A school that covers all educational levels allows for consistent implementation of values and philosophies. From the early years, students can be exposed to the core values, principles, and educational approaches upheld by the institution. This consistency helps students develop a strong foundation, reinforces positive behaviour and ethics, and supports the cultivation of a school culture that promotes shared values.
Stellar International School has been covering all these levels efficiently. Stellar International School (SIS) is a member of the Stellar Education Group, which was founded in 2016 and is in Puteri Harbour, Johor, Malaysia. Stellar International School guides students aged 3 to 18 from early childhood through secondary school with British and Singaporean education recognized by prestigious universities around the world.
Its mission is to deliver the best to students through a dynamic and diverse environment where students can enjoy a fun-filled and engaging experience, learn to respect differences, master the skill of collaborating with others, and discover the joy of learning.
Standing Out in Competition
Stellar International School stands out from other educational institutions in Malaysia for several reasons.
First, it offers a unique blend of British and Singaporean curricula that combines academic rigour, creativity, and innovation. Second, it has small class sizes with an ideal student-teacher ratio of about 10-15 students per class in the early years and a maximum of 25 students per class in primary and secondary. This allows it to provide personalized attention and feedback to each student. Third, it has a team of young and vibrant, mostly female teachers who are passionate about teaching and learning. Fourth, it has a strong emphasis on character development and holistic education that nurtures students’ physical, mental, social, emotional, and moral well-being.
Building a Unique Educational Brand
Stellar International School offers several unique programs or courses that cater to the diverse needs and interests of students. Some examples are:
- Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2): This stage covers the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) from the UK and the Key to Learning curriculum, where learning is motivating, engaging, and fun and opens a world of wonder for the little ones. The core subjects are English, Mathematics and Science, and the thematic approach of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is also introduced.
- Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6): This stage continues with the Cambridge International Curriculum and Singapore Curriculum for Mathematics and Science. The core subjects are English, Mathematics and Science, and the IPC is also integrated to broaden the student’s knowledge and understanding of their world. The students also learn Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
- Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9): This stage prepares the students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination. The core subjects are English, Mathematics and Science, and the students also choose from a range of elective subjects such as Mandarin Chinese, Malay, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, and ICT.
- Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11): This stage culminates with the IGCSE examination offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) from The University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (UK). The IGCSE is an internationally recognized qualification equivalent to the UK GCSE and Cambridge O Level. It provides ideal preparation for any advanced education or study placement. The students choose from a variety of subjects based on their strengths and interests.
- Preparatory School Programme: This is a specially tailored program for students who wish to have a smooth transition into some specific year levels in international schools. It covers English, Math and Science foundation skills.
- After School Enhancement Programme (ASEP): This is a program that targets the areas that the students need help with, using multiple tools that focus on practice, application, understanding and fun; it offers English and Mathematics classes with different levels to cater for different age groups and capabilities.
- Intensive Foundation Programme (IFP): This is a program that helps some newly joined students acclimatize to the school’s learning environment and culture. It incorporates basic English and Mathematics classes with additional ones such as Mandarin Chinese and Malay.
- STEAM Education: This is a program that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics into a holistic learning approach. It aims to develop students’ creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Co-Curricular Activities (CCA): This is a program that offers a variety of activities for students to explore their interests and talents outside the classroom. It includes sports, music, arts, clubs, and societies.
- Beyond the Classroom: This is a program that provides opportunities for students to learn from real-world experiences through field trips, camps, community service and cultural exchange.
- Winter/Summer Camp: This is a program that offers a fun and enriching experience for students during the school holidays. It includes academic lessons, cultural activities, outdoor adventures, and social events.
Adaptation to New Age
One of the challenges that Stellar International School has faced is the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the normal operations of schools worldwide. To overcome this challenge, Stellar International School quickly adapted to online learning platforms and tools that enabled it to continue delivering quality education to students remotely.
It also maintained regular communication with parents and students through emails, newsletters, social media posts, and online meetings. The school also provided support and guidance to teachers and staff who had to adjust to new ways of teaching and working. The school also ensured that the campus was safe and hygienic by following the standard operating procedures issued by the Ministry of Education.
Enriching Learning Experiences
Stellar International School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations to enrich the learning experiences of its students. Some examples include:
- Robotics and coding clubs allow students to develop their skills in programming and engineering, as well as participate in national and international robotics competitions.
- Business studies clubs provide students with opportunities to develop their entrepreneurship skills and learn about finance, marketing, and management.
- Environmental and sustainability clubs that promote awareness and action on environmental issues, as well as organize eco-friendly projects and initiatives.
- Cultural and language clubs allow students to explore different cultures and languages, as well as organize events and activities to celebrate diversity and promote intercultural understanding.
- Sports teams and clubs for a variety of sports, including basketball, football, swimming, and tennis, as well as opportunities for students to participate in inter-school sports competitions.
- Music and performing arts programs, including choir, orchestra, and drama club, as well as opportunities for students to showcase their talents in school concerts and performances.
- Community service and volunteering opportunities allow students to give back to their local community and develop their leadership and teamwork skills.
Overall, Stellar International School strives to provide a diverse and enriching extracurricular program that supports students’ interests, passions, and personal growth.
A Trophy Cabinet to be Proud of
Stellar International School has received the following awards for its noble attempts:
- Outstanding Education Centre Award from PEEAM EduAwards 2021 on 3rd December 20211. This award serves as an encouragement for educators to provide a Stellar learning experience for their students.
- Award for Best International School in Johor (British Curriculum) from BabyTalk Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 on 3rd September 2021. This award has sparked the passion of the whole Stellar family to strive diligently to ensure that its students receive the best education possible.
- Recognized for a productive and flexible environment, having a small class size, a strong academic curriculum, and a variety of co-curricular activities.
Ensuring Ideal Education in the Future
Certainly, when it comes to the future of Stellar International School, the school’s vision is to create a global community of learners who are confident, creative, and compassionate. This vision is underpinned by the school’s commitment to providing a holistic and innovative approach to education that reflects the best in global educational research and practice.
To achieve this vision, Stellar International School is continuously improving its curriculum and facilities to meet the needs of its students. The school also aims to remain at the forefront of educational innovation and to equip its students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Looking ahead, Stellar International School plans to continue expanding its offerings in areas such as STEAM education, co-curricular activities, and extracurricular programmes. The school is also exploring new partnerships and collaborations that will enable it to enhance the educational experience of its students further.
Overall, the future of Stellar International School is bright, and the school is committed to providing its students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in all aspects of their lives.