Junior Primary

Grade 0 - Grade 3

Message from the Principal

St Teresa’s Junior Primary is situated in the leafy suburb of Craighall Park. We are a Catholic school, welcoming girls of all faiths. Our school is a happy place filled with busy, cheerful and content young girls. Our girls excel in this nurturing environment, which sees each child as special in her own unique way. The relationship between the staff and the girls is one of mutual respect and compassion.

Our Mercy Ethos permeates our whole school day. We start each day together with a Christian message, prayers and a song of praise. This sets the tone for the day. As we strive to always do our best during the day, to reach our full potential, we do this in a caring way, mindful of the needs of others. Our girls learn the Christian values of living harmoniously through cooperation, compassion, fair play, forgiveness and honesty. There is one overriding rule at the Junior Primary and that is to “Be Kind”.

We are ever aware that we are educating the whole child, mind, body and soul. It is therefore vital to balance academic and physical pursuits. Our girls gain confidence, self-discipline and learn the value of team spirit, as they enjoy a variety of physical and cultural activities that are offered both during and after school.

Unconditional acceptance and love of the child leads to happy, confident children who feel secure enough to explore and take risks. Our staff works together enthusiastically, keeping abreast of the latest education trends to develop the girls’ skills and knowledge, enabling them to deal with the challenges in education and life that lie ahead.

We encourage a Growth Mindset in our girls. This mindset promotes persistence, thinking outside of the box, lateral thinking, creativity and the freedom to discover and explore.

I invite you to contact us, to visit and see the school for yourselves, to experience classes in action and to meet the teachers.

I look forward to the opportunity to greet you on our campus in the near future.

Mrs Lynne Elfick
Principal: Junior Primary

Academics

St Teresa’s Junior Primary School prides itself on offering academic excellence in a Catholic learning environment for girls from Grade 00 to Grade 3. By providing a sound, balanced, purposeful and broad-based education, the foundations for the child’s further education are laid. We endeavour to create a loving, secure and structured family environment in which each child is made to feel special. This provides the perfect climate for each child to reach her full potential spiritually, academically and socially.

During the Pre-Primary years, we believe that social interaction, movement and sensory development are vital for the sound development of both sides of the brain. Our teachers incorporate these into their daily routines, while also making use of outside specialists in the field. As the life of young children after school hours has become more sedentary, with an increase of screen time, we are now finding that it is not only movement, gross motor and spatial acuity that is needed. Jarring movement, specific spatial movement, engaging the vestibular system, balancing, twisting and sensory opportunities are also required. Our playground and daily activities are continually evolving to include these opportunities for our children.

During the Junior Primary years from Grade 1-3 the main focus is on the three integral learning areas of English, Mathematics and Life Skills. By incorporating the best approaches from a variety of educational systems, the teaching methodologies adopted ensure that high standards are always maintained. All children are encouraged to work collaboratively as well as individually, to cultivate a Growth Mindset by following the Habits of Mind in their approach to learning. The Habits of Minds are a set of 16 problem solving, life related skills that are necessary to effectively operate in society and to promote strategic reasoning, insightfulness, perseverance, creativity and craftsmanship.

Computer-based learning and interaction is also offered, during which the Knowledge Network Programme is followed. This programme enables the accelerated and progressive development of ICT skills in the Windows environment using MS Office software and other applications. During project-based lessons, the relevant computer skills are acquired together with the simultaneous development of the following thinking skills: listening, concentration, memory, lateral thinking, creativity, problem-solving, research, planning, time management and user-independence. In addition, visually stimulating interactive e-Learning programmes such as Mathletics and Reading Eggs are used.

Subjects Offered in Grade 1 - 3

English
Mathematics
Life Skills
Afrikaans
Zulu
Religious Education (including First Holy Communion)
Visual Art
Dramatic Art
Music
Physical Education
Computer Literacy
Library

St Teresa’s Junior Primary School also offers individual or group support in areas where intervention is deemed necessary to Grade 1 learners.

Bridging classes in English and Mathematics are offered to selected girls in Grade 2 and 3. These classes follow the same curriculum as the mainstream classes, however, they give children in need the chance to learn in a small class scenario under the guidance of remedial teachers.

Extra Murals

St Teresa’s Junior Primary School encourages participation in a variety of Cultural and Sporting Extra Mural activities for their many positive developmental and health benefits. The rewards of Extra Mural activities in schools have been researched extensively, and results have shown that children who participate in these activities show higher academic results, have stronger inter-personal relationships and are more likely to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

Participation in Extra Murals introduces children to a whole new range of activities and empowers them to achieve their full potential. It also gives children the opportunity to develop particular skills and exhibit their non-academic abilities. We endeavor to promote a positive attitude during Extra Murals by providing an enjoyable and fulfilling experience encompassing teamwork, team spirit and service to others.

Both school and private Extra Murals are offered.

School Extra Murals offered are:

Ed on the Go – Playball (Grade 00 & 0)
Drama Club (Grade 1)
Reading Eggs (Grade 1)
Science & Nature (Grade 1)
Scripture Union (Grade 1 & 2)
Choir (Grade 1,2 & 3)
Tennis (Grade 1,2 & 3)
Swimming (Grade 2 & 3)
Folk Dancing (Grade 2)
Chess (Grade 2 & 3)
Chimes (Grade 2 & 3)
Hockey (Grade 2 & 3)
Netball (Grade 2 & 3)
Mathletics (Grade 2 & 3)
Xylophone (Grade 2 & 3)
Athletics (Grade 3)
Critical Thinking (Grade 3)
Cross Country (Grade 3)

Junior Primary Sport

Our Grade 1 to 3 Sport Programme aims to develop competence in the child to perform gross motor skills at an age appropriate level, in preparation for competitive sports at a later stage. Enjoyment is a large focus of the Sports Programme together with the development of self-confidence and the enthusiasm to take part in physical activities.

SPORT

Games are introduced to the children in Junior Primary as an introduction to Sport. It is here that the children develop teamwork, sportsmanship and co-operation in a physical, fun environment. Participation is key to learning in this phase and all children are given the opportunity to participate. During this time, sporting skills are developed and by Grade 3 children are starting to take part in selected competitive interschool events.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education complements the Sports Programme with the focus in Junior Primary being on gross motor skills, movement, games and ball skills (including tennis). All our lessons are stimulating and promote a feeling that physical fitness is fun, which in turn, develops a desire to want to participate in sports later on.

‘Phys. Ed to Go’ is included in the school timetable to enhance the physical development of the Grade 0 and 00 children. This has a direct bearing on their academic skills. As Physical Education classes are integral to the complete education of each child, the lessons are incorporated into the school day.

School sports offered are:
Summer

Athletics
Cross country
Netball
Swimming
Tennis

Winter

Hockey
Netball