Why St. Andrews Sathorn prioritises the love for learning
If you can cultivate a love for learning in children during the earliest stages of education, it is more likely that this is a quality that a child will carry with them for the rest of their life.
Whilst we all want our children to be successful, when there is excessive emphasis on academic grades, it may result in an aversion to learning, school and examinations during the teenage years. This is something that we work hard to avoid at St. Andrews International School Sathorn, whilst at the same time encouraging academic excellence.
How do we achieve this balance at St. Andrews? By having a strong vision for the school and by being rigorous in our staff recruitment. We look for teachers who are aligned with our values and who are outstanding professionals at creating a classroom environment where the children are encouraged to love learning for its own sake.
Learning is an exploration of the world
We hope to engender in our children the idea that learning is an exploration of the world around us, not simply a means to an end. For example, when you have a school environment with love for learning at its heart, children have more confidence when presented with new learning opportunities as they progress. They are excited about the unknown, rather than afraid of it. This is a trait that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives.
A love of learning also encourages a broader outlook on the world. At St. Andrews Sathorn we have a diverse, multi-ethnic community and this provides our staff and the children with an excellent opportunity to explore other cultures, languages and traditions. Children are fascinated by the way other cultures celebrate certain festivals for example, and love it when they can take part by dressing up, learning songs and dances, as well as sampling festive dishes, often kindly supplied by parents. It also provides an opportunity to teach the children how to make some of the simpler food items in school that they can proudly take home.
A safe space to learn in
Our classrooms and teachers provide safe spaces for the cultivation of a love of learning. Children have the gift of curiosity and they should be allowed to pursue it without the fear of being judged or scolded. By providing them with this safe space, their quest for knowledge will be ongoing and limitless.
Our commitment to learning
At St. Andrews, emphasis on the individual child is actively encouraged and supported by an ethos that is caring, respectful and tolerant of differences in abilities, needs, cultures and religions.
In this respect, we are committed to:
- Helping each child reach their true potential and achieve the highest academic standards they can;
- Instilling confidence in our children about their ability so that they take pride in their achievements;
- Using an interactive approach to learning within a stimulated, structured environment to ensure that we promote a sense of self-worth, self-esteem and confidence in our students.
As Karen Pennock, our Head of School, says in her welcome letter to parents: “At St. Andrews International School, Sathorn, we want each child to be confident, happy and develop a real love of learning which they will carry with them through life.”
We welcome you to visit the school, or take our virtual tour, and experience our encouraging and nurturing environment.
