Specialist Subjects

Afrikaans and isiZulu

Afrikaans and Zulu form part of the Literacy component. Both are taught at a very basic communicative level in Grades 0 and 1 ensuring children are exposed to the languages through using simple vocabulary in the form of rhymes, songs, poems and stories. A slightly more advanced level is expected in Grades 2 and 3 and a written component is added as the children become more proficient.

Music

The children attend 2 x 30-minute music lessons per week with a specialist music teacher in the Junior Primary. The Grade 1 lessons aim to prepare children’s bodies for both instrument playing and singing. Music concepts are introduced in a more conscious way using movement, singing, tuned and untuned percussion instruments and games.

The children in Grade 2 attend 2 x 30-minute lessons that focus on consolidating music concepts by means of singing, playing tuned and untuned percussion instruments, and reading very basic rhythmic notation.

In Grade 3 the children attend 1 x 30-minute class music lesson where they continue to play tuned percussion instruments and to read basic rhythmic notation. They have 1 x 30-minute instrumental lesson per week in a small group where they have the opportunity to learn the basics of four instruments per year, namely violin, recorder, clarinet and guitar. 

Choir

All Grade 2s and 3s are in the Junior Primary choir, known as The Cliftones. The choir rehearses twice a week during the school day. At the end of each term, there is a Music Recital where The Cliftones perform.

Children who have private music tuition at Clifton have a chance to present what they have learnt during the Music Recital.

Art

In addition to art activities undertaken during regular class time, the children from Grades 1 to 3 have a dedicated hour of Visual Art every week with a specialist teacher. The curriculum is designed to extend the children’s creative practice and to develop their confidence with a range of materials, as well as provide opportunities for each child to begin developing their own unique vision rather than rote copying of others’ work. The Junior Primary children work with the art teacher during this hour to create drawings, paintings and/or sculpted items. In these classes, the children might work on short tasks or on longer, more sustained projects that span several lessons. Working on a sustained task develops confidence and encourages the children to take time with each of the steps that lead to the project’s completion while shorter tasks are valuable when focusing on the development of a single particular skill or technique. Where appropriate in Grades 1,2 and 3, the children’s creativity is expressed through themes that share connections with their classwork.  

Physical Education 

The children participate in an hour of PE each week during the school day. The Physical Education curriculum focuses on underlying skills necessary for success in the classroom and on the sports field.

During terms one and four, the children swim and receive the assistance of a qualified swimming coach. In terms two and three, the children are out on the sports fields and develop different sets of skills and activities such as balancing, ball skills, agility and teamwork. They also participate in cross country.