How many students in each of the Schools?
Currently there are 200 students in the Preschool, over 600 students in Junior School (Prep-Year 2), 550 students in Primary School (Year 3-Year 5), 530 students in the Middle School (Year 6-Year 9) and 275 students in the Senior School (Year 10-Year 12).
What are the class sizes?
The class size maximum for Prep to Year 2 is 22 with a Teacher and Teacher Assistant. There is a maximum of 25 students from Years 3 -12. In Preschool, the staff to student ratio at its highest is 1:7 for 3 year-olds and 1:11 for 4 year olds.
Where are the teachers recruited from?
Teachers are recruited from Australia and from other International Schools throughout the world. There are also teachers from Britain, the United States, Canada and South Africa. Teachers' Aides may be recruited locally and there is a diverse mix of cultures within the local hire staff. The School receives a large number of applications for teaching positions and teachers are appointed on merit.
What is the staff turnover?
Teachers sign a 3 year contract and many extend their contracts. On average the length of stay of a teacher at AISS is 5.8 years.
Why would I choose AISS over a competitor International School?
AISS has a rich culutural diversity within its school population and its curriculum is unique by offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme. The School is also a candidate school for the IB Diploma in Years 11 and 12.
AISS is the only school in Singapore which follows the Southern Hemisphere January - December school year. There is an emphasis on skill building & analysis, scope & sequence from Preschool through to Year 12.
Students are able to fit back into any education system seamlessly if there is an intention to go to or return to Australia or travel overseas to another country due to its IB status. Australian teaching methods are highly regarded worldwide, as is the NSW Higher School Certificate, which provides a score for entrance into university in Australia and worldwide. For Australian students, there are no forward/backward problems with joining a Northern Hemisphere school year (at entry and exit). AISS also offers an international focus on education with over 40 nationalities represented within the campus.
What spiritual needs are catered for?
We cater for all religions. We are a school that values all religions and students learn about all cultures and religions as events occur in Singapore. We encourage religious tolerance and racial harmony.
What festivals do you observe?
We celebrate Singapore public holidays and use assemblies and other times to teach about local and international festivals and events. We have an International Day each June which is used to showcase international costumes, talent and food.
Do you observe United Nations Day?
It varies each year but it is both recognised and celebrated. Our school is also a part of the model United Nations project.
What is the student turnover?
As with all international schools in Singapore, we do have a turnover of students as many of their parents complete 2 - 3 year contracts. We have many strategies in place to help students with transition and students are very accepting of newcomers.
What nationalities are represented by the students?
Our school community comprises students from 38 nationalities. As at Term 3 2009, the proportion from the main nationalities were: 65.3% Australian, 7.3% New Zealanders, , 4.3% British, 5% Korean, 2% Malaysian, 3% Singaporean, 2% American, 2% Japanese, 2% Indonesian, 1.5% South African
The full extent of cultural diversity within our community is highlighted by the cultural background within our Australian nationality. 37.6% of Australian students have either one or both parents with a country of birth other than Australia. 21.6% of Australian students have a parent from a Non-English Speaking background and 16.8% have a parent from an Asia-Pacific country.
How many students are there at AISS?
There are currently 2262 students in AISS (current as at September 2009).
Why do you start school earlier in the year than schools in Australia?
It is to allow a longer mid year break. Many companies and families take leave in the middle of the year and often travel to the Northern Hemisphere in the summer. It also helps to align the AISS more with other schools in Singapore for sporting events.
What is the school policy on bullying?
Proactive programs are in place throughout the School with an emphasis on building positive relationships with peers.
What is your policy on discipline?
There is a structured set of steps. Parents are kept informed and can be called to the School should an issue not be resolved at school. However our policy revolves around students being responsible for their own actions. We have very few discipline issues at the School and parents are included in the process as soon as possible.
Are there many male teachers at AISS?
Yes. There are more male teachers at AISS than the national average in Australia.
Am I able to help in my child's class? In what capacity can I help?
In Primary parents are encouraged to help in the School. However, before parents are able to volunteer they must take part in a training and orientation program. These sesions are organised each semester.
Is there a sibling discount?
There is a provision for sibling discounts. This discount applies to third and subsequent children. Please refer to our fees page to obtain the up to date informaiton relating to fees.
Is the HSC recognised world-wide?
Yes. Students ahve attended Univerisites all over the world after graduating from AISS. The USA still need to see SAT scores but do recognise students as having graduated in High School. We run courses on sitting SATs within the School for senior students considering this option.
How does my child apply to study at an American or British University?
We assist students with their applications. We must also ensure that a student submitting an application for a particular university has this completed in time and that exam results are forwarded as soon as practicable. In some countries our exam results and universtiy application deadlines do not coincide. We have a Careers Counsellor who assists in the process of all applications to Universities in different countries.
How is the entry into University determined?
Scores from the HSC exams account for 50% of the mark and school assessment the remaining 50% (completed in Year 12).
Do you help your students apply to Universities?
Yes. Students work with both Year Coordinators and the Careers Counsellor throughout the year with this process.
Can my child continue at a local Singapore University or Polytechnic after HSC?
Yes if they receive a high enough score and there are places in the faculty available for international students.
How does the Senior School rate academically?
Excellent. In 2008 AISS was ranked 108th in NSW. In 2008, 20% of the cohort achieved a UAI of over 90. Many students achieved places in the courses of their choice in Universities throughout Australia and overseas. In 2007, 32% of our cohort were placed on the Distinguished Achievers List. This continues to improve with the number increasing from 25% in 2005.
How many students are in the Year 12 cohort?
There is approximately 100 students completing Year 12 currently.
Do you offer the International Baccalaureate in the Senior Years?
We are a candidate school for the IB Diploma program. We are hoping to be acdcredited for the students entering Year 11 in 2011. This will be a path offered along with the HSC and students will be able to complete either the IB Diploma or the HSC. AISS is also accredited for PYP and MYP.
Are students expected to bring a personal laptop to school?
A 1-1 laptop provision is being phased into the school in 2010. the first cohort to benefit from this implementation will be Year 9 students in 2009. the rest of the school is well resourced with computers and lap top trolley are able to be used in classrooms with specific IT requirements. there are also computer labs on each level of the school for students to acceess during class and during break times to assist them with their learning.
Is there any homework for Primary and at what level does it begin?
The children are given regular homework. It begins in Prep with home reading.
Are the classes grouped according to ability?
In Middle and Senior, students may be streamed in Mathematics, Science and English.
Is there a balance of boys and girls in each class?
We try to keep it at 50-50 where possible.
Are there regular exams or tests?
UNSW Maths, English, Science and Computing Studies for Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 in April, May, June. NAPLAN testing (national Australia wide testing) is conducted for Yrs 3, 5, 7 in May. Class based tests are held regularly.
Are there Maths ability groups? English ability groups?
There are Maths ability groups across the Year and English ability groups within the class group. In the senior years students can choose a higher level of either or both.
How do we know our children are doing well relative to their cohort in the rest of NSW?
In the past we have achieved well over twice the state scores in the Basic Skills Tests and above LIKE schools in all areas of literacy and numeracy in Years 7 and 8 where this is assessed. We also achieve very high grades in the UNSW competitions with numerous HDs and to date four of our past students have received University medals. The current NAPLAN results from 2008 and 2009 has AISS outperforming all other schools in NSW and also all independent schools in NSW.
Do our children have assimilation problems if/when they move back to Australia?
We often receive feedback from families returning to Australia. The usual response is that the children have usually advanced at a rate further than their peers. They have also developed their cultural awareness and are understanding of other culures.
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