Phnom Penh, Cambodia – In an inspiring and ambitious address, Robin Silk, the newly appointed Principal of The King’s School, Vattanacville, shared his vision for the institution and his commitment to bringing the best of British international education to Cambodia. With a wealth of experience spanning 16 years as a Principal and 14 years in international education, Robin is poised to lead the school to new heights.

Having previously set up schools in the UK, UAE, Spain, and Zambia, and with extensive experience in both boarding and day schools, Robin brings a diverse and comprehensive background to his new role. “Setting up any school in the world is a privilege,” he remarked, highlighting the unique opportunity to foster young leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the future.

Robin expressed his enthusiasm for working in Cambodia, a country with a rich cultural heritage and a burgeoning sense of confidence. He is particularly passionate about integrating the principles of British international education, drawing on a close partnership with The King’s School Canterbury. “Here at The King’s School, Vattanacville, we aim to build the best school in the country and, in time, one of the premier schools in South-East Asia,” he declared.

Emphasising a holistic approach to education, Robin outlined the school’s commitment to a curriculum that is creative, skills-based, supportive, and spiritually aware. This approach aims to help every student discover their passions and develop essential qualities such as self-belief, respect, compassion, critical thinking, and resilience. “We aim to develop young people’s self-belief and self-esteem, alongside the respect and compassion that leads to them valuing the success of others as well as their own,” he stated.

Addressing logistical aspects, Robin mentioned the school’s temporary location in the Vattanac Capital building, with plans to expand to accommodate secondary school students on an additional floor. He shared personal anecdotes to illustrate the importance of language proficiency and cultural understanding; skills that will be integral to the school’s curriculum. “Here at The King’s School, all our students will grow up trilingual at the least – speaking Chinese, English, and Khmer,” he explained.

Despite initial delays, Robin is optimistic about the school’s future. The institution aims to maintain a favourable staff-to-student ratio and plans to grow to approximately 1500 students, including a significant number of boarders. “We will develop a values-based, skills-based, creative, and student-centred curriculum that ensures our students are ready for the world of tomorrow,” he asserted.

In conclusion, Robin expressed his eagerness to engage with the school community and work together to build a great institution. “The future will be bright at The King’s School, Vattanacville,” he promised.

For further information and updates about The King’s School, Vattanacville, please visit our website or contact our office directly.