The headteacher of Epsom College said she was looking forward to an "exciting future" in a poignant interview published just a week before her death.
Emma Pattison, 45, told an education magazine of her ambitions for the prestigious school, of which she became its first female head in September last year.
She said: "We want pupils to find things that are going to matter to them for the rest of their lives, and nothing could matter more to them than the person they are going to become."
Emma also discussed a shifting political and economic landscape in the private school sector, saying: "It could be time to shape a really exciting future for the country."
The interview with School Management Plus was released last Monday - just six days before Emma was tragically found dead alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Lettie, and husband George, 39.
The deaths are being investigated as a possible murder-suicide, where Mr Pattison killed his wife and daughter before turning the gun on himself.
Tributes have since poured in for Emma from teachers, colleagues and school leaders, who described her as a "dear friend" and a "shining light".
Emma's devotion to pupils was self-evident, with her telling of creating learning experiences that help students "define their values, their own moral code and their own sense of integrity".
She said her vision was to reach wider sections of the community, and be "part of the solution to some of the problems in society".
Emma added: "We’re all considering our charitable status in independent schools and wanting to make sure we uphold the values inherent in that, particularly in a college like ours which was founded on those principles."
The headteacher also told of her delight in making a positive impact on children's lives, as highlighted through a story of one boy who "made a couple of errors of judgement this term".
She continued: "Because he has a lovely warm personality, he’s been able to engage with another lad who’s struggling in the local school and really make a difference to that lad’s experience.
"Our college pupil was able to use his own life experiences to really transform life for someone else. We think that’s a very powerful thing."
Emma further told how her pupils gave over 8,500 hours of their time to charitable community projects in one academic year alone.
The school's ethos for community and hard work was reflected by her own background, as she recalled growing up on a farm in Lincolnshire and feeding chickens at 6.30am "as part of everyday life in a close-knit, hard-working farming community".
She went on to attend her local girls' grammar school, later becoming head of modern foreign languages at Guildford High School, deputy head (academic) at St John's Leatherhead and head at Croydon High School.
The article originally appeared in the magazine's print edition, which is believed to have been distributed last week and received by some schools on the day after Emma's death.
Teacher and education commentator Zoe MacDougall, who interviewed Emma, said in the magazine that her "warm and easy personality" made her feel like they were "talking about a favourite topic with an old friend".
She added: "I felt like her job was a real joy to her. Talking to Emma, it was clear that service and kindness were core values.
"Her vision was for her pupils to learn truths about the world around them, in preparation for the adults that she hoped they would become: people who would play leading roles in society with understanding, compassion and integrity.
"I found her inspirational."
Following the tragedy, Epsom College reportedly decided to close until half-term break as police conduct a homicide investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said: "This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point.
"We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives."
Acting headmaster Paul Williams announced the school's closure on Tuesday following the "incredibly distressing" details about how Mrs Pattison died, reported the BBC.
In a letter to parents, Mr Williams said: "Now is a time for families to come together and try and process this shocking news.
"The impact on your children cannot be underestimated and we are doing everything we possibly can to support them in whatever way they need."
Boarding students at the college pay more than £42,000 a year and its alumni include Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and comedian Tim Vine.
