Fifth private school opens its doors on the Dolphin Coast

Reddam House Ballito opened for their first day of school last Wednesday with an impressive first intake of nearly 300 pupils.

The private school kept the town in suspense with their record breaking building process which was watched with great anticipation by nervous parents and naysayers who were sure it was doomed to fail.

But open they did, and wow!

Children from age one up to grade nine excitedly explored the new school and were greeted with bubbly teachers, puppet theatre shows and a rocking opening assembly.

Reddam is the fifth listed private school to open on the Dolphin Coast in recent years.

Crawford, Ashton, Trinity and Curro are all public companies with schools throughout the country, as is Reddam.

Reddam House Ballito principal Catherine Raw said the first week had been an adrenaline rush.

“Last week has all been very exciting. This week the school is quite tranquil and it feels like everyone is settling in nicely,” said Raw, who was previously principal of Westville Girls’ High School.

Having strong international roots, Reddam House Ballito not only looks different to many schools, they also teach differently.

Reddam House Waterfall Early Learning deputy head Nicola Crooks is an expert in the Reggio Emelia educational philosophy which originated from Italy and has inspired the Reddam way of teaching.

“We have adopted the philosophy that the teacher works alongside the child and acts as a mentor rather than a dictator. Children are not seen as empty vessels who need to be filled with facts, but rather as capable, individual human beings,” said Crooks.

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