A key member of the SOTA community is our SOTA parents. With the support of the family, our students are able to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant arts-anchored environment at SOTA to experiment, express and discover themselves. In this feature, we reach out to SOTA parents to hear their experience as parents watching their children bloom and grow in this school.
After attending secondary school open houses, evaluating options and having several discussions, Ashley informed me decisively that SOTA is her school of choice!
Amidst the longer hours SOTA students have in school, I have seen Ashley flourish to be a positive and independent learner who manages her own time well. She views the longer hours as an opportunity to learn, hone her skills and progress further in the art form she is passionate about. Having guidance and mentorship of the dedicated teachers also spurred her to better herself. She looks forward to going to school all the time!
I would encourage parents to consider SOTA as your child gets to experience the best of both worlds – to be able to immerse in the arts specialisation they have chosen and experience an enriching and holistic education. The journey will be challenging, but as a famous quote goes, "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
Mdm Elena Khoo
Parent of Ashley Tham, Year 2 Dance student
My daughter has definitely made a big group of friends who are also big fans and creators of art. She has learned so much from her friends, the different aspects and challenges especially those from other art forms.
My child exhibited her interest in drawing since kindergarten, making the effort and wanting to excel in her primary school art homework. If your child presents that unrelenting trait in his/her creative work, SOTA will be the environment (teachers, peers, and art-specific resources) to pursue that, including proper education expected of a pre-tertiary school.
Mdm Yap TianSew
Parent of Takemoto Risa, Year 6 Film student
In the past three years, I have seen (Yi Xuan) progress and grow, both academically and socially. She has taken a keen interest in leadership roles and has enjoyed her stints as an Orientation Group Leader and being in the Leadership Academy this year.
SOTA has provided a safe haven for her to explore and to learn. I can see how she has become more confident in presentation, in doing project work and finding her own style of coping with the strong demands of academic and art form work.
I have been quite actively involved in the SOTA Parent Support Group and had opportunities to speak with many parents. While SOTA is a great place to develop the child’s potential in the various art forms, the academic rigours can also be demanding. It is very important that the child has a genuine passion in the art form that he or she is enrolled for… With the right attitude and mindset, it will be a rewarding six years at SOTA!
Ms Neo Lih Miin
Parent of Khoo Yi Xuan, Year 3 Literary Arts student
I was worried Syakirah would lag behind her fellow peers because she wasn’t formally educated in music and did not read any music at all. On top of that, I was worried that she couldn’t cope with her commitments both in school and outside. SOTA has been very supportive of their students’ ambitions and goals. I saw a great change in my daughter as she became a more responsible and independent learner.
SOTA’s unique education has made Syakirah an all-round musician. Having previously been just a pop singer, SOTA has pushed and elevated her to new heights by letting her try classical singing. The unique music curriculum let her experience a variety of avenues from composition to music technology.
After experiencing a SOTA education, Syakirah has a more open mindset; she is hungry and eager to learn more than ever, not just in her field, but in life in general.
Mrs Siti Zawiyah Noble
Parent of Siti Syakirah Noble, Class of 2017 Music alumna
We saw how happy and expressive the students were (at the SOTA Open House) and we were convinced that Andre would enjoy his learning here as opposed to a conventional secondary school.
Not only did (Andre) thrive in SOTA, the unique nurturing environment encouraged and challenged him to craft and build his own creative platforms, like writing and directing his own plays, building industry connections and experiences, and learning beyond the campus. Looking at him and his classmates, I have not seen children who were so happy, passionate and supportive of each other’s learning.
One must have a strong passion, drive and discipline in order to juggle and do well in a full curriculum and the extensive arts training at SOTA. If you sense that your child has something special in them, SOTA may be the place that will unearth the best in your child and give them the happy and enriching learning journey that all parents hope for.
Mdm Cherie Ng
Parent of Andre Chong, Class of 2017 Theatre alumnus
I decided to send my child to SOTA after hearing about SOTA's IB curriculum and their interesting and holistic approach to learning. I was concerned about whether he would be able to cope with the rigorous academic and arts curriculum, if the independent learning required by the IB curriculum suited him, and if he would be able to fit in the school environment.
After my child started school at SOTA, I was surprised that he was able to fit in immediately, and he enjoyed going to school because he found like-minded friends and teachers. The teachers are very encouraging and have a strong and supportive relationship with the students. He is able to cope well with his studies while pursuing other interests.
Through SOTA’s education, my child is not afraid to express his thoughts and has become a more eloquent speaker. Now, he is an organised and independent learner, and a responsible and likeable leader.
Mdm Norreha Binte Sayuti
Parent of Izz Muhammad Bin Ahmad, Year 6 Visual Arts student
We are always appreciative of our SOTA Parents' support. Thank you for being part of this collaborative effort to nurture creative citizens of the future!