From the Early Days to Today: The Evolution of OFS
By OFS
September 2024
In 1991, Overseas Family School (OFS) began its journey in Singapore with a simple vision: to create a welcoming community for students from around the world. Fast forward to 2024, OFS has grown into one of Singapore’s top international schools, renowned for its focus on academic excellence and the happiness of its students. What began as a humble start has evolved into a thriving global community, where cultures are bridged, and futures are built.
As we celebrate OFS's 33rd anniversary, let’s take a look back at how this school became a leader in international education, while staying true to its core values of inclusivity and student well-being.
We had the privilege of speaking with several of our longest-serving faculty members, who have been with OFS since its early days. Among them is Suzanne Bentin, a dedicated educator and former Head of School. With 25 years at OFS, Suzanne reflects on the school’s remarkable transformation and shares some of her fondest memories from her time here.
“Over the years and decades, there’s been so much joy, laughter, good times, and successes. In my 25 years at OFS, it’s always been about the students we taught and the teachers we worked with. It’s about the family and friends we made along the way,” Mrs Bentin fondly reminisces.
Nature's Symphony
In 1991, Overseas Family School’s first campus was at 25F Paterson Road, right in the heart of Orchard Road. Our founders, Mdm Wong Lok Hiong and Mr David Alan Perry, established the school with a clear mission: to create a happy, safe, and effective environment for overseas families living in Singapore. With their hands-on approach, OFS grew year after year, attracting more students and building a strong, diverse community.
“My first recollection of OFS was that there were only a few students in the school – 100 to 150 in total,” says Mr Barry Wood, a current Middle School English teacher who has been working at OFS since 1992. “Classes were mixed, high school and middle school were in one building. The students also had a very different uniform back then. The numbers continued to grow over the years.”
Mr Wood also recounts how there was a prominent Brazilian community back then, and they introduced a variety of sports and arts to OFS including volleyball, football, and samba.
“More and more families spread about OFS through word of mouth, bringing their friends, communities, cultures, and energy into OFS,” he says.
Even in its early days, OFS embraced its international community by hosting cultural festivals, performances, and events. These events offered students the chance to learn about and appreciate the rich variety of traditions from around the world. OFS also placed importance on creating a well-balanced and dynamic environment for students, hosting numerous sports events, music and dance performances, academic clubs, and field trips. OFS’ commitment to celebrating diversity and providing a safe and happy environment has always been a cornerstone of the student experience here, and the school continues to hold such events until today.
In 2017, due to the construction of the Thomson MRT line at Paterson Road, OFS relocated to its current home in Pasir Ris. The move was a major milestone, and the new campus was quickly bustling with new and existing students, with classes resuming smoothly in the refreshed environment. Many of our teachers still remain with us today, carrying memories of the students they used to teach who have long graduated from the school.
We also invited Mrs Sheela Thomas (current High School Teacher and SPP Teacher) and Mr Li Ding Gang (Guardian Liaison Officer) to share their journey with OFS since they joined in 1994.
Mr Li describes how OFS has a seamless progression of programs, from IPC to MYP and IB, providing students with enhanced opportunities to excel academically and prepare for future careers. “In addition, we’ve introduced Peer Mentors to support new students. These mentors, who speak a variety of languages, help guide newcomers through their first days at OFS,” he adds.
"Our Mother Tongue program has grown significantly," Mrs Thomas highlights. "We started with just a few languages, but now we offer so much more. It’s a fantastic arrangement for overseas families, helping students stay connected to their native languages and their families. For instance, our Chinese, Japanese, and Korean teachers are especially supportive in helping new parents feel at home."
With their deep connection to the students, faculty, and families, the teachers shared fond memories of their time leading the school and reflected on the core values that continue to define OFS today.
“OFS has been like a microcosm of life, family, friends. A whole generation has grown up at OFS and a whole generation of memories that go with them. So I think we can be very proud of what we achieved together,” Mrs Bentin emphasizes.
“Working with all those students was wonderful,” Mr Wood reflects. “I remember every single one of them, that’s how special they are. “Don’t forget us, because we won’t forget you.”
Over the years, OFS has continuously evolved and improved to become one of Singapore's leading international educational institutions, always prioritizing their students’ success and well-being. OFS’ founder, Mdm Wong Lok Hiong, continues to be deeply involved in the decision making and operations of the school, ensuring that the voices of both parents and students are heard and that their experiences at OFS are thoughtfully cared for.
Take a closer look of OFS in the past in our interview video here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_2ZDIVi4au/
Keen to learn more about OFS and what makes it special? Head over to the official website www.ofs.edu.sg and Instagram page www.instagram.com/ofsedu!
Ready to start your journey with OFS? Contact our admissions team and book a tour to see the campus for yourself!
OFS Admissions Director
Joyce Chee
Admissions Director
joyce_chee@ofs.edu.sg / admissions@ofs.edu.sg
Overseas Family School, Block A, Level 6