Internationally-recognised Wingu Academy pioneers new chapter in community-focused education with launch of first Western Cape campus

Wingu Academy, a top rated online school embarking on establishing forward looking hybrid schools, is proud to announce its recent establishment of The Wingu Angela Academy Campus in Lakeside, Cape Town.

• Click here to find out more about what Wingu Academy has to offer.

This marks a pivotal moment in Wingu’s commitment to invest in a whole-school, whole-community, whole child (WSCC) approach to education. The aim is to integrate initiatives in the community that develops not only the child’s education needs but the emotional and physical health by means of partnerships and community involvement.

“Our vision is to develop this new campus into a flourishing independent school, and to replicate this model across numerous locations in South Africa, making small, intimate, accessible schools a reality for communities that are under pressure to access quality high school education,” says Engela Janse van Resnburg, principal of Wingu Academy.

Founded by Nicole Griffith in 2023, The Angela Academy has been an inspiration, offering holistic education to children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Nicole’s dedication and generous funding have been instrumental in ensuring the continuity of quality access to ed-tech enhanced blended education for the current students, covering all necessary resources for their successful high school completion.

This financial commitment is securely ring-fenced, guaranteeing not only the fulfillment of our students’ educational and emotional needs but also paving the way for a sustainable growth and establishment of a thriving school.

Our mission at Wingu Academy goes beyond academic excellence; we are dedicated to the holistic development of our students, fostering their confidence and expanding their worldviews.

We are excited to ensure the continuity of this mission, building on The Angela Academy’s legacy while introducing practices and methodologies that have been proven successful at our Smart School in Centurion. Says Ian Strydom, Founder of Wingu Academy.

Following the successful registration of the Wingu Centurion Smart School by the Department of Education in Gauteng, leadership are now actively engaged in the process of finalising the registration of the new Lakeside school with the Western Cape Department of Education (WCDE).

“We are optimistic about the progress in the registration process that we have already seen in just the short three weeks of the new year and we are grateful for the WCDE and the City of Cape Town’s for their guidance and support in this matter,” says Ian Strydom.

The transition to Wingu Academy brings new opportunities and challenges. New administrative processes and the introduction of a bursary scheme provide some structure and scalability.

We are actively engaged in the process of registering the school with the Western Cape Department of Education (WCDE) and are optimistic that this will be swiftly and successfully finalised.

We look forward to addressing current challenges with zoning and land use consent and finding suitable premises that can allow for sustainable expansion to move forward with the application.

“We deeply value the significance of community and parental engagement during this period of transition. We recognize that certain parents may have experienced surprise and anxiety due to the unexpected changes announced late last year.”

“However, we are heartened by the influx of positive messages and support we have received. Currently, the dedicated management team at Wingu Academy is diligently engaged in conducting a comprehensive 360-degree review encompassing all educational and administrative processes.”

“Furthermore, we are actively working with staff and conducting stakeholder engagement to establish a robust strategic plan for the school’s growth. This proactive approach aims not only to foster academic excellence but also to address and alleviate any concerns that may have arisen as a result of these sudden changes.”

“We appreciate the understanding and ongoing support of the staff and parents as we navigate this transition together.” Says Ian Strydom.

“The addition of our new Vice-principal, Julie Arguile, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience, as well as the continued support from the current staff, including Shirna Britten as the team lead in Cape Town, leaves us very excited for the future of a new independent school.

The positive feedback from numerous parents reinforces our belief in the potential of this new venture. Our focus is not only on maintaining the high educational standards set by The Angela Academy but also on enhancing the overall experience further. We are grateful for Nicole Griffith’s support which is paramount to the success of the initiative.

As we embark on this transformative journey, our collaboration with the WCDE is vital. We are inspired by the positive relationship we have established with the GDE and look forward to a similar partnership with the WCDE.

Our goal is to register a new, innovative model of education that will serve as an exemplary framework in the educational sector, and motivate a new era of possibilities to help where there is a shortage of available traditional schools.”

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are enthusiastic about this new chapter and are committed to providing every child with access to a comprehensive, holistic education.

Click here to find out more about what Wingu Academy has to offer.