Settling Your Child Into Singapore's Tanglin Trust School

To new members of the Tanglin community, who have enrolled children at the School and are about to move to Singapore, we extend a warm welcome.

Moving your family from one country to another and settling your children into a new school are huge challenges. The task of building a child’s sense of belonging in his or her new environment is important to the well being of the family. It is also critically important because a settled and happy child is in the best state of readiness to learn and develop.

Expatriates potentially face the task of settling their children into a new school every three or so years, so it is important to get it right. However, parents should not feel that they must manage the transition alone. At Tanglin Trust School, the responsibility for a successful settling-in period is shared by both the parents and the School.

All children are different, but when starting a new school most children are concerned about making new friends and finding their way around. In relation to these and other worries, we have found that these practices help students settle quickly into Tanglin Trust School.

• Give children plenty of notice of the relocation.

Students settle in better if they are informed of a relocation well in advance and if they have said goodbyes and are prepared with people’s contact details so they feel that they can stay in touch with their friends.

• Make arrangements for pets.

Children need to be reassured that their pets are well cared for. If possible, place pets in the care of a relative or friend so a child can possibly visit the animal on a holiday.
• Help children visualise themselves in the new environment.

If possible, bring your child to the School well before he or she is due to start. Make arrangements with us for your child to tour the School when it is in full operation, or show them photos from the prospectus or the website.

• Provide information about the School and listen to your child’s concerns.

Answer any questions he or she has and talk about the School and the new host country in a positive way. Talk to your child about the Code of Conduct for students at Tanglin so they know what to expect.

• Arrive in Singapore well in advance of school starting and get used to new wake-up and bed times and the tropical weather.

Ensure that your child or children are well over jetlag before starting school and are used to drinking water throughout the day.
• Have familiar things around.
Many children start at Tanglin while living in serviced apartments, before a new home has been located. Children feel more comfortable when they have items that are special to them close by. Make sure special photos or toys are bought with you on the plane.

• Get uniforms, shoes and all materials needed for school well in advance.

Reduce anxieties by buying everything that a child needs to start school early. Appointments can be made to visit our School Shop even in holiday periods (theshop@tts.edu.sg). The Shop is also open on your Orientation Day.

• Attend Orientation Day with your child.

Each term, one day before students start back at school, we hold a special Orientation Day for new families. On this day you meet your child’s teacher and see the classroom and other facilities. Take your time on this day and familiarise your child with the layout of the School, especially where the toilets and drink fountains are in relation to their classroom. Go over the route to and from the classroom.

• Ask about our buddy system.

At Tanglin, we have a buddy system to welcome new students into existing classes. We also have special friendship benches to signal that a child is lost or needs a friend.

• Help your child make new friends.

Provide your child with opportunities to be with other students from the School. Invite children to your home and consider enrolling your child in an after-school activity. Through our transport office, we can tell you if other families in the School community live where you plan to live. Contact such families to make new friends and build a sense of belonging.

• Focus on routines.

Focus on your child’s daily and weekly routine. Help your child to become very familiar with his or her new schedule.

• Settle the family into the School community.

Volunteering to help in the classroom and becoming active in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is the best way for parents to develop a sense of belonging in the School community. Attend our PTA’s coffee morning for newcomers to help make new friends.

• Communicate with the class teacher.

Provide and seek early feedback on how your child is going.

• Stress the constant.
In times of great change stress the constant, such as family traditions and upcoming holidays to familiar places.

The tips above are especially relevant for students entering our Infant and Junior Schools. However, students entering the Senior School often have additional concerns. Teenagers prefer less parental involvement in their settling-in period and look to their peers for guidance. Our advice to Senior School students to help them settle quickly into school follows.

• Set up an e-mail address.

Check it is working from the first day of school. Seniors frequently communicate about class work and special activities via e-mail. Be “in the loop” from the start through e-mail.

• Before starting, spend time at the School when other students are on site.

Meeting others informally before starting can help make the first day much easier.

• Communicate with your Tutor.

Senior School students should communicate effectively with their assigned Tutor and inform the Tutor of any academic, logistical or social difficulty before it develops into a problem.



• Establish open communication with your buddy.

Senior students are also assigned a buddy. Ask your buddy questions, and establish open and honest communication. Ask about norms within the School and seek peer counselling on any issue needing clarification and group feedback.

• Take advantage of opportunities to meet people.

Participate in a co-curricular activity, travel on the school bus and introduce yourself positively to others within the School.

• Give everyone and all activities a chance and avoid superficial or quick judgements.

We are pleased to say that by far the vast majority of students settle into Tanglin Trust School very quickly. However, there are always some children who are more averse to any change and need more time to adjust. When starting a new school every child needs support and understanding and this is best provided by the School and parent partnership. We look forward to seeing you at Tanglin Trust School.

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