Page 18 - Kyalami Issue 2 May 2024

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
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Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design Folder (Inner) 26
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TRAVEL
EDUCATION

*16 Habits of Mind is a life skills tool kit “We were told every morning where we establish boundaries for our children to
to support children in making informed were going to teach for the day, and as thrive. We believe that children who are
decisions, overcoming challenges and the official opening day drew closer, many aligned with these values are more likely
finding solutions to obstacles in their path; classrooms still had concrete floors. Mrs. to succeed, achieve better results and take
Versfeld borrowed sacks of sawdust and greater responsibility for their conduct. The
*an inquiry-based approach to learning, transformed her classroom into an African values are developed across all aspects of
as opposed to being too focused on safari adventure! It was a great hit!” school life – within sports, academics and
Downtown Buenos Aires
content learning. Visible thinking routines cultural areas,” Mr Hala explains.
have been introduced to support learning Over the past few years, emphasis has
– this involves skills to help children been placed on growing the IT department, Character education is a crucial
explore new ideas, understand different with coding and robotics forming an component in preparing our children
perspectives, create possibilities and important part of the curriculum. This for high school and beyond. By instilling
investigate topics. Thinking maps have will be continued into the future and core values and ethical principles, it
been introduced to broaden the children’s a specialist IT educator, Mrs Kotwane, helps shape well-rounded individuals
skills for deeper understanding and ‘extends the children beyond the who are better equipped to navigate
meaning. The maps are visible, helping to classroom’, says Mr Hala. A robotics the complexities of life. Character
define, classify, analyse and understand club has been formed, with children education fosters personal growth, social
cause and effect when dealing with participating in the inter-school robotics responsibility and emotional intelligence,
various topics. league. all of which are essential for success in
PAST, PRESENT AND KPS strongly believes in building a both academic and real-world settings.
FUTURE: CARING FOR sense of community within the school, Following the Covid-19 pandemic, a
pastoral care department was set up to
OUR CHILDREN and its approach is to provide a sense support children struggling with anxiety.
of belonging where no child, teacher or
Sharing her recollections of the school’s parent feels left behind. It aims to help them reduce anxiety, build
early days, Sharlene Wright, a Grade relationships with their peers and provide
4 class teacher, says that teachers “The I-Care values at the school (integrity, a sounding board for their concerns. A
did not have specific classrooms and consistency, accountability, respect, social/emotional programme has been
moved around, depending on which excellence) form the basis of who we are, introduced as part of the curriculum to
classrooms were nearest completion. how we respond to situations and how we help any child needing support.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
In the early years, sports and extra-mural activities consisted of tennis, soccer
and cricket. There was initially no swimming pool and no field, and the children
walked to Kyalami Estates three times a week to use the facilities there and play
in the park.

Today, in addition to the regular activities, the school offers football for girls,
and this has been a huge success with an excellent following. Mr Hala believes
this has been positively influenced by the broad acceptance of, and interest in
women’s soccer in South Africa as a whole.
In the near future, a multi-purpose Astro Turf field will be installed close to the
pavilion.

16 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2024