Green School, a Bali-based environmental school, will open its first South African location in the Western Cape in 2021.
Green School offers a new model of education, focused on the natural environment, engagement with the local community and hands-on experience.
Founded by John Hardy, it was first established in Bali in 2008 and centres on sustainability through the learning environment, curriculum and co-curricular activities. It has since opened locations in New Zealand and Mexico.
“Green School is a special place that has, over the last decade, proven that a new model of education is not only possible, but essential,” reads their website.
“It has taught us that a wall-less environment opens minds in ways no concrete box ever will; that true understanding only comes from hands-on experience instead of remote learning; that an authentic engagement with the local culture and community is incredibly enriching; and shown us time and time again that humanity’s progress starts from a child’s curiosity.”
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South Africans Alba and Herman Brandt sent their three daughters to the Bali school, and were so impressed by the standard of education that they decided to establish Green School South Africa. Experienced educator Andy Wood will head the South African branch.
The school is currently being built in the Cape Winelands, and will be powered by its own solar-generated electricity. The campus is situated on eight hectares of land overlooking the mountains between Paarl and Franschhoek, where indigenous and vegetable gardens, orchards and grain fields will serve as outdoor extensions of the classrooms.
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Water for the school will be extracted from the river and the borehole will be replenished by rainwater. The carbon and water neutral school will produce more energy than it consumes.
It will open in January 2021, and caters to pre-school students as well as grades 1-8.
Picture: Instagram / Green School SA