Preparatory Academics

As a staff, we continued to strive for excellence and were constantly challenged to create an effective environment for critical thinking and learning to take place. With the continued use of Technology and the introduction of AI, it becomes essential to adapt the manner in which we teach our children.

The pupils themselves resiliently faced the challenges of an ever-changing educational environment, finding it both demanding and exciting at times.

The Junior Primary classrooms received new furniture during the course of the year, and this resulted in a marked change to the set-up of the classrooms. These were turned into learning areas that generated creative ideas and promoted collaboration. It created a refreshing and exciting new environment for the pupils to work in.

Reading picnics, concerts, travelling shows, festivals, market days, school tours, and open days opened the channels of learning and communication. These events always generate great interest and are thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Our innovative Assessment Programme has proved to be beneficial in changing the way in which we assess our pupils. Formal assessments are not the only manner in which we evaluate our pupils’ progress. The children have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, and our aim is to provide them with the necessary skills to use and apply this information. As a result, pupils no longer need to learn pages of facts and dates, but do need to know how to put this information to good use. Group work promotes collaboration and pupils need to learn how to work with their peers and also respect their differing points of view.

During the course of the year, we have been able to provide the necessary accommodations to pupils who require extra support. We are grateful for the care and expertise of the retired staff members and professionals who have acted as scribes and readers for these pupils during tests and examinations.

Examinations, for our Grade Six and Seven Pupils, took place at both mid-year and at the end of the year. Our pupils also wrote external assessments, such as the Conquesta, and the Shared Assessment in Grade 7. These assessments are very valuable as they provide us with a benchmark to ensure we are attaining the best possible results.

Our staff attended cluster meetings throughout the year, which enabled them to keep up to date with changing ideas and teaching methods in each subject. We embrace the fact that we are able to be flexible in our choice of topics that we teach and that we are able to explore topics that are current and relevant.

Our Deputies were privileged to attend the Deputy Heads Conference this year, where we were able to build relationships with other school leaders nationally. The significance of teaching soft skills such as compassion, understanding, appreciation of others, respect, collaboration, and resilience was a common thread brought to the fore at the conference. These skills should be taught in all schools during these challenging times.

Thank you to all the staff who have worked tirelessly, and with such passion, to provide the best learning opportunities for our pupils.

‘Learning is not the product of teaching.

Learning is the product of the activity of learners.’

– John Holt

Biffy Symons

Deputy Head of Academics