Prep Arts and Culture | Somerset College

Art & Culture

In the Art Department, our focus does not only lie on the talented and creative child, but is there to help each child improve his or her social development; to get in touch with their emotions and express themselves through art. Art is an emotional outlet, giving the students a place to share themselves, to show what is on their mind, and illustrate it in their ideas. We improve a child’s academic performance through art. Art helps to stimulate and develop the right side of the brain, thus developing the visual aptitude on which children rely to learn effectively. One of the most important skills covered in our art classes is to help them with “out-of-the-box” thinking. The children learn to think for themselves, to consider multiple viewpoints and to explore a range of possibilities. In the end, each child feels that he or she can enjoy art.

Drama is offered in the Preparatory School from Grade 1 through to Grade 7. The children have one forty-five minute lesson per week. In the Junior Phase, drama is used as a platform to build confidence, improve projection and articulation, and to explore expression through the use of creativity and imagination. In the Senior Phase, we learn about all the basic aspects of drama which include characterisation, improvisation, mime, puppetry, and much more. We have a main production every year which works on a two year cycle; with the first year being the Junior Phase play, the second being the Senior Phase play. There are also opportunities for the children to enter and perform in drama eisteddfods, as well as take part in short skits performed in assemblies or at other special events. Drama in the Preparatory School is a subject that is enjoyed by many children, as it allows them to express themselves whilst learning how to act and roleplay.

Class Music is offered to all children from Grade 1 to Grade 7, and forms part of the Arts and Culture offering at Somerset College Preparatory. The main objective of the subject is to instill a love for music and to broaden the child’s knowledge, experience, and taste for different musical genres. A lot of emphasis is put on music appreciation through active listening, performing, dramatisation, and movement, and singing activities. The music department has a variety of Orff-instruments for the whole class to enjoy and makes use of these for instrumental performances. 
 
Learning in the music class is inclusive of every child’s natural musical ability. Bucket-drumming as well as STOMP performances and compositions are examples of the creative and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking that happens here. Whole-class marimba playing forms a big part of the Senior Phase lessons. Small group compositions provide opportunities for the children to be creative, to explore, and to develop valuable social and emotional skills. In the Senior Phase, children are encouraged to incorporate their ‘instrument of skill’ during group projects, which reaches a highlight in their final ‘Pop Band’ performance at the end of Grade 7.

Music events take place throughout the year and offer students opportunities for public performances. These include assembly performances, performing at events and functions, busking, lunchtime concerts and festivals, and eisteddfods. Students also have the opportunity to join the Jazz Band, String Orchestra, Junior or Senior Choir and the Marimba Band. In the Somerset College Preparatory School Art Department, our focus does not only lie on the talented and creative student. Art is there to help each student to improve his or her social development; to get in touch with their emotions and express themselves through art. Art is an emotional outlet, giving the students a place to share themselves, to show what is on their mind and illustrate it in their ideas.We improve a student’s academic performance through art. Art helps to stimulate and develop the right side of the brain, thus developing the visual aptitude on which students rely to learn effectively. One of the most important skills covered in our art classes is to help the students with “out-of-the-box” thinking. The children learn to think for themselves, to consider multiple viewpoints and to explore a range of possibilities. In the end, each child feels that he or she has the ability to enjoy art.

Instruments offered at Somerset College Preparatory School are the following:

  • Individual
    • Piano
    • Keyboard
    • Harp
    • Recorder
    • Flute
    • Clarinet
    • Saxophone
    • Trumpet
    • Euphonium
    • French Horn
    • Trombone
    • Violin
    • Viola (from Grade 4)
    • Cello
    • Drum kit
    • Guitar (acoustic & electric)
    • Bass Guitar
    • Ukulele
    • Voice (Singing)
  • Group
    • Guitar
    • Recorder
    • Drum kit
    • Voice
If a student would like to receive instrumental tuition at the school, please contact the Director of Music, Mr David Orr, at d.orr@somcol.co.za 

Our school has a beautiful, well-stocked library with a view over our school dam.  All children visit the library at least once a week during an allocated lesson, but the library is also open for children to visit at break and after school closes.  The library is equipped with laptops on which our children can do research, as well as some special, comfortable spaces where our children can work or lie and read.