Celebrating excellence
WHILE this has been an unprecedented and challenging year for examination students around the world, The International School of Penang (Uplands) once again has cause to celebrate excellence in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as well as commend the resilience of each of its examination students as they navigated the uncertainties of the last six months. The students are a credit to the school, living up to school values and the motto “Respect for Self. Respect for Others”.
Its IGCSE results were once again exceptional with 56% achieving A*-A. It is truly an outstanding achievement that more than half of the 574 qualifications obtained by Uplands students to be at this level.
The school achieved its best results in history for A*-C grades with 94% achieving this pass grade in the updated results. The school is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of its Year 11 graduates. These results are a testament to their attitude to learning and commitment over the entirety of the two-year course. This year, two students achieved straight A* grades and eight students achieved at least 7A* grades.
Jaclyn Kah Mun: 9A* Rishabh: 9A*
Jermaine: 8A* 1A
Wei: 7A*
Sinead: 7A* and 2A
Weng Wong: 7A* and 2A Divya: 7A* and 1A
Ivy: 7A* and 2A
Its IBDP results again were above the global average with The International School of Penang (Uplands) average being 33.6 points, 3.6 points above the usual global average.
Fifty-five diplomas were awarded this year and five bilingual diplomas for students studying both English and an additional language at First Language level.
There were also eight students who received over 40 points, equating to 13.3% of its cohort, an incredible achievement as 40 points in the IBDP is considered the equivalent of 4A* grades at A-level. Congratulations should also go to the following students: Faustina: 43 points Gururaj and Adam: 42 points Zhen Xu, Jia Hao, Nicole and Jing Zhe: 41 points
Yi Lin Tasmine: 40 points
The International School of Penang (Uplands) would like to congratulate all its diploma programme graduates and wish them all the very best as they prepare for the next stage of their educational journey.
The school is delighted to hear so many success stories from its graduates in recent weeks as they receive confirmation of their offers to study at many of the finest universities around the world.
These universities recognise the IBDP as the gold standard in pre-university education as it aims to develop students to have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge.
Students are best prepared for the rigours of university life as balanced and resilient globally minded learners.
The IB Diploma Programme has afforded its students excellent advantages as they apply for and commence their university courses.
Nicole, who will be attending the University of Wisconsin to study Chemical Engineering, will begin her first year with 25 credits which is the equivalent of nearly one year of study in recognition of the academic rigour of this programme.
She writes, “Choosing to pursue the IB Diploma Programme at
Uplands is the primary reason I now have access to the wealth of opportunities that have launched me onto the path towards pursuing my dream career.”
Yi Fun, who will be studying Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Toronto, has been awarded a US$100,000 (RM430,000) scholarship as well as course credits in recognition of her fantastic achievements in the IBDP.
She says, “The IB has prepared me for university because now I have a lot of experience of writing that other science/maths students lack.”
The programme has helped her to “become an independent learner with mature time management skills.”
Through all the challenges that 2020 has brought, it is wonderful to take the opportunity to celebrate so many success stories and also to acknowledge the hard work of all members of the school community who supported each and every student throughout the two-year programme so they reach both their academic potential and also flourish in all areas of development.
The International School of Penang (Uplands) recognises the importance of holistic development and wishes to congratulate every graduate for all their achievements over the past two years.
■ For details about Uplands’ IGCSE and IB diploma programmes, email admissions@uplands.org or visit www.uplands.org