The objects for which the Trust (School) is established are:
- to promote the advancement of education for the benefit of the public having regard to the principles of Kurt Hahn
- a sound, general education
- Box Hill School is independent and self-reliant
Our Educational Philosophy
We are a proud founder member of Round Square which is an organisation that promotes the philosophy of education espoused by Kurt Hahn. The organisation has grown considerably in the recent past with global membership approaching 180 schools. Our involvement with all matters Round Square continues to be extensive, and its pillars – the IDEALS – lie very much at the heart of our educational philosophy:
- Internationalism;
- Democracy;
- Environmental concern;
- Adventure;
- Leadership,
- Service.
Our Values
Our Student Body
Box Hill School has always attracted a wide variety of students, in geographical, linguistic, ethnic and intellectual terms. The focus on Global Citizenship is key to our ethos, and we are proud of our Internationalism. The school’s aim is for about a third of our school to be from the international community, (not mother tongue English) so as to promote peace and understanding between people. Boarding is integral to our ideal of internationalism.
Holistic Education
We seek to give our students a holistic education. Holistic education is a philosophy of education based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to humanitarian values such as compassion and peace. In turn, this is brought about through a wide experience of sport, creative arts, challenge, service, outward bound pursuits, and democratic participation as well as academic learning. Academic success is, therefore, an outcome of a broader character education. Box Hill School aims to be the first choice school for those who understand that education is about growing the whole child. Whilst academic achievement is important, equal emphasis is put on art, dance, drama, technical work, charity work, student representation, learning through play or culture, boarding, sport, adventurous pursuits, co-curricular activities, and other opportunities.
Box Hill School endeavours to minimise stress and anxiety for young people, and does not encourage unhealthy competition. Learning is through a spirit of collaboration where success is defined as fulfilment through self-discovery and the creation of individual meaning. Everybody is made greater by the success of each other. We seek to reduce the pressure that society places on children through grade performance indicators (exam results etc). We do not define success as personal achievement over or at a cost to others. This does not mean that we do not strive to be the best we can personally be, however, both in terms of academics, or in terms of character.
The mission (vision statement) of Box Hill School is to:
create successful lifelong learners and leaders with a global mindset who will always positively impact the world around them through the Round Square IDEALS.