Annual Report 2022-23 by Tanglin Trust School

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

Chief Executive Officer There was a collective euphoria in September when we were able to inform the school community that we would be resuming normal schooling. It has been pleasing therefore to have almost a full year of normal activity, following the challenges of COVID.

Craig Considine Chief Executive Officer

At the beginning of the year, we adopted some slight modifications to our strategic plan, and this re-positioned into 100 Years of Excellence. This outlined key strategic themes and a number of special projects. We are very proud of our achievements over the last 12 months and my colleagues have reported on key achievements in some detail in this report.

I would like to thank the Governors, the Heads of School, the CFO/COO, and senior colleagues who have led key elements of the strategic plan. They have provided focus and determination to create better opportunities for our students, their families, and the staff. None of this would have been possible without the support of the teaching and non-teaching communities as well as the broader school community - thank you all. Team Tanglin In the 100 Years of Excellence framework, we identified Team Tanglin as our key strategic theme. This was first and foremost a response to the challenges of the COVID pandemic and the need to re-establish the Tanglin spirit of engagement. Initiatives were led and supported by the Friends of Tanglin team, and were supported by leadership teams, faculty, and a diverse group of community members. We want to acknowledge the excellent work of the Class Reps who were tireless in making things as good and enjoyable as they were. The Summer Festival was a great success with our diverse internationalism on display; the oversubscribed movie nights were brilliant; the Tanglin Foundation Golf Day benefited from some skilful and enthusiastic play; Botanic Beats and the music performances at Victoria Concert Hall were melodic and uplifting; the vast range of performances across Infants, Juniors and Seniors was outstanding; and the list goes on. Coming together to celebrate the Arts is part of the Tanglin DNA and it was symbolic, therefore, that ‘The Brain’ was unveiled in the Centenary Building atrium in January. The Houses have started to operate more fully across the school. The start of this programme was delayed by COVID, but we are now seeing full engagement across the school. It was delightful to see House Music take place with groupings from Year 5 to Year 8, the House cross country and various House swimming galas - despite having eight Houses and seven lanes! There were many, many more opportunities for House participation. There is nothing better than being in the Infant assembly at the end of the year to witness the unbridled joy associated with the announcement of the winning House. We all look forward to the Houses growing as entities that students feel passionate about and connected to.

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL

Our Admissions policy changed two years ago. The process is no longer about a chronological waitlist, but we consider the learning characteristics and dispositions of students that might shape our community. This ensures that all families can apply for places at Tanglin. This allows us to be a balanced demographic that shares the school’s values of respect, responsibility, and purpose, as well as believing in a holistic education. BSO Inspection The inspection that took place in November 2022 seems an eternity ago. Much preparation and planning went into this important assessment. This year we undertook the Inspection as Tanglin Trust School instead of individual Infant, Junior and Senior Schools. This reflected our stated desire to operate as one school and it was a great success. Thank you in particular to the Director of Learning, John Ridley, and the Heads of School who led this exercise brilliantly. The Inspection allows us to retain membership of key organisations across the globe including HMC (The Heads’ Conference), IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools), FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia), COBIS (Council of British International Schools) and AoBSO (Association of British Schools Overseas). This focus on being one school is also evident in the reports in this publication from the Heads of the Academic, Co-curricular and Pastoral programmes across the school. Inspired Learners Academic engagement, and enrichment activities such as MUN, World Scholars, Debating sat alongside the academic outcomes of the students sitting public examinations, which are outlined on page 25 to 27 of this report. It is equally good to know of the level of preparation that occurs before these terminal exams. As an international school we know that members of our community will possibly move on. It is critical, therefore, that students, and their parents, are confident that they are well prepared for their next step in education - no matter what the year level. So, the learning outcomes of our Infant and Junior students are important. These are reported in Ms Craigie and Mrs Harrington Wilcox’s reports. The number of leavers has decreased over the last few years, but we know those who do move on are ready for their next step. Ms Sugaya, the Director of People, reported last year that the average tenure of teachers at Tanglin is between 7 and 8 years. This is well above the sector norm in international schools. It is always amazing at our start of year celebrations to acknowledge length of service. Our staff are the fulcrum of a Tanglin education so recruitment and retention of staff is critical. Being one of Singapore’s Top 25 Employers was an accolade we hope to emulate annually in order to ensure we have the very best people working with our students. Facilities The Centenary Building is now in existence after a lengthy gestation and construction period. Thanks to the contractors Wee Hur, the Architects P&T, and all the consultants who worked on this significant project. The building, while not ‘on time’, was delivered on budget, so again a considerable thank you to Mr Ling (CFO) and Mr Teng (Director of Operations) for their diligence and management. The students are enjoying the use of various facilities in the building - long may it continue.

TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Overview Tanglin Trust School Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity. The school is governed by a Board of Governors that serves without remuneration. All key financial decisions, including the establishment of each annual budget and the schedule of fees, are reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors. A financial audit is conducted annually and presented to the Board of Governors.

Ling Guan Heng Chief Operating Officer

This financial year, the higher than usual inflationary environment continues to pose huge challenges. The increase in the cost of living, in particular the steep rise in rent, created substantial pressure on our staff. As a result, the staff salary increment had to match the higher cost of living to maintain staff morale and retention. The school also decided to support our faculty staff by giving them an additional housing support allowance to ensure that they could renew their leases. Another impact was to our medical insurance premium, which was higher than budgeted due to industry-wide escalation in medical and hospitalization costs. On the other hand, the school benefitted from higher fixed deposit interest income which followed from rising interest rates, and also from increased application and enrolment fees. Coupled with a strict observation of budgetary controls to manage costs, the school successfully cushioned the negative inflationary effects mentioned above. The financial position of the school was further enhanced by the healthy student enrolment, and we are operating near full capacity. For the year 2022/23, we achieved an operating surplus of $4.7 million. We remain debt-free due to the strong cash flow. Despite the tougher operating environment, we continue to invest in campus improvement and new facilities. These capital expenditures aim to provide quality facilities and programmes to support education provision and will create exceptional experiences for our students. During the year, the key projects completed were: • Tanglin Centenary Building; • Conversion of the halls and the Forest café on Level 3 of Nixon Building to drama facilities for $1.6 million; • Upgrading of the Senior Language and English teaching facilities, and revamping the Year 10/11 communal area for $1.1 million; • Refurbishment of the Junior Outdoor Creative Play Space and Junior ceiling system and lighting for $0.9 million; and • Renovation of the student and adult toilets and accessible toilets at Junior School Level 2 and 3 for $0.4 million. Another $2.5 million worth of project works planned for the current year has been deferred to FY24/25 and beyond including: • Junior Art Centre: $1.8 million • Infant and Junior classroom doors and windows: $0.5 million • Infant Creative Playground: $0.2 million Overall, the total audited surplus of $11.77 million (comprising the $4.76 million operating surplus, $5.87 million building fund and $1.14 million placement rights fund) was added to the school’s reserves in 2022/23. This is primarily designed for future use on the school’s infrastructure, including, but not limited to, new buildings, facilities, and improvement projects.

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL

Financial Performance by Funds for FY2022/23

Total

Operating Fund

Building Fund

Placement Rights

For renewal of lease, construction of buildings and facilities (including air-conditioning and electrical installations etc) as well as improvement projects approved by the Board of Governors from time to time.

Offers accelerated access to school places. An amount is diverted annually to support the Tanglin Trust School Foundation for enrichment projects within the school and for projects approved by the Board of Governors.

$ For ordinary expenses relating to the operations of the school.

All in S$m Tuition Fees and Operating Income

107

Building Fund

Placement Rights

107 15 1

123

107

Less: Operating Expenses

(111)

(102)

(9)

(0)

Net Surpluses

TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

2022/23 Revenue and Expenses Student enrolment stands at 2,814, and new student admissions totaled 479. School fees and related revenue comprised 92% of total revenue, with other miscellaneous revenue making up the remaining 8%. Revenue composition for 2022/23 remained fairly consistent with 2021/22.

Building Fund 11%

Capital Levy 1%

Capital Levy 2%

Enrolment & Application Fees 1%

Enrolment & Application Fees 2%

Placement Rights 1%

FY22/23 Revenue $123,268,013

Others 8% Tuition Fees 78%

FY21/22 Revenue $113,911,850

Placement Rights 1% Others 3% Tuition Fees 81%

In our continuing effort to provide outstanding education services, we invest the majority of our revenue to attract and retain the best teachers and staff. We employ more than 650 staff members, of which 260 are Faculty staff. Salaries and benefits were the single largest category of expenses, at 73% of total costs. Depreciation was the next largest category at 10% of total costs. Teaching resources, campus operations, and technology and administration costs made up the remaining 17%. Cost composition for 2022/23 was fairly consistent with 2021/22.

FY22/23 Expenses $111,501,269

Depreciation 10%

Depreciation 8%

Teaching Resources 7%

Teaching Resources 4%

Campus Operations 5%

Technology and Administration 5% Salaries and Benefits 73%

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL

FY21/22 Expenses $100,427,829

Technology and Administration 5% Salaries and Benefits 78%

Governance

Tanglin Trust School Limited (formerly known as Tanglin Trust Limited) was incorporated on 21 August 1961 as a public company limited by guarantee. It was registered under the Charities Act on 29 December 1984. Unique Entity Number (UEN) Registered Address Banker Auditor Governing Instrument

196100114C 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299 Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited KMPG LLP Tanglin Trust School Limited Constitution

Governing Board Members of Tanglin Trust School Limited Dominic Nixon Governor and Chair of Board of Governors and Chair of Board Building Real Estate and Campus Development Committee (Member since 19 March 2002) Charles Thomas Governor (Member since 25 April 2023) Clare Wijeratne Governor and Chair of Board Education Policy and Schools Curriculum Committee (Member since 1 March 2017) Colm McCarthy Governor (Member since 7 March 2013) Diana Dawson Governor (Member since 25 April 2023) Fang Eu-Lin Governor and Chair of Board Finance and Risk Committee (Member since 1 May 2016) Gina Lee-Wan Governor (Member since 19 February 2005)

Rajan Raju Governor (Member since 2 July 2016) Neil Tottman Governor and Chair of Board Development and Alumni Committee (Member since 13 September 2007) Rashpal Bhatti Governor (Member since 25 April 2023) Richard Routledge Governor and Chair of Board Talent Committee (Member since 1 September 2020) Robert Arbuthnott Governor (Member since 16 February 2012) Sue McNamara Governor and Chair of Board Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee (Member since 1 September 2009) Chris Riley1 Governor (Member 1 July 2017 to 25 April 2023) 1

Chen Mee King Group Corporate Secretary and Member of Management Team

Resigned as Governor on 25 April 2023

TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

Some Governors have served beyond 10 years. The Board, collectively, wishes to retain these Governors as they have the necessary skills, relevant experience and commitment to serve Tanglin Trust School Limited. Board succession planning includes the appointment of new Governors. Committees

Board membership is voluntary and not remunerated. There are no paid staff who are close members of the family of the Chief Executive Officer or Board Members for the period 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023.

The Board appoints separate committees in relation to the following areas of responsibility: • Development and Alumni • Education • Finance and Risk • Pastoral and Safeguarding • Real Estate and Campus Development (formerly known as Building) • Talent

Attendance Record for Board of Governors’ and Board Committees’ Meetings

No. of Meetings Held Dominic Nixon Charles Thomas* Chris Riley# Clare Wijeratne Colm McCarthy Diana Dawson* Fang Eu-Lin Gina Lee-Wan Neil Tottman Rajan Raju Rashpal Bhatti* Richard Routledge@ Robert Arbuthnott Sue McNamara

5 5 2 0 5 4 2 4 3 3 3 1 5 3 4

3 3 1 0

3 3 2

Re Me al Est Cometing ate a mitt (for nd C ee mer amp Me ly k us etin now Dev g) n a elop s B me Tal uild nt ent ing Com mitt ee Me etin g

Pa Comstoral mitt and ee Safe Me gu etin ard g ing

Ed Cur ucatio ricu n P lum olic Com y an mitt d Sch ee ools Me Fin etin Comance g mitt & Ri s ee k Me etin g

De Comvelop mitt men ee t an Me d A etin lum ni g

Governors’ Attendance

Bo Me ard o etin f Go ver g

nor s’

Period: 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023

3 2 3 3 2 3 1 3

7 7

3 1

4 4

0 5 7 6 5 1 2

1 2

3 3

2 4

1 1 1

2 3

3 1 1

Appointed as Governor on 25 April 2023 Resigned as Governor on 25 April 2023 @ Joined Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee Meeting on 28 November 2022 * #

Note: Due to business travel, work commitments and/or being in countries with different time zones, a few Governors were unable to attend some of the Board and Board Committee meetings.

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL

Management Team 2022/2023

Craig Considine Chief Executive Officer Appointed August 1, 2018

Ling Guan Heng Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Financial Officer Appointed April 13, 2009

Paula Craigie Head of Infant School Appointed August 1, 2014

Ayako Sugaya Director of People Appointed March 21, 2022

Clair Harrington-Wilcox Head of Junior School Appointed August 1, 2016

Tom Evans

Director of Marcomms, Admisions & Community Relations

Appointed June 17, 2019

Richard Sellers Director of Pastoral Care & Deputy Head (Senior School) Appointed August 11, 2021

Lyssa Carneiro

Director of Risk & Compliance

Appointed October 22, 2019

John Ridley Director of Learning Appointed September 1, 2011

Chin Peng Lee Director of Technology Appointed August 1, 2022

Chris Seal Head of Senior School Appointed August 1, 2022

Brian Teng Director of Operations Appointed January 22, 2007

Michael Holiday Director of Co-Curriculum Appointed January 1, 2020

Mee King Chen Group Corporate Secretary Appointed December 15, 2021 TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

Examination Results: (I)GCSE (I)GCSE Results Table Year

No. of Candidates

No. of Subjects Offered

% of A* to C or equivalent

2020

187

100

2021

189

100

2022

177

100

2023

185

(I)GCSE Summary for 2023 (Class of 2025)

% of A*/A grades achieved by Tanglin students 2020: 78% 2021: 83% 2022: 85% 2023: 81%

185

students took (I)GCSE examinations in 25 subjects.

2023 (I)GCSE Examination Results (Class of 2025) Subject Art and Design Biology Business Chemistry Design and Technology English Literature French Further Maths Graphic Communication History Maths Physics Psychology Science (Double Award) Spanish TOTAL TOTAL %

Subject Computer Science Drama Economics English Language Geography Latin Chinese PE Music Moving Image Arts TOTAL TOTAL %

No. of Grades

No. of Candidates 30 114 25 114 43 184 36 79 19 71 184 114 54 140 53 1260

12 13 3 2 67 39 7 1 3 6 8 6 72 34 8 10 10 10 8 45 43 37 27 14 10 5 5 36 20 15 7 4 12 3 24 23 17 4 70 50 30 15 61 40 11 2 15 10 10 7 18 32 41 20 22 14 11 3 473 356 216 107 38% 28% 17% 8%

No. of Candidates 50 33 77 184 48 12 72 31 32 37 576

1 2 26 1 1

1 1 6

2 1

2 13

1 1

5 15 1 67 5%

4 11 1 28 2%

2 2 1 11 1%

2 0%

1 1

No. of Grades A*

26 16 25 71 17 7 47 15 11 14 249 43%

19 14 33 54 21 3 13 6 12 13 188 33%

4 2 13 40 6 2 7 7 8 8 97 17%

1 1 4 16 4

2 2 0%

2 3

4 1 1

1 1

32 6%

7 1%

1 0%

%A*

%A*/A %A*-C

83% 93% 36% 93% 47% 48% 67% 71% 84% 66% 65% 89% 46% 36% 68% 66% 66%

93% 99% 68% 100% 70% 68% 81% 90% 100% 90% 82% 98% 65% 65% 89% 83% 83%

100% 100% 96% 100% 95% 100% 97% 100% 100% 99% 99% 100% 94% 98% 98% 99% 99%

%A* %A*/A %A*-C 52% 48% 32% 39% 35% 58% 65% 48% 34% 38%

90% 91% 75% 68% 79% 83% 83% 68% 72% 73%

100% 100% 97% 98% 100% 100% 99% 94% 100% 100%

43%

76%

99%

59% of all grades achieved were A* or equivalent.

81% of all grades achieved were A*/A or equivalent.

99% of all grades achieved were A* to C or equivalent.

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL

Examination Results: A Level A Level Results Table Year 2020 2021 2022 2023

No. of Candidates 118 116 126 130

A Level Summary for 2023 (Class of 2023)

2020: 68% 2021: 70% 2022: 69% 2023: 58%

Tanglin % passed 100 100 100 100

100%

2020: 90% 2021: 86% 2022: 87% 2023: 79%

2020: 98% 2021: 97%

pass rate of A Level students.

2022: 96% 2023: 93%

2023 A Level Examination Results (Class of 2023) Subject English Language English Literature Psychology Philosophy Mathematics Further Maths Computer Science Art & Design Drama Music Media Studies Biology Chemistry Physics Geography History Politics Business Economics Chinese French Spanish Physical Education Product Design Other Total Total %

No. of Grades

No. of Candidates 14 19 19 6 64 14 14 10 10 7 12 40 28 21 28 15 7 25 24 2 3 1 15 15 2 415

0 1 7 5 0 3 8 5 6 8 3 1 0 2 2 2 20 20 13 9 5 3 4 1 8 5 1 0 6 4 0 0 1 8 0 1 1 3 3 0 0 5 4 2 18 5 7 7 6 14 3 1 8 7 4 2 10 10 4 3 2 4 7 0 1 2 4 0 1 5 11 4 14 6 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 3 5 3 6 2 2 1 1 0 0 112 127 90 54 27% 31% 22% 13%

1 3 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 0 1 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 3 2 0 26 6%

0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 5 1%

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0%

A*/A %A*-C %A*-E 7% 16% 74% 33% 63% 57% 93% 100% 90% 57% 42% 58% 71% 71% 71% 40% 43% 24% 83% 0% 100% 100% 13% 60% 100% 58%

Subject

No. of Entries

Extended Project Qualification

129

42%

33%

18%

Percentage

93% 84% 95% 100% 97% 93% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92% 93% 86% 100% 96% 87% 100% 84% 100% 0% 100% 100% 67% 87% 100% 92%

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 98% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

58% of grades were at A* or A, while 93% were in the range A* to C.

42% of students taking the EPQ achieved an A*; we are increasingly finding that the EPQ is being valued by universities.

74% of students taking the EPQ achieved an A* to A. TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 11

Examination Results: IB Diploma 2023 IB Examination Results (Class of 2023) No. of Candidates 7 Chinese A: Literature self taught SL 1 French A: Literature self taught SL 1 German A: Literature self taught SL 1 Biology HL 14 6 Biology SL 8 Business Management HL 11 3 Business Management SL 1 1 Chemistry HL 28 9 Chemistry SL 1 1 Chinese B - Mandarin HL 2 Chinese B - Mandarin SL 9 5 Computer Science HL 4 2 Computer Science SL 1 1 Economics HL 13 7 Economics SL 8 3 English A: Lang & Lit HL 16 5 English A: Lang & Lit SL 32 9 English A: Literature HL 6 1 English A: Literature SL 3 1 Environment And Society SL 8 2 Film HL 5 4 Film SL 6 4 French Ab Initio SL 9 4 French B HL 2 French B SL 11 1 Spanish Ab Initio SL 8 1 Spanish B HL 1 Spanish B SL 9 2 Geography HL 4 3 Geography SL 2 2 Global Politics HL 1 1 Global Politics SL 1 1 History HL 5 1 History SL 2 Latin HL 1 Latin SL 3 2 Mathematics AA HL 21 5 Mathematics AA SL 27 3 Mathematics AI SL 9 1 Music HL 5 1 Philosophy HL 1 Philosophy SL 2 2 Physics HL 12 4 Physics SL 3 2 Psychology HL 4 3 Psychology SL 2 1 Theatre HL 8 8 Theatre SL 1 1 Visual Arts HL 7 3 Visual Arts SL 2 Total 342 116 Total % 34% Subject

Tanglin Students Average Diploma Score (out of 45)

No. of Grades 6 5 4 1 1 1 5 2 1 2 5 1 6 2 12

2 2 2

3 4 9 19 4 2 4 1 2 3 1 6 7 1 5 1

2 2 3 1

Tanglin Average 41.0 Tanglin Average 41.4 Tanglin Average 38.7 World Average 30.2

IB Diploma Summary for 2023 (Class of 2023)

100%

1 1

pass rate for all our students who completed a regulation IB Diploma.

1 1 4

13 students achieved 42 points or more.

1 student scored 45 points. 3 1 1 9 12 4 3 1

1 1 1 7 7 4 1

7 1 1 1

3 2 153 45%

students achieved the prestigious bilingual diploma.

100%

scored 30 points or more.

59 17%

13 4%

1 0%

IB Results Table Year 2020 2021 2022 2023

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL

2021 2022 2023 2023

No. of Candidates 58 59 51 57

Tanglin % Passed 100 100 100 100

Whistleblowing Policy Tanglin Trust School’s Whistleblowing Policy is posted on the school’s website, at tts.edu.sg/about/policies. It may be used, if needed, by employees, suppliers, business partners and others in the school community.

TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 13

Tanglin Trust School 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299 Tel: (65) 6778 0771 www.tts.edu.sg CPE Registration No.: 196100114C CPE Registration Period: 7 June 2023 to 6 June 2029 14

ANNUAL REPORT TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL