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School Video

Academics

MIND: Learners are encouraged to think independently and critically in preparation for tertiary education.

Through rigorous academic interaction with an excellent team of teachers in a wide range of subjects , we are able to achieve at the highest academic levels.  Parel Vallei is proud of its very strong academic record and has regularly produced Matric learners who reach the Top 20 positions in the Western Cape.  Our past pupils achieve exceptionally well at university which shows that our academic approach is successful in preparing our learners for tertiary education.  Our approach is based upon a responsibility model where pupils’ actions will carry consequences.  This encourages self-discipline which underpins success in their academic pursuits.  Through the Parel Vallei Advanced Education Trust, we are able to offer opportunities for accelerated learning after school hours.  We offer various Cambridge University A-level subjects as well as the IEB Advanced Programme in mathematics to selected pupils.

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In 1997 we had a very important strategic session during which the staff, management and Governing Body plotted the future of our school.

After very meaningful discussions and deliberation, we came to the conclusion that we were entering a time of huge change. We were on the threshold of introducing OBE (Outcome Based Education) and realised that the one constant going into the future would be change!

We were very proud of our academic excellence and were working hard at bringing sport and culture up to the same level as the academics. Around the table we penned our Vision for the future: "EXCELLENCE IN A CHANGING WORLD"

Since those very important discussions we are very proud to be able to say that we really do achieve excellence in our ever changing environment.

Some 10 years ago my wife and I attended a stage production of the musical ‘Evita’ which depicted the life of Evita Peron, wife of the Past President of Argentina.
During the show, Evita says, in a very defiant moment: "I’m proud to be and Argentinian."

At school at the time, I was thinking about ways in which I could spark off some pride in the school. Although many of our pupils had tremendous talent, they were often lacking in confidence and were almost scared to show pride in themselves or their school. I took Evita’s words and entered our own name and got: "Proud to be a Parel Valleier". I motivated and encouraged pupils to buy into the concept of having pride in themselves and in what they do but without being arrogant.

We also started to use this slogan on the foot of all our outgoing mail and on our letterheads. Interestingly, some of the grade 8’s, when they answer the question in their little test about the motto of the school, say that, “Proud to be a Parel Valleier” is the school’s motto instead of the real motto "Sapientia et intellegentia."

Long may this slogan live in the hearts and minds of our learners and may they always be "Proud to be a Parel Valleier".

Ettienne Gouws
2013