Page 17 - Blue Valley_Issue 1_2022

Mark Naidoo

Kyalami Schools Group (NPC), led by the Group Head of
Academics and Innovation - Mark Naidoo, along with his
dedicated team of deputies across the campuses of Beaulieu
College, Beaulieu Preparatory and Kyalami Preparatory,
have worked to modify the academic offering to our
Kyalami Schools community of schools.
(NPC)

EVEN WITH FIRM FOUNDATIONS,

EVERY HOME NEEDS A REFURB!

OUR TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACH the teacher who demonstrates a spirit of imagination, creativity
and innovation that will lead the way.
The Kyalami Schools Group has a holistic approach to
education; in addition to academic prowess, the emotional, WHY CONSIDER THE KYALAMI SCHOOLS GROUP?
social and physical well-being of our pupils and staff are of At the heart of every formidable school, is a strong teaching
paramount importance. While we have modified our programmes faculty. In a recent pupil poll, over 90% of pupils reported that
to strive toward holistic development, living with the pandemic the ongoing academic support offered by the staff was a pivotal
compels us to be innovative. The research points to the notion factor in their progress. As a community of schools, our ability
that teaching and learning is fundamentally a social activity.
to work closely as a team and use our collective expertise has
aided staff and pupils to feel secure during these challenging
Social interaction and play, especially for younger children in the times. Each child is nurtured and feels part of the greater
pre-primary and primary phases, are a necessary part of their community. There is an innate generosity that our teachers
development. Teachers also depend on social cues to guide their express - we understand that learning thrives when there is a
pedagogy. Subsequently, questioning techniques, facilitating healthy relationship between pupil and teacher. An inclusive
a meaningful discussion, debating opinions and giving effective education model is high on our agenda as we seek to ensure
feedback all form part of the everyday educational experience. that every child develops to their full potential.
In this context, the value of an inquiry-based learning and
experiential learning approaches can never be underestimated. The Group has made significant investments in upskilling staff
in the Google workspace and we have developed a reliable
Through the pandemic, we have observed an accelerated ecosystem, using Chromebooks as our device of choice from
development of resilient pupils. Better time management, active Grade 5 into high school. Online, hybrid and in-person teaching
self-discipline, an increase in independent thinking and the use demand a range of teaching modalities; our staff continue to
of multiple technologies have become a norm in the current explore these modalities, refine their skills and determine to
approach to learning. Teachers have found new ways to engage remain adaptable.
their learners, pupils experience a greater level of personal
attention through one-to-one interactions. Teacher creativity, Expanding our offerings to address the needs of our community
peer collaboration, critical thinking and the ability to is regularly reviewed. To this end, we have added Sesotho
communicate effectively via online mediums have strengthened to our First Additional language offering from Grade 0 and
our approach to teaching and learning. Leveraging these Grade 1 and French (Second additional language) at Grade
competencies allows us to present a dynamic approach to 8. Grade 1, 2 and 3 classes will begin learning Computational
learning. Thinking skills this year, in order to better equip our children with
essential problem-solving tools.
NEW CHALLENGES
Unemployment is a massive issue and continues to affect our
Access to quality education remains an obstacle in South Africa; economy. Taking an aggressive approach to addressing this
parents need to be wholly cognisant of the variation in the rigour within the school’s curriculum has to be a starting point if we
of academic offering and must interrogate the academic profile wish to see incremental, systemic change. As a result, we have
of the school, before making any long-term commitment.
reworked our Economic Management and Sciences curriculum
Over the last two years, we saw a plethora of online schools to focus sharply on Entrepreneurial Skills Development, from
mushroom and the home-schooling alternative became an Grade 7, culminating in the Stallions Den competition in high
attractive option for parents and children who needed flexibility. school, where business mentors and pupils meet.
More recently, our Admissions department reported an unusual Access to the Kyalami Schools staff and management is
spike of applications from parents who wish to return to the seamless, which is important for constructive engagement. As
conventional model of in-person schooling. Our internal a Group, it has always been our values of Integrity, Consistency,
assessment processes regularly show a deficit in development Accountability, Respect and Excellence (ICARE) which have
markers, especially in the junior primary phase (age 7-10 year driven our commitment to our pupils and parents. Our values
olds). It is our view that we will see a surge of this occurrence, will determine who we really are and we strive to inculcate the
the impact of which will remain for a while. The challenge will same spirit in our pupils.
be for schools to negotiate this dynamic and rapidly respond to
address the developmental lag in learning. LOOKING AHEAD
Covid-19 has confirmed that providing access to education As an established educational institution, our confidence is
through multiple technologies is possible. The large majority based on tried and tested strategies, however, the last two years
of pupils do not have access to devices, data and reliable (2020 and 2021) have highlighted that there is no place for the
connectivity. For South Africa to speedily address this, the ordinary, business-as-usual sentiment. Adaptability and agility
private and public sector have to collaborate. Kyalami Schools have become common behaviours.
Group is actively seeking partnerships with private entities to
make this a reality, and we have begun to explore an offering in Mark Naidoo
niche subjects. We maintain the view that technology remains an Group head of Academics and Innovation
enabler – great teachers know how to leverage technology. It is

Mark Naidoo | Editorial.indd 1 2022/01/28 08:43