Prince of Wales Island International School

Message from the Principal

Within these pages is a description of why I believe the Prince of Wales Island International School, Penang, represents a special place for your child’s education. Given the chance to start a new school with our own values, one of our first challenges was to define the School motto. The three words we decided best represented our ambitions for the school and our students were truth, wisdom and integrity. At every level, and for every member of the POWIIS community: staff, pupil and parent, we hope that the ideals that these words represent are the foundations of our actions and our relationships.

POWIIS will provide a culture where truth is prized, in everydaycommunication and in our pursuit of academic excellence; where wisdom is gained and respected by all who learn here; and where we can expect the highest levels of integrity in personal standards and behaviour, and make a school rule book unimportant. By making such values clear from the start, we know that our pupils will take them with them when they leave.

From the foundations of our philosophy to the details of the admissions procedure, I hope that this prospectus will have successfully shared with you what is important to us and what is important to you as you choose a new school.

I realise that this is just the beginning of the process. Education is a relationship between school, child and parent. Just as books or the internet can never replace a good teacher, neither a prospectus nor a website can provide the same quality of understanding as meeting face to face. If what you read here corresponds with what you want for your child, then please arrange to meet us.

Philip CouzensPrincipal and CEO

About UsThe Prince of Wales Island International School is situated in a green, serene and healthy environment.

Where we are

Situated in the growing garden township of Botanica.CT near Balik Pulau in Penang, POWIIS is surrounded by a green, serene and healthy environment in which to grow and learn. Away from traffic, noise and pollution POWIIS is centrally situated and almost equidistant from

Georgetown, Batu Ferringhi, Bayan Lepas and the Free Industrial Zone. Only 30 minutes away from Penang’s International Airport, travel from peninsular Malaysia and further abroad is easy, and the completion of the second bridge between Penang and the mainland will further enhance our connections with the northern Malaysian states.

About U

s

POWIIS will be a school where academic excellence is respected and recognised.

What we are

POWIIS will be the first school in Malaysia to offer British-style boarding alongside thriving day education. Built to look after up to 800 students from 11 to 18 years of age, top quality accommodation in purpose-built halls on campus will house almost 400 of our total number. Pupils will be offered full boarding or weekly boarding, staying with us for the whole week or returning home at weekends. There will also be the possibility of staying in school just for one or two nights as and when required. With decades of experience behind us, we believe that the boarding experience is a valuable one.

POWIIS will be a school which puts academic endeavour at the top of our list of priorities and one where academic excellence is respected and recognised. We shall provide a curriculum based on British standards, leading to IGCSE and A level. With support and encouragement and a dedicated staff whose passion is to teach, we shall expect our pupils to do their best at all times and set their sights on the most prestigious universities after they leave school.

Who we are

One of POWIIS’ greatest assets will always be its people. From the management and support services of our experienced parent company and governing body to the expertise of our senior academic team, the aim of POWIIS will be to provide a quality education in every sense of the word. However excellent our facilities, it is the people that make the difference. Come and meet us, and ask us any questions that this prospectus may have left unanswered.

School Opening Date

The School will open in September 2011 for pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. The School academic year will run from September to July, split into three terms. The main intake will be in September with a supplementary intake in January.

Prince of Wales Island International School

Balik Pulau Offices: 8 & 10 Jalan Sungai Air Putih, Bandar Baru Air Putih,11000 Balik Pulau, Penang, MalaysiaTel: +604 866 2399 Fax +604 866 5388

Georgetown Offices: Suite 7A, 7th Floor, Wisma MTT, 26 Weld Quay, 10300 Penang, MalaysiaTel: +604 258 9812 Fax +604 263 8308

Admissions [email protected]

www.powiis.edu.my

MTT Learning Academy Sdn Bhd (733077-D)

© Prince of Wales Island International School 2011

The CurriculumAn international school has the freedom to tailor its curriculum to provide the best for its pupils.

Schools each have their own ethos and distinctiveness, reflecting their unique educational philosophy and aims. Private education provides parents with the opportunity to choose a school with a curriculum and style that fits with their values and their ambitions for their children.

The advantage of being an international school is that the school has the freedom to tailor its curriculum to provide the best for its pupils. We can take into account the individual characteristics of the child: their strengths, their varying cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as their expectations and aspirations for the next stage of education.

The C

urriculum

Syllabuses do not define the limits of what is to be learnt. The foundations of our curriculum are:

• Academic work and intellectual activities are fundamental to all that goes on in the School.

• Syllabuses do not define the limits of what is to be learnt.

• All classroom and other activities are valuable and interlinked, and contribute to the general development and success of the pupil.

• Examination results are vital for the next stage, but a good education brings much wider achievement as well as top grades.

• Self-motivation, independent thinking and taking on responsibility are essential elements of a student’s development and will receive greater emphasis as a child progresses.

• Students should feel appropriately challenged in all that they do, but at the same time they should always feel supported.

• The curriculum should be balanced and broad for the most part, and all curriculum subjects should be equally valued, so that children can experience a wide range of subjects before they make their choices.

• Where practical, subject choices should maintain the option of a variety of potential career paths for as long as possible.

• Ministry of Education Malaysia regulations will be followed.

The Junior Curriculum (Year 7 to Year 11)

In keeping with our principles POWIIS will use the best from established curricula in independent schools in the UK to build a curriculum suited to our pupils. Central to our aims will be a structure based on a solid core of compulsory subjects (including mathematics, the three sciences and English) complemented by a wide range of other subjects and activities. As pupils approach the start of their IGCSE courses in Year 10, they will be guided to make the first of their important choices as they narrow down the number of subjects they study. By selecting from carefully designed groups of option subjects, we can ensure that academic breadth is maintained whilst allowing pupils to begin to shape the direction of their own education.

The Sixth Form Curriculum (Years 12 and 13)

A levels provide more flexibility than any other curriculum in the world. Students can choose to specialise in a narrow field of study, a possibility that is unique to A levels, or they can choose to put together subject combinations that match the breadth of other systems. The A level route, usually in three or four subjects, is that taken by the large majority of entrants to UK universities and is accepted by universities across the world including the US, Australia and Europe.

True scholarship goes beyond the boundary of the syllabus and is measured by much more than subject grades. Sixth Formers will be encouraged to pursue their academic interests both in and beyond the classroom through independent study, through reading and research and through the sharing of their endeavours with others. Involvement and exploration in a subject, with proper scope for creativity and reflection, result not only in much more secure understanding and knowledge, but also bring the highest exam grades and prepare students for their lives at university. Such an approach is also much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Full details of the subjects taught and option choices can be found in the information sheets within this prospectus.

Pupils begin to shape the direction of their own education.

Selection

Pupils will be tested on entry for academic potential and competence in English. In some subjects, pupils will be placed in teaching groups according to their ability.





www.powiis.edu.my



Sports and ActivitiesWe want our pupils to learn new skills and face new challenges.At POWIIS we recognise the importance of a pupil’s experiences outside of the classroom, and how these experiences are integral to their education and their self-esteem. To support our beliefs we shall provide a structured approach

to extra-curricular involvement and create an expectation amongst our students that participation and achievement in sports and activities are part of their daily life at school.

Sports and Activities

School Day

There will be scope within the school day for sports, activities, assemblies and regular meetings with tutors.

During their time at POWIIS, all students will be expected to have gained experience of at least the following:

• Service to an outside community

• An outward bound activity

• A public performance

• Representing the School in a sport or making recorded progress in a physical activity

• An independent research project or extended essay

• Work experience

When instigated by the pupils themselves, these experiences become even more rewarding.We want our pupils to learn new skills and face new challenges in so doing. We shall want them to find at least one, but probably several activities, in which they will feel proud of their success and we are confident that this success will have a positive impact on their academic lives. Our pupils will be physically active every week. They will learn about competition and team work, leadership and looking after others, both within the school and beyond the campus.

The staff assigned to lead a sport or activity will be experienced and enthusiastic in what they do. For both student and teacher, the shared experiences outside of the classroom are valuable ways to build up relationships, trust and mutual respect. When your physics teacher is also your badminton coach, or the leader of the string ensemble is also your Housemistress, there are opportunities to get to know and understand each other in different spheres. With better understanding comes better education.

The range of activities offered will be limited only by the choices made by individual students and the expertise and enthusiasms of members of the teaching staff. The lists below are indicative of the breadth of opportunity a POWIIS education will provide.

Sport and Physical Recreation

Aerobics Martial Arts

Athletics Netball

Badminton Scuba diving

Basketball Shooting

Dance Swimming

Fencing Table Tennis

Football Tennis

Golf Water Polo

Activities

Book Clubs International Awareness

Chess Lectures, trips, exchanges

Community and Charity Music

Computing Online radio

Cooking Photography

Creative writing Public Speaking

Current affairs, politics School newspaper

Drama Work experience





www.powiis.edu.my



Looking After Your ChildA school needs an approach which recognises each and every pupil as an individual. In order to succeed in bringing out the best in every child, a school needs an approach which recognises each pupil as an individual. It must devote time and expertise to support and understand children’s endeavours and

the trials and tribulations they may face. In a community of several hundred pupils it is essential that every child feels looked after and valued.

The tutor becomes the best informed person about your child and their education at POWIIS.Borrowing from the language of collegiate universities in the UK every child at POWIIS will be assigned a member of the academic staff to be their tutor (and the pupil then becomes a tutee). The tutor and tutee meet at least once a week for a one to one meeting during which all aspects of a child’s life in school can be discussed. At some points these discussions may be focused – on subject choices, revision strategies, or sporting involvement, for example – at other times they may be a relaxed and more wide-ranging chat about life in general. The tutor becomes the best informed person about your child and their education at POWIIS.

Every pupil will also be assigned to a house, partly to provide a focus for internal school competition, but mainly to provide a structure through which your child’s day to day life can be better managed. Leading each house will be a housemaster or housemistress whose primary role is to set appropriate standards of behaviour and endeavour for the children in his or her care. They coordinate and direct the work of the tutors and provide advice and help whenever needed. Ultimately the principal and deputy principal carry responsibility for the care of your child and will be on hand to help.

As with all we do at POWIIS, the chance to talk to adults on a regular basis about school and all it entails will be an integral part of the educational experience. It will help to focus children’s ambitions and enable them to take responsibility for their own progress as they build relationships with adults and their peers. It encourages them to have a say in their education and helps them on their path to independence.

Looking After Your C

hild

Houses

Every child will belong to a house. Each house will be made up of boys and girls, boarders and day pupils.





www.powiis.edu.my



The Boarding EthosFriendships made here are both special and valuable; they can last a lifetime.With decades of experience, we shall create an environment which is purposeful and protected. POWIIS’ boarding population of almost 400 will be a significant number and place us as one of Malaysia’s largest, and first, co-educational international schools to offer British-style boarding. As well as full boarding,

POWIIS will offer weekly boarding, where the students can return home at weekends; and flexi-boarding, where pupils may stay for just one or two nights as and when required. Our modern facilities, where most pupils will share twin-bedded rooms, are impressively spacious and comfortable.

The B

oarding Ethos Pupils take responsibility for

their everyday lives as soon as it is possible.

Why choose boarding?

The reasons are many, but are perhaps best condensed as follows:

1. Learning to live with greater independence. At boarding school, pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their everyday lives as soon as it is possible, from organising their work schedules to making sure they arrive at their music practice on time. The lessons learnt here last a lifetime.

2. Learning to be part of a community. Living with a varied and diverse group, boarders acquire skills in managing social relationships and gain much greater social maturity as a consequence.

3. Enjoying the company of friends. Boarders are surrounded by like-minded young people who face the same challenges and share the same ambitions. Friendships made here are both special and valuable.

4. Extended access to the School’s facilities. After school, in the evenings and at weekends, pupils can use the library, the sports facilities, the auditorium and the art studio, to name but a few. They can seek help and advice from the staff. The Karate class, the play rehearsal or that extra maths tuition is on their doorstep. Weekend activities will be recreational and enriching.

5. Dedicated staff are on hand. The housemasters and housemistresses, matrons, resident staff and tutors are always available to help, guide and advise.

6. Home becomes an even more special place. With most of what school entails taken care of already, periods at home can be dedicated to spending time with the family.

Boarding involves some extra cost, but this is offset in part by reduced travel and household costs and the removal of the need to pay for extra tuition. Much more importantly, the factors described above, however intangible, have a value all of their own.

We also understand that parents will miss their children as much as children will miss their parents, and we offer weekly boarding as a way to maintain a balance between home and school and provide your children with all the advantages a boarding education can bring.

Day Pupils

The experience of attending a school with a boarding ethos is of real benefit to the day pupils as well as for the boarders.





www.powiis.edu.my



Facilities and ServicesMuch thought has gone into the design of the specialist teaching areas.Whilst it will always be true that a good teacher is a good teacher whatever his or her surroundings, we are proud that the facilities provided at POWIIS will allow a good teacher to be even better. With the

benefit of starting with a completely new campus, our plans are ambitious, innovative and relevant to teaching in the 21st century.

The ambiance in the spacious cafeteria will encourage people to linger over their meals, engaging in civilised conversation. Our 7.5 acre site looks out over the lush hills of rural Penang, and is itself an open and green environment with more than 40% open space. With a full-sized football pitch, tennis and netball courts, a six lane twenty-five metre swimming pool and landscaped grounds, the School’s outdoor environment is an invitation to exercise, compete and relax.

The classrooms are spacious and well-equipped. With nine specialised science laboratories, a language laboratory, a lecture theatre, dedicated art studios, a design and technology centre with full workshop facilities, and a generous and contemporary provision of IT, much thought has gone into the design of the specialist teaching areas. For example, all science lessons will take place in the laboratories, each designed with two areas, one for learning under instruction from the teacher, the other for practical work. A multipurpose hall provides an arena not only for indoor sports, assemblies and exhibitions, but also a second venue for performances. Our primary space for concerts will be a superb 500-seater natural acoustic auditorium, one of the finest venues of its kind on the Island and in Malaysia. The auditorium will be tuned for music, which is very important to us, but with the use of modern technology it will also be possible to configure the acoustics and stage to transform the space into a professional standard theatre.

The modern library will be a full resource centre, supporting all aspects of learning and research through books and IT; it will includes areas for both formal and more informal reading. The ambiance in the spacious cafeteria will encourage people to linger over their meals, engaging in civilised conversation.

The halls of residence will house 370 pupils, mostly in twin-bedded rooms. Designed to include social and recreational areas as well as accommodation for resident staff, our boarding pupils will be well catered for, on campus, and in a community which is safe and which promotes the best aspects of a boarding education.

Facilities and Services

Music and Drama

Music and Drama areas include a variety of large and small spaces suitable for practice, rehearsals and performances as well as class teaching.





www.powiis.edu.my



The Community By taking on responsibilities, pupils learn that it is just as important to contribute as it is to benefit.Schools need to be structured but liberal communities, that embrace diversity and encourage the individual. Activity and behaviour, especially in the case of younger children, need to be organised and set within clear boundaries; children should be co-operative, caring and tolerant

of each other, respecting all members of the community. They should support and encourage each other, and they should never feel alone. As they grow up, individuals develop their own values and opinions, by which they live their lives and for which they are willing to speak out.

The C

omm

unity

By taking on responsibilities, pupils learn that it is just as important to contribute as it is to benefit. Happiness is a prime aim, regarded just as important as success, and this will depend on proper balance and the taking on of appropriate roles and responsibilities in the wider community, benefit coming through both involvement and contribution.

Through the richness of the international community in which they work and live, students at POWIIS will become confident to hold their heads high as they meet and mix with anyone, anywhere in the world. It is vital that the school community does not exist in isolation. It needs to connect with its local community, the country and the region, and indeed with the rest of the world. The best of our young will head towards careers where they work in an international context and many will spend time studying and working abroad. Through their studies, through community service and outreach activities, through exposure to visitors and travel, and through the richness of the international community in which they work and live, students at POWIIS will become confident to hold their heads high as they meet and mix with anyone, anywhere in the world. They will have strong communication and language skills, they will be polite and have good social skills, and they will be in a position to build up a strong network as they embark on whatever path they choose.

Sharing Our School

Part of our aim is to forge links with the community. We shall be eager to share our facilities and expertise with other groups.

POWIIS will welcome people of all faiths into its community, respecting their beliefs and supporting them in the practice of their religions, although the School itself will have no specific religious affiliation. The major religious festivals will be recognised and celebrated by the whole community; term dates will be designed around the major events. The moral teachings of the major religions have much in common and there is a lot to share.





www.powiis.edu.my



Schedule of FeesAdvance Payments

Paid at

Entrance Exam Fee time of application RM500 Non-Refundable

Registration Fee time of application/before entrance test RM5,000 Refunded only if child not accepted by School

Course Fee Deposit* time of acceptance 1 term’s fees Credited to final school bill

Boarding Fee Deposit* time of acceptance 1 term’s fees Credited to final school bill

Termly Course Fee (Three terms per year) payable in advance by the first day of each term

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13

RM12,000 RM12,000 RM12,500 RM13,000 RM13,000 RM14,000 RM14,000

An ICT Infrastructure and Laptop fee of RM600 per term is charged in addition to the course fee, on the same basis.

Fees include basic stationery (exercise books and file paper), the use of school facilities including medical facilities, participation in activities including sports and all tuition, except that arranged on a one-to-one or small group basis involving the extra employment of a part-time teacher or instructor, for example instrumental music or extra English lessons. Some off site and specially arranged activities may be charged as extras. School uniform and books are not included. The cost of some expensive materials, for example in art and design technology, may be charged separately. Day pupils are charged for food on a per meal basis and are expected to take lunch. Regular weekday transport is available to and from school and is an additional charge. Parent approval is required before unspecified additional charges are applied.

Termly Boarding Fee (Three terms per year) in addition to course fee, payable in advance by the first day of each term

Full Boarding Weekly Boarding Flexi-Boarding

Twin Room Single Room† Twin Room Single Room† Twin Room Single Room†

RM12,000 RM15,000 RM9,600 RM12,000 RM185 per night RM230 per night

† Single rooms are offered to Year 12 and 13 students at the School’s discretion

Boarding fees include full meals, bed linen, laundry (not dry cleaning), air conditioning, evening (and for full boarders, weekend) supervision and activities and the use of school facilities. Some off site and specially arranged activities may be charged as extras. School uniform, towels, toiletries and books are not included. Parent approval is required before unspecified additional charges are applied.

*One term’s notice is required in the case of withdrawal, or one term’s fees will become due in lieu of notice. Similarly, one term’s notice is required for the cancellation of optional activities, for example instrumental music lessons.

Fees are subject to annual review.

School Fees







The Admissions ProcessApplicationTo apply formally for their children to join the School, parents submit a Registration Form together with the Entrance Examination Fee of RM500.

The Registration Fee of RM5,000 is payable before the Entrance Tests. This fee is refunded only in cases where an application is declined by the School.

AssessmentThe School assesses candidates for entry to ensure that the curriculum and pace of learning are appropriate for them and that they have the potential to be happy and thrive in the School, contributing co-operatively towards its community. The ability to understand and communicate effectively in English is fundamental to this.

The assessment consists of three parts:a. Written Entrance Examinations in English and Mathematics. These tests are age specific.b. Previous school reports, including achieved examination

grades and predicted grades. Candidates are also invited to provide a CV detailing their achievements, interests and ambitions.

c. An informal interview, conducted in English. It is intended that this should be a friendly, two-way experience, enabling the School to get to know the candidate and allowing the candidate to ask questions about the School. It is often easier for candidates if their parents are not involved in this conversation.

The assessment is designed to need no special preparation and it is much preferred that candidates do not receive coaching or tuition in advance. It is intended to be a positive experience of benefit in itself and it should certainly not disrupt ordinary school work. It is understood that candidates will have different school backgrounds and different levels of English; the assessment attempts to measure a candidate’s potential to learn and develop.

All candidates will be assessed in a similar way so that decisions about class groupings and setting can be made. Some schools, particularly British curriculum schools, are able to provide fuller and more focused information on candidates. This is important and useful to us, but no candidate will be at either an advantage or disadvantage because of the school from which they apply. Similarly, the admissions process will be devoid of other forms of discrimination and the application of quotas, except that, by law, international schools may not admit more than 40% local students. Parents are asked to let us know in advance of any special needs so that arrangements can be made.

Out of courtesy, parents should inform the candidate’s current school before assessment for POWIIS. It is particularly important that a current school is aware of intentions before we ask for a confidential report. Ideally current schools, teachers and headteachers should be involved in the discussions so that they can offer advice about future schooling. They will know their pupils well and so their advice is to be valued.

OffersResults will be released within two weeks of the assessment. There are three possible outcomes:a. An offer is made for a place in the School;b. It is explained that the School’s programme and curriculum are not appropriate for the applicant;c. It is reported that the candidate is not yet ready for admission to the School and recommendations are made for action before retesting.

On balance, it is felt that it is not helpful to release specific details of examination and interview performance or other forms of detailed feedback.

AcceptanceParents are asked to respond to offer letters within seven days by completing an Acceptance Form and submitting a copy of the birth certificate, passport and/or identity card, as appropriate. At this time a deposit is made equal to one term’s course fee, plus one term’s boarding fee in the case of boarders. This amount is credited towards the final school bill when the pupil leaves the School.

NoticeThe School requires one full term’s notice of a pupil leaving the School, or one term’s fees in lieu of notice. The Deposits are normally refundable only if the pupil has attended for at least one full term.

FeesFees are payable termly in advance, due by the first day of term. The three terms begin in September, January and April.

PhotographsWe find it useful to take photographs of candidates for the School’s admissions database. These are used to trigger recollections of meetings and interviews and for no other purpose.

Assessment VenueCandidates will be invited for assessment at one of our two offices or at a venue in their region:• Georgetown Office: Suite 7A, 7th Floor, Wisma MTT, 26 Weld Quay, 10300 Penang. Tel. +604 2589812• Balik Pulau Office: No 8 & 10 Jalan Sungai Air Putih, Bandar Baru Air Putih, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang. Tel. +604 8662399

Adm

issions Process

Adm

issions Process

Junior Candidates (11 to 16)

Total Assessment time, including breaks: 2 hours (or 1 hour 40 minutes if the interview has been done previously).

a. Written Entrance Examinations in

English (45 minutes): This will include a comprehension exercise, a punctuation and word exercise, and a piece of free writing on a specified topic.

Mathematics (45 minutes): The test will consist of graded questions, appropriate for age, testing arithmetic, understanding of numbers, shape (elementary geometry) and elementary graphs. Some questions will involve problem solving.

b. Previous school reports, including achieved examination grades and predicted grades. Candidates are also invited to provide a simple Record of Achievement or CV giving a list of achievements and interests. When possible, a confidential report from the candidate’s current school will be used, otherwise parents will be asked to provide a copy of the most recent school report.

c. An informal interview (10 minutes), conducted in English. It is intended that this should be a friendly, two-way experience, enabling the School to get to know the candidate and allowing the candidate to ask questions about the School. It is often easier for candidates if their parents are not involved in this conversation.

Sixth Form

Total Assessment time, including breaks: 2 hours 40 minutes (or 2 hours 10 minutes if the interview has been done previously).

a. Written Entrance Examinations in

English (1 hour): In effect, this will be a general paper set in English. As well as testing language skills it will test powers of comprehension, analysis, expression and reasoning. It will assume no knowledge of specific literature but candidates will be expected to have a reasonable level of general knowledge and awareness of current affairs. The questions will be set in straightforward English.

Mathematics (1 hour): The questions will assume a reasonable, but not total, coverage of GCSE, IGCSE or SPM syllabuses, excluding topics in Additional Maths. The first section will consist of graded questions on basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry. The second section will have a choice of questions testing mathematical reasoning and deduction through problem solving, depending less on previous experience and technique.

b. Previous school reports, including achieved examination grades and predicted grades. When possible, a confidential report from the candidate’s current school will be used, otherwise parents will be asked to provide a copy of the most recent school report. Candidates are also invited to provide a CV detailing their achievements, interests, responsibilities and ambitions. The preparation of this document should be their own work.

c. An informal interview (20 minutes), conducted in English. It is intended that this should be a friendly, two-way experience, enabling the School to get to know the candidate and allowing the candidate to ask questions about the School. It is often easier for candidates if their parents are not involved in this conversation. Topics can be widespread but are largely based on the CV or recent school work or activities. To some extent the candidates have scope to determine the direction of the conversation themselves. A level subject choices will be discussed, as well as possible university ambitions.

The Assessment Procedures in Detail







The Curriculum The Junior Curriculum (Year 7 to Year 11)

For the first three years (Years 7-9) pupils follow a general curriculum that allows them to experience a wide range of subjects before they make choices. The exception is that there is a choice in the languages where it is necessary to maintain a degree of flexibility to take into account children’s backgrounds and to satisfy Ministry of Education Malaysia requirements for Malaysian children.

The Junior Curriculum will be based mainly on the National Curriculum for England and Wales. Detailed information is available at curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-3-and-4/ . All children will have a reasonable level of English when they join the School, but some may still need extra support lessons on a one-to-one or small group basis. In such cases children may be excused one other subject.

Year 7 to Year 9 (Key Stage 3)Up to Year 8, the curriculum in many independent schools in the UK is defined by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB). Further information and syllabuses can be found at www.iseb.co.uk. ISEB run the Common Entrance exams for entrance into the major UK schools. In the main subjects POWIIS will follow Common Entrance syllabuses which include, but go beyond, National Curiculum requirements. Year 9 is the introductory year for IGCSEs.

Curriculum Subjects:• Mathematics• Science (taught separately as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from year 9 onwards)• English (literature and language), English Language Support (as required)• Humanities (History, Geography)• Languages (Depending on demand, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish)• Creative Arts (Art, Design Technology, Informatics)• Performing Arts (Music, Drama)• Physical Education (including Sport and Dance)• Personal, Social and Health Education (including Moral Education, Islam and Islamic Studies as required)

Years 10 and 11 The final two years of the Junior Curriculum cover the IGCSE courses. Normally children take IGCSEs in the five core subjects and choose an additional five subjects, making ten in total. Courses will follow the IGCSE syllabuses.

All students study the core subjects:• Mathematics• English (Language and Literature)• Physics• Chemistry• Biology• *Personal, Health and Social Education (including Moral Education, Islam and Islamic Studies as required)• *Physical Education (including Sport)(* = Non-examined)

In addition, they choose at least one from each group up to a maximum of five additional subjects:• The Languages Group: Bahasa Malaysia (compulsory for Malaysian students), Mandarin, French, German, Spanish

• The Humanities Group: Additional English, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History• The Creative and Performing Arts Group: Art, Design Technology, Drama, Information Technology, Music

We do not encourage children to take extra subjects just for the sake of taking them, but special permission may be granted, for example to take IGCSE Chinese in the case of a native speaker.

The Sixth Form Curriculum (Years 12 and 13)

Sixth formers have a free choice of A levels, choosing three, four or five subjects. Guidance will be given on subject combinations and the number of courses to follow. The timetable will be written to accommodate students’ individual choices, the only exception being that uncommon and unusual choices may occasionally not be possible. For some, specialisation will have great appeal whilst others will prefer to combine a mixture of types of subjects in order to preserve breadth. The norm will be four A level subjects, but those taking Further Mathematics and those with an advantage in a particular language may take five and some, especially those with a heavy commitment in other school activities, for example music, may find three more manageable.

All sixth formers will attend a general studies course covering a range of topical issues, personal social and health education, entrepreneurship and business informatics. They will also receive careful guidance and preparation for their university applications. The completeness of a POWIIS sixth form education will come from continued participation in the range of sporting, cultural, social and intellectual activities on offer.

Although this list is not absolutely fixed, the eventual list of A level subjects is likely to include:Mathematics* English DramaFurther Mathematics* History MusicPhysics* Geography Chemistry* Law Art Mandarin*Biology* Economics* FrenchDesign Technology Economics and Business GermanInformation Technology Government and Politics SpanishPsychology* Thinking Skills (AS only)

The subjects marked * will be available for the first cohort who will join the School as sixth formers in 2011/2012. Other subjects may be available if there is sufficient demand. The intention will be initially to ensure quality in a restricted range of subjects, building on this success as the range of subjects grows.

A wider selection of subjects will be available from 2013 when the School’s students from lower year groups reach sixth form level and as the sixth form intake from other schools grows.

The Examination BoardsIGCSE (International General Certificate of Education) and A level courses and examinations are operated in Malaysia from the UK by two boards, CIE (Cambridge International Exams) and Edexcel, originally known as the London Examination Board. Further information and links to their syllabuses can be found at www.cie.org.uk and www.edexcel.com. The choice between the two exam boards will be made for each subject by the School. The standards and qualifications are exactly comparable.

The C

urriculum

Scholarships

The purpose of scholarships is twofold. They provide public recognition of talent and achievement, allowing those of outstanding ability to give leadership through their own example. Secondly, in the case of families who could not otherwise afford the fees, scholarships can also allow able children to attend the School.

Scholarship is about pursuing study or talents beyond normal standards. Scholars show high levels of self-motivation, determination, initiative, creativity and independence. They are enthusiastic; they love what they are doing. They develop passion for their subjects and activities, and show levels of commitment and organisation beyond that of their contemporaries. Scholarship can be in one particular subject or area of activity, or it can be across a whole range of talents.

Younger pupils will show traits that point towards scholarship; further strengths will develop as they gain maturity. Candidates for sixth form scholarships will already show many of the characteristics.

Scholarships to the Prince of Wales Island International School will be awarded on merit. In the first instance, potential scholars will be identified through the normal admissions process and invited to go forward for further consideration. Further assessment will be varied. For example, musicians will be called for audition, sports players will be observed at an event or match, and academic candidates might be asked to give a presentation or submit a project.

In cases where families need help with school fees, parents should contact us confidentially in advance of submitting a Registration Form.

It is expected that up to 10% of children admitted to the School will hold scholarships. The value of scholarships will be up to 50% of school fees, either for the duration of a pupil’s time at the School or for a fixed period.

Scholarships







Map and D

irections

Map and DirectionsOur offices are located within the Sales Gallery Offices of Botanica.CT

Approaching from Butterworth, Queensbay, Bayan Lepas, and Penang International Airport, join Jalan Paya Terubong (P11) from the south and then turn left onto Jalan Tun Sardon (P14) signposted Balik Pulau. If travelling via Air Itam join Jalan Paya Terubong from the north and turn right onto Jalan Tun Sardon (P14).

Travel for 8.5 km, entering Balik Pulau. Continue to T junction, and turn left onto Jalan Balik Pulau. After 170 m, take second exit at roundabout (signposted Batu Ferringhi/Teluk Bahang) and join Jalan Sungai Pinang (6). Road bears right after 2.7 km, and becomes Jalan Sungai Rusa. After 600 m turn right at Jalan Sungai Air Putih. Take first right and approach retail units, within which the Botanica.CT Sales Office is located.

Visitors from Batu Ferringhi may also travel via Teluk Bahang. From the direction of Batu Ferringhi follow the Jalan Teluk Bahang, approach roundabout and take first exit, continuing on Jalan Teluk Bahang. After 13 km road then becomes Jalan Sungai Rusa. After a further 3.3 km turn left onto Jalan Sungai Air Putih. Take first right and approach retail units, within which the Botanica.CT Sales Office is located.







No 8 & 10 Jalan Sungai Air Putih, Bandar Baru Air Putih,

11000 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia

Tel: +604 8662399 • Fax: +604 8665388www.powiis.edu.my

M� Learning Academy reserves the right to make any changes to the information contained herein. © Prince of Wales Island International School 2010 M� LEARNING ACADEMY SDN BHD (733077-D) • Design by jllfdesign.com

Prince of Wales Island International School

Documents

new school

school motto

school rule book unimportant

powiis community

pollution powiis

boarding experience

weekly boarding

academic endeavour