Advanced College Thabazimbi

The opening of an English-medium school in Thabazimbi was the brainchild of Mrs Jenny de Klerk, who felt that there was a need for an independent school that offered quality education at an affordable price.  She approached Advanced College (Corporate) owned by Mr Francois Vermeulen and Advanced College Thabazimbi was born, opening its administrative office for enrolment in October 2016, only accepting learners from Grades R – 9.

The school officially opened its doors to learners as a combined school in January 2017, with 105 learners in total. With much faith and many prayers, the school has come a long way since then.

We moved to our current premise in October 2020 as our original premise became too small. It was then that the “combined” school was separated into two schools, namely Advanced College Primary and Advanced College Secondary schools.  Both schools are registered individually with the Department of Education.  The new premise allowed for greater expansion with the added bonus of the swimming pool.

The Schools have steadily increased in learner numbers year upon year, each year reaching a new record high.  Currently, as of June 2025, 452 learners in total are registered in the two schools.

Mrs Jenny de Klerk served as the school’s first principal. In February 2020, she stepped down as principal, to take on the role as operational director of both schools and Mrs Vanessa Esterhuizen was appointed as the new principal for both with Mr Wilbert Mbengo as deputy principal – Primary to assist her.  In February 2021, Mr Brian Mazarura was appointed as deputy principal – Secondary. Towards the end of 2021, Mrs Esterhuizen left the school and in February 2022, Mr Wilbert Mbengo and Mr Brian Mazarura were appointed as Principals of the Primary and Secondary Schools respectively.  

Under their leadership the schools have flourished and every year more staff and educators have had to be appointed to meet the ever growing learner numbers.  Through the year we have seen staff come and go, some only staying with us for a reason or a season and some we hope for a lifetime, being staff members the school opened with.

In January 2022, we opened the Early Childhood Development Centre for Grade RRR – RR. In March 2023, the Kumon Mathematics and English Centre was opened and incorporated into the curriculum for Grade RRR – 3.  This has delivered astounding Mathematics results.

In 2023 our matric group attained a 100% pass rate and the following group of 2024, while just missing the 100%, still maintained academic excellence.  Our past learners have gone on to study Law, IT, Aviation, Engineering, Actuarial Sciences and Medicine.

The schools have always had to make use of communal sportsground, not having their own but we are working to remedy this.  Later this year, our first multi-sport padel court will be erected on our premise.  More courts are planned for the future, one of which will be an indoor court.

Advanced College Thabazimbi is so much more than just an educational institution, it is a family and more than that it is a life experience.

We believe that by the continued Blessing and Grace of our Lord, the schools will continue to go from strength to strength always attaining new heights – giving dreams wings to fly!