About Us
We are a small, holistic, Christian, Montessori-inspired, democratic learning community that offers preparation for both, internationally and locally recognised, American and British school leaving options. We are a civil education institution, often commonly referred to as a micro- or cottage school, in the process of registering as an independent school.
Our Philosophy
Our small Learning Community draws strongly from the Finnish educational model as well as from Montessori and Democratic Schools such as Summerhill in the UK with regards to the self-governance of the community, autonomous decision-making, the vertical age groupings of the children, the thematic approach to subjects, the no-homework policy in the primary years, self-evaluation and limited summative assessments.
Our learners progress at their own rate, following their own unique developmental timetable as we believe that there is no "average child". Our learners are thus not graded but grouped in vertical 3 year age groups or phases. Assessment is done on a daily, continual basis culminating in annual narrative reports.
Our aim is to prepare our learners for life - to grow tall trees, with deep strong roots that yield good fruit, naturally! We therefore aim to nurture and develop the entire child: head, heart and hands through engagement with a beautiful, rich, natural, varied environment. We try to give our learners tools - skills - and character qualities with which to navigate and succeed in the world, while focusing on their strengths (not their challenges) so that they might excel in those specific areas, as these strengths are the clues to their purpose.
We teach a Christian, creationist worldview even though some of the educational philosophies and methodologies we look at for inspiration are humanistic and of a New Age persuasion.
We follow a play-based, developmentally appropriate, kinaesthetic, discovery approach inspired by Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky and Dr Maria Montessori's philosophies, integrating literature-rich thematic work (unit studies) that involves research and multi-aged collaboration with our activities during the primary years. Our learners use Montessori didactics in conjunction with their texts and also participate in subjects such as Art and Practical Life which cover a variety of hands-on projects.
We are a democratic learning community founded on mutual respect where each member has equal opportunity to influence change and contribute to the learning environment. The children are guided by the community and taught how to be respectful of all living things and to all people through grace and courtesy.
We offer education that meets the needs of the 21st century by using educational methods and approaches that are backed by scientific research. Montessori educational philosophies, although developed more than 100 years ago, continue to connect with the forefront of neuropsychological research. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of personalised learning and constructivism.
Little learning is retained when it is learned on command
~ Jean Piaget
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is aligned with the minimum standards of the Department of Education's Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. Our pre-schoolers (Acorns) follow a Montessori-inspired approach while the primary schoolers (Seedlings and Saplings) use Cambridge English, Singapore Maths and Living Books (a Charlotte Mason approach) to theme work. Our high schoolers (Young Oaks) mainly use Cambridge Pre-IGCSE material, while our older Oaks either use online GED preparation material or texts endorsed by Cambridge Assessment International Education. We work closely with registered exam centres, in a nearby city, where our high school learners write GED or CAIE examinations as independent candidates.
Please visit the individual age groups below for more information.
Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.
~ Plato
Our Educators
Adele Breedt
Founder & Executive Director
Julie Driver
Senior & FET Phases
Trudy van Zyl
Intermediate Phase
Sharon Parker
Foundation Phase
Onako Ntsangani
Teaching Assistant
Sam Buchler
Art & History
Greig Bartlett
The only source of knowledge is experience.
~ Albert Einstein
Our values
- We believe that children should be respected and their voices heard.
- We believe that children need to have a carefree childhood filled with wonder and innocence, and that clear boundaries, daily rhythms and simplicity help achieve this.
- We believe that all children are born curious, eager to learn and with a desire to be independent.
- We believe that there are many ways in which to be intelligent.
- We believe that children all have their own unique developmental timetables.
- We believe that children should be followed and that learning should be facilitated, not directed.
- We believe that children learn best using all their senses, especially their tactile sense.
- We believe that undirected free play is not frivolous, but that it is the work of the child.
- We believe that children need a safe place to practice taking risks and making mistakes.
- We believe that children learn to become responsible when they are given responsibility.
- We believe that children can only learn that all choices have consequences if they are given the freedom to choose.
- We believe children learn how to make good decisions if they are given the opportunity to make important decisions.
- We believe that teaching and testing can interfere with real learning.
- We believe that new concepts should only be introduced upon mastery of preceding concepts and principles.
- We believe that children need to be prepared for a world that does not yet exist, and not an exam.
- We believe in equipping children with real life skills.
- We believe that good character and the ability to collaborate is more important than good marks.
- We believe that learning how to find relevant, trustworthy information is more important than memorizing facts.
- We believe that learning needs to be relevant and interest-driven and that it should become a wondrous, life-long adventure.
- We believe that independence is an outcome of a successful education.
- We believe that all children have a purpose and destiny to fulfill and have all the resources and abilities to do so within them, waiting to be discovered and unlocked.
- We believe in a Christian worldview.