Stonyhurst International School, Penang students delighting the crowd with a musical performance during the grand opening ceremony.
STUDENTS at Stonyhurst International School, Penang, will be nurtured every step of the way in their academic life by a predominantly British teaching faculty experienced in delivering a comprehensive British curriculum.
With an enrolment of over 300 students from 24 countries and counting, young minds have ample opportunities to learn from each other, develop mutual respect and experience the richness of diversity.
Over 70% of the teaching staff are expatriates who come from some of the world’s top international schools as well as directly from sister institution Stonyhurst College, UK.
“We are here to provide a firm ascent for all those who pass through our doors,” said the school’s board of governors chairman Micheal Sng during Stonyhurst International School’s grand opening on Dec 16.
Located in Tanjung Tokong, Penang, Stonyhurst is a co-educational day school for students aged three to 18.
Its campus is set on 1.7ha of land along Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang and features state-of-the-art facilities catered to 21st century teaching and learning pedagogies.
There are interactive panels in all classrooms and one-to-one devices available for all Year 2 students upwards.
There is also a 500-seat auditorium, Astroturf field, eight-lane 25m swimming pool, learners’ pool, multipurpose hall, dance studio, dedicated junior and senior school libraries and art gallery.
Besides an enriching education, Stonyhurst’s mission is also to inculcate positive virtues in each child so they develop into persons of competence, conscience and compassion.
“When these virtues are brought together as a guiding framework for pupils to shape their lives, they can change the world,” Sng said, adding that this was reflected in the school’s motto, Quant Je Puis, which means “as much as I can”.
Stonyhurst College UK headmaster John Browne said the institution was originally founded in 1593 in Saint-Omer near Calais, France, by Father Robert Persons under the patronage of King Philip II of Spain.
This makes Stonyhurst the oldest continually active Jesuit school in the world.
Sng said a 16th century playing card depicted the school’s first students getting off a boat after crossing the channel to flee religious persecution in England.
“They were no doubt anxious to leave their homes and families but also excited by the adventure they were about to embark on. Some of you today may share similar feelings,” Browne said to the students.
“Your education here is designed to give you the courage to be yourself and use what you’ve learnt to make the world a better place for others,” he added.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said having quality education institutions like Stonyhurst kept the state attractive to foreign investors as it ensured a sustainable talent pipeline to meet the ever-changing needs and demands of the future economy.
“The state government is aware of the importance in retaining the brightest and best minds in order for Penang to continue growing and be ready for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“There is also a need to provide high-quality education to the families of foreign talents working in our industries like manufacturing,” Chow said in his speech.
The ceremony was launched by Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak. Guests at the event were also entertained by several musical performances by students.
Following that, they were taken on a tour of the school’s classrooms and facilities.
Among those present were Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, Penang Catholic Bishop Datuk Sebastian Francis and state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
For details about the school, visit stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
