In January, Malaysia’s newest international school, St Joseph’s International School started operation with 100 students.
The school, which forms part of the St Joseph’s Family of Schools, will be formally opened on March 3 by Malaysia’s Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The same day, St Joseph’s will also unveil its Cambridge International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGSCE) and Cambridge A-level programs via an open day from 11.30am to 4pm.
St Joseph’s International School is owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching and is operated by St Joseph’s Private School Management Bhd.
The Borneo Post quoted the school’s director, Christopher Chua, as saying that the opening was a good opportunity to see first-hand how the St Joseph’s Family of Schools lives up to its motto ‘Education Beyond the Ordinary’.
“Our syllabus is based on the University of Cambridge Assessment for International Education,” Chua said.
Starting January 2019, the school will offer Year 10, the first year of the International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE) or O Levels and Year 12, the first year of the 18 months A-level program.
A mixture of science and humanity subjects will be available so the students can select the ones that best meet their needs and interests.
The school is led by Brother Paul Hough, who has been principal of three large boarding schools in Australia and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (ACE).
Hough is a strong believer in inclusiveness and as a result of enabling improved educational opportunities of Australia aboriginal communities he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his works.
“We are living in the 21st century and we need to be sure that students are equipped with the skills needed for this century. We were one of the first schools in Sarawak to start a Bring Your Own Device [laptop] policy, Hough said.
“This policy has enabled teachers to incorporate ICT into the classroom: it is a tool not a toy.”
Related stories:
What does it take to run an international school?
New principal no stranger to international education
A ‘world class international school’