Find out more how every Kairos child thrives by completing a “Find Out More” form at the bottom (or just give us a call at 011 646 6221).

We have had wonderful and eventful Market Days last term where the pupils from all classes have taken opportunities to offer a homemade item or a service for sale. Every second week,  each class takes a turn at centre stage, although everyone is invited to participate if they wish. In the last term, these ranged from origami creations, busking musical performances, homemade muffins, freshly squeezed fruit juice, and a variety of home projects like candles and jewellery. 

This idea originated with children in 2013 when a child charged a teacher for a luxury “mental treatment”. Because we couldn’t really offer him rand, we gave him some school currency notes from a recent class project. This resulted in many of his classmates wanted to create their own services to earn money of their own — and suddenly our school currency (Kairosses, or “Rosses” – ℞ – for short) was born. 

Students receive an annual “income” of approximately ℞300 per annum, depending on the current money supply, as determined by the governor of the Kairos School Reserve Bank, Teacher Sidrah Amer. There is an authentic experience of entrepreneurship because the school notes do indeed have genuine value. Students gain an insight into real-life economic conditions and these insights sometimes result in unusually rich conversations back in class during our inquiry sessions (a weekly slot in each class’s timetable). 

Children can gain an understanding of complex topics such as money supply, inflation, tax, bulk discounts and commission, and even gain an authentic perspective of wealth and poverty within a safe environment. Children sometimes spend all their cash in one go, and then personally feel the personal pressure to go out and create an income in order to be able to purchase goods and services on offer.

The currency also serves as a fundraising opportunity for the school during our annual winter market — coming up next Saturday at 11h00, so do join us! — where outsiders can exchange Rand for Rosses (at a foreign exchange rate of 1:2), and participate in our Market Day personally. 

Our school currency and its consequent Market Days are examples of our approach to education: experiential, thoughtful, authentic and, wherever possible, provoking inquiry in the minds and hearts of our students.

“This morning I once again felt validated in the choice we made for my daughter’s school.”

— Kairos Parent

“Fun, play, creativity and constant learning finds a mix with real empathy.”

— Kairos Parent

“Kairos School is unique in what it offers.”

— Kairos Parent

“You and your staff can be extremely proud of producing a young man of D’s calibre…”

— Paul Edey, St Johns principal

“Strong, inquiring, mind-minded individuals with heart = Kairosians! “

— Kairos parent

“The relative ease with which our two older boys have coped with the obstacles the COVID-19 pandemic brought for all of us, is to a very large extent due to the foundation they received at Kairos…”

— Kairos parent

“…highly skilled teachers…”

— Kairos Parent

“My child is so happy… I feel like I have my little girl back!”

— Kairos Parent

“Certainly the most innovative and nurturing primary school in Joburg!”

— Kairos Parent

“I’ve not seen the personal care received here anywhere else.”

— Kairos Parent