We are delighted to announce that ISKL has been shortlisted in the inaugural Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education! The nomination is for Middle School’s wonderful outdoor interdisciplinary Malaysia Week program in the category Inspiring Co-curricular Activities. Talk Education is a UK-based global private schools guide and we are honored to have been shortlisted out of the hundreds of entries received from schools around the world.
The depth of learning that occurs before, during, and after Malaysia Week is truly remarkable and special recognition goes to our Middle School team. Malaysia Week Co-ordinator extraordinaire, Karen Palko’s visionary approach saw a specially modified version of Malaysia Week back on the calendar this year after a two-year hiatus with students engaged in a mix of SOP-friendly on campus and on location activities. The logistics involved in running the program were truly remarkable and our students (as they have done for the last 40-plus years) came away proud of all they have learned and accomplished, with a greater sense of resilience, confidence, and compassion. We know from the comments of our alumni, that these are lessons they will carry with them throughout their lives. Renata Tapia (Class of 93) sums up the Malaysia Week experience so perfectly “it was the best experience I’ve ever had … we were ordinary people doing extraordinary things!”
With our after school activities commencing next week, the award announcement could not be a more timely reminder of the role our co-curricular program plays in fulfilling our Vision and Mission. As well as helping our students discover new passions and interests, being actively involved in different co-curricular activities helps students step out of their comfort zones in a safe and nurturing environment and develop important life skills while at the same time making new connections and friends. In addition, as our IB and AP coordinator Ebony Manning shared in her presentation at our Open Board meeting, participation in co-curricular activities helps improve academic performance as well as social and emotional well-being.
Providing students with the opportunity to explore and experiment is an integral component of our curriculum. We have an extensive and exciting program of after school activities school-wide lined up this year with everything from Young Investors to KPop and Earth Club to Karate and we are looking forward to seeing all corners of our campus continue to be filled with learning, laughter, and fun after the dismissal bell rings.
We also have plenty of opportunities for our parents to join us on campus which can be found on ISKL’s In Partnership site. It was great to see so many parents join us (in person and online) for the Open Board Meeting last week and we thank our Board Chair and members for their presentations and the work they put into the governance and financial oversight of our school. Congratulations to the new Board members that were elected last week and thank you to all parents who expressed interest in joining our Board.
In partnership
Rami Madani
Head of School