Preparatory

Principal's Welcome

Our children are most privileged to function within an environment where they are constantly exposed to a range of activities and pursuits which will ultimately prepare them for ‘their future’. In the classroom, a strong work ethic and the ability to think deeply, reason and create is an integral part of any lesson. In our brief history, we have celebrated many sporting successes.

Our swimming culture continues to grow in reputation and other sporting codes – football, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball and equestrian – are proudly flying our school’s flag. Annually our Grade 3 to 7 children spend time away from home on camp where they are exposed to nature and introduced to independence and the value of functioning within a team. Our senior teams are rewarded for their dedication and commitment to our school sport by virtue of tours, which have become an established tradition.

Performing arts, music and culture are celebrated pillars of our school. Many of our children are learning to play a musical instrument, our choirs are established and celebrated, and we annually stage a school production at Tyger Valley with great success and rave review.

Outreach remains fundamental to the ethos of any school and Tyger Valley Preparatory embraces this pillar of our school at every opportunity. Whether creating awareness as to the plight of our endangered wildlife, supporting local schools and disadvantaged communities or feeding and caring for abandoned pets, our children are developing a healthy social conscience from a very early age.

An encounter with a Tyger Valley Preparatory child will always be a pleasing experience. They are quite simply ‘happy children’ who enjoy the supportive and nurturing environment of our fine school and community. We always arrive at school with a contented smile and depart after a long day with a good story to share.

The African proverb that says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, most certainly rings true in the context of the Preparatory school at Tyger Valley College. We are blessed with a team of talented teachers and passionate parents who truly ‘live the difference’ at our proud school. This ensures that the school motto, ‘Through enjoyment to excellence’ pervades every aspect of a child’s life at Tyger Valley.

Mr Gavin Langley 
Tyger Valley College Preparatory Principal

Academics

Foundation phase (Grade 1-3)
Inquiry Based learning: Concepts and themes
Inquiry-based learning is a form of active learning that starts by posing questions, problems or scenarios—rather than simply presenting established facts or portraying a smooth path to knowledge. This learning is done through teaching concepts by way of themes. Eg. Innovation is a concept taught to children through the theme of Invention, the concept of Connectedness is taught through the theme Around the World. 

Teaching Methods
Kagan Structures are instructional strategies designed to promote cooperation and communication in the classroom, boost pupils' confidence and retain their interest in classroom interaction.
De Bono's Six Thinking Hats is a powerful technique for looking at decision making from different points of view. It allows emotion and scepticism to be brought into what might normally be a purely rational process, and it opens up the opportunity for creativity within decision making.
Philosophy for Children. Philosophy for Children (P4C) is a movement that aims to teach reasoning and argumentative skills to children. 
Time2Read is a phonic and reading program started in Grade 0. It focuses on specific methods to help children learn spelling through learning the spelling rules and tendencies. This programme is introduced and well structured in Grade 0 and continued in Grade 1. 

Tracking
Tracking is constant, daily assessment of your child’s learning, development and progress in order to reach Competency. Formal tests are not done, however, we do on occasion encourage “own brain work” to get pupils used to focusing on a specific task without the social aspect of group work and collaboration. Tracking is very comprehensive although the report parents receive is more summarised. 

Competencies
The sole aim of all of the above is embedding fundamentals for learning in various ways. The goal of embedding is long-term skills and knowledge that can be built upon in higher grades. The Junior Phase is seen as one whole academic entity with three parts (Grade 1,2 and 3) and everything we do is aimed at using those 3 years to prepare a solid educational foundation.

Feedback
Formal reports are issued twice a year in June and December to provide feedback to parents. These reports are published on the student portal and are based on competence and developing competence. 
Feedback is ongoing through discussions and regular meetings throughout the year.
Meetings and feedback are encouraged on an on-going basis to discuss any aspects of a pupil’s academic progress or any other matters throughout the term.
Student Led Conferences
 These are opportunities to celebrate your child’s learning and the presentation of the evidence of this learning is done by your child. Academic discussions do not take place here.

Homework 
This is not done formally. Spelling and reading is sent home. Basic Maths practise activities may be sent home too. Due to the interactive nature of teaching, reading is done throughout the day, but reading of the actual reader is done at home. Use this time not only to listen to your child, but to bond with them, discuss the story and make this a positive experience. 

Senior Preparatory (Grade 4-7) 
The Senior Preparatory Phase (SP) encompasses Grades 4 to 7, and currently consists of 4 classes for each of these Grades, each accommodating a maximum of 25 pupils.
The SP is managed by a Phase Head directly responsible to the Principal, and is staffed by teachers who are motivated not only by their love for children but also by their passion for education.
We believe that the empowerment and potential for success brought about by a holistic approach to education such as the one offered here at Tyger Valley College, is the inalienable right of every child. This approach focuses not only on the acquisition of subject knowledge, but also on the development of both practical and life skills, competencies, values and attitudes characteristic of a joyful, well-adjusted, productive and successful future member of the South African- and indeed the international community.

The stimulating and challenging academic curriculum, based on the National Curriculum Statement, has been developed and refined by our expert educators to prepare all our pupils for the rigors and challenges of academic life after Grade 7 and even beyond their years at the High School.
The curriculum includes the following learning areas: English (first language), Afrikaans (second language), Mathematics, Natural Science, Technology, Geography, History, Life Orientation, music, Art and EMS. In addition, each pupil also attends Digital Literacy and physical education lessons on a weekly basis.
Pupils requiring additional academic and/or emotional support are referred to our in-house Academic Enrichment Centre (AEC), where our expert remedial educators and school psychologists assist and encourage them.
Our afternoon programme includes extra-curricular & private sports and cultural activities four days a week (Monday-Thursday), and a daily voluntary 1 hour homework and studying session.
When all is said and done however, nothing indicates the success of the work done in the Senior Preparatory better than the smiles on the faces of our pupils and the laughter, happiness and good cheer that abounds in the classrooms, on the corridors and on the playground.

Assessment (Gr4-7)
The first two lessons every Friday are dedicated to “formal” testing. Informal testing happens on a continuous basis during the week. 

Extra Murals

Junior Preparatory Offering:
Swimming 
Tennis
Cricket
Equestrian (external) 
Hockey
Netball
Soccer (boys & girls)
Athletics
Cross-Country
Choir
Chess
Private: 
Ballet
Drama
Orcas (learn to swim)
MyHockey
Coever Soccer
Tuks Swimming 
Judo
TIME Maths
Senior Preparatory Offering:
Team Swimming Development Swimming
Tennis
Cricket
Hockey
Netball
Soccer (boys & girls)
Athletics
Cross-Country
Maths Club
STEAM Club
Toastmasters
ECO Club
Chess 
Choir
Private:
Ballet
Drama
Orcas (learn to swim)
MyHockey
Coever Soccer
Tuks Swimming 
Judo
TIME
Private Music Lessons (instrumental music instruction) 
Percussion & String Ensemble

School Hours

The Preparatory School offers an integrated school day, with the traditional academic school day being augmented by study sessions as well as sports and cultural activity sessions.
Each Pupil should participate in one activity every day from Mondays to Thursdays, and should participate in at least one sporting and one cultural activity each week. These activities will vary according to the seasons. The choice of these activities is made at the start of each term.
On Fridays, no study or activity sessions are offered.
School Hours are as follows:

Academic Day
Grade 1-3
07:30 – 13:00 (Mon – Thurs)
07:30 – 13:30 (Fridays)

Grade 4-7
07:30 – 13:35 (Mon - Friday)

Extra-Curricular 
Grade 1-3 
13:00 – 13:55
Supervision 14:00-14:45

Grade 4-7
14:00 – 15:00 first session
15:00 – 16:00 second session
 

Extra Murals

Junior Preparatory Offering:
Swimming 
Tennis
Cricket
Equestrian (external) 
Hockey
Netball
Soccer (boys & girls)
Athletics
Cross-Country
Choir
Chess
Private: 
Ballet
Drama
Orcas (learn to swim)
7’s All Star Rugby Academy
Hockey 5’s
Coever Soccer
Tuks Swimming Club
Judo
TIME
Senior Preparatory Offering:
Team Swimming Development Swimming
Tennis
Cricket
Hockey
Netball
Soccer (boys & girls)
Rugby
Athletics
Cross-Country
Maths Club
STEAM Club
Toastmasters
Arts & Crafts
ECO Club
TOMS Club
Conversational Zulu
Chess 
Choir
Dance Club
Private:
Ballet
Drama
Orcas (learn to swim)
7’s All Star Rugby Academy
Hockey 5’s
Coever Soccer
Tuks Swimming Club
Judo
TIME
Private Music Lessons (instrumental music instruction) 
Percussion & String Ensemble

Sport

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Academic Enrichment Centre

A centre responsible for facilitating the implementation of programmes that will serve to encourage pupils to utilise their talents, enhance their skills and experience self-confidence.
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Aftercare

Tyger Valley College Preparatory offers aftercare facility on the premises for children from grades 1 to 7. 
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Sport

View

Academic Enrichment Centre

A centre responsible for facilitating the implementation of programmes that will serve to encourage pupils to utilise their talents, enhance their skills and experience self-confidence.
View

Aftercare

Tyger Valley College Preparatory offers aftercare facility on the premises for children from grades 1 to 7. 
View

Code of Conduct

Preparatory

Contact us

Tel: (012) 809 2989/ (012) 809 2879 
Aftercare: 076 999 9072
Preparatory email: 
 prep@tygervalleycollege.co.za
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