Pupils at St Peter’s are exposed to a variety of cultural activities. These may include performances by visiting actors, puppeteers or musicians. Pupils are also taken to the theatre.
Drama is considered an integral part of the pupils’ education programme.
Pupils have opportunities to participate in productions.
Each term the teachers plan outings for their classes. These often relate to a theme – for example pupils might visit the Exploratorium during “Science Week”. These outings are both enjoyable and educational and help to develop a sense of independence in the Junior Prep child.
Each class visits the Library / Media Centre once a week and pupils are encouraged to experience and enjoy books. Research skills are also developed in this period.
A Puzzle and Games Library, run by parents, operates once a week. For a small fee parents have the option of enrolling their child in this club. This library operates on the same system as a book library but instead of books, games and puzzles are made available to the pupils.
If a pupil is absent from school, kindly notify the office telephonically, between 08:00 and 08:30.
A pupil will not be excused from physical activity without a written note/email from home, explaining the reason for their non-participation.
Education is a partnership and therefore communication between parents and staff is vital. Parents are encouraged to get to know the teachers and to share any anxieties with them or with the Head of the Junior Prep.
Information evenings for each grade are held early in the year. On these occasions the staff will endeavour to give parents as much information about school rules, routines, aspirations and expectations, as possible.
General news and information is printed in the weekly newsletter distributed via email and is on the website.
Parents should read all notices and keep a record of the school events and requirements.
St Peter’s encourages an open door policy at the school, at all times. Visit the classroom and have a look at your child’s books or work on display.
Parent / teacher consultation afternoons are held at the end of the Easter and Trinity terms. Written reports are sent home at the end of each term. Parents are invited to schedule appointments to discuss specific problems with the teachers or the Head of the Junior Prep.
A calendar is distributed at the commencement of each term.
From time to time, pupils leave school early due to illness, doctors appointments, etc. Pupils who leave the school before 13h00 must:
- Ask the teacher/reception for a gate pass.
- Wait in the sick bay or reception area (they may not be collected from the car park).
- Parents must complete a section on the gate pass. The receptionist will sign the pass which is then handed to the guards to allow pupils to leave the premises. The guards note the registration number of the car as a precautionary measure
As the requirements throughout the school are so varied, stationery items for the whole class are ordered by the class teachers and given out at the beginning of the year. A termly Stationery Levy for each pupil is debited to each pupil’s school account.
Discipline is an important part of the child’s social and emotional development, so it must be seen as a partnership between the school and the home. Parents are asked to sign the school’s “Code of Conduct” on their child’s acceptance into St Peter’s.
Boundaries must be set and adhered to, as consistent routine is important in these formative years.
St Peter’s expects their pupils to display acceptable behaviour at all times. Manners, the use of acceptable language, punctuality and concern for others are the main criteria.
The school believes strongly in positive encouragement. Good work and good behaviour are acknowledged by the Head of the Junior Prep with the presentation of a “Special Effort” badge to wear and take home. In cases of deliberate defiance the Head of the Junior Prep will issue a “Yellow Card”. The “Yellow Card” explains the breach of our Code of Conduct and is signed by both teacher and parent.
Individual birthdays are celebrated in each class during the morning programme. Parents are asked to provide a cake or cupcakes for the occasion. Cakes may be -ordered through the kitchen at the school and delivered to the classroom on the day. Tel: Kitchen (011) 705 3423.
Homework plays a vital role in the curriculum. It is important to initiate good work habits at the outset. Parents will need to play a constructive role, -providing support and encouragement to ensure the success of this programme. Homework will be given during the week. Weekends are for fun and relaxation.
Homework will take the form of reading, spelling and number work. Grade 2 and 3 pupils may be given written maths exercises. These maths tasks should be completed independently by the pupils. Homework should not become an unpleasant or stressful exercise. Should this be the case or should homework take longer than 15-20 minutes, or 30 minutes in Grade 3 please discuss this with your child’s teacher.
The School Shop is situated on the campus adjacent to the boys’ swimming pool. The School Shop stocks a full range of uniform and stationery items for our pupils. There is also a second-hand clothing section, with quality items at extremely good prices.
The shop is open:
| Monday |
07h00 to 09h00 |
| Tuesday |
07h00 to 09h00 |
| Wednesday |
07h00 to 16h00 |
| Thursday |
07h00 to 09h00 |
| Friday |
07h00 to 09h00 |
If you require any assistance regarding the school shop,
please contact (011) 367 6647.
Payment at the School Shop runs independently from the school fees system. Payment must be made in full at the time of purchase either by cash, cheque or credit card (all cards except American Express).
Please remember that you will save a great deal of money by shopping at the School Shop which is far more competitive than other uniform stockists. The Parents’ Association runs the School Shop and profits are directed back into projects for the school.
From 2012 Grade 0's to wear:
- Navy shorts
- School golf shirt
- Navy hat
- White sports shoes
- The school track suit
- White ankle socks
- Red fleece jersey
Summer uniform
- Navy skirt and blue checked cotton shirt.
- White ankle socks, black shoes.
- Navy hat.
- School tracksuit or red fleece for cooler days.
Winter uniform
- Navy skirt and blue checked shirt (as for summer)
- Red fleece jersey.
- Navy tights or navy knee length socks.
- School tracksuit.
- Black shoes.
Sports uniform
- School golf shirt.
- Navy shorts.
- White ankle socks.
- White sports shoes.
- Navy hat.
- Black or school swimming costume and red school cap.
- School tracksuit
- House t-shirt (Grade 3)
Accessories
- Navy aliceband/hairband.
- Navy/checked scrunchy.
- School tog bag, lunch box, etc.
Hair/Jewellery
The girls are expected to keep their hair neat and tidy when wearing school uniform. Hair touching the shoulders or longer, is to be tied back using school regulation hair accessories. Dyed or highlighted hair will not be permitted. Girls with pierced ears will be allowed to wear gold studs or sleepers. The only other acceptable jewellery is a simple cross and chain necklace, worn under the shirt.
Art
An old, large T-shirt for painting.
Girls may not wear watches at school.
Lost Property
To keep lost property to a minimum we request that all your child’s clothes are marked with full name. Please ensure that school shoes, takkies, lunch boxes and juice bottles are marked with a permanent marker. Swimming costumes and towels must also be labelled as well as any sporting equipment such as racquets or hockey sticks.
There is a lost property box at the back entrance to the offices should you want to look for a lost item.
Once a week at assembly we hand out any items that have been found during the week.
Parents may also use the weekly newsletter as a means of advertising lost items.
Mid-Morning Snack
Each day at 10h30 the pupils have a 30 minute break. Your child will need a drink and a sandwich. We have a healthy lunch policy and we encourage parents to guard against snack items with a high sugar content or colourants.
Chapel
Once a week the Junior Prep pupils and staff attend chapel and enjoy a short service led by our Chaplain. At this service a collection is taken and given to a charity. Please remember to give your child money for collection on that day. The Chapel Day will be confirmed at the beginning of each term.
School starts each day at 08h00 with morning Assembly and Prayers.
School closes at:
Grade 0:
Monday – Thursday 12h45
Friday 12h30
Grade 1:
Monday – Thursday 13h00
Friday 12h45
Grade 2:
Monday, Wednesday, 13h00
Tuesday and Thursday (afternoon sport) 14h00
Friday 12h45
Grade3:
Monday – Wednesday 15h00
Thursday 13h30
Friday 13h00
There is a staff member on duty at school from 07h00 each morning. Any pupil -arriving before this time must wait in their classroom.
There are a number of extra mural activities on offer at the school for Junior Prep
pupils in the afternoons. All arrangements for these extra mural activities are the responsibility of the parents and are at additional cost to school fees:
Monday
Playball 13h00 – 13h45 for Grade 0
Gymnastics 13h00 – 14h00 for Grade 0
13h15 – 14h15 for Grade 1
13h15 – 14h15 for Grade 2
Tuesday
Dance Mouse 13h00 – 13h30 for Grade 0
13h30 – 14h15 for Grade 1
14h15 – 15h00 for Grade 2
15h00 – 15h45 for Grade 3 and 4
Karate 14h15 – 15h00 for Grade 0 and 1
Wednesday
Judo 13h00 – 13h45 for Grade 0
13h45 – 14h30 for Grade 1
14h30 – 15h15 for Grade 2
Ballet 13h00 – 13h30 for Grade 0
13h30 – 14h00 for Grade 1
14h00 – 14h30 for Grade 2 and 3
Thursday
Tennis 13h00 – 13h30 for Grade 0
13h30 – 14h00 for Grade 1
14h00 – 14h30 for Grade 2 and 3
Gymnastics 13h00 – 14h00 for Grade 0
13h15 – 14h15 for Grade 1 and 2
Karate 14h15 – 15h00 for Grade 0 and 1
Names and contact numbers:
Carol Hemans ( Playball) 083 494 3991
Genetia King (Dance Mouse) 083 600 9626
Carl Braun (Karate) 072 238 6182
Paul Nothnagel (Judo) 082 920 2454
Jaqui Novello (Ballet) 082 679 6556
Joanne Webb (Tennis) 083 616 0144
Jenny Crawford (Gymnastics) 082 415 9859
Pupils may be left in Aftercare until their extra mural starts, but parents must realise that they will be charged for this service. Please arrange directly with Aftercare.
A waiting class is available from 12h45-13h45 in the Grade 0 playground. It is supervised by the assistant teachers and there is no charge. Pupils who are not collected by 13h45 will be signed into Aftercare and Aftercare rates will apply.
Aftercare
Aftercare commences at 12h45. A daily register is kept. There is a nominal charge for this facility. Those using Aftercare on an adhoc basis must sign the Aftercare Book in reception on the days the pupil will attend.
Lunch is served at 13h30 but may be staggered to accommodate the pupils’ sporting commitments. Fruit is served at 15h00 and juice and biscuits at 16h00.
The afternoon programme is designed to be informal and relaxing for the pupils.
Homework is supervised for Grade 1, 2 and 3 pupils if requested by parents. The rest of the afternoon the pupils are free to play, but organized activities such as painting, drawing and sports are included.
Pupils must be collected by 17h00.
Any pupil suffering from a potentially dangerous medical condition must follow the procedures as laid out in the school’s medical policy.
Pupils who have “life-threatening” allergies that require medication are requested to give the medication to Nonhlanhla at reception.
This medication must be labelled with the pupil’s name and the specific instructions required for treatment. All medication is kept in the office.
A number of the teaching staff are trained in first aid and will assist in the event of most medical emergencies. The school has a qualified sister on duty during school hours.
In the event of an illness at school, parents are notified immediately. The pupil will be made comfortable until the parents arrive to take the pupil home.