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High School

Head of High School

Martin de la Rey

At Pinnacle College Copperleaf, we are committed to academic excellence within a nurturing and inclusive environment.


We strive to inspire and empower high-achieving students to reach new heights, while also providing meaningful, personalised support to those who find aspects of the curriculum more challenging. Our passionate High School faculty is dedicated to guiding young minds, fostering curiosity, independent thinking, and creativity — all essential skills for thriving in an ever-evolving world.


At Copperleaf, we celebrate diversity and intentionally cultivate a culture rooted in emotional intelligence, empathy, and mutual respect. Our students are encouraged to think ambitiously, embrace challenges, and express their unique perspectives with confidence and integrity.


Through a dynamic and relevant curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, and a strong support system, we help each learner grow in confidence, resilience, and character.


We believe in preparing students not only for academic success, but for life. Our approach ensures that every learner is equipped with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills they need to make a meaningful and lasting impact — both in their communities and in the world beyond our gates.


Contact details: mdelarey@pinnaclecolleges.co.za

Pinnacle College Copperleaf strives for academic excellence by motivating and empowering those students who are high achievers, as well as supporting and bolstering those who find the curriculum more challenging. The High School Faculty endeavours to nurture the young minds in their care, encouraging them to question, form opinions and become creative thinkers who will be able to take their place confidently in a world beyond the Copperleaf environment.

Academics

At the end of Grade 9 you will have completed the General Education and Training (GET) phase of your education. The Further Education and Training (FET) phase of your education is a three-year programme which ends in Grade 12 with you writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination.

Our students write matric examinations set by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), giving them a school-leaving qualification that is truly world-class.


Through its assessments, the IEB aims to develop young people who are life-long learners, critical users of information, have good problem-solving skills and are creative and reflective thinkers. 

The IEB actively strives to:


  • Set well-constructed, probing assessments that test the learners' understanding of what information applies in a certain circumstance
  • Test learners' understanding of how and why specific knowledge is applied
  • Develop clear logical thought in learners with a good understanding of the subject matter
  • Communicate their learning clearly


For more information about the IEB Examination, click here https://www.ieb.co.za/pages/aboutus

Copperleaf offers the following subjects:


Compulsory subjects:

  • English Home Language
  • First Additional Language – Afrikaans, isiZulu and Setswana
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
  • Life Orientation


Elective subjects:

  • Accounting *
  • Business Studies
  • Computer Applications Technology (CAT)
  • Geography
  • History
  • Life Sciences *
  • Physical Sciences *


* 50% for Mathematics in Grade 9

We are a four-term school but run our Academic Programme on three Academic Cycles. At Pinnacle College Copperleaf we assess our students on a continuous basis so as to be able to remedy any areas of concern as soon as possible during each Academic Cycle.


A progress report is issued at the end of each of the Academic Cycles.


  • Cycle 1 is mark-based report based on continuous classwork assessments from Term 1. 
  • Cycle 2 is a mark and comment based report on continuous classwork assessments from Term 2 and the Mid-Year Examinations.
  • Cycle 3 is a mark and comment based report on continuous classwork assessments from Term 3 & Term 4 and the Final Examinations at the end of the year.


Matric Students will write an additional set of Preliminary Exams before their final end of year Examinations.


Parents Evenings are held every term on the first Saturday of the month.


Reports are published on Academia (Stasy), they are not printed or emailed. Parents will receive login details and passwords to access students’ profiles. For any additional assistance with accessing Academia, please contact Stasy Support: stasysupport@iie.ac.za

Grade 12 learners will be billed separately for their IEB Exam fees. This once off cost will be billed to your school fee account. 

Stationery lists per grade will be provided and will be required to be purchased privately from a supplier of your choice. Please see the resource page for more information.

The Student Council (SC) will serve as a representative of their register class in meetings held by the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). They will be the channel of communication between their respective classmates, the ELC and Staff. The SC will be made up of ONE representative selected from each class in each grade.


The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) is a group of students who have been identified by their peers as the true embodiment of the principles and values Pinnacle College Copperleaf stands for. They will be seen as the leaders of the school and will be the bridge between the student body and the staff. They will serve the school in all circumstances and be devoted to upholding the school name and image in all areas. They will be there to guide and support all students and lead the school from strength to strength.