MESSAGE FROM BELINDA WILLOWS

1. Bed zone. Encourage parents and kids to set down their phones when it’s bedtime. There is something special

about the time when parents are putting their children to bed for the night. It is such a great time for parents to

talk with their children, pray with their children, read a story with their children, etc.

2. Meal zone. Don’t invite digital devices as guests to the table during meal time. Meal time is a perfect

opportunity to have face-to-face conversations and bond as a family.

3. Outside zone. Encourage parents to get out and enjoy the great outdoors with their children without digital

distractions. Enjoy parks and playgrounds uninterrupted.

4. Travel zone. This can be a challenge, especially on long trips. But keep in mind that the car can be a great

place for important conversations to take place. This is especially true at times like the ride home after school.

5. Holiday zone. Holidays are one of the key times when parents can make memories with their children. Help

them see how important it is to not let their phones cause them to miss the moment. Many times parents feel

the pressure to capture every moment so they can share it with family and friends on Facebook or Instagram.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing family moments on social media, unless it becomes more important than

enjoying the family moment itself.

When it’s time to ‘be’ with your child turn off technology. You will be sending him a heart message that there is

nothing more important in the world than him. Let’s put down our phones and spend time connecting directly

with one another.

Warm regards

Belinda Willows

Acting Head of School

Dear Parents

Children spell TRUST as T-I-M-E. Parents spending time

with their children face-to-face and investing in them by

truly being in the moment with them is priceless.

Cell phones can be a great tool for families. They can help

us stay connected, keep a closer tab on where our

children are, provide quick access to information and

much more. But cell phones can also dominate families’

time and attention if we, as parents, are not intentional

about how and when we use them. I wonder how much

of our time is spent looking into a screen when we could

be looking into the faces of our children? How much of

the time are we interacting with our phones instead of

interacting with our children?

Dale Hudson, author named as one of the Top 20

Influencers in Children’s Ministry, suggests, “One way you

can equip parents is by encouraging them to set up ‘no-

phone zones’. These are spaces where families agree that

everyone will put down their phone and spend time

connecting directly with each other. There are five no-

phone zones you can agree on. And for this to be

effective, parents will have to lead by example.”

STAFF NEWS

What a privilege it is to be able to write and say thank you and congratulations to an exceptional teacher, who also happens to be my mother. Highbury has been blessed to have you at their service for the last 15 years. You have tackled each and every task with grace and sophistication and you have empowered many boys over the years. I am so incredibly proud of the teacher that you have been, and the way in which you have conducted yourself - always with poise and grace. You have been a shining example to your boys, and have managed to evolve and keep abreast of new trends, which is testament to your determination and professional work ethic. Highbury has been a part of our family for many years, and you will leave a lasting legacy behind you. Sad farewells are given to those who are extremely prized and special, and you are no exception to this. It is wonderful for you to be able to leave on such a positive note and be able to create new memories that will last a lifetime, as you travel the world and spend time with your family. You will be loved and appreciated wherever you go, and I wish you well in this new chapter…………… Taryn Essery

We welcome Bev Black, who joins the Highbury family as

Human Resources Practitioner, in a part-time capacity. She

is an Industrial & Organizational Psychologist and

Registered Counsellor, with extensive experience in Human

Resource management. Her areas of special interest

include HR Strategy consulting, performance management,

talent management, organizational transformation/change

management diagnosing development needs and

designing interventions, coaching/counselling, skills audits,

climate surveys, employee learning and development

(training manuals/interventions) and psychometric

assessments. Welcome to the team, Bev!

FAREWELL DI ARDE

Three generations together at Highbury – Di Arde, daughter Taryn and granddaughter Farrah-Leigh

Welcome to Highbury

STAFF NEWS

Mrs Des Dunstone has been a much-loved member of the Highbury staff for many years. She is respected and loved by her colleagues as a caring friend and dedicated teacher. She acted as a mother and counsellor to many, both staff and boys alike, and she is well known as an avid gardener with a passion for the environment.

Mrs Dunstone joined Highbury as a locum in September 1994 Grade 1, and then settled into the Foundation phase as a Grade 3 teacher. She soon proved herself as a lady of many talents - and this ‘Little lady’ had ‘Big dreams’. She set up and ran the FP computer room and taught the Grade R to 3 lads in the then FP computer lab.

FAREWELL DES DUNSTONE

Mrs Dunstone was also part of the team who is always maintaining and beautifying the Highbury gardens and estate. She led the school in the dream of becoming an eco-school, encouraging recycling and environmental awareness amongst the boys and the parents, ensuring that Highbury received their international flags in 2015.

Mrs Dunstone we will miss you, but your legacy will live on in all of those whose lives you have touched in so many ways. Highbury will miss you! …….Michelle de Beer

In 2011 she started Highbury off on the iPad route, never imagining that she would be the stalwart and pioneer for HUGE things to come. Mrs Dunstone is well- loved and respected in schools near and far. She has certainly built up contacts throughout the world, inspiring those around her, enthusing those in need and convincing even the ‘unbelievers’ in the teaching world of the successes that can be experienced through technology.

Welcome to our new staff members!

Jennifer Wesson joins us as our San Sister and

Thabo Mthembu joins our Cap 'n Chino

team as our Barista.

A warm welcome to the Highbury family!

Des has led Highbury in the charge to become one of the most respected primary schools in the technology era, especially on the iPad front. She is always willing to give advice and share her passion. She truly lives our motto ‘Jamais Arriere’ - making sure that Highbury is never behind.

Welcome to Highbury

DR SEUSS’ BIRTHDAY

Did you know Dr Seuss was born one year after Highbury was founded? We celebrated this well-loved icon's birth date with, in his own words, "A whole lot of nonsense to wake up the brain cells!" Funky Hats, Crazy

Socks, Brain-boggling Quizzes, Wacky Poem-writing, Zany Art, and a Thingy Photo-booth too!

WEAVERS’ NEST

GRADE R

Our Grade Rs had a tremendous morning learning all about the letter

‘T'. Our boys brought their Terrific Teddies, wore their Dad's Ties and loved their Tractor ride around our

beautiful 11 hectare estate.

Gr 0000 learning new songs throughmovement, creating greater body

awareness.

Nomcebo relaxes in the Book Corner with a humorous story book.

Benet is completely absorbed in his story book. The books in Grade 0000 are hard covered, durable and

full of bright pictures, textures and topics to stimulate interest in the world around us.

Block play affords the children with an early start in developing numeracy skills and exploring size and shape.

Luke tackling woodwork during free play in the Weavers Nest. Woodwork is an excellent

way of developing fine motor skills and is popular with both girls and boys.

FOUNDATION PHASE

Our Grade 1s have been very responsible by charging, caring for and keeping their ‘test chipboard’ iPads safe! The boys are counting the sleeps to when they will receive their

real iPads for some hands-on, innovative learning fun!

In celebration of Library Week, the Grade 1 and 2 boys were sent an invitation for their fluffy toys to spend the night in the Library. After having stories read to them by Mrs MacLeod, they were supposed to all settle for the night, however … it was very clear they didn’t! The boys all had fun watching their naughty antics on the computer the

following day!

Our Grade 3 boys are thoroughly enjoying Techno Club led by Mrs James. Here the boys have been given the

opportunity to experiment, design, create and learn more about coding. Some activities are in groups or pairs to

encourage discussion and collaboration, sharing ideas and working together.

The Grade 2s had a great deal of fun learning about dental care. After the lesson the boys went to the bathroom to practise what they had learnt in their

Health lesson.

SENIOR PRIMARY

We are so excited to introduce marimbas into our musical programme this year! These beautiful instruments are housed in

our new music rooms adjacent to staff parking. Here our Grade 7s are pictured enjoying the marimbas.

Grade 4s are learning a new skill and are crocheting blankets for the Robin Hood Foundation.

Never a dull moment in Mr Harris’ Science class!

The Highbury 1st Rugby Team played in the Ralph Cawood Festival hosted by Pelham Senior Primary at the UKZN Rugby grounds in Pietermaritzburg. They won all three of their games! Well played boys!

Thank you to Charles Jorgensen for these great pics!

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION GOLF DAY

Our boys just love their annual visit smiles all around!

Our 2017 Highbury Golf Day, took place on Friday 3 March at the beautiful Kloof Country Club. We are so grateful to Dale Cooke and our Parents’ Association for

organizing yet another successful fundraising event. Thanks are also extended to our very generous sponsors

who have supported the day.

2017 Sponsors

CULTURAL AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Our boys just love their annual visit smiles all around!

Highbury Old Boy, William Lyle (Grade 7 2011), assisted with orchestra rehearsals in February. He matriculated in 2016 and offered his services to assist boys playing the saxophone. Two other matriculants, Matthew Welch

(guitar) and Daniel Bedi (violin) subsequently also joined us before heading off to university.

Their assistance was greatly appreciated and they were a great inspiration to the boys.

iPad music lessons are offered at Highbury. Grade 4-7 boys can be taught individually or in groups to compose their own music using the Garageband app.

Please email Gill Scott gill@hps.co.za for details if your son is interested.

The Grade 5V boys participated in an isiZulu Festival held on Friday 17 March, hosted by Hillcrest Primary School. The boys embraced this cultural outing and much fun was had by all.

SPORT & ACHIEVEMENTS

Tayne Collingwood, Grade 1, came 1st in his

age group at the KZN Kids’ Golf Tournament

held at the AmanzimtotiGolf Course.

Highway “A” League Swimming Gala

Highbury swam in partnership with St. Mary’s DSG. We competed against 5 other schools and managed to take

the no. 1 spot, beating Westville SP by one point!

The boys all swam extremely well but notice must be given to the U10 group who won all their events.

What a terrific way to end the swimming season!

Trent Marchand, Grade 4 took 2nd place in the U11 age category, and 25th overall in

the half-distance Epworth MudmanTriathlon, held at Albert Falls Dam.

Reece Brown, Grade 5, came 2nd in the U12 SA Kids Golf Tournament.

Wyatt MacGregor, Grade 5, won the Bronze Medal at the KZN Karate Tournament.

Caleb Fyvie, Grade 6, has been selected to

represent the U13 Ethekwini Primary School Tennis Team in

the Inter-Regional Championships.

James Sebire, Grade 7, came 2nd in breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke at the Splash Series Gala.

Tennis KZN Masters (pictured left)

U14: Singles Winner: James EdleyRunner up: Alex Edley

Doubles Winner: James Edley and partnerRunner up: Alex Edley and Tristan Sebire

U12: Singles Runner up - Caleb Fyvie

SPORT & ACHIEVEMENTS

Charlton Webb-Smith, Grade 1, was awarded a

gold medal for Kumite under 8 and a silver

medal for Kata (sequential moves) in a karate

competition at the end of 2016.

Calvin Benson, Grade 1, competed in the KZN

JKA Championships for Karate over half-term

and won a silver medal for Kata and a bronze

medal for Kumite. Well done to all the other

Highbury boys who also competed and did so

well at this event.

KZN Athletics Championships ResultsCongratulations to the following boys (pictured above) who participated in the KZN Championships on Fri 10

and Sat 11 February and were awarded Medals for their achievements:

Ruben Visagie Gold for 1st place U11 1500mRheese Hall Gold for 1st place U11 Shot PutLuca Borrageiro Bronze for 3rd place U11 High JumpAlexander Schoombee Bronze for 3rd place U11 Long JumpJason Brien Silver for 2nd place U13 Shot PutLuke Farndell Silver for 2nd place U13 800m

Our Waterpolo 1st Team on tour at KES in Johannesburg. Their first game played was against Crawford College and they

won 15-1! Well done, boys!

SNIPPETS

Our boys just love their annual visit smiles all around!

TERM CALENDAR 2018

TERM 1: 16/01 - 23/03

Half term: 16/02 - 19/02Public Holiday: 21 March

TERM 2: 10/04 - 22/06Half term: 27/04 - 01/05

Public Holidays: 27 April; 1 May; 16 June

TERM 3: 17/07 - 28/09

Half term: 08/08 - 12/08Public Holidays: 9 August; 24 September

TERM 4: 09/10 - 30/11Half term: 26/10 - 29/10

THE JES FOORD FOUNDATION

There has been an appeal from the Jes FoordFoundation for second hand books – both adult andchildren reading material. Should you wish todonate any previously loved books to this worthycause please place them in the boxes outside the FPand SP reception areas. These will be taken tothe shared charity shop, run by Social CauseAgency.

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Social-Cause-

Agency-1610860149231889/

UPPER HIGHWAY AIR

Highbury management, together with members of the Upper Highway Air NPO, met with representatives from EnviroServ and we were encouraged to hear that they are now focused at the highest level on urgently resolving the emissions problem. We also met with a representative from the DEA who outlined the process now that the National Prosecuting Authority has taken a decision to prosecute EnviroServ. This announcement was made by Advocate Moipone Noko on Monday, 27th February 2017. It is clear that all stakeholders are engaging and working with EnviroServ towards finding a solution. A team of local and international experts have been commissioned to collect accurate scientific data. This will establish what exactly is in the air. A toxicology report will be released in April – these facts and data will form the basis of our decision going forward. Thank you for your support.

Wednesday is newspaper recycling day! Our strong Eco-warriors are pictured carrying their 'loot' to

our recycling bins. Did you know for every 1000kgs of paper that is recycled it saves 17 trees?

As an Eco-School we are committed to doing our part in all things Green. Please take note of the

following recycling efforts our school is involved in:

Aluminium and metal cans: Tuesday: outside Mrs MacLeod’s classroom

Paper and clean cardboard: Wednesday – outside Mrs MacLeod’s classroom

No. 2 Plastic Thursday – big bins outside Centenary Hall (watch

this space)

Ink Cartridges Bin in the libraryOld batteries Bin in the library

Bread tags Mrs Thwaites

Dear Parents, As part of our whole school ongoing community outreach, we will once again be blessing under-privileged members of our community with Easter Eggs. Please could every pupil bring a minimum of two strips of Easter Eggs to their form teacher by Friday 24 March 2017. We would like to thank you in advance for your continued support.