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Panaga School

Brunei

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees BND 13,512 - 28,896
Ages 2 - 13 years
Pupil numbers 280
Type Co-educational
Opened 1948
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum
Taught languages Dutch, French
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Panaga School is a unique international community school located in the serene Panaga residential area of Brunei, catering specifically to the families of Shell and its business partners. Established in 1948 and now operated by Jerudong International School (JIS), it offers a seamless educational journey for children aged 2 to 13 years. The school is split across two campuses—Mendaram/Rampayoh for early years and lower primary, and Teraja/Melilas for upper primary and middle years—allowing for age-appropriate learning environments. The curriculum blends the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with the British curriculum for English and Mathematics, ensuring a robust academic foundation alongside thematic, inquiry-based learning. Distinctive features include specialist teachers for Art, Music, Digital Education, and Physical Education even at the primary level, and a Dutch Language (NTC) programme for eligible students. With its coastal location, the school emphasizes outdoor education and leverages its "Expeditions Week" to foster resilience and environmental stewardship.

Jalan Utara, Kuala Belait, Brunei

The Essentials

Panaga School has 280 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Panaga School is located in Panaga, Seria, Brunei Darussalam, on the Brunei Shell Petroleum camp between Kuala Belait and Seria. The campus sits on the coast overlooking the South China Sea and operates across two sites with four buildings. It is situated roughly mid-point between Seria and Kuala Belait, with directions noting access via Jalan Utara from Simpang 511 or Lorong 14 Barat from Seria.

Stages
The school provides education for children aged 2–13. It comprises four sections: Mendaram (Pre-Nursery & Nursery, ages 2–4), Rampayoh (lower primary, ages 4–7), Teraja (upper primary, ages 7–11), and Melilas (middle years, ages 11–13). The two sites—Rampayoh/Mendaram and Teraja/Melilas—are about 700–800 metres apart.

Type
Panaga School is a company school operated by Jerudong International School (JIS). It is co-educational. The school does not list boarding facilities; it operates as a day school and relies on families for transport.

Additional learning support
Panaga School is described as an inclusive mainstream school that can provide additional learning support for mild to moderate needs, both in and out of class. There is no dedicated unit for more complex educational or health needs.

Country affiliation
The school is located in Brunei and serves families connected with Brunei Shell Petroleum and related expatriate communities.

Religious affiliation
There is no formal religious affiliation indicated for Panaga School.

School day structure
The Rampayoh (ages 4–7) day starts at 7:40am (staff on duty from 7:30am) with a 9:00am–9:30am morning break and a lunch break 11:30am–12:20pm; the day ends at 2:05pm. Teraja (ages 7–11) starts around 7:30am and ends at 2:20pm, with a 30‑minute morning break and a 55‑minute lunch break; after-school activities (ASAs) run on Thursdays from 2:30pm to 3:15pm. Mendaram arrival timings indicate a start around 8:00am for Pre‑Nursery/Nursery.

Bus service
Panaga School does not operate its own bus service. Transport is arranged by families. The school guidance notes that there is no school bus or other transport facilities.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform requirements vary by campus. At Mendaram/Rampayoh (early years) and Teraja (upper primary) there is no formal school uniform; pupils wear climate-appropriate clothing and a jumper for air-conditioned spaces, with a PE outfit available from the Rampayoh and Teraja administration. Melilas (middle years) has a school uniform. The polo shirt is available from the school office and appropriate legwear that covers the upper thigh is required for sun safety and practical subjects.

Food Options
The school day includes a 9:00–9:30 morning break and a 11:30–12:20 lunch break. The site does not indicate an on-site canteen or hot meals, and parents are encouraged to pack healthy snacks for their children.

House System
Panaga School uses a house system with four houses aligned to the four school sections: Mendaram, Rampayoh, Teraja and Melilas. Pupils are assigned to a house and participate in house activities and competitions; a House T‑Shirt is used for house events.

Governance and Ownership
Panaga School is a company school operated by Jerudong International School (JIS). From August 1, 2024 the school is managed and operated by JIS and mirrors its standard fee structure.
Fees

Annual tuition at Panaga School ranges from BND 13,512 to BND 28,896 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- Application fee: BND 200 per child. For standard (non‑Bruneian) applicants this fee is refundable against tuition if a place is offered; for Bruneian citizens the application fee is non‑refundable and non‑transferable.

Tuition fees by year group (Standard Rate) — annual amounts

- Nursery (age 2): BND 13,512 per year.
- Kindergarten (age 3): BND 16,620 per year.
- Reception to Year 6: BND 24,984 per year.
- Year 7: BND 25,236 per year.
- Years 8–11: BND 27,036 per year.
- Years 12–13 (Sixth Form): BND 28,896 per year.

Per‑term / per‑semester presentation

- JIS / Panaga operate with semester billing. Fees are published as annual amounts and are typically payable in equal semester instalments; fees are due shortly before each semester begins. For budgeting, parents may divide the annual fee by two to estimate each semester charge.
- Example per‑semester amounts (Standard Rate, derived):
- Nursery: BND 6,756 per semester.
- Kindergarten: BND 8,310 per semester.
- Reception–Year 6: BND 12,492 per semester.
- Year 7: BND 12,618 per semester.
- Years 8–11: BND 13,518 per semester.
- Years 12–13: BND 14,448 per semester.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are payable by semester; the published guidance states fees are due five (5) days before the start of each semester. A discount for full‑year payment (when offered) is applied if the full payment is made by the published deadline for that academic year. Overdue accounts incur interest as set out in the school's fee policy.

Boarding fees (where applicable)

- Weekly boarding (Standard Rate) annual charges: Years 3–5: BND 18,756 per year; Years 6–13: BND 25,176 per year.
- Full‑boarding supplement (adds to weekly boarding to create full boarding): Years 3–5: BND 5,352 per year; Years 6–13: BND 6,444 per year.
- Boarding annual figures may be split into semester instalments in the same way as tuition (i.e., divide annual amount by two for an approximate per‑semester charge).

Other costs and regularly charged items

- Intensive Language Programme: BND 1,800 (as a programme charge reported in the published fee material). Separate 1:1 full‑time specialist support (for special educational needs) is referenced at approximately BND 1,800 (as a recurring cost) where required; the exact charging basis differs by programme.
- Instrumental music tuition: additional charges apply per student for instrument lessons.
- School trips, residential visits and most co‑curricular activity costs are not included in the published tuition and are charged separately as required.
- Annual facility / building fees and refundable deposits are included in the published schedules for some categories (for example, facility fees and refundable deposits for Bruneian rates are stated in the published fee schedules). Exact amounts for these items vary by student category.
- Uniforms are required; the uniform cost is not listed as a standard tuition line item and is charged separately. Order forms and uniform arrangements are part of the school's parent information and ordering process.

Refunds, withdrawal and notice

- Refunds and credits: the published fee policy states that refunds or credits are limited and governed by the school's notice rules. Pro‑rata credits are only applied in specific circumstances (for example, when whole consecutive weeks are missed and appropriate written notice is provided). A defined notice period and formal written withdrawal notice are required to qualify for deposit refunds or fee pro‑rations. These conditions and exact notice periods are set out in the school's fee terms.
- Withdrawal deposit: a refundable withdrawal deposit and the conditions for refund (for example, one term's notice) are specified in the published fee schedules for related school sites and fee streams.

Fee payment options

- Accepted payment methods listed in the published fee information include bank transfer (online banking), cash and cheque (no post‑dated cheques), and payments via nominated local banks (examples given include Standard Chartered Bank and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam in the published schedule). Specific bank account details for electronic transfer are provided in the school's fee documents.
Academics

Panaga School teaches IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum for students aged 2 to 13.

Curriculum
Panaga School is a British‑style international school in Brunei operated by Jerudong International School (JIS). The Rampayoh campus (ages 4–7, Primary 1–3) uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for Pre‑Nursery/Reception, the English Curriculum for English and Mathematics, and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for other subjects. Rampayoh provides specialist teaching in Music, PE and Digital Education, includes a 30‑minute swimming lesson, and aligns the end of Milepost One (Primary 3) with UK expectations. Teraja (Primary 4–7, ages 7–11) uses English and Mathematics curricula from England with IPC for other subjects; all year groups have specialist teachers in Music, PE, Digital Education and Drama, and Primary 7 adds Art & Design Technology, French and Science. Melilas (Middle Years, 11–14) follows the KS3 English National Curriculum, enriched and adapted for Panaga's international community, with iGCSEs typically pursued later; subjects include ADT, English Language & Literature, Digital Education, Drama, Geography, History, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages (Bahasa Malay, French, Mandarin or Spanish), Music, PE and PSHE. The qualification pathway advertised includes IGCSEs and A-Levels.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Panaga School provides Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a formal School Counselling Policy, with the counsellor acting as a fully integrated member of the pastoral team to support the whole school community. The counsellor engages with students via in-class PSHE activities, assemblies, and informal chats at break times, as well as through drop-in or planned sessions. Access to counselling follows a defined referral pathway; staff referrals and parental requests are accommodated with consent where required, and Melilas students may self-refer while Rampayoh/Teraja students require parental consent. The service is designed to support emotional well‑being, resilience, and personal development and operates as part of a broader pastoral framework with regular coordination with senior leaders and other pastoral staff. In emergencies or crises, the counsellor can coordinate with external specialists and facilitate appropriate referrals, with signposted external practitioners and crisis support options available.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Panaga School is an inclusive mainstream school with an Additional Needs Support Department; it does not have a dedicated specialist SEN unit for more complex needs. The school uses a Graduated Approach to ALN with three Waves of intervention: Wave 1 is quality inclusive teaching; Wave 2 provides small-group specialist support; Wave 3 delivers individualised 1‑1 programmes, often with external specialists when needed. Admissions for students with ALN consider capacity and resource availability; if a student requires Wave 3 support, entry may be contingent on the school's ability to provide appropriate backing. The school works with Brunei Shell Petroleum and International School Brunei (ISB) for additional or specialist provision, including access to ISB's Inclusive Learning Centre for more intensive support when required. An assessment, plan, do, and review cycle is used to monitor progress and adjust provisions, and identification of needs is done by teachers in collaboration with the Additional Needs Department; some needs may be addressed through external referrals or assessments.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL is recognised as a type of need within Panaga School's SEN framework, with support provided through the Graduated Approach (Wave 2 small-group interventions and Wave 3 more intensive, individualised provision that may include EAL-focused strategies). The school may refer for specialist EAL assessments when needed, reflecting the acknowledgement that some language needs require external input. The Admissions Policy confirms Panaga School as an inclusive mainstream setting that can provide additional learning support for mild to moderate needs, including EAL, but does not operate a dedicated specialist unit for complex EAL needs. For more intensive support, External options such as the International School Brunei's Inclusive Learning Centre can be considered.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Panaga School Counselling Policy, which states counselling is available for all students requiring social or emotional support and that the counsellor is a core part of the pastoral team. The counsellor works across the school, including during PSHE lessons and assemblies, and can run drop-in sessions or planned meetings to assist students' mental health needs. There are defined referral pathways for staff and families, and students may self-refer (Melilas) or be referred by teachers (Rampayoh/Teraja require parental consent). The policy emphasises confidentiality and outlines the process for referrals to external practitioners if more specialist help is needed; it also provides a crisis management framework and a signposted mental health helpline for immediate help. The School Counselling Policy highlights the importance of staff wellbeing and professional supervision to sustain effective support for students.

Safeguarding
Panaga School maintains a safeguarding framework referenced in the Policies section, which includes a Panaga School Safeguarding Policy and a Panaga School Counselling Policy. The Counselling Policy describes safeguarding-relevant procedures such as referral pathways to external agencies and involvement of senior leaders (Deputy Principals and the Principal) in complex cases, and ensures that safeguarding considerations are integrated into the pastoral system. The policy also covers confidentiality balanced with safeguarding duties, including how information is shared with relevant staff and external professionals when appropriate. There is an explicit open-door policy for students in distress and clear processes for responding to crises, with access to external clinical resources and a structured chain of communication with parents where safety is involved. These arrangements are documented in policy documents linked from the Panaga School policies page.
Parent Experience

History
Panaga School was established in 1948 and is situated in the Brunei Shell residential camp of Panaga. It is a company school operated by Jerudong International School (JIS). The campus is split across two sites with four sections—Mendaram, Rampayoh, Teraja and Melilas—catered to children aged 2 to 13. The arrangement reflects its long-standing ties to Brunei's Panaga expatriate community and its integration within the JIS network.

Community
The Panaga School community is international, with students and staff from more than 35 nations. The community is described as transient in nature due to the expatriate population. The school's mission emphasises international-mindedness with statements such as 'You, Me, Our Community' and 'Together Getting Better'. Parents are encouraged to engage through an open-door policy that supports involvement in school life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Panaga School PTA is a group of nominated parent and teacher representatives. Its role is to encourage and enhance communication between parents and the school and to initiate extra activities in cooperation with the school community. Fundraising activities by the PTA have contributed to improvements such as school play areas. The PTA runs events including International Day, a Science Fair, and a Superheroes Disco. It operates under a Constitution and maintains meeting minutes (for example, 26 September 2023). Current officers include President Maree Tupper, Treasurer Kamila Rosa-Celik, and Secretary Kerry Forsyth, with a Parent School Advisory Board representative.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Panaga School occupies four buildings across two sites: Mendaram (early years) and Rampayoh (lower primary) on one site, and Teraja (upper primary) and Melilas (middle years) on the other. The campuses have generous outdoor play spaces, and the younger years' playground enjoys a panoramic view of the sea. Each site houses a multi-purpose hall, a well‑resourced library, an ICT suite, a dance and drama room, and a music room. Rampayoh provides a large PE Hall, a Digital Education Lab, and a Dance and Drama Studio with sprung flooring and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, supporting both physical education and creative work. Weekly swimming sessions are offered at the nearby Panaga Club.

Sports Facilities
Rampayoh includes a large PE Hall used for physical education and assemblies. Both sites offer generous outdoor playing areas and large playing fields for sport and outdoor activities. Weekly swimming sessions are provided at the nearby Panaga Club, expanding the school's PE program.

Academic Facilities
Each site has a well-resourced library and an ICT suite. Rampayoh adds a Digital Education Lab to support technology-enabled learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The campuses include a music room and a dance and drama room for arts activities. The school runs Milepost Concerts, Challenge Days and assemblies to showcase student work. A wide range of after-school activities (ASAs) covers creative arts, sports and academics, with inter-school events and fixtures as part of the program. Swimming is organized weekly at the Panaga Club.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Panaga School runs After School Activities (ASAs) for students in P2–M2. ASAs occur on Thursday afternoons, with Teraja sessions from 2:30–3:15pm and Rampayoh sessions from 2:15–3:00pm, and they cover a range of academic-enrichment options. The program includes Coding, Construction, Chess, and the Technology Club to support problem-solving, digital literacy and logical thinking. Other options include netball and tennis, as well as Little Chefs and Touch Typing, expanding intellectual and practical skills beyond the classroom.

Arts & Creative
The After School Activities include Mini Chefs (culinary creativity) and French Club (language and cultural learning). The Technology Club and Construction activities provide hands-on opportunities for design and making, while Coding supports computational thinking. These offerings give students avenues to express creativity and develop practical skills after the school day.

Cultural & Language
Panaga School offers a Dutch Language and Culture program (NTC) for Dutch-speaking students, providing up to three hours per week of lessons. NTC began in 2013 and has provided Dutch-language education across Nursery to Primary 8, prepared for possible future entry into Dutch schooling. The program is subsidised and monitored by the Dutch Ministry of Education. French Club is also available as a language club within ASAs.

Social & Hobbies
ASAs include the School Council, a student leadership activity. The program also features a range of clubs and games such as Chess, Baseball, Football and Ball Games, alongside social and culinary activities like Mini Chefs and French Club. Activities are run by teachers and may vary term to term, providing social interaction and peer collaboration after school.

Community & Service
Panaga School offers Excursions & Expeditions to connect classroom learning with real-life contexts. Examples include local visits to places such as fire stations, Anduki Airfield, BSP Headquarters and Jerudong Park, as well as residential camps like Kalani Camp in Kota Kinabalu. Younger students undertake local experiences to build bonds and independence, while older groups engage in multi-night expeditions to broaden community awareness.

Leadership & Professional
The School Council is the primary leadership-focused activity within the ASAs, providing opportunities for student leadership and collaboration under teacher supervision. This structure supports developing organizational and teamwork skills in a school-wide context.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Netball and Tennis are among the sports offered through ASAs, complemented by other physical activities on Thursday afternoons. The scheduling of ASAs (Teraja 2:30–3:15pm; Rampayoh 2:15–3:00pm) encourages regular after-school physical activity and healthy routines. These activities aim to promote physical fitness, wellbeing and active involvement in the school community.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include Dutch (NTC) for Dutch-speaking students, with up to three hours per week of Dutch-language instruction for Primary 1–8; Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) offered as part of the timetable include French, Mandarin, Malay, Spanish and Nepali. English language support is available for non-native speakers, with a standard WIDA assessment used in the first weeks of joining and EAL lessons planned as needed, either in the classroom or separate settings. The school's libraries maintain resources in both English and Dutch.

Bilingual Teaching
Panaga School offers a Dutch Language and Culture program (NTC) for Dutch-speaking students, delivered in Dutch within the International Stream. The NTC runs up to three hours of Dutch-language instruction per week and has been in place since 2013, with lessons for Primary 1 through Primary 8 from 2014 onward. The program is subsidised and monitored by the Dutch Ministry of Education and aims to prepare students for potential re-entry into the Dutch education system. The NTC is taught across Panaga School's three locations: Mendaram (Pre-Nursery and Nursery with NTC for Nursery), Rampayoh (Primary 1–3, NTC), and Teraja (Primary 4–8, NTC).

Immersion Programs
NTC constitutes a Dutch-language immersion option for Dutch-speaking students as part of Panaga School's International Stream. It provides up to three hours per week of Dutch-language instruction and covers Primary 1 through Primary 8; the program began in 2013 and has operated for P1–P8 since September 2014. The Dutch-language immersion is subsidised by the Dutch Ministry of Education and aims to preserve language and culture while preparing students for a possible return to Dutch schooling. The program is integrated within the International Stream and is implemented across the school's three sites (Mendaram, Rampayoh, Teraja).
Reputation

Accreditations
1) International Shell School designation: Panaga School is described as an International Shell School, reflecting its place in the Shell Schools network and its family of Shell-affiliated education offerings. The Shell-school framework emphasizes high-quality teaching and the ability to adapt to different education systems while developing both national and international perspectives.

2) Dutch Language & Culture (NTC) program: Panaga School provides the Dutch Language and Culture (NTC) programme. NTC began in 2013 for nursery to Year 8, offering up to three hours of NTC per week, with some lessons delivered during school time. The NTC is subsidised and monitored by the Dutch Ministry of Education, and Dutch education authorities (Stichting NOB) support Dutch education abroad, with the Dutch inspectorate overseeing quality. The programme is intended to prepare students for potential reintegration into Dutch education.

3) Shell-network accreditation/status: Panaga School is identified as part of the International Shell School network, which frames its identity and approach as an international Shell School with a focus on high-quality teaching and adaptation across education systems. This Shell-school designation is explicitly stated in the school's NTC pages.

4) International Curriculum framework (IEYC/IPC pathway): The school uses an International Curriculum pathway, including the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for early years and primary. Route plans and year-group materials show IEYC/IPC in use, with English and IPC-focused content in upper primary (P4–P7). This external-curriculum framing is documented in the curriculum materials and route plans.

5) English-language Cambridge-style progression in upper years (curriculum details): Teraja, Panaga School's upper primary building, states that learning includes the English national curriculum for English and Mathematics and the IPC for other subjects, confirming alignment with a British-oriented framework at those year levels.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Initiate enquiry and submit via the Admissions Portal. All enquiries and applications go through the Panaga School Admissions Portal, where you will be asked to create an account and set a password. Follow the on-screen steps and upload the requested documents when prompted. This portal centralizes the intake process and is the starting point for all applicants.

2. Submit documents and undergo initial review. Submit all relevant paperwork to Panaga School Administrations, including the Online Application Form, Pupil Reference Form, and the child's previous class reports. The School Principal will review the application and may request additional information if needed. If the admissions criteria are fulfilled, a place will be provisionally offered.

3. Complete assessments and attend orientation. Assessments will include a two-hour pre-visit for Pre-Nursery to Primary One, and formal Reading, Writing and Mathematics assessments for Primary Two to Middle Years Two. School leaders will schedule orientation visits and pre-assessments that meet the needs of each family and child. For older entrants, entrance assessments include an interview with a Deputy Principal or Senior Leader and a Cognitive Ability Test (CAT), with CAT testing beginning in Year 3; Nursery to Year 2 participate in orientation/assessment within their sections. Enrolment must be completed before the first day of attendance, and entries may be accepted during the academic year and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Receive class allocations and complete final enrolment with support. Allocations to specific classes will be communicated to parents as soon as this information is available. Each incoming family's situation is considered individually, and Panaga School provides a senior leader to assist with transitions. All tuition fees are charged at Jerudong International School (JIS) standard rate, mirrored since August 1, 2024, with the 2025/2026 standard rate applying. Enrolment must be completed prior to the first day of attendance.

Scholarships
Panaga School does not publish a formal scholarships program.

Waitlist
A waiting list is created when the number of applicants exceeds staffing allocations, typically after May 31 for Pre-Nursery admissions. Pre-Nursery applications must be submitted by May 31 to guarantee a place for the next year; if numbers exceed staffing allocations after this date, a waiting list will be created. Entries may be accepted during the academic year and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Class sizes are limited, and admissions decisions consider space availability within the year group.
School Events
The school has not added events
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