It has been also acknowledged as one of the top schools in Gauteng.
As Mark Henning said in his recent book, Zest, “A good education is the important predictor of success.”
“It is not the content that matters so much as the experience, the stretching of their minds, the learning to think, the encounter with new worlds and new people,” Mr Henning said.
It is therefore not just the 100 percent pass rate, or the consistently high university entrance rate at Jeppe High School for Girls, but it is also about the irreplaceable ethos, tradition and vision of the school.
Experienced and respected staff forms the backbone of the school, guarding the school’s values and traditions and passing them onto the girls year after year. Punctuality, respect for others, reliability, diligence and tolerance are virtues held in high esteem at the school and this sets its pupils apart.
Academic achievement is valued highly and the school is proud of its matric record, with a 100 percent pass rate being maintained for 21 consecutive years. 92 percent of matriculants over the last five years were eligible for entrance to a Bachelor’s Degree at university. Mathematics is one of the school’s primary focus areas. Both enrichment and remedial programmes are run from the Maths Computer Centre, which was funded by prize money from Anglo American.
The school boasts a well-staffed music centre and music is offered as a subject at the school, with over 200 students from grade 8 to grade 12.
Instrumental tuition is offered in piano, keyboard, flute, clarinet, saxophone, cello, guitar, violin, recorder and voice. Pupils are entered for UNISA, Trinity and ABRSM examinations and voice students participate in Eisteddfods. The choirs and musicians perform at all major school events.
The school’s art department is also very strong and design is offered as an extra matric subject.
The school’s design students have scooped awards at the Star’s Design-an-Ad competition for the past three years.
Tsholofelo, the drama department’s 2014 production, was hailed by Phillippa Yaa-De Villiers, a Commonwealth Poet, as “a vibrant, engaging piece of theatre performed with passion and commitment”.
This year the school looks forward to an exciting production of “Fame: the Musical “ by arrangement with DALRO (Pty) Ltd.
Girls participate in the inter-house play festival as well as Jeppe Boys’ productions.
The school has a proud history of debating and public speaking, and girls hone their skills through the inter-high and inter-house competitions.
Outstanding sportswoman, Robyn Searle (grade 12), who plays U/19 cricket for the national women’s side and captains the Gauteng U/19 team as well as representing the school in cricket, netball, swimming and soccer said, “The Jeppe spirit is by far the best thing in playing sport – you know when you play that you have the school behind you.”
The other sports offered include tennis, volleyball, cross-country and hockey. Girls participate at district, provincial and national level. Inter-house events are part of the strong ethos of Jeppe, promoting the development of team players.
Girls are encouraged to give back to the community and through the Life Orientation programme, are regular visitors at old age homes and children’s homes in the area. They also collect blankets and non-perishables for those in need as an ongoing tradition.
