A little more than 25 years ago, Dainfern was only known for the Gary Player-designed golf course and the few mansions around it. It was the second golf estate developed in South Africa, and the first of its kind in Gauteng.
Read Same success, but new heights for Dainfern College
Dainfern College was the brainchild of Russell and Stella Upneck, who had four children in private schools and were fed up with the traffic and realised other parents in the area felt the same. Their dream was to establish an independent, not-for-profit, community-owned school close to home that could match the excellent education available elsewhere in Joburg.
In 1997, Dainfern College Junior Preparatory opened its doors with just 35 pupils and six teachers. “There was just one building. I was working here, cleaning the classrooms, washing the teacups and working in the garden,” said Stanley Makgwatela, the longest-serving member of staff.
As the college celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, deputy principal Cheryl Coetzee, who has been at the school for 15 years, said they had never lost their pioneering spirit and mission to keep improving, trying new things and strengthening the school’s values.
“I know every school raves about how wonderful their school is, but this really is a remarkable place with a very warm heart where the children, and what is best for their education, are the focus of each teacher,” Coetzee said.
The college now has 120 teachers and about 1 200 children and has developed a reputation for innovation in education and pastoral care.
Read Dainfern College pupil wipes the board at the 2016 National Eisteddfod
“We strive to ensure a holistic educational offer. We want our children to participate in culture, sport and our outreach programmes, as well as to develop their leadership potential. And that’s where the remarkable thing happens – that all-round involvement shows in their academic results,” said the principal of Dainfern College, Matthew Davies.
Since the first Grade 12 class matriculated in 2001, Dainfern College has achieved a 100 per cent matric pass rate every year. In 2016 they also achieved a 100 per cent rate of admission for tertiary study and a 98.5 per cent bachelor’s pass.
Last year, its top five students all obtained eight distinctions, with many of its best performers scoring in the top 1 per cent and 5 per cent of marks across the country for multiple subjects. An astonishing 24 per cent of the grade achieved five distinctions or more.
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