To CIS parents - the new Lakeside campus

[CIS parent]

What do you think about the new Lakeside campus? 

[Anna D]

Not a lot to be truthful.  Apart from the fact that the whole school is done out in a dreadful dark durgy brown color with pitiful lighting the children have no reason to leave the air conditioned building all day.  Previously they had to enter daylight to leave the classroom.  They are even playing during recess in underground areas that look like car parks. This wasn't the school promised to us at the start of construction and it's such a shame that the three schools elementary, middle and high school are all in one block rather than in 3 split areas say like SAS or Tanglin.
I hope that the community spirit of the school will remain the same as it was that what attracted us to the school 7 years ago. It would be such a shame were that to be lost in all the pomp and ceremony of the shiny new building and posh facilities.

[surprised CIS]

I'm surprised by the reactions.  If people had bothered to look at the plans of the school that have been avaliable for a long long time and engaged their brain, they would have realised that the school was going to be like this. Not to mention its a very small site, so space wasn't going to be it's strong point!  Also it's not finished!!!!!!

It's fine, my childs classroom is much brighter, bigger and better.  It's not falling apart!  I'm very happy about that.  I always assumed there will be teething problems and issues with the play areas, both of which will hopefully sort themselves out over time.  I do hope they build another play ground and stop dumbing down the areas to make the "safe".

I guess I beleive it will be much better than TT once it's finished and the day to day operations are sorted.  I also think people should stop moaning or move their kids!!!  

[Slow coach]

No it's not finished - and it's taken LONG ENOUGH!!

Surprised CIS -  for building play areas - you told us to engage our brains and look at the plans..... What does it show?!Your child must be one of the very few children that has a bright class as mine doesn't and their small goldfish bowl classrooms. Much of what is wrong with the new campus sadly isn't teething problems I fear it's design. 

Not spoken to anybody else so I'm not aware of much 'moaning'.  I'm personally not very impressed with the campus and my children have been on wait lists for another school for a while for various other reasons.  When I toured the school ahead of opening I was glad I'd made the decision to move them.  The new school seems more like a business than a school community.

[Proud Yankee]

Canucks.... can't design proper!!

[somersa]

It IS a business, after all.  It is a commercial school operated for the profit of the owners.  So the feeling of a business is clearly to be expected.  OFS is very much the same. 

[Slow Coach]

Somersa - yes course I get it's a business, they all are -  but CIS always had a very personal feel to it before now.  That's gone now.

[somersa]

They aren't ALL businesses and they don't ALL feel like a business.  Your child doesn't likely speak French but the LFS is more community-based and not a commercial operation.  Same with the German-European School which offers an English language program.  Neither are operated for-profit. 

[I think that's wrong]

German European School describes itself as a 'private body' on its website.  Doesn't mention that it is non profit making, has charitable status, or anything else that would suggest it's not a business.  My understanding is that it is a profit making business.  You are correct that LFS is not profit making but I think you are wrong about GES.

[I like non-profit...]

CIS, ISS and OFS are profit making, privately owned businesses...
TAnglin Trust, GESS and UWC are non-profit, trust schools...
Not sure about SAS and LFS...
There is a difference how the schools are run...

[the facts]

LFS is not profit making and is subsidised by the French Government.

[somersa]

Same for GESS.  Also, ICS is not run for profit, either.

[Even]

Same for GESS.  Also, ICS is not run for profit, either.

I'm probably wrong but isn't the German side of GESS subsidised by German government and German company sponsorship while the 'European' section is more for profit, helping additionally subsidize the German side?

[yes I believe]

so.  I have a child in the German section and it was about 6 or 7 years back the German School as it was known then, was going through hard times financially.  The idea of opening a Euro section came about to save the sinking ship.  I have been told the school is run, not for profit, however. 

[Aussie]

OMG! - do you guys ever stop finding things to whine about.  Before the school opened you all complained it was taking too long.  Now you complain it is not finished. 

No outdoor areas - well it is not finsihed and if you look at the plans and at what is being built there are 2 large sports fields/grassed areas waiting to be completed. They will open in March

Small classrooms - give me a break, they have massive Pod areas as well as the classroom.  The science rooms are second to none, as are the art/drama, library, canteens and theater.

Parking - yes it annoys me having to walk 150m to pick up my kids, but I'm a lazy git.  Appears there are more.....

Playground is a carpark - well sort of, but at least it is undercover, sheltered from all elements and has great play equipment.

Get over it kids, there are plenty of other schools that will happily take your money

Why not ask your kids if they like it, I don't hear any complaining there when I am at the school.