Thanks and farewell 2018

As this busy year comes to a close, one likes to reflect on all that the children have been through.  This year has not been one without surprises, as life keeps us on our toes and makes sure we remember to give time to that what is important to us. 

We bid farewell to the Bause family and to Mrs Holdsworth and wish them all the best for the years to come.  We would like to thank all the parents, Governing Body, Class Moms and Parents Association all they have done and for their support as it is much appreciated.  A huge thank you to the staff whose unwavering dedication to the children is at the core of our school and truly makes us unique and exceptional. 

We, at St Francis College, would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a wonderful holiday.  Take time to be with family and friends, as these few weeks will speed past quicker than we would like.  Good luck to all the children that are moving on to new adventures.  Be sure to keep in touch, as you are so special to us.

“ Life is a journey, not a destination” - Cliff Nichols

New times for 2019 for Grade 3 – 7 children

All Grade 3 to 7 children will have class / academic times until 2pm.  Grade 3 – 7 sport will be held between 2 and 3pm.  This will be to allow the teachers more class time with the pupils. 

Grade 6 Tour

Day 1:  On Tuesday the 30^th of October an excited bunch of Grade 6 learners accompanied by myself (Mrs Knezovich) and Mrs Kaunda departed on our Plettenberg Bay tour.  Nothing could hinder the Grade 6 jovial spirits not even the gale force winds that were blowing or the furnace fires rampaging the area on the morning of our departure.  The first adventure of the day was the Puzzle Park where the children had so much fun trying to figure out the right way around the big maze.  The forest puzzles were a series of mind puzzles and challenges in which each team had to work together quickly to try and figure out each puzzles riddle or answer before their 3 minute time was up.  The remaining part of the afternoon was spent at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary where we were given a guided tour around the sanctuary and we got the opportunity to see and experience wild cats like lions, tigers and cheetahs right up close. 

Day 2:  We started our Day 2 at Birds of Eden where we were enclosed in what felt like a tropical oasis of birds and tiny duikers.  Next on the list was Monkeyland where the children walked amongst the monkeys watching them climb and clamber under the forest canopy.  But, definitely one of the clear favourites of the tour was our afternoon visit to Adventureland where the kids spent the afternoon laughing and screaming in delight as they braved all the exciting water slides at the park.   

Day 3:  The highlight of this day was The Elephant Sanctuary where the children got to touch and walk with these truly magnificent animals. 

The children arrived home with experiences and memories that they will remember their whole lives.

Thank you to Mrs Kaunda for joining us on tour and for all the wonderful songs you got everyone singing.  Another special thank you goes to Woodridge for allowing us to borrow one of their very competent drivers to drive the school bus for us.  But most importantly thank you Grade 6s for being who you all are and making the tour so incredibly special and fun.       

Mrs. Knezovich

Grade 4 Tour

The Grade 4’s had an amazing tour to Plettenberg Bay this year.  Our first fun-filled day was a day of swimming, running, screaming and floating as the children enjoyed all the rides at Adventure Land. They did not stop from 10.30 until 16.00 that afternoon, except for a delicious lunch served by Hunger Hut at the pools. After supper at the Spur and a good sleep at Forever Resort, we procceeded on to Radical Raptors the next day.  What an incredible experience as each child had an owl alight on their gloved hand. Everyone was really sad to leave Plettenberg Bay to come home on Friday afternoon!

Mrs Bause

Grade 1 and 2 Camp

The Grade 1 and Grade 2's had a wonderful camp on our school fields last week.  Activities included hikes and marshmallow braaing.  The teachers were very impressed with these young children being so brave, some of whom have never slept out before.  Well done kids!

Grade 3 Camp

The grade 3 class had their end of year camp at the Marais' farm.  They arrived midday on Monday and camped out for the night.  Activities included collecting pine cones for the evening bonfire, collecting eggs from the chickens, paddling and swimming in the dam, nature walk to identify various indigenous plants and creatures.  Tuesdays activities included early morning swimming and herding sheep for sheering. 

Letterland Day - Grade 00 and Grade 0

We celebrated Letterland Day by dressing up as one of our favourite friendly letterland characters.  We have met them all during the year whilst learning our phonics! 

Students dressed in costume according to a letter.  There was an Annie Apple for the letter, A, Vicky Violet for the letter, V and many more.  They put so much work and effort into their costumes – well done!

Miss Elizabeth Carpenter

Grade 00

SFC Waterpolo

This year will be remembered as one in which St Francis College Water polo came into its own. Inspired and motivated by their coach, Haydn Holmes, the water polo team, Hannah Praetorius, Ella Boonzaier, Isabella Chandler, Lily Joubert, Amy Robson, Kate Robson, Cadence Marais, Emily Cownie, Katy Killian, Lara Killian, Jeanne Steyn, Milla Aylesbury and Sarah Gerry, punched way above their weight, playing 7 out of 8 games against high schools. Ella Boonzaier, Hannah Praetorius and Cadence Marais were invited to join the Mantarays club at the Kingswood College water polo tournament in Grahamstown where they held their own amongst many High achieving teams from around the country. After a gruelling selection process, Hannah Praetorius and Ella Boonzaier were chosen for the EP team in November. Salut water polo team, we are proud of you.

Interhouse Athletics Day

Our Grade 0 to 7 pupils participated in track events on Thursday 18^th October.  Musselcracker took the honours the day with some speedy sprinting and determined endurance running.   Well done to all who participated. 

Interschool Athletics at VCS

At the end of October we participated in the annual Athletics day held at Victory Christian School.  The pupils were enthusiastic and competed well and the day.  The following children are congratulated on their medals:

Lisenathi Minnie = gold in long jump
Sine Ndabambi = bronze in 400m
Nicholas Niven = gold in 100m and 400m
Lincoln Davis = silver in 80m
Noah Tovell = bronze in 60m and 80m
Daniel Drysdale = bronze in 80m
Ella Boonzaaier = gold in long jump and silver in 800m
Sarah Gerry = bronze in 80m
Elizabeth Setsheshe = bronze in 80m
Katie Joubert = bronze in 60m and 80m
Hannah Gerry = bronze in 60m

Junior School Concert

The grade 00-3 pupils had their chance this year to shine on stage in the 2018 Junior concert, held on the 15th November. Months of practicing their lines and fine tuning their dances, all culminated in a spectacular show. After a major set back with regards to venue, Mrs Brown managed to secure a beautiful venue that leant to the theme so magnificently. A very big thank you to The Woods for being helpful beyond words and making us feel so welcome. The children performed with such enthusiasm and did a marvelous job of conveying an important message, don't judge a book by its cover, or a wolf. I would like to say a thousand thank yous to all who helped with the concert. We could not have made it such a success without each and every one of you. Next year it will be the seniors turn to wow the crowd with their acting skills in the 2019 senior concert. We look forward to working hard to produce yet another show stopper.

Mrs. Shona Marais

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France Or "Make each dream your masterpiece" - John Wooden

Choir Evening and Trinity Exams

The grade 4-7 children had their choir evening on 6 November at the cape st Francis resort. It was very well supported and the kids had a good time performing. Our theme was “a night in Africa” and all the children had African head bands and make up on. Some of the well known songs that we sang was a great heart by Johnny Clegg,  the ever famous - the lion sleeps tonight and also some Afrikaans songs from Laurika Rauch to name a few. A very huge thank you again to the Csf resort for letting us use their venue each year.

The annual trinity college of London music exams were held on 9 November at Woodridge. Three of our pupils took part. . Samara Howell player her grade 3 piano exam. Two singing students, Ella Leshem and Kate Joubert sang their grade 1 trinity vocal exam. Well done to all three of them for achieving a beautiful result.

We’re looking forward to another year filled with music with upcoming recitals, talent shows, junior choir evening as well as a senior phase concert.

Have a lovely, well deserved holiday

Mrs N Brown

Nursery School News

Once again we have come to the end of another year at the Nursery school and I am happy to report that it has been an amazing year for all our little ones.

We have welcomed so many new children and their families to the Nursery school and with our end of year concert being a great success we are very proud of them all.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank some people who have been such a great support to us at our little school.

Duncan, Maya’s Dad for helping out with some wood work on the little house in the playground.

Warren, Jake’s Dad who has helped with the fixing of things and removal of the stage for the concert.

Paul and Natalie, Erin’s Mum and Dad for their help organising the muscle to move the stage.

Greg, Keanu’s Dad for fixing up our fence, Ladybird classroom and the veggie patch.

Ross, Ricky’s Dad for all the problems with the toilets.

All the class Mums for their work helping their class teacher and their classes.  My wonderful staff for all their love and support for the children and myself during the year.

To the little Butterflies, Bumblebees and Ladybirds for being the best children ever.

Ladybirds, we are all going to miss you next year but we know you are all going to shine your way through the rest of you school careers.

We wish you all a blessed Christmas and wonderful break, Keep safe.

Love from us all

Teacher Jane

Wacky Hair Day

All pupils and teachers at the College Campus took part in a fun 'Wacky Hair Day' fundraiser this term!

Dates for Term 1 2019

Monday 14^th January – Office RE open

Wednesday 16^th January – Term 1 begins

Monday 21^st January – Extra-mural activities begin

Wednesday 6^th February – AGM 6pm

Friday 8^th February – Family Braai

Thursday 21^st February – Half term

Friday 1 March – Greenwood Bay (away)

Friday 8 March - PA Golf Day

Friday 12^th April – Term 1 ends

News from the Parents' Association

I don’t know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with this time of the year... weather is warmer, days are longer, Christmas is nearing and summer holidays are almost upon us. But there seems to be a MOUNTAIN of things to get through first. Term three is always a very busy time for everyone, so hold on - only two weeks to go!

This term we held our 3rd annual Oktoberfest, which was a very successful event incorporating the Wildflower Festival Trail Runs & the Beer Run! Both followed by a great party! Thank you again to our incredible sponsors - Cape St Francis Resort, Full Stop Cafe, St Francis Brewing Co., Devils Peak Brewery & Liquid Lines. The success of this event depends on the community supporting our beautiful school.

Due to bad weather the Golf Day has been postponed to Friday 8th March 2019. 

And finally, thank you to all of you who have supported the school’s fundraising efforts this year. We have assisted the school in covering some shortfalls, and are working towards ticking some wish list boxes that our teachers have.

Have a safe and Blessed holiday!

Heather