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Parent Information
| COLLEGE
INFORMATION |
| School Hours |
| Our College runs on a 7
day academic timetable. |
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday |
07h30 to 14h30 |
| Wednesday |
07h30 to 13h05 |
The College assumes it’s curriculum at Grade 8,
continuing the Senior Phase through to the end of Grade
9. The pupils participate in all Eight Learning Areas,
as laid out by the National Curriculum. They end that
phase with externally set exit examinations and each
obtain a GET Certificate. Those staying on into the FET
Band (Further Education and Training) stay in the school
for Grades Ten, Eleven and Twelve. In this phase they
will carefully select their specialist subjects. At the
end of Grade Twelve, the learners sit the IEB
(Independent Examination Board) National Senior
Certificate.
Class Size & Lifestyle
Class size is limited to mid- twenties, although because
of subject choice, some classes may be considerably
smaller. Pupils are encouraged to communicate
effectively with their teachers. HeronBridge is an
English medium, co-educational College and offers a
comprehensive programme to prepare the children for
life.
Our ultimate aim is the development of
sound thinking and problem-solving skills such that the
various faculties produce highly educated pupils who are
able to tackle new problems effectively and with
confidence! Pupils develop the traits of creativity,
sensitivity, self-confidence and resourcefulness. Our
approach is determined by the pupils’ interests,
experience and environment. They are encouraged to
express, analyse and substantiate personal opinions,
responses and preferences.
Our academic staff
are highly qualified and continual professional
development is emphasized. Pupils are encouraged to
develop a sound work ethic and small class sizes allow
for individual attention. Academic Support is available
to pupils in every subject.
CURRICULUM - GET – GRADE 8 AND GRADE 9
The GET (General Education and Training), Band
follows the National Curriculum with pupils
participating in all eight learning areas. The phase
ends with externally set exit examinations.
Subjects
offered in Grade 8 and 9 :
English
Afrikaans
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Human & Social
Sciences
Economic & Management Sciences
Technology
Life Orientation
ArtFET – GRADE 10 – 12
The FET (Further Education and Training), Grades 10 -
12, pupils carefully select carefully their subjects. At
the end of Grade 12, pupils sit the IEB Examination.
(Independent Examination Board) National Senior
Certificate.
Subject Choice
| Grade 10 – 12
Compulsory Subjects |
Grade 10 – 12
Optional Subjects |
| English First Language |
Life Science |
| Afrikaans First
Additional Language |
Physical Science |
| Mathematics – or |
History |
| Mathematical Literacy |
Geography |
| Life Orientation |
Art |
| |
Accounting |
| |
Computer IT (Information Technology) – or |
| |
Computer Studies CAT (Computer Aided
Technology) |
Notes
- A pupil must offer
seven subjects;
- A pupil must offer two official
languages;
- All pupils must offer all the
compulsory subjects;
- Mathematics will be on offer
at HeronBridge only to those who achieve at least 50% in
Mathematics in Grade 9;
- Mathematical Literacy will
be the compulsory option for those who achieve less than
50% in Mathematics in Grade 9
- Accounting, Computer
Studies IT and Science require Mathematics and so will
not be options for those who achieve less than 50% in
Mathematics in Grade 9;
- Computer Studies CAT will
not be an option for pupils offering Mathematics, except
in special circumstances;
- The requirements for
further studies set by the various tertiary
institutions.
Co-Curricular Activities
Pupils are encouraged to partake in as many
co-curricular activities as possible, and pupils are
required to be involved in at least one activity per
term or season.
Sporting activities offered are:
| Rugby |
Netball |
Swimming |
| Athletics |
Cross Country |
Hockey |
| Cricket |
Tennis |
Volleyball |
| Equestrian |
First Aid |
Open Water Swimming |
In the last few years our sporting achievements have
grown immensely. The HeronBridge Sports Complex
comprises Soccer, Rugby and Hockey Fields, Netball and
Tennis Courts. In 2006 to commemorate the new fields,
the Under 14 Rugby & Netball Festival was developed. We
also take part in sporting tours on a national basis.
Cultural activities offered are:
| Public Speaking |
Debating |
Choir |
| Drama |
Photographic |
Society |
We hold an annual Major Production, and are very
competitive in public speaking and debating, winning
many regional trophies for our participation.
HeronBridge College has won Best School in the Region
for the National Eisteddfod for 5 consecutive years
(2005 to 2009).
Canteen
We have a canteen style tuckshop serving healthy food
items at reasonable prices. The canteen is open
throughout the day and closes late afternoon to allow
for our co-curricular programme. Pupils are issued with
a smart card which allows for a cash free canteen.
Making School Cool
HeronBridge College launched the “Making School Cool”
policy in 2006. We encourage cell phone sms to
communicate with our pupils. Our pupils respond well to
the theme and it certainly seems like school is cool for
them! The canteen vibrates every break with music, cell
phones buzz with the daily messages and HBucks are
earned with great enthusiasm! HBucks are awarded to
pupils for academic, cultural and sporting activities.
HeronBridge Personal Challenge
This is a programme of diverse activities set to
challenge individuals to do their best over the years
they are in the College, for themselves, their school
and society. There are various levels of award, set for
a vast range of activities, from the Squacco Heron
award, through the Grey and Purple Heron awards to the
ultimate Goliath Heron accolade. The challenges are
personal in that individual pupils set their own targets
and seek to meet these outside of any assistance from
the College.
DigiSchool
2010 has seen the introduction of the College’s digital
school. Lessons have a technological flavour, pupils use
laptops in class and work is sent electronically between
school and home. Digidays have been scheduled on a
monthly basis in order to emphasise the importance of
computers in the learning process.
2009 Grade 12 Results
We are extremely proud of the College’s 2009 NSC
results. This was only the fourth group of pupils to
complete their schooling at HeronBridge. Over the four
years a reputation has now been firmly established for
excellent academic results and the pattern places the
College at the forefront of good schools.
Writing
the IEB examinations, all of HeronBridge College’s 62
candidates passed, thus achieving a 100% pass rate. The
Bachelor Degree pass rate (the number of candidates
qualifying for university access) was 92%, or 57 of the
total. The other 5 candidates all achieved the Diploma
pass, qualifying them also for tertiary education.
That’s a 100x100 rate: 100% pass and 100% access to
tertiary institutions! 7 of our pupils attained overall
averages above 75%. The pupils achieved a total of 70
distinctions, followed by 116 B symbols and 118 C
symbols. The Dux Scholar was Jordyn Laubscher, with a
total of 7 distinctions (English, Mathematics,
Mathematics Paper 3, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences,
Information Technology, Life Orientation) and an average
of 85% |
