On 30th May 2017, Nexus International School (Singapore) broke ground on its new Aljunied site. This new campus will be a landmark building located on the along the Pan Island Expressway, the main arterial route between Changi Airport and the Island’s Downtown business district. The new campus will be a 12 storey vertical campus, making it Singapore’s tallest school.
The breaking ground ceremony was attended by key project consultants, financiers, Taylor's and Nexus personnel. “This ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to share our journey in acquiring this new site and to thank all those that have supported us along the way” said Dato' Loy Teik Ngan, Group CEO, Taylor's Education Group.
Guests were treated to a showcase from Nexus’s brightest classical musicians: Li Jian, Doris Zhao, Elizabeth Russell, Yugo Ferisse and Betty Rao.
The event was emceed by learners David Brereton and Doris Zhao, with guest speakers BK Gan, President of Tayor’s Schools, Dato' Loy Teik Ngan, Group CEO and Mr Kelvin Wong, Assistant Managing Director of Singapore's Economic Development Board. Esteemed guests included Ms. Abby Loy, Executive Director, Prof Michael Driscoll, President of Taylor's University, Karl Engkvist, President of TEPL and Craig Sherrin, President of Taylor's College.
The ceremony was also a chance for Nexus Singapore to celebrate two recent accreditations. Bill Parker of CIS presented its accreditation to Stuart Martin, Principal, Nexus Singapore. CIS is the Council of International Schools, a global non-profit organization that is committed to international education in over 700 schools and 500 colleges and universities globally. Robert Appino, Development Executive International Schools from Apple presented the Apple Distinguished School Certificate to Paul Beach, who led the application bid. Nexus joins as one of 400 Apple Distinguished Schools in the world.
“Back in 2015, it was a challenge for us to win the bid against some of the best education institutions from around the world for this site. Winning this bid is a testimony to the strength, quality and relevance of the Nexus brand of education,” said BK Gan, President of Taylor's Schools.
The school will cater for 2,000 learners aged between age 3 and 18. The challenge is to ensure that teachers and learners can interact effectively; through the creation of communal facilities in the middle floors offers a social space to meet and mix. Shared social spaces include a double story library, language areas, sports halls, café and play-deck. All areas are flexible work spaces that can be tailored to learning environments. The aim is to create interactive and versatile learning spaces that can easily be adapted to the lesson at hand.
Facilities at the campus will include a 50m pool, a full size astro-turf sports field, recording studios, a library, auditorium, two sports halls, fitness gym as well as a raft of flexible learning spaces.
Kelvin Wong, Assistant Managing Director at the Singapore Economic Development Board, said, “Foreign System Schools like Nexus play an important role in strengthening Singapore’s position as an attractive global city and home for businesses. By carefully integrating community interaction into its campus design, Nexus will be a valuable addition to the neighbourhood. We believe that Nexus, its students, teachers and staff, will play active roles and over time, become integral members of the local community and Singapore.”
Broadway Malyan Architects director Harry Hoodless, who has been involved in developing international schools across Asia, said the facility will set new benchmarks for sustainability and innovation. He said: “The new campus design will be unique in terms of its response to environmental context and we believe it exemplifies our forward thinking approach to education space, while also embracing the needs of the local community.”
