Friday, 11th October 2024 – International School Brunei (ISB) celebrated 60 years of inclusive academic excellence with its 60th Anniversary Gala Night this evening at The Empire Brunei.
The event was graced by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office. His Royal Highness was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Muntaqim; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman; and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa' Raaihanul Bolkiah.
Also in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim.
Upon arrival, Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by ISB’s Board Chairman Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa, Executive Principal and CEO of ISB Mr. Dominic Morley, and General Manager of ISB Ms. Vienna Law, as well as other members of the ISB Board of Directors.
The royal arrival was followed by a group photo with members of the ISB Board of Directors and ISB senior management, and a tour through a tunnel exhibition showcasing achievements and milestones of ISB’s journey over the last 60 years.
In welcoming remarks at the event, Mr. Dominic Morley said, “For six decades, ISB has stood as a beacon of inclusivity and academic excellence, nurturing young minds and shaping the future. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of everyone associated with ISB.”
“Tonight, we not only celebrate our shared history at ISB, but also look forward to a future filled with promise and potential. We are committed to continuing our tradition of inclusivity and academic excellence, embracing innovation, and providing an environment where every student can thrive,” added Mr. Morley.
Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad in his speech said, “Sixty years ago, ISB began as a small tutorial group, known as the Correspondence School, that has grown from its humble beginnings into a leading institution with international recognition. As the only CIS-accredited school in Brunei, it is the first in the country to receive the prestigious Green Flag Award and the BCA Green Mark for its building, and it is the pioneering international school to offer dedicated Special Educational Needs provisions. These achievements underscore our unwavering commitment to inclusivity while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.”
“This journey over six decades has been marked by countless achievements, our academic accolades, sporting triumphs, and more. But beyond these tangible successes lies something far more enduring—the legacy of the ISB community. Our students, teachers, staff, parents and alumni have each played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion, where every child is encouraged to discover their unique potential and excel.”
The event saw the inauguration of the 60th Anniversary Year with a cake-cutting by ISB’s Board Chairman Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa, ISB’s Deputy Board Chairman Mr. Nicholas King, Executive Principal and CEO of ISB Mr. Dominic Morley, and General Manager of ISB Ms. Vienna Law. This was followed by the screening of two videos – one titled “60 Years of ISB” reflecting on the school’s history and development over the years as well as one with congratulatory messages from ISB alumni.
The Gala Dinner also featured performances by ISB students, including a piano duet recital by Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah and Eshlee Hii.
Another key highlight of the event was a speech from ISB alumna Ms. Vanessa Murphy, Legal Advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, who graduated from ISB in 2008 with a perfect score of 45 points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
In her speech, Ms. Murphy said, “ISB teaches exactly what the world needs more of – team players who know how to break down barriers.”
“The world is complicated and can hold much sadness, but thank goodness it has places like ISB – oases that teach how to celebrate cultures and build bridges between them,” highlighted Ms. Murphy. “Congratulations to ISB for 60 colourful years, and I hope that together we will make sure there is much more to celebrate in the 60 years to come.”
Among the attendees at the Gala Night were members of the ISB Board of Directors, ISB senior management, staff, students, alumni, and event sponsors.
