Tenby Schools Ipoh, the pioneer Tenby School to operate in Malaysia, recently moved from its former premises in Jalan Watson to a brand new modern campus.
There are now five Tenby Schools across Malaysia in Penang, Ipoh, Shah Alam, Johor Bahru and Miri; with over 4,300 children from 60 countries and 500 exptariate and local teachers. All the schools are housed in purpose-built campuses.
On 27 March, 2014 Tenby Schools Malaysia celebrated the official opening of Tenby Schools Ipoh, which comprises a private school offering a British-based international curriculum, a Malaysian private school, an A-Level center and a kindergarten. Located in Ipoh’s Bandar Meru Raya Township, the 14-acre site is a purpose-built university-style campus equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, offering the children of Ipoh better and more exciting opportunities to pursue academic and extra-curricular activities.
This is the fifth new "university-style" school campus opened and operated by Tenby Schools Malaysia in the past five years. Over that time Tenby has earned itself a strong reputation in the country for establishing and operating its unique model of private school in which international and local curricula sit side by side and where the students of both schools enjoy the same campus and facilities.
The grand occasion, held in the school grounds, was graced by HRH The Regent of Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah. The Perak state Chief Minister, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, was also present.
The Chairman of Tenby Schools Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Fadzil Che Wan, confirmed the Group was intent on ensuring that the children of Ipoh would continue to enjoy the finest environment in pursuing their educational goals. “We are committed to moving forward in our plans to enhance the learning environment in all our schools by providing the best learning tools and technology, and by establishing a solid staff development program to ensure international teaching standards for both the local and international curriculum so that our children will receive the best,” he said.
Tenby Schools Ipoh began in the 1960s as a kindergarten to cater for the children of British expatriates in and around Ipoh. As the population of expatriates grew over the years, it subsequently added the primary, and later, the secondary curriculum before the addition of a local Malaysian primary school in 2000. Two years after the late Dato’ KK Lim took over the school in 2004 from Yayasan Perak, a local Malaysian secondary school was also established.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dato’ Lim Si Boon, Director of Tenby Schools Malaysia said, “The school has come a long way since 2004. From an enrolment of less than 400 students, today we have nearly 1,200 students from the ages of 3 up to 19, and a team of 200 teachers and staff.”
After Ipoh, Tenby continued its progress with new schools in Setia Eco Park (Shah Alam), Penang, Johor Bahru and Miri. “Today we have over 4,300 children from 60 countries, and 500 teachers in all our five purpose-built Tenby Schools campuses across Malaysia,” he added.
The distinctive feature of Tenby Schools Malaysia is an integrated model which comprises both a Malaysian private school and an international school on the same campus, coming together and sharing knowledge and skills. Tenby students, be they Malaysian or international, gain hands-on understanding of diverse cultures and backgrounds through their interaction with one another and have a wide range of opportunities to participate and contribute to the local community.
Mrs. Lai Kong Wa, who will be leaving her post as Director of Schools in August 2014, said, “Today marks a significant moment for me as it is the culmination of the late Dato’ KK Lim’s vision for a united world at peace, through education. Tenby Schools Ipoh are the pioneer schools for Tenby Schools Malaysia, and this move is an affirmation of the happy, thriving and industrious community of teachers and students that we represent. I feel content that I have played my part in helping to realise the vision and I extend to my successor, Mr. Howard Bullock, every good wish in taking the schools to greater heights.” Mr. Howard Bullock, who was also present at the ceremony, will assume the role of Principal in August 2014.
At the opening ceremony, guests were treated to a host of student performances, one of which was the choir who sang “Getting to Know You” and “Nyalakan Tekad”. The school choir is currently involved in the ongoing Green World Children’s Choir project, a global project that has so far included the production of a video and recordings for dignitaries of Broadway and Disney in the United States of America.
Other performance items were the Hand Bells, African Drums and Gamelan ensembles by students of the primary and secondary schools. Guests also enjoyed a contemporary dance performance and a rendition of “Say Something” by soloist Joshua Alfred Myat, a Year 10 student who had previously studied at Tenby International School, Miri in Sarawak. A band from Tenby Schools Penang, another sister school of Tenby Schools Ipoh also performed at this ceremony to the delight of the audience.
The ceremony ended at 1.00 p.m. with His Royal Highness, the Regent of Perak leading the entire school community in releasing 1,200 helium balloons into the air. It was indeed a joyous day for the schools as they celebrated an important milestone in their development. Tenby Schools Ipoh now looks forward to many more successful years ahead.
For more information about Tenby Schools Malaysia, visit www.tenby.edu.my
