Riam Hill International Secondary School vs St. Joseph’s International School Kuching

	R Riam Hill International Secondary School Sarawak, Malaysia	S St. Joseph’s International School Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 15,000 - 24,000	Fees / year MYR 14,800 - 21,400
Age range	Age range 12 - 17 years	Age range 13 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Malaysian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 52	Pupils 1,500
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Malay
Opened	Opened 2022	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is situated at Lot 419, Section 58, KTLD, Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The school occupies the former site of SK St. Teresa in the Padungan area, placing it within the central business district of Kuching. This central location offers convenient access to various parts of the city.
Stages	Stages RHISS provides education for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary.	Stages St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is divide into Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and A-Level.
School type	School type The school is a co-educational day school and it does not offer boarding facilities.	School type The school is a co-educational day school and it does not provide boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support St. Joseph’s International School Kuching provides several types of learning support to help students beyond the classroom. They offer English language support, extended school hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., giving students time for extra tutorials, homework help, and consultations with teachers. In addition to academics, the school supports students’ personal growth through creative arts activities like music, dance, and drama.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school does not have a country affiliation.	Country affiliation The school does not have a country affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation RHISS is a non-denominational school with no specific religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation, as it is managed by the Marist Brothers and operates under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Kuching.
School 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.	School day structure School Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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 The school does not have their fee structure publicly available.	Fee details Application & Registration Fees Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable): RM 500 Assessment Test Fee: RM 100 per student Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable): For Years 7–9: 1st child: RM 4,000 2nd child: RM 2,000 3rd child: RM 1,000 4th child: Free *8For Years 10–11: RM 2,000 flat rate Tuition Fees (Per Year) Year 7: Malaysian: RM 12,300 Non-Malaysian: RM 14,800 Year 8: Malaysian: RM 13,500 Non-Malaysian: RM 16,200 Year 9: Malaysian: RM 14,500 Non-Malaysian: RM 17,400 Year 10–11: Malaysian: RM 17,800 Non-Malaysian: RM 21,400 Other Notes 3% discount if the full year’s fee is paid in advance (by January). 5% late fee penalty for overdue payments. Students who delay payment by 2+ weeks may be barred from classes. Basic supplies like books, worksheets, and diaries are provided free. Pre-University Programmes (A-Level & AUSMAT) Application Fees RM 500 for general applicants RM 200 for current St. Joseph's Private Secondary students Cambridge A-Level (18 months) Year 12: Malaysian: RM 8,000 per semester (RM 16,000/year) Non-Malaysian: RM 9,600 per semester (RM 19,200/year) Year 13: Malaysian: RM 8,000 Non-Malaysian: RM 9,600 Additional Fees: Miscellaneous: RM 750 (one-time) Laboratory: RM 300 per science subject (for 12 months) Fees upon acceptance (Malaysian student): RM 8,000 deposit (offset against Year 13) RM 8,000 for 1st quarter of Year 12 RM 750 miscellaneous AUSMAT (Australian Matriculation – 12 months) Malaysian: RM 8,000 per semester (RM 16,000 total) Non-Malaysian: RM 9,600 per semester (RM 19,200 total) Additional Fees: Resource Fee: RM 2,000 Exam Fee: RM 3,000 Laboratory Fee: RM 300 per science subject Miscellaneous Fee: RM 500 Refund Policy For Secondary Students (Years 7–11) Parents must give 1 month’s written notice before withdrawing a student. If no notice is given, an extra full term's fee will be charged. Refunds: Before mid-term: Eligible for 50% refund of that term’s fee. After mid-term: No refund given. For Pre-University Students If a student does not complete the A-Level programme, the deposit (1 semester fee) will be forfeited. If the withdrawal happens after the exam registration deadline, exam fees are non-refundable. For students asked to withdraw by the school, unused deposits may be refunded, but exam fees will not be. Payment Methods JomPAY (Online Bill Payment) Credit or Debit Card Payable in person at the school office. Cheque
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The school has a canteen run by dedicated operators with ongoing efforts to improve healthy meals through collaborations.	Food options —
House system	House system The school has a house system with houses named after planets (Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn) and conducts House Sorting events.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is a Catholic institution managed by the Board of Directors, St. Joseph's Private School Management Berhad (Company No. 981967-X). It follows the Cambridge syllabus leading to Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels, with books sourced from the United Kingdom; English is the medium of instruction and Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Moral or Pendidikan Islam (Muslim only). The school operates as a single-session, co-educational campus with classes from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and welcomes both foreign and local students, with special English classes available.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	Curriculum details St. Joseph’s International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum at both secondary and pre-university levels. Students typically enter at Year 7 and progress through to Year 11, preparing for the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations. The IGCSE curriculum covers core academic subjects such as English, Mathematics, the Sciences, and Humanities, along with options like Art and ICT. Malaysian students are also required to take Bahasa Melayu and Moral or Islamic Studies, in line with national regulations. At the pre-university level, students can choose between two academic tracks: the Cambridge A-Level programme or the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT). The A-Level is an 18-month programme split into Year 12 (12 months) and Year 13 (6 months), typically involving three to four subjects in the Sciences, Mathematics, or Humanities. The AUSMAT programme, delivered over 12 months, is assessed continuously through coursework and final exams and is based on standards set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority of Western Australia. Both qualifications are widely accepted by universities in Malaysia and abroad.
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 —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	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.	Social & emotional learning St. Joseph’s supports social and emotional learning mainly through activities that encourage group interaction and personal expression. For example, students regularly take part in drama, music, and dance activities, where they work together in rehearsals, performances, and presentations. These situations help students develop communication skills, manage anxiety (e.g., stage fright), and learn how to cooperate with others. Additionally, students are expected to participate in clubs and sports, where teamwork and self-discipline are built through group projects and competitions.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not have any specialized support for students with special educational needs.	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 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.	English as an additional language St. Joseph’s International School provides special English classes for students who require assistance in improving their English proficiency. This support is designed to help students integrate into the English-medium curriculum effectively.
Mental wellbeing	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.	Mental wellbeing Students participate in creative arts such as music, drama, and dance, which provide avenues for emotional expression and stress relief. Additionally, the school emphasizes the development of interpersonal skills and leadership qualities through co-curricular activities, fostering a supportive environment that contributes to students' overall well-being.
Safeguarding	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 The school does not have their safeguarding policy publicly available.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	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.	Facilities overview The school has a laboratory, an examination hall, a reading room/library, a computer laboratory, and a basketball court.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The school has a basketball court.
Academic facilities	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.	Academic facilities The Cambridge syllabus leads to IGCSE and A-level examinations. All subjects are taught in English. Books are sourced from the United Kingdom. Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu and Moral Education, or Islamic Education for Muslim students. The school is a single-session, co-educational day school with lessons from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special English classes are available for students who need help.
Extra curricular facilities	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.	Extra curricular facilities Soft skills development includes creative arts such as music, drama and dance. Leadership development is emphasized as part of the holistic education.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	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.	History St. Joseph’s International School Kuching was established in 2017 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching. It is part of the St. Joseph’s Private Schools network, which includes primary and secondary schools. The international school operates from the former SK St. Teresa campus in Padungan and is managed by the Marist Brothers. It offers the Cambridge curriculum, providing education from lower secondary up to A-Level and AUSMAT programmes. The origins of St. Joseph’s educational institutions in Kuching date back to 1882, when the Mill Hill Fathers established the first Catholic missionary school in Sarawak. Over the years, the school underwent several transformations, including administration by the La Salle Brothers from 1950. In the 1960s, the school became part of the Malaysian government-aided school system. Recognizing the need for holistic education, the Archdiocese initiated the establishment of private schools in 2012, leading to the formation of the current St. Joseph’s Private Schools network.
Community	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.	Community St. Joseph’s International School Kuching fosters a community that celebrates Malaysia's rich cultural diversity. The school's Cultural Club exposes students to traditional dances from various Malaysian ethnic groups, such as Chinese New Year and Gawai Dayak celebrations, promoting cultural appreciation and unity among students. Additionally, the school organizes events like the production "A Story of Ours: Us & Them," which encourages students to explore themes of identity and belonging through the arts.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school does not have PTA.	Parent teacher association The school does not have PTA.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	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.	Academic & intellectual The Cambridge syllabus leads to Cambridge O-Levels and A-Levels. Books are sourced from the United Kingdom. AUSMAT is planned to be offered. All subjects are taught in English; Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Moral, and Sejarah Malaysia.
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.	Arts & creative Development of soft skills through the creative arts—music, drama and dance—is part of the holistic education. Dance & Drama and Musical Ensemble & Vocal are offered as ECAs, with Audio-Visual Production also available. The ECA program includes additional clubs and societies that support arts and media.
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.	Cultural & language All subjects are taught in English. Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Moral, and Sejarah Malaysia. The school offers a Language Club as part of ECAs and welcomes both foreign and local students.
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.	Social & hobbies Uniform groups and sports form part of the activity program, including Student leaders & monitors, Fire Cadet, St John Ambulance, Taekwondo, and Wushu, plus Futsal, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Table Tennis, and Chess. Clubs & societies include A Level Club, Audio-Visual Production, Business & Career Club, Creative & Innovative Club, Dance & Drama, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Drone & Photography Club, Environment Club, Interact Club, Language Club, Librarian Club, ISCF, Legion of Mary, Confirmation Class, Musical Ensemble & Vocal, STEM, and Young Christian Students.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Interacts Club; St John Ambulance; Environment Club; Duke of Edinburgh Award; Legion of Mary; ISCF; Young Christian Students; Confirmation Class.
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.	Leadership & professional Student leaders and monitors participate in uniform groups. The school offers clubs such as A Level Club and Duke of Edinburgh Award to support leadership and career development. Interact Club and Language Club provide further leadership opportunities.
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.	Lifestyle & wellbeing St. Joseph's International School runs a single-session day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sports include Futsal, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Table Tennis and Chess. The program focuses on interpersonal skills and leadership as part of holistic education.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Linguistic development includes English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese as part of Cambridge Secondary and IGCSE.	Language provision English is the medium of instruction for all subjects. Malaysian citizens are required to study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Moral or Pendidikan Islam (Muslim only). The school also offers special English classes for students who needs help.
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 Officially registered as a Cambridge examination centre in Miri, Sarawak, enabling students to acquire international qualifications in Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge Lower Secondary.	Accreditations Licensed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education to offer the Cambridge International curriculum, including IGCSE and A-Level programmes.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	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.	Admissions 1. Download and complete the relevant registration form from the school's website. Submit the completed form along with the required documents, which include: Two copies of the student's most recent academic report 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. Prospective students may be required to sit for an entrance assessment to determine their suitability for the school's curriculum. 3. An interview with the student and parents may be conducted to discuss the student's educational background and expectations. 4. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter. Acceptance of the offer requires payment of the necessary fees. 5. Upon acceptance, the student will be officially enrolled, and further details regarding orientation and class placement will be provided.
Scholarships	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.	Scholarships The school does not have publicly available information on scholarships.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.
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