School Advisor Articles

How SBIS Helped Caitlyn Thrive Academically and Beyond

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Mar 20, 2025

Caitlyn Koay Yen Zi’s education journey has been anything but conventional. Before joining Sri Bestari International School (SBIS), she was enrolled in a small homeschool centre, a transition that came after she faced academic struggles in a different international school. At that time, she was meant to be in Year 5 but realised her academic level was closer to that of a Year 3 student. While the homeschool centre lacked extracurricular activities, it provided the personalised attention she needed to build a strong academic foundation.

Beyond academics, homeschooling also instilled discipline and responsibility. Every student had assigned chores to keep the centre clean, and their work had to meet a certain standard before they could move on. This experience shaped Caitlyn’s sense of responsibility and work ethic, which she carried forward into her later years.

A Unique Experience at Sri Bestari International School

As part of the second pioneering batch at SBIS, Caitlyn’s experience was distinct. During her first year, the school was still in its early stages, sharing a campus with Sri Bestari Private School. The small cohort made it easy to form close connections, creating a comforting and familiar environment. With fewer students, opportunities were more accessible, and peer competition was less intense.

One of the aspects Caitlyn appreciated most about SBIS was its emphasis on extracurricular activities. Transitioning from a homeschool environment with limited activities to a school that actively encouraged participation in various programs was refreshing. “These opportunities helped build my character and ranged from outreach programmes, competitions and public speaking. Constantly getting myself out of my comfort zone helped build my character immensely.”

The experience became even more enriching when the new campus was completed. With enhanced facilities, Caitlyn was able to explore new interests. One of her fondest memories was competing in a cooking challenge with her friends in the school’s culinary lab, making pasta from scratch.

During her time at SBIS, Caitlyn was a head prefect, valedictorian, senior student ambassador, and president of the Broadcast Club.

Another significant aspect of SBIS was its ‘tutor-ward’ system, in which a teacher was assigned to a small group of students and provided them with consistent guidance and support. Caitlyn found this invaluable, as it gave her a reliable support system throughout her schooling years.

However, what she cherishes the most about SBIS is the teachers. She credits them with shaping her into the person she is today. “ Their passion and dedication truly helped us all grow, and my classmates and I still keep in touch with a few. Their passion embedded into us, and I, who previously despised mathematics, learned to grow an appreciation for it and score well on exams.”

The Teachers Who Made a Difference

Caitlyn credits much of her academic success to her teachers at SBIS. Their patience and willingness to explain concepts repeatedly until students fully understood them made a world of difference. They not only guided students academically but also nurtured their curiosity, never dismissing questions that went beyond the syllabus.

This supportive approach extended beyond academics. Her teachers understood the importance of balance, recognising when students needed breaks and never pushing them too hard. This created a learning environment where students felt comfortable, making it easier to stay motivated and engaged.

Among the many teachers she admired, a few stood out. "I truly loved my teachers at SBIS, but I’d have to pick Ms Jothy, Madam Yong and Mr Julian. They embodied everything I’ve mentioned, and I still remember their lessons to this day.“

With this strong foundation of support, Caitlyn achieved impressive IGCSE results: 7 A*s, 1 A, and 1 B. She took a diverse mix of subjects, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English as a First Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Mandarin as a foreign language, Malay as a foreign language, and Global Perspectives.

The best part? Her strong results earned her the Entrance Scholarship to Sunway College.

Caitlyn was very active in co-curricular activities as she wanted to maximise the opportunities available to her.

Stepping Up and Standing Out

Caitlyn was highly active in co-curricular activities at SBIS, always looking to make the most of the opportunities available. While juggling multiple commitments was stressful, she found that stepping out of her comfort zone was the best way to grow. Exploring different activities helped her discover her interests, allowing her to focus on them more intentionally as she progressed.

Of course, pushing boundaries came with its challenges — like the time she forgot her script on stage. But Caitlyn believes that making mistakes and learning from them is a crucial skill. Overcoming the fear of failure gave her the confidence to participate in various competitions, each adding to her personal and professional growth.

Beyond personal development, these experiences strengthened her CV, making her stand out in applications. Instead of just listing skills, she could demonstrate them through real experiences — what she calls the ‘show, don’t tell’ approach. Her involvement in diverse activities also helped her build resilience, confidence, and stress management skills, which proved invaluable in college and university. It allowed her to narrow her interests early on, preventing her from feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.

"Co-curricular activities also allowed me to take on several leadership roles, and I grew from one to the next. Without my co-curricular activities in high school, I would not have been able to become the vice president of the Sunway College Student Council.

Caitlyn embraced opportunities to step out of her comfort zone, which strengthened her character.

Building Confidence from SBIS to Sunway

When Caitlyn decided on her academic path, she knew a traditional route like A Levels or the IB Diploma wasn’t for her. With a keen interest in neuroscience — a field still emerging in many universities — she had limited choices. Sunway University’s Biology with Psychology programme stood out, and since she was already set on attending Sunway, the Foundation route made the most sense.

Beyond practicality, Caitlyn preferred a coursework-based programme over an exam-heavy one. “I don’t believe I’m academically gifted, and the endless past-year papers during IGCSE drained me. I felt like I had to put in twice the effort to reach the level of my peers."

Her transition to Sunway College and University was made smoother by her time at SBIS. Many students at both institutions come from English-speaking Chinese backgrounds, which helped her feel at home. At the same time, Sunway’s diverse student body introduced her to new perspectives, expanding her understanding of different cultures and ways of thinking.

Academically, her high school experience gave her an edge. “Taking Global Perspectives in high school also helped me cope with assignments better as I was already accustomed to doing research and citations while some of my peers had to learn the concept in college. Taking Additional Mathematics in high school also made the transition from IGCSE to college-level maths far smoother as I had learnt some chapters from the syllabus before.”

Caitlyn works part-time as an art teacher, leading classes for students aged 5 –13 on drawing, colouring techniques, clay crafts, and competition preparation.

Currently, she is pursuing a BSc in Biology with Psychology at Sunway University under the Sunway ACE Scholarship.  She also works as a part-time art teacher at Global Art Malaysia to remain in touch with her artistic side. 

Looking back, Caitlyn appreciates how SBIS prepared her for the challenges ahead. While the school has evolved since her time there, she believes it still provides a well-rounded education — one she would confidently recommend to parents considering it for their children. 

For current high school students, Caitlyn has one piece of advice: “It’s okay to feel clueless or scared. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Explore, make mistakes, and learn from them. These years shape who you become, so make sure you’re proud of the person you see when you graduate.”