The KIST Founders’ Awards are an initiative of the school’s Founders and Directors, Mr and Mrs Komaki. Through a generous personal endowment by the Founders, the awards are offered in the form of scholarships to students who make a significant contribution to the school according to its vision and founding principles, and who demonstrate qualities that truly represent the essence of the spirit of the school. The criteria for receipt of the awards have been determined by the Founders in line with the school’s three guiding principles―Respect, Responsibility, Safety―and the school rules and policies that follow from these.

There are three categories of awards as follows:

The awards cover tuition fees only for the period of one school year. All other school fees are required in full. If there are no suitable candidates in one or more categories, no awards will be offered.

Eligibility and selection criteria
For the 2011–2012 awards, students who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply:

• Students who have been enrolled in Grades 9, 10 or 11 since the beginning of, or prior to, the 2010–2011 school year.
• Students with a well-rounded academic achievement:
• For MYP students: Scores for all subjects must be 4 or above, and the estimated total score of their best six subjects must be 38 or above.
• For DP students: The estimated total score for all subjects must be 38 or above.
• Students whose absentee rate (including late arrivals and early departures) is less than 5% of the total number of school days for the current year. Absences due to contagious diseases such as influenza as well as bereavement or other unavoidable circumstances will be taken into account.
• Students who have shown regular progress in fulfilling their Community & Service (MYP) or Creativity, Action, Service (DP) commitments.
• Students who have displayed consistently responsible conduct in all areas. This includes acceptable standards of behavior and adherence to the school policy on dress code and general appearance (as outlined in the School Handbook).
• Students who contribute to creating a positive learning environment in their class/es (e.g. inspiring other students to actively discuss relevant topics during class; supporting other students with their studies etc.).
• Students who act as good role models to other students and who demonstrate qualities expounded in the school’s mission and philosophy (e.g. altruistic behavior; take action to stop incidents of bullying etc.).

As parents play an important role in a child’s education, parental involvement and support in school life is also taken into consideration during the selection process. Specifically, the following points are considered:

• Whether the applicant’s parents/guardians demonstrate an understanding of the school’s mission and philosophy through appropriate support of their child and the school.
• Whether the applicant’s parents/guardians participate in school events and the School Support Program (if registered for the duties option) and fulfill other duties as required.

Awards will be rescinded if the above selection criteria do not continue to be met by the recipient during the period of the scholarship.

Application requirements
Applications must include the following documents, all of which must be received by the due date (see below) to be considered:

• Application Form (as completed and signed by applicants and their parents).
• A personal statement typed by the applicant on A4 paper to outline their achievements, contributions and other comments they wish to be considered during the screening process. The statement should be of a suitable length that clearly explains the reason for the application.
• Recommendations from a total of five teachers or staff members to support the applicant. Three of the recommendations must be from teachers who have taught or currently teach the applicant. Members of the selection committee are not eligible to write recommendations. Students should hand a copy of the confidential recommendation form to their chosen teachers/staff and ask them to submit the form directly to the office by the due date.

Selection method
All applications received by the due date that meet the eligibility criteria will proceed through a screening stage. The application form, recommendation letters, school record and results of interviews of related parties (if required) will be considered in line with the criteria by a screening committee. The awards’ founders will select the awardees from the results of the screening process. The screening committee consists of:

• Founder/School Director
• Founder/Deputy School Director
• Head of School/School Board Member
• Deputy Head of School
• Secondary School Principal
• Office Manager/School Board Member
• Director of Admissions

Application method
Applications distributed: Date to be announced
Application period: Dates to be announced
Applications and related documents should be submitted directly to the school office between the dates should above. All documents must be received by 6:00 p.m. on the final date of the application period to be eligible.
Announcement of awardees: Date to be announced (Awardees will be contacted by letter and the school community will be informed through the school newsletter.)