Whilst this has been an unprecedented and challenging year for examination students around the world, The International School of Penang (Uplands) once again has cause to celebrate excellence in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as well as commend the resilience of each of our examination students as they navigated the uncertainties of the last 6 months. The students are a credit to the school, living our school values and motto “Respect for Self. Respect for Others”. 

Our IGCSE results were once again exceptional with 56% achieving A*-A. It is truly an outstanding achievement that more than half of the 574 qualifications obtained by Uplands students to be at this level.  The school achieved its best results in history for A*-C grades with 94% achieving this pass grade in the updated results. The school is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our Year 11 graduates, these results are a testament to their attitude to learning and commitment over the entirety of the two year course. This year two students achieved straight A* grades and 8 students achieved at least 7 A* grades

– Jaclyn Kah Mun: 9A*

– Rishabh: 9A*

– Jermaine: 8A* 1A

– Wei: 7A*

– Sinead: 7A* and 2A

– Weng Wong: 7A* and 2A

– Divya: 7A* and 1A

– Ivy: 7A* and 2A

Our IBDP results again were above the global average with The International School of Penang (Uplands) average being 33.6 points, 3.6 points above the usual global average. 55 Diplomas were awarded this year and 5 Bilingual diplomas for students studying both English and an additional language at First Language level. We also had 8 students receive over 40 points, equating to 13.3% of our cohort, an incredible achievement as 40 points in the IBDP is considered the equivalent of 4 A* grades at A-level. Particular congratulations should go to the following students:

• 43 points: Faustina
• 42 points: Gururaj & Adam
• 41 points: Zhen Xu, Jia Hao, Nicole & Jing Zhe
• 40 points: Yi Lin Tasmine

The International School of Penang (Uplands) would like to congratulate all our Diploma programme graduates and wish them all the very best as they prepare for the next stages of their educational journey. We are delighted to hear so many success stories from our graduates in recent weeks as they receive confirmation of their offers to study at many of the finest universities around the world. These universities recognise the IBDP as the gold standard in pre-university education as it aims to develop students to have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge. Students are best prepared for the rigors of university life as balanced and resilient globally-minded learners. 

The IB Diploma Programme has afforded our students excellent advantages as they apply for and commence their university courses. Nicole, who will be attending the University of Wisconsin to study Chemical Engineering, will begin her first year with 25 credits which is the equivalent of nearly one year of study in recognition of the academic rigor of this programme. She writes “choosing to pursue the IB Diploma Programme at Uplands is the primary reason I now have access to the wealth of opportunities that have launched me onto the path towards pursuing my dream career”. 

Yi Fun, who will be studying Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Toronto, has been awarded a $100,000 scholarship as well as course credits in recognition of her fantastic achievements in the IBDP. Yi Fun says “The IB has prepared her for university because she now has a lot of experience of writing that other science/maths students lack.” The programme has helped her “become an independent learner with mature time management skills”. 

Through all the challenges that 2020 has brought, it is wonderful to take the opportunity to celebrate so many success stories and also to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all members of our school community who supported each and every student throughout the two year programme so they might reach both their academic potential but also flourish in all areas of development. At The International School of Penang (Uplands) we recognise the importance of the holistic development of all our learners, and wish to congratulate each and every graduate for all their achievements over the past two years.

For further information about Uplands’ IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme, please contact [email protected]or visit www.uplands.org