by LYIS
A sincere thank you to David Shirley, Head of School at Shanghai Singapore International School for inviting Leading Your International School to talk about leadership and the wider definition of an international school.
A passionate international leader, David talked me through much of his leadership philosophy, and how the importance of effective budgeting can often underpin the relative success of an international school. David looks for “a constant evolution of character, professional standards and wellbeing” within teachers.
Continuing our discussion, we talked about SSIS, its history, and what it means to lead a Singaporean school in China. David emphasised the school being a “close-knit family” with “symbiotic relationships” within and between stakeholders. He tries hard to lead by example, having a deep sense of humility, fusing it with an emerging sense of pride for what the school stands for and how it tries to achieve it.
Being a Singaporean school also means that there is a deep and meaningful commitment to purposeful and rich collaboration, underpinned by hard work – in pursuit of academic excellence.
As we tour the school, I get a real sense of that exact pride David has in the school. Its facilities are world-class. The recent addition of the indoor golf driving range that compliments the external Pitch and Putt Course means that students receive an excellent head start when it comes to golf. Staff too have the option of using the facilities. The mere act of hitting golf balls works, no doubt, to improve well-being and allows staff valuable time to switch off.
The campus at Shanghai Singapore International School is an incredible testament to its design ability to use almost every piece of its footprint with purpose and effect. Unlike many international schools that have converted to a 3G sports surface, I see an immaculate grass pitch that any professional sports club would surely envy.
In a very competitive space within Shanghai, Shanghai Singapore International School has made every effort to stand out from the crowd, but in doing so, continues to stick to its core values around academic excellence. From what we have witnessed, David is doing a fine job, and his journey continues to take those around him with him. The term ‘Senior Leadership Team’ gives way to ‘Core Leadership Team’ and Heads of School are based within their teams – further creating a collaborative team culture. This is a school where leadership aligns around its student-centred purpose.
LYIS extends its warmest thanks to David Shirley and the entire team at Shanghai Singapore International School for such an inspiring school visit.
