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Extracurriculars · Grades 8–12
Online school doesn’t mean learning alone. Our Virtual Clubs are all about creativity, community and fun, and there’s plenty of time left over for sport and hobbies offline.
8+
Virtual Clubs, based on learner interest
4
Club sessions through the year
All grades
Clubs mix Grades 8 to 12
Opt-in
Clubs don’t count towards marks
High School learners at UCT Online High School can join Virtual Clubs that run live online in four seasonal sessions a year, earn tokens in our Rewards Programme and, in matric, be selected for the Learner Leadership Squad. A Wellbeing and Engagement team, including a School Counsellor, supports every learner along the way.
Virtual Clubs
Virtual Clubs give learners an online space to explore their interests, hobbies and knowledge with like-minded peers from all over the country.
Clubs run outside the curriculum in four seasonal sessions through the year, with regular live meetings. They’re voluntary, so learners pick the ones that suit them. Once they join, we ask them to show up as often as they can.
Music
Coding
Book Club
Mindfulness
Debating
Model UN
Film Club
Gaming
Clubs change from session to session, depending on what learners are keen on.
Lead, earn and belong
Each year, a group of matric learners is selected for the Leadership Squad. It’s a privilege and a responsibility, rooted in our ethos of excellence, unity and service to others.
Squad members take the initiative, build confidence and help shape the school community. Some have even shared their own exam tips on our podcast.
“The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
Learners earn tokens for good learning habits: finishing module work on time, attending scheduled live sessions and completing remediation. They spend them in the Rewards Store on the Online Campus.
Tokens only exist on the Online Campus and can’t be sold or swapped for cash.
Identity and pathways
High school is a time of big questions. Our webinars, workshops and guides help learners explore their strengths, choose subjects and plan for life after school.
Grade 9 learners get a subject selection webinar and a guide to help them choose Grade 10 subjects with their plans for after school in mind.
A guided workbook that helps learners work out where they might fit in the world of work, one career question at a time.
Workshops on applying for tertiary studies, the difference between a degree and a diploma, and a Life After Matric guide covering gap years, bursaries and financial aid.
Reflective tools for personal growth, plus a practical guide to finding volunteering opportunities in your community and sticking with them.
Wellbeing and support
Our Wellbeing and Engagement team is led by a Head of Wellbeing and Engagement, with an Academic Support Lead and a School Counsellor.
Learners have a dedicated learner-only wellbeing site with guides, podcasts and support resources. Their Support Advisor is the first port of call, and brings in the team when a learner needs more.
Our School Counsellor supports learners who need more than their Support Advisor can offer, and refers them on when needed. Learners also get guides on stress and anxiety, social media, grief, motivation and self-care, plus a page of emergency contacts.
Help with exam concessions under SACAI guidelines, exam coaching on study spaces, planning and revision, and the Learning Differences Society, a community for neurodivergent learners hosted by our Academic Support Lead.
Our own podcast, made by the Wellbeing and Engagement team. Episodes cover coping with stress, self-care, body image, exam preparation and executive function skills, often with learners and counsellors as guests.
We have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying. Team members who work with learners complete ECIS child protection training, and learners can report anything on the Online Campus that doesn’t feel right.
Beyond the screen
There’s so much life to live outside of the classroom. Because learners plan their own week, there’s time for sport, the arts and adventures with local clubs and organisations.
A healthy body is essential for a healthy mind. Surfing on a Tuesday morning or club hockey with your local team? You’re on.
Whether you think you sound like a walrus or Beyoncé, sing. Creativity feeds the soul, so we encourage every learner to follow their passions.
Learners who love tech can go further with coding, robotics and maker programmes near them or online.
From animal shelters to sea rescue, giving back builds skills, confidence and a sense of purpose.
Life is one big adventure, and there’s no better place to learn about it than out in the natural world.
Outside activities are arranged by families with independent clubs and organisations. They aren’t run by or affiliated with UCT Online High School, and aren’t included in our fees.
FAQs
Good question! Learners* will have the opportunity to build community and make friends from all over the country through their Support Coach Check-in sessions, which will happen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 15 minutes, not to mention our school assemblies and Virtual Clubs
*This is not applicable to Adult Matric learners
Virtual Clubs do not contribute to a learner’s* overall grade and are not compulsory, but they are a lot of fun! If a learner does sign-up for a club that piques their interest, they need to ensure that they attend their Virtual Club live sessions as often as possible.
*This is not applicable to Adult Matric learner
Our Support Coaches are dedicated to nurturing and developing our high school learners holistically. While our Support Coaches are equipped to provide excellent holistic support, they are not counsellors. When a high school learner is in need of emotional or mental health support that is outside the bounds of the Support Coaches purview, they will refer them to our School Counsellor. Our School Counsellor will supply a referral where matters exceed their duty of care. UCT Online High School does not cover costs for all external support.
Through Valenture Institute, UCT Online High School is proud to be a member of the Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) Community. All team members who engage with learners have completed up to ECIS level two training on Child Protection. Learn more about the ECIS Community here.
We have a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of bullying. We know that learners learn best in a safe and calm environment that is free from disruption or intimidation. Key staff members that engage with learners during their learning journey complete intensive training to ensure that they are fully equipped to offer support as and if appropriate.
For more information on our safeguarding of children policy, please read here.
Can’t find your answer? Browse all FAQs or contact our admissions team.
Clubs, community and a team in their corner, all the way to matric.
