Welcome to Panaga School
Our students enjoy coming to school each day because they know they will be cared for and supported in their learning. Each student is recognised and ‘known’ by their expert teachers, allowing them to develop the confidence required to embrace the challenges that will be skillfully and carefully placed before them. We continually strive to uphold our vision of ‘Together, improving learning’.
We are proud of our children because they value and always look to promote and practise our personal qualities of respect, communication, cooperation, integrity, reflection, adaptability, resilience, enquiry and creativity. These qualities are exhibited through our curriculum and co curricular activities and also the many opportunities for leadership that exist throughout the school.
Wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do and this is cultivated and grown through helping each child develop positive and mutually respectful relationships, both with their peers and their teachers.
We are extremely proud of the academic outcomes for all of our students; they are the product of an emphasis on continual self improvement. Students are encouraged to explore and play, follow their curiosity and be creative in their thinking. Our teachers are experts in being responsive to each child’s needs, providing very individual feedback to enable them (and their parents) to embrace the next step in their learning. Our definition of learning ‘Together, getting better’ encapsulates this three way partnership.
International mindedness is fundamental to the culture of Panaga School. International mindedness teaches us to recognise and celebrate sameness and difference across cultures and countries. We are committed to contributing to the success of the UN’s SDGs and enabling all of our students to be global citizens. Our school’s definition of international mindedness is ‘Together, you, me, our community’: a definition that is reflected in the way that we function, as a diverse, inclusive and supportive learning community.
Please enjoy finding out more about our school, through the different sections of the website. Don’t take our word for it though! Come and see and feel what makes Panaga School so exceptional by meeting the exceptional people on either of our two beautiful sites: Rampayoh/Mendaram and Teraja/Melilas.
Senior Leadership Team
Brian Platts (Principal)
Matt Bowen (Deputy Principal Teraja / Melilas)
Tamsin Harris (Deputy Principal Rampayoh / Mendaram)
Admission Procedures
Applying to Panaga School
Step 1: Apply Online
Fill out and submit the Application Form
All enquires and applications will go through our Admissions Portal. You will be asked to create an account and set a password.
If you have an existing Open Apply account from a previous application, please use the same email login.
All relevant paperwork must be submitted to Panaga School Administrations before a child’s admission will be considered. This includes the Online Application Form, Pupil Reference Form, and child’s previous class reports.
Step 2: Application Review
On receipt of all relevant documentation the School Principal will review the application and request any additional information they consider pertinent based on the afore mentioned documentation. If school admissions criteria are fulfilled a place will be provisionally offered.
Step 3: Assessment Process
Our Admission Officer will review your application and will then arrange an assessment based on your child’s age.
Pre-Nursery and Nursery
Children applying for Pre-Nursery and Nursery will attend a pre-visit session of approximately two hours within the relevant age group. This visit allows staff to observe your child in a classroom setting and support a smooth transition into school.
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Applicants for Reception to Year 2 will take part in an orientation and informal assessment within their age group. This focuses on your child’s current stage of development and readiness for learning.
Year 3-6
Children applying for Year 3 to Year 6 will complete formal written assessments in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. From Year 3 onwards, students may also be required to complete a Cognitive Ability Test (CAT). Orientation visits and assessments will be scheduled in consultation with families.
1. Cognitive Ability Test (CAT)
Your child will complete an online, multiple-choice CAT. This is not a curriculum-based test. Instead, it assesses how children think and learn across four areas;-
- Verbal Reasoning – thinking with words
- Quantitative Reasoning – thinking with numbers
- Non-Verbal Reasoning – thinking with shapes
- Spatial Ability – thinking with shape and space
The CAT allows Panaga School to assess students consistently, regardless of the curriculum or country in which they have previously studied.
CAT testing at Panaga School begins from Year 3 only.
2. Interview
An interview will be conducted with the Deputy Principal, who will determine whether an offer of a place at Panaga School will be made.
Year 7-8
Applicants for Year 7 and Year 8 will complete formal assessments in Reading, Writing and Mathematics, alongside age-appropriate interviews or meetings with school leaders. Orientation visits and assessments will be arranged to meet the needs of students and families.
1. Cognitive Ability Test (CAT)
Your child will complete an online, multiple-choice CAT. This is not a curriculum-based test. Instead, it assesses how children think and learn across four areas;-
- Verbal Reasoning – thinking with words
- Quantitative Reasoning – thinking with numbers
- Non-Verbal Reasoning – thinking with shapes
- Spatial Ability – thinking with shape and space
The CAT allows Panaga School to assess students consistently, regardless of the curriculum or country in which they have previously studied.
2. Progress Test in Maths (PTM)
In addition, your child will need to sit an online Progress Test in Maths (PTM). This curriculum test takes about 1 hour but there is no time limit.
3. Progress Test in English (PTE)
In addition, your child will need to sit an online Progress Test in English (PTE). This curriculum test takes about 1 hour but there is no time limit.
*Please note, it may be possible for your child to take the CAT, PTM and PTE at their present school.
4. Interview
An interview will be conducted with the Deputy Principal, who will determine whether an offer of a place at Panaga School will be made.
Step 4: Class Allocation
Allocations to specific classes will be communicated to parents as soon as this information is available. Each incoming family’s situation will be different. Panaga School prides itself on individualising our orientation and admissions process, in support of all family’s individual needs. Families will be provided with a school senior leader, who will be available to assist with school transitions.
Required Documents
For your Child/Children
- A copy of their passport information page
- A passport style photograph
- A copy of their last school report (from Nursery upwards)
- Email address of a confidential referee (from last school)
- School Health Record (downloadable below – do be signed by a GP)
- Immunisation record (Photograph)
- Any supporting documents of Educational/Psychological testing or Special Educational needs (if applicable)
For the Parents
- Passport information page or Brunei IC
- HR confirmation of contract status
– IBAS – confirmation of your staff category
– Term Contractors – confirmation of your staff category and Employment Contribution you will receive for School Fees
– Third Party – confirmation of employment from your Company HR, email address of BSJV contract holder
The School Health Declaration and immunisation record form can be downloaded here: Panaga School Health Record
Thank you for your interest in Panaga School. We look forward to receiving you application. Our welcoming Admissions Officer will help you every step of the way.
