2025 was marked by outstanding achievements and the launch of several innovative initiatives at the Saheti School, spanning from playschool through to high school.

The school’s executive head, Morag Rees, said academic excellence forms the foundation of Saheti’s identity, but it is their rich cultural and sporting life that ensures every learner feels included, inspired, and empowered to discover their talents.

Academically, the year began on a high note with Saheti being recognised, thanks to the remarkable distinction rate of the Class of 2024, as the top-performing IEB school in South Africa.

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“Our commitment to innovation extended beyond the curriculum, with the introduction of a full digital literacy programme in Grade 00 and Grade R, complemented by coding and robotics through the Scope IT programme.

This initiative bore fruit when Mila and Alexandra Papanicolaou earned top honours in the best coder category at the international MindHack competition,” shared Rees.

She added that their structured approach to literacy was strengthened through the rollout of their comprehensive Reading and Structured Literacy Programme.

Younger learners embarked on their reading journey with Time2Read, while the older ones benefitted from the personalised pathways offered by the Reading Plus platform.

At the same time, the school introduced the Cognitive Enrichment Advantage (CEA) programme across the school to deepen learners’ self-understanding as learners and enhance the partnership between teachers and parents.

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The primary school hosted the IEB Collaborative Challenge, a flagship event for project-based and enquiry-driven learning. More than 235 learners from 11 Johannesburg schools came together to engage in ethical problem-solving and 21st-century skill-building.

Rees said, “As a Hellenic school, we were especially delighted to implement our new Greek curriculum, developed in partnership with leading educators from the University of Western Macedonia. The exceptional performance of our learners in the international Ellinomatheia examinations affirmed the strength of this offering.

“Our high school students further showcased their cultural depth at the Ninth International Student Literature Conference, “Kiki Dimoula – The Poet” in Constantinople.”

A major highlight was the recognition of Saheti High School by the Greek Ministry of Education as equivalent to Greek high schools, a testament to the authenticity and quality of Saheti’s Hellenic education.

On the sports front, Rees said 2025 was equally rewarding. The Saheti Sevens Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary with a record attendance of 38 rugby and 36 netball teams. Their primary school’s summer and winter festivals also reached new heights in attendance and enthusiasm.

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Efforts were made to strengthen literacy

The executive head noted that, like many schools worldwide, Saheti noticed a concerning decline in learners’ reading engagement and stamina.

“In response, we made a decisive and campus-wide commitment to strengthening literacy.

“We invested in the Time2Read programme and the international Reading Plus platform, ensuring every learner – from pre-primary to high school – receives targeted, level-appropriate support,” said Rees.

She further explained that the adaptive nature of Reading Plus allows learners to work at their own pace, helping them build fluency, comprehension, and the ability to engage meaningfully with increasingly complex texts.

Early indicators are already promising, according to Rees, with many learners showing accelerated improvements in reading age and comprehension.

She said that these gains will inevitably enhance performance across all learning areas, supporting deeper thinking and more confident interpretation of academic material.

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A collaborative community leads to success

Rees acknowledged that Saheti is fortunate to be supported by an exceptionally dedicated and collaborative community.

Parents, alumni, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and the board all play a vital role in enriching the educational experience and strengthening the broader school environment.

She said, “Our PTAs have worked tirelessly to fundraise for new equipment, playground upgrades, and the establishment of a new tuckshop, while also volunteering at major school events, from the vibrant Panigyri to the festive Kalanda.”

Rees added that the Saheti Ladies Committee once again led a successful debutante’s ball programme, which nurtures leadership and teamwork while raising funds for charity and the school. This year, they made a substantial commitment toward the refurbishment and expansion of the high school’s physical-science laboratories.

“The Saheti board continues to steward the school’s long-term vision and Hellenic ethos with unwavering dedication,” Rees noted.

In 2025, she added, they helped to guide strategic initiatives, facility expansions, and the continued strengthening of Saheti’s academic and cultural offerings. “Their commitment to the school community remains exemplary,” Rees commended.