Elizabeth Lawrence writes: “There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colours are brighter, the air softer and the morning more fragrant than ever again.”
In so many ways, our beautiful “School-in-the-Woods”, is that enchanted place. A sanctuary which is play-based, child-centered and designed to nurture, guide and support each individual’s development along their academic journey. A sanctuary in which their intellectual, physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs are met. A sanctuary in which laughter and joy are the order of the day as they explore and discover, laugh and learn, wonder and question.
My learning experience was by no means conventional throughout my five years at St Cyprian’s School. Being taught by strong, independently minded teachers encouraged me to think differently about the world. In addition to being inspired by teachers, I was nurtured by warm and loving friendships throughout my schooling at St Cyp's. These women continue to ground me to this day.
It's not a fallacy that St Cyprian’s School teaches not for school but for life; not for time but for eternity. The holistic approach to education did not only focus on academics, but also on the soft skills which exposed us to various people and situations, and in turn equipped me to seamlessly navigate spaces and situations post-high school. My time at St Cyp's was a truly global experience, something I'd liken to a junior United Nations, as I sat in classes with friends who came from around the continent and the world, and who had various perspectives on ideology and practices which we often shared, embraced, disagreed with, and were encouraged to form our own opinions of.
The five years I spent in St Cyprian’s were the best of times. For me, it was a love at first sight that did not disappoint. It lived up to its vision of “teaching not for school but for life; training not for time but for eternity”. During my stay, I was privileged to meet, learn from, interact and live with brilliant minds. It instilled in me a sense of respect, responsibility, tolerance and a spirit of excellence that continues to guide all my pursuits. I cannot imagine a situation when the St Cyprian’s ethos will not be applicable in my life and work.
As a young, coloured, Muslim girl, St Cyprian’s School was a whole new environment to me. However, I never needed to change who I was to fit in because the school prided itself on creating strong, independent, unique women. It gave me the tools to understand the world outside of the classroom and I have continued to use these skills in all my endeavors. This school allowed me to think more openly, accept more widely and understand more deeply and it is something I am constantly grateful for.
I matriculated in 2013 and I am currently in my final year at UCT studying a Bachelor of Business Science in Finance.
Be water wise.
Gorge Road, Oranjezicht, Cape Town 8001
Tel: +27 21 300 6500 | Fax: +27 21 461 8473
Photography by Chad Henning Photography
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