The cultural programme at Chesterhouse School is integral to our educational philosophy; it is an essential part of a holistic 
education immersing our pupils in activities that strongly develop creativity and confidence. There is no greater achievement than watching a child flourish in confidence and enthusiasm as they try the various programmes on offer at our school under the banner of culture. It is through this that we have the pleasure of discovering the range of talent among our pupils.
The culture portfolio is made up of many different areas at Chesterhouse and we are very fortunate to have a range of very capable and talented staff that works alongside our children developing and establishing their talents.
The Chesterhouse Music School (CMS) under the direction of Sujana Van der Merwe ensures that all musical talents are explored. Pupils receive individual tuition in a variety of instruments. Class Music is also taught until Grade 9. Chesterhouse School boasts three choirs and hosts various music concerts during the year as well as individual performances during school assemblies. Inter house singing and a Talent Show is also part of our year programme. For more information on CMS, please click on the following link : Sujana Van der Merwe.
Our drama teacher, Phoebe Jordaan teaches drama to all our children during the school day from the Nursery classes to Grade 9; Phoebe also selects and directs the Junior School and the Senior School plays; in the Junior School a play/ performance is given every second year while in the Senior School a production occurs every year, be that a Shakespeare, a Victorian comedy or a play based on a famous novel. For more information on Drama, please click on the following link: Phoebe Jordaan.
Our teachers and staff who have a passion for the cultural and dramatic ensure that our children enter all the many competitions that are available from Eisteddfods to the inter schools Literary Quiz, General Knowledge Quiz and the Varsity College Quiz.
In the Tygerberg and Cape Town Eisteddfods we enter a full range of categories that include vocal solos, vocal ensembles, dramatised poetry and prose, creative writing n both English and Afrikaans, musical instrument playing and unprepared reading of poetry and prose in both English and Afrikaans. For more information on Eisteddfods, please click on the following link : Isa Swanepoel. For Afrikaans culture and UN Debating competition, click on : Marnel Agenbag.
Our teachers organise many different outings throughout the year to different well known venues – the Baxter Theatre, the Maynardville Theatre, the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, the Artscape Theatre and exhibitions in the Cape Town City Bowl. For information on Cultural Outings, please click on : Mike de Freitas.
The Art Department is run by Kerryann Collier who teaches IGCSE and AS Level Art. She is ably assisted by Meagan Clark, in the Junior school, who teaches Art from Grade 3 to 9. Our teachers are passionate about their subject and pride themselves on their international results. Our 2010 matriculant group fared very well in their results that are marked and evaluated by Cambridge International Examinations. Chesterhouse had 8 pupils that selected Art as a subject and this group was awarded 5 A’s and 3 B’s – a noteworthy result that demonstrates the calibre of Art teaching at our school. The Art Department is involved in a number of extra-mural activities, such as: designing backdrops and props for the Senior and Junior School plays, providing decorations for the Matric Dance and participating in the annual Tygerberg Eisteddfod and Headmaster’s Art Competition. They also offer Art clinics after school to allow those pupils interested in improving their skills to work together in a relaxed environment. For more information on Art, please click on : Kerryann Collier.
We also ensure that culture travels abroad and organise an annual cultural and language tour of Paris-Antibes where our pupils spend time in France from exploring the magic city of Paris to a home stay in Antibes, exploring their school life and the many activities that the Mediterranean has to offer.
Language and culture are intrinsically intertwined and as a result we explored the rich culture that the Afrikaans language has to offer by holding an Afrikaans Kultuuraand for the very first time at Chesterhouse. This proved to be a great success where guests were entertained to our own pupils’ prowess in dramatic performances in Afrikaans and the guest appearance of an Afrikaans Acapulco performing group. Typically Afrikaans food was served to accentuate the rich cultural heritage.
Inter house events such as Inter house singing, One Act plays and Music evenings are annual events under the banner of culture at Chesterhouse.
The cultural programme at our school would not be so rich and diverse without the intense involvement of the following teachers and staff who take on their own responsibilities in their department of expertise and enjoyment. These are:
- Sujana Van der Merwe – the Director of Music at Chesterhouse who oversees all music activities and tuition
- Phoebe Jordaan – Drama teacher for the Junior and Senior School to Grade 9; director of the Senior and Junior School plays; runs many of the Eisteddfod programmes involving training of the participating children
- Mike de Freitas – runs the Senior School English Olympiad programme
- Kerryann Collier – head of Art at Chesterhouse
- Meagan Clarke – Art teacher in the Junior and Senior Schools to Grade 9
- Sonja Love – music teacher; choir master for the two Junior School choirs
- English Department Afrikaans Department.
The School Plays
Senior School Play – Steel Magnolias – click on Phoebe Jordaan for more information
Junior School Play – Chaos – click on Phoebe Jordaan for more information
The Clubs and Societies Programme
This Senior School programme boasts a weekly dose of cultural activities that are outside of the abovementioned programme. Clubs and Societies are slotted into the weekly timetable every Friday from noon when the academic week ends. The programme offers a wide range of choices that pupils can select from, changing every term to ensure that it remains interesting, in tune with the pupils suggestions and needs. These have in the past included: the Chess Club, Board Games Club, Futurist Club, Science Club, Ballroom Dancing, Poker Club, Debating Club, Environmental Club, Art and Foreign Language Film Club, Mountain Biking Club, Book Club and the Art Club.
Teachers in the Senior School offer these clubs and societies focusing on variety and originality.
We work closely together with the Head of Culture in the Junior School ensuring that our children’s interests and talents are explored and grown and in doing so enable them to find continuity when they move from the Junior School to the Senior School.
List of Clubs & Societies:-
Art Club Art Club Art Club Poster Art Club info
Chess Club Chess Club
Girls Book Club Girls Book Club Write up & photo
Interact Interact Interact update
JSE / Liberty Investment Challenge The JSE
Knitting Club Make a difference knitting club 2011 Knitting Club Photo Chesterhouse Knitting Club May 2011
Pilates and Stretching Club Pilates and Stretching Club Poster
Play Club THE PLAY CLUB
Up2Us Society Up to US
Waterpolo and Ultimate Frisbee Club Water Polo and Ultimate Frisbee club
Xhosa Club XHOSA The Communicative Xhosa Club
Journo Club Journo Club
I look forward to introducing your child to this rich tapestry of varied activities that make up the Chesterhouse School Cultural Portfolio.
Mrs Isa Swanepoel
Head of Culture
BA Afrikaans -Nederlands, Psychology, History;
HED Diploma
