Last week my son went for an interview in Tenby International School. The interview went really well for him, thanks to the professionalism of the Vice Principal and the Head of Maths Department, who made him feel comfortable throughout the interview by showing a genuine interest in him as a potential student and in what he had to say as a person. And although this was the first time my son, who is 12 years old, had ever been interviewed alone, he left the room feeling at ease and confident that he had done well, and excitedly told me what he had been asked and informed about, and what he had replied. All in all a very positive experience for him, which resulted in the school accepting him as a new student.
One of the things that caught my attention was that my son had been informed that the teachers in Tenby talk and reason with the children to bring about good and caring behaviour instead of using punishment as a means of getting the students to behave well. This is very interesting and important for me to know about as a parent, because it shows that the school value and think of the students as individuals with opinions, feelings, reasons, explanations and values; basically as sensible, thinking and understanding human beings in their own right, capable of contributing constructively, creatively and positively to the school community, if given the opportunity and trust.
And the best part is that it’s all in line with the latest research in child development, which shows that children who are surrounded by adults, who show them genuine respect, interest and attention, and who care for their well-being and emotional health, and who nurture their talents and motivate them to reach their full potential, also become more successful, happy and well-functioning adults, when they grow up, as compared to those children, who don’t have access to such a supporting community. Can we ask for more?
Hi Ghita. My children are currently studying in an international school in Taipei. My husband will be relocated back to Malaysia and we are in the process to register my children to Tenby International School in Shah Alam. I am glad that there are so much information (positive one of course) regarding the school from your weblog. I am now having a clearer picture of the school and feel so much relief to know all the good comments about it.
We will only be able to visit the school when my children taking their entrance assessment or interview in early July. I do hope that they will do well like your boy.
I am not familiar with the area in Shah Alam and therefore would be pleased if you can advise me other that Setia Alam and Setia Eco Park, are there any nice gated housing areas where my family can consider to stay (‘reachable’ by shcool bus)
Many thanks.
From Ghita: Dear Yvonne, many thanks for your comment. I am so glad to hear that my weblog has helped you feel better about choosing Tenby International School for your children. Nevertheless I feel it’s my responsibility to tell you that no school is perfect, and there will be teachers that may not live up to all parents’ expectations, and parents who have been in Tenby longer than we have may have other experiences.
However I know that the school is trying very hard to find good teachers and, in my opinion, they already have many great teachers in TIS as well as a professional and experienced management team in the Principal, Vice Principal and Head of Education, who have the right attitude and idea about what a modern international school should be like. Therefore I sincerely think that Tenby International School is a good choice and one of the best international schools in Klang Valley (2009) especially considering its reasonable fee structure compared with many of the more expensive international schools in Malaysia.
In regard to your enquiry concerning housing areas, you can check out Valencia, Sierramas and Kota Damansara, which are 15-30 minutes drive by car to the north on the NKVE Highway and Bukit Jelutong, which is closer to the school. However as I am not familiar with any other housing areas around Shah Alam, but Setia Alam and Setia Eco Park, perhaps there are readers of this weblog that can make additional suggestions and recommendations to Yvonne?
Your help is much appreciated!
Thank you!
By: Yvonne Tham on May 11, 2009
at 9:15 am
I have a 15 years old son,wish to put him in internasional school in Penang..any good suggestion.Anyone children study in Tenby and Fairview…how these school performing?
From Ghita: Dear Liling, sorry for not posting your comment earlier, just been too busy. Anyways I hope some of the readers may be able to help you. Unfortunately there was someone from Penang who was planning to move his daughter to Tenby International School in Kuala Lumpur, because he found it difficult to find an international school in Penang that he was happy to send his daughter to, as they all had their different issues. If you look in the comments I have received you may be able to find his comment. All the best of good luck to you and your son!
By: Liling on January 7, 2010
at 4:42 am