Known as the country’s oldest international school, the International School of Brunei (ISB) has recently relocated to a bigger, new and modern campus in Sungai Hanching.
The opening of the new 22-acre campus was officiated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in April 2016.
Designed as a green school, ISB has become the first eco-school in Borneo after receiving the Greenmark from BCA (Singapore) for its focus on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and other green features and innovations.
ISB CARE (Conservation and Action for Recycling and the Environment) was built at the back of the campus, serving as the environmental programme for community-based renewable energy and environmental protection awareness in Brunei. The centre is also open for members of the public who wish to recycle.
The new campus can now comfortably accommodate 1,260 students from 46 different nationalities that have access to ultra-modern-learning, performing arts and sports facilities as well as first-rate boarding accommodation, encouraging excellence in all aspect of the students’ development.
The International Residence building is split into two distinct gender-separated blocks, with the capacity to house 108 students. A residence team consisting of three resident/teacher supervisors, a full-time nurse/24-hour duty on-call manager, two house-keepers and two drivers cater to students’ needs.
In 2001, the International Baccalaureate Organisation authorised ISB to offer their widely recognised and respected Diploma programme, making it the first school in Brunei to offer the course. The first cohort graduated in 2003.
Another first in 2003 was its brainchild, the Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC). The annual model United Nations-style conference presents students from across the region with the opportunity to debate and form resolutions to some of the world’s most pressing current issues. Now in its 13th edition, the student-managed conference has previously hosted several renowned international keynote speakers, including the late 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai, Animal Planet presenters, Monty Halls and Dr. Alison Cronin, and environmentalist Professor David Bellamy.
With 52 years of history in Brunei and striving to foster global citizenship, academic distinction, eco- mindedness and excellence in arts and sports, ISB is looking forward to the next 50 years at its brand new campus. ISB hopes that each year will continue to be better than the last, and ensure that all their students can excel.
Located in Jerudong, the Jerudong International School (JIS) is a boarding and day school in Brunei. Since its establishment in 1997, JIS has expanded significantly and is now an internationally recognised school with a sound academic reputation.
JIS is one of the only 70 international schools belonging to the Headmasters and Headmistress Conference (HMC) and one of the only 120 British School Overseas (BSO) schools. It is an active member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). The school is also a member of the UK Boarding Schools Association (BSA).
The school offers the British international curriculum and prepares students for GCSEs, IGCSEs, A-Levels (AQA, Cambridge International Examinations and Edexcel Board). As an IB World School, it offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
JIS has always been very much involved with the wider Bruneian community and the parents are extremely supportive. JIS takes great consideration as an international school and seeks to promote an understanding for the wide variety of cultural traditions and beliefs represented in the school.
The school prides itself on the interaction and friendship between young people of different ethnic groups, striving to promote international understanding in a practical and tangible way.
JIS often puts strong emphasis on academic achievements and many of its students have been successful in securing places at top universities outside Brunei, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, LSE, Imperial College, Australian National University, National University of Singapore, Melbourne and Cornell.
Various extra-curricular activities are also offered to the students to enable them to actively participate in sporting, musical and dramatic events. The atmosphere in JIS is liberal, but well disciplined.
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