Reflecting on another fantastic 2023-2024 academic year at ISKL, we are grateful for the Inspire Campaign, which has truly lived up to its name. Thanks to this donation-funded initiative, we’ve been able to host enriching programs, welcome talented artists, and introduce new state-of-the-art equipment that has enhanced the educational experience for our students.
The Inspire Campaign is sustained through donations from our generous PTA and the wider community. The generosity of our community via their participation and support of various events organized by our incredible PTA continues to fund Inspire projects that create meaningful learning experiences for our students. Inspire projects you might have seen around campus during the ’23-’24 school year include:
Pixellot Camera Sports Analysis System
“With the help of the Pixellot camera, when we upload the recording of training matches or tournaments for basketball and soccer, we can analyze them properly. It allows our athletes to review the game, focus on specific matches, and create automatic highlights based on all the players involved. There’s also a video swap feature where we can analyze games and get data from them. For example, we can analyze shot percentages and rebounds for basketball to improve for the next academic year.
Everyone can benefit from its use, and it provides a shared platform for parents and students. The recorded content can be easily shared within the ISKL community, and both students and parents alike have a more concrete understanding of where improvements might need to be made.” ~ Sim Huang, HS Teacher & Basketball Coach
The advanced Pixellot Camera System, designed specifically for live streaming sports, enables our student-athletes to gain better insights into their performance on the field or court. This state-of-the-art technology allows for unparalleled sports analysis, paving the way for continuous growth and improvement.
The camera is also a game-changer for coaches, enhancing their efficiency and productivity. Our coaches can analyze games more effectively with the camera’s advanced features, leading to better strategies and performance improvements. This tool truly helps coaches be at the top of their game!
ISKL Pathways Scholarships
“During my GAP trip to Nepal, we went to a place very different from the life we are used to. The experience taught me always to be appreciative, empathetic, and peaceful and to look out for the people around me. It also made me realize and refine my values. For instance, I realized that community service is something I hold incredibly close to my heart, and I want to positively impact the world wherever it is most needed, to the absolute best of my ability. I realized that this is my life’s purpose, which I strive for and work towards.” ~ Pretyba K. (’26), Pathways Scholar
The INSPIRE PEOPLE campaign is a beacon of hope, recognizing and rewarding outstanding and inspiring Malaysian students. This campaign offers additional funding for GAP programs and IASAS conventions to individuals in our ISKL Pathways Scholarships program, providing further opportunities to transform their paths and realize their dreams.
We strongly believe in the potential of our scholars, and by supporting them with the Inspire campaign, we hope that they can continue to discover their passions, develop competencies, and create an ethical impact on the world around us.
New Mass Run Timing System
“The mass timing running system has been instrumental in the success of the Panther Runs this year. Over the course of 8 Panther Runs, we hosted a total of 424 runners, and our largest Panther Run had 96 participants. Many of the consistent Panther runners were excited to see how their times dropped over the course of the year. The exciting part is that the mass timing system still has plenty of capacity for even more runners. We hope to see our community of Panther Runners continue to grow next year!” ~ Julie Jonsson, HS Teacher and Panther Run Founder
The new Mass Run Timing system is a game-changer, revolutionizing cross-country teams and community races like the Panther Run. Using RFID tags worn by runners on their wrists, the system tracks and records their time precisely, making timekeeping more straightforward and accurate. This innovative technology is set to transform the way races are conducted, inspiring students and the community to push themselves further and achieve their best.
Artist-In-Residence: Mark Hill
“Attending Mark Hill’s workshop allowed me to learn more about different types of theater. Most of my theater experience focused mainly on verbal performances and telling stories with words. Still, after attending the workshop, I could experience Physical Theater, and I saw that a lot of storytelling relies on physical movements, gestures, and facial expressions.” ~ Vayden W. (‘27).
MS and HS students had the rare opportunity to attend Physical Theater workshops conducted by Mark Hill, an internationally acclaimed physical theater performer, director, and teacher from Australia with a global reputation for his skills and expertise. The students were incredibly fortunate to learn from someone with extensive experience at IASAS schools and throughout Asia and Europe. The workshops, which took place from November 27 to December 1, 2023, were an invaluable complement to the students’ curriculum.
Batik Art Installation with Cindy Heng
“At ISKL, we cultivate passions and competencies to help our learners to become global citizens. Batik artist, Cindy Heng, is a supreme example of a Malaysian entrepreneur who has fused her passion for art, her love of tradition, and her business skills to create a successful living. We believe this a great opportunity for students to not only make connections to our current unit in Batik and traditions but also to see how art is a feasible career that is lucrative and sustainable.” ~ Rebeca Osthoff, ES Art Teacher
During a two-day visit by local batik artist Cindy Heng from April 23 to 24, 2024, students from Grades 2 and 4 created stunning batik artwork for a large wall installation to be displayed permanently inside ISKL. The workshop activities included an introduction to batik, with the students choosing a pre-waxed batik design to paint. They learned about color mixing and fabric painting techniques and created vibrant colors using the primary colors provided. The final and complete installation will showcase the students’ creativity and mastery of batik painting.
MS Arts Festival
“The MS Arts Festival was a fantastic chance to engage with local artists from Malaysia who deeply understand the culture and practice of cultural art forms. It provided our students with unique exposure while honoring our host country. The students had the opportunity to learn from individuals outside our community and were introduced to new art forms. From a learning and curricular perspective, there was a lot of enrichment to be gained.” ~ Philippus Oosthuizen, MS Drama Teacher, and MS Arts Festival Organizer
Held from May 14 – 29, 2024, this festival is a testament to the collective work of the MS Arts teachers and a platform for our ISKL students to connect across school divisions. Held for the second year in a row, it’s a space where everyone in the community can join all events and foster connections both within and outside the community.
A key aspect of this year’s festival was the opportunity for our students to expand their artistic skills through collaboration with established local artists. This initiative is not just a crucial step but a significant one in supporting Malaysia’s vibrant local creative community. With the support of the Inspire Programs, this year’s event featured a contemporary Malay gamelan group, Gangsapura, a local chalk artist Caroline Rajan, and Malaysian theater director and choreographer Arifwaran, who conducted a dance and drama workshop. These guest artists helped ISKL students connect with the local community, learn from artists with expertise in Asian art forms, and gain a deeper understanding of the cultures that shape Malaysia, our host country.
When applying for Inspire Campaign grants, teachers are encouraged to think beyond the confines of their classrooms and the text of their curricular documents. They seek funding for resources that bring these elements to life. The artists-in-residence, festivals, and enhancements to our coaching tools will continue in the coming school year. We are excited to announce a lineup of new and inspiring programs ready to launch, including sophisticated sports equipment, additional artists-in-residence, guest coaches, workshops, summits, and more:
- New Cutting Edge Basketball Shooting Machine
ISKL’s Basketball program is set to reach new heights by introducing the cutting-edge Dr. Dish Basketball Shooting Machine. This advanced tool enhances our athletes’ skills by increasing the number of shots taken, providing extended learning opportunities, and refining practical skills. Students will improve their shot proficiency and gain a deeper understanding of shooting mechanics, thereby enhancing their overall learning experience and honing their abilities. - HS Chinese Debate Team
Our HS Chinese Native Program is advancing toward excellence by introducing a new Chinese Debate Team. This team will foster the art of debate and encourage our students to engage in local community activities and develop multicultural connections. - FastPitch Coaching Clinic
Imagine a group of skilled, confident, and self-assured FastPitch players—that’s the vision for our very own team! We are bringing two expert coaches for a week-long training program to make this vision a reality. These coaches will focus on advanced pitching techniques and reinforcing fundamental aspects of the game. With this initiative, we aim to elevate the skills of our athletes and foster a more competitive, confident, and proficient team. - Choralosophy
ISKL’s Choir program will be invigorated with renewed energy by enlisting a new professional choir conductor and educator focusing on refined music reading and vocal pedagogy practices. This project aims to create a community of passionate and inclusive individuals, empowering our students to discover their potential, chart their musical path, and nurture a deep sense of belonging through their exploration of choral music. Every student can create beautiful music! - The MS Arts Festival
The MS Arts Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of our vibrant community. This festival, which brings together our talented students and local artists, will return to further its mission of fostering meaningful connections and cultivating a sense of place and community. Students will continue to explore diverse Asian art forms and cultures. - Youth Service & Sustainability Summit
ISKL is proud to host a Youth Service & Sustainability Summit, a platform that will inspire and encourage students to develop their service sustainability skills and pave the way for a better and more sustainable future. Through micro-training and socio-cultural interactions, the summit will help students develop leadership skills, global awareness, and open-mindedness.
This project offers opportunities for cross-divisional collaboration to nurture ethical leaders and changemakers, instilling a sense of hope and optimism in our community. - HS Composition Consortium with Kevin Day and Tim Mahr
Our HS Band has been selected to join a consortium of 39 groups that commissioned Kevin Day, a rising African American composer, to create a new work for Wind Band. Mr. Day has composed an overture titled “Capricho,” our HS band will premiere in April 2025 as part of ISKL’s 60th celebrations.
This collaboration provides our students a unique opportunity to work directly with Kevin Day and award-winning composer and conductor Tim Mahr. By participating in this project, our students will interact with Day, learn his techniques, and gain hands-on experience in musical creation, enhancing their creativity and innovation.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone in our community who participated in and supported the Inspire Campaign. Your generosity and the community’s spirit have made a profound impact on our students’ learning.
We also want to express our deep appreciation to our wonderful faculty for their commitment to proposing exciting and engaging new programs and equipment to enhance our students’ learning—your contributions are invaluable. For those who would like to find out more and donate a gift, head to our Giving page.
