Senior Primary
Responsibility & independence
The Intermediate and Senior Phase, or Intersen Phase, as it is commonly known, includes learners from Grade Four to Grade Seven.
This is a very exciting phase of the learners’ preadolescent development as they are becoming more independent, more socially adept and more self-aware. They are also able to more competently grasp the more academic and challenging areas of the school curriculum.
At the beginning of this phase, learners are introduced to Natural Sciences and Technology and Social Sciences.
They are then later introduced to Economic and Management Sciences and Technology at Grade Seven level.
At John Wesley School, the learners are taught to be responsible and independent in all that they do.
This responsibility extends to them doing their homework diligently and independently.
Parent participation, encouragement and guidance is of paramount importance during these very important years, especially when it comes to language development.
Parents are encouraged to continue to read English and Home Language literature with their children to improve their comprehension and language skills. They are encouraged to join the local library with their children so that they can select age-appropriate books of interest.
A specific time must be set aside each day from Monday to Thursday for homework activities, preferably when there are no distractions. Parents are asked to oversee and sign the Homework books every day.
Communication between the school and parents regarding their children is vital in ensuring that they succeed academically. For this purpose, School Support Team (SST) meetings are held twice a week during the course of each term.
Should there be a concern raised about a learner’s academic progress, emotional well-being or behaviour, an appointment will be made via the learner’s Homework book for the parent to come to the school to discuss the concerns.
The SST includes the Principal, the Deputy Principal, the Heads of the Foundation and Intersen Phases, the Remedial Teacher, an Intersen Phase Teacher, the LSEN Class Teacher, the Class Teacher of the child being discussed and the Principal’s Personal Assistant, who records the details of each meeting in the minutes.
The reason for a panel discussion about the learners’ challenges is to gain collective wisdom from a group of experienced educators on the best course of action to help the child overcome whatever difficulty they are facing.
This may involve an educational assessment, a paediatric assessment, extra lessons or counselling, amongst other interventions. Teachers do not meet with parents independently to discuss learners’ progress other than on Parent Mornings where general discussion takes place on the academic progress made by individual children.
Honesty and creativity are developed through the daily activities that are conducted in the classrooms. The Christian character of our school contributes to the spiritual growth of each learner and allows for learner participation in assembly devotions and daily prayer, in order to sustain this growth.
In the classroom, various methods and assessment techniques are used, which enhances the quality of teaching and learning. Learners are encouraged to participate in diverse sporting codes as well as a variety of cultural activities.
Our Grade Six learners attend a leadership course each year that prepares them for their senior roles in Grade Seven by teaching them the importance of teamwork and accountability.
