Roedean Junior School reflects the optimism, energy and spirit of childhood that is at the core of what is important in the primary phase of education. It is within this framework of tradition imbued with the value system of our Founders; Honour, Truth, Freedom and Courtesy that classroom leadership and the teachers’ role take on new meaning in an ever-changing world. Our belief in the capacity of all pupils to learn and a sustained inner confidence that if they apply their effort and determination they can learn and develop the attitudes, work habits and strategies necessary to achieve their goals is what makes a difference in all areas of learning.

The digital age in the classroom has had a significant effect in the Junior School on the teachers’ role not just as classroom leader but facilitator of learning. The introduction of iPads and projects with many more technology based tasks have developed motivation, confidence and a greater sense of self work. Technology is a fully integrated aspects of their lives, they are learning new things in new ways and communicating in new ways of thinking that have become hardwired in how they operate in the world. We need to learn and leverage the power of these emerging technologies for instructional gain.

The playground areas, gym and beautiful indigenous kopje garden are unique areas for stimulating activity and play. Childhood games facilitate teamwork, imagination and thinking and the opportunity to actively create rather than be entertained by the media. Play develops the imagination and thinking and gives our children practice in social skills such waiting, negotiating, taking turns, compromise, sharing and expressing joyful emotions. Recent studies of growing children’s physical fitness emphasize the important of running, jumping and skipping as a critical element in sustaining a child’s growing fitness as well as developing sporting skills. This in turn develops the resilience and discipline so essential to building a structured fitness schedule which is the core of acquiring a depth of sporting skills for life.

On the sporting front, our wonderful new facilities, international hockey astro turf with lights, new netball and tennis courts and junior swim and dive pool are much appreciated. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of the girls throughout the sporting season, in adapting to changed venues and facilities, is a fine example for us all of their flexibility, commitment and enjoyment of all the varied physical challenges.

Our focus is to provide an education in which mastery of a body of knowledge and skills is employed to inspire our girls to become resourceful, imaginative, independent and resilient. In short to lay the foundation of a Roedean girl.

The Roedean Girl

The Roedean motto is ”Inspiring a Life of Significance”. This community philosophy ascribes to the belief that every child deserves the freedom to make her own unique mark, whatever it might be, on the world.

The Roedean, child centered, approach allows us to counsel, guide and nurture each girl; offering her the skills, confidence, and determination to reach her full potential in every sphere of her life thus empowering her to define her own success.

By encouraging independent thought, and fostering critical thinking, the Roedean girl:

￭ is open-minded
￭ has a broader global perspective
￭ is emotionally intelligent
￭ is confident, courteous, respectful and articulate
￭ is intellectually capable
￭ is culturally aware
￭ is innovative
￭ has a strong work ethic
￭ has a love of life
￭ achieves her own level of Academic excellence.