Children are admitted to Grade One in the year in which they turn six. This is an exciting time for them as it is their introduction to formal learning. Our aim is to introduce them to the three R’s in an interesting and challenging way.

The learning lives of children are vigorous, physically and mentally active. We aim to harness this energy so that they develop good speaking and listening skills, help them to understand the importance of safety inside and outside the classroom and understand that they are part of a family.  

Our function as a school is to assist in the development of all children to the fullest extent of their potential. Our goal is to help children grow physically, emotionally and intellectually.  Once children have socially adjusted they are ready for formal teaching. They are able to interact with their peers and can accept the authority of the teacher, they can take in knowledge, retain it and express themselves through language.

At Hellenic School we favour an integrated approach to our teaching. The Letterland Programme is the basis of our phonic teaching. The teaching of Reading is based on the phonics taught, the sentence method and word recognition. 

The essential qualities in writing – legibility and fluency are developed through the teaching of the Nelson Handwriting Scheme. The bonds to ten are taught and these lessons are stimulating and a time of exploration and discovery. 

Interest subjects are introduced and children develop a more rounded education.

In Grade Two the aims, as stated above, are consolidated. Our pupils have settled into an integrated approach to the learning environment. 

By the end of their second year at school it is expected that the majority of pupils will be able to read fluently, write legibly and are proficient in the use of bonds up to twenty. By using innovative teaching methods, children are encouraged to discover and enjoy the richness of the English Language.

They should now be gaining fluency and confidence in Reading as well as developing their Word Attack Skills.  They will be introduced to new Phonic Rules for use in Spelling and Reading.  Special emphasis will be placed on correct letter formation, sentence construction, punctuation and other Language Skills. 

The Content Subjects (Environmental Science, Social Studies, Religious Education) will cover a wide range of topics and events of interest to the children. 

The Timetable also includes Art, Computer Skills, Greek and Shona. 

Grade 4 

Grade 4 is a very interesting, busy year for the children.  They are now more responsible and are expected to cope with the demands of a full timetable.  The workload becomes greater than in previous years. 

In Grade 4, Tables and Bonds are still of primary concern.  They have to be well consolidated in order to master the 4 Rules of Number, Money, Length, Mass and Capacity.  The children are learning to be accurate as well as quicker in their calculations and also to be able to solve problems in a logical way. 

This is also a critical stage in their Reading progress as understanding must keep pace with their mechanical Reading Skills.  They are now learning to be more articulate, to use a much wider vocabulary and to generally improve their Language and Spelling Skills. 

The Content Subjects (Social Studies, Environmental Science and Religious Education) keep them aware of events in their own country and involve the children in observation, discussion and practical work.  Apart from the above subjects, the children also learn Languages (Greek and Shona) Art, Computer Skills and enjoy a wide range of Sporting Activities.

UPPER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Grade 5 and 6

 ACADEMIC 

Grade 5 & 6 follow the Government syllabus which includes: 

English:
Reading which includes a reading laboratory, phonics, spelling, comprehension, creative writing (prose and poetry). At this stage, emphasis is on applied reading and vocabulary enrichment.  Grade 6 broadens the language, reasoning and cognitive skills together with creativity in writing. Grade 5 broadens the phonetic skills and reasoning skills in comprehension are taught. 

Mathematics:  
  Pupils in Grade 6 are now divided into 3 sets across the grade according to ability, based on year-end Grade 5 exam results.  Testing is given throughout the year and pupils can be promoted or demoted.  Grade 6 emphasis is on estimating and evaluating. Grade 5 emphasis is on consolidation and thorough understanding of basic skills in readiness for broadening in Grade 6. 

Environmental & Social Science:
Grade 5 learn to research and reason.  Grade 6 learn to apply and evaluate. 

Religious & Moral Education

Home Economics

An AIDS Action Programme 

Shona:
For all

Greek:
For pupils of Greek culture 

Art & Craft

Music:
A Grade 5 Choir enters the Eisteddfod annually.  Grade 6 & 7 voluntarily join the Senior Choir.

Grade 7:
Grade 7 year is the most important year in a child’s life, as many challenges are presented. This is the year when what has been taught and learnt in the previous years is put to the test as the child prepares for the entrance exam to secondary school and the grade seven state exam.  

The syllabus in each subject closely follows that laid down by the Ministry of Education with many enrichment exercises given to extend the knowledge and ability of each child. The most important aim of the grade seven teacher is

a)   To enable the child to see sense in what is being taught and

b)  To encourage the child to think for itself.

Two aspects of learning which will stand him well in his future education. To achieve these aims five and a half hours each are devoted to teaching all aspects of English and Maths. Environmental Science, Social Studies, Religious Education, receive one hour each of teaching time.  

At Hellenic we are fortunate to have specialist teachers for Shona, Greek, French, Art and Remedial who further extended and enhance the program offered at grade seven level. Drama and Poetry also form an integral part of the child’s education.

Overview of Hellenic School Computer Scheme 

Grade 1: 
In grade 1, the children learn how to use the keyboard and the mouse, for example, to start and exit programs using desktop icons. They practice the above skills using Word Rescue, which also teaches them to match pictures with words. Finally they learn how to use Letterland, a program that reinforces reading skills taught by their class teacher.

Grade 2:
In grade 2, the children continue to use the programs they used in grade 1 at a more advanced level. In addition, they learn how to start programs using the start menu, for example Microsoft Paint, where they learn how to use all the tools available on the paint toolbar. They also use Maths Rescue to improve mental arithmetic. 

Grade 3:
In grade 3, the children continue with Maths Rescue. They learn how to use Phonic Spelling, a program designed to improve literacy skills. The children begin to learn the functions of the basic parts of the computer and later in the year, begin to type and correct sentences using Microsoft Word. Other basic functions of Microsoft Word are taught.  

Grade 4:
In grade 4, the children learn more about Microsoft Word. They also learn about the basic concepts of information technology, for example hardware and software. For enjoyment and to improve general knowledge, Microsoft Encarta and other educational software are used. 

Grade 5:
In grade 5, the children continue to learn about Microsoft Word. Selected concepts from the “Using a computer and managing files” module of the ICDL are also taught. Later on in the year, they begin to learn about Microsoft Excel. Again, Microsoft Encarta and other educational software are used periodically for enjoyment and to improve general knowledge. 

Grade 6:
In grade 6, the focus is on learning more about Microsoft Excel and about using a computer and managing files. Later on in the year, the children will take their first steps with Microsoft Power Point. Microsoft Encarta and other educational software are used periodically for enjoyment and to improve general knowledge.

Grade 7:
In grade 7, the children continue to learn about Microsoft Power Point. In addition, revision of key concepts from all ICDL modules taught from grade 4 onwards are revised. Microsoft Encarta and other educational software are used periodically for enjoyment and to improve general knowledge.