• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • Christmas gift ideas for women of all ages!
        • domestic helpers maid agency in singaporeA maid agency that doesn’t charge the helper
        • Christmas gift wrap, cards & more
        • What’s On: Things to do, what’s new and more
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Crazy Christmas™ Balls of the BellesWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – December 2023!
        • Puzzle Pages – answers for December 2023!
        • Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore - Christmas at Mosella and Florette8 ways to celebrate Christmas & New Year’s Eve
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • domestic helpers maid agency in singaporeA maid agency that doesn’t charge the helper
        • Seriously cool children’s furniture & kids beds
        • Lylo car short-term car rental to Malaysia3 ways to simplify your routine transport needs
        • when to start preparing for SAT prep SingaporeHow to get good SAT scores?
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Originals best sofaWhere to buy a sofa in Singapore
        • Styled by Jeannette singapore interior designer Jeannette LingHome decoration styling, tips & tricks!
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • artwork where to buy paintings in Singapore artistsNeed artwork? Here’s where to buy paintings in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • Golf courses in Phuket golf resort golf packages in ThailandGreat golf courses and getaways in Thailand
        • Mandala Club: Niseko - ski-in, ski-out clubhouse in Niseko Village - best restaurantsIs this the coolest new club and restaurant in Niseko yet?
        • Avana Retreat Vietnam resorts cloud poolVietnam resorts high in the mountains!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Christmas dinners, drinks, ready-cooked turkeys and takeaways!
        • Christmas presents for himGifts for men and Christmas presents he’ll love!
        • Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore - Christmas at Mosella and Florette8 ways to celebrate Christmas & New Year’s Eve
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Party dresses, evening wear, cocktail dresses & accessories!
        • Christmas gift ideas for women of all ages!
        • IPLIPL Laser Hair Removal in Singapore plus Waxing
        • Christmas gift wrap, cards & more
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • medical tourism international medical clinics Medical treatment overseasIs it worth heading overseas for medical care?
        • Health News: What’s up!
        • dental clinics teeth whitening kit whitening treatmentWhere to go for teeth whitening in Singapore?
        • prostate cancer men's healthMen: It’s time for a health screening!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

6 helpful tips for starting and changing schools

11th October 2018 by Expat Living 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/changing-schools-tips-international-schools-singapore/

Starting school for the first time, or changing schools is a big deal for both parents and children. They are faced with a new environment, new classrooms, new classmates, new teachers, different responsibilities and new challenges. Here’s a six-step approach to prepare yourself and your child.

students having a blast on an overseas trip

Tips for making a smooth transition

  1. Most of us feel better about change and new experiences when we know what to expect. Before the first day, visit the school and go on a tour to familiarise your child and yourself with the place. If this isn’t possible, look at the school website.
  2. Speak with enthusiasm to your children about the transition, but don’t “over-discuss” the topic as this could provoke more anxiety. Let them approach you if they need to run their thoughts and feelings by you.
  3. Set aside a day for you and your child to go on a special trip to purchase school essentials such as uniforms, stationery and a lunch box.
  4. Put aside some regular “chat time” with your child, especially during the first week of school, for them to report their exciting experiences but also to discuss any doubts or concerns. It’s important not to force these chats, however.
  5. Troubleshoot any potential issues your child may have prior to the first day of school. Let them raise these concerns independently; don’t bring them up yourself.
  6. Keep your own feelings, worries and anxieties in check. You are your child’s pillar of strength. On the first day, give them a hug and a kiss and confirm the arrangements for picking them up after school.

Helpful terminology

changing schools and easing your child in

International schools

Examples include UWCSEA, St Joseph’s Institution International and XCL World Academy. These schools typically cater to dozens of cultures, all on an equal footing, and each one represented by an annual global celebration day. For expats who are on the move, the mix of international curriculums allows their children to transfer and continue their education easily. Curriculums are typically a mix of the International Baccalaureate, the International Primary Curriculum and the ICGSE.

National curriculum schools

Examples include Marlborough College Malaysia, the Singapore American School and Avondale Grammar School. Parents value the way that these schools ensure minimum disruption when transferring between countries, and, for older children, allow easy entry to university in their home country. Typically, these schools demonstrate strong cultural ties, while embracing their place in Singapore and its cultural diversity.

finding diversity when changing schools

Hybrid curriculum schools

Examples include Stamford American International School, GESS, Tanglin Trust School and the Australian International School. These schools offer a dual curriculum approach, combining a home country curriculum with one or more international curriculums, typically with a culturally diverse student population and a strong emphasis on language.

Local schools

Some expats choose local schools, especially if their children attended a local kindergarten or preschool and they are keen to continue their intensive language instruction. Singapore’s education system has an excellent reputation internationally and regularly tops the world in mathematics and science. Families considering staying in Singapore for the long term may favour this option, but should be aware that there can be strong competition for places.

 

Check out our handy guide to international schools and our Kids section.

Want to read more. Purchase a copy or subscribe now so you never miss an issue!

Categories: Kids Living in Singapore Schools Tags: Education International Schools International Schools in Singapore Living In Singapore Moving To Singapore

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

Christmas gift wrap, cards & more

What it’s like living near Braddell Road and Woodleigh Park

Lylo car short-term car rental to Malaysia

3 ways to simplify your routine transport needs

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.