ACTIVITIES
Educating for life – Ad vitam educatio
MUSIC
Music Education
At Gracehill, we would like our learners to experience the gift of music and the benefits of this universal language. School music programs are especially relevant to the development of each and every child. These programs promote self-expression, responsibility and creativity. They develop self-discipline and thinking skills such as problem solving, evaluation and analysis.
Gracehill’s Music Vision
to provide music education to learners of all ages
Gracehill’s Music Mission
to give every learner the opportunity to experience music and what it has to offer
Gracehill’s Music Objective
to be passionate and create a love and appreciation for music from a very young age
Weekly Music Lessons
At Gracehill College, we believe that music is a powerful tool for creativity, expression, and holistic development. Every learner participates in a weekly music lesson, where they explore the fundamentals of music through engaging games, interactive activities, and hands-on instrumental play.
Our group lessons introduce learners to a variety of instruments, including small percussion instruments, boom whackers, bucket drumming, ukuleles, and marimbas. Instrument selection is age-appropriate, ensuring a progressive and enriching experience. By the end of the Foundation Phase, each learner will have had the opportunity to engage with all these instruments, laying a strong foundation for musical appreciation and skill.
Individual/Extramural music lessons
Individual lessons are offered in piano, drums, acoustic, electric, and bass guitar, as well as voice training.
Choir
Gracehill Primary launched its Foundation Phase Choir (Grades 1-3) in 2022, fostering a love for singing and teamwork from an early age. The choir rehearses weekly, preparing for performances that inspire and uplift our school community. Our goal is to perform at least once a term during our combined assemblies, with additional opportunities as we continue to grow.
Through both music lessons and choir, we cultivate joy, confidence, and a heart for excellence—equipping our learners to make a difference through their talents.
Dance & Drama Education
At Gracehill College, we recognize the power of movement and expression in a child’s development. Our Dance and Drama program provides learners with a creative outlet to explore emotions, build confidence, and develop essential social and communication skills.
Through dance, children experience the joy of movement, rhythm, and creativity. Dancing not only enhances coordination and self-expression but also fosters self-esteem and emotional well-being. Every learner participates in a weekly dance class, where they can move freely, build confidence, and leave with a sense of joy and accomplishment.
Our drama program nurtures imagination, self-expression, and interpersonal skills. Through engaging activities, learners develop language and communication abilities while gaining the confidence to express themselves in a supportive environment. Drama also helps children process emotions, relieve stress, and feel empowered through storytelling, role-play, and performance.
By integrating dance and drama into our weekly schedule, we encourage learners to embrace creativity, develop resilience, and grow in confidence—equipping them to make a meaningful impact in the world.
ART
Art Education
All artistic activities foster intellectual development and stimulates both sides of the brain. Our children are exposed to many different artists from various times in history every week. This exposure to good art, help the children develop good interpretation and observational skills. It also strengthens their visual-spatial skills to understand the relationship between parts of a whole, as well as pattern recognition. Here they also learn other important concepts like symbolism and abstraction.
Gracehill’s Art Vision
to provide weekly art education as well as art appreciation to learners of all ages
Gracehill’s Art Mission
to give every learner the opportunity to produce different art works and in many various forms
Gracehill’s Art Objective
to be passionate and create a love and appreciation for art from a very young age. All the children of Gracehill College have a weekly Art class, led by a professional Art teacher. The children get to experiment with different art mediums and create regular masterpieces of their own.
ANNUAL CONCERT
The benefits of becoming involved in the performing arts at a young age, extends beyond entertainment. A huge amount of life skills are imparted during the process of concert training and performing, as well as a growth in confidence and elocution.
Gracehill aims to have all learners on stage at least once a year, during the annual concert. All classes will select and perform an appropriate variety of items, linked to a general theme.
Sport at Gracehill College
Sport is an essential part of our holistic curriculum, playing a vital role in both the physical and emotional development of our students. Through dedicated coaching and supportive teachers, every learner is encouraged to develop their skills, grow in confidence, and achieve their personal best in a variety of sports.
Physical Education
During twice-weekly Physical Education lessons, learners are introduced to a range of sports, including hockey, tennis, cricket, and gymnastics. These sessions focus on skill development, teamwork, and fostering a lifelong love for physical activity.
Athletics
Each year, our students dedicate a term to athletics training, preparing to compete against their peers in a variety of track and field events. These include short- and long-distance running, long jump, high jump, turbo javelin, and javelin.
Netball
One of our teachers is a qualified South-African Netball referee and is passionate about teaching boys and girls how to play netball. Our children all enjoy a friendly game, while getting to know the finer skills of playing this game, twice a week.
Chess
Chess is highly encouraged at Gracehill College as a valuable opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. A passionate chess-playing parent regularly engages with our students, offering guidance and challenges. We also have an outdoor chess set available for learners to enjoy during break times.
Cross Country
Our cross-country team trains weekly at the Botanical Gardens, providing students with the opportunity to build endurance while enjoying nature.
And please add this portion to the Sport section:
Soccer
We have a professional soccer coach who trains our Junior Primary, Senior Primary and High School teams separately once a week. They also plan to start participating in matches in the near future.
VolleyBall and basketBall
Our older students enjoy access to our indoor sports center, where they can play volleyball and basketball during break times and Physical Education lessons. These social games provide a fun and active way for students to develop teamwork and coordination.
hockey
Our students participate in weekly hockey practices, where they develop essential skills, teamwork, and a love for the game.
Competing & Growing in Sport
As we continue to develop our sports program, we seek opportunities to arrange matches and competitions with other schools, giving our learners the chance to put their skills to the test. We remain committed to expanding our sporting opportunities as new possibilities arise, ensuring that every child finds a sport they love and can excel in.
Outreach Programs
The aim of the Primary School outreach programme is to be a blessing to our local community and to give our pupils an opportunity to give of themselves for the benefit of others. Scripture commands us to care for the poor, the destitute, the widows and orphans. We are also called to care for God’s creation in the environment and for animals. Gracehill aims to instil, in the heart of each pupil, a desire to be a blessing and to help make this world a better place. This is done through each class serving a selected community project or organization:
Grades 1-3: Animal Welfare
Gracehill Foundation Phase pupils visit the SPCA and/or ODIN, bringing love, pet food, and funds collected from their civvies day. This hands-on experience fosters compassion and teaches them the importance of caring for God’s creatures.
Grades 4-7: Caring for the Aged
Gracehill Intermediate Phase pupils visit Watson’s Retirement Village and/or Rosemore Old Age Home once a term as part of their community outreach. During winter, they knit squares and sew them into knee blankets for the residents. They also write encouraging letters and bring small gifts such as sweets or toiletries. During their visits, the children sing, recite scripture, hand out their gifts and cards, and spend meaningful time with the elderly.
Grades 7-9: Supporting Golden Valley – Blanco
Throughout the year, Gracehill Senior Phase pupils collect essential items such as nappies, clothing, bedding, toiletries, and shoes for the underprivileged residents of Golden Valley. Once a term, they distribute these donations, offering much-needed support. In the final term, they also contribute to gift packets for the annual Christmas party, bringing joy to the children of Golden Valley.
Outdoor Education
Once a week, the children go to the Botanical Gardens to observe a certain part of the garden through all four seasons and do nature studies.
Each class embarks on at least one outing per term, which may vary in nature and purpose.
All learners attend development camps, which address environmental and leadership issues, and interactive social skills are fostered. While the emphasis may rest on fun, greater educational values serve as a foundation.
In the classroom
Our smaller classes lend themselves to a better-quality learning environment, stronger relationships between peers and teachers, and also provide a better platform for instilling confidence and support within, and for, each and every child.
Children are born with all the curiosity they will ever need. It will last a lifetime if they are fed on a daily diet of ideas.
Charlotte Mason
British Educationalist, 1842 – 1923
Aftercare
It is in the interest of providing good support to current and prospective families, that Gracehill College provides afternoon care (until 17:00) for its primary school pupils. We also provide care which is supervised and any homework assistance that there might be, for its primary school pupils. Please refer to the fee structure for aftercare fees.
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. We, at Gracehill College, believe that “every good gift of knowledge and insight come from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17.
We trust in our Heavenly Father to nurture and equip our children, through a thoroughly researched curriculum and feast of ideas. We strive for an education that is far deeper than mere exams and tests – an education that impacts lives and echoes into eternity
Get in Touch
Office: 044 093 0994 / 083 556 7993
Carla Pretorius (Finances): 044 873 5583
Address:
88 Hope Street, George Central
School Hours:
Pre-Primary: 07:30 to 12:00
Grade R: 07:30 to 12:30
Grade 1-2: 07:30 to 13:00
Grade 3: 07:30 to 13:30
Grade 4-7: 07:30 to 14:00
Grade 8-9: 07:30 to 14:00
School Terms 2025
First term:
15 January – 20 March
Second term:
8 April – 27 June
Third term:
22 July – 22 September
Fourth term:
13 October – 9 December