Academic Overview of PEPPS
Early Childhood Development
Little children learn best through play. PEPPS’s progressive curriculum ensures that our preschool pupils learn while developing their gross and fine motor coordination. We also emphasize emotional regulation and spiritual growth. Pre-schoolers are naturally curious, and this curiosity is harnessed as our pupils are encouraged to ask questions and think independently.
Each class has a maximum of 30 pupils guided by a teacher and an assistant. Outdoor-play, water-play, and mud-play are encouraged over and above indoor age-appropriate activities. PEPPS prioritizes building the self-esteem of our pupils and disciplining them with dignity.
All teaching takes place in English.
Foundation Phase
PEPPS Polokwane’s Foundation Phase pupils enjoy a rich and diverse learning experience. Holistic growth of each individual is prioritised and we endeavour to build each young person up to becoming the very best version of himself/herself. Leadership skills are explicitly taught as we live up to our motto of ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders’. We explicitly teach our pupils thinking skills, ethical reasoning and social and emotional intelligence through our ‘philosophy and axiology’ lessons. Our team of teachers are all expected to discipline young children with dignity while building their self-esteem.
Our Grade 1-3 classes have a maximum of 30 pupils. The children are given a chance to enjoy a break after each lesson, where they are encouraged to play outdoors, enjoy a snack and visit the bathroom. These breaks ensure that they are receptive to learning when they are in class. English is the language of instruction and we offer a choice between Sepedi and Afrikaans as an additional language. Pupils enjoy Art and Music lessons to nurture their creativity. As part of the curriculum, we also have Stimuzone computer lessons which enhance computer skills. Mathematics lessons are given to each class by Mathematics specialist teachers in order to ensure that solid foundations are laid in this critical subject.
There is a full sport and cultural programme offered during the school day which exposes our young pupils to hockey, netball, football, debating, choir, public speaking, crafts and athletics. Over and above this, formal swimming lessons as well as general physical education are part of the weekly programme. Children who are struggling in either Mathematics or Reading are expected to attend afternoon classes to support them in improving their skills. International Benchmark Tests (IBTs), which are administered by the Independent Examination Board (IEB), are completed in the latter half of Grade 3. These are external tests which ensure that we remain competitive in the level of proficiency that our pupils attain.
InterSen Phase
In Grade 4-7, our pupils have subject specialists teaching them each subject as they move from class to class for their lessons. Between each lesson, the pupils enjoy a short break in order to recharge and be ready to engage in further learning as each new lesson unfolds.
English is the language of instruction, and we offer a choice between Sepedi and Afrikaans as an additional language. Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Life Skills, Technology, Art, and Music form part of a curriculum that is enhanced through Project-based Learning (PBL). Our Project-based Learning programme is called ‘Creating Tomorrow’.
PBL has been shown to encourage independent thinking, research skills, and creativity opportunities for pupils. This methodology is widely regarded in educational circles as the best way of preparing children for the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has explicitly supported and favored this method of learning in the future. Pupils are offered the opportunity to develop their computer skills in many of their ‘Creating Tomorrow’ lessons.
International Benchmark Tests (IBTs), which are administered by the Independent Examination Board (IEB), are completed in the latter half of Grade 6. These are external tests that ensure that we remain competitive in the level of proficiency that our pupils attain.
Extra-curricular activities are offered after school, and all pupils are expected to involve themselves in at least one extra-curricular activity per term. PEPPS strongly believes in the holistic development of each child, and this includes physical and cultural activities.
Leadership skills are explicitly taught as we live up to our motto of ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders’. We explicitly teach our pupils thinking skills, ethical reasoning, and social and emotional intelligence through our ‘philosophy and axiology’ lessons. Our teachers are all expected to discipline the pupils with dignity while building their self-esteem.
Any pupil who is struggling academically will be expected to attend afternoon classes to assist them in improving their skills. We have especially high expectations in Mathematics, where the pass mark is 45%.
Grade 8 and 9
High school pupils are encouraged in an independent work ethic and independent thought. All pupils are expected to bring their own laptop (any brand) to school daily as we integrate technological proficiency into the entire curriculum. Pupils choose from a wide variety (14-20) of projects every 20 days, which they engage in during their ‘Creating Tomorrow’ lessons. ‘Creating Tomorrow’ is our Project-based Learning (PBL) curriculum. This methodology is widely regarded in educational circles as the best way of preparing children for the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has explicitly supported and favored this method of learning in the future. It has been shown that pupils are more engaged in learning if they have had a choice in what they are learning and are interested in what they are learning.
In order to assist pupils in using their laptops effectively, we do offer coding lessons in these grades.
In Grade 8 and onwards, each matric subject is offered as a short module course to expose the pupils to what they can expect in their last three years of school. These modules also lay the essential foundations required for each of these subjects. These are called Subject Blocks.
English is the language of instruction, and we offer a choice between Sepedi and Afrikaans as an additional language. “Beyond the Curriculum” (BTC) is a weekly lesson that explicitly addresses philosophy, ethical thinking, social and emotional intelligence, and leadership. An hour is set aside each week for pupils to go to a spiritual activity. Formal reading lessons are also part of the Grade 8-9 curriculum.
International Benchmark Tests (IBTs), administered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), are completed in the latter half of Grade 9. These are external tests that ensure that we remain competitive in the level of proficiency that our pupils attain.
Extra-curricular activities are offered after school, and all pupils are expected to involve themselves in at least one extra-curricular activity per term. PEPPS strongly believes in the holistic development of each child, and this includes physical and cultural activities.
Any pupil who is struggling academically will be expected to attend afternoon classes to assist him/her in improving his/her skills. We have especially high expectations in Mathematics, where the pass mark is 45% in Grade 8 and 50% in Grade 9.
The school organises for every Grade 9 pupil to write psychometric tests which assist them in making an informed subject choice.
Grade 10-12 (FET)
We take great pride in consistently achieving excellent matric results in the IEB examination. Our commitment is to ensure that a majority of our pupils attain a bachelor’s degree (BD) pass, empowering them to pursue tertiary education at institutions of their choice. Thoughtful subject choices play a crucial role in enabling pupils to reach their highest potential.
In this final phase of our school, we set high expectations for academic rigor. Our highly qualified teachers emphasize the importance of dedication to studies and a commitment to excellence. Outdoor activities, water-play, and mud-play are encouraged alongside age-appropriate indoor activities to foster self-esteem and discipline in our pupils.
Our instruction is exclusively in English, and it is offered as the home language subject to all pupils. Additionally, pupils can choose between Sepedi and Afrikaans as a first additional language, and Life Orientation is a mandatory subject. A variety of subjects, including Accounting, Business Studies, Computer Application Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Geography, History, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, and Physical Sciences, are available for selection.
A dedicated hour each week is set aside for spiritual activities, and pupils are expected to actively participate in the extracurricular program throughout Grade 10-12. Grade 12s are excused from afternoon activities just before their mid-year examinations. Additionally, extra lessons are provided for all subjects on campus through Grade 10-12, with Grade 12s expected to stay late on Fridays for additional academic contact time.
Leadership (Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders)
Our school motto is ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders’. PEPPS has a number of initiatives that ensure that we set each pupil up to take his/her place in society as a leader.
Over and above formal leadership committees in Grades 6 and 7, and in Grades 10 and 11 and a Prefect body in Grade 12, PEPPS ensures that every pupil at every level of the school is encouraged to develop his/her leadership skills. From our youngest to oldest pupils, we explicitly develop attributes of leadership through each year of their schooling.
- Stage 4 – Obedience
- Stage 5 – Work together
- Grade R – Self control
- Grade 1 – Manners
- Grade 2 – Honesty
- Grade 3 – Kindness
- Grade 4 – Organisation
- Grade 5 – Responsibility
- Grade 6 – Service above self (and committees)
- Grade 7 – Humility (and committees)
- Grade 8 – Courage
- Grade 9 – Self-worth
- Grade 10 – Integrity (and committees)
- Grade 11 – Compassion (and committees)
- Grade 12 – Citizenship (and prefects)
