School Life

What We're about

Life at Riverwood is full of discovery, vibrance, diversity, friendships, and fun. Our days are designed to support whole-child development, helping each learner shine in their own way.

Entrepreneurial Skills Enhancement

Sport

Sport is part of every child’s daily life here. Private sports coaching is included in the daily programme, allowing children to move, play, build their confidence and learn about teamwork.

Regular physical activity is part of our approach to healthy living and emotional well-being. Movement and play are essential parts of every child’s development, and at Riverwood, we weave sport into the rhythm of our week with joy and intention. It’s never just about winning, but all about learning how to move our bodies, work as a team, try new things, and feel proud of our effort.

During pre-school years, the focus is on athletics and ball skills. These fun and energetic activities help our youngest learners build coordination, balance, and confidence.

From Grade 1 to Grade 7, learners can take part in a wide range of sports, including:

Music, Drama & Art

We love music and storytelling!

Children take part in plays, concerts, and music activities that help them express themselves, find their voices, and enjoy the spotlight in a safe, encouraging space.

Cultural appreciation and expression are vital at Riverwood Primary. Learners participate in musical and dramatic performances throughout the year, exploring rhythm, storytelling, and stage presence.

Our programmes nurture confidence and communication skills.

Art is a joyful and important part of our curriculum. Through painting, drawing, clay, collage, and craft, children explore colour, shape, texture, and their own creativity. Art lessons are both expressive and calming, where we take time to imagine, reflect, and create something meaningful. We display our learners’ artworks proudly, filling our walls with colour and celebrating the unique way each child sees the world.

Extra-Murals

From art and sports to special interest clubs, our extra-murals help children explore their passions, build new skills, and connect with friends. There’s always something new to try.

We offer a variety of extra-mural activities tailored to enrich the school experience. These include clubs, hobbies, and sports that help children discover and pursue their interests, build friendships, and develop new skills.

Eco Focus

Riverwood is committed to environmental education. With a rich natural setting that includes indigenous trees and a tidal stream, learners regularly explore the forest, lagoon, and sea. They learn how nature works and why it matters.

Our playground and gardens are designed to help children grow strong and confident while learning to care for the earth.

Outdoor learning, eco-workshops, and field excursions help children develop environmental responsibility and an appreciation for biodiversity.

The outside play environment is structured to encourage motor development, confidence building, and environmental awareness.

Outreach

Kindness and community responsibility are central to our ethos. Our learners and school community actively support local causes like:

Babies in Need, Epilepsy, children at a local soup kitchen, Easter and Christmas collections for senior citizens and children at the organisations we support
Rotary fundraising efforts.
Our choir enjoys sharing the Christmas spirit by singing at our local mall and the Knysna Waterfront. They also participate in the Garden Route Eisteddfod and occasionally share their joy of singing with the senior citizens at Garden Gates and Loerie Hof.
Sharing our school’s facilities, services, and resources with local community groups

Playground

Our playground is a safe and dynamic space designed to promote physical development, imaginative play, and social interaction.

We’ve made sure the playground is both fun and eco-friendly, helping children build physical strength and self-confidence.

Special Days

We celebrate the diversity of our learners through themed days such as “Children of the World” and “South Africa Day”.

These events explore global traditions, local heritage, and cultural pride through food, dance, dress, and music, and allow learners to learn about the world and each other.

Celebrations & Achievements

At Riverwood Primary, we make time to recognise every child’s growth.

We honour the growth and success of our learners through regular recognition of academic, artistic, sporting, and character-based achievements.

Celebrations include award ceremonies, talent shows, and school-wide recognition of effort and progress. We celebrate all kinds of achievements with joy and pride.

Class Projects & Experiences

Learning at Riverwood goes beyond books. Our children get their hands dirty, their minds stretched, and their hearts inspired.

Riverwood School learners participate in immersive class projects that link classroom learning with real-world experience.

These include hands-on workshops, excursions into nature, visits from guest speakers, and themed learning days designed to stimulate curiosity and foster practical skills.

Entrepreneurial Skills Enhancement

Even our youngest learners get to explore the world of work and money:

On Mums & Dads Dress-up Day, i.e.“What I want to be when I am older”, children role-play different jobs and careers, showcasing professions through interactive role play and older children research and inform their peers and teachers about their choice of dress-up for the day.
At our Ellie Fair, children are involved in different ways, they give input about the games offered on the day, setting up stalls, designing posters and being involved on the day. They enjoy learning and being part of the business development process.
Every Friday is Tuck Day, where learners handle money and sales, and learn basic budgeting
Our Grade 7s have an annual Market Day to apply the basic business skills they have learnt. They create and sell their crafts and products, promoting innovation and money-handling skills.
We invite parents and local professionals to lead skill workshops