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
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 *
- (Must receive at least 50% for the Physical Science component in Grade 9 Natural Sciences.)
* 50% for Mathematics in Grade 9
Pinnacle College Copperleaf is a four-term school but runs its Academic Programme over three Academic Cycles. Students are assessed continuously throughout each cycle to allow for early intervention and support where needed.
Reports are published at the start of the next cycle, based on the assessments and exams completed in the previous cycle.
- Cycle 1 (Term 1): Mark-based report based on continuous classwork assessments.
- Cycle 2 (Term 2): Mark and comment report based on classwork assessments and the Mid-Year Examinations.
- Cycle 3 (Terms 3 & 4): Mark and comment report based on classwork assessments.
- For Grades 8 & 9, the November exams form part of the Cycle 3 report.
- For Grades 10 & 11, Cycle 3 includes Term 3 and 4 assessments, while the final promotion mark combines 75% from November examinations and 25% from the year-to-date assessment.
- Matric students also write an additional set of Preliminary Examinations before the final IEB examinations.
Parent Evenings are held once per term to ensure regular and meaningful engagement between home and school.
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 for 2025 - R9 164. This fee is based on the examination cost per student charged by the IEB and will be a direct on-charge, once off cost billed to your school fee account, payable by the end of March 2025. Additional subjects and special accommodations will be billed separately.
Stationery and grade-dependent textbooks must be purchased from Bookbound or Dean’s using the link provided by the school, or from any other supplier of your choice.
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.
