In the business of pioneering, every year is start-up year. Every project is foundational, and every season is a planting season. We look into the future of thrive and we don’t see an end goal, we see thriving as perpetually growing — growing in capacity to reach more children with our individualised schooling; growing in access to tools that improve the efficacy of our individualised approach; growing in infrastructure to support our incredible teachers who are key to doing this good work, and doing it well.
thrive started as a sapling school in our little farmhouse in Durbanville in 2016. This is where we spent the first 4 years breaking new ground in developing our alternative approach to schooling. We were immediately able to meet our aims of pioneering a completely individualised schooling setup where we could curate a curriculum and methodologies to each individual child. Those first 4 years we used what we learnt to build an infrastructure that answers the self-contradictory question, “how do you offer individualised education to everyone?”
Being purposeful about creating an infrastructure that supports perpetual growth with longevity has meant caring about how to protect our culture, our focus on individuality, and our capacity to offer holistic care for each person and child in our community. The transition from last year (2021) to this year (2022) has been a significant milestone in taking thrive from an idea about individualised education to establishing a new era of individualised education.
thrive is living up to its name in 2022 as our one Hub we have been tending from sapling to tree is now the first of a forest of Hubs, each growing in their own unique and diverse directions, but part of a cohesive eco system of community and culture. Here’s a look into each of our Hubs and the lifestyle of learning you’ll discover in each space.
Our Durbanville Hub is the replanting of our farmhouse sapling into a spacious and homely property in central Durbanville. White walls invite you into a bright and open space where students can find a quiet place to read, a free area to run and play, or a serene space to get their hands dirty in the edible school yard.
Each of the 7 classroom spaces have their own energy and enhance a different style of learning. A walk through the corridor takes you past our spacious, engaging senior classes, through a bright and plant filled intermediate phase zone, and ending in our open, airy foundation phase area where learning often streams out of the classroom space and into the open green school yard.
Hidden in the mountains between Paarl and Wellington, thriveHUB PAARDEBERG is an escape from the rush and distraction of the city and a total immersion in nature. Learning opportunities are enhanced by the fresh air, nature sounds, and wide horizons.
Our Paardeberg students enjoy an organic day of book based, experiential and nature based learning. A warm classroom space, wide open to the natural surrounds, encourages a blend of spontaneous and intentional learning opportunities. With ample opportunities for discovery and adventure, the kinaesthetic and inquisitive child is able to excel in this thrive setting.
Central to the beautiful seaside town, our Hermanus Hub is growing into a homely property right across the road from the local Library. Hermanus Hub is a sapling school with a handful of eager and energetic students who love to learn through first hand, inventive experiences.
Our Hub has started with a close community of supportive families and a handful of incredibly creative and engaging teachers. There is never a dull moment as the teachers allow for organic and spontaneous learning opportunities around their students academic progression, encouraging the growth of scientific thinking, problem solving and innovation.
Our Alberton Hub is a haven of learning in the hustle of Randhart. Wide open garden spaces and warm, homely classrooms invite our Alberton students to effective learning, playing and growing.
All through the gardens and classes there is a buzz of happy energy as students interact with their teachers and each other in a dynamic flow of collaborative and individualised learning. Alberton Hub is a school where grace, kindness and good fun are core to the hub community.
