School Guide

The international school with high aspirations

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Mar 11, 2014

UCSI International School Springhill offers the International Baccalaureate programmes, including the IB Primary Years, IB Middle Years and IB Diploma programme. “The IB programmes are premium programmes of international education as they combine rigorous academics and best practices in education, all viewed through the lens of international mindedness,” says Kathryn Jean Farrell, principal of UCSI International School Springhill.

“They are holistic in nature and truly international, which make them the programmes of choice. Our school is aspiring to be one of the best international schools in the region, and the IB programmes are the path to achieve this goal,” she says.

The IB programmes promote multi-lingualism in the school community. “We are fortunate as an international school to provide language options for our students,” continues Farrell.  “Bahasa Malaysia is one of the languages we provide support for. Appreciation and support of the host country language is important in the IB programmes.”

 An excellent faculty

The school has an excellent faculty of teachers and all major subjects are taught by well qualified expatriate teachers with exception of Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia. “We have certain criteria that must be met by our teacher applicants. Ideal candidates must have training and experience in the international school with high aspirations the IB programmes and overseas teaching experience as well,” says Farrell.

“During the selection process, we look for candidates who exhibit subject area expertise. They should also have a caring nature, a desire to work collaboratively and a passion for teaching.” UCSI also guarantees placement in any one of the UCSI universities for IB Diploma graduates. Job placements are also guaranteed upon graduation from a UCSI university in one of the more than 1,000 companies associated with UCSI.

A boarding school option

The Springhill campus offers boarding for its students, allowing them to immerse themselves in the environment and culture of an international school. “Through the boarding programme, students develop time management and organisational skills. Living as a boarding student also encourages the development of social skills and an appreciation for alternative perspectives and other cultures,” says Farrell.

To support the students’ holistic development, the 20-acre (8.09ha) campus includes a student lounge, golf course, Olympic-sized swimming pool, football field, an exercise room, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

Distinctive learners

“we model, teach and apply the IB Learner Profile in our boarding programme as well,” says Scott Wayne Tillar, a houseparent at the school.

“The IB Learner Profile teaches students to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.” These principles allow students to develop their natural curiosity by expressing themselves and thinking critically to solve complex problems. They learn to act honestly and with respect, appreciating different views and cultures.

Personal well-being is achieved as they understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance while reflecting on their learning experience. Tillar adds, “As a parent and mentor, I have learned that gifts and talents can take young people to greater heights in life that may become unsustainable due to their character. So character development is of utmost importance and the IB Learner Profile is a perfect way to teach our youth character traits that will last a lifetime.”