A new leaf

His Majesty the Sultan graced ISB Campus at Sungai Haching last week.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to officially open the recently completed new International School Brunei (ISB) 22 acre campus in Sungai Hanching last week. His Majesty attended as Guest of Honour, consented to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony and toured the school and the new 180 bed International Boarding facility. Among the pupils were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel, Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah, and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim.

For ISB, the momentous occasion was a source of much pride, and was the culmination of decades of hard work and perseverance. The school, which started with three students in 1964, has developed to become the longest established international school in Brunei and one of the premier international schools in Asia, now educating 1450 students from 39 different countries. Its academic credentials were highlighted to His Majesty; with 90% of all ‘O’ Level and IGCSE examination results at higher level grades A* to C. His Majesty was also introduced to its International Baccalaureate students, most of whom spoke of their enthusiasm for the new teaching, learning and living facilities.

The history of the institution began in 1964 when it was founded as a home school by Datin Glass, wife of a senior government official. The school grew rapidly, and by 1970 had moved to a bigger site provided by government at Tapak Kuda. Even more student growth necessitated a relocation to a bigger campus, and government provided the land at Jalan Dato Haji Ahmad, Berakas in 1985. The school was officially opened by Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna binti Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien on 9th March 1986, eight years after securing the lease. Over the next 30 years, ISB would become a household name, renowned for the provision of excellent academic, cultural and sporting achievements, while maintaining its inclusive academic philosophy. However, having outgrown the Berakas campus, plans for a move were formulated in 2002, culminating to the move to the Sungai Hanching campus in 2016.

Upon arrival at the new ISB campus, his majesty was met by ISB Board Chairman Mr Ahmad Isa and Executive Principal Dr Steven Geraghty, as well as Minister of Education Yang Behormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Development Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah, Minister of Home Affairs Yang Behormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong and other representatives from ministry. His Majesty then attended a reception in the school’s 350 seater theatre where the ISB primary school choir and ISB band played the Brunei National Anthem. ISB Board Chairman, Ahmad bin Isa, gave a welcome speech, thanking His Majesty for gracing the opening and expressing his joy and thanks to all those involved in bringing the idea of the new campus to life. Ahmad Isa also thanked the “students, parents and teachers whose support has been an integral part to the school’s longevity”.

In closing, he expressed his belief that ISB will be able to face the future confidently, strengthening its world class teaching and learning through new and flexible 21st Century learning spaces, which will continue to provide the future generations of Bruneian and international students with outstanding education for many years to come.

His Majesty undertook a tour of the school grounds, taking time out to watch a drama performance by some year 10 students, then seeing the 25m FINA international competition swimming pool and multipurpose sports hall. Following the sports complex, His Majesty the Sultan consented to tour new international residence, where he met some of the boarders who proudly showed him their rooms and living areas. His Majesty affirmed the merits of ISB seeking to attract international boarding students from around Asia, both as a way to attract foreign investment in Brunei, but also as a means to raise the profile of Brunei as an educational destination internationally.

Subsequently, the His Majesty visited the outdoor social area, where he consented to take a picture with the primary school students. He was joined in the photo by HRH Prince Wakeel, HRH Princess Ameerah, and HRH Prince Muntaqim. After the photo, Dr Steven Geraghty gave a speech thanking his Majesty for gracing the ceremony, and stated how having seen and worked in international schools all over the world, ISB was easily his favourite, in terms of the student and staff personnel, the spirit of the school, as well as the actual campus.

His Majesty signed a plaque commemorating his visit to ISB, before cutting the ribbon to declare ISB officially opened.