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Schools

St Catherine’s Convent offers education from Grade 0000 to Grade 12. In our Primary School, we have one class from Grades 0000 to Grade 6. At St Catherine’s Convent, Grade 7 is incorporated into the High School and from Grade 8 we have two classes through to Grade 12.

St Catherine’s Convent Structure

We endeavour to keep our classes small in order to provide individual attention and quality focus to all our learners.

For the Pre-primary and Primary School, we have an aftercare facility where our learners are given a hot lunch each day, their homework is supervised and other activities are offered to stimulate and extend the normal classroom activities.

For the High School, we offer Study in the afternoon, where the learners may complete their homework, study for tests or receive extra lessons where applicable.

Many of our sporting disciplines have outside coaches and trainers and we offer specialised attention in tennis, hockey, netball, dancing and drama.  Our ideal of a well-rounded learner is further enhanced with the addition of singing and music as a part of our curriculum.

Grades 0000 to Grade R

St Catherine’s Convent Primary School is divided into the Foundation Phase and the Intermediate Phase.  Although there are two phases in the Primary School, there is a flow of knowledge, expectations and expertise between these two phases.  Each Phase is professionally led by its own Phase Director, who oversees the smooth running of that phase and liaises with the teachers of both her phase and the other phases within the school.  This model of interaction is what enables the smooth transition of learners and learning between the different phases of the school, so creating a seamless and stress-free advancement in a learner’s educational experience.

St Catherine’s Convent High School is divided into the GET (General Education and Training) and the FET (Further Education and Training) phases.   We integrate Grade 7 into our High School as this is the first year in an important learning phase

Phase 1

Foundation Phase: Grade 0, 1, 2 & 3

St Catherine’s Convent’s Foundation Phase sets out to achieve not only high levels of academic knowledge, but also to teach skills, attitudes, values and accountability in all our learners.  These are qualities and characteristics that will enable them to successfully face the challenges of the higher grades and of life in general.

We follow a holistic approach, recognising that each child is a complex entity – a wonderful blend of the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and normative beings. The philosophy that the first seven years of a child’s life are the most crucial to their later spiritual and emotional well being, is well recognised at St Catherine’s and consequently it is of the utmost importance to us, that we create the correct environment in which a child can develop their true potential.  Our cheerfully decorated classrooms packed with learning materials and resources aid in making the learning experience a positive one.

At St Catherine’s Convent we know that if education is going to be a positive and uplifting experience, then it must be delivered with love and enthusiasm.

St Catherine’s Convent has highly qualified and dedicated class teachers who facilitate the learning experiences of the children. Specialist teachers in the fields of Physical Education, Information Technology, Music, Speech & Drama and Religion are employed to deal with these particular areas of the curriculum.
Children are observed and assessed on an ongoing basis in order that consolidation of knowledge, remediation of difficulties and extension of learning can occur. Parents are kept informed of their children’s progress through a written report at the end of each term as well as regular parent-teacher consultations.
In order to make learning as exciting as possible, regular day-excursions are planned for the children as well as invitations being extended to visiting theatre groups and people from the community to perform for or speak to the children.
Our Foundation Phase curriculum includes learning activities and areas such as Pre-Literacy, Pre-Numeracy, Life Skills, Religious Education, Speech and Drama, Music, Art, Media User Guidance, Physical Education and Computer Literacy. St Catherine’s Foundation Phase is a happy and relaxed environment where we aim to foster positive thinking and boost self-confidence.

Phase 2

The Intermediate Phase:  Grades 4, 5 and 6

The love of learning and academic basis that is laid out in the Foundation Phase is built upon and expanded in the Intermediate Phase.

St Catherine’s Convent endeavours to introduce our learners to a wide range of learning activities , some of which include English Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language, Mathematics, Religion, Natural Science, Social Science including History and Geography, Economic Management Sciences, Life Orientation and Computers. They also study Art, Music, Drama, Media and participate in a full physical education programme.

St Catherine’s Convent understands that it is during this crucial phase that the techniques for effective learning are often introduced.  This is the phase where a learner needs to learn how to summarise, study and make notes and so we offer study skills courses in order to assist learners in finding their optimal learning techniques.

Regular outings, shows at school and sporting activities supplement the classroom learning.  There is a sports’ hour incorporated into the timetable, during which time learners can choose to participate in activities such as Speech and Drama, Arts and Crafts or sports coaching and games.

Phase 3

The Get Phase:  Grades 7, 8 and 9

Grades 7, 8 and 9 learners follow the National Curriculum for the General Education and Training (GET) level, focusing on knowledge, values, attitudes and skills.

St Catherine’s Convent encourages learners to develop a strong sense of responsibility for learning in the key areas.  These include focus on languages such as English Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language and German Second Additional Language.  We also offer Social Science, which consists of History and Geography, Natural Sciences consisting of Physical Science and Life Science, Mathematics, Economic and Management Sciences, Life Orientation, Physical Education and Religious Education.  Learners also study towards the ICDL computer examinations.

It is essential that learners obtain the necessary background in these subjects as, at the end of the GET phase, they will need to select their matriculation subjects.

St Catherine’s Convent learners are also provided study skills training to assist them.  The Grade 9 learners are also assessed and counselled to assist them in their subject choices for the FET phase.  Learners, parents and educators meet to discuss the learner’s options and best choices for the future.

Phase 4

The FET Phase:  Grades 10, 11 and 12

Currently Grade 10 follows the CAPS (Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements) Curriculum while Grades 11 to 12 follow the National Curriculum for the National Senior Certificate, the exit point of the Further Education and Training (FET) level. Learners are prepared for their final National Senior Certificate examinations which are written at the end of Grade 12. The school has had a 100% pass rate for over 40 years in these examinations.

Learners are required to study seven subjects during grades 10, 11 and 12. Four of these are compulsory subjects:

  • English Home Language
  • Afrikaans First Additional Language
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
  • Life Orientation.

Learners must also choose one subject from each of these three packages:

  1. Accounting or Geography or Computer Applications Technology
  2. Physical Science or History
  3. Business Studies or Life Sciences

Learners are offered Advanced Programme Mathematics, as an additional subject, which is offered in the afternoons.

Assessment is conducted continuously in all phases and the results are reported to parents on a regular basis. Formal reports are issued at the beginning of each cycle. Parents’ evenings are held in each of the phases and provide the opportunity for parents and educators to discuss the progress of the learners. Phase Heads and educators are also available for individual interviews should the need arise.

In the high school study sessions are available every afternoon for learners to do additional supervised work.

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