EAGLETS – GRADE RR – R | ST JOHN'S D.S.G.

Your daughter is at an exciting developmental stage! She is exploring the world around her and gaining confidence as she learns, grows, masters new skills and develops a strong sense of independence.

Choosing the right school for your little one as she embarks on the next step in her educational journey is such an important decision – and may be a challenging one too! To ensure that our admission process is as simple and convenient as possible, we have developed a step-by-step guide to assist you as you apply for your daughter to join the St John’s D.S.G. family as a Grade RR or R Eaglet.

STEP 1: CONTACT US AND SAY HI!
If you are considering St John’s D.S.G. as the school of choice for your daughter, we would love to hear from you! Please call our lovely Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Westwood on 033 386 8304 or email admissions@stjohnsdsg.com and we can answer any questions you have.

STEP 2: BOOK A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL
We have no doubt that you will want to see our “small school with big heart” in action, to get a real sense of what makes St John’s D.S.G. special. You are welcome to book a school tour (at a time convenient for you) by clicking on the link below. Alternatively, you can register your interest for our Junior School Open Day, which takes place annually in March.

Book A Tour

Open Day

STEP 3: COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM
Please click on the tab below to complete the online application form. The deadline for applications for Grades RR & R is Friday, 12 March 2021. Applications received after this date may be placed on our waiting list.

Junior School Online Admission Form

STEP 4: INTERVIEW AND ASSESSMENT
Once your application form has been received, Mrs Jenny Westwood will email you to confirm receipt. For Grade RR entry, the application process will only commence in February the year before entry. Parents are invited to an interview with our Junior School Headmistress whilst one of our teachers spends time getting to know your daughter in a friendly and relaxed environment. Depending on the availability of space, parents of Grade R applicants will be invited to an interview with our Junior School Headmistress and an appointment for your daughter to interact with one of our teachers will be made for the same time.

STEP 5: PLACEMENTS
All Grade RR applicants will be informed via email at the end of March the year before entry if they have been successful in obtaining a place at the school. For Grade R applicants, the school will be in contact a couple weeks after the interview and assessment.

2021 DAY SCHOLAR FEES PER PUPIL

Grade	Fee	Sundry Levy*	Development Levy**	Total Fees
RR	R35 022	R3 120	R4 160	R42 302
R	R41 688	R3 120	R4 160	R48 968

*Sundry Levy includes the use of textbooks, photocopied notes given by teachers, compulsory school and sport transport, after school care and limited stationery in the Junior School, library usage, compulsory scholar accident insurance, the school magazine and all excursion costs for Grades RR – 3.

**Development Levy is compulsory for all pupils, and is used for the development of buildings and facilities and is administered by the Board of Governors and School Management.

Click here for more information on School Fees.

1. Should we rather attend a tour of the school or wait for an Open Day?

By attending an Open Day, you will have the benefit of experiencing the whole school in action. You will be able to look in on lessons, meet girls and staff and watch various events going on during the day. If you are not able to attend an Open Day, the Marketing Department can arrange an individual visit that will suit your requirements.

2. How far in advance do we need to apply for Grade RR or Grade R?

St John’s D.S.G. does not work on a first-come-first-served basis. We accept applications throughout the year and prospective families are welcome to apply several years in advance for their ideal grade of entry, although this does not guarantee a space at the school. The deadline for applications for Grade RR is always March the year before entry. Grade R applications are space dependent.

3. How does the admissions process work?

For Grade RR entry, the application process will only commence in February the year before entry. Parents are invited to an interview with our Junior School Headmistress whilst one of our teachers spends time getting to know your daughter in a friendly and relaxed environment. Depending on the availability of space, parents of Grade R applicants will be invited to an interview with our Junior School Headmistress and an appointment for your daughter to interact with one of our teachers will be made for the same time.

4. What does the interview with the Headmistress and meeting with the teachers entail?

The interview with our Headmistress is really just an opportunity for us to get to know you and your daughter through an informal chat. The interaction with the teachers is done without the parent present in a calm, fun and friendly environment. Some age appropriate activities may be given to put your daughter at ease.

5. When will we know if our application has been successful?

All Grade RR applicants will be informed via email in March the year before entry if they have been successful in obtaining a place at the school. For Grade R applicants, the school will be in contact a couple weeks after the interview and assessment.

6. How many classes are there per grade?

St John’s D.S.G. only has one Eaglets class per grade. The Grade RR and R classes interact daily during periods of free play.

7. What is Psychomotor?

The Psychomotor programme links, through play, the emotional and social development of the child with their sensory motor development. It is a non-directive approach to movement which allows the child to express her emotional, social and motor exploration in a safe indoor environment. It is included in the Eaglets curriculum and all girls attend these sessions. Research suggests that Psychomotor helps children to value themselves; resolve differences and respect others; communicate emotions with words; risk failure as part of learning; make decisions; and differentiate between thoughts and actions, which are all very important 21st century life skills.

8. What time does school start and finish?

The girls need to be at school by 07h20. Their school day finishes at 12h20.

9. Are the Eaglets provided with a snack or lunch at school?

The Eaglets are not provided a snack or lunch by the school. Parents need to pack a snack on a daily basis and lunch if your daughter is staying for Aftercare.

10. Is Aftercare available?

Yes, Eaglets are able to attend Aftercare if both parents work. However, Grade RRs are not able to attend Aftercare during the first week of the school year. This is to allow them to settle and get accustomed to their class routine first. There is currently no extra cost for this service.

11. Do the Eaglets play sport?

Both Grade R and Grade RR girls have swimming and ball skills lessons during the school day. In Grade R, the girls start our official sporting programme, Buddy Sport. The main focus being the acquisition of ball skills and learning how to play as part of a team.

12. Is Music offered for the Eaglets?

Class Music is offered from Grade RR to Grade 7 in the Junior School. Girls attend Class Music lessons once a week as part of the academic programme.

13. Can the Eaglets attend Individual Music Tuition?

Individual Music Tuition in a variety of musical instruments is offered from Grade 2 upwards. There is a group piano class available in Grade R and 1 which introduces our younger girls to basic concepts in music and is a good starting point to gauge their interest.

14. What extra-mural lessons are offered at the school?

Girls have the option of signing up for Ballet lessons with Lisa Jennings School of Dance as well as private Swimming lessons with Carol’s Learn to Swim and Tennis lessons with Karl VF Tennis. Please note these extras are not included in the school fees.

15. Does the Junior School offer financial assistance?

Unfortunately, the Junior School does not offer financial assistance.

16. Does the school offer a discount for siblings?

Yes, the school does offer a discount for siblings. Where two or more sisters attend the school at the same time, there is a rebate of 10% of the tuition fee for the second and any subsequent sister, provided that the family do not receive any other form of fee discount or financial assistance.