Lucy M. Gowdie, Head of School
31 January 2025
Learning about leading in a school here in Zurich has been a journey. In understanding the parameters that place international schools in a special context within the Canton has been both a growth opportunity for me, and a study in how intricate systems work.
This week, we welcomed to our campus the Canton of Zurich School Inspector, Ms Sandra Schwartz, and the Head of Pedagogical Practice for the Canton, Ms Katherine Schmocker.
Together we explored the necessity of building bridges across sectors within the Canton, and explored our strategic direction. I walked Ms Schwartz and Ms Schmocker through the process of developing the strategy and the pedagogical practices that underpin each pillar within it. We discussed how narrowing the lens on that which we believe our children will most need in their futures, helps deepen their learning experience and expand their choices in later life.
We shared our views on the future of education, and challenged each other’s perspectives ranging from assessments in learning, to leadership models, co-teaching structures and inquiry based approaches to teaching. We explored some of the shared obstacles we face in developing young people of strong character, and committing to their growth and development.
Observing our German classes, and exploring our framework for language teaching, both representatives commented on the quality of the teacher practice, and how they implement a variety of strategies in each of their lessons. They were impressed by the data we provided in relation to higher education choices of our young people, and that many were choosing to stay in Switzerland, having accomplished the necessary German language requirements to meet the pre-requisites of the universities here.
Ours is an open school, one where we believe that we are better together and so I expressed our keen desire to work in greater consistency with the Canton, to share our skills with the local schools and to learn from theirs in equal measure, in many respects I was seeking to destigmatise the private sector to which we belong, after all – we are all on the same journey, we are all centred on learning.
It was one of the proudest days in my time at the school to date, one where our staff and our students had nothing to do, other than be their true and authentic selves.
We will continue to build our connection to the Canton in the spirit of shared mission and transparency.
That our sixty years serving the globally mobile families of this country, rightfully embeds us in the fabric of Zurich.
Lucy M. Gowdie
Head of School