School Advisor Articles

How Alice Smith and KTJ Shaped Chelsea Lim’s Success

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Dec 13, 2024

The best schools focus on more than just academics. They help students grow as individuals by encouraging creativity, teamwork, and life skills. It’s about preparing students for life, not just exams.

Two such schools that have been making a difference are The Alice Smith School and Kolej Tuan'ku Jaafar (KTJ). With a focus on holistic development, they provide students with opportunities to explore their passions, build resilience, and develop skills that go beyond the classroom. Chelsea Lim, an alumnus of both schools, can attest to that. 

"I’m grateful to have attended such high-quality schools that prioritised individual development alongside academics, equipping me with the skills to flourish at university," she says. 

Today, she is thriving at University College London (UCL), where she studies law.

Building Strong Foundations at Alice Smith International School

Born in Hong Kong, Chelsea moved to Kuala Lumpur at the age of three. She attended a government school for her primary education before joining Alice Smith for Year 7.

Alice Smith offered her an exceptional environment in which to flourish academically and personally. The school’s state-of-the-art facilities, particularly the sports amenities and well-equipped classrooms, provided a stimulating learning space. “The learning environment was highly nurturing with weekly mindfulness meditation sessions and one-on-one check-ins with tutors ensuring our well-being beyond academics.”

This made going to school a highly enjoyable and refreshing experience, and she felt that Alice Smith was the right place for her during her formative years. 

The school's holistic approach extended to initiatives like Wider Learning Days, where students from different year groups collaborated on analytical and critical thinking tasks. “These experiences broadened our skillset and encouraged teamwork,” she says. Teachers also played a pivotal role in incorporating innovative teaching methods that made lessons engaging and accessible.

For her IGCSEs, Chelsea chose a diverse range of subjects, including Spanish, English Literature, English Language, Triple Science, Mathematics, Music, Design Technology, and Mandarin as both a Foreign and a Second Language. With her teachers' dedicated support and guidance, she achieved outstanding results, scoring all As.

Chelsea is grateful for attending two international schools prioritising individual development alongside academics, equipping her with the skills to thrive at university.

Beyond academics, she thrived in co-curricular activities. Tennis, a sport she loved from a young age, became a significant part of her school life. Alice Smith boasts seven tennis courts that were very well taken care of, so for Chelsea, playing on school grounds felt akin to playing at a training centre. " I was happy to be able to contribute to the school by representing the school and participating in various competitions, such as ISAC and SEASAC."

Her passion for music was equally profound. A violinist since childhood, she participated in Winter and Summer Concerts as well as FOBISIA Music Festivals, which remain some of her fondest memories. “Traveling to these events and connecting with like-minded peers from different backgrounds was an unforgettable experience.”

Blossoming at KTJ

Transitioning to KTJ for her A Levels was a defining moment in her life. As a boarding school, KTJ offered her a different experience — one that fostered independence, camaraderie, and personal growth. “Staying in KTJ's boarding house is something I’ll always cherish. It’s where I came out of my shell and grew into the person I am today,” she says.

This growth was deeply rooted in KTJ’s close-knit community, which cultivated a strong sense of house spirit. Each term, Chelsea eagerly joined house activities, cheering on juniors and seniors alike. This immersive environment not only strengthened her sense of belonging but also honed essential skills such as communication, independence, and leadership. “My intellectual curiosity was truly stimulated, and I was pushed to become the best version of myself."

Chelsea graduated from KTJ in 2023, holding five university offers in hand.

While academic success was a key focus, what truly set KTJ apart was its supportive atmosphere. Although the students held themselves to high standards, they worked collaboratively, often forming study groups to exchange ideas and deepen their understanding. “Everyone wanted to see each other thrive, and I never felt like I was competing against my peers."

Her academic journey at KTJ was characterised by a passion for diverse subjects. Opting for History, English Literature, Biology, and an EPQ in her A Levels, Chelsea embraced the chance to explore various fields. “I wanted to take advantage of A Levels's flexibility and study a broad range of topics.” 

This interdisciplinary approach prepared her for the demands of a law degree and nurtured her innate intellectual curiosity.

Extracurricular activities also played a significant role in her development. As part of the Head Prefect team, she organised school-wide events, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Student Council. "This was highly enjoyable as I interacted with school seniors, juniors, and those from different boarding houses while maximising the 80-acre school grounds to plan our activities."

In addition to this, she was a member of the Prom Committee, Interact Club, and Law Society. “These were the perfect societies for me, combining practical experience with an element of fun,” she says. The Law Society, in particular, helped her prepare for the LNAT exam and craft a compelling personal statement for university applications.

With these extracurricular experiences under her belt, she also had the perfect support system for her future aspirations.

The careers team at KTJ is particularly excellent, with Mr. Mark Disney and Ms. Emma Davidson always willing to share their valuable insights in one-on-one conversations. Aside from the scheduled appointments, they were always there if students needed further assistance crafting the perfect application.

The result? Chelsea received five offers from prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics (LSE), UCL, King’s College London (KCL), the University of Bristol, and the University of Warwick. 

Chelsea is currently a second-year law student at UCL and is eager to delve deeper into commercial law and dispute resolution.

A Seamless Transition to UCL

The experiences and values instilled at Alice Smith and KTJ greatly eased her transition to university life in London. These schools are known for producing hardworking students who often go on to attend top universities in the UK. As such, surrounded by many former schoolmates now studying at UCL and other London universities, she found comfort in familiar faces.

“Having people with similar backgrounds cheering me on has been incredibly reassuring. I also think the network of people from the respective schools enabled me to meet many mutual friends and meet many new Malaysian friends."

The skills she developed in school — time management, leadership, and adaptability — proved invaluable at UCL, where she is pursuing law. “I’m grateful to have attended schools prioritising individual development alongside academics.”