Here’s why the Wellingtons feel reassured about placing their little ones under SJI International’s care.
The Wellingtons were on the hunt for a school that would give their kids a solid academic foundation while developing their creativity. They decided to enrol their daughter, Matilda (now in grade four) and son, Flynn (now in grade two) in St. Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School and have not looked back since! We hear that their preschool daughter, Bronte, is also set to join her siblings at school…
We chat with mum, Skye Wellington, about what makes SJI International such a great school, and why the kiddos are loving their time there. Turns out, the amazing faculty, dedication of the staff and close-knit community spirit are just a few reasons why this school gets two thumbs up.
Hi, Skye! What were the most important factors for you in selecting a school?
Community is important to us – we liked the spirit of the parent cohort and the teaching body here! We also considered the size of the school and student population, pastoral care and curriculum. The prospect of sending Matilda off to a large school at the age of four felt daunting, so this felt like a safe and comfortable choice from that perspective.
What was the ultimate deciding factor that led you to choosing SJI International?
We liked the integration of ethics taught through daily school life here. We know that we can’t shield our kids from many things they’re going to encounter as they get older, so we want to prepare them for the decisions they’ll have to make by introducing them to different values now.
What do the kids like most about attending the school?
Matilda is a very social creature and she just loves seeing her friends! But as the curriculum exposes her to more global concepts, she’s really starting to take an interest in the world around her. Flynn’s favourite subjects are maths, ICT and Art, and he loves playing handball with his friends. They enjoy facilities like the pool, library and ICT lab – we’re looking forward to the arts complex being operational too!
As a parent, what do you appreciate about SJI International?
We’ve been lucky enough to share classes with some wonderful families and teachers. I love that so many families in the school community know each other, too. Plus, we receive very thorough updates in a weekly grade level and whole-of-school newsletter. I think the school handled the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic really well too.
Best of all, the school has been a wonderful support. They have worked with us to offer opportunities for Flynn to explore his interests and support him in the areas that are challenging. For Matilda, who has an interest in playing the harp, the school agreed to facilitate lessons with her harp teacher at school. We’re grateful that they prioritise our children’s passions and pursuits! It’s reassuring that school staff seem to genuinely care about the wellbeing of our kids: they take the time to get to know them, then foster their strengths, and help them when they’re struggling.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
It’s a personal choice and it depends on your child. We didn’t want to choose a school based solely on academics or facilities. We feel that our family plays a part in what the school experience is like for our kids, so I don’t think it’s about choosing the best school, but about selecting the right school for you.
Thank you, Skye!
This post is in partnership with St. Joseph’s Institution International.
