Suidheuwels Primary School

Suidheuwels Primary School is conveniently and centrally located in the Southern Suburbs of Johannesburg in South Hills. They are situated on the main route into Alberton and are close to the new suburbs of Elandspark and Elandsrock Estate, and also very near to Germiston. The school campus was built 61 years ago and, resting on one square kilometre, boasts the biggest grounds in the Southern Suburbs. Capable of accommodating 760 pupils, the school has ample provisions for its currently-enrolled 560 pupils, including twenty classrooms, two mobile classes, a Multi-Media Centre, a school hall and a computer lab, as well as an ECD Centre, Tamarisk, which is 700 metres away from the main building and has five classes. The language of learning and teaching at the school is English home language, with the first additional language on offer being Afrikaans. Suidheuwels is fully multi-racial and has a junior class of toddlers from three to four years old; a middle class for pupils from four to five years old and three Grade R classes for children from five to six. With staff having a number of years’ experience heading the education of these children, the primary focus is the preparation of all scholars for primary school. The Foundation Phase at Suidheuwels has attained excellent Annual National Assessment results. To complement these fine academic facilities, the school has a notable Human Movement instruction, within the auspices of the Life Orientation department. These pivotal skills make for successful individuals within the school environment, and in their home and social lives. The school also hosts an annual Read-A-Thon during the second term, a Spell-A-Thon in the third term and a Maths Olympiad in the final term, giving learners an incentive to achieve their personal best in these areas. Ingrained in the ethos of Suidheuwels is a dedication to South Africa, forming proud citizens that will do the country the highest level of service as they grow older. This involves a sense of dignity and respect – for themselves, others and the environment – as well as building healthy relationships, where each learner has a keen sense of self, including discipline, sensitivity and tolerance. Understanding that this requires the nurturing of each learner as an individual, rather than as solely part of the collective, substantial time and attention is given to the needs of each pupil. In the achievement of these outcomes, Suidheuwels offers sports on a seasonal basis, including Netball, Athletics, Soccer and Cricket. The school also participates in the Alberton Eisteddfod bi-annually. They also actively engage in upliftment initiatives, such as the Manna Feeding Scheme where 95 students are fed on a daily basis; Annual Winter Warmth Day in May where the school is fed on soup and bread; the Maria Fund that supplies the school with clothes, especially during the winter months; and the FNB E-Bucks programme that has helped almost two hundred children obtain new shoes in 2011. These specialist social responsibility programmes are in addition to the monthly fundraising activities arranged by the staff. In the spirit of the school as a community, Suidheuwels holds a number of entertaining activities for Valentine’s Day, Mothers, Fathers Day, our Entreprenieurs Day and a Cultural Evening towards the last part of the year. On these days, the pupils are given the chance to dress up and a lot of fun is had by all involved. Our school is also quite unique, because we have adopted the RCL (Representative Council for Learners) from the High School. We have Councillors who are elected anually and these leaders assist the teachers in maintaining discipline and a harmonious school environment. The academical highlight of the year is when the annual Prize-giving Ceremony is held and medals, trophies and certificates are handed out to reward pupils for their hard work - Remember: "With us you are not just a number!"