The vision of Donatus Primary School.

To provide a safe, conducive, stimulating and motivating learning environment where the optimum potential in learners can be developed holistically.

The mission of Donatus Primary School:

The mission is to provide a safe, conducive, stimulating and motivating learning environment where the optimum potential in learners can be developed, intellectual as well as healthy emotional, social and physical development within the scope of a prosperous school community, to balanced and equipped adults, to promote and provide high quality education in order to train the total being within a sound and healthy moral and cultural school environment by means of

  • Appointing competent, committed teachers;
  • Implementing all relevant aspects of the National Curriculum;
  • English as medium of instruction, with Afrikaans as the second Language;
  • Maintaining high moral, ethical and spiritual values;
  • An approved curriculum leading to an internationally recognized school certificate;
  • Upgrading teaching methods regularly;
  • Sport and culture training;
  • Effective parental control management, parental involvement and support;
  • Promoting the morale of the school and encourage a sense of pride;
  • Encourage mutual respect between parents and teachers which will influence the relationship positively between teachers and learners;
  • Individual attention to each learner;
  • Implementing a sound Code of Conduct;
  • Establishing a program to enhance life skills;
  • Establishing effective links with parents and the community;
  • Assure a feeling of security, fairness and equity;
  • Ensure adequate physical resources are available;
  • Neat and well-maintained gardens and premises;

The aim is to set out broad guidelines which we as members of Donatus Primary School will adhere to. It will be within the framework of Biblical Christian values, a high level of discipline, a high standard in every endeavour, we undertake and recognize individual cultural values. Within this environment we will function and provide opportunities for learners, to reach their full potential. It will state expectations of teachers, learners and parents. It will clarify activities which are seen as a breach of the goals, rules and principles of the school and will outline disciplinary measures to be taken in order to maintain the integrity of these rules and principles.

Goals:

  1. Christian values:

1.1 Teachers will in their conduct throughout live, teach and behave in such a way to honor God.

1.2 Freedom will be given to learners to make decisions regarding their personal, spiritual life and their own relationship with God and the surrounding creation in a non-threatening environment. Personal behaviour will be in such a way to honor God.

1.3 Parents will be aware of the teaching of Christian values.

  1. Discipline:

2.1 Discipline comes from God. We therefore will adhere to strict discipline in all our endeavours. We will function within the framework where discipline will be one of the boundaries to create a safe climate for learners to develop their full potential. Teachers are expected to be role models for learners in this regard.

2.2 Learners have to function within the boundaries set by the school’s teachers and parents. We believe all actions can only be successful when accompanied by a strong sense of discipline and shared values.

2.3 Parents are expected to discipline children at home and to assist teachers in achieving high standards of discipline. “Education starts at home.”

  1. Standards:

3.1 Every component of Donatus Primary School will adhere to exceptional high standards. Teachers are expected to guide learners in setting their own goals concerning the standards, rather than achieving goals for them. The Basic National Curriculum will be the minimum accepted standard expected from teachers.

3.2 Every child is encouraged to reach his/her full potential. Learners are encouraged to take responsibilities for their own progress, successes and failures through motivation.

3.3 Parents will play a major role through motivation in order to create a stimulating atmosphere.

  1. Individual Cultural values:

4.1 Learners are encouraged to develop an acceptance and tolerance for different cultures, since we are a multi-cultural school. Learners are encouraged to show an interest in, learn how to compromise and understanding the needs of different cultures.

4.2 The learner as an individual will be respected.

4.3 Teachers will have the opportunity to live their cultural and social beliefs in the society of which they are part of.

  1. Positive personal qualities:

These values constitute the framework where in the Donatus Primary School will give each learner the opportunity to reach their full positive, personal qualities of self-confidence, respect and sense of pride.

  1. A good image in the community:

It is expected from us, by the Director of Education, Otjozondjupa Region, teachers and the parental community to make the Donatus Primary School a “School of Excellence”, to be an example to other government schools, to lead the way. Thus, it is very important for the Donatus Primary School to have a good image in the community of Otjiwarongo. We must be outstanding, exceptional and unique in every way; our school uniform, tracksuits, the image and performance of our learners at sport- and cultural events, the garden and premises, the classrooms.

  1. Sport:

We strive to give the learners the opportunity to be competent in different sport activities like Athletics, Netball, Rugby, Hockey, Volleyball and Soccer for both boys and girls.

  1. Communication:

From the very beginning of the planning of the new Donatus Primary School communication with the relevant parties were very important.

The parents then chose by means of a ballot paper whether their children had to stay at the existing school, or shift over together to the new premises. The majority of parents chose to shift over to the new premises, except for four parents whose ballot papers weren’t received back. The parents were consulted on several important issues like the new emblem of the school, how the school uniform must look like, the second language that must be offered, the sport activities at school etc.

It is of outmost importance to communicate with the parents and the community, in order to keep them well-informed about achievements, goals and everything which happens at Donatus Primary School, academically as well as with sport and cultural activities in order to:

  • Achieve effective parental control management, parental involvement and support;
  • Promoting the morale of the school and encourage a sense of pride;
  • Encourage mutual respect between parents and teachers which will influence the relationship positively between teachers and learners.