Phases
Our classes are small where we strive to provide a holistic programme to grow all facets of the child’s development.
The fundamental attitudes toward learning are formed and established during these seven years of schooling.
St Ursula’s School believes in enriching and developing young people’s lives through exposure to valuable life experiences.
ST URSULA’S SCHOOL
At our St Ursula’s Preschool, we create a nurturing and caring environment for your little ones. Our classes are small where we strive to provide a holistic programme to grow all facets of the child’s development – emotional, social, physical, intellectual and spiritual. Active, fun-filled and age-appropriate learning experiences are offered to enhance the potential of each child. We value and promote mutual love and respect between our learners, teachers and parents. We promote an educational platform where boys and girls develop a love of exploring learning.
- We build the future for the children to develop in a gentle and caring community that allows them to grow with confidence and resilience.
- Their education journey starts here. Grade RRR and RR focus on giving our little ones a solid grounding to develop their fine and gross motor skills through play, art and crafts, and their perceptual skills together with theme-related learning which leads into the beginning of the Foundation Phase.
- The Foundation Phase begins with Grade R which is situated at our Preschool, allowing the children to continue their learning in a smaller environment from the bigger school in the primary school. Being based where they completed their Grade RRR and RR gives them a sense of “home and comfort”. Crucial areas are covered in the Grade R syllabus including Numeracy and Literacy.
- Our school is a Catholic school which belongs to the Order of the Roman Union of Ursuline Sisters. However, no child is denied entry to our school based on their religion. Children of any religions are welcomed to our preschool, and we endeavour to develop a loving and meaningful relationship with God and Jesus for our children.
Preschool (Grades RRR - R)
Preschool
Curriculum and Daily Programme
In the preschool phase, much time is spent developing our children’s ability to cope emotionally and socially. As important are learning experiences and opportunities which lead to pre-reading and pre-mathematical skills.
Play is a vital component of the daily programme which allows our children to feel safe to explore and discover new learning practices.
In the preschool, the following curriculum is followed:
Life Skills which include – Life Orientation (Social and Emotional Wellbeing), Art and Culture (Music, Drama, Crafts, Art), Religious Education, Physical Education (Gross Motor Skills, swimming, running, ball games) and the perceptual skills relating to these areas.
Literacy (Language of Learning – English) – perceptual skills related to Literacy, listening and speaking skills, varied language skills which lead to pre-reading and phonic skills in Grade R
Numeracy – perceptual skills related to numeracy, pre-mathematical skills, basic counting songs, concept of space and shapes, number awareness, measurement and data handling.
The daily programme consists of:
Theme-related discussions
Literacy, Numeracy, Life Skills development
A wide range of creative activities
Play which is vital to the child’s social integration and physical development. Our timetable allows sufficient time, both indoors and out, for this. Our playground is spacious and shady with a large, grassed area equipped with a large sandpit, jungle gyms, etc.
Construction toys and perceptual games
Fantasy play
Storytelling and reading stories
Prayers are said at the beginning of the day, at break before they have their lunch and before leaving at the end of the day.
Assessment and Support Services
The Grade R Learning programmes meet the CAPS and the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement. Our most important objective is to achieve a level of readiness for formal schooling in Grade One.
Developmental Lags or Learning Difficulties – Assessment is continuous and if any area of concern is identified, we will call a meeting with the child’s parents to alert them to the possibility of a development lag or learning difficulty. Referrals to a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist or psychological services may be made for the child to have the opportunity to overcome the area of concern.
Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy – We have both a speech therapist and an occupational therapist who come to the school one day a week to give sessions to those who need them. This service is for the parent’s own account and most medical aids do allow for claims in both therapies.
Admissions and Contact Information
Those wishing to view our preschool should email or telephone 011 953 1078/9 and ask for Admissions – Mrs Voges to setup an appointment time. Likewise, if you wish to enrol your child in our preschool, the same email address or telephone number will apply.
This is a “magic” time in a child’s schooling career and we aim to ensure that they enjoy school and nurture a love of learning.
Primary School (Grades 1 - 7)
Primary school
Overview and Educational Approach
Grade 1 to 7 girls and boys attend our primary school.
There are three phases in the primary school:
The Foundation Phase consisting of Grade 1 (6 turning 7), Grade 2 (7 turning 8) and Grade 3 (8 turning 9)
The Intermediate Phase consisting of Grade 4 (9 turning 10), Grade 5 (10 turning 11) and Grade 6 (11 turning 12)
The Senior Phase consisting of Grade 7 (12 turning 13); the rest of the Phase are situated in the High School being Grade 8 (13 turning 14) and Grade 9 (14 turning 15)
The fundamental attitudes toward learning are formed and established during these seven years of schooling. We believe in a holistic approach to learning where the whole child is developed in the areas of social, emotional, physical and academic spheres. Our learners are given opportunities to grow in many areas such as self-confidence, critical thinking, independence and resilience while learning to respect the differences in one another. Our teachers strive to develop in our learners the many skills needed to be a well-rounded, successful learner who enjoys school and gives of their best.
In the Primary School, we strive to provide quality, relevant and innovative education for our learners. Our caring and nurturing environment fosters personal growth and excellent academics, by way of a dynamic curriculum taught by an enthusiastic and dedicated team of educators. Our approach is one of care, love and support with a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement, while we nurture and instil a firm sense of self-discipline and tolerance for others. Respect, tolerance and understanding is encouraged through action and example.
Curriculum
In the primary school, we follow the CAPS curriculum as a baseline. Our small classes and individualised approach to each teaching situation creates a wonderfully conducive learning environment. Fully qualified teachers allow for each child to develop at their own pace and level as far as possible, with plenty of opportunities for extension or remedial work, should the need arise. Progress reports for Grade 1 to Grade 7 are issued every term and sent home via email.
FOUNDATION PHASE – GRADE 1 TO 3
The subjects in these areas are the following:
English (Language of Teaching and Learning at St Ursula’s School)
Mathematics
Afrikaans (First Additional Language)
Computer Skills – Coding and Robotics included
Life Skills which include Beginning Knowledge, Life Orientation (Social and Emotional Wellbeing), Art and Culture (Art, Drama, Music), Physical Education (Gross motor activities and the different skills needed for the sporting codes are taught e.g. swimming), Religious Education (Lessons educating learners not only about the Catholic ethos which we ascribe to, but also knowledge, respect and tolerance for other religions and cultures) and Perceptual Skills
INTERMEDIATE PHASE – GRADE 4 TO 6
The subjects in the Intermediate Phase are the following:
English (Language of Teaching and Learning at St Ursula’s School)
Mathematics
Afrikaans (First Additional Language)
Natural Sciences and Technology
Social Sciences (Geography and History)
Computer Skills
Life Skills which include Life Orientation (Social and Emotional Wellbeing), Art and Culture (Art, Drama, Music), Physical Education (The different skills needed for the sporting codes are taught e.g. swimming), Religious Education (Lessons educating learners not only about the Catholic ethos which we ascribe to, but also knowledge, respect and tolerance for other religions and cultures)
SENIOR PHASE – GRADE 7
The subjects in the Senior Phase are the following:
English (Language of Teaching and Learning at St Ursula’s School)
Mathematics
Afrikaans (First Additional Language)
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences (Geography and History)
Economic and Management Sciences
Creative Arts (Art, Drama, Music)
Technology
Computer Skills
Life Orientation (Social and Emotional Wellbeing), Physical Education (The different skills needed for the sporting codes are taught e.g. swimming)
Religious Education (Lessons educating learners not only about the Catholic ethos which we ascribe to, but also knowledge, respect and tolerance for other religions and cultures)
Extramural Activities and Events
PRIMARY SCHOOL EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES
St Ursula’s School believes in enriching and developing young people’s lives through exposure to valuable life experiences. We believe that sporting activities play an important role in the self-development of a child. Exposure to sport gives the learner the opportunity to showcase their talent, create friendships and learn valuable lessons when winning isn’t always possible. Our sport and cultural activities walk hand in hand with the Christian ethos of our school.
The primary school offers the following sporting codes:
Swimming
Athletics
Netball and Mini-Netball
Soccer and Mini-Soccer
Mini-Cricket
St Ursula’s School encourages, supports and recognises the individual achievements and participation in sporting codes not on offer at the school to allow for personal talent identification.
The cultural activities which are offered by the primary school are:
Chess Club
Drama Club
Dance Club
Marimbas
Board Games Club
Recorder Club
Coding and Robotics Club
Art Club
The primary school has both a Foundation Phase and Intersen Choir. We participate in the Catholic Schools Choir events yearly.
Every year:
The Grade RRR to R put on a Nativity Play at the end of the year.
Grade 1 to 3 have their annual concert yearly.
Grade 4 to 7 have a play yearly with the Grade 7s in the leading parts.
We hold a yearly Art Exhibition in our school hall for the Grade 1-3 and Grade 4-7.
At the end of the year, the school holds the Annual Carol Service at which the Choirs perform.
High School (Grades 8 - 12)
High School
Overview
High School caters from grade 8 to 12, where we follow the CAPS curriculum as a baseline. Our small classes and individualised approach to each teaching situation creates a wonderfully conducive learning environment.
We believe that every child is a masterpiece. Therefore, the St Ursula’s ethos is designed to strengthen each individual’s unique qualities, be it in academics, sports or cultural activities. Our students are given an opportunity to use their voice for good, to make positive choices and to take ownership of their actions, to empower them to become future leaders.
