If the roots of a plant are cut off, not fed, not nurtured, the whole plant will wither, not grow, die. And we all know that one rotten apple infects the whole barrel. “Rooted for Success” is the slogan printed on the prospectus of Thorntree Preparatory School, and this is truly the objective and the philosophy of the school.
It is based on the 16 Habits of Mind – behaviours, dispositions and reflective thinking habits, which are employed by individuals in all aspects of their lives for successful outcomes. The kids as well as the teachers are expected and encouraged to learn to live by these values.
The kids are trained in these high-value characteristics which they can apply in their everyday lives outside of school, and that makes for a much better balanced individual, ready to set off into the world once their season in primary school has come to an end and they have to move on to High School, and which they can carry through even after High School to become successful in their lives regardless which direction they choose when entering adulthood.
One thing that stands out like a pole above water is that Thorntree’s students are treated as human beings, each with his unique, special, individual needs, talents and abilities. Each child is acknowledged and guided and loved and built up. Their talents and skills are honed, interest is taken into each student’s life, and the extra mile is walked to help each student reach his/her full potential.
In conversation with kids of different ages, an immediate difference is noted from their peers not enrolled at Thorntree in the way the children speak, the vocabulary they use, the topics they prefer, and the joy and confidence (sense of achievement) that bubble out of them. There are obviously those who are a little more outspoken than others, but it is a general tendency for these kids to converse at a much deeper level, and their problem-solving abilities are better than is normally expected.
Interaction with students currently enrolled at Thorntree Preparatory School proves them to be well-behaved, considerate, loving higher-level thinkers, providing confidence to anyone who might meet them, that they will be superior adults one day. Many of the kids are easily accepted into higher-level city High Schools, and transferring from Thorntree to another school is welcomed because they are well-prepared and exceed the accepted standard.
“Thorntree’s purpose is to increase the learner’s knowledge, skills, uderstanding and to encourage positive behavioural habits and thinking that are practiced within and extend beyond the schooling environment”.
Even though each student is encouraged to keep his or her individuality, they are also taught and guided to function in a team. Every student is shown their importance, individually as well as part of a whole – making everyone feel included and worthy (they count).
It is not just about academics, but all learning is integrated to provide a learning environment in which a student’s skills are honed, and real life experiences are provided so that the child can practice and understand how things fit together. Not just hypothetical learning and memorization of facts.
When kids prove to have a skill, and the responsibility sense, it is encouraged and more freedom is granted, more responsibility given to the child, which in turn gives more confidence and practical experience for the child. For example, a Grade 7 learner might be able and interested in operating the projector. The child is then lovingly taught how it works and given the responsibility to look after it, set it up, work it and ensure care is taken in the use of it when needed, and after it is used, the same child will be responsible to put it away where it belongs. OR, at an Open Day, where prospective new students and their parents visit the school, the older learners might take them on a tour throughout the school, all the while introducing the teachers and parents to one another, and explaining the operation of the school in its different facets.
The students are exposed to a wide variety of high quality literature and encouraged to read and better their literacy. Different types of media are utilized to aid the learning process, and much of the learning is hands-on in all the different (compliant) subjects.
Children of all walks of life are welcomed, and all are treated equally. No specific religion/culture is favoured and all individuals who become part of the Thorntree community are encouraged to “lead by example, serve others, respect other cultures and to contribute positively to society”. Kids are also encouraged and taught to look after their environment, and this is practiced in the school’s policy to recycle.
Though small, it is a fast growing school because of its high standard, a kind of blue ocean environment where there is little to no competition, and Thorntree’s personnel will walk the extra mile to see where they can help and how they can accommodate those who are granted acceptance into the school.
The learning environment at Thorntree Preparatory School is a peaceful one, very visual, stimulating and exciting, very often giving the feeling of an extended family education rather than a traditional school.
Education starts at home, and Thorntree can very well be a home to every participating student.
