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The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Sheffield surges with swell of new development
A new private school, shopping mall and interchange are set to boost further growth in an already booming Sheffield. Seaton House, a private co-educational school which will eventually cater to children aged 3-18, was officially launched last week and will open for partial intake in January 2027. A new mixed-use development with 240 000m2 of retail, medical facilities and office space is planned for next door to the school and both will be serviced by the already under-construction N2 interchange, which is scheduled for April 2026 completion. The developments have emerged in response to a growing residential community in the area, largely in relatively new estates. According to Collins Residential, who are behind much of the new development, 3 000 families are forecast to move into estates within a 5km radius of Seaton House. As for the school itself, between 400 and 500 pupils are expected in the first intake in 2027. They will initially fill out Grades 0000-4 in the junior primary and Grades 8-10 in the high school. These pupils will be accommodated in the first phase of the not-for-profit school, which is expected to cost R105-million, while the full cost of the school is estimated at R250-million. 'As a registered non-profit, Seaton House operates differently from traditional private schools. We are not investor-owned, and all funding goes directly into building the school and sustaining its mission,' said project lead of the Seaton House project, Elwyn van den Aardweg – former headmaster of Kearsney College. 'About 70% of Phase 1 funding has already been secured through a combination of philanthropic support and soft loans from purpose-aligned partners who believe in what this school stands for – long-term, values-driven impact in a growing region.' Van den Aardweg said the school is still open to potential funding, while tuition fees will cover the cost once open. On that front, the school is pitched at the lower-end of equivalent independent schools on the North Coast. Per a fee structure published on the school's website, annual fees start at R42 000 for Grade 0000 and rise to R126 000 for matric, subject to annual increases. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
New independent school to launch on KZN's north coast
Veloshnee Kasavan , Judy Tate, Jo-ann du Plessis, Trenley Tilbrook, Elwyn van den Aardweg, Martin Mohale, Patrick Lambie Image: Supplied A bold and exciting chapter in South African education is unfolding with the official launch of Seaton House, a new independent school set to rise within the Seaton Precinct on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast. Construction of the school will begin in January 2026, with the official opening scheduled for 2027. Seaton House promises to deliver an inspiring, future-ready education offering that meets the urgent needs of one of the country's fastest-growing regions. Set in Salt Rock, a coastal region experiencing exponential growth with as many as 60 new families arriving each month, Seaton House has been purposefully conceived to offer a continuous co-educational journey from Grade 000 to Grade 12. The school will launch with Grades 000 – 4 and 8 – 10, and operate under the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum. Its mission is to combine academic excellence, values-based education, and meaningful community investment within a nature-rich setting designed to support well-being and personal growth. Speaking at a media event at the Manor House in Sheffield Beach, Elwyn van den Aardweg, Seaton House Project Lead and former Headmaster of Kearsney College, explained that Seaton House isn't going to be just another school. 'We're not just building a school – we're nurturing a model for lasting transformation. Seaton House will shape young lives with courage, curiosity, and character. It's about more than preparing learners for exams – it's about preparing them for life, with all its complexity and potential,' van den Aardweg explained. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Seaton House was being developed through a collaboration between leaders in education and community development, including Collins Residential, REACH- SA, and Khanyisa Inanda Seminary Community Projects (KICP). The initiative was founded on a non-profit model, which ensures all surplus was reinvested into the school and surrounding community. In addition to its academic framework, the school will offer a wellness-focused environment with dynamic sports facilities, immersive outdoor learning spaces, and forest trails designed to bring learners closer to nature. Murray Collins, CEO of Collins Residential, emphasised the long-term vision behind the school. 'From architecture to values, every element of Seaton House is designed with intent. We are investing in something much greater than infrastructure, we are investing in the future of our region, our children, and the generations that follow. This school is a tangible reflection of our belief in sustainable, human-centred development,' added Collins. The school's 25-hectare campus has been designed by Phil Thornhill of TCRPV, with landscaping by Bernice Rumble of Land Art Studio, both known for their emphasis on environmentally conscious design. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
New school to open in Sheffield in 2027
New school to open in Sheffield in 2027 The new private school coming to Sheffield has officially been named Seaton House and will open for partial intake in January 2027. Originally confirmed last year, many more details about the school have been released following a media launch at the Manor House on Thursday afternoon (July 31). Situated off the P228 in Sheffield, the co-educational school is being built on a 25-hectare site that includes the old Seaton polo fields, which will be used for sports facilities. Construction is set to begin early next year, with development led by Collins Residential in conjunction with REACH-SA and Khanyisa Inanda Seminary Community Projects (KICP). The school plans to cater for Grades 0000-12, but will initially only open to pupils from Grades 0000-4 in the junior primary and Grades 8-10 in the high school, after which the grades will grow organically. High school pupils will follow the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum. 'Seaton House is a day-school for now, but there are plans for boarding in the future,' said project lead of the Seaton House project, Elwyn van den Aardweg – former headmaster of Kearsney College. 'We are going to be a value-driven Christian school, open to pupils of all faiths. 'We plan on being much like the Diocesan or Methodist schools in the Midlands that you are all familiar with.' The school plans to blend tradition with a forward-looking approach however, and Van den Aardweg says incorporating technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is a focus. 'We see AI not as an add-on but as a core strand of our curriculum.' 'We will recognise what AI is and what it is not, how it works at a high level and also its limitations. 'We believe AI should be taught methodically and with principle, starting off with AI literacy.' Teaching staff will be trained to model best practice in AI for their pupils and Van den Aardweg said a safety framework is already in place that aligns with global standards. 'Human oversight and human values will ensure that technology elevates rather than replaces the great teaching that we are going to offer,' he said. Outside of the classroom, dedicated facilities will support the school's 'core sports' of aquatics (swimming and water polo), athletics, hockey, netball, rugby, cricket, basketball, tennis, cross country and soccer. The site's past use for equestrian sports will also be considered, while a surrounding natural area will include cycling tracks and nature paths. Seaton House is a not-for-profit school and a fee structure published on their website puts it on the lower-end of equivalent independent options on the North Coast. Annual fees start at R42 000 for Grade 0000 and rise to R126 000 for matric, subject to annual increases. Looking into the wider North Coast community, the school's affiliation with KICP aims to upskill teachers in underprivileged surrounding schools with the goal of improving the standard of education across the coast, not only in its wealthy pockets. KICP executive director Judy Tate is part of Seaton House's leadership team to that end. For more information on Seaton House, visit the website at Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
