For many matriculants, a gap year can sound deeply appealing after the pressure, deadlines and uncertainty of their final school year. In the past, the gap year offered a chance to rest, earn money, travel (if finances allowed), spend time on personal interests or postpone a decision about a degree or career that still felt
The purposeful gap year: Launching, not loafing, should be the goal Read More »
Matric is a demanding year, with exams, expectations and decisions about the future competing for learners’ attention. But the pressure does not end when the final paper is turned in. With youth unemployment remaining a significant challenge in South Africa, decisions about further study and career options can feel overwhelming for young people and their
5 ways to help your child through Matric and beyond Read More »
Many families start asking an important question this time of year: Which high school is the right fit for a child entering Grade 8 next year? While application timelines vary between schools and provinces, researching options early gives parents more time to make an informed choice. Karabo Mmasa, school portfolio manager at SPARK Schools, says
Choosing a high school for 2027? Ask these five questions Read More »
The final year of high school is considered one of the most defining periods in a young person’s life, as it plays a large part in determining their path and options for the future. For hundreds of thousands of students each year, this reality carries immense weight: University admissions, career paths, family expectations and societal
Managing Matric mental health: Navigating pressure with perspective Read More »
As university application season heats up ahead of the 2027 academic year, prospective students face one of the most important decisions they will ever make, which will have an enormous impact on their life trajectory – the decision about which qualification and higher education institution will be the right fit for them. The choice can
Choosing the right university: Essential questions for prospective students Read More »
Attention is turning to the role young people play in shaping the country’s future, alongside growing conversations about their safety, wellbeing and development in digital spaces. In this context, Meta is advancing a broader approach to teen online safety, focused on creating more supportive, age-appropriate experiences across its platforms. The aim is to help foster
How Teen Accounts are helping shape safer online experiences for young people Read More »
Hold My Hand has published a new free guide, Supporting Teen Identity Development: A Guide for Adults. Written in plain language, it helps parents, caregivers, teachers and mentors have insight into what teenagers are going through and how to support them through these years. The guide covers areas of adolescent development, from brain development and
Free guide helps adults support teens as they grow Read More »
When do people start taking their health seriously? For many, the answer comes after a health scare, a significant birthday or a diagnosis that affects them or someone they love. Health is often viewed as something that becomes important later in life, when problems begin to emerge. Yet, the reality is quite different. Many of
Raising a healthier generation starts today Read More »
As the final exam period approaches, Grade 11 to 12 learners across South Africa enter a high-stakes academic phase where their marks will begin to shape access to university programmes and bursary opportunities. At this level, strong performance comes from how learners structure time and revision schedules, as well as how they engage with their
The one habit that separates SA’s top-performing learners from the rest Read More »
During Stress Awareness Month, attention turns to a pressing issue in South Africa’s education system: Learners face unprecedented pressure, but often lack the means to cope. What was once a manageable academic journey has become a constant balancing act. Today’s learners must juggle schoolwork, social pressures, digital distractions and growing anxiety about the future –
Inside the pressures of modern learning Read More »