All about us :The Sycamore Tree Academy – Anchored in Excellence

During my time working as a teacher at one of the pre-schools in Amanzimtoti it became apparent from the numerous discussions with the parents of grade R students that they were struggling to register their kids into primary schools because they were full. There are unfortunately more pre-primary schools than primary schools in Amanzimtoti. The primary schools are not in a position to accommodate all the students from the pre-primary schools.

The Education Department expressed their concerns about the crisis in Amanzimtoti for existing Primary schools to cope with the intake of learners from the pre-primary schools. The numbers that were released showed that 900 learners in pre-primary schools were ready to start primary school in January 2020. The existing primary schools can accommodate 500 leaving 400 hundred learners without Primary schools to go to. Of those primary schools only children living in close proximity of the school will be considered. The Government is doing all that they can with what they have, however the fact remains there is a shortage of primary schools in Amanzimtoti. And we felt as members of the community and as teacher with a two-year-old child we could not sit and wait for things to change so we made the decision to open a primary school. Using all our savings and taking a second bond we began the process of opening a new school.

We have 20 children who have joined us in our new school for January 2020 , we also have had interest from a number of pre-primary schools willing to support us as feeder schools. We do not wish to compete with the Government but to work hand in hand to provide the best solution and education for kids of all races regardless of where they come from or live. Our focus is to provide quality education in collaboration with parents , and Government making sure our students reach their full potential implementing a dynamic and relevant curriculum that caters for changing needs of our community and encourage sense of responsibility. We believe we can only achieve this by adopting the CAPS curriculum provided by the Department of Basic Education.

By opening a school, we will help to address the issues of unemployment in the Amanzimtoti area by hiring unemployed qualified teachers, office staff, and general workers to provide an efficient clean and wholesome environment for our learners.

Our approach is child centred, we focus on each student to find out what makes them unique. Providing them with opportunities to reach their full potential, giving them the tools to advocate for themselves giving them confidence.

Using a strengths-based approach and new innovative ways of teaching alongside the CAPS curriculum the Sycamore Tree Academy provides a positive learning environment with the support of the parents and the community to assist our learners to reach their full potential.