SUBJECTS
CURRICULUM
The school is divided into TWO main sections: The Pre-prep Unit, and The Prep School. The Common Entrance requires students to sit EIGHT major subjects in the final exams. These are Mathematics, English, French, Science, British History, Geography, Scripture, and Latin. Cavina also provides comprehensive instruction in Computer Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, and the Performing Arts throughout the school.
The word discipline, from the Latin DISCIPLINUM, means training and Cavina endeavors to do just this. The modern approach to discipline is to apply reason to bad behavior since apparently, we live in the great age of reason or enlightenment. Anti-social behavior, laziness and insubordination are now described as unreasonable since all reasonable boys and girls naturally want to work hard, obey those in authority over them and regard the well-being of others as no less important than their own. This, of course, is a highly idealistic view of human nature and is a direct result of rejecting Biblical truth in favor of humanism. The former stresses man’s fallen state, the latter credits him with a natural tendency towards goodness and selflessness. The consequence of this is that many schools are unleashing upon society a generation of young people who are unable to discipline themselves because they have never been trained correctly at school.
Because we have a Biblical foundation at Cavina, we believe character is strengthened through discipline, not reason. Cavina children are happy, pleasant, self-motivated and well behaved because they develop within an ordered, disciplined and loving environment.
ENGLISH
The curriculum at Cavina School is centered on English. A child’s education and ability to contribute to society are both dependent on their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Our English teachers encourage children to enjoy language and literature. A lot of emphasis is placed on striking a balance between linguistic, creative, technical, literacy, and oral and written skills.
At Cavina School, all students study English language and literature. Through the former, students learn about a variety of forms of poetry, prose, and theater. They gain knowledge and skills for analyzing the various effects that writers can produce through the use of words and stylistic devices. In English language classes, students learn how to speak precisely, effectively, and intelligibly. They are encouraged to develop their own writing voice and communicate with consideration for the audience.
Prep school provides students with the opportunity to study some of the best literary works ever written in the English language, ranging from ancient classics to modern works. Students will begin to investigate the breadth and diversity of literature, as well as how it relates to history, culture, politics, art, and critical theory.
Our classes reflect the fact that English is a subject that benefits from lively debate. Students read broadly and independently outside of the assigned materials in order to investigate many interpretations of the works they are studying in class and form their own opinions.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics is essential to how we understand the world because it is used all over the world to convey and analyze information required for daily living. It is a subject that allows us to explore novel ideas in order to solve existing problems or to discover, investigate, reason, justify, and prove novel concepts.
At Cavina, we strive to ensure that every child not only acquires fundamental numerical abilities but also develops an appreciation for the beauty and power of mathematics.
Students are encouraged to develop a strong numeracy foundation as well as confidence in their numeracy abilities. Because of our small class sizes and learning support, all our students receive the assistance they require to acquire critical skills. Students can also improve their recall and fluency by using interactive internet resources. Practical projects and investigations allow students of all ages to practice logical reasoning and problem solving. Rich assignments that require students to think more deeply and critically about the problems they are solving are used to provide a challenge.
Interschool competitions, such as the Junior Mathematics Contests, provide students with the opportunity to excel in the subject. Because mathematics is a related subject, students will continue to deepen their understanding over time. Students are guided in their preparation for common entrance exams or scholarships and are prepared for any path they choose after graduating from Cavina School.
SCIENCE
Cavina School has every reason to be proud of its science department, which includes a well-equipped science lab as well as qualified instructors and technicians. As a result, our students develop a strong interest in science.
Given that many of the world’s current problems will require the expertise of educated scientists in the near future, it is only natural that science take center stage in our curriculum.
Science lessons can last up to four hours for students each week. Because of in-depth and excellent teaching and learning, every student is able to study and comprehend fundamental scientific principles.
Even though all students are prepared for their individual entrance exams, we believe it is equally important to address significant scientific issues and provide students with abilities that will keep them going for the rest of their lives. Because the desire to question and learn to explain unusual occurrences is at the heart of any excellent science lecture, everyone has the opportunity to delve deeper into the topics that most interest and inspire them. Cavina encourages children’s curiosity through a variety of projects. Every year, many students complete elaborate Science Fair projects to cultivate their curiosity and independent research abilities, which are evaluated by real scientists!
We are fortunate to have large grounds with a variety of natural ecosystems, in addition to our laboratory facilities, for science instruction. Going outside and investigating the local flora and fauna can help us learn more about nature and the world around us.
Science captivates everyone who first encounters the “magic” of the subject. Our job as educators is to lift the veil of mystery so that all of our students can see what’s going on while still feeling awe and joy!
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
The mission of the department is to provide each student with a solid foundation in religious studies, to teach them to think empathetically about people of different cultures and faiths, and to instill in them a love of and positive attitude toward religious studies. Students learn about the three major world religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, with a few allusions to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. We follow the ISEB curriculum in higher grades and place a strong emphasis on the Old and New Testaments of the Christian faith.
By the age of 13, a student will be familiar with topics such as social justice, environmental concerns, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, crime and punishment, and scientific beliefs. This will allow students to gain a better understanding of their surroundings. They’ll be able to form informed and fair opinions about the world, and they’ll be ready to fully engage in philosophical debates about whether science proves God is false.
Students are encouraged to consider the impact of religious convictions and value systems on people’s lives. Students are also encouraged to reflect on and acknowledge the foundations of their own beliefs, values, and assumptions, as well as to grow in their respect and tolerance for the cultures and beliefs of others. We hope to raise students’ awareness of the fundamental concerns about life and death raised by the human experience, as well as how religions may address them.
MUSIC
Learning music teaches children about different cultures, helps them develop critical and evaluative listening skills, and fosters a lifelong appreciation for an art form that is all around us every day. It entails far more than simply learning to sing or play an instrument.
Cavina’s music program strives to create an inclusive environment that values musical excellence.
Every child has the ability to hone their musical abilities, whether it’s mastering an instrument to an exceptionally high level or improving their ensemble abilities during class concerts. Participation in the music program is highly encouraged at Cavina.
The performing, composing, and appraising arts are all covered in the curriculum. Children will be exposed to a diverse range of musical genres and cultures.
We are extremely fortunate to have a modern, purpose-built music school with teaching rooms and practice rooms, many of which are used by our dedicated team of instrumental teachers. Every student is welcome to take private lessons on any orchestral instrument, as well as bagpipes, pipe band drums, a drumkit, the guitar, the piano, or the voice. The work done by visiting professors is critical and completes the work done in the classroom.
The department’s extensive extracurricular program contributes significantly to students’ musical development by increasing their musical comprehension and appreciation as well as their performance confidence. Along with a large orchestra, there are a number of ensembles that meet once a week to perform a variety of musical genres, such as the pipe band, string orchestra, jazz band, and ceilidh band. The Cavina School places a high value on songs. The entire school sings at assemblies and the Carol Service. There are also two large and successful boy-and-girl choirs.
GEOGRAPHY
Geography clarifies the past, sheds light on the present, and prepares us for the future. The study of geography at Cavina aims to provide students with a better understanding of their surroundings, foster a thirst for knowledge, and increase students’ understanding of the effects that humans have on the environment.
The goal of our lessons is to help students develop their critical-thinking and reflective skills by utilizing their teachers’ and students’ knowledge and experiences. They should be able to form their own well-informed opinions on a variety of timely and difficult issues that currently affect all of us as a society as a result of this.
In addition to drawing their own maps, children learn the locations of continents, oceans, and other significant geographical features. Students then study natural occurrences such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tropical storms before concluding with a study of A Fragile Planet, which examines how human activity has affected the Earth.
They are also taught about how and why certain settlements have grown to be so large, as well as the problems that can arise as a result. They also learn about climatically severe regions before concluding with a case study of a specific nation (such as arctic regions and hot deserts).
They study mountain formation, location, and human use. Following that, we examine the Ordnance Survey map work and take a more in-depth look at the locations of significant landmarks and other features around the world. To finish, we look at coastlines.
At the beginning of the Common Entrance syllabus, we thoroughly examine weather and climate, earthquakes, and volcanoes. We then examine rivers at the end of the year in preparation for a fieldwork project.
ART
Cavina’s art and design program encourages students in grades 1 through 6 to use their imaginations and be creative.
It is important to remember that the value of the process itself, rather than the end product, determines the value of the work in children’s creativity.
Although excellent observational skills are required, each child will improve and build on these skills while they are here by comprehending the visual elements and experimenting with a variety of materials, processes, and techniques.
Children learn about the design process and effective problem-solving techniques while creating 2D and 3D work individually and in groups, as well as expressing their own ideas.
Students learn about historical and contemporary artists through classroom instruction, field trips to exhibitions and galleries, and other means. They also have the luxury of working outside to draw inspiration from their surroundings.
Art at Cavina makes learning worthwhile and meaningful. Many Prep School students successfully transfer to their next institution with an Art of a Scholarship level.
