Our Subjects and Departments

Head of Department: Mr R. Paine · rpaine@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Accounting covers financial accounting (recording, analysing and communicating financial statements), managerial accounting (costing and budgeting) and managing resources (internal controls, audits and ethics). Learners build skills in interpreting financial data, problem-solving and managing money responsibly, along with habits of accuracy, ethics and sound judgement.

Head of Department: Mev. J. Kroukamp · jkroukamp@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Leerders word blootgestel aan ander kulture en dialekte en aangemoedig om ’n liefde vir die taal te ontwikkel. Die kurrikulum dek taalvaardighede, literatuurstudie, formele en informele praat, lees en begrip, en skryf. As een van die amptelike tale van Suid-Afrika is dit belangrik dat almal bewus is van Afrikaans.

Head of Department: Mrs S. Lamour · slamour@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Business Studies equips learners to conduct business productively in changing environments, to create opportunities and take responsible risks, and to apply leadership and management skills while working with others. It develops self-directed, reflective learners who can pursue formal employment or entrepreneurial paths.

Head of Department: Mr T. Kleinsmith · contact via the school office

CAT is the study of the components of a computer system and the practical techniques for using them to solve everyday problems. Topics include solution development, systems, internet and network technologies, information management and social implications. Practical work covers Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and basic HTML. Learners are examined on both theory and practical, and entrance criteria apply.

Head of Department: Mrs L. van der Westhuizen · lvdwesthuizen@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Consumer Studies opens opportunities in interior and clothing design, culinary arts, entrepreneurship and dietetics. Learners practise through food lessons, budgeting and projects in clothing, housing and entrepreneurship, and investigate consumer issues such as food security, organic foods and food irradiation.

Head of Department: Miss T. Adams · tadams@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Dramatic Arts develops personal resources, technique, voice, movement and acting, applied through performance across many styles and texts. Half the marks are written theory and half practical. Learners perform at the Candle Light Theatre, script their own work, attend outside theatre events and study directing, design and theatre technology. Over three years they read about 25 plays and study 8 in depth.

Head of Department: Mrs C. Williams · cdwilliams@edgemeadhigh.org.za

As an English-medium school, all learners take English Home Language and are taught in English. English is not content-bound — the whole world is the textbook — and covers grammar, reading, speaking, novel, drama, poetry, film study and short stories. It is the most widely spoken language and the language of business, politics and most of the web.

Head of Department: Mr S. Schultz · sschultz@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Geography develops lateral thinking across many learning areas and has a proud record at the school. Grade 10 covers population, earth structure, tectonics, weathering and the basics of climatology and map work. Grade 11 broadens climate and geomorphology and adds development and sustainability. Grade 12 studies rural and urban areas, climate and fluvial action in depth, with a full map-work component.

Head of Department: Mrs R. Irlam · rirlam@edgemeadhigh.org.za

History today is about synthesis, analysis, critical thinking and debate — skills valued in the workplace and at university. Learners study from about 1450 through to current world affairs across Grades 10–12, with outings to the Slave Lodge, Holocaust Museum and Robben Island. The aim is well-rounded individuals who can form and defend an opinion while listening to others.

Head of Department: Mrs Z. Gina · contact via the school office

isiXhosa belongs to the Nguni group of languages and is the main African language of the Eastern and Western Cape. Several universities require it for undergraduate study. Learners study speech sounds and patterns, word structure, sentence formation and meaning, and are taught to speak, write, present and enjoy the language. In the FET phase learners choose between Afrikaans First Additional and isiXhosa First Additional.

Head of Department: Miss C. Naidoo · cnaidoo@edgemeadhigh.org.za

IT creates advanced computer users with a theoretical understanding of computers and the practical ability to build software. Learners program calculators, converters, simulations, animations, web pages and games, and study current hardware, software and internet technologies and their social impact. Theory is 40% and practical 60%; an aptitude test is written in the third term to apply.

Head of Department: Mrs A. Kitching · akitching@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Life Orientation is always relevant, both individual and social, and both exploratory and instructive. Its ambition is to empower young people with self-knowledge, history, wisdom, morality and tolerance, and to help learners find their place in society and the world in all its diversity.

Head of Department: Miss C. Roos · croos@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Life Sciences leads to discovery about yourself and the world. Strands cover life processes in plants and animals, environmental studies, molecular and cellular life, and diversity, change and continuity (including evolution). It suits learners interested in the health or environmental sciences. Work is research-based and experimental, mostly done independently in class; exams are typically 150 marks in 2½ hours.

Head of Department: Mrs D. van der Zandt · dvanderzandt@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Mathematics opens more post-school career options and builds discipline and logical thinking. Success needs determination and many hours of practice. Advanced Mathematics is offered after hours to Matric level for above-average learners, with real advantages for first-year university. Learners who do not continue with Mathematics take Mathematical Literacy.

Head of Department: Mrs R. Fielies · rfielies@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Maths Literacy is not a subject for “Maths drop-outs” and does not guarantee an easy A. It builds real-life numeracy — costing, profit, VAT, interest, loans, scale and map work, budgets, personal tax, statistics and probability — and links closely to Geography, Consumer Studies and Business Studies. Some university courses do not accept it, so choose with care.

Head of Department: Mrs B. Bekker · bbekker@edgemeadhigh.org.za

One of the busiest departments in the school. Music may be taken as a subject (Grades 8–12, audition and instrumental study required), as Extra-Curricular Music Study, or through ensembles and seasonal productions. The subject covers performance, composing, arranging, improvisation, theory, music technology and the music industry. Ensembles include the Concert Choir, Orchestra, Marimba, Glee Club and Grade 8 Choir. All music students take part in an ensemble or the orchestra.

Head of Department: Miss L. Foster · lfoster@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Physical Sciences covers Physics (matter, energy and their interactions) and Chemistry (the structure, properties and changes of substances). Learners should have an organised mind, a strong work ethic and a good grounding in mathematics (at least a 50% average in Grade 9 Natural Sciences and Mathematics). Content spans mechanics, waves and light, electricity and magnetism, matter and materials, and chemical change and systems, and opens careers from medicine to engineering.

Head of Department: Mrs R. Els · rels@edgemeadhigh.org.za

Visual Arts is about self-expression and engaging meaningfully with the world through the hand, eye, intellect and imagination. The practical component ranges from drawing and painting to sculpture, with Grade 12 learners specialising toward an exhibition. Visual Culture Studies runs as a chronological history of art from pre-literate cultures to contemporary South African artists. It benefits any learner considering architecture, animation, fashion, fine art, graphic design or photography.