Curricula

Educational Programme (activities)

The school has a carefully structured assessment programme that includes regular testing, projects and assignments (which conform with the CASS requirements as laid down by the Department of Education), mini-exams in terms one and three for Grades 10 and 11 with full internal exams in terms two and four; the matrics write full exams in terms two, three and four, the last of which are the external NSC exams.

Grade 10

  • Following an information evening in August of their Grade 9 year, Grade 10 pupils and their parents attend an orientation evening at the start of their year to learn about the organizational structure of the High School and for parents to meet their children’s teachers.
  • In the first half of the year, Grade 10’s are required to complete a 10-hour community service project, the Gemilut Chassadim project, as part of Life Orientation.
  • Pupils who have elected Physical Science and Life Sciences participate in the Science Expo, one of the highlights of the Grade 10 year.   Many pupils later take part in the University of Cape Town Science Expo and then the National Science Expo.

Grade 11

This is an extremely busy year with many activities designed to prepare pupils for the rigours of Matric.

  • In term three, in-depth interviews are held with each Grade 11 pupil, his/her parents and the class supervisor.    During the interview, results-to-date are examined and the realities of tertiary study discussed, so as to focus pupils on the results they need to obtain in Matric.
  • An extensive Careers Expo is organized by the Counselling Department using past Herzlians, as well as others, to represent a wide variety of study options available at universities and elsewhere.
  • The Life Sciences Department runs a stimulating four-day camp.
  • One of the highlights of the year is the Encounter Programme, a five-day retreat where pupils listen to several different speakers, many of whom are Rabbis, and have an opportunity to question and debate in an atmosphere that is mutually respectful, open and non-judgmental.
  • The third term closes for the Grade 11’s with a two-day Work Shadow opportunity, carefully monitored by the Counselling Department.

 Grade 12

In this very short year the focus is on completing the academic requirements and writing exams each term so that pupils can hone their study skills and exam writing techniques for the final Matric exams.   However, to set the tone for the year, the Matrics and their parents attend the Matric Management Evening in the first few weeks of term one.    Here the head of Grade 12, together with a past pupil and his/her parent, offer practical advice to pupils and parents on how to manage and survive this important year.

At all times, the school works with parents and pupils as a team.   Parents and pupils are invited to meet with teachers after each set of exams and parents are encouraged to maintain close communication with the school.

Alternatives to matric (academic matters)

Pupils who require Individualized Learning Programmes (IEP) and who are not writing the NSC, are part of the Developmental Education Unit.  These learning programmes, which include a vocational aspect, are tailor-made to suit the needs and personalities of each pupil.

Special needs

Herzlia High School is an inclusive school and will accommodate pupils with particular needs and learning difficulties as long as it is felt that this school is the best academic environment for those pupils.

We prepare pupils for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) offered by the National Department of Education.