PHNOM PENH, February 13, 2026 — While academic excellence is often the headline of international schooling, Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh is proving that the path to success also includes a well-made sandwich and a clean plate.
As part of their recent Practical Life Skills sessions, students took part in hands-on activities—preparing jam and butter sandwiches and learning the responsible way to wash dishes. While these tasks may seem simple, they are carefully designed to meet the rigorous standards of the National Curriculum for England.
Why Practical Life Skills Matter
At Shrewsbury, these sessions are about more than just a snack; they are about nurturing “The Whole Child.” By engaging in these daily tasks, students develop a core set of competencies:
- Communication & Instructions: Learning to follow a multi-step sequence to achieve a successful result.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Working together in a shared space, a skill that translates directly to the playground and the future workplace.
- Self-Management: Taking ownership of the “un-glamorous” parts of a task, such as tidying up and washing dishes responsibly.
Preparing for Life Beyond the Classroom
Shrewsbury’s approach aligns with the British educational philosophy that schools should produce confident, responsible, and capable young people. By mastering these small tasks early on, students build the “muscle memory” for independence, ensuring they are ready to thrive in the world around them.
As the school puts it, education at Shrewsbury isn’t just about the grade on a paper—it’s about developing the character and capability of the individual.
