GALLERY: Auckland Park Preparatory School welcomes Grade 1 and Grade R pupils

Auckland Park Preparatory School (APPS) said hello to their 2016 Grade 1 and Grade R classes on 13 January.

Parents dropped off their little ones for their first day of school at the girls-only school, and some of the pupils found it hard to say goodbye to their parents.

Principal Brenda Howden stood at the gate to welcome all the pupils and their parents. Auckland Park Preparatory School is keeping their Grade 1s to two classes with 20 pupils per class. “The smaller and more intimate the class is, the better the children learn,” said Principal Howden.

All the pupils from Grade R to Grade 7 use iPads during their lessons to prepare them for the technological savvy future. The school provides iPads for the pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 5, which stay at school, and the Grade 6 and Grade 7 pupils have their own iPads to take home. “We emphasise a lot on technology and creative and critical thinking,” said Howden.

Auckland Park Preparatory School also focuses on preparing the girls for senior school. Most of the children where in Grade R together at the school and they already know each other and are comfortable.

The school wants to build great relationships with the parents and the teachers to ensure a happy environment for all.