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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 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.
Specialist Subjects
Design and
Technology
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.
School Uniform
Grade R
Summer
Winter

Grade 1 & 2
Summer
Winter
Swimming

Other Sport
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