Since 1903, Highbury Preparatory School has been a place that celebrates all that it means to be a boy, with Grade R the perfect start to a well-balanced education
Time-honoured techniques and innovative thinking combine to ensure that Grade R at Highbury brings out the best in boys. Here are just five reasons why:
- We have experienced teachers with a passion to teach boys. Our three Grade R teachers have over 60 years of teaching experience among them. They know how to establish positive, trusting relationships with the boys in their class because relationships are critical to a boy’s learning. They know how to be both forthright and caring, and they have learnt to love the exuberant energy of Grade R boys!
- We use Kinaesthetic and Sensory teaching methods because boys are hard-wired to learn more easily through action than words. Boys’ strengths are different from those of girls. Boys are more active and visual by nature and a successful boy-centric curriculum engages both their bodies and their minds. Active boys may be at a disadvantage in a typical co-ed classroom that favours verbal and auditory learning. At Highbury, our teachers plan physical activity into classroom time and include lots of action, such as educational games that use exciting props.
- We have a structured programme to facilitate ‘play with a purpose’. Our goal for Grade R at Highbury is to get our boys ready to learn quickly in Grade 1, not to teach Grade 1 content at an early age. In this way, we allow our boys to grow and mature at their own developmental pace. Highbury Grade R boys have a smooth transition into Grade 1, as they are familiar with the school and friends in their grade.
- We offer early intervention for Learning Support. Grade R is an important year to identify boys who would benefit from the small classes and extra support offered by our Learning Support Centre that caters for Grade 1 to 4. Remedial intervention at Highbury is typically short-term with the purpose of addressing learning needs and mainstreaming our boys again by Grade 5. Our LAD Centre also offers private therapists for one-on-one support.
- We provide a strong ethical foundation for boys. Highbury is a Christian school and we teach our boys Christian morals and values. Attending Chapel starts in Grade R and our beautiful stone Chapel building becomes a special place for them over their time at Highbury. Many Highbury Old Boys come back to get married here. In addition, we have a Culture of Honour, based on the work of Stephen Covey, and this underpins every facet of school life.
Primary school is of primary importance. Research shows the crucial years for learning are the early years and that academic performance is set between the ages of six and 10 years old. Here at Highbury, we strive to enable every boy to fulfil his potential, while having a lot of active fun along the way!
To find out more about a Highbury Preparatory education for your son, email marketing@hps.co.za or call 031 765 9800. Limited spaces available for Grade R 2017.
Captions
Learning the letter E is made Exciting with Egg Experiments.
Boys have heaps of energy and need space to play.
Exciting props make classroom learning engaging
“Now before I run to play, let me not forget to pray”
How can we change the word “Sat” to “Sit”? Learning to read is fun.