As St Andrew’s School celebrates its 175th anniversary, Principal Luke Ritchie reflects on the historical values that make the Walkerville primary school and early learning centre one of the nation’s best.

Excellence, belonging, creativity, humility, integrity and compassion are the six underlying values that have seen St Andrew’s School innovate education since 1850. As the independent, co-educational primary school and early learning centre begin to celebrate its largest achievement yet – its 175th anniversary – the school is looking to its proud history to shape its next steps.

“Honouring our past as we plan for our future is critically important,” says St Andrew’s School Principal Luke Ritchie. “For us, it’s about values-based learning. We structure what we do around a clear four-pillar approach: growth, wellbeing, connection and people. This drives everything we do.”

Today, St Andrew’s founding ethos is applied laterally to learning. This has produced an impressive network of old scholars (St Andrew’s is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme school and it routinely ranks among the best performing schools in the nation). However, Luke says the school’s impact is much larger than its on-paper success.

“There’s this incredible sense amongst old scholars that St Andrew’s helped me become the best version of myself,” he says. “They are out in the community knowing their school not only shaped their academic or music skills, but helped shape their character, substance and how they view the world.”

The school’s current vision, Nurturing Greatness, reflects this perspective. St Andrew’s state-of-the-art facilities and leading education program, which harness explicit teaching and inquiry- based learning, encourage young minds to be curious, expansive and well- rounded. However, the school’s culture of service is equally important. “We want to be a school focused on action and contribution,” says Luke.

Currently, St Andrew’s engages with the wider community via initiatives with Anglicare and OzHarvest, building emergency packs for those doing it tough or preparing meals for families fleeing domestic violence. The school even has a partnership with a local retirement village, so students can meet, listen and connect with older generations. On campus, families can find a sense of belonging through avenues of contribution, including being actively involved in learning programs.

This year, St Andrew’s will celebrate its 175th year with several commemorative events, including a Founders Day in September, a Leaders Long Lunch and a cocktail party at ILA, where the centre’s immersive features will form an interactive video museum recounting the school’s milestones. These events honour the past while looking forward – a perspective, Luke says, that’s also realised through the school’s commitment to a range of capital projects to meet growing enrolment demand and a clear focus on nurturing young minds.

“For our students, our staff and our community, excellence is about striving to be the best versions of ourselves,” he says. “It’s not about finishing at the top of the podium. It’s about ensuring that, regardless of your strengths and challenges, you’re always trying your personal best – whatever that looks like in your world.”

St Andrew’s School
22 Smith Street, Walkerville
08 8168 5555
standrews.sa.edu.au
@standrewsschoolwalkerville