:: St Stithians College - Junior Prep School ::

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 R skills are a consolidation 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

The Grade 2 programme builds upon the good skills learnt in Grade 1. Children are extended and become more proficient in all academic areas of school.

This is an exciting year of growth and development for children of this age socially, culturally and academically.

Part of the programme in Grade 2 encompasses leadership and cultural programmes and extension of sporting and cultural activities. This is a year in which children are prepared for a smooth and happy transition into the Prep. Schools.

At the Foundation Phase most of the work is directed by the teacher. Problems are set and the teacher guides the learners to find different solutions to solve problems. A few skills are taught at a time and applied directly to a short project. As the learners become confident in the technological processes they are encouraged to find solutions on their own.

Technology Education is not an alternative art or practical science lesson, yet it encompasses them all and more. It has sub areas such as processing (how things can change) , structures (the shape of things) and mechanisms (how things work). All the different areas are taught in all the grades at different level of difficulty.

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

In Grade R, the focus is on Gross Motor co-ordination. This includes body and spatial awareness, movement, eye-hand and eye-foot co-ordination, crossing midline, upper body strengthening, body conditioning and an introduction to various sport disciplines.

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.

During the first term of Grade 1 & 2, the children are taken to the Aquatics centre, where they are taught the basics of swimming and stroke correction. They are also shown the basics of springboard diving and water polo. When the heated pools get a bit cold we move into athletics disciplines such as long jump, high jump, relay races, hurdles, cross country, steeple chase, javelin and shot-put.

In Term 2 we concentrate on ball sports, teaching the children the rules, skills and match play situations of basketball, netball, soccer, hockey and tennis. We end the term with discussions on sportsmanship and a "Boot camp", which always proves to be a great success.

Term 3 kicks off with a module of educational gymnastics in the College gymnasium. The children are taught movement, tumble turns, motor planning and climbing. After half term we are back with a splash and the water sports continue on a more advanced level, including life saving and a mini biathlon.

Languages

During our language lessons the Grade Ones and Twos enjoy learning Afrikaans and Zulu. The aim of our lessons is to foster an awareness of these cultures and a love for different languages through song, poetry and dialogue.

Library and Fun Reading Room

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.

The Fun Reading Room is part of the Library. Children come to choose their readers daily from the level on which they are reading. There are also volunteer "Reading Grannies and Grandpas" who come to listen to the children read. This is a highlight for the children - and for the grannies and grandpas! This system really assists in developing the children into confident readers.

Aftercare

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