JOHOR BARU: A mark of a good school is one where its students consistently score high – a testament to the quality of teaching and education offered that builds a strong foundation for the student's success in the future.
One such institution is the Austin Heights International School (AHIS) Malaysia, which once again celebrated the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards and High Achiever Awards.
Four students received the prestigious outstanding Cambridge learner awards from the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) in recognition of their outstanding performance in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination in the June 2021 series.
Another fourteen students performed brilliantly scoring straight 'As' in this year's IGCSE examination also in the June 2021 series.
The special award presentation ceremony in recognition of the impressive academic success of its students was held at Austin International Convention Centre, on December 15.
Present were Ahmad Faidzul Mat Yazid, senior principal assistant director private sector, Johor education department, CAIE country director for Malaysia and Brunei Ng Kim Huat, AHIS founder and chairman Datuk Ir Steve Chong Yoon On and Lui Lai Nam, AHIS principal.
AHIS chief executive officer Datin Low Peck Tim said that the unprecedented conditions due to Covid-19 presented a number of challenges where CAIE had to cancel its annual award ceremony
to celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of Cambridge learners.
Low said CAIE has entrusted the respective award recipients' schools to host their own award ceremony to recognise and celebrate the achievement of their students who received the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards.
Low said AHIS had always emphasised the importance of holistic approaches to education, which incorporates a teaching practice that focused less on traditional milestones of academic achievement and more on the complete physical, emotional and psychological well-being of (pupils) and students.
"At AHIS, we recognise the connections between students, families, educators and communities, and the importance of reciprocal relationships and partnership for learning," she said.
Low said this had led to better academic performances when the schoolchildren realised the need to acquire knowledge, rather than them being forced to learn.
According to Low the teachers and families of these students have also worked hard to support them to overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, and the school is grateful to them.
She lamented the fact that despite the Covid-19 pandemic students could not attend physical lessons in school and had to attend online lessons.
"Despite the odds stacked against them, they managed to overcome challenges brought by the pandemic, the school is grateful to them," she said.
She added that the teamwork at AHIS was high and the esprit de corps was good which was what produced the excellent results.
The Cambridge IGCSE top in the world award Emilia Ayu Yuhasnor Affandy, 16, attributed her success to sheer hard work and dedication.
"Cambridge subjects don't only teach you textbook knowledge, they teach you to think outside the box and link it to your knowledge."
Jesmond Tay Soon Xiang, 17, another Cambridge IGCSE top in the world award winner said: "The subjects that I studied always motivated me to give my best at all times, in any work that I do. I am genuinely happy that the efforts and sincerity I put into my work is recognised,"
Another top in Malaysia award winner Eirene Chiam Wan Yi, 16, said: "Teachers played a vital role in my success and believe in openness and positive learning culture."
Another top in Malaysia award winner Mohamad Irfan Mohammad Nazrin, 17, said his hard work and constant revision helped him secure the best results in IGCSE.
Established in 2011, AHIS provides a holistic approach to learning which is modelled on the British education system.
The curriculum combines academic excellence with a wide range of extracurricular activities which seeks to develop the whole student.
This year marks the school's tenth anniversary. It began with 400 students and today the number has sprung to more than 1000.