Welcome to Herzlia

The aim of United Herzlia Schools is to provide the best possible Judaic, secular and cultural education, to produce pupils who are actively engaged, confident, courageous and resilient global citizens.  Based on core Jewish values, we aim to enhance their potential for participation in both Jewish and wider society.

Welcome from our Director of Education

Herzlia’s purpose is to provide an educational ‘home’ for Jewish children, irrespective of Jewish religious affiliation, their barriers to learning, or the financial status of their parents. We provide a warm and nurturing environment where individuals are empowered with Jewish and secular knowledge, skills and curiosity. By enabling them to flourish at school and beyond, we give them the tools and principles to become active citizens in their community.

We follow the wisdom of one our great sages King Solomon, who in Proverbs 22.6 says ‘Educate the child according to his way.’ Our pioneering Inclusion Programme was introduced in 1997 and integrates all participating pupils into mainstream schooling. Alternatively, some pupils with barriers to learning may opt for our Vocational Programme, for a career based education.

Our aim for our pupils to have a strong and positive sense of Jewish identity, rooted both cognitively and effectively in the knowledge of Judaism; from knowing our history and peoplehood, to a sense of belonging and responsibility to Klal Yisrael – the world Jewish community.

We provide a disciplined, but non-authoritarian environment. As our focus is on the children, we encourage caring and trustworthy relationships between teachers and pupils. Through this, it allows the pupils to be more confident for active participation, to question what they don’t understand and above all, freedom of thought.

The Herzlia system comprises several facilities to serve different age groups.

Four pre-primary schools around the peninsula (up to Grade R):

  • Herzlia Alon Ashel in Sea Point
  • Herzlia Kerem in Constantia
  • Herzlia Gan Aviv in Vredehoek
  • Herzlia Dafna in Milnerton

Three primary schools (Grades 1 – 6):

  • Herzlia Weizmann in Sea Point
  • Herzlia Constantia in Constantia
  • Herzlia Highlands in Highlands Estate

Thereafter, they come together at the Highlands Estate campus at:

  • Herzlia Middle School (Grade 7 – 9).
  • Herzlia High School (Grade 10 – 12).

I often tell my staff that every day they walk through the gates of our school, they make a difference in the lives of our children.

Geoff Cohen
Director of Education

“I believe that our school community is made up of three essential ingredients; pupils, parents and teachers. Each ingredient forms the three corners of the Herzlia Triangle. Each is expected to play a specific role in the education of our children. When I think about our country, our city, our community and our school, I cannot be anything but enormously grateful and proud of what we have created and achieved over the past years.”
Mr Geoff Cohen
Director of Education

History

In 1940, when the world was at war, at this darkest time in our history, a group of brave pioneers came together in Cape Town and said;

“Our people will survive; and not only will we survive, we will flourish and ensure that our young children will be proud, knowledgeable Jews. We will provide them with an anchor, with a safe harbour, where they will thrive and continue to learn what it means to be Jewish, in both good and turbulent times’’

And so, Herzlia was born.

Our first class opened its doors in 1940.  In 1956 Herzlia offered Grade 12 for the first time and in that same year moved to the present High School campus. The school continued to expand and the modern structure of UHS came into being with the building of Constantia and Milnerton campus in 1973 and the incorporation of Weizmann in 1976. In 1982, the Middle School was born and in 2000 the Hebrew Pre-Primary Schools were incorporated.

“Im tirtzu”, they said, and it was no dream. No wonder then that these words were chosen to be our school’s motto.

Herzlia stands as a testament to the early visionaries and benefactors who understood the importance of establishing a Jewish Day School in Cape Town.

Today the Herzlia candles burn brightly, lit by the dreams, the vision and the tireless brave actions of so many, who provided us with a stepping stone towards a bright future.

Our school badge tells a story

“An oil lamp, an anchor and a six-pointed star and a banner saying Im Tirtzu.”

The lamp reminds us that to be Jewish means to learn, and to teach, as it says in the Shema, “Veshinantum levanecha”- You will teach your children;

The anchor reminds us how fortunate we are to live in a beautiful city and how our school and Jewish traditions provide us with an anchor to hold our community steady;

The Magen David reminds us that we are not alone and we belong to a people with a long and proud history;

And finally, our motto is taken from Theodor Herzl, “Im tirtzu, ein zo aggadah”- which translates to ‘If you will it, it will be no dream’ This motto reminds us on a personal level that we should always dream and strive for more, that we are among the most privileged of generations to live in an age when the ancient dream “to be a free people in the Land of Zion and Jerusalem” has become a reality.

We know who we are. We’re proud of who we are.

Employment opportunities

United Herzlia Schools (UHS) is one of Cape Town’s most prominent academic institutions and a forerunner in Jewish education. Just like we want the best for our pupils, we also believe in providing our staff a safe and supportive environment and opportunities for growth.

Our professional and friendly environment is structured to be open and encouraging. Each member of our valued team is an expert within their own field but opportunities for development never end.

There are many reasons why educators and support staff should join the Herzlia family:

We’re Proud of our Values –

  • We are an independent, financially secure school
  • We are a well-known and highly respected brand
  • We have had a 100% matric pass rate
  • We keep our class sizes small
  • We are consistently one of the top performing schools in the Western Cape
  • We have an innovative and values-driven way of approaching education
  • We maintain our policy of openness and respect

Along with integrity and value on performance, we also keep up with the times and maintain a focus on technology  developments.

We Ensure Educators have Access to –

  • Smart-board technology
  • Wireless connectivity
  • On-line capability
  • Training on integrating technology into teaching practice

Furthermore, each of our staff members are compensated for their time, efforts and passion. Aside from the gorgeous grounds and phenomenal colleagues, we also have benefits.

We Provide Employees with –

  • Competitive salaries
  • Medical aid
  • Pension and group life assurance
  • Long leave
  • Family responsibility leave
  • Support departments for IT and Human Resources
  • Five day week (no Saturday activity due to the Sabbath)
  • Involved and committed parent body and lay leadership

For job applications, please note that we predominantly use PNet and ISASA websites to advertise our vacancies.

Publications