Somerset
College is a Day School with Boarding
As a school
with a Christian foundation, the staff and
students work in an environment based on
strong values, spiritual development and a
commitment to community service - all of
which play a fundamental role in the
development of responsible, caring
individuals. At Somerset College we
endeavour to provide a nurturing and
stimulating environment where young people
are guided by teachers of calibre to develop
self-awareness and positive relationships.
We endeavour to provide each child with the
opportunity to acquire the knowledge and
skills to equip them to adapt and flourish
in an ever-changing world. We hope that our
school community will always contribute to
their world with dignity.
Pre-Preparatory School
The Pre-Preparatory School is literally the
foundation phase of the school, the first
building block in the education of a child,
and caters for children from the age of 4
(Grade 000) in the protected and safe
surroundings of our little school, to the
reception classes (Grade R), where the 6
year olds are prepared for Grade 1 of the
Preparatory School.
Physical
Development
Somerset College offers extra mural
activities such as Ball Skills, Kinetics and
Swimming as well as an extensive arts and
crafts programme in order to promote all
aspects of physical development. Outdoor
play and the use of large apparatus, wheeled
toys, water and sand play is part of the
daily programme.
This learning area is divided into two
components: fine motor and gross motor
development. Gross motor development refers
to the activities that stimulate and
strengthen the development of large muscles
to facilitate balance, coordination,
locomotion and builds core strengths. Fine
motor development focuses on the small
muscles required for manipulating small
objects and tool. However, attention is also
given to aspects of physical development
that affect gross and fine motor
development, such as laterality, dominance,
core strength, crossing the midline and
coordination.
Preparatory School
Somerset College Preparatory forms part of
the greater Somerset College campus.
Surrounded by vineyards and imposing
mountain views, the campus has a wholesome
country feel, where children are nurtured
and develop in safe surroundings. The
Preparatory School was established in
January 2001 with approximately 100 children
who came from Mountain View Preparatory
School in Somerset West. Since then the
school has expanded and we now have 520
students. Somerset College Preparatory
strives to give each child the best possible
education in the broadest sense of the word.
Our philosophy towards teaching and life is
encapsulated in our code of conduct (which
was drawn up by the founding students) which
is founded on a strong Christian ethos, with
an emphasis on respect, tolerance, courtesy
and self-discipline. We encourage our
students to do their best in every task,
whether easy or difficult. We stimulate and
stretch them in an academic sense, and give
them the opportunity to try their hand at a
range of sporting and cultural activities.
Computer
lessons in the Preparatory School begin in
Grade R, with students in subsequent years
learning basic Microsoft Office skills which
enable them to conduct internet research and
produce Word documents, PowerPoint slide
shows and Excel spreadsheets. In conjunction
with the library, research skills are taught
which are essential when putting together
tasks and projects. The ongoing upgrading of
teaching facilities in the classroom is a
priority. All classrooms function with
network connectivity, data projectors and
white boards which make lessons very
interactive, alive and interesting.
High School
Catering for 570 students from Grades 8 to
12, Somerset College Senior School is a
happy, dynamic learning community. Of the
approximately 110 Grade 8 students enrolled
annually, almost 50% come from our own
Preparatory School (bearing in mind that
there are only two Grade 7 classes and four
Grade 8 classes) and the balance from other
local and regional schools.
Academic
Staff
The academic staff recognise the
development of the whole child as being of
vital importance. As such, all staff are
expected to contribute to the extra-mural
and co-curricular programmes of the school.
This ensures that our educational offering
is not only broad, but extensive, and is
able to identify a sphere in which every
student is able to showcase their particular
talents, whether they lie in the cultural,
sporting, social or leadership arenas.
Physical Development
The role of physical development in
contributing to the emotional growth of
teenagers is of paramount importance. All
students are required to play a sport, with
the emphasis being both on participation and
excellence.
Independent Examination Board
Our Matriculants are prepared for the
Independent Examinations Board (IEB)
matriculation, an independent South African
body which caters for the majority of
better-resourced independent or private
schools in Southern Africa. Internationally
benchmarked, it is a rigorous vehicle for
ensuring the maintenance of high standards.
As a result of our involvement with the IEB,
our staff are in the privileged position of
being able to network with like-minded IEB
members, giving the school a strong,
competitive edge.
Culture
Culture, in the form of music, art, drama
and debating, is given a high priority in
the school. Up to 50% of all students play a
musical instrument, and public performance
and exposure to all of the cultural pursuits
is strongly encouraged.
