South African School

Elkanah House (Sunningdale Preparatory)

Elkanah (which means "God's creation") is committed to growing young men and women who have an unassuming self-confidence and the ability to use their creative gifts appropriately.  Our motto "Carpe Diem" - meaning "Seize the Day" - reflects our commitment to encourage our students to make best use of their opportunities.   

The 1430 students are accommodated on four campuses - two preparatory, one senior primary and a high school, each one separate but in close proximity to the others. This allows us the advantages of small schools - where attention can be given to making the environment homely and relaxed - while permitting personal involvement in the progress of each child and the opportunity to instill and nurture a love of learning. Most importantly, this is a school where Christian family values are followed and upheld.   

While we acknowledge the importance of examinations in enabling our students to take the next step in their education, we also understand that a sound education is about so much more than results.  Our objective is to enable our young people to become skilled and interested pupils who can take their place anywhere in the world with confidence and who understand that living significantly is about making a difference in the lives of others.

Elkanah House, School of Creative Learning - Sunningdale Preparatory Campus

The journey begins at Pre-primary where the emphasis is on learning through play and informal, creative activities.  The independent progress of each child is carefully monitored and specialised individual attention is given.

Our facilities are warm and welcoming and the outdoor layout provides a challenging environment that encourages creative activities, exploration, and the fun of messy play. The Pre-primary is housed in a beautiful garden setting where every two classes combine to create a seperate little home, each with a private garden, sandpit and water play area, which all add to happy hours filled with enjoyment.

In order to ensure that all our children are equipped for formal schooling, the Pre-Primary works closely with the Junior Primary department preparing them intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically for the more stringent demands of formal schooling.

Learning Beyond Examinations, Loving Beyond Self, Living Authentic Lives

In Pre-primary it is all about hands-on learning experiences.  Skills, knowledge, attitudes and values are integrated within the daily programme through morning ring discussions, music, movement, sand and water play, creative art activities, educational games and stories.

The primary section of the school follows a full academic curriculum with methods of teaching that are practical, flexible and innovative - we achieve this through small classes and individual attention.  The emphasis is on learning through doing. Small groups, integration and theme work encourage team participation and co-operative learning. 

Extra-murals form part of our daily programme as we consider these to be an essential component of education. The focus is on participation rather than competition and all pupils are encouraged to enjoy sport, art and cultural activities. From Grade One pupils join one of our three Houses within which he or she participates. In this way, a spirit of teamwork and co-operation is encouraged.

Practical, flexible and innovative methods of teaching ensure that each child reaches their full potential. Music, Art, IT, Physical Education and Xhosa are integrated into our weekly programme providing each child with a holistic experience from which important life long skills are learnt.

Extra-murals form part of our weekly programme. We consider these to be an essential component of education as they provide a platform for the development of personal, physical and social skills. The focus is on participation rather than competition. By offering and exposing our children to a wide variety of sports at this age, we hope to enable our pupils to make informed choices about their sport of preference. All pupils are required to participate in our extra mural programme at least twice a week.

We nurture an appreciation for Arts and Culture from a very early age. Cultural box programmes cover different music and artists each year, ensuring that pupils are exposed to a wide variety of music and art.  Outings to the theatre are encouraged and performers are invited to the school.  

At Elkanah House all children are encouraged to play a musical instrument of their choice in which to develop both individual and group skills. Individual lessons are offered in keyboard, piano, recorder, violin, cello, woodwinds, drums, acoustic and electric guitar.

Once certain levels of sight-reading and technical ability have been reached in a specific instrument, the Recorder Consort and/or Orchestra could be joined to provide additional stimulation and opportunities in making music with others.  Individual voice training lessons are offered to singers and each campus has its own choir to provide another outlet for creative expression.

Creative teachers at Elkanah House endeavour to continually feed the creative spirit of its pupils and encourage spontaneity giving pupils every opportunity to lose their inhibitions and shine.  This is done by providing a loving and accepting environment and exposing the children to a multitude of different experiences and possibilities.

At Elkanah House we believe it is our responsibility to educate and expose our children to the whole spectrum of society. Only once they have been made aware, can they actively do something and take ownership.

Our charity and community projects run under the banner PAK - Planned Acts of Kindness.

Each grade at Sunningdale Preparatory is allocated a charity that they support and learn about. It is our hope that over a few years they will gain a good awareness and understanding of the challenges and different areas of need in society.

Activities

Sports Activities:

Pre-primary:

• Child Kinetics
• Tennis Development
• Skill Builders
• Mini Cricket (Grade R)
• Mini Soccer (Grade R)
• Mini Netball (Grade R)
• Little Movers - Creative movement programme

Junior Primary:

Summer Sport:

• Mini Cricket
• Walking Club
• Body Boarding
• Athletics
• Rounders
• Tennis
• Softball
• Swimming

Winter Sport:

• Hockey Development (only for Grade 3)
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Netball
• Tennis
  
  

Cultural Activities:

Pre-Primary	Junior Primary
Ballet	Mini Chefs
Drama	Art Club
Art Club	Chess and Board games
	Design and Build
	Pet Club
	Mini Toastmaster
	Hip Hop Dancing
	Choir

Detailed School Statistics

Associated schools

Photo Album