Our School
The Village
Montessori Pre-, Primary and High School was established
in 1992 and is registered with the Gauteng Education
Department as an Independent School.
The examination body for our High School is the
Cambridge International Examination Board.
Our Method
The school is based on the Montessori principles as
compiled by Dr Maria Montessori, a well known Italian
educator. The basis of the method is the viewpoint that
each child has an innate desire to learn. The
prerequisite to learning taking place is the existence
of a prepared environment where the child can be
directed and not taught.
Our High School students follow the Cambridge University
International Curriculum from Grade 8 to 12. We are a
study centre for the British International Distance
College. Children are allowed to study at their own pace
and in a self directed manner. Tutors are available in
class and online. The Grade 7 students are included in
the High School as their needs differ from those in
Senior Primary. They also form a natural part of the 12
to 15 year old community.
Montessori education at secondary level has great
relevance in our modern world. Traditional high schools
prepare students for further studies: they do not
concentrate to the same degree on guiding young people
to independence and the ability to adapt to social life.
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.
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 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.
We offer
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Holistic
education that aims to meet the needs of the
pupils academically, physically and emotionally.
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he prepared
environment contains Montessori didactic
equipment which allows concrete experiences of
concepts. |
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We encourage
understanding through a questioning mind. |
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Classes are
small and consist of a mixed age group,
fostering a community spirit and ensuring that
the needs of every child are met. |
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Outings enrich
children’s experiences and the Primary and High
School children go on an annual camp. |
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Chess is
offered as a subject to all Grade 1 to 6
children. |
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French or Zulu
is offered as a third language to all Primary
School children. |
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All
Pre-school, Junior and Senior Primary children
attend music lessons once a week. |
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General Information
School starts:
Preschool, Primary & High School 08:00
School closes:
Preschool 12:30, Junior Primary 13:00, Senior Primary,
13:30 13:00 Fridays, High School 15:00, 14:00 Fridays
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Holiday care is provided at differentiated rates
from 7:00 to 17:30 for Preschool and Primary
school children. No holiday care is provided
during the mid-term breaks and after 15
December. |
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Aftercare is available until 17:30. |
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A cooked lunch can be ordered at a reasonable
cost. |
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Staff/pupil ratios: - Preschool (3 to 6 years)
1:13; Primary school (Grade 1 to 6) 1:17; High
school (Grade 7 to 12) 1:20; Aftercare 2:24 -
This is a guideline only. |
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We have a three term year. |
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No school uniform is prescribed. Children have
to be dressed in an acceptable fashion. |
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We encourage healthy eating and therefore have a
strict food policy. |
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A variety of extra-mural activities are offered. |
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A five percent discount is granted on sibling’s
fees and ten percent discount on fees paid in
full before 31 January. |
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Three month’s written notice is required in the
event of a child leaving the school. |
Parental commitment to Montessori education is
imperative. Parents need to reinforce the methods used
at school at home as well. Parents are expected to
familiarise themselves with the methodology by reading
up and attending information sessions.
Application Process
We are selective when it comes to admitting students
because the groups are small and we need to ensure that
the appropriate atmosphere of learning and respect is
maintained at all times. Only students with impeccable
personal records will be considered. Our school is
committed to building a close community and it is
important to build a relationship with the family, we
therefore also request an interview with the family
before deciding if the family will fit into our
community. Our admissions process attempts to gather a
picture of each applicant that will be as complete as
possible. It includes one or more classroom visits,
interviews, assessment of the applicant, a review of the
student’s academic record and the recommendations of
teachers who have worked with the student and family.
An application fee of R1 500-00 is payable at
application of which R1 000 is refundable on certain
conditions (see application form). Once the application
form is received a motivation form will be sent to the
parents. Once this step is complete the parents and the
applicant will be invited for an interview at the
school. The applicant will then be invited to an
assessment.
Primary and High school students are expected to spend
the morning at the school to enable them to experience
Montessori education for themselves before making a
final decision. We also need time to ascertain whether
or not the prospective student will prosper in a
Montessori setting. Preschool children come for a 30
minute assessment after school.
If your child is accepted the Good Faith Deposit (three
month’s fees) is payable within the time stipulated to
secure their place in the school.
Preschool children need to be fully potty trained, three
years of age and have a basic understanding of English.
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