Global Perspectives – Growing And Growing Up
This year the students in Year 1 are being introduced to a new subject offered by Cambridge Primary: Global Perspectives. In this programme the students will develop the skills of research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, collaboration and communication. It also offers opportunities to reinforce links with and skills learnt in English, Mathematics, Science, Art & Design, Digital Literacy, Music and Physical Education.
The Cambridge approach encourages the students to be responsible, innovative, confident, engaged and reflective.
Our first challenge in Year 1 is the topic, Growing and growing up. During our lesson time the students discussed the following, here are a few of their answers:
How do you know you are growing?
Every morning I look in the mirror and I look a little bit bigger? – Mataio
Every time you go to bed your bones grow. – Aziri
When you are growing, you get bigger and bigger and bigger. – Ifunanya
My mommy tells me I am growing. – Juliana
Why do you need to grow?
So you can get some food for your children? – Aubrey
So we can play and have fun. – Dean
So you can go to big school and so you can help your mommy when she is at work. – Defne
So you can become responsible and get a nice family. – Eva
How were you different when you were younger?
I didn’t know how to draw. – Keona
I was shorter and I couldn’t walk. – Wany
I couldn’t open the door and I couldn’t swim. – Pearce
I could crawl and I was walking with a balancer. – Stuart
Do you want to be a child or a grown-up? Why?
A child because you don’t have to worry when someone steals you because your mom and dad will help you. – Tilda
A child because then you don’t have to worry about anything and you don’t have to go to work. – Hayley
A child because I am fast. – Muhammad
A grown-up because then I can work and go to the shop and buy things. – Omar
A child because you can do more things when you are a child. When you are a grown up you have to work. – Jaanae
A grown-up because then I can do what I want to and then I can have a child and tell them what to do. – Nevaeh
We are looking forward to further discussions and learning about what games older people played when they were young.
Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher
(*Masks were removed for photograph purposes only.)
Different Habitats
The Year 2 students have been learning many different facts about various animals and their habitats.
“The most important thing is to preserve the world we live in. Unless people understand and learn about our world, habitats, and animals, they won’t understand that if we don’t protect those habitats, we’ll eventually destroy ourselves.” – Jack Hanna
It is crucial that the Year 2 students learn about different habitats as they begin to understand the importance of both living and non-living things in a habitat. In learning this, students have learnt how plants and animals have adapted in order to thrive where they live. They have learnt that without the different habitats, we would not exist, therefore it is important for us to protect and appreciate the different habitats on Earth.
“We don’t own the planet Earth; we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife.” – Steve Irwin
Some fun facts we learnt:
-Wolves are part of the dog family.
-The blue whale is much louder than a jet, which only reaches 140 decibels.
-Koala Bears choose their habitat by the group of food trees.
-The Komodo Dragon can weigh up to 150 kilograms.
-Camels have long eyelashes to protect their eyes from sand.
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
New Techniques In Art
The past two weeks the Year 6 students have been learning how to shade and add depth to their Art. They started off creating their own value scales. Value scales consist of values ranging from white to black with several shades of gray between. These shades of gray help to create the illusion of depth and tone. Once completing their very own value scales, the Year 6’s went on to shade 3D shapes and add depth to their pictures using cross hatching, smooth shading and stippling.
Finally, they had to find a real life object, place it in front of them and draw what they saw, including all the shadows that fell on the object. The Year 6’s really impressed us with their art skills and followed the different techniques perfectly.
We look forward to seeing what they come up with in future art pieces.
Brittney Hakime
Year 6 Teacher
Choose Happiness!
The start of the new school year has been a whirlwind of events and emotions. Students got the opportunity to meet their new teacher and classmates. Just as we had all settled in, we had to convert to learning online for a week…
One thing is for certain: our principal, staff, parents and students have all shown great adaptability, patience and understanding this past week.
It was wonderful to see that all my students were joining each and every lesson. Their enthusiasm and energy to keep learning, despite the various challenges, is absolutely amazing to experience. The thing that really sticks out to me is seeing their beautiful, bright smiling faces every single lesson. Even though we have been thrown a curveball and had to learn online for the week, they are still happy and eager to participate in lessons and share their answers and ideas.
Change is never easy and we will have to deal with unexpected changes and challenges throughout our lives. It is, however, up to us how we choose to navigate through those challenges.
“Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from you.” – Ralph Marston
Have a look at the beautiful photos the students shared of things that make them happy.
Do yourself a favour and choose happiness.
Ria du Plessis
Year 4 Teacher
Learning New Skills
In Year 1, we are teaching our students to become independent and responsible. They are learning to do things for themselves, which are very important skills for children to learn and carry into their adulthood. It may feel like you are taking a risk at first, allowing them to feed the dog, or pour their own drink, but without taking a risk, we are not allowing our children to try and master new skills.
When independence grows a child’s confidence also grows. As they master new skills or take on some responsibility, they begin to see themselves as being capable. This gives them added confidence and makes them more likely to try out new things.
Life is full of choices, and learning how to make good decisions is crucial. You can help your child by giving simple choices early on. You might ask them which game they would like to play or which friend they would like to invite over. Go on give it a try…
Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 Teacher
Pre-Reception And Nursery – All About Me And My Family!
The Pre-Reception and Nursery students are starting to settle in beautifully into the class routine. This week we are learning about “All about me and my family”. The theme is to help children learn about each other and each other’s families and to realize that every person is unique and special. All our activities help them get to know the special and unique things about themselves and each other.
During creative activities we painted hands to make their handprints to decorate their art files and to see that all their hands and finger prints are different. The students were also encouraged to build their houses out of blocks. Circle Time was used to learn about the social skills of being together as a group and to learn more about the theme.
All our activities are centered around the theme the students are really having fun learning about themselves, their little friends and their families!
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception & Nursery Teacher
Reflective Learning In Year 5
The Year 5’s started off the year excited and ready to learn. After enthusiastically greeting old friends and welcoming new ones, we got down to the business of learning.
One of the fantastic things about Cambridge learning is that it is reflective. The students are actively engaged in their own learning, building knowledge rather than simply receiving it. The Year 5’s implemented this right from the start of their learning, starting a KWL chart about the topic we are covering this term – Space! A KWL chart makes notes of what we Know, what we Would like to know and what we have Learnt.
Did you know that Jupiter has 79 moons, but only 53 of them have names? Or that we currently know of about 100 billion galaxies in the universe? Jupiter is the planet that spins the fastest, and Mercury is very hot during the day and very cold at night. These are some of the interesting facts that we shared in our first Science lesson!
As we go through the term, we’ll keep adding what we learn to our chart, watching our knowledge build throughout the term. We’ll look at the questions we had at the beginning, and see whether they have been answered, or whether we still have more research to do. Who knows – perhaps this is where some budding astronauts start their flight!
We look forward to seeing all our students fly high this year!
Hannah Kirkaldy
Year 5 Teacher
First Day Of Year 1
The first day of year 1 is always very exciting, it is the beginning of the students formal schooling. The students arrived at school full of anticipation for the big day and the year ahead. This is what they want to learn about this year.
I want to learn to read books. – Keona
I want to learn about animals. – Wany
I want to learn about rainbows. – Juliana
I am excited to learn more Maths. – Tilda
I want to learn Maths. – Pearce
I want to learn to read books on my own. – Hayley
I want to learn about reading. – Ifunanya
I want to learn about pets. – Mataio
I want to learn harder sums. – Jaanae
I want to learn more Maths. – Eva
I want to learn about science. – Muhammad
I want to learn about growing up. – Neveah
I want to learn about my friends and my teacher. – Defne
I am confident that by the end of the year they will have learnt these things and so much more.
Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher
Racing To End Off Year 2
“Play, while we cannot change the external realities of children’s lives, can be a vehicle for children to explore and enjoy their differences and similarities and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world where everyone is an equal and valued participant.” – Patricia G. Ramsey
Even though it was a short week, the Year 2 teachers found it important for our students to wind down after a fun Term together in what has been a trying year.
They enjoyed teaming up from all three classes to get involved in relay races. The students ran their little hearts out with the biggest smiles on their faces. The fresh air created endorphins, which made them feel great. Challenging oneself in running and races helps build confidence in our abilities and what one can achieve, which helps us develop self-belief and happiness. It is unbelievable that the year has come to an end, I speak for all three Year 2 teachers when I say we could not be more proud of our students for getting through this year and still manage to keep a bright and positive attitude.
We look forward to watching you all grow in 2021.
Something to keep in mind this December Holiday is that, “Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls.” – Erin Kenny
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk, 4 December 2020
Dear Parents
Amid much uncertainty, I wish to reassure you that as we are ending off this term, we are already planning for Term 1 of 2021.
We will continue to provide our children with the best education during this time.
We lost 0 days in academic time and could proudly celebrate our students last week at the prize-giving ceremonies. You will continue to receive excellent education and thorough communication from the school.
Our high school students finished their last examinations on Wednesday, 02 December and the teachers are currently preparing their results.
Our last day of school will be on Wednesday, 09 December and holiday care will resume until the 18th of December. Holiday care will also start on 04 January 2021 for the new academic calendar year.
We will communicate the 2021 school opening and closing times with you by next week.
UNIFORM STORE INFORMATION
Please note the Hatrick online store will be closed for orders from 18 December 2020 to 6 January 2020.
- For orders placed after 11 December 2020 at 12h00 to get your order before 2020 ends, please select the courier to home/specified address. If not, your order will only be delivered to the school in the week starting 11 January 2021.
- For orders placed between 6 and 8 January 2021, please note if you select delivery to school, the order will arrive at the school in the week starting 11 January 2021.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead.
Kind regards
Edna
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