In an era where knowledge is abundant and change is the only constant, education must rise to meet the challenges of the future. Learning is no longer confined to textbooks and lectures; today’s students are called to be innovators, critical thinkers, and empathetic leaders. The modern classroom is a canvas for exploration, where curiosity ignites passion and collaboration breeds creativity.
Within this evolving landscape, a unique educational vision is blossoming, one that defines Singapore School, Pantai Indah Kapuk (SIS-PIK) under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Hyde, the Head of the School.
SIS-PIK was inspired to combine the educational traditions of Cambridge, BTEC, the IB, and the Singaporean curriculum for two main reasons. Firstly, the school believes that each of these academic traditions serves a distinct purpose in enhancing the educational experience. The Singaporean Curriculum is known for its rigor, particularly in Mathematics, English, Chinese, and Science, providing students with a solid foundation for high school while emphasizing critical and creative thinking, as well as problem-solving skills. The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum ensures that students receive a breadth of subjects along with a deep understanding of the material, which is essential for contextualizing later conceptual learning in the IB framework. The BTEC curriculum, on the other hand, offers a hands-on approach that reflects the learning and skill demonstration required in the workplace, emphasizing reciprocity, resilience, and teamwork. Meanwhile, the IB program fosters critical thinking and celebrates students with global mindsets and the ability to generate new knowledge.
The second reason for this unique blend lies at the core of SIS-PIK’s educational philosophy: it enables the school to provide a truly personalized learning journey for each student. Recognizing that every child is unique with different strengths, SIS-PIK is committed to offering individualized pathways tailored to their needs. This approach ensures that all students can thrive and reach their full potential.
SIS-PIK integrates the values of resolve, diligence, perseverance, and humility from the Singaporean curriculum with the inquiry-driven and creative approaches of Cambridge, BTEC, and the IB through its foundational framework known as the “Culture Mountain.” This framework is built on the 4Rs of Guy Claxton’s “Building Learning Power”: resilience, reciprocity, resourcefulness, and reflectiveness. Regardless of the curriculum—whether Singaporean, British, or International—teachers at SIS-PIK emphasize the development of independent learning skills.
Recognizing that students must be prepared for an uncertain future and jobs that have yet to be defined, SIS-PIK prioritizes adaptability, creativity, and flexibility. The dispositions fostered through the Singaporean curriculum remain crucial as students progress to their IB or BTEC studies. At the core of the “Culture Mountain” lie the school’s values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, which promote humility and honesty. This holistic approach ensures that students not only acquire knowledge but also embody the essential values that will guide them throughout their educational journey and beyond.
SIS-PIK measures success beyond academic achievements by placing a strong emphasis on developing leadership skills, sportsmanship, and personal growth. Recognizing that successful professionals in various fields—such as engineering, entrepreneurship, design, and the performing arts—share strong leadership capabilities, the school ensures that every student has opportunities to cultivate their potential.
One way this is achieved is through the school charity, YSPB, which is entirely student-run. Through this initiative, students have completed ambitious projects like building classrooms for village schools and providing essential supplies to communities affected by earthquakes. Additionally, the Student Council allows students to represent their peers, working to make the school environment more inclusive and sustainable.
Furthermore, SIS-PIK encourages entrepreneurial spirit by allowing Grade 11 and 12 BTEC Enterprise and Entrepreneurship students to run their own café. In this practical experience, students take on roles such as CEO, CMO, and CFO, with profits reinvested into student well-being initiatives.
Sportsmanship is also a vital aspect of the school culture, exemplified not only through participation in varsity teams but also through the organization of an annual inter-school cup.
This week-long festival of competitions invites schools from the Jakarta region, fostering camaraderie and healthy competition. Through these practices and programs, SIS-PIK celebrates and measures student growth in diverse areas beyond academics.
Educators at SIS-PIK play a pivotal role in fostering a holistic view of success, as embodied in the school’s “Culture Mountain.” This framework symbolizes the institution’s commitment to independent learning while emphasizing core values such as integrity, inclusivity, and innovation. Developed through consultations with the entire community, the “Culture Mountain” guides teachers in instilling these values in students during every lesson.
Teachers are dedicated to nurturing the whole child, focusing not only on academic performance but also on the development of character and moral virtues. They create an environment that encourages responsible global citizenship, helping students cultivate empathy, resilience, and social awareness. Through this comprehensive approach, educators at SIS-PIK ensure that students grow into well-rounded individuals, prepared to contribute positively to society while achieving academic excellence.
Recently, SIS-PIK celebrated the achievements of two students who excelled in international artistic competitions held in Malaysia and France. Recognizing the significance of these accomplishments, the school made it a priority to highlight them alongside academic results. This celebration was integrated into the broader school culture through various channels, such as featuring the students’ successes in the monthly school newsletter and prominently displaying their artwork throughout the campus.
In particular, the Head of School’s office showcases a diverse array of creations, including painted masks, sculptures, and fine art paintings, all crafted by these talented artists. By elevating non-academic achievements to the same level of recognition as academic successes, SIS-PIK reinforces its commitment to fostering a well-rounded environment where all forms of talent and creativity are valued and celebrated.
SIS-PIK ensures that students feel safe, happy, and loved, which significantly contributes to their overall learning experience. This commitment was highlighted during a recent
evaluation by the Council of International Schools (CIS), where students spoke warmly about their daily experiences at the school. Despite being home to over 850 students, SIS-PIK maintains a “family feel” through a robust network of support.
The school has pastoral Heads of Year, guidance counsellors, and a dedicated Emotional and Wellbeing Counsellor, all of whom provide students with clear points of contact when they need assistance. Safeguarding is a top priority; students are aware that logistical measures—such as maintenance, risk assessments, facilities, and security—are in place to keep them safe, allowing them to focus on their learning.
By treating each student as an individual and offering tailored pathways that align with their strengths, alongside specific interventions to help them navigate challenges, SIS-PIK fosters an environment where children feel “seen” and valued. This sense of happiness and belonging translates directly into successful learning outcomes, as students are more engaged and motivated in their educational pursuits.
SIS-PIK’s curriculum actively encourages students to take risks, ask questions, and explore their ideas, particularly through the inquiry-based nature of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. To prepare students for the IBDP and future academic pursuits, the school employs active and collaborative learning methods across all subjects, including the Primary Singaporean curriculum and the Cambridge curriculum in Junior High School.
Classes in Global Perspectives and Theory of Knowledge are specifically designed to promote critical questioning. One notable initiative that exemplifies this approach is the Model United Nations (MUN) program, which SIS-PIK introduces to students as early as Grade 7. This early exposure allows younger students to grapple with the complexities of global issues, fostering a sense of curiosity and engagement.
Additionally, the school integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) projects focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Primary curriculum. These initiatives empower students to investigate and understand the world around them, reinforcing the idea that they are never too young to engage with significant global challenges. Through these programs, SIS-PIK cultivates a culture of inquiry and exploration, enabling students to develop confidence in their ability to ask questions and pursue innovative ideas.
Dr. Daniel Hyde, the Head of the School, believes that one of the most vital responsibilities of educators is to help students grow into mindful, empathetic, honest, and ultimately good individuals. This commitment is why the school’s Culture Mountain is central to everything they do, instilling values of integrity and inclusivity in students from an early age.
In the classroom, Dr. Hyde emphasizes the reinforcement of these qualities through collaboration, peer support, and group work. Such activities teach students the importance of reciprocity and understanding diverse perspectives. He considers the Life Skills program, delivered weekly to all students, to be a key element of the curriculum, focusing on developing emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy towards others. Additionally, high school students receive training on academic honesty, covering essential topics such as proper referencing, plagiarism, and the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Hyde implements various initiatives that allow students to apply these values in real-world contexts, supporting both local and national communities. For example, the student charity offers opportunities for service learning, where students engage in projects like aiding victims of natural disasters or supporting children battling cancer. Dr. Hyde believes these experiences are invaluable in helping students understand the impact of empathy and caring in action, making these qualities integral to their character development. He feels it is essential for students to recognize their privilege in the world and understand their role in supporting those who are less fortunate.
The school supports students in pursuing their passions and developing individual interests outside the core academic subjects through a broad array of curriculum options. This diverse offering includes both traditional academic subjects and vocational pathways, enabling students to thrive in areas that resonate with them. For instance, students can explore the business aspects of Esports and learn how professional artists, designers, and creators navigate markets to satisfy client needs.
In addition to the formal curriculum, SIS-PIK provides a rich selection of Co-Curricular Activities. These activities encompass a wide range of interests, from Cooking and Gardening to Japanese Arts and Model United Nations, allowing students to engage in pursuits they are passionate about. The school encourages its most skilled students in these domains to take on leadership roles, providing opportunities for them to lead activities and clubs for their
younger peers. This approach fosters individual interests while also nurturing a sense of responsibility and mentorship within the school community.
At SIS-PIK, teachers focus on creating inspiring and engaging learning experiences that prepare students to become global citizens. The school emphasizes the principle that students should not only “talk the talk” but also “walk the walk.” In lessons, students engage with the Cambridge curriculum’s Global Perspectives and participate in a discursive Life Skills program, applying their learned skills in practical settings.
One notable example of this approach is project-based learning in the Primary years, where each student is presented with a world problem related to a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG). Through this initiative, students tackle issues such as water filtration and waste management in a hands-on manner, fostering both critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
As students progress through the school, opportunities such as Model United Nations and the World Scholar’s Cup promote active learning. These programs ensure that students are not merely passive recipients of information but are actively involved in their educational journeys. Additionally, SIS-PIK offers immersion programs, regular field trips, and annual learning journeys, providing students with firsthand experiences in various cultural and global contexts. This holistic approach helps students expand their perspectives and understand the world beyond their immediate environment.
SIS-PIK is currently in an exciting phase, nearing the end of its strategic plan developed in the aftermath of the pandemic. This previous plan primarily focused on rebuilding and supporting students who faced a significant loss of face-to-face learning over two years. As the school looks ahead to the next three years, it is now poised to embrace a more visionary approach.
While continuing to analyze data and enhance facilities, resources, and conditions for student success across all examination levels, SIS-PIK also aims to apply the latest evidence-based pedagogy. The goal is not only for teachers to excel in the classroom but also to share best practices with the wider community.
At a holistic level, the school is placing a stronger emphasis on global citizenship, sustainability, and diversity. Significant progress has been made in developing both academic
and vocational programs, ensuring that every child has a personalized pathway to success. SIS-PIK recognizes the importance of ongoing evolution in understanding pupil support for diverse educational needs and is committed to continuous improvement.
Moreover, the school aims to cultivate students’ awareness of their place in the world and the impact of their actions, from classroom dynamics to broader stewardship responsibilities. This focus will help prepare students to be conscientious global citizens who contribute positively to society.
Welcome to the future of digital storytelling, where creativity meets innovation. We’re not just a magazine platform; we’re a team of passionate visionaries committed to transforming how stories are shared, celebrated, and experienced in the digital age. Join us as we inspire, inform, and redefine the world of digital magazines.
© Copyright 2021 | educationeureka | All Rights Reserved.