THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
St. George's School

REPORT CONTENTS

School Overview

Reviews

Analysis

School Leadership

What is the leadership style at St. George's School? How do the school leaders shape the culture, priorities, and daily life of the community? How does this leadership style compare to that of other private and independent schools, and how might it influence your choice of school?

Page Contents

Facts and analysis
- Message from the school leadership
- Our interview with the school leader
Qualitative insights

Facts and analysis

MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP

We asked David Young, Head of School at St. George's School for their message.

They offered insights into their vision, values, and the principles that define their leadership style.

David Young, Head of School

Building Fine Young Men... One Boy at a Time.

I am really glad that you are taking the time to find out about our School. It’s a community we care deeply about and an environment we believe our boys thrive in.

I’d value the opportunity to share two foundational pillars of our School through which I believe you will have the best chance to understand the essence of Saints.

Firstly, I’d like to share our Mission; it’s our purpose, it’s what drives us. It is contained in two short phrases:
Building Fine Young Men... One Boy at a Time.

Building Fine Young Men... The first phrase reflects the truth that we are involved in future-facing work. We are passionately committed to the difficult but vital endeavour of nurturing, over time, a graduate who has the nuanced attributes to step into an increasingly complex world as a good man, a man ready, a man able to succeed excellently in his chosen arena, and a man who holds a foundational responsibility to contribute to and uphold his communities and his society. Our world desperately needs fine young men, and we are resolute in our desire to support each of our boys in his journey towards manhood.

One Boy at a Time. The second sentence reflects our understanding that each boy is wonderfully unique, that each boy holds a series of identities, histories, interests, strengths, fears, and hopes that are specific only to him. To allow each unique boy the very best chance to uncover his fullest potential requires him to first feel that he belongs and secondly to know that he is surrounded by trusted relationships with people who seek to understand and care for him. It is our belief that when a school community has relationships at its centre, a boy can find his personal confidence: confidence to try, fail, try again, and, over time, explore and develop into his own actualized version of a fine young man. It is tender work. There are infinite ways to be a boy, and we celebrate and support them all. All boys can find their path at St. George’s, where a beautifully diverse array of good men can grow. It is what our world urgently requires.

Take a closer look. Come and visit St. George’s School! We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Best wishes,

David Young

Head of School

Sine Timore aut Favore (Without Fear or Favour)

INTERVIEW WITH THE LEADERSHIP

Watch our interview with David Young, Head of School at St. George's School

They reflect on their path to educational leadership, the school's mission, and the vision guiding their everyday decisions.

David, the Head of School at St. George’s School, highlights the school’s deep sense of community, and the importance of supporting each student’s individual growth by focusing on their character development. He emphasized the school’s commitment to values-driven leadership, diverse learning environments, and preparing students for the future with a balanced approach to academics, personal growth, and innovation.

Video Contents

0:50 - Can you describe your professional journey and how it led you to this role?
4:03 - What (or who) are some of your inspirations?
6:13 - How have your views on education and leadership changed over time?
Show Full Video Contents
8:52 - What resonates with you most about the history and mission of the school?
12:55 - What journey does a student at your school go through?
14:48 - What is the family community like at St. George's School?
16:02 - What changes has the school gone through in recent years?
17:32 - What is the role of technology within the school curriculum?
21:09 - What's the relationship like between parents, teachers, and admin?
22:42 - How do you address conflict between students?
24:28 - What lasting impact do you hope the school has on its students?
26:00 - What advice do you have for parents in their school search?

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

They're committed to individualized student success.

Insights from parents, students, and alumni underscore St. George's dedication to personalized student growth and support, aiming to foster each boy's unique identity through tailored resources, personal counseling, and a focus on student well-being.

If I could go back to school, I would love to have the experience that these kids have at St. George’s today. The school is always adapting to the times, ensuring students are prepared for the future. They are forward-thinking and committed to giving kids the best possible education and life preparation. St. George’s is not just keeping up—it is leading the way.

—Jessica Hanick, parent (beginning in Gr. 1) (see full interview)

There's a million ways to be a good student, a good person, and a school's opportunity is to support every student on their individual path. We have to think about that quite deeply because we're a boys' school … there's a million ways to be a boy, and we need to celebrate that, and we need to support that, and we need to ensure that each boy's full identity finds its place by the time he leaves us.

—David Young, Head of School (see full interview)

Our task is to create an environment where we encourage them to take those risks knowing it's going to all be okay. And so it is quite inspiring to us to see how many boys, by the time of graduation, have found something that they love. It's far more fulfilling for us to send them off to their next adventure knowing they're going somewhere they want to go. They're just a really lovely aspect of what we do. We really work hard to find places where a boy feels his learning resonates with him.

—David Young, Head of School (see full interview)

I feel that the school leaders at St. George's really do put their best effort forward in making the education process enjoyable and memorable. Each grade in the Senior School has a 'Head of Grade' teacher. Throughout each grade level I've experienced at Saints, my Head of Grade teacher has always dedicated themselves to organizing and planning fun events for the student body. Another aspect I love about Saints is that each student is assigned a personal counsellor. Having a counsellor is a significant source of support for the Saints Community - if a student is struggling with a challenge, their counsellor's door is always open. Teachers and counsellors at Saints are willing to put their own work on hold to support their students.

—Matthew O'Leary, student (beginning 2013) (see full review)

I have a lot of respect for the leadership at St. George's School, with many resources to reach out to, from your teachers, advisors, counsellors, and head of grades to our principals and headmaster. They truly create an environment where students feel supported academically, socially, and personally, making it a place where we can truly thrive. ... The personal and university counsellors are also fantastic; they make themselves available for personal or academic advice, helping us navigate both school and life challenges. All in all, the resources dedicated to us students are all we could ask for, they aim to help us succeed and gain valuable knowledge to take with us into life after St. George's.

—Timothy Trinh, student (beginning 2019) (see full review)

They provide engaging civic and leadership opportunities.

Alumni and current students highlight St. George's focus on civic and versatile leadership development, encouraging students to explore their roles within their communities and apply reflective leadership skills.

Civic leadership was an important focus at St. George's. The school promoted six core values that were consistently referenced in its programming. Even if the specifics faded, the underlying principles—such as integrity and humility—became deeply ingrained. For example, intellectual humility has been crucial in my research work, as it helps me recognize gaps in my knowledge and seek better information. Similarly, integrity has shaped my career in foreign aid and humanitarian work, encouraging constant reflection on the ethical implications of my actions.

—Nicolas Wicaksono, alum (see full interview)

My desire is that people will leave with a sense of being part of something that matters. And my hope is that we'll be able to see through the impacts our graduates have made that we got some important work correct. Society needs positive young people.

—David Young, Head of School (see full interview)

Leadership opportunities were an important part of my experience at St. George’s. Despite being an introvert, I developed leadership skills in an organic way, which later influenced my career in public service. I was a transfer student, and I did not initially plan to take on leadership roles, but my involvement in boarding house activities naturally led me to them.The school nurtured a sense of civic engagement, encouraging students to think about their impact on the world beyond their academic achievements.

—Nicolas Wicaksono, alum (see full interview)

They maintain a strong community and parental involvement.

Parents note the active participation of families in the school community, emphasizing a supportive environment that strengthens connections among the school, its students, and their families.

Our parents are just hugely supportive of the school in being present, and that's really hard given many of our families all work, both parents work. It blows me away how often evening events and how well they're attended and different things. So the plethora of ways in which communication happens at the school is more than just a couple of ways.

—David Young, Head of School (see full interview)

As a boarder, I know more than anyone else the effort that those house parents have put in ensuring our well-being, both physically and mentally. When you need support in academics, the house parents will use their rich knowledge and tremendous enthusiasm to answer any questions that you may have. If you need advice on how to be more involved in the school community, the house parents are more than happy to provide you with some good advice. Or if you simply need someone to spend some worthy time with, the house parents are more than happy to organize a small but fun sports competition with you.

—Richard Ying, student (beginning 2020) (see full review)

They nurture a culture of empathy and accountability.

Reflections from the St. George's community reveal a leadership approach that values empathy, accountability, and resilience, with mentors leading by example to inspire personal and academic growth among students.

My experience with teachers and administration has been positive over the years. The teachers are approachable … Not everyone is naturally outgoing, but I’ve found that they all take the time to listen to questions or concerns. Leadership is also responsive; they take feedback seriously and genuinely work to understand the parent community. If they hear a consistent concern, they actively seek ways to improve the school, demonstrating a commitment to growth and responsiveness.

—Jessica Hanick, parent (beginning in Gr. 1) (see full interview)

I greatly admire our school leaders, including the headmaster, guidance counsellors, and teachers, who consistently set an example through their commitment and dedication. They play a crucial role in guiding us, offering wisdom and encouragement that inspire students like me to push beyond our limits. I especially respect how they lead by example, fostering a culture of empathy, accountability, and resilience. They excel in creating a safe and supportive environment, always ready to lend an ear or provide guidance when we need it most.

—Ziming Wang, student (beginning 2020) (see full review)

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