FS: The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre
Early on Friday, 29th November the Foundation Stage classes set off in two busses to The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre in Stellenbosch. The students were extremely excited and thoroughly enjoyed the bus trip.
The centre provides easy access to some of Africa’s fascinating wildlife and bird species. Shortly after arriving we were had an interactive creepy crawly encounter with snakes, a bullfrog and many more. There were shrieks of utter excitement and horror, mainly from the teachers!
Most of the animals at Giraffe House form part of their wildlife education program. The students discovered that Giraffes can reach almost 6 meters, making them the tallest land mammals on earth! The Eland is the biggest antelope whilst the Blue Duiker is the smallest. Another interesting fact they learnt about the Ostrich is that it is the biggest bird. The students were absolutely delighted to discover our national animal, the Springbok, as well as our national bird, the Blue Crane.
High-quality outdoor learning experiences are proven to:
– Develop reflective and inquisitive thinking.
– Encourage holistic development of children.
– Develop resilience and adaptability in occasionally adverse circumstances.
– Allow children to become more able to identify hazards and risks.
– Develop a love, appreciation and respect for nature and all that is living.
– Develop an understanding of how we can look after our environment.
– Develop self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem.
– Develop collaborative-working and communication skills.
– Provide positive health benefits – both physically and mentally – and assist gross and fine-motor development.
– Cultivate a lifelong love of the outdoors.
“Let Nature be your teacher” – William Wordsworth
We enjoyed the outdoors in the beautiful sunshine, whilst experiencing and learning about animals.
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk, 5th December 2019
Dear Parents
We have come to the final week of examinations for the high school and I would like to congratulate the students on their hard work and dedication.
We had a lovely evening of music, games and goodies at the Moonlight market last Friday. Thank you to our wonderful PA who organized the event for our school. We are so grateful for all their hard work and the effort they put into the event. The feedback from vendors was incredibly positive and we hope to have more such events in the future.
This week we celebrated our students and their achievements. I spent a lovely morning with students, and their parents, from Foundation Stage and look forward to watching their growth and development as they move through the school. We teach our students the importance of acceptance and are mindful that our children learn more from what they see than from what they hear us say. These are important years of growth for their hearts and minds; lessons instilled at this young age will guide their behaviour later in life. It is with this in mind that our teachers work diligently instilling the values of integrity and tolerance in their young charges and it is with a happy heart that I watch the students move to the next phase of their academic career.
Tonight we will have our Key Stage 2 ceremony and tomorrow morning, our Key Stage 1. We look forward to these events as it gives us an opportunity to celebrate with our students and their parents.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead as we all prepare for the festivities of the season.
Warm regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 28 November 2019
Dear Parents
With only two weeks left of the 2019 academic year, things can feel a bit overwhelming for parents and teachers alike.
On Monday morning there was a buzz of excitement as students were introduced to their new teachers for 2020. A Year 1 student could barely contain her excitement as I passed her in the corridor and, with a grin a mile wide, announced, ‘I am Year 2 now!’ It was heartwarming to see the excitement and pride in her face and reminded me what an exciting experience this transition is for the students.
2019 was not without its challenges, but here we stand, and look how far we have come. We have been tested and learnt new lessons and it is with a positive and optimistic outlook that we approach the new academic year. With the festive season on our doorstep there is much to look forward to, and beyond that, the opportunities that come with a new year. The final stages of planning for the 2020 academic year are underway as a gentle hum of happy anticipation fills the corridors.
We are looking forward to our Moonlight Market tomorrow night and I encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the festivities! The event will run from 17h00 to 21h00 with plenty of fun activities and delicious treats for the whole family. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Edna
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Year 10 First Aid Training 2019
This past week the Year 10’s had First Aid training with the team from Medical Education Center. First Aid training is an invaluable skill with the certificate being valid for 3 years. Our school arranges the training to empower students and boost their confidence.
The students participated in several practical and hands-on activities. Simulating emergency situations, the students have the opportunity to assess, and use their newly acquired training. But its not all practical, students also work through theory in order to fully grasp the role of First Aid and any limitations that may come along with the responsibility. This helps them protect themselves in emergency situations as well.
The course and instructor was excellent – thorough, knowledgeable and very efficient. The course was very informative, well managed, and extremely helpful.
A very big thank you to Pedrie for being such a wonderful facilitator.
Madelein Goddard
High School Teacher
Year 5 Camp 2019
On Wednesday, 20th November 2019 anticipation filled the air as the Year 5’s headed off to Worcester to enjoy in the exhilarating camp at High Africa. Songs, cheers and pure excitement was felt on the 2-hour bus drive from BIS to Worcester. Games were played and conversations were had to pass the time.
On arrival we were met by our highly energetic camp leaders who welcomed us to our new headquarters for the next three days. We were warned of the pesky mosquitoes, the cluster of spiders lurking in the night and the potential dangerous snakes out there in the fields. NOTHING was going to stop us from having a good time, not even the 32-degree Celsius weather that greeted us on arrival.
We scaled up 12 meter climbing walls and jumped 5 meter heights off the ground. We ventured into the veld and built bridges with just the natural wood planks laying around. We offered words of encouragement, a helping hand when needed, a shoulder to cry on and hugs of motivation. We had pure fun playing in water and getting our hands and feet dirty. All the pleasures of being a child.
Camp has taught many of us how to be team players and how to persevere even when we really want to give up because the satisfaction of trying is far more rewarding than being an onlooker.
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated” – Maya Angelou
Nadia Mahomed
Year 5 Teacher
Symmetrical Expression
What is Symmetry?
In Year 2, symmetry is part of the geometry section of the curriculum. Using Active Learning as our base, we attempted to allow the learners to discover symmetry in shapes, buildings and nature. First, the students explored the school grounds and had to find and draw as many symmetrical objects they could find. When they returned to class, they gave their own definition of symmetry using what they had just done. The following lesson, students were required to work in groups of four and had to build a symmetrical construction using Lego and building blocks. They had to ensure that the colours they used also demonstrated symmetry. After this, they drew what they had constructed and drew the middle line to show that they knew what the line of symmetry was.Students need to understand symmetry to be able to later grasp more complicated concepts like reflective, rotational and point symmetry. Ballerinas use symmetrical principles to complete a turn by turning their bodies on one spot. Even a simple calculation like 8 = 4 + 4 is a demonstration of symmetry; where the totals on each side of the equals sign need to balance.
“We are imprinted with a tendency toward symmetry and can learn new concepts more quickly if we can detect an element of symmetry in them.” – Katherine Buchholz (https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles)
Year 2 Teacher
Nursery Orientation Morning
This week the Nursery went to meet their new teachers and friends for next year. Teacher Martie van Dyk (Teaching assistant Nelly Janda) and Teacher Cindy Nunan (Teaching assistant Mellissa Franse) will be their Pre-Reception teachers for 2020.
They made sure that our budding preschoolers were made to feel at home, as change can feel overwhelming for little ones. They had the opportunity to bond with next year’s class mates while playing outside on the jungle gym, as well as doing fun activities in the classrooms. Their new teachers had planned exciting activities for them. They enjoyed molding play dough, painting pictures, building puzzles and fantasy play to name only a few.
We could see the utter excitement for Pre-Reception 2020 all over their beaming faces.
I am extremely proud of them and wish them all the very best for next year.
Jacky Billings
Nursery Teacher
Year 2 Design & Technology: Festive Trees
“Design and Technology in primary school develops children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food. It encourages children’s creativity and encourages them to think about important issues.” https://www.data.org.uk/for-education/primary/
Last week, out Year 2’s got to design and create their own Festive Trees. First, we began the design process by drawing our trees the way we pictured them in our heads. Then, we labelled each part of our tree depicting exactly what materials we would like to make it out of. Colouring in was the next part of the process. We had to display our tree in the colours we wished to build and present it.
Once the design part of the process is done, the constructing stage begins. Each child was asked to bring in the various materials that they chose to use to build their tree. Many different type of materials were used. We had egg trays, cardboard boxes, coloured paper, festive decorations and various other exciting creative materials.
We had so much fun! The most beautiful part is that every single one of them is different and so lovely in its own way.
Siobhan Hendry
Year 2 Teacher
Year 11 Leadership Camp
Written by: Katherine Lott (Year 11)
The year 11 class recently went on their leadership camp at the Big Oak adventures, camp Karmel, in Franschhoek, from the 18th to the 20th of November.
Over the 3-day camp, the class embarked on various team building and adventurous activities, including water activities, cliff diving, blindfolded activities, an extensive obstacle course, and many others.
Through these activities, learners were challenged to get out of their comfort zones, learn new skills, practice teamwork, as well as, of course, have lots of fun! Activities tested the class’s ability to work together, learn more about each other and allowed for self-development and growth.
Accompanied by Mr. Harrison and Mrs. de Villiers, the class also received guidance and skills from their teachers, and needless to say, it wouldn’t have been the same without them.
Being an adventure/leadership camp, the students were able to prepare and practice skills for their matric year 2020 ahead.
Year 4 Bonamanzi Adventure Camp 2019
The year 4’s had their camp at Bonamanzi Adventures Camp this week. They all had an amazing time taking part in each of the team building activities.
Bonamanzi is found on the spectacular Breede River and their fantastic team and facilities make the experience that much more wonderful.
On Monday the 18th of November the very excited Year 4’s hopped on their bus and made their way to Bonamanzi. They arrived and were instantly greeted by friendly smiles and enthusiastic team leaders. The students had the opportunity to go on the river and had a great time splashing in the cool water on a very hot day. They also took part in many team building activities and even created their own team war cries and flags. They went on an educational night walk and observed many interesting parts of nature. A termite mound, beautiful plants, the starry sky and even a few scorpions which shine a yellowish colour under a UV light.
On the last night the students took part in a bonfire and braai. They sang camp songs and really came together as one team! This was a wonderful way to end off the year and has solidified the bond of the group, which is a beautiful thing to see.
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” – Ryunosuke Satoro
Brittney Hakime
Year 4 Teacher