Preparatory

Preparatory

Academics

Our preparatory school is a happy place where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and share their natural passion for learning about their world. We all share a common goal – that is our responsibility to each and every individual pupil in our school. The children are given the intellectual and emotional nourishment that will help them to reach their full potential.
 

The emphasis at this level is to lay the foundations for learning in a fun-filled and integrated manner, and to encourage respect and resilience. We follow an integrated curriculum presented in a “hands-on” approach, but more formal styles of teaching are also incorporated in some areas.
 

Wherever possible, learning activities are child-centred, and children are encouraged to think critically and share responsibility in the learning process. The learning is theme based, which encourages the pupils to explore and research age-appropriate topics. These themes bring learning to life and are extended by educational outings and tours, to expand their knowledge and interests.
 

Our class work includes group work, individual and group projects, brainstorming, critical thinking, speeches, drama, experimental activities, outdoor exploration, and many more valuable life skill activities which add richness to our school day. Should a student require academic remedial help, we have the privilege of an academic support department, AEC (Academic Enrichment Centre), with professional support staff in the different remedial disciplines such as speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, remedial assistance, and psychology services.

Two young boys are looking at a book together in a classroom.
Two young boys are sitting at a desk in a classroom.

Foundation Phase - Grade 1 to Grade 3

Subjects

Learners are exposed to a variety of subjects during the school day, such as:

  • EdTech and Robotics
  • Art
  • Instruments (violin, drums, and recorder)
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Design & Technology
  • IsiZulu
  • Afrikaans
  • Life Orientation, including Global Competencies
  • Guided Reading

Intermediate Phase - Grade 4 to Grade 7

Subjects

  • English HL
  • Maths
  • Afrikaans FAL
  • isiZulu FAL
  • Social Sciences: History Geography (SS)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Design & Technology
  • Life Orientation (Gr 7)
  • Life Skills (Gr 4 – 6)
  • EMS (Grade 7 only)
  • EdTech (Computer Literacy)
  • Robotics
  • Physical Education

Cultural Clubs for Foundation Phase and Intersen Phase

Cultural Clubs take place during school hours. We offer a variety of choices to the pupils in which they can explore and enrich themselves with creativity.

The pupils can choose a different club each term.

  • Creative Movement
  • Board Games
  • First Aid Club
  • Thinking Club (Train your brain)
  • Computer Club
  • Junior Book Club
  • Walking Club
  • Fine Motor Club
  • Lego Club
  • Art Club
  • International Club
  • Gardening Club
  • Science Club
  • Comprehension Club
  • Chess Club
  • Junior Marimba (Grade 2 and Grade 3 only)
  • Choir
  • Origami
  • Craft Club
  • Film Club
  • Photography

School Hours

The school gates will officially open at 07:00. Parents are encouraged not to drop their children off too early, as the days can become very long.

School hours are as follows:     

Academic/Integrated Day

Grade 1 – 2: 

07:30 - 13:30 (Mon – Friday)

Academic Day 

Grade 3:

07:30 - 13:30 (Mon-Friday)

Grade 4 - 7: 

07:30 - 13:40 (Mon – Friday)

Mid-term/ End of Term: 

 07:30 – 12:00 

 14:00 (Aftercare)

Extra-Curricular:   

Grade 3 – 7: 

14:00 – 15:00 and 15:00 – 16:00

Administration Staff: 

07:15 – 15:30 during the term

07:15 – 14:00 on Fridays and

08:00 – 13:00 in the holidays

Waiting class is offered from 14:00pm for Grade 1 and 2 children who have siblings in Grade 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. Pupils who are not collected 30 minutes after the close of school or 30 minutes after the completion of their extracurricular activity will be booked into aftercare.

Sport

1st Term

Tennis

Swimming

Cricket

Squash

2nd Term

Hockey

Netball

Rugby

Soccer

Tennis 

Cross Country

Girls Soccer

Squash

3rd Term

Soccer

Cricket

Swimming

Girls Soccer

Tennis

Athletics

Squash

Aftercare

Welcome to Aftercare

Your home away from home provides a safe environment for children who cannot be collected after regular school hours. This service is applicable to children from Grade 1 to Grade 7.

 

Operating Times

Aftercare runs during the term, Monday to Friday from 13h30 to 17h30.

A playground with a slide and a rope ladder in a park.

Fees

Grade 1 - 7

Full Time: Per annum R16 000 (January to December) R1 330 (per month over 12 months) 

Ad Hoc R120 per day or part thereof

R15 200 if full fee is paid by 20th January


Children not collected after school

Children not collected after school by 14:00 will be taken to Accommodation class. At 15:00 those children not yet collected will be taken to Aftercare. Parents will be charged R120.00 per afternoon, or part thereof.

Basic Operations

  • Aftercare staff are responsible for the children from arrival to departure. A daily attendance register is taken, and parents sign their children out upon collection. 
  • Children meet at the Tuckshop area after school
  • The children are divided into groups based on their grade and each group has a designated assistant assigned to them.
  • During this time, every reasonable precaution is taken to provide a safe and secure environment.
  • Parents are to notify the head of aftercare in writing should a third party be given consent to collect their child.
  • Aftercare will close at 14h00 on days when school closes for half-term and at the end of term.

Extra Mural Activities

Parents are to inform the head of aftercare of their child’s extramural commitments. Once the child is fetched by a designated Service Provider the responsibility will immediately fall upon that person. Aftercare will resume responsibility when the child is brought back and signed in by the aftercare staff. Grade 4 to 7 children attend activities independently.

A group of children are playing soccer on a field.

Meals

The school's catering service provider will provide a nutritious lunch and afternoon snack. Drinking water is always available. (Special dietary requirements are catered for where possible.)

General

  • Bathrooms are gender specific from Grade 1 and integration between phases is discouraged and closely monitored.
  • The school Code of Conduct will be adhered to.

Homework

  • Grade 1, 2 and 3 children do not get homework. Parents are required to do reading at home with the child as this is a one-on-one activity.



  • Grade 4 to 7 children are expected to complete their homework independently at the Prep School in the classroom provided. Assistance is available for these children. Tests and projects requiring independent research and study time should be completed at home. These aspects remain the responsibility of the individual child and his/her parents. Whilst these children are given appropriate assistance at Aftercare, it is imperative that parents reinforce homework and that they monitor and sign homework diaries daily.

Academic Enrichment Centre

A centre responsible for facilitating the implementation of programmes that will serve to encourage learners to utilise their talents, enhance their skills and experience self-confidence.
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Aftercare

Southdowns College houses a state of the art after-care facility on the premises for children from grades 000 to 6. Care is taken to ensure the children receive sufficient homework supervision and work in different age appropriate methods.
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Contact us

Preparatory – sfoley@southdownscollege.co.za
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