Academic Day

The Academic day is currently divided into nine 30 minute periods, starting at 07:30 and ending at 13:15. A prep period for all boys in the Under 11,12 and Open age groups is held from 13:45 until 14:45. This is compulsory on two of the four days. Supervised prep is offered to grade 3 and 4 boys from 14:45 to 15:45.

The key word in the academic programme is PREPARATORY where we endeavour to prepare the boys to fit successfully into their senior schools and the world beyond.

Curriculum

Special emphasis is placed on English, Mathematics, Science and Technology and two official African languages (Afrikaans and Zulu). The following subjects are offered:  

English
Mathematics 
General Science 
Afrikaans 
History
Geography 
Art 
Design and Technology
Information Technology
Divinity 
Enrichment and Thinking Skills
Physical Education
Music
Zulu
Life Orientation
Renzulli Learning (Gr 3-7)
Economics (Gr 4-7)

In Grade 7, for English and Mathematics the pupils are divided into sets to improve the pupil teacher ratio. Each set numbers approximately 13 boys. Zulu is offered as a third language from Grade 3 to 7.

THRASS

Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills (THRASS) was introduced at St Peter's in 2005 and is the method used to teach these skills throughout the school. A gain of 50% in spelling ages was achieved in the first year using the programme. St Peter's was the first school in Gauteng to adopt THRASS and has since been involved in assisting many schools in the implementation of their programme.

Thinking Skills


Our Thinking Skills programme is central in our approach to academics. Boys are taught a wide range of strategies and tools that enable them to engage in Higher Order Thinking. Dr David Hyerle's Thinking Maps and Dr Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats are applied across the curriculum at every level. These tools enable boys to organise their thoughts and make effective decisions about how to approach their work.

Enrichment Programme

The Enrichment Programme sets out to extend not only intellectually talented boys, but all pupils, and is divided into two types:

Type 1 Enrichment exposes all boys to outside interests.  Examples include visiting drama groups, guest speakers, demonstrations and excursions.  It is hoped that this type of enrichment will spark an interest in children who will then choose to investigate topics further.

Type 2 Enrichment is our Thinking Skills programme.

The goal of the Enrichment Programme is the development of gifted behaviour in as many boys as possible.  In order to do this, the teachers strive towards an atmosphere of excellence in all aspects of their teaching and in the pupil’s performance.

 

Paired Reading

Peer tutoring in Paired Reading is used with boys from Grade 2 to 7 at regular intervals. The method used is that of Professor KJ Topping from the University of Dundee. This method is a wonderful reinforcement to classroom reading and has proven beneficial to tutees and tutors.

Prep (Homework)
Prep is done every day except Fridays and is given on the following time basis:
Grade 3 15 minutes per day
Grade 4 20 minutes per day
Grade 5 40 minutes per day
Grade 6 50 minutes per day
Grade 7 60 minutes per day

Class Sizes

25 - 26 pupils per class

Assessment

Assessment is carried out throughout the year and is undertaken through a variety of means. Informal, formal and standardised tests are conducted on a regular basis and examinations occur once a year for Grade 6 and Grade 7. Project work, in the form of Independent Study Modules (ISM's), covering any area of the curriculum, is completed each term. Oral work, particularly in the language area, is also evaluated.

In our endeavour to encourage all the boys to reach their potential, the Enrichment Department engages all the boys in Enrichment activities and also takes the more academically able boys further.

Sets

For English and Maths in Grade 7 each of the three classes is divided into two "hetergenous" groups of pupils, in order to further improve the teacher/pupil ratio in these essential subjects.

Zulu                                                                            

Zulu is offered as a third language from Grade 3 - 7.

OBE

The current cirriculum incorporates the new Outcomes Based Education approach and mixes it with the best traditional methods.

Computer Centre

The St Peter's IT Centre operates with 60 computers in two centres. Each computer runs on Windows XP Professional and is linked to the Internet and a printer. Every boy from Grade 3 to 7 receives 45 minutes of IT tuition per week. Focus is on computer literacy with the majority of the lesson involving a combination of MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel. Research is done using Encarta and the Internet (under staff supervision). The Grade 3 and 4 boys learn the intracacies of keyboard/mouse skills, basic literacy and manipulation of graphics.
In Grade 5 to 7 the focus shifts to IT as a lifeskill. Boys are encouraged to use the computer to add value to their academic subjects and other aspects of their lives.

Mathematics

In addition to the normal school programme the boys in Grade 3 to Grade 7 are involved with the "Mathletics" programme. An international programme where the boys may test their mathematic skills against boys and girls from other countries around the world, including England, China and Australia.