SACPS extra mural offering and philosophy
SACPS has a unique extra-curricular programme which takes place all week long, within the school day and after.
The school makes use of the its own facilities as well as the Municipal Facilities within walking distance of the school where most practices and matches take place. Despite its proximity, the school arranges for bus transport of its sportspersons to and from the municipal playing fields every Monday and Wednesday.
For learners who wish to take part voluntarily in cultural activities there is a wide range of activities available in the afternoons. Those wishing to represent the school in sporting and cultural teams have the opportunity to do so voluntarily. For away matches the school will provide the necessary transport to and from the venue and assistance from the parents is always welcome in most cases.
At SACPS sport and culture is offered for the enjoyment of the learners and as an opportunity for the staff to get to know the learners better. The ample choice of activities that exists emphasises the value of exposure of every learner to as many activities as possible – the principal of winning at all costs is not part of our philosophy. Our philosophy rather follows the principle of maximum participation and enjoyment.
Competitively most extra-mural activities are geared towards gaining points for a learner’s house. The academic programme also contributes to the inter house competition. By merely participating, a learner is able to make a contribution towards the inter-house competition.
Experience has taught the staff of SACPS that there is very little benefit derived from forcing learners to sit in the sun for a full day merely being a spectator at sporting events. Although there are events where learners are expected to spectate, this is limited in order to rather create opportunities for learners to follow their hearts and to participate in activities offered by the school.
It will be noted that cultural activities are not separated from sporting activities, both of these activities carrying equal importance and weight in the school’s extra-curricular programme. Within this system the aim is to develop the skills of the senior learners as coaches, umpires, referees and club leaders so as to broaden the range of activities offered and to develop leadership opportunities in the school.
The school has recently invested in some improved practice facilities to allow for more sport at the school during afternoons. Please promote your child in joining the afternoon activities for him/her to become a well-rounded individual.
SPORTS
SA College Private School, located in the heart of Pretoria, takes great pride in offering a diverse and enriching sports and extra-curricular program that reflects its commitment to holistic education. As an inner-city school, we understand the importance of fostering not only academic excellence but also physical, social, and emotional growth in our students. Our sports and extra-curricular journey is designed to provide opportunities for students to explore their passions, build teamwork skills, and develop a healthy and active lifestyle, despite the space constraints typically associated with urban schools.
Through strategic partnerships with local sports facilities and community organisations, we ensure that our students have access to a wide range of sporting activities, from soccer and netball to athletics, swimming, and more. Our dedicated coaching staff work tirelessly to nurture the talents of each student, regardless of their starting level, promoting the values of discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship. These sports programmes not only build physical fitness but also instill life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience, essential for success in all areas of life.
Beyond sports, our extra-curricular offerings include a rich array of cultural, academic, and creative activities. Students can engage in debate clubs, music, drama, and art, ensuring that their talents and interests are nurtured in various fields. These activities are vital in developing well-rounded individuals who can thrive in both their academic and personal lives. At SA College Private School, we are committed to creating a dynamic and inclusive environment where every student can discover and develop their full potential.
Despite being in an urban setting, we have successfully crafted a vibrant, supportive, and resourceful community that provides every child with the chance to excel both inside and outside the classroom.
Over the past years we have expanded on our sports offering and have a solid plan in place to improve the offering to our learners over time.
Foundation Phase (Grade R to 3)
For now, our Foundation Phase students from Grade R to Grade 3 participated in the KFC Mini Cricket program. This initiative provides a fun and engaging platform for our young learners to develop their cricket skills while fostering a love for the game. The event encourages teamwork, sportsmanship, and active participation, laying a solid foundation for their future involvement in sports. We are excited to continue this program and watch our young cricketers grow and thrive.
Currently our primary school fielded U7 and U8 teams to compete in the U8 and U9 competitions. This early participation aims to prepare our young learners for the U9 level, where the focus shifts to tackling skills. The two teams had the opportunity to showcase their abilities at the Loftus annual day, as well as the GIR day at Loftus. These experiences are invaluable in building confidence and readiness for the upcoming challenges in rugby.
As it stands our U9 team participated in the Blue Bulls Rugby Union Division E1 league for 7s, finishing an impressive 2nd in their league. Looking ahead, our aim is to join the 15-man league, providing our players with new opportunities to further develop their skills and understanding of the game in a more competitive setting. This progression will help lay a solid foundation for their future in rugby.
For now our focus for mini netball was to ensure that all our coaches became qualified and skilled in coaching the sport. This investment in our coaching staff is vital for developing the players’ skills and understanding of the game. Going forward, we aim to increase our participation in Mini Days, providing our young players with more opportunities to showcase their talents and gain valuable experience in a fun and supportive environment.
Throughout the year, the U9 team played friendly matches against other teams participating in the Daisy League to prepare for next years league.
Our learners participated in the interhouse competition, showcasing their skills in various field events. Additionally, students in Grades 1 to 3 had the opportunity to compete at Eduplex. Looking ahead, we aim to participate again at Eduplex and expand our program by adding more events. This will provide our athletes with greater opportunities to develop their skills and gain valuable competitive experience.
Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to 6)
Our primary school rugby program saw the U11, and U13 teams participate in the Blue Bulls Rugby Union Division E1 7’s League, with the U11 team finishing an impressive 2nd in the league. This year was focused on building a love for the game among our young players. Looking ahead, we aim to expand opportunities by introducing a new 15-man league in addition to continuing with 7’s, allowing our players to further develop their skills and passion for rugby.
Our primary school soccer program participated in interschool friendlies and held an internal competition, all under the guidance of Mr. Chihozhwa. This year focused on fostering teamwork and sportsmanship among our players. Looking ahead, we aim to compete in a potential league, working on individual skills development. We will have two teams per age group for U10, U11, U12, and U13 once the league details, including participant numbers, have been finalized. Our goal is to enhance the players’ abilities and prepare them for more competitive play, ensuring they are well-equipped for future challenges.
Our Grade 4 students participate in the annual KFC Mini Cricket, hosted at SuperSport Park in Centurion. This event provides a fantastic opportunity for young cricketers to showcase their skills and enjoy the game in a fun, competitive environment. We are committed to fostering a love for cricket among our learners and look forward to continuing this tradition in the coming years.
Currently, our primary school played in the Daisy League, with U10, U11, U12, and U13 A teams participating. Meanwhile, the B teams played friendly matches against the same schools. The U11 team finished 4th out of 9 schools, while the U10, U12, and U13 teams all ended in 8th place out of 9 schools. This year has been a learning curve for all involved. To support player development, we also added the same skills coach to the primary school program to work on individual skills.
Looking ahead, we plan to continue participating in the Daisy League, focusing on improvement and building on the experiences gained this year.
Our primary school participated in athletics events at Eduplex and the cluster event held at Wonderboom High School. A notable achievement came from Nelson K. Nelson, who competed in the Districts for the 100m and 150m races. He finished in the top 2, qualifying him for the Gauteng Championship—a fantastic accomplishment that highlights his talent. As a U12 athlete this year, he will be moving up to U13 next year, and we are excited to see how he continues to develop. Our focus remains on unearthing and nurturing real talent within our athletics program.
High School (SP and FET – Grade 7 to 12)
Our school has both U15 and U18 Boys teams participating in the Blue Bulls Rugby Union Division 5 League, marking the first time in the school’s history that our teams have entered this league. Both teams performed commendably, finishing 5th out of 7 schools. We are committed to continuous improvement, which is why our friendly matches are played against teams from various divisions, including Wonderboom High School and Rietondale High School. The U18 team notably won the Voortrekker Hoogte Expo Cup and will defend this title next year in March before the season kicks off. Additionally, four of our learners were invited to participate in the Blue Bulls Trials, with Daniel Prefa advancing to the final round of the U16 trials. Daniel also made the Blue Bulls IPT team, which toured Durban during the September holidays.
Our school has U15 and U19 Boys teams competing in the Magalies Soccer League. The U15 team performed well, finishing 3rd in their pool out of 7 teams, while the U19 team ended 5th in their pool out of 7 teams. For next year, our focus will be on enhancing the individual skills of each learner. We also aim to give learners exposure by encouraging them to attend trials, providing them with valuable experience. Both teams will compete in the Magalies Soccer League again next year, with the goal of improving on their results and finishing higher in the standings.
Additionally, the school is aiming to introduce a Soccer Girls team next year, expanding opportunities for female learners to participate in the sport.
Our school fielded U14, U15, U16, U17, and U19 teams in the Emerald League, which is part of District 3. Additionally, we had B teams for U14 and U15, which played against the same schools. Each team played 10 matches, with the U14 team finishing 3rd in the league, the U15 and U16 teams both finishing 5th, and the U19 team finishing 8th. This was our school’s first time competing in the Emerald League. Next year, we aim to introduce B teams for the U14, U15, and U16 age groups, with the goal of improving our current performance.
To prepare for the season, our teams also play friendly matches against Wonderboom High School and Rietondale High School. In Term 3, the school enlisted the expertise of a skills coach to address areas of improvement and enhance individual skills. Our U15 team also participated in the Annual Fast 5 League hosted by Montana High School, finishing 3rd in their pool out of 6 teams. Looking ahead to next year, we plan to send some learners to trials, as we believe they are ready to showcase their talent on a larger stage.
This year, our U19 Boys, U15 Girls, and U15 Boys teams participated in the Development League, marking a significant step in expanding our basketball program. We were also excited to welcome our new Basketball Coach, Mr. Sambo, whose expertise has already made a positive impact on the teams.
Looking ahead to next year, our goal is to build on the foundation established this year. We plan to focus on improving team dynamics and individual player skills, while also increasing participation across all age groups. We aim to perform better in the Development League and potentially explore opportunities to enter higher-level competitions.
Our athletics program focuses on track events for all age groups, with our teams competing at the Wonderboom High School event. Next year, we are aiming to expand participation by adding more events, including those at Eduplex and returning to Wonderboom High School, to give our athletes increased competition experience and development opportunities.
Our school choir has been actively involved in events such as Merit Awards, Assembly and the Top 10 ceremony. Going forward, our goal is to expand participation in even more events, providing our learners with greater opportunities to showcase their talents and engage with the broader community.
Currently, our choir did not participate in any official competitions, they are the champions of the Voortrekker Hoogte Expo Cup. Going forward, our aim is to increase participation in various events, provide more exposure for the choir, and build on their previous success by exploring new performance opportunities.
For this year, our school hosted an internal competition for table tennis, fostering a spirit of friendly rivalry among our players. Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce new table tennis tables to enhance our training facilities. Additionally, we plan to participate in new competitions to provide our players with more opportunities to showcase their skills and compete at higher levels.
As it stands, our volleyball program focused on establishing interest among students, with Mr. Lubisi serving as the coach. His guidance has been instrumental in fostering a love for the sport. Looking ahead, our goals include improving team skills and cohesion, increasing participation among learners, and exploring opportunities for competitive play. We aim to build a strong foundation for our volleyball program, encouraging more students to join and develop their abilities in the sport.
Our Debate and Public Speaking program, guided by Ms. Muchenje, Ms. Monareng, Ms. Mlambo, and Ms. Ndlovu—dedicated educators from the English department—focuses on helping students learn new skills and develop their abilities in communication and critical thinking. Going forward, our aim is to enhance the program further by providing more opportunities for students to participate in competitions and workshops, fostering their confidence and proficiency in public speaking and debate. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of articulate and persuasive speakers.
Sport Coordinator
Mr M van Niekerk Tel: (012) 326 4580 ext 214 Email: VanNiekerkM@sacps.co.za Parents or other schools are welcome to contact our sports Coordinator Mr M van Niekerk for further information.
important explanation to parents
Extra curricular arrangements
The accompanying schedule contains activities of a sporting and a cultural nature. Your child should choose which of these activities he or she would like to participate in, so please discuss this with your child.
Please be advised of the following: There is a weekly timetabled Municipal Sports Grounds session and the cultural period on the school that can be found in your child’s diary. This means that your child must attend school in the prescribed sports clothing of SA College. Learners not wearing the prescribed clothing will be sent home to change.
- Sporting teams participate in practices/matches at the Municipal fields. Only learners who apply to be on the sporting teams and are selected will be required to attend these practices/matches.
- Athletics is predominantly offered in the first term, likewise in the fourth term while the other sports will be offered in the 2nd and 3rd term.
- You will note from the programme that there are many other activities taking place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on the school campus and we encourage your child to take part.
- Included in the programme are also English, Afrikaans and Mathematics remedial classes.
Please encourage your child to participate in as many activities as possible. We strongly recommend that he/she audition for one of the 3 choirs that operate in the school.
