A Chapter Worth Celebrating
At Garden International School (GIS), the joy of reading goes beyond the pages of a book. This year’s Big Read brought together students, teachers, and families for a month-long sponsored reading challenge that celebrated literacy while supporting a meaningful cause. Designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading, the initiative encouraged students to explore diverse literary genres while raising funds for charity.
From picture books and poetry to graphic novels, scientific journals, and audiobooks, every page turned contributed to both personal growth and social impact. With each completed book earning House Points, students were motivated to read widely and record their achievements, demonstrating that reading can truly change lives.
Reading Between the Lines
This year, GIS proudly partnered with Generasi Gemilang, a charitable foundation dedicated to providing equitable education for underserved children and families across Malaysia. To deepen students’ understanding of the organisation’s mission, Primary and Secondary Library Leaders interviewed Joel Wong, Partnerships Lead at Generasi Gemilang.
Through this collaboration, students learned about initiatives aimed at transforming lives through education. These include delivering free play kits to encourage early childhood learning, providing nutritious meals to school-going children, and offering one-to-one English support for students who lack access to additional educational resources. The partnership exemplified GIS’s commitment to nurturing compassionate global citizens who make a positive difference in their communities.
Read, Reuse, Recycle
Beyond reading, The Big Read fostered creativity and environmental consciousness through engaging activities. One highlight was the “Read Greener, Act Cleaner” Photo Competition, where students captured imaginative images illustrating how reading about the environment inspires meaningful action. Winning entries were awarded House Points and showcased in a public exhibition.
The initiative culminated in the much-anticipated Green Book Week: a vibrant celebration featuring renowned authors, illustrators, and industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to meet and learn from distinguished guests, including Steve Cole, Sharmini Flint, Matt Dickinson, Sarah Roberts, Rose Gan, and local creatives such as Beatrice Oh and Lisa Goh. These inspiring interactions enriched students’ perspectives and encouraged them to explore their own creative potential.
From Page to Stage
Green Book Week also featured a lively Dress-Up Day, where students brought beloved literary characters to life. Primary students embraced the “Clean and Green” theme, while Secondary students explored imaginative worlds through “Utopia/Dystopia.” Book vendors, including MPH, OE Books, and The Last Comic Shop, further enhanced the experience by offering a wide selection of titles for budding readers.
The Plot Thickens
The Big Read concluded with an extraordinary achievement: the GIS community raised over RM63,000 for Generasi Gemilang. This remarkable milestone reflects the dedication, generosity, and compassion of GIS students and their families. More than just a reading challenge, The Big Read showcased the transformative power of education, empathy, and collaboration.
Discover how Garden International School nurtures a love for learning and empowers students to make a difference. Contact our Admissions team today to learn more about joining the GIS community.
