At our Preschool we honour the belief of Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the philosophy of education of the Reggio Emelia approach, which urges us to recognise children as social from birth, full of curiosity and imagination, and having the potential and desire to find connections and meaning in all they experience. This is what ultimately fuels their life-long love of learning. Each child is able to reflect upon and contribute to their own learning through their unique ‘languages’ of expression and communication.

Integral to the Reggio approach is relationship-building. In a Reggio-focused classroom, the teacher takes on the role of the listener and researcher, while the child is able to express and grow their intelligence in ways that actually interests them. Ultimately, this enables an environment of co-creation and open dialogue, which we believe is the cornerstone of relevant, effective education.

Our curriculum in the preschool honours and reflects diversity, as well as each child’s individual interests and expressions. All of our preschoolers are exposed to music lessons as part of their academic programme, as well as more formal physical education classes, including a Body Sense programme, from Grade R, as part of preparation for their Grade 1 year.

True to the ethos of our brothers and sisters at the College, we find ways to centre learning on a global approach, without abandoning what is relevant and dear within the African context.

We are all about creating a positive, energetic learning experience, but within the natural and unpretentious environment of the Lowveld. Our serene setting is the perfect playground for fostering an inquiry-based ethos, with a focus on teamwork, problem-solving and self-awareness.

Our focus is on character-building and a compassion for others, building a solid foundation for their College and teen years.

Facilities

Our 5 boarding houses are nestled within our tranquil and picturesque Lowveld campus, and are aptly named after the indigenous trees found on our campus: Kiaat, Marula, Mahogany, Waterberry and Acacia.

Diversity is the cornerstone of the Penryn boarding experience. This melting pot environment is what we believe gives our boarders the best advantage to mature and embrace all of life’s challenges and opportunities.

As part of our extramural offering, our scholars have the option of joining the Junior or Senior phase choirs in the Prep or a vocal ensemble group in the College – focusing on acapella and contemporary style performances.

Often our scholars will be afforded the opportunity to collaborate with our Artreach scholars from surrounding schools. These encounters benefit all of your young musicians and together they create what can only be described as magic.

From the Foundation Phase through College, we also offer marimba, djembe, as well as Christian or Rock band.

Music Lab | Grades 1-3
Our music lab is one of the only of its kind in the country. All of our Foundation phase scholars have the opportunity to learn basic keyboard and music literacy as part of their curriculum and at no extra expense to parents. This is the Penryn way of cultivating a love of music from a very young age.

We also have a comprehensive extramural offering and individual music lessons from Preschool years through to the College, where scholars can choose from a variety of instrumental and vocal training lessons – offered through the Penryn Music Academy.

Our major drama productions from Junior through to Senior Phase, are always an eagerly anticipated event in our school calendar. In the College, our scholars also participate in cultural derbies and eisteddfods.

Debating is more than just an extramural offering at Penryn, it is part of our culture. Each year, we host political debates and invite topical guest speakers to address our scholars. Our scholars, time-and-time-again, show us that they are confident, attune with current affairs and are critical thinkers.