Academic Ethos - A view from the Headmaster

Language, literacy and numeracy are fundamental skills, but learning how to learn, and how to turn ideas into action, are essential to sustaining a lifetime of learning and contribution. For this reason we believe in adventurous learning and relating learning to life.

We believe strongly in academic excellence, in developing questioning, analytical and creative minds, but also knowing how to live in company. Our students are well rounded because they live face to face with students from all over the world, within a consciously wide social context, where they learn to respect their differences and know that others can also be right.

Education is also about sharing, and the classroom is only one of the sites where our students learn together. We are fortunate to be surrounded by mountains and lakes where our students can learn about themselves and each other in a natural environment; learning to be both self-sufficient and supportive, testing our motto and making it real: Vincit qui se vincit – They conquer, who conquer themselves, or more colloquially, Truly know yourself and you will succeed.

Environmental issues, businesses and even families can span a number of counties, but it is Service to others that cements communities, reaches out across cultural divides and binds humanity. To some, the notion of Service comes naturally and, to others, the concept needs to be taught, but the benefits can only be experienced first hand. As a Round Square School and an IB School, Service is at our heart. Sometimes, this could be nothing more than a gesture or a smile, but it is through Service and through formal Service opportunities that linguistic and cultural barriers are bridged and the foundation stones of compassion are laid.

We believe in teamwork and inclusion, rather than exclusion; that everyone has something valuable to offer, regardless of colour or creed; and that all talents should be nurtured and developed. We are convinced that most people long, more than anything, to be valued and respected as individuals; and we treat each of our students as an individual.

We want our students to leave feeling proud of their achievements, where they have been stretched beyond themselves, where there is mutual respect and no shame in the pursuit of excellence, where they have had fun. We want them to leave with confidence and a desire to carry on learning, and to put ideas into action, because they are inspired to help make a more tolerant and safer world.


Ian Lavender
Headmaster