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Holistic Growth

At Rustenburg Girls’ High School we strive to create a sense of belonging and to nurture the potential of each individual. We believe that this can be achieved through the development of high-quality relationships between pupils, staff and parents. 

Vertical Tutoring

Tutor groups are composed of pupils from all five grades, creating a balance of age, ability, ethnicity and interests, so that all groups share a similar composition. Tutors and co-tutors meet with their groups every day for 20 minutes - this gives sufficient time to build relationships, offer support and have meaningful discussions. 

Each tutor group is allocated to one of five Houses. This is sometimes called a nested system in psychology and one that ensures every child is known, cherished and supported on their learning journey. Pupils of different ages are trained in leadership and mentoring and help assist, guide and support others through the example they set and the empathy they show. 

 

What to expect from the system?

  • Tutor classes have about ±20 pupils from Grade 8-12
  • Two tutors (adults) for each tutor group
  • Tutor groups formed on balance not friendship
  • Parents, pupils and tutors are involved in “deep learning conversations” at critical times of the year
  • Learning is more actively supported

What can pupils expect?

  • Every pupil is given responsibility, trust and leadership opportunities.
  • Every pupil will have two adults who know them well.
  • Every pupil will have direct support from senior pupils.
  • Bullying will be reduced and pro-social behaviour improved.
  • Work will be more easily monitored and interventions faster.
  • Pupils will retain old friendships and make new friends.

Mentors

The senior pupils, especially the matriculants, are the mentors in the tutor classes. The tutor and co-tutor, who are staff members, form a personal working relationship with these mentors and come up with plans and strategies tailor-made for that specific tutor group.

The matric mentors have a special focus on the junior pupils where their goal is to be a trusted older “sibling”. Being a mentor involves making yourself available to support and advise someone when they need it, delivering that support in a way that makes sense to them, and always keeping that person's best interests in mind.