St Andrew’s passionate about women empowerment

St Andrew’s School for Girls has taken it upon themselves to equip their learners with the knowledge and skills to ensure they are strong successful women in any industry, and have now taken it to new heights with the STEAM project.

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) project will commence with the construction of a new Science Block at the school, which began production in December last year.

Gill Jeffrey, head of senior school at St Andrew’s, said it was time to step up and secure a place for women in STEAM.

“We want the girls to be women of the future and be in a space where they can grow, by giving a priority in the fields of STEAM,” said Jeffrey.

She said the project will help the learners to engage, to be more problem-solving and to think more critically.

“We want the girls to be able to go in many career paths. We want the girls to be encouraged,” said Jeffrey.

Executive head at St Andrew’s School Ivanka Acquisto said the project promotes gender equality for woman in the STEAM fields.

“We are aware of gender inequality in the work force.

“We want the girls to be confident and knowledgeable within boardrooms once they leave the school.

“We want to push the agenda with equality for women. Companies are now looking to have equal opportunities for women,” said Acquisto.

She said the project aims to build the community along with learners at the school.

“Uplifting women outside of our school is very important to us. We will be having registry where we can uplift women in the community as well. Our old girls, who has already achieved great things, will also be active in this project,” said Acquisto.

Jeffrey said the school wants to have a legacy by leaving a strong footprint to drive opportunities in the STEAM workplace by giving the learners the skills they need.

“The learners need to have a ‘can-do attitude’ when they leave the school. They need to have a voice, where they are able to debate and be involved,” said Jeffrey.

Acquisto said women make up of more than 50 per cent of the world population and therefore it is important for woman to have leadership in all fields.

“Women have a soft approach, which is critical for building relationships, and in that they need to own it and not try to be like men.

“Women need to have their own voice and be authentic and know that they are valuable.

“Women add to diversity in any workplace and therefore should not try to be like men in the work force. Women need to be themselves at all times,” said Acquisto.

The construction of the science building is underway and the learners have been invited to view the building site with hard hats in toe.

Acquisto said STEAM promotes cohesiveness between fields and brings together different types of thinkers and promotes that you can be artistic and scientific.

The school will have a mini launch of the STEAM project at the Spring Expo on September 14 and hopes the Science Block will be complete by April 2020.