Subject Choices

Grade 8 Subject Choices

There are a number of choices that need to be made by the Grade 8 class of 2024. These choices are to do with languages offered at First and Second Additional Language levels as well as for Creative Arts.

Languages

All pupils will study English at Home Language Level, with the following additional language pathways being available.

Option 1 - Afrikaans at First Additional Language level AND isiXhosa at Second Additional Language level AND and French at Second Additional Language level: At this level, isiXhosa and French are offered in a manner that accommodates beginners alongside pupils who have had some classroom experience in either of the languages.
Option 2: - Afrikaans at First Additional Language level and isiXhosa at First Additional Language level: At this level, Afrikaans and isiXhosa are offered in a manner that accommodates pupils who have experienced the languages in their home space or who have a strong foundation in the classroom space, allowing them to cope with the more advanced level and accelerated nature of a language studied at First Additional Language level.

Pupils who select isiXhosa at a First Additional Language level will receive communication from our isiXhosa FAL teachers to ensure that the level chosen is appropriate to the pupil’s past experience with the language.

Exemptions from the Second Additional Language may be granted if there is a recommendation in a formal

educational psychology report that recommends such an exemption.

Creative Arts

In Grade 8, Creative Arts is taught within the scope of the timetable in specialised arts disciplines. Pupils choose to study one of these options in Grade 8 and will have exposure to two disciplines in Grade 9. Pupils who are thinking about studying any of these subjects up to Matric level are recommended to select the relevant art form, the content of which is outlined below:

Art, in which there is a strong emphasis on practical work and the pupils are expected to strive for high standards in drawing, painting, mixed media and ceramic work.
Drama, in which there is a focus on the development of vocal and physical skills, with an introduction to theatre-making as well as the study and performance of dramatic forms and plays.
Music, which is a course for pupils who are already learning an instrument or who would like to do so, meaning that they will need to commit to two extra practical lessons per week, or a group practical such as marimbas or voice as per the music fee structure.

Please note that there may be limited capacity when it comes to the class sizes of these subjects and that a pupil’s first choice cannot always be accommodated. Once a subject is full, the remaining options will be presented to pupils, with consultations available under exceptional circumstances.

Please follow this link to complete the subject choice procedure. If at any point you feel you need consultations about your child’s choice of language pathway or Creative Arts selection, please contact David Fick, the Head of Academics, at dfick@springfieldconvent.co.za, who will put you in touch with the relevant language teachers or arts specialists at school.

Grade 9 Subject Choices

There are a number of choices that need to be made by the Grade 9 class of 2024. These choices are to

do with languages offered at First and Second Additional Language levels as well as for Creative Arts.

Languages

Generally, pupils in Grade 9 study three languages.

All pupils will study English at Home Language Level.

Pupils are required to take at least one language at the First Additional Language Level. Springfield offers Afrikaans and isiXhosa as options.
- At this level, Afrikaans and isiXhosa are offered in a manner that accommodates pupils who have experienced the languages in their home space or who have a strong foundation in the classroom space, allowing them to cope with the more advanced level and accelerated nature of a language studied at First Additional Language level.
- Typically, these students have already studied their choice of language/s at the First Additional Language level in Grade 8.
- It is possible to select both languages at this level rather than taking one of the Second Additional Language options.
- Pupils who select isiXhosa at a First Additional Language level will receive communication from our isiXhosa FAL teachers to ensure that the level chosen is appropriate to the pupil’s past experience with the language.
- Pupils who take isiXhosa at the First Additional Language level cannot take isiXhosa at the Second Additional Language level.

Pupils also select one language at the Second Additional Language level. Springfield offers French and isiXhosa as options.
- At this level, the French and isiXhosa lessons build on the curricula taught at Springfield in Grade 8. Some experience in these languages who are new to the school to participate effectively in this class.
- Pupils who take two languages at the First Additional Language level are not required to take a Second Additional Language.

Exemptions from the Second Additional Language may be granted if a pupil has had no experience with

the language at the school from which they are transferring or if there is a recommendation in a formal

educational psychology report that recommends such an exemption.

Creative Arts

In Grade 9, Creative Arts is taught within the scope of the timetable in specialised arts disciplines. Pupils

have exposure to two disciplines in Grade 9, one in a more intense “major” course and one in a less

intense “minor” course. Pupils who are thinking about studying any of these subjects up to Matric level

are recommended to select it as their “major” course, the content of which is outlined below:

Art, in which there is a strong emphasis on practical work and the pupils are expected to strive for high standards in drawing, painting, mixed media and ceramic work.
Drama, in which there is a focus on the development of vocal and physical skills, with an introduction to theatre-making as well as the study and performance of dramatic forms and plays.
Music, which is a course for pupils who are already learning an instrument or who would like to do so, meaning that they will need to commit to two extra practical lessons per week, or a group practical such as marimbas or voice as per the music fee structure.

The “minor” courses offer an experience of the art form that is accessible to beginners as well as those with some prior experience in the subject.

Please note that there may be limited capacity when it comes to the class sizes of these subjects and that

a pupil’s first choice cannot always be accommodated. Once a subject is full, the remaining options will

be presented to pupils, with consultations available under exceptional circumstances.

Please follow this link to complete the subject choice procedure.

If at any point you feel you need consultations about your child’s choice of language pathway or Creative Arts selection, please contact David Fick, the Head of Academics, at dfick@springfieldconvent.co.za, who will put you in touch with the relevant language teachers or arts specialists at school.

Grade 10 Subject Choices

Pupils commencing at Springfield in Grade 10 will need to make a subject choice from the following options for the FET phase. The subject groups for 2023 are as follows:

Line 1: English at Home Language level (compulsory - no selection required)
Line 2: Select one of Afrikaans OR isiXhosa at First Additional Language level
Line 3: Life Orientation (compulsory - no selection required)
Line 4: Select one of Mathematics OR Mathematical Literacy
Line 5: Select one of Accounting, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Geography, Information Technology, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences
Line 6: Select one of Consumer Studies, Economics, French (Second Additional Language), Geography, isiXhosa (Second Additional Language), Life Sciences, Physical Sciences or Visual Arts
Line 7: Select one of Accounting, Life Sciences, Music, Physical Sciences or Visual Arts

To make their final choice, each pupil should complete this form to choose one subject from each of the

lines in which a choice is available, giving a total of seven subjects. Please consider the following when

making your final choice:

The Department of Education requires pupils who take Physical Sciences to take Mathematics. It is recommended that a learner should be obtaining a minimum of 60% for Mathematics in Grade 9 if they select Physical Sciences as a subject.
Due to facilities, the Consumer Studies, Visual Arts and Information Technology classes may be limited in numbers.

Pupils who are interested in taking Further Studies English or Further Studies Mathematics as additional

subjects should make contact with the Head of English, Ms Nicolette Going (ngoing@springfieldconvent.co.za) or the Head of Mathematics, Mrs Jessica Ballantyne (jballantyne@springfieldconvent.co.za).

If at any point you feel you need consultations about your child’s subject choice selection, please contact

David Fick, the Head of Academics, at dfick@springfieldconvent.co.za.

Grade 11 Subject Choices

Pupils commencing at Springfield in Grade 11 will need to make a subject choice from the following options for the FET phase. The subject groups for 2023 are as follows:

Line 1: English at Home Language level (compulsory - no selection required)
Line 2: Select one of Afrikaans OR isiXhosa at First Additional Language level
Line 3: Life Orientation (compulsory - no selection required)
Line 4: Select one of Mathematics OR Mathematical Literacy
Line 5: Select one of Accounting, Consumer Studies, French SAL, Geography, History, Information Technology or Life Sciences
Line 6: Select one of Accounting, Consumer Studies, Economics, History, Music or Physical Sciences
Line 7: Select one of Dramatic Arts, Geography, isiXhosa SAL, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences or Visual Arts