Our Curriculum
We developed our own digital curriculum by using various open-source materials, available from the Department of Basic Education. These materials form the foundation of our basic content. Our curriculum development is in line with the prescribed CAPS (Curriculum Assessment Policy Standards) guidelines. Learners receive this curriculum through printed textbooks and in an e-format.
Our Focus
Our goal is that learners will attain a high level of engagement early in their studies and will develop as creative and critical thinkers, writers and speakers. Our focus is on changing the way we teach and therefore we incorporate different learning styles to achieve a more individual approach to learning. The focus is on our core curriculum and presenting it to our learners in a more relevant and media-rich format.
Technology Integration
Our school embraces Technology Integration to empower students in their learning journey, fostering self-guided exploration and discovery. Through tablet education and digital tools, students take an active role in creating their own content, expressing their understanding through various media, and collaborating with peers globally. This approach shifts the focus from passive listening to active engagement, allowing students to deepen their comprehension by constructing knowledge themselves. When learners take ownership of their learning, they achieve a richer and more meaningful educational experience.
OneNote as means of instruction
At our school, we leverage Microsoft OneNote as a powerful educational tool to enhance learning and create a dynamic, interactive classroom experience. By developing our own curriculum, we seamlessly integrate various programs into daily lessons, ensuring a rich and engaging learning environment.
OneNote serves as the central platform for delivering our curriculum, providing learners with electronic textbooks in full colour, accessible anytime, anywhere on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. This ensures continuous access to learning materials, fostering independent and self-paced study. Teachers enrich the learning experience by embedding multimedia elements—including images, videos, voice explanations, and additional resources – directly into learners’ subject content.
The classroom experience is further enhanced by real-time content projection from teachers’ tablets onto interactive boards or screens, bringing lessons to life. This media-rich approach caters to diverse learning styles, ensuring that every learner benefits from a tailored educational experience. The structured organization of all learning materials within OneNote allows learners to navigate their studies efficiently, fostering better comprehension and engagement.
A key advantage of OneNote is its private, personalized learning environment. Each learner’s notebook is accessible only to them and their teacher, allowing for individualized monitoring, feedback, and targeted support. This structure encourages self-guided learning, as learners take ownership of their educational journey. By making notes, inserting relevant media, and creating their own content, learners develop critical thinking and reasoning skills that are essential for future academic and professional success.
Through OneNote, we open new doors to modern, interactive, and effective learning—empowering students to explore, create, and grow in ways that traditional methods cannot match.
Coding, Robotics, and STEAMAC as Integrated Learning Tools
At our school, Coding, Robotics, and STEAMAC (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, Agriculture, and Coding) are not taught as separate subjects but are seamlessly integrated into our curriculum as powerful tools for mastering content across various disciplines. These skills enhance learning by fostering logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, making education more engaging and relevant.
From Grade 1 to 7, learners develop coding skills using Scratch, progressing to Python in later years. Through coding, they learn to structure their thinking, analyse problems, and create innovative solutions, all within the context of their academic subjects. This approach allows students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, designing their own environments and showcasing their understanding through interactive projects.
Beyond coding, our curriculum incorporates robotics, aquaponics, music, art, and digital skills, ensuring a holistic learning experience. These elements are woven into daily lessons, providing hands-on opportunities for students to experiment, create, and innovate.
Our STEAMAC approach encourages learners to engage in critical problem-solving projects, where they apply science, technology, and engineering principles while expressing creativity through design and fabrication. By integrating these disciplines, we challenge students to think beyond traditional learning methods, equipping them with the skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving world.
Foundation Phase
At Eversdal Primary, we are guided by a clear Vision and Mission that shapes our approach to teaching and learning.
Our academic philosophy embodies these values, ensuring that each learner receives a holistic, enriching, and stimulating educational experience.
Every child who enters the Foundation Phase is unique and valued as an individual. We believe it is every learner’s right to be educated in a safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating environment. By addressing their physical, social, and emotional needs, we lay the foundation for personal growth and lifelong learning.
Curriculum and Teaching Approach
We follow the National Curriculum, structuring content around learners’ interests and their experiences of the world. Our learner-centered approach fosters motivation, natural curiosity, and a passion for learning—creating an environment where education is both active and engaging.
Since 2020, we have integrated coding and robotics into our curriculum, with two full-time coding teachers guiding learners from Grade 1 onwards. This ensures that our students develop essential 21st-century skills, preparing them for a rapidly evolving digital world.
Our teachers are not only sources of knowledge but also facilitators who equip learners with the tools to acquire and apply new knowledge effectively. Through the use of technology- including computers, iPads, and Interactive Whiteboards- we broaden their horizons and enhance learning experiences.
Values and Skills Development
Our value-based education programme is woven into every aspect of the curriculum. We instill essential attitudes, skills, and values that shape well-rounded, confident individuals. Through daily activities, learners develop:
✔ Critical thinking
✔ Problem-solving skills
✔ Respect and empathy
✔ Confidence and self-expression
This foundation empowers our learners to integrate seamlessly into society and meet future challenges with confidence, courage, and adaptability.
At Eversdal Primary, we nurture young minds to become curious, capable, and independent thinkers—ready to embrace learning and make meaningful contributions to the world.
Intermediate & Senior Phase
We believe that every learner is unique and capable of learning, though not always in the same way or at the same pace. Recognizing these differences, we strive to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment that caters to various learning styles.
While the National Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) outlines what must be taught, our teachers have the freedom to determine how to teach it. By incorporating a range of teaching strategies and interactive tools, we provide multiple ways for students to receive, process, and engage with information. Whether through visual aids, hands-on activities, multimedia content, or collaborative discussions, our approach ensures that every learner can connect with the material in a way that suits them best.
Interactivity is at the heart of our teaching. By integrating different media—such as videos, images, digital resources, and real-world applications—we enhance understanding and retention. This dynamic approach not only accommodates diverse learning preferences but also fosters deeper engagement and critical thinking.
Our goal is to empower all learners, regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, or gender, with the knowledge, skills, and values needed for personal growth and meaningful participation in society. Through interactive and adaptable teaching methods, we create an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
No Homework Policy
In 2020, we implemented a No Homework Policy, a decision made with careful consideration of both academic effectiveness and family dynamics. To make this approach successful, we restructured our daily academic programme, ensuring that all essential learning and practice take place within the school day under the guidance of teachers. This shift required thoughtful adjustments to classroom structure and teaching methods, allowing us to maximize instructional time and minimize the need for additional work at home.
While traditional homework can be beneficial, its true value lies in the positive interaction between learners and their parents. We recognize the importance of parental support in a child’s education and encourage meaningful engagement outside the classroom—through discussions, reading together, and reinforcing learning in everyday life. By eliminating the burden of daily homework, we create space for families to connect, reducing stress and promoting a healthier balance between school and home life.
Our commitment remains to partner with parents in fostering a strong educational foundation for every learner. With our carefully adapted teaching methods, we ensure that all academic needs are met during school hours, while families focus on encouraging curiosity, conversation, and emotional well-being at home.
Our Language Approach
Learners are taught in their Home Language – (Afrikaans/English). It is important for learners to acquire the competence in at least two languages. Home Languages must be maintained and developed, while our learners must be able to communicate, read, write, think and reason in the Additional Language (Afrikaans/English).
The following aspects are important:
- A text-based approach (Response to text).
- Process writing (creative, functional, transactive writing).
- Reading strategies.
- Reading, writing and communicating in the Additional Language.
- Communication (spoken language).
Our Approach to Mathematics
A critical awareness of how mathematical relationships are used in social, environmental, cultural and economic relations. To foster a spirit of curiosity and a love for Mathematics.
Life Skills Approach
This subject encourages our learners to acquire and practice life skills which will assist them in becoming independent and effective in responding to life’s challenges and to play an active and responsible role in society. We focus in every life lesson on our school values and fostering a growth mindset.
We also incorporate a CYBER WELLNESS PROGRAMME in our curriculum.
Assessments
We would like to move from an overload of formal assessment to self-assessment. Learner should learn to evaluate their work to move from: “I can’t do it” to “I can’t do it YET!”
We have school policies for effective class organisation:
- Our learners complete tasks throughout the year.
- Certain activities will not require prior preparation by learners.
- Our learners receive enough time from the educators where preparation is required.
- Examination dates may differ by a few days and are subject to changes. This is in accordance with requirements received from the WCED throughout the year.
- It remains the school’s prerogative to revise dates and to make the necessary changes if deemed necessary
Learner Care
We have practices, programmes and services which promote social cohesion, a sense of belonging, supportive learning environments, positive interaction with peers, as well as meaningful collaboration with parents. Children are able to reach their full potential, as they are respected and feel secure. The primary support is the teacher in the classroom.
Van Schalkwyk Learner Care Centre
Our children, at Eversdal Primary School, are precious to us and are therefore nurtured by means of purposeful support.
We have practices, programmes and services which promote social cohesion, a sense of belonging, supportive learning environments, positive interaction with peers, as well as meaningful collaboration with parents. Children are able to reach their full potential, as they are respected and feel secure. The primary support is the teacher in the classroom.
In the classroom, the children’s background and culture are recognised and appreciated. We acknowledge and respect differences in the learners; age, gender, ethnicity, language, social standing and disability. We focus on their positive attributes and talents and become aware of their specific needs and intelligences. We understand the enormous demands of society and how these impact on the lives of children. We respond when children, by means of word or deed, cry for support, care and love.
Decisions regarding support are made in team context. This team comprises of the class educator, the parents/guardian, a support teacher, the Deputy Head and/or Principal, as well as several private therapists and psychologists, when necessary.
This broad spectrum of support currently functions effectively, in a well-equipped centre (PROCURA) for learner support. The focus of this centre is to provide all learners with academic, social and emotional support, when necessary. These interventions are followed up with on-going team discussions. Progress is monitored in this manner.
Over and above the aforementioned, a large number of staff are involved in didactical support during the afternoon programme. A separate support class focuses on the specific needs, in both Language and Mathematics, of the Foundation Phase learners.
Learners also have access to private remedial classes, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, as well as specific psychologists and social specialists.
Library and Info Centre
Our Evers love to read, are keen readers and understand the importance of reading. Eversdal Primary School has a comprehensive School Library and Information Centre. It encourages a reading culture and ensures that our learners and staff are supported in inspiring reading and developing information acquisition skills.
Our Evers love to read, are keen readers and understand the importance of reading. Eversdal Primary School has a comprehensive School Library and Information Centre. It encourages a reading culture and ensures that our learners and staff are supported in inspiring reading and developing information acquisition skills.
Our collections are systematically updated and expanded by a specialist school librarian. We have attractive facilities for reading and developing the 4 C’s: Critical Thinking; Communication; Collaboration and Creativity.
Our Library and Information Centre strives to be innovative, creative and strategic to prepare our learners for the new challenges of the future!
