- Chesterhouse has on-site Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists
- A NILD (National Institute for Learning Disabilities)<> therapist is available on-site twice a week. It provides focused educational treatment for vulnerable cognitive systems. Weekly group stimulation sessions are conducted by Occupational Therapists in the Reception classes.
- A group of
- Our Speech and Language Therapist runs a language enrichment group for children whose home language is not English.
- Annual professional Occupational Therapy, Visual, Hearing and Speech Screening is arranged for Nursery, Reception and Year 1.
- We work in collaboration with outside professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Counseling Psychologists and Pediatricians.
- The
- A timetabled Life Orientation programme runs in the
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The Chesterhouse Curriculum
At Chesterhouse we believe that all children have different learning styles. This means that each child learns best when they are learning according to their learning style. At the moment we are in the early stages of profiling each child's specific learning style. Once this has been achieved it will be possible for the teacher's to teach each child according to their specific learning style, thereby helping each child to achieve their potential.
Students entering Year 1 are immersed into a welcoming environment surrounded by literacy, numeracy; embedded in our core subjects, including IT and technology. The year is started building a group atmosphere while still meeting the needs of the individual students. The individual instruction meets the tactile/kinesthetic, auditory and visual needs of each learner.
Students are taught to become independent, life-long learners through cross-curricular instruction. This is accomplished through immersed personalized instruction, environmental excursions, broad range of literacy and numeracy experiences, co-teaching introducing different teaching techniques. All of these techniques are to develop critical, problem solving thinkers.
This is the final year in Keystage 2 and pupils have at this stage learnt the beginning stages of the classroom dynamic - respect for others, respect for possessions and taking turns in engaging in "carpet discussions". These skills are nurtured in our children from a young age ensuring the ability to engage in activities with an open mind. Emphasis is still on Literacy, Numeracy and Science, although a wide range of curriculum based activities are taught to prepare the child for Year 3 (Grade 3) and Keystage 2.
The beginnings of core subject
matter such as science are taught in a way as to positively capture the
interest of the child and make life long learning of interesting facts
of the world around them a part of their daily lives. Excursions in this
regard are enjoyed by the children and the importance of experiencing
learning inside and outside the classroom are creatively linked.
SATS exams are written by the pupils at the end of Year 2 as per the British
National Curriculum. These are designed to ensure that children are ready
for the next phase of their schooling - Keystage 2.
Year 3- a most exciting, creative and challenging year. In addition to Poetry, Drama, Art, Music, English, Afrikaans, Mathematics and Information Technology, we do many exciting themes in History, Geography and Science. Our favourite Science themes are Zoology and Endangered Species in Term 3 and Electricity in Term4. Our favourite History themes are Ancient Egypt in Term1, Anglo- Saxon and Vikings in Term 2, The Explorers in Term 3 and Our Heros (people who have changed the world) in Term4. We loved the themes on Mapwork, World Geography and Climatology in Geography.
We go on many outings that help us learn more about our themes. Our most favourite outing was to Robben Island to learn more about our hero, Nelson Mandela, our former president.
We also went to Butterfly World to learn about butterflies and also had the chance to make friends with their snakes!
Literature is our most fun- filled time of the day. We read and study so many amazing books. Our favourite are: The Owl who was afraid of the Dark, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte’s Web and The Sheep Pig. We wrote and performed our own play about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Year 3 is such fun!
Year
4
In year four there is an emphasis on problem solving and independence.
Children are taught to be more independent and given more responsibility.
They are encouraged to explore their own methods in order to solve problems.
The children are also encouraged to develop their own ideas and complete
work in ways that suit them.
The curriculum is both interesting and challenging with the focus being on Literacy, Numeracy and Science. Art and Design and Technology are used to develop the children's creativity and allows them to express themselves. Our History and Geography curriculum has been supplemented by South African based topics that make it more relevant to our learners.
Appropriate Literacy and Numeracy skills for this age group are essential and Year 5 is the year in which these have to be adequately mastered by the pupils to ensure that the preparation for the transition into the Senior School is of an acceptable level.
The importance of good Numeracy levels are essential to our Year 5 teachers. As a result, the Maths Streaming Programme is currently being piloted at Chesterhouse in which the two Year 5 classes have been divided into two maths ability groups. Lessons are given separately to these two groups to ensure that adequate attention and focus on the skills needed are aimed at the pupils' level. This programme also ensures that our teachers are able to actively engage with the pupils and make a difference in consolidating the concepts that affect a child's ability to learn maths.
Core subjects such as Science, ITC and Technology, Music and Languages, are taught and projects are done throughout the year and become a vital tool in ensuring that the pupils' interests are positively engaged.
Art is a crucial aspect of the Year 5 group and artistic concepts such as perspective, colour, line and texture are introduced. The practical implementation of these is the focus for this age group and some true masterpieces proudly adorn our corridors. The Year 5 pupils actively engage in Physical Education lessons which include elements of dance and movement; gymnastics; swimming and ball games. This physical activity provides a vital outlet to channel energy effectively and promote optimal learning in the classroom.
Year 6 is the final year of the children's primary school career. The children write two major forms of assessment towards the end of the year. In September they write the IEB Core Skills Test which tests the children's ability to use all the skills they have gathered throughout their senior primary careers to help them solve certain problems. This is the test used to assess the children's development with regards to critical thinking skills and cross-curricular problem-solving at the end of the South African primary school system. In November they also write the SATS (Standard Assessment Tests) series of exams in Mathematics, Literacy and Science. These are the national tests used in the United Kingdom at the end of the primary school curriculum to assess the children's progress. With both of these test series' forming a focal point for the year, our curriculum is a unique combination of the best aspects of both the British and South African curricula.
English
The English Department offers English as the school's first language. Students in the senior school do the Independent Examination Board's GETC (General Education and Training Certificate) in Form 3, which entails submitting a portfolio of written work at the end of Form 3, as well as writing the school's own examination. At the start of Form 4 we switch to Cambridge courses. In Form 4 and 5 the Students study the IGCSE course, which is divided into Language and Literature. In Form 6 students have the option of choosing English Language, English Literature or English Language/Literature. Students who wish to attain a University exemption must take English. The course teaches and assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, enabling students to communicate confidently and effectively in English.
Afrikaans
Second Language - Junior
It is important to cultivate a positive attitude towards Afrikaans. The
teaching of Afrikaans should be fun and enjoyed by the pupils in a relaxed
classroom atmosphere.
Afrikaans is introduced to the pupils in Year 2 by listening to stories
and by playing games to become familiar with the language.
From Year 3 up to Year 6 we work according to a theme. These themes are
compiled by the teacher and includes reading, listening, speaking and
writing.
The emphasis being basic comprehension and acquiring the ability to communicate
fluently, either verbally or in written work.
Afrikaans
Second Language - Senior
We aim to develop the ability to use Afrikaans effectively for the purpose
of practical communication and to form a sound base for the skills required
for further study and employment using Afrikaans as a medium. An important
aspect is the awareness of the nature of the language and language learning
skills. The receptive skills of Reading and Listening and the productive
skills of Writing and Speaking will be assessed.
This French Department offers French as a Foreign Language and caters for local students who study French as a third language, as well as the foreign student who can choose French as a second language instead of Afrikaans. Students acquire listening, reading, writing and speaking skills and are assessed on each of these levels, enabling them to communicate effectively and confidently in French. Students are also exposed to and develop an appreciation for French culture.
The aim of this course is to:
- stimulate students interest in their surroundings and in the variety of human and physical conditions which go to creating global social diversity.
- to foster, in the students, a sense of wonder at the complexity of our social environment
- help students develop an informed concern about the quality of their environment by making use of sound geographic and historical techniques of analysis and appraisal. This is designed to enhance the students sense of responsibility towards the care of the earth and its people
- to promote a better understanding of a wide range of peoples, cultures, places and environments at different times and scales around the world.
- to provide students with the tools to acquire and apply knowledge and understanding from both a geographic and a historical perspective.
- to develop a range of investigative and problem – solving skills and resources.
The Commerce Department offers Accounting, Business Studies and Economic and Management Studies. The curriculum requires students to study the macro and micro environments which impact on business. In addition to the curriculum, the course focuses on important skills such as entrepreneurship, put into practice on our Market Day and through other simulation games such as the JSE/Liberty Life Challenge.
Information Communication Technology
The aim of Information Communication Technology is to introduce and keep students abreast of the ever changing and advancing field. The development of these skills can be applied inside and outside of the academic environment. Starting in Year 1, carrying through to Form 6, ICT is an integral part of a specialised class, giving applied computer skills up through networking and programming.
Technology is not just about computers, cellphones and technical equipment. It is about problem solving, critical thinking and applying skill to everyday issues. The Technology program at Chesterhouse aims to build these skills in students through a range of theory and practical application. The students cover topics ranging from technical writing to systems and controls.
IGCSE Biology
Biology syllabus is designed as a two-year course. The course is offered at two levels, core and extended. Candidates write three examinations which include multiple choice, structured and practical question papers.
Considerable emphasis is placed on understanding and use of scientific ideas and principles in many different situations. It includes those which are familiar to the learner and those which are new to them.
IGCSE Physical Science is a two-year course offered on two levels, core and extended. Candidates write three examinations which include multiple-choice, structured and practical question papers.
The syllabus covers the following topics:
Physics: motion, forces, energy and power, thermal physics, waves, light, sound, electrostatics, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, cathode rays and nuclear physics.
Chemistry: particle nature of matter, experimental techniques, atoms, elements and compounds, bonding, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, acids, bases and salts, the periodic table, metals, air and water, lime and limestone and organic chemistry.
AS Level Biology
Biology is a one year course. The syllabus places great emphasis on the understanding and application of scientific concepts and priciples. A thorough introduction to the study of Biology is also given.
AS candidates are required to write three examinations which include multiple choice, structured and practical question papers.
The syllabus covers the following main topics : Cell Structure, Biological molecules, Enzymes, Cell Membranes + transport, Cell and Nuclear division, Genetic control, Transport, Gas exchange, Infectious disease, Immunity, Ecology.
AS Level Physics is a one-year course. Candidates write three examinations which include multiple-choice, structured and practical question papers.
The syllabus covers the following topics: physical quantities and units, measurement techniques, kinetics, dynamics, forces, energy and power, phases of matter, deformation of solids, waves and superposition, electric fields, electric currents and circuits, nuclear physics.
Chesterhouse recognizes the need
to identify and support students with barriers to learning. We strive
to enable them to reach their full potential within our school community.
The School practices a multi-disciplinary approach coordinated by a full
time learning support teacher. The following additional services are provided:
