Our school is noted for its family atmosphere and welcoming, supportive environment. It is an inclusive community where a child in Form 1 can approach a 6th Form student without feeling intimidated; where differences are appreciated, not made fun of; and where relations between students and teachers are marked by mutual respect and cooperation, not confrontation and conflict. This encourages students to try new things, to take risks and to give their all. New students are welcomed and settle in very quickly.
We believe that the values ingrained in students at a young age will stay with them and want to send out students who we shall be proud of throughout their lives. We aim to instil in all our students the character to stand up for what they believe in, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves and to consider the needs of others above their own.
Elizabeth Moir School nurtures individuals and gives all students the confidence to be themselves, free from peer pressure and the need to conform. By treating students like adults who are capable of making their own decisions, we encourage them to act like adults and take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Our students work because they want to, not because they have to; they adhere to rules because they understand their importance, not out of fear of punishment.
This special atmosphere in the school is a product of the care and consideration of the teachers and our commitment to providing the best possible pastoral care. We are committed to ensuring that every student enjoys and makes the most of their time in school; this is central to our ethos.
Class Teachers are responsible for the welfare of all the students in their class and have a very special bond with their students. They are always available to help students with any issue — whether academic, personal or social - and every child knows they have someone they can go to with a problem. They also take the lead in teaching students the values of self-discipline, fair play and respect for others on which the school is built.
The Wellbeing Centre provides a safe space for students to take a break in a welcoming, supervised environment. There are two Counsellors who students can meet at any time, either online or in person, whether just to have a chat or seek help with any problem they are facing.
In the Junior School, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) addresses a number of issues and helps children to understand the difference between right and wrong. At the Senior School, a wide range of issues are discussed by different teachers, from Life Skills to Social and Emotional Learning. Regular age-appropriate Sex and Relationships Education sessions begin in Junior 5 and continue throughout the Senior School.
At Elizabeth Moir School, we recognise that good discipline is central to what parents want from a school and is the key factor in students achieving their potential in all areas of school life. We have a well-earned reputation for well-mannered students and a community free from the behavioural problems that can make school so hard for both children and teachers at other schools. This discipline comes from shared adherence to a common moral code and a community based on mutual respect not from unthinking obedience or frequent punishments.
At both the Junior and Senior School, Class Trips at the end of the year reward the students for their hard work and strengthen class unity and team spirit. At the Senior School, students are also able to attend Team-Building Camps each year, designed to build their leadership and teamwork skills by challenging them in unfamiliar situations. Students go to Kitulgala or Weligama and take part in a range of extreme sports and outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking and canyoning, organised by qualified professional staff. A typical comment by a student after a trip was: ‘I learnt how to speak out, how to work as part of a team, and how to respect and listen to others.’
The latest research conducted in Britain has shown that nothing matters more in a child’s education than having a teacher who truly inspires them. Our students do not need to be told this. Any of our students and parents would say that the greatest asset the school has is the commitment and dedication of the teachers. They are all determined to do everything they can for every student in their care, always going the extra mile to form a bond with each child and give them all the help they need. They all make themselves available to students outside of class time – during breaks, after school and even during the holidays – to provide the individual attention that is such a key part of the school.
Continuity is a key reason for this success. Unlike many international schools where teachers stay for two or three years before moving on, we are fortunate that the majority of both our local and expatriate staff stay at the school for a long time. This promotes consistent leadership, facilitates long-term planning and means that both teachers and senior members of staff know every student and what they are capable of.
Our in-house training seminars succeed in keeping teachers abreast of the latest developments in the field of education. Regular workshops provide an ideal opportunity for teachers to learn from one another, and help to strengthen the team dynamic.
Junior School Staff
Our Junior School staff are experienced, qualified in their fields and passionate about educating young minds. All members of the Staff Room work towards common goals with energy and enthusiasm, creating a climate of purpose, joy and togetherness that rubs off on their students. This dedicated team strives to promote independence and a thirst for knowledge within every child, encouraging all students to develop good study habits and a love of learning from a young age.
Senior School Staff
All full-time teachers at the Senior School have university degrees, with the majority also having Master’s degrees. Their varied backgrounds mean that different teachers have experience of different teaching methods and the latest developments within different education systems. This leads to a tremendous fusion of the best practice from different countries and makes the school a wonderfully exciting place to teach and learn.
There are currently 600 students between the Junior and Senior Schools; student numbers are strictly limited to preserve the school’s family atmosphere. Overall, the number of boys and girls is approximately even, while the ratio of students to staff is roughly 6:1.
When a student enters the school, he or she is placed in one of four houses: Armstrong, Columbus, Fleming or Hillary. Throughout the academic year, these houses compete in a number of events, across different age categories. As well as promoting healthy competition and unearthing new talent in the school, the house system generates a terrific spirit within the school community. House competitions always create considerable excitement and a wonderful sense of teamwork and camaraderie. House Captains are appointed every year to foster house spirit and to organise their House’s involvement in events.
Elizabeth Moir School has welcomed students from more than 70 different countries and every continent since the school opened. Few people are lucky enough to visit as many countries in a lifetime as are represented in our school at any given time. Growing up in this multicultural environment means that acceptance of religious and cultural differences comes naturally to our students. Festivals from each of the major religions are celebrated every year through Assemblies and other events so that the children learn about the traditions and beliefs of all their friends in school.
At Elizabeth Moir School we instil a sense of social responsibility and an appreciation of privilege in all our students. Every class organises a Community Service project each year. At the Junior School, younger students visit elders’ homes, like the Methodist Elders’ Home, to entertain the residents there, while other students help at community kitchens and other projects. Form 1 visit the Prithipura Home for the Differently Abled each year, while other classes make annual visits to the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, the Ratmalana School for the Blind and schools in under-privileged areas. Every student is involved in this programme: they learn a lot not just about the people they help but about themselves too.
At the Senior School, the Community Service Club visits a boys’ home and elders’ home each week, where they teach English, play games and organise special events for the boys, and interact with and perform for the elders. The Senior School Prefects organise events throughout the year to raise money to contribute to worthy causes. The proceeds of the ticket sales for the annual Junior School Christmas Concert are donated to charities, such as the Indira Cancer Trust and Child Action Lanka.
