In an age of constant distraction, Ficino School in Mount Eden is taking a different approach to education.
Serving students from Years 1 to 8, this independent school combines a rigorous academic programme with a distinctive philosophy that places attention, character and wellbeing at the centre of learning. For Ficino School, education is about more than academic achievement. It’s about helping young people develop the knowledge and wisdom to lead meaningful lives.
Why focus matters
Principal Peter Crompton believes the ability to attend fully has become one of the most important skills a child can develop.
“Attention is foundational to learning,” he says. “Children today are surrounded by noise, interruption and constant stimulation. The ability to focus carefully is becoming both more difficult and more valuable.”
A key wellbeing practice at Ficino is ‘The Pause’, a brief moment of stillness at the beginning and end of activities. Students quietly settle their attention before moving into the next lesson or task.
”The Pause helps children become present and ready to learn,” continues Peter. “Over time, it builds self-awareness, emotional steadiness and resilience.”
Strong academic foundations
Ficino students study the internationally recognised Cambridge curriculum in English, mathematics and science from Year 1 through to Year 8. This provides strong academic foundations and prepares students well for the demands of secondary school and beyond.
The school’s consistently strong academic outcomes reflect its belief that children thrive when high expectations are combined with thoughtful teaching and genuine care.
“We believe children are capable of far more than is sometimes assumed,” Peter says . “When students are given the right support and challenge, they develop confidence in their ability to learn and succeed.”
Alongside academic learning, students engage in a rich curriculum that includes literature, philosophy and the arts. These studies are brought to life through distinctive experiences, including the performance of Shakespeare and an annual trip to Europe, where Year 8 students explore the English and Italian Renaissances.
Enduring skills for a changing world
A distinctive feature of the school is its measured approach to technology. Students do not use devices in the classroom until Year 5, and technology is introduced only when it adds genuine educational value.
Instead, the emphasis is on direct teaching, discussion, reading, handwriting and attentive listening. These habits help strengthen concentration, memory and understanding while building the capacity for sustained attention.
Ficino School’s classical approach is not about looking backwards but about providing enduring foundations for life.
“The future will require adaptability and technological fluency,” says Peter. “But it will also belong to people who can think independently, communicate clearly and remain centred amidst the complexity of the world around them.”
“I am incredibly grateful to Ficino School for the gifts our daughter has received from her education: high academic standards, a deep love of learning and the arts, as well as confidence and a calm and consistent work ethic.”
– parent testimonial.
27 Esplanade Road, Mt Eden
