Sir Edmund Hillary Primary School was founded in reverence for this intrepid mountaineer, and created an ethos around this visionary man’s bravery in the attainment of his goals and his caring attitude towards others.
Located on the main road in Kensington, adjacent to the Kensington Laerskool, Sir Edmund Hillary Primary is in a part of the area that is evenly-populated with homeowners. The Kensington Rate Payers’ Association is very proactive in the area; keeping the land immaculate and the Rhodes Park near the school has a lake that creates a beautiful backdrop for learners.
The high standard of education in at the school is complemented by the fine facilities on the campus. Learners are encouraged to work at their own pace to assure the deepest level of understanding of all facets of the curriculum. The interactive, computerised Reading Laboratory tests the grade reading level of each learner biannually, and children flourish through the use of the computerised English Reading Programmes. The school also has a well-stocked media centre with DVD-viewing facilities and computers for research purposes.
Outside of the classroom, learners are encouraged to be active on the sports field, culturally and in service to the community. Sir Edmund Hillary Primary offers girls’ and boys’ soccer, hockey, netball, knitting and chess. The school also supports Animals in Distress, and the Grade 7 mini-councillors encourage the school to support a variety of charity projects through their work in the Johannesburg Mini Council. In the past and currently, this has involved collecting Easter eggs and knitting blankets for the needy.
This ethos of building a caring environment and helping the community, together with upholding the name of the world’s most famous mountaineer and humanitarian has gained recognition that extends beyond South Africa. The school has strong ties with Sir Edmund Hillary’s country of origin – New Zealand, and the High Commissioner often visits the school, and donations are received from this source to ensure modern facilities for the benefit of all learners.
Virtual Tour:
