About our school

Sancta Maria Junior School, founded in 1954, is an Independent Catholic School owned by the Cabra Dominican Sisters. The school was founded by the Holy Rosary Sisters but the Dominican Sisters took over the running of the school in 1956.

Since their arrival in South Africa in 1863, the Cabra Dominican Sisters have been committed to Catholic Education, founding and running various schools throughout the country.

The school has a proud history of providing world-class, holistic education to learners from different cultures, backgrounds and socio-economic status. It was one of the first schools to enrol children of colour during the apartheid years, when it was illegal to do so. Ours was the first school to offer education to all races in this area.

The school used to be a primary and a high school. The last matric class matriculated in 1975. Since then the school has continued to provide excellent education as a primary school.

Many changes to this co-ed school have taken place over the years. The school started off with a few classrooms and a small hall. The hall became two classrooms as the school expanded. At one stage boarding facilities were offered. Grade 8 to 12 were offered at Sancta Maria from 1954 to 1975. At present we offer education from Grade R to Grade 7.

In 1996 the Irish Embassy donated funds to the school for the school hall and swimming pool to be built.

In 2003 the Cabra Domincan Sisters vested responsibility for the business of the school in Sancta Maria Junior School. The Sisters used to live close to the school and later on the school premises. However, in 2007 the house was closed. In 2011 the Sisters’ residence was sold and sadly, the Sisters left to live and work elsewhere. Their presence is sorely missed. The Sisters held the position of School Principal until 1988 when Mrs Monika Fouchè became the first lay principal. Mrs Fouchè did a sterling job, as she had to contend with many difficult situations regarding the admission of different races to the school.  In 2008 Mrs McLaren was appointed as Principal. Mrs McLaren served the school with integrity and excellence, playing an integral role in nurturing Sancta Maria into a thriving school. After 10 years as Principal, and after more than 31 years of service to the school, Mrs McLaren decided to retire from the leadership. In July 2018, Mrs Elizabeth Crots was appointed as Principal.

It is important to note that although the Sisters are not physically at the school anymore, they are still very involved in the school and concerned about the school’s learners and staff.

Through all the different phases and stages, the school has continued to grow and thrive by the grace of God. Sancta Maria is a unique school with a strong Catholic, humanitarian ethos. It is a school with a heart for children, that strives to develop the learners holistically and nurture a love of the Lord in all who enter its gates.

Mission

Sancta Maria Junior School is a Dominican co-educational Catholic Pre-Primary and Primary School which strives to inculcate Christian values within a trusting environment of mutual respect. We are committed to offering a meaningful curriculum, which reflects the changing needs of our society and which ensures that we are accessible to all. While striving to maintain the highest academic standards we shall at all times endeavour to be sensitive to the needs of each child, affording the opportunity to realise individual potential, creating a happy atmosphere, caring for the whole person, maintaining our belief in parental involvement, fostering a sense of respect, responsibility, self-worth and discipline and encouraging our learners to be true to the motto of our school “Veritas”, which means TRUTH.

Vision

Dominican Schools aim to provide forward-looking education of the highest quality based on a tradition that goes back over eight hundred years of commitment to education. Our schools seek to care for the whole person in order to develop in young people:

  • A love for learning
  • An enthusiasm for truth
  • A love for others
  • Respect for the culture and religious values of all
  • A willingness to serve in a spirit of healing and reconciliation
  • Flowing from an appreciation of the Word of God and a deep commitment to Christ

Charism : The Unique Distinguishing Marks Of The School

Sancta Maria is popular for its Christian, Catholic attitude towards education and outlook on life. It aims to provide the best education possible where each child is cared for, nurtured, encouraged and motivated to develop to the best of their ability. We try to provide family orientated environment and pastoral, spiritual care is of high priority. Truth, unity, self-discipline, tolerance, understanding, compassion and co-operation are values we instil into each child to carry them forward to become meaningful contributors to society.