St Andrew's School

(1) Saint Andrew’s School as an Anglican school

Saint Andrew’s School was founded in the 1940’s by an Anglican priest, Father Alan Rogers, in order to provide free secondary education to Mauritian boys and girls, but more particularly to Anglicans as there was a shortage of clergy and teachers for the 17 Anglican primary schools of the country.  At that time the fees for secondary schooling were prohibitive and so, it was a real service for the weakest that the Anglican diocese was providing to young Mauritians.  It was also the first coeducational secondary institution of the island.

The school bears the name of Saint Andrew who, according to the Gospel, was one of the first disciples of Jesus.  He is said to have suffered crucification on an X-shaped cross commonly known as Saint Andrew’s cross, which is represented on the school badge.

The underlying Christian values of love, service and social justice are clearly embedded through the actions of the founding leader, Father Rogers.  Today these values are lived up in different ways at Saint Andrew’s School.

Run under the aegis of the Diocese of Mauritius, the Saint Andrew’s School, drawing inspiration from Christian values, relentlessly endeavours towards promoting a dynamic and holistic disciplinary climate.  It is the firm conviction of the institution that neither can success be achieved nor can sustainable progress be possible without a civilized and comprehensive code of conduct.  To pave the way towards successful citizenship the Saint Andrew’s School has updated its code of discipline which will hopefully be used as a document of reference by our students and parents who certainly share our dream of making every Saint Andrew’s student an academically successful, a physically sound and morally respectful individual.

Religious classes are held once a week for all pupils of Anglican faith and the teachers are Anglican priests.  Eucharist is celebrated at school at least once every term.  The Bishop of Mauritius regularly visits the school, addresses pupils and staff and is present at all official ceremonies such as prize giving, sports days, inauguration of new buildings or playgrounds.  At morning assemblies Christian prayers are said every morning although recently pupils and teachers of other faiths have also been invited to say universal prayers.  The presence of a consecrated person, the school Manager who is an Anglican priest within the school community is also very important:

“Consecrated persons are to be especially effective in educational activities; they are an example of the unreserved and gratuitous ‘gift’ of self to the service of others in the spirit of their religious consecration.  The presence of men and women religious, side by side with priests and lay teachers affords pupils a vivid image of the church and makes recognition of its riches easier”

            (Congregation for Catholic Education, 1998, p.17).

The school also participates actively in activities organised by the Anglican Diocese such as the Bishop Bazaar, which is held every year to raise funds for an Anglican Home.

(2)     Saint Andrew’s School as a coeducational school

Saint Andrew’s School has a long tradition of being coeducational.  It is in fact the first secondary institution of this kind on the island.  Most of the schools in Mauritius being Boys’ or Girls’ only, this is one specific characteristic of the school.

I am convinced that this kind of education which enables boys and girls to grow and study together from childhood to early adulthood (from age of 12 to 20) is beneficial as the students learn to understand and respect each other.  This is essential for building healthy relationships between men and women particularly in Mauritian society where traditions and male domination still prevail.

(3)     Facilities/Teaching and Learning/Curriculum

Throughout these past years much has been done to improve facilities at Saint Andrew’s School.  This year (2006) a new block consisting of a new, spacious staffroom, new offices, reception area, computer labs, new libraries and an audiovisual room was inaugurated.  New playgrounds also were inaugurated this year.  All sports facilities such as tennis, football, volleyball and basketball grounds are provided so that pupils can develop their physical potential.  Music and drama are also part of the curriculum.  A wide variety of subjects are offered at “ordinary” and “advanced” levels.  Religious and Human Values are also part of the school timetable at all levels.

The development of the full potential of the child is at the core of our mission at Saint Andrew’s School and in this it fulfils the mission of Christian schools for the integral education of the person.

(4)     Ceremonies

Throughout the school year, numerous ceremonies are held on different occasions at Saint Andrew’s School.

·                     One of the most solemn ones is the Flag Raising Ceremony held on Independence Day.  All the schools of the country do hold an official ceremony on this occasion.  A guest of honour is invited to read the Prime Minister’s message, the national anthem is sung by everyone and the flag is raised.  But at Saint Andrew’s School, we usually also have a show organised and presented by the pupils.  Usually the theme of the show has a link with the occasion.

·                     Music Day is celebrated every year at Saint Andrew’s School.  On this day, pupils and teachers have two hours off for a concert.  It is one of the pupils’ favourites as teachers and pupils sing together.  The importance of the Music Day is that it is one of the too rare occasions when pupils can see their teachers in a different light.  Some of them must seem more “humane” when they are singing or just enjoy listening to other’s performance.

The importance of this celebration is that it helps in strengthening the culture of “togetherness” and brings about a feeling of happiness of just being together.  It also shows that the school is a place of integral education which empowers students since they do most of the organising of the event by themselves.

And most important of all, the celebration of Music Day at Saint Andrew’s School prepares pupils “to embrace and celebrate, to defend and promote the gift of God that is human life” (Groome, 1996, p.111).

Id Ul Fitr (Muslim), Chinese New Year, Divali (Hindu) and Easter which are some of the most important festivals for all the different religions and ethnic groups of Mauritius, are all celebrated by the staff of Saint Andrew’s School.  The whole staff is invited to wear the traditional costume – for example “sarees” or “churidars” for ladies on the day Divali is celebrated.  All the members of the Hindu faith then organise a small get-together where traditional dishes are served.  We usually have a longer break on these special occasions which create a friendly atmosphere of sharing, nurtures tolerance and mutual understanding.  These are essential in such a multicultural society as ours.