Australian International School, Malaysia

The Australian International School Malaysia (AISM) is the only 100% Australian curriculum school in the country. It provides a comprehensive and challenging curriculum in a coeducational environment for students in Preparatory to Year 12.

The School follows the NSW Board of Studies curriculum at all levels. It is recognised by the NSW Board of Studies and the rigorous curriculum leads to the School Certificate (SC) at Year 10 and the Higher School Certificate (HSC) at Year 12 matriculation. Each year's Year 12 cohort have gained entry into some of the finest universities in Australia and the world over.

The Australian International School Malaysia has a reputation for being a caring School where there exist a strong sense of community and where there is a strong relationship between teacher and taught, and the School works closely with parents to ensure that each individual student is given the best chance to succeed in all areas.

Organisation and Teaching Staff

The School is divided into three sub-schools, all on one single purpose built campus. The sub-schools - Junior, Middle and Senior, recognise the different stages in learning and each is equipped with state of the art facilities to ensure optimum learning. Each sub-school is lead by a Head of School, who is responsible for the students and staff within it. A Principal leads the whole School assisted by the Assistant Principal.

The main strength of the School lies in its dedicated, passionate and principled teachers. The majority of the teaching staff are highly experienced and well qualified Australian teachers who create the culture and standards of the learning environment. In addition to exhibiting typical Australian attitudes of fairness, friendship, egalitarianism and openness, our staff foster a learning atmosphere that encourages creativity, confidence and caters for individual differences.

A Curriculum Co-ordinator overseas the curriculum and content in each School, in consultation with the Heads of Schools. A Sports Co-ordinator is responsible for the Sporting and Extra Curricular Programme and the Welfare Co-ordinator oversees the Pastoral care programmes. The Development Officer is responsible for promoting the School and general relations within the community.

Curriculum

AISM offers an Australian curriculum to all its students.

The curriculum offered is very much a broad and extensive one. It is based around the demands for the subject to be taught, and the availability of appropriate teaching resources and subject specialist teachers who are appropriately qualified to teach it.

The Key Learning Areas for Primary Education (Kindergarten to Year 6) are:

• English (and ESL)• Mathematics• Science and Technology• Human Society and Its Environment• Creative and Practical Arts• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

In addition, students study a foreign language other than English - Bahasa Melayu and Chinese Mandarin is offered.

The Key Learning Areas for Secondary Education (Years 7 to 10) are:

• English (and ESL)• Mathematics (All levels)• Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)• Human Society and Its Environment(Asian Studies, Commerce, Geography, History)• Languages other than English (Bahasa Melayu and Mandarin)• Technology and Applied Studies (Design Technology and Information Technology)• Creative Arts (Drama, Music and Visual Arts)• Personal Development Health and Physical Education

In Years 11 and 12, AISM has attempted to provide the broadest pattern of elective subjects that is possible given the relatively small number of students in our senior years. The School aims to ensure that students are provided with a subject choice that meets their needs for future study and careers and meet their ability levels and interests.

The curriculum allows the School to cater for gifted and talented children who need acceleration programs in one or more disciplines, for students with specific learning difficulties and for children of non-English speaking backgrounds either through specialized programs or through our policy of differentiating the curriculum.

To ensure that all students are able to gain full benefit from their lessons, an ESL support programme has been introduced, which allows students from a non-English speaking background to improve their English skills in a small group learning situation, and also have help and support during regular lessons with their classmates.

Principals

The current Principal is Anne-Maree Armstrong. In addition to her duties as Principal, Mrs. Armstrong is involved in the teaching of Visual Arts.

Peter Moxham was AISM's founding principal.

There have only been two Principals to date.

Alumni

A relatively small and young School, it has not had many notable alumni. The School shares a strong relationship between past staff and students.

Because the School follows an Australian curriculum and school year, entry to and from all Australian schools is seamless. Students have gone on to study at Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, St. Joseph's College, Scots, St. Cathrines School in NSW and Narrabundah College in the ACT.

Applicants to university have most often been accepted to their university of choice.

External links

* [http://www.aism.edu.my Australian International School Malaysia]
* [http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au NSW Board of Studies]