Montessori education not only
prepares adolescents to take
their place in working society
as adults, but it also
continually prepares them to be
well grounded and confident.
Adolescence is that period in an
individual’s life during which
he begins the difficult
transition from childhood to
adulthood. Adolescents have
problems, situations, needs and
interests that are particular to
them only. Students at this
stage of their development have
to cope with puberty, newfound
sexuality and untapped
creativity.
The
objective of our High school is
to meet the academic and social
needs and interests of the
adolescent: specific
consideration and allowance must
be made for their beginning
steps towards independence,
making their own decisions,
identifying themselves with
others, rapid growth, and the
possible lack of harmony -
physically, mentally and in
social relationships.
Our
education goals try to include
preparation for present-day and
future living, adaptability to
change, development of
citizenship, development of
self-discipline and development
of personal as well as social
goals.
In
keeping with the above, Village
Montessori High school aims to:
-
offer an enrichment
programme which will make
the curriculum more
meaningful;
-
encourage students to
question;
-
recognise individual
differences;
-
be
facilitators of learning;
-
avoid an “explosion” of
tests;
-
allow students to progress
at their own rate;
-
allow students’ own work
time;
-
develop planning and
problem-solving skills;
-
teach communication skills;
-
develop self-understanding;
-
develop motivation
techniques;
-
use
constructive methods for
dealing with stress and
depression; and
-
stimulate personal
creativity.
The
Village Montessori High School
offers a programme that will
supplement their studies with
social, creative and physical
activities. Students of this age
welcome a programme that offers
excitement, exploration and
active participation.
The
adolescent’s drive for
independence has two areas at
this age: the desire to help
others expands into a need to
make a direct contribution to
society and have it recognised
and the adolescent has a desire
to become financially
independent.
For this
reason, occupations (running of
businesses) are introduced to
the High School students. These
students feel the need to learn
outside the confines of a
classroom to develop social
awareness and responsibility.
The
running of their own businesses
and community projects meet many
of these needs.
The High
School works in phases:
HIGH
SCHOOL PHASES
CAMBRIDGE CURRICULUM
Village Montessori High School
is an
Associate Centre of the British
Council.
We begin the
Cambridge curriculum in year 7,
not in year 8 as is the usual
practice. We align ourselves
with the British time line for
completing these studies.
Unlike schools that have a more
traditional approach, students
in our school work in a more
self-directed manner and are
allowed to pace themselves.
Should a child achieve
exceptionally well in certain
subjects, he may progress sooner
than usual to a next phase for
such subjects. The IGCSE phase
should be completed over a
minimum of 2 years, but a pupil
may, for instance, complete his
two languages at the end of his
first year and then concentrate
on subjects such as mathematics
and science in the second year.
Alternatively he may choose to
commence with the languages on
AS level in his final IGCSE
year, in order to complete all
languages earlier. This will
enable him to concentrate on
only three subjects in his final
year of school. This prepares
the child for the independent
way of working at university,
and he learns to take
responsibility for his own work
and achievements at a young age.
FOUNDATION PHASE – (Grade 7 and
8)
The
Foundation Course is a minimum
two year program designed to
give students a firm grounding
in the concepts of Mathematics,
Natural Sciences (Biology,
Physics and Chemistry) and
English. In addition to these
core subjects we also offer
Afrikaans, French, Social
Science (History and Geography),
Business Studies and Computer
Studies. Our Foundation Phase
integrates a Montessori
curriculum with the Cambridge
Syllabus with much emphasis on
lifeskills using occupations,
special interest research
projects and community
engagement. The students write
internal examinations.
IGCSE
PHASE – (Grade 9 and 10)
The
International General
Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE) is an
international qualification
which has been designed to equip
students with the skills needed
for immediate employment. IGCSE
provides a broad study programme
by drawing subjects from five
areas: Languages, Humanities,
Social Sciences, Mathematics,
Creative, Technical and
Vocational.
Within the curriculum there is a
balanced mix of practical
experience and theoretical
knowledge. This course is
equivalent to the British GCSE
or O levels and the students
write external exams which are
marked by University of
Cambridge International
Examinations (Examinations
Authority). Students complete
this phase over two years.
AS
LEVEL (Advanced Subsidiary)
AS-Level is the first stage of
A-levels and is equivalent to
year 11 and 12 of South African
schooling. Due to the high
academic level required students
will complete the AS-level over
18
months to two years. A-level is
not offered at our school.
SUBJECT CHOICES
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL
CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY
EDUCATION [IGCSE]
STUDENTS SHOULD TAKE A MINIMUM
OF SEVEN SUBJECTS:
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS:
1.
English First Language
2.
Afrikaans Second Language
AND/OR
3.
French Foreign Language
4.
Mathematics
CHOOSE THE REMAINDER OF SUBJECTS
FROM THE FOLLOWING:
5.
French [not offered at AS level]
6.
Chemistry
7.
Physics
8.
Biology
9.
Business Studies
10.
Accounting
11.
Economics
12.
Travel and Tourism
13.
Music [depending on a successful
audition]
14.
Art and Design
15.
Computer Science [not offered at
AS-level]
16.
Information and Communication
Technology [not offered at
AS-Level]
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