Senior Primary

Grade 4 - Grade 7

Message from the Principal

Welcome to St Teresa’s Senior Primary, where every girl begins an exciting new chapter of growth, exploration, and discovery as they transition to our Rosebank campus in Grade 4. At this pivotal stage, we guide our girls toward taking greater responsibility for their academic journey and personal development. Our mission is to provide a safe and caring environment where each girl feels a sense of belonging while she explores her interests, pushes her boundaries, and blossoms into her true potential.

The Senior Primary phase continues to build on the Growth Mindset foundation laid in Junior Primary. We embrace forward-thinking approaches, fostering collaboration and creativity both in the classroom and through our extensive sporting and cultural extra-curricular offerings. Here, learning extends beyond academics. It’s a place where mistakes are seen as stepping stones to improvement, and our teachers actively support the girls in becoming resilient, independent thinkers.

Founded in 1930 by the Sisters of Mercy, St Teresa’s has long upheld the values of inclusion, spiritual growth, and responsibility. Our history is one of breaking barriers and nurturing strong, well-rounded young women who go on to make a difference in the world. Today, we continue this legacy by providing a holistic education that upholds our core values of excellence, collaboration, and global vision.

At the heart of our school lies our Mercy ethos, which permeates every aspect of life at St Teresa’s. Our outreach projects teach our girls the value of compassion, while weekly Mass and spiritual guidance help them grow in faith. The Senior Primary is more than just a place of learning; it’s where each girl is seen, heard, and understood for who she is and who she strives to become.

Our community is small and close-knit, and we take great joy in involving parents and families in the life of the school. Whether on the sports field, in the cultural programs, or at one of our many social events, there is always a sense of unity and collaboration at St Teresa’s. We believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and our staff, parents, and pupils work together to ensure every girl thrives.

St Teresa’s Senior Primary is more than just a school—it’s a home where each girl can flourish into a confident, compassionate, and capable young woman. We invite you to experience the vibrant and peaceful atmosphere that shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

We look forward to welcoming you into our St Teresa’s family.

Warm regards,

Mrs Lindsey Verster
Principal: Senior Primary

Academic Excellence and Holistic Development

At St Teresa’s, we teach beyond the standard CAPS curriculum, placing emphasis on the development of core skills, problem-solving abilities, and our strong values. We encourage our Rosies to take ownership of their learning, and we are proud of our tradition of excellence and academic rigour.

A sense of connectedness and belonging is central to our approach, and we place great importance on the development of emotional and social skills. Our enhanced CAPS curriculum supports pupil growth, with continuous assessments taking place throughout the year to monitor progress.

For those needing additional support, our Learner Support Programme provides extra assistance. Small class sizes ensure personalised attention, with teachers regularly communicating with parents to keep them informed about their child's progress.

Our teachers are highly knowledgeable in their subjects and enjoy creative freedom in their classrooms. They also have ongoing opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, cluster groups, and presentations to enhance their skills and ensure their teaching remains relevant in today’s dynamic environment.

At St Teresa’s, Rosies are encouraged to participate in a wide range of academic competitions, such as the SAMF Maths Challenge and Geography Olympiads, as well as our termly Chatterbox Public Speaking Festivals. To support academic success, our teachers offer Academic Booster Classes in core subjects to help pupils consolidate content.

Our creative curriculum further enriches the learning experience through project weeks, STEAM activities, and hands-on experiments, promoting curiosity and engagement. In addition, our computer lessons focus on digital literacy and online safety, equipping our Rosies with the essential skills needed to navigate the digital world confidently and safely.

Learning Support - Grade 4-7

Learning Support is designed to support pupils who may encounter challenges with certain aspects of their academic work, particularly in English and Mathematics.

This assistance is provided in the classroom or through individualised or small group sessions, tailored around each pupil’s needs.

At St Teresa's, the Learner Support teacher collaborates with the Mathematics and English teachers to ensure they are aligned regarding the material being taught and learning accommodations that will assist a pupil’s learning needs in the classroom.

This intervention adopts a didactic approach, reinforcing and reviewing concepts that may not have been fully grasped during lessons.

Learner Support at St Teresa's employs innovative methods that incorporate both teaching strategies and game-based learning to enhance the learning experience and engagement.

Learner Support at St Teresa’s provides tailored study skills workshops that cover essential techniques, such as time management, effective note-taking, reading strategies and assessment preparation. Pupils will learn valuable test-taking skills, goal-setting methods, and organisational strategies to help them navigate their academic journey with confidence. We also emphasise memory techniques, research skills, and creating a conducive study environment, all while encouraging self-advocacy to ensure students feel empowered in their learning.

At St Teresa’s, we believe in providing gentle, tailored support for pupils experiencing temporary learning difficulties. We are a dedicated team who are committed to helping all pupils, including pupils with more significant learning difficulties, flourish and reach their full potential.

For Pupils with a Specific Learning difference diagnosed by an Educational Psychologist, we are here to nurture their learning experience with assessment and classroom accommodations, ensuring they feel embraced and supported every step of the way. Your child's well-being and success are our top priorities.

Subjects offered at St Teresa's

This curriculum covers Grades 4, 5, 6 & 7

In Grade 4 – 7 the girls all take the following subjects:

The following subjects are offered at St Teresa's:

English
First Additional language - Afrikaans
First Additional language - isiZulu
Mathematics
Natural Science
Social Sciences (Geography and History)
Performing Arts (Music and Drama)
Visual Art
Physical Education
Life Orientation
Religious Education
Computer Studies
Library (Grades 4 and 5)
Economic Management Sciences **

** This subject is only offered in Grade 7

Girls will choose between Afrikaans and isiZulu at the end of their Grade 6 year

Cultural Extramurals

St Teresa’s offers exciting and diverse cultural experiences for the girls at the school. We view our cultural activities as an integral part of school life. There is a slot for cultural activities for an hour both in the morning and afternoon once a week, allowing the girls to explore their interests. Some activities change each term with others, such as choir and marimbas, running for the full year. We take part in interschool events and competitions for many of these activities.

The following cultural activities are an example of what is offered in the Senior Primary School:

Marimbas
Choir
Band
Library
Needlework
Confidence Club
Kits Lit Club
Afrikaans Spreekkoor
Move (dance and aerobics)
Chess
Creative Space
Art Appreciation

Senior Primary Sport

At St Teresa’s, we aim to inspire a deep passion for sports and a lifelong love of physical activity in our girls, with the hope that they will embrace an active lifestyle throughout their lives.

Our focus is on encouraging healthy competition while prioritising participation, exposure to a range of sports, and personal growth. Participation in sports is a key component of our Senior Primary girls’ school experience. They are encouraged to participate in at least one school sport each season (two sports per term), attend two practice sessions each week, and take part in relevant fixtures.

St Teresa’s is actively involved in both the Catholic Schools and Independent Girls’ Schools Sports programmes. We place particular importance on swimming at the Senior Primary, recognising it as an essential life skill.

Our pupils also participate in various festivals, including the Saints Prep Festival, the St Mary’s DSH Hockey Festival, and other Catholic Schools festivals, ensuring a rich and diverse sporting experience.

Term 1 Sports

Swimming
Tennis
Cross Country
Netball

Term 2 Sports

Netball
Hockey

Term 3 Sports

Athletics
Tennis
Swimming
Soccer