As Amy Martin steps into her role as Co-Principal of Four Forest Lucerne, she brings more than 15 years of experience in education, a deep understanding of both Primary and Secondary learning and a clear philosophy about what makes schools successful.

At the centre of that philosophy is something deceptively simple: relationships.

“Whether supporting children facing significant challenges in a hospital setting or leading a team through change, positive relationships are often the key to success. When people feel valued, understood and supported, they are far more likely to thrive.”

Alongside her role as Co-Principal, Amy leads Grades 5 and 6 as well as Four Forest LMS, giving her a strong perspective across the transition from upper Primary into Secondary.

A broad educational perspective

Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Amy holds a dual degree in Arts, majoring in English and History, and Secondary Education.

Her career has taken her into some very different classrooms.

In Australia, Amy worked within the hospital education system in Newcastle and Adelaide, including supporting children in mental health and oncology units. She later became a Middle Years Mentor and senior teacher of English and Humanities at an all-boys college in Adelaide. She moved to Switzerland with her family in 2020 and has since taught students across both Primary and Secondary within Four Forest, with subjects including English, music and art. That experience across different ages has given her a valuable perspective as she moves further into whole-school leadership.

“Having taught across both phases, and having watched my own children move through them, gives me a valuable perspective. I can often place myself in the position of both the educator and the parent.”

It also means that Amy looks at decisions made in the earlier years partly through the lens of where students ultimately need to go.

“Understanding the destination helps us better prepare students for the journey ahead.”

Leadership built on clarity and trust

Amy describes her leadership style as “approachable, visible and supportive”.

For her, however, being supportive and setting high expectations are not opposites.

“I set high expectations, but I also recognise that schools are full of experienced and talented professionals who care deeply about their students.”

She sees one of her most important responsibilities as creating the conditions in which those professionals can succeed.

“My role is to provide clarity, remove barriers and create an environment where staff feel trusted, supported and able to do their best work.”

Listening plays an important part in that.

Amy values the experience teachers bring to decisions about students and school development, particularly because they work with students every day. At the same time, she believes good organisation, clear expectations and follow-through are fundamental to an effective school.

“Parents, students and staff need to feel comfortable sharing both positive feedback and concerns, knowing they will be listened to and that appropriate action will follow.”

It is an approach closely aligned with the wider Four Forest emphasis on community and individual attention. Families can meet the wider Four Forest leadership team here.

Shaping the future of Four Forest LMS

Amy’s dual role is particularly important as the Secondary offering at Four Forest Lucerne continues to develop.

Four Forest LMS provides the German-language Secondary offering at Four Forest Lucerne, following the official Swiss Lehrplan 21, with Sekundarstufe 1 in Grades 7–9 and an optional 10th School Year in Lucerne.

Amy works to ensure the programme combines strong academic preparation with something equally important: making sure the students feel known.

“The level of individualised support we provide is something I believe truly sets us apart. We know our students exceptionally well and work hard to ensure they feel seen, understood and supported throughout their journey.”

That starts with students’ transition into Secondary.

“I want every student to feel heard, supported and confident. Good mental health provides the foundation for success, so ensuring students feel welcome and part of a team is always our starting point.”

From there, Amy and the Secondary team deliberately build the organisational skills, study habits and independence students need as expectations increase.

Teachers meet regularly to discuss student progress, recognise successes and identify where support may be needed. Parents remain part of that process.

“Secondary students still need strong support at home, and we place great value on developing positive relationships with families.”

More than preparation for the next school

Preparing students for what comes after compulsory education is an important responsibility of Four Forest LMS.

Students may progress towards vocational education and apprenticeships, Fachmittelschule, Gymnasium or other routes. Amy’s aim is to ensure they are prepared not just for entry into their next programme but for the increasingly changing world beyond it.

“A strong sense of self has never been more important. With AI and technology developing at a pace we have never seen before, students need more than academic knowledge.”

For that reason, the programme is continually reviewed and refined.

Academic achievement sits alongside personal skills, life skills and study skills, helping students become increasingly adaptable and independent.

“We want every student to leave with the confidence and capability to pursue their goals, wherever those goals may take them.”

Amy also sees opportunities to make learning increasingly connected across subjects and to life outside the classroom.

“The world does not operate in isolated subjects, and neither should learning.”

Creating opportunities for students to apply knowledge to real situations and engage with the wider community is one way she wants to make learning both relevant and memorable.

Connecting the whole Four Forest journey

Leading Grades 5 and 6 as well as Secondary while serving as Co-Principal gives Amy a distinctive perspective on the transition from Primary into the later years of schooling.

She can see not only what students need today, but where their learning and personal development need to take them over time.

“Leading Secondary provides an important perspective on the final stages of our students’ educational journey. It helps ensure that the decisions we make today are aligned with the skills, knowledge and experiences students will need tomorrow.”

For Amy, this means strengthening continuity as students progress from Primary into Secondary, with expectations, independence and learning developing appropriately at every stage.

It also means protecting the qualities families already value about Four Forest while continuing to evolve.

“We are committed to maintaining the strong sense of community and individual attention that families value while continuing to strengthen our programmes, pathways and support systems.”

Known, challenged and supported

Ultimately, Amy’s ambition for Four Forest Lucerne can be expressed in three words: every student should be known, challenged and supported.

Academic success is important, but Amy hopes students take considerably more with them when they eventually leave.

Kindness. Empathy. Integrity. Resilience. The ability to build meaningful relationships. The confidence to ask for support when they need it.

And, perhaps most importantly, the belief that they are capable of taking on what comes next.

“I would like them to say, ‘I was encouraged every day to be the best version of myself. I was part of a team, I was challenged to achieve more than I thought possible, and I left with the confidence to pursue my goals and embrace new opportunities.’”

After more than 15 years in education, it is seeing young people make that journey that continues to motivate Amy.

“Every day brings an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life.”

To discover more about Four Forest LMS and Secondary education in Lucerne, explore the programme online. Families who would like to experience Four Forest in person can also learn about our admissions process and arrange a visit.