What do we want to achieve if 100% pass rate is not of the essence?

Our priority is not only to see learners through school, but to empower learners to believe in themselves, to understand & recognise the crucial value soft skills i.e. respectful behaviour, honest & mindful communication, creative & critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and ethical reasoning. Our goal is to end up with individuals who want to learn and to be taught, which makes learning and teaching a rewarding experience. Soft skills are difficult and often impossible to quantify, define, and assess, we do however perceive these skills as essential cornerstones of any learning process where constructive development and permanent results are sought.

Random facts about Big Bay Academy

  • Educator/learner ratio of maximum 1:12
  • Social distancing effectively applied & managed due to low number of students
  • Prepare & encourage learners to acquire knowledge and the skills to apply it, not just to pass tests
  • A constructive (positive), sincere & transparent partnership between the educator, learner & parent is essential, one cannot expect progress without it
  • Focusing on building & enhancing the learner’s self-confidence is of paramount importance to us and therefore deep in our thinking; healthy self-esteem and self-assurance are essential components for a person to believe in oneself, once you believe you can, you will
  • If one teaching method fails, we consult with the partners in the learning process, parent, learner & educator, to try something else. We relish challenges
  • Individual, bi-weekly detailed feedback on the progress of each learner
  • No prize giving ceremonies – at Big Bay Academy we celebrate the achievements of all our learners, not only the 5% top achievers. Our learners are not in competition with one another at all, being taught as individuals. There are no rankings, no comparisons or rivalry between students
  • A 100% pass rate in exams is not our priority, to improve the understanding of a subject is.
  • No homework generally – a/h self-study promoted as & when required
  • Assessments, more commonly known as tests & exams, which are incidentally labels we wish to avoid, are not to indicate to everyone else how good one’s memory is, it is purely an indication to oneself whether you have grasped new concepts/content yet. The outcomes of these assessments are naturally different for each learner and therefore confidential
  • Stress free environment
  • Highly qualified & aptly experienced SACE registered educators
  • International curriculum, emphasizing our aspiration of preparing our learners to adapt to the ideology of becoming Global Citizens effortlessly after school
  • No school uniform, restrictive rules like hairstyles etc, discrimination or judgmental attitudes, whatsoever!
  • WCED compliant & certified
  • Authorized Cambridge University Press Bookstore
  • ISASA member
  • Member of the British Council’s Partner Schools Global Network
  • Endeavour to do what it takes to make a difference in our learners’ lives in order for them to make a difference in the lives of others.