IES Schools SA Tag

These were the first words the students heard me say in the German classroom in Term 4 to welcome them all back to school, online (live streamed) and in the classroom.“Be cool-gnome matter what!”

These are the words from the very cool looking garden gnome from Germany. The ‘Gartenzwerg’, in German is a very popular figure in gardens all over Germany, this all the students discovered in Term 2 in the ‘Das ist Deutsch!= That is German!’ online videos. The ceramic version of the garden gnomes are believed to have originated in Germany and are very much part of the German culture.

This week started off with great excitement as the students anxiously waited to hear about their new classes for 2021. Chatter and excitement filled the corridors as everyone hurried along to meet their new teachers.

Teachers excitedly waited to receive their new students and in the same breath sad to see their current students moving on.

The morning was spent doing fun indoor and outdoor activities. The students created beautiful art pieces as well as some model constructions. Games were played and fun was had by both teachers and students.

Even though change can seem to be daunting, it is important to know that it is essential for progress to happen.

It was a magnificent morning spent getting to know each other and even making new friends. We are all eagerly waiting on 2021.

Nadia Mahomed
Key Stage 2 Teacher

Last week Friday, our KS1 year groups held their annual Prize-giving & Awards Ceremony. Given the circumstances of this being a tough year, we felt it even more necessary that the students be rewarded for their hard work and dedication. We organised a live virtual ceremony, making sure that each student would have their moment and that all parents could be involved.

Students around the world faced a year they had never quite experienced before. Making a transition from everyday classroom activities to home learning, and online class has not been easy, but we are so proud of each and every one of you for making it through and better yet, excelling.

Seeing the progress from when we received our students in the beginning of the year to now, is incredible.

Prize-giving this year was that little bit more special, watching our students stay involved, keep a great working attitude and participate with enthusiasm – they absolutely deserve to be rewarded.

Siobhan Hendry
Key Stage 1 Teacher

It was with great excitement that we hosted our annual Foundation Stage Recognition Ceremony last Friday. Unfortunately, this year we couldn’t share our special day with our parents in person, but we were lucky enough to live stream the event to all our friends and family at home.

Each little one received a certificate special to them and their accomplishments this year.  As teachers we are exceptionally proud of all our students and it is with great excitement and a bit of sadness that we send our little ones on to the next year group.

We would also like to thank all the parents who have been there to encourage and support our students and teachers.

This year has been especially challenging, but we can definitely learn something from the students who still come to school with big smiles. They have shown great dedication and perseverance, setting a good example to all of us.

Monique Meyer
Foundation Stage Teacher

Earlier in Term 4 our Matric 2020 students’ achievements were celebrated at our very special annual Valedictory Ceremony.

Here are the top achievers of the 2020 Valedictory Ceremony 2020:

Congratulations to all the award winners. We are extremely proud of our class of 2020!

This morning at the Key Stage 2 Prize-giving ceremonies, we celebrated our students’ 2020 academic achievements.

As I watched the students celebrate their progress this year, something that really struck me was the adaptability and resilience of both our students and our school. In keeping with Covid regulations, both ceremonies were live streamed on Facebook. I suspect that if at last year’s Prize-giving, someone had told us that we would be broadcasting the next one to parents at home and at work, all the way across the city, we would have been very sceptical – but here we are!

Our students have achieved amazing results this year, and they have done so while adapting to online learning, face masks, social distancing, and so much more. Their achievements, always something to be celebrated, invite particular respect given the challenges they have faced.

Today, we took the time to celebrate our Prize-giving recipients’ achievements. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate each and every student in this school. You have been amazing this year – you can all be so proud of yourselves!

To our Prize-giving recipients: well done! We are so proud of you! Congratulations on your amazing achievements – I hope they inspire all of us to keep working hard next year!

Hannah Kirkaldy
Key Stage 2 Teacher

To learn a foreign language at an early age, or not?

“Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.” (Lead with Languages website).

There is much debate around the topic of teaching young children a second language. On the one hand, there is the argument, that children should first be proficient in their own language, before they learn a second language. For many students in our school, English is a second language, so do we add additional languages or not?

As I have been watching my Year 2 class tackle both Spanish, German and Afrikaans with enthusiasm and ever-increasing conversational skills, I believe that there is a place for additional languages in a young child’s life. The earlier they are exposed to hearing these additional languages, the easier it will be for them later in their school years, should they wish to choose the language route in our Cambridge curriculum.

Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher