Sri Ara Schools

My son & I really like the school esp the environment & small class size. Swimming classes are a real plus. The only reason I have not given 5 stars is because there are no music classes & the ECA is quite limited. The following are suggestions for some things I would love to see in the school. -It would be great to have keyboard /piano lessons included in the ECA line-up or even at least any instrument. If not from a fully qualified teacher, perhaps there is some talented musical student willing to do some part time work teaching the basics. -Music classes as part of the curriculum to teach the history of music, famous composers & their music, different types of instruments, music theory, etc. -Similarly, it would be nice if the Arts class could also include teaching the history of art, from cave drawings to famous artists & their stories, the Impressionists, etc, the different methods and how to use the light. -PE classes to include martial arts lessons for self defence -Foreign languages, either as part of the curriculum or ECA - French /Spanish /German /Japanese. Learning about the history & culture in addition to the language -Gardening, either as part of PE class or ECA. It would be great for kids to learn how to grow food (organically). They could learn how to set up a small patch & grow herbs, vegetables & flowers. It's a healthy, useful, fulfilling activity that provides real life knowledge. They could sell their produce to parents in a mini weekly /monthly farmers market (which would teach them commerce and also could be a small fundraiser for the school). Or supply to the Home Science club for them to learn how to prepare fresh wholesome meals. -Photography as ECA or part of Arts class. Learning about light, composition, focus, camera settings, photo editing (which would also be nice as part of computer class) -Science club, doing interesting experiments, astronomy, learning about famous scientists, how things work -Current chess club to be expanded into a Board Games Club.

We liked Sri Ara but it is certainly not the school for everyone. It is physically old, utilizing 2 old bungalow houses and the only facility is a big field. But it is quirky, and we had a very good impression of the teachers. It looked like the school took education seriously. We definitely have a positive feel about the environment. Feels like a big family. The school has 90 children in total, with 24 teachers. Yes, 24! A number of teachers have been there for years, which is very reassuring. It looks like a down to earth, caring and cosy environment.

My daughter goes to Sri Ara. We chose it because it was walking distance from where we live now. We moved to JB from Singapore late November last year. We've got a similar story. We lived in Singapore since 2000. We love living in Singapore, but after being there for so long we realised the utter economic sensibility of living in Johor whilst working in Singapore. Plus we'd gathered enough cojones to move to the so called 'dark side.' Our daughter started attending Sri Ara in Jan this year. You got the same professional and helpful reception we had when we first inquired about it. Have you been there yet? The school is in a couple of black and white houses along the road...it is a bit run down in some places, but the students do not seem to mind it all. So far so good, our daughter absolutely loves it. The teachers (specially her form teacher) are really dedicated to the students. There are at most eight students in each year level so you can imagine the attention they get from their teachers. My only concern is that Mandarin is not really a priority subject in Sri Ara.As such, she is losing the Mandarin she'd learned when she was attending primary school in Singapore... Good luck with the search for the school, and bravo for making the move! If you have any more q's just pm me.