Uplands
- Alternative schools
- Boarding School
- Mixed gender schools
- Religious schools
- Private
Uplands is one of Africa’s leading, independent, co-educational, family schools following the traditions of the Anglican Church. The school offers quality, holistic education to pupils from 18 months to Grade 12, with outstanding boarding facilities from Grade 4 upwards. A contemporary school, Uplands has a proud tradition with a proven track record of success with almost 100 years of timeless quality and values. Uplands delivers an engaging and globally relevant curriculum for our diverse pupil body. This is achieved through a skills-based approach which promotes a culture of learning, creativity, critical thinking, social growth, inclusion (transformation and diversity) and talent realisation. Pupils benefit from building effective relationships through inspired, collaborative, and innovative engagement. Set in an area of extraordinary scenic beauty, Uplands is located on a spacious 110-hectare country estate in White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa. We have exceptional facilities in the academic, sporting, cultural and outreach arenas. Our dynamic, caring, and supportive staff provide individual attention to all pupils within a family-friendly environment, from 07h30 to 16h30 for day scholars and 24 hours for boarders, so that each pupil thrives. This full-day integrated programme is fully inclusive of required meals and tea-time snacks, sport, culture, community service sessions, supervised homework sessions and extra-curricular activities.
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Head of school
Mr Scott Hauptfleisch
Contact person
Cindy Walker (Head of Marketing)
Email address
marketing@uplands.co.za
Website address
https://uplands.co.za/
Religious
Uplands holds the belief that every child is beloved, belongs, and is a child of God. The spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of each child is based on the values and virtues of the school’s Christian tradition: love of God and love of neighbour; the pursuit of truth and justice; the challenge of service and duty; and the experience of trust and forgiveness.
Uplands remains true to its fundamental and progressive educational mission – one which encourages critical thinking, diversity and unfettered freedom of choice in matters of spirituality.
We recognise the importance of providing opportunities for worship and take great care in following the liturgical year.
Academic Excellence
FOUNDATION PHASE GRADE 1-3
Our teachers strive to see and develop the whole child. Informed by a strong and traditional value code and dynamic understanding of children, we excel in providing a solid foundation for life-long learning. The small classes enable us to really get to know our children and, thereafter, to develop an approach that resonates with each of them.
Our core academic programme consists of English, Afrikaans (1st additional language), isiZulu (2nd additional language), Mathematics and Life Skills, which are presented in spacious, computer-friendly classrooms. In addition to these subjects, our children enjoy Music, Physical Education, Information Technology and Library lessons with specialist teachers. As learning aids, we use a variety of Apps, such as Reading Eggs and Mathletics, and employ teaching techniques, such as Singapore Maths, Jolly Phonics and Phonsense, to strive for excellence in our academics. Many of our lessons take place outside so children experience first-hand the joy of exploring and discovering the beauty around them. Experiential learning opportunities include gardening, baking and dress-up days, as well as local outings and camps.
We believe in connecting with our parents to maximise the learning experience for our children. In this, we create regular opportunities for feedback, a listening ear and open conversation.
To support our busy families and engage our children, we offer a full-day programme. Our boys and girls, therefore, are able to stay at school after lunch to enjoy a variety of sport, supervised prep sessions and skills-based activities.
SENIOR PHASE GRADE 4-7
In the senior phase, the learning environment is more formal. In addition to Foundation phase subjects, the curriculum is enriched with the addition of History, Geography and Natural Science, Art, Divinity, Information Technology (IT) and Economic Management Science (EMS). Subject interest is stimulated with the directed use of technology, IT and Apps. Above all, we hope to instil a love for learning. We also seek academic excellence and consistently monitor our progress by writing national and international benchmarking assessments.
The classroom is extended well beyond the walls of our school, with pupils going on exciting outdoor educational excursions and tours. Furthermore, pupils are exposed to guest speakers, with a special emphasis on leadership development in the Grade 7 year.
Our Preparatory School (Grades 4 to 7) offers boarding to boys and girls from Grade 4.
Preparatory Boarding
Our Preparatory School (Grades 4 to 7) offers boarding to boys and girls from Grade 4. Boarders hail from near and far – from surrounding areas to nearby towns to cities further away, or from across our borders, providing children with a wonderful opportunity to mix with other cultures.
Our boarders are accommodated in two houses: boys in Selby Taylor and girls in Webster. Boarding offers children opportunities to socialise, to develop good and lasting organisational habits, to experience life away from home in a caring, yet structured environment. Boarders feel a great sense of belonging and connection to their peers and their school and they develop rewarding lifelong friendships. As with business conferences, the real work is done in the breaks. Real friendships are not created in the formal classroom. They grow in their leisure time, whether formal or informal: playing a team sport, debating or just chilling down at the dam. These are friendships, lessons and networks that last a lifespan. Then there is learning about responsibility and independence, as well as healthy inter-dependence through teamwork and caring – important life qualities to develop and acquire.
For those children who remain in boarding over weekends because their families reside further away, excursions to local attractions such as God’s Window and the Kruger National Park are organised. Added to this, children are encouraged to freely use the school’s beautiful facilities over weekends, whether to just relax, play or catch up with their art projects.
Uplands boasts one of the largest co-educational boarding environments in South Africa and as such has been privileged to provide a safe and memorable stay to countless children over the years. Above all, we like to believe that our boarding truly does offer exceptional value for money, on a secure and peaceful estate, where children can learn and thrive. The Uplands boarding environment is rich with opportunity. The semi-rural setting, the year-round equitable climate, the world-class off-road cycle trails and a variety of top-class sports facilities all create a context for growth and development academically, physically and socially.
MUSIC
A weekly lesson ensures all our pupils explore the world of music. It is in these classes that all our boys and girls have the opportunity to experiment with instruments, learn songs, and appreciate the history of music. An extensive private music programme and Choir allows our children to grow their skills and passion.
ART
In unison with our music programme, a weekly art lesson allows all our pupils to experiment with art media. For those with a passion for fine art, our afternoon programme allows them to further develop their talents.
DRAMA
To develop self-confidence and self-worth, we provide our pupils with opportunities to see, hear and participate in a variety of performance events, such as school assemblies, plays and public speaking. A drama class for all Grade 4s to 7s coaches our children to respond creatively and to become confident in expressing their ideas and feelings.
SERVICE
We support a number of local charities throughout the year to teach our children about community involvement, social responsibility, the plight of others and the role they can play in making the world a better place.
SPORT
It is our intention to give an all-around education and to encourage balance in the lives of our pupils. With this in mind, we regard the coaching of sport as an essential component of educational excellence. In the Foundation Phase, the emphasis is placed on the development of skills, participation and enjoyment. By Grade 3 our players undertake their first competitive fixtures against local schools. In the Senior Phase, we extend our games-play with attendance at national festivals and a greater emphasis is placed on long term skill development. Our principal sports include rugby, soccer, hockey (boys and girls), netball, tennis, athletics and swimming.
