schools with heart
Theodor Herzl Primary School
Theodor Herzl Primary School is the most amazing place to be each day. Children are busy and happy and learning and experiencing. “The mind of a child is a curious thing ……” let us do our best to keep it that way.
Having initially been a parent, then a teacher , a head of department and now the head of the primary school, I have walked a long road with Theodor. I hold Theodor in my hands and heart and take the responsibility that I have been given as a great honour. This is indeed the most special school. The problem is you don’t feel it until you have been here. That’s what it is – It’s a feeling! As noted by a family leaving town.
Our aim is to ensure that our children receive the best possible education, academics, experiences and opportunities. Being a smaller school each child is given the space and time to shine in their own way.
We do our utmost to grow confidence. Children are allowed to express themselves as the individuals that they are.
Committed teachers support this ethos by giving their all to our children. They will encourage your children to be the best that they can be.
Come and visit us, its a great place to learn!
MRS. HILARY GOLDBERG
Head of Primary School
Academics and the heart
The best schools do not only focus on the expansion of pupils’ intellects, artistic creativity, and physical health but also, on the engagement of the heart.
Our teachers take the time to really get to know each individual and we champion each child. We are unashamedly ambitious for each pupil. We encourage children to have a go, to challenge themselves and explore the full curriculum, to find out things they love, in life, and what they can achieve.
We enable children to embrace skills that will prepare them for life, giving them the ability to think for themselves and approach problems with imagination and determination but also the resilience and self-discipline to keep trying.
Our Academic Head, Craig Carter’s, favourite quote: “Adaptability to change is itself a hallmark of successful education.”
Your Child’s Foundation in our Foundation Phase
Parents are part of the Theodor family, together we work towards achieving the best for our children. We are a “family” in every sense of the word! Each child is loved like they are our own!! We strive to be a “home away from home”, a secure space – a space to grow, learn and be loved.
Each child is valued for their own contributions and potential- they will be the best that they can be.
We are educating the “whole child” – Cognitively, physically; emotionally, creatively with care. Foundation Phase group work allows the child to progress at his/her pace; we are able to extend those that need it or give support when necessary;
Our Remedial Department works closely with our children who require more support; OT and Speech as well as Physio specialists come to our campus, saving parents the “run around” in the afternoons.
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Grade 1 with an 11 to 1 ratio of adult to child, having the teacher in each class supported by an assistant, a person studying teaching.
As a staff, we know all the children in the school, we are their “safe place!”
Life is full – Academics, Art, Music, Drama, Computers, Chess, Phys Ed and then sport after school 3 times a week plus one creative activity as part of the Grade 1 and 2 comprehensive programme.
Chantal Klackers
Grade 1 with an 11 to 1 ratio of adult to child, having the teacher in each class supported by an assistant, a person studying teaching.
As a staff, we know all the children in the school, we are their “safe place!”
Life is full – academics, art, music, drama, computers, chess, Phys Ed and then sport after school 3 times a week plus one creative activity as part of the Grade 1 and 2 comprehensive programme
Grade 1 and 2 extended programme
Our Grade 1 and 2’s have an extended day including 30-40 minutes of 3 sports or games at the end of the day, each week.
Children play these sports and games with coaches in a maximum 10-1 ratio for maximum opportunity and skill.
These could be traditional sports such as hockey, tennis, soccer, cricket, tag rugby, ball skills or games such as four square, rope skipping or elastic jump.
On the fourth day of this programme they have additional drama, play board games, cards or grow their critical thinking skills.
Grade 1 and 2 extended programme
Our Grade 1 and 2’s have an extended day including 30-40 minutes of 3 sports or games at the end of the day, each week.
These could be traditional sports such as hockey, tennis, soccer, cricket, tag rugby, ball skills or games such as four square, rope skipping or elastic jump.
Children play these sports and games with coaches in a maximum 10-1 ratio for maximum opportunity and skill.
On the forth day of this programme they have additional drama, play board games, cards or grow their critical thinking skills.
Grade 1 and 2 extended programme
Our Grade 1 and 2’s have an extended day including 30-40 minutes of 3 sports or games at the end of the day, each week.
Children play these sports and games with coaches in a maximum 10-1 ratio for maximum opportunity and skill.
Our Grade 1 and 2’s have an extended day including 30-40 minutes of 3 sports or games at the end of the day, each week.
Children play these sports and games with coaches in a maximum 10-1 ratio for maximum opportunity and skill.
our school week
We subscribe to this philosophy of introducing situations, allowing children all the “What if’ options and working together towards a solution. They need to have an opinion, be able to voice that opinion and be able to back this up with logical thought.
Our skills programme in grade 4 to 7 allows children to experience many real life occurrences. Our 12 session programme runs with children grouped in “ Family Groups” for vertical age integration. Our children get to learn how to change a tyre, make “Mac and Cheese”, put a duvet into its cover and table etiquette amongst other things.
Chess trains logical thinking and memory and teaches children how to deal with defeat. In other words, chess is a metaphor for life. Every child at Theodor from Grade 1 to 4 learns to play chess in a 1/10 ratio lesson each week as part of the curriculum.
Having used Singapore Maths at Theodor for many years we have realised the huge impact of model drawing and problem solving in Mathematics. We now infuse our Maths curriculum with problem solving at every opportunity.
our school week
We subscribe to this philosophy of introducing situations, allowing children all the “What if’ options and working together towards a solution. They need to have an opinion, be able to voice that opinion and be able to back this up with logical thought.
Our skills programme in Grade 4 to 7 allows children to experience many real life occurrences. Our 12 session programme runs with children grouped in “ Family Groups” for vertical age integration. Our children get to learn how to change a tyre, make “Mac and Cheese”, put a duvet into its cover and table etiquette amongst other things.
Chess trains logical thinking and memory and teaches children how to deal with defeat. In other words, chess is a metaphor for life. Every child at Theodor from Grade 1 to 4 learns to play chess in a 1/10 ratio lesson each week as part of the curriculum.
Having used Singapore Maths at Theodor for many years we have realised the huge impact of model drawing and problem solving in Mathematics. We now infuse our Maths curriculum with problem solving at every opportunity.
Pastoral care and guidance
Our dedicated team of teachers recognise the importance of equipping each of our students with life skills that are required to reach their full scholastic, emotional, social and vocational potential. To look after the well-being of the children we teach. To connect with the children we teach. To encourage and guide them with heart. To acknowledge that each child is an individual with his / her own way of doing/responding to situations. To learn / to know that all behaviour including conflict and misbehaviour is a form of communication and an opportunity to teach a skill. To reflect on behaviours and thereby implement reflective measures and thus restorative guidance.
Our Head of Pastoral Care and Guidance: Ms Ntomboxolo Cinani:
“Our behaviour reflection sheets are most useful in inculcating positive behaviour change.”
Co-curricular Activities
This department looks after students’ emotional, academic and career wellbeing. It exists in order to identify, prevent and/or assist with any barriers to learning, personal difficulties as well as career factors such as subject choice and school-leaving readiness. Students benefit from these three areas of support as follows:
primary School staff
Staff Members
latest school news
pre-primary school
news
contact
We’d love to hear from you.
Three bodies, one heart – Theodor Herzl Pre-Primary, Primary and High, together form one of South Africa’s top independent, co-educational schools.
by Goodbye Boring