The Honeybush Collective, a new cottage-style school registered with the WCED, opened in Somerset West on Tuesday 21 January and was founded through the collaboration of Lindy Laros and Fran Denton, both qualified teachers with a deep passion for education and a love for children.

Lindy, who serves as the class teacher, brings nearly 40 years of teaching experience across both state and Waldorf schools. As a mother of three grown children, her nurturing approach and wealth of expertise form the foundation of the school’s educational philosophy.

Denton, who oversees the school’s management, combines her professional experience in school administration with her personal journey as a parent. She has two children – Phoebe, who is in Grade 2 at The Honeybush Collective, and Samuel, who is a one-year-old.

Humble beginnings

The idea for The Honeybush Collective was born out of Denton’s search for a school for her daughter.

She explains: “We were looking for a school for my daughter last year, and we couldn’t find anything suitable. We didn’t want to send her to a big school with large classes, and we didn’t feel comfortable enrolling her in a smaller school that wasn’t registered, didn’t have qualified teachers, or that didn’t offer a warm, nurturing environment. So, I decided to start my own school.”

With this vision in mind, Denton navigated the requirements to establish a compliant and registered school, securing the hall of the 2nd Somerset West Scouts – a location with the correct zoning and ideal for creating a nurturing, small-scale learning environment.

Denton believes that The Honeybush Collective fills a unique niche in the Helderberg basin. She notes: “There is nothing like The Honeybush Collective in this area. Large mainstream government schools are full, and many smaller cottage schools are unregistered. The Honeybush Collective bridges that gap, offering a personalised, high-quality and registered educational experience.”

The Honeybush Collective is an independent school and doesn’t receive any government funding. Currently Laros, Denton and their families are supporting the establishment of the school.

The biggest challenge of a one-teacher, multi-grade classroom is introducing new material or concepts to children at varying levels of development and understanding. At The Honeybush Collective, this challenge is addressed through the “Morning Lesson”, a concept inspired by Waldorf education principles. This focused, in-depth session at the start of each day explores a core subject such as maths, science, or history. Lessons are delivered in thematic blocks lasting several weeks, allowing for deep engagement with the material.

As teacher Laros explains: “In my experience with teaching multi-grade classes, I have found that children are naturally curious and interested in what others are doing. They share knowledge and ideas, have discussions, and learn from one another. Older children often show remarkable patience with younger ones and are keen to help.”

This inclusive and collaborative environment transforms what might seem like a challenge into a unique opportunity for growth, empathy, and mutual learning.

A child-centered community

The Honeybush Collective embraces a “back to nature” philosophy and does not incorporate digital technology into the learning environment. Instead, they focus on developing practical and creative skills through handwork and crafts, which we view as forms of traditional, tactile technology.

Children engage in activities such as knitting (even making their own knitting needles), weaving, crocheting, sewing, clay work, candle making, woodwork, batik, and fabric painting during two to three lessons each week. These projects rely on natural fibres and materials, fostering a deep connection to the environment and an understanding of sustainable practices.

“At The Honeybush Collective, the multi-grade classroom creates a unique community where children of different ages learn from and support one another. This model encourages collaboration, empathy, and a sense of belonging, which are key to both academic and personal growth,” says Denton.

By building these connections and fostering collaboration at every level, The Honeybush Collective creates a vibrant, supportive community where everyone has a role to play. As they grow, they aim to have two classes: one led by teacher Laros and another with a second teacher. Each class would accommodate up to 10 children, allowing the continuous provision of individualised attention and fostering a close-knit community.

Depending on the needs and dynamics of the children, they may organise the groups by age, with one class comprising Grade 1 to 3 students and the other for Grade 4 to 7 students.

“By staying true to our roots as a small, child-centered school, we aim to create a lasting and impactful educational experience for every student who becomes part of The Honeybush Collective,” Denton says. “By choosing The Honeybush Collective, you are joining a vibrant community of like-minded families who share a vision for nurturing confident, independent, and well-rounded individuals”.

“It’s completely understandable for parents to have questions about a one-teacher, multi-grade model or a blended curriculum, especially if it’s different from traditional schooling methods. However, this approach has proven to be incredibly effective for many children, fostering a love for learning in an environment that feels less rigid and more nurturing,” says Denton.

“Our upcoming Open Day & Market on Saturday 8 March is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come and meet us. The event will feature homemade and handmade goods, and both vendors and young entrepreneurs are welcome to host a stall.”.For more information, contact Denton on 073 417 6701 or info@thehoneybushcollective.co.za