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About Us

Pinnacle College Copperleaf offers a personalised, relationship-based learning experience in a tranquil estate setting. We combine modern academics, technological integration, and a focus on character development to create a truly holistic private school experience in Centurion.


As one of the top private schools in Centurion, students benefit from:


  • Tailored academic support using AI-driven systems
  • Robotics and digital literacy embedded in every phase
  • Career mapping and goal setting through Yenza
  • Values education that shapes confident, empathetic leaders


Our 4 Promises


STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Pinnacle Colleges promises a day to day student experience where you will grow socially and academically in a non-judgemental and respectful space.

EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE

Pinnacle Colleges promise an extra-mural experience of high quality – allowing you to enjoy and develop your talents. 

CAMPUSES EXPERIENCE

Pinnacle Colleges promises a campus experience that will make you proud to call it your school. 

COMMUNICATION

Pinnacle Colleges promise open communication channels between all the role players involved in your education. The triangle including the student—school—parent is vital in this promise. 

                                                    Our Mission

A school with YOU at its core – offering an excellent education that is competitively priced while ensuring a meaningful student learning experience.

Debbie Prinsloo is the Executive Head at Pinnacle College Copperleaf who manages all three phases on the campus. Debbie believes that creating well-rounded, lifelong learners is a privilege and responsibility every school has. In addition to managing this campus, she has been a successful educator for more than 25 years. Immersing herself in all possible opportunities, Debbie has been involved at the IEB at many levels for Business Studies. She has been involved in nation-wide staff training in her specialized subject. Debbie holds a Higher Diploma in Education from WITS (JCE). 


09 January 2017 marks the day Copperleaf College officially opened under the management team of Ben McCarthy. By the end of 2017 Copperleaf had already enrolled 191 students. In 2019, Copperleaf College was added to Advtech’s Pinnacle College brand under the new name of Pinnacle College Copperleaf.

5 years later Pinnacle College Copperleaf has more than 700 students. In 2021, Debbie Prinsloo became the school’s 2nd Principal.


Join us as we continue to grow from strength to strength! 

Leadership


Pinnacle College Copperleaf’s nurturing and welcoming environment provides a sense of unity and security, it provides a new home with a new family.


A family consisting of teachers with parental qualities such as love, support and encouragement and with such a support system as a student, this inspires you to do more and to become more and as a parent you can rest assured that your child’s best interests are being catered for.


Pinnacle College Copperleaf is a developing school that develops with you, its sometimes challenging as a student to fit in into a rigid environment that has certain expectations already set out for you where as here at Pinnacle Copperleaf College we use our students as the expectation in which we set our environment in, we base our experiences and educational system on their qualities and their abilities and we prioritize the enhancement of those abilities and we hone their skills and ideas and implement them in such a way that encourages self development that extends beyond education and into being the best versions our students could possibly be.


Besides intellectual enhancement, Leadership is a core pillar at Pinnacle College Copperleaf, personally, I discovered my ability to be a leader through the opportunities provided to me by Copperleaf college.


I believe Pinnacle College Copperleaf is one for the ages and I can’t wait one day to bring my own children here.


-       Olwethu Grade 11

Class Leader

Houses


For the purpose of sound and wholesome competition, Pinnacle Copperleaf College students will be allocated to a house during their time at the college. In these houses, sport, cultural and academic competition will take place. 


The four houses are Bushwillow – Green, Yellowwood – Yellow, Acacia – Blue and Boabab – Red

Students are required to purchase a house T-shirt upon enrolling at the school.

With each of the promises, we make...

“The Pinnacle Colleges M&C Commitment” 

M: MEASURE


We measure our success via student input/assessment—a slick non-time-consuming system.


C: COMMUNICATE


We use the measured data to communicate the “student climate” via a regular PRC—” Principals’ Report Card” to students and parents. PRC is a regular barometer type report that goes out to the community. 

 

Term Dates 2026


Term Calender

School Uniform


Uniforms are compulsory for all STUDENTS from

Grade 00 – 12.


Pinnacle Copperleaf College Schoolwear is branded and is currently available at McCullagh and Bothwell shop in Fourways Crossing and our online second hand store – Pinnacle College Copperleaf Deals.


McCullagh and Bothwell Address: Shop U2, Upper-Level Fourways Crossing Shopping Centre William Nicol Dr & Sunrise Blvd, Lonehill – Fourways  Tel: (011) 705 1070


We have opened a Facebook page, called Pinnacle College Copperleaf Deals.


On this group you will be able to buy and sell second-hand items and ask other parents if they have certain items for you. We will also post pictures of lost property on this page.

Lockers


School lockers are available to rent for Grade 6-12 students.

 

Please contact the following teachers should you wish to rent a locker for the year:


Preparatory School: Mrs Lize Hay lhay@pinnaclecolleges.co.za

High School: Mr Martin de la Rey mdelarey@pinnaclecolleges.co.za


Our Blog


July 31, 2026
From 1 January 2027, Greenwood Bay College will be known as Pinnacle College Greenwood Bay.
July 7, 2026
Twenty years of trusted education meets expanded opportunities, greater accessibility and future-ready learning from January 2027. Families across Hartbeespoort can look forward to an even stronger independent school offering as Pecanwood College becomes Pinnacle College Pecanwood from January 2027. The transition brings together two decades of local educational excellence with the academic strength, innovation and opportunities offered by the expanding Pinnacle Colleges network. Current and prospective families stand to benefit from a school that retains everything the community values while opening the door to even greater opportunities. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will preserve the school's caring culture, close relationships, boarding facilities, IEB curriculum, sporting tradition and vibrant co-curricular programme, while providing students access to a broader network recognised for academic excellence, future-focused learning and preparation for life beyond school. Pecanwood College has proudly served the Hartbeespoort community for 20 years, offering education from the early years through to Grade 12, including boarding. Dedicated teachers, a nurturing environment, strong IEB academic results and diverse sporting and cultural opportunities have established the school as a respected educational institution in the region. That solid foundation will now be enhanced through the wider Pinnacle Colleges network. Students and teachers will benefit from shared academic expertise, established operational excellence and opportunities to participate in broader academic, cultural and sporting initiatives across multiple campuses. Pinnacle Colleges equips students for tertiary education and successful careers through a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with innovation, career guidance, coding and robotics, technology-enabled learning and holistic personal development. Respect, responsibility and a strong sense of community remain central to every campus experience. Academic success already defines Pecanwood College. The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive 98.59% matric pass rate, a 94.36% Bachelor's Degree pass rate and an average of 1.9 distinctions per student. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will build on these achievements through strengthened academic systems, shared expertise and continued commitment to outstanding IEB education. The name Pinnacle College Pecanwood honours both the school's proud heritage and its exciting future. Twenty years of commitment by students, teachers, families and the wider community remain firmly embedded in the school's identity, while its new name reflects membership of one of South Africa's fastest-growing independent school groups dedicated to innovation, accessibility and student success. Hartbeespoort families can now enjoy the best of both worlds: a close-knit community lifestyle paired with access to a high-quality independent education close to home. Pinnacle College Pecanwood is well positioned to become the school of choice for families seeking exceptional academic opportunities, future-ready skills and an environment where every student can thrive.
By Kohen Pillay June 26, 2026
Parents often ask what the world of work will look like by 2030. The honest answer is that nobody knows exactly. Entire industries are evolving at lightning speed, while new careers are emerging faster than ever before. One certainty remains: students who can think critically, solve problems creatively and adapt confidently to change will have a significant advantage. Robotics and coding are no longer niche subjects reserved for aspiring software developers. They have become essential building blocks of future-ready education, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital society. At Pinnacle Colleges, technology is not viewed as a destination but as a tool that empowers young minds to innovate, collaborate and lead. Every aspect of modern life is influenced by technology. Healthcare, agriculture, finance, engineering, education and entertainment all rely on digital systems that continue to evolve. Success in these fields depends not only on understanding technology but also on knowing how to create solutions through it. According to Kohen Pillay, Coding and Robotics Teacher at Pinnacle College Waterfall , coding has become a new form of literacy. "Coding is no longer limited to careers in computer science. It teaches students how to communicate with technology, think systematically and understand digital environments. Just as reading and mathematics are foundational skills, coding empowers students to participate confidently in a rapidly evolving digital world." Robotics and coding naturally encourage curiosity. Students are challenged to investigate problems, develop ideas, test solutions and refine their thinking. Every obstacle becomes another opportunity to learn, building analytical thinking alongside creativity and determination. Mistakes are not signs of failure in a coding classroom. They are stepping stones towards success. Pillay explains: "I always teach my students that they should never give up when their code does not work the first time. Mistakes and errors are part of the learning journey, and success often comes through patience, perseverance and problem-solving. Challenges should never discourage us but should become opportunities for growth and improvement." That mindset extends far beyond technology. Resilience, adaptability and confidence are qualities employers increasingly seek and qualities that benefit students throughout their personal and professional lives. Teamwork also plays a vital role. Robotics projects mirror the collaborative environments found in modern workplaces, where diverse perspectives often produce the best solutions. Students learn to communicate ideas clearly, delegate responsibilities, respect different viewpoints and celebrate shared achievements. Creativity flourishes when technology meets imagination. Pinnacle Colleges encourage students to think beyond textbooks and apply their knowledge to meaningful real-world challenges. Grade 7 students recently designed eco-friendly cities using recyclable materials, combining environmental awareness, engineering principles and innovative thinking into one engaging project. Another exciting initiative challenged students to participate in a "Shark Tank"-style presentation, designing medical robots or digital programmes capable of addressing pressing global healthcare challenges. Research, critical thinking, presentation skills and entrepreneurship all came together in a single learning experience. Competitive opportunities further strengthen these skills. Pinnacle College recently competed against ten schools at the Pretoria East Robotics Competition, earning third place in the Novice Stream and second place in the Apprentice Stream. Such achievements reflect not only technical ability but also dedication, teamwork and perseverance. Families searching for future-ready education should look beyond examination results alone. Strong academic foundations remain essential, but equally important are opportunities that develop innovation, collaboration, communication and leadership. Technology should enhance learning by encouraging students to become creators rather than passive consumers. Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics will continue transforming the global economy over the next decade. Careers that today's children will pursue may not even exist yet. Preparing students for that future requires schools willing to nurture curiosity, adaptability and bold thinking. Tomorrow's leaders are not simply learning how to use technology. They are learning how to shape it. That may prove to be the most valuable skill of all.
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