Staff Introductory Handbook 2023-24

Introductory Handbook for new staff

Inspiring Minds

Active and engaging learning with high expectations

Shaping Values

A culture of respect, tolerance and open-mindedness

Building Futures

A World Class Education promoting individual excellence

HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT

Currently ISB caters for over 1200 students ranging in age from Pre-Kindy (two years) to IB (Pre University18 years). The students represent almost 40 di erent nationalities and a host of cultures creating a truly multicultural community. However, it was not always like this ……

In 1964, Datin Glass, a government o cer’s wife, started a tutorial group for her daughter and one or two friends and taught them by means of a correspondence course sent out and marked by the South Australian Correspondence School. The numbers grew quite rapidly and by 1970 the school moved to a site provided by the Brunei Government at 34 Tapak Kuda and was established as a department of the South Australian Correspondence School, known locally as the Supervision School.

The school was a two-storey blue and white painted wooden building, situated on a horse-shoe shaped road. By February 1971 there were 30 kindergarten pupils and 31 primary students. The enrolment continued to grow and by 1974 it had reached 160. In 1976 it was decided that the school should convert to a fully independent private preparatory school, employing trained teachers. The Principal: Mrs Bennett, adopted an education based on the UK primary school principles.

The International School (B) Bhd was established as a not-for-pro t school and a limited company on the 1st December 1976. For the rst time the school had a Board of Directors elected from the membership of the company. At that time, the Chairman of the Board, Abdul Razak Haji Muhammad, congratulated the school for living up to its name:

“ ...by admitting pupils, regardless of race, religion or colour, surely a notable contribution to the cause of international goodwill and understanding...”

We remain committed to these principles today and have added to it by admitting pupils of any ability as we are an inclusive school.

The School continued to grow and expand and a new site was considered necessary to provide the facilities and quality education in line with the aspirations of the Board of Directors and the school community.

A new site was sourced and acquired in Berakas in 1978. Funding for the new building proved challenging but through a combination of vigorous fund raising, debentures, bank loans and community support the Berakas campus was eventually realised and ISB was able to move to its new location. It was o cially opened by HRH Princess Masna on 9th March 1986, eight years after securing the lease.

Funding for continued development was a perennial problem and had it not been for considerable support from an anonymous donor through the setting up of a trust under the chairmanship of Mrs Meggie Leong, development would have been much slower.

In 2015, we relocated to our latest site, 22 acres in Kg Sungai Hanching, with purpose-built buildngs and facilities for a positive learning and teaching experience for students and sta alike. Being true to its ‘green’ philosophy, we engaged environmental specialists in the design of the new campus, and a vision for ISB to become the rst complete educational campus in Brunei to be built according to the BCA Green Mark requirements was realized. We are proud that ISB achieved this goal and is now the leading ‘green’ school within our community.

Ground Breaking Ceremony In Kampong Sungai Hanching

ISB held a groundbreaking ceremony on its new home in Kg Sungai Hanching on the 14th of April 2014. The Guests of Honour for the ground breaking ceremony were Minister of Education, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong and Minister of Development, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.

ISB Celebrate 50th Anniversary

When Datin Glass started a tutorial group for her daughter and two friends in 1964, little would she have realised that 50 years later the school would have grown to be one of the most reputable international schools in Asia. The growth and development of ISB has been a source of pride for its many stakeholders. Over the years, the school has occupied at least three di erent locations. The rst correspondence school address is unknown but by 1970 the school had moved to a site provided by the Brunei Government at Jalan Tapak Kuda. It remained there for 10 years. As number of students grew, it acquired larger premises in Berakas in 1986 and two smaller sites in Kuala Belait in 2007. To cater for increased numbers, the main school moved to its purpose-built site in Sungai Hanching in August 2015.

“In Sungai Hanching, our capacity can increase to 1,400 students, with boarding for 200, representing at least 40 di erent nationalities in a truly multi-cultural environment. This site strengthens the eco-credentials of ISB as one of the few green-mark buildings in Brunei containing a recycling centre and an energy conservation centre. Our curriculum strength is evident in many areas, not least our world-beating Primary provision and Secondary examination results, but we are all excited by further opportunities that spur us on,” said Tony Macfadyen, the new Executive Principal.

Sultan O ciates Opening of ISB’s New Campus at Kampong Sungai Hanching

This article is more than 5 years old.

IIt was a historic moment for 52-year-old International School Brunei (ISB) as His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam o ciated the opening ceremony of its long-awaited new campus in Sungai Hanching yesterday.

His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival by a student playing violin with beating of Hadrah as accompaniment.

The monarch then attended a reception held in the school’s 350-seater theatre where the ISB Primary School choir and ISB band played the Brunei national anthem. It was followed by a tour to the theatre and sports complex where His Majesty mingled with the students. The monarch then visited the Eco Garden and the new 180-bed international boarding facility where His Majesty met with the international students residing at the ISB International Residence and o ered to take sel es with them. Some of the boarders proudly showed His Majesty their rooms and living areas.

His Majesty a rmed the merits of ISB in seeking to attract international boarding students from around Asia, both as a way to attract foreign investment in Brunei and as a means to raise the pro le of Brunei as an educational destination internationally.

Besides undertaking a tour of the school grounds, His Majesty took time out to watch a drama performance by some Year 10 students and to see the 25m FINA international swimming competition at the multi-purpose sports hall.

His Majesty also visited the outdoor social area and posed for a group photo with students at the Piano Steps. His Majesty’s children, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah as well as His Majesty’s grandson, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah also attended the photo session.

ISB SERIA

As the ISB satellite school based in Seria, KB, we mirror the ethos, values and educational excellence of the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) campus. We are proud to have opened our new school campus in March 2020 in partnership with Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP).

ISB Seria follows the Primary British National Curriculum for all our subjects, enhancing topics to further re ect our international setting and families. For our younger children, Pre-Kindergarten to Reception, we follow the Early Years Framework. Our school is very much an advocate for learning through play, and we believe that this form of schooling both enriches and excites our younger children.

ISB Seria is a community that involves students, families and caregivers in learning and working together. We aim to build a partnerships and commit to providing the best education for children. We utilise the most e ective teaching methods to engage students and encourage them to work independently. Our students are highly motivated and respond positively to challenge, high expectations and exhibit consistently high standards of behaviour.

We are a school that makes a di erence as soon as you step inside. We encourage our students to think positively, to say, “I can...” and where self-reliance, co-operation, enthusiasm & initiative are supported. Our students are nurtured, their self-esteem raised and everyone is made to feel valued and respected. Our students respect and understand the diversity of the wider world and their place as citizens in it.

We celebrate all students’ achievements; students are made to feel like they matter. Our community takes great pride in all that our students achieve, both within, and outside of school. Seria is geographically located in the Belait District, 90 minutes from BSB and has a large international community due to the Shell re nery and British Garrison, o ering plenty of opportunities for community events and sports competitions.

ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning

IInternational School Brunei (ISB) announced the opening of our Centre for Inclusive Learning in January 2021.

For children with complex learning needs, this excellently resourced centre is the rst of its kind in Brunei, with learning areas carefully designed to promote a sense of safety and engagement in learning. As an ISB school, the Centre provides an international school experience.

ISB’s philosophy is that Everyone Excels when provided with the appropriate challenge and opportunities in a caring, safe and inclusive environment. The foundation of the curriculum at the Centre for Inclusive Learning is holistic where each child is supported in developing their personal educational, physical, social and emotional needs through the 4 core areas: Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, and Sensory and Physical Development.

Collaboration with families is at the heart of the Centre for Inclusive Learning as ISB works to build on each child’s strengths. From the moment of admission, ISB works with families to design a bespoke programme that is carefully planned to ensure success in the child’s learning journey. As a vital part of the ISB family, the Centre for Inclusive Learning incorporates authentic inclusion opportunities with the community and students at ISB Seria where we share specialist lessons, activities and facilities.

ISB is very proud to be an inclusive school. It is very important that we give our community excellent education options for their children. Our aim at the Centre for Inclusive Learning is to not only develop academic learning skills but to incorporate multisensory and skill development. The importance of a sense of belonging for all children cannot be underestimated.

A parent of one of our enrolled pupils said “The ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning allows our son to receive individual holistic education in order to support his unique development and abilities. This gives us peace of mind that he is receiving the best care we can provide him in order to grow into the best version of himself. The centre allows us to continue with his educational needs while reducing travel time, ultimately creating a better continuum of care for our son.”

The mission of the Centre for Inclusive Learning is to nurture students who learn in di erent ways, in a holistic and positive environment.

BRIEFING PARTICULARS

School Tour

The school year runs from August to July and comprises of three terms. Both present and future calendars can be found on Outlook, SIMs calendar and school website (www.isb.edu.bn).

Punctuality

Academic staff are asked to be in school by 7.00am, latest. Non-Academic staff as per contract. All staff must ‘tap in’ on arrival and ‘tap out’ when leaving at the end of the school day. If you find it necessary to leave the school grounds during the school day please check with your Line Manager first and then swipe out (and back in) with your electronic tag, ensuring you have also signed out at Security. All teaches are expected to contribute towards weekly extra-curricular and co-curricular activities which extend the school day, but these really help with the ISB ‘experience’ for all.

For online teaching, should it be necessary, an online daily sign in will be made available.

Assembly

Primary Assemblies - Friday morning.

Secondary Assemblies - 1 assembly per week for each year group.

There will also be special Secondary assemblies throughout the year on Friday, period 5. The assembly schedules can be found on the relevant Outlook Calendar and Sharepoint.

School Meetings

Meetings usually run every Monday as per the school calendar. Agendas, where applicable, will be posted in advance. Staff holding a Responsibility position will incur additional meetings on other days of the week.

Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs)

We have an excellent ECA provision. All teaching staff are expected to offer some form of extra-curricular activity on at least one afternoon per week. You will be given the choice of what to offer through the ECA Coordinator; however, it may be necessary to contribute to another ECA depending on students’ choices.

School Absences

In case of absence from school, please contact your Line Manager(s), and if relevant Cover supervisor, as promptly as possible, by telephone. (Please see the Frequent Absence Policy for full details).

Outgoing Letters

Any letter sent by teachers to parents/outside agencies must be sent by email to the Primary and / or Secondary Office first where it will be formatted with a reference number and the School letterhead, and signed by the Head of Secondary or Head of Primary. A copy of all letters sent to students and parents will be sent to staff for reference.

Outgoing Letters

ISB is a Microsoft School, with each member of the school community receiving personalized log-ins to the Microsoft 365 Suite. As a school we use Sharepoint and Teams as our central hub for all teaching & learning documentation, communication, policies and procedures.

Sharepoint, Teams, Seesaw and ManageBac first and foremost, provide student-friendly access to teaching and learning materials and are a means of encouraging independent learning and reinforcement. For parents they provide an insight into school life and learning. Training and further guidance on all systems is provided during Induction period. (Primary currently use Zoom as a platform for online learning during virtual school).

Intellectual Property and Copyright

ISB holds first owner rights to the copyright of all materials (physical or electronic) created by staff on ISB systems during the course of employment by ISB. This is supported by the Brunei Copyright Order, 2006 which states that first ownership of any work made by an employee during the course of employment lies with the employer; (http://www.agc.gov.bn/AGC%20Site%20Pages/Copyright.aspx).

Therefore, deletion or destruction of documents or resources could constitute the destruction of ISB property; if in doubt please check with your section Line Manager.

Whole School Policies

School Policies for staff are found on Sharepoint

Staff Communication

Secondary staff briefing is held in the staffroom during Thursday Lunch Break at 11.50am and Primary staff briefing on Monday after school (before the school meeting). Briefing notes are sent out after each staff meeting.

Staff Notices: In Primary and Secondary we send out “In the Loop” emails at the end of each school week, with details of upcoming events.

Student Notices: In Secondary, tutor notices are sent out each morning and need to be displayed for tutor groups. Individual notes about students are to be found on SIMs / Edulink.

Parents Communication

EduLink is the communication platform for our parents and Secondary students. It can be used to access homework (Secondary only), student timetables, calendars, student achievement and reports. It is also the vehicle for sending messages, announcements and letters.

The Primary Newsfeed and Secondary Parent Loop are updated regularly so parents can view details of school events and activities and copies of any letters sent to the community as well as outlining curriculum overviews. In the Primary school specific curriculum content and home learning is shared through SeeSaw.

Confidentiality

All staff sign a confidentiality clause as part of their contractual terms and conditions. School information is not to be discussed with third parties, either internal or external without the specific consent of the Executive Principal.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

As a learning focused school we value and believe in providing resources and opportunities for our staff to develop. CPD and Training sessions are held throughout the year and are linked to appraisal targets and/or priorities taken from the School Development Plan. All teachers take part in internal CPD sessions including action and research-based Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs). Staff are encouraged to find relevant CPD opportunities.

Mobile Phones

All personal devices should only used in line with the Image Policy (5.14) and the Acceptable Use Policy for Staff (5.06)

Safeguarding Policy

ISB is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students. All staff must complete annual training. See the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy on Sharepoint for detailed guidance. If you have any concerns about a student, please file a MyConcern report and/or speak to the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL).

Health & Safety

Teachers are requested to assist in ensuring the school property is well maintained. Any issues of concern, please inform the Facilities Manager and your Line Manager. For minor repairs please email Helpdesk (search ‘helpdesk’ on Outlook).

Dress Code

ISB is a professional work environment. Please refer to Dress Code Policy (5.07) for dress code in school and on school trips.

Educational Visits

Throughout the year, both local and international visits / trips are planned in conjunction with Units of Work and learning opportunities. If you have an idea you want to take forward, please speak to your HoF/ HoY initially.

Duties

Are assigned as part of the contractual duties as outlines in your job description.

Student Files / Information

All student information is held on SIMs.

Classrooms

Please leave classrooms tidy at all times as staff often share a room. Students should be strongly encouraged to contribute to a tidy-up; books and equipment properly put away, so that the cleaners can do their job more efficiently. Please ensure the area outside your classroom is also kept tidy. When leaving your room at the end of the day please make sure you have switched off your A.C. and lights and locked your doors and cupboards (where applicable).

Registers

Registers must be taken every morning and for Secondary every lesson, through SIMs (or Edulink portal).

Primary: Any child arriving after 7.25am will have to go through the Main Entrance and sign in. Codes for SIMs absence should be strictly adhered to and are listed on the register page. Please remember to check your register the next day, for the ‘L’. Please mark which children are absent on the whiteboard in your class registration pack in case of any emergency. Please ensure that this is returned to the Primary Office by 7.45am at the latest.

Secondary: Late Secondary students (arriving after 7.15am) must be marked as such and they should report to SLT Office. Please remember to check the next day to ensure “L” is listed. Codes for SIMs absence should be strictly adhered to and are listed on the register page.

Photocopying and Printing

As an Eco School we encourage you to avoid unnecessary printing (though not to the educational disadvantage of students). If you do need to print you should use the Reprographics room in the Resource Centre as it much more cost effective. The technician will process requests with a minimum 24 hours notice please.

All staff are given a printing allowance; if you exceed this allowance then you need to request an increase from the Head of Primary or your Head of Faculty in Secondary. (All copies are totaled and debited from the specified accounts).

Our STRONG advice on printing is:

• DO NOT print in colour unless absolutely essential (as it is 10 x more expensive than black and white).

• If you are printing booklets and require one colour front page for example, ensure you switch back to B and W after the front page.

• DO NOT try mass printing; print one copy and photocopy the remainder, please.

• DO NOT give your codes to students!

Resources

For any area of learning resource storage or purchase please check with the Resources Department, led by the Resource Manager. The Resources team will be pleased to help you.

Library Books

Library books may be borrowed by our students, or by you to use as a classroom resource. Any damage or loss is repayable by the named borrower.

Parent Meetings

Primary: Parent Teacher Consultations take place in Term 1 and Term 2. In addition, we host Celebration of Learning and Meet the Teacher mornings throughout the year.

Secondary: Parents Evenings are spread across the year to ensure each year group has the opportunity to meet staff and have formalized learning focused conversations, once with their tutor and twice with subject teachers. IGCSE and IBDP Options Evenings are held at an appropriate time during the school year (term 2) to provide students and parents with the information they need.

Parent and Curriculum workshops are frequently provided to educate and inform parents on current school planning, teaching and pedagogy.

All meetings are listed on the school calendar.

Summary

Have a great academic year! Not sure what to do - just ask!

As a family orientated school, we look forward to welcoming you. We hope the infomation we have provided you is useful in preparing you for your new role with us.

If you require any further information then please contact executive_principal@ac.isb.edu.bn