Why choose us

Parents, Teachers and Children forging meaningful relationships

  • Children have the flexibility to choose their activities and be responsible for learning on their own.
  • Hands-on new learning models which involve different ways of teaching a concept.
  • Integration of chosen themes into multiple subject areas.
  • Catering for the unique educational, social and emotional needs of the individual child.

How are we different?

At the heart of Capella House is the image of the child as a competent being with rights and responsibilities, a future citizen. As a Reggio Emilia inspired school, we seek to cater to the 100 languages by which children learn, with a real focus on the human connections which underpin our relationships.

 

Our 5 core values:

  • Relationships: Engaging in meaningful, nurturing, communicative relationships which bring a greater sense of community.
  • Individuality: Respecting and affirming each individual and building their self-esteem.
  • Curiosity: Encouraging creative, hands-on, imaginative learning that inspires growth.
  • Accountability: Empowering children, teachers and parents to be responsible for their actions.
  • Compassion:  Compassion is an enduring capability to cultivate a way of relating to oneself, others, and humanity through kindness, empathy, and concern for one’s own and others’ happiness and suffering.

How we make this possible?

  • Parents, teachers and children engage and learn together, forging meaningful relationships.
  • Classes mirroring everyday life.
  • An innovative co-operative approach to ‘agreements’ which maintains the dignity of the child.
  • Continuous professional and personal development of teachers.
  • Descriptive praise, focus on individual achievements, emphasising the desired outcome of both teacher and child.
  • Experiential, interest-led and relevant education (Emergent Curriculum).
  • Hands on learning, where children learn through movement, exploration, outside activity and games, catering to the multiple intelligences.
  • Creating the best conditions for learning where children can tackle real-life problems.
  • Strong focus on learning how to communicate effectively with others and establish fulfilling relationships.
  • Children work actively and at their own pace.
  • Emphasis on developing pupils’ self-motivation for learning.
  • Intrinsic motivation and self-mastery -the child learns to value personal growth, self-improvement and internal satisfaction. Creating a growth mindset, focussing on effort and learning rather than comparison.
  • Children are empowered to take part in the governance of the classroom.

A Progressive Curriculum

At Capella House, we embrace an experiential, integrated educational approach that bridges the gap between traditional instruction and a more meaningful, learner-centred experience. We believe in providing an education that is relevant, respectful, and responsive to the child as an individual, combining academics with the development of emotional intelligence and a strong sense of personal growth.

Introduction and Curriculum Overview at Capella House

Our curriculum model is layered and holistic, made up of three interrelated components:

  • The Core Competencies
  • The Emergent Curriculum
  • The Academic Curriculum (CAPS)

 

1. The Core Competencies 

At the heart of everything we do are the Core Competencies—the values, skills, and personal attributes we seek to develop in both children and staff. These competencies are integrated into every lesson, regardless of the academic content.

Whether teaching mathematics or conducting a science experiment, our educators continuously nurture, inspire, and model these competencies.

The Core Competencies are developed through:

  • Who the teacher is being (their presence and authenticity)
  • The teacher’s facilitation style and support of each child
  • The relational dynamics within the classroom
  • Observing how teachers and interns interact and relate
  • Purposefully designed activities
  • Everyday interactions within the school environment

Whether teaching Mathematics, facilitating a project, or engaging in a conversation, educators continuously nurture, model, and inspire these competencies. When children feel safe, understood, and respected, they are more confident, engaged, and open to learning.

2. The Emergent Curriculum

The Emergent Curriculum gives children the opportunity to discover and explore the world through their own interests, questions, and passions. This child-led approach differs from traditional teacher-directed models by placing children’s curiosity at the center of the learning process.

Implementing an emergent approach requires creativity, flexibility, careful observation, documentation, and patience from educators. It validates each child’s natural desire to learn and encourages both independent and collaborative exploration, helping to build confidence, critical thinking skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

The Emergent Curriculum focuses on developing each child’s strengths while providing support in areas where growth is needed. It celebrates individuality, nurtures confidence, and empowers children to become engaged, self-assured learners who are excited to explore the world around them.

As children move into the Intermediate Phase, some emerging topics and questions may require additional guidance and support. When discussions arise around current events, social issues, or other complex topics, teachers communicate these themes to families and invite learners to research them at home with parental support before presenting their findings to the class.

This collaborative approach acknowledges and respects the diverse cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, and values within our school community. By exploring topics first within the family context, learners are able to engage in meaningful discussions that reflect their family’s perspectives while developing research, presentation, and critical thinking skills. These shared explorations enrich classroom discussions and create opportunities for respectful dialogue and deeper understanding.

3. The Academic Curriculum (CAPS)

At Capella House, we are committed to covering the CAPS National Curriculum Standards as a baseline.

However, unlike conventional academic environments, Capella House is not academically driven in a traditional sense. Instead, the academic curriculum is integrated into the Emergent Curriculum, not the other way around.

We cover all required subjects and annual outcomes for Grades R–7, adhering to the assessment standards set out by CAPS.

How does it work?

In the Foundation Phase, learners collaboratively choose a theme to explore over a period of time. Teachers then design lessons around this theme, carefully aligning the content with the CAPS curriculum. Instead of starting with a fixed syllabus, we begin with what is engaging and meaningful to the children and then connect the curriculum to their interests—reversing the traditional approach.

Our teachers are highly skilled in identifying which elements of the CAPS curriculum align naturally with the selected themes, ensuring that all required outcomes are met in intentional and meaningful ways. Learning takes place both indoors and outdoors, at times in micro-groups or station-based, where learners move from one activity to the next activity, making the experience contextual, dynamic, and memorable.

Though themes guide the learning journey, the CAPS curriculum is thoroughly covered. Children and teachers explore topics from multiple perspectives, engaging in rich, cross-disciplinary investigations that integrate all Learning Areas.

By giving children ownership of their learning, they develop knowledge and skills at a deeper, more integrated level. This approach fosters authentic understanding, stronger retention, and a greater ability to apply what they’ve learned in real-world contexts.