Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Ms. Shannon de Winnaar, Principal of Astor International School Singapore. Ms. de Winnaar is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fosters critical thinking and creativity. In this interview, she shares her insights on Astor’s educational approach, the importance of inquiry-based learning, and the school’s commitment to student well-being.

1. What are your plans for 2025?

Our plans for 2025 focus on a balance of growth, maintenance, and innovation to continue enriching the educational experience at Astor. We aim to expand opportunities for both students and staff to grow, fostering skills, knowledge, and leadership within our community. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining the high standards and practices that form the foundation of our success. A key focus for 2025 is to bring Reggio-inspired learning to life throughout the school, creating dynamic, student-centred environments that nurture creativity, inquiry, and collaboration.

2. How do you decide what to focus on academically each year, and which new ideas are you pursuing?

I have been working at Astor for the past five years, during which we have consistently focused on enhancing our curriculum and supporting professional growth among our teachers. Each year, we have concentrated on a specific academic area, including phonics, reading, writing, and the development of internal overviews for mathematics. This year, our focus is on fostering staff capacity to implement Reggio-inspired practices within our classrooms.

3. What challenges do you anticipate in the field of education over the next 5 years?

We continue to address the lasting impacts of home-based learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged closure of schools and the shift to remote learning significantly disrupted students’ social, emotional, and academic development. Many children experienced critical interruptions during the formative years of their education, resulting in challenges that we are actively working on.

4. How do you keep students interested in learning, especially those who struggle or seem unmotivated?

At Astor, we prioritise student-centred, hands-on, inquiry-based learning as the foundation of our educational approach. While worksheets are used as supplementary tools, they are not the primary focus of our instruction. Through engaging, interactive activities, students are empowered to develop both skills and knowledge, fostering a lifelong love for learning. Our lessons incorporate a wide variety of activities and experiences, including using counters, beads, cards, pictures, whiteboards, videos, crafts, science experiments, cooking, and field trips. This dynamic approach is highly engaging for today’s learners and promotes active participation, ensuring that students are not only academically enriched but also fully immersed in their learning journey.

5. How does the school ensure all students feel welcome and have the same chances to succeed?

At Astor, we are committed to nurturing the unique in every child through differentiated learning and student support when required, we can cater for each child’s individual needs and give the child the greatest chance to succeed.

6. How proactive is the school in matters of student stress and bullying?

At Astor, we are proactive in addressing student stress and bullying by maintaining high behaviour expectations and fostering a safe, respectful environment for all. When issues arise, we encourage students to engage in guided conversations with staff members to help them understand different perspectives and develop conflict-resolution skills. Open and effective communication with parents is a cornerstone of our approach, ensuring they are informed and involved when concerns arise. By combining clear expectations, guided support, and strong parent partnerships, we strive to create a supportive community where every student feels valued and understood.

7. How do you help students build the skills they need for life after graduation?

As a primary school, Astor is committed to equipping every student with a strong foundation across all areas of learning to support their continued academic journey. Our inquiry-based teaching approach goes beyond delivering content; it fosters the development of essential skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, and reflection. By emphasising both academic excellence and interpersonal growth, we ensure that Astor students are well-prepared to excel in their high school education and beyond.

8. How involved are parents and the community in making the school better?

One of Astor’s core goals is to foster a strong sense of community. We greatly value the involvement of our parents, whether it’s during drop-off and pick-up times, school events, or parent gatherings. Our parents are deeply invested in ensuring Astor provides the best possible environment for their children. As such, we actively engage with them—seeking their input when necessary, requesting their support when needed, and collaborating with them on initiatives diversity day or park clean ups. This partnership is vital to the continued success of our school community.

9. How do you develop a school culture that attracts and keeps great teachers?

We have tried to developing a school culture that attracts and retains great teachers by fostering a collaborative, “I help you, you help me” environment, where mutual support and teamwork are at the core of every interaction. At Astor, we embrace a “no hierarchy” mindset where everyone contributes equally to the success of the school, promoting a sense of shared purpose and inclusivity. Our open-door policy ensures that all staff feel comfortable bringing forward their concerns, ideas, and feedback, creating a space where their voices are valued and respected. Additionally, we prioritise staff well-being by offering wellness days, allowing teachers to take time for rest, personal errands, or self-care. By cultivating a supportive and inclusive culture, we empower our teachers to thrive personally and professionally, ensuring they remain passionate about their work.

10. Do teachers at your school have growth opportunities for leadership roles?

Absolutely, we encourage our teachers to take ownership and leadership in areas that align with their strengths and passions. At Astor, we believe in empowering staff by providing opportunities to step up and lead initiatives, whether it’s through curriculum development, mentoring colleagues, or enrichment classes. By fostering a supportive environment and recognising individual talents, we aim to cultivate leadership skills and help our teachers grow both professionally and personally, ensuring their contributions have a meaningful impact on our school community.

11. Which after-school activity would you say has the biggest positive impact on a student’s future?

Debating is one of the most impactful after-school activities for a student’s future because it fosters a wide range of essential life skills. It teaches students how to research topics thoroughly, articulate their thoughts confidently through public speaking, and listen actively to understand others’ perspectives. Debating also strengthens critical thinking by encouraging students to construct compelling arguments and rebut opposing viewpoints effectively. Additionally, it promotes collaboration and teamwork as students work together to strategise and refine their arguments. These skills are invaluable, equipping students for success in academics, careers, and everyday interactions.

12. As a Principal, what is your definition of success?

Success is a personal journey of growth over time, achieved through persistence, resilience, and hard work.

13. If you had the opportunity to inspire the world in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

The effort you put in shapes your character and fuels your growth, proving that the journey is just as important as the outcome.