Garden International School continues to lead the way in digital education, using AI to inspire critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness among students — a journey now recognised through its Apple Distinguished School status.
At Garden International School (GIS), we have always believed that technology is most powerful when it empowers learners to imagine, create, and make a difference. It is with immense pride that I share that GIS has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2025–2028 programme term.
This designation celebrates our commitment to continuous innovation in education and the creative use of technology to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning. Apple Distinguished Schools are recognised worldwide as centres of leadership and educational excellence, joining us with a global network of schools shaping the future of education.
OUR 3Rs APPROACH TO DIGITAL LEARNING
At GIS, our philosophy around technology is anchored in the 3Rs – Relevant, Responsible, and Resilient.
- Relevant: Connecting learning to real-world challenges and opportunities.
- Responsible: Guiding students to become digital citizens who use technology with integrity and empathy.
- Resilient: Building the adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking needed to thrive in an ever-changing digital world.
This balance ensures our students don’t just consume technology — they use it thoughtfully, creatively, and with purpose.
A JOURNEY OF INNOVATION
Our journey started over a decade ago, when GIS first explored how coding and computational thinking could enhance learning across subjects. From unplugged coding games in Early Years to robotics kits in Primary and advanced AI ethics in Sixth Form, we have steadily built a digital learning ecosystem that empowers students to go further.
Our curriculum, designed and refined in-house, has been internationally recognised — featured in Hello World magazine, awarded “Best Curriculum” by Replit, and showcased as a model for progression by ability rather than age. What began as small coding clubs has since evolved into one of the most ambitious school-based programmes in the region.
Students don’t just learn technology — they build with it. From chatbots and translation tools to prototypes tackling social challenges, their projects serve real community needs. These experiences nurture curiosity, resilience, and collaboration, while enabling students to shine on the world stage in science and coding competitions.
A standout example is the KL Coding Cup, founded by GIS in 2018 and now Southeast Asia’s largest in-person coding competition for international schools. In 2024 alone, 28 GIS students competed across teams, with standout results: an all-girls team placed 3rd overall, our KS4 team secured 2nd, and GIS took home both the Junior Champion title and the overall championship. More importantly, these achievements reflected a culture of peer learning, creativity, and grit that extends well beyond the competition floor.
AI WITH PURPOSE AND HEART
Innovation at GIS goes beyond coding. Our integration of Artificial Intelligence is not about accelerating screen time or replacing teachers — it is about preparing students to lead thoughtfully in an AI-driven world.
For example, our CLASS project — a classroom AI support system piloted at GIS and later recognised by Google — was designed to complement, not replace, teachers. CLASS helps personalise learning pathways while keeping human judgment at the centre.
As I often say, we wanted to build something that supported our teachers, not sidelined them. CLASS was designed with ethical AI in mind — to model what good practice looks like, and to show students how technology can enhance learning when used with purpose and care.
Across the school, students explore the mechanics of AI — from machine learning and data analysis to chatbot design — while also reflecting on critical ethical questions: What are the limits of AI-generated content? Where do biases creep in? What does responsible use look like? These reflections ensure our learners aren’t just skilled in AI, but thoughtful about its impact.
LOOKING AHEAD
Becoming an Apple Distinguished School affirms our vision of creating relevant, responsible, and resilient learners. It is a milestone that belongs to our teachers, our students, and our wider GIS community, who continue to embrace technology as a force for positive change.
But recognition is just the beginning. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of digital learning, nurturing confident learners, and shaping global thinkers who will use their creativity and knowledge to make a real difference in the world.
To find out more, book a tour or contact our Admissions today.
This article contributed by James Abela, Director of Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship at Garden International School.
Since 2012, James has been instrumental in shaping the UK computing curriculum. He is the author of Creating SwiftUI Apps in Playgrounds, Parenting and Teaching in the Age of AI, The Gamified Classroom and the Oxford University Press IB Diploma Computer Science Book. As the founder of the Southeast Asia Computer Science Teachers Association (SEACSTA), he has become a key figure in computer science education.
His accolades include being named 21st Century Teacher of the Year in 2014, Apple Distinguished Educator (Class of 2012), and finalist for the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award in 2023. James also runs workshops and inspires students to pursue their passions at world-renowned universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, Imperial, and Carnegie Mellon.
All images courtesy of Garden International School.
