Manor Gardens Primary School

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Jazz Evening Lights

We have a vibrant music programme at Manor Gardens which runs both within class music and in our extra-mural programme.

Class Music - Our children look at many genres of music, learn a wide variety of songs, study basic music theory, play xylophones, drums and other percussion instruments, compose music based on various themes, listen to music and respond with art, movement or by answering questions. On the completion of a theme, classes sometimes perform in an assembly or in our quarterly music evenings. From Grade 4-7, music books are kept to record the various concepts, composers and genres studied.

Extra-Mural Music - This exciting programme takes place either for 30 minutes before school, or during breaks.

Wise Up is a group that meets during break time and discusses different philosophies.

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The Random Acts of Kindness Club started in January 2008. It is a group of Grade 6 & 7 children who volunteer to do outreach work in the community. They are volunteering at Ithemba Lethu in Manor Gardens. Ithemba Lethu is a home for abandoned babies. The R.A.K. club children clean their toys, read to them, play with them and take donations of food and toys on a regular basis.

Social debating is held on Fridays for all interested children in Grades 5-7. This is a fantastic skill to learn! We recently had 3 Grade 7 children participate in their first formal debate - one child, Roanne Moodley, was placed 4th out of 18 speakers. Well done, Roanne!

Creative thinking is thinking out of the box! The following is done during creative thinking:

• solve puzzles
• make up stories and skits/short plays and act them out
• write poetry
• discussions on interesting topics
• listen to music excerpts which provide a springboard for writing and drama
• play memory games
• play word games

Chess is offered to children from grade 2 to grade 7. The Foundation Phase children meet once a week on Thursday afternoons. The Intermediate and Senior Phase meet on a Wednesday afternoon. The children challenge each other to friendly games and also receive coaching to improve their strategies. Play on the outdoor board is also encouraged. The children take part in a variety of individual and team tournaments throughout the year, competing against other schools in the Durban and Districts Chess Association.

Children from grade 5 - 7 are taught the skills of this medieval writing. First children are taught how to control the Calligraphy pen and then they are taught Foundational Hand. Once they have mastered this, they go onto learning the Gothic, Italic, Uncial as well as Roman Capitals. Children combine their Calligraphy skills with a variety of crafts such as book-making, envelopes, packets, etc.