Dear Parents, Future Leaders, and Community Partners,
It is with immense pride, profound joy, and a deep sense of purpose that I welcome you to Norea International School (NIS). Having called Cambodia my home for the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of witnessing this extraordinary nation’s dynamic growth and transformation. Across my more than 30 years in educational leadership, I have seen firsthand what becomes possible when young minds are provided with the right balance of challenge, guidance, and genuine care. My journey has reaffirmed my core belief: that the most impactful education occurs when we honor a child’s roots while opening their eyes to the wider world. NIS was born from this exact aspiration, supported by the forward-thinking vision and robust community ecosystem of the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC). This academic year, we are thrilled to open our doors in the heart of the prestigious Élysée campus, offering an intimate and vibrant environment for our founding cohorts. As our school community grows, we are preparing for an exciting evolution: next year, we will expand into our brand-new, purpose-built 2-hectare campus on Koh Norea.
This state-of-the-art facility will provide an expansive, world-class educational home designed from the ground up to support our holistic academic, athletic, and creative programs at scale.
Everything we do across both our current home and our future campus is guided by a singular, enduring vision: to set a new standard for international education in Cambodia by developing learners who think globally, act with purpose, and succeed without losing their identity. We bring this vision to life through our core mission, providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment grounded in international standards and enriched by Khmer pathways. By taking a holistic and innovative approach to education, we foster academic excellence, character development, and real-world skills, empowering every student to reach their full potential and succeed.
To deliver on this promise, we unite the globally renowned British Curriculum with dedicated Khmer pathways, anchored by our foundational school values of Respect, Excellence, and Balance. In our Nursery and Reception classes, we follow the best practices of the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through a play-based, Continuous Provision model that nurtures curiosity and emotional confidence. For our primary learners, we blend the academic rigor of the Cambridge Primary Framework with the thematic, project-based International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This pathway moves beyond rote memorization to build vital real-world skills—such as analytical problem-solving and digital literacy—enabling our students to think globally. Crucially, we weave Cambodian language, literature, history, and artistic heritage into the daily fabric of our school. We ensure our learners step onto any global stage equipped to succeed without ever losing their cultural identity.
We guide our students to understand that true excellence is achieved through personal balance—harmonizing rigorous academic pursuits with creative performing arts, physical health, and emotional well-being. By fostering a collaborative environment rooted in mutual respect, empathy, and personal integrity, we empower our learners to find their unique voices and become authentic leaders who make a positive, intentional impact within their classrooms, their families, and the wider world.
A school is only as strong as the community that surrounds it. Backed by OCIC’s dedication to sustainable urban and social development, we view education as a dynamic partnership between our dedicated faculty, our engaged parents, and our vibrant city ecosystem. Whether you are joining us as one of our valued Founding Families at the Élysée campus this year, or looking ahead to our monumental future on Koh Norea, our doors are always open to you. I invite you to visit us, witness our values in action, and join us on this extraordinary educational journey.
With warm regards and excitement for the future we will build together,
Shailani Borges
Head of School
Norea International School (NIS)