The cornerstone of 9GEMS Academic Excellence, the first “gem” of the 9GEMS framework, drives GIIS East Coast’s mission to cultivate sharp minds and well-rounded individuals.
The Cambridge Curriculum, spanning primary to secondary grades, provides a rigorous yet adaptable foundation that emphasises inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world application.
At GIIS East Coast, students don’t just excel academically — they develop the skills to navigate a dynamic world, nurtured by a blend of traditional methods and collaborative experiences.
Collaborative and project-based learning in action
At GIIS East Coast, collaborative and project-based learning transform the Cambridge curriculum into a living, breathing experience. Students gather in classrooms or the quadrangle, sketching ideas with pen and paper or debating solutions in teams. Smart TVs enhance research, but the focus remains on hands-on collaboration — whether it’s a science experiment or a historical analysis.
This approach aligns with the curriculum’s emphasis on depth and application, fostering skills like teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
The campus buzzes with events that bring this philosophy to life. The PYP Celebration of Learning sees young learners showcase group projects, while CBSE and PYP day camps blend academics with outdoor collaboration.
Model United Nations (MUN) and Gavels Club competitions sharpen students’ debating skills, as they work together to represent nations or argue perspectives. Leadership Lectures inspire collective reflection, and Sustainability Initiatives — like the Quality Circles that earned the school a Gold Award for Eco Schools by WWF Singapore and recognition across the Global Schools Group—engage students in real-world environmental challenges.
These activities reinforce Cambridge learning while embedding the 9GEMS ethos of holistic growth.
A Campus thriving with opportunity
GIIS East Coast’s traditional setting is a launchpad for dynamic opportunities. The sports field hosts cricket, soccer, athletics, basketball, and more fostering teamwork alongside physical development. Online student exchange programmes connect East Coast students with sister campuses in the Global Schools Group, where they collaborate on presentations and compete in friendly academic challenges. The developing Quantum Lab, a STEAM hub, promises to elevate project-based learning with cutting-edge resources, while daily reading subscriptions like ‘The Day’ encourage students to stay informed and discuss global issues.
These initiatives reflect the versatility and academic scope of our programmes, be it CBSE, Cambridge CLSP, IGCSE or IB PYP. From the Primary Years Programme’s group explorations to the CLSP and IGCSE’s practical assessments, students apply classroom knowledge in collaborative settings—whether simulating UN debates or designing sustainability solutions. The 7S analytics tool personalises this journey, ensuring every student excels in cyclic tests and beyond.
In primary years, students tackle group tasks that spark curiosity across subjects.
As they progress to CLSP (Grades 6-8) and IGCSE (Grades 9-10), they engage in peer-led projects and research, often drawing inspiration from the campus’s green spaces.This hands-on approach — balanced with traditional tools like pen and paper — prepares them for academic rigor and global citizenship, with graduates consistently advancing to top universities worldwide.
A fresh perspective on education
GIIS East Coast Campus redefines academic excellence without the gloss of granite and glass. Its green quadrangle, open fields, and fresh air provide a backdrop where collaboration flourishes. Whether students are negotiating in MUN, innovating in the Quantum Lab, or reading The Day to fuel discussions, they’re building skills for the future. The 9GEMS framework ensures that learning here is a shared journey — one that thrives on teamwork, inquiry, and the beauty of a traditional school under blue skies.
In this nurturing environment, GIIS East Coast proves that academic excellence is more than grades—it’s a vibrant, collective pursuit that prepares students to lead, innovate, and succeed, all while breathing in the freshness of a greener approach to education.
Rashida Paghdiwala
I enjoy my work as the International Curriculum Coordinator at GIIS East Coast Campus where we are a family that thrives on each other’s knowledge, support and enthusiasm. We believe we can do more and do better, and so that is exactly what we try to do and aspire to be. Personally, through a rich and rewarding career spanning over two decades, I have come to believe in the transformative power of a liberal education, and in my opinion, the Cambridge Curriculum at GIIS offers precisely such a possibility. What drives me and my team is the belief that every student deserves a learning experience that challenges them, inspires them, and prepares them to be responsible leaders and good human beings.
