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Explore the best of Marlborough College Malaysia
A Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) education is contemporary, challenging and enriching — a strong foundation that prepares students for a global future. Recently named International School of the Year 2024 in the recent Tes Awards for International Schools, the College prides itself on being a place where students excel academically, discover their passions and contribute to their communities.
As the only sister school to Marlborough College UK, pupils aged 3-18 enjoy an authentic British education, set within in an international community, with over 40 countries represented among the student body.
Strategically located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, bordering both Malaysia and Singapore, the campus is situated on a sprawling 90-acre estate home to lush landscapes, expansive outdoor areas and cutting-edge facilities. Whether it’s to study, socialise or play sports, these are spaces built for students to shine and succeed.
Surrounded by majestic mangroves, the picturesque lake offers pupils an outstanding outdoor resource. Here, you’ll find students kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or taking part in outdoor art and science classes. A new nature walk around the lake gives pupils the opportunity to learn about the diverse wildlife in the area, which include fish eagles and stork-billed kingfishers, plus a family of otters as regular visitors.
Paddleboarding on the lake
“The water is surprisingly warm,” she says. “During my first time paddleboarding, I tried standing up and I toppled over in fits of laughter.”
Cheng Yang (Year 4) loves kayaking here “because it’s not very often that I go on a lake, and it’s very exciting.” Another Year 4 student, Elizabeth, loves to paddleboard with her friends, who find just as much joy in jumping into the lake.
As well as a large indoor theatre equipped with lighting and staging, pupils can also showcase their talents in the open air pit theatre. In this unique setting, the Upper Sixth Literature and Performance class presented a lively reimaging of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Featuring colourful characters and slapstick humour, the students were able to explore a new performance space, using various levels to create an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
Performing at The Betjeman Pit (Open Air Theatre)
“What I enjoyed most was the ability to express myself physically; I love sports and being active, and being able to come into a space and take a different approach than sport and express my creativity has been brilliant,” says student Paddy.
Playing rugby with the All Blacks Sevens
MCM’s rugby pitches are arguably the best in the region and the College organises tournaments for international and local schools regularly. "I enjoy playing other teams from a range of different countries as it allows me to challenge myself and figure out a way of coming out victorious," says student Cordelia.
This year, MCM even hosted the All Blacks Sevens, one of the most successful rugby teams in the world, as the team prepared for the Singapore Sevens Rugby Tournament.
Director of Sport at MCM, Mr. Todd Skevington says, “It’s been incredible to be able to host a world-class rugby team of such high calibre here at MCM and a fantastic opportunity for both our pupils and the wider community to engage with professional players.”
The Lectern Club, held throughout the year, invites Sixth Form pupils to a refined evening at the Master’s Lodge. Here, amidst stimulating conversation and impeccable etiquette, students finesse their public speaking skills. This invaluable experience prepares them for the formal presentations they'll inevitably encounter beyond MCM.
"I very much enjoyed the unique atmosphere that this experience provided,” says student Reuben. “The small audience at the Lectern Club, coupled with the fact that I was facing a panel of judges who were listening to my speech, were factors that made the experience unique and challenging. I had to quickly assimilate and deliver the speech to the best of my abilities.
Giving a speech at Lectern Club
At MCM, outdoor learning is a core part of the curriculum. Students like Andrea get their hands dirty planting seeds, examining exotic pineapples, and separating plump beans at the College’s own organically run Barton Farm. It's a full-on sensory adventure, filled with the joy of getting muddy with friends while exploring nature's bounty.
Growing vegetables at Barton Farm
“On the farm, we have picked and eaten mulberries. I also learnt that some of the fruits and vegetables that we eat at school are grown on the farm,” Andrea says.
The IB Art students recently organised their own exhibition as part of their studies, transforming the Learning Resource Centre into a vibrant art gallery. This event was the culmination of two years of hard work and enabled them to showcase their incredible artistic talents to friends and family.
IB student Chiara produced several interactive pieces she deeply resonated with, while Yao Dong’s artwork explored the powerful interplays within nature.
Creating the IB Art Exhibition
Pupils in the Pre-Prep School take part in weekly Forest School sessions which are led by a skilled and experienced instructor. Learning is driven by the children's own curiosity and can involve anything from carving wood, exploring plant and animal life cycles, or going on mini-beast hunts
Hunting mini-beasts at Forest School
Even the youngest Nursery children can explore the natural world and share their discoveries. "I'm searching for 'Superworm' under the tree logs,” says Nursery student Harry. “I found a scared millipede that curled up."
The annual Boarders' Christmas Supper is a highlight for many pupils who live onsite. It’s just one of the events where boarders gather to enjoy an evening filled with laughter and delicious food. The theme this year was inspired by “The Chronicles of Narnia” novels and students experienced a touch of winter magic as the dining hall was adorned with decorations and artificial snow.
Celebrating together at the Boarders’ Christmas Supper
Student Roy, echoing the sentiment of many boarders, says, "The Boarders’ Christmas supper was absolutely amazing — I loved it so much. There was nice food, and we got to talk with our friends and meet new people, and then we all got to sing Christmas songs.”
An exceptional learning experience awaits at Marlborough College Malaysia.
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