School Type: Girls

HISTORY

St Teresa's Mercy School, formerly known as St Teresa's Convent and Rosebank Mercy Convent, opened on 28 January, 1930, in a small garage in Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg, where three Mercy Sisters taught three junior and two high school pupils.

The 1960s saw St Teresa's grow into separate junior and senior blocks with double classes throughout the school. Over the years a happy spirit has prevailed. The school has been blessed with dedicated principals, caring and willing teachers and a supportive parent body.

While we have kept pace with the changes and challenges of our society, we have maintained the traditional values of service, faith, integrity, compassion and personal excellence. This spirituality expresses itself in service to others, especially those on the fringes of society.

In October 2002, in keeping with modern developments, the Sisters of Mercy elected a Board of Governors, and all three sections of the school adopted the name St Teresa's Mercy School to indicate our unity.

AIMS

At our school we provide a holistic, Christian education in a loving, secure and structured family environment. We encourage each child to develop her talents, focusing on individual attainment rather than competitiveness with others. At the same time, we promote respect for self, others and the environment. Personal responsibility is encouraged.

Our school aims to provide the environment and facilities for the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, creative and physical development of all of our pupils. We strive to enable the pupils to value their own uniqueness in order to develop a healthy self-image. We encourage the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world and to live at peace within it. We support and supplement the efforts of the parents in challenging each girl to achieve the best of which she is capable.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Rated in the top hundred schools nationally, St Teresa's Mercy School offers an established, stable environment in which a challenging and imaginative academic programme prepares young women for the Independent Examinations Board Grade 12 Examination. Consistently, the school achieves a 100% pass rate. Our students have also been very successful in the National Olympiads, Science Expos, Essay and Public Speaking competitions.

Small classes, good facilities and a team of dedicated teachers help to maintain the outstanding results achieved each year. The school has an average annual number of +-600 girls and employs 41 staff members (A teacher pupil ratio of just 1:15 ) In addition to the subject teachers, the school also employs computer, media, art, music and speech specialists. There is also a learning centre with a remedial teacher, a speech therapist and, from time to time, an educational psychologist to assist pupils who may require support.

Participation in the extra-mural programme is an integral part of the school ethos. A comprehensive range of age appropriate sporting activities which emphasise participation and the development of personal and social skills is on offer. The programme includes: ball skills and gross motor skills at the foundation phase and swimming, diving, squash, netball, athletics, hockey and tennis from grade 00 to grade 12.

Cultural activities are strongly emphasised. All learners are exposed to art, music, choir, public speaking, conflict resolution and mediation, debating and drama. The life skills programme includes courses such as first-aid, flower arranging, aromatherapy and a host of similar activities designed to foster a sense of camaraderie, commitment and responsibility. In the foundation and intermediate phases aftercare facilities are well utilized, meals are provided and homework and play activities are supervised.

St Teresa's, staff and girls regard themselves as part of the “Rosie Family”. The attitude is one of mutual caring and each girl is encouraged to grow into the best person that she can be. We pride ourselves that girls leaving our school are well balanced, rounded individuals, capable of constructive participation in any chosen field.

School Phase:

• Secondary

Lowest Grade: Grade 8
Highest Grade: Grade 12
Boarding: No
Number of Pupils: 201
Founding Year: 1930
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Lowest Tuition Fees Per Annum (2008): R25524
Highest Tuition Fees Per Annum (2008): R33684
Examinations or Curricula:

• National Senior Certificate (IEB)

Postal Address: PO Box 1445, Parklands
Postal Code: 2121
Telephone: 011 442 6235
Fax: 011 447 2576
Website: http://www.stteresas.co.za/
Suburb: Rosebank
City/Town: Johannesburg
South African Province: Gauteng
Country: South Africa