Inspiring Change: How ISKL’s Community-Backed Campaign is Fueling Student Potential

Empowering Passion, Purpose, and Possibility at ISKL

From the stage to the sports field and beyond, ISKL students are dreaming big, and the Inspire Campaign is helping turn those dreams into reality. Thanks to the generosity of our PTA and wider ISKL community, this donor-supported initiative has brought world-class programs, mentors, and tools to students across all grade levels.

In 2024–2025, the campaign provided RM156,714 in funding for student and teacher-led projects in academics, arts, athletics, and service, reflecting ISKL’s mission to inspire learners to shape their path as global citizens.

Leadership in Action: The Youth Service & Sustainability Summit

ISKL’s two-day Youth Service & Sustainability Summit united over 150 students and NGO partners for workshops, action pitches, and cross-school collaboration aimed at real-world change. 

A standout moment was the return of alumni student Dr. Hana Aziz (‘98), who shared how her global health work is grounded in the values she developed at ISKL. Her participation reflected the school’s mission in action, showcasing how generations of students are empowered to know themselves, care for others, and create a better world.

This initiative served as a catalyst for nurturing empathetic, informed, and action-oriented leadership. By equipping students with the tools to lead service projects responsibly, we foster the intrinsic motivation and reflective practices that shape them into compassionate global citizens.
– Chika Kumashiro-Wilms and Gloria Hewitt, ISKL Faculty 

Athletics Elevated: Coaching and Technology

Fastpitch Coaching Clinic → IASAS Bronze
Guest coaches Natasha Frank and Jim Browning led a week-long clinic that enhanced players' pitching and batting techniques. Their expert guidance helped one of ISKL’s softball teams earn a Bronze medal at IASAS.

By engaging professionals with proven expertise, we aimed to elevate the overall performance of our fastpitch athletes and strengthen our program for the long term. It’s not just about winning games, it’s about giving our students the tools and opportunities they deserve to grow as athletes and teammates.

– Steve Katz, HS Fastpitch Softball Coach

Cutting-Edge Basketball Training Drives Historic Win

Powered by the Dr. Dish Shooting Machine, ISKL athletes benefited from instant feedback and focused, high-repetition training, boosting both technique and confidence. This purposeful investment in training technology and student dedication contributed to a milestone achievement: the boys' varsity basketball team secured Gold at the IASAS tournament hosted on campus - the first time in 31 years that ISKL has claimed the title.

This success also reflects the impact of the Pixellot Camera System, introduced last year. Designed for live streaming and performance analysis, it now plays a vital role in both coaching and student reflection. Students use game footage to gain deeper insights into their performance, while coaches leverage the technology to develop more effective strategies and individualized feedback.

Together, these technical advancements have elevated athletic development at ISKL, supporting student-athletes not just in competition but also in continuous learning and growth.

Investing in the Dr. Dish shooting machine is an important step in supporting the long-term success of our basketball programs. This technology enables students to significantly increase the number of shots they take while improving consistency, shot arc, and overall technique. More importantly, it encourages self-reflection on shooting mechanics, helping students become more efficient and effective players.

– Sim Huang, Varsity Basketball Coach

Language and Collaboration: The Chinese Debate Team Debuts

In its debut year, ISKL’s High School Chinese Debate Team made an impressive entrance onto the regional stage, advancing to the Top 8 in a highly competitive tournament. Collaborating with Epsom International School and supported by an Inspire Campaign grant, the team honed their critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills throughout the season. This milestone highlights the students' achievements and paves the way for future Chinese language programming at ISKL

Despite the challenges, it was rewarding to see our vision come to life,” reflected the student founders. Their experience highlighted the power of initiative, teamwork, and perseverance, skills essential to shaping future-ready leaders.

- Valerie Y. (‘26), Luoyi Z. (‘26), Brittany C. (26), HS Chinese Debate Team Founders 

Amplifying the Arts: Creativity in Full Spectrum

Composition Consortium: Collaborating with Composers
Students participated in the world premiere of Capricho, a wind ensemble piece by Kevin Day and Tim Mahr. The experience deepened their understanding of musical composition and creative collaboration.

Our students gained valuable insights into Kevin Day’s creative process and were thrilled to contribute to bringing this beautiful six-minute piece to life. It was a meaningful way for ISKL to support new music and give students real-world experience working with a contemporary composer.

– Dan Miles, HS Music Teacher

MS Arts Festival Expansion

Thanks to the Inspire Campaign, ISKL’s Middle School Arts Festival has grown from a simple showcase into a signature schoolwide event featuring public speaking, open mics, and workshops by Malaysian artists. Initially funded for two years through Inspire, the festival's success led to its adoption into ISKL’s operational budget, ensuring its sustainability regardless of future donations. This is a powerful example of how Inspire enables educators to pilot innovative programs that, once proven impactful, become lasting parts of the ISKL experience.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate where we live, deepen cultural understanding, and create meaningful, shared artistic experiences.

- Philip J. Oosthuizen, MS Drama Teacher

MS Arts Festival Expansion

Thanks to the Inspire Campaign, ISKL’s Middle School Arts Festival has grown from a simple showcase into a signature schoolwide event featuring public speaking, open mics, and workshops by Malaysian artists. Initially funded for two years through Inspire, the festival's success led to its adoption into ISKL’s operational budget, ensuring its sustainability regardless of future donations. This is a powerful example of how Inspire enables educators to pilot innovative programs that, once proven impactful, become lasting parts of the ISKL experience.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate where we live, deepen cultural understanding, and create meaningful, shared artistic experiences.

- Philip J. Oosthuizen, MS Drama Teacher

Community Art Mural with Fritilldea

Renowned Malaysian artist Fritilldea partnered with students to co-create a large-scale mural, building community spirit through collaborative art.

The community mural, created with Malaysian artist Fritilldea, was a fun and meaningful way to bring people together through art. It turned individual contributions into a lasting reflection of who we are and strengthened our sense of community and belonging.

- Meg Baxter and Will Simmonds, MS Art Teachers

November 2025 – Original Theatre Production with Calvin Ratladi

South African theatre artist Calvin Ratladi will guide students in devising a culturally rooted performance using physical theatre and puppetry to explore authentic African stories.

The Inspire Campaign continues to transform ideas into lasting impact. Whether advancing athletic achievement, igniting creativity, or empowering student leadership, every project reflects ISKL’s vision to know yourself, care for others, and create a better world. These initiatives exemplify the values of empathy, inclusion, collaboration, and high expectations that define our dynamic community​.

Thank you to our incredible ISKL community for your continued support of the Inspire Campaign. As we look ahead, we encourage our ISKL faculty to keep dreaming big and proposing projects that ignite curiosity, creativity, and growth. For those who would like to help bring more of these opportunities to life, we invite you to donate to the Inspire Campaign and continue making a lasting difference in our students’ lives.