In 2007 MPS High School started with just 21 Grade 8 learners and in 2011 we had our first Grade 12 group matriculate. MPS High School boasts a team of dedicated and enthusiastic teachers who make a significant difference in the lives of its learners.

The smaller classes, emphasis on respect, the setting of Christian values and norms and the acknowledgement of the individual, create an environment in which the learners can develop and grow to become responsible adults who can fill key positions in the community. The staff, learners and parents are the heartbeat of the school and together we look forward to an exciting future. 

Our academic record is one of great success!  Boasting an unblemished set of excellent results, with the necessary support by an accomplished and passionate academic staff, we pride ourselves by being rated as one of the Top 5 schools in the Western Cape.  

At MPS our learners are rewarded for academic, sport, cultural and leadership achievements, whether at school or in extra-murals as we aim to develop the child into a well-rounded adult, fit to face the world and its challenges.

HEAD OF INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR & FET PHASES

It is a privilege for me to stand at the helm of an exciting and vibrant faculty which offers great opportunities for the young people of Melkbosstrand. Since its inception in 2006, MPS has offered education with a difference to our community. It is our goal that each and every student that leaves their footprints on MPS soil, will not only love their school years, but truly be prepared to face life’s challenges. We offer our students the best possible opportunities to become confident, thoughtful individuals who are prepared for adulthood, in this exciting and increasingly global world.

Aristotle once said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

Therefore as we impart education to match the advancement of technology and globalization, we march our students ahead with the MPS’ ethos of moral values and Christian principles. We endeavor constantly to instill the qualities of our 6 Pillars within our students and strive to help them grow into sensitive and responsible citizens of the next generation.

Our caring and inclusive approach to education sets a high standard for our students to achieve and perform at their very best. From the moment a new MPS student joins our school community we want them to feel a sense of happiness and belonging, as this is essential to their future success. Our enthusiastic and dedicated staff deliver our programmes in an environment that is intimate, friendly and attuned to every specific educational need. Our classes are relatively small and this creates an atmosphere where students feel relaxed and comfortable, which allows for healthy relationships between student and teacher. The staff, students and parents are the heartbeat of this thriving learning community.

I look forward to welcoming you to Melkbosstrand Private School.

Warm regards,

Allan Norton

HEAD OF INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR & FET PHASES 

CURRICULUM

MPS High School is excited to have it’s first group of IEB matriculants in 2024 after the phasing in of the IEB curriculum and a new learning approach including dual-medium classes, which started in 2021 MPS will gradually move away from CAPS and will phase in the IEB curriculum.

The IEB matric certificate is internationally accepted which ensures that MPS will be able to maintain our high academic standards.

The Keller Education approach is also to be introduced in the primary school in 2021. This focuses on creativity and a new teaching methodology. Classes (Grades 4-9) will now be taught in dual-medium and learners will benefit from the exposure to both official languages. By no means will your child be compelled to study and write assessments in a language that is not his/her mother tongue.  Explanations, instructions and assessments will be given in both languages.

The classes will split for their Home Language, as well as their First Additional Language lessons.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

We are fortunate at MPS to have a well-established Learner Support Unit (LSU) as the growing need to support learners academically has become a pressing issue.We aim to provide emotional and academic support to ensure our learners reach their optimum potential while at MPS and it has adapted and transformed in unique ways to meet the ever-changing needs of our learners.

Our Academic Head, Mr Pilkington, can be contacted regarding any academic matters.
Not only do we help learners to overcome academic struggles but we strive to further enrich our learners by offering skills that can enhance performance and better prepare them for the real world and work life when leaving at the end of matric. Time-management, study methods, reading and writing skills and note-making are some of the soft skills that are taught individually, in small groups or in regular Study Skills classes.
Peer tutoring and group work aims to assist learners to grasp challenging academic work. Free extra classes in, especially, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Accounting, available three times a week, provide a perfect home-from-home base where learners can work on perfecting their skills. Our experience shows that learners who attend these extra sessions benefit from the exposure and reach their academic goals.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Teenagers experience tremendous challenges and our learners are not spared the challenges and pains of growing up in this age.
The emotional support available to our learners aims not only to provide a confidential, safe space for counselling/therapy during difficult times, but also to empower and equip our learners with the necessary skills for dealing with the outside world. We are also privileged to have staff members who are qualified to assist learners in need of more specialised emotional support. Mrs Hannarie Jordaan, our Senior Phase Head, holds an Honours Degree in Counselling Psychology and Mrs Maritza Norton holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Counselling.
Our students are encouraged to approach any member of staff with whom they feel comfortable should they encounter a problem, and all members of staff consider student-wellbeing to be their number one priority.

SUBJECTS

 

SENIOR PHASE (GRADES 8 – 9)

COMMON LEARNING AREAS (SUBJECTS):

English, Afrikaans, Maths, Natural Sciences, Human & Social Sciences, Life Orientation, and Economic Management Sciences.

LEARNERS CHOOSE 2 OF THE FOLLOWING:

Art/Design, Drama, Music, Dance

NOTE: Music and Dance lessons are offered privately at the school and the teachers will be paid individually.

FET PHASE (GRADES 10 – 12)

In the FET Phase, GRADES 10 – 12, there are four Compulsory Subjects:

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Afrikaans Home Language, or Afrikaans 1st Additional Language

Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

Life Orientation

Learners are also to select 3 of the following subjects from the selection offered at MPS:

Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Tourism, Geography, Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD), Visual Art, Design, Agricultural Management Practices, Computer Applications Technology, Music, and Dramatic Arts. 

NOTE: Music can be taken as an 8th (Extra) Subject for those who plan to study Music after school. External grading examinations (Unisa, ABRSM, Trinity) will be taken and learners must pass Grade 5 Music in matric and these results will be captured on the reports. 

NOTE:  Music is provided by an external tutor at parents’ own cost

Grade 10 & 11 Drama classes will carry no extra charge but Grade 12 class fees will be payable directly to Ms. Bateman.

HIGH SCHOOL STAFF

Allan Norton

Faculty Head: Intermediate, Senior & FET Phases

 

Jaco Smit

Phase Head: FET Phase

Business, Agriculture Management Practices

Hannarie Jordaan

Phase Head: Senior Phase

Counsellor

Design, Art & Culture, Visual Art

Ian Pilkington

Head of Academics

English

Marliese Pilkington

Head of Administration

Afrikaans

English

Celia Nel

Accountancy

Mathematics

Louise Louw

Afrikaans

Drama

Lize-Marie Prins

Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD), Technology, History, Life Orientation

 

René Deacon

Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Mathematics Literacy, Business Studies, EBW

Corné Kriek

Mathematics

Anje Dorfling

English FAL, Drama, History

Jonathan Jacobson

Computer Literacy, CAT, Life Orientation, Bible, History

Marjean Danieli

Life Sciences, Geography, Life Orientation

Jean-Prieur du Plessis

Physical Science, Mathematics

Maritza Norton

Tourism, Mathematics Literacy, Geography

Louwrens Erasmus

Sport Organiser

SPORT

At Melkbosstrand Private School we believe that our learners should have the opportunity to develop not only academically and culturally but most certainly on the sport field too. We encourage our students to have high expectations of themselves and what they can achieve. Through hard work that they will reach their full potential and life goals.

Our sporting infrastructure includes tennis courts, netball courts, rugby, cricket and hockey fields and cricket practice nets.

RUGBY

At Melkbosstrand Private School we strive to achieve excellence at all levels; the rugby field is no exception. We have u/7, u/9, u/11 and u/13 rugby teams.

MPS is registered with the Western Province Rugby Football Union and all the coaches are “Bok Smart” qualified.

We take part in various sports days with other private schools.

MOUNTAIN BIKING (MTB)

We have an active MTB club at our school that trains twice a week. Learners are trained by a dedicated MTB Coach. We are affiliated with the Tygerberg MTB club and make use of their MTB routes.

Parents and children are encouraged to train together which makes this a unique family sport. Pupils are encouraged to take part in the Spur School League and also any of the other many competitions in and around the Cape.

ARCHERY

MPS is part of the National Archery in Schools’ Program (NASP). We offer archery as a school sport for learners from Gr 4 – Gr 12.

We have all the necessary equipment such as bows and arrows and the sport therefore functions as a club with a fee structure.

The learners take part in competitions throughout the year at various schools in the Western Cape.

NETBALL

We have Primary School Netball Teams from u/7 to u/13 who participate in the Western Province League and regularly take part in Sports Days at CPM, Vyeboom, Slot van die Paarl and other schools.  Competing against larger schools has taught our players valuable lessons in team work and developing perseverance and we have seen many very special victories as a team.

HOCKEY

MPS is affiliated with the Western Province Girls’ Hockey and are currently playing in the u/16 and u/19 leagues.

We feel that taking part in a team sport gives learners the opportunity to grow within themselves and get a feeling of responsibility and a sense of belonging.

TENNIS

At MPS we offer tennis as one of our summer sports. We currently have 2 courts and practices are on Monday afternoons from 14:30 – 15:30 during the first and the fourth term.

Matches are played on Thursday afternoons and are supervised and arranged by Mr and Mrs Pilkington.

PASTORAL CARE

REGISTER TEACHER

 

Each student is assigned a Register teacher who is the primary port of call for any concerns the student, staff or parents may have.

The Register teacher will have the best overview of the student’s academic and social development and will take an active role in ensuring the student is meeting his or her potential.

PHASE HEAD & SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

 

The relevant Phase Head can be approached directly by learners and staff, in confidence, for assistance. Information regarding students’ wellbeing is responsibly shared where appropriate.

Our School Counsellor might also be recommended to students or sought out by them or their parents directly; appointments can be made and learners are taught there is no stigma attached to seeking help.

PEER SUPPORT

Melkbosstrand Private School’s students are frequently complimented by visitors to the school for being emotionally mature and being respectful of one another as this is part of the school’s value system.

This is something staff value highly and try to cultivate in lessons and encourage within grade groups and at break times.