Goldridge Primary School Kwekwe

Situated in the suburb of Newtown in Kwekwe, Goldridge Primary School is a co-educational day and boarding school with 300 pupils on roll.

Goldridge Primary is a vibrant and dynamic school where pupils are afforded equal opportunities to develop intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically thus developing rounded pupils. The school’s pride stems from the rich integration of quality academic pursuits, a varied multi – cultural enrichment and a variety of extra curriculum activities that all aim at enabling pupils to realise their true potential. The class teacher to pupil ratio affords students a one on one interaction with the teacher thus remedies are prompt and effective.

The school is nestled in a serene environment that accommodates boys and girls from 3 – 13 years.

With the team of hardworking and resourceful teaching staff available, it is the school’s firm belief that everyone has the potential for excellence waiting to be unearthed. Their academic prowess and achievements over the years have been unequalled/unmatched hence the reason to look back and celebrate. The curriculum is Government prescribed but they extend children’s learning by having a variety, ZIMSEC and CHISZ Examinations where they have produced outstanding results.

Vision

Goldridge Primary School’s vision is to be a co-educational school of choice that produces a holistic pupil in a world class environment.

It is, therefore, a child-centered school which is committed to excellence.  It values teamwork, integrity, and innovation. The school aims to achieve high standards through quality teaching and learning within a creative curriculum. The school has a well-qualified and experienced staff. The staff, pupils, parents and governors work co-operatively in a happy, secure and stimulating environment.

Goldridge aims to create a place where all pupils are encouraged to reach and achieve their full potential, leaving them equipped and empowered for the next stage of their learning journey. The school aims to unite parents, pupils, staff governors and the local community through agreed school policies which aim to deliver quality education.

Mission

It aims to develop a dynamic, morally upright child by providing high-quality life-long learning, academically, socially, in sport and co-curricular activities, using state of the art ICTs in the teaching-learning environment. It has excellent learning facilitates. All the classrooms are equipped with either whiteboards or interactive boards. It has a fully equipped state of the art Computer Laboratory with each child having a computer to themselves. The grounds provide ample space for all major team sporting activities and matches.

History

In 1983 a group of parents had the foresight to work towards building an independent primary school in Kwekwe.

The land was obtained from Kwekwe Sports Club. From this, a quadrangle with eight modern classrooms was built, having been designed to suit the multipurpose needs of modern education, allowing for maximum pedagogical development. The facilities of Kwekwe Sports Club, namely the Hall and playing fields, were also made available to the school.

Ultimately the doors of Goldridge School were opened in January 1984 to welcome an initial enrolment of 184 pupils with seven teachers, including a teaching Headmaster. Over the years Goldridge has grown into a double streamed school with an average enrollment of three hundred pupils. Two extra classroom blocks and a new administration building have been erected to accommodate the growth, along with the rapidly expanding library.

In most recent times Goldridge School expanded further with a Computer Centre, athletics field, Astra turf cricket pitch and a modern hostel added to the landscape. The PTA helped in the construction of a larger school hall.

This small but dynamic school is situated in a quiet area opposite the Kwekwe Sports Club approximately 2km from the city centre. It’s established grounds, supported by lush gardens, create a peaceful, soothing set innovative educational atmosphere which enhances the performance of teachers and pupils alike. This compact unit is modern but without being unduly, lavish or expensive so as to provide the community with affordable yet high-quality service.

Infants

There is a hive of activity in the Goldridge Infants Department with a wide range of subjects offered – besides the basic subjects like Mathematics and English; pupils are also exposed to General Knowledge; Poetry and Drama as well as Music which they love. Not only that, some lessons are presented using E-Learning to bring learning alive!

In the first term, pupils take part in Athletics and fun ball games. They are also introduced to swimming right from Nursery so as to build confidence in the water. In the second term, they take part in ball game activities in order to prepare them for the necessary skills for Hockey and tennis in later years. The third term takes them back to the swimming pool which they look forward to with great anticipation. There is also an Infants Play as well as Field Trips to destinations in and around Kwekwe.

Grade 1 and 2 pupils have their very own playground area where they can interact freely in a safe cosy environment. Each Grade has two classes, comprising of between 20 – 25 pupils with children of mixed ability in each where qualified, dedicated staff, strive to “… lead children to responsible adulthood.”

The staff at Goldridge Primary School is very well trained and qualified. The school offers a variety of subjects to expose our children to a broad curriculum.

The subjects offered are:

•   Mathematics
•   English
•   Religious and Moral Education
•   Computers
•   Art and Craft
•   Shona
•   Environmental Science
•   Social Studies

The curriculum aims to encourage all pupils to:

• ü  Understand, be interested in and show respect to others whilst also developing their own self-esteem
• ü  Become literate and numerate
• ü  Have confidence when communicating, working with and responding to others.
• ü  Develop analytical problem-solving skills
• ü  Develop independence in our pupils
• ü  Make healthy, safe life choices for themselves and others

Admissions

Application for entry to the school are made on the prescribed application form and sent to the school. All applications are subject to maturity assessments. The process is, by simplification, two-fold:

1.   An entrance application form is obtained from school offices or downloaded from the school’s official site and on submission one is required to pay a nominal fee of $10 which basically covers handling and administration costs. The completed form is submitted to the secretary for processing
2.   The child is then tested at a prescribed date and, depending on his/her performance and place in a particular grade.
3.   The parents are then required to pay the acceptance fee upon which the child is officially enrolled into Goldridge Primary School.
4.   Students are admitted on the basis of a satisfactory scholastic performance and on the recommendation of the head of their current school.

The main requirements for entry are:

11.       Evidence that the student will be capable of following the academic programme of the School.    

        Evidence that the student will benefit from the sporting and cultural opportunities provided by the School.

3.       Evidence that their presence will enrich the atmosphere at the School.