Riam Hill International Secondary School vs St. Joseph’s International School Kuching
Riam Hill International Secondary School and St. Joseph’s International School Kuching are both in Sarawak. Both schools offer British, Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes, and St. Joseph’s International School Kuching also offers Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and Malaysian. Published annual fees are close, at MYR 15,000 - 24,000 for Riam Hill International Secondary School and MYR 14,800 - 21,400 for St. Joseph’s International School Kuching. Riam Hill International Secondary School takes pupils from 12 to 17, and St. Joseph’s International School Kuching from 13 to 18. St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is the larger school, with around 1,500 pupils to Riam Hill International Secondary School's 52. Typical class sizes are 18 at Riam Hill International Secondary School and 25 at St. Joseph’s International School Kuching.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Malaysian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
52
Pupils
1,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
18
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Malay
Opened
Opened
2022
Opened
2017
Bus service
Bus service
—
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is situated at Lot 419, Section 58, KTLD, Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The school occupies the former site of SK St. Teresa in the Padungan area, placing it within the central business district of Kuching. This central location offers convenient access to various parts of the city.
Stages
Stages
RHISS provides education for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary.
Stages
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is divide into Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and A-Level.
School type
School type
The school is a co-educational day school and it does not offer boarding facilities.
School type
The school is a co-educational day school and it does not provide boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching provides several types of learning support to help students beyond the classroom. They offer English language support, extended school hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., giving students time for extra tutorials, homework help, and consultations with teachers. In addition to academics, the school supports students’ personal growth through creative arts activities like music, dance, and drama.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
RHISS is a non-denominational school with no specific religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation, as it is managed by the Marist Brothers and operates under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Kuching.
School 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.
School day structure
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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
The school does not have their fee structure publicly available.
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable): RM 500 Assessment Test Fee: RM 100 per student
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable):
For Years 7–9: 1st child: RM 4,000 2nd child: RM 2,000 3rd child: RM 1,000 4th child: Free
Refund Policy For Secondary Students (Years 7–11) Parents must give 1 month’s written notice before withdrawing a student.
If no notice is given, an extra full term's fee will be charged.
Refunds:
Before mid-term: Eligible for 50% refund of that term’s fee. After mid-term: No refund given.
For Pre-University Students If a student does not complete the A-Level programme, the deposit (1 semester fee) will be forfeited.
If the withdrawal happens after the exam registration deadline, exam fees are non-refundable.
For students asked to withdraw by the school, unused deposits may be refunded, but exam fees will not be.
Payment Methods JomPAY (Online Bill Payment) Credit or Debit Card Payable in person at the school office. Cheque
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
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Food options
—
House system
House system
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House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
St. Joseph’s International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum at both secondary and pre-university levels. Students typically enter at Year 7 and progress through to Year 11, preparing for the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations. The IGCSE curriculum covers core academic subjects such as English, Mathematics, the Sciences, and Humanities, along with options like Art and ICT. Malaysian students are also required to take Bahasa Melayu and Moral or Islamic Studies, in line with national regulations.
At the pre-university level, students can choose between two academic tracks: the Cambridge A-Level programme or the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT). The A-Level is an 18-month programme split into Year 12 (12 months) and Year 13 (6 months), typically involving three to four subjects in the Sciences, Mathematics, or Humanities. The AUSMAT programme, delivered over 12 months, is assessed continuously through coursework and final exams and is based on standards set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority of Western Australia. Both qualifications are widely accepted by universities in Malaysia and abroad.
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.
Admissions
1. Download and complete the relevant registration form from the school's website. Submit the completed form along with the required documents, which include: Two copies of the student's most recent academic report 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. Prospective students may be required to sit for an entrance assessment to determine their suitability for the school's curriculum.
3. An interview with the student and parents may be conducted to discuss the student's educational background and expectations.
4. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter. Acceptance of the offer requires payment of the necessary fees.
5. Upon acceptance, the student will be officially enrolled, and further details regarding orientation and class placement will be provided.
Scholarships
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.
Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on scholarships.
