Enrichment
This is where she shines. This is St Anne’s.
We run a number of additional programmes that enhance our holistic offering. Our enrichment programmes align with our vision to provide an excellent, ambitious and embracing environment where young women thrive.
Coding Club
We introduce computer programming in various stages to the girls through our Information and Digital Literacy subject:
- Grade 8: Hour of Code, Scratch and Robotics
- Grade 9: Web Design and Robotics
- Grade 10: Javascript Game Development
To allow girls to explore these skills further, our Coding Club encourages them to explore their own projects or work through guided tutorials from our extensive print and digital libraries. Girls can work alone or in groups on projects that interest them, ranging from robotic cars to web development. We also have a number of in-house systems to which girls can contribute, such as the student portal, library system and the school inventory system, allowing them to experience a “production environment” with real end-users.
Debating
Our girls have the opportunity to participate in the Pietermaritzburg Grade 8, Junior or Senior debating leagues, which follow the World Schools’ style. Girls who excel at the league level are invited to represent Pietermaritzburg at the KwaZulu-Natal Schools Debating Association provincial debating tournament, where the team for the national event is chosen.
Debating offers many benefits:
- The opportunity for debaters to interact with and compete against boys and girls from other schools and environments
- Teamwork teaches conflict resolution skills
- Debating motions require research and critical thinking
- Girls learn argumentation skills and are encouraged to engage objectively with the world around them
- Confidence in public speaking
Enviro Club
Girls and staff can join the dynamic and passionate Environmental Club to complement the work of the St Anne’s Environmental Committee. This Club supports the committee’s initiatives on the campus, assisting with recycling, raising awareness on current environmental issues, and being actively involved in community projects.
Outside speakers are invited to address Environmental Club members on various environmental issues throughout the year.
Exchange Programme
We offer six different Exchange Programmes for girls in Grade 10 as another way of enhancing their holistic education. While making new friends, learning new skills, studying new subjects, sightseeing, experiencing new challenges, and enjoying daily life outside of their comfort zones, girls living overseas (and exchange students visiting St Anne’s) flourish as they embrace the opportunities of the programme.
Social Responsibility
Our girls are actively involved in making meaningful change happen through our social responsibility programme, STEPP. Girls travel out to partnerships every week to help with English literacy and pre-school skills. Along with educational benefits for the girls, the programme allows them to develop a real relationship with greater society – one that meets actual needs, creates opportunities to effect positive change in education within the community and allows our girls to grapple with the issues faced daily in South Africa.
The President’s Award
The internationally-recognised President’s Award aligns with our focus on well-rounded education. To achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold level Award, a girl has to apply herself in several areas, stepping out of her comfort zone and empowering herself through the process. On average, around half of our girls enrol in the programme during their time at St Anne’s, challenging themselves to give more and go further.
Public Speaking
At our Public Speaking club, girls learn about speaking not only confidently and eloquently. Knowing how to deliver an engaging message in various public settings is one of the most important skills young women need to learn – for the workplaces of the future, and also as thoughtful citizens who wish to speak for themselves and others.
We practise using games and light-hearted exercises to encourage risk-taking and collaboration. Girls also learn how to give constructive peer feedback. Seniors and juniors attend together so that senior girls can mentor junior girls. There are also occasions throughout the year for girls to speak with other schools and to enter public speaking competitions.