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For post-secondary students, the transition to higher education or the professional world requires a unique set of skills, a global perspective, and a readiness to face the challenges that lie ahead. At Jerudong International School (JIS), this level of preparedness is at the forefront of their mission, which is why families and accreditation bodies recognise it as one of the best in Asia. Hence, the school is currently home to around 370 students in Sixth Form alone — all of whom are gearing up for their own version of global success.
Currently, JIS offers students a choice between the A Levels, the internationally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and the BTEC in Creative Media. These pathways fuel intellectual growth and personal development, ensuring graduates emerge not only with deep subject knowledge but also with the soft skills required to take their next steps with confidence. These stories showcase just how JIS cultivates the qualities both admissions officers and today’s employers value most:
Yvonne Teng
Yvonne Teng’s journey from JIS to Brunei’s tech sector is a testament to the power of holistic education. She joined in 1999 and remained until a top university beckoned. “I’m very grateful to my parents for investing in my future,” she says.
Opting for A Levels, she dove into Economics, English Literature, and Geography — all three topics helped her develop a comprehensive understanding of the world. Beyond academics, she honed invaluable skills during a transformative expedition to Kenya through the Duke of Edinburgh Award. This experience shaped her perspective on life and inspired her interest in social entrepreneurship. “Here, we realised that our perspective on life and fulfilment was much more important than the societal labels that supposedly carry weight to our identities,” she explains.
Teng continues to give back to JIS – recently sharing the platform with the US Ambassador to Brunei and other entrepreneurs. Source: Jerudong International School
JIS provided crucial support for an inspired Teng’s transition to the professional world. Career talks, connections with alumni, and assessments guided her to a law degree at King’s College London, followed by three years as a consultant for Accenture in the UK. Today, she specialises in Digital Healthcare Adoption and Implementation in Brunei.
Masin Talanana
Masin Talanana joined JIS from Year 8 as a boarding student. Today, the BSc International Economics and Business Economics graduate, Master’s in Finance and Investments student at Erasmus University Rotterdam and Real Estate Finance Trainee at alternative investments firm Alter Domus, sees it as a period of significant self-development.
“The IB massively contributed to both my academic and personal growth,” he says. “The way JIS teaches it really lessens its burdens and helps nurture the curiosity of students rather than nipping it in the bud. Ultimately, I managed to learn proper organisation, which made my start at university a very smooth one.”
For Talanana, every year at JIS entailed at least one excursion to a new continent. Source: Jerudong International School
Academics aside, the international environment at JIS taught him to compete with, rather than against, his peers, fostering a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie. Off-campus, a standout experience for Talanana was the year 12 IB trip to Temburong, where he had the opportunity to stay with a local tribe. It deepened his respect for indigenous communities, teaching him valuable lessons about understanding and appreciating different ways of life.
Looking ahead, he envisions a future in London, propelled by his career aspirations and the promise of closeness to a special someone he met at JIS. “Who knew that the love of my life was there all along?” he enthuses.
Olivia Smith
Olivia Smith’s JIS journey began in 2014, when her parents decided to relocate to Brunei from New Zealand. Her parents worked at the school, while she gained a world-class education and a newfound global perspective.
Opting for the IB programme, Smith sought to explore various fields of knowledge. “I didn’t want to close my options too early, as I am still not 100% certain what I want to study in university,” she says. “While my schedule is more demanding, I see this as a learning experience, as I will undoubtedly have to work under conditions like these in my future everyday life,” she says.
When it was time to apply to university, Smith was ready. Her teachers and tutor have been instrumental in helping her prepare a well-rounded portfolio, emphasising extracurricular activities and community service.
A busy schedule has not stopped Smith from relishing extracurricular opportunities. Source: Jerudong International School
As an active member of JIS’s Arts Community, Smith has taken part in numerous school productions, including a notable role as Ms. Hannigan in “Annie.” This experience not only sharpened her performance skills but also nurtured her confidence, memory recall and collaborative spirit.
Marvin Santos
Originally from the Philippines, Marvin Santos quickly found his place at JIS with support from his newfound friends. Being exposed to different cultures and beliefs helped him cultivate a sense of open-mindedness that served him well in the classroom.
Driven by a passion for Biology, Chemistry, and Maths, and inspired by a desire to work in the medical field, Santos chose the A Levels pathway. The school provided him with ample opportunities to explore these subjects, readying him to pursue Biomedical Sciences at university. Soon, he envisions joining a university in Australia, with the ultimate goal of contributing to research that improves medical treatments.
Santos believes it is important for students to branch out of their friend groups to truly broaden their horizons. Source: Jerudong International School
Beyond academics, Marvin’s roles as Deputy Headboy and participation in various activities, including the Jazz Band, have deepened his appreciation for human connections, environmental stewardship, and self-care. “As I continued on with these experiences over time, I began to understand more about myself as a person,” he says.
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