Message Of Thanks And Hope
Let us show our appreciation to them by making a poster and putting it in a window, closest to the street, in our homes, to say thank you to all the essential workers in our communities. We could even put a fluffy toy in the window with a speech bubble giving a message of thanks to those who are helping us. People driving past will see that we appreciate all the essential workers in our communities.
Lets see if we can start a movement in the area we live by showing messages of support in the windows of our homes.
Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher
Let Them Play!
As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all confronted with uncertainty. Research tells us that uncertainty increases anxiety and worry in both children and adults. We cannot remove much of the uncertainty we currently face, but what we can do is look for opportunities to feel some certainty and control. For this reason, following a normal routine and having some structure to the day is likely to be useful for kids and parents.
Attempting to school children at home puts pressure on parents at a time when anxiety is high. This is not helpful for them or their children. An alternative is to let the children play at certain times. The benefits of play are ranging. When children have more opportunities for play, they have better physical and mental health. It significantly decreases their stress levels, and more importantly it facilitates learning. Examples of play activities include building dens, dressing up, play dough or sensory play.
What is sensory play?
Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates a young child’s sense of touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing, as well as anything which engages movement and balance. Sensory play is not video games and TV. We use our sight and our hearing for those activities but sensory play involves actively engaging the senses to discover and explore the world around us.
Some examples of sensory play:
Sensory play for toddlers– observing light and shadow created by torch light on objects of different sizes, or watching colours mix and the patterns formed by finger painting.
Sensory play for pre-school aged children- creating shapes and playing with sand, or playing with musical instruments and listening to the tone and pitch as they strike or blow through instruments softly or forcefully.
The benefits of sensory play:
Many well-known early years pioneers such as Montessori, Froebel and Goldschmid recognised the importance of sensory play as a fundamental experience for a child’s growth and development. Such benefits include:
- Experimentation skills and recognition of the sense used during the exploration of different items.
- Attention and concentration by focusing on the given stimuli, such as exploring a light box or torches with coloured cellophane.
- Increased hand/eye co-ordination and both gross and fine motor skills.
A lack of sensory play leads to the brain not getting accurate information about its surroundings. As the child gets older, experts typically refer to this as a sensory processing disorder. A lack of sensory play may lead to a child with anxiety and poor coordination. It can also lead to difficulty learning and paying attention. It’s important to give the child ample practice in all the senses.
That is why its best to let them play!
Martie van Dyk
Reception Year Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk, 9 April 2020
Dear Parents
Here are a few ways to remain positive during this time:
- Set boundaries and take care of yourself, both mentally and physically.
- Take time away from the online world (internet, social media, emails etc.).
- Pursue a neglected hobby or take up a new one.
- Keep informed about the situation, but do not become burdened with negativity.
- Reach out to others (within the boundaries of social distancing) and be a blessing in someone’s life.
- Make time for family activities and value the time spent with loved ones.
There is a writer in you, in all of us! This is the perfect time to write that story which may prove to be the inspiration someone else so desperately seeks.
We are all looking forward to hearing our President say that our lives are going back to normal, but hopefully this experience will affect our perception of normal; hopefully it will have taught us new skills and offer us a different way of looking at life.
I wish you all a blessed Easter weekend and hope you enjoy some wonderful family time.
Edna
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From the Principal’s Desk, 3 April 2020
Dear Parents
Welcome to Term 2. Most of us are working from home and juggling our jobs and the education of our children. This can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially with all the challenges at the moment. I wish to reassure you that this is a season; this too shall pass, and we will overcome!
In our household we are trying to focus on the positive. Whilst my husband is working as he normally would and is able to leave home, I am stuck in the dining room, caught between Mathematics and English comprehension… not to mention the PEEL paragraphs and the 350-word essays!
So how do we look at things positively?
- I get to spend more time with my daughter.
- I realized again today that relationships between colleagues are so important and the little daily interactions we take for granted are sorely missed during a time like this! I work with a group of special people and observing how they encourage one another is special indeed.
- I can teach my daughter new skills such as cross stitch, embroidery, baking and cooking. (and learn the Math on Sparx!)
- I am encouraged by the numerous messages from parents and students and their positive attitudes during this time.
The system of online learning is as new to us as it is to you and there will be bumps in the road and challenges to overcome, but we will get there if we work together and communicate openly. Ensure that your children work as independently as possible and follow their normal school timetable with regards to daily lessons. Please contact the relevant teacher or staff member should you encounter a problem or have a query. No question is a stupid question. We are here to help and assist and to go the extra mile!
This morning I read an encouraging poem that I hope will be an encouragement to you too.
“When this is over, may we never again take for granted a handshake with a stranger, full shelves at the store, conversations with neighbors, a crowded theater, Friday nights out, the taste of communication, a routine checkup, a school rush each morning, coffee with a friend, the stadium roaring, each deep breath, a boring Tuesday, life itself.
When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be, and may we stay that way – better for each other because of the worst. “– Laura Kelly Fanucci
Until things normalise, we are at your service via email, telephone calls, messages and Engage!
Wishing you all health and safety!
Edna
WATCH: Term 2 Welcome Message From Mrs Lawrence
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Year 2 Ostrich Farm Outing 2020
The Year 2 students had the pleasure of visiting the Ostrich Farm recently where they were fortunate enough to be taught the life cycle of an Ostrich and facts about their skeletons. Interesting facts such as their eyes are bigger than their brain and they are the world’s largest bird.
They spent their lunch break on the lush green lawns where they met two beautiful cheetahs and some lovable, yet hungry, goats…
A valuable life lesson the students also learned, according to Gamelihle Masuku, was “If an Ostrich comes after you, it is important that you lie on the floor and cover your head”.
An extremely interesting and enjoyable outing overall, we are all looking forward to visiting the Ostrich Farm again shortly.
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
From The Principal’s Desk, 12 March 2020
Dear Parents
I realize more and more that time is a precious commodity. We are facing various threats and challenges in our lives and we all deal with these in our own way.
At the moment we are all very aware of the COVID-19 virus and the threat it poses. We are taking preventative measures and have strategies in place should a crisis situation arise in the Western Cape. I am mindful that as parents we have concerns and we need to plan. It is vital, however, that we do not panic or overreact.
We have a few more days until the end of the term and we are all looking forward to spending time with our families. This is a good time to reflect; spend time with our children and plan for the possibilities of what we might face.
Next week Key Stage 1 will have a Spelling Bee on Monday and Tuesday. School will close earlier on Wednesday, but aftercare will be available.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday ahead and I hope we all return with renewed vigour and strength.
Best wishes
Edna
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
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
From The Principal’s Desk, 14 February 2020
Dear Parents
It was an absolute pleasure to see our students dress up for the civvies day yesterday. What was even more awesome to see, is how the love was shared through friendships and that the emphasis was on loving one another as friends.
This is a key lesson of kindness and care that should be instilled at a very young age.
In our newsletter last week, I shared on the challenges we as educators face at school regarding cyber bullying, so called “freedom of speech” in Whatsapp groups and the negative effect it has on our children. Sadly, this is not a teenage problem, but students as young as 9 years old, are bombarded with content on their phones which are not age appropriate.
We had the pleasure of hosting a talk with Emma Sadleir last night and we are very grateful to the parents who made the effort to come and listen. We wish to commend each and every one who attended last night as it showed your support in raising a generation equipped to deal with the technological challenges.
We will schedule another session with her to address our students soon. It is vital that we are aware of the beast we deal with and as parents to be equipped to train our children.
Have a wonderful weekend of shared love with family and friends
Best regards
Edna
Winning At Maths
I am going to give you some advice on how you can revise with your child at home, improve their confidence in the subject and encourage them to want to learn:
- Make the exercise hands-on, place things in front of your child to help them see and feel the problem.
- Make use of Mathletics – this is a fun, engaging way for your child to practice work learnt, at home.
- Ask your child to explain how they got to their answer. They will recall information and you will understand their thought process.
- Ask questions daily when you aren’t doing extra work, such as “what’s the time?” or “How many bananas would we need to buy if each person got 3?” – This will help your child relate Math’s to real life problems.
- Mistakes are good! It is a learning curve for your child.
Allow
Thinking to
Happen
Things the Year 6’s suggested that help them learn:
- Constantly practicing
- Having someone sit down with them and going over what they don’t understand
- Using blocks
- Working in a group
- Asking questions
- When work is explained using games
- Correcting their mistakes
- Motivation
“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms. Mathematics is about understanding.” — William Paul Thurston
Brittney Hakime
Year 6 Teacher