Creston College

Creston College is a leading independent school situated on spacious grounds in the lower South Coast near Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. We provide high-quality education for boys and girls from 3 years to Grade 12.

Our pre-primary school curriculum is tailored to support children with a wide range of abilities. The auditory and visual perceptual programmes taught in Group 4 and Group 5 ensure that children are well prepared for Grade R. Strong emphasis is also placed on the acquisition of skills in literacy, numeracy and life skills. Our Grade R learners follow a stimulating and challenging school-readiness programme, which includes recognising, hearing and writing the phonetic sounds of the alphabet by means of the Letterland system.

Our child-centred thematic approach to primary school aims to develop children who can communicate effectively, solve problems, work with others, and develop confidence and life-skills needed to meet the challenges that lie ahead. We aim to produce well-rounded, balanced individuals. Our learners are able to reach their potential in a happy, safe and secure environment and are encouraged to strive towards achieving to the best of their ability.

Our high school provides an environment where children are ‘coached’ in leadership skills. Thereby, we believe Creston College learners will truly appreciate the value of knowledge, vision and harmony in their own lives and in their country. Our Christian ethos (ethics and values) ensures that the values of integrity, self-discipline, independent thinking and respect are part of the fibre of the school and it is within this framework that the academics and activities programs find their shape and form.

In the foundation phase, we aim to provide a sound educational foundation, using an integrated approach, where teachers facilitate active learning by supporting and guiding learners towards intellectual autonomy in a socially interactive environment. Our dedicated teachers are passionate about teaching young learners. Teachers use cross-curricula teaching and learning programmes to maximise the acquisition of knowledge, skills and values.

We often take learners on excursions to enhance a hands-on learning experience. KwaZulu-Natal’s South coast offers a wide range of experiences and we are able to visit local fisheries, beaches, farms and a snake park. Our grade 3 learners also attend a ‘teen ranch’ for a ‘sleep-over’.

We recognise that the acquisition of skills relating to technology is paramount. Therefore, our learners have access to computers and tablets. The teachers have access to smart technology with Pivos installed in each classroom.

Our playground has been designed to encourage learners to develop their gross motor development skills and give them the environment to interact with their peers playing a variety of games. We have a jungle gym and swings. We have hopscotch, four square and a counting worm marked on a concrete slab. There is also a grassed area with soccer goals.

Intermediate phase: Grade 4 to Grade 6 (and Grade 7)
In the intermediate and senior phase, the emphasis is still on establishing basic foundations, but learners are led into more abstract thought and independent work. Application of skills and concepts is also a focus area in this phase. This phase aims to prepare learners for the senior phase in the high school. We promote creativity and critical thinking by encouraging children to make their own choices within well-established boundaries.

We aim to embrace 21st-century learning by incorporating advanced technology which includes projectors and robotics. By embracing innovative technology into our schools, we are speaking the language our learners understand.

Their individual strengths and weaknesses: Particularly in Grade R, where a school-readiness programme is followed, each child undergoes a search-and-teach screening test early in February, which highlights the child’s areas of strength and vulnerability. Individual therapy may be implemented to get the child ready for formal learning. We make use of professional therapists to assess, recommend and, if necessary, remediate any shortfall in the learning process. How your child assimilates knowledge: We adjust teaching methods to accommodate maximum learning. It’s a teacher’s job to provide a challenging environment where children can learn through first hand experiences. They may experience difficulties from time to time, but this is the foundation for building coping strategies for greater challenges in life.

Creston College emphasises high academic standards in every phase. Regular and ongoing assessment ensures that best practice in educational methods are employed throughout the school. Learners are prepared for the General Education Certificate (GETC) at the end of Grade 9, as well as the IEB examination at the end of Grade 12.

We place great emphasis on developing leadership skills in all our learners. In the different phases, our curriculum is designed to that learners are afforded opportunities to take responsibility for different aspects of school life.

At Creston we promote an active and healthy lifestyle. We believe that sport is an integral part of the development process of each individual. Therefore, participation in at least one sport is compulsory.

Culture plays a significant role in the life of our school and it is here that the “Harmony”, as stated in our mission statement, truly comes into play. This harmony is felt between learners when performing on stage, singing together as a choir and performing together as a band.

The beautiful colours and lines that flow from the tools of our artist into flowing movements of dances choreographed by the learners themselves. There is even harmonious movement between academics and culture, as we have often found that learners’ academic work can in fact improve if their cultural talents are acknowledged and developed.’

Our learners are encouraged to participate in a variety of local and national cultural events including competitions and eisteddfods. Creston even has the privilege of hosting the annual Hibiscus Coast Music Eisteddfod.

Our College Phase learners write their own scripts and design their own programs, lighting and sets. Input by learners, especially in the choice of music and choreography, is encouraged as this not only develops the learners’ skills but ensures that our productions have a modern and funky edge’.