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Seri Mulia Sarjana International School

Brunei

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees BND 2,350 - 2,550
Ages 0 - 0 years
Pupil numbers 600
Type Co-educational
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, British Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum, Korean Curriculum, Malaysian Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Taught languages Malay, Mandarin
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Seri Mulia Sarjana International School (SMSIS) opened in 1998. It began as a Special English Language class within the former PDS School and moved to a new campus in 1998, becoming PDS International School. In 2008 a name change updated the school to Seri Mulia Sarjana International School. The campus sits in the Gadong/Mata-Mata area of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital. The latitude/longitude of the campus are 4.9003042, 114.9003268. SMSIS is an international school serving expatriate and Bruneian families, with Early Years and Primary education; it prepares students for Secondary years. Principal: Chong Wee Meng. The language of instruction is English, with Bahasa Melayu integrated from Kindergarten 2 to Year 6 and Mandarin offered as an elective. Curricula include the Early Years Foundation Stage and Cambridge Primary Programme, with Brunei SPN 21 subjects (MIB, Bahasa Melayu, Islamic Religious Knowledge) as compulsory in local contexts. The school publishes field trips and co-curricular activity content indicating a broad program of academic and cultural activities, and a Parent-Teacher Association exists. SMSIS has accreditation activity including a WASC candidacy.

Spg. 340 Kg Mata-Mata, Jalan Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1718, Brunei

The Essentials

Seri Mulia Sarjana International School has 600 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
SMSIS is located at Spg. 340 Jalan Gadong, Kg Mata-Mata, Bandar Seri Begawan BE 1718, Negara Brunei Darussalam. The address places the campus in the Gadong area of Brunei's capital, accessible by road. The school serves expatriate families alongside Bruneian residents.

Stages
SMSIS provides Early Years (EYFS) through Primary education. The Primary curriculum runs on the Cambridge Primary Programme for core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science and ICT Starters), and Kindergarten 1 to Year 6 are the listed year levels.

Type
SMSIS operates as an international day school and is co-educational. The admissions policy indicates a focus on expatriate and Bruneian families, implying non-segregated gender provision.

Additional learning support
SMSIS provides a Health Clinic with a school nurse to support student health and safety. There is a designated Student Support Unit for learning-support needs. Public details of specific SEN provisions are not published on the site.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is published for SMSIS. The curriculum uses the UK-origin Cambridge Primary Programme for core subjects and Brunei's SPN 21 for local subjects, reflecting a dual-framework approach.

Religious affiliation
There is no explicit religious affiliation stated for SMSIS. Brunei's SPN 21 curriculum includes Islamic Religious Knowledge for Muslim students as part of the national framework, but the school itself is described as international and non-sectarian.

School day structure
SMSIS uses a two-session day structure: a Morning Session and an Afternoon Session. The exact start/end times are not published in accessible text.

Bus service
Public information about a school bus service is not published on the SMSIS site. Families should contact the school to discuss transport arrangements. Contact details are available through the school's Contact Us page.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are compulsory for all students. School and PE uniforms are available for purchase from Bajoo Boutique, the official uniform supplier located at Unit No. C4, Ground Floor, Warisan Mata-Mata Complex, Jalan Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Food Options
SMSIS has an on-site tuck shop run in partnership with SMSS Secondary, located near the book shop and following Brunei's Ministry of Health canteen guidelines. The tuck shop sells healthy items and is operated by a Nyonya Restaurant offering options such as fresh fruits, sandwiches, burgers, porridge, noodles and rice.

Governance and Ownership
SMSIS is governed by a Board of Governors (BoG) that works with the school leadership to guide the school's purpose, policies and strategic direction. The BoG comprises volunteers from the school community (parents, teachers and staff) and prominent local experts, and acts as steward to ensure sustainability, standards and legal compliance.
Fees

Annual tuition at Seri Mulia Sarjana International School ranges from BND 2,350 to BND 2,550 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration Fee

- Application / registration fee: BND 100.

Tuition fees by year group (published annual amounts)

- Nursery 2 (age 2): BND 2,350 per year.
- Kindergarten 1 (age 3): BND 2,350 per year.
- Kindergarten 2 (age 4): BND 2,350 per year.
- Kindergarten 3 (age 5): BND 2,550 per year.
- Year 1 (age 6): BND 2,550 per year.
- Year 2 (age 7): BND 2,550 per year.
- Year 3 (age 8): BND 2,550 per year.
- Year 4 (age 9): BND 2,550 per year.
- Year 5 (age 10): BND 2,550 per year.

Per-term breakdown and how fees are presented

- Tuition amounts are published as annual totals. A per-term or per-semester breakdown is not published in the publicly available fee listings; parents should treat the figures above as the annual tuition charge.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Confirmation requirement: upon confirmation of enrolment the school requires payment equal to two (2) monthsadvance school fees.
- The school publishes tuition as an annual figure; the schoolrequires the two-month advance at acceptance and operates a separate invoicing/payment schedule for the remaining balance according to its enrolment and billing procedures (details of instalment dates and monthly/term billing are handled by the school at admission).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; the school is an early years and primary day school (ages typically 2to 11) and does not publish any boarding charges.

Other costs and additional fees

- The published tuition does not include certain additional costs such as uniforms, books, external academic competitions, extracurricular activities, school trips, and other activity-specific charges; these items are charged separately.
- Typical additional items that may be charged: school uniform, textbooks/workbooks, examination or external assessment fees, extra-curricular activity fees, transport (if applicable), and selected field-trip/activity costs. Specific prices for these items are not published as part of the generic tuition figures.

Refund information

- The advance payment required on confirmation (two monthsschool fees) is treated as non-refundable if the child does not attend or if the child leaves the school after confirmation.

Fee payment options

- The school publishes an online bank transfer procedure and accepts bank transfer as a method of payment; details and account information are provided by the school during the admissions/payment process.
- Other payment methods (credit/debit card, cheque, cash, standing instruction) are not explicitly published in the publicly available fee summaries; parents receive the full list of acceptable payment methods and instructions from the school at enrolment.
Academics

Seri Mulia Sarjana International School teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, British Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum, Korean Curriculum, Malaysian Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum for students aged 0 to 0.

Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is used for the youngest learners, delivered through a thematic approach with prime areas (Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Physical Development) and specific areas (Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge and Understanding the World, Creative Development) to support school readiness. In Primary, Cambridge Primary Curriculum covers English, Mathematics, Science and ICT Starters, providing a solid foundation and integrated assessment. Cambridge Primary provides progression-based assessment, including Cambridge Primary Progression Tests (Stages 3–6) to monitor progress and Cambridge Primary Checkpoint, generally taken at the end of Stage 6. Non-core subjects follow the UK National Curriculum in England (PSHE, Social Studies, Music, Physical Education, Art and Design). Brunei's SPN 21 framework applies to MIB, Bahasa Melayu and Islamic Religious Knowledge and is compulsory for local and expatriate Muslim students. Bahasa Melayu is taught from Kindergarten 2 through Year 6, and Mandarin is offered as an elective foreign language.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
SMSIS supports Social and Emotional Learning through a Guidance and Counselling Programme aimed at holistic student development via activities, interventions, and positive discipline. The school operates a Student Transition Program to help new students and families prepare for the move with individualized support. The Homeroom Programme strengthens classroom communities, with class teachers meeting students Monday to Thursday for 25-minute sessions covering health and safety awareness, student-led conferences, and life guidance, while fostering self-awareness, empathy and respect for diverse cultures. The Learning Support Unit provides supplementary teaching for students with learning difficulties in literacy and numeracy, and Learning Differences ensures SEN students have access to the full curriculum. An English Learners Language Program supports students whose English is not yet proficient to acquire and improve English over time.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SMSIS discloses a Learning Support Unit and Learning Differences as means to support students with learning difficulties in literacy and numeracy and to enable access to the full curriculum. The English Learners Language Program provides EAL support. Published materials do not indicate other specific SEN categories or that SMSIS is a dedicated specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
An English Learners Language Program accommodates students whose language is not English to assist them acquire and increase their English language proficiency over time.

Mental Wellbeing
Guidance and Counselling supports the holistic development of students, addressing emotional and social needs. The Homeroom Programme includes health and safety awareness, student-led conferences, and life guidance; 25-minute sessions focus on self-awareness, empathy and valuing diversity, supporting mental wellbeing and global citizenship.

Safeguarding
The Child Safety Statement commits SMSIS to creating a safe and positive environment and safeguarding students from violence and abuse. The Child Protection Policy is based on Brunei's Child Protection Act 2012 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; safeguarding concerns should be directed to Maria Theresa Pagaduan Cordova at the Student Support Unit.
Parent Experience

History
Seri Mulia Sarjana International School began as a Special English Language class within the former PDS School to serve Bruneis expatriate families. In 1998, the program moved to its own campus and became known as PDS International School, marking its evolution into a stand-alone international offering. To reflect its mission and achievements, the school was renamed Seri Mulia Sarjana International School in 2008. The founder, Dr. Mary Lim, established the school in 1992 and led its growth from a 14-student preschool to a multicultural community with students from more than 28 countries. Today, SMSIS is part of Bruneis private-school network, emphasizing academic excellence, global citizenship, and social awareness.

Community
SMSIS maintains a multicultural community with students from over 28 countries, blending expatriate and local families. Learning extends beyond the classroom with field trips to places such as Supa Save and Rimba Garden, and initiatives like an aeroponic harvest program. New students Orientation welcomes families and helps them connect with teachers and staff as campus life begins. The SMSIS community has celebrated milestones such as a 20th Anniversary Documentary, highlighting growth and collective memory.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is no public documentation of a formal Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Seri Mulia Sarjana International School. The accreditation materials describe  engaged parents as part of the SMSIS community, indicating active parental involvement in school life. Parent participation is evident in events and ongoing admissions communications, suggesting families are involved in school life even without a named PTA body. Public-facing platforms, such as SMSIS TV, show channels for family engagement in student storytelling and school activities. While a named PTA is not listed publicly, the school emphasizes collaboration with parents through events, committees, and regular updates to support student learning.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
SMSIS provides technology-enhanced facilities to support teaching, learning and co-curricular activities. All classrooms are fitted with Interactive Whiteboards, and ICT resources such as i-vote, i-view, interactive pads, i-capture and modular tables support collaborative learning. The ICT Laboratory offers a one-to-one student-to-PC ratio with a dedicated printer. The Science Laboratory is equipped for Biology, Physics and Chemistry experiments. The Library supports both physical and digital resources through an integrated management system, with four desktop computers for online research and an on-site e-library. On-site Health Clinic supports student health, and there is a tuck shop near the book shop along with a uniform shop for student needs.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities at SMSIS focus on ICT-enabled learning. All classrooms have Interactive Whiteboards and ICT resources such as i-vote, i-view, interactive pads, i-capture and modular tables to support collaborative learning. The ICT Laboratory provides a one-to-one student-to-PC ratio and a dedicated printer for student output. The Science Laboratory is equipped with equipment and apparatus essential for Biology, Physics and Chemistry experiments. The Library supports learning with physical resources and an on-site e-library, and four desktop computers are available for online research.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
SMSIS offers an Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) programme for Primary students on Saturdays, providing non-academic activities that extend learning beyond the classroom and develop social and leadership skills. The Student Empowerment framework includes a Student Council, where Year 3–6 students receive leadership training and participate in planning school events. Selected upper-primary students serve as Junior Librarians, helping run the library and promoting reading among peers. Peer Counsellors support peer-to-peer well-being, and Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) give students opportunities to monitor and reflect on their learning progress and communicate with their parents.

Arts & Creative
SMSIS integrates arts and music into its co-curricular provision. The school's admissions materials note that students are exposed to arts and music as part of the overall programme, and the vision emphasises arts and sports as key components of a well-rounded education. A notable arts-related activity is a field trip arranged by the MAPE Department to the University of Brunei Darussalam to explore traditional instruments in collaboration with a local ensemble. The UBD trip illustrates how SMSIS provides real-world arts experiences beyond the classroom.

Cultural & Language
Language learning at SMSIS includes Bahasa Melayu integrated into the curriculum from Kindergarten 2 through Year 6, with Mandarin offered as an elective. The school emphasises cultural awareness within its diverse community, reflected in about 20 nationalities represented at SMSIS. This multicultural environment supports cross-cultural exchange and global citizenship as part of daily school life.

Social & Hobbies
The ECA programme for Primary students runs on Saturdays, enabling participation in non-academic activities that foster teamwork and social interaction. The Student Council provides leadership development for Year 3–6 students. Junior Librarians assist in running the school library and promoting reading, while Peer Counsellors provide peer-to-peer support and Student-Led Conferences enable students to reflect on learning with their families.

Leadership & Professional
The SMSIS Student Council offers leadership training for Year 3–6 students. Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) give students ownership of their learning and facilitate parent–student–teacher dialogue. The school maintains a leadership-focused Student Empowerment approach supported by a leadership team and a dedicated School Activities role to develop student leadership and professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
SMSIS's vision states that the curriculum is enriched with arts and sports, supporting a balanced approach to wellbeing. The Saturday ECA programme provides non-academic activities that can include physical exercise and other wellbeing-focused pursuits. The school also emphasizes global citizenship and social awareness, contributing to a positive and inclusive school climate. Field experiences and cultural activities, such as music-related trips, extend wellbeing and personal growth beyond the classroom.
Languages

Language Provision
Bahasa Melayu is integrated into the curriculum from Kindergarten 2 to Year 6, promoting understanding of Bruneian culture. Mandarin is offered as an elective language. The site does not provide details on language levels (beginner to advanced) or on language support for non-native speakers of the primary instruction language.
Reputation

Awards
- STAR AWARDS (2023): SMSIS publicly recognizes distinguished teachers and staff for their contributions through the STAR Awards, with the 2023 ceremony highlighting such achievements. Significance: internal school recognition of staff excellence, reflecting a culture of professional achievement within the school community.

Accreditations
- Cambridge Primary Curriculum (Ages 5–11): SMSIS is the only Cambridge Primary School in Brunei offering the Cambridge Primary Curriculum, which is a Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) program designed to provide an internationally benchmarked early-years and primary learning framework. Significance: aligns the school with Cambridge's global standards for primary education.

- Cambridge International School status with CAIE: The school is registered as a Cambridge International School by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Significance: formal recognition to deliver Cambridge international qualifications and curricula.

- Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Test Centre: SMSIS serves as a Test Centre in Brunei for Cambridge Primary Checkpoint examinations. Significance: hosting Cambridge assessments locally supports international benchmarking of student progress.

- Cambridge ICT Starters certification: SMSIS provides Cambridge ICT Starters certification. Significance: establishes a recognized technology-learning credential for students' early ICT skills.

- Cambridge Progression Test: SMSIS offers Cambridge Progression Tests as a diagnostic assessment. Significance: helps monitor student progression within the Cambridge Primary framework.

- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) candidacy: SMSIS has completed the initial stage of accreditation with WASC and has been granted candidacy status as of Spring 2023. Significance: external, global accreditation process indicating readiness for ongoing quality assurance against international standards.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Expression of Interest and intake timing. Begin the admissions process by submitting an Expression of Interest to the school. SMSIS notes that expatriate families arrive in Brunei regularly and that admissions occur year-round, with a major intake at the start of the school year in January. The school can assist in predetermining a place for a prospective student if needed.

2. Enrollment documentation. After expressing interest, obtain and submit the Enrollment Form along with the required documents to the Admission Office. You must provide three copies of the completed BPS 12 form, two passport‑sized photos of the child, three copies of the child's birth certificate, and three copies of the student's passport (for expatriate students, the passport copies should show the dependent or student visa stamp). You also need three copies of the parents' IC, three copies of the parents' passports (for expatriates, stamps such as dependent or employment pass), three copies of the child's leaving certificate (if applicable), and three copies of reports detailing the child's educational needs (health/immunization records, medical report, previous school reports, and any development centre reports).

3. Pre‑assessment and entrance assessment. The school conducts a pre‑assessment and an entrance assessment to determine appropriate placement and readiness for the applicant. These assessments help establish the grade level corresponding to the child's age and capabilities. Access to the assessment schedule is provided by the Admissions Office as part of the process.

4. Confirmation of enrollment and deposit. Upon completion of the assessments and acceptance into the program, enrollment is confirmed by paying two (2) months' advance school fees. This advance payment secures the child's place in the school registry and is strictly non‑refundable. Ensure that the required enrollment form and documentation are already in place to proceed to this step.

5. International student processing (Student Pass). For foreign/international students, begin the Student Pass endorsement process. This requires submitting the Student Pass application and supporting documents (including passport copies showing the dependent or employment pass stamps) and coordinating with the appropriate authorities for endorsement. The school assists with the endorsement and related steps once the enrollment is confirmed.

6. Commencement of schooling. After completing the above steps, the student commences at SMSIS. Admissions are year‑round, with the major intake in January each year, and the school can assist in planning a start date that aligns with the family's relocation timeline. Orientation and class assignment follow enrollment confirmation.

7. Withdrawal and notice. If you need to withdraw a student, submit a Notice of Withdrawal form to the SMSIS Administrative Office and provide two months' advance notice. If the notice is short, the school reserves the right to charge fees appropriate to the reduced notice period. This withdrawal policy helps keep the registry accurate and allows for orderly transitions.

8. Fees overview (deposit and typical fee context). After enrollment confirmation, families pay two months' advance fees to secure placement. The exact amount depends on the grade and the current fee schedule. For context, early information from third‑party sources indicates that SMSIS typically publishes annual fees around the Brunei Dollar 2,350–2,550 range by level, with variations by preschool and primary years.

Scholarships
There is no publicly published information on SMSIS offering scholarships or a scholarships program on the admissions pages.

Waitlist
SMSIS does not publish a waitlist or pool system in its admissions materials.
School Events
The school has not added events
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