When Reddam House Somerset terminated its property lease with Century Property Holdings at the end of last year, Generation Schools jumped at the opportunity to fill this void and expand its existing footprint in the Western Cape. This it did, ensuring a seamless transition for the staff and students.
At Generation Schools, schooling is viewed as a dynamic journey where education is multidimensional, with layers of not only academics, but emotions and cultures as well. Its education system exists to ignite an informed curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
Children can be enrolled at the school from the age of 18 months. Generation Schools follows the Montessori method of education – an approach based on self-directed learning, hands-on activities and collaborative play, which puts the student at the centre of the process of learning.
In the Early Learning School, the focus for 2022 will be two-fold: there will be pure Montessori environments as they already have, where all Montessori principles will be followed as well as Montessori inspired environments, which will incorporate the current Reggio Emelia, Primary and Senior Primary learners into Montessori-inspired classrooms.
Generation Schools is a Cambridge associate school. The high school curriculum at Generation Schools in Somerset West offers an integrated curriculum taking the best of the Cambridge and IEB programmes. Students may complete their IGCSE at the end of Grade 10 should they choose. The IEB is a South African independent assessment agency and sets examinations for the school leaving National Senior Certificate (NSC), which students may opt to write in their matric year.
The IEB stream offers students an education stream that is recognised internationally and valued locally, where the Cambridge International objectives are carefully integrated into its framework. The IEB is a consistent, reliable and results-driven assessment process of integrity, innovation, and international comparability. These school leaving opportunities provide students the best possible springboard into future pathways.
Generation Schools education is made up of academics, wellness, sports and culture, and it is how these all come together that creates the basis for a unique education offering.
All learners receive a mid-morning snack, and for those in the 9- to 12-year phase and above, lunch is compulsory as part of the school day. The menu was designed by registered dieticians to meet 40% of the daily nutritional requirements needed to promote growth and mental and physical development for growing children.
Some exciting news is that from January 2022 Generation Schools Somerset West will offer a vocational pathway, through varsity and the Sí Institute, a new subsidiary of Generation Schools.
The Sí Institute is an innovative tertiary-in-secondary stream that allows students to accelerate their journey by unlocking alternative learning approaches while still in high school. It uses a blended approach to education where students engage in both online and on-campus learning. Sí is asynchronous, meaning students can start at any time of the year, allowing them to work through content at their own pace while gaining invaluable real-world experience.
Through the Sí pathway students will complete their matric equivalence National Qualifications Framework 4 (NQF) certificate as well as commence a tertiary course while still at school. The initial offering will be a wellness option – a Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Sports Administration that incorporates a Fitness Instructor course.
Both these qualifications are accredited through the South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa) and will provide students with an NQF 4 equivalence certificate.
Generation Schools Somerset West offers student accommodation to high school students in trendy apartments located within a beautiful neighbouring residential estate.
Head of the campus Janine Tessendorf said: “It is indeed a privilege to be a part of an organisation that is bold and courageous, and willing to challenge long-standing education norms and to seek an educational pathway for all students. A school where we constantly ask: ‘What is best for the student?’ A new generation of education for a new generation of students where we inspire curiosity, fuel knowledge, and invite experience.”
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To learn more about Generation Schools attend the Information Morning on Saturday 11 September, where some Stormers rugby players will pop in. Booking details can be found on the campus Facebook page.
