- +27 011 726 6220
- dsj@dsjmail.co.za
- Mon - Fri : 08.00-16.30
Other Subjects
Music
Why are our music lessons beneficial to your child’s overall development?
Music lessons at the German International School Johannesburg are an integral part of the curriculum and promote your child’s holistic development. From grades 1 to 4, music is taught one lesson per week, while from grades 5 to 9, the number of lessons is two per week. Our music lessons promote cognitive development, improving your child’s concentration and memory. By making music together, students learn important social skills such as teamwork and communication.
Our music lessons offer a wide range of activities that develop students' musical skills. Your child will try different instruments, sing, gain knowledge of music theory and will create their own compositions. Our students receive a diverse musical education that enables them to discover and develop their passion for music. Through regular performances and concerts, students also have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of an audience and increase their self-confidence.
The music lessons are structured according to the didactic principles of “advanced music lessons”. Your child will be taught in three practical areas: diverse musical creation, building musical skills and exploring cultures. Our music lessons are designed to be interactive and practice-oriented. Your child is encouraged to actively participate in lessons, whether by playing an instrument, singing or composing their own music.
Instrumental lessons and artistic working groups are also available to promote the students' individual interests.
Art
The Art Department at Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg is an innovative and stimulating place for learners of all ages, from the younger classes through to Grade 12. The dedicated and highly-skilled staff provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that fosters learners’ creativity.
The department has all the necessary art equipment and materials, including a kiln and printing press, and learners are trained in a wide variety of mediums and techniques, including painting, ceramics, relief and intaglio print-making, drawing, collage, etc.
Studying art, which includes lessons on the history of art, provides learners with a number of useful skills that they will carry with them into adulthood. It teaches problem-solving, critical thinking, visual literacy and how to analyse meaning.
Learners study the canon of great artists, which gives them insight into society through the ages, including the various intellectual or political movements that shaped the world. There is also a strong emphasis on innovative contemporary artists.
The department puts on an annual evening exhibition of the best works from all grades, where parents can meet and mingle with the teachers, and which includes a talk by a well-known artist or educator.
Religion
Why do we teach Religious Studies?
Diversity and multiculturalism are an integral part of the ethos of our school. A variety of world views, values and moral attitudes are represented in the school community. Religious Studies allows us to explore and address some of the principles that shape the lives of our students and nurture a spirit of tolerance, dialog and open-mindedness towards others. In gaining an understanding of the belief systems of others and sharing our own, we aim to develop respect and authenticity in our interactions in, and beyond the classroom.
Our curriculum includes teaching the basic belief systems, practices and rituals included in the five major world religions. In addition, the students are exposed to philosophical reasoning, the critical evaluation of systems of thought and current trends. A considerable amount of time is spent on ethical topics including investigating identity, social interaction and current issues such as dealing with social media and self-regulation in a variety of situations.
Students are encouraged to exchange their views through collaboration in group projects, simulations, games, presentations, controlled debate and individual research. As a backdrop, carefully thought- out materials are made available during lesson time. Many students take great delight in representing their own religious beliefs and practices to their classmates. An environment of respect and dignity is cultivated to foster such openness at all times. Input from experts outside the school community is included especially in terms of current religious, ethical and social issues that students may be facing.
Sport
What we do
At DSJ our aim is to create a lifelong enjoyment of sports for learners, where they will be able to fall in love with exercise, no matter the level of skill or type of activity they prefer.
By encouraging the learners to participate in a variety of activities they will be able to learn skills that are not only important on the field but off the field as well. Teamwork, social skills, leadership, commitment, boosting self-esteem and of course living a healthy lifestyle, are just a few of the skills that are learnt through the involvement of sports.
By allowing the learners to get involved in various sporting codes with healthy competition, we hope that sports will become an environment that they can enjoy and excel in.
During our lessons we focus on various sporting codes that are also offered as extra-murals after school.
Term 1: Swimming and fitness
Term 2: Ball games (Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Handball)
Term 3: Athletics
Term 4: Swimming and ball games
Our focus in lessons is mainly on the sporting codes (but not limited to) that are played during our Inter-Schools Olympics (Sportolympiade), which takes place every two years against the other German Schools in Southern Africa (DSK, DSP, DHPS, and DSH). Have a look at the video below, or head over to the official Facebook page “Sportolympiade” to see what the hype is all about.
We ensure that your children are taught by excellent coaches who have a passion for teaching children sport skills as well as the values of sport such as friendship, teamwork, fairness, respect, commitment and excellence.
- Teaching children the FUNdamentals of sports in their younger years will equip them with the necessary skills to play a variety of sports.
- Learning to train in secondary school, children build a passion for sports, and have the necessary skills to participate in a number of sport disciplines.
- Training to train in grades 10-12, children learn the correct technical skills as well as the life skills to be able to enjoy sports and progress in their sporting careers, be it professionally or purely for enjoyment.
SegeLn
What does SegeLn actually mean?
Ahoy there! Curious about SegeLn? Well, it’s not just a German term; it’s our way of saying “self-activated individual learning” – like sailing, but for your brain waves! Picture this: 5th and 6th graders in the German stream taking the helm of their learning ship. They set sail at their own pace, navigate through the vast seas of German and mathematics, and uncover their strengths, weaknesses, and hidden treasures of abilities.
Mastering the German language and understanding math is like finding the North Star for academic success. The German and mathematics departments decided to shake things up a bit and allocate some lesson time to this innovative program. No typical lessons here – just personalized journeys where students get one-on-one support and feedback. Whether they're tackling classwork, homework, challenging themselves to explore new things, or preparation for tests, SegeLn allows learners to discover their individual learning style and pace.
It's not a fairy-tale concept; it's a tangible adventure! Twice a week, the 5th and 6th graders in the German stream embark on their SegeLn quests. They've got 80-minute blocks for setting sail and exploring, discovering their unique learning styles and pacing. Worksheets, books, learning games, and apps become their trusty crew members as they log their weekly exploits and build up their own knowledge and skill storages. SegeLn isn't just a program; it's a personalized expedition where students chart their own course and uncover the treasures of learning.
