OUR FACILITIES
As a private, co-educational school situated between Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Jeffreys Bay along the beautiful sunshine coast on the southeastern seaboard of South Africa, Woodridge College offers a rigorous academic programme focusing on innovative learning experiences and holistic education alongside an extensive sporting, cultural and outdoor education curriculum.
An awe-inspiring 365-acre estate has been utilised to accommodate many sporting activities, including hockey, rugby, cricket, water polo, netball, tennis, squash, running and mountain biking trails, and an equestrian centre.
The Woodridge Equestrian Centre is a top-class riding facility with excellent livery options and a number of arenas suitable for different equestrian disciples. The beautiful, unique location of the school allows for a diversity of educational activities that challenge children ranging from hiking, abseiling, canoeing, debating, Olympiads, and the ‘Knock on Wood’ Arts Festival.
Woodridge College offers co-ed boarding school facilities for both boys and girls in various residences on the estate. Many of our boarders are from neighbouring African countries and overseas, therefore termly and weekly boarding is offered. Day scholars from surrounding areas have the opportunity to make use of a daily bus service to and from the school.
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Staff members guide our wilderness excursions, which include backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, cycling and exploring the unique geography, history and ecology of the gorges and mountains in this area. Pupils take on leadership roles as their skills advance. Relationships created during the trips are based on open communication and mutual respect, fostered within a nurturing community. These friendships are enduring, both between pupils and the staff.
Woodridge College is classified as an IEB school in that it offers exit examinations through the Independent Examinations Board (affiliated to ISASA). The College offers various subjects, including Advanced Programme Mathematics and Advanced Programme English and foreign languages, drama and music. Our music department presents specialised instruction in a wide range of instruments. We have an impressive array of ensembles available to pupils, including the choir, a cappella, steelband, marimba, wind and rock band. The school prides itself on providing a truly holistic education with so many opportunities to excel in a wide variety of disciplines. Children are at the centre of all school activities. This is evident as pupils play music for assemblies, organise an annual Earth Hour concert and initiate community service programmes where teachers offer support and guidance. Pupil initiatives are encouraged and supported by the Trust, management, parents and teachers.
Academic excellence is of integral importance at Woodridge College. We strive to provide the platform for pupils to exit Woodridge College as resilient and adaptable individuals who will be good citizens of our wonderful country. We believe that our extensive outdoor education programmes, alongside the demands on the sports field and in the classroom, provide a platform for all our pupils to achieve such goals. We are fortunate to have dedicated and passionate coaches on the sports field to assist our sportsmen and women in achieving their full potential. What makes our school unique is the diversity of provincial and national sporting representatives who fly the flag for Woodridge, both locally and abroad. We encourage an active, healthy lifestyle and, as such, participation in sport is a prerequisite.
Our extensive outdoor programme is designed not only to expose our pupils to our unique environment but also is intended to develop:
Our Inter-house outdoor education day and the annual Van Stadens River Race are highlights of our calendar that, once again, add to the unique educational experience on offer. The school also has a Surf Lifesaving Club that currently serves St Francis Bay's community and competes at the highest level at national championships. Our Club has a longstanding reputation for voluntary service and rescues along our coastline.
A sanatorium with qualified nursing sisters is situated on campus to facilitate the needs of our pupils and staff. Woodridge College is truly a unique school, and so many of our past pupils acknowledge the impact that such an educational experience has had on their successful lives.
