Established in 1999, Oakridge College was arguably ahead of its time.
Twenty-one years ago, education was very different, and the world was very different. Creating a learning environment that was small, inclusive and flexible went against the grain in an era when education was becoming more regulated and building towards larger numbers.
Children differ in their upbringing, interests and abilities and today our children are more informed than ever before, content is available everywhere and learning can occur wherever there is expertise or an internet connection. Schools need to prepare their learners for more than a matric certificate; we need to teach them how to remain curious and build skills well into the future. We need to prepare them for multiple careers and unimagined opportunities, in environments that enable teachers and learners to share ideas.
Diversity positively impacts learner performance and individual growth and at Oakridge College we have embraced this understanding from the beginning, striving to prepare our learners to make their mark on a connected global society.
There is no best way to teach. In order to balance achieving the traditional outcomes with 21st century skills, effective learning requires a safe, comfortable and flexible environment with more focused individual attention. Oakridge College looks to encourage teachers to constantly innovate, review and modify strategies ensuring effective engagement and laying the platform for learners to achieve their full potential.
By constantly challenging our assumptions, we aim to have a profound effect on the lives of our learners. The debate is over – the world has changed and continues to change for the better. Our children will have more opportunities for success than at any other time in history. We believe the point of education is to prepare youngsters to take advantage of the opportunities the future holds – to prepare a generation who are adaptable and can find where they can best make
a difference.
Visit www.oakridge.co.za for more information.