What are your best memories of school? When posed with this question, the answers will often involve two distinct themes: people and activities. It could be your favorite teacher, a classmate, or a memorable trip you took for a competition that has stayed with you for years— what is for sure is that they played an important part in shaping your path in life to become the person you are today. As parents, we hope our children will have more than a few special memories at school; we want, as a family, to choose the right school, one that is full of opportunities to get the type of memories we hope for them to make.
Here at The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), our co-curricular program complements our holistic education in supporting students to be all they are, explore their passions and interests, achieve their goals, and better understand themselves. Essentially, we provide a world of opportunities for your child.
A K-12 Co-curricular Program
In Elementary School, we believe that a strong and varied co-curricular program is an integral part of our educational mission for students. We seek to develop the whole child and provide opportunities for our young learners to discover hobbies, sports, and interests beyond the school curriculum and improve their social skills, including cooperation, leadership, interpersonal skills, and independence.
Adolescents need opportunities to explore new interests, develop their artistic, athletic skills, and grow as human beings. The Middle School (MS) co-curricular program ensures that students can truly explore and develop agency and future-ready skills. Every year, our MS students look forward to joining our outdoor interdisciplinary education camp program, Malaysia Week, which is experiential learning at its best.
When our students enter High School (HS), they are empowered to choose and lead clubs based on their interests, competencies, and aspirations in preparation for life beyond ISKL. In addition to participating in our extensive co-curricular activities, including service learning, clubs, sports, performance, art, and music, our students are empowered and encouraged to take on leadership positions. Students are also involved in the exploration of community needs, solution planning, and action through clubs or programs like the Global Action Program (GAP).
Beyond discovery, exploration, and empowerment, the opportunities bring a kaleidoscope of memories for our students. Let's take a closer look at the three pillars around which our co-curricular programs are built: Activity, Creativity, Service.
Activities Beyond the Classroom
"We truly believe athletics and activities develop deep and long-lasting characteristics in students that cannot be acquired in other areas of education. Nothing can replicate the educational experience gained by a student when a cross-country runner is breathing down your neck in the final 200 meters of a race; a soccer player is going after a ball with a 50/50 chance at the end of a soccer match; a dancer stands motionless in anticipation of the spotlight illuminating the stage, or the team experiences success when the group comes together." - ISKL's Director of Activities Ryan Naughton.
Participation in activities is an integral component of school life at ISKL. Beyond the academic curriculum, our students learn collaboration, camaraderie, and commitment through varied activities such as debate, STEM, athletics, and sports. These attributes are developed and practiced by students of every age, every week on the track and trail, court and studio, and pitch and pool. The activities build camaraderie, promote competition between friends, and encourage others to try a range of activities.
Our students compete in many local and regional competitions throughout the year, which allows them to connect with students from other schools. ISKL is a proud participating member of The Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS) and the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools (IASAS), where the High School Athletic Program competes at the varsity level.
An Avenue for Creativity
It's important for the development of our students to have the opportunities to join the co-curricular activities alongside a rigorous program. That's why our motto is 'Be All You Are,' and we do our best here to encourage students to be all they are, not just academically. I always say it's extracurricular that makes you extraordinary. - Tina Casey, Performing Arts Director, HS and IB Theater Teacher.
Creativity is central to our student's development, and we offer a wide range of opportunities that are both embedded within our curriculum and co-curricular activities. These are critical components in enabling all our students to experiment and take risks in a nurturing environment while encouraging them to explore and discover new interests.
We know that imagination is the door to possibilities, and providing them with the tools to think, innovate, and employ creative thinking will benefit students. From talent shows to musicals, youth orchestras to jazz nights, mural paintings to art exhibitions, our students have myriad opportunities to hone their talents and creatively express themselves.
Learning Through Service
"Two of my biggest passions are service and the environment, so a lot of my free time is spent being part of clubs at school (Earth Club, the Service Council, and Peer Helpers). I also love science and want to encourage more girls to feel confident in pursuing it. My friend Ann G. and I run a club with MS teacher Ms. Anya Keithley called 'Girls Excelling in Maths and Sciences' (GEMs), an afterschool activity for MS girls. Here we teach them scientific concepts, do fun experiments, problem-solving, and also teach them about different women in science." - Asha O., Class of 2021
At ISKL, service learning is an integral part of the school curriculum, and we believe learning through service shapes global learners with strong values that will last a lifetime. A wide range of service learning co-curricular activities are available to students that encourage them to make positive changes in the world around them and become involved in exploring community needs, solution planning, and action.
ISKL offers several clubs that participate in community partnerships, such as the Malaysian Karen Organization, Within Malaysia, Special Children Society of Ampang (SCSOA), the Chin Community Partnership, and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Besides that, HS students have the opportunity to engage in our Global Action Program (GAP), providing service in remote communities within Southeast Asia. As passionate advocates for the benefits of outdoor experiential learning, we see GAP as the culmination of a school-wide program designed to provide students with a hands-on opportunity to make a tangible impact within the wider community.
Watching your child thrive is one of a parent's greatest rewards. A key component of ISKL holistic education is our broad range of engaging co-curricular activities that provide a plethora of possibilities for each student to be all they can be. This ethos is why our Panthers found themselves at ISKL, and why you should too.
To learn more about the co-curricular program at ISKL, please visit our page here. Beyond discovery, exploration, and empowerment, the opportunities bring a kaleidoscope of memories, and we look forward to creating beautiful experiences for your child!
This content is provided by The Society of International School of Kuala Lumpur.
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