At St Mark’s, we regard the Pre-Preparatory Phase as particularly important as it introduces the pupils not only to the St Mark’s family, but the South African schooling system as a whole.
The Pre-Prep offers a creative and stimulating learning environment that encourages the development of the individual child. We are all about having fun while learning with our little bunnies made to feel at home in a warm and loving environment.
We equip each of our boys with the cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills necessary for a happy and confident start to their school careers trusting that they may become accomplished, successful, lifelong learners. Our little bunnies encounter the world with awe and anticipation and a sense of reverence for knowledge. Respect for others and the environment is fostered.
All bunnies are guided towards tolerance of time and quietness in which careful consideration is encouraged.
It is an exciting space not closely connected to correctness but rather connected to thoughtfulness. Sharing of ideas and cooperation promotes a culture of understanding and appreciation where all thoughts are valued, all encounters are seen as opportunities to learn.
All children are creative and these abilities can be seen from their early years of development. Children play, sing, dance, draw, tell stories and make up riddles in such a natural, spontaneous and creative way. Creative learning experiences benefit individual creativity, but also contribute to the development of academic skills, access to multiple intelligences, develop higher thinking skills, enhance multicultural understandings, build self-esteem, gain positive emotional responses to learning and help the children engage.