Panthers of ISKL (POISKL) is our platform, where insightful and reflective stories from the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) community are shared. Here, our students, faculty, and staff provide real-life accounts that positively impact our ever-evolving world.
ISKL offers a world of opportunities for students and employees to explore, realize and shape their full potential, whether on an academic, personal, or social level. The vast and diverse array of available experiences that appeal to different passions and interests allows students to develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. These personal tools equip them for the future, with a global mindset that enables them to explore countless possibilities and open doors to fulfillment.
Here we share inspiring stories of individuals who have captured the essence of these qualities and taken advantage of all available opportunities to achieve and follow their passions. From a state swimmer to an aspiring filmmaker, a linguistic educator, and a scholarship student, here we meet three students plus one faculty and hear about the boundless opportunities available at ISKL.
ANGEL - THE SELANGOR STATE SWIMMER
Angel Z. ('27) is an exceptional swimmer from Middle School who represents the ISKL swim team, D Swim Academy Selangor (DSAS), and the Selangor State Swim Team. She shares her achievements and future aspirations, saying, "Even though swimming is hard because I have to swim around 5000 meters daily, I know that I have learned many skills through swimming, such as perseverance, never giving up, and never being afraid of defeat."
Angel's aptitude for swimming started young, and at the age of 5, she joined the ISKL Piranhas (more recently known as Aqua Panthers) Swim Team, and at the age of eight, she enrolled in DSAS. Here, Angel began to believe in her ability to work harder and swim faster, feeling increasingly motivated by training for competitions and support from her many inspiring coaches. It was not long before she moved from the Mini Squad to Group D, slowly progressing through the ranks to finally reach Group A. Her most recent achievement was finishing the Selangor Age Group (SAG) competition in third place in the Girls' 13-14 year category!
Recently Angel was selected to represent Selangor in the Malaysia Open 2023 and the Malaysia Invitational Age Group (MIAG) for the second year running. Her swim calendar is full of events. She participated in the 'Early Fire' Swim Meet and the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS) Swimming Championship.
Her commitment to swimming entails a daily target of 5000m, and with this comes building upon endurance, speed, and personal perseverance, all necessary attributes for participation in competitive races. Angel's future mindset is driven to attend a university with a swim team where she can train for the Olympics to represent her country.
ANDERSON W. - THE ENTHUSIASTIC FILM EDITOR & COMPOSER
Anderson W. ('24) is an avid film editor who recently participated in IASAS Culcon and is Editor for the school's PAWdcast Club, which covers major ISKL events such as IASAS and Ifest.
Initially stemming from Minecraft (MC) and other Gaming Activity clubs, editing, and film-making have broadened Anderson's co-curricular interests. Being self-taught during the Covid pandemic, he developed an aptitude and, throughout Grade 10, has grown exponentially as a producer and filmmaker.
Inspired by the recent IASAS Art and Film convention, where he interacted with other film enthusiasts from participating schools, it was a great learning experience for Anderson, encouraging him to take Higher Level (HL) Film.
Music, especially the cello and composing, are other interests that Anderson enjoys. Having recently participated in the Bangkok Strings Festival, he draws inspiration from composers Haydn, Mozart, and Kozeluch and composed a fully furnished quartet for IASAS Music that took over ten months to complete.
Experiences such as this have established great memories for Anderson of bonding with students in an environment beyond the boundaries of the traditional school setting.
"Knowing and understanding yourself in the context of your limitations and shortfalls, abilities and skills. They are all vitally important in determining your overall outcome and satisfaction in life."
LEANDRO VENIER - THE LINGUISTIC EDUCATOR
Leandro is the High School (HS) World Language Head of Department, otherwise known as the HS Curriculum Area Leader. His interest in education was nurtured from a young age, which he explains impacted his journey and achievements in language learning.
Leandro's current role encouraged him to improve upon the number of languages and varying levels available to students in native proficiency and second language acquisition courses. For this, he draws on the diverse community of colleagues he works alongside at ISKL, all with different backgrounds and speaking a range of languages that enrich teaching.
Supported by the expertise within the HS World Language Department, Leandro is making exciting changes to the lesson plans and readdressing teaching strategies as the curriculum is revised. Together with colleagues, they share and recycle ideas to support all students learning and are constantly motivated to improve teaching lesson plans.
Leandro's passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom. With an inert interest in language acquisition, motivation, and memory, he constantly researches and writes and has published several articles in the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS) and Triannual Journal about language learning as well as writing a book on strategies for teaching Spanish as a foreign language. "Education ultimately should allow you to get to know yourself better and understand those around you. If that is the goal, you naturally will develop a caring attitude towards yourself and those around you."
PRETYBA K. - THE PATHWAYS SCHOLAR
Pretyba ('26) is one of ISKL's inaugural four-year Pathways Scholars with a vision and mission of her own. Born and raised in Malaysia, she started middle school at SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 public school before joining ISKL as a Pathways Scholar in August 2022. "It has been a priceless experience, with an abundance of opportunities available," Pretyba enthusiastically exclaims, "and as one of the best schools in Malaysia, if not THE best, I know it will open countless doors for me, teaching me essential values and life skills."
Transitioning to ISKL has been a smooth process for Pretyba, and any initial anxiety quickly disappeared on Orientation Day when she was introduced to teachers and fellow students. She reaffirmed that everyone was kind, patient, and willing to help support her adjustment to an international environment.
With personal interests ranging from listening to music, reading, writing, and engaging in TED Talks, history, and current affairs, Pretyba has immersed herself proactively by taking advantage of the co-curricular opportunities available at ISKL. She has enrolled in clubs such as Tri M, ASKL, CARE, Debate, and Kids 4 Kids. However, if time were not of the essence, she would access many more!
Despite her relatively short time at ISKL, her favorite memory is singing in the HS Choir, accompanied by HS Music faculty Jaymin Baird's enthusiastic directing. "As soon as you set foot into the room, the energy and positive vibes surrounding you is at its peak," Pretyba explains, "thanks to Mrs. Baird's ability to maintain a safe, inclusive, and fun musical environment."
At this stage in Pretyba's educational journey, it is early for her to plan her future studies, although she wants to attend an international university. Being realistic in life and taking unexpected turns at any given moment, she believes in living in the present moment, with her best example being offered the ISKL scholarship.
Currently, Pretyba aspires to run a sustainable business alongside an NGO in which she can positively impact the world, helping people in need, no matter their identity, and righting the wrongs of the world. She believes that through effort and hard work while incorporating her pathway into the world of music, film, and the arts; she will keep all her options open for review.
At ISKL, we are proud that our school provides many opportunities for our community to flourish and cultivate their passions — many thanks to Angel, Anderson, Leandro, and Pretyba for sharing their stories of engaging in new experiences enhancing their skills.
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Established in 1965, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) has become known as a center of excellence in the world of international education. ISKL is a co-educational, private, non-profit school responsible for the learning journey of over 1,600 students aged 3-18 years representing more than 65 nationalities at its campus in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
ISKL offers a robust international curriculum which combines leading North American educational frameworks with global best practice. The curriculum recognizes that students are on a lifelong learning journey and is driven by ISKL’s purpose to prepare our students for life itself, as we believe in the importance of helping students to shape their own paths, supporting them in discovering their passions, developing their competencies, and having an ethical impact on the world.
ISKL is accredited internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS), and in the United States through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). There is a strong focus on service and sustainability across its divisions and is a member of the Eco-Schools organization and the Green Schools Alliance.
