Knewton Global Schools vs Riam Hill International Secondary School
Knewton Global Schools and Riam Hill International Secondary School are both in Sarawak, about 18 km apart. Both schools offer British and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Knewton Global Schools also offers IPC and Malaysian, and Riam Hill International Secondary School also offers Cambridge (Secondary). Published annual fees are MYR 11,340 - 23,400 at Knewton Global Schools and MYR 15,000 - 24,000 at Riam Hill International Secondary School, which puts Riam Hill International Secondary School roughly 12% higher. Knewton Global Schools takes pupils from 3 to 16, and Riam Hill International Secondary School from 12 to 17. Knewton Global Schools is the larger school, with around 240 pupils to Riam Hill International Secondary School's 52. Typical class sizes are 25 at Knewton Global Schools and 18 at Riam Hill International Secondary School.
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Malaysian Curriculum
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
240
Pupils
52
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
18
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Malay
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2011
Opened
2022
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
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Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Knewton Global Schools is located along Jalan Desa Senadin in the Senadin township, on the northern edge of Miri, Sarawak. The school is positioned near Curtin University Malaysia, which is a key educational and residential zone within the area. It is also close to commercial spots like E-Mart Riam and Tamu Desa Senadin.
The school is accessible by car, school transport (if arranged), or local taxis and e-hailing services like Grab. The Jalan Lutong-Kuala Baram road, a key arterial road in the city, connects Senadin to the main parts of Miri, including the city centre and Miri Airport.
Location
Riam Hill International Secondary School is located at Jalan Riam Willow, in the Riam suburb of Miri, in northern Sarawak. The school sits in a peaceful residential area near Taman Tunku and Taman Jelita, about 15 minutes by car from Miri city centre. It is easily accessible via Jalan Miri–Bypass and Jalan Riam, which connect the school to central Miri and major transport routes.
Stages
Stages
Knewton Global Schools is divided into Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School.
Stages
RHISS provides education for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary.
School type
School type
Knewton Global Schools is a co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.
School type
The school is a co-educational day school and it does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Knewton Global Schools provides a range of support services to assist student adjustment and learning. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for students who are not native English speakers, with tailored guidance from a dedicated coordinator. New students are paired with peers through a buddy system to help them transition smoothly into school life. The school encourages participation in co-curricular activities, such as sports and creative clubs, to support well-rounded development. Students also have opportunities to take on leadership roles through the House system and student governance.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Knewton Global Schools operates as a secular institution.
Religious affiliation
RHISS is a non-denominational school with no specific religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.
School day structure
Monday to Friday 7:45am – 3:00pm
Reading and Attendance Taking 7:45am – 8:00am
Morning Break 10:00am – 10:30am
Lunch Break 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Extra-curricular Activities 2:00pm – 3:00pm (Thursday and Friday)
The school day begins with reading and attendance taking from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., followed by classes and scheduled breaks. Extra-curricular activities are held in the afternoons on Thursdays and Fridays.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not offer a bus service.
Bus service details
The school does not offer a bus service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Preschool (Nursery, Reception, Foundation) – Malaysian National Curriculum
Application Fee: RM500 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon submission of application. Registration Fee: RM1,200 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon acceptance of offer. Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s tuition fee Refundable with one full term’s written notice of withdrawal.
Note: The academic year is divided into three terms.
Pro-Rated Fees for Mid-Term Admissions:
Students joining in Weeks 1–4: 100% of term fee payable Students joining in Weeks 5–8: 70% of term fee payable Students joining after Week 8: 40% of term fee payable
International Curriculum (British) – Primary & Secondary Levels
Application Fee: RM1,000 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon submission of application. Registration Fee: RM3,500 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon acceptance of offer. Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s tuition fee Refundable with one full term’s written notice of withdrawal.
Tuition Fees (per term):
Year 1 (Age 5): RM8,290 Year 2 (Age 6): RM8,290 Year 3 (Age 7): RM9,660 Year 4 (Age 8): RM9,660 Year 5 (Age 9): RM9,660 Year 6 (Age 10): RM9,660 Year 7 (Age 11): RM12,405 Year 8 (Age 12): RM12,405 Year 9 (Age 13): RM12,405 Year 10 (Age 14): RM13,530 Year 11 (Age 15): RM13,530
Note: The academic year is divided into three terms.
Pro-Rated Fees for Mid-Term Admissions:
Students joining in Weeks 1–4: 100% of term fee payable Students joining in Weeks 5–8: 70% of term fee payable Students joining after Week 8: 40% of term fee payable
Refund Policy 1.Non-Refundable Fees: The application and registration fees are non-refundable.
2.Deposit Refund: The deposit, equivalent to one term's tuition fee, is refundable only if a full term's written notice of withdrawal is provided.
The school does not have their payment methods publicly available.
Fee details
The school does not have their fee structure publicly available.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Knewton Global Schools offers two distinct academic pathways from early years through secondary: the British International Curriculum and the Malaysian National Curriculum.
The international stream follows the British educational model, beginning with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in the early and primary years. Students then transition to the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme in Years 7 to 9, and ultimately prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Instruction is delivered in English, with additional support for non-native speakers.
The Malaysian national stream follows the official curriculum set by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, taught primarily in Malay. This pathway covers Standard 1 through Form 5, ending with the national SPM examination. Subjects include core academic disciplines as well as local language and moral studies.
Students across both streams participate in co-curricular activities, community service projects, and cultural events, contributing to a well-rounded school experience regardless of curriculum path.
Curriculum details
RHISS offers a Cambridge International Curriculum for secondary education, specifically from Year 7 to Year 11. The school prepares students for the IGCSE examinations, which are conducted at the end of Year 11. During Years 7 to 9 (lower secondary), students are introduced to a broad curriculum that includes subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Life Skills, Coding, and Physical Education. In Years 10 and 11, students select subjects aligned with the IGCSE syllabus and focus on exam preparation.
In addition to Cambridge standards, RHISS incorporates elements of the Chinese curriculum, offering a bilingual and bicultural learning experience. This integration supports Mandarin language proficiency and cultural knowledge, particularly for students from Chinese-speaking backgrounds. The curriculum is designed to build strong academic foundations and prepare students for global tertiary education, though the school currently does not offer a pre-university programme like A-Levels or AUSMAT.
1. Campus Visit. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school to get a feel for the environment and ask any questions about the curriculum or student life.
2. Application Submission Complete and submit the application form along with the required documents, which include:
Student’s birth certificate and passport (for non-Malaysians) or MyKid (for Malaysians) Parent’s passport or MyKad Previous school reports Medical and immunization records One passport-sized photograph
3. Assessment. An entry assessment is scheduled, which may include the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) for certain year groups. Early Years applicants undergo classroom observations.
4. Offer & Enrollment. If the assessment is successful, an offer letter is issued. Parents must then submit the acceptance form and pay the registration fee, deposit, and term fees to secure the place.
5. Orientation. Before the start of the academic year, orientation details, including information about uniforms and transportation, are provided.
Admissions
1. Complete the student registration form available on the school's website. Submit the form along with the required documents, which include: A copy of the student's birth certificate A copy of the student's MyKad or passport Two recent passport-sized photographs A copy of the parent's MyKad or passport
2. Applicants for Years 7–11 are required to sit for an entrance test to assess their academic readiness. rhiss.edu.my
3. An interview may be conducted to further evaluate the applicant's suitability for the school's environment and curriculum.
4. The completed application and assessment results will be reviewed by the Principal. Parents or guardians will be notified of the admission decision upon completion of the review process.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Knewton Global Schools provides scholarships through the SiWu Scholarship Programme, managed by its parent organization, Bonanza Educare. This programme is designed to support students who demonstrate exceptional achievements in academics, creative arts, sports, leadership, or character.
Scholarships
Currently, RHISS does not offer a formal scholarship program. However, the school emphasizes providing affordable quality education, particularly targeting students from the M40 and T20 income groups. Additionally, the Sarawak government has expressed intent to collaborate with RHISS to support eligible Sarawakian students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, in accessing education at the school.
