Page 11 - Education Supplement_Issue 2_ 2022

I believe that I have a responsibility to care St Peter’s is a perfect example of how In the South African context, each student
for the authenticity of the brands I manage, independent schooling is evolving to faces an uncertain future, irrespective
both in terms of messaging and the core meet the particular challenges of life in of their family background. Their reality
experience delivered by these brands. A South Africa. At the heart of the school’s includes grappling with the fact that 95%
school such as St Peter’s College lives out educational journey is an unwavering focus of South Africans live below the poverty
its brand promise by placing the child at on preparing its students for the world line, that the World Health Organisation
the heart of everything it does, which is they are entering. The support structure has found that our country has one of the
in keeping with the school’s culture of that enables St Peter’s students to reach highest rates of gender-based violence in
inclusivity and the ethos it cultivates around readiness is specifically built to ensure the world and that an overall 1% increase
personal development. no child is left behind. All students are in the crime rate in 2020 included a
encouraged to explore their individual terrifying 20% increase in murders.
REMEMBER THAT EDUCATION IS A passions, reach their own potential, and
BASIC RIGHT embark on a career path that will utilise No school can fully prepare their children
their particular strengths to the fullest for all eventualities in the real world, but it
Contrary to the perception that extent. is imperative that the independent school
independent schools preclude some community understands that independent
applicants based on academic performance, ALWAYS AIMING FOR MORE education has a particular obligation to
St Peter’s does not impose entrance INCLUSIVITY prepare children for these socio-economic
examinations or selection assessments. challenges.
Instead, the school commits to delivering Independent schools like St Peter’s
quality education to students from all social have increasingly become more diverse, The worth of independent schools in
classes, as evidenced by its comprehensive inclusive and accommodating. This is likely the current South African climate is
learning support programme and a an ongoing trend, as many independent unquestionable, and the drive to prepare
philosophy focused on improving individual schools are deliberately transforming students for the realities of our world is
motivation towards mastery and purpose. their spaces to accommodate a wider set to maintain their relevance for the
range of needs and relaxing barriers to near future.
Article 26 of the United Nations Universal entry through scholarships, bursaries, and
Declaration of Human Rights says: educational partners.
‘Education shall be directed to the full
development of the human personality Nokukhanya Neswiswi, student recruitment
and to the strengthening of respect officer at the Student Sponsorship
for human rights and fundamental Programme, and a parent, says that as
freedoms’. Although I do believe that, a black woman who had no access to
generally speaking, in South Africa, independent education herself, the safety
access to independent schools is still and broad educational and pastoral
too limited by various socio-economic exposure offered by St Peter’s is exactly why
factors, many of these schools deliver on she sent her child to a private education
their constitutional obligation to offer basic institution. She also appreciates that the
education. Indeed, many independent school requires parents to engage fully with
schools are focused on producing fully the development of their children, a factor
rounded graduates equipped to handle that has long-term benefits for both child Tel: +27 (0)11 807 5315
life’s challenges after school. and parent. email: info@stpeterscollege.co.za

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