The different art forms are an integral part of the school curriculum and community at St Michael’s School for Girls.
At St Michael’s School for Girls, we believe that education goes beyond textbooks and exams.
To do… that’s what drama means in Greek.
The Music Department provides a positive experience for all through the impact of music.
Art is found everywhere and anywhere; we only need to look.
At St Michael’s School for Girls, we believe that education goes beyond textbooks and examinations; it’s about nurturing confident, critical thinkers who can express themselves with clarity and respect. One of the key ways we achieve this is through our vibrant debating programme.
Debating offers our learners a unique opportunity to develop essential life skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. By engaging in structured argument and thoughtful discussion, students learn to: evaluate different sides of an issue, identify strengths and weaknesses in arguments, and build logical reasoning. Also, learners learn to communicate with confidence. Whether speaking in front of peers or a larger audience, students grow more articulate, persuasive, and poised.
Debaters listen actively and respectfully. Debate encourages learners to truly hear opposing viewpoints and respond thoughtfully, fostering empathy and open mindedness. They learn to do research effectively. To build strong arguments, our debaters learn how to gather credible evidence and present it compellingly.
Finally, to debate is often a team effort, and learners strengthen their collaboration and strategic thinking skills as they prepare together.
Our school’s debating teams have become a space where learners come together to challenge ideas, spark curiosity, and grow in confidence. Whether competing in local tournaments or engaging in friendly in house debates, our students continually impress us with their passion, dedication, and insight. More than just an extracurricular activity, debating is an essential part of how we help learners find their voice, understand the world around them, and become thoughtful, engaged citizens.
St Michael’s debaters take part in the Motheo District Debating League for High School learners. It is hosted in the Motheo District and affiliated with the Free State Schools Provincial Debating Board. The Motheo District Debating League has two streams of competition: A Junior, Grade 8-9, and a Senior, Grade 10-12 Division. All debates take place in English, according to the World School Debating rules, and follow the prescribed format.
Debating League has grown to be the largest and most competitive debating league in the Free State, boasting 46 teams in 2024.
It is something that the girls at St Michael’s do with great enthusiasm, excelling at eisteddfods and in productions alike. Drama is a social art form that integrates visual, aural, physical, and performative elements to communicate, explore, reflect on, and enhance the human experience.
You might be asking yourself ‘why’? What are the benefits of the Dramatic Arts? Dramatic arts teach you to think in three different ways; analytical, critical, and creative. You get to know yourself and also the people around you. You will be advantaged by the skills acquired in the Dramatic Arts when entering any career where you are working with people: Acting, Theatre design, Producing, Writing, Drama therapy, Journalism, Publishing, Advertising, Teaching, Preaching, Law, Politics, Psychology, Public Relations and in all fields where you are going to communicate with another person!
Drama is therapy in a difficult world. We learn how to relax, how to breathe and just to escape the rat race for a little while.
Most importantly drama is fun and fosters a zest for life!
I am delighted to inform you about the wonderful world of music at SMS. The Music Department provides a positive experience for all through the impact of music. We encourage personal development and the pursuit of excellence within a spiritual and caring environment.
The Music Department is situated in the Leta Blake Music Block, where the girls have access to purpose built practice rooms, each with an upright piano. There is a big music room where group tuition and Creative Arts take place. It is equipped with a piano, computer, excellent sound equipment, a projector and a whiteboard. This room is also used as a rehearsal room. The Marimba band and Drum kit have their own ensemble room, where girls go for lessons and have access for practice purposes. Regular concerts take place mostly in the Chapel, where there is a grand piano and a pipe organ. This is an ideal opportunity for girls to showcase their talents.
St Michael’s School has one full time Music teacher and three peripatetic instrumental tutors who provide individual lessons for students taking piano, violin, drum kit, recorder, organ, flute and singing, amongst others. St Michael’s School’s Music Department provides the opportunity for students to take private music lessons in the areas of instrumental, vocal or theory study. St Michael’s has identified various talented music teachers, all highly respected musicians in their field, to teach instrumental lessons.
All girls at St Michael’s School study music from Grade 1 through to Grade 9. The department also has a flourishing academic music programme from Grades 10 – 12, where Music as an academic subject becomes an option.
St Michael’s has three active choirs. The Junior Primary Choir, Grades 1-3, Senior Primary Choir, Grades 4-6, and the Chapel Choir, Grades 7-12. The Chapel Choir leads the singing at various services at school and has been ranked as one of the best Girls’ Choirs in the country. They have been crowned National winners at the ATKV Applous National Choir Competition for a number of years, 2007, 2008, 2012 &2015, in the non-Afrikaans speaking choir section. In 2022, the Chapel Choir received a Gold award at the Regional round of the ATKV Applous National Choir Competition.
The Senior Primary Choir took part in Sing in Harmonie, an event where recordings of their singing were made for broadcast on national television. They also qualified for the final round of this event.
Towards the end of 2015, they undertook a successful European tour to Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic, where they had 11 performances. They finished the tour with participation in the Advent Competition in Prague, where they received a Gold certificate and a second place overall.
Since 2000, the Music, Art and Drama Department of St Michael’s has organised a very successful Festival at which students from all over the Free State and South Africa have the opportunity to take part on a non-competitive level. This event takes place every second year during the month of May and ends with a prestigious achievers’ concert in our beautiful Chapel. The last Festival of its kind took place in 2024 when the school celebrated its 150th birthday.
Research has shown that music encourages greater self-discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, communication skills and special awareness, but best of all, it is great fun! Therefore, I warmly invite your daughter to become a valued part of music making at St Michael’s and look forward to meeting you in the future.
Art is found everywhere and anywhere; we only need to look. The Visual Arts Department at St Michael’s School for Girls aims to encourage learners to question current realities and to find beauty in the world in which we live, which is often difficult.
Learners are encouraged to engage in art through self-enquiry, empathy, and discipline. Visual Arts provide a platform for the holistic development of learners. It promotes social skills necessary to enhance the awareness and respect of others.
We celebrate individuality and stimulate the development of the learner’s creative world and identity. The assignments that the learners are given develop practical skills, visual literacy and observation.
The Grade 10, 11, and 12 Visual Arts curriculum consists of, firstly, Visual cultural studies, which teach students how to interpret, critique, and use visual information in order to be able to create an informed opinion. Secondly, a Practical Assessment Task, PAT, which includes the conceptualisation and creation of practical artworks.
Engaging in Visual Art stretches the minds of learners beyond the obvious and finds meaning in a space only creativity can offer.
On Monday afternoons, aspiring public speakers have the opportunity to develop their communication skills with the support and guidance of Rea Nene, our chair lady, and Mrs Alicia Basson.
Speakers voice their opinions and ideologies regarding various challenging topics. Not only are their confidence levels being boosted by addressing an audience, but at the same time, we get to have loads of fun.
As we listen to each other’s views, we are inspired to broaden our general knowledge. We learn about diversity and individuality; everyone is encouraged to voice their opinions.
We discuss various current affairs such as fracking, the influence of social media on relationships, global warming, identity theft and more. Speakers collect relevant information and do extensive research on a particular topic.
We also encourage these young adults to think critically and form educated opinions.
Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the world scouting movement, believed that “Brownies” was a fitting name for young girls who could learn to serve their families and communities.
Being a Brownie is about more than belonging to a group, it’s about developing self-esteem, leadership, life skills, confidence, and independence.
At St Michael’s, our Brownie Pack meets once a week, where we introduce girls to a world of new opportunities, challenges, and fun.
Together, we work towards earning eight Brownie Adventure Badges. The themes include:
By joining the Brownie Pack and the Girl Guides Association, our girls become part of WAGGGS, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a global organisation that encourages community service, builds character, and promotes responsible citizenship.
I promise to do my best;
To do my duty to my God and to my country;
To help other people;
And to keep the Brownie Law.
A Brownie is truthful, obedient and cheerful;
A Brownie thinks of others before herself.
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In the St Michael’s photography club, we aim to observe life and the details around us, trying to capture the moments that make St Michael’s such a special place.
We are privileged to have Mr Charles Whitehead, a professional photographer from Bloemfontein, to assist us with his highly specialised and technical skills. Girls get the opportunity to meet once a week and use either their own or the school’s cameras. They work according to a different theme each week. An exhibition of the work is held twice a year to showcase the girls’ work and show the rest of the school what they have been busy with during photography.
Senior members of the club are given the opportunity to take photos at school events; in doing so, expanding their experience.
Choosing the correct school for your daughter is always a difficult yet important decision. Let us help you make that decision easier. With an academic track record that speaks for itself, St Michael’s School for Girls should be at the top of your list.
