St Thomas Aquinas, Emahlaleni
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Location |
Emahlaleni, Mpumalanga |
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Admissions |
Click here to send us an enquiry Admissions form - download here |
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Grades taught |
Grade 000 - Grade 12 |
St Thomas Aquinas School is an independent school of excellence in Witbank for nearly 90 years. Established in 1924 by the Dominican Sisters of King Williams Town, St Thomas Aquinas has grown from humble beginnings to the school that it is today.
Address: 48 Allenby Street, Witbank, 1035, Mpumalanga
Tel: +27 (0)13 656 3410 |
Admissions form
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download here |
About
St Thomas Aquinas is a Catholic school that fosters
Christian formation of young people through the teaching and
living of Gospel values in our school community. Although
open to children of all religions, it is a condition of
acceptance into St Thomas that students participate in
religious activities. Students are also encouraged to live
out these values by contributing to the well-being of those
less fortunate than themselves.
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Academic Statement
We strive for academic excellence and have achieved
outstanding matric results for many years. St Thomas Aquinas
writes the IEB examinations in grade 9 and matric with
notable success. We recognize that each child is a unique
individual, and we aim to develop our students to be the
best that they can be. St Thomas is committed to offering
the highest standards of quality teaching and learning. We
aim to stretch our learners to acquire the skills of
teamwork, independent research, self knowledge, and critical
thinking.
Primary School
Foundation Phase (Gr 1 - 3)
In this phase the essential skills of reading, writing and
expressing oneself in English are taught. Daily reading and
writing activities are designed to develop all learners and
help them master these skills, as the THRASS method is used
to teach learning. In numeracy, the Singapore Maths
curriculum, with its strong emphasis on problem solving, is
implemented. Weekly lessons in computers, music and rhythm,
chess, swimming and physical education, art, life skills and
Bible ensure the holistic development of the child. All
children are taught the basic skills of team sports
(netball, soccer, cricket and hockey) during the school day.
Three assessment reports per year and parent afternoons
ensure that parents are kept informed of their child's
progress. Parents are most welcome to meet with their
child's teacher if and when the need arises.
Intermediate Phase (Gr 4 - 7)
Continuous assessment takes place in all grades and
examinations are introduced in Grade 4 for the first time.
Our core-curriculum covers English, Afrikaans, Mathematics,
Natural Science, Technology, Economic Management Science,
Music, and Arts and Culture, Human and Social Sciences,
Religious Education and Life Orientation. Computers and
Physical Education are a component of Life Orientation.
Also, we have grade camps once a year; as well as study
skills workshops for Grade 4s.
High School
Grade 12 learners unite the Independent Examination Board (IEB)
National Senior Certificate. Teaching and assessment is
informed by and complies with IEB requirements.
Subject choice and career guidance
Subject choice testing is carried out by qualified
psychologists and psychometrists to assist learners to make
subject choices. Detailed feedback from the testing
procedure is provided and the cost of testing is included in
the levy. Every opportunity is taken to expose learners to
career guidance seminars and displays. Personal guidance is
given to learners both individually and in groups.
Cultural activities at St Thomas include the following:
Drama
Drama productions are a successful part of the St Thomas
cultural program. In 2010, three of our Gr 9s wrote and
produced a successful production which they will be
presenting at The Grahamstown Festival of the Arts in June
2011.
Choir
We have a choirs for our pre-school as well as the
junior and senior primary phases. They have a wide
repertoire and take place in a Variety of Choir festivals in
Witbank. At St Thomas Aquinas School, we have 2 choirs -
Junior Primary (Gr 1 - 3) and Senior Primary (Gr 4 - 7).
They participate in various choir evenings hosted by schools
in Witbank and perform at special functions.
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Marimbas
We have junior and senior marimba teams at St Thomas,
both of which have done well at marimba competitions. Our
senior team participated in a National competition held in
Boksburg in 2016.They are also popular performers at a
variety of functions in and around Witbank. We have 3
marimba groups - Gr 6 & 7; Junior High School & Senior High
School.
Debating
Although we have had debating teams compete against
schools in Witbank that have done well, 2010 was the first
year that we competed in the Un debate competition sponsored
by Education Africa. Our debaters teamed up with a lesser
advantaged school outside Witbank for the provincial
competition in Nelspruit - which they won.
Music Lessons
Music is a part of the academic day for the pupils until
Gr 7. They learn recorder, marimba and general music. In the
afternoons extra lessons take place with one of our highly
qualified teachers.
Sport at St Thomas Aquinas includes the following:
An integrated sports day
Grades 1 to 7 take part in sport during the academic
day. All grades in the two phases take part twice a week,
when they are taught general sport skills, and skills
specific to a variety of team sports that are offered by St
Thomas.
Athletics
Athletics takes place in the first term. There area a
variety of disciplines such as high jump, sprints and
endurance training. A variety of juniors and seniors
participated in the regional competitions.
Soccer
Soccer is played in the second term. The sport is played
by the primary school through to the High school .
Netball
Like soccer, netball is played in the second term and is
played by the primary and high school. Within the sport we
play surrounding schools and participate in many regional
and local competitions.
Tennis
Tennis is a popular game as many of our children play
the game .Tennis has, for many years, been an integral part
of the sport at St Thomas.
Cricket
Mini-cricket, senior primary cricket as well as high
school cricket are played in the third term at St Thomas.
Hockey
Hockey is very big at St Thomas. We have teams in all
age groups, both for boys hockey and girls hockey. We have a
number of excellent and experienced coaches.
Golf
Golf is new to St Thomas, but the golfers have already
done well! We have some talented boys, and are growing our
talented female golfers up from junior school.
Swimming
St Thomas is one of only two schools in Witbank with a
school pool (the only high school), and can proudly claim
that the vast majority of learners are above average for
their age groups in their confidence in the water. Swimming
lessons are given in the first and fourth term to all of the
Gr 1 - 7 during their PT time, and the afternoon team
swimmers range from Gr 1 to Gr 12. This year we tour through
KZN with the swimmers competing in galas in Newcastle and
Durban before all completing the Midmar Mile.
The school currently offers the following sport options:
Summer Sport
Term 1 & 4
Athletics
Swimming
Winter Sport
Term 2 & 3
Hockey
Soccer
Netball
Cross Country
Cricket
All year round
Tennis
Chess
Golf
Provincial representation in 2016
2 Swimmers
Hockey (jr. & sr.)
Netball (jr. & sr.)
Cricket (jr. & sr.)
Admissions: Click here to send us an enquiry Admissions form - download here