The International School Brunei (ISB) is one of the world’s leading international schools with a strong academic track record, consistently above world averages. The 2020 cohort of ISB Year 11 students gained 88 per cent A*-C grades while Year 13 graduates celebrated exemplary IBDP results with a 96 per cent pass rate. The year 2021 saw even better results as the school continued its upwards trajectory.
Accredited by the Council of International Schools, ISB is one of the oldest and most distinguished schools in Southeast Asia, with 57 years of heritage in Brunei Darussalam. ISB has three campuses: Bandar, Seria (Primary only) and Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) providing firstclass international education for two to 18-yearolds across its Early Years Provision (Pre-Kindy to Reception), Primary School (Year 1 to Year 6) and Secondary School (Year 7 to Year 13).
The school offers an adapted England and Wales curriculum in the Primary and Lower Secondary sections followed by IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Secondary. The Primary campuses offer younger students a warm, nurturing, friendly space with specialist teachers and resources for engaging learning experiences. ISB is proud to be an inclusive school where everybody in its diverse community excels.
In ISB boarding facilities, The Residence, boarders are not only nurtured to achieve academically and be model global citizens, but also to be able to thrive in the increasingly competitive 21st Century. The Residence provides an environment where students are treated as individuals and receive a personalised experience with the opportunity to develop and grow in body, mind, and spirit. This ethos is reflected in the school as a whole.
As a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), ISB provides its students with opportunities to meet and compete against students from similar schools in Southeast Asia. ISB students regularly take part in School Olympic competitions, Maths competitions, drama festivals, creative writing and leadership conferences to name a few. Students also have the chance to take part in other international events during the school year – a team goes to the Southeast Asian Maths Competition (SEAMC) annually. Secondary students also compete in the World Scholars Cup. The school’s team qualified all the way to the world finals at Yale University in 2019.
In addition, ISB students have been actively participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) International Award scheme annually. The DofE is the world’s leading youth achievement award which aims to empower young people by exploring their potential, taking on new challenges and giving back to their community.
In 2020, ISB’s satellite campus in the Belait District moved its operations to a new site at F19 Seria with new facilities and a maximum capacity for over 240 students. The move has also allowed the school to offer a more enhanced curriculum in specialist subjects such as physical education, swimming, modern foreign languages (MFL – in Mandarin and Malay) and music. The newly relocated school now also offers an extensive range of ECAs akin to the school in the capital city.
A new specialist provision part of ISB opened in January 2021 at F5 Panaga, Belait District. ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) is a specialist provision for children with diagnosed learning difficulties, including autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, and speech, language and communication needs.
Virtual School at ISB ISB began the new academic year of 2021/2022 virtually amid the current COVID-19 outbreak. The school moved to virtual, online schooling and continued its learning journey uninterrupted throughout Term 1. While Virtual School does not replicate onsite learning, ISB still delivers effective education, allowing students to access their curriculum in an online environment. Following the new academic year, ISB also welcomed its new executive principal, Tony Macfadyen, who was previously the head of school at St Constantine International School (SCIS) in Tanzania – an all through three-18 years International School with a diverse student and staff body.
The May 2021 cohort of Year 13 graduates produced the most outstanding results in ISB history, with a record of 38 students qualifying for the ISB Board of Directors Achievement Awards. The school achieved a top point score of 44 points and an average point score of 36 points, well above the global average of 33.02 points.
ISB is an IB World School authorised to offer the diploma programme since 2004. The IB diploma programme is an academically challenging and balanced course of study that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. The programme has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities for breadth and depth.
ISB’s annual student-led Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) is a highlight of the year. A Model United Nations Conference, BGIC is aimed at raising awareness about serious world issues, developing public speaking skills and growing responsible global citizens. In 2021, the 17th ISB BGIC took on the theme of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities. Around 300 students across the Sultanate had the opportunity to discuss global concerns surrounding the theme, developing awareness of different perspectives on issues affecting communities.
Jerudong International School (JIS) is an academically selective, fully accredited and thriving boarding school occupying 120 acres of a coastal campus a short drive from the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. The school’s motto is ‘Achieving Excellence’ and JIS strives to do this in every area.
JIS is a British School Overseas, IB World School and Eco School with students from all around the world, offering a British International Curriculum including IGCSEs and ‘A’ Levels and the IB Diploma. The school is an international member of the prestigious United Kingdom (UK) Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) organisation, Council of British International Schools (COBIS), the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) and the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), in addition to being recognised by The Good Schools Guide.
Once enrolled at JIS, students and their parents have access to the school’s digital learning portal, Firefly. The portal makes it easy for students to access their homework, timetables and resources as well as collaborate with teachers and peers. Parents can also find information about their children’s academic progress, homework and timetable as well as the school’s co-curricular activities.
Facilities at JIS include 27 science laboratories, an extensive Performing Arts Centre and music faculty, art, design and technology studios, libraries and traditional classrooms. It also has a well-equipped medical centre to take care of all students. The newly enlarged and renovated library was reopened in 2021.
Sports facilities are extensive, with two swimming pools, three air conditioned sports halls, three covered netball/basketball courts and three football/rugby pitches. A project to enlarge and develop the former tennis courts area was completed in February 2021. This covered area now includes two squash courts, two championship level tennis courts and cricket practice nets.
In addition to its extensive facilities, JIS has a strong co-curricular programme with almost 300 activities available including a wide range of sports and arts activities, EcoJIS – a student led project leading the school towards the Green Flag status, House competitions, International Award (DoE) programme and the Model United Nations club. The school takes full advantage of the wonderful environment of Brunei to ensure that every child is the very best that they can be.
Copyright 2019 Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2019 All rights reserved.
