School Advisor Articles

Shi Wen Lee’s Journey Through The Alice Smith School

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Oct 03, 2024

Education is more than just grades and test scores; it’s about creating an environment where students can thrive and enjoy learning. The Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, embraces this philosophy wholeheartedly. With 75 years of experience, the school attracts international and domestic students from diverse academic backgrounds. Unsurprisingly, many students, like Shi Wen Lee, Class of 2023, feel an immediate sense of belonging.

“I learnt a lot during my time at Alice Smith. Sometimes I get random questions in my head, and I remember telling my school counsellor, Mdm Chen Ying, about my worries. I struggled to determine right or wrong because I tend to see things from both sides. She reassured me that this is a valuable quality. Many issues don’t have a clear right or wrong answer; it often comes down to personal beliefs and my moral compass. I’ll figure it out as I move forward in life.”

Thanks to the guidance provided at the school, Shi Wen has developed strategies to manage her overthinking and anxiety. “I’ve learned to rationalise my thoughts and not jump to conclusions without sufficient evidence,” she says. This practice has significantly improved her mental health.

At The Alice Smith School, Shi Wen has not only gained academic knowledge but also vital life skills that will guide her in the years to come. It's a place where education is both enriching and enjoyable, allowing students to explore their potential in a supportive environment.

Studying at The Alice Smith School

Shi Wen started at Alice Smith in 2016 and quickly participated in school activities. She earned several awards, including the Bahasa Melayu Progress Award, Art Achievement Award, EAL Attainment Award, English Achievement Award and Mandarin Attainment Award.

During her Key Stage 4 studies, Shi Wen tackled various subjects designed to provide a comprehensive education. She undertook six compulsory subjects: Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Physics and Chemistry, alongside four optional subjects — Mandarin, Malay, Additional Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Shin Wen completed both her IGCSE and A-Levels at The Alice Smith School.

Before diving into the IGCSE curriculum, students had the chance to explore elective options, which was an exciting opportunity for Shi Wen. Initially drawn to psychology, she enrolled in a class called PsySocPhil (Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy). However, she soon realised that it wasn’t the right fit for her, ultimately making her subject choices clearer and more aligned with her interests.

Throughout her IGCSE studies, Shi Wen appreciated the learning environment created by her teachers. They were supportive and approachable, encouraging students to ask questions without fear. “There’s no such thing as a stupid question,” she recalls her teachers saying, which fostered a culture of curiosity.

Since her IGCSE fell during the pandemic, most of the classes were online, but despite being shy, that didn't stop her from asking questions to her teachers. 

"I was a curious person, so I always asked many questions, often by emailing my teachers, especially during online learning, or by asking them directly after lessons. For example, in Additional Mathematics, Ms Jennifer Doyle, Assistant Head of Mathematics, would sit down and patiently show me how to solve a question step by step until I understood."

As she moved to A-Levels, the smaller class sizes made it easier for her to participate and connect with her teachers. As an introvert, she appreciated the comfort of being in a tight-knit community, especially in her Computing class. Initially, she had chosen this subject as a fourth option, despite it being irrelevant to her course. However, her perspective changed dramatically; she enjoyed Computing more than anticipated.

The relaxed atmosphere cultivated by her teachers, Ms Valerie Quaye, Computing / Learning & Innovation Leader and Mr Stewart Edmonds, Head of Computing, made a significant difference. Their friendly and supportive nature helped create a safe space for learning. Merging classes for collaborative programming challenges turned studying into a fun experience. With a study buddy group, Shi Wen and her classmates could share their knowledge, and the soothing Lofi music played during lessons made the coding process feel almost therapeutic. Yet, despite the enjoyable setting, her teachers always reminded the class to stay focused and work hard.

Shi Wen took four subjects for A-Level, and it proved to be a challenge. But she found solace in her weekly private study sessions with Mr Quirk. He listened to her concerns about stress and offered practical advice on studying spatial recall. Spatial recall is a cognitive process that involves remembering the locations and relationships of objects or information within a physical space, enhancing the ability to navigate and retrieve knowledge effectively. "I tend to be harsh on myself and worry a lot about my academics, but he kept reminding me of my greatness."

The support didn’t end there. Even during study leave, Mr Parslow encouraged students to ask questions, often responding with helpful video explanations that made concepts easier to grasp. For Shi Wen, the support from her teachers and peers made her academic journey not just manageable, but genuinely enjoyable.

The result? Shi Wen scored As in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics and a B in Computer Science. 

Shin Wen graduated from The Alice Smith School in 2023 with 3A's and 1B in her A-Levels.

Participating in Co-Curricular activities

At Alice Smith, co-curricular activities (CCAs) played a big role in Shi Wen’s growth. In her earlier years, she tried out many activities, such as netball, choir, and origami. However, during her IGCSE years, she decided to focus more on her academics.

“During IGCSE, I joined a badminton club and Chinese culture club with my friends. Then, in A Levels, I became part of KLASS Comms, where we organised events for different festivals. I also joined the American Sign Language Club and the volleyball club.”

Getting involved in these activities helped Shi Wen build her communication skills, which are super important in both school and life. “Most of the activities I did were team-based, whether it was volleyball or playing video games. Learning to communicate well with my teammates was essential for success."

This communication skill became incredibly valuable when she worked on team-based research projects at university. She learned firsthand just how important collaboration and clear communication can be.

The Road to Imperial College London

Shi Wen’s time at The Alice Smith School played a crucial role in her successful admission to Imperial College London. The Higher Education (HE) team provided invaluable support during her application journey. She frequently sought their advice on crafting a compelling personal statement, often dropping by the HE office for feedback on her drafts. This collaborative process ultimately resulted in a strong personal statement that she believes contributed to her acceptance at Imperial, where she is pursuing a BSc in Medical Biosciences.

Her passion for studying human biology and medicine was nurtured at The Alice Smith School, particularly through her experiences in science classes. Initially, biology was her weakest subject and she lacked confidence in her abilities. However, with dedicated support from her IGCSE Biology teacher, Ms Rose, Shi Wen transformed her understanding and performance. 

"Ms Rose was worried that I could not adapt to the teaching pace, so I received a lot of her attention most of the time. She picked me to answer questions so often because she was trying to help me improve and ensure I was on track. There was one time I felt super pressured when she told me to ace the Biology test after finding out that I had received full marks in Chemistry, but I did it. I was just one mark off full marks."

Shin Wen is currently in her second year at Imperial College London, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. 

Advice for Future Students

For students aspiring to study at The Alice Smith School, Shi Wen offers practical advice: 

“Make good use of school resources and join extracurricular activities; at Alice Smith, there are so many to choose from. Having interests outside of academics is also a bonus for a personal statement and CV, as this shows your ability to maintain a work-life balance."

When it comes to academics, she emphasises the importance of understanding content rather than merely memorising information, as this approach creates a deeper connection to the material. "I’ve noticed some of my friends only memorise the mark scheme. This might still get you through IGCSEs but is unlikely to work for A-Levels. While it is also important to learn the patterns, understanding the content means you are more likely to apply the knowledge in the real exam."