Stirring a passion to learn
HAVING spent the last 15 years at a top girl’s school in the United Kingdom, it was finally time for a new challenge.
The enthusiasm of the Beaconhouse Regional Office for its new project – Beaconhouse Newlands International School – was enough to lure me to Malaysia.
The Beaconhouse School System is well known across the globe as it has schools in nine countries, including one very close to my hometown in the UK.
After 40 years, it has seen thousands of students pass through the hands of dedicated teachers who helped open doors to new opportunities.
Students who complete their education with Beaconhouse go on to be leaders in their field.
Its alumni attribute their confidence to the nurturing and forward- thinking education of Beaconhouse.
It gave them a passion to continue learning and acquiring new skills in higher educational establishments across the world.
The challenge of being in a new country and experiencing a different culture was exciting. School has been in session throughout this academic year with numbers growing daily.
We watched the ground being dug up and walls becoming a reality. The campus quickly took shape and we were able to showcase some of the areas to parents at our Open Day.
The excitement of staff, children Students at Beaconhouse Newlands International School are proud to be part of and represent its multicultural and multitalented students community.
and parents at the building site was uplifting and gave the atmosphere a vibrant, optimistic and confident feel.
We are very much concerned with the development of children’s brain and how they can learn best.
Everything we do allows children to explore, investigate and assimilate new knowledge, and
develop a passion for growth and a desire to know more.
Beaconhouse embraces children who ask questions and encourage them to think outside the box. Students are taught how to use their knowledge and take risks when solving a problem, and not to be afraid of getting things wrong the first time.
They enjoy thinking and interacting with peers, teachers and other professionals in different fields.
The students are bright, confident and excited by the prospect of coming to school. We have achieved so much this year.
There is a strong House system at Beaconhouse and students benefit from the excellent pastoral care and from participating in competitions such as the recent annual Sports Day, where every child participated in an event.
As a young school, we have developed a real identity – students are proud to be part of and represent Beaconhouse Newlands International School, be it in English prose competitions, poetry performances, mathematics challenges, sports competitions, dance, robotics or public speaking.
They give their best and have been rewarded with success both in and out of school. I have too many proud moments to list but they include hearing an adjudicator announce a Beaconhouse Newlands Year 10 student the joint winner of a poetry slam competition and seeing the netball team win their first match after only 10 days of training.
Not everyone can be a winner, but we give students the tools to develop strengths in their chosen field to give their best.
Everything we do makes us stronger and gives us the strength to have another go. The dedication of the staff and students has been paramount in making every day this year a rewarding and exciting experience.
With the new campus opening in September, there are bigger and better things on the horizon to look out for.
– By Nicki Coombs
Nicki Coombs is Beaconhouse Newlands International School principal.