Leading Schools in Kenya

September | Issue 06 | 2021

www.theknowledgereview.com

Leading

in

Kenya

2021

Knowledge Factory

Practical uses of

Technology in

Elementary School

Value Learning

Benefits of Value

Education for

Growing Minds

EDITOR’S NOTE

n July last year, as per the reports, over a million

Istudents were reported to have completed primary

school in Kenya. The year previous to it said the

percentage of students who progressed from primary to

secondary increased up to 95%. This number is in contrast

to the 83% of students in 2018. While these numbers speak

in favor of laudable progress in Kenyan education, some

hurdles and obstacles still need to be overcome to achieve

Kenya's vision 2030.

Kenya Vision 2030 is a national long-term development

program that seeks to make Kenya a globally competitive

and prosperous nation with a high quality of life by 2030. It

intends to develop Kenya into a newly industrializing,

middle-income country that provides a good quality of life

to its residents in a clean and safe environment. In practice,

the 100 percent transition strategy was founded on Vision

2030's education goals.

The government has also played a significant role in this

vision. It has set aside substantial money for education to

pursue changes such as a complete transition from

elementary to secondary school. Between the fiscal years

2016/17 and 2017/18, the government's allocation and

spending on free day secondary education grew by around

50%. The increase in the government contribution suggests

that tuition expenses for day secondary school might be

waived entirely.

At the moment, the most significant barriers to reaching the

100 percent aim are insufficient resources, an uncertain

political climate, and the consequences of COVID-19.

However, it is essential to highlight that education and

training are critical to the societal transformation

envisioned by Vision 2030. And there are a plethora of

things that must be done to accomplish this goal of 100

percent transformation. Officials can carry out complete

execution of education policy, increased accountability,

more teacher training, improved infrastructure,

technological investment, and improvement of governmentprivate

sector collaborations in education.

More instructors are needed to keep up with the growing

number of pupils in secondary schools. Increased budgetary

allocations should be made available to schools to fund

infrastructure that will alleviate overcrowding in classrooms

and dorms.

The Kenyan government must establish resilient education

systems to achieve equitable and sustainable growth. This

will allow the government to respond to current issues like

the COVID-19 epidemic, which nearly devastated the

school system, and better prepare for future disasters.

While these challenges will take their own time to resolve,

The Knowledge Review shines a light on the leading

schools in Kenya that have taken this fight head-on and are

contesting the barriers held up against the Kenyan

education systems. T R

Ashlesh K

Ashlesh Khadse

C

O

N

T

E

N

T

A r t i c l e s

22

Knowledge Factory

Practical Uses of Technology in Elementary School

32

Value Learning

Benefits of Value Education for Growing Minds

C X O

14

New Heights

Dynamics of the Education Sector in Kenya in 2021

08

Crawford

International School

Committed to Developing Leaders

through Education and Excellence

18

SABIS® International

School - Runda

The Pride of Kenya

26

St Andrew’s

School, Turi

Nurturing Difference Makers

of the Future

36

Woodland Star


The Educational Powerhouse Training

Innovators and Disruptors

People behind this edition

Leading

in

Kenya

2021

Name of the Institution

URL

Brief

Brookhouse School

brookhouse.ac.ke

Brookhouse provides co-educational day and

boarding on two campuses in Nairobi,

offering the British national Curriculum to

Kenyan and International pupils.

Crawford


German School Nairobi

Hillcrest


Rusinga School

SABIS


crawfordinternational

school.com

dsnairobi.de

hillcrest.ac.ke

rusinga.ac.ke

sabis.net

Crawford International School is aligned with

CrawfordSchools that has been a proud

leader in progressive and high-end private

education in South Africa since 1993.

German School Nairobi provides high-quality

education for German as well as foreignspeaking

children and for students from its

host country Kenya.

Hillcrest is built on a philosophy of

inclusion, cooperation, and mutual respect

for each other as well as an awareness and

condence in ourselves.

At Rusinga, your child will nd a warm home to

hone his or her skills, a lively sanctuary to

discover their purpose and diverse opportunities

to connect and build relationships.

SABIS® Network Schools provide students

with a top-quality education that prepares

them to meet the challenges of a changing

world.

St Andrew's School

turimail.co.ke

St Andrew’s School aims to develop the

hearts, minds, bodies, and souls of future

leaders.

The Banda School

bandaschool.com

The Banda School is among the best

international schools in Kenya and one of the

largest IAPS schools in the world outside the

United Kingdom.

Woodland Star


woodlandstarkenya.com

Woodland Star’s vision is to develop lifelong

learners who will live meaningful lives in a

complex and changing world.

Zuwena


zuwenainternationalschool.com

Zuwena International School (ZIS) is a Christian

school that offers an integrated educational

system that incorporates Montessori, 8-4-4

system and the British curriculum.

School Commi

ed to Developing Leaders

through Education and Excellence

To attain career and academic

success, students not only have

to memorize and learn the

educational content, but they also have

to pursue education from an institution

of repute, which offers a plethora of

options and empowers the students.

Such institutions are driven by the

motive to nurture every student equally

and to build them to become better

professionals and humans.

Marching on similar lines, Crawford

International School constantly

reassesses curriculum and teaching

approaches, adapting to the child’s

needs and aligning with global goals

and trends. Since its inception in 1993,

it has established itself as one of the

most renowned institutions in South

Africa. It has made a name for itself on

the academic front by producing some

of the most successful students over

the years. The school’s origin roots

8 | Sept 2021


Leading schools in Kenya 2021

We ensure that

each student is

developed into a

fully-rounded

individual whilst

being skilled to

interact

collaboratively

back to ADvTECH Group, a renowned

name in South Africa. This company

works with the education and

recruitment industries in South Africa

and the rest of Africa.

The school is known for its high

academic performance and progressive

outlook. It constantly keeps updating

itself with the latest happenings around

the world and accordingly adjusts its

curricular and co-curricular offerings.

Crawford International School was

established in Kenya because

ADvTECH Group intended to start a

school that would charge a medium fee

while providing excellent educational

facilities to the students. Hence, the

school’s fee is about 45% of what the

other schools charge. The school is

driven by the idea of providing

education for an emerging middle class

and providing progressive educational

facilities to the students. This opinion

was based on the research carried out

by the authorities who felt the

requirement of incorporating cuttingedge

technologies in education. They

also realised that this would provide a

firm ground for the Crawford brand to

offer exceptional facilities. Hence, this

is one of the reasons for establishing

the school in Kenya.

Superior Curriculum for Students’

Development

Crawford International School follows

the Cambridge International

Curriculum to ensure the academic

development of the students. It trains

the students at IGCSE, A-levels, or ASlevels.

Apart from the mentioned

academic offering, the school also runs

a parallel curriculum that includes

various subjects such as leadership

components, cryptocurrency,

philosophy, music, dance, drama, etc.

The school tries to provide tremendous

opportunities to the children to grow in

this rapidly changing world. The

curriculum also incorporates certain

21st-century skills that can help

nurture the students while preparing

them for the challenges of this modern

competitive world. Major skills such as

communication, critical thinking,

collaboration, along with IT courses,

are also a part of the curriculum.

Emphasis on IT and Infrastructure

Crawford is completely IT-focused. It

aims at strengthening its IT

infrastructure to deliver better

academic outcomes. When COVID

was adversely affecting countries,

economies, and educational institutions

at large, the school was able to

successfully transition to online mode

of education by using different digital

platforms such as Microsoft Teams.

Crawford is also a part of Microsoft

Showcase School.

Moreover, currently in East Africa,

there are only two Microsoft Showcase

Schools, out of which Crawford is one.

The school constantly trains and

upgrades its teachers. It endeavours to

educate the children about the

importance of the digital space and

what it means to be a digital citizen.

The school believes students should

understand that technology should only

be used as a tool; they should not let

technology take over their entire life.

It should be used as a means to

enhance learning and education. The

school’s authority always aims to

provide cutting-edge technology to the

students and provide them with every

www.theknowledgereview.com Sept 2021 | 9

We o er an

academic

foundation of the

highest order

opportunity to explore their limits and

learn more. Hence, the management

always looks for new procedures and

learning methods to engage the

students and enhance the learning

outcomes.

Achieving Enhanced Learning

Outcomes

Crawford’s priority is to make sure that

the children receive outstanding

education so that they are able to

graduate successfully and proceed

towards opting for top universities to

carry on with higher education.

Accordingly, it focuses on getting the

students into A-levels at least and

ensuring that they can cope with new

technologies and new teaching styles.

The school wants to transform the

students into 21st-century learners. It

believes that each student needs to

possess critical thinking and analytical

abilities. They should be able to

communicate effectively and

collaborate efficiently to bring about

impactful changes in society. The

authority inculcates an international

mindset among the students; this

ensures that the students learn to

prepare themselves not only to

contribute dedicatedly in Kenya but

also beyond national boundaries.

Accordingly, the students will also

prepare themselves to go abroad and

study hard. The school believes it is

essential that the students receive a

good academic grounding for their

overall development.

The Leading Light

Crawford International School has

achieved tremendous success under the

astute leadership of Ms. Jenny

Coetzee, the Managing Director.

With over 42 years of teaching

experience, she has made a major

impact in the education sector. She has

been associated with ADvTECH

Group for 23 years, throughout which

she always has focused on uplifting

education and providing better

opportunities to every student. During

her illustrious career, Ms. Jenny served

across many educational institutions

such as Crawford La Lucia (15 years).

She has also played an important part

in starting Crawford’s Greenfield site.

Under the leadership of Ms. Jenny, the

school has reached many noteworthy

landmarks. She aims to take Crawford

to newer heights while achieving more

accolades along the way. Her

leadership enabled the school to carry

out various exchange programs, which

further enhanced educational

initiatives.

Attaining Extra-Curricular

Excellence

Crawford is dedicated to not only the

academic development of the students

but also provides ample scope for the

students to excel in various extracurricular

activities. It has various

clubs and sports which provide

students with the opportunity to learn

and grow dynamically. Different clubs

ranging from crafts like crocheting,

knitting to aviation allow students to

thrive. It also has an innovators club

and a chess club. Crawford promotes

different varieties of sport. The school

emphasizes the sport of swimming. It

has a dedicated heated pool of

Olympic standards.

The school has a dedicated coach for

10 | Sept 2021


swimming. It is also training the

students to be brilliant rugby players

to create a strong rugby team that

would be able to succeed in different

championships and tournaments.

Crawford also emphasizes training the

students in hockey and soccer. It has

hired the captain of the national

hockey team to provide professional

training to the students. Moreover, the

school also provides excellent training

in netball, basketball, and much more.

It is also making arrangements to

introduce cricket so that interested

students can also get exposure to that

sport.

Crawford is planning to build four

tennis courts and basketball courts

next year, for which the arrangements

will be made very soon. It also houses

a multi-purpose hall where students

can play different games such as

badminton. Furthermore, the school

focuses on other sports such as golf

and table tennis.

It constantly works with the students

and remains open for suggestions so

that it can carry out different

developmental activities in the extracurricular

arena. The school works

very closely with the students through

the leadership program and responds

dynamically to all their queries. Along

with sports offerings, Crawford

International School also offers indepth

dance, drama, music

production, and much more sessions.

Flexible Learning Opportunities

Crawford International School offers

an all-around, holistic education to the

students. It follows an adaptable

educational approach. The timetable is

flexible and is prepared in such a way

that the students can avail of the

classroom sessions from any place

and at any time. For example, if

students are travelling elsewhere in

order to participate in any national or

international event, they can easily

participate in online classes on the go.

Alternatively, the school’s timetable

works on a cycle. It does not follow a

Monday to Friday schedule. It is a

nine-day cycle, which means that if

children have to be out playing sport

for various terms, they will not miss

all their lessons. This is because the

school follows a cyclic timetable.

The management believes in the

whole motto, ‘Every child is a

masterpiece,’ and it tries and makes it

work for each child. The school does

not tie students to rigid subject

packages; rather, it gives them the

opportunity to choose the subjects of

their interest. Once the choice is

made, the school authorities make a


We prepare

students in the

best way possible

for life

certain timetable around the same.

Crawford International School streamlines

everything related to the course offered to

the student to ensure that everything is

financially and structurally viable. Ms.

Jenny states, “We don't start with, ‘This is

what we're offering.’ Instead, we go to the

children and say, ‘Okay, let’s see what you

are interested in, and this is what we will

then offer’.”

Preparing the Students for a Bright

Future

With the vision of providing students with

the opportunity to sculpt bright careers for

themselves, Crawford International takes

many necessary steps. It has a complete

careers department that works with the

various universities. It also conducts a

career week every year, where every

student gets an equal opportunity to

experience and gather in-depth

information about careers in different

industries.

It also has a program, which enables the

students to go out and gather hands-on

physical workplace experience. The school

also provides the students with access to

various career fairs. Additionally, it has

introduced life coaching sessions, which

improve the students’ confidence and give

them a new perspective about life and

careers.

The school overcame the challenges

imposed by COVID-19 and allowed

students to pursue digital internships.

It has developed strong connections

with universities and is also registered

with the Universities and Colleges

Admissions Service.

Many guest speakers have visited the

school and have shared their opinions

with the students. It also maintains

strong relations with the parents and

shares information about various

career opportunities for the children.

Before Crawford International allows

the students to choose any subject, it

conducts an aptitude test via a fulltime

psychologist. The psychologist

also conducts private interviews with

every child and their parents. Hence,

as far as careers are concerned, the

careers department takes every

necessary step to ensure that every

student shines in the career path they

opt for.

12 | Sept 2021


New Heights

Dynamics of

the Education

Sector in Kenya in 2021

The current dynamics of the

education sector in Kenya

can be described as exciting,

intriguing, and challenging. While all

the country’s educational institutions

continue to grapple with how best to

navigate the effects of lengthy school

closures over the past 16 months due

to COVID-19, there remains the

challenge for national public schools

to successfully implement the ‘new’

Competency Based Curriculum

(CBC) with limited training and

resources. Couple this with the

demands of an incredibly diverse

international community and a

myriad of well-resourced

international schools, and you are left

with a staggering array of

educational institutions that span a

sector that is rich in opportunity, but

complex in nature.

There is no shortage of schools in

Kenya that churn out excellent

results year on year, both national

and international. There is certainly

also no shortage, however, of

learners who are failed by the

overarching education system in

Kenya (and in the world), which

largely focuses on following a

‘traditional’, ‘industrial’ type of

education model. Sadly, this “cookiecutter”,

“one-size-fits-all” approach

to learning leaves too many learners

never receiving the guidance and

support they require and deserve to

succeed in life after school.

It is thus with great enthusiasm and

anticipation that we wait to see the

CBC unfold further in Kenya, which

seeks to redirect the primary purpose

of education in Kenya towards the

acquisition of key competencies and

skills, along with academic

knowledge. If implemented as

outlined on paper, the CBC would be

a significant step towards ensuring

that all learners receive an education

that will allow them to enter the

eventual workplace with greater

preparedness and the competencies

required to contribute in a

meaningful way.

As things stand, there is seemingly

still a significant lack of support

available from educational

institutions in Kenya for those

learners in particular that may not

quite ‘fit’ the neurotypical mould.

Learners with specific learning

needs, as well as those that may be

deemed to have advanced cognitive

abilities (‘gifted’) or talents, continue

to receive insufficient differentiated

support (or none at all) within the

classroom. Many of today’s leaders,

innovators and entrepreneurs are cut

from this cloth, and in a country such

as Kenya, known as an innovation

leader on the continent, one laments

the immense potential that remains

untapped and un-nurtured in

classrooms across the country.

With its theoretical underpinnings in

constructivist theories (e.g. Dewey’s

Social Constructivism, Vygotsky’s

Social-Cultural Development Theory,

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence

Theory, Piaget’s Cognitive

Development Theory, etc), the CBC

in Kenya is well placed to move the

dynamics within the education sector

in the right direction. It is not this

theoretical framework that is

missing, but rather the authentic

14 | Sept 2021


adoption and practical application

thereof that is found rarely in the

classroom context. Instead of

educators being provided with the

training, resources and freedom

necessitated to bring these theories

(and the CBC) to life, teachers

continue to be bound by

administrative burdens, large class

sizes, and test-driven cultures that

make it largely impossible to create,

innovate and differentiate.

Kenya is a nation that is filled with

people of passion, ingenuity, hard

work and determination, including

many educators longing and willing

to be a part of unravelling these

complex dynamics into a beautiful

future for all of its learners. These

educators are the most precious and

valuable assets in Kenya’s education

sector, and, if given the voice,

About the author

support and opportunity, have the

potential to propel teaching and

learning in Kenya to new heights

through the CBC.

It is an exciting time to be involved

in the Kenyan education sector,

which is rife with opportunities for

educators, administrators, and

decision-makers to have a lasting and

transformational impact on the lives

of young people. To all those

involved in this amazing sector -

“Tuko pamoja!”. We are together!

Timo Lehmann

Principal, Woodland

Star International

School

Timo Lehmann is the

School Principal at

Woodland Star

International School in

Nairobi, Kenya. He is

passionate about

family, education,

environmental

conservation and

sports.


Runda

R


The Pride of Kenya

Africa is the cradle of human civilization. A diverse

continent, Africa has one the richest and most

sublime mix of culture and customs. In the east of

this old continent lies Kenya – a country famed for its

scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves.

Of late, the country of Kenya is gaining traction due to its

swiftly rising standards of education, with a great number

of public and private universities and mid-level colleges

leading the charge. The country’s schooling systems are

also catching up to match the most prominent schools on

the continent. But very few schools are making rounds in

the educational circles as reverently as a school located in

Runda, situated off Kiambu Road after the Northern Bypass

®

Underpass. We are speaking, of course, of the SABIS

®

International School – Runda (SABIS Runda).

®

SABIS Runda opened its doors in 2018 to students in

Kindergarten to Grade 6. Today, the school offers

Kindergarten to Grade 10, and will add a new grade level

each year until reaching a full K-12 offering.

®

SABIS Runda is an English-medium day and boarding

school that aims to help local and international students in

Kenya achieve their full potential by preparing them for

success in university, equipping them with the skills and

passion for lifelong learning, and strengthening their social

values.

® ®

SABIS Runda is the first school to bring the SABIS

Educational System to Kenya. As students progress through

the curriculum, their foundation of knowledge expands in

breadth and depth and becomes a springboard for future

learning. Students cover a broad range of subjects including

English, Kiswahili - a world language, mathematics,

science, Kenyan social studies, music, fine arts, and P.E.

An Inspiring Mission

®

SABIS Runda strives to develop a safe and nurturing

environment designed around three core pillars—academic

excellence, life skills, and personal well-being. Its approach

provides students with a holistic school experience,

combining its proud tradition of academic excellence with

outstanding programs to develop character, skill, and grit.

18 | Sept 2021


Leading Schools in Kenya 2021

®

A SABIS Runda education is grounded in a set of shared

values that encourage students to:

• Do their best and persevere with enthusiasm and

commitment

• Learn to be independent and take ownership for their

decisions and actions

• Be inquisitive, forward-thinking, and agile learners

• Cultivate an awareness of self and others that is rooted

in respect, empathy, and inclusivity

• Be socially responsible citizens and active members of

their community

®

What Matters to SABIS Runda

Every student should develop into a well-rounded

individual who is capable of mastering the skills that are

essential to academic excellence and success in an everchanging

world. The school aims to prepare students for

university, equip them with a desire for lifelong learning,

critical thinking, and logical reasoning, as well as nurture

them into well-rounded, responsible, community-minded

individuals who can achieve sustained success.

Drawing on these qualities, students are prepared to remain

on the cutting-edge by continually re-engineering their

skills, deepening their knowledge, and extending the scope

of their success.

The Quintessential Leader

®

This year, SABIS Runda welcomes a new School

Director, Adrian Mackie. Mr. Mackie has worked with the

®

SABIS Network for the past 10 years in a variety of

locations and capacities including teaching, department

management, and as a school director. He holds an

undergraduate degree in International Relations and

Anthropology and a Masters of Education in Curriculum

and Instruction.

®

“I am honored to be part of the SABIS Runda family

where parents, staff, and students care for each other and

strive to build positive relationships that support academic,

non-academic, and social growth, which prepares the youth

of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we will

work as a team to provide a top-quality education to your

children,” shared Mr. Mackie.

A Holistic Learning Experience

®

SABIS Runda offers its students a wide range of

extracurricular activities on state-of-the-art campus

facilities that allows them to develop new hobbies and

interests, discover new passions, and participate in

numerous sports. This includes football, basketball,

swimming, music, art, dance, debate, public speaking,

STEM (e.g. robotics and 3D printing), and much more.

These activities are available to students after school and

®

through the SABIS Student Life Organization – a studentled

mini-society at the school.

®

As members of the SABIS Network, students can attend

®

the SABIS Educational Summer Camp in England and

®

inter-school tournaments like the SABIS Regional

®

Tournament (Sports), and SABIS STARS (Talent).

“

®

SABIS Runda

students are empowered to get

involved in the school and take on

leadership roles through a studentled

mini-society called the SABIS®

Student Life Organization (SLO)

“

Aspiring to Make a Difference!

®

SABIS Runda has carved a niche for itself in bolstering

futures and launching all kinds of initiatives to help

students prepare for their future contribution to the world.

The school achieves this by:

Providing a safe, welcoming community of inclusion

®

“There’s a special sense of belonging at SABIS Runda –

a feeling shared by our students, families, and faculty,”

remarked Mr. Mackie, School Director. “Cultural

diversity is an important part of who we are. Together, we

represent many cultures, experiences, and viewpoints. We

believe that diversity makes us richer,” he added.

Fostering a love of lifelong learning

Engaging teaching methods, along with frequent

assessments, solidify student knowledge and provide a

360° view of individual progress. In every subject and at

every grade level, the school’s academic approach

provides a structure that promotes the mastery of essential

concepts. This proven and highly effective approach

engages students in a dynamic and collaborative learning

environment that fosters a love of learning.

Nurturing true global citizens

®

SABIS Runda students become true global citizens

through the study of English and world languages.

Beginning with the youngest learners in Kindergarten,

students are taught using English as the language of

instruction, and Swahili and French are stressed

throughout the curriculum. The rich cultural diversity of

the school along with the opportunity to learn multiple

world languages helps students understand and empathize

with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Encouraging engagement and teaching adaptability

®

SABIS Runda students are empowered to get involved in

the school and take on leadership roles through a student-

®

led mini-society called the SABIS Student Life

Organization (SLO), which provides a context for student

participation in academic and non-academic activities that

include peer tutoring, event planning, community service

initiatives, and much more.

The Epitome of World-Class Pedagogy

®

The SABIS team is proud of the fact that the school has

been awarded the ‘Green Star Africa-Kenya PEV v1

Design’ rating in recognition of its consideration of the

®

urban and climate context. SABIS Runda is the first school

in East and Sub-Saharan Africa to receive this recognition

and was awarded 4 stars. It is now a certified member of the

Kenya Green Building Society.

®

SABIS Runda is also officially recognized as a Cambridge

Associate School and registered as a Cambridge

International School, which allows it to offer the renowned

IGCSEs and other Cambridge assessments.

Responding to the Pandemic

®

In response to the lockdown, SABIS Runda seamlessly

shifted to a full-fledged E-learning solution to continue to

provide a top-quality education to students. When the

teaching and the learning suddenly had to move to a

‘remote’ environment, teachers did not have to prepare new

content as digital lessons were already available, and

students already had their E-books, which include

interactive activities, audios, and animations.

“We also instated health and safety measures that ensure

student and staff health is not compromised while on

campus. This included daily temperature checks, social

distancing in classrooms, face masks, hand sanitizing

stations, and an awareness campaign,” added Director

Mackie.

Through real-life experiences in SLO, students acquire

valuable problem-solving skills and develop a sense of

confidence by learning from both successes and setbacks

®

in a nurturing community. Through the SLO at SABIS

Runda, students learn responsibility, adaptability, and

flexibility and are prepared to face any challenge.

20 | Sept 2021


“ The school aims to

prepare students for university,

equip them with a desire for lifelong

learning, critical thinking, and logical

reasoning, as well as nurture them into

well-rounded, responsible, communityminded

individuals who can achieve

sustained success

“

The Way to the Future

Looking ahead, the school will expand to a full K-12

®

offering. It envisions its students, like their SABIS

counterparts around the world, going on to take, and excel

at internationally recognized, standardized exams such as

the IGCSEs and A Levels, as well as the Advanced

® ®

Placement (AP ) exams, SATs, and IELTS, among others.

These results, coupled with a balance of academics, life

preparation, and self-development, will set the students

apart as they attend the universities of their choosing.


22 | Sept 2021


Knowledge Factory

Uses of

in Elementary

t wasn’t secret that the first couple

Iof months of schools in the

pandemic were filled with bumps

as many teachers and students left their

digs of digital learning experiences

behind and instead faced a successful

school year ahead. Challenges were

faced almost daily as students adjusted

to their new environment.

Teachers had to adjust instruction to

include more analog activities.

Remediation plans changed alongside

behavioral issues in the classroom

communities. While everyone has

found some semblance of balance in

the classroom, there are still many

obstacles that teachers face on a daily

basis.

Technology came to be an intricate part

of the solution to those problems,

particularly in elementary education.

Numerous educational applications and

digital programs enhanced learning

opportunities in a classroom

environment. However, the critics

weren’t impressed.

Rather than dismissing the use of

technology altogether, it is essential to

consider how technology can be

applied to make the most of learning

experiences with students.

Integrating technology into elementary

school activities exposes children to

innovation at an early age, helping


them develop the skills that will offer

them a more technologically-savvy

future by expanding their creativity,

enhancing their problem-solving

techniques, and fortifying their speech

communication skills.

This article will look into some of the

effective use of technology in

elementary school.

As an Instructional Tool

With students more and more

frequently using online tools to learn,

many teachers have started using audio

and video as instructional tools. While

it is still best to have a live instructor in

the classroom, remote learning allows

students to participate remotely with

other students around the world -- and

students benefit from the experience of

working with students who are

culturally different from them.

While live classroom instruction is

often best, if institutes can supplement

instruction with a series of short video

clips, teachers can allow students to

review essential concepts until they

can meet face to face again.

On the other side, when students are

reviewing their learning or

instructions, they can quickly assess

their comprehension by viewing a

short video. It is equally helpful to

send a video link to students and have

them reply with their answers or

comments.

To Self-reflect on Their Learning

and Progress

Students can use technology to keep

track of their learning and progress.

They can reflect on classroom

moments in pictures or videos that

showcase a project, presentation, or

activity. Students can organize their

work in a time-lapse format to track

their learning over time.

Teachers can allow for more selfdirected

reflection as students become

more comfortable with the process.

Technology will enable students to

create presentations in multiple formats

that chronicle learning over time.

To Spark Students’ Creativity

Students today have an unlimited

number of ways to create digital art.

Most students have experience with

different forms of visual expression

and artistic creation during their school

years: comics, poetry, book reports,

science projects, etc. Nowadays,

technology is part of the classroom

teaching environment, and students

have much more opportunities to

express themselves creatively.

Today, the many tools and media

available to digital artists make

creativity an active part of the artmaking

process in many classrooms.

Creating art with technology can be a

new, fun experience for students. The

Internet has radically changed how

these young artists can make and store

information, gain access to knowledge,

and do research.

To Keep Track of Their Assignments

Google’s share settings feature is a

beautiful way to share a digital creation

like an interactive Google Slideshow

or Google Document. Teachers may

create an assignment online, such as on

a content management system based on

the Google Drive platform. It can be

used to develop a lesson for your class,

and you can include video, images, and

PDF files. The Microsoft Office 365

tools, Flipgrid and Padlet, can also

create, curate, and share student work.

To Grade Online

Online grading systems have become

an integral component of the overall

school experience. When schools use

an online grading system,

communication is a critical element in

education that helps teachers,

administrators, parents, and students

recognize their objectives.

Communication also allows teachers to

be aware of areas where their students

excel or need assistance.

To Incorporate Different Learning

Styles

Everyone knows that each child is

different, and those differences make

us all so unique. Whether it’s their

reading level, writing skills, or

attention span, every student has an

other way of learning. Usually,

teachers base the majority of their

lessons upon the average child in the

class. Unfortunately, this can mean that

some students either find lessons too

easy while others find them difficult.

Thankfully, technology in education

today allows teachers to adjust their

learning plans to fit every student’s

personality and learning style

Lately, technology has been thrust into

the spotlight for its usage across all

content areas in education. From

problems in the use of digital tools to

enabling students to research a plethora

of educational software and hardware,

educators are finding themselves in a

new world of teaching and learning.

However, one thing is for sure;

technology is here and from hereon

will play a key role in defining the

future of education.

24 | Sept 2021


St Andrew’s School, Turi

Nurturing Difference Makers of the Future

It all began with Jean and Peter

Lavers, a couple who dedicated

close to 50 years of their lives to

establish a school whose foundation

was the emphasis on Christian love and

care. They began with limited

resources, carrying out many of the

tasks on their own – from teaching to

construction, cooking, etc. for pupils

who were far away from home. They

were referred to as Ma and Pa Lavers

by the pupils as they instilled a sense

of family which continues to date at

the school. This humble abode and

place for knowledge dissemination

located in Turi, Nakuru county was

called St Andrew’s School, Turi.

The rising phoenix of Turi is a symbol

of resilience and commitment to doing

even better, especially when faced with

challenges. It represents the new

school rising out of the ashes of the

old, in memory of the fire that broke

The concept of

servant

leadership as

described in Matthew

20:25-28 is

emphasized right from

the beginning.

Students are expected

as individuals and

collectively to

positively impact the

community

out at the school on 29th February

1944 and destroyed everything except

the Chapel.

“Ma and Pa Lavers went on to rebuild

the school, and their courage and

resilience, we believe, lives on as 90

years from inception, the school

remains firmly in its place as a leader

in the sector,” noted the eminent

administration of St Andrew’s School.

St Andrew’s School, Turi is one of the

oldest international schools in the

region. It was founded in 1931,

beginning with only 15 pupils at Prep

School. Today, there are over 600

students enrolled from different

countries aged 6-18. The school

comprises of three semi-independent

parts:

• Prep School- EYFS- Year 8

• Senior School- Year 9- 11

• College- Year 12 & 13

26 | Sept 2021



The small class sizes allow for

individual attention to students. With a

spread of over 450 acres, students can

enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities in

St Andrew’s School and enjoy outdoor

learning.

Being a full boarding school allows

time for many more out-of-class

activities that typical students in the

city, who have a daily commute to and

from school, do not have. The staff live

on campus to ensure that there is 24-

hour care. The set-up has a cosy, secure

feel to it to ensure that all learners are

comfortable and happy.

St Andrew’s School, Turi, is not just

known for its academic achievements

but for being an all-around school that

excels in sports, music, performance,

and creative arts. Its alumni have gone

on to do well in various careers – from

farming to music, from research to

technology.

The Venerated Vision

St Andrew’s School aims to develop

the hearts, minds, bodies, and souls of

future leaders. This is in recognition of

the importance of all aspects of an

individual student’s life and not just the

academic side of things. The school is

known for its excellent pastoral care

through which it builds up students

mentally, physically, spiritually, and

emotionally.

“Christ is at the centre of all that we do

at Turi and our Christian values define

the essence of the school,” said the

school administration.

Creating Independent Learners

All students wishing to get admission

to St Andrew’s will take assessment

tests as part of the admissions process.

This is done with the end in mind, to

ensure that with the right interventions,

the students ultimately achieve

according to their potential in IGCSE

and A level exams. The teaching staff

comprises of top-notch educators from

Kenya (East Africa), the UK, Australia,

New Zealand, South Africa, etc.

The school’s educational philosophy

focuses on creating independent

learners. Students study a wide range

of subjects, and they are encouraged to

excel in every area of academia. The

school’s faculty apply a healthy mix of

modern and traditional forms of

delivery in the classroom. Students

adopt a global mindset and are aware

that they are competing internationally

for current and future opportunities.

From an early age, students at Turi are

encouraged to come up with their own

ideas and defend their viewpoints

coherently and courteously. They are

taught to work with others as well as

independently.

Extra-curricular

Sports: Sport makes up one to two

hours of each student's day. These

include rugby, football, hockey,

swimming, rounders, kayaking,

archery, cricket, athletics, golf, netball,

basketball, badminton, tennis, and

many more sporting options.


Performing arts: Music (Choir,

orchestra), Drama (Lambda), Debate

(Rhino Cup).

Leadership Programmes: From Prep

School to graduate level in Year 13,

students have to participate in the Turi

Leadership Award – an accredited 2-

year diploma course whose purpose is

to enhance the leadership skills of

every young person before they leave

Turi.

Weekend activities: The weekend

activities vary depending on the age

and interest of students. The rural

setting allows elite pastimes such as

horse riding, private cross country

running and even flying lessons at the

school’s airstrip. Other activities

include cooking, dance, and pottery.

Club activities take place in the course

of the week (after school and during

the weekends). Additionally, there are

various programmes set up at the

school:

St Andrew’s School is a leader in ‘Me

School’ methodology meaning we

incorporate teaching Stephen Covey’s

‘7 habits of Highly Effective people’

for everyday life in pupils from Early

Years.

St Andrew’s School is a ‘Roundsquare

school’, meaning at the secondary level

students adapt the ‘IDEALS’ of

Internationalism, Democracy,

Environmentalism, Adventure,

Leadership, and Service.

Turi also has its own compulsory

accredited leadership

programme/diploma at the College

level where students not only learn but

are expected to apply their knowledge

in making the school, their community,

and the world a better place.

The St Andrew’s Experience

The school is set up in a serene

countryside which allows for both in

and out of classroom learning far away

from the hustle and bustle of city life.

It also means the students experience

unique activities within the school like

kayaking, golf, mountain bike riding,

horse riding, camping, etc. Its unique

location truly sets the school apart

from the rest.

“Our Christian foundation informs all

aspects of life in Turi and while we are

accepting of all people we aim to live

and lead in Christ,” commented the

school administration. “The concept of

servant leadership is emphasized right

from the beginning and our students

have as individuals and collectively

impacted the community around the

school,” they added.

Charity and social activities for and

with their peers outside of school are a

prominent part of delivering the

school’s mission which is to ‘develop

self-disciplined, confident and

compassionate individuals who live

and lead with integrity’.

Career Counselling

The British curriculum is relatively

28 | Sept 2021


career focused. Students are exposed to

a wide variety of subjects and with the

help of their teachers and career

counselling department, are assisted in

selecting suitable careers as well as the

universities that are best suited for their

career of choice.

The majority of students go on to study

abroad and venture into various fields

including business, engineering, and

medicine, the arts, etc. Applications are

aided by strong links between the

school’s Careers Department and top

universities including those from The

Russell Group.

The Sixth Form college experience is

curated to mimic college/university

life. Students are more independent

and required to take on a lot more

responsibility over their school life that

includes time management and

activities of daily living.

Aspiring to be the Best

St Andrew’s mission is to be the

leading school in Africa. To that end,

the school aims at being at the

forefront of educational development

in the region by embracing

technological, pedagogical, and policyrelated

advancements in its delivery.

“With this in place, we see Turi as the

home (and school) of Africa’s leaders

for the coming years,” concluded the

proud school administration.


32 | Sept 2021


Value Learning

of

for

ducation is the most powerful

Etool through which you can

change the world," following

these words of the great Nelson

Mandela, education in this modern

generation plays a very significant role

in the overall development of a child.

Education helps the children not just

grow but also be effective at what they

do.

The effectiveness of a child depends on

the grooming of the student during

their early days. That is why 'Value

Education' is often the common nonacademical

subject that children study

worldwide.

This subject of value education is often

ignored during schooling, compared to

mainstream subjects like science,


mathematics, etc. However, the

importance of values starts to show

when you grow up, and the kind of

value education one receives during

the upbringing is clearly reflected.

Value education is essential for

growing minds because it helps them

build their character and develop their

personality. Most importantly, it helps

them make a conscious choice between

right and wrong.

Complete Holistic Development

The whole purpose of adding value

education in students' syllabus is to

train them to face challenges. A

growing mind is the birthplace of

curiosity and introducing students to a

subject that focuses on the complete

development of the students is what

every parent in the world aims for.

Value education not only provides an

ideal solution for this, but it holds more

importance that subject signifies.

For a child's complete holistic

development, character development,

spiritual development, personality

development, emotional development,

etc., are extremely necessary. The

solution to that is value education,

through which its orthodox learning

methods and unorthodox examples sets

the foundation of a child's complete

holistic development.

Value Education Defines Character

and Personality

Personality and character are two

important traits of an individual's

personality. Often these two characters

become the identity of people. As a

child grows into an adult, the values

ingrained in the early days of schooling

lay the foundation for a lifetime.

Different life experiences,

surroundings, environment, and

various other factors are also

responsible for the character and

personality of the child that they put

forward. However, the value of

education allows the child to make a

conscious choice. Adding values in

early education days helps everyone

define a person's character and

personality.

Listed below are some of the benefits

of value education for moulding a

child's personality into a winning

personality:

• Value Education shows the

children to be a responsible person

• Teaches them the importance of

time

• Maturely handling difficult

situations

• Develops a sound mind with a

positive attitude

• No hesitation while making firm

decisions

• It helps them to maintain good

relations with others

Helps in Attaining Life Goals

Attitude defines thought, and these

thoughts direct actions. Developing a

winning attitude is exceptionally

essential to achieve anything in life.

Developing a good attitude in the

growing stages of life is how a child

can attain life goals easily. Valueimbibed

education can bring significant

changes in a person's perspective,

which can help them in achieving life

goals.

Here is how value-based education can

help a child in meeting his/her goals:

• It allows children to make a

conscious choice which helps

them define their future

• It will enable children to find their

niche interests and purpose in life

• Value education makes a growing

mind more responsible and

sensible towards others

• Allows to have a unique

perception of life different than

others

• It helps in developing and

maintaining good relations with

family and friends

• Value education enables children

to build a positive perception of

life

Importance of Value education

Value education is not different from

discipline, but it is in the form of

academics that is inherited into the

education system. While discipline is

more result-oriented, helping children

solve problems, value education is

similar to that but allows the child to

see their aim clearly and gives them

the reason and motivation to achieve it.

Value education holds particular

importance for growing minds because

it helps them develop things that will

provide them with a base to make a

conscious decision. Along with that, it

feeds the growing curiosity of children,

giving them a direction about the

future endeavours they want to choose

in life.

34 | Sept 2021


Woodland Star


The Educational Powerhouse Training Innovators and Disruptors

Kenya’s education system was ranked as the best on

the African continent by the World Economic

Forum in 2017. Kenya was named the best

African country for educational performance by the World

Bank in 2018. (1st out of 43 mainland countries). In 2019, a

Kenyan was crowned the world’s best teacher and received

a coveted $1 million prize. Undoubtedly, something very

powerful is going on in Kenyan Schools.

Nairobi has been developing its reputation of becoming the

global hotspot for education innovation. At the heart of this

educational powerhouse lies a school like no other, created

to meet 'the need' within the greater Nairobi community for

an alternate and more holistic approach to education. It is

the one and only – Woodland Star International School!

Birthed from a forgotten tool shed in 2011, Woodland Star

is nestled within a unique 100-acre eco-campus and

provides a rare educational opportunity for learners aged 2-

16 (with high school soon to come). Located in the midst of

an indigenous forest, Woodland Star is a small, progressive

school that focuses on the unique strengths and challenges

of each child and is home to learners from across the

neurodiversity spectrum.

Woodland Star embodies an inclusive and holistic

educational approach to the development of children,

ensuring that each learner is met where they are at in their

own educational journey. Its small class sizes foster

friendships that are genuine and deep, and the physical

classroom spaces with fireplaces, climbing walls, swinging

36 | Sept 2021



benches and outdoor learning spaces make Woodland Star

feel more like a home than a school.

The Guiding Light

Woodland Star's values of Passion, Connectedness,

Innovation, Respect and Environmental Conservation are

what define the school culture and are the principles that

guide the Woodland Star Team.

The school's vision is not radically different from what most

schools aspire to, namely, to develop lifelong learners who

will live meaningful lives in a complex and changing world.

However, the approach and intent towards attaining its

vision do look somewhat different. Through the pathways

of individualized instruction, social-emotional learning and

thematic instruction, the school's long-term

transformational learning goals – and thus its vision and

mission - are tracked and realized, that is for each learner

to:

Be Self-Directed

Belong in Community

Become Globally Mindful

Alongside its academic learning objectives, the school

places a high value on measuring growth in our three

aforementioned transformational learning goals. “Our

formal learning outcomes therefore transcend mere

academic objectives, and include the areas of selfawareness,

self-management, growth mindset, social

awareness, communication, collaboration, global

awareness, systems thinking and environmental

conservation,” commented the Founder of Woodland Star

International School – Mrs. Amy McKelvey.

The Indomitable Chief

Woodland Star was founded by Mrs. Amy McKelvey, a

remarkably and uniquely talented educator. Having taught

for many years in different schools in the United States and

in Nairobi, Kenya, Amy saw that there was a void in the

education most children receive. She watched as the

passions of some of her former students slowly disappeared

through the years, wilting under the weight of conformity, a

missing sense of belonging, and a lack of people who cared

to listen to them. Amy knew that it was time for change, so

she decided to start a school where learners would have a

safe haven to see, to think, and to become.

Many years later, Amy continues to take Woodland Star, its

students and its teachers to new heights, using her

background in 'Gifted Education' to bring learning to life

through innovative and engaging teaching strategies,

Mrs. Amy McKelvey

Founder

story-based learning, creative and performing arts and an

endless passion to give each child the education they

deserve.

The Wholesome Experience

Student life at Woodland Star is amazing and unlike any

other school, and by its nature is extremely engaging!

Before settling into class, learners enjoy a forest-walk each

morning, providing an opportunity to connect with their

peers and teachers. Home to a beautifully diverse and

inclusive community, Woodland Star values everyone’s

backgrounds and gifts, which are showcased and celebrated

through various means such as whole school/community

theatre productions, community 'Village Teas', a termly

'Celebration of Learning' and community environmental

and social justice endeavours. There are a host of extracurricular

activities available at Woodland Star, from

football to dancing, from taekwondo to science-club, from

drama to rollerblading or playing the ukulele.

“Woodland Star has not received any formal accolades or

awards, nor are these of greatest importance to us,”

remarked the unwavering Mrs. Amy McKelvey. “Our most

notable achievements lie in the stories of our learners and

their families, many of which have experienced genuine

transformations at Woodland Star: the lonely have found

friends, the unheard have been given a voice, the excluded

are celebrated, and those written off are given a chance. The

struggling are not left behind, those bored are pushed to

their potential. Everyone is known and everyone belongs,”

she added.


The school is currently working towards formal

accreditation.

Bolstering Futures

At Woodland Star International School, employing a

theme-based approach in multi-age classes allows for

meaningful integration across learning disciplines, authentic

application to real-world problems and rich, curricular

activities and field trips that are hands-on, project-based,

interactive, and engaging. Learning is never static or ‘onesize-fits-all’,

and the faculty seek to integrate learners’

strengths, passions, interests, and talents into the learning

process. In this way, learners are able to identify and utilize

their individual traits, skills, understanding, and experiences

to aid both their own and others’ learning, thereby preparing

them for their unique participation in and contribution to

the world.

Being an inclusive school, the classes include learners with

significant learning needs and learners that are ‘gifted’ (and

everything in between!). This neurodiversity provides an

unparalleled culture of learning and being that elevates

preparedness for a diverse, complex, and changing world.

Enduring the Pandemic Tribulations

Like all schools in Kenya, Woodland Star has complied

with the Covid safety measures (and more) as required by

government directives, including social distancing, face

masks, health checks, hand-hygiene, etc. The school’s

comparative advantages in this respect have been that it has

small class sizes, a big, green, spacious campus, lots of

formal, outside learning spaces and a wonderfully

supportive and compliant school community, all of which

have aided towards very minimal disruption to learning,

despite COVID.

When required to shift online, the school's team thought

very critically and reflectively about what would work best

38 | Sept 2021

Woodland Star

embodies an inclusive and

holistic educational approach to

the development of children,

ensuring that each learner

is met where they are at in their

own educational journey

for their learners, and about how to retain their philosophy

and approach to learning. As such, the school continued to

provide a high level of differentiation and personalized

learning, ensuring that learning continued to be

collaborative, fun and engaging. The school stayed away

from full, live school days online or whole-group live

teaching, rather focussing its efforts on individual student

needs and providing one-on-one or small group instruction.

Scaling the Future

When asked about what the future holds for Woodland Star,

Mrs. Amy McKelvey said, “We are far from perfect and

keep learning each day. We will never be a large school

given our education philosophy but hope to continue to

grow and improve in such a way that every learner that

comes to Woodland Star is provided with an education that

is ‘just right’ for them.”

“As we grow in our own understanding and experience, we

would love our campus to develop into a ‘learning hub’

from which we can share valuable practices and expertise

with local (and international) schools, and to provide

training in educational pedagogy, environmental education,

inclusive education, etc.,” concluded the steadfast founder

of Woodland Star.


Leading Schools in Kenya

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?