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Despite the difficulties South African schools face, it’s a nice change to be named among the world’s best.

Rondebosch-based Rustenburg Girls’ High School and Spark School Soweto Campus have been shortlisted for Worlds Best School Prize.

Winners will be announced in October, but the schools are in contention for a lovely $50 000 (nearly R910 000) boost should they win.

The schools were nominated in two different categories, namely Community Collaboration and Supporting Healthy Lives. Spark School Soweto Campus made the Community Collaboration list, while Rustenburg Girls is shortlisted in the Supporting Healthy Lives.

Other categories include Overcoming Adversity, Innovation, and Environmental Action.

SPARK Soweto in Johannesburg earned a spot for its collaborative approach to building a village for its young students based on principles so important to the school they spell out its name—Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility and Kindness.

#SPARKSoweto is in the Top 10 shortlist for the 2023 @BestSchoolPrize for Community Collaboration! We are SO proud 🏆 🎉

Read all about it 🎓 https://t.co/OFc91whRFQ #BestSchoolPrizes #StrongSchools pic.twitter.com/YzKnFJTZfG

— SPARK Schools (@SPARKSchools) June 15, 2023

Rondebosch’s Rustenburg Girls’ made the shortlist for its spin on empowerment through sport based on a unique policy. Their Sports Policy has been recognised for making sports activities compulsory for girls in grades 8 and 9, inspired by the off-the-court-and-field effects being part of a team and staying active can have, including time and mood management.

We are proud to announce that Rustenburg Girls’ High School is a Finalist in the World’s Best School competition in the category Supporting Healthy Lives. Congratulations! @bestschoolprize @wcednews @DavidMaynier #StrongSchools#BestSchoolPrizes https://t.co/dfxjExbmWJ pic.twitter.com/8g3SqVaZq0

— Rustenburg Girls’ High School Cape Town (@RustenburgGirls) June 15, 2023

This amazing achievement comes at a time when most schools are struggling to maintain a balance between formal education and social responsibility. It’s great to see these schools driving for an outcome that promotes social responsibility, healthy lifestyles, and sports along with academic achievement.

We wish them well and hope to see our schools in the ‘top lists’ more often!

[source:southafrican&goodthingsguy]