🎓 Academic Overview at PEPPS Polokwane

At PEPPS Polokwane, we take pride in offering a comprehensive academic experience from Early Childhood Development to Grade 9, guided by a commitment to excellence and the development of well-rounded individuals.

At PEPPS Mokopane, our commitment to providing a nurturing and transformative educational experience is evident from Grade R to 9. Our classes, capped at 30 pupils, create an intimate and engaging environment where learning flourishes within the framework of Christian ethos.

English serves as the language of instruction, emphasizing the development of creative and cognitive abilities. We prioritize independent thinking, encouraging each pupil to evolve holistically. Active participation in our extra-curricular program is not just encouraged but expected, providing every child with opportunities to contribute to various social responsibility initiatives.

Maintaining high academic standards is inherent in our approach, with excellence permeating every facet of our work. To prepare students for the 4th Industrial Revolution, we integrate Project-Based Learning (PBL), a methodology proven to enhance learning retention and interest. Computers play a crucial role at all levels, complementing our lessons in philosophy, ethics, and social-emotional skills.

Leadership development is a cornerstone, aligning with our motto, ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders.’ Our curriculum explicitly addresses leadership, guiding each pupil to become the best version of themselves. The positive collaboration between pupils and teachers enhances the overall educational experience, emphasizing discipline with dignity to foster constructive relationships within the school environment.

Our campus boasts over 100 indigenous trees and plants, creating a serene and calming backdrop for learning. As an Eco-school, we actively promote environmental care through initiatives such as recycling.

At PEPPS Mokopane, we ensure a unique educational journey for each child, aiming to cultivate conscious individuals capable of interacting and thriving within multicultural and diverse environments with ease.

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 emphasise 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 prioritises building the self-esteem of our pupils and disciplining them with dignity.

All teaching takes place in English.

Foundation Phase

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 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 lessons to nurture their creativity. There is a full sport programme offered during the school day which exposes our young pupils to athletics, netball and football.

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 4^th Industrial Revolution. The Independent Examination Board (IEB) have explicitly supported and favoured 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 which ensure that we remain competitive in the level of proficiency that our pupils attain.

Extra-curricular activities are offered as part of the curriculum and children all participate in athletics, netball and football. 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 him/her in improving his/her skills. We have especially high expectations in Mathematics, where the pass mark is 45%.

Grade 8 and 9

High school pupils are encouraged in 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 4^th Industrial Revolution. The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has explicitly supported and favoured 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 9, each matric subject is offered as a short module course in order 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.

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 which 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), which are administered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), are completed in the latter half of Grade 9. These are external tests which 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.

Leadership (Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders)

Our school motto is ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders’. PEPPS has a number of initiatives that ensure that we do set each pupil up to take his/her place in society as a leader.

Over and above the formal Prefect system in Grade 7, 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

Grade 7         Humility (and Prefects)

Grade 8 Courage

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”- Nelson Mandela

Extra-curricular

⚠️ Important Information:

We look forward to an enriching and engaging year of extra-curricular activities!

Extra-curricular Programme

TERM 1	Athletics & Choir
TERM 2	Netball, Football & Choir
TERM 3	Tennis
TERM 4	Athletics