The School is guided by these core values:
Integrity
- Consistency of actions and values. Maintenance of social, ethical and school standards; adherence to one’s code of conduct and principles.
- Honesty: Engages with people in an open and forthright manner, represents information accurately and completely. Does the right thing, even when no one is looking.
- Keeps commitments: Does what one says one will.
- Trust: Behaves in such a way as to earn the trust of others through consistency in words and deeds.
- Authenticity: Stays true to one’s value system in the face of adversity.
- Sportsmanship: Has a desire to win balanced by humility and is able to concede defeat with grace.
Respect
- Positive regard for self, others, the environment and property with a no-harm attitude to all.
- Well-mannered: Courteous towards people and their feelings. Being polite in all interactions.
- Tolerant: Maintains human dignity – Treats people as equals; recognises and accepts what is unique about them.
- Considerate: Thoughtful to others and their feelings.
- Self-respect: Stands tall, feels proud and values oneself.
Determination
- Makes a conscious choice to take on an activity or accomplish a goal. Then engages both head and heart in working towards achieving the desired outcome with a firmness of purpose.
- Goal focused: Strives to achieve goals.
- Reliable: Demonstrates a level of dependability and predictability.
- Disciplined: Does what one can, even if it is difficult, to achieve the goal.
- Tenacious: Does not give up easily and looks for ways to overcome hurdles.
- Hardworking and diligent: Sees a task through to completion.
- Responsible: Accepts consequences of one’s actions.
Unselfishness
- Non Nobis Solum – Not for ourselves alone: To put others needs before one’s own.
- Compassionate: Feels empathy for others.
- Humble: Is not vain and has a strong rather than a big ego.
- Considerate: Thinks how one’s actions will affect others.
- Kind: Is friendly, generous and warm hearted.
- Self-controlled: Is able to control one’s emotions and needs, even when under pressure.
Team Spirit
- The willingness to put the success of the team above one’s own. All for one and one for all.
- Co-operative: Works effectively and willingly with others to achieve the best outcome.
- Loyal: Helps and speaks up for others. Is steadfast.
- Energised: Creates enthusiasm that keeps one’s own and others energy high.
- Inclusive: Creates a sense of belonging for the whole team.
- Fun: Introduces fun when appropriate to increase engagement and energy levels.
- Informal relationships: Fosters relaxed relationships whilst respecting essential order, to minimise communication barriers.
The development of skills:
The school is covered by a seamless wireless network which allows teachers and pupils to use mobile devices wherever they are working on campus. This access to the web or the server has made it possible to integrate the use of technology into the learning process. Our focus is more on skills than content and pupils are learning skills and work techniques that are relevant and up to date. Again, it must be noted that the emphasis is on the task not the technology. From Grade 6 until the end of Grade 7, pupils are required to bring a laptop to school. Project-Based Learning teaches students 21st century skills as well as content. These skills include:
- Collaboration, group participation and leadership skills
- Critical thinking and questioning skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Organisation and time management skills
- Research and enquiry skills
- Self-assessment and reflection skills
- Productivity and accountability
The pupils typically work together toward a common goal. Performance is assessed on an individual or group basis, and takes into account the quality of the product, the depth of content understanding demonstrated, and the contributions made to the on-going process.
