High School
Welcome To Orion College High School! Here, we empower learners to reach their full potential in a dynamic and supportive environment. Our dedicated staff provide a balance between challenge and support to help develop personal growth and responsibility. At Orion College, we encourage learners to develop independence and to strive for their best in their academic and personal lives, in order to prepare for their future beyond school.
Orion’s High School
Orion College High School caters to learners from Grade 8 to 12. The High School consists of two phases: the Senior Phase (Grade 8 and 9) and the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase (Grade 10 to 12).
Find out more about the different curricula offered in the High School in the Streams and Curriculum section.
Senior Phase
Our Senior Phase provides a structured and supportive environment that nurtures independence, personal responsibility, and leadership. Under the guidance of Mrs. Adine van Schalkwyk, a team of dedicated and experienced subject specialists ensures that each learner receives individualized support tailored to their specific needs. With class sizes capped at 12 learners, we maintain a focused and personalized approach to teaching.
At Orion College, we recognize that targeted intervention is essential for academic progress and success. Learners requiring additional support in core subjects—English, Mathematics, and Afrikaans—receive tailored remedial therapy to address specific learning gaps.
Each learner has a linked Educational Psychologist, who will provide support and guidance and carry out cognitive and scholastic assessments according to each learner’s needs. These include assessments for exam accommodations and concessions, should a learner require these. Learners who are identified as needing accommodations (reader, scribes, extra time, use of technology in exams or a prompter) or concessions (any deviation from policy, such as a spelling concession, Language or Maths concession) will need approval from the GDE.
In addition to remedial support, the high school offers a comprehensive academic support programme, including weekly extra lessons provided by subject teachers.
Beyond academics, our Senior Phase learners engage in a diverse range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities, encompassing both sports and cultural programs.
With regular enrichment and fun days integrated into our school calendar, there is always something for learners to look forward to.
Leadership development is encouraged through an annual High School Camp and the opportunity to become a Monitor, allowing learners to take on responsibility and contribute to the school community. Our goal is to foster active participation, engagement and a strong sense of personal responsibility as they prepare for their future.
Towards the end of Grade 9, learners are guided in selecting the FET subjects that best support their interests and aspirations beyond school.
See the Sports and Culture section for more information on what is available.
FET Phase
Our FET Phase is a supportive environment that continues to nurture the development of key skills for life beyond school. This includes independence, personal responsibility, and leadership. Under the guidance of Mr. Lional Sutherland, the experienced and committed team of subject specialist teachers, ensures that each learner is given the support needed to achieve their full potential. With class sizes capped at 12 learners, we maintain a focused and personalized approach to teaching in the FET phase.
Learners doing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) can choose 2 of the following subjects offered at Orion College:
• Business Studies
• Consumer Studies
• Tourism
• Dramatic Arts
To ensure academic progress and success, the high school offers a comprehensive academic support programme for learners in the FET phase, comprising weekly, Saturday and holiday extra classes, targeted at curriculum coverage and topics and skills requiring intervention and consolidation.
Every learner has the support of an Educational Psychologist, who will provide support and guidance and carry out cognitive and scholastic assessments according to each learner’s needs. These include assessments for exam accommodations and concessions, should a learner require these. Learners who are identified as needing accommodations (reader, scribes, extra time, use of technology in exams or a prompter) or concessions (any deviation from policy, such as a spelling concession, Language or Maths concession) will need approval from the GDE.
Our Educational Psychologists also carry out career assessments for learners in Grade 11, to help guide our learner’s choices for post school.
Our FET Phase learners participate in a range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities, encompassing both sports and cultural programs.
With regular enrichment and fun days integrated into our school calendar, there is always something for learners to look forward to. Our goal is to foster active participation, engagement, and a strong sense of personal responsibility as they prepare for their future.
Leadership development is encouraged through an annual High School Camp and the opportunity to become a Monitor in Grade 10 and 11, or Prefect in Grade 12. This allows the learners to take on additional responsibilities, be role models to the younger learners and contribute meaningfully to the school community. Our mission is to help prepare our FET learners for the world beyond school and help them prepare for their future.
See the Sports and Culture section for more information on what is available.