Junior Primary

Bridge House Junior Primary children and teachers love going to school and approach their days with a “can do attitude”!

The keystone of our caring and nurturing classroom environment is our belief that each child is a special individual with his/her own individual strengths, weaknesses and learning style.  We believe that children learn best when they are happy, stimulated and learning by doing.  This will help them develop a strong foundation of 3R skills on which they will base their future learning, as well as reach their own true potential. Children are encouraged to become independent, accountable individuals by taking responsibility for their behaviour, own work and belongings.

We teachers believe that it is important to encourage each child to build positive self esteem to enable him/her to approach life and learning with self assurance and confidence. Our discipline system is based on a traffic light system where positive acknowledgement of ‘good’ behaviour is emphasised and ‘inappropriate’ behaviour receives a warning or ‘red card’.

Our Bridge House Junior Primary curriculum is, by nature, outcomes based, and is aligned to the National Curriculum Statement.  Under the umbrella of the key learning areas of Languages, Mathematics and Life Skills the following subjects are introduced and explored:

• English Literacy

• Conversational Afrikaans

• Conversational isiXhosa

• Mathematics

• Social and Natural Sciences themes within an Integrated Studies approach

• Handwriting

• Physical Education

• Arts and Culture which incorporates Class Music, Drama and Art

• Information Technology

In all lessons children are encouraged to apply thinking and reasoning skills to the task at hand whether they are working individually, in mixed ability groups or differentiated ability groups.  This assists in the development of their interpersonal skills, as well as equipping them with very necessary problem solving skills. We believe that outings and camps and the exploration of a wider environment help to enrich all learning and make it relevant to the child’s life.

As we believe in the benefits of early intervention, the development of each child is closely monitored. We work closely with the specialists in the Educational Support Unit, adopting a team approach when addressing the special needs or specific learning difficulties which may be identified.

Junior Primary class sizes are kept to a maximum of 24 per class and are co-ed as well as mixed ability.  The academic day starts at 08h00 and ends at 14h00, with Grades 1 and 2 enjoying compulsory sport within this time.  The Grade 3s join the Senior Primary Extramural programme between 14h00 and 16h00.  Aftercare and supervised homework is available until 16h00 (but only until 14h00 on Fridays).

We emphasise that parents are important role players in the education of their children and believe that happy, developing children make happy, contented families. We encourage open communication and warm relationships between teachers and parents based on mutual respect and trust. As well as organising parent meetings as the need arises, we schedule parent interviews in Terms 1 & 3 accompanied by summary reports.  Detailed comprehensive reports are written in Terms 2 & 4.

We believe that we truly embrace and live by our Bridge House motto: Learning for Life.