Sans Souci Girls’ High School

Sans Souci’s code of conduct to be reviewed immediately, says school governing body

A thorough and inclusive consultation process with the school community of the Sans Souci Girls’ High School in Newlands, Cape Town is set to get underway immediately. The school’s governing body instituted the process after the school’s code of conduct came under fire for alleged discriminatory policies regarding, amongst others, hair styles and the use of indigenous languages at the English single-medium public school.

 “The allegations will be investigated thoroughly and a review process of the school’s code of conduct will start today (Monday, 05 September 2016),” said Mr William Lawrence, Chairperson of the Sans Souci governing body following an emergency meeting of the SGB on Sunday (04 September 2016).

 “If required the assistance of specialist facilitators will be incorporated. This will be a thorough, inclusive and transparent consultation and all concerns will be treated as valid. The SGB reiterates its commitment to the review process. Consultation will include the entire Sans Souci school community and all input will be taken into consideration and deliberated upon.”

Sans Souci has a proud history of more than five decades. The school’s multi-cultural character, especially evident in the school’s prominence in arts and culture, is evidence of Sans Souci’s commitment to the school community as well as the broader South African society. This school has always been proud of the dedicated manner in which learners are accommodated and nurtured through their formative years.

The SGB has confirmed that learners will form part of the review process as the interests of learners always have been and will remain the primary concern and the first consideration in every decision. “Education is about more than what happens in the classroom – it is a holistic process that prepare young people for life. Listening to different opinions and finding solutions are key life skills and we are confident that the review process will be an example of this approach.”

Statement issued by Mr William Lawrence, SGB Chairperson: Sans Souci Girls’ High School, 5 September 2016