Celebrating our diversity! Japan 💮

At Alice Smith School we welcome students from over 40 different nationalities and enjoy celebrating many festivals often through our shared love of food! National and special days give us opportunities to come together and experience a small part of each other's cultures - with the support of our wonderful kitchen teams!

With the extension of the MCO we now know we won't be..

Construction Play in Early Years

Careers and Skills for the 21st Century

The world is changing rapidly and many jobs of the 20th Century will not exist by 2025 and the remaining industries will see massive changes according to a Gartner Report. New positions, that didn't exist at the turn of the century have taken over as the most lucrative jobs in the world. Such changes have direct impacts on the future jobs of graduates, no matter which industry..

Applying to ... University in France

Thinking of studying in France? In this week's blog we talk to Guillaume and Hugo who both picked French institutions for their degree studies.

Hugo Bellemin / KLASS of 2020

Degree: Bachelor in Cinematography

University: ESRA, France

Guillaume Pans / KLASS of 2015

Degree: Masters of European Affairs

University: The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po Paris),..

Applying to ... University in Japan

Each year Alice Smith Students progress to Universities and Colleges around the world. They are able to do this with the support and guidance from our dedicated Higher Educated Counselling team. In this blog we talk to Francis who chose Japan as her higher education study destination.

Francis Therese Calalang / KLASS of 2015

Degree: B.A. EconomicsUniversity: School of..

Applying to ... University in New Zealand

Each year Alice Smith Students progress to Universities and Colleges around the world. They are able to do this with the support and guidance from our dedicated Higher Educated Counselling team. In this blog we talk to Aaryaman who chose New Zealand as his higher education study destination.

Details

Aaryaman Desai / KLASS of 2018

Degree: Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering..

Applying to ... Canadian Universities

Each year Alice Smith Students progress to Universities and Colleges around the world. They are able to do this with the support and guidance from our dedicated Higher Educated Counselling team. In this blog we talk to Raphaelle and Ethan who chose Canada as their study higher education study destination.

Raphaelle Tseng, KLASS of 2017

Degree: Mathematics and Computer Science

Christmas Baking 🎄🎅☃️

Lots of our KLASS Community have been taking part in our CMCO virtual enrichment activities; maybe you have helped your house 'Race across Malaysia', have relaxed making 'Eco-Friendly Christmas Crafts' or perhaps you have been showing off your ball skills in one of the Basketball challenges?

One of our favourites at the blog is always the baking challenges! This year our DT..

Applying to ... Australian Universities

Each year Alice Smith Students progress to Universities and Colleges around the world. They are able to do this with the support and guidance from our dedicated Higher Educated Counselling team. In this new blog series our Alumni reflect on their experience of applying and studying in countries around the world. First to share their experiences are Alan, Maddison and Nikita.

Alumna Jun Yi awarded ISTD membership

During the summer break Ms Cooper heard from Alumna Jun Yi, who graduated in 2018. Jun Yi progressed to Nottingham Trent University to study Graphic Design and wrote to share her recent success in the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) Student Assessment scheme and how she attributed part of success to her study of A Level Literature.

Finding the right pathway: Higher education guidance in a non selective school

For many students and parents, A Levels can appear to be something of a daunting prospect, yet the truth is they can be a far more flexible and accessible qualification than they may first appear. It may also seem that at a school which produces so many students that get very high grades and go to top universities, that this is where our key support for students is mostly..

The Difference Between Teaching at a Tier 1 versus a Lower Tier School

While there is no official definition for what qualifies as a Tier 1 school, the international community has agreed that certain qualities can earn a school this classification. 

These qualities include:

• An internationally recognised curriculum
• Ease of transfer between schools
• High quality teachers and staff
• Impressive academic results and post-secondary destinations

While..

Our Teaching Assistants Graduate

Congratulations to our 23 Teaching Assistants at the Primary School who have successfully completed the COBIS Diploma for International Teaching Assistants (DITA) and to our Lead Teaching Assistant, Jennifer, who successfully completed the COBIS Diploma for International Lead Teaching Assistants (DILTA). 

In a wonderful, physically distanced, graduation event in the main hall..

Learner Profile of Students in a Tier 1 International School

At Alice Smith, we not only focus on providing our students with a world-class education that will help them progress to any university around the world, we also value our responsibility in shaping them into being well-rounded learners.

Helping students develop into resilient and self-assured individuals, not only allows them to learn better, it also paves the way to a..

What Makes Alice Smith a Tier 1 School in Malaysia

At Alice Smith, we pride ourselves on being regarded as a Tier 1 international school, and we ensure every decision we make is to the benefit of our students and their families. 

In our school, your children will learn essential knowledge, discover new talents through extra-curricular activities and develop the necessary characteristics to become well-rounded adults.

Below,..

What International School Tiers Mean for my Child

A goal of any parent is to provide their children with all the opportunities that will help them reach their full potential. 

Everything about a Tier 1 school should be designed to put student success first, taking away any worries or concerns a parent may have in regards to their children's futures. 

At Alice Smith, we take great pride in what we do by setting your children..

The Alice Smith School Foundation Tertiary Study Grant

The dream of a Malaysian student to pursue Chemical Engineering tertiary studies in the elite Pembroke College, University of Cambridge is now possible! Zhi Yan Lee, a current Alice Smith scholar in Year 13 is the first proud recipient of the Alice Smith School Foundation Tertiary Study Grant.

Launched in November 2018, the Alice Smith School Foundation was established to..

Student Support Programme

The Student Support Programme (SSP) is a scheme that allows our older students to help other students in their academic studies and it has continued and developed even during virtual learning. The 'regular' scheme involves volunteers from Year 12 and 13 offering support to students in the lower year groups in a subject of their choice. These choices are then matched with..

Founder’s Day Celebrations at Alice Smith

Held annually in July on Mrs Alice Fairfield-Smith’s birthday, Founder’s Day is a very special occasion for the community to learn about the unique story of how the school began, and reflect on the legacy and success as one of the oldest and most respected international schools in the Asian region.

To commemorate the birthday of our founder, July 4th, the school adopted a..

Shamirah Nurhaida Low Binti Abdullah

On 2nd July 2020, we saw the tragic loss of our beloved colleague, with the sudden passing of Shamirah Nurhaida Low Binti Abdullah. Mostly known to her colleagues and the school community lovingly as 'Mira', she joined The Alice Smith School almost a decade ago on 21st December 2010.

Mira made significant contributions to our school through her utmost dedication and..

Grade Placement in an International School: How We Help Each Child Transition Between Key Stages in Their Learning

Any change in a child’s life can be a source of stress and anxiety, especially when it relates to their education. 

At Alice Smith, we do everything we can to limit any strain caused by moving from one key stage to the next, sometimes known as grade placement transitioning. This is particularly important when your child moves from our primary campus to the secondary campus..

Play is essential

Play is an essential part of every child’s life. During the weeks of lockdown and partial lockdown, play has been particularly important for emotional regulation and the movement in and out of stress states.

It is a joy to be hidden, but a disaster not to be found - D.W. Winnicott

It is not always easy as a parent to sit and engage in uninterrupted play or to connect with our..

A Look at Studying A Levels in Malaysia

A Levels are an internationally recognised pre-university programme with high academic standards. They are exam-based and require in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject matter are equivalent to other pre-university programmes such as Australian Matriculation, Canadian Pre-University (CPU) and the Malaysian STPM.

Though they are known to be challenging, students with this..

What is the Pastoral Care Award

Every year, the International School Awards recognise excellence in teaching and learning at schools around the world. 

This awards ceremony was established by ISC Research, the world's leading provider in international school data. A school that receives such awards sets the benchmark for others to reach, setting them apart as high quality institutions in the community.

One..

How Alice Smith Ensures a Quality British Education

Ensuring their children have a quality education is a concern for any parent.

At Alice Smith, we ensure your children..

Four Benefits of Having a Higher Education Programme

Planning for post-secondary education can be a stressful time for students, especially when they have to fit researching and working on their applications into their already full schedules. 

Having a resource that is solely dedicated to helping them reach their post-secondary goals can be a huge relief and a much-needed source of guidance for students. 

At Alice Smith, our..

Pastoral Care in our Secondary School

At Alice Smith, it is our honour and responsibility to do everything we can to prepare our students for their futures. 

In addition to providing a world-class British education, we look at any learning opportunities we can provide in order to ensure our students grow into well-rounded, educated adults who are ready for any challenge presented to them.

This is why we..

Alumni stories: Meet The Wildlife Ranger

In the latest edition of KLASSics Chronicle, KLASSics caught up with Michelle Campbell, Alumna 1998 - 2001, and now Director and Private Guide of Wild Wonderful World in South Africa.

Not a day goes by where I am not thankful to be in the bush surrounded by incredible wildlife, and I feel proud to have broken through the corporate mould and followed my dreams

Like many of..

Using Learning Technology to Enhance Assessment

In recent articles on virtual learning at EP we have introduced some of the technologies our teachers use to improve the learning experience for Alice Smith students. In this update our Lead Learning Coach, James Collinson shares some of the ways teachers are using technology and innovative teaching strategies specifically to improve the quality and impact of teacher-student..

‘Praise the rain…’

In today's 'Thought for the day', Dan, our Primary Counsellor, reflects on Joy Harjo's poem ‘Praise the Rain’ which invites the reader into a contemplative response to the vicissitudes of human life; To gently witness the visitations of the thoughts, images, synchronicities and tragedies of life in a spirit of profound and simple praise.

Praise the rain… The curl of plant, the..

Easter Baking

Looking for something to do in the holidays? While not try some of our traditional Easter recipes? Don't forget to tweet us your baking pictures @AliceSmithSch Or send us a new recipe to try!

Easter Millionaire's Shortcake

To make 12 large pieces you will need

For the base:

• 150g plain flour
• 50g caster sugar
• 150g cold unsalted butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing
• 1 tsp..

A teacher can never tell where his influence stops

In today's "Thought for the Day" Dan reflects on teachers and teaching.

We all know what it’s like to fall. After all, we’ve been doing it since we were small children. And life has a habit of re-minding us that experiences of falling down, falling ill, or falling into bad habits continue throughout our lives. This is a natural consequence of what it is to be human and to have..

“The highest wisdom is kindness”

In today's "Thought for the Day" Dan, our Primary Counsellor, considers kindness and it is needed more with the unusual, and unforeseen, situation we find ourselves in.

The highest wisdom is kindness - Berakhot, 17A (from the Babylonian Talmud)

A significant part of enlightenment is the awakening to the simple and profound truth of kindness; there is an implicit bond..

“The friend is the key and I am the lock”

We hope you have been enjoying Dan's "Thought for the Day" over the past week giving you a moment for reflection amidst our current situation. Today Dan considers friendship.

The friend is the key and I am the lock - Rumi

Much of the most ancient discovered literature attests to the vital importance of friendship to human life, given it’s archetypal pull upon our lives. It is..

"In wilderness is the preservation of the world"

While many of us remain indoors due to the Movement Control Order Dan Lawrence, our Primary School Counsellor, offers a moment to reflect on our connection with nature even if it's just through our windows today!

In wilderness is the preservation of the world - Henry D Thoreau

Henry Thoreau, the poet-philosopher and environmental scientist author of “Walden”, knew a..

“One film can change a life forever.”

This weekend our Primary Counsellor, Dan, reflects on the impact film can have on us and suggests the enforced retreat to our homes is a great opportunity to share our favourite films with our families.

One film can change a life forever.

- Franco Zefferelli

In a documentary about his beautiful and moving 1976 film ‘Brother Sun, Sister Moon’, (about the lives of St. Francis..

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste"

As many of us have been learning and working at home this week, Dan, our Primary School Counsellor, reflects on how we can use silence to our benefit.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence

- The Desiderata

Whilst its author remains unknown, the anonymous wisdom of the Desiderata, believed by some to have been found on a..

“It is always the secure who are humble”

In today's 'Thought for the Day", Dan Lawrence, our Primary School Counsellor, reflects on humility and the quality of being humble.

It is always the secure who are humble - G. K. Chesterton

The security of which the British “prince of paradox” speaks is spiritual and could just as easily be put another way: It is the humble who are secure, precisely because they are humble,..

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”

In today's 'Thought for the Day", Dan Lawrence, our Primary School Counsellor, looks at how we can approach our fear in these uncertain times.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

This much-repeated quote has perhaps lost something of its context as time passes and since first uttered by President Roosevelt during World War II. And yet I..

What makes an Alice Smith student truly exceptional?

The Alice Smith School is often regarded as one of the best (if not the best!) International schools in Malaysia and indeed Asia. But what makes it so special? Excellent (I)GCSE and A Level grades are an indicator of one aspect of a school's quality, but what about all those activities, initiatives and achievements that do not end with a formal assessment? Think of all the..

Thinking of applying to Cambridge?

We were very fortunate to welcome Claire Canning, the Deputy Student Recruitment Manager (International) from the University of Cambridge to Alice Smith this week to talk to our students and parents about applying to, and studying at, this prestigious institution.

What’s so special about Cambridge?

The University of Cambridge is one of the world's leading universities,..

Learn to Think, Think to Learn

‘IDK’, if you didn’t know, is a feature of text-speak that has now planted itself firmly into modern parlance as a rapid, shorthand response to a difficult question - ‘I don’t know’.

When we ask Year 7 students what they think is happening when a raw egg appears to ‘cook’ in the presence of a mysterious chemical at room temperature there is no expectation that they will..

Eight ways to help your child revise

Why Play is Important?

Play: It’s the way young children learn. A special supplement to the Children’s Advocate, stated, “Play is the main way children learn and develop ideas about the world. It helps them build the skills necessary for critical thinking and leadership. It’s how they learn to solve problems and to feel good about their ability to learn. Children learn the most from play when they..

How to Raise Kids Who Are Global Citizens: Alice Smith School

Children who are truly global citizens are aware of and understand the world and all of its complexities. They are the ones who look for ways they can help, work with others and stand up and use their voice for the betterment of the world. 

Global citizens are those who fight for universal equality and sustainability. 

In order to become a successful leader of tomorrow, one..

National Holidays in Malaysia: History, Origin and Cultural Meaning

Holidays allow individuals time to truly celebrate or commemorate a significant event or tradition. What is beautifully unique from country to country is the difference in either the specific celebration of a holiday or the holidays themselves. 

For those who are new to Malaysia or even those who have been here for a while, but haven’t had the time to learn about our..

Letting Your Child Lose: Benefits of Natural Consequences

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.”

— J.K. Rowling

Competition is prevalent in a child’s life from a young age. From playing games with their friends to competing on a sports team to writing a test in school, the notion of winning or..

What is there to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids? | Alice Smith School

Kuala Lumpur, known for its iconic landmarks, rich history and friendly locals, is a wonderful place to raise a family. 

For those who are new to Malaysia’s capital city, or even for the people who have been here for a while but haven’t found the time to get out and explore, we wanted to help you discover some activities to do with your children.

In the list below, you’ll..

Three Ways to Deal with Expat Depression

As a first-time expat, the abrupt change in your way of living can be a shock to the system. Your daily activities, social circles, everything that was once so familiar is different.

At first, it’s exciting. There’s so much to explore and so many items to check off your to-do list to help your family settle in. But as the days, weeks and months go by, that initial excitement..

School sport and its significance for an international school education

It has long been acknowledged that school sport plays a significant role in a child’s education and overall well being. Participation in school sports supports the healthy growth of the heart, lungs and muscles, as well as increasing agility, balance and coordination. Aside from the obvious physical benefits, sport also has a highly positive effect on a child’s psychological..