Moving to Singapore as a family with a teenage child may feel intimidating, but whenever you feel a bit apprehensive, keep in mind that this experience will provide your child with numerous benefits. This is a unique opportunity to allow your child to immerse themselves in a new culture and develop a better understanding of the world around them. After navigating through this transition and adapting to a new school environment, they will be more resilient and less worried about taking that next leap of faith.
OWIS Nanyang is a reputed all-through international school in Singapore. Over the years, through our communication with our students and their families, we have found that there are ways to support teenage children through the process of relocation, so that they settle well into their new school community. We have compiled some tips for you to keep in mind for your teenage child.
Tips for Teenage Students Relocating to Singapore for Secondary School
Your relocation to Singapore doesn’t have to be stressful and overwhelming for your teenager. These tips will help them as they transition into their new country and school environment.
Start Your Research Early — And Include Your Child
As soon as you know that your family will be relocating to Singapore, you should begin researching the international schools in the city-state and learning more about your options.
Singapore offers public secondary schools that are run by the Ministry of Education as well as private schools and international schools. Getting admission into public secondary schools is tricky as seats are reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
Most expatriate families enrol their child in an international school in Singapore for reasons that are aligned with their needs, which could be curriculum, fees, values or others.
During your research phase, be sure to take note of the admission process for each school, the deadlines for applying and the timelines for admissions.
Most importantly, you need to involve your teenager in this important decision. They will be spending the vast majority of their time at their new school, and they deserve to feel comfortable with their new campus. When you give your child autonomy and provide them with an opportunity to use their voice, they are more likely to accept the changes and adapt easily to their new school environment.
Schedule a Campus Visit or Join an Open House
Once you have narrowed down your options to two or three schools in Singapore, the next step is to schedule a campus visit through a personalised tour or by attending an Open House. If possible, you should try to schedule in-person visits, as these campus tours allow you to see the facilities and meet the staff members at the school. It also provides your child with an opportunity to get a feel for the school’s culture and atmosphere.
If in-person visits are not possible, you may find that a virtual tour will still provide you with an in-depth look at the campus and its facilities, which will help you make your final decision. At OWIS, we offer both these options, along with monthly Open House events.
Explore the School’s Values
At OWIS Nanyang, we prefer to take a values-based approach to education. Kindness and international mindedness are at the heart of everything we do, and we have found that this holistic approach is well-received by our students. Not only do they achieve their desired academic results, but they also enjoy a sense of well-being and being supported in their school life. This shapes them to become global citizens who understand that kindness and compassion are critical to success.
Selecting a school that aligns with your family values will allow for a smooth transition into a new school environment. It can be particularly comforting for your teenager to be in a place that feels so much like their home.
Consider the Curriculum
It is important to choose a school that offers a curriculum that aligns with your child’s academic strengths, educational goals and future plans.
The IBDP curriculum, in particular, offers a skills-based approach that allows pre-university students to naturally hone the 21st-century competencies they will need in whatever profession they pursue. International programmes, such as the Cambridge IGCSE and IBDP, are recognised by top-tier universities around the world as the equivalent of their national curricula.
However, it is worth noting that both of these programmes are two-year programmes running from Grade 9 to 10 and Grade 11 to 12 with enrolments only accepted at the beginning of the school year.
Research the Available Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities
Extracurricular and co-curricular activities can define the experience that your teenager has in their new school. Not only do these activities support the curriculum in actionable ways, but they also provide students with opportunities to connect with their classmates and forge new friendships.
Schedule a Tour of the OWIS Nanyang Campus Today
Parents who choose OWIS Nanyang for Secondary School for their children appreciate our globally-recognised academic pathway and high-quality teaching and learning approach, which allows students to learn future-focussed skills in preparation for university. In addition, they also find value in our multicultural community where students are connected by their shared experiences and empowered by their differences.
We are proud to welcome secondary school students from around the world to our vibrant One World International School Nanyang Campus. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where your teenager will enjoy an invigorating academic curriculum while making friendships that will last a lifetime.
