Executive Head's Message
 

Mrs Anastasia Krystallidis
Executive Head - SAHETI School


S.A.H.E.T.I. – South African Hellenic Educational and Technical Institute – was established in 1974 by a group of founders under the leadership of Advocate George Bizos. Their vision was to establish a school which would provide a modern education, whilst inculcating the ethos and values of Hellenism.

In the 1 st Century A.D., Plutarch, a Greek Historian and Philosopher, said, “Everything is changing. Education is the only thing that remains with us until we die.” Not only has this proven to be true through the ages, but in particular, it refers to the demanding times which we are experiencing at present. In today’s society, the most secure ideal for a parent is to invest in his child’s education.

Aristotle claimed that education is a quality which, together with ethics and morality, creates a good person. Seneca’s definition states that “education is the cultivation of the spirit, in order to enable it to bear fruit.” The value of education has not changed. It has actually become greater.

Education, however, cannot be today what it was yesterday.

It has to be more and it has to be different. It needs to cater for the changing needs of the children in a world that is governed by endless challenges and reliant on creative, independent thinkers.


In order to do this successfully, teachers, parents and scholars need to know who they are, where they belong and what they would like to achieve.

SAHETI School takes great care to monitor individual talents. In selecting our academic staff, we appoint teachers who are not only academic leaders in their field, but who also reflect traits that best suit the individual needs of the scholars. All classes are heterogeneous and small: key elements for an individual teaching approach.

The focus of staff is to enrich and extend those scholars who excel academically, allowing them to reach new heights and also to offer support for scholars who need assistance.

Free tutorials are offered every afternoon, while additional workshops are arranged. In line with new teaching philosophies, we do not disadvantage the learning path by marginalising weaker learners. On the contrary, every scholar is given the chance to produce optimum results.

Our school boasts an impressive 100% I.E.B. pass rate since we started writing the I.E.B. exams 13 years ago, and in its 36 year history, has produced a remarkable percentage of multiple distinction candidates. Furthermore, the vast majority of past scholars enter tertiary institutions and excel in their professional and vocational paths.

In-house study skills programmes, time management workshops and stress management, aptitude and interest testing, are carried out free of charge in the scholar’s journey throughout the school.

Academic progress is monitored on a one-on-one basis by a close-knit team of teachers. In high school, psychometric testing is carried out to determine literacy and numeracy levels – two core features in the new curriculum.

Measures are set in place to develop these outcomes further, allowing every child to recognise his or her potential to excel. Vocational planning is an integral part of the senior high school support offered to all scholars.

However, the pursuit of academic excellence is only one aspect of the vision of SAHETI School. Known for its rich cultural diversity, the school boasts a unique offering in that it promotes the values of Hellenism and instils in its scholars the importance of knowing themselves in reaching their potential. The school is children-centred and values orientated. The universal and timeless Hellenic ideals of belonging, symbiosis, dignity, mutual trust, equality, challenge and credibility, enable children to understand the roots of democratic thinking.

SAHETI School prides itself on producing free-spirited, independent thinkers who embody the school’s motto “Know Thyself”. This notion, which is rooted in classical Greek philosophy, is instilled in scholars from an early age as a pre-requisite to success in all facets of school life, through higher education and in the world of work. The concept is universal, timeless and at the heart of a quality, humanistic education, which is primarily what SAHETI strives to provide.

SAHETI has sought from its early beginnings over 30 years ago, to embrace all communities within South Africa and the world in general. We encourage admission of learners from different cultures. A sense of belonging is strongly fostered at SAHETI, and the exposure to Greek civilization and ideals is an extra dimension which undoubtedly enriches our curriculum. We believe that this is instrumental in developing scholars that are well rounded and enter the world as confident, independent thinkers.

There are a handful of cultures that transcend time and geography, and ours is one of them. Some of the elements of Hellenic culture are togetherness in multiplicity, hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism, striving for excellence, the quest for beauty and truth in science and art. Our culture is a part of everyone’s political life. Our heritage is timeless, universal; it is part and parcel of the life of everyone who lives on this earth.

Our language is not just another language. The English language incorporates more than 6 000 Greek words, while the dictionaries of other European languages contain 17%-20% words of Greek origin. Up to 50% of scientific terminology comprises of Greek words, and in the field of technology, Greek words are still used to describe the latest discoveries, because of the richness and clarity of the language. This means that SAHETIANS who go on to study science or medicine at university, are at an advantage as they are able to immediately recognise and understand new terminology encountered in their field of study. A welcome development is the introduction of Greek as a recognised matric subject. Our 2009 matrics are going to write it for the first time this year. We are excited about the opportunities that this presents for our learners.

It is immensely rewarding to witness our scholars, particularly those not of Greek origin, embracing the spirit of Hellenism, which SAHETI School has nurtured since its early beginnings.

In an aesthetic environment that deviates from the norm, SAHETI mirrors diversity and synergy. Our admission policy encompasses the school’s non-elitism; our ethos centres around the belief that each individual’s talents can be tapped into. No scholar is unnoticed and all scholars are offered maximum opportunity to develop, thrive and enjoy their scholastic experience.

SAHETI School, where Quality Education strides into the future