History of GIS

Garden School was established by Mrs Sally Watkins, the wife of the then Fire Brigade Chief. Lt. Col. F.F.C. Watkins, in the Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur.

The earliest record in existence shows the student enrolment was 33 with two full-time British teachers.

Garden School combined Kindergarten and Primary School and moved to 251 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Mrs Sigme Syme became the Headmistress and held the post for two years.

Mrs Zene Sharp became the Headmistress.

Mrs Bobby Cox became the Headmistress.

Secondary school was introduced to Garden School.

Secondary School moved to Jalan Yap Kwan Seng with 36 students.
Garden School was selected to be the first official centre for the prestigious and authoritative University of London General Certificate of Education examination in Malaysia. The first cohort of 11 candidates sat for the ‘O’ Levels.

Mrs Mary Arshad became the Headmistress of the joint Kindergarten and Primary School.

Mrs Mary Arshad became the Headmistress of both Kindergarten/ Primary and Secondary Schools.

Garden School moved to 215 Jalan Pekeliling (Jalan Tun Razak today). In the meantime, back in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, the Secondary School grew, necessitating the Junior Three and Four students to return to the school in Jalan Bukit Bintang while the younger children were moved to the bungalow at Jalan Pekeliling for two terms.The Kindergarten began their new academic year at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. The Secondary School moved to Jalan Pekeliling. Garden School celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj was invited as the Guest-of-Honour!

Garden School moved into the 4.5 acres purpose-built building in Cheras which cost RM3 million to complete. The 700 pupils who moved into their new premises ranged from 3 to 17 years representing over 30 nations.

Mrs Anne Ismail became the new Principal.

The term ‘International’ was added to Garden School to truly reflect the cosmopolitan identity and international standard of education which were clearly evident.

The Kindergarten at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng moved to Kampung Pandan and the Petaling Jaya Kindergarten at Jalan Menteri Selatan became the first branch to be established when it opened in January 1989.Mr Philip Croft came to Garden International School as the Principal.

Joseph Eales became the Principal who succeeded Philip Croft.
Garden International School, Kuantan was opened for children of foreign investors located in Teluk Chempedak and the East Coast of Malaysia.

Garden International School moved from Cheras to Bukit Kiara.
Mr Murray Parkes, the Principal from 1996 to 1998 initiated the implementation of the new International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) which was introduced in 1998 to replace the University of London GCE ‘O’ Levels.

Mr David Watson became the Principal. He also supervised the launch of the Sixth Form Cambridge ‘A’ Level in September 2000.

Mr. Raymond Davis heads Garden International School as the Principal as well as the Chief Operating Officer.
At Bukit Kiara, there were 182 teachers.

Garden International School was accredited by the European Council of International Schools (ECIS)

The 7 – Storey Arts Centre was opened with specialised classrooms and equipment for Performing Arts (Music, Drama), Visual and Modern Foreign Languages.

Major renovation works for both the Primary and Secondary Cafeterias have been completed.

The UK Guardian newspaper named Garden International School as one of the best 8 International and IB Schools in the world.

Mr Simon Mann is the Principal of Garden International School.
Renovation works for the Secondary Library and 6th Form Centre is completed and fully operational.

New synthetic turf Field laid, newly renovated Sports Hall and Grand Hall complete.
Refurbished Modern Foreign Language workrooms, Sixth Form Courtyard, Pastoral Office.

Early Years Centre moved into a purpose-built campus at Desa Sri Hartamas.
Renovated Playgrounds located at the Main Campus and Early Years Centre.

Renovated 4 Science Labs in Secondary, resurfaced Tennis Courts and installed floodlights at Astro Turf.

Renovations at Primary Office and classrooms, improvements to the play areas in Primary and CCTV Systems, resurfacing of Multi-Purpose Outdoor Courts and improvements to the lighting systems at the Grand Hall.

Renovations at Secondary Office, Staff Lounge and improvements to the Science Labs.

Mr. Stuart Walker is the Principal of Garden International School.

Renovated School Cafeteria (operated by Gen B) and the Design & Technology Labs. Relocated the CCA Office and the School Shop to the centre of the school for central access.

Mark Ford is Garden International School Principal.