2024 Singapore Education Awards: Astor International School wins Gold for Principal of The Year & Silver in the Best Affordable International School Category!
- Elena Holloway
- Sep 25
- 3 min read
Article originally published by HoneyKidsAsia and written by Jay Panicker | Nov 19, 2024
Here’s how Astor International School snagged gold and silver in the 2024 Singapore Education Awards, as the Best Affordable International School!
Astor International School always prides itself for offering boutique education at an affordable price, and it shows! Couple that with its world-class curriculum, and this school has a truly winning formula. This year, it earned top recognition, winning Gold for Principal of the Year and Silver for the Best Affordable International School in Singapore in the 2024 Singapore Education Awards. These awards highlight the school’s commitment to high-quality, accessible education under the dedicated leadership of Principal Shannon de Winnaar — who’s won Best Principal for the second consecutive year!
Here’s a closer look at how Astor won these honours.
How did Astor International School win Silver for being an affordable school?
Astor International School’s approach to affordability is grounded in its dedication to providing quality education at a reasonable price. Their tuition fees start at $16,241 per year (including GST). By keeping fees transparent and avoiding hidden costs like building levies and technology fees, the school prioritises accessibility for families. Furthermore, they only charge for ten months of the year, waiving fees during the June-August summer break — a rare practice among Singaporean international schools!
Astor’s flexible fee structure, including the option for monthly instalments, recognises many families’ financial pressures, especially in current times. Additionally, the school’s location in Tanglin offers a bright, cosy campus with two spacious outdoor play areas and a well-rounded support system, including transportation and lunch services. Regular field trips, library visits, and cultural performances bring learning to life outside the classroom.
Astor’s accomplishments are reflected in the satisfaction of the community. Parents appreciate the simplicity of its pricing, the lack of hidden fees, and the school’s commitment to providing a premium education at a reasonable cost.
Extensive experience & an empowering leadership style: The secrets to Principal Shannon de Winnaar’s Gold win
Astor International School’s principal, Shannon de Winnaar, is no stranger to accolades, named “Principal of the Year (Primary)” in the 2023 Education Awards! This year’s Gold award further cements her successful vision and leadership. Since joining Astor in 2020, Principal Shannon has emphasised hands-on learning and collaboration among students and teachers, leading the school toward remarkable growth.
Principal Shannon’s teaching philosophy centres on hands-on and enquiry-based learning. She fosters curiosity and critical thinking by encouraging students to explore concepts through active participation and interaction. This experiential approach includes minimal reliance on technology, instead focusing on providing immersive experience and hands-on enquiry-based learning that deepen student understanding and engagement. This well-deserved honour recognises her commitment to fostering a culture of enquiry-based, experiential learning at Astor. Her extensive experience with diverse educational systems, including the Australian, British, American, and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, enriches her leadership style.
Principal Shannon has never been shy to share that her favourite part of the role is empowering her staff to excel. By guiding teachers and helping them achieve their professional goals, she creates a supportive and collaborative community where educators are inspired to inspire others.
Congratulations to Principal Shannon and Astor International School on these well-deserved accolades!
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