THE A - Z INFORMATION BOOKLET  

(for any questions or information needed on our school)

Parent Awareness - Bullying Policy

GRADES

    

GRADE R

Entering school is one of the most important steps in a child's life. Pre-school or as we refer to it as Grade R, is a preparation for life and probably the most important stage of all, because it is here that the foundation of a child's entire future is laid. Our reception year is exactly that and our objective is to create a playing learning environment which offers inspiring activities and provides children with opportunities to develop in a well-rounded manner. Our Grade R marks the beginning of a child's very exciting journey through school. Our aim is to make our Grade R a place where all feel welcome and valued, a place of security and love where children's dreams are realized. It is here that children learn to be increasingly independent and they develop effective team skills and are exposed to essential values to equip them for life. We aim to develop the child as a whole- educationally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We encompass the essence of a holistic learning environment that is inclusive and multi-cultural. Each child's individual needs and talents are taken into consideration and we seek to ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and achieve their individual potential. We believe that every child must experience success as a learner. We aim to equip each child with life long values, a stable academic platform to work from and a sound self-esteem. For it is only then that true learning can take place.

Our philosophy is aptly summed up in this poem entitled Unity - Source unknown.

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio And watched two sculptors there
The clay they used was a children's mind,
They fashioned it with care.
One was a teacher;
The tools she used were books, music and art.
One was a parent,
With a guiding hand and gentle, loving hart.

Day after day the teacher toiled,
with a touch that was strong and sure,
While the parent labored by her side,
With a heart that was clear and pure.
And when at last their task was done,
they stood proud of what they had wrought,
For things they had molded into a child
Could neither be sold nor bought.
And each agreed they would have failed If they had worked alone;
For behind the parent stood the school...
And behind the teacher, the home.

In order for us to appreciate this, we encourage parents to become active participants in the learning process and we invite them all to become part of the St Stithians Family.
 

GRADE 1

Grade 1 is the beginning of the formal school programme.

Grade R skills are consolidated and used as a base for more formal teaching of reading, writing and spelling.  Mathematical skills are extended and problem solving exercises are introduced more formally.

The children are exposed to more Life Skill lessons and more cultural and computer skills and second languages are taught in a conversational context. 

GRADE 2

Grade 2 is an exciting year of growth and development for children of this age socially, culturally and academically. The Grade 2 programme thus builds upon the essential skills developed in Grade 1. The children are extended to become more proficient in all academic areas of school. The learning programme comprises exciting thematic work and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is followed to enhance and enrich learning.

Leadership programmes, sporting and cultural activities are essential aspects of the daily learning programme to promote the holistic development of the child.

Specialist Subjects

Music

Music has a impact on our lives in so many ways and has been identified as a very powerful tool to learn in life. Music is a form of nutrition for the brain which triggers the release of endorphins which is a feel-good chemical in the brain and that it has a positive effect on learning.

Children that attend St Stithians will have the opportunity to part-take in the following fun interactive lessons and experiencing music in true style. The children will be exposed to:
Song
Playing music on instruments
Playing rhythm on drums
Experiencing music through movement
Learning about the different types and concepts of music
Listening and relaxing to music

Physical Education
 

The emphasis of Physical Education classes is for children to get exposure to as many sports as possible with the aim of having as much fun as possible. Our school is very fortunate to have the use of outstanding sporting equipment and facilities.

In Grade R, the focus is on gross motor co-ordination and the introduction to various sporting disciplines. This includes body and spatial awareness, movement, eye-hand and eye-foot co-ordination, crossing midline, upper body strength, balance and motor planning.

The sport disciplines introduced in Grade R are put into practice in Grade 1 & 2. At the Aquatics centre, the children are taught the basics of swimming and stroke correction. They are also shown the basics of springboard diving and water polo.

 During the athletics season, disciplines such as long jump, high jump, relay races, hurdles, cross country, steeple chase, javelin and shot-put are taught.

A module of educational gymnastics is taught in the College gymnasium. The children are taught movement, tumble turns, motor planning and climbing activities.

In ball sports, we concentrate on teaching the children the rules, skills and match play situations of basketball, netball, soccer, cricket,  hockey and tennis. Children are taught the importance of sportsmanship and sport is taught in a non competitive environment.

 
Additional Languages

Diversity is promoted through Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans lessons. Through the medium of songs, poetry and dialogue an awareness of different cultures are created as well as a love for different languages is developed.

Library

As reading and literacy are so important in the Junior Preparatory, the Library truly is the heart of the Junior Preparatory. This is where the children come for their library lesson and story once a week. They also have the chance to borrow books on a weekly basis for parents to read to or with them.
 
Aftercare

St Stithians Junior Preparatory offer an Aftercare service straight after school till 17h30. For more information, please contact our reception.

School Uniform

Grade R

           Summer                                   Winter                               
                

Grade 1 & 2

           Summer                                   Winter 
                   

Swimming    

Other Sport