Cape Town - A sod-turning ceremony was held on Tuesday at Christel House SA in Ottery, to welcome 60 grade 8 learners, four teachers, and one counsellor at the brand high school set to open next month.
Adri Marais, Christel House CEO, said the addition of the high school on the premises of the primary school, will gradually be built to welcome more grades over the coming year.
“This is a day we’ve been looking forward to.
“If our country needs high schools, then let’s build high schools,” Marais said.
The expected learners are from a pool of over 50 feeder primary schools in the area.
Marais emphasised the importance of sustainable growth.
“We’ll continue to recruit as time goes on. This is just the beginning, as Christel House aims to support even more children through its tried-and-tested model of holistic education.”
Ian Russell, chairperson of Christel House’s board, said: “Coming to school just to have a good day isn’t enough; we must have the desire to create an impact. Time invested bears rewards; time spent just goes away. At Christel House, we ask ourselves, ‘how do we widen and broaden our impact?’ The answer is action.
“Christel House is already envisioning a third site, signalling their relentless commitment to expansion. We’re not going to stop. In 52 weeks, there will be a completely new high school.”
Education MEC, David Maynier, commended Christel House for their ambitious goals, applauding the organisation for its re-branding efforts and vision for the future.
“I’m delighted to hear about the new high school and the plans for yet another. This initiative will go a long way in relieving admission pressures in the province,” Maynier said.
“We are excited to be supporting and partnering with schools like Christel House. The impact of these new schools will be felt by learners and educators alike,” he added.
By January 13, the first cohort of high school learners will begin their journey in a nurturing environment that prioritises education, mentorship, and growth.