30 years of KYS: How an elite school shaped leaders

Kolej Yayasan Saad (KYS) marks 30 years not just as an academic institution, but as a place where a distinct culture has taken root. Over the decades, students, teachers, and alumni have described something less tangible but deeply formative — a framework that quietly shapes how people think, grow, and lead.

A framework, not a motto

The KYS experience rests on five pillars: character, academic performance, English proficiency, music appreciation, and sports. These principles are not promotional tools, but part of the school’s daily rhythm. From timetables to traditions, they guide how students learn to balance ambition with discipline.

Head Girl Daania Aleysha reflects, “It’s all about time management here. If you don’t have it, it’s hard to adapt.” That structure — from prep time to how projects are guided — creates a strong sense of purpose. “When they become leaders, they are expected to be punctual,” adds long-serving additional mathematics teacher Abu Ibrahim.

Even the boarding environment plays its part. “Boarding school helped me not just academically, but as a person,” says Form 5 student Gan Wai An. “I learned how to manage myself, how to manage my time.”

This isn’t accidental. Principal Tan Cheh Li notes, “Leadership roles always begin with self-leadership. Students must first be impactful in their own lives before they can contribute meaningfully to others.”

Siri Kamariah Subki, Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah echoes that sentiment, sharing how KYS taught her the meaning of self-leadership. “It takes a village to raise a child,” she reflects — and at KYS, that village was real. From teachers to staff, the support was constant, caring, and unshakable.

Academic achievement, but never alone

Results matter, but KYS places them within a larger context. “This is a place where you have to excel on both sides — academic as well as curricular,” says Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin, Class of 1998 and now Chief Investment Officer at KWAP.

Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, and to draw inspiration from each other. “What I love most about Cemerlang is how it brings the pillars to life,” says Aeshlyn Kaur, editor-in-chief of the school magazine. “We highlight the success stories of students and alumni — like Athena Siow, who got into Harvard. That makes us believe we can do it too.”

For many, academic curiosity is naturally intertwined with a broader awareness. “My favourite subjects are biology and physics,” says Jood Sazzli, “because they help me understand how things around us really work.”

A language and a mindset

English is central to the culture — not just in the classroom, but in how students learn to speak with clarity and confidence. “Debate has been my passion since I was 12,” says Deveeshcarl Selvaraj, who sees it as a way of sharpening thought and expression.

“It’s important that students can express their ideas persuasively,” says English teacher and Cemerlang advisor Catherine Fernandez. “It’s a skill they’ll carry into their professional lives.”

That skill is honed not just through writing, but also through how students are taught to think. “Being a leader means knowing your purpose — and choosing the right words to communicate it,” says teacher Natrah Husman.

Where music and sports build character

If academic and language fluency stretch the mind, music and sports ground it in discipline and rhythm.

“I knew nothing about music before I came to KYS,” says orchestra concertmaster Haina Norazli. “Learning the violin wasn’t easy, but with passion, you can produce good results.” Music director Adrin Teo adds, “It’s not just about skill — through music, students learn teamwork and discipline.”

Athletics are just as formative. “KYS is like a rugby team,” says Aryan Azam. “Everyone plays a role in achieving a shared goal.” Fellow student Janeeshaa Suresh says the range of sports lets everyone find their place.

Haniz Nazlan, now CEO of CIMB Consumer Banking, reflects, “The same students play football, do theatre, lead societies — and learn leadership while still focused on academics.”

A culture of belonging

Alumni often point to something enduring. For Adam Khalif Harzimi, Class of 2025, it’s the friendships. “The thing I miss most are my housemates. This bond goes beyond your own batch — it includes juniors and seniors too.”

Irwan Mustafa, Class of 1997 and CFO at PNB, says it was the environment that helped shape him. “It’s all about how you relate to the people around you.”

For some, the connection deepens through generations. “I wanted my daughter to learn that no matter how good you are, there’s always someone better,” says Hazman. “KYS is a good place to learn that lesson — and keep growing.”

Built for tomorrow

As the school celebrates its legacy, founder Tan Sri Halim Saad looks ahead. “We’re introducing subjects like AI, coding, digital literacy — to prepare for the next 30 years.”

However, the essence remains. While many schools compete on scores and facilities, KYS has long focused on something else: a culture that builds the whole person.

It’s not something you can replicate. It’s something you live. As Azeem Abu Bakar, Class of 2007 and FMT Managing Director, puts it, “The culture of excellence is distinctively and uniquely KYS.”