Knewton Global Schools vs Riam Hill International Secondary School

	K Knewton Global Schools Sarawak, Malaysia	R Riam Hill International Secondary School Sarawak, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 11,340 - 23,400	Fees / year MYR 15,000 - 24,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 16 years	Age range 12 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Malaysian Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 240	Pupils 52
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Malay	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2022
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Knewton Global Schools is located along Jalan Desa Senadin in the Senadin township, on the northern edge of Miri, Sarawak. The school is positioned near Curtin University Malaysia, which is a key educational and residential zone within the area. It is also close to commercial spots like E-Mart Riam and Tamu Desa Senadin. The school is accessible by car, school transport (if arranged), or local taxis and e-hailing services like Grab. The Jalan Lutong-Kuala Baram road, a key arterial road in the city, connects Senadin to the main parts of Miri, including the city centre and Miri Airport.	Location Riam Hill International Secondary School is located at Jalan Riam Willow, in the Riam suburb of Miri, in northern Sarawak. The school sits in a peaceful residential area near Taman Tunku and Taman Jelita, about 15 minutes by car from Miri city centre. It is easily accessible via Jalan Miri–Bypass and Jalan Riam, which connect the school to central Miri and major transport routes.
Stages	Stages Knewton Global Schools is divided into Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School.	Stages RHISS provides education for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary.
School type	School type Knewton Global Schools is a co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.	School type The school is a co-educational day school and it does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Knewton Global Schools provides a range of support services to assist student adjustment and learning. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for students who are not native English speakers, with tailored guidance from a dedicated coordinator. New students are paired with peers through a buddy system to help them transition smoothly into school life. The school encourages participation in co-curricular activities, such as sports and creative clubs, to support well-rounded development. Students also have opportunities to take on leadership roles through the House system and student governance.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school has no formal affiliation with any country.	Country affiliation The school does not have a country affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Knewton Global Schools operates as a secular institution.	Religious affiliation RHISS is a non-denominational school with no specific religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.	School day structure Monday to Friday 7:45am – 3:00pm Reading and Attendance Taking 7:45am – 8:00am Morning Break 10:00am – 10:30am Lunch Break 12:30pm – 1:00pm Extra-curricular Activities 2:00pm – 3:00pm (Thursday and Friday) The school day begins with reading and attendance taking from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., followed by classes and scheduled breaks. Extra-curricular activities are held in the afternoons on Thursdays and Fridays.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school does not offer a bus service.	Bus service details The school does not offer a bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Preschool (Nursery, Reception, Foundation) – Malaysian National Curriculum Application Fee: RM500 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon submission of application. Registration Fee: RM1,200 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon acceptance of offer. Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s tuition fee Refundable with one full term’s written notice of withdrawal. Tuition Fees (per term): Nursery (Ages 3–4): RM3,780 Reception (Ages 4–5): RM3,780 Foundation (Ages 5–6): RM3,780 Note: The academic year is divided into three terms. Pro-Rated Fees for Mid-Term Admissions: Students joining in Weeks 1–4: 100% of term fee payable Students joining in Weeks 5–8: 70% of term fee payable Students joining after Week 8: 40% of term fee payable International Curriculum (British) – Primary & Secondary Levels Application Fee: RM1,000 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon submission of application. Registration Fee: RM3,500 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon acceptance of offer. Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s tuition fee Refundable with one full term’s written notice of withdrawal. Tuition Fees (per term): Year 1 (Age 5): RM8,290 Year 2 (Age 6): RM8,290 Year 3 (Age 7): RM9,660 Year 4 (Age 8): RM9,660 Year 5 (Age 9): RM9,660 Year 6 (Age 10): RM9,660 Year 7 (Age 11): RM12,405 Year 8 (Age 12): RM12,405 Year 9 (Age 13): RM12,405 Year 10 (Age 14): RM13,530 Year 11 (Age 15): RM13,530 Note: The academic year is divided into three terms. Pro-Rated Fees for Mid-Term Admissions: Students joining in Weeks 1–4: 100% of term fee payable Students joining in Weeks 5–8: 70% of term fee payable Students joining after Week 8: 40% of term fee payable Refund Policy 1.Non-Refundable Fees: The application and registration fees are non-refundable. 2.Deposit Refund: The deposit, equivalent to one term's tuition fee, is refundable only if a full term's written notice of withdrawal is provided. The school does not have their payment methods publicly available.	Fee details The school does not have their fee structure publicly available.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform.
Food options	Food options There is a student cafeteria on campus.	Food options The school has a canteen run by dedicated operators with ongoing efforts to improve healthy meals through collaborations.
House system	House system The school has a house system with four Houses: Sharks, Cobras, Lions and Dragons. These Houses create smaller communities and provide opportunities for competition across sports, arts and academics.	House system The school has a house system with houses named after planets (Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn) and conducts House Sorting events.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is part of Knewton Global Schools. It originated as Piasau Primary School and was rebranded as Knewton Global Schools in 2020, after previously being Tenby Schools Miri.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Knewton Global Schools offers two distinct academic pathways from early years through secondary: the British International Curriculum and the Malaysian National Curriculum. The international stream follows the British educational model, beginning with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in the early and primary years. Students then transition to the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme in Years 7 to 9, and ultimately prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Instruction is delivered in English, with additional support for non-native speakers. The Malaysian national stream follows the official curriculum set by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, taught primarily in Malay. This pathway covers Standard 1 through Form 5, ending with the national SPM examination. Subjects include core academic disciplines as well as local language and moral studies. Students across both streams participate in co-curricular activities, community service projects, and cultural events, contributing to a well-rounded school experience regardless of curriculum path.	Curriculum details RHISS offers a Cambridge International Curriculum for secondary education, specifically from Year 7 to Year 11. The school prepares students for the IGCSE examinations, which are conducted at the end of Year 11. During Years 7 to 9 (lower secondary), students are introduced to a broad curriculum that includes subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Life Skills, Coding, and Physical Education. In Years 10 and 11, students select subjects aligned with the IGCSE syllabus and focus on exam preparation. In addition to Cambridge standards, RHISS incorporates elements of the Chinese curriculum, offering a bilingual and bicultural learning experience. This integration supports Mandarin language proficiency and cultural knowledge, particularly for students from Chinese-speaking backgrounds. The curriculum is designed to build strong academic foundations and prepare students for global tertiary education, though the school currently does not offer a pre-university programme like A-Levels or AUSMAT.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school integrates social and emotional learning (SEL) into its Early Years and Foundation stages through a structured, play-based environment. Children engage in daily group activities such as circle time, where they learn to express emotions, listen to others, and resolve simple conflicts with guidance from teachers. Activities like role-playing, storytelling, and collaborative games are used to build empathy, communication skills, and self-awareness. Teachers play an active role by modeling positive behavior, helping students understand their emotions, and coaching them through real-life social situations. The school also encourages responsibility and community involvement through classroom jobs and participation in cultural celebrations like Hari Raya and Gawai Dayak. These experiences help students appreciate diversity, develop kindness, and feel a sense of belonging. Regular events involving parents, such as coffee mornings and school-wide celebrations, reinforce SEL themes at home and create a supportive, connected environment for each child’s emotional growth.	Social & emotional learning RHISS has a dedicated school counsellor available to students who need support with stress, social issues, or other emotional challenges. Students can schedule one-on-one time with the counsellor during non-class periods like lunch breaks. This provides a structured outlet for talking through personal problems and developing self-awareness or coping strategies. In daily school life, Life Skills is a specific subject in the lower secondary years (Years 7–9). It covers topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. Through class discussions and roleplay activities, students learn to recognize and express emotions, resolve disagreements, and understand others’ perspectives. RHISS also places students in regular group assignments and project work where they must take on shared responsibilities, handle peer feedback, and navigate group dynamics, which helps practice emotional regulation and cooperation.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not have a dedicated SEN programme.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not have any specialized support for students with special educational needs.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school offers EAL.	English as an additional language RHISS offers English as a Second Language (ESL) support, particularly for students preparing for the IGCSE examinations. The school includes English as a Second Language in its curriculum, ensuring that students develop the necessary language skills to succeed academically.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Knewton addresses mental wellbeing by supporting students, particularly teenagers, in managing stress and building emotional resilience. During high-pressure times like IGCSE exams, teachers help students with time management, encourage healthy routines, and provide guidance when needed. Staff regularly check in with students and talk openly about balancing school responsibilities with personal wellbeing. The school also promotes mental health through physical activities and creative outlets. Students are encouraged to take part in sports, art, and movement-based activities like Zumba to reduce stress. Knewton has used themed days and awareness campaigns to talk about mental health directly, helping students understand emotions and when to ask for help. These steps are meant to give students practical ways to manage emotional challenges in daily school life.	Mental wellbeing RHISS offers direct support for students' mental health through an on-campus counsellor available during breaks and lunch hours. The counsellor assists students with social, emotional, and academic concerns, providing a safe space for them to discuss personal issues.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Knewton Global Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff members are expected to share this commitment. Applicants for positions at the school are required to undergo child protection screening which includes reference checks with past employers.	Safeguarding Health and Medical Support: RHISS provides a sick bay where students can rest if they feel unwell during lessons. However, parents are advised to take the student to a medical center for proper treatment. Students’ allergies and health issues are recorded upon admission, and First Aid Kits are available on-site to treat minor injuries. School Security: The campus is secured with full perimeter fencing and a guarded school gate, ensuring controlled access to maintain a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors. Data Protection: The school takes data privacy seriously and ensures all personal information processed by the school is safeguarded.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus is fully enclosed with 24/7 security and a single point of entry. It includes a 25-meter competition-standard swimming pool, basketball, netball and tennis courts, and a full-size football field, with smaller youth and instructional spaces. Pedestrian boulevards connect the schools to the administration block, which houses the student cafeteria, nurse's office, school shop, and library, and the performing arts block with music practice rooms, a drama studio and an auditorium. The campus is located at Lot 10700, Block 5, Jalan Desa Senadin, Kuala Baram Land District, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.	Facilities overview The school uses 21st Century Learning Technology with student-owned laptops for coursework, collaboration and research. All classrooms are equipped with smart interactive whiteboards to enhance teaching and engagement. Riam Hill maintains two ICT laboratories with desktop PCs for classes (ratio 1:1) including coding, and the desktops support online examinations in the future. The school is located at Block D, Lot 1305, Jalan Riam Willow, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, and operates Monday to Friday – 7:30 am – 16:00 pm, Saturday – 7:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities A 25-meter competition-standard swimming pool is on site. Basketball, netball and tennis courts are available for sport and recreation. A full-size football field supports football and related activities. There are smaller youth and instructional spaces designed for physical education and training.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The administration block houses a library for study and research. The campus connects the different school sections (Hornbills Pre-School, International School, and Private National School) via pedestrian boulevards, enabling integrated learning. The performing arts block includes music practice rooms, a drama studio and an auditorium. Hornbills Pre-School follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Framework; International School follows the English National Curriculum; Private National School follows the Malaysian KSSR Semakan 2017 and KSSM.	Academic facilities The school is an officially registered Cambridge examination centre enabling Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge Lower Secondary. It uses 21st Century Learning Technology with student laptops and smart interactive whiteboards across classrooms, and has two ICT laboratories with a 1:1 student-to-PC ratio for coding and other coursework; the desktops support online examinations in the future.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Co-curricular activities include Student Council, House Captains and Prefects. Students participate in volunteering projects and local and global community engagement, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme.	Extra curricular facilities Riam Hill offers a wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities (CCA & ECA). Activities include Art & Craft; Board Games; E-Sports; Public Speaking; Entrepreneurship; STEM; Coding & Animation; Handicrafts (Sewing & Crochet); Baking; Gardening; and sports such as Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Tennis, Track & Field, Table Tennis and Swimming. CCA and ECA develop resilience, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork and self-esteem.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Knewton Global Schools in Miri has a long-standing history tied to international education in Malaysia. The institution originally began as Piasau Primary School, making it one of the oldest international schools in the country. In 2011, it was rebranded as Tenby Schools Miri, operating under the Tenby Schools group and offering both the British International and Malaysian National curricula. In 2016, the campus was sold to a different education group, but the original founding team of Bonanza Educare reacquired the school and officially launched it as Knewton Global Schools in 2020. Since then, it has operated as an independent school under Bonanza Educare, offering a dual curriculum model and maintaining a strong presence in the Miri education landscape.	History Riam Hill International Secondary School (RHISS) was established in 2022 in Miri, Sarawak, by the management of Riam Road Secondary School (RRSS). The school aims to provide quality international education by offering a curriculum that combines the Cambridge syllabus with elements of the Chinese syllabus. This approach is designed to prepare students for global opportunities while maintaining cultural relevance.
Community	Community Knewton Global Schools has a diverse school community made up of both local Malaysian and international students, reflecting the multicultural character of Miri. The school regularly holds events that celebrate cultural diversity, such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Gawai Dayak. These celebrations involve student performances, traditional attire, and shared meals, helping students and families learn about each other’s backgrounds. The school also promotes community involvement through events like the Knewton Run, which brings together students, parents, and staff in a non-academic setting. This inclusive environment encourages respect for different cultures and fosters strong relationships between families and the school.	Community RHISS prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive learning community. The school hosts various cultural events, such as Chinese New Year celebrations featuring lion dance performances, to honor and educate students about different traditions. Students also participate in activities like Chinese calligraphy competitions and wildlife ambassador programs, which promote cultural awareness and environmental stewardship.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school does have a Parent Teacher Association.	Parent teacher association The school does not have PTA.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Miri campus offers Hornbills Pre-School for ages 3-6, following the UK Early Years Foundation Stage framework; an International School for ages 5-16, following the English National Curriculum; and a Private National School for ages 7-17, following the Malaysian National Curriculum (KSSR Semakan 2017 and KSSM).	Academic & intellectual The school offers Cambridge Secondary and IGCSE as part of its curriculum. Students in Year 10 and Year 11 participate in the Cambridge IGCSE programme. The upper secondary and pre-University years include Advanced (A) Level as part of graduation pathways. The school is an official Cambridge Examination Centre and uses educational technology, including interactive E-Classrooms and a 20-computer laboratory, to support teaching and learning.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The school offers a broad suite of co-curricular activities focused on creativity and expression. These include Art & Craft, Handicrafts (Sewing & Crochet), Baking and Public Speaking, as well as Coding & Animation. Entrepreneurship and STEM activities provide avenues for creative problem-solving and collaboration.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The school develops linguistic skills in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese. The learning environment is multicultural and fosters respect for cultural diversity.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies A broad range of social and hobby activities is available, including Board Games and E-Sports. Sports offered include Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Tennis, Track & Field, Table Tennis and Swimming. These activities build resilience, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork and self-esteem.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Leadership development is integrated into co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Public Speaking and Entrepreneurship are among activities that build leadership and professional skills. The program emphasizes teamwork and resilience as part of student leadership.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Health and safety are prioritized with a sick bay and campus security measures. The school provides a counsellor to support students' social, emotional and academic wellbeing. Sports and fitness activities are available across multiple disciplines to support physical wellbeing.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The International School uses English as the language of instruction. Teaching in English covers English, Science and Mathematics, with the International Primary Curriculum used for other subjects. Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) are taught in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-16). Bilingual teaching assistants support Primary, and students are encouraged to use English in their communication to develop proficiency in the lingua franca.	Language provision Linguistic development includes English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese as part of Cambridge Secondary and IGCSE.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Accreditations	Accreditations Cambridge Accreditation: The school is an authorized Cambridge examination center, meaning it's accredited to administer Cambridge IGCSE and O Level exams.	Accreditations Officially registered as a Cambridge examination centre in Miri, Sarawak, enabling students to acquire international qualifications in Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge Lower Secondary.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Campus Visit. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school to get a feel for the environment and ask any questions about the curriculum or student life. 2. Application Submission Complete and submit the application form along with the required documents, which include: Student’s birth certificate and passport (for non-Malaysians) or MyKid (for Malaysians) Parent’s passport or MyKad Previous school reports Medical and immunization records One passport-sized photograph 3. Assessment. An entry assessment is scheduled, which may include the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) for certain year groups. Early Years applicants undergo classroom observations. 4. Offer & Enrollment. If the assessment is successful, an offer letter is issued. Parents must then submit the acceptance form and pay the registration fee, deposit, and term fees to secure the place. 5. Orientation. Before the start of the academic year, orientation details, including information about uniforms and transportation, are provided.	Admissions 1. Complete the student registration form available on the school's website. Submit the form along with the required documents, which include: A copy of the student's birth certificate A copy of the student's MyKad or passport Two recent passport-sized photographs A copy of the parent's MyKad or passport 2. Applicants for Years 7–11 are required to sit for an entrance test to assess their academic readiness. rhiss.edu.my 3. An interview may be conducted to further evaluate the applicant's suitability for the school's environment and curriculum. 4. The completed application and assessment results will be reviewed by the Principal. Parents or guardians will be notified of the admission decision upon completion of the review process.
Scholarships	Scholarships Knewton Global Schools provides scholarships through the SiWu Scholarship Programme, managed by its parent organization, Bonanza Educare. This programme is designed to support students who demonstrate exceptional achievements in academics, creative arts, sports, leadership, or character.	Scholarships Currently, RHISS does not offer a formal scholarship program. However, the school emphasizes providing affordable quality education, particularly targeting students from the M40 and T20 income groups. Additionally, the Sarawak government has expressed intent to collaborate with RHISS to support eligible Sarawakian students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, in accessing education at the school.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.
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