College Curriculum

Introduction Bridge House offers a broad, innovative and modern curriculum aimed at developing highly-motivated, balanced and competent people, well prepared to deal with the challenges facing them when they leave school. We aim to stay abreast of the best of South African and international teaching practice. The College builds on the foundations laid during the Preparatory phases.

Languages Bridge House is an English-medium school with a number of pupils whose home language is Afrikaans. We teach English Home Language to all pupils (Language of Learning and Teaching) and offer Afrikaans First Additional Language.It is sometimes possible for pupils to study other languages with independent teachers at an added cost. This is done outside of the school timetable.

Academic Programme Classes are generally mixed-ability groups, although streaming is applied in some areas, such as Mathematics. Pupils study the normal disciplines of an academic school. All subjects are compulsory up to Grade 9, the end of the GET phase. They then choose from a wide range of subjects in Grade 10 in preparation for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) at the end of the Further Education and Training (FET) phase. We write the examinations set by the Independent Examinations Board at the end of Grade 12. [www.ieb.co.za ]

Bridge House places a premium on the pursuit of excellence by every pupil in a wide variety of areas. We have many additional elements to our curriculum. The pupils take part in Olympiads in English, Mathematics, Science and General Knowledge. There are numerous opportunities for 'wider classroom' learning on field-trips and outings. The compulsory Grade camps form part of the learning experience at this school. There is an Educational Support Unit, which works largely but not exclusively, at the Preparatory school level. Extra support is available in some subjects.

Performing and Visual Arts Arts and Culture (Music, Art and Drama) is compulsory for all pupils up to the end of Grade 9, and these subjects are options for Matric. There is considerable emphasis on cultural education and excellent facilities are being developed for these disciplines. The Music Department offers individual tuition in a wide range of instruments at extra cost.

Modern Technology The Bridge House IT Centre provides state-of-the-art facilities for developing computer competency at every school level. Pupils learn to use modern computer technology including a wide range of computer applications. Computers are used in all curriculum learning areas, as a means of learning content and of mastering the use of the computer technology itself. The school offers Information Technology (IT) for those pupils wanting to follow a career in the IT industry and Computer Applications Technology (CAT) for those who will use IT throughout their professional and personal lives.

Extramural Programme Full participation in the Physical Education and sports programme is compulsory from Grade 8 to Matric. PE forms part of the Life Orientation course which all pupils take through to Matric. A variety of sports is offered and these are organized both within the school day and in the afternoons. Many matches and festivals also take place on Saturdays. Artistic, musical and dramatic activities and debating and student newspaper writing are other options on offer.

Social and Life Skills College pupils take part in the internationally recognised President's Award (Duke of Edinburgh Award) which is compulsory for Grade 8 and 9 at the Bronze Level. [www.presidentsaward.co.za ] This involves commitment to service, sports and skills development, as well as taking part in an expedition. Pupils also have the opportunity to go on to the Silver and Gold Awards.

Bridge House is a member of the international Round Square organisation. The school follows the 'IDEALS' of Round Square. A large number of our Grade 10 pupils go out on exchange to other Round Square schools both locally and all over the world. [www.roundsquare.org ]

The College places a high premium on service both within the school and the wider community.

Trips and Outings All classes go on outings to places of interest. These trips form part of the educational curriculum. Each pupil is required to attend a Grade camp away from school, during the year. We see this as an important opportunity to develop independence, group spirit and interdependence. It forms part of our vision of an holistic education.

Matric Curriculum Bridge House Matrics write the Independent Examinations Board Matric exams. In Grades 10, 11 and 12 we offer the following subjects: 1) English Home Language 2) Afrikaans - First Additional Language 3) Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy 4) Life Orientation 5) Dramatic Arts or Geography or Physical Sciences 6) Economics or Life Sciences or Visual Arts 7) Geography, Accounting or Computer Applications Technology or Information Technology or History (not in Gr 11 for 2010)

Music will be offered in one of the lines 5 to 7 depending on demand in each year. (It is currently in Line 7 for Grades 10, 11 and 12.)

(These combinations may vary slightly from one year to the next. More information can be obtained from the College office.)

Subjects in lines 1 to 4 are compulsory. One subject must be chosen from each of lines 5, 6 and 7.

Advanced Programme Mathematics (Additional Mathematics) is currently offered as an additional subject and successful candidates will achieve an IEB certificate in this subject.

Assessment At Grade 9 (GET) level school based assessment counts for 75% of the mark and 25% is generated by an externally set common assessment task.In 2010 this 25% is replaced by core skills tets.

In Grade 12 (FET), 25% of the final assessment mark is an internal assessment component. The external final 'examination' counts for 75% of the mark, with the exception of Life Orientation where 100% of the mark is from internal assessment. The portfolio of work done at school in each subject is thus extremely important.

Requirements for a National Senior Certificate: Candidates are required to pass all learning areas. (Including both Languages and Life Orientation.) The 'points' required for each course within each faculty must be obtained from the universties.

Requirements for University Entrance: It is important that candidates ascertain exactly what the requirements are for specific faculties at the University of their choice.

To enter a university, candidates must have a minimum of: A National Senior Certificate certified by Umalusi;
A minimum achievement of Level 4 (50 -59%) in four designated subjects (see below).

Candidates must write the university access tests and achieve the required levels as set by the university concerned.

Subjects from the designated list that are offered by Bridge House: Accounting, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, up to three Languages (one must be the language of teaching and learning - English), Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Sciences, Visual Arts. CAT is our only 'none designated list' subject.

All potential University applicants are reminded that the competition for placement in the Universities is extremely tough and by meeting the minimum requirements the candidate is not guaranteed a place in a faculty or in a University Residence. It is important that the pupils study the requirements set by each university and by each faculty within the university concerned.