The start of the new school year at IGB International School (IGBIS) had not only seen new faces amongst the students but also in its leadership.
Mr. Jason McBride has joined IGB International School (IGBIS) as the new Head of School, taking over the helm from Mrs. Anne Fowles, who had served as the Founding Head of School since IGBIS’ establishment in 2014. Mr. McBride does not see his current role as ‘replacing’ Ms. Fowles but is here to “be the best Jason possible, and we’ll go on from there!”
Shaping young people into great human beings
“There’s a furniture store in Dubai called ‘The One’,” Mr McBride explained, “and the employees there had a saying on the back of their shirts: ‘Same, same, but different’. It’s a common saying there that you see pop up in different cultures around the world, and if I’m only being half-funny, I think that summarises my opinion on education around the world.”
To Mr. McBride, taking care of the whole child—their learning, wellbeing and honoring their uniqueness—has been his priority everywhere; his “same, same”. He believes that school do their best work when the focus is on student and staff wellbeing first as a precursor to great learning and achievement. “When schools celebrate exam scores only, they are making a statement about what is important, potentially setting student wellbeing down the priority list. When you take care of students as people first and learners a close second, you can get great scores and raise healthy human beings at the same time.”
Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as an example, he mentioned that IGBIS’ teachers are doing a fantastic job by promoting a sense of community and belonging, even while online, and making sure the students feel cared for, loved, supported, eating well and getting enough sleep. “Many schools are focusing on learning and well-being second, and I think that the priority order is wrong. If children don’t know that you care, they’re not going to listen. And for us [at IGBIS], well-being has always been important.”
Inclusion is an aspect that he honors as a leader in the school. “If you look at [IGBIS’] USPs, we hang our hat on inclusion. For some schools, inclusion means supporting learners who are struggling, but it’s much bigger than that.” He realizes that open-mindedness over the idiosyncrasies of all cultures needs to be present, but it is within the IB mission to see the world as a global, internationally-minded place.
The idea of international mindedness is represented in the IB Learner’s profile, and Mr. McBride’s views align with that of IB and IGBIS. “IB’s mission statement has something in it to the effect of ‘multiple perspectives can also be right’, and that’s a humbling statement to keep in mind when interacting with other people.” Although it is important to celebrate the differences and similarities of his students and staff, he also keeps cultural sensitivity and norms in mind. Mr. McBride explained that he wants to bring an understanding of acceptance at IGBIS where “as long as an individual’s choices don’t run over someone else’s right to exist and express themselves the way they want to, then I think it should be allowed.”
He quipped: “Who would have thought that a t-shirt from a furniture store would summarise 20-plus years of educational experience and leadership?”
IGB International School (IGBIS) is a vibrant Early Years to Grade 12 international school that provides a dynamic, innovative and inclusive learning environment where students are challenged to excel in both their learning and personal growth. Additionally, IGBIS is the only school in Malaysia accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). IGBIS is also a member of the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS), the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), Council of International Schools (CIS) and Next Frontier Inclusion.
A special package will be introduced in this month (Oct’2021) when enrolling into IGB International School. Find out more now by visiting our website or email to admissions@igbis.edu.my to get in touch with the Admission Office today.
