College Hill is undergoing a transformation and is primed to become a fully inclusive primary school, catering for Grades R to 7, by 2026.
The introduction of its initial class of Grade 4s at the beginning of this year has proved a roaring success. The initiative is also being lauded by parents who have been calling for the school’s expansion for years.
According to internal memoranda, College Hill believes the introduction of higher grades, and the extended exposure to its solid educational foundation that it will afford its learners, will “greater empower our learners to navigate the increasing demands and challenges of society in the rapidly advancing 21st century technological age”.
However, Principal Birgitta Marais insists that the much-loved preparatory school’s expansion and broader vision do not signify a break from College Hill’s proud history and traditions.
“The addition of Grades 4-7 will serve to enhance and amplify the school’s strong legacy of excellent all-round education,” said Marais.
“College Hill’s exceptional standard of teaching and our ability to instil important values in our young learners is the basis of our phenomenal success. It is why we are inundated with hundreds of applications each year and ongoing calls to expand.”
Deputy Principal Ann Norman added that in becoming a primary school, College Hill sought to enable its learners to develop and flourish even further in the same safe, educationally rich, and family-oriented schooling environment in which they began.
“We remain committed to College Hill’s core ethos of providing a nurturing, supportive and encouraging environment for learning and growth. In truth, this philosophy has fuelled our drive to develop into a Primary School of outstanding quality and character. One which will provide our learners with all they require to realize their greatest potential,” said Norman.
College Hill rebranded
To mark the amalgamation of College Hill’s well-established legacy of educational excellence with what is being termed “the embracing of a new vision of progress”, the school has also rebranded. The school badge has been updated and a new motto introduced – Truth and Love Abide.
This year’s introduction of Grade 4 not only required the employment of new staff members, tasked with quickly coming to terms with and implementing a new CAPS curriculum, but it was also accompanied by the re-introduction of popular extra-murals, including chess, drama, percussion, and athletics.
The school also introduced a more formal uniform for its intermediate-phase learners. Inspired by the school’s historical uniform, it is homage to College Hill’s ongoing commitment to its entrenched traditions and distinguished character.
Computer, arts, music and sports facilities
Head of Department, Lesley-Ann Potgieter, says the School Governing Body is currently strategizing on how to best raise funds for the purchasing and installing a much-needed computer media centre, additional arts and music facilities as well as the updating of sports facilities and equipment which will enable their sports teams to compete more competitively.
“Our objective as a school is to provide our young minds with exposure and training in all areas, enabling them to develop into the brilliant well-rounded young individuals they have the potential of being.
“Facilities such as a computer centre offer learners the ability to pursue their interest in various avenues including science and technology,” said Potgieter.
At the heart of the matter, according to Principal Marais, College Hill’s transformation into a primary school is powered by, “the desire to be a positive agent of change and progress in what is the rapidly developing and often daunting world that lies ahead of our learners.
“By embracing growth and progress our school can not only access but exploit the possibilities and resources that accompany such change.
“More importantly, we will set the example for our learners and proudly continue College Hill’s mission, to educate and mould accomplished young leaders and innovators who can harness the future’s potential for the advancement and improvement of themselves and South African society,” said Marais.
