Page 30 - Education Supp February 2022 Digital

St Peter’s - Monastic vs Co-Ed

on the Educational Journey

t Peter’s schools are monastic (same Monastic Prep Phase
sex) at both the Girls and Boys Prep
Sschools, while from Grade 8, St Peter’s Research shows that boys are more active than girls as pre-adolescents and are generally noisier,
College becomes co-ed. Prospective parents while girls are often more compliant and prefer stillness while learning. Anecdotal evidence
often ask why the lower and higher grades likewise suggests that boys are more likely to get involved in cultural pastimes like Choir or Drama
are schooled differently and whether one or in a single-sex setting where they are unlikely to be labelled as ‘sissies’. Girls are similarly more
the other model is more beneficial. In truth, likely to participate in traditionally male-oriented sports in a monastic environment. The St Peter’s
despite rafts of research, neither model has Prep same-sex learning model accommodates both the perceived difference in learning styles and
been proven to advance student progress the participation in non-traditional activities from the earliest learning stages.
more than the other.
“Many parents advocate co-education as the natural and sensible way for boys and girls to grow
According to retired Rector Greg Royce, accustomed to socialising together,” says Royce. “In our schools, our Senior pupils interact daily,
St Peter’s school leadership does not lean while our Juniors have plenty of opportunities to intermingle on cultural activities such as music
towards either the same-sex or co-ed model. productions, before joining the co-ed College community. We believe that whichever model is
“Our primary focus has always been on
retaining an ethos built over many years
and providing equal opportunities for both
sexes in an inclusive learning environment,”
he says. “Most importantly, we believe that
parents should have the choice.”

The founder of St Peter’s Boys Prep was a
former Headmaster of St John’s Prep, who
aimed to create a model similar to that
of St John’s. More than 50 years later, the
Girls Prep was established in response to
a demand from parents who wanted their
daughters educated in an institution of a
similar ethos, in other words, monastic
and with very high standards. It was also
convenient for parents whose sons had
siblings at other girls schools. Although
the Prep Schools share a campus, they
have continued as monastic educational
environments ever since.

Education | February 2022 | 28