The Prep school newly appointed Head of Sport, Mr. Braam Booysen
Alyson Engelbrecht • May 6, 2020
Written by Braam Booysen
A new direction
I would have loved to be outside, on the field, doing what I was born to do.
As I read the above words, I can’t help but feel the same. The author of these words of course was not on lockdown at home because of a worldwide pandemic, but rather he was confined to a hospital bed after a serious injury and was writing down some words to vent his frustration. The author was me in 2018.
My name is Braam Booysen or, as most call me, Coach Braam. I have been involved in sport and coaching for 20 years and it is my absolute passion to help children improve not only on the sport field but also with personal growth through sport. I am honored to be part of the Pecanwood Prep staff for the foreseeable future and I look forward to turning a new page on sport development and participation.
As our community looks to the future amidst the covid 19 pandemic, there is one thing that we can be assured of, there will be a new normal when it comes to sport practice and sport events. We will have to make sure that social distancing and stringent sanita-tion measures are met while we do our best to give our athletes the best possible chance to participate in their specific sporting codes. I firmly believe that the human race excels in extraordinary circumstances like these and I have no doubt that we will rise above this pandemic and find new and resourceful ways go about our daily lives.
I will do my best to ensure that our children are coached in a safe environment. I will make sure that individual needs are met with regards to sport participation and coaching. I will give my every effort to make sure that your child enjoys sport participation and that they are coached at an age appropriate level to ensure gradual development into the superstar we see in all our children.
Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I look forward to working with your children and getting to know all of you better. Above all it’s going to be my pleasure to be part of your child’s development on the sport field and in life.
Twenty years of trusted education meets expanded opportunities, greater accessibility and future-ready learning from January 2027. Families across Hartbeespoort can look forward to an even stronger independent school offering as Pecanwood College becomes Pinnacle College Pecanwood from January 2027. The transition brings together two decades of local educational excellence with the academic strength, innovation and opportunities offered by the expanding Pinnacle Colleges network. Current and prospective families stand to benefit from a school that retains everything the community values while opening the door to even greater opportunities. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will preserve the school's caring culture, close relationships, boarding facilities, IEB curriculum, sporting tradition and vibrant co-curricular programme, while providing students access to a broader network recognised for academic excellence, future-focused learning and preparation for life beyond school. Pecanwood College has proudly served the Hartbeespoort community for 20 years, offering education from the early years through to Grade 12, including boarding. Dedicated teachers, a nurturing environment, strong IEB academic results and diverse sporting and cultural opportunities have established the school as a respected educational institution in the region. That solid foundation will now be enhanced through the wider Pinnacle Colleges network. Students and teachers will benefit from shared academic expertise, established operational excellence and opportunities to participate in broader academic, cultural and sporting initiatives across multiple campuses. Pinnacle Colleges equips students for tertiary education and successful careers through a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with innovation, career guidance, coding and robotics, technology-enabled learning and holistic personal development. Respect, responsibility and a strong sense of community remain central to every campus experience. Academic success already defines Pecanwood College. The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive 98.59% matric pass rate, a 94.36% Bachelor's Degree pass rate and an average of 1.9 distinctions per student. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will build on these achievements through strengthened academic systems, shared expertise and continued commitment to outstanding IEB education. The name Pinnacle College Pecanwood honours both the school's proud heritage and its exciting future. Twenty years of commitment by students, teachers, families and the wider community remain firmly embedded in the school's identity, while its new name reflects membership of one of South Africa's fastest-growing independent school groups dedicated to innovation, accessibility and student success. Hartbeespoort families can now enjoy the best of both worlds: a close-knit community lifestyle paired with access to a high-quality independent education close to home. Pinnacle College Pecanwood is well positioned to become the school of choice for families seeking exceptional academic opportunities, future-ready skills and an environment where every student can thrive.
A huge thank you to our community for supporting Slipper Day 2025! See how your contribution makes a difference for children in need. Read more here!
As part of our WESSA Eco-Schools commitment, Pecanwood College has adopted a black leopard cub. Learn about our conservation efforts. Read the full story!
Pecanwood College partners with Pure Care to launch a new water treatment project, promoting sustainability on our campus. Learn more about this initiative!
What are weekends like at Pecanwood College? Get a glimpse into a weekend well spent with our boarders and day scholars. Discover more on our blog now!
Love was in the air at our Pre-Prep! See how our little learners celebrated Valentine's Day with creative and fun activities. Explore the cute moments now!
Kicking off the year with a commitment to our environment! See our students in action during the first campus clean-up of 2025. Read about their efforts!
Discover the groundbreaking SA-developed digital learning platform now at ADvTECH schools. See how we're shaping the future of education. Learn more today!
Year-end fatigue hitting hard? Get expert tips on how to beat exhaustion and help your child finish their final exams with confidence. Finish the year strong!
Make your High School Open Day count! Our essential checklist helps parents ask the right questions and get the info they need. Download your free checklist!
