Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) relates to all aspects of education which aim to help students to ‘develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge to make informed decisions for the benefit of themselves and others, now and in the future, and to act upon these decisions.

San Silvestre School is acutely aware of its responsibility to endorse and practise not only sustainable behaviour but also education for sustainable development. We believe that the practice of sustainable behaviour and education in the philosophy of such development is essential in order to ensure our students are empowered to become good decision makers in ensuring quality of life without damaging the planet for the future.
 

From Nursery until the end of their school career, our pupils are encouraged to understand and empathise others and be fully aware of social needs and issues.

We live in a country marked by great contrasts. We are fortunate in being able to give our students the best opportunities to develop within a stimulating and caring environment, both at home and at school. Sadly, not all students and young people are so fortunate. At San Silvestre, our Community Service projects include supporting the underprivileged but also projects aimed at helping students who are suffering from serious illnesses and other groups in need of support.

Our fundamental objective is the formation of students who are well-balanced and compassionate individuals.

Linking with other cultures, other students, other realities, other provinces, other countries is essential in the modern world. Boundaries cease to be the limit they once were. In San Silvestre, well aware of this fact, we prepare our students so that they can face the challenges and responsibilities of dealing with the world outside their immediate reality.

As a result of the broad scope of activities that the school offers including study trips, exchange programmes, international examinations, international championships, community service and conferences, San Silvestre pupils are global citizens.
 

San Silvestre offers the University of Cambridge IGCSE programme (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and the International Baccalaureate programme (IB).

Some advantages of international examinations:

It ensures that the San Silvestre curriculum is up-to-date and its content is of a very high standard. 

The pupils develop many transferable and enduring skills including:  field work, practical work, academic writing, research, extended essays, presentations. The courses are largely delivered in English thus they enhance the bilingual identity of the school.
 

One of the outstanding aspects of their education in San Silvestre is the students’ sense of solidarity with their promotion and the firm friendship that lasts after school days are over and grows even stronger as the students go their separate ways.

One of the greatest supports in fostering the spirit of solidarity is the Ex-Alumnae Association, which encourages a close link with the School in all its functions and liaisons with the students, staff and parents.

Its central ethos is to integrate its members in the common aims of friendship and humanistic qualities based on the positive set of values encouraged by the school. It is an integral part of the School, not an extension or a separate body.