[Image: A year of many firsts, accomplishments and learner successes at one of Africa’s largest online schools.]

What a year 2022 has been, right?

We’ve all gone through a fair amount of immense change — at home, at work and just out and about in our daily lives.

And perhaps most so for learners across the country, particularly high school learners, who have had to navigate the most challenging and demanding period of their school careers.

High school sets them up for their next chapter into adulthood whether it be moving into a first career or furthering their studies at tertiary level. 

At UCT Online High School, one of Africa’s largest online schools with over 4 000 learners, they took the opportunity to share what 2022 held for the innovative online school’s first cohort of high school learners and created a 2022 wrap-up video called ‘2022 Rewind’.

The uplifting video sheds a light on the many ‘firsts’ as the first online school to be created by a University in Africa, sharing the incredible sense of community held at an online school, and some of the major education advancements that have set them apart.

Watch the ‘2022 Rewind’ video below: 

We’ve pulled out some of the commendable highlights for you below:

IN JANUARY 2022, GOODLUCK, SHEKHINAH, YOUNGSTACPT AND MSAKI COLLABORATED ON THEIR ONE-OF-A-KIND SCHOOL ANTHEM 

The collaboration, dubbed ‘We Own The Future’ — chosen after a learner-wide vote confirmed this name as the frontrunner — is a one-of-a-kind anthem. Created to inspire, motivate and bring together Africa’s youth to unleash their potential, and encourage a sense of community for a cohort of online learners across South Africa and the globe. The launch of the school song and music video on January 24th’s International Day of Education was a celebration of aspirational talent for those in need of encouragement and motivation through the power of music.    

AND IN MARCH 2022, THE SCHOOL SONG WAS PERFORMED LIVE ON STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME. 

In March 2022, the official school song was performed for the first time on stage to a live audience at the enormously popular KDay 2022 music festival. A school song that not only inspires a new generation of learners anywhere, but a song that also inspires the world, we truly do own our future and in doing so, we inspire others to make an impact. 

IN JULY 2022, THEY BROUGHT LEARNERS TOGETHER AT A ONE-OF-A-KIND VIDEO GAME DAY EVENT

In celebration of Video Game Day, UCT Online High School hosted a fun-filled afternoon for their learners, jam-packed with all their favourite video games. And, a Grade 10 learner took on a Southern Hemisphere Tekken Champion — and won! A fun-filled afternoon that saw some friendly competition between old and new friends, and a fierce battle against Southern Hemisphere Tekken Champion, Miguel Macabi. Miguel, a pro gamer from Mozambique, has made a name for himself by competing in a number of gaming tournaments. He faced up against Grade 10 learner, Omolemo Masibi in a game of Tekken. UCT Online High School’s very own, Omolemo came out victorious against the Tekken Champ. 

IN JUNE 2022, THEY CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST-EVER YOUTH DAY EVENT BRINGING LEARNERS OUT INTO THE SUN

They hosted an incredible afternoon of family fun with top local acts including YoungstaCPT, Dee Koala, Uncle Vinny, and Kyeezi, a panel discussion on The Importance of Education with some of the Cape’s favourite celebs, a barbershop, a beauty bar, and a first-of-its-kind UCT Online High School merchandise collection of hoodies, beanies, totes and long-sleeve tees.

The panel, which discussed The Importance of Education included UCT Online High School’s Head of School for the CAPS curriculum, Sipho Mpisane, their Head of Student Well-being Daniella Randall, radio DJ Carl Wastie and hip-hop star YoungstaCPT, who had their audience enthralled with anecdotes from their school years and encouraged learners to make and learn from their mistakes. Rob Paddock, CEO & Founder of Valenture Institute, also made an impromptu appearance and spoke on UCT Online High School’s successes, challenges and impact on the future. 

UCT Online High School is constantly working hard at making things better for their learners and guardians. They’re constantly reviewing what they do, taking advantage of the best innovations in tech and, above all, listening to their community. One of the advantages of online learning, it adapts at a far quicker rate than conventional schooling. 

They’ll also be making some key upgrades that will come into effect from the beginning of the 2023 school year, to better the way they teach the youth of South Africa. 

Feeling inspired to unlock a more global future? Make the switch today to one of UCT Online High School’s two high school learner curriculums — CAPS-aligned National Senior Certificate or Cambridge IGCSE curriculums.

If you’ve still got questions, or need some more guidance, please contact one of UCT Online High School’s friendly Admissions Consultants at +27 21 140 1792 or email admissions@uctohs.valentureonline.com; they’ll be more than happy to assist.