Culture
MUSIC
Our Music department is a vibrant and creative space where our students are encouraged to explore, experience and entertain under the guidance of our talented, experienced and passionate staff. We offer a whole school music educational programme that introduces different aspects of music in an educational and age-appropriate way. We also have a comprehensive extramural music offering where students can choose from a wide variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles and bands. There are countless performance opportunities: assemblies, lunchtime concerts, soirées, festivals and competitions.
Students also have the opportunity to have individual music lessons through our specialised Music Centre where experienced peripatetic teachers and superb facilities ensure the continued growth of individual music at the College. We are an official examination centre for the National Eisteddfod Academy, Trinity College London, Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music London, UNISA and Rockschool London.
SPEECH & DRAMA
At Dainfern College Speech & Drama encompasses a variety of disciplines. The Performing Arts and Public Speaking offer students a wealth of opportunities to express themselves creatively and to acquire the confidence to perform.
In the Junior Prep, Drama is a popular weekly activity with our Grade 1s and 2s enjoying drama as part of their Integrated Day. Drama Club is offered as an extramural from Grade 3 to Grade 7. Our Senior Prep Language Festivals are also a wonderful opportunity to involve all our Senior Prep students in a festival that celebrates a love of language.
Our major drama productions alternate between the Senior Prep and the High School and are always an eagerly anticipated event in our school calendar. In the High School our students also regularly present internal plays and participate in external competitions such as FEDA and RAPS. Dramatic Arts is also offered as an eighth subject for Matric, for parents’ account.
On the Public Speaking front, we hold internal InterHouse and Best Speaker competitions in both the Senior Prep and the High School, with the High School students also participating in various interschools Public Speaking competitions including the South African Speech & Drama College Festival of Public Speaking.
VISUAL ARTS
Art and creative artistic expression are among the intrinsic values we endeavour to instil in all of our students. Art is interwoven into our innovative Integrated Day in Grade 1 and 2 and from Grades 3 to 12 it is offered as part of our extramural programme, in addition to the Visual Arts component of our academic offering.
Our High School students are encouraged to enter art competitions such as the National Eisteddfod where they have enjoyed considerable success. Visual Arts is part of our Creative Arts offering in Grades 8 and 9 and can be selected as an elective subject for Matric.
Dainfern College regularly presents whole-College Art Expos, showcasing artworks by students across the College and celebrating our students’ creativity.
MOVEMENT & DANCE
Movement and dance play an important part in expanding and enhancing the comprehensive Physical Literacy programme at Dainfern College. Introduced in Grade 0 through play and then woven into our Integrated Day, movement and dance assist in teaching our students about their bodies, how they work and how they move.
‘Just Dance’ is a an exciting extramural offered to our Junior and Senior Prep children. Students who enjoy all forms of dance also have many opportunities to perform in talent shows and showcase events.
Although Dance is not offered as an extramural in our very busy High School space, our High School students eagerly anticipate the annual InterHouse Dance competition which is one of the most popular events on our High School calendar, attracting dancers and non-dancers alike in the quest to win this prestigious event.
The newly introduced ‘Cheer Performance’ is another opportunity for our High School students to explore synchronised movement and dance. An expansion of our service activity of Cheerleading, Cheer Performance sees our Cheer Squad participating in inter-schools competitions and events.
Private Ballet classes from an external supplier are offered on campus (for parent account). Please email Colleen Theys for more information or call on +27 83 270 4074
CHESS
Chess is a popular extramural across the whole College. It is actively encouraged as skills required to play the game – concentration, logical thinking, creativity, problem solving and social skills – all enhance academic performance. For this reason all our students are taught chess as part our Integrated Day in Grades 1 and 2 and it then becomes part of our extramural offer from Grade 3.
Our Chess players in both the Senior Prep and the High School compete in various tournaments and leagues and the standard of Chess played at the College is very high.
