Academics

Doon Heights is an “all range” primary school and caters for the following phases:

Foundation Phases: Gr R, 1, 2 & 3
Intermediate Phase: Gr 4, 5 & 6
Senior Phase: Gr 7

It goes without saying that the first priority of this school is to ensure that our academic standards are maintained and where possible, improved upon.  Hopefully, learners will internalize the need to extend themselves to meet this high standard.

Needless to say, our objective is to strive for academic excellence at all times, and each learner is encouraged to achieve according to their own ability.

CAPS

Our educators have made every endeavour to come to terms with the introduction of CAPS ( Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) Where necessary this has been adapted to meet the needs within each grade.

Provision is also made for the teaching programme to meet the needs and abilities particular to each learner, including Academic Support (Gr 1 – Gr 7) and Remedial education.

Reading

Learners are actively encouraged by staff to enjoy reading and reluctant readers are given special guidance.

Parent’s can help develop better reading skills as home by:academics

  • Ensuring sufficient reading is taking place.
  • Listening to your child read the odd page or two loud.
  • Advise us of any problems – e.g. book too difficult, too easy etc.
  • Ensuring that your child becomes a member of the library.

Opportunities for research and for presentation of original work is encouraged.

Homework is compulsory and is set from Monday to Thursday. The duration varies grade to grade. Parents are requested to sign the homework book everyday.

Assessment

Learner assessment is continuous and a learner is promoted to the next grade on the basis of results obtained as prescribed in CAP’s documents.

Continuous assessment does not entirely rule out the presentation of formal testing. Common assessments are written throughout each particular grade. As a learner progresses through the school, they will be required to answer in more detail, this is, in a sentence or paragraph form as opposed to the one word answer. Parents should bear this in  mind when assisting children at test time. Written revision is essential.

Gr 4 – 7: Two formal test weeks are scheduled each term. Parents are notified in writing, indicating dates and content. If a child is absent, a doctor’s letter is to be produced.