Oakhill scholarship

An opportunity to shine

Oakhill’s philosophy of growing the potential in each child echoes Nelson Mandela’s aspirations for the next generation, their responsibility and legacy: “Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”

Whole child education happens in the broadest sense of the word at Oakhill and this involves much more than the excellent academic standards we maintain. From Grade 000 to Grade 12 we strive to ignite the imaginations of our pupils by encouraging them to explore and discover, question and create, and to experience the joy of learning.

The joy of learning is evident throughout the school campus, and making the most of the many opportunities afforded is emphasised to all pupils who attend the school. The fact that Oakhill has achieved a 100% Independent Examination Board (IEB) pass rate since inception and continues to perform above the IEB national average, most notably on all subjects this past year, is testimony to the dedication of both pupils and staff who strive to prepare the students, not only for the examinations, but more importantly, to find their niche in a far bigger and globalised world one day.

Says Head of School Mr Graham Howarth, “An excellent education is about seeing and recognising a child for who and what he or she may be. It is not about moulding a child into a predetermined version of who you as the teacher feels he or she should be.

On the contrary, an excellent education is about listening, seeing and allowing each child to develop their talents in a holistic environment where individuality is championed and where the world to which our children are moving is the source of our preparation’’.

With a focus on a strong sense of self and finding their niche, encapsulated in the ethos of belonging and becoming, our matric leavers since completing school over the past few years, attribute their personal successes and fulfilment to the quality of education at Oakhill.

Oakhill students seeking entry to tertiary education have achieved their choice of course of study, many with exceptionally difficult entry requirements. By illustration over the past three years alone, Oakhill students have fulfilled, and are currently completing, degrees at the University of Cape Town and University of Stellenbosch that include Actuarial Science, Medicine (MBChB), Mechatronic, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science degrees (BSc) in Computer Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Life Sciences and BAccounting and BComm International Studies, to name a few.

A significant number of these students have also been invited to continue their studies at postgraduate levels in Honours and Masters.

With an exceptional Creative and Dramatic Arts and Music faculties, it is also no surprise that a significant proportion of Oakhill students have successfully explored creative arts degrees, locally and internationally, some with prestigious scholarships to South African academies and international universities (Italy and USA).

A considerable number of Oakhill students have studied abroad, with current and past students in France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States of America.