60 Years of Inclusive Academic Excellence
60 Years of Inclusive Academic Excellence
In 2024, International School Brunei celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of inclusive academic excellence.
In achieving this historic achievement, we are incredibly grateful for our community who, throughout the years, have supported ISB and played a crucial role in building our school’s supportive and inclusive environment. With over 40 nationalities in our diverse community, ISB is truly international.
Committed to our mission of Inspiring Minds, Shaping Values, and Building Futures, ISB is proud to stand as a beacon of educational excellence and inclusivity.
Where it all began
ISB’s origins hark back to 1964, when Datin Glass, a government officer’s wife, started a tutorial group for her daughter together with one or two friends. She taught them by means of a correspondence course and assessment by the South Australian Correspondence School.
The number of students grew rapidly and by 1970, the school moved to a site provided by the Brunei Government at 34 Tapak Kuda. The school was then established as a department of the South Australian Correspondence School, known locally as the Supervision School, located in a two-storey blue and white painted wooden building, situated on a horse-shoe shaped road.
On 1st December 1976, the International School (B) Bhd (ISB) was established as a not-for-profit school and a limited company. For the first time, the school had a Board of Directors elected from the membership of the company.
A thriving success
The school continued to thrive and, having outgrown the Tapak Kuda premises, a new site in Berakas was sourced and acquired to provide the facilities and quality education in line with the aspirations of the Board of Directors and the school community. The Berakas campus was officially opened on 9th March 1986.
In 1993, ISB extended its education to lower secondary students. ISB would go on to achieve full stature in 2001 when it was authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to offer their prestigious Diploma programme.
Further expansion
In 2006, ISB expanded to the Belait district by opening a Primary school branch in Kuala Belait. This branch then moved in 2020 to Seria, another part of the district, where it now also has lower secondary students.
ISB further developed its presence in Belait with the opening of the Centre of Inclusive Learning (CIL) in Panaga, the newest school in the ISB family.
Launched in January 2021, the excellently resourced CIL is the first of its kind in Brunei Darussalam, with learning areas carefully designed to promote a sense of safety and engagement in learning.
Realising a vision
Meanwhile, in 2015, the main campus of ISB relocated to its current site in Sungai Hanching, with purpose-built buildings and facilities for a positive learning and teaching experience for students and staff alike.
Being true to the school’s green philosophy, ISB engaged environmental specialists in the design of the campus, and a vision was realised for ISB to become the first complete educational campus in Brunei to be built according to the BCA Green Mark requirements.
Looking ahead
Throughout the last six decades, ISB has continued to develop and grow. As a globally recognised, internationally accredited eco-school with exciting prospects on the horizon, we are committed to building upon our 60 years of inclusive academic excellence and continuing to ensure that at ISB, everyone excels.
