At Dainfern College we nurture and support every aspect of our students’ holistic development. The Student Affairs team in the Senior Preparatory meets on a regular basis to discuss any issues and concerns regarding the well-being and support of our students. This team also meets with the Principal on a weekly basis to report back and keep management informed of the progress made in this important portfolio.
In the Senior Preparatory, Ms Margie Pettit, Deputy Principal: Student Affairs heads up this portfolio.
Student wellbeing
We know that from time to time our students experience difficulties in their personal lives and therefore need an opportunity to talk about this and receive advice and counselling depending on the nature of the problem. Our Prep School Counsellor, Ms Eva Odendaal, is responsible for the Life Skills programme and the counselling of students.
Academic Extension & Support
A team of teachers comprising academic support therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, the school counsellor, the Head of Academics and the Head of Student Affairs meet on a weekly basis to discuss children who are at risk and to recommend interventions to assist these students to the best of our ability. Ms Margie Pettit is responsible for the Senior Preparatory section of the school within this portfolio.
We also have in place an academic extension programme where some of our students engage with topics and content not covered in the day-to-day curriculum.
Leadership
While there is no formal ‘prefect’ system in our Preparatory School, our Grade 7s do follow a leadership programme where they are given duties and responsibilities to carry out over the course of the year. While carrying out these duties our students are monitored and mentored so as to give them a grounding and understanding of what it means to lead and serve: a vital aspect of leadership in its truest form. Each class also has a Learner Representative Councillor (LRC) who assists with general duties pertaining to classroom organisation and assistance.
Preparing our students to use their initiative so that they can become responsible and caring citizens is part of the objective in this important area.
Our Prep School Counsellor, Ms Eva Odendaal, heads up this portfolio.
Conduct
At Dainfern College we recognise both the positive aspects of a child’s behaviour as well as apply the necessary consequences should a student display the undesired behaviours that are contrary to our Code of Conduct. We believe in a positive reinforcement policy regarding discipline and strive to address any issues in a fair and just manner. Our Deputy Principal: Student Affairs, Ms Margie Pettit, is responsible for this portfolio in the Senior Preparatory.
