Anrieke Olivier Headmaster Primary School, Head leaders of MCS High School – Karabo Mabothe, Wian Lourens, Onalenna Montoedi, Ashleigh Maphasha, Carolina van Heerden Executive Head and Director of MCS and Jolanta Danileviciene Director of Žemyna School.

In a remarkable display of educational unity, Mountain Cambridge School (MCS) in Hartbeespoort, hosted Žemyna School from Lithuania.
The kindergarten school consists of 220 learners aged 2 – 6 years old. Both MCS and Zemyna schools are accredited Thinking Schools, two of only 45 schools in the world receiving this accreditation from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. MCS is one of only two South African schools currently accredited.
“It was a collaborative visit that showcased the power of togetherness and shared learning with likeminded schools. This networking event marked a significant milestone in MCS’s ongoing commitment to fostering critical thinking and collaborative learning amongst students. This educational networking already started in November 2023, and it became a reality when 11 staff members from Žemyna school, consisting of teachers and therapists, visited MCS,” said Carolina van Heerden, Executive Head and Director of Mountain Cambridge School.
The visit, held at Mountain Cambridge School last week, provided an enriching platform for both institutions to exchange ideas and best practices, emphasizing the theme of “Thinking Together.” From the moment Žemyna’s delegation arrived, the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect was palpable. Students, teachers and parents alike were eager to engage in a series of activities designed to promote intellectual growth and cross-cultural understanding of various thinking tools.
This visit was made even more special with the arrival of Dr Sonja Vandeleur, CEO of Thinking Schools South Africa. Dr Sonja gratefully stated: “Thank you so much for inviting me to share some time with the teachers from Lithuania. It was interesting to chat to them, even with the language barrier. I especially enjoyed watching the Grade 2 Mathematics lesson.” She enjoyed her time at MCS, both in and out of the classroom, and applauded both schools for their commitment to their thinking journeys.
Teachers from MCS and Žemyna also participated in professional development sessions, sharing innovative teaching strategies and showcasing ways to further integrate thinking skills into their classrooms.
The visit concluded in true MCS style with a combined celebratory assembly, with a strong message of togetherness and excellence. MCS presented Žemyna with an MCS school flag, where it will fly high on their campus in Lithuania as a reminder of this collaborative endeavour.
Van Heerden said that the success of this visit is a testament to the power of collaboration and the mutual benefits that arise from shared learning experiences and networking. This visit has laid a strong foundation for MCS to have further collaborations with other likeminded schools, both local and abroad. This reaffirms MCS’s commitment to quality education, constantly striving to improve the school’s academic offering.