Daniel Lim
“Opening of the new campus not only celebrates 15 years of establishment, but also in setting our expectation that International School Brunei will continue to grow in the Belait District, bringing its well tested education offering to more students,” International School Brunei (ISB) Deputy Chairman of the Board Nicholas King said.
He made these comments at the opening ceremony of the new ISB satellite school building in Seria yesterday.
Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) Managing Director Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis, Brunei LNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib and senior officers and staff from BSP and Brunei LNG were also present.
King said the school was previously located at two separate locations in Kuala Belait since its establishment in 2005.
“With continued support from parents, Ministry of Education (MOE) and BSP, ISB satellite school is able to continue operating after almost getting closed in 2017,” he said, adding that BSP offered the new building in October 2018. “ISB took occupancy of the school in March 2020 but due to COVID-19, student physical attendance was delayed until August last year,” he said.
King thanked ISB Executive Principal Laura Thomas and staff, former BSP Commercial Director Hajah Farida, former BSP Managing Director Dr Ceri M Powell, BSP Integrated Facilities Manager Mazlina Maawiah and BSP Project Lead Rashiddin bin Haji Ariffin for their support during the transition.
The ceremony continued with the presentation of a token of appreciation by King to Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis.
Cultural performances by the students was a highlight at the ceremony.
King and Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis also planted saplings to commemorate the event before touring the school’s classroom and facilities.
The newly renovated school building features larger classrooms with designated reading space, learning areas for painting, construction, music, playground and track field.
The move has also allowed the school to offer more enhanced curriculum such as Physical Education, swimming, and extracurricular activities.