Why my school rules – by students who go there!

Jan 9 2023

Australian International School (AIS)

“During break times, I can practise gymnastics freely”
Lily Gardner, Year 5

Where’s your favourite place to hang out at AIS?
There are many large, open spaces in AIS and during break times I can practise gymnastics freely. My school also has lots of shaded areas which shelters us from the hot sun and rain.

If you could only do one lesson for the rest of your life, what would it be?
We do PYP (Primary Years Programme) at AIS. The best part is picking what we want to focus on and we can research topics that we feel passionate about. My favourite subject is Maths. Our teacher makes all our lessons really interesting, and she teaches us different ways to solve problems. I enjoy algorithms best.

If you had $1000 to buy something for your school, what would you buy and why?
I already feel like it has everything, so I’d donate the money to our school charity which helps other schools in need.

What three things do you like best about AIS?
Firstly, everyone is really welcoming and friendly. Secondly, I love how my teachers are so expressive and they make even the most boring lessons interesting. Lastly, AIS is a really big place with many facilities. This means that learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms, but also in the fields around us for example.

What job would you like when you’re older?
I’d like to be a lawyer. I’m confident in public speaking and want to stand up for people who are not able to do so for themselves.

Canadian International School (CIS)

371 Tanjong Katong Rd, 437128. cis.edu.sg

“The library is a solid rock when assignments become overwhelming”
Reese S, Grade 12

What’s your favourite thing about CIS?
The teachers. Having been at CIS for over 10 years, I’ve grown up here and it’s a community that wants to see us succeed. I will really miss the support I feel every day from our teachers after I graduate.

Where’s your favourite place to hang out there?
I like the library. Our librarian Ms Miller is always there for students. The cool, calm feel of the library is a solid rock when assignments become overwhelming.

If you were to be stranded on a deserted island with one person from your school, who would you choose?
While her post-surgery shoulder is not built for island survival, I know my DP Business teacher Ms Keohan would do whatever was needed to survive. Alternatively, I’d choose our coordinator, Ms Baptista, who always knows what to say in any situation. Or Sal, who works at CIS’s Red Dot Cafe. She’s why I can keep up my daily dose of caffeine and start my mornings with a laugh.

What’s been your favourite school assignment so far?
Through my extended essay on Apple Music, I’ve learnt a lot about their operations. It was an intense month-long project, but easy to work on since it was a topic of my choice.

If you could only do one lesson at school, what would it be?
Business, which I aspire to go into. The classes bring together subjects I enjoy, like Psychology and Maths, in interesting and challenging ways. Next, I’m excited to learn more about finance, which I’d also love to venture into.

Dover Court International School (DCIS)

301 Dover Rd, 139644. nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/singapore

“All our differences give us a sense of belonging”
Astrid, Year 11

How’s school life?
This is my ninth year at Dover Court, and it feels like home to me. I enjoy the diverse nature of the school, with students from all over the world and of all abilities. Being part of such a community allows for open-mindedness and a global mindset.

What do you like most about DCIS?
Being a teenager it’s the community feeling, and how all our differences are what gives us a common sense of belonging. Also, my teachers are amazing. They see me as an individual and create fantastic learning opportunities, making sure that we know they’re there to support us.

What are you looking forward to learning this year?
I’m in Year 11, so it’s all about the IGCSEs. At Dover, we do the IGCSE over three years and we’re in the final stretch right now. I can’t wait for the feeling of accomplishment once I am done. I’m also excited about our Duke of Edinburgh Award, where we’re doing an overnight trip to Pulau Ubin. We prepared for this throughout the pandemic and it’s finally happening!

What’s been your favourite school assignment and why?
Last year I was one of two Deputy Head students responsible for organising the World Children’s Day event. We held workshops, built a display around Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and got other students involved in sharing ideas. It was a great opportunity to be part of the process, from planning to leading the day, and receiving positive feedback from teachers and students.

What area would you like to go into when you leave school?
I want to work with children and my plan is to become a teacher. I have dyslexia and the support I have been given from my teachers has helped me get to where I am today. I hope to one day be able to do the same for others.

Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM)

Jalan Marlborough, Puteri Harbour, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia. marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org, [email protected]

“We’re encouraged to do things outside of our comfort zone”
Cordelia, Year 11

What do you like most about MCM?
Marlborough College gives me many opportunities to explore and grow. I’m an academic scholar but have discovered the world beyond the classroom through sports. We’re privileged to have a great campus with many onsite activities and before and after school clubs. We’re actively encouraged to do things outside of our comfort zone, which is a great way to build resilience in a safe space.

What’s your favourite lesson?
Games. During the school year we rotate sports so we can play at a competitive level and enjoy different activities, from climbing to kayaking in the school lake.

Tell us about a project you’ve enjoyed…
During my years in Prep school, I adored our humanities and science tasks involving model making. Over the years, I’ve made skeletons, solar systems, rainforest habitats and World War trenches. You could pick what suited your interests and what you wanted to explore. It didn’t have to be a model, it could be a painting, a book review or a presentation.

St Joseph’s Institution International (SJI International)

490 Thomson Rd, 298191. sji-international.com.sg

“Students are encouraged to become spectacular people!”
Eleanor, Grade 6

What do you like about SJI International?
The encouraging environment. School feels like a second home with people who feel like extended family. Everyone is inclusive and supportive, and students are all encouraged to become spectacular people!

Where do you hang out at school?
I love going to the Raphael playground during break times. People go there to play tag, and there’s also a basketball court with hoops and a handball court. The shaded areas are good for those who don’t have hats or just want to relax.

If you could only do one lesson at school for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’d like to do art as it’s part of my daily routine. I love getting inspired by other people’s art, making the world a better and more colourful place.

If you had $1,000 to buy something for your school, what would you choose?
Trampolines! We have some but I would buy even bigger ones that you could flip on, encouraging everyone to be active.

What job do you dream of?
I would love to be a fashion designer. Sometimes clothes I like don’t fit me, because of the gigantic growth spurt I’ve had over the past few years. I want to make designs for all sizes, so that everyone can wear outfits they like.

Tanglin Trust School

95 Portsdown Rd, 139299. tts.edu.sg

“We all feel that the teachers genuinely care about us”
Suzanne G, Year 13

Where’s your favourite place to hang out at Tanglin Trust School?
The Sixth Form Common Room. There are couches for relaxing, tables for studying, and a kitchen if you’re hungry or need to grab coffee. There’s a lively atmosphere there, and it’s also a great time to interact with others. Teachers often join us which adds to the sense of community.

If you were stranded on a deserted island with one person from your school, who would that be?
Ms Lott, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) coordinator. Throughout my Gold DofE experience, she has taught me countless tips and tricks for camping in the wild. She’s not only amazing with survival skills, but she also has an amazing character. Her enthusiasm makes me feel like I could climb Mount Everest!

If you had $1,000 to buy something for your school, what would you choose
Artwork for our new Tanglin Centenary Building. Hitting our 100-year milestone is an impressive achievement, and a big sculpture or painting to commemorate our history would be the perfect addition.

Tell us why your school rocks …
Not only do our teachers make their subjects engaging, but it’s fun to chat to them during break times and lunch, and we feel that they genuinely care about us. We have an immense number of opportunities for co-curricular offerings, ranging from MasterChef to Debates to Rock Climbing. Our Tanglin mascot, Griff the Lion, turns up everywhere, and it’s always fun to see a giant lion walking around school.

Dulwich College Singapore

71 Bukit Batok West Ave. 8, 658966. singapore.dulwich.org

“I love the eco-garden where students grow plants and vegetables”
Milly Worthington, Year 9

What do you love about school?
My favourite part is the friends I’ve made. Some of them have left Singapore but we keep in touch online and I now have friends all over the world.

Where do you most like to hang out at school and why?
I love the eco-garden in Senior School, an outdoor roof garden where students grow plants and vegetables. It’s shady and cool, and a great place to sit with my friends and eat lunch. Away from the school, I’m a keen performer so I love the Alleyn Theatre. At Dulwich we’re lucky to have the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre.

If you had $1,000 to buy something for Dulwich College, what would it be?
Something fun like a cotton candy machine or a chocolate fountain. I’d put it in the quad so everyone could enjoy it.

What would you like to do when you leave school?
I’d like to be an actor. Dulwich is a great place to be involved in the performing arts – we have amazing facilities and there are a lot of opportunities to perform.

Singapore American School (SAS)

40 Woodlands Street 41, 738547. [email protected]

“I really love my friends and teachers”
Sunny Hughes, Grade 8

What do you like most about Singapore American School?
All the different courses. I also really love my friends and teachers. They’re all so kind, especially my friends, and there for me emotionally and academically, whenever I need help.

Where do you most like to hang out there?
The library. It’s got so many books, and comfortable places to just hang out, or catch up on schoolwork.

If you had to be stuck on a desert island with someone from your school, who would it be?
One of my friends!

Tell us about some of your favourite projects…
Many of our projects are awesome. For example, in Science, our project was to use our knowledge from class to create an infographic or video on asteroids.

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)

1 Tampines Street 73, 528704. uwcsea.edu.sg

“I like how the school taught me to get better at tennis”
Miles, Grade 5

What do you like about going to UWCSEA and why?
Playtime and learning is fun with my friends. I eat in the canteen and can buy burritos from the Mexican stall and the Indian stall has Murtabak.

Where’s your favourite hang out?
The handball courts because it’s really fun to play, and I have a lot of friends who like doing the same thing. I also like the playgrounds and especially the climbing frame; it’s a good feeling of achievement when you reach the top and you can have great conversations with people up there!

What’s the most interesting thing you learnt at school today?
It was about the Arts Festival. Next term we’re doing a musical with three other classes. I’m going to be singing, while others will play the cello and piano, or act.

What’s been your favourite school assignment so far?
I like how UWCSEA taught me to get better at tennis, which I now play two times a week. I’ve moved up a level and we sometimes compete against other schools. My other favourite activity is the science experiments. We came second in the egg drop – the winning team used a newspaper instead of a plastic bag as a parachute.

How students come first at Dulwich College

Jan 7 2023

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Dulwich College (Singapore) is a leading international school for students aged 2 -18. We nurture global citizens and well-rounded future leaders who are passionate and equipped to provide solutions to the world’s challenges. We do this by creating opportunities for students to engage with practical, real-world issues and by delivering a world-class innovative education underpinned by a rich academic, sports, performing arts and music curriculum, plus a strong focus on wellbeing. Today, we’re proud to share that we are one of the leading international schools in Asia and home to over 65 nationalities. The Australian / New Zealand community account for 12% of our overall student population; this is the second highest nationality group at Dulwich.

Personalised Pathways

‘Students come first’ is at the heart of everything we do. Our learning experiences are designed with the needs, talents and capabilities of our students as the focus. Our programme is rich, broad, balanced and structured as a series of personalised pathways that allow all our students to develop in any chosen area or remain all-rounders. These pathways allow them to thrive, shine in an area of interest, specialise if they wish to, or experience as many available opportunities as possible.
In our Upper Senior School in Years 12 and 13, this ethos is especially significant with our offerings that support every student’s passion and needs, equipping them with the skills to prepare them for life after school. The aim is to develop confident, thoughtful, and outward-looking young people who have enthusiasm for learning and to enable them to continue leading fulfilling lives beyond Dulwich.

Choosing Your Own Pathway – IBDP or IBCP

All students in Years 12 and 13 study the globally recognised and respected IB programme. This covers either the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), both of which teach students core life skills such as being open-minded, caring and principled, and how to develop curiosity through inquiry
The IBDP at Dulwich underpins and supports the core of the IB programme, to develop intellectual, emotional, ethical, and academically balanced individuals. The difference at Dulwich lies in the breadth of subject offerings that go beyond the norm. With choices in areas like Film Studies, Sports Exercise, Health Sciences, and more, the needs of the individual student are supported
At Dulwich we don’t pre-select students for the IB Diploma. All students can complete either the IBDP or IBCP
The results achieved in the 2022 IBDP are a strong endorsement of our priority of empowering choices to meet each student’s goal. The college attained a phenomenal average point score of 38.9, with 48% of our students receiving a score of 40 or above
The IBCP offered at Dulwich has a selection of six career-related pathways that include business and sustainability; performance and production arts; creative practice; art, design and communication; sports; engineering; and digital technology. This ensures that we give our students the breadth of choice in specialist subjects and provide them with the future skills they need for the rapidly evolving workplace

University Counselling and Career Programme (UCC)

Dulwich students benefit from an in-house team of highly experienced University and Careers Counsellors, who not only help them make informed choices about their future options, but also have excellent working relationships with the Admissions Departments of universities around the world including Australia and New Zealand.

A whopping 98% of our students achieved offers to their first-choice university in 2022, something that was made possible because of our personalised approach. UCC counsellors guide our students from Year 8 to Year 13 to help them research their best-fit further education institutions by career matching and helping with global university applications.

Please visit singapore.dulwich.org to learn more or arrange a visit, or contact our Admissions Team at +65 6890 1003 /
[email protected]

Let’s Talk: Tips for buying Australian property in 2023

Jan 5 2023

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The start of 2023 promises many excellent property-buying opportunities for Australian expats in Singapore. If you’ve got your eyes on a hot new home down under or are considering buying your next investment property and need a mortgage in Oz, it pays to be fully prepped and feeling confident. Here are our top tips.

Matt Hooper, Head of Business Development

1 Determine Financial Goals
Everyone begins each January with a “new year, new me” mindset. But what about your finances? The start of 2023 is the perfect time to set financial objectives—you’ve just got over the Christmas rush and want a fresh start in the next 12 months. With a new budget, set out your plans for buying Australian property.

2 Boost Your Deposit
Did you receive a Christmas bonus, benefit from a raise in the new year, or have a piggy bank of savings from the last twelve months to spend? Don’t squander away the cash on everyday finances; consider investing it. Expats earning Singapore dollars often find their borrowing power limited. However, paying a higher deposit can boost your borrowing power, meaning lower interest rates and higher sums available.

3 Growing Neighbourhoods
The entire world is struggling to bounce back from the global pandemic and war in Ukraine. You might have heard of the sinking housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne. However, many highly affordable areas throughout Australia have excellent capital growth opportunities. Take the time to research investment opportunities to ensure you make the right decision.

4 Currency Conversions
All Australian lenders use Australian dollars when handling home loan repayments, deposits and borrowing power. The AUD to SGD currency conversion is currently strong, meaning you’ll have a higher deposit and income to spend on property. Timing your investment is a fantastic way to get the most for your money when putting down a deposit and paying a home loan.

5 Ensure You Have The Best Deal
Do you already have a mortgage on other investment properties? With interest rates rising, you should check whether you have the best deal available. Consider refinancing your home loan to pay less interest each month and free up cash for other opportunities.

6 Speak To Your Broker
Your mortgage broker can help. Speak to a broker about home loan options to secure financing that suits your situation. Odin Mortgage specialises in expat loans and can assist you throughout the research and application process to secure an Aussie property in 2023.

Contact Odin Mortgage today @odinmortgage.com

How to choose a school in Singapore

Jan 3 2023

If you feel flummoxed when faced with an inordinate amount of cupcake flavours or wine varieties to choose from, then deciding on a school for your child may well feel overwhelming. Where they go can make all the difference to their academic success, confidence, and happiness, and when you’re an expat in Singapore, there are considerably more dazzling education options to choose from that go way beyond ‘the local school down the street’.

“A school is not only a place for children to acquire knowledge and an education. A good school environment, with the right ethos and solid, passionate educators, helps in character building, and in turn helps parents to nurture their child’s passions,” says Kellie Hammond, Head of Admissions at Tanglin Trust School (tts.edu.sg). “In addition, a child spends a significant amount of time in school, so the right place needs to be one that provides a safe and caring environment for them to learn.”

Community support system

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Kellie knows first-hand just how crucial making the right pick is. “My sons, Blaide, Jet and I have been living in Singapore for 10 years. Finding a school with a community back home isn’t as important as it is when you’re an expat. This is because our community and support system is already there with family and friends we’ve known for decades.”

When Kellie enrolled her boys at school here, she found a community with parents who also sent their children to the same place. “They gave me the support I needed as a young expat mum. Other parents advised me on what to do when my boys found certain subjects challenging, we organised play dates and looked out for one another,” she says. “When you’re an expat family, finding a supportive community is very important; you can turn to them when you need urgent medical attention, a listening ear, someone to help babysit in an emergency, or even when you need an ‘extended family’ to celebrate moments such as Christmas, Easter, or Australia Day.”

Whether you’re contemplating somewhere international or local, elite, or more laid back, it’s essential to ask yourself some key questions when weighing up choices.

Tips for making a selection

Talk it out
Talk to the admissions experts within the school to understand more. If there’s a parent ambassador whose child is studying there already, speak to them for unbiased viewpoints
Get online
Join online expat forums and ask questions. Start with forum.singaporeexpats.com and expat.com
Observe
Visit the premises and request a walk-through. While doing so, observe the faces of the students; if they look joyful and smiley, it likely means that they enjoy going to school and are engaged, happy, and learning well
Look beyond the classroom
Ask about co-curriculum offerings. Beyond core-curriculum subjects, children need these to develop their passions. For example, my elder son, Blaide was exposed to multiple languages when he started school in Singapore. He studied Mandarin and French, and although he may not use Mandarin often, the exposure to a second language (beyond English) has made him appreciate different languages and cultures around us

Kellie’s 5Cs for choosing the right school

Child Focus
Assess your child’s learner profile. What sort of learner are they? Is your child an enquiry-based learner? Do they learn best through experiential learning? What is the teacher to student ratio? How well does the school support children with additional needs?
Community
Does the school embrace diversity, equity and inclusivity? This is important, especially if you want your child to be broadminded and have friends of different races, nationalities and religion. If you opt for an international school, consider how much they connect with the local community and whether your child will feel enough integration within their ‘adopted home’.
Curriculum
Does the school have accreditations and elements of rigour? For example, Tanglin Trust School is inspected and accredited every three years by Ofsted British Schools Overseas (BSO).
Caring environment
Does the school offer good pastoral care to students? This is important as all children need tools to cope in life, especially when they are distressed.
Co-curricular activities
Does the school offer a wide range of co-curricular activities and clubs that fit your child’s aptitude and interest?

You’ve made a choice, now what?

How long before you know you’ve made the right decision?
Every child is different. Some children take a longer time to warm up or get adjusted to a new environment. Six months is a reasonable time period to ascertain if the school fits.

What are some repercussions of making an incorrect choice of school?
Happy children learn best. A school environment that’s the wrong fit may be revealed in a child’s progress; they may not want to attend school or they’ll be inattentive in class.

How to deal if you think you’ve made the wrong decision?
Speak to the teachers/educators in the school to find out more about why your child isn’t progressing. In the meantime, join online expat forums to research other potential schools.

Australia & New Zealand National Days: An overview

Jan 3 2023

AUSTRALIA DAY, 26 JAN

Celebrations honouring this day commemorate the first settlement of Australia. The First Fleet, commanded by Arthur Phillip, sailed from England in May 1787, arriving in Australia at Botany Bay, Sydney, in January 1788, duly hoisting the British flag and proclaiming British sovereignty. Canberra (‘meeting place’) is the capital. The country has six States and two Territories.

Australia’s food, wines and beers are well-known: oysters, prawns, salmon, beef, lamb, potatoes, beetroot, lemon-myrtle herb, Kakadu plum, quandong, cheese, fresh milk, yoghurt, Granny Smith apples, Bowen mangoes, Anzac biscuits, lamingtons, pavlova, not forgetting damper, Vegemite and meat pies.

Anzac biscuits contain rolled oats, desiccated coconut and golden syrup, associated with Anzac (Australian and New Zealand army corps) troops in World War 1. Damper is unleavened bush bread. Vegemite, a dark yeast-extract spread, is a breakfast ‘must’ on buttered toast. Ubiquitous lamingtons are individual squares of sponge-cake coated in melted chocolate, sprinkled with desiccated coconut, named after an early (1896-1901) governor of Queensland state. Meringue-like pavlova, airy and white, topped with whipped cream and fruit, was named after the ballerina Anna Pavlova honouring her visit to Australia (or New Zealand, depending on one’s leanings) in 1926.

Host a barbeque to celebrate Australia Day and share snippets about wonderful Australian food and drinks. To create a memorable occasion, get your hands on Coffin Bay oysters, barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs, yabbies, alongside steaks, lamb chops and sausages, ending with pavlova, complete with wine, ice-cold beer, Bundaberg ginger-beer and fruit juice (plus Tim Tam biscuits and Darrell Lea liquorice!).

WAITANGI DAY, 6 FEB

This day commemorates the signing in 1840 of The Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document, at the city of Waitangi, near North Auckland, by representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori Chiefs. Wellington is the country’s capital, with the large North Island and South Island plus numerous smaller islands.

The country’s food products are well reputed for their freshness: crayfish, green-lip mussels, king salmon, chicken, lamb, beef, potatoes, carrots, corn, kumara (sweet potato), pikopiko, yam, cheese, yoghurt, feijoa, kiwifruit, tamarillo, hokey pokey ice-cream, Anzac biscuits, and pavlova (with ongoing debate between Aussies and Kiwis as to whose national dessert it is).

For those not in-the-know, pikopiko are fern tips, feijoa is a type of guava, tamarillo is also known as tree tomato, while hokey pokey is vanilla ice-cream containing crunchy honeycomb pieces.

If possible, a traditional hangi (food cooked underground) would be a great way to celebrate in Singapore, or a barbecue. To enjoy abalone, Bluff oysters, whitebait fritters and meat pies would add to the mood, accompanied by award-winning New Zealand wines, beer and L&P fizzy lemon drink, with popular Whittaker’s chocolates.

Both of these holidays are a time to reflect, to be thankful for the achievements of Australia and New Zealand, celebrating meaningfully with family and friends.

New year, new financial you!

Jan 2 2023

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We have all made new year resolutions that didn’t last very long, and these days they often seem like just a bit of fun because we know that come the end of Jan, most will be forgotten or broken. I think I have only ever kept to one that I made about 10 years ago (ask me, I might tell you what it was).

One key reason for failure is the action around the tasks, either they are too ambitious, too onerous, too hard, or even worse, are made without any reasonable specific measure and targets.

Why do we make resolutions at the start of a New Year? I think it has something to do with the feeling of a ‘clean slate’, a new year, a new start etc. Where otherwise we end up just carrying over from the previous year, and the year before that…which might leave us feeling lacklustre about the new year.

I love the ‘fiscal year’ element of the calendar year and I like to analyse my financial planning at this time. For many people, it is a good time to plan their year financially, or indeed to start getting their financial planning and financial affairs in good order. So instead of, ‘I will run 1,000km this year’ (My failed resolution from 2022), it is potentially going to be far more worthwhile to take stock of your financial situation and get a personal plan set for 2023 and beyond. This is often easy to say but not always easy (because it’s not perceived as fun) to do. I guarantee it is cathartic though.

Here are my tips on what to do to put your 2023 financial planning and fiscal resolutions in place:

The net worth statement

This is the key annual metric to benchmark your progress. Open an excel spreadsheet, keep it simple, list all your assets; cash, property, pensions, investments etc
Then list your liabilities; credit cards, mortgages, personal loans etc
Then deduct liabilities from assets and then you have your ‘net worth’
How does this figure make you feel?

Assess your monthly cashflow and budget

Next, go one step further and put this in another tab on your spreadsheet
This is an activity that most of us avoid, and the idea fills us with dread. However, we often kid ourselves and “think” we know our monthly financial position, but how many of us can actually say that we budget properly
You can budget as a total, overall, and if you want (I suggest you do) additionally you can budget some assets/liabilities that are joined, like property, individually too

Total all your incomes.
Total all your FIXED expenses – rent, bills, subscriptions, schooling, transport, groceries, fixed savings.
Total all your VARIABLE expenses – Entertainment, holidays, shopping, discretionary spends.

The next part might happen naturally, you inspect your numbers a little:

What surplus do you have left? Does your bank account reflect that every month?
If you have surplus – great! What are you then doing with it? Making it work harder or does it stay in cash or even worse, leak to other ‘spending’?
If you don’t have surplus, are you saving/investing every month? If not, then you need to work out where you can make some cuts.

Protection

Are you appropriately insured? What would happen if you were no longer around, or suffered a serious illness? Most people are under-insured. Take time to really assess the worst case. Re-evaluate every year.

Housekeeping

Do you have a will? Everyone needs a will. It is easier than you think. Don’t put it off for another year. If you have one, is it up to date?

The year ahead

Forecast your Income, bonuses, shares vesting
Plan and budget costs for holidays throughout the year
Plan your travel and make sure you avoid accidental tax residencies

Finally, arrange an appointment with a licensed financial adviser. Ask friends for a recommendation, meet more than one and be open, honest and ask lots of questions. Make a plan for your longer-term goals, financial independence, university costs for children, lifestyle property, weddings etc.

Happy New Year. All the best financial wishes for 2023!

If you would like to learn more about how to put your 2023 financial resolutions into place, please contact David on [email protected] or +65 9101 4814 to arrange a consultation.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Advice relating to a will involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place.

The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Members of the St. James’s Place Partnership in Singapore represent St. James’s Place (Singapore) Private Limited, which is part of the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group, and it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a member of the Investment Management Association of Singapore and Association of Financial Advisers (Singapore). Company Registration No. 200406398R. Capital Markets Services Licence No. CMS100851.

St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group Ltd Registered Office: St. James’s Place House, 1 Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1FP, United Kingdom. Registered in England Number 02627518.

One World International School: In with the new

Jan 1 2023

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A warm and diverse community. Engaging, future-focused learning. Caring teachers. These are just some of the features of the learning ethos at One World International School (OWIS) that families in the school community appreciate and recommend to others. And come August 2023, there will be an all-new campus in the OWIS family of schools that will follow the same values-led education approach.

Following in the footsteps of OWIS Nanyang and OWIS Suntec, OWIS Digital Campus* in Punggol will emphasise multicultural immersion. With an attendance cap on nationality that ensures a diverse student body, the school will welcome students from Early Childhood through Grade 8 from August 2023, with plans to expand to Grade 12 in the future. And, as always, the school’s curriculum will focus on providing students with personalised learning journeys while emphasising a values-led education.

Well-rounded international school education

Since 2008, One World International School has been making a name for itself among expat families in Singapore, primarily due to its quality of education and the thought that goes into the design of the curriculum and the learning spaces. And that’s all expected to continue at the new Digital Campus in Punggol. Passionate educators, dynamic communication with families, and a devotion to the core values for which OWIS is known will make the new campus the go-to choice for families in the North-East region of Singapore.

The mindful and balanced use of technology has always been a part of the engaging education experience at OWIS. At the new Digital Campus in Punggol, students can expect to find a wealth of interactive features in the classrooms, which will help to make learning collaborative and personalised. Creativity will be built into every school day, and every student will have the opportunity to practise skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving, and more.

With whole child development in mind, OWIS Digital Campus will give due importance to stimulating learning spaces that offer plenty of room for exploration for students in Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary. Some of the interesting learning spaces and skill studios that are being designed include: STEM studio, LEGO room, and performing arts centres. Among the spaces for physical education, a sports stadium with a capacity for 1,000 spectators holds the promise of exciting events where our champions will be cheered and celebrated!

Shaping future leaders

For more than a decade, OWIS has been preparing students to take on the challenges of the 21st century by shaping future leaders who embrace kindness, respect and an open mind. If you’re interested in learning more about the new campus, contact the admissions team at OWIS Digital Campus today.

(*Proposed site for an international school that will open in August 2023 subject to approval from regulatory authorities.)

Call +65 6914 7351

Email – [email protected]

27 Punggol Field Walk, Singapore 828649

www.owis.org

ANZA Magazine January/February 2023 issue is out now

Jan 1 2023

How to cope with loneliness during the holidays

Dec 20 2022

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The holidays are around the corner, but they can get lonely for some people, especially for expats and students who cannot be with their families for the festivities. Loneliness could stem from various emotions, such as family pressure, anticipation, or grief. While holidays mean cheer and joy, it’s not cheerful for some. Experts have suggested exercises and tips that could help you during these times.

Our friends at Pacific Prime have put together 5 tips to help deal with holiday loneliness.

Embrace loneliness

While the topic of loneliness and feeling lonely is taboo, mental health experts have confirmed that it’s okay to feel lonely. While feeling lonely may not be great, being aware of it can help you deal with it. So, journal your thoughts, declutter your mind, and focus on how to take care of yourself.

Make new traditions

Expectations can always be worked upon, so reset your expectations about holiday traditions. It could be as small as cooking a dish that gives you comfort, reading a book, watching a feel-good movie, and more. Going forward, you will have your holiday traditions to look forward to.

Join a new club

Try to find a club or ANZA group that interests you, such as a book club or a knitting club. Joining a club will surround you with people and give you a sense of being part of a bigger community.

Exercise

Get physical and move your body because exercising is an excellent way to relieve pent-up aggression. Moreover, exercising and sport can help alleviate some symptoms of loneliness, such as low appetite, lack of interest, low energy, etc.

See a therapist

You can combat loneliness by seeing a therapist. A professional can help you identify thoughts that trigger feelings of loneliness and help you cope with and address your loneliness in a meaningful way. If you are worried about paying big bucks for a therapist, get in touch with Pacific Prime, the insurance experts there will surely help you get a plan that covers all your requirements and suits your budget.

About Pacific Prime

With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Pacific Prime has helped locals and expats alike to secure comprehensive health insurance. From individual to family health insurance, Pacific Prime is your one-stop-shop for everything insurance.

Get in touch today for a FREE quote or unbiased advice.

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