Welcome to Pinelands High School. I hope that as you browse through this website you will feel a sense of the heartbeat of our school, situated in the midst of the Pinelands community.
There’s a line in our school song that says: “There’s a stirring of pride in every heart for the future that’s building here”.
In essence, that sums up what Pinelands High is all about – the development of young people and the role that we play in helping them grow to their full potential. The young men and women who leave Pinelands High are confident, energetic and passionate individuals, ready to take their place in contemporary South African society and make a meaningful and significant contribution.
School is, first and foremost, a place where children come to learn, and the pursuit of academic excellence remains one of our strategic goals. However, the life lessons that are learnt at school are often learnt outside the classroom. At Pinelands High we offer our pupils a myriad of opportunities to become involved in sport, drama, music and a variety of other cultural activities. We believe passionately that we should educate the whole child, and give all the children in our care the opportunity to find their own niche, and to excel in their own particular way. I have come to know that ours is a school where issues related to education and schooling are debated and thought about deeply.
We have developed numerous original programmes relating to teaching pedagogy, leadership development, pastoral care and broader teenage issues, which have given Pinelands High a reputation for ground-breaking pioneering and innovation. Those of us who are privileged to work within the school community believe strongly that Pinelands High is perhaps one of the most successful examples of transformation in the South African school system. Racial and gender tolerance and acceptance are actively practiced, and regular “Rainbow Camps” provide a forum for confronting prejudice and bias.
There are many threads I could weave to describe the rich tapestry of Pinelands High School, but can perhaps simply sum up by saying that this is a school with teachers who are passionate about education, pupils who are encouraged to reach for their dreams, and an environment that celebrates innovation and exudes a palpable sense of energy and purpose.
JEREMY GIBBON
Principal