From Kindergarten through to Year 13, Orla has spent almost her entire education at Nexus International School Singapore. After graduating from Nexus, she is now preparing to study Applied Theatre at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she hopes to combine her passions for theatre, education and community engagement as a future drama teacher.
Throughout her 14 years at Nexus, Orla has always been encouraged to follow her passions.
As her love for both music and theatre continued to grow, Nexus worked with her to create a personalised IB Courses programme that allowed her to study both arts subjects, carefully tailoring her timetable so she didn’t have to choose between them.
“I started off just wanting to do Theatre, but then found out I could actually study two arts subjects. Nexus had to navigate the whole secondary timetable to make it work. Looking back, it’s such an amazing opportunity and I am thankful to the school because I got to pursue both of my passions.”
Although balancing two coursework-heavy arts subjects required excellent organisation, Orla says the experience was invaluable.
“Having two arts subjects is definitely a challenge because they’re both coursework-based, so you have to manage your time really well. But it also means you get to spend your time developing the things you’re most passionate about.”
That philosophy of encouraging learners to step outside their comfort zones is something Orla believes has shaped her throughout her entire education.
“Nexus has always pushed people to be risk-takers and get out of their comfort zone, especially in the arts. From Primary through to Secondary, all the concerts, performances and drama lessons have really built my confidence.”
Those opportunities extended far beyond the classroom. Over the years, Orla became an active member of the orchestra, chamber strings and choir, performed in numerous school productions and discovered a second love for performing contemporary music through Nexus Beats.
“Being part of these ensembles has allowed me to collaborate with people who love music just as much as I do. It’s given me confidence and a place where I can really be myself.”
Among her favourite experiences were performing in school productions, participating in a physical theatre workshop with Frantic Assembly and travelling to London for the Nexus Theatre Trip, where she explored the West End, visited the National Theatre and worked with industry professionals.
“It was amazing being surrounded by people who all wanted to do theatre for the rest of their lives. It made me even more excited about my future.”
Alongside performing, Orla has also made a lasting impact on the Nexus community through PJ Day for Epilepsy, a learner-led initiative she founded in Primary School after being diagnosed with epilepsy herself.
Each year, learners dress in pyjamas or festive clothing to raise funds and awareness for the Epilepsy Care Group Singapore.
“I wanted to raise awareness for something that has had a really big impact on my life and my family’s life. We were encouraged to find something we cared about, and I decided to turn it into a whole-school event.”
Now running for almost a decade, PJ Day has become one of the traditions she looks forward to most each year.
Reflecting on her time at Nexus, Orla credits her teachers with helping her grow not only as a performer but also as a person.
“My Drama teachers have really ignited my passion for theatre. Ms Kim has taught me since Year 8 and has always helped me find myself within the arts. My drama classes have always felt like my safe space.”
She also highlights the support of Mr Chris, a Learning Support Teacher, who helped guide her through the demands of the IB.
“His support was always there. He always made time for me, even when he was busy, and that was really important during the IB.”
When it came time to apply for university, Orla began preparing her personal statement months in advance, working closely with the Nexus university counselling team to refine every draft.
“The personal statement is probably the most important part because it’s your chance to show who you are rather than just your grades.”
She also used experiences like PJ Day and a film festival project to demonstrate what she could contribute beyond the classroom.
“I talked a lot about PJ Day because universities want to know what you can bring to their community, not just what grades you have.”
For younger learners hoping to follow a similar path, her advice is refreshingly simple.
“Just be yourself. That’s who universities want to meet.”
Looking back on almost 14 years at Nexus, Orla believes the school’s greatest strength has always been helping learners discover what makes them unique.
“I think Nexus really invites inclusivity. Everyone is encouraged to find their own passions and hobbies. With all the extracurriculars and the flexibility of the curriculum, there’s something for everyone, and that’s something I’ve always loved about Nexus.”
Orla’s IB journey reflects so much of what we value at Nexus: academic excellence, resilience in the face of challenge, and a deep commitment to personal growth.
As Orla prepares to begin a new chapter, we have no doubt that she will continue to thrive and inspire. We are incredibly proud of all that Orla has achieved and are grateful to have been a part of her journey.
Orla is just one of our incredible learners in this year’s graduating class. To see more highlights from our IBDP Class of 2026, including cohort statistics and success stories, click here.
