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Brief overview of the school’s history
Our schools: Fundamental Factory, Faculty and High School.
The Founder of the school, Erika Theunissen has 32 years of management, teaching and remedial therapy experience and Izak Theunissen, has 34 years of retail, building, financial and corporate experience.
Fundamental Brilliance Holdings was established in February 2018 following a life-long dream of creating a school where children could grow in an exciting environment with a difference. The aim was to develop a new generation of exceptional, well-balanced, confident adults who are equipped to deal with life experiences.
Our journey began with a house on a property, passion in our hearts, a vision on a drawing board and Grace from God. The belief that this dream would one day become a reality led to us sourcing, gathering, making equipment and structuring programmes five years prior to our opening. Our school needed to be a place that provided a well-rounded education, intellectual, emotional and social growth, which would promote enthusiasm and an enquiring mind.
Time waits for no man and we started changing the internal structure of the house to accommodate two preschool classrooms. Taking a leap of faith, we appointed two qualified preschool educators, one administrative staff member and started with only three children. (2018)
Within a period of three months we had enrolled 60 preschool learners. By the end of 2018 our first 11 Grade R learners graduated. We had started up our baby room and preschool classes, Now having 5 enthusiastic educators and 2 administrative personnel who believed in our growing vision for the school. On our first birthday, February 2019, we celebrated a total of 103 learners, we had established our Grade 1 class and appointed an experienced, competent Junior Phase educator to accommodate our Grade 1 graduates. Shortly after that the enrolment increased to 120 learners.
We continued to grow and by the end of 2019 saw 22 learners graduating from Grade R. We secured the adjacent property and added 1000 m2 to our existing buildings. Expansion of the buildings allowed us to provide more space for our learners and by February 2020 we had welcomed 230 learners, had 15 classrooms, a new kitchen, offices and a canteen. The Boardroom/Training facility added a new dimension to our school. 29 learners graduated Grade R that year and our Foundation Phase (Grade 1 – Grade 3) was established. Educators with exceptional teaching skills were appointed accordingly. Educational excellence in an exciting environment with stimulating programmes, many extra-circular activities, commitment, hard work and top-notch qualified staff was encouragement for growth.
February 2021 we had tipped 300 leaners and our Intermediate and Senior Phase was taking shape. That year we added 6 more classrooms, including a Science Lab, Robotics and Computer room, Music and Dance classes. The building was completed in three months, from October to December 2021. Our reputation now preceded us and we were attracting top-notch educators from a number of private schools.
Jaco and Shanaé Theunissen, our two children, who have a vested interest in our school, purchased a property which is in close proximity to the school (one property down from the school – ERF 277). We renovated this property in 2021 and this became our newly established LAP school. This was our Learner Acceleration Programme (LAP) where we assist learners who need extra attention to be able to cope with our academic programme. Capable qualified educators, a psychometrist, speech therapist and personal counsellor were now appointed by the school. Our LAP school also provides extra afternoon lessons for learners from other schools – assisting them to fill in gaps experienced in learning.
In January 2022 we opened with 503 learners, employing 82 staff members (this included academic administrative, kitchen, ground staff and cleaners. Our high school and our FET phase opened shortly thereafter in 2023. We have been privileged enough to align qualified educators with IEB experience who will carry our FET phase forward. The headmaster for our developing high school had now been earmarked and was excited to join our dynamic team.
Currently we have in excess of 700 learners ranging from 6 week old babies to Grade 11 learners. We look forward to welcoming our first Grade 12 learners in 2025. May God continue to bless our school as we strive for a better future for our children.
We teach our learners and ourselves to be
- Responsible
- Respectful
- Enthusiastic
- Goal orientated
- Flexible
- Honest
- Self-Aware
- Passionate
- Equipped
We encourage learners to be
- Critical Thinkers
- Independent
- Confident
- Accountable
Staff Training and Development - continual
- Termly staff meetings –all staff
- Phase meetings – weekly or fortnightly
- Special scheduled meetings
- Individual visits and catch-up
- Counsellor checks
- Class visits – informal and formal
- Book and file control
- QMS – Quality Management Systems
- Webinars
- Departmental Meetings
- Guest speakers
- Workshops
- Policies
Academic Assistance provided to learners
- Checks on physical barriers
- Psychometric assessments
- Speech Therapy
- Counselling – emotional
- Reading programme
- Study skills
- ASP
- Extra lessons
- Exam concessions
- Homework assistance
Feedback to parents & communication
- Class groups – times
- Photographs
- Information evenings
- Parent evenings
- One-on-one
- HOD
- Principal
- Homework assistance