The SIS Support That Helped Bianca Lim Succeed
Published by SchoolAdvisor | Mar 25, 2025
How do you balance rhythmic gymnastics and studies together? For Bianca Lim, it was all about discipline, support and passion. A former competitive rhythmic gymnast, Bianca dedicated six days a week to training. Balancing academics with such an intense schedule wasn’t easy, but Sunway International School (SIS) played a crucial role in helping her manage both. With the support of SIS and a sports scholarship, she was able to push forward in both her studies and gymnastics career.
"My journey as a student-athlete is vital to note as Sunway International School offered support to me and my gymnastics career, for which I am extremely grateful," she says.
Today, Bianca is in her final year at King’s College London (KCL), where she is pursuing a History degree.
Bianca’s Journey with Sunway International School
Before joining SIS, Bianca was a student at Sri KDU. The decision to transfer was driven by her interest in the engaging Canadian syllabus, which at the time was exclusively offered at SIS. Her transition was further supported by a sports scholarship, which played a crucial role in balancing her academic and athletic pursuits.
Her time at SIS was filled with cherished memories, both in and out of the classroom. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) programme, which she pursued, operated on a credit-based system with a combination of compulsory subjects and electives. Unlike traditional exam-heavy curriculums, OSSD focused on continuous assessment, ensuring students stayed engaged with their coursework throughout the year. While final exams were still a part of the programme, they did not carry most of the grade, reducing the pressure of a single high-stakes test.
"Although this calls for a more regular biweekly test, it gives students the sense of consistent review, developing our application of knowledge and critical thinking, ensuring that we are on top of the lessons each unit," she says.
Bianca's time at SIS was filled with treasured memories shared with friends and teachers, making it an experience to look back on fondly.
Learning at SIS extended beyond textbooks and lectures. The school emphasised real-world applications, preparing students for university and life beyond the classroom. One of the standout elements of the OSSD programme was the Course Culminating Task (CCT), a final project that often accounted for over 50% of a student’s grade. In Grade 11 History, Bianca was tasked with creating a primary source related to a historical event. She crafted a 10-page diary from the perspective of a young nurse during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. To enhance its authenticity, she aged the pages with coffee stains and wrote in cursive to mimic early 20th-century handwriting. This immersive project deepened her appreciation for history, ultimately leading her to pursue a History degree at university.
The teachers at SIS played an integral role in shaping her experience. Originally marketed as a school with 100% Canadian teachers, SIS has since evolved to include a diverse international faculty. Despite this change, one thing remained constant — the strong relationships between teachers and students. "Teachers in SIS were involved in the lives of the students. They loved integrating and engaging in convos with students during breaks.”
Pastoral support was another key aspect of SIS’s student experience. Beyond academic and guidance counsellors, the Parent Council actively worked alongside students. As the President of the Student Council, Bianca collaborated with the Parent Council on events, policies and student initiatives. As a student-athlete, she found unwavering support from the administration and teachers, who understood the demands of her gymnastics training and competition schedule. They offered flexible deadlines, allowed her to reschedule assessments, and ensured she could balance both academics and sports without falling behind.
There were times when missing classes for competitions took a mental toll, but the school’s pastoral care system provided the necessary support to help her navigate these challenges. “The school’s supportive pastoral care system, which took the time to understand my personal situation, made all the difference. Teachers and counsellors worked with me to ensure I wasn’t falling behind, offering flexible deadlines when necessary and providing additional support to help me stay on track.”
Despite her demanding schedule, Bianca excelled in her studies, primarily focusing on social sciences. SIS offered a wide range of subjects across math, science, business, and the arts, ensuring students had the flexibility to explore their interests. Recognising her commitment and academic performance, the then-principal, Mr Owen, granted her a Leave Early Pass, allowing her to leave school for training whenever necessary. Bianca's efforts paid off, earning her a place on the Honor Roll, which recognised students with outstanding academic achievements.
Bianca is practising before a competition at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
The support of dedicated teachers throughout her studies at SIS played a significant role in her success. 'In Grade 9, the daily training stresses got to me, and I felt I wasn’t reaching my full academic potential. However, teachers at SIS who understood my schedule and what I was going through — Mdm Talbot, for example, who was my French teacher at the time — took the time to help me. She spent her lunch breaks going over the topics I had missed.”
Looking back, Bianca fondly remembers several teachers who made her SIS experience memorable. Mr Joseph Brush, Mr Joe Sauro, and Mr Terrance Tam stood out for making learning engaging and enjoyable. While there may not be one specific reason, their presence in the classroom left a lasting impression, reinforcing the supportive and dynamic learning environment at SIS.
Bianca left SIS in 2020 and did the CIMP programme at Sunway College before going to KCL.
Balancing Leadership and Athletics
With an intense training schedule as a national rhythmic gymnast, Bianca had little time for after-school activities. However, one thing she made sure to focus on was the Student Council. After two years as a member, she was elected President in her final year, just as the school transitioned to hybrid learning.
Juggling leadership and elite-level sports wasn’t easy. Training six days a week while managing Student Council responsibilities meant Bianca had to master time management and prioritisation. Thankfully, she wasn’t alone. With the support of her peers and Mr. Terrance Tam, the council’s advisory teacher, she successfully led initiatives that strengthened the bond between students and the school.
On top of that, universities look for well-rounded students, and Bianca’s experience showed she was not only dedicated to her studies but also socially and civically engaged. Her ability to balance athletics and leadership was recognised when she received the Leadership Award in 2020 — a testament to her dedication, resilience, and ability to inspire those around her.
Bianca's time at SIS shaped her experience at King’s College London in ways she didn’t fully appreciate until she arrived.
From SIS to KCL
Bianca's experience at SIS played a key role in shaping her transition to KCL. Coming from an international school, she was already comfortable in a diverse environment, which made it easier for her to connect with people from different backgrounds. “The open discussions and collaborative learning style at SIS made it easier to jump into seminar debates, share perspectives, and connect with people from all walks of life.”
Academically, SIS provided her with a strong foundation. The emphasis on critical thinking, research, and independent learning helped her confidently tackle essays and coursework at KCL. While adjusting to university had its challenges, she adapted quickly thanks to the strong analytical and writing skills she had developed at SIS. The school’s approach to learning encouraged her to think beyond textbooks, a skill that became invaluable in her History degree.
Beyond academics, Bianca continues to pursue her passion for rhythmic gymnastics. In addition to her studies, she coaches part-time in London, passing on her knowledge and experience to young athletes. "I coach around three times per week and have been taking the British Gymnastics Coaching Course certificate, meanwhile."
Bianca is a History student, competitive dancer, and part-time rhythmic gymnastics coach in London.
Looking back, she credits SIS not only for her academic preparedness but also for shaping her into a well-rounded individual ready to take on new challenges. "SIS provides comprehensive support to help students navigate their educational paths. With academic counselling, career advice, and personal development programmes, students receive the guidance they need to make informed decisions about their futures.
At the same time, Bianca feels grateful to her parents, who have been a rock throughout the journey. “My mother has been a constant source of dedication and love, braving the daily traffic from school to ensure I never missed a single training session. Their sacrifices and belief in me have been the silent forces propelling me forward every step of the way, which is why one of my goals in life is always to make them proud.”
