Institution Profile

Established in 2002, Straits International School is known for delivering an excellent level of education with a learning focus through the British Cambridge curriculum. With well-equipped facilities and accessible learning resources, children are encouraged to #GrowBeyond and are guided to learn and develop independently, facilitating their personal growth, and instilling in each of them a lifelong passion for learning.

Straits International School Penang offers children, aged 3 – 16 years, the best opportunity to experience international learning within a safe, engaging and happy learning environment with highly experienced educators who are committed to nurturing their young minds, encouraging them to never give up, challenging them to find the best solutions and celebrating their success when they are able to #GrowBeyond what they ever thought possible

Since 2021, the school is proud to be under the leadership and guidance of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) Malaysia to further establish the school’s independence and capability to expand on its strong foundation in excellent standards of learning & teaching.

VISION

To be respected and recognised for its standard of education by encouraging excellence in every aspect of the life of our community, and by supporting and nurturing each other to achieve that goal.

Towards actualising this vision, SIS endeavours to:

• Create a positive and challenging collegiate atmosphere that gives staff and their department the time and support to excel in everything they do;
• Become a centre of excellence for high quality pastoral care and academic support for all pupils;
• Develop an innovative curriculum that challenges our brightest pupils whilst supporting and providing appropriate challenge to our weaker pupils;
• Provide pupils and staff outstanding opportunities for leadership and service throughout our community;
• Firmly establish our reputation as a centre of excellence for educating the whole child;
• Develop a strong "Straits Community" with excellent communication systems that includes parents, students and teachers;
• Create a learning environment that enhances opportunities for student progress;
• Build the systems and policies required to ensure that future Straits International Schools can start with efficiency; and
• Build capacity at all levels and in all areas to achieve these goals.

MISSION

Straits International School aims to prepare our students to take up their places in an ever evolving and challenging world, striving for continuous excellence in their pursuits, but tempered with empathy for others. Students of Straits International School will leave the school with strong moral and ethical values and with a truly internationally-minded outlook.

This mission statement is distilled into the following:

Straits International School believes that:

• A child's happiness and positive self-esteem are vital to their personal and social development;
• Children need to be taught to believe in themselves;
• The attitude of children should be healthy and positive;
• Children should become independent learners and taught to think independently;
• Children ought to know how to set goals and how to achieve them;
• Children should learn that self-discipline and self-motivation are the keys to achievement and success; and
• Children must learn to look outwards from within.

We believe that every child is unique and has the potential to #GrowBeyond, and to be developed into a self-assured, selfless, and spirited individual. We are committed to a style of education that demands academic rigour but recognises that success can be counted in many ways.

The school is proud to be part of the growing schools group International Schools Partnership, with more than 56 schools in 16 countries.

• Briefly describe what is outstanding or what differentiates you from other schools and why a parent should choose you instead of others:

• Location: Straits International School Penang is located within the Bayan Lepas area (a manufacturing hub for Penang) and strategically near the Penang International Airport (PIA).
• Established Curriculum & Syllabus: The school follows a combination of the Cambridge Checkpoint Curriculum (in English, Math and Science) and the National Curriculum of England and Wales. The school offers Mandarin as a compulsory subject, either as a First or Foreign Language and Malaysian students study Bahasa Malaysia. All students at the school take part in Malaysian studies lessons and Islamic Studies is available for our Muslim students. The school curriculum is very much ‘internationalised’, particularly in the Humanities, where we attempt to broaden the horizons of our children by teaching from examples around the world.
  The school supplements the curriculum a variety of diverse co-curricular activities and International Learning Opportunities for Students (ILOS) programme

Available Scholarships: Scholarship discounts are given to excellent achievers who have scored well in the Checkpoint tests. A scholarship is also open to all applicants who are applying for a place in Secondary school (up to 50% of the Tuition Fees depending on the assessment result of the scholarship test, interview, behavioural record, and recommendation from the current school).

Programme Outline & Curriculum

• International Nursery & Kindergarten (3-5 years) ,
• Primary (5-11 years),
• Secondary (11-16 years)

Straits International School Penang follows the UK calendar so there are three terms a year and the academic year commences in August / September, right after the summer holiday.

Straits International School Penang follows a British Curriculum from Nursery to Year 11 (3-16 years old) as we believe that education in the UK encourages independent, thoughtful, and confident students. We offer the widely-recognised Cambridge International qualifications with students sitting for Cambridge Checkpoint Tests in Years 6 and 9 and IGCSE’s in Year 11. To enhance their learning experience all students from Year 4 and above are provided with a Chrome book.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Sports

• Aerobics
• Badminton
• Wushu
• Tae Kwon Do
• Aikido
• Swim Speed & Technique
• Floorball
• Ball Games
• Football
• Futsal
• Yoga
• Basketball
• Table Tennis ...and more!

Music & Performances

• Ballet
• Trumpet
• Hip Hop
• Flute
• Zumba
• Clarinet
• Choir
• Saxophone
• Orchestra
• Guitar
• Percussion
• Drums
• Piano
• Ukulele
• Violin ...and more!

Arts, Creativity & Games

• Robots 2 U
• Sketching
• Chess
• Creative Arts
• Playdoh Sculptures
• Boardgame
• Design & Technology
• Debating
• Crafty Creations
• Problem Solving
• Mandala Drawing ...and more!

Academic Support

• Fun with Vocab
• Fun with Maths
• Mandarin Fun
• Handwriting Club
• Advanced Mandarin
• After school EAL
• Phonics Enrichment
• Language Presentation Skills
• Buddy Reading ....and more!

Straits International Schools also organises Summer Holiday Camps and has a popular After School Club, Monday – Friday until 6pm.

To ensure high-quality learning, Straits International School Penang employs qualified and passionate British and Malaysian teachers that lead the curriculum while allowing students to be independent in both learning and expressing themselves.

Our outstanding facilities throughout the school ensure students enjoy their learning here. These facilities include –

• ICT suites,
• Multipurpose Hall,
• Basketball Court,
• Badminton Court,
• Swimming Pool,
• Futsal Pitch,
• Early Years Playground,
• Drama Studio & Purpose-Built Stage,
• Drum & Guitar Instrumental Room,
• Piano & Keyboard Instrumental Room,
• Universal Music Room,
• Fitness Suites,
• Art & Design Room,
• Well-Equipped Library,
• Science Labs,
• Engaging Learning Spaces,
• Cafeteria.

Entry Requirements

Students have to pass the trial/ placement tests

Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarship discounts are given to excellent achievers who scored well in the Checkpoint tests. A scholarship is also open to all applicants who are applying for a place in Secondary school (up to 50% of the Tuition Fees depending on the assessment result of the scholarship test, interview, behavioural record, and recommendation from the current school).

Accreditations & Awards

Courses Offered

Click on a programme name for full details.

Contact Details

Key Personnel

Karlie Walsh Campus Principal , Straits International School (SIS Penang) Philosophy: Watching children learn and grow together is a very rewarding experience, and this is a key for motivation for Mrs. Karlie, and the fundamental reason why she enjoys teaching. Vision: To provide a safe and happy learning environment which promotes academic challenge, a sense of community responsibility and the development of well balanced, caring pupils who are equipped for their future. Ms Karlie and her dedicated team are determined to provide the very best for all involved with Straits. They recognise that each pupil is unique and requires personal learning experiences to maximise their potential. Success is measured in many ways and students at Straits International School shall confidently be able to say that they can make a positive difference to the world in which they live, having been given the tools and opportunities to excel. We are currently developing our enterprise projects with a business focus for all year levels. Academic Qualification & Experience: Mrs. Karlie Walsh originates from Melbourne, Australia, and has lived in London for 14 years before moving to Penang in 2015. She graduated from both the University of New England in New South Wales, Australia, and University of London’s Institute of Education. During her career, she has held posts managing English, Mathematics and PE as well as being a Senior Leader for more than 10 years.   About the Founder International Schools Partnership welcomed Straits International School into its growing family of schools in December 2021. The International Schools Partnership (ISP) is a growing group of committed colleagues in financially responsible schools around the world, all of which aim to be the school of choice in their local area. Learning is at the heart of everything it does for its students, colleagues and parents. It is committed to getting better, all the time. Its growing group of private schools located in six clusters (Europe, Mexico & Central America, the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia and the USA & Canada) educate children and students from 2 - 18 years of age. It has now expanded to over 56 schools delivering multiple curricula and building on local brands and reputations.

Straits International School (SIS Penang) Videos