From The Principal’s Desk, 5 March 2020
Dear Parents
As the end of Term 1 approaches…
It seems only yesterday I welcomed you all to the start of the new academic year and already, here we are, winding down to the end of the first term of 2020.
I have two boys myself, one in Grade 4 and the other in Grade 1 and thinking about how quickly this term has flown by made me realise that I haven’t made contact with their teachers to find out how they are coping in their new classes. Sure, every day I duly ask them ‘how was school?’ but get the same mechanical response we parents know so well: ‘It was fine’ (usually accompanied by a non-committal shrug of the shoulders). Being a teacher and a parent has made me realise the importance of a good parent-teacher relationship. Ultimately, we have the same goal in mind and that is to see a child who enjoys coming to school and does well in their lessons.
They key to this is cultivating a healthy relationship between teacher and parent based on mutual respect. As parents, we should support the school community in whatever way we can. We can attend parent evenings, check Engage regularly and read the weekly school newsletter; all vitally important in maintaining an open line of communication between the parent and the school.
I know I intend to catch up with my boys’ teachers as to their progress this term and I hope all our parents will do the same.
Although holidays are just around the corner, we have a busy two weeks of school ahead of us. We have an Open Day this coming Saturday, the 7th of March 2020, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. There will be guided tours and prospective parents can have a look into the different classrooms and speak to the teachers should they have any queries.
The High School finishes their Term 1 Test Week on Wednesday the 4th March and the academic timetable will continue as normal.
On Friday the 6th of March, the Year 4`s are having a Tudor Day to celebrate what they have learned in History this term. We also want to wish the High School’s Midsummer Night’s Dream cast all the best for their performance at the Fugard Theatre this Friday. They are performing there as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival 2020 and if you are interested, please visit https://thefugard.com/shakespeareschoolsfestival for more information. The cast will also perform the play at school on Saturday the 7th of March. Should you wish to support our students on Saturday night, please email Mr Riaan Vosloo at riaan.vosloo@iesmail.com.
I wish you all a good weekend and remember, together we are stronger.
Mr J Harrison
Head of Academics High School
From The Principal’s Desk, 28 February 2020
Dear Parents
This week we opened the renovated bathrooms downstairs! The students and staff were in awe and could not contain their excitement. We request that you remind them about good stewardship and the importance of taking care of our environment and the things entrusted to us.
Our high school students have started their Term 1 test week today and we wish them all the best for every test. Remember: proper planning prevents poor performance!
Our Year 5 students had a wonderful time at Buffalo Drift Camp last week and returned full of exciting stories to share. Our Year 6 students have returned from camp this afternoon and we are looking forward to hearing all about their adventures.
Last Friday the high school held their annual Valentine’s Dance and the turnout of students was excellent. It was our Year 7’s first high school dance and they had a wonderful time. We wish to thank all the students who attended on their impeccable behavior and the Year 11 students for organizing the event and decorating the hall so wonderfully.
Cultural activities are important in achieving balance in a school community. At Blouberg International we are great supporters of the arts and love to see our students involved in drama productions. We are therefore very excited that next Friday, the 6th of March, a group of students are performing ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for the annual Shakespeare Festival at the Fugard Theatre. We are certain they are going to be a great success and ask you to join us for their second performance on Saturday the 7th March at school in the Junior Hall.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend of family time.
Regards
Edna
Valentine’s Dance 2020
The Year 11 class had been planning for weeks and finally the day had come… it was the 21st of February and that evening was the Valentine’s Dance, a perennial favorite on the school calendar.
The Valentine’s Dance and the celebrations held on Valentine’s Day itself, are one of our biggest fundraisers for the Matric Dance. Thus, the pressure was on for the Year 11 class to beat last year’s fundraising goal, but also to pull together an unforgettable evening for all the high school students. Themes were adopted and discarded, negotiations over décor dominated discussions and the playlist for the evening was subject to constant scrutiny and discussion, but boy oh boy, did they bring it all together!
Friday itself was spent in a flurry of paper hearts, streamers and endless bobbing balloons. The class worked tirelessly to decorate the junior hall, keeping their preparations a closely guarded secret. When I was finally presented with the result, it was amazing! A gorgeous red and white balloon arch dominated the scene on entering the hall, the walls were adorned with hearts in every possible shade of red and pink and a romantic photo booth stood proudly in the corner, eagerly awaiting the happy-snapping couples.
The evening ran smoothly as the Year 11’s were on hand to collect tickets, sell food and drink and manage the different game stations. As the students poured in, the lights dimmed and the music blazed- teachers furiously buttered rolls and patrolled the borders, nimbly avoiding being trampled in the hall. The last song echoed softy through the darkness at 10pm, a nice slow romantic number to end the evening. Then it was lights on and black bags out as guests were herded outside so clean-up could begin.
I would like to thank the Year 11 class and their parents for all the hard work and passion that went into planning both Valentine’s fundraising events.
Alice Pryor
High School Teacher
Young Authors Club 2020
What’s the best part of being a school age author, you ask! Why, the fun of writing, of course – but meeting other young authors is a blast too. The Young Authors’ Club started off the year by getting to know each other through name poems – read on if you’d like to know a bit more about us too!
Sarah:
Super girl power
Amazing at singing
Real deal girl/boy
Active all the time
Helping hand
Akhula:
Awesome at cooking
Kind to others
Hysterical with friends
Unhappy when others are rude
Loves to dance
Always hungry or thirsty
Gabriella:
Great at swimming
Amazing at being a friend
Bright and always positive
Reading is one of my favourite things to do
Interested in new things
Extremely funny
Loves puppies and dogs
Loves reading books
Always wants chocolate
Mia:
May be the most kindest person
I can play piano
Awesomest girl ever
Aimee:
Amazing
Intelligent
Magnificent
Exquisite
Exciting
Vrithi:
Very funny
Really positive
I’m kind
Terrific
Hugs are my favourite
I’m curious
Noa:
Never, ever, ever negative
Observe how beautiful she is
Amazing at singing
Karabo:
King of everything
Accepted everything
Race champion
Apple eater
Big and strong
Orange eater
Isabel:
Incredibly funny
Stunning
Awesome at everything
Beautiful hair
Eating strawberry
Loves Boxers (They’re her favourite kind of dog!)
Hannah Kirkaldy
Club Facilitator
Year 3 Is Shaping Up!
A sphere is like a bouncy ball. A prism is like a building tall.
A cylinder is like a can of soda pop. A cube is like the dice you drop.
3D shapes are here and there. 3D Shapes are everywhere!
Learning about shapes through music and song is a lot of fun. Year 3 have learnt to identify both 2D and 3D shapes along with their respective properties. The students used their growing knowledge to design, cut and create their very own shape monsters!
After mastering the edges, faces and vertices of various 3D shapes, the students had an opportunity to construct their own 3D shape. They managed this task in groups of three by designing and building a 3D model in class using toothpicks and marshmallows!
Well done Year 3… but I am still wondering how all the marshmallows mysteriously disappeared!
Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher
Lovely Letters In Foundation Stage
As part of our People Who Help Us theme we learned about postal workers and the process of posting a letter to it finally reaching its destination. Each of the parents were asked to write a lovely letter to their child.
Recently the students were surprised by a visit from Postman Pat who came in to deliver the letters. Each student was very excited to receive their special letter.
Afterwards we all sat down on the mat and read our letters. It was clear that the students thoroughly enjoyed this experience.
Here is what the students’ responses were to their letters:
Michael Anigboro (5 years old) “I am excited to get my letter.”
Lilia Blom (5 years old) “I love my family and my letter.”
Keona Chukwuemeka (4 years old) “I like my letter.”
Eva Collison (5 years old) “I really liked my letters.”
Stuart Hendry (5 years old) “I love my mom and dad. They are the best family ever.”
Himansh Dammalapati (4 years old) “I liked my letter.”
Richard Hoskins (5 years old) “I love my mommy.”
Keshavi Jaiswal (5 years old) “My letter makes me so happy.”
Hayley Keyser (5 years old) “I love my family.”
Ruby Kiley (4 years old) “I love my letter from my grandma.”
Yohann Lawrence (5 years old) “My letter makes me smile.”
Rhys Lewis (5 years old) “My letter comes from Wales.”
Junior Mangqalaza (5 years old) “I am excited to receive a letter.”
Mataio Moodley 5 years old) “I love my parents and my letter.”
George Mpako (5 years old) “I am so happy about my letter.”
Melvin Ngula (5 years old) “I love my mom and dad.”
Olamidayo Olanrewaju (5 years old) “I am surprised to get a lovely letter.”
Allegra Schoeman (5 years old) “My letter is so nice.”
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Teacher
From The Principal’s Desk, 21 February 2020
Dear Parents
Last Friday the high school participated in the ISA Inter-Schools Athletics Day. Although we did not win first place for the sport, we were winners in a different sense.
The conduct of our high school students conduct was impeccable. Teachers did not have to address indiscipline at all. Our students were well behaved and enthusiastic in cheering on their team mates.
Their conduct made me reflect on healthy, established boundaries. All children need boundaries. In fact, they thrive when boundaries are set and good structure is in place. When children are younger we teach them rules such as no hitting, no grabbing and no interrupting. When they are older it becomes a little bit more difficult especially with the social interactions they have. This is when we teach them to respect others and the boundaries others have in place for themselves.
To establish this, one has to teach them to be aware not just of themselves, but also of others. We need to teach them to have sympathy, empathy and to be conscious of the feelings of those around them. This will also eliminate any sense of entitlement, as reflection of one’s own behavior helps with self-awareness.
This was the model behavior I witnessed in our students last week. Well done to all parents and staff for their hard work in developing such respectful and conscientious young adults.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Edna
ISA 2020
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships – Michael Jordan
On Friday, 14 February the High School students took part in our annual inter-schools athletics meeting in Malmesbury. ISA has become a tradition between 5 Independent schools since 2015 and this year a 6th school joined.
Like every year before, the high school athletes trained for weeks leading up to the event, making sure to increase their strength and decrease their lap times, everyone pushing themselves harder to achieve their personal best.
Cheerleaders worked tirelessly on making sure that the students learned the pavilion formations, songs and war cries, while our fabulous dancers choreographed their own performance for the day.
Hours and hours of preparation and dedication was put in leading up to the day and it definitely showed.
Our athletes did well in all their events and the school placed 2nd for the Cheer and Spirit Cup. Athletes that placed 1st and 2nd in their respective events at ISA will compete at the Northern Zonal Competition this week and we wish them the best of luck.
I would like to congratulate the students for their outstanding behaviour on Friday. They displayed excellent teamwork, sportsmanship and made the school very proud.
PROUDLY BIS!
Yvette Fourie
Head of Sport & Extra-Curricular Activities
Year 5 Boot Camp 2020
ATTENTION!
♪ ♪ … Baaby shark-da-doo-do-do-do-doo, Baby shark… ♪ ♪
♪ ♪ … cut banana, cut, cut banana. Eat banana, eat, eat banana… ♪ ♪
ATTENTION!
An amazing time was had by all the Year 5 students who embarked on the fun filled, adventurous camp to Buffalo’s Drift run by the spectacular, experienced and energetic camp leaders of Boot Camp Cape Town.
The students were put through thought provoking, mind boggling and physical strength tasks. Each and every student braved these activities with great tenacity and commitment. Through 38 degree temperatures, no one failed! They supported, helped and motivated each other along! As a teacher, it was a special moment to have observed.
The Green team had a slogan… “Lose to Win” They decided on this slogan after a few activities through the course of the first day and it epitomizes a powerful message of team work. They had decided that they will complete as many tasks as they can, to their best ability, leaving no team member behind. Everyone was a part of the team and everyone was going to assist each other in accomplishing the tasks set out. The concept upheld the visionary of losing as an individual to win as a TEAM!
Even though the students had to partake in obstacles, to complete tasks, the true success came not from the completion of these obstacles but rather from the realization of “ACHIEVEMENT”. This was by far more valuable of a lesson to learn as it outlines one’s self worth and value.
The camp turned out to be a success as we all took something of importance from the experience. We challenged ourselves and extended our ‘ability’ boundaries.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable Will.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Nadia Mahomed
Year 5 Teacher
Fire Fighters Visit Foundation Stage
As part of our theme “people who help us” the students were learned about how important fire fighters are for the community. The school was privileged to receive a visit from the fire fighters. The firefighters informed the Foundation stage students about the importance of safety. Students need to learn from an early age that fire is not for play.
They need to learn how to protect themselves if they come into contact with fire. The fire fighters explained to the students that if their clothes were ever on fire they should stop, drop and roll. The fire fighters and some of our students demonstrated the proper technique to stop, drop and roll. As well as crawling under the smoke to get out of a burning building.
A fireman also put on all of his gear to show the students what a fireman looked like and told them they should not be afraid during a fire and hide. The firefighter told the students why they had to wear the protective gear.
During Arts and Crafts we made a fire engine by pasting different shapes together. We also used colours associated with fire (red, yellow and orange) to finger paint our background, when the paint was dry the students pasted buildings and their fire engine onto the background. We played with dress up clothes and pretended to be firefighter and doctors.
The students enjoyed learning more about our every day heroes.
Martie van Dyk
Pre Reception Teacher