The all–boys St Andrew's College was delighted with its improved matric results in 2009 compared with 2008's performance. The college's main challenge is to get through a very full syllabus, but through careful planning in every subject department, it ensures that the boys are fully prepared.

The support programmes that have been running for several years are still continuing in the 2010 learning year. Amongst other initiatives, St Andrew’s College runs Maths and Science support classes throughout the year.

Closer to the Final Examinations it runs Maths Camps on weekends and an Extra Academic Time (EAT) Programme which runs on a Friday evenings for 3 hours, for boys who would benefit from emotional and academic support in order to build their confidence and their skills in all subjects.

Generally, it is not in the nature of boys to multi-task, and so the staff ensures that they work consistently by regular testing and demanding full engagement in every lesson. “I believe that St Andrew’s College boys have an innate desire to achieve academically, as they know that access to Higher Education is very competitive and they need to get the best results possible in order to get into their desired University courses,” says Deputy Headmaster Aidan Smith.

“It is always important to improve teaching and learning in a school, and keep finding better ways to teach and understand how children learn,” he added.

Nearly half of all the subject results were above 70% in 2009, while around 1 in 3 boys (35%) got 80% or more for Maths. “Fundamentally, it depends on the quality of the teacher in the classroom. A successful school depends on committed, caring and qualified staff members,” says Smith.

Many of the College's staff members serve on National Subject Forums of the IEB, which means that they are at the cutting edge of good teaching practice. The school believes in educating the whole boy-child. “It is not enough to simply focus on the intellect. In order to contribute in a meaningful way to society, a boy needs to have learned about team work and leadership on the sports field, about expressing himself confidently on the stage, about appreciating beauty in music, literature and art, and about responding to the spiritual nature of each human with empathy, compassion and care. Although it takes effort to balance the extra-mural and community engagement activities of the boys with the academic side of school, we see these as complementary and supportive of each other, rather than in competition” says Smith.

A word of advice from the Deputy Headmaster (Academics): “Express your appreciation and gratitude to your teachers every day, work consistently and enjoy every minute of this wonderful phase of your life.”