The educational cornerstones which our school’s curriculum is based on are:

Academic:

  • Curriculum: The South African National Curriculum & Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) and Independent Examinations Board (IEB)
  • Medium of instruction: English
  • Blended Learning
  • Employing the Habits of Mind, Growth Mindset and Thinking Skills
  • Physical Education
  • Audiblox

In addition to the National Curriculum requirements, Thorntree learners participate in benchmarking Olympiads such as Conquesta. Being an independent school, Thorntree has the flexibility to offer a more robust academic curriculum that enriches and extends beyond the required National Curriculum, and beyond the classroom. We are registered with the IEB Primary School Initiative which affords the school a variety of benchmarking opportunities and validation of school standards.

 

The Foundation Phase

Grade R, 1–3

The foundation phase underpins all future learning to develop a “whole-brain” child by promoting:

  • personal, social and emotional well-being
  • positive attitudes and a disposition towards learning
  • social skills
  • knowledge and understanding of the world
  • physical development with the emphasis on gross motor and fine motor skills
  • creative and enquiring minds
  • technological skills required for working online.

 

The Foundation Phase underpins all future learning to develop a “whole-brain” child.

 

 

The Intermediate Phase

Grades 4–7

This phase extends and enriches the children, increasing their critical thinking skills and awareness of the world. This phase ensures self-development and intellectual maturation so that the children will be successful at High School and are ready to fulfil their potential on their chosen career paths. From 2021, all lessons and work will be done through Google Classroom. This allows for a greener school and a more efficient, tech-savvy environment for students and teachers.

The Intermediate Phase ensures self-development and intellectual maturation so that the children will be successful at High School and are ready to fulfil their potential on their chosen career paths.

 

Senior College

Grade 8-9

The Academic Curriculum we follow consists of the following:

  • Independent Examinations Board (IEB)
  • Medium of instruction: English
  • Music lessons
  • Robotics, python language
  • Blended Learning
  • Employing Growth Mindset and Thinking
  • Skills, Gallup strength finding
  • Real life learning experiences
  • Warrior academy associated hikes within the Wolkberg
  • Theatre and Opera excursions

Being an independent school, Thorntree has the flexibility to offer a more robust academic curriculum that enriches and extends beyond the required National Curriculum, and beyond the classroom.

THORNTREE: NURTURING ROOTS, CULTIVATING BRILLIANCE. WHERE EDUCATION SPROUTS BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITIES.



CURRICULUM

This phase extends and enriches the children, increasing their critical thinking skills and awareness of the world. This phase ensures self-development and intellectual maturation so that the children will be successful throughout their High School careers, preparing them to fulfil their potential on their chosen career paths.

Exposure to trek through the beautiful Wolkberg mountains and watching a beautiful ensemble of production at the Afriform Theatre in Pretoria will ensure our students gain the culture of many areas of life.



SUBJECT LIST

English home language
Afrikaans additional language
Mathematics
Natural Science
Technology
History
Geography
Life Skills
Robotics Coding
Accounting
Business Studies
Art and Drama
Music
Who am I? – Gallup Strength.

We will be encouraging and introducing new spaces of learning as the year continues to shape our students. We will be collaborating with IEB cluster in Polokwane to ensure that our core subjects are on par with the IEB outcomes.