St George’s Primary School | PE Central, Gqeberha

Welcome to St George’s Primary School: Nurturing Excellence in Gqeberha!

Discover a vibrant and supportive learning environment at St George’s Primary School, conveniently located in PE Central, Gqeberha. We are dedicated to providing an exceptional education for learners from Grade 1 to Grade 7, fostering intellectual curiosity and personal growth.

At St George’s, we believe in the power of individual attention. That’s why we proudly maintain small class sizes, limiting each class to a maximum of 22 learners. This ensures that every child receives the personalised support and guidance they need to thrive. Our teaching is conducted entirely in English, providing a strong foundation for academic success.

As a proud member of the esteemed Curro school group, we offer a comprehensive educational experience, enriched by Christian values of kindness, integrity, and strong family morals. We also understand the needs of busy families, offering a convenient aftercare option.

Get an overview of everything we can offer your family on our fact sheet.

Our Innovative Educational Approach

We are committed to delivering an excellent education by thoughtfully balancing the latest research in teaching methodologies with well-established, effective pedagogical practices. Our dynamic approach empowers learners to explore concepts far beyond the confines of a textbook. Through engaging research projects, hands-on experiments, and stimulating assignments, children are encouraged to connect learning to the real world, making knowledge tangible and meaningful.

While regular assessments and tests are an integral part of our curriculum, our ultimate goal is to cultivate critical thinkers who can apply their intellectual abilities to truly understand and internalise the material, making it their own.

Academic Excellence and Unique Opportunities

The Curro Advantage

Being part of the Curro school group offers unique benefits. Learners from St George's enjoy preference when applying to other schools within the group. Our primary school learners have a seamless progression pathway to the nearby Curro Westbrook High School, ensuring continuity in their educational journey.

A Rich and Broad Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to inspire and challenge. Beyond core subjects, we offer:

• Unique Subjects: Ignite creativity and critical thinking with specialised classes in Music and Robotics, integrated throughout the school years.
• Comprehensive Language Options: While English is our medium of instruction, learners have the opportunity to choose Afrikaans and isiXhosa as additional language options, fostering multilingualism and cultural appreciation.

Foundational Learning: Junior Prep (Grades 1-3)

In the crucial Junior Prep phase, we lay the essential foundations for all future learning:

• Language: Developing strong skills in reading, spelling, comprehension, speaking, and listening.
• Mathematics: Building a solid understanding of counting, number sense, addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
• Life Skills: Engaging in physical education, real-life experiences, problem-solving activities, and fostering creativity.

Expanding Horizons: Senior Prep (Grades 4-7)

As learners progress to the Senior Prep phase, the curriculum evolves to embrace more abstract concepts. We introduce project-based learning, encouraging independent research, in-depth assignments, and hands-on experiments to explore learning material beyond the textbook, preparing them for higher-level thinking.

Dedicated Learning Support

At St George's, we are committed to supporting every child's learning journey. We provide comprehensive assistance to learners facing difficulties in the classroom, ranging from specific challenges such as reading, phonics, and comprehension to conditions like ADD, ADHD, dyslexia (difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling), and dyscalculia (math difficulties).

Our aim is early intervention, ensuring that each learner's individual needs are addressed with care and expertise. Our dedicated on-site team includes:

• Two Learning-Support Therapists
• An Occupational Therapist
• A Speech Therapist
• A Paediatric Physiotherapist

For learners requiring additional assistance beyond school hours, we collaborate with a network of preferred educational psychologists. In line with our Christian values, we ensure that every child receiving intervention feels loved, supported, and valued throughout their time with our learning-support department.

Global Perspectives: The UK Exchange Programme

A truly unique opportunity awaits our Grade 7 learners! They have the chance to embark on an enriching two-week exchange programme at a prestigious independent school in the UK, selected from those listed on the Tes School Awards. During this time, we reciprocate by hosting a learner from the partner school.

Our exchange learners also visit the homes and families of the UK students their own parents have hosted, fostering deeper cultural connections. For their safety and well-being, one of our dedicated teachers accompanies them throughout this incredible international experience. Please note, this programme is dependent on a minimum of 8 interested learners.

Holistic Development: Sport and Culture

At St George's, we believe in a balanced education where academic rigour is seamlessly integrated with vibrant sports and cultural activities. Participation in these programmes is crucial for developing essential life skills such as team-awareness, collaboration, and self-confidence. As a leading primary school in PE Central, Gqeberha, our wide range of activities are thoughtfully tailored to the diverse interests of our learners.

Activities like choir, for example, not only foster musical talent but also significantly boost a child's well-being and confidence in presenting themselves to an audience. We encourage every child to explore their passions and discover new talents.

See which activities we offer on our fact sheet.

Discover the St George’s Difference!

We are confident that your child will thrive in our nurturing environment, where everything we offer is tailored to ignite their interests and help them grow and excel. We invite you to explore the rest of our website to discover the full breadth of benefits your child can experience with us!

Nurturing Aftercare for Peace of Mind

Our comprehensive aftercare service offers a safe and engaging environment for your child once the school day concludes. Available at an additional cost, as detailed in our fees letter, learners are supervised in secure classrooms and vibrant playgrounds, ensuring their well-being and continued engagement until you are ready to pick them up in the late afternoon. It's an extension of our caring school day, designed for your convenience and your child's comfort.

Innovative Learning Environments

At St George's Preparatory, we believe in fostering a dynamic and forward-thinking learning environment. Our facilities are thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity, encourage hands-on exploration, and prepare learners for the challenges of the 21st century. As part of our commitment to delivering the exceptional Curro education, our classrooms are crafted to promote deep concentration and active interaction with learning materials, ensuring every child thrives.

Our specialised classrooms and innovative learning hubs include:

• State-of-the-Art Computer Lab: Where digital literacy and computational thinking come alive.
• Inspiring Outdoor Classroom: Connecting learning with nature, fostering creativity and observation skills.
• Cutting-Edge Robotics Lab: Igniting passion for STEM through practical design and programming.
• Advanced Science Lab: A space for discovery, experimentation, and scientific inquiry.
• Dynamic STEAMD Centre: Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design to cultivate holistic problem-solvers.

Vibrant Cultural and Sporting Life

St George's Preparatory boasts a rich tapestry of cultural and sports activities, each hosted in dedicated, purpose-built facilities that empower our learners to discover and hone their talents. We encourage every child to explore new passions, build confidence, and develop teamwork through our diverse extra-curricular offerings.

Our impressive on-site activity facilities include:

• Dedicated Art Department: A creative sanctuary for budding artists.
• Carol Arts and Media Centre: A hub for performance, creativity, and knowledge, featuring our comprehensive library.
• Professional Cricket Practice Net: Perfecting skills for the pitch.
• Inviting Indoor Swimming Pool: For aquatic sports, fitness, and fun, regardless of the weather.
• Versatile Mini AstroTurf: Ideal for various sports and active play.
• Spacious Multipurpose Sports Field: Hosting a wide array of team sports and outdoor activities.
• Expressive Speech and Drama Room: Building confidence, communication, and stage presence.
• Well-maintained Tennis Court: For developing agility and strategic thinking.

While many activities flourish on campus, some competitions and tournaments may take place at external venues, broadening our learners' experiences.

A World of Knowledge in Our Library

Nestled on the ground floor of the Carol Arts and Media Centre, our vibrant library is more than just a collection of books – it's a gateway to discovery and lifelong learning. Our youngest learners in Grade 1 delight in engaging story times, while Grade 2 onwards can regularly explore and borrow from our extensive collection.

From Grade 4, learners embark on a deeper journey, receiving dedicated education in library usage, research methodologies, and the responsible engagement with books and multimedia. Beyond traditional reading, our library features a dedicated computer section, empowering learners with essential 21st-century skills through self-directed research. Furthermore, our junior-prep phase learners take exciting coding lessons here, laying the foundation for future innovation.

Welcome to St George's Preparatory: A Legacy of Excellence

Situated in the heart of PE Central, Gqeberha, St George’s Preparatory offers a distinguished primary school education for learners from Grade 1 to Grade 7. We are proud to be part of the esteemed Curro school group, upholding a commitment to academic excellence and holistic development.

• Intimate Class Sizes: With a maximum of 22 learners per class, we ensure personalized attention and a supportive learning environment.
• English Medium Education: All instruction is conducted in English, fostering strong language proficiency.
• Christian Values: Our school philosophy is deeply rooted in Christian values, emphasizing kindness, integrity, strong family values, and a robust moral and ethical framework.
• Aftercare Option: Convenient and nurturing aftercare services are available for busy families.

Founded in 1936 by Raymond Hutchinson, St George’s Preparatory began its journey to provide an outstanding private-school education for boys aged 7 to 14, preparing them for leading public schools both locally and internationally. The school has since grown, opening its Pre-Preparatory phase in 2000, followed by the Preparatory phase in 2001, welcoming all learners into our cherished community.

Discover the vibrant life at St George’s Preparatory – watch our video below to experience what awaits your child:

The Enduring Charm of Knockfierna: Our Historic Home

Our school is nestled within the magnificent walls of Knockfierna, a grand Victorian mansion originally built in 1899 by the prosperous Irish wool merchant, John Daverin. Meaning 'Hill of Fairies' or 'Truth,' Knockfierna embodies a rich history and an enchanting legacy that continues to inspire our learners and staff alike.

This architectural masterpiece, once a symbol of Gqeberha's opulent Victorian era, was meticulously crafted with no expense spared – from Venetian mirrors and Florentine bronze to exquisite Belleek china. It was a place of elegance, joy, and family life, where the whispers of children and the echoes of laughter filled its halls.

In 1936, this magical estate transitioned into the nurturing home of St George's Preparatory School, founded by Raymond Whitworth Hutchinson. Today, Knockfierna retains much of its original charm and grandeur, offering a truly unique and inspiring setting for education:

• Historic Dining: Our children enjoy lunches in what was once Daverin’s billiard room, where the original marble blocks supporting his grand table are still visible.
• Echoes of the Past: The secretary’s office occupies Daverin’s original study, while the Executive Head’s office is in the beautifully wood-panelled dining room.
• Architectural Treasures: Marvel at the tiles from Bath, England, in the entrance hall, and the elaborate Viennese mirror gracing the teak staircase.
• Transformed Spaces: The stables, where horses were once tethered (rings still visible!), have been lovingly converted into bright and welcoming Grade 1 and Grade 2 classrooms.
• A Spiritual Heart: The small chapel, once the spiritual core of the Daverin family, reminds us of the enduring values that underpin our school.

Knockfierna is more than just a building; it is a living testament to history, a place where the past beautifully intertwines with the present, providing a distinctive and inspiring backdrop for a world-class education. Its shady walks, grand halls, and timeless beauty create an atmosphere where children can truly thrive, grow, and become part of a continuing legacy.