WILLOW ACADEMY

It’s all about Culture

Culture, and the love of the arts plays a vital role in every child’s development. As part of the holistic development of a child, our learners are encouraged to participate in various cultural activities. These include playing musical instruments, participating in drama and singing in our choir.

At the beginning of 2016 we partnered with Helen O’Grady to best facilitate the Drama aspect of the Creative Arts curriculum for our Grade 4 to Grade 9 learners.

In addition, we have a well-rounded Visual Arts programme and envision adding to our expanding extra-mural activities in due course. 

In 2016 we introduced Ballroom Dancing to our high school learners. They have since participated in examinations and many have received their bronze certificate. They also take part in the social dances which are arranged by the dance company and interact with other high schools at these. 

Our High School Acapella Singing Group consists of our Grade 8 to Grade 12 learners. We felt that as our High School is still growing, we would like to keep up with the trend of Singing Groups. This group relies on only their voices to make various sounds and sing harmonies. 

In our High School, we would like our scholars to learn how to be worshippers, and so we have established a Worship Group who lead the school in worship during High School Assemblies. We aim to expose our learners who excel in this area to leading worship and performing worship on stage. 

We have a flourishing musical entrustment  at Willow Academy. Our music grading is done via either Royals Schools, Trinity or Unisa for:

Group Recorder

Group Guitar

Individual Guitar: Bass, electric and acoustic

Piano: classical and worship style

Drums: Basic Rhythms

Production

Individual Singing classes 

Focus on Sports

Many schools have developed a strong culture of education as a basis for their success.  However, the schools that have managed to excel beyond their peers were the ones who made a concerted effort to develop the “complete or balanced student.”

With this in mind, Willow Academy has placed its focus on extra-mural activities, which encompass sports, arts and culture, without compromising their already strong base of Christian education.  Extra-mural activities, and specifically sports, can be the differentiating factor which separates good schools from great schools, and which gives a school the competitive edge.

Our sports department has identified sport codes that will make an impact, not only on our learners’ physical abilities, but also on their technical thought-processing, self-confidence, life skills and interaction within a group dynamic.

Willow Academy offers learners between Grade R and Grade 12 chess, swimming, cricket, soccer, hockey for girls, athletics, cross country and volleyball.

We understand the importance of physical training and realise that a healthy body encourages a healthy mind. Sports participation is compulsory for learners in all grades and contributes towards the Physical Education component of Life Skills and Life Orientation. Each learner is expected to play a winter and summer sport.

High School (Gr 8-12)

• Athletics
• Ballroom
• Chess
• Cross Country
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Swimming

Additionally, we offer a selection of sports at an additional cost, including swimming, ballroom dancing and rugby, etc.

Swimming is considered a life skill that could potentially save a child’s life. Our ultimate goal is to have our own pool so that we can make swimming a part of our curriculum. Currently, our swimmers are coached and trained by professional coaches from Bay Eagle Swim School, with the learners being transported to and from swimming lessons.

Once a learner shows the potential to compete, they are placed in our high-performance team, where they compete against other schools at numerous galas. The learners that have been coached by Debbie Lockett and her team at BEST have done extremely well in the inter-school galas and we’ve already produced two provincial swimmers.

Our chess programme challenges our learners to think ahead, make decisions and understand the consequences of their actions, fostering a sense of responsibility and patience. Beyond academics, chess builds confidence, teaches perserverance, and promotes respectful competition, laying a strong foundation for success in both school and life. 

Our senior chess team has produced  eight provincial players in 2024 we’re very proud of what they have achieved.

We strive to equip our teachers, coaches, and managers with the necessary skills to become competent in their abilities to coach, referee and manage teams/sporting codes by educating them in the latest coaching techniques and employing provincial coaches and supporting staff.