NEWSLETTER 12 OCTOBER 2022

Interhouse Cross Country (Mrs. Kopke)

We are extremely lucky to have a group of enthusiastic parents and children who are very motivated to build the sport of cross-country and trail running. With the help of some of these parents and Mr. Rob Parker, the farmer, we have been able to create 4 different running trails of different lengths and difficulty. We have one along the river, in the sheep pen, around the dam and in the bull pen. They have been measured, mowed and marked. They were christened at our annual cross-country where all the children participated.  Their times were all captured by Mr. James Gibbs and we now have a bench mark time for all the children. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by both children and parents and was eventually won by Yellow Tail. We are extremely grateful to Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Hanekom and Mr. Magnus for giving up their time and muscle power to help to make this dream a reality.

Kayaking (Mrs. Webb)

The kayaking this term has taken off with much enthusiasm. We are fortunate in having the river close by and it is a privilege to be able to use the natural  resources at our disposal. Some children had never even been on a canoe before but they soon mastered the skill of paddling and are getting more confident with each session. Being able to explore the river, under the watchful eye of the River Patrol, has been an exciting and worthwhile experience for our children.

Chess News (Mrs. Slabbert)

The third term began with 2 of our boys, Conor Howell and Ryan Marais, attending the Provincial Chess Championships in Queenstown. Conor and Ryan represented the Sarah Baartman District. What a wonderful experience for them as they made new friends and memories all while visiting a new part of our province. Thank you to Shona Marais for accompanying them and working as an official at the tournament. Both boys did really well and both just missed Provincial colours by 1 point. Watch this space next year!!!!

The schools’ chess league is now complete and we await the results.

Interhouse Chess Championships is on the go at school at the moment and once this is complete, we will start the official School Chess Championships to see who our chess champion is. This will be split into 2 groups Gr 6,7 and Gr 3,4,5.

The next tournament to look forward to is the Langkloof Bloeiselfees in Joubertina on the 29th October.

Foundation Phase Grade 1 (Mrs. Webb)

The grade 1s have had their problem solving skills challenged during our afternoon STEM activities. They had to construct a structure using spaghetti and marshmallows. They were put into groups and had to find a way to start, remembering they needed a firm foundation to hold it together and keep it sturdy. There were some amazing thoughts and trials being bandied around within the groups.

The children also had to build a tower using paper cups, but were not permitted to touch the cups with their hands. They were giving elastic bands and told to find a way. Here again, creativity and thinking out the box thoughts were employed. 

We look forward to more challenging activities this term.

A few thoughts from the ECD…

“ In springtime, love is carried on the breeze. Watch out for flying passion and kisses whizzing by your head.”

The spring term is one of bustling excitement, extreme busy ness, playful learning and enormous growth. We have been wonderfully energetic this term planting seeds, pruning veggies and watching our flowers come to life. Teaching life skills is such an instrumental part of our little ones’ development and so important to encourage both independence and confidence in their own ability to achieve success. 

Spring is a wonderful time to make forts from fallen branches. Grow a garden from your left over fruit seeds! Hang a bird feeder. Raise monarch butterflies. Cultivate a wild and free life with small simple acts, and let curiosity be the catalyst to a whole new way of living and learning.

“Children have this amazing way of becoming exactly who we tell them they are. If we tell them, they are strong, they become strong. If we tell them they are kind, they become kind. If we tell them they are capable, they become capable. Speak life into your kids, so they will have what it takes to tackle their own life one day” 

Have a happy break everyone and we look forward to continuing into the next part of our third term adventure. After all, “Spring is nature’s way of saying “let’s party” 

Happy days Teacher Eva 

News from the Music and Drama Department (Mrs Brown)

There are only 3 words that can describe term 3. PRACTICE , PRACTICE, PRACTICE! 

That's the only thing that was on the grade 0-3 minds. Lots of hard work, sweat and tears, but in the end, our long awaited school concert was a great success! 

The Land of the Lost Stories was all about lost and forgotten fairytale characters. We had beautiful costumes, dances and acting.  All the fairies, pirates, mermaids, bunnies, piggies and muppets took us to magical places with their dancing. Not to mention our main characters  who told the story so beautifully. From Jack and the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood, Ariel, Goldilocks, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Tinkerbelle and Bo-peep.  Cade in grade 7 played the scary wolf. Thank you to Hannah Harding who did beautiful face painting on our characters. 

A huge thank you to all the helpers - make up artists, Mrs. van Tonder for background scenery, moms who helped with props, scenery, costumes and programs. I couldn't have done it without you.  Thank you also to grade 0-3 teachers who put in a lot of extra work during the concert week and helping backstage, making sure it ran smoothly. .

We are looking forward to the senior phase concert next year!

Regards

Natasha Brown
Drama and Music Department

CALENDAR DATES 2022

Monday 17 October                 School re opens after half term
Wednesday 19 October            U11/U13 Soccer vs Victory Christian School (Home)
Thursday 20 October               Grade 3 Camp (School)
Friday 21 October                     Grade 7 Bakerday Sale
Friday 21 October                     Grade 4 - 7 Social
Wednesday 26 October            Grade 7 Otter Challenge 
Friday 28 October                    Grade 0 & Dragonfly Class Bakerday Sale
Saturday 29 October                 PTA Old School Disco (parents only)
Thursday 3 November               Interhouse Athletics (Grade 1 - 7)
Friday 4 November                   Grade 00 Bakerday Sale
Thursday 10 November            Grade 1 & 2 Friends Camp (School)
Thursday 10 November            Cross Country vs Hermitage House (Away/Addo)
Friday 11 November                  Ladybird Class Bakerday Sale 
Friday 18 November                  Bumble Bee & Butterfly Class Bakerday Sale 
Thursday 24 November             Interhouse Gala (Grade 1 to 7) 
Friday 25 November                 Grade 1 Bakerday Sale
Friday 25 November                 Golf Day - Village Golf Course 
Tuesday 29 November             Grade 7 Tour to Oudtshoorn
Wednesday 30 November       Grade 6 Tour - Garden Route
Thursday 1 December              Grade 1 & 2 Christmas Outing - Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay
Friday 2 December                   Grade 7 & 6 Tour returns 
Friday 2 December                   Christmas Market (TBC)
Monday 5 December                 Class Moms Tea
Wednesday 7 December          End of Term 3 (after end of school day) ECD finish 11am 
                                                   Grade 1 to 3 finish 11:15.  Grade 4 to 7 finish 11:30

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