The Mayor of Cape Town visited Bolander country to officially open a new classroom – and expressed delight at his first visit to the innovative school and healthy green campus.
Alderman Geordin Hill-Lewis visited Newberry House Montessori School on Lourensford Estate, Somerset West, and officially cut the ribbon to open the school’s new Upper Elementary classroom (Grade 4-6 equivalent in the Montessori system).
Newberry House offers education to over 300 pupils – from the ages of 18 months, all the way up to Matric for 18-year-olds, who graduate with a Cambridge International qualification.
Head of Newberry House, Alistair Green, said: “We invited the Mayor to see, first-hand, our model of authentic Montessori and Cambridge International education.
“Mr Hill-Lewis has spoken of his vision for Cape Town: to restore hope to South Africa by turning our city into living proof of what is possible in our nation.
“At Newberry House, our vision resonates strongly with this, where we aim to advance educational reform in South Africa by showcasing what is possible through quality, authentic Montessori education in a healthy, sustainable environment, providing real-life learning experiences for our children.
“We are aligned with Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and are also a Cambridge International (CAIE)-accredited examination centre.
“Our goal is for everyone who sets foot on a Newberry campus to leave inspired.” said Mr Green.
The mayor was taken on a tour of the school’s green campus, which makes use of organic gardening methods, and was shown two new classrooms.
Thereafter, he addressed the Elementary pupils, parents and staff and answered some insightful questions from enthusiastic children.
Mr Green said: “We aim to inspire our children, team, community and visitors to grow continually and address the issues facing our world through three principles:
“First, consistently providing quality, authentic AMI Montessori and Cambridge International education that will inspire creative thinking, working and collaboration;
“Second, developing a healthy, sustainable environment that will inspire a lifestyle of innovation, ownership and responsibility;
“Third, providing a variety of real-life learning experiences inside and outside the classroom that will inspire applied learning in a variety of contexts,” said Mr Green.
