Extra & Co-

Curricular Activities

Alma School’s extra-curricular activities includes a variety of sports and culture activities which have developed; evolved and improved over the years. We take great pride in the quality of extra-curricular activities we offer at our school. The leaners can choose between a variety of sporting codes such as karate, cricket, netball, soccer, golf and athletics.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

The learners who partake in these activities get the opportunity to perform at school functions, at old age homes (outreach program), as well as at our school concerts/cultural evenings. • Percussion band: We aim to teach the children to use percussion band instruments in a rhythmical and disciplined manner and to teach the children how to listen to the music and at the same time, focus on the signs the conductor gives; to know when to play. We want the learners to conduct themselves appropriately when performing and to enjoy themselves. Learners who wants to play in the percussion band are required to have a good sense of rhythm and should be on a cognitive level where they are able to understand instructions and follow them appropriately. The children use instruments like drums, sticks, and tambourines. • Wheelchair dancing: This cultural activity includes learners in wheelchairs that are partnered up with an able learner to perform a rehearsed dance item. During this time the learners are encouraged to engage with one another by having fun and building new friendships. • Choir / Chorus: The choir’s main purpose is to expose the learners to music. Music plays a major role in the overall development of each child. It is good for developing memory, concentration, communication, participation, socialization, discipline, motor skills and spatial thinking. Children with neurological problems such as cerebral palsy get calmer and get better at activities. Participating in music activities creates opportunities for positive, successful and enjoyable social participation. Music participation also relieves anxiety and stress in children. Songs with easy melodies and words are chosen by the teachers and learners. The teachers design most of the associated movements and the learners are exposed to this activity, to stimulate their creativity. • Gumboot and dance group: This activity allows the learners to build an expressive culture and improve peer learning and cohesion. The active, rhythmic movement as a group is good for the holistic development (listening, moving, group work, team building & socializing). It rejuvenates gross- and fine motor skills and all other sensory coordination. It also encourages discipline and the spirit of common goal among the group of learners.

SPORT

Sports are practised on a weekly basis and give the learners the opportunity to develop a variety of different skills. The teachers, therapists and assistants involved are very enthusiastic about coaching and guiding the learners, and love to see them reach their full potential • Athletics: Athletics takes place during the first term: At the beginning of the year we have a fun filled day of house sport where all the learners have the opportunity to participate and show their potential. The top leaners of each item, from each age group then train further and join other LSEN schools in the Inter-schools’ event where they can qualify to compete on Interprovincial level. • Soccer and netball: Mostly takes place in the second term: All the boys and girls have the opportunity to participate in these two sport codes. Alma School hosts an annual soccer- and netball tournament where other LSEN schools enrol teams to participate. All the teams participate in a knockout tournament to win the trophy. Some of the boys that are involved in the soccer also have the opportunity to compete in monthly matches hosted by Special Olympics LSEN program. • Karate: Throughout the year karate classes are structured and presented in a disciplined, fun and artistic manner; to encourage movement or increase skill on a gross motor level and develop essential posture; while developing and stimulating character, sincerity, etiquette, effort and self- control. Leaners are exposed to the JKS style of karate and selected learners are rewarded with the opportunity to grade and compete in various tournaments (which includes provincial and national level competition), based on their commitment to the Dojo Kun (“class rules”). • Golf: Throughout the year our golf has expanded a great deal within a couple of years. We now have two main groups that we focus on here at Alma. Firstly, we have the “Abled- bodies” golf that focuses more on learners who have the ability to partake in the Special Olympics LSEN program. Secondly, we also focus on learners that are still developing their skills by participating in the First Swing program by SADGA (South African Disabled Golf Association), who we are affiliated to. SADGA train and supports our coaches. The learners play in an annual Inter-schools’ tournament, hosted by SAGDA. • Cricket: Throughout the year Alma School is fortunate to have two main focus groups within this sporting code. Our senior cricket players participate in the Titan’s cricket league (program) for LSEN schools. They help and support our coaches and our learners and organize matches against other schools. Our junior cricket players partake in the KFC mini cricket league for LSEN schools. These learners have the opportunity to play matches every second week. • Interhouse and Interspes: Third term: Interhouse and Interspes involve the “differently-abled” learners in tailor- made activities that challenge them physically. This event has 10 different items (potato race, wheelchair slalom, ten pin bowling, scooter race, etc.). These learners participate in our annual INTERHOUSE event, where after an Alma team is chosen to compete against 10 other LSEN schools in our INTERSPES games.

Extra & Co-

Curricular

Activities

Alma School’s extra-curricular activities includes a variety of sports and culture activities which have developed; evolved and improved over the years. We take great pride in the quality of extra-curricular activities we offer at our school. The leaners can choose between a variety of sporting codes such as karate, cricket, netball, soccer, golf and athletics.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

The learners who partake in these activities get the opportunity to perform at school functions, at old age homes (outreach program), as well as at our school concerts/cultural evenings. • Percussion band: We aim to teach the children to use percussion band instruments in a rhythmical and disciplined manner and to teach the children how to listen to the music and at the same time, focus on the signs the conductor gives; to know when to play. We want the learners to conduct themselves appropriately when performing and to enjoy themselves. Learners who wants to play in the percussion band are required to have a good sense of rhythm and should be on a cognitive level where they are able to understand instructions and follow them appropriately. The children use instruments like drums, sticks, and tambourines. • Wheelchair dancing: This cultural activity includes learners in wheelchairs that are partnered up with an able learner to perform a rehearsed dance item. During this time the learners are encouraged to engage with one another by having fun and building new friendships. • Choir / Chorus: The choir’s main purpose is to expose the learners to music. Music plays a major role in the overall development of each child. It is good for developing memory, concentration, communication, participation, socialization, discipline, motor skills and spatial thinking. Children with neurological problems such as cerebral palsy get calmer and get better at activities. Participating in music activities creates opportunities for positive, successful and enjoyable social participation. Music participation also relieves anxiety and stress in children. Songs with easy melodies and words are chosen by the teachers and learners. The teachers design most of the associated movements and the learners are exposed to this activity, to stimulate their creativity. • Gumboot and dance group: This activity allows the learners to build an expressive culture and improve peer learning and cohesion. The active, rhythmic movement as a group is good for the holistic development (listening, moving, group work, team building & socializing). It rejuvenates gross- and fine motor skills and all other sensory coordination. It also encourages discipline and the spirit of common goal among the group of learners.

SPORT

Sports are practised on a weekly basis and give the learners the opportunity to develop a variety of different skills. The teachers, therapists and assistants involved are very enthusiastic about coaching and guiding the learners, and love to see them reach their full potential • Athletics: Athletics takes place during the first term: At the beginning of the year we have a fun filled day of house sport where all the learners have the opportunity to participate and show their potential. The top leaners of each item, from each age group then train further and join other LSEN schools in the Inter-schools’ event where they can qualify to compete on Interprovincial level. • Soccer and netball: Mostly takes place in the second term: All the boys and girls have the opportunity to participate in these two sport codes. Alma School hosts an annual soccer- and netball tournament where other LSEN schools enrol teams to participate. All the teams participate in a knockout tournament to win the trophy. Some of the boys that are involved in the soccer also have the opportunity to compete in monthly matches hosted by Special Olympics LSEN program. • Karate: Throughout the year karate classes are structured and presented in a disciplined, fun and artistic manner; to encourage movement or increase skill on a gross motor level and develop essential posture; while developing and stimulating character, sincerity, etiquette, effort and self-control. Leaners are exposed to the JKS style of karate and selected learners are rewarded with the opportunity to grade and compete in various tournaments (which includes provincial and national level competition), based on their commitment to the Dojo Kun (“class rules”). • Golf: Throughout the year our golf has expanded a great deal within a couple of years. We now have two main groups that we focus on here at Alma. Firstly, we have the “Abled-bodies” golf that focuses more on learners who have the ability to partake in the Special Olympics LSEN program. Secondly, we also focus on learners that are still developing their skills by participating in the First Swing program by SADGA (South African Disabled Golf Association), who we are affiliated to. SADGA train and supports our coaches. The learners play in an annual Inter-schools’ tournament, hosted by SAGDA. • Cricket: Throughout the year Alma School is fortunate to have two main focus groups within this sporting code. Our senior cricket players participate in the Titan’s cricket league (program) for LSEN schools. They help and support our coaches and our learners and organize matches against other schools. Our junior cricket players partake in the KFC mini cricket league for LSEN schools. These learners have the opportunity to play matches every second week. • Interhouse and Interspes: Third term: Interhouse and Interspes involve the “differently-abled” learners in tailor-made activities that challenge them physically. This event has 10 different items (potato race, wheelchair slalom, ten pin bowling, scooter race, etc.). These learners participate in our annual INTERHOUSE event, where after an Alma team is chosen to compete against 10 other LSEN schools in our INTERSPES games.