Holland International School

What an amazing time our children have at Holland International School! Every morning they can’t wait to get on the school bus to go to school. The school not only provides excellent education at one of the most beautiful spots in Singapore, it also is a warm and welcoming community for the whole family.

Our daughters, who were five and seven at the time, were not at all pleased about moving to Singapore. They came round a bit after seeing the beautiful tropical environment, but what really made the difference was starting at Holland International School. They felt at home and completely able to be themselves from the very first day. I think that this may be the most special thing of all about Holland International School: children can be themselves and grow in the way that suits them best. Children who need extra attention or support are given it ̶ but so are children who need an extra challenge. Everyone is seen.

Holland International School has provided the optimal learning environment for both our children. The teaching staff makes a very good effort to understand our children well. This has motivated them to learn enthusiastically. It is a beautiful school in a green oasis where there is a lot of space for children to learn and explore. We see our children happy and growing confidently at the school.

Holland International School stands out for its philosophy of learning through play and developing social skills in a cosy, small school environment. This allows children ample time for other activities such as sports, playdates and to do nothing, which sparks creativity. The exception is reading – children are encouraged to bring new books home from the school library every week. The International Stream is a big plus for our family. We may never send our kids to a primary school in the Netherlands but we want them to learn the Dutch way. Vera will soon start preschool, especially now that there are sleeping facilities and a mix of full days and half days available for the youngest children. The school may have “Holland” in its name but it’s not for Dutch families only. The international community is very supportive, active and engaged; parents easily find each other and build relationships that go beyond the school.

The school provides the flexibility to give children extra support where needed, encouraging them to independently develop stronger skills. There’s also a policy that children should learn all they need to learn during school hours, so there’s little or no homework. Reading at home is encouraged, with weekly visits to the school library. The teachers are very forthcoming; we walk our kids to school every day and enjoy a chat at the class door. Parents receive daily news and picture updates through the Social School app. Twice a year, we receive a comprehensive report on our children’s progress, followed by a parent talk. The school is in a wonderful green location where teachers know most of the children by name and parents hang around at the coffee machine for small talk. We recommend HIS to families looking for an environment where children are encouraged to develop confident, independent and adaptive young minds.

The teachers and school community is the stand out. Everyone at the school knows the kids by name, where they fit in and how their personalities add to the school. We so enjoy being part of the weekly assemblies, important holidays and school events. It was important for us that the family and children were part of a small community, and not just a class in a bigger school. The standalone nature of the Nursery/Primary School was appealing as it gave that small school feeling we were looking for. The school grounds are quaint and homely but what really made it special is the school team who know all children by name and all families.

Our 3 kids are really enjoying their time at the HIS. HIS is a small and cozy school situated in a very green scenery. HIS is characterized by small classes, typical Dutch traditions, but also with much attention for the English language and other cultures. Our kids received a very warm welcome by the HIS team and the students and felt at home instantly. Besides the challenging IPC curriculum, there is a large variety of co-curricular activities and cultural events which enhances the student’s development and skills. Our kids enjoyed cooking, dancing, sports, theatre, but also personal development courses. During the regular curriculum, HIS has the capability to partly tailor the education for kids with special needs or additional interests. Frequent contact between the HIS-team and parents via personal contact, open attitude of the teachers, assemblies and events makes sure parents are well informed and creates a warm and engaged community feeling.

Our daughter has loved being in Year 1 and 2 English Stream at HIS. It's a small and gentle school that feels like a family. We are not a Dutch-speaking family but the school remains very accessible to English-speaking parents and children. The IPC curriculum is well-paced, comprehensive and gives children opportunities to learn through doing, experimenting, and delving deep into interesting and fun themes like the Sustainable Development Goals, Light, and Occupations. And the basics like reading and arithmetic are well-covered. There's a fun range of CCAs including drama, extra sport and cooking, depending on age. The Bukit Timah premises of the school are in a lovely green area of Singapore out of the city noise and bustle. Even though we're not Dutch it's been great for our daughter to learn another language, and to experience another national culture, with fun and unique events like Sinterklaas (the arrival of some fun and mischievous characters by boat and at the school shortly before Christmas) and the King's Day (birthday celebration of the Dutch king). The continental style of education is not too high-pressure, and leaves important time for kids to play and learn social skills themselves. We highly recommend Holland International School.