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PARENT FAQ

  1. What ages does the Australian International School Malaysia cater for?
    We accept students from age 3 (Preparation) to ages 18 (Year 12). Students sit for the School Certificate in Year 10 and the Higher School Certificate in Year 12.
     
  2. What is different about the Australian curriculum?
    The Australian, New South Wales (NSW) curriculum is a 13-year school curriculum starting in January and ending in December. The Australian system is built on strong academic foundations from Australia which places great emphasis on providing holistic education opportunities to children by extending their learning opportunities beyond the classroom environment. 
    The curriculum encourages students to explore, discover and take calculated risks relevant in the 21st Century. We place great emphasis on extending student life outside the classroom be it through sports, performing arts, camps and excursion, after school activities and participation in various international and inter-school competition.
     
  3. What type of assessment is required for admission and why?
    Following the completion of application for admission and confirmation of a place in the  appropriate year group, applicants from Year 1 to Year 12 are scheduled for an assessment which consists of Literacy and Numeracy tests, which are completed online in our Admissions office or by suitable arrangements in your home country school.
     
  4. What are the nationalities of the students at the school?
    There are 30 different nationalities represented amongst students in the school. Approximately one third of students are Australian and New Zealanders, one third Malaysian, and one third other nationalities.
     
  5. What are the school hours?
    School starts at 8.50 pm and ends at 3.10 pm. After School Activities run from 3.20 pm to 4.20 pm every day except on Fridays.
     
  6. When are the holidays?
    Holidays operate according to the Australian, NSW school year. Term breaks are April (2 weeks), June (3 weeks), September (2 weeks) and December/January (6 weeks). The school observes major Malaysian public holidays.
     
  7. Can students enrol anytime of the year?
    Yes. However, pre-registration is encouraged to ensure availability of space for your child.
     
  8. In which areas do most of the expatriate community at AISM reside?
    The majority of our expatriate families reside in the popular expatriate communities around Kuala Lumpur which include Bangsar, Ampang, Mont Kiara, Damansara, Country Heights, neighbouring Gita Bayu and beyond.
     
  9. Does the school provide transportation services?
    Bus services are available to and from Bangsar, Ampang, Mont Kiara, Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kiara Park, Section 16, Taman Desa, Seputeh, Subang, IOI Resort, Country Heights and Gita Bayu.
     
  10. Are there bus-services for students enrolled in after school activities?
    Yes, the school provides additional bus services for students involved in after school activities.
     
  11. Is there a dress code?
    Students wear school uniforms which are modified to represent the different level of schools (junior, middle and senior), as well as sports uniforms. Occasionally there are free dress days, where students are requested to dress according to themes.
     
  12. How many students are there in each class?
    Although this varies depending on the year group, each class generally has an average of 20-25 students, but can be lower in some cases. Occasionally class sizes might reach more than 25 students to meet the demand for siblings enrolment.
     
  13. How many teachers does the school have and what do their nationalities and experience include?
    The school has more than 50 teachers. The majority are Australian trained and experienced. We have specialist teachers in diverse subjects such as outdoor education, foreign languages, performing arts, music, visual arts and others.
     
  14. What is the best way for a parent to communicate with a teacher or the school?
    The main communication channel between the class teacher and the parent is via email and communication books. The school sends out weekly emails and fortnightly newsletters to keep parents abreast of various activities and events. Each class also has a class parent who helps the teacher communicate important notices to parents.
     
  15. What foreign languages are offered at the school?
    We offer Bahasa Melayu starting from Kindergarten and Mandarin for children above Year 2.
     
  16. Are boarding facilities available?
    We do not offer boarding facilities at this point in time.
     
  17. What is the HSC and will it be accepted in universities other than those in Australia?
    The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is an internationally recognized credential that allows entry into universities across the world including Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Canada, United Kingdom, USA and many European countries.
    The HSC allows award of an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and direct articulation into Australian universities and other universities around the world.  
     
  18. What are the facilities offered in the school?
    Facilities at AISM include a fully-equipped gymnasium, sports hall, basketball court, rugby field, play grounds, 25-metre swimming pool, performing arts practice rooms, visual arts rooms, science laboratories, darkroom and photo lab, cafeteria, information resource centre, English as Second Language (ESL) centre, and auditorium equipped with high tech audio visual systems. 
    The integration of ICT in the learning environment is an integral part our curriculum. Our facilities include virtual learning environments, electronic smart boards in each classroom, net books, mobile IT labs, I-Pads, I-Phones, and specialized IT rooms.
    The school in 2011 has commenced a major building development and expansion project which includes the construction of a custom-built early years centre, state-of–the-art performing arts centre with Black Box Theater, dance and music rooms and an extensive information resource centre.
     
  19. What are the Co-curricular activities offered in the school?
    Students participate in various after school activities (ASA), which take place on Monday to Thursday afternoons from 3.20 pm to 4.20 pm.
    Students in Year 2 and lower may attend Creche while their older siblings are participating in after school activities.
    AISM offers a great variety of after school activities including: basketball, soccer, cricket, badminton, rugby, volleyball, softball, netball, touch football, swimming, ten pin bowling, rock climbing, yoga, Duathlon, Triathlon & Athletics, Martial Arts, Visual Art & Craft, Performing Arts (choir, beginner band, instrumental academy, productions, dance), Engineering, Mad Science, and various academic Programmes including (World Scholar’s Cup, Model United Nations, and KL Novel Knockout).
     
  20. What type of food is available at the school cafeteria?
    Students are provided daily with a variety of meal choices which include Asian, Western and Vegetarian cuisine. They may also take advantage of previewing the set meals from the menu sent or downloaded from the website (please refer to the About Section under Student Services). All meals are Halal as required in Malaysia.