On the 1st of July 2021, Seabridge School opened the doors to its Middle and High School in Sedgefield. Seabridge offers the CAPS syllabus from Grade 4 to 9, followed by the Cambridge IGCSE and AS- & A-Level courses from Grade 10 to 12/13 (post matric). The new school will be housed in Ballan House, near the Fire Station. Seabridge School has adopted an enquiry-based pedagogy (inquiry-based), and uses a blended model of teaching and learning which combines individual online work with face-to-face teacher and peer engagement. Seabridge will implement innovative best practices whereby subject content is introduced through online activities. These concepts are augmented and reinforced by at-school tutorials, labs, and group projects. In this way, the teaching and learning at Seabridge can get the best of both worlds; online, and through personal interaction. Further, Seabridge will focus on offering Marine Science as a flagship subject. Apart from being topical, the study of Marine Science has the advantage that it provides an overarching vehicle for the development of an integrated foundation in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Science. Moreover, as expected from a high school, and apart from the Marine Science specialisation, Seabridge will offer the regular Literacy, Social Sciences and Creative Arts programmes that makes for a holistic and rounded education. The school’s extra-curricular programme and sports will be based on activities utilising the area’s natural environment of estuaries, lakes, beaches and the ocean as well as local clubs for learners wanting to participate in the more traditional sports. Seabridge School will be registered with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) as well as the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA). The school’s management team is determined that Seabridge will establish itself as a recognised and credible educational institution in the Sedgefield area. To this end, modern methods of educational quality assurance through ISASA, will be applied to develop and enhance the standards of teaching and learning at the school. Seabridge School has been in development for the last year as the four people behind it – Kim Euston-Brown, Janine Taljaard, Jamie Fearon and Jeff Fearon – have been discussing, planning and preparing for the establishment of the new school. The ethics and methodology of Seabridge draws on their considerable store of experience and the school’s innovative approach places it at the forefront in the use of modern teaching and learning techniques.
