Sonshine School

Sonshine School believe that play is fundamental to a child's development as it is how children explore the world and discover their role in it. The beauty of play is that children initiate and control it. Through play they develop socially, creatively, morally, physically and emotionally. Play allows children to learn to solve various conflicts as well as to deal with emotional issues. When children play, they are not merely passing time, they are growing, learning, sharing and discovering. The school has designed and tailored the nursery section to stimulate and foster intellectual curiosity.

Baby day care

Sonshine has a separate fully equipped baby nursery with a well selected team that are patient, loving and caring. The aim is to give individual attention to each baby making them feel happy and loved.

Reception class

The school offers a stimulating pre-school programme and works to weekly themes. Sonshine school has and uses an abundance of perceptual games, toys and puzzles. Painting, pasting, play dough and creative work takes place on a regular basis. Creative movement, music and singing is also part of the curriculum. Sonshine School provides a safe, imaginative indoor and outdoor setting with numerous activities that are both structured and unstructured. All aspects of the programme allow interaction, discovery and play. The classes are very small, enabling the children to get individual attention. Mickey Maths and various mathematical concepts are used, giving the children an excellent grounding and understanding of numeracy. Birthdays are celebrated in the child's class. A party is held at 10:00 instead of snack time and parents can supply a cake, and a few sweets or party packs for everyone in the class. These are joyful moments for the kids. Sonshine Pre-School creates an environment which stimulates and educates children from early childhood until they are ready for Primary School.Information

• Pre-school and primary school education
• Emphasis on learning through play
• Private co-education school
• School year: January to December
• Emphasis on learning through play

Services

• Day care baby nursery
• Reception classes
• Lunch provision

Sonshine School has a team of vibrant, well-qualified, experienced and dedicated Christian staff who are prepared to go the extra mile to make children and parents happy. The school aims to ensure their young children are happy, loved and given full attention at all times. Sonshine school believes that an average teacher teaches, a good teacher explains, a superior teacher demonstrates, but a great teacher inspires. Staff therefore see their role as an inspired privilege. They are after-all entrusted with the greatest contribution to the future, namely the children of the parents they serve. Sonshine pupils leave at the end of grade seven, ready to move to secondary school, nourished and motivated to continue and fulfil the excellent traditions they have gained at Sonshine School.

The school recipe for an enriching and stimulating environment is to create a loving and secure environment; stimulate all senses; provide a stress free environment; promote safe social interaction; give age-appropriate challenges; encourage individuality; allow freedom of choice; provide an enjoyable atmosphere that promotes exploration and learning through play; and work on the holistic development of the child .

Primary school approach

Sonshine Primary School offers a dynamic English speaking curriculum for learners in grades one to seven. Superior education is assured through clear emphasis on the individual development of each learner to their full potential. Each child is helped individually to develop their own talents. Each grade is structured to incorporate a comprehensive learning programme which includes consolidation, enrichment and remediation. Methodologies are sourced from the best traditional teaching strategies, combined with exciting new developments in education. The school focuses on developing the whole child cognitively, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually (within the content of a non-denominational Christian ethos).

A policy of continuous assessment in all subjects is followed with all tasks and assignments assessed. A form of assessment criteria for the different learning areas is kept. Homework is an extension of activities done in class and should help the learner achieve mastery by practising new skills. Strong emphasis is placed on achieving good academic results. Each year the academic results prove the schools strength and desire to sustain their excellent academic performance. Sonshine also emphasizes the many life-skills needed to become a well-balanced young person.

Reading

Sonshine school offers quality education with a bias towards reading. Being able to read is an essential skill and pupils who read well are able to enjoy stories and books and also access information independently. The school has a comprehensive reading programme to cater for any reading problems. Each classroom has its own well appointed library at the back of each room.

Computer lessons

Children have the opportunity to participate in various computer courses as part of the school curriculum and as an extra curricular classes. All pupils in grades one to seven visit the IT centre every week and are taught computer literacy to familiarise the learners with all aspects of computer basics. Sonshine school understands the importance of computer studies as a real life skill and aims to ensure that each pupil has the necessary computer skills. The school encourages its pupils to acquire skills and competence on the technology ladder and pupils are prepared to be well-versed in operating and mastering the computer and Microsoft products.Information

• Pre-school and primary school education
• ECZ
• Private co-education school
• School year: January to December
• Strong emphasis on reading

Services

• Primary: grades one to seven
• Extra-curricular programme
• Computer lab
• Library
• Lunch provision

Established on strong Christian values, Sonshine Secondary School offers grade eight pupils a chance to excel not only in class but in interactive activities and sport.

Junior Secondary pupils follow the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) syllabus and have an opportunity to take subjects such as English, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Geography, History, Civics, Office Practice, Religious Education, French, Computers, Physical Education, Art and Music.

Sonshine School ensures that pupils participate in interschool activities such as Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientists (JETS) and Debates. In addition, all pupils are obliged to take part in co-curricular activities. These activities include music club, Anti-Aids, Scripture Union, board games such as chess and scrabble, jets club, French club, football, volleyball, netball and swimming.

Currently, Sonshine Secondary School only offers classes for grade eight pupils but has future plans to grow through the construction of 21 spacious and well ventilated classroom blocks that will offer classes for secondary school pupils up to grade 12. The new building will consist of three science laboratories, computer laboratory, a standard library, music room, school hall and a modern car park. It will also consist of sport facilities like basketball court, tennis court, netball, football field and a swimming pool. In order to impart skill work in the children, subject such as Home Economics, Metal Work, Technical Drawing and Art will be included and will have respective rooms.

Information

• Pre-school, primary and secondary education
• Curriculum ECZ
• Private co-education school
• School year: January to December
• Strong emphasis on academic success
• Currently grade eight only