Transformation, Diversity & Inclusion

St Benedict’s is a proudly South African school

The diversity of our community – at all levels – is potentially one of our greatest strengths and finest resources. Simultaneously, however, our differences give rise to the potential for discrimination and prejudice. Diversity at St Benedict’s refers to the wide range of differences between people and includes, amongst others, differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, language, religion, ability levels, and age.

Our focus on creating spaces where all feel welcome has birthed our Embrace Symposium, the flagship event hosted annually where schools from across the country gather to equip themselves towards progressing the TDI agenda.

Our commitment

St Benedict’s believes that racism and discrimination are intolerable as defined in the South African Constitution. St Benedict’s is therefore committed to:

  • Actively counteracting and dismantling discrimination and structural racism and prejudice;
  • Celebrating diversity in our school;
  • Treating all members of the school community as equals within the spirit of human rights;
  • Being a part of the broader transformation of South African society.

Strategy & implementation

To embrace transformation and promote a culture of diversity, St Benedict’s strives to:

  • Make our school widely representative of the diverse sectors of South African society.
  • This applies equally to learners, staff and management, and governance structures.
  • Wherever possible and educationally feasible, the inclusivity of learners with special educational needs will be encouraged. 

Supportive, educational ethos

St Benedict’s is committed to developing and promoting a supportive, educational ethos.

  • Curriculum development is undertaken in such a way that it embraces the dynamics of cross-cultural complexities and that there is a clear commitment to democratic principles.
  • Curriculum and other programmes are implemented to instill awareness, acceptance, sensitivity and broad minded attitudes that are free of bias, prejudice and uninformed judgments.

Our commitment

St Benedict’s believes that racism and discrimination are intolerable as defined in the South African Constitution. St Benedict’s is therefore committed to:

  • Actively counteracting and dismantling discrimination and structural racism and prejudice;
  • Celebrating diversity in our school;
  • Treating all members of the school community as equals within the spirit of human rights;
  • Being a part of the broader transformation of South African society.

Strategy & implementation

To embrace transformation and promote a culture of diversity, St Benedict’s strives to:

  • Make our school widely representative of the diverse sectors of South African society.
  • This applies equally to learners, staff and management, and governance structures.
  • Wherever possible and educationally feasible, the inclusivity of learners with special educational needs will be encouraged. 

Supportive, educational ethos

St Benedict’s is committed to developing and promoting a supportive, educational ethos.

  • Curriculum development is undertaken in such a way that it embraces the dynamics of cross-cultural complexities and that there is a clear commitment to democratic principles.
  • Curriculum and other programmes are implemented to instill awareness, acceptance, sensitivity and broad minded attitudes that are free of bias, prejudice and uninformed judgments.

Since its founding in 1958, St Benedict’s has always been a school that has opened its doors to pupils of all races. St Benedict’s reaffirms the importance of diversity as a core value and encourages all its stakeholders to regularly undertake a critical self-examination of its approach to equity and diversity.

College

Goals of the Transformation and Diversity initiative

  • Fostering and communicating our commitment to transformation so that it is understood, accepted and supported by all stakeholders.
  • Establishing a community and environment that is: 
    • welcoming to all
    • where learners, parents and staff value themselves and learn to respect the differences that exist in our society
    • that understands that we are united in diversity and strengthened through it
    • that promotes dissonance and discourse in a safe place and within a framework of ethical and value based rules and which leads to a greater understanding of the social relevance of identity and transformation
  • Supporting the transformation of the South African economy by supporting BEE compliant companies in our procurement and tendering policies.
College

Goals of the Transformation and Diversity initiative

  • Fostering and communicating our commitment to transformation so that it is understood, accepted and supported by all stakeholders.
  • Establishing a community and environment that is: 
    • welcoming to all
    • where learners, parents and staff value themselves and learn to respect the differences that exist in our society
    • that understands that we are united in diversity and strengthened through it
    • that promotes dissonance and discourse in a safe place and within a framework of ethical and value based rules and which leads to a greater understanding of the social relevance of identity and transformation
  • Supporting the transformation of the South African economy by supporting BEE compliant companies in our procurement and tendering policies.

Initiatives in place to support transformation, diversity and inclusion

Embrace

Embrace

The annual Embrace symposium is aimed at creating a space where we engage with like-minded experts and individuals in exploring our role in the promotion of social justice and social cohesion in our schools.

The education sector is marked by a fragmented social culture which springs from a historic context. As St Thomas Aquinas aptly states, we have a shared responsibility of ensuring that our neighbour achieves a good and dignified life. We must be the agents of change.

Part of our school’s mission is to espouse the democratic values of justice and fairness. We ascribe to the principles of common good, cultivating stewardship and the promotion of active involvement in the practice of social justice and social cohesion .

Ubulele

Ubulele

The spirit of ubuntu: generosity, community wellness and togetherness.

At St Benedict’s education goes far beyond academic acumen. Promoting an understanding of social justice and social cohesion is an essential part of raising boys to become confident men.

UBUBELE, a community fundraising initiative, helps us to integrate the principles of social justice and social cohesion and allows every boy the opportunity to engage fully and actively in all the programmes best suited for his learning and development.

Access and participation without the barriers of affordability gives boys the freedom to excel in all areas thanks to our members’ monthly contributions.

Transformation & Diversity

Transformation & Diversity Team

Our Transformation and Diversity Team holds open forum meetings where conversations are explored about our own knowledge and experience of transformation and diversity and the extent to which we embrace and promote individual and institutional cohesion within the St Benedict’s community.

The forum engages in conversations with the boys, parents and staff in a process that helps understand the individual’s lived experience on campus. Going forward we will continue to focus on our commitment to develop leadership capacity around equity and transformation across the school and improve our school climate for diverse students, staff and visitors.