School Life

School Life

Students grow and flourish within our extensive extra-curricular and co-curricular programme. Often lessons learnt outside the classroom are more valuable in teaching students about themselves. These lessons encourage self-reliance, critical and creative thought and stimulate vision and optimism. Many of our subjects conduct field work, research, and visits to places of historical, environmental, political or scientific interest.

Sport

Sport is an important part of Pinelands High School. Besides physical fitness, we believe that sport builds discipline and teaches teamwork, resilience, humility and leadership. It is a safe microcosm for real life and for many children, and it is where many friendships are forged. All Grade 8s – 10s are expected to take part in at least one summer and one winter sport. Grade 11s have to play at least one sport per year;  Grade 12s are encouraged to participate in the sporting programme and many do

We offer the following sports

Athletics
Basketball
Chess
Cricket
Indoor Hockey
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Water Polo

Chess
Cross Country
Dodgeball
Golf
Hockey
Netball
Soccer
Squash
Table Tennis
Touch Rugby
Volleyball

We are privileged to have the following sports facilities

  • An indoor sports facility for basketball, cricket, netball, soccer and hockey
  • A mini-astroturf for hockey practice, netball and tennis
  • Four hockey fields
  • Two soccer fields
  • Three cricket ovals and cricket nets

  • Five tennis courts (two also used for netball)
  • Two outside basketball courts
  • A 25m swimming pool for competitive swimming and water polo
  • A full-sized hockey astroturf

Clubs and Societies

Our substantial and vibrant cultural offerings mean that every student is able to find their niche. We are well known for our professional, creative and high-achieving cultural and musical achievements and the opportunities that we offer.

  • Art Society

  • Christian Union
  • Debating
  • Drama Club

  • Eco Club
  • First Aid
  • Interact
  • Kaleidoscope (LGBTQ society)
  • Muslim Students’ Association

  • NULLPTR (Game Design, Development and Coding)
  • Outdoor Club
  • Poetry XPress
  • Photography Club
  • President’s Award
  • Robotics Club
  • Sound and Lighting Team

Music

Our Music Department consists of qualified and experienced teachers offering the highest standard of tuition. Our three full-time staff and thirteen part-time staff inspire and give their students the confidence and courage to be successful. Every year our students successfully complete the Trinity practical examinations, the Cape Town Eisteddfod and the Afrikaans Eisteddfod in their instruments of choice. Music examinations of this type require diligence and practice and they prepare students for future situations where they need to be adaptable and perform under pressure or think on their feet. We are widely known for the quality of our music teaching and performance, as well as for our musical offerings on the stage.

Music Fees for 2025

Subject Music
Subject Music Gr 8 & 9 only R2,600 per annum
Subject Music 1st Instrument (Gr 10 – 12) No Charge

Additional Instrument
Subject Music (Gr 8 – 11) R5,900 per annum per instrument
Subject Music (Gr 12) R4,425 per annum per instrument

Extra-curricular Music
Extra-curricular Music (Gr 8 – 11) R7,300 per annum per instrument
Extra-curricular Music (Gr 12) R5,500 per annum per instrument

Other Charges
Instrument Hire (Gr 8 – 12) R3,000 per annum per instrument
Marimba (Grades 8 – 12) No Charge
(students selected after auditions)

Ensembles and Bands

  • Senior and Junior Wind Bands
  • Senior and Junior Marimba Bands
  • Orchestra
  • Jazz Combo
  • Wind, string, and mixed ensembles
  • Choir
  • Cabaret Group (Vocal Persuasion)

The Music Department produces an annual Gala Music Concert in the third term and a biennial Cabaret during the first term. Students can take music as a subject from Grade 8 through to Matric. We offer tuition in a wide range of instruments.

Drama

The school stages annual dramatic productions that have become known in Cape Town for a level of professionalism and excellence seldom seen in school productions. Students can become involved in all aspects of our productions, from acting to set construction, and from make-up to sound and lighting. Many of our students have continued their studies in drama once leaving the school, largely as a result of the exposure they enjoyed at Pinelands High. Students can take Dramatic Arts as a subject from Grade 10 through to Grade 12.

On Stage

  • Annual Dramatic Production (alternating between a musical and a play)
  • Cabaret-style show (alternating annually with the musical)
  • Annual Inter-House One-Act Play Festival

The Wider Classroom