Growing Together: Our Philosophy and Path Forward

携手共成长：我们的办学理念与前行方向

Dear RDF International School Community,

致深圳瑞得福学校全体同仁：

Welcome, or welcome back, to a new academic year at RDF International School. I am pleased to have you as part of our community, whether you are a parent, a student beginning a new grade, or a member of our broader community. I would like to share the principles that guide our school's academic life and the philosophy that informs it.

欢迎大家来到瑞得福，开启新学年，也欢迎各位重返校园。无论您是家长、升入新年级的学生，还是学校社群的一员，我都由衷高兴能与您相聚于此。在此，我想和大家分享指引我校教学工作的各项准则，以及背后的办学理念。

I believe students thrive when they are recognized, challenged, supported, and gradually entrusted with greater responsibility for their own learning. Our school's name reflects this philosophy. Responsibility, Discipline, and Fortitude are not simply words on our crest; they are habits we intentionally cultivate each day in every classroom and across our campus. Responsibility means students take ownership of their work and its outcomes. Discipline requires consistent, structured practice to achieve mastery rather than seeking shortcuts. Fortitude involves supporting students as they face challenges with resilience, since the most valuable gift a school can offer is not an easy path, but the strength to navigate a challenging one.

我坚信：当学生得到认可、经受适度挑战、获得充分支持，并逐步被赋予自主学习的责任时，他们才能茁壮成长。我校校训正体现这一理念。责任、自律、勇气，并不仅仅是校徽上的文字；而是我们在每一间教室、校园各处，日复一日刻意培养的行为习惯。责任，代表学生为自身学业与结果主动担当。自律，意味着依靠持之以恒、有条理的练习实现学识精通，而非投机取巧。勇气，则是陪伴学生坚韧地直面困境。一所学校所能给予学生最珍贵的馈赠，不是一条坦途，而是战胜逆境的力量。

High expectations are essential, and students achieve them most effectively when challenge is accompanied by appropriate support. As educators, our responsibility is to set ambitious standards and ensure that students receive the guidance, relationships, and opportunities necessary to meet these expectations.

高标准不可或缺。而只有挑战与恰当的支持相辅相成，学生才能最好地达成目标。作为教育工作者，我们的职责是树立高远的学业标准，并保障学生获得达成这些标准所需的指导、人际关怀与成长机会。

At RDF, we strive to expand opportunities for students rather than restrict them. We offer the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level curriculum alongside the US Advanced Placement program, equipping students with the academic foundations, global competencies, and flexibility to pursue higher education and future opportunities around the world, while following pathways aligned with their strengths, interests, and aspirations. Our aim is to prepare students to engage confidently with the world while remaining grounded in the values, relationships, and sense of responsibility that shape who they are. However, even the strongest curriculum depends on excellent teaching. Therefore, we invest in teacher development through regular coaching, professional learning, internationally benchmarked standards, and a culture of continuous improvement. Consistently high-quality teaching is one of the strongest drivers of student success, and it is where I dedicate much of my own energy as Principal.

在瑞得福，我们力求拓宽学生的发展机遇，而非加以限制。学校开设剑桥 IGCSE、A Level 课程，同时引入美国大学先修 AP 课程。帮助学生夯实学术基础、培养全球素养，拥有多元选择，能够奔赴世界各地接受高等教育、追逐未来理想，走出契合自身优势、兴趣与志向的成长道路。我们的目标，是让学生拥有自信拥抱世界的能力，同时坚守塑造自我的价值观、人际联结与责任意识。但即便课程体系再完善，也离不开优质的教学。因此，我们大力投入教师发展工作：常态化教学督导、专业研修学习、对标国际标准，营造持续精进的校园文化。稳定高质量的教学，是学生取得进步最重要的推动力之一，这也是我作为校长投入大量精力的工作重心。

Our goal extends beyond offering international programs; we seek to build a school recognized for the quality of its teaching, the strength of its academic pathways, and the character and achievements of its graduates. This requires establishing systems, policies, and practices at RDF that are clear, consistent, and enduring. Such a foundation meets the highest international standards and serves our students well, regardless of future leadership. I aspire for RDF to be a school every family can trust with both their child's education and their future. This is the standard to which I hold myself.

我们的目标不止于开设国际课程项目；我们致力于打造一所以教学质量、完备升学路径、毕业生品格与学业成就著称的学校。这就需要在瑞得福建立清晰统一、长久稳定的制度、政策与执行规范。这套符合国际最高水准的根基，无论未来管理团队如何更迭，都能持续惠及学生。我期许瑞得福成为每一个家庭都愿意托付孩子教育与未来的学校，这也是我对自己的工作要求。

None of these achievements occur in isolation. We accomplish them collectively: with our Head of School and leadership team, with department heads developing their leadership, with teachers dedicated to learning and coaching, with families who work in partnership with the school, and with students who contribute their curiosity, effort, and commitment each day.

所有成果都无法靠单打独斗实现。这是所有人共同努力的结果：有赖校长及管理团队、不断提升领导力的各学科主任、坚持研修与教学精进的教师、与学校携手共育的家庭，以及每一天满怀好奇、勤勉付出的同学们。

As we move forward, our direction is clear: stronger teaching, clearer pathways, consistent expectations, meaningful support for every student, and a community unified by Responsibility, Discipline, and Fortitude. To me, Growing Together represents not only individual improvement but also the collective strengthening of RDF, ensuring that every student benefits from the school we are building.

展望前路，我们的方向十分明确：精进教学质量、明晰升学发展路径、统一育人标准、为每一位学生提供切实有效的支持，打造以 “责任、自律、坚毅” 凝聚在一起的校园共同体。于我而言，“携手共成长” 不仅代表个体的进步，更代表瑞得福整体实力的提升，让每一位学生，都能从我们正在建设的这所学校中获益。

With warm regards,

此致

Sabrina Waterfield

Principal, RDF International School

深圳瑞得福学校校长