From the Classroom

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

The Junior High School comprises Grades 7, 8 and 9 in a single phase. The Ambleside teaching methodology is applied in this, the Senior Phase, with teachers using narration and open-ended questions to guide and direct students as they speak and write.  Students are encouraged to evaluate curriculum content through the lens of a Biblical Christian worldview. 

Subjects 

Our curriculum is aligned with CAPS to ensure that students are fully prepared for Grades 10, 11 and 12 (the FET phase) at sought-after high schools offering the National Senior Certificate. The curriculum was developed by various teachers from Ambleside School of Hout Bay, in consultation with Ambleside Southern Africa, to include distinctive Ambleside subjects and topics in the standard South African curriculum for Grades 8 and 9.  

• English
• Afrikaans as a First Additional Language
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Biology)
• Social Sciences (Geography and History)
• Technology (Computer Literacy, Robotics and Coding)
• Economic and Management Sciences (Accounting and Business Studies)
• Creative Arts (Art, Composer Study and Picture Study)
• Life Orientation (incorporating Life Long Sports, Bible, Spiritual Classics and Citizenship)

Competitive Sport 

In addition to Life Long Sports which are included in normal school hours, we intend engaging with a local high school to allow our students to participate in their sports programme. If successful, The Vine School students would participate in practices and matches, playing under the colours of that school.    

Chess coaching will continue as well as participation in the Cape Town Metro Schools Chess League.

Drama

In 2025, Grade 7 and 8 students will perform one of two plays at the Shakespeare Festival. From 2026 onwards, Grade 8 and 9 students will perform in a non-Shakespearean production completely separate from the Shakespeare Festival. 

Service

The existing partnership with Trinity Children’s Centre will continue to be used as a platform for service and, with the guidance of their teacher, this will be tasked with identifying their own opportunity for service in something that is close to their heart.

Leadership

Starting in term 2, the principal will run a 12 week voluntary discipleship course on Monday afternoons from 15:00 - 16:00. Any Junior High students who attend the course may volunteer to be trained to lead  small group discussions when the course is run with a new class in 2026.

Junior High students are assigned to a preschool or Grade R “buddy” at the beginning of the year. Being a “buddy” entails keeping an observing eye over their “buddies” and connecting with them through play, reading or any other appropriate activity at least once a week.

Junior High students are engaged in conversations regarding playground rules, safety and, once a year, critically evaluate the student Code of Conduct.

Camp

The Grade 8 camp is a “Time of Solitude” retreat, camping in tents in the Berg River area near Paarl. The focus is on spending deep and meaningful time with God, their teacher and their peers. Students are guided through times of self-reflection, listening and being still before God and meditating on His Word.

High School Distinctives

Junior High students will wear a different uniform, occupy the classrooms in the north wing of the school, and will have one of the two break times in a school day apart from the rest of the school. 

Students will have more responsibility, such as assisting teachers with break duty, sharing a devotional message during Thursday assemblies and helping behind the scenes with the Shakespeare Festival.  

School Fees - 2025