Learners work on a school science project

The students come from very diverse backgrounds, ethnic groups and religions. Noonan said staff members are from many cultural groups in South Africa, and the children come from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola and China's Hong Kong. Numbers have swelled this year from 375 learners to 420. When a family was forced to flee troubles in Syria earlier this year, she said the school gladly took in their son.

Current global economic conditions also persuade parents to send their children to the PCS, said Noonan. "We cannot ignore the growing significance of China as an economic player," she said. "As ties between South African and Chinese companies grow, and families are sent to China for work purposes, they send their children to us for preparation."

This also works in reverse. Parents in South Africa from China on temporary work-related stays are only too happy to know their children are receiving a relevant education.

Comprehensive curriculum

PCS follows the classical method of teaching simplified script Chinese only after learners have been steeped in the traditional written language. This is a distinct advantage to those seeking a possible career in foreign affairs, as there is a shortage of qualified and properly trained Mandarin-to-English translators in the Chinese mainland and in South Africa, said Noonan. 

Learners arriving at the PCS from foreign countries will not find themselves having to adjust alone. The school has an intensive English remedial support program on hand. Students also engage in a comprehensive co-curricular program that includes academic support lessons and homework support classes, as well as cultural clubs and sports activities.

The PCS has also garnered a reputation for intensive academic application. "You will not find more than 22 children in any of our classes, so we can promise a fair measure of individual attention," said Noonan.

Noonan strongly believes that the school should reflect the values of the Chinese culture as closely as possible. "We [want to] promote our ethos of discipline, respect and humility. These values are what we are all about."