Pre-Preparatory

Pre-Preparatory

Mrs Carmen Weir – Principal’s message

W.B. Yeats once said “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” Schools should be transformational- they should expand the powers of the mind, and they should enrich the spirit.
At Tyger Valley College Pre-Preparatory School we believe in fulfilling both these roles. In mental development, the main aim is to produce a love of learning that lasts through life, and an ability to learn. It matters greatly what children learn, but it matters more that they get the habit and skill of learning and of life! To enrich the spirit, we believe in training the habits of the heart. There is no conflict between the objectives of harmonious living and academic excellence. We believe in teaching our children to have a spirit of giving and to make ‘getting’ less of an imperative.
Children who grow up like this are likely to lead happy lives. They will not be happy all the time. but they will learn to treat a setback as a challenge, and eventually to rise above it. Equally important is that they will then contribute to the happiness of others.
Ultimately we want our children to flourish and they do this when they have a sense of meaning in their lives, which comes from both social engagement and enthusiastic development of their own interests and talents. The aim of the Pre-Preparatory Phase at Tyger Valley College is therefore to act as a values-based community promoting mutual respect between all members of the school and involving parents closely. Unless parents are intimately involved in the life of the school, and the life of their children, it is not possible to achieve our goals.
Every decade brings new developments and changes to society, but it is our duty to stop and reflect on its impact on children and young people and re-evaluate the place of childhood in modern society. In a book I read recently entitled “A good childhood – searching for values in a competitive age” children are referred to as a ‘sacred trust’ and at Tyger Valley College Pre-Preparatory School we firmly believe this and keep this at the core of all we do with your children.
Key to happy children at a school such as ours, are the teachers who implement and live out the philosophy and ethos mentioned above.
These teachers…

Believe they have been called by God to teach.

hey believe in children, young and old, black and white, rich and poor; each in need of learning

They believe in blackboards, chalk dust, textbooks and computers for each have a part in imparting knowledge.

They believe the love they give to their students will someday be reflected in their lives.

They believe the gift of teaching is not measured simply by marks, enrolment, or the end of the school year.

It is the witness they give and the fullness of the life lived by those they teach.

They believe they have the power to lead those in need of learning, to the threshold of their own minds.

They believe in their giftedness to use each tool available no matter how new or old, for the light of knowledge in the eyes of another is their goal.

They believe teaching is more than test, diplomas, paperwork and fundraising.

It is the values they breathe daily into one another…slowly

It is the faith they share in Jesus…ever changing and growing….never ending.

They believe their success today goes unnoticed….until these they teach and touch can stand alone and say “in my life I have learned…”

They believe if they have taught and touched one person… in God’s name…they have used their gifts justly…and can humbly say…

They believe in teaching.

Grade 000 – 0 Academics
Co-Curricular Activities

The Cottage – GRADE 0000

An early childhood programme at The Cottage understands that children’s early learning experiences deeply affect their future physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.

We believe in optimising the early years of children’s lives through a play based, inquiry lead curriculum with a strong emphasis on global competencies. This is the best investment we can make as a society to ensure our children’s future success.

The Cottage caters for children age 2 turning 3 years in the year of enrolment. Teaching takes place in small, focussed groups and places emphasis on settling children into a routine while introducing a rich and varied age-appropriate curriculum. Teachers are qualified and classroom assistants have a minimum requirement of a national senior certificate.

GRADE 000-0 ACADEMICS

At Tyger Valley College we strive to create a safe and stimulating environment for our children, an environment in which our children can learn and develop in totality. To this aim we focus on the intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual growth of each pupil. Our overall aim is to empower each pupil to fulfill his or her true potential. We prepare the pupils for the Junior Preparatory Phase through a balanced daily programme. This is accomplished by focusing on a variety of aspects, some of which include:

Themes that expand the pupils’ knowledge by means of relevant general information, stories, songs, special activities and outings.
Stories and discussions (formal and informal) to promote vocabulary, general knowledge and correct language usage.
Early mathematical concepts through the use of play and specific mathematical activities.
Creative activities to promote fine motor skills, planning and perseverance, and to help promote correct handling of tools and various media.
Extending gross motor skills through structured movement lessons as well as free play outside.
A Musical programme including singing, instrumental play and movement to music to help develop a sense of rhythm and a love of music.
Free play to promote and encourage social communication and interaction.
Fantasy play and fantasy corners.
Encouraging pupils to become independent and confident through various aspects of the daily programme.
Remedial help in the form of our Academic Enrichment Centre, where pupils have access to counsellors, Educational Psychologists, speech and Occupational Therapists.
We endeavour to provide a loving, warm, safe environment where pupils feel at ease and happy. We equip pupils to become independent, confident individuals who accept challenges and produce high quality work. Here we begin to equip our pupils with the necessary skills and knowledge that will carry them through life.

At Tyger Valley College Pre-Preparatory school we believe in treating all the pupils in our care with dignity, respect and love. The leaders of tomorrow are in our charge, and this great responsibility not only to society and the individual but our country at large which we take very seriously.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Grade000	Grade00	Grade0	Optional Extras
Ballet (nominal admission fee charged) Judo Monkey nastics Swimming Lessons Tennis (seasonal) Music Maths Land	Ballet(nominal admission fee charged) Judo Swimming Lessons Tennis (Seasonal) Monkeynastics Music Maths Land	Ballet (nominal admission fee charged) Judo Swimming Lessons Tennis (Seasonal) Monkeynastics Music Maths Land Computer classes Sports Skills	Pottery Miki Maths Cover Soccer Drama

Academic Enrichment Centre

The Vision Statement of AEC is to be a centre that is responsible for facilitating the implementation of programmes that will serve to encourage learners to utilise their talents, enhance their skills and experience self confidence.

Aftercare

Tyger Valley College offers an after-care facility on the premises for children from grades 000 to 6. Included in the Aftercare fees is a meal and a snack.

Information Brochure

Pre-Prep A-Z