Bruce Watson mentioned in his recent vocational that he was involved with Ficino School in Mt Eden.

 

At our meeting on 25 February Bruce expanded on his involvement with the school and give us some insight into the school's operation;

 

Ficino is named after the Italian renaissance philosopher. Your editor has often wondered about the source of the schools name and now his curiosity has been satisfied.

 

The school exists to provide a philosophically inspired education promoting excellence strength of character and resilience.

 

The school follows the platonic philosphy subscribing to the view that the beginning is the most important part of the work. This means that Ficino produces students who are well rounded and capable. 

 

The school values are truth discipline, goodness, courage and personal responsibility. These are old-fashioned virtues, unfashionable excepting places such as Ficino.

 

The school employs the socratic teaching method and follows the Cambridge syllabus. We were interested to note that commute computers are not introduced to students until years 7, and 8, and artificial intelligence is not allowed at the school full.

 

Ficino has an extensive academic program.  Including maths, Sanskrit, philosophy and many other subjects.

 

There is a very active drama group which puts on one of Shakespears' plays.  The school undertakes a wide range of excursions including a Renaisaance trip to Italy and one which visits the Globe theatre in the UK,

 

Presently, there are 160 students at the school. Bruce commented that while private schools are competing for students the preschool is full with a waiting list.

 

Ficino has come a long way since it started in 1997. It has a good reputation and is producing students who go on to perform extremely well.  

 

Thank you Bruce for the insight into Ficino School.