HIGH SCHOOL RECEPTIONIST

Old School Ties; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

St Cyprian’s School is seeking a warm, nurturing High School Receptionist who greets students, parents and visitors with calm professionalism. The role requires multitasking across reception, switchboard and general administrative duties within a busy school environment.

The successful candidate will provide care and reassurance to unwell students, manage deliveries and communications, and contribute to the school's safety and safeguarding protocols while maintaining an organized, welcoming

Qualifications

• Previous reception, front-office or customer-facing experience is essential.
• Basic First Aid training or experience would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Welcoming and assisting students, parents, visitors, contractors and service providers
• Managing the High School switchboard and directing calls and enquiries appropriately
• Responding calmly and helpfully to the many different requests that arrive at Reception throughout the school day
• Providing appropriate care and reassurance to students who may be feeling unwell or have experienced a minor injury, in accordance with School procedures
• Managing visitor access and supporting the School’s safety and safeguarding protocols
• Receiving deliveries, messages and other items and ensuring that these reach the appropriate person
• Providing general administrative support, including working with relevant School systems, records and communication platforms
• Maintaining an organised, professional and welcoming Reception environment
• Liaising effectively with colleagues across the School to ensure that information and requests are handled promptly and accurately

Skills

Customer-facing experience

Job description

At St Cyprian’s School, the Receptionist is far more than the person who answers the telephone.

As one of the first faces students, parents, visitors, service providers and members of our wider community encounter, our High School Receptionist plays an important role in creating a warm, welcoming and professional first impression of the School.

We are looking for a people-centred, warm and nurturing individual who genuinely enjoys engaging with young people and who brings a calm, pleasant and consistent presence to a very busy environment from January 2027.

This is a role for someone who can offer reassurance to a student who is feeling unwell, warmly welcome a parent or visitor, receive a delivery and answer a ringing telephone, sometimes all within the same few minutes, without losing their composure or their smile.

The Role

The High School Receptionist serves as a central point of contact within the High School and is responsible for ensuring that the Reception area operates smoothly, efficiently and professionally.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Welcoming and assisting students, parents, visitors, contractors and service providers
• Managing the High School switchboard and directing calls and enquiries appropriately
• Responding calmly and helpfully to the many different requests that arrive at Reception throughout the school day
• Providing appropriate care and reassurance to students who may be feeling unwell or have experienced a minor injury, in accordance with School procedures
• Managing visitor access and supporting the School’s safety and safeguarding protocols
• Receiving deliveries, messages and other items and ensuring that these reach the appropriate person
• Providing general administrative support, including working with relevant School systems, records and communication platforms
• Maintaining an organised, professional and welcoming Reception environment
• Liaising effectively with colleagues across the School to ensure that information and requests are handled promptly and accurately

We would particularly love to meet someone who...

• Is naturally warm, caring and approachable, particularly in their interactions with students
• Has a pleasant, professional and consistent disposition
• Is highly people-centred and enjoys working in an environment with constant human interaction
• Remains calm and grounded when several things require attention at once
• Is an excellent multitasker who can confidently prioritise in the moment
• Communicates clearly, warmly and professionally, both in person and telephonically
• Demonstrates good judgement, discretion and confidentiality
• Is comfortable using technology and learning administrative systems
• Has strong organisational and basic administrative skills
• Is dependable, responsive and able to work effectively as part of a wider team
• Understands that seemingly small interactions can have a significant impact on a student, parent or visitor’s experience of the School

Previous reception, front-office or customer-facing experience is essential.

Basic First Aid training or experience would be an advantage, given the Receptionist’s role in responding to students who may require minor care or support during the school day.

St Cyprian’s School is on a journey of Transformation and the successful incumbent will be expected to contribute positively to the outcome of this journey.

St Cyprian’s School is a proud, independent school committed to equity and belonging, embracing and advancing diversity. We have a strong anchor that connects our Anglican tradition, values and heritage and we are a place that welcomes all faiths. It is from this frame that we grow and hone purpose, intellect, character, and agency in our students.