Academic Programme
During these foundation years the main academic emphasis is on the acquisition of Reading, Writing and Mathematical skills. The development of verbal skills, listening skills and memory, play a vital role in the mastering of these skills. Much of the teaching is done through different weekly themes which encourage a deeper understanding of the pupils’ own experiences and environment. As part of this programme the teachers organise Theme Days and Outings which assist in enhancing the pupils’ learning as well as making the themes fun and relevant. St Peter’s strives for academic excellence and the pupils are encouraged to achieve their potential in all areas of the academic curriculum.
The academic programme is supplemented by Learning Support Specialists who work collaboratively with the teachers so that the academic programme can be accessed by as broad a spectrum of pupils as possible.
The Following Outcomes Underpin All Curriculum Development:
Problem-Solving Skills: Identify and solve problems and make responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking.
Teamwork: Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
Self-Responsibility Skills: Organise and manage self and activities responsibly and effectively.
Research Skills: Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
Communication Skills: Communicate effectively using visual, symbolic and/or language skills in various modes.
Technological and environmental literacy: Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.
Developing Macrovision: Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation
For those children who may experience developmental difficulties, St Peter’s has a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of an Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Remedial Therapists, that is available to consult on any problem areas. The therapists offer assessments and therapy at school. The advantage of this arrangement is that, with the permission of parents, teachers are able to liaise with therapists to ensure that the best possible classroom strategies are adopted for individual pupils.
St Peter’s is an Anglican school which aims to instill Christian values and understanding in all the pupils.
The school is situated within the Parish of St Michael’s, Bryanston, but has its own Chaplain whose primary concern is the spiritual well being of the pupils and their families.
At St Peter’s the social and emotional development of each pupil in the Junior Prep is of fundamental importance. This encompasses the pupils’ attitudes to themselves their home life, their school, their teachers, their classmates and to learning. The culture and background of each pupil is accepted and made relevant to their school environment.
St Peter’s aims to provide a safe, pleasant and stimulating environment where each pupil feels secure, confident and ready to learn. Good manners and a caring attitude are expected. A positive self-image, co-operation, open mindedness and initiative are encouraged. Pupils are urged to participate actively in their own learning, and independence, resilience and self-reliance are promoted.
Grade 0 is a vital and exciting year for your child. The atmosphere in the classroom provides a happy secure environment in which to bridge the gap between Nursery School and the formal disciplines of learning to read and write in Grade 1. The aim throughout the year, will be to provide an informal, happy atmosphere where pupils will be encouraged to participate fully in all activities. Grade 0 is a little more formal than nursery school and your child may find the day long and tiring at the start of the year.
Young pupils learn through experience. In Grade 0 the pupils are encouraged to explore, discover and challenge themselves through play and structured activities. Development in the following areas is planned and encouraged:
Perceptual Development
St Peter’s stimulates knowledge and understanding of the world through direct personal experience. These experiences are provided in a progressive sequence with activities; structured, unstructured, informative / creative, active / quiet, indoor / outdoor, alone and in groups.
Language and Literacy Development
Language, as a vehicle for thinking, remembering, reasoning, expressing and communicating, is part of every Grade 0 activity, and in addition, opportunities for the development and enrichment of language form a large part of the Grade 0 programme.
An interest in reading and writing is encouraged and pupils are exposed to pre-reading skills, early writing skills and symbol sound association through the THRASS Literacy programme.
Mathematical Development
St Peter’s aims to provide pupils with the concepts underlying mathematics by using concrete apparatus. The pupils will be able to recognise, describe and represent numbers and their relationships; to count, estimate, calculate and check and at all times develop problem solving skills.
Creative Development
Creative activities are offered to allow pupils to explore the basic elements of line, form, colour, texture, space and the properties and possibilities of a variety of materials and tools in creative situations. Creative thought and aesthetic sensitivity are encouraged.
Physical Development
The Grade 0 programme focuses on the development of both fine and large muscle activities. Pupils develop control of movement, build body image and develop concepts of the body in space through experiences in the classroom and playground, as well as in the specialist physical education classes.
Music
Music is taught by a music specialist and includes opportunities for appreciation, memorisation, creativity, self-expression and communication as well as perceptual and physical development.
Grade 1 is an important year for your child as it is the start of their formal schooling and the foundation for further education.
Perceptual Development
The pupils continue to learn through experience. They advance from the known to the unknown by using as many familiar situations as possible. The school expands upon the Perceptual Programme that is started in Grade 0. Individual needs are taken into account – some pupils may need to complete more perceptual exercises than others.
Language and Literacy
During this year the pupils will learn to read and create their own written stories.
St Peter’s uses the THRASS Literacy Programme.
In order to cater for individual differences, a variety of reading materials and approaches are used. Each pupil progresses at their own rate.
Mathematics
Most new concepts are introduced through problem solving and exploratory, ¬investigative learning. The pupils are expected to recognise and be able to manipulate numbers. The children work in different number ranges and are given, differentiated tasks depending on their competence levels.
Creative Development
The school exposes the pupils to different media and materials during creative lessons. They work in groups or individually and are encouraged to paint, draw, design and construct.
Group Work
In order to develop co-operative learning and to cater for different abilities, the pupils often work in groups. Sometimes these are mixed ability groups and at other times children of similar strengths are grouped.
Themes and Environment
St Peter’s works around themes or environmental topics and include design and technology, creative activities and fun days.
Physical Development
Most large muscle development is supported during Physical Education lessons.
Writing, cutting, pasting, finger rhymes and finger exercises help to develop fine motor co-ordination.
Music, Enrichment, Afrikaans, Library periods and Zulu are also part of the Grade 1 curriculum.
Independence
In Grade 1 independence is encouraged:
during the course of the year your child should be encouraged to walk from the car park to the classroom independently
pupils must take care of their possessions and ensure that they take their reading pocket home every day
some messages will be sent home verbally in an effort to improve memory in preparation for Grade 2.
Grade 2 is more formal and structured than Grade 1.
Independence
In Grade 2, pupils build on the basic skills acquired in Grade 1, strengthening and developing these skills through application and extension. It is a year that bridges the gap between the Junior Prep and the Middle School. It is therefore necessary at this stage to nurture a sense of independence and a sense of responsibility.
Homework and Projects
Grade 2 pupils are expected to do homework in accordance with our Homework policy, as explained in this booklet. If involved in a project, your child will benefit from your interest and encouragement. Please ensure, however, that they complete the project on their own, thus gaining as much as possible from this learning experience.
Themes
Much of the teaching is done through integrated themes and the pupils will enjoy fascinating visits and visitors. Some themes will culminate in dress up days involving many related activities. Afrikaans, Zulu, Library, Drama, Design and Technology, Art, Computers, Music and Physical Education are all lessons included in the Grade 2 programme.
Extension
Each child is encouraged to achieve their own full potential and the staff go to great lengths to provide extension activities in class for those who need them.
Music
Music is a vital part of the curriculum. Pupils participate in a music concert every year. Currently, Grade 2 pupils enjoy a term’s tuition each in violin and percussion. Extra individual lessons in the following instruments are available at school: Piano, Cello, Violin, Guitar, Recorder, Flute, Trumpet, Saxophone, Drums. Interested parents should contact the Director of Music via the Junior Prep Office.
Grade 2 pupils may join the Choir which is an extra mural activity.
