A Different School of Thought in Action
At Good Shepherd International School, education extends far beyond academics. Anchored in the philosophy of A Different School of Thought, our Thrive, Path to Purpose, and Building Connections programmes form the cornerstone of our commitment to nurture well-rounded, resilient, and globally-minded students. These initiatives are carefully curated, age-appropriate experiences that guide our learners to understand themselves, engage deeply with others, and lead with confidence.
Thrive: Cultivating Self-Discovery
The Thrive programme is introduced in the Middle and Senior School years as a structured journey of personal growth, emotional resilience, and social awareness.
- Grade 7 students focus on communication and collaboration, building emotional awareness, and identifying personal strengths through reflective exercises and growth circles.
- Grade 8 emphasizes resilience and adaptability, where students learn to step beyond comfort zones, manage emotions, and explore identity through self-portraits and reflective mapping.
- Grade 9 builds further with strategic planning, conflict resolution, and perspective building. Here, students engage in activities that simulate real-world challenges, strengthening their leadership and empathy.
By design, Thrive helps each cohort embrace who they are becoming, equipping them with the mindset and skills to flourish as global citizens.
Path to Purpose: Guiding Aspirations
Where Thrive focuses on inner growth, Path to Purpose leads students outward — helping them connect personal strengths to meaningful futures.
- Students begin by reflecting on their values, circles of influence, and self-awareness using models such as Johari’s Window.
- Through problem-solving simulations like the Invisible Maze and Hanoi Tower, they develop critical thinking and collaborative leadership.
- Team-based challenges like Traffic Jam and Pipes & Marbles foster perseverance, patience, and communication, teaching students to navigate complexity with poise
This programme ensures that every Shepherdian understands that purpose is not found, but built — with self-knowledge, resilience, and vision.
Building Connections: Strengthening Relationships
Complementing Thrive and Path to Purpose, Building Connections emphasizes the art of human connection — essential in a residential and international environment like GSIS.
- Students cultivate trust, empathy, and teamwork through dynamic challenges such as sketch-sharing, stretcher-making, and trust exercises.
- Communication workshops sharpen active listening, self-expression, and respect for diverse perspectives.
- Reflective practices such as the River of Life and Johari Window deepen emotional intelligence and self-awareness, helping students form meaningful relationships within and beyond school life.
This programme reinforces that leadership is not only about achievement, but about building authentic connections.
Why It Matters at GSIS
Together, these three programmes form a continuum of personal development as distinctive as the academic continuum we proudly offer. They ensure that a GSIS student does not simply excel in examinations, but also emerges as:
- A resilient individual,
- A purpose-driven leader, and
- A compassionate connector.
In shaping minds and hearts, Thrive, Path to Purpose, and Building Connections embody the GSIS vision of education: elite, holistic, and truly a different school of thought.
