Cover Photo: International School of Kuala Lumpur
Photo: International School of Kuala Lumpur
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The International School of Kuala Lumpur's head of school highlights the importance of two-way partnership and shared understanding between school and home
"Research tells us that when schools and parents partner together, students learn better and become more engaged, and motivated," shares The International School of Kuala Lumpur's (ISKL) head of school, Rami Madani, an education leader with over 25 years of experience across international schools in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
"Having a two-way partnership and shared understanding between school and home is so important in helping students develop the lifelong skills and habits they need for academic and social-emotional learning.”
ISKL's educational philosophy and culture are fundamentally linked to its ability to foster the meaningful parent partnerships that are so essential to the process of nurturing students into well-rounded, future-ready individuals with fulfilled, happy lives. Though it is no trivial feat, this is reflected across ISKL's 1,600 students, aged three to 18, who are encouraged to grow holistically in an environment that has their academic, mental, and emotional wellbeing at heart.
Above Photo: Courtesy of ISKL
Photo: Courtesy of ISKL
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At ISKL, in addition to its robust academic curriculum, fostering skills, habits, and mindsets that last a lifetime are a core component of education. "We firmly believe in the importance of the role our school plays in preparing our students for their future and developing the skills and mindsets they need to lead happy and successful lives," Madani adds. "This includes learning how to take care of their own social and emotional wellbeing, care for others, and contribute positively to the world. The parent-school partnership is essential in helping us do this."
More: Rami Madani: Why Grades Alone Aren't Enough For Future Success
ISKL’s parent-school commitment is seen through its diverse range of formal and informal parent events. The Head of School & Parent in Partnership sessions, held throughout the year, are a prime example.
Sessions focus on key topics related to student learning and development, as well as the school’s strategic initiatives, and are complemented with optional 'Head of School & Parent Conversations'—a dedicated time for parents to meet with Madani, share ideas, and discuss school-related matters in an informal setting.
"The parent-school partnership is most effective when parents are curious about their child’s learning and empowered to reflect and learn," says Madani. "Providing opportunities such as this enables parents to be actively engaged in the learning journey of their child as well as that of our school."
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At these forums, parents are well acquainted with the school’s research-based values and their importance in the educational setting. They are also kept in the know about the kind of skills and dispositions that students need to be happy and successful in life. ISKL's core values of Empathy and Care, Equity and Inclusion, Collective Efficacy and High Expectations are also conveyed to parents to gain a better understanding of how these values shape the beliefs, behaviours and attitudes of the ISKL community.
"For instance, Empathy and Care. Research tells us that students flourish and learn best when we provide unconditional care and support, when they have opportunities to experience success, and when they are coached through unproductive behaviour," Madani says. "Being unconditional in our support doesn’t mean we are lenient or that we don’t hold students accountable or provide consequences. The difference is that we do it without withdrawing empathy and care. It’s a philosophy based on helping students believe in their ability to succeed and providing a supportive framework to help them succeed."
As part of these Head of School & Parents in Partnership forums, Madani finds it helpful to hear personal stories and practical ideas from parents on how they support their children at home in developing the skills and dispositions being learned at school.
"In our last session, a parent gave a wonderful example of how they created opportunities for their child to experience success (and learn from the hiccups) by planning the itinerary for a family holiday," he says.
"Another parent talked about how they shared their own vulnerabilities and learning experiences with their children and role-modelled resilience. In essence, the forums provide a valuable learning experience for all of us and are fundamental in helping to further strengthen the all-important parent-school partnership that supports student learning.”
Click here to learn more about Rami Madani and his vision for ISKL and the future of education.
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
