ST MARTIN’S Preparatory School has two news updates that they would like to share with the community. These include their integration of puzzle challenges in their curriculum, as well as their recent visit to a retirement village.
New puzzle challenges
The school recently started introducing compulsory puzzle challenges to their curriculum for both teachers and learners.
Last year, it became apparent that the newly appointed executive headmaster enjoyed visiting the school – particularly the mathematics classes.
Now, it is not unusual for him to suddenly visit a class and give learners a quick puzzle or challenge to work through. These unexpected visits scare some, energise others and gets both teachers and learners to put on their thinking caps.
The baffled looks on children’s faces led him to suggest that a “puzzle period” be incorporated into the timetable. It was decided that Grade Four would do various English puzzles, Grade Five would play chess, Grade Six would do number puzzles and Grade Seven would do coding.
This new addition to the curriculum certainly provides fun, play, panic, pondering and progress to classes. Children learn fundamental skills, such as perseverance, determination, concentration, strategy and problem-solving.
A Valentine’s visit
In true St Martin’s spirit, the school’s One By One Outreach Committee, managed by the high school learners, recently visited the Queenshaven Retirement Village.
As a Valentine’s Day gift, they delivered cupcakes to the elderly residents of the frail care unit. How sweet!
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