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.