WELCOME TO THE
PRE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL
NURTURING STRONG FOUNDATIONS
At Somerset College Pre-Preparatory School, the focus is on building a strong foundation in all the developmental areas in the early years of a child. For children to grow into competent, successful, and healthy adults, their education in the early years should meet specific developmental milestones in each of these learning areas.
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD
At Somerset College Pre-Preparatory school, we aim to expand the powers of the mind and enrich the spirit of every child in our care. In expanding the powers of the mind, it is essential to instil in children a love of learning that lasts through life. It matters greatly what children learn, but it matters more that they get the habit and skill of learning and of life. To enrich the spirit, we train the habits of the heart.
The objective for harmonious living and academic excellence is equally important at Somerset College Pre-Preparatory school. This balance will ensure that children have a sense of meaning in their lives, which comes from both social engagement and enthusiastic development of their own interests and talents. The commitment by Somerset College Pre-Preparatory school is to act as a values-based community promoting mutual respect between all members of the school and involving parents closely. Unless parents are intimately involved in the life of the school, and the life of their children, it is not possible to achieve our goals.
In a world where there are no free rides and few guarantees, it is our duty to bring up children of substance. They need to become drivers of their own career development and become their own source of internal security as they forge their unique paths into the future. This according to Nikki Bush as she reminds us that the future for our children will be filled with both challenges and opportunities that are beyond our imagination. Children must learn to treat a setback as a challenge, and eventually to rise above it. When children are able to achieve all this, they will then contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of others.
Every year, the teachers of Somerset College Pre-Preparatory school learn and grow and enrich themselves and their lives through the experience of working with children. They are key to growing children of substance and implementing and living out the philosophy of our school.
Carmen Weir
Head of the Pre-Preparatory School
DAY-TO-DAY LIFE AND ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
At Somerset College, we believe that a well-structured day and supportive systems are key to student success. Our school day is thoughtfully organised to balance academics, co-curricular activities, and personal growth.
SCHOOL DAY TIMES
The Pre-Preparatory School day starts at 08:00 am (Gr00, GrR) / 08:30am (Gr000)
See the table below for closing times.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
| Grade 000 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Grade 00 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Grade R | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
PRECARE
Children must be signed in to Precare between 07:00 and 07:30 on the Pre-Prep campus.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Swimming
Golf buddies
Dance mouse
Rugby tots
Tennis
Cricket
Mandarin
AFTERCARE
Aftercare is a dedicated student-centred service that caters for students from Grade 000 to Grade 7 in two separate venues. The venue for the Pre-Prep students is the Aftercare Centre and the venue for the Junior Prep students is the OLS. At 16:00, all students come together at the Aftercare Centre until it closes at 17:30. At the end of each term, or for special holidays, these times may vary.
Our Aftercare is an opportunity for students to ‘stay and play’ in a safe and spacious environment. The Aftercare programme is managed by a qualified teacher, who is assisted by a team of dedicated staff members. The programme offers routine and some structure, while allowing for plenty of free play. The Pre-Prep students have a wide range of extramural activities on offer (at an additional cost), while the Junior Prep students have supervised homework and an opportunity for reading and educational games.
Meals are not provided at Aftercare, however, a basic menu is available for orders from the tuckshop with delivery to the two Aftercare venues. Senior Prep students are catered for after their Co-Curricular programme in a supervision class in which they can do their homework, on the Prep Campus until 16:00, after which they move down to the Aftercare Centre for further supervision until Aftercare closes at 17:30.
JOINING SOMERSET COLLEGE
Interested in joining the Somerset College community? For detailed information on our admissions process and to view our current school fees, please navigate to our Admissions page.
PREPARATORY
Explore how we nurture academic growth, creativity, and independence in the next phase of your child’s journey.
SENIOR
As students progress through their educational journey, our Senior School continues to challenge and inspire them.
CAMBRIDGE
As students progress through their educational journey, our Senior School continues to challenge and inspire them.