Just for WHPSians

Weekly Newsletter

Weekly Diary

Junior Sport Timetable

Senior Sport Timetable

Code of Conduct

Discipline

General Rules

A Boy's Rights and Responsibilities

Sport Policy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. WHPS School Vision

2. Educational Perspective

2.1. Curriculum
2.2. Compulsory Sport
2.3. Optional Sport
2.4. External/ Peripatetic activities
2.5. Human Movement Study (P.E.)
2.6. Code of Conduct
2.7. Dress Code

3. Approach to Sporting Disciplines

3.1. General approach to sport on offer at WHPS
3.2. Team selection
3.3. Practice and match procedure

4. Senior and Junior Sport

4.1. Basic outline
4.2. Competition and Participation

5. General Sporting Issues

5.1. Weather
5.2. Transport
5.3. Parental involvement
5.4. Tours and Camps
5.5. Communication
5.6. Sponsorship  

6. Monitoring of the Sporting Programme

6.1. Overall programme
6.2. Coaching – curriculum compliance and frequency of assessment
6.3. Reporting – monitoring and measuring of individual progress 

7. Finance – Budget and stock control

 

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1 WHPS School Vision

To create a special place of learning for the entire WHPS family built on a strong sense of tradition and a unique ethos, with a focus on developing our boys into future leaders by offering a holistic education marked by excellence.

WHPS Mission

Waterkloof House Preparatory School realises the holistic development of its boys using a broad-base to promote high moral values, independent thinking, self-discipline and a positive self-image, enabling each boy to realise his full potential in academic, sporting and cultural fields within a Christian environment. Through their enthusiastic and caring attitude, parents, staff, Old Boys and the wider WHPS family, combine to uphold and further promote the School’s established traditions and the achievement of its vision.

Vision for WHPS Sport

At WHPS it is our goal to provide a holistic education in which sport plays its roles in a boy’s development. It is our intention to enable each child to fulfill his potential within a sporting programme offering quality and flexibility, and be motivated to participate in a sport that promotes physical development, a positive self-image and manifests a passionate mindset for sport and for life.   

2 Educational Perspective

2.1 Educational Perspective

In order to ensure the effective sporting development of a boy in the respective sporting codes offered at WHPS, a detailed curriculum for every age group is incorporated into the Coaching programme.  

2.2 Compulsory Sport

The sports programme is divided into the three academic terms with the main sport of the term being compulsory for all boys from Grade 3 – Grade 7. Ball skills or swimming is a compulsory activity for the Grade 2 boys on a Tuesday and Thursday throughout the School year.  

2.3 Optional Sport

The Grade 0, 1 and 2 boys participate in the term’s main sport on a voluntary basis, participating in either cricket or soccer on Saturday mornings in season. The senior boys have the option of choosing either squash or tennis as an additional sport as an extra-mural activity. 

2.4 Peripatetic Activities

WHPS out-sources specific sporting disciplines in order to afford the boys the experience of a diverse range of activities under the guidance of trained professionals. The external vendors are required to function within the established parameters of the Sports Department. The peripatetic activities play an integral role in introducing the Pre-Prep and Junior Prep boys to activities which contribute to the development of their gross-motor skills and ultimately serves to introduce them to the formal sports on offer at School. 

2.5 Human Movement Study

The need for the introduction of Human Movement Study (P.E.) has been identified as a result of the declining level of physical wellbeing of the boys. As their lifestyle becomes increasingly sedentary in nature – information age – the need to introduce a life skills (Human Movement) programme over and above the existing sporting activities is imperative, in order to address the shortcomings.

2.6 Code of Conduct

Discipline during sport is essential and any breach of the Code of Conduct will be dealt with according to the School’s Disciplinary Code. The Coaches’ Code of Conduct will become part of the performance expectation and provides a detailed description of the role and requirements of a sports coach at WHPS.

2.7 Dress Code

The sporting dress code is strictly according to the guidelines stipulated by the respective WHPS seasonal sports on offer. When representing the School it is imperative that every boy is neatly and correctly attired.   

3 Approach to Sporting Disciplines

3.1 General Approach

The prime objective of the WHPS Sports Department is to ensure that all participants should enjoy sport, by having fun the experience will ultimately result in achievement. Competitive sport at too young an age can result in boredom and/or disenchantment with the sport. Even at an Under 9 level, matches should be regarded as educating opportunities, and the competitive aspect is secondary to the assimilation of all aspects of the game by the participants. We are aware of, and concerned about, the effects of external pressure on children to perform on the sports field, of often unrealistic expectations and aspirations. While sport is regarded as compulsory because we believe that sport can contribute to social, physical and the overall development of individuals, we are receptive to requests from parents for boys to be excused to participate in alternative sporting activities, where these are clearly to the benefit of the pupil concerned.  

3.2 School Teams and Provincial selection

All teams in all sports are selected on individual performance and merit from Grade 3, and while performance in previous years is taken into account, all boys are given the opportunity to trial for team selection at the beginning of a season. Prior to Grade 3 teams will be selected on the basis of mixed competency in order to allow equal development. Boys selected to represent the province are recognized and encouraged by the School for their achievements, however in terms of sporting involvement the boys are required to firstly meet their School commitment.  

3.3 Practice and Match Procedure

ISASA – As our association with the Independent Schools is based on strong traditional ties, the WHPS teams compete against the Johannesburg Schools in every sporting code on offer at WHPS (the exception being squash). These fixtures are scheduled for either weekdays or Saturdays 

Pretoria Leagues – WHPS teams participate in midweek fixtures locally throughout the year. In the summer and spring seasons, the respective teams (U9 upwards) participate in the cricket, squash and swimming leagues. In the winter season our teams participate in the Primary School’s football leagues.  

4 Senior and Junior Sport

4.1 Basic Outline

Grade 0 and Grade 1 boys have a programme of structured ball skill activities (including a Playball lesson) as part of their morning timetable. In order to make effective use of limited space in the afternoons, the sport is divided into 2 groups, namely Junior and Senior sport. Formal Junior sport is from Grade 2 – Grade 3. (Generally up to and including U10). Senior sport is from Grade 4 – Grade 7 (U/11 to Open).

4.2 Competition and Participation

Competitive sport at too young an age can result in boredom and/or disenchantment with the sport. Every boy is afforded the opportunity to represent the School in the respective seasonal sports. Should a boy choose to participate in club activities it will be at the discretion of the School in a manner that is least disruptive to the School.

5 General Sporting Issues

5.1 Weather

During the rainy season, a decision will be made at 12 noon (weekdays) and 07h00 (Saturdays) if practices or matches are to continue. If cancelled, the senior boys may only leave the premises after prep, which ends at 15h00. Juniors, however, will be allowed to leave School immediately after lunch, or attend the After Care Centre. If sport is disrupted by rain during the afternoon, the pupils will remain in the care of the staff members involved until the allotted practice time is over.  

5.2 Transport

Where necessary, parents are approached by the respective Coaches (in writing) to assist with transporting boys to away venues. Should the School and/or parent be unable to provide transport, a suitable bus will be hired. 

5.3 Parental Involvement

The role of parents is to provide their son with the necessary motivation, enthusiasm and support required to ensure that the outcome of his participation is a positive experience. When appropriate, to offer their assistance in the respective spheres of sport at WHPS, i.e. transporting, catering, hosting teams, or coaching and organizing at various levels within the established parameters for coaches at the School.

5.4 Tours and Camps

The opportunity to participate in a sporting tour or School camp is accessible to every WHPS boy. It is the aim of the Sports Department to create touring opportunities for boys which enable them to participate in a wide variety of sporting or camping experiences.  

5.5 Communication

At the start of every term, all sporting details (fixtures, timetables, etc.) are published in the School calendar booklet and on the School website. However, due to the nature of sport, fixtures will be subject to change at relatively short notice. All boys representing the School will be notified (verbally or written notice) of their selection to a team, where possible, at least 2 days prior to the match day.  

5.6 Sponsorship

Although sponsorship is not the norm at WHPS, the sponsorship of touring teams is encouraged. However, any branding must be discreet and may not detract from the School dress code and logo. Any sponsor branding requirements will be submitted to Council for approval.  

6 Monitoring of the Sporting Programme

6.1 Overall Programme

The sporting curriculum allows for the ongoing monitoring of progress being made by an individual through both qualitative and quantitative evaluation, and the monitoring of competency levels being achieved by the Coaching staff.

6.2 Coaching

The sporting staff are required to adhere to a prescribed coaching curricula for the respective sports and are subject to a seasonal assessment of their achievement of the established parameters.

6.3 Reporting

The sporting curriculum moves the sportsman along the continuum from introducing and consolidating the fundamentals of a sport to competing at a higher level. A process of monitoring and assessment measures and reports on the progress of every boy in every sport he participates in.  

7 Finance

To maintain the required fiscal rectitude stipulated by both the School Council and Management, an annual budget is prepared outlining the financial requirements of the Sports Department. A stock register is kept of all Sport Department assets, updated on an annual basis.  The WHPS Sport Policy is to be viewed as a dynamic document that is reviewed on an ongoing basis. With the rapid advances in the field of sport (both in terms of research and development and on the playing field) it is crucial that the School establishes a synergy with the key role players, i.e. Tertiary Institutions, Sports Medicine Practitioners (Biokineticists, Nutritionists and Physiotherapists) and the respective Sporting Unions or Associations, in order to be at the forefront of school sport.    

Hendre Visser
Director of Sport

Code of Conduct

On the entry of a boy into WHPS, both the boy and his parents become members of the School Community. It is the aim of WHPS that each boy should derive lasting benefit from this membership. It is not always easy for a young boy to realise that, on becoming a member of this Community, the Community depends on the boy for its well-being and the boy depends on the community for enriching him socially, intellectually, physically and spiritually.

The welfare of each boy is the concern of all, and the welfare of all should be the concern of each boy. The larger community is ever ready to judge the behaviour of an individual as typical of the whole School community; unfortunately, this seems to happen more frequently when the behaviour is bad than when it is good. It is our earnest desire that WHPS boys should attract attention in the right way and for the right reasons, such as good manners, self-reliance, common sense and sensitivity to the needs of others.

It is clear that if the School influence and the home influence are working together in the same direction much can be achieved. It is equally clear that little will be accomplished if the two influences are opposed. Therefore, we believe that any behaviour after School hours, during the holidays or at half-term, which may bring discredit to the School, becomes our concern.

Discipline

• Pocket knives and expensive toys, games and electronic gadgetry may not be brought to School. Balls, excluding golf balls, may only be used in playing areas. Golf balls may not be played with at School.
• No ball games may be played in the front of the School.
• Boys leaving the School property after School or sport must be fully and neatly dressed wearing socks and shoes.
• Boys may not leave the School property during School hours without prior permission.
• Boys should at all times behave in an acceptable manner, recognising that the WHPS Boy?s Rights and Responsibilities if employed, are solid guidelines for good conduct.

General Rules

• To show respect for all members of the School staff, adults and peers.
• To show respect for the School by refraining from marking or damaging any item of School property.
• To refrain from using foul or abusive language.
• To wear the correct School uniform and sports kit to School or any other School function, and to refrain from wearing inappropriate jewelry such as earrings, bangles and necklaces or chains.
• Hair should be neat and clean, cut in a conventional style and should not cover the ears or the collar. Fringes may not cover the eyebrows. Steps, hair dye, spray and gel are not permitted.
• Boys should be punctual at all times.
• Boys may not enter the following areas unless accompanied by a teacher:

      Ruddell Library
      Science Laboratory
      Swimming Pool area
      Design and Technology Centre
      Computer Centre
      Art Studio
      Library
      Waterkloof House Theatre

• The following areas are out of bounds:

      Kitchen corridor and kitchen.
      Boarding Establishment (to Day Boys).
      Hallway outside the Headmaster’s study
      (unless boarders are being signed in or out).
      Staff quarters.
      The front of School (Ruddell Street entrance) during School hours.
      Staff cloakrooms.
      Administrative offices
      Sports kit rooms and storerooms.

A Boy's Rights and Responsibilities

AT WHPS I HAVE:

• The right to be listened to and taken seriously in a fair and reasonable manner
  The responsibility to listen to others
• The right to be listened to and taken seriously in a fair and reasonable manner
  The responsibility to listen to others
• The right to be respected and protected from harm
  The responsibility to show others respect and caring
• The right to an opinion and free thought
  The responsibility to learn from others and from my mistakes
• The right to receive special care for special needs
  The responsibility to be the best person I can be
• The right to have a safe and comfortable school
  The responsibility to keep it clean and neat and treat it with respect
• The right to be proud of the school, my family and beliefs
  The responsibility to respect the traditions of the school and the beliefs of other people
• The right to work and learn without being disturbed by others
  The responsibility to think of others at work
• Each boy accepts that as behaviour is a shared responsibility, he, as a WHPS boy should take charge of his own conduct and uphold the motto of the School.

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