Page 21 - Education Feature Issue 1 2021

HYBRID SCHOOLING EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL’S EXCITING
A particularly relevant advantage of being part of the global Inspired Education Group ENVIRONMENT
meant Reddam House Helderfontein was able to adapt very quickly when COVID-19 Nicola Crooks, Head of the Reddam House
lockdown was implemented. Even as a relatively new campus with their inaugural Class of Helderfontein Early Learning School, says that
2020 having to tackle the challenging Matriculation syllabus, not one day of teaching was participation – by the educators, students and
missed. The entire school moved onto an online learning platform and classes continued the families – is an educational strategy that
exactly as they would have on campus. reinforces the ELS’s way of teaching. “Our
programme is inspired by the Reggio Emilia
The school’s hybrid approach to teaching (online and on campus) has meant that even approach to learning, which is, in the words of
boarders who had to return to their home countries have been able to continue their Reggio founder, Loris Malaguzzi, “to make a
education uninterrupted online. In keeping with the school’s holistic approach, even the lovable school, industrious, inventive, liveable,
sports department was included in the hybrid schooling approach with online workouts documentable and communicable, a place of
keeping students active during lockdown. research, learning, recognition and reflection,
where children, teachers and families feel well.
SPORTING EXCELLENCE That is our point of arrival.”
The students at Reddam House Helderfontein produced a long list of sporting accolades
during 2020. Prior to lockdown during the cricket season, Matthew Lea, Sendhil Naidu, “Our Early Learning School values our young
Keeshav Naidoo, and Sinjin and Christian Moffett were selected to attend the Far North children as capable and resilient, filled with
Area Cricket Trials. Sendhil Naidu (at the time in Grade 7) made it through to the final wonder and knowledge. We embrace the right
selection process at trials and secured a spot in the 2020 U13 Far North Area cricket team. of every child to explore, discover, be curious,
When he started playing water polo at Reddam House Helderfontein, Callum Norman had play, and to gain skills they need to
his sights set on playing water polo internationally. He has since realised that dream and has understand their world and their place of
been recruited to play College Water Polo at Westcliff University in California, USA this year. value in it,” adds Crooks.

LEAPS AHEAD IN ARTS AND CULTURE 0% MONTHLY TUITION FEE INCREASE
Despite the challenges lockdown brought with it, Reddam House Helderfontein students FOR 2021
have consistently excelled in the arts and culture arena. In a brilliant example of pivoting, To assist Reddam House parents in the 2021
quite literally, Jordan Mortimer, while in Grade 11, participated in two international online academic year, the group has taken the
dance competitions placing second overall. Another talented student, Siphelele Ngubane, exceptional decision not to increase monthly
started drawing at the age of nine, initially teaching himself how to draw using YouTube tuition fees across all school services, and in
videos. This young man has been invited to be part of the 10millionmask initiative as the addition, for parents of children at the Early
youngest artist in Africa to take part in the show. Reddam House Helderfontein is extremely Learning School, the offering includes a three-
proud to offer these young artists a nurturing environment to continue growing in leaps and tiered aftercare fee structure for children leaving
bounds in their respective fields. at 12h30, 15h00, or 17h30. n

Although young, Reddam House Helderfontein has quickly developed into a school with a
For more information, please contact
strong culture and ethos that has been entrenched into all the Reddam House schools
the Admissions Administrator
around the world over the past 20 years. This can only mean that Reddam House
on 010 060 4232 or email
Helderfontein will have a legacy of greatness, with its roots in traditional values combined
info.helderfontein@reddam.house.
with modern education and advanced facilities.
Education | February 2021 | 19