Wednesday, 4th September 2024 – International School Brunei (ISB) hosted its annual Board of Directors Achievement Awards Evening at the ISB Theatre for its International Baccalaureate (IB) students who achieved outstanding results for the May 2024 session on Wednesday, 4th September 2024.
The Board of Directors Achievement Awards began in 2018, making 2024 the seventh time that ISB’s top IB achievers have received awards, together with financial bursaries to contribute to their cost of tertiary education.
The IB Diploma Programme is the world's leading post-16, gold-standard, academically challenging course, completed by students all over the world. Globally, 192,867 students were assessed for the IB Diploma in May 2024, with an average point score of 30.32. At ISB, the average point score was 33.5, well above the global average. In the cohort of 73 Year 13 students, 26 ISB graduates received Board of Directors Achievement Awards for their performance – marking an outstanding year of IB Diploma results and a continued tradition of excellence at ISB.
For reaching the top echelon of IB results, ISB graduates receive Excellence Awards in Bronze, Silver or Gold categories (overall points between 37 and 45) and for achieving substantial performance improvement throughout their IB studies, graduates are awarded a special Achievement Award.
This year, nine students received the Board of Directors Silver Excellence Award, which is awarded for achieving 40-42 points overall. The recipients were Charlotte Lim, who scored 42 points; Ian Guillou, Ng Chee Yuen and Chong Rui Ern, who each scored 41 points; as well as Chloe Lim, Dhriti Punjabi, Natasya Talipudin, Vennise Chin and Venny Asyran, who each achieved 40 points.
Eight students – Adeline Leong, Akarsh Arun, Cassandra Wong, Doressa Chua, Isa Nirwan, Leyna Hii, Lee Min Sze, and Xin Hui Ko - all received the Bronze Award for achieving between 37 and 39 points.
Achievement Awards were presented to 21 students – Akarsh Arun, Ameera Hairol, Auni Fadillah, Charlotte Lim, Ng Chee Yuen, Chong Rui Ern, Dhriti Punjabi, Doressa Chua, Elodie Jarillot, Hani Suwindi, Ian Guillou, Lea Jarillot, Leyna Hii, Lee Min Sze, Natasya Talipudin, Nevan Hulu, Noella Tan, Phoebe Lim, Tegwyn Reekie-Evans, Vennise Chin, and Venny Asyran - for performing at least 5 points higher than their individually set IB baseline.
In his opening speech at the ceremony, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa, Chairman of the ISB Board of Directors, said, “The Board of Directors firmly believe that every ISB student has the potential to be recognised and valued, for either reaching the highest IB points or for substantial academic improvement and personal progress. It is in this spirit that the ISB Board of Directors Achievement Awards were introduced in 2018, to encourage and recognise outstanding ISB graduates who excelled in their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our heartiest congratulations to all our graduates, to all proud parents and family members, and to our dedicated Academic and Non-Academic ISB teams who have been instrumental to student success.”
Mr. Dominic Morley, Executive Principal and CEO of ISB, in welcoming remarks said, “The students we honour at this ceremony have demonstrated remarkable perseverance, resilience, and a passion for learning. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, the support of their families, and the dedication of our exceptional teachers. These awards symbolise our recognition of their efforts and our belief in their potential to make significant contributions to society.”
Invited guest speaker, Ms. Rofini Zainal, an ISB alumna and IB graduate of the Class of 2011 who is now an Executive Officer at the Brunei Economic Development Board, spoke of her experience with the IB Diploma Programme at ISB and how it helped prepare her for future success. “The IB was the very foundation of who I am today. It taught me that the values instilled during my time at ISB – perseverance, self-discipline and a passion for learning – can be applied to any passion and career, ultimately leading to both fulfilment and success.”
“The challenges, lessons, and values I embraced during my time at ISB have guided me in everything I’ve done, from my role as an executive officer at the Brunei Economic Development Board to my pursuits in fitness and music.”
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Silver Excellence Award recipient and 2022-2024 Ministry of Education scholar Natasya Talipudin, who expressed her gratitude to the ISB Board of Directors, Ministry of Education, teachers, and her parents.
The event also marked the final farewell for the Year 13 students as they embark on their university endeavours all over the world.
PHOTO 1: Group photo shows Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa, Chairman of the International School Brunei (ISB) Board of Directors; Mr. Nicholas King, Deputy Chairman of the ISB Board of Directors; members of the ISB Board of Directors Haji Rashid Abdul Razak, Mr. Roy David Kurian, Mr. Jorge Vega, and Mr. Wong Chin Toon; Executive Principal and CEO of ISB Mr. Dominic Morley; Rosimah Sumaimah binti Haji Matassim, Acting Director of Department of Scholarship Management, Ministry of Education; and 2022-2024 Ministry of Education scholars.
PHOTO 2: Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa, Chairman of the International School Brunei (ISB) Board of Directors presenting the Board of Directors Silver Excellence Award to one of the recipients, Chong Rui Ern.
PHOTO 3: Mr. Nicholas King, Deputy Chairman of the ISB Board of Directors presenting the Board of Directors Bronze Excellence Award to one of the recipients, Cassandra Wong.
PHOTO 4: Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa, Chairman of the International School Brunei (ISB) Board of Directors delivering a speech.
PHOTO 5: Mr. Dominic Morley, Executive Principal and CEO of ISB delivering welcoming remark.
