Senior School
The Senior School comprises a Middle School (Grades 7-9) and a High School (Grade 10-12).
As in any school academics is first and foremost the top priority, but in the words of the Headmaster, Justin Skea: “Though we must deliver a top class academic education to your child, we will never focus on academics alone, because that would mean that we are neglecting the whole child. Guidance means we teach the child, but we also mentor, care, cherish, counsel and advise. We are committed to challenging each child with gentleness and respect, showing unfailing patience and kindness.”
At the beginning of 2011, the Senior School introduced the Mentor Programme monitoring a relationship between two people (mentor and mentee) based upon mutual trust and respect.
This mentoring programme consists of smaller mentor classes, where each teacher in the Senior School is involved in mentoring a small group of students. The mentor programme is based on the “16 Guidelines for Life”, a set of direct and practical tools for making life better.
These guidelines provide a simple, robust framework for reflecting on the ways we think, speak, act and find meaning in life, and for creating the causes of true happiness and fulfilment. Every fortnight a different theme is addressed. Every week, the themes are discussed and challenges are provided for the mentees. The mentees then reflect on these challenges by writing down their thoughts in a journal. The aim of implementing this programme is to give our pupils an opportunity to create a framework of living which genuinely benefits themselves and others.
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Mentoring is a powerful tool for personal development and empowerment. It is an effective way of helping people to progress in their careers and is becoming increasing popular as its potential is realised. "Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be." |
In addition to the Mentor Programme, the Senior School also provides:
A Grade 8 Bridging course (Mathematics, English and Study Skills) within first two weeks of academic year to pick up on any areas requiring special attention; quarterly reporting on pupils' progress; weekly academic testing; an Academic support programme; a homework/study facility; opportunities to compete in Mathematics/Science/Technology/History and other Olympiads, Expos and competitions; Grades 8 – 11 participation in the JSE Challenge; Peer tutoring is run during break times and TEFL teaching is provided for pupils with language barriers.
