school community closer together,” says GESS Principal, Christoph Zänglein.
The $135 million campus development is an exciting chapter in the school’s development. “We are thrilled with the new campus, which can accommodate 2,000 students. It’s close to the current campuses and therefore still convenient to the majority of our community – plus, the location opposite the Nature Reserve means we retain the close-to-nature feeling that our community enjoys.”
Hours of consultation and decisionmaking were poured into designing the campus. Christoph says there were three main ideas: to retain a sense of belonging for the students who are coming together into a bigger site, to facilitate communication between teaching staff, administration and management, and to make the most of the site’s physical location.
Indeed, the ecologically responsible design has exceeded the standards of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark. GESS received a Gold Plus Award for features such as a “green” façade that minimises solar exposure and optimises wind ventilation.
Apart from the noteworthy facilities at the new campus, why else would a parent choose to send their child to GESS? Christoph says that the not- for- profit school, established in 1971, provides students from 50 nationalities with European foundations, and a choice of the International Baccalaureate (taught in English) or German curriculum.
“Languages, culture and traditions are celebrated and embraced,” he says. German is offered from Kindergarten to Grade 12, Danish and Dutch from Grades 6 through 12, and Danish from preschool. There are also Italian, French, Spanish and Mandarin options.
“Our aim is for our students to display a balance of respect and open-mindedness so that everyone is empowered to become a confident and forwardlooking individual, ready for the complex challenges of tomorrow’s world.”
Opens: Where is it: What ages and grades: