Brescia House School

01/09/2026

Did you know?
Brescia House School has its very own Legacy Wall — a growing mosaic that celebrates the people, places and stories that form part of our school’s history.
At its foundation is a colourful Johannesburg skyline, incorporating references to our school and to our South African heritage. Above it, the sky is gradually being filled with eternal stars — each one carrying the name of a current or past pupil or staff member, forever woven into the fabric of Brescia House School.
But this wall is about more than looking back. Each star represents a contribution towards the continued growth and future of our school, helping to ensure that the Brescia House School story can continue for generations to come.
A legacy is something we leave behind — and at Brescia House School, we are building ours together.

30/08/2026

25/08/2026

Did You Know?
It's hard to imagine that the young girl in this 1955 class photograph would one day become the Headmistress of Brescia House School.
Pictured here (2nd last row, 3rd from the left) as a pupil at St Ursula's Convent School, Krugersdorp, Sister Jeanette Essey is shown with her classmates and teacher, Sister Elizabeth Towell.
More than three decades later, Sister Jeanette would go on to lead Brescia House School as Headmistress from 1989 to 1991. Today, she remains a much-loved and valued member of our Brescia community, continuing to share in the life of the school she helped shape.
It's a wonderful reminder that every journey begins somewhere—and that the Ursuline story continues to connect generations of women across our sister schools.
Thank you, Sister Jeanette, for your enduring contribution to Brescia.

21/08/2026

Recently a number of our Grade 9–12 Art students showcased their work at Art@TheManor, an exhibition hosted by the Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club in support of the upkeep of Norscot Manor.
The exhibition featured work by both established artists and school students, with participating schools invited to exhibit a selection of their finest pieces. We are incredibly proud of our Brescia House School artists whose work was chosen for display, and especially those who received special recognition.
✨ Grade 12
Displayed: Jade Heger, Leah Krass and Jessica Wikner.
Highly Commended: Solethu Mayekiso and Makena Murimbika.
✨ Grade 11
Displayed: Hayden Ford and Nicole Kamunhu.
Highly Commended: Oluwakemi Ayodele and Gabriella Farkas.
Viewer's Choice Award: Oluwakemi Ayodele.
✨ Grade 10
Displayed: Cara Kolbe, Jade Herwill and Isabella Mills.
Highly Commended: Melina Fatouros and Alison van Niekerk.
Overall Grade 10 Winner: Lucia Ebels.
✨ Grade 9
Displayed: Sarah Degener, Ying Jia Guo and Gabriella Roelandt.
Highly Commended: Rebecca Sears and Emily Mooney.
Overall Grade 9 Winner: Megan Pohl.
Congratulations to every student whose creativity, skill and dedication were recognised. We are so proud of the outstanding talent within our Art Department.

20/08/2026

TeenMindsSA with Brescia House School’s Dr Chaland van Zyl.
Adult Insights.
Growing up, many of us heard the phrase, "Less is more." Somewhere along the way, that message seems to have changed.
Today, it often feels as though more is more.
More sport. More tutoring. More holiday programmes. More achievements. More productivity.
As another school term comes to an end, I want to gently encourage parents to consider something different this holiday.
Your teenager needs a real break.
Not every day needs to be planned. Not every hour needs to be productive. Not every holiday needs to be an opportunity to get ahead.
Research consistently shows that periods of genuine rest are essential for adolescents. During downtime, the brain consolidates learning, emotional reserves are restored, stress hormones decrease, creativity flourishes, and motivation begins to return. Ironically, rest often makes young people more productive when school starts again.
Many teenagers finish the term carrying months of academic pressure, sporting commitments, social expectations, and emotional ups and downs. If we immediately replace school with an equally demanding holiday schedule, they never get the chance to recharge.
Sometimes the most valuable thing we can give our teenagers isn't another activity.
It's permission to pause.
Because the goal isn't to raise teenagers who are constantly busy.
It's to raise young people who know how to rest, recover, and return to life with energy, curiosity, and resilience.
This holiday, remember: sometimes less really is more.

20/08/2026

TeenMindsSA with Brescia House School’s Dr Chaland van Zyl.
Teen Voices.
You don't have to earn your rest.
As another school term comes to an end, here's something I hope every teenager hears: It's okay to slow down.
You've spent months waking up early, writing tests, studying, juggling assignments, managing friendships, playing sport, attending extra lessons, and trying to keep up with life.
Feeling tired doesn't mean you're lazy. It means you've been carrying a lot.
Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing that every minute needs to be productive. That if we're not achieving something, we're wasting time.
But that's simply not true.
Your brain needs downtime just as much as it needs challenge.
Rest isn't quitting.
Rest isn't falling behind.
Rest isn't something you have to "deserve."
It's part of looking after yourself.
So this holiday...
Sleep in occasionally.
Read something because you want to.
Listen to music.
Go for a walk.
Laugh with friends.
Put your phone down sometimes.
Spend time outside.
Do absolutely nothing for a while.
And if you find yourself feeling bored…
Don't rush to fill the space.
Some of your best ideas, deepest thinking, and biggest growth happen in the quiet moments when your mind finally has room to breathe.
Next term will come soon enough.
For now, allow yourself to recharge.
Because success isn't about being busy all the time.
It's about knowing when to push yourself - and when to give yourself permission to rest.
Enjoy the break. You've earned it.

18/08/2026

Did You Know?
Brescia House School is one of the longest-standing supporter schools of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital.
Our journey began in 2013 when we hosted the very first "For Kids, By Kids" cupcake sale, and we have proudly remained a Friend of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital ever since.
In recognition of our ongoing support, Head of Serviam Kate Foster and Head Girl Alison Horsfall were invited to attend the hospital's groundbreaking ceremony in March 2014. Then, during our 50th Jubilee celebrations, a group of Brescia girls returned to the hospital to present a specially commissioned beaded replica of the hospital's logo, handcrafted as a gift to celebrate our shared commitment to caring for others.
It's a partnership built on compassion, generosity and service—living out our school motto, Serviam – I Will Serve.

17/08/2026

Recently, our High School girls had the privilege of hearing from Professor Marlina Elburg, who shared the story of her extraordinary expedition to Antarctica.
Professor Elburg travelled to the icy continent to study its ancient rock formations, helping scientists better understand how Antarctica and Africa were once connected as part of the supercontinent Pangaea.
Life in Antarctica was far from ordinary. During her expedition, she spent two weeks camping on the ice, observed the continent's unique birdlife, and even learned how to repair snowmobiles. Along the way, she endured severe snowstorms, a broken snowmobile and frostbite before safely returning to Cape Town after nearly three months away.
Her first-hand account of life and scientific research in one of the world's most remote environments gave our girls a fascinating glimpse into the world of geological fieldwork and left them enthralled from beginning to end.