About Summerhill
Founder's Vision
& Our Ethos
Over 30 years of nurturing young minds - rooted in a clear vision, a strong ethos, and an unwavering commitment to every child's potential.
The Motto - Ability Released
Summerhill School's Founder's Vision
Summerhill has an underlying educational philosophy: to create an educational environment which respects all religious beliefs, fosters integrity, decency and courage, and allows each student to flourish, prosper and ultimately realise their full potential and ability as leaders.
Our Motto
Ability Released
Our Mission
"To provide students with a limitless horizon and the means to open doors to any field of achievement."
Our Vision
To raise the ability, initiative and cultural level in the education process, so that students may thrive and be part of raising the survival level of society.
Founder's Vision
A Message from our Founder
I have confidence that our highly trained team of educators will ensure that each student is nurtured to reach their full potential.
Our goal is to help develop people who can think, judge and express their artistic and creative potential, meet the sporting challenge and finally, value and conserve their natural environment and its living creatures.
"The greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is to positively impact the lives of others. Whenever you add value to other people's lives, you are unknowingly leaving footprints on the sands of time that live on, even after your demise."
Mrs Sonja Joy Anderson-Morshead
BA (Unisa) HED (Wits)
Founder, Summerhill School Nursery, Preparatory & College
Nursery & Preparatory School
Established 1994
Summerhill Nursery and Preparatory School was registered with the Department of Education in 1994. The spacious 8.2ha property, which houses the Preparatory and Nursery School, is bordered by a protected wetland and hosts beautiful old indigenous trees, African Bullfrogs, Rabbits, snakes, mongoose and many species of birds.
We are truly an oasis in the middle of suburbia.
Since its inception, the Preparatory and Nursery Schools have grown into a full educational space offering an International College to prepare its students for top universities in South Africa and around the world.
The College
A Dream Realised: Summerhill College
Summerhill College is a natural extension of the Nursery and Preparatory School. It was always a dream that once we had enough capital for development, we would gradually grow the school to extend to a Senior School catering for students from Grade 8 to Grade 12.
The College itself was started in 2009 as a Cambridge International School, and is now a registered Cambridge Examination Centre, where students from both our College and other Cambridge schools and study centres can write their Cambridge International Examinations.
As a result of researching other Cambridge Schools in South Africa who have introduced a dual system, we introduced the IEB which has grown exponentially from Grade 9 in 2015.
"I am very proud of our achievements to date and feel confident that my vision has been and continues to be realised." - Mrs Sonja Morshead
Ethics & Philosophy
Pastoral Care, Religion & Ethics
Ethics are concerned with the moral actions of people. At Summerhill, we believe that ethical conduct - among students, teachers, and administrators alike - is the foundation of a great school.
In general, school ethics apply to students, teachers, administrators, and the school board. For each of these entities, a Code of Ethics is usually created - from within the institution, through professional organisations, or by both. The Code of Ethics provides ethical standards that people associated with the school are expected to follow in relation to working with others and in the decision-making process.
School ethics in relation to students are usually centred on students demonstrating respect for each other, teachers, and administrators. Additionally, ethical codes for students usually demand that students respect the facility where they are enrolled. One of the most significant factors concerning students and ethics in the schools is academic integrity - students are required to submit work that is uniquely their own.
Teachers and administrators are ethically guided through professional and institutional ethical codes. They are required to create a learning environment that fosters high ethical standards for students through modelling and instruction. Moreover, teachers and administrators typically create a safe learning environment in which all students have the same educational opportunities and can achieve success.
Integrity
Honesty and transparency in all actions - from academic work to interpersonal relationships.
Respect
For people, property, culture and environment - cultivated daily through modelling and instruction.
Compassion
A genuine care for the wellbeing of others, embedded in our pastoral care and values programmes.
Responsibility
Every member of the Summerhill community is accountable for their actions and their impact.
Our Campus
8.2 Hectares of Possibility
The school's sporting facilities are set out on the huge expanse of land between the Preparatory School and the College. Bordered by a protected wetland, our campus is home to African Bullfrogs, Rabbits, snakes, mongoose and many species of birds - a genuine oasis in the heart of Midrand.
Join Our Community
Become Part of the Summerhill Story
For over 30 years, Summerhill has been nurturing exceptional young people. We invite you to visit our campus, meet our team, and discover why families across Midrand and greater Johannesburg choose Summerhill.