Academic education is one of the great challenges of the 21st Century. We live in a society that is changing with exponential rapidity. It is governed by shifting and blindingly quick technologies, environmental challenges and alarming conflict patterns. It is into this world that all school-leaving adults are launched. The boys, who are becoming men at DHS, are no exception.

Cognisant of the demands that will be made on the adults of tomorrow, DHS prepares its learners with the best possible education in this regard. Academic education is perhaps the most important component of this preparation and extends far beyond the achievement of exam results.

Current class sizes in Grade 8 and 9 stand are a maximum of 28 learners per class. The philosophy behind this is to ensure that pupils in these two grades receive as much academic support as possible when they are making the transition from primary to high school. In certain subjects (ie, Mathematics and Languages) some classes are split even further to ensure that individual attention is provided to pupils who may experience difficulties in these specific subject areas. Class sizes in Grades 10 – 12 vary according to subject choice and may vary from 1:15 to 1:30 (maximum). In addition to a well structured mentorship programme, learner support department and counselling policy at the school, we also offer Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, English and Afrikaans Support Services to learners after hours should they wish to achieve additional expert tuition.

What is the purpose of the International Studies Programme?

While the benefits of the ISP are many and varied, our core aim is to provide an opportunity for DHS learners to gain an international perspective, establish cross-cultural and interpersonal skills which will insure their success in the global environment of the 21^st century.

• This programme encourages learners to connect with each other by completing specific academically driven assignments via “live” internet discussion using technologies such as Skype, Facebook and email. Each learner establishes a relationship with one particular student in the corresponding nation. This programme is an opportunity for students to expand their cultural understanding, reflect upon their own cultural and national heritage and develop skills in working with international students on specific academic assignments.
• This is an Independent Study course. Learners are expected to:
• communicate with their international partner about once a week,
• attend monthly classes and,
• meet with their teacher twice a month.
• There are eight assignments which are placed throughout the year including topics which require comparison of cultures, school systems, economies, challenges facing their nations and personal family history.
• Students who have success in the programme receive a letter with their final Grade 11 report detailing their participation and core competencies mastered.
• We are placing learners with international partners who speak English and have committed to continual communication. Participating countries are:  USA and Portugal. Plans are underway to partner with a school in Kenya, Ghana and India.
• It is our hope that students will develop a lasting relationship with their partner. Correspondent students from the USA and Portugal will be visiting DHS in 2017 and 2018 and we will be travelling to some of these locations in the course of 2018.
• The ISP is run by two teachers in the DHS History Department. Questions can be directed to:

Mr Botha at Pieter.Botha@durbanhighschool.co.za

“Ours is a world of 24-hour-news cycles, global markets, and high-speed Internet. We need to look no further than our morning paper to see that our future, and the future of our children, is inextricably linked to the complex challenges of the global community. And for our children to be prepared to take their place in that world and rise to those challenges, they must first understand it.”

Roderick Paige, Former US Secretary of Education

For further information, please download the following document:

International Studies Programme