Why Herschel?
“We invite them to enjoy their education.” Bruce Probyn, Head.
The founder of Herschel Girls' School, the Honourable William Jagger, would
take delight in the proud institution that Herschel has become today - eighty-five
years after its founding. It is a school that enables its pupils to attain high
academic achievement and become citizens who are able to make a difference in the
society they enter. Although the school has a long tradition it has remained
innovative and relevant to changing educational needs.
Girls-only schooling
Anglican tradition
The Anglican emphasis upholds the value-based approach that is at the centre of learning. Each pupil develops a pattern of meaning for her life and an informed concern for other people.
Ethos
There is a healthy school ethos with a balance between competition and collaboration, a safe place for girls to take risks and learn from both their successes and failures. The girls are taken into a far broader realm than merely learning the curriculum content.
Quality Staff
There is an excellent professional academic team and well-qualified support staff who nurture the pupils and are specialised to cope with each developmental phase. The classes are kept small to increase individual attention. The entire staff works as an integrated team and there is mutual respect for the contribution each member makes.
Facilities and Buildings
There are outstanding, modern and purpose-built facilities which include a theatre, indoor sports centre, resource and computer centres, science laboratories, technology and consumer studies centres and well-resourced music, art and drama departments.
Boarding
There is a weekly boarding facility for 29 girls who are able to participate in a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities and bring energy, fun and a strong sense of family into the school.
Service
The Outreach experience is embedded in the school ethos with a variety of opportunities for the involvement of all girls. This adds to their sense of belonging to and caring for the community and has become one of the pillars of the school's focus.
Enrichment
The extras the school provides include an Enrichment Programme where the emphasis is on a different learning experience that extends and deepens the curriculum. There is an Academic Support Programme that caters for different-paced learning and pupils with difficulties. An Enhancement Programme is planned to cater for gifted and talented pupils.
Setting the pace
Herschel continues to set the pace academically, culturally and in sport, turning out confident, capable young women in the best tradition of its 85-year history as one of South Africa's leading independent schools. We hold fast to our credo "learning to make a difference".
Our singular strength is that we are a community, gathered together to follow the true path that leads out of the wisdom of the past towards the high challenge of tomorrow.
Girls-only schooling
“A single sex all girls’ school may not be for every young woman. Just those who want to one day rule the world.” Tom Hanks
This may have been said tongue in cheek, but the
character of all-girls schooling has changed
significantly over the years and it is this "can do"
environment that epitomises the essential character of our
school. Girls and boys learn in different ways and girls do
best in surroundings that are tailored to their learning
style.
- Girls fulfil all the leadership positions from the captain of the hockey team to the main part in the school play
- Girls learn from strong female role models
- Girls have the freedom to take risks in a safe environment
- Girls thrive and excel in collaborative teams
- Girls take courses tailored to their interests and needs
- Girls work through their adolescent years without fear of harassment or embarrassment
- Girls' achievements are recognised and celebrated
- Girls achieve significant academic results in the Exit Examination in Grade 12 and in many external competitions
- Girls are encouraged to pursue a curriculum with a strong emphasis in the sciences
Anglican tradition
The Anglican emphasis upholds the value-based approach that is at the centre of learning. Each pupil develops a pattern of meaning for her life and an informed concern for other people.
Ethos
There is a healthy school ethos with a balance between competition and collaboration, a safe place for girls to take risks and learn from both their successes and failures. The girls are taken into a far broader realm than merely learning the curriculum content.
Quality Staff
There is an excellent professional academic team and well-qualified support staff who nurture the pupils and are specialised to cope with each developmental phase. The classes are kept small to increase individual attention. The entire staff works as an integrated team and there is mutual respect for the contribution each member makes.
Facilities and Buildings
There are outstanding, modern and purpose-built facilities which include a theatre, indoor sports centre, resource and computer centres, science laboratories, technology and consumer studies centres and well-resourced music, art and drama departments.
Boarding
There is a weekly boarding facility for 29 girls who are able to participate in a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities and bring energy, fun and a strong sense of family into the school.
Service
The Outreach experience is embedded in the school ethos with a variety of opportunities for the involvement of all girls. This adds to their sense of belonging to and caring for the community and has become one of the pillars of the school's focus.
Enrichment
The extras the school provides include an Enrichment Programme where the emphasis is on a different learning experience that extends and deepens the curriculum. There is an Academic Support Programme that caters for different-paced learning and pupils with difficulties. An Enhancement Programme is planned to cater for gifted and talented pupils.
Setting the pace
Herschel continues to set the pace academically, culturally and in sport, turning out confident, capable young women in the best tradition of its 85-year history as one of South Africa's leading independent schools. We hold fast to our credo "learning to make a difference".
Our singular strength is that we are a community, gathered together to follow the true path that leads out of the wisdom of the past towards the high challenge of tomorrow.