In recent months, we have had the honour of welcoming some very special groups of guests to The Kusasa Academy—education experts and university students from around the world. Thanks to our partnership with Stellenbosch University, we hosted visitors from the University of Helsinki (Finland), Ghent University and KU Leuven (Belgium), and the University of Kansas (USA).
These international visitors came to learn more about how we teach and how our school works. Each group brought fresh ideas, big questions, and a real curiosity about how we do things at The Kusasa Academy. They joined us in classrooms, watched lessons in action, and took part in deep conversations with our team about key areas like student assessment, STEAM learning (that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths), child development, and creative approaches to teaching.
What stood out to them? Our balance. They were impressed by how we combine high academic standards with a warm, caring approach that supports every part of a child’s growth—a genuine care not just for their grades, but also their emotional well-being, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking – skills essential for thriving in the modern world.
Our use of technology also caught their attention. From iPads and interactive whiteboards to coding, robotics, and digital storytelling, they saw how tech is a natural and meaningful part of our everyday teaching. It’s not just about gadgets or a “fun extra” —it’s about using tools that help children learn in exciting, effective ways. Apple Education has been a key partner in this journey. At a recent event, Michelle Lissoos (Director at Apple Education) praised us as a great example for our innovative and purposeful approach to using tech in the classroom.
One thing almost every visitor mentioned? The incredible energy and enthusiasm of our team. From early morning lessons to after-school workshops, our staff bring passion, dedication, joy and positivity to everything they do. Classrooms are vibrantly buzzing with life, learning, and laughter—and that’s contagious inspiration you can feel as soon as you walk in. It’s clear to our visitors that this isn’t just a school—it’s a community powered by heart, hard work, and a shared vision for transformative education.
Another exciting milestone: our Academic Coordinator, Ilze Meiring, has been invited to lead teacher training sessions at Stellenbosch University during the upcoming July school holidays. This is a testament not only to Ilze’s own outstanding leadership and expertise, but also to how The Kusasa Academy’s approach is starting to make waves beyond our own classrooms.
At the end of the day, this validation by experts has been deeply encouraging for our team. We are so proud that our small school in the Franschhoek Valley is able to be part of an international conversation about what great education looks like — and in some areas even leading global best practice. We are even prouder to be shaping a brighter future for every individual Franschhoek child who walks through our doors.
It’s all about the kids!