Clifton Junior Primary opened in 1997. The Art and Woodwork Centre was redesigned to accommodate three classes and a Reading Room. Our number of pupils has grown steadily each year. A Grade R was introduced in 2001, and Grade RR in 2005. Academic classes from Grade 1 - Grade 3 are deliberately small at 20 pupils or less which promotes an intimate teacher/child relationship.
The Junior School has as it base a very sound, simple philosophy about learning which renowned educationist, John Holt, has succinctly translated:
"Man is by nature a learning animal and children are programmed to be doers. They naturally investigate in order to satisfy their curiosity."
Learning for our children is, therefore, multifaceted and diverse. They are given a myriad of opportunities to constantly question, feed and satisfy this natural curiosity and fully develop in accord with their individual personalities and abilities.
The pupils at Clifton have the advantage of being in a beautiful, natural environment of 60 hectares. This immediately lends itself to our belief that learning is a life-long process that cannot be confined to the four walls of the classroom and the teacher. Children need to be taken out into their world to experience all its richness and diversity. Our Outdoor Education Programme ensures that each grade goes away on a trip every term as an extension to the work done in the classroom.
Some of the trips extend to two and three nights away to destinations such as the Drakensberg, the sea, an authentic Zulu kraal and Game Reserves to mention a few. The children not only have a very hands on learning experience they also lean very valuable interpersonal skills of dependence and interdependence. They learn to develop an appreciation of the environment and gain an awareness of the need to strive for the sustainable use of natural resources.
“The more everything is linked up with everything else the richer the mind and the more powerful the capacity for thought and understanding." Hemmington.
Because Language is seen to be an essential component of all facets of the school curriculum the thematic or Integrated Studies approach facilitates the development of language in all it's forms. Themes are pupil orientated and relevant to topical issues.
Reading is very much at the heart of our curriculum Children spend half an hour in the Reading Room every day reading. They choose a book of their choice and are therefore motivated. The books are carefully graded to make this possible.
In conjunction we use a scheme that was researched by educators and published in the nineties
Culturally the children are extended through music including choir, art and drama. They all participate in a drama production each year. We have specialist teachers teaching these subjects as well as Afrikaans and Zulu
Community Outreach projects include the Mooi River S.P.C.A., the Crane Foundation and underprivileged old age homes.
All the children from Grade 1 upwards participate in the sporting programme. They are coached skills and also compete in festivals. Sports offered include, swimming, tennis, hockey, rugby, football, basketball and athletics. Other private extras include gymnastics, ballet, horse riding, professional tennis coaching, musical instruments and chess.
