Bellville Hoërskool

I am currently a student at Hoërskool Bellville. Bellville values academics very highly which I definitely amend them for. They motivate us the best they can, even if it means adding a bit of pressure. But they also encourage us to participate in many curricular activities outside of academics on both sport and cultural sides. The principal expects nothing but the best for each field. What he doesn't take into consideration is the fact that it is extremely difficult for a high school child to be divided into a million different pieces. We have to perform well academically whilst keeping our fitness up and squeezing in time for drama or choir.

When the children struggle to keep up, the principal simply doesn't care. Fortunately though there definitely are excellent teachers at Bellville, I will even single a couple out.

The English Department including teachers like Ms. Van Lill and Ms. Stassen are extraordinary. They have a passion for their subject and it draws passion from the students. Another example is Mr. Joubert who teaches biology. He absolutely loves what he teaches and it makes me hang on his every word, looking forward to the next lesson. Our physics teacher, Ms. Toerien, is just as amazing! Who would have imagined that it is possible to make physics interesting?

So despite the principal's pressure, these teachers as well as the genuine vibe of the students, make attending Bellville worth while.

Paratus Ad Omnia

I have mixed feelings towards my school. As schools go, Bellville does not make it fun to actually be in school. There is absolutely no attention being put in towards students who are struggling academically. They might put in things that will motivate students to work harder, but the fact is that not everyone are born to be smart. So, these motivational things are in a way punishing children who are actually doing the best they can. For example, we have a system called "Planet 51". If you do not have 51% or more for every subject you take, you cannot study at home during exams. This does motivate us as students to work harder, but some people just are not capable of achieving that, and are being punished for doing the best they can.

Our principal is more focused on status rather than the happiness and well being of the students. For example, he would expect you to achieve top prizes in something that is very tough, rather than you just participating for fun. Meening, he wants you to compete for status, rather than you doing something for fun.

Our teachers expect very much from us. I do not think that the teachers realise that we have other subjects apart from their subject. They would give us tons of homework of tasks rather than give us less to do, so that we can focus on it, rather than rushing through homework to make time for other homework you have. This brings me to my next point.

Our teachers are way to strict regarding homework. They have to realise that we are not robots. We cannot do many things at once. They expect us to do the tons of homework they gave us, do 5 tasks which is all due the next week all this while preaching about making time for yourself and getting enough sleep/rest. When, however, you do not finish your homework, you will be punished. If you tell them that you just did not have time for it because of other homework you had, they want to know why you left their subject out. If, once again, however, you do all your homework which ends at 2 in the morning, they want to know why you are sleeping or not paying attention.

Ther are fantastic teachers however, but there is just one problem. They are all leaving, just as fast as they came.

It is a well known fact that many of the teachers who have left Bellville, left because of the principal. It would be inappropriate for me to reveal any of those teachers and their reasons for disliking the principal, so I will leave this here.

We also have a new system where everything is posted online on our website, rather than handing out printed copies. What about those without internet? I need not say more.

With all these bad things, there must be a silver lining.

The students.

We stand together. We are happy with what we have, because of eachother. We motivate eachother. We make the school spirit.

I hope this review is helpful in every way.

P.S. I said nothing about sport or other recreational activities, because those are fun things and the message that I am recieving from my principal is that we have no time for doing fun things.

From experience I can say that Bellville high school had contributed to my academic, sport and social well-being. The attention given to academics is far above any other local school. Bellville made school enjoyable en memorable.

Bullying not being handled very well.Schools "snoepie" is pricy.Teachers seem frustrated.Very old books for learing and small library.Bathrooms dirty with broken sinks.Too stict about school wear and hair.Badly constructe hallways causes blockages xue to learners wanting to travel to next class. School fees very pricy.