The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 as a quiet gathering place for a few ecclesiastical academics. In 2009 it enjoyed its 800th anniversary and as such celebrated the occasion by publishing a 636 page volume entitled “Cambridge 800”. The book contains chapters dealing with the University’s history, the Cambridge Colleges, Global education, excellence in education etc.
Only 15 schools outside the UK (and of these, only 5 in Europe) were selected as worthy to be mentioned in this tome. We at St. Lawrence were honoured to be one of these schools, and indeed, one of the two European schools to be included in the chapter “Excellence in Education”.
Below is the article the University of Cambridge wrote on us.
We bring up our pupils - handling them the best of what we know - and watch with pride as they become better than us.
Located in the beautiful countryside outside Athens, St. Lawrence College is the alma mater of 770 pupils between the ages of 3 and 19. While it is far enough from the city to benefit from a 16-acre campus boasting a 400-seat amphitheatre, all-weather tennis courts and state-of-the-art computer labs, it is also close enough to take full advantage of Athens’ many cultural attractions.
In its 29th year, the school is still relatively young, but it already has an impressive academic record with a steady stream of students progressing to the University of Cambridge and other world-class institutions.
Spirit and character
St. Lawrence College’s founder, Galinos Karakostas, had a vision for a school that would uphold stalwart British principles of education in three main areas – curriculum, method and ethos. Its first headmaster was “Jack” Rollo Meyer – English educationalist and talented cricketer – who founded Millfield School in Somerset. These two inspirational figures complemented each other and ensured that St. Lawrence College became a school with a distinctive spirit and dedicated approach to education.
Headmaster George Kladidis feels this character is reflected in both the school’s motto and ethos – what he sees as the ‘alpha’ and ‘omega’ of a good school: ‘Our motto is “freedom requires virtue and courage”. It’s based on a phrase from the 19th century Greek poet and anglophile, Andreas Kalvos, and it embodies our special history. We do nurture freedom. We teach pupils that they have to earn it and must be courageous in defending it, and that moral excellence is necessary to achieve this. Our ethos is multilayered and encompasses good manners, dedication, discipline, pastoral care, academic rigour, responsibility and respect. Education isn’t just about qualifications. It’s also about transmitting values, and we do this well because we have a buoyant, wholesome ethos’.
Specialised learning
With a pupil to staff ratio 1:10, there is a high level of individual guidance available to each pupil. In addition, St. Lawrence College is fully equipped with different facilities to give extra help when required. The English as a foreign language department helps pupils who arrive with just a smattering of English to leave as confident speakers. The college also has two resource rooms that cater for children with mild to severe learning disabilities – from dyslexia to Down syndrome – ensuring that even children who are challenged receive the opportunity to learn and develop.
Over 30 extracurricular activities attract a wide variety of students, with desktop publishing, impromptu, oratory, drama, football and astronomy catered for. In addition the school is a proponent of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which offers participants specialist practical skills and new perspectives.
A winning team
On a national level, for the past 11 years the school has been pan-Hellenic English debating champion, winning four gold and two silver awards. It has also been awarded best individual speaker for five consecutive years. Internationally, its pupils have been selected for nine years to represent Greece at the world schools debate championship. In 2005, four out of five of the world team were from St. Lawrence College.
George attributes these successes to excellent teaching staff and a disciplined yet informal, happy learning environment: ‘Happiness is very important to learners and, while we have demanding academic standards, teachers are supportive and dedicated. In this way we bring up our pupils – handing them the best of what we know – and watch with pride as they become better than us’.
Fact File 2008/2009
Founded/incorporated: 1980, Employees: 190, Graduate recruits: 4,
Summary: A British curriculum International School, serving 56 nationalities, with an exceptional public examination record and with high standards of behaviour.
Contact: info@st-lawrence.gr
To download the article, click here
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