~ Nelson Mandela
Maara House is intentionally small, fostering a close-knit community where children, parents, and staff truly know and support one another.
This sense of connection is carefully nurtured, as the school encourages shared values, collaborative practices, and active participation in learning and daily life. Children and adults alike are engaged in the joys and responsibilities of learning, developing not only knowledge but also a strong sense of citizenship, empathy, and belonging.
At Maara House, community isn’t just about proximity — it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships that enrich every aspect of school life.
At Maara House, learning extends beyond the classroom — and that includes parents. We see parents as partners in education, continuing to explore and understand our dynamic teaching methodologies alongside their children.
Parent education is a key component of building our collaborative, inclusive community and nurturing the growth of the whole child. There are 3–4 workshops each year, which explore the school’s mission, vision, values, and educational philosophy. These workshops also provide opportunities for parents to share their skills and knowledge, and to collaboratively brainstorm and address challenges as a connected community.
The tools and insights shared in these sessions are practical, helping parents support their children at home while reinforcing the values and skills cultivated at school.
We also strive to connect parents with educational opportunities in the broader Cape Town community, ensuring that learning and growth extend well beyond Maara House.
At Maara House, we believe in teaching children that no matter who you are or where you come from, everyone has the power to help others. Our students learn to initiate positive social change through contributions that benefit not only their school but also the wider world.
We are committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity. In the near future, Maara House hopes to offer bursaries to make our school accessible to more families. We are also exploring collaborations with other communities, including a potential partnership with a sister school where we can provide Principal and Teacher support, share Reggio principles, and encourage connections between children beyond our own school community. Through activities such as Family Movie Nights, sports gatherings, and shared projects, we aim to build lasting relationships and bring communities together.
Our goal is to nurture children’s awareness, compassion, and sense of responsibility, inspiring them to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the world.
Every term, our students actively participate in beach and park clean-ups, feeding the homeless, and soup kitchens, connecting with diverse communities in hands-on ways. Many of our children are especially passionate about environmental advocacy — from clean-up initiatives to campaigns such as banning single-use plastics as part of the Pristine Earth Collective.
At Maara House, sharing meals is an important part of building community. Each child brings snacks and lunch in line with our healthy eating policy, which emphasizes nutrition, wholesome choices, and learning about food. Eating together “family-style” in the classroom allows children and adults to connect over daily routines and fosters a sense of belonging.
Mealtimes are also a key opportunity to develop emotional and social skills. Teachers model and guide behaviors that support respectful, positive relationships, such as active listening, reading social cues, valuing others’ ideas, and resolving conflicts. The goal is for children to gradually take responsibility for managing their relationships independently. Whenever possible, adults facilitate children in finding their own solutions rather than imposing rules or consequences, helping them develop confidence, empathy, and collaboration skills.
We are deeply grateful for the support of fellow progressive schools and of the Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance.
