At Gateway Primary School we have developed teaching philosophies for each subject based on Biblical wisdom.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: In teaching Science, we want children to have a clear understanding that the world was created by God, that they were created in God’s image. They are not a product of evolution.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith, we hope to help pupils appreciate the world God created and desire to become good stewards of it. As they get to know more about God, they should also get to know more about the world He created. They should see God as the one who gives answers. Pupils should be excited about learning science because it would be a journey of scientific investigation and new discoveries. However, all learning will be based on Bible truths. Appreciation of biblical principles and values acquired will be emphasized.
Mathematics, defined as the study of numbers, quantity, shape, space, and their interrelationships, reflects God's design as evidenced throughout the Bible. The Book of Numbers and numerous other scriptural references highlight God's attention to numerical detail. The infinite nature of the number line mirrors God's eternal existence.
The order and patterns inherent in mathematics, where correct sequencing is crucial for accurate solutions (e.g., 23, 43, 63, ..., 103, 123), reflect God's own orderly nature. His creation of the world, with its sequenced development from land and resources to animals and finally humans, exemplifies this. Jesus' organised feeding of the 5000 and the careful gathering of leftovers further illustrate God's emphasis on order. The consistent behaviour of the sun and Earth's orbit also testifies to divine order. Understanding and applying these God-given principles of order and pattern enhances our ability to navigate daily life.
The universal truth found in mathematics, where a correct answer is valid regardless of location, reflects God's absolute truthfulness. As Titus 1:2 states, God cannot lie. While mathematical problem-solving may allow partial credit for correct steps, a wrong final answer remains incorrect.
Teaching mathematics is a progressive process, akin to building a house brick by brick. Each concept must be mastered before building upon it. Mastering concepts requires consistent practice.
Effective mathematics instruction involves hands-on activities using tools like interactive projectors, counters, and mathematical sets. Diverse instructional strategies should accommodate different learning styles through group work. Regular assessments are essential for evaluating children's understanding and abilities. Furthermore, developing English language acquisition strategies is crucial for students to solve word problems effectively, especially understanding "clue" words like "product," "share," and "sum."
- A variety of hands-on activities should be prepared and carried out to help pupils develop concepts e.g. use of different mathematical tools, e.g. interactive projectors, counters, mathematical sets and shapes.
- A variety of instructional strategies should be used to cater for pupils' different learning styles e.g. Group
- Different types of assessments should take place during different times of instruction and practice, evaluating how the children are thinking and what they are able to do.
- Because pupils need to understand how to work out story sums (problems), it is important that they learn English language acquisition strategies properly. “Clue” words to help them understand story sums will be taught e.g. Meanings of the common words used, such as "product," "share," "sum of," etc.
God loves us and is kind to us; therefore, love should be a characteristic of God’s people, and ministry is an expression of that love.
God is interested in individuals, both spiritually mature and weak. He has made each one of us unique. We are each to live in a way which respects God and values others as His image bearers. We should treat others the way we would like them to treat us. God expects us to be a blessing to all people. Loyalty to God will result in others misunderstanding us and sin will affect all relationships.
Life skills enable us to deal with whatever situation or problem which may arise, whether this is in our families, with our peers, at school, in the community, in the past, present or future.
- Life Skills teach us how to express our God given emotions
- Life skills remind us that God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and He can use any situation to bring good for those who love Him
- Life skills help us to develop healthy coping strategies and appropriate behaviour.
- Through life skills, we learn social skills to help us to love our neighbours and live in peace as far as possible.
- In Life Skills, we teach that God’s Word is authoritative. All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that we may be complete and equipped for every good work, (2 Timothy At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them 3:16-17).
- Through Life Skills, children learn that God’s Word gives us guidance in every area of life and shows us how we should live.
- Life skills help us to realise we can pour out our hearts to God through prayer and gain encouragement through reading His Word.
People need to have a good work ethic in relation to filling the land. It is necessary to know the value of working with one’s own hands.
Genesis 2:15, “Then the Lord God placed the man in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to guard it.” The Lord expect us to be hard workers.
(2 Thess 3:6-12) Pupils learn about the dangers of laziness and goodness of hard work and being productive. They are taught to work hard. They learn the principle of sowing and reaping. There is no reaping without sowing. Learning to grow crops and vegetables for themselves teaches them to be self-sufficient in the future. They learn to grow their own food, and as well as enough to feed others – to always have something to give.
(English Language, Comprehension, Reading, Creative Writing (Composition), Poetry and Drama)
Our God is a communicating God. He has used language in
- Words – the Spoken Word in creation and
- The written Word – the Bible
We use language when praying to God - communicating with God. Language is also used in relationship building. We teach language to help every student to read, write and speak correctly and confidently. They can then be able to communicate well with God and man.
Comprehension of the material read will be emphasised. (Listening is an art, therefore, listening skills will be taught, especially in the Infants' Department.) We also teach the correct use of language, i.e. using language to build and not to destroy. Students should understand that all aspects of language should be used to glorify God. E.g. spelling and grammar etc. Language is used in all interactions, creative expression and for accommodating diversity among students. Speaking the same language breaks barriers. Ultimately, language helps both the student and the teacher in all areas of life.
Some fun language activities are held during the year to encourage pupils to read Grade 3 books. Some of the activities, such as ‘Book Week’ for Grade 3. Grade 4-7 pupils have a Language Day where they spend the whole morning doing a variety of fun language activities. We benchmark our story writing against other schools by participating in the National Allied Arts Literary Festival prose and poetry competition for Grades 2 to 7.
At Gateway Primary, we strive to educate our pupils to use information, communication and technology responsibly to glorify God and impact the world. We are doing this by integrating real-world life skills into our teaching by using Proverbs 1:1-8 as our guideline.
Teaching, instructing with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to provide understanding, discernment, teaching the right use of technology instead of using it to harm the world and how to turn that around to glorify God.
In conjunction with the Resource Centre, we educate children on how to identify truth in the world’s resources. Selecting resources that promote the Christian World View foundations during lessons and research lesson time. Knowing the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Music, a God-given universal language, fosters connection and appreciation. Music education cultivates musical literacy, enabling students to perform, create, and understand fundamental elements like harmony, rhythm, and melody. The goal is to instil a lifelong love for music, potentially leading to professional pursuits. Music serves as an outlet for self-expression, conveying emotions from joy to sorrow.
Music has a rich history in praising God, exemplified in Psalm 150:6. The Bible highlights music's significance in worship and celebration, from Jubal (Genesis 4:21) to Moses's song after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15:2) and David's psalms and musical leadership. David, known as "the sweet Psalmist of Israel" (2 Samuel 23:1), used his harp to lead temple musicians and encourage new songs of praise.
The New Testament continues this tradition, with Jesus and his disciples singing a hymn after the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30) and Paul and Silas using hymns to encourage themselves and fellow prisoners (Acts 16). Paul encourages believers in Colossians 3 to use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for mutual encouragement.
Beyond its spiritual significance, music provides a refreshing break from academic studies. In summary, Gateway Primary School teaches music to:
- To worship God through music
- Learn scriptures through song
- Enjoy diverse musical forms
- Explore cultures and genres
- Engage with music using the body and instruments
- Express creativity through movement and voice
- Develop vocal skills
- Learn basic music theory
- Encourage musical instrument learning for enhanced brain development
- Promote discernment regarding secular vs. Christian music
- Appreciate movement to music
- Recognise instruments by sight and sound
- Understand musical colour and dynamics
- Create rhythm patterns
- Craft basic instruments and comprehend music's historical evolution.
In teaching Heritage-Social Studies, pupils learn about how people lived in the past in different nations. As they study the lives of these people, they get to understand that we do not live in a perfect world, but a sinful one. God is a God of law and order (Romans 13:1-7). Pupils need to learn about conflict resolution because we live with other people and we are in a sinful World. God has blessed us with many resources, and we need to look after them well collectively. (1 Corinthians 3:5-17).
Every person was created in God’s image, so they are valuable no matter what country or culture they come from— we need to learn about them, understand & accept them as they are. As Christians, it is necessary to develop cross-cultural skills to reach all cultural groups. God is sovereign and is in control of all creation.
The Remedial Department believes that every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world and is entitled to the support necessary to maximise their potential. Thus, the Remedial Department’s philosophy is to provide a life-changing experience for children in the least restrictive environment. We believe that all children are capable individuals, gifted differently by God, to make the world a better place.
It is a command from God that we help students discover their identities within the kingdom of God, as they are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Therefore, we provide an inclusive environment where individuals learn to respect, accept, and embrace differences while demonstrating kindness.
God has blessed us with the ability to learn other languages. In Harare Province, English is the primary medium of instruction, followed by Shona. In the Matabeleland area, Ndebele is the main language spoken. Shona is one of the major official languages in Zimbabwe and serves as the primary means of communication for the local people in our region. Therefore, it is important to teach Shona in schools.
Teaching Shona enables pupils to communicate meaningfully with Shona-speaking visitors to the school. It also enables them to effectively communicate with the less privileged in rural areas when they go on outreach trips.
Language unites. Failure to understand or speak a language immediately puts a barrier between people. Understanding a people’s language helps one appreciate their culture more. Therefore, teaching Shona helps pupils to communicate effectively with each other, as well as making it possible for students to appreciate the Shona culture and embrace diversity. In addition, learning Shona fosters a sense of identity in Shona pupils who belong to the Gateway Schools community. Pupils can communicate with their peers when they go on outreach programmes in the rural areas. They can share the gospel better when they can speak the language of the people they are ministering to. They also understand better the teachings and what the Shona-speaking pupils and teachers will be saying to them. Generally, they are accepted in that community in a more welcoming manner, or they accept other people for the better.
Shona is one of the examinable subjects at Grade 7 level. As a Christian school, our desire is to do our best in every aspect of school life and this includes excelling in Shona. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.’)
God, the creator of the universe, is the source of artistic ability and creativity. Expressing ourselves through art reflects God's original creative act, Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Art allows us to share our stories, demonstrating appreciation for God's creation and reflecting the divine image within us. Through art, we can communicate emotions, ideas, and experiences that words alone cannot capture. Whether it's through painting, sculpture, music, dance, or any other medium, art serves as a powerful form of expression that connects us to something greater than ourselves. It allows us to explore the depths of our being and share our unique perspectives with the world, ultimately glorifying God through our creative endeavours. As we engage in artistic expression, we are not only reflecting God's image but also participating in His ongoing creative work.
Pupils need to learn that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We need to look after ourselves so that we may have healthy bodies and healthy minds. (1Corinthians 6:19)Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Physical Education (P.E) teaches self-discipline, as those who succeed are self-disciplined people. When teaching Physical Education, emphasis should be on the development of Godly attitudes and living Godly lives rather than just achievement. Obeying the rules of the game is expected of those who desire to succeed. In addition, listening to the coach’s instructions and obeying them is essential.
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Physical Address: Cnr Wretham Road and The Chase,
Emerald Hill, Harare, Zimbabwe
Map: our GWP Coordinates are: 17°46’4”S 31°1’41”E
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Tel: +263 772 148 691
+263 772 148 692
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