The smaller classes, emphasis on respect, the setting of Christian values and norms and the acknowledgement of the individual, create an environment in which the learners can develop and grow to become responsible adults who can fill key positions in the community. The staff, learners and parents are the heartbeat of the school and together we look forward to an exciting future.
Our academic record is one of great success! Boasting an unblemished set of excellent results, with the necessary support by an accomplished and passionate academic staff, we pride ourselves by being rated as one of the Top 5 schools in the Western Cape.
At MPS our learners are rewarded for academic, sport, cultural and leadership achievements, whether at school or in extra-murals as we aim to develop the child into a well-rounded adult, fit to face the world and its challenges.
HEAD OF INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR & FET PHASES
Aristotle once said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
Therefore as we impart education to match the advancement of technology and globalization, we march our students ahead with the MPS’ ethos of moral values and Christian principles. We endeavor constantly to instill the qualities of our 6 Pillars within our students and strive to help them grow into sensitive and responsible citizens of the next generation.
Our caring and inclusive approach to education sets a high standard for our students to achieve and perform at their very best. From the moment a new MPS student joins our school community we want them to feel a sense of happiness and belonging, as this is essential to their future success. Our enthusiastic and dedicated staff deliver our programmes in an environment that is intimate, friendly and attuned to every specific educational need. Our classes are relatively small and this creates an atmosphere where students feel relaxed and comfortable, which allows for healthy relationships between student and teacher. The staff, students and parents are the heartbeat of this thriving learning community.
I look forward to welcoming you to Melkbosstrand Private School.
Warm regards,
Allan Norton
HEAD OF INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR & FET PHASES
CURRICULUM
MPS High School is excited to have it’s first group of IEB matriculants in 2024 after the phasing in of the IEB curriculum and a new learning approach including dual-medium classes, which started in 2021 MPS will gradually move away from CAPS and will phase in the IEB curriculum.
The IEB matric certificate is internationally accepted which ensures that MPS will be able to maintain our high academic standards.
The Keller Education approach is also to be introduced in the primary school in 2021. This focuses on creativity and a new teaching methodology. Classes (Grades 4-9) will now be taught in dual-medium and learners will benefit from the exposure to both official languages. By no means will your child be compelled to study and write assessments in a language that is not his/her mother tongue. Explanations, instructions and assessments will be given in both languages.
The classes will split for their Home Language, as well as their First Additional Language lessons.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Our Academic Head, Mr Pilkington, can be contacted regarding any academic matters.
Not only do we help learners to overcome academic struggles but we strive to further enrich our learners by offering skills that can enhance performance and better prepare them for the real world and work life when leaving at the end of matric. Time-management, study methods, reading and writing skills and note-making are some of the soft skills that are taught individually, in small groups or in regular Study Skills classes.
Peer tutoring and group work aims to assist learners to grasp challenging academic work. Free extra classes in, especially, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Accounting, available three times a week, provide a perfect home-from-home base where learners can work on perfecting their skills. Our experience shows that learners who attend these extra sessions benefit from the exposure and reach their academic goals.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
The emotional support available to our learners aims not only to provide a confidential, safe space for counselling/therapy during difficult times, but also to empower and equip our learners with the necessary skills for dealing with the outside world. We are also privileged to have staff members who are qualified to assist learners in need of more specialised emotional support. Mrs Hannarie Jordaan, our Senior Phase Head, holds an Honours Degree in Counselling Psychology and Mrs Maritza Norton holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Counselling.
Our students are encouraged to approach any member of staff with whom they feel comfortable should they encounter a problem, and all members of staff consider student-wellbeing to be their number one priority.
SUBJECTS
SENIOR PHASE (GRADES 8 – 9)
COMMON LEARNING AREAS (SUBJECTS):
English, Afrikaans, Maths, Natural Sciences, Human & Social Sciences, Life Orientation, and Economic Management Sciences.
LEARNERS CHOOSE 2 OF THE FOLLOWING:
Art/Design, Drama, Music, Dance
NOTE: Music and Dance lessons are offered privately at the school and the teachers will be paid individually.
FET PHASE (GRADES 10 – 12)
In the FET Phase, GRADES 10 – 12, there are four Compulsory Subjects:
English Home Language or English First Additional Language
Afrikaans Home Language, or Afrikaans 1st Additional Language
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Life Orientation
Learners are also to select 3 of the following subjects from the selection offered at MPS:
Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Tourism, Geography, Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD), Visual Art, Design, Agricultural Management Practices, Computer Applications Technology, Music, and Dramatic Arts.
NOTE: Music can be taken as an 8th (Extra) Subject for those who plan to study Music after school. External grading examinations (Unisa, ABRSM, Trinity) will be taken and learners must pass Grade 5 Music in matric and these results will be captured on the reports.
NOTE: Music is provided by an external tutor at parents’ own cost
Grade 10 & 11 Drama classes will carry no extra charge but Grade 12 class fees will be payable directly to Ms. Bateman.
HIGH SCHOOL STAFF
Faculty Head: Intermediate, Senior & FET Phases
Phase Head: FET Phase
Business, Agriculture Management Practices
Phase Head: Senior Phase
Counsellor
Design, Art & Culture, Visual Art
Head of Academics
English
Head of Administration
Afrikaans
English
Accountancy
Mathematics
Afrikaans
Drama
Lize-Marie Prins
Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD), Technology, History, Life Orientation
Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Mathematics Literacy, Business Studies, EBW
Mathematics
Anje Dorfling
English FAL, Drama, History
Jonathan Jacobson
Computer Literacy, CAT, Life Orientation, Bible, History
Marjean Danieli
Life Sciences, Geography, Life Orientation
Physical Science, Mathematics
Tourism, Mathematics Literacy, Geography
Sport Organiser
SPORT
At Melkbosstrand Private School we believe that our learners should have the opportunity to develop not only academically and culturally but most certainly on the sport field too. We encourage our students to have high expectations of themselves and what they can achieve. Through hard work that they will reach their full potential and life goals.
Our sporting infrastructure includes tennis courts, netball courts, rugby, cricket and hockey fields and cricket practice nets.
RUGBY
At Melkbosstrand Private School we strive to achieve excellence at all levels; the rugby field is no exception. We have u/7, u/9, u/11 and u/13 rugby teams.
MPS is registered with the Western Province Rugby Football Union and all the coaches are “Bok Smart” qualified.
We take part in various sports days with other private schools.
MOUNTAIN BIKING (MTB)
We have an active MTB club at our school that trains twice a week. Learners are trained by a dedicated MTB Coach. We are affiliated with the Tygerberg MTB club and make use of their MTB routes.
Parents and children are encouraged to train together which makes this a unique family sport. Pupils are encouraged to take part in the Spur School League and also any of the other many competitions in and around the Cape.
ARCHERY
MPS is part of the National Archery in Schools’ Program (NASP). We offer archery as a school sport for learners from Gr 4 – Gr 12.
We have all the necessary equipment such as bows and arrows and the sport therefore functions as a club with a fee structure.
The learners take part in competitions throughout the year at various schools in the Western Cape.
NETBALL
We have Primary School Netball Teams from u/7 to u/13 who participate in the Western Province League and regularly take part in Sports Days at CPM, Vyeboom, Slot van die Paarl and other schools. Competing against larger schools has taught our players valuable lessons in team work and developing perseverance and we have seen many very special victories as a team.
HOCKEY
MPS is affiliated with the Western Province Girls’ Hockey and are currently playing in the u/16 and u/19 leagues.
We feel that taking part in a team sport gives learners the opportunity to grow within themselves and get a feeling of responsibility and a sense of belonging.
TENNIS
At MPS we offer tennis as one of our summer sports. We currently have 2 courts and practices are on Monday afternoons from 14:30 – 15:30 during the first and the fourth term.
Matches are played on Thursday afternoons and are supervised and arranged by Mr and Mrs Pilkington.
PASTORAL CARE
REGISTER TEACHER
The Register teacher will have the best overview of the student’s academic and social development and will take an active role in ensuring the student is meeting his or her potential.
PHASE HEAD & SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
Our School Counsellor might also be recommended to students or sought out by them or their parents directly; appointments can be made and learners are taught there is no stigma attached to seeking help.
PEER SUPPORT
This is something staff value highly and try to cultivate in lessons and encourage within grade groups and at break times.