School Life

Nestled in the heart of Penang, POWIIS offers students a unique and diverse educational experience. Our school life is a dynamic blend of academic excellence, character development, and extracurricular opportunities, designed to nurture well-rounded individuals who are prepared to excel in the global landscape. Our students embark on a journey of intellectual growth, cultural appreciation, and personal discovery, all within the supportive and inclusive community of POWIIS, where every day is a chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9)

Our KS3 offers a holistic approach to education, nurturing not only academic excellence but also personal growth, character development, and a strong sense of community. Our goal is to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, both in their educational pursuits and in their lives beyond school. As students embark on this exciting journey with us, they find a supportive and inclusive environment where learning is not confined to the classroom but extends to a wide range of extra-curricular activities, POWIIS projects, and sports. Our students foster a love for learning, critical thinking skills, and creativity.

ECAs (Extra-Curricular Activities)

ECAs take place after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering something for everyone, from crochet to football, debating to cycling. Our wide range of activities is published at the start of each term, and students sign up through the Epraise system. We encourage all students to get involved and try something new.

Houses

All students and staff are members of a House. The House system is part of the fabric of school life designed around the Latin word for Life “VITA” Ventus, Ignis, Terra and Aqua. It is a vibrant and integral part of our school community. Designed to foster a sense of belonging, camaraderie and healthy competition, the HOUSE system brings students from diverse backgrounds and year groups together, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Through a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural activities, the HOUSE system encourages collaboration, leadership and personal growth, making POWIIS a place where every student can thrive.

House points are awarded for positive contributions aligned with our 12 core values, and are tracked through Epraise. Students are recognised and celebrated during our end-of-term prize events.

Buses

We offer a convenient and flexible bus service with a wide range of pick-up and drop-off points across Penang Island and the mainland. Late buses are also available to support students involved in after-school activities. Routes are regularly reviewed to meet family needs.

Canteen

Our school canteen serves a variety of nutritious meal options, or students may choose to bring a packed lunch. POWIIS is a pork- and nut-free campus, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all students.

Day & Boarding Student Menu
April – July

Ingredients may be packed in a facility where traces of nuts may be present

Student Leadership

At POWIIS, we believe in empowering students to lead. In Key Stage 3, students can take on leadership roles through the Student Council, as Junior House Captains or by serving on student-led committees. These opportunities help students build confidence, responsibility and a strong sense of voice in school life.

Sport

Our POWIIS Panthers compete in a wide range of sports across U13 and U15 age groups. We have strong teams in volleyball, basketball football, netball athletics and swimming, supported by experienced coaches and staff.

Students represent the school in inter-school competitions such as PSAC (Penang), AIMS (Malaysia), and FOBISIA (Asia), building teamwork, discipline and school pride.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Student wellbeing is a top priority at POWIIS. We are committed to supporting the emotional, social and mental health of every member of our community. We foster a culture of empathy, resilience and open communication, where students are encouraged to seek help and support when needed. Through a caring and inclusive environment, we help students develop a strong sense of self-worth and the confidence to face challenges positively

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)

The journey through Key Stage 4 is a pivotal phase in academic and personal development, and here at POWIIS we are dedicated to providing an enriching and supportive school life experience.

Students embark on a Key Stage 4 adventure, discovering a stimulating curriculum designed to challenge and inspire, all while preparing for the next exciting chapter of their academic journey. Students are supported and guided by our form tutors and have access to counsellors as well as a guidance team. Our dedicated team of tutors are committed to nurturing their talents, fostering critical thinking, and instilling a love for lifelong learning.

ECAs (Extra-Curricular Activities)

Activities take place after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are a wide range of complimentary ECAs, so there is always an activity to get involved in whether it be crochet or football, debating or yoga and mindfulness. The options available are sent out at the start of each term and sign ups take place through our Epraise system.

Houses

All students and staff are members of a House. The House system is part of the fabric of school life designed around the Latin word for Life “VITA” Ventus, Ignis, Terra and Aqua. It is a vibrant and integral part of our school community. Designed to foster a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and healthy competition, the HOUSE system brings students from diverse backgrounds and year groups together, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Through a wide range of academic, sporting, and cultural activities, the HOUSE system encourages collaboration, leadership, and personal growth, making POWIIS a place where every student can thrive.

House points are also awarded to individual students through our Epraise system where students can track their progress and see live data on how they are doing. House points are awarded across our 12 core values and over the year students become eligible for special prizes and awards in our end of term celebrations.

Buses

The school offers a bus service, operated by a local company. We have a wide selection of pick up and drop off points across the island and mainland and review these regularly. Our bigger bus routes also have a dedicated bus monitor who communicates travel progress via the Classlist app. Where scheduled activities take place after school, there is a late bus service as required.

Canteen

The POWIIS canteen offers a wide-range of meals and students may choose this option or bring a packed lunch. The school operates a pork and nut-free campus.

Day & Boarding Student Menu
April – July

Ingredients may be packed in a facility where traces of nuts may be present

Sport

The POWIIS Panthers play competitive fixtures in a variety of sports within age groups U15 and U19. We field particularly strong teams in Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Netball, Athletics and Swimming, and our teams are supported by a dedicated team of professional coaches and staff. Students have opportunities to represent the school in a large number of external competitions such as PSAC (Penang) AIMS (Malaysia) and FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia).

Student Leadership

POWIIS is dedicated to holistic personal growth, we firmly believe in the power of student leadership to shape the future. Students are encouraged to apply to represent their tutor group within the Student Council and to act as a spokesperson amongst their peers. We have a breadth of committees that help to shape our student experience, positively impacting our school and the wider community – such as our Humanitarian and Wellbeing Committee and our Sustainable Development Committee.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

At POWIIS we commit to ensuring the positive emotional, psychological and social well-being of the whole community. We develop well balanced, resilient students, who show compassion and respect for others and develop positive self worth and self confidence. Every stakeholder feels able to communicate in a safe space and to seek support through challenging times.

Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13)

Sixth Form is where students hone and develop their skills in leadership and service. POWIIS is not just a place to gain knowledge, but a community that comes together to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

With a rich tradition of fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a global perspective, POWIIS provides a nurturing and challenging environment that prepares students to excel academically and thrive as responsible, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals. Students have access to 1-1 guidance with our dedicated Sixth form team who are committed to unlocking future destinations and careers.

Student Leadership

POWIIS is dedicated to holistic personal growth, we firmly believe in the power of student leadership to shape the future. At POWIIS, our student leadership programme provides a platform for students to develop essential skills, make a positive impact within our school community, and contribute to the world beyond our campus. Within the Sixth Form students become eligible to apply for Executive Student leadership positions (Head Students) Committee chair positions, House Captains and Sixth Form Council. Students undergo a rigorous application and interview process for these positions.

University Preparation

In the Sixth Form our students experience a full programme of events and activities to support them with University applications including, for example, university visits, practice interviews and mock entry exams.

Common Room

Students have access to the 6th form common room for holding meetings, socialising and studying as well as a kitchenette. This is conveniently located next to the head of Sixth form office and University and Guidance Counsellor office. Additionally Sixth form students have a dedicated quiet study room.

ECAs (Extra-Curricular Activities)

Activities take place after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a wide range of complimentary ECAs, so there is always an activity to get involved in whether it be crochet or football, debating or cycling. Sixth Form students have the opportunity to create and lead ECAs in a specialist field as well as support coaching and managing junior Panthers teams. Some recent student-led ECAs have been K-Pop dancing and Leo Club. The options available are sent out at the start of each term and sign ups take place through our Epraise system.

Houses

All students and staff are members of a House. The House system is part of the fabric of school life designed around the Latin word for Life “VITA” Ventus, Ignis, Terra and Aqua. It is a vibrant and integral part of our school community. Designed to foster a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and healthy competition, the HOUSE system brings students from diverse backgrounds and year groups together, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Through a wide range of academic, sporting, and cultural activities, the HOUSE system encourages collaboration, leadership, and personal growth, making POWIIS a place where every student can thrive.

Buses

The school offers a bus service, operated by a local company. We have a wide selection of pick up and drop off points across the island and mainland and review these regularly. Where scheduled activities take place after school, there is a late bus service as required.

Canteen

The POWIIS canteen offers a wide-range of meals and students may choose this option or bring a packed lunch. Sixth form students also have the option of leaving the school site and walking to the local shopping centre. The school operates as a pork and nut-free campus.

Day & Boarding Student Menu
April – July

Ingredients may be packed in a facility where traces of nuts may be present

Sport

The POWIIS Panthers play competitive fixtures in a variety of sports within the age group U19. We field strong teams in Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Netball, Athletics and Swimming, supported by a dedicated team of professional coaches and staff. Students have opportunities to represent the school in a large number of external competitions such as PSAC (Penang) AIMS (Malaysia) and FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia).