Junior Primary Handbook - General Information

General Information

Clifton Notties App

All parents must download the Clifton Notties App and check it regularly for important updates and information. Please note that it is the responsibility of the parents to log onto the App regularly to check for information from the school.

The school app is our primary channel of communication and is intended for the current Clifton parents; for administration, communication, teaching and learning requirements.

Please click on the link for more detalis.

Assembly

Our Junior Primary assembly is held on Friday mornings in the school chapel. A bible story or moral lesson is taught in a nurturing, loving environment. Girls and boys are actively involved in role-play, reading the prayers and answering various questions. Girls and boys celebrating their birthdays in the forthcoming week are also acknowledged.

Boundaries

At Clifton, we believe that to create an environment that fosters good behaviour, connections such as the relationships between teacher and pupil and between pupils need to be developed. We endeavour to promote the following 7 pillars at Clifton: Tolerance, Fair Play, Integrity, Good Manners, Wholehearted effort and Good Citizenship

Our children’s freedom is conditional on these psychomotor rules:

We do not hurt others
We do not hurt ourselves
We respect the equipment

Based on the hurt-free communication model, the programme empowers the children to solve the conflict peacefully. This holistic programme prepares the child physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively for the learning process.

Outdoor Education*

The children go on three overnight excursions as well as some day trips. These trips serve to fully extend the theme being studied by giving the children the opportunity to have hands-on experience. Very valuable social skills, as well as interdependence, are taught.

Grade 1

Term 1: Roselands
Term 2: El Olam
Term 3: N/A
Term 4: Berg Venture

Grade 2

Term 1: Notties Farm
Term 2: Spirit of Adventure
Term 3: N/A
Term 4: Tala Game Reserve

Grade 3

Term 1: Greystone Camp
Term 2: Zingela
Term 3: N/A
Term 4: Berg Venture, Michaelhouse Oribi Reserve day trip and Hilton College Reserve

* Subject to change

Special Events

JP concert in the 3rd term
Inter-house Gala
Inter-house sports festivals
Mini-Comrades
Mini-Olympics
Literature Week
Numeracy Week
Grandparents Day
Events such as CANSA Shavathon and SPCA food collections
Relevant ‘special’ days to enrich termly themes
Boeresport Dag
isiZulu Day in Grade 3
Art Auction

Homework

Homework is a very important part of your child’s academic development. The one-to-one time spent with you reinforcing skills learnt in class is invaluable. You as parents are the prime motivators of your children and your support and positive approach to homework will make all the difference to your child’s education. Please ensure that homework is checked every day and that mistakes are corrected. If your child is battling with spelling or phonics it is important that you embrace different learning styles to help ‘cement’ things being learnt.

Homework will consist of the following:

Reading: a phonetic group reader in Grade 1
A Reading Room reader in Grades 2 and 3
Phonics: Building out words with arrow cards
Daily reading of sight words or wordlists (learning the rule)
Spellings: Daily practice of high-frequency words and spelling rules (this is an individual spelling programme)
Numeracy: Daily practice of mental maths, bonds and taught numerical concepts.

Homework should not take more than half an hour daily, excluding reading. It is important that you listen to your child reading. Spelling is tested every Friday to establish what the children have retained and words should be revised at home daily. There will be occasions during the year when there is extra homework (a poem to learn, a project to research).

If for any reason, no matter how trivial, the homework is not done, please write a note in the homework book to relieve anxiety for your child. The homework book is to be checked every day.

Harmonious homework habits:

DO put conscious effort into developing good study habits. The dividends will last a lifetime.
DO show interest and concern - this will show your child that study matters.
DO explain why homework is important and not just an infringement on spare time.
DO provide helpful conditions – peace, quiet and non-interference by siblings.
DO negotiate a time and a time limit - it’s quality, not quantity that counts.
DO encourage an atmosphere of learning in the home, discussions, listening and tolerating opinions, and realistic expectations.
DO praise effort and give help where needed, encourage them to admit mistakes, and help them to look up information that will help.
DO approach the teacher if your child cannot finish the homework in the allotted time.

Learning Support

Monique Langlois provides small group support, as well as in-class support to children from Grade 0 to Grade 3.

Weekly meetings are held to discuss and monitor each child's performance and progress, from a learning support as well as pastoral perspective.

Communication Channels

Parents are encouraged to come into the classroom before or after school to look at their child’s work. If there is a problem, parents are duly notified and a formal meeting is set up.

Please use e-mail as a means of communication for any questions or concerns. It is important for us to know of any happenings that may upset your child during the day e.g.: a pet has died or that you are moving house, etc.

The school uses a termly calendar and the School App for school communication.

Clothing

Please ensure that all items of clothing and sportswear plus equipment are clearly marked with your child's full name.

Grades 1 - 3:

Black & white culottes for Girls (compulsory every Monday and for special occasions).
Reds, black shorts or culottes, white trainers & school tracksuit.

For a complete guide to the School’s uniform and sports uniform, please view the Uniform Catalogue.

If you are taking your child shopping in uniform after school, (the Spar included) please remember they must wear full school uniform - shoes and socks must be worn. A guide is found in the Uniform Catalogue.

Sew-in Labels

Sew-in labels are a pre-requisite for all children. Handwritten, stamped names and iron-in labels are not permitted as these tend to fade over time or peel off.

Sew-in labels can be ordered directly from Just Labels (sales@justlabels.co.za / 031 266 1738) (www.justlabels.co.za)

Sewing Charges

Mrs O'Connell can also arrange for labels to be sewn in on campus if necessary. Please email school.shop@cliftonprep.org.za if you would like us to assist you with sewing services, charges will be billed to your school account accordingly.

Stationery Stick on Labels

Labels can be ordered directly through Lifestyle Print based in Nottingham Road. Tel: +27 79 779 9542 or +27 87 700 0119 or email: info@lifestyleprint.co.za

Lost Property

The lost property box is stored in the JP staff room.

Classroom Lockers

Each child has their own locker. This is to encourage your child to develop a sense of responsibility towards their belongings, and to store their possessions in one place. Please support us in our efforts.

Sun Awareness

We try to make the children aware of the dangers of overexposure to the sun and insist that they wear hats and sunblock when they play outside. We would appreciate your support in ensuring that your child has his/her hat at school daily. Please also apply sunscreen before school and ensure that your child has a water bottle at school.

Community Outreach

Throughout the year, other community outreach schemes are supported. The children are encouraged to bring food in support of Mooi River and Howick S.P.C.A. in the 4th term. Children also celebrate and support special days such as the SHAVATHON and Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Birthdays

On your child’s birthday - an important milestone in their lives - a cake or sweet treats can be brought to school from home so that they may celebrate with their classmates.

Absenteeism

Please advise your child’s teacher promptly whenever your child will not be attending school. Please refer to the Communication Channels and Staff Contact details.

Sick Children

Sick children are not happy children. We request that you please keep them at home.

Should you wish to discuss your child’s health, please contact Sister Penny Willson: +27 (0)33 266 8208 or via email, sanatorium@cliftonprep.org.za. Please alert your child’s teacher of any known allergies.

Please note that the San Sister will only administer standard, non-prescription medication to your child if the parent has given consent to do so in the Medical Health Record that forms part of your child’s admissions pack. In severe cases/emergencies parents will be contacted.

Read more information regarding the Sanatorium Procedures.

Phone Monitoring

There are several parental control apps available for Android that can help protect and monitor children's phone activities.

Some popular options:

Google Family Link:

Developed by Google, Family Link allows you to create a Google Account for your child and manage their device usage. You can set screen time limits, approve or block apps, and track their location.

Family Link App for Android

Family Link App for iPhone

Qustodio: < Very good!

Qustodio offers comprehensive parental control features, including app blocking, web filtering, and time management. It provides detailed reports on your child's online activity and allows you to set limits on games and social media.

Norton Family:

Norton Family is a robust parental control app that helps you monitor and manage your child's online activities. It includes features like web supervision, time management, and location tracking. Norton Family also provides insights into your child's search terms.

Kaspersky Safe Kids:

Kaspersky Safe Kids offers a range of features, such as content filtering, app usage control, and location tracking. It also provides alerts about potentially harmful content and allows you to set screen time limits.

FamilyTime:

FamilyTime allows you to manage screen time, block apps, and track your child's location. It also includes features like geofencing, which notifies you when your child enters or leaves a designated area.

Before choosing a parental control app, consider your specific needs, such as the age of your child, the level of control you want, and the features that are most important to you.

Additionally, it's a good idea to involve your child in the conversation and establish clear communication about the purpose of using these tools.

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