early intervention and performing arts, as well as an interesting
new approach to enhancing communication among children
in Group 1 and Group 2.
In 2019, we aim to ensure that teachers offer a play-based
learning programme of high quality. Teachers will receive
training on creating creative and sensory-rich environments,
themes, and story rings, and will be moderated externally
to ensure that they adopt the new style. In addition, we will
have two special training days for nursery school assistants
for the first time.
Primary school
Foundation phase
Grade R
The Grade R subject specialists developed a groundbreaking
curriculum for English and Afrikaans home languages,
Mathematics and Life Skills. In 2019, Grade R teachers will
receive standardised lesson plans, assessments and assessment
rubrics. The lesson plans focus on broad skills to be developed
in the children and teachers may develop their own themes.
Grades 1 to 3
Subject specialists have enhanced the lesson plans and
quarterly assessments by including more interactive links for
teachers to enhance teaching and by incorporating the use of
technology in classrooms. A new Grade 1 learner workbook
was developed in English and Afrikaans for newly appointed
teachers to use alongside the 2019 lesson plan. This will help
to ensure sufficient curriculum coverage, which is particularly
important during the first term of Grade 1.
Curro collaborated with Brombacher & Associates – a
consultancy in the field of Mathematics education – to
streamline planning for Mathematics by implementing the
NumberSense books which supports childrens’ development
of a robust sense of number and deep understanding of
Mathematics. Standardised tests will also be developed for
Grades 1 to 3 in terms 2 and 4.
During the first term of 2019, teachers had full-day training
sessions focused on core training in languages and Mathematics.
We are very excited about introducing African languages on
a communication basis in the foundation phase through the
Abuti programme, which allows teachers and learners to learn
an African language through music, poems and video-based
lessons.
Intermediate phase
Languages
Teachers have responded well to the newly implemented
Holborn Reading Scale – a test of word recognition – which
allows teachers to identify the reading level of each learner.
Learners are then placed in reading level groups, which
allows teachers to give learners the required level of attention
within the time available. Curro’s subject specialists have
also compiled Curro language workbooks, which has had
remarkable results.
The focus for 2019 is on creative and transactional writing.
Teachers are guided on how to teach creative writing
successfully and guidelines are provided on different types
of text. We will have an internal Curro creative writing
competition.
Mathematics
Brombacher & Associates were involved in developing
assignments and project-based learning investigations for
the intermediate phase. Although teachers were initially
challenged by the difficulty level of these tasks, training and
repetition of use helped them to adapt to the new process.
Teachers have even become part of the process to improve
the standard of assignments in our schools.
The experience of using these challenging investigations
empowered the subject specialists to confidently set these
tasks themselves this year. It was an enriching experience for
all involved. We are confident that our teachers and learners
will benefit from these project-based learning investigations
in the future.
Robotics
The FIRST Lego League Junior competition was introduced
at the STEAM(D) day for the first time, although our learners
had been participating for several years. An astounding 275
learners from 10 Curro schools participated in 2018 and for
the fourth consecutive year, some of our teams made it to
the World Robot Olympiad in Thailand. In addition, nine of
our teachers were invited to judge at the event. This year,
the lesson plans and teaching methods will be interactive
by using videos to explain the concepts, which should be
beneficial for teachers as well as learners.
High school
Professional learning community (PLC)
The professional learning community meetings initiated during
2018 will continue this year from term 2 onwards. These
meetings provide high school teachers with the opportunity
to discuss and collaborate with teachers from other schools.
Feedback from previous PLC meetings was very positive, as
teachers appreciated the opportunity to share best practices
with one another and develop their own support structure.
Academic improvement
Curro appreciates the value of using academic data to improve
practices. Therefore, curriculum managers and subject
advisors assisted each high school to set their academic targets
for 2019 by using analytical tools. The head of high school
would be responsible for reviewing the results each term
and taking the necessary action to reach the targets towards
the end of the year. We have developed support structures
at each school to help learners improve to the best of their
individual abilities. Furthermore, management of the practical
assessment tasks (PATs) has improved during the last two years.
We will surely continue to attempt the improvement of marks
in the PAT for Consumer Studies, Computer Applications
Technology and Engineering Graphics and Design.
During 2018, 210 of Curro’s teachers were accepted as
markers for the 2018 IEB examinations. We look forward to
using their experience and insight to improve our offering of
the relevant subjects.
Curro’s high school subject advisors met with all subject heads
at each school and visited several schools already. Their goal
is to ensure that all teachers are equipped with the required
tools to maintain a high standard of teaching. This will be
achieved by visiting teachers in the classroom and having
quarterly training sessions.
The CCMD staff are committed to providing our teachers
with outstanding support. Together we will ensure that we
cultivate a passion for lifelong learning and that each learner
can achieve their best possible results so that they can reach
their dreams.
Andr é
André Pollard
Curriculum Head
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