PHNOM PENH: Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh is hosting an exciting event for families with young children from 25-26 February 2023. The two-day event, called 'Kiddie Quest: Unlock Your Child’s Potential', promises to be a fun and educational experience for kids, while also making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Cambodia.

Parents will be provided with the opportunity to check out the school’s Smart Baby Club, managed by Tutor Impact UK, which provides a stimulating learning environment for babies to grow up in, with the active participation of their parents. This secure and fun clubhouse seeks to nurture and empower children for the future.

Speaking with EAC News, the Founding Principle of Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh, Toby Waterson, explained that children and parents can expect to see the numerous facilities on offer at the school, while also engaging in a number of fun quests and challenges over the two-day event.

“We're encouraging as many people as possible to come to the school and see these great facilities, the classrooms, meet some of our staff," he said. "We're also laying out some activities for our early years-aged children, so two to five year-olds but also younger babies, because we have a partner program on the weekend for babies, and we're encouraging all parents and children to come in as we're putting on activities... [including] quests or challenges that are physical, intellectual and musical in nature.”

“We also have a talent show on the Sunday (26 February) as well, from four to six," he added. "Basically, what we want to do is have the children come in and enjoy being in the space, and meet the staff.”

Waterson also highlighted that the school seeks to raise funds for the Indochina Starfish Foundation, a local charity that helps underprivileged children here in Cambodia, through this event.

“Essentially, what that's going to be is a large handprint mural made by the visitors, and then we'll be auctioning that off and all those proceeds will go to that charity," he said.

He further touched on how students in the early years program can learn well through play-based activities.

“We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, which is an English national curriculum provision, and the ethos behind that is that the children learn through play-based activities," said Waterson. "I've seen the results myself, it's great to witness. What that means is that the children have some structured times during the week where they do their phonics and their maths and some of their language learning.”

The Founding Principle encourages people to come and visit the school this weekend to engage in fun activities and see what their children could learn while attending Shrewsbury.

“We really want to encourage people into the space. It's got a great feel; it's modern, it's light, it's got all sorts of interactive environments," he said. "As soon as children step into this space, they want to play, they want to explore, they're curious about things.... [It's] an enabling space [that allows] us to find teachable moments, and we want to encourage people to come in to witness their children interacting with the space, and, of course, we also want the chance to meet people.”

Those interested in attending the 'Kiddie Quest' event this 25-26 February can register online through this link: https://form.jotform.com/230371332129447

Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh will be holding more big profile events and open houses during the year and welcomes everyone to visit.