Centennial Schools founder and CEO Shaun Fuchs says 2025 will be remembered as the year the Sunninghill-based institution firmly stepped into its identity.

One shaped by innovation, resilience, and a bold reimagining of education. “It has been a year of firsts, of pressure, of growth, of proud moments, and of laying foundations that will shape our future for decades to come.

“What stands out most is not only what our students achieved, but how they achieved it, with character, resilience, confidence, and a belief that education must prepare young people for a world that is changing faster than ever before.”

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One of the school’s defining milestones was welcoming its first full Grade 12 class. The inaugural matric class, who began their Centennial journey when the school was still in its infancy, reached their final year in 2025, a moment Fuchs describes as deeply emotional.

“These students trusted us when we were still finding our feet. They became leaders, role models, and proof that our model of education works.”

Throughout the year, students excelled across academics, sport, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With a growing emphasis on critical thinking, digital literacy, and real-world problem solving, Centennial’s NextGen Founders programme strengthened its reputation as a school that blends innovation with practicality.

Students launched real businesses, learned to pitch ideas, managed money, and collaborated in teams, skills Fuchs believes will set them apart long after graduation.

In 2025, technology stopped being a future concept and became a classroom staple. From AI-driven learning and robotics to esports, coding, and digital design, Centennial saw students, especially those who once struggled to engage, thrive through technology-rich environments.

“Tech is not a gimmick for us. It is a language our students speak.”

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Despite rapid growth, Fuchs emphasised that wellness remained at the heart of the school’s ethos. Mental health support, leadership camps, outdoor education, and balance-focused programming ensured students-built resilience alongside academic and technological skills.

The school also navigated expansion pressures, staffing growth, and financial realities, but, with a united staff body and supportive parents, Fuchs says the community emerged stronger.

A standout highlight of 2025 was the announcement of Centennial Preparatory School Sandton, set to open in 2026. “This is not a smaller version of a traditional primary school. It is being built from the ground up, with a fresh, future-focused approach to foundation and intermediate phase education.”

The preparatory school will offer grades R–6 learning that is child-centred, curiosity-driven, experiential, and grounded in real-world application. Technology will be meaningfully integrated, class sizes kept manageable, and project-based learning prioritised.

Fuchs says the coming year will be defined by consolidation, expansion, and global exposure.

Entrepreneurship, sports excellence, leadership development, and international opportunities will all deepen. “Our goal is simple, but powerful.

To continue building a school that challenges outdated education models and equips young people with the skills, character, and confidence to thrive in a complex future.”

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