From its humble beginnings as an Anglican Parish Preparatory School, St Dunstan’s College has grown into one of the leading independent institutions on the East Rand.
The school began in 1918 and was initially founded to commemorate those who had given of their lives in the Great War of 1914 - 1918. Today, St Dunstan’s consists of three schools operating as a single unit, namely; the Pre-School, the Preparatory School and the College. The overall impression of the new campus in Rynfield is one of space and quality. This has resulted in a calm, relaxed atmosphere in the school, immediately tangible as one enters. With its Chapel at the heart of the school and over 100 years of history behind it, it is a school dedicated to the Christian values of truth, humility, respect, service, integrity, courage and love. A ‘servant leadership’ philosophy prepares students to strive for excellence and to make a substantial contribution in this diverse and ever-changing world.
St Dunstan’s College prides itself not only on a 100% pass rate since inception in 1995, but the outstanding results attained at tertiary level. This is attributed to the school’s philosophy that academic excellence is about much more than merely obtaining excellent grades. It is about preparing students for an academic future that offers a plethora of choices wherever in the world their future takes them.
Sporting excellence is about adding balance in proportion to academia. It is about teaching life-lessons, building life-long relationships and entering games well prepared with a positive, competitive spirit.
The school offers a wide range of cultural activities that provide opportunities for students to explore their unique talents. Music, Dramatic Arts and Visual Arts can be taken as matriculation subjects.
Students write the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) examinations and qualify with a National Senior Certificate, which is used to apply for tertiary studies. A 100% pass rate has been achieved since the inception of the College and the Bachelor Degree pass rate achieved is consistently above 90%.
All subjects in Grade 8 and 9 are compulsory
These are: English, Afrikaans or isiZulu, Life Orientation, Mathematics, Science, Biology, History, Geography, Accounting, Business Studies, Creative Arts (Music, Visual Art and Drama), Digital Literacy and Religious Instruction.
Subjects offered from Grade 10 - 12 are:
English, Afrikaans or isiZulu, Life Orientation (these are compulsory), Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, History, Geography, Accounting, Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Music, Visual Arts and Information Technology. Further Studies Mathematics and Further Studies English are offered as additional subjects to prepare students to cope with the rigorous demands of 1st year university Mathematics, Science and English degrees.
A modern, relevant curriculum using CAPS as a base. A big emphasis is placed on an integrated, project-based learning programme. STEAM, Robotics and Coding have been built into the daily timetable. A new, integrated testing system is currently being implemented.
Junior Preparatory (Grade 1 - 3):
The balanced and broad curriculum comprises the following learning areas: English (home language), Afrikaans (first additional language), isiZulu (first additional language), Mathematics, Computer and Technology Skills (Knowledge Network and Coding), Life Skills, Art, STEAM, Music and Physical Education
Senior Preparatory (Grade 4 - 6):
English, Mathematics, History, Life Orientation, Afrikaans, Natural Science, Geography, Art/STEAM
Grade 7:
English, Mathematics, EMS, Social Science (Geography & History), Afrikaans, Science, Biology, Art/STEAM, Life Orientation.
All the students from Grade 1 to 7 make use of the Knowledge Network Computer Studies Curriculum in the Computer Lab. These lessons provide students with important computer skills and knowledge that will benefit them in the technologically and digitally-driven future. Coding is done during computer and STEAM sessions.
E John Butler Centre for the Arts, Auditorium, Chapel, 2 Computer labs, Thirty-One-Three Coffee Shop, Three Sports pavilions, Artificial Hockey turfs (one based on indoor specifications and a full outdoor water-based Astro at the College), Water Polo pool, Swimming Pool - 25m (including two lanes for the ‘Learn-2-Swim’ Programme), Two Squash courts, Cricket ovals (grass and artificial pitches), Tennis and Netball courts, Basketball courts, Rugby fields, Football fields, 2 Tuckshops, Aftercare (including a dining room at the Preparatory School) and off-site (a boat house at Arrowe Park on Homestead Dam).
