Accelerated Academy upholds Christian values
On the outskirts of town, a school with a unique curriculum will celebrate its 17th anniversary this year. Ms Colleen Kotzé, principal of Accelerated Academy chatted to White River Post about the interesting school and why she had such a passion for it.
Accelerated Academy was established in 1999 and follows the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum. Pupils at the school don’t work as a group but have several paces to complete each year to move on to the next grade. This enables them to work at their own pace and even complete grades ahead of the traditional school calendar. To ensure the success of the curriculum, the school has a qualified teacher and a teaching assistant for every class of 18 pupils.
In contrast to public or many private schools, Accelerated Academy does not have a traditional Bible period or subject, but biblical concepts are integrated into every aspect of the education, from science to language. The school is, however, aligned with the Department of Education’s CAPS requirements and pupils who matriculate from the school can go to any university of their choice.
Kotzé said she became involved with the school in 2008, four years after she and her family had moved to White River and never looked back. The principal is engaged in all the school’s projects like handing out flowers on Spring Day, participating in community programmes and even helping in the kitchen when the school managed the tea garden at the annual NG Witrivier Christmas market.
Kotzé is also an amazing piano player and singer and helps coordinate the annual local Gospel Skouspel at Manna Church, where local gospel artists and groups get the chance to showcase their talents.
Since group sport or even large tournaments are almost impossible for such a small school, the staff members have found other ways to expose learners to sport and culture activities. Pupils have taken up archery and compete in various tournaments around the country; rugby and golf classes are also presented as extracurricular activities.
For the more culturally inclined children, the eisteddfod that takes place every year, provides a great challenge and they can also take music or art classes. The annual talent show or concert in which the whole school participates is one of the highlights.
As the school is part of the ACE network, pupils are invited to student conventions both nationally and internationally. Most of these institutions are focused on individual learning and are therefore small, but they are found across the world and are eager to interact with their various counterparts.
“There are numerous advantages to ACE,” Kotzé remarked. “It builds character and is mastery-based. Pupils in the junior phase need to pass every test with 80 per cent to continue and seniors need 90. This means that at the end of the day they know at least 80 or 90 per cent of their total work and have a greater understanding of the material.”
The school isn’t just focused on mental and physical education but also spiritual. They have an amazing praise-and-worship band with infectuous energy and devotionals and sessions are integrated into the weekly schedule.
“We are Kingdom-orientated,” Kotzé said with a broad smile. “We want to build the Kingdom of God through these pupils. We speak the truth and plant the seeds for as long as these children are with us.”
To find out more about the school, visit its Facebook page Accelarated Academy or www.acceleratedacademy.co.za.
