St Ursula's School

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have delivered striking evidence that writing by hand engages the brain far more deeply than typing the same words on a keyboard.
In the study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, 36 university students wore high-density EEG caps with 256 electrodes while performing a simple task: copying words they saw on a screen. They did it once by hand with a digital pen and once by typing on a keyboard.
The results were dramatic. When participants wrote by hand, widespread brain connectivity patterns lit up — particularly in theta and alpha frequency bands linked to memory formation, sensory processing, attention, and learning. These connections spanned central and parietal regions. When they typed, those same areas went almost completely silent.
Lead researchers Audrey van der Meer and Ruud van der Weel emphasize that the fine motor movements, sensory feedback from the pen, and visual-motor coordination of handwriting create rich, elaborate neural networks that typing simply doesn’t replicate.
The findings have clear implications for education. As schools shift toward tablets and laptops, this research suggests preserving time for handwriting could give children a significant advantage in learning and memory. In an increasingly digital world, the humble pen may still be one of the best tools for building a stronger brain.

Congratulations to St Ursula’s School Grade 8 and 9 learners.

On Saturday, they performed in the choral verse category of the Johannesburg Festival of the Arts. They were awarded an A++ for their rendition of Louis MacNeice’s poem, Prayer Before Birth. This emotive poem, complemented by synchronised movement, voice variation and projection, moved the adjudicators and audience.

Well done! We’re super proud of you!

Our very own Grade 7 learners enjoyed an exciting visit to the high school as they got a glimpse of what awaits them next year! 🎓✨

From exploring the campus to experiencing high school life, the day was filled with excitement, curiosity, and anticipation for the journey ahead.

We can’t wait to welcome them officially next year! 💙

What an incredible day of soccer! ⚽🏆

We were proud to host a successful soccer tournament featuring 14 schools, bringing together talented young athletes, great sportsmanship, and unforgettable moments on the field.

Thank you to all the schools, players, staff, and supporters who made the tournament such a huge success. The energy, teamwork, and passion for the game were truly inspiring!

Our Life Sciences learners explored the fascinating world of biology through hands-on experiments and dissections 🔬🧪

These practical activities helped bring science to life while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and teamwork. We are proud of their enthusiasm and engagement in the laboratory! 🌱✨