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2018

Mon

22 Oct

Trinity Music Exams

18:30 – 21:15 Gr 6 Maths Brain Sprain @

Wynberg

Wed

24 Oct

08:30 Grade R ASB Testing

Trinity Music Exams

Thu

25 Oct

08:00 PP Class Reps Meeting

08:30 Grade R ASB Testing

SS Music Interviews for Grade 7s

18:30 – 20:00 Diversity Talk by Prof. Jansen at

SS

Fri

26 Oct

14:20 Gala @ Herschel

Eco Club rescheduled to 16 November

Dear Parents I would like to begin by thanking you all for the unbelievable outpouring of love at the tragic news of Kit’s passing. This morning as parents, girls and staff lay flowers, cards and messages in the studio, the impact of her remarkable legacy was felt by all. We send our deepest condolences to her son Kian, her partner Richard, Peter, family and friends. We will communicate with parents and girls with regard to our plans to celebrate and commemorate Kit’s life in due course. During the course of today girls have continued to talk about the imprint of love that she leaves in their lives. Many of the girls shared stories of her kindness, sense of joy, bubbling laughter and constant smile. Over the weeks ahead, I know that further sharing and conversation will be had about this remarkable teacher.

HERSCHEL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Message from our Head

MUSIC

LIBRARY PRE-PREPARATORY FOUNDATION INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR

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Our termly theme, COURAGE was launched during this week’s assembly. Courage is the choice and willingness to confront

uncertainty, intimidation, challenge, danger and pain. It is the ability to do something that frightens you. It is the strength to

face difficult or dangerous situations. I explained to the girls that there are 6 attributes to courage, namely:

1. Belief in yourself

2. A strong self-image

3. Strong values

4. Recognise personal capabilities (one’s strengths and weaknesses)

5. Passion

6. Purpose

We explored these attributes using practical examples from the lives of the girls to help them to gain a good understanding of

what the value of each of these attributes is. We then looked at how we could grow and build courage during the course of

the term ahead. Building a courageous mindset is vital for our girls in order to ensure a life that is lived to the full. As parents

it would be wonderful if you could help your girls to focus on how to build courage using the points below:

1. Be mindful – ask advice, reflect, plan

2. Embrace your fear – understand what you fear

3. Make a choice to take a step

4. Know that it will be uncomfortable, get outside your comfort zone

5. Practise and build confidence

The most difficult part of leading a full life is to believe that if we have the courage to pursue them, our dreams can come true.

Developing behaviours that build courage will enable your daughters to begin to understand when life does not go as we expect

it to we need to choose to look for support, make a plan and keep moving forward. Developing behaviours that build courage

can be done by you as parents, in everyday life, by encouraging your daughters to follow the steps below:

1. Take risks and accept failure

2. Have confidence and believe you can

3. Avoid comparing yourself to others

4. Talk your choice through with someone

5. Find out the cause of your fear

6. Use obstacles to your benefit

7. Keep moving forward

Bethany Hamilton is an American professional surfer who survived a shark attack in 2003. Her left arm was bitten off but she

returned to the circuit and was victorious. I shared her story with the girls and reminded them that even when life sends us

challenges, difficulties and curve balls we have a choice as to how we will move forward in life.

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Pre-Prep

Foundation Phase

There was much excitement on the morning of the Big Walk. Girls

arrived in their walking shoes eager to step out into nature. The

camaraderie and chatting made for a wonderful atmosphere! The

morning ended with the much anticipated picnic. Enjoying the time with

family and friends was a highlight for the girls.

On Friday 12 October the Grade 1s and 2s completed their Big Walk at

the Green Belt in Le Seuer Avenue, Constantia. The girls were very

excited to take part in the 2018 Blisters for Bread and got off to a quick

start. It was a lovely morning and the cool breeze ensured that the girls

and parents weren’t too tired at the end of the route. Everyone enjoyed

a picnic together to end a fun and enjoyable morning.

Yesterday the Grade 1s went on an outing to The Clay Café, situated in

the heart of the valley of Hout Bay. The girls enjoyed a creative morning

choosing from a vast array of pottery pieces and a wide selection of

colourful paints and tools to create their own personal ceramic

masterpieces. They then enjoyed a picnic in the luscious garden and

made good use of the innovative playground.

Congratulations to our Foundation Phase

Stars of the Week!

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Senior Phase

Intermediate Phase

Eco Club

Outreach

We will continue to sell ice creams at first break every Wednesday and

Friday. All proceeds go towards the Herschel Outreach Fund. Thank you

for your continued support!

A reminder that all Blisters for Bread forms are to be returned to class

teachers no later than 31 October 2018

In the third term, some of our aspiring Grade 6 writers submitted poems

or short stories in the South African Literacy Association (SALA) writing

competition. We are very proud of Katie Mills for her short story and

Anna Searson for her poem. Both these girls received certificates for

their excellent work.

The Grade 4s spent a beautiful Thursday morning Mathematics lesson

exploring Data Handling. They tallied the colours of cars around the

school campus and spent the rest of the lesson completing a

questionnaire under the trees on the grass.

Our General Knowledge team consisting of Rozanna Clarke, Chloë

Coutts-Trotter, Sarah Jensen, Yumnaa Rawoot, Chelsea Thompson and

Julia Wellington participated in the final round of the Interschool

General Knowledge Quiz this week. Many of the questions were

challenging but our girls acquitted themselves extremely well and

finished in fourth place, tying with SACS and Herzlia. We are very proud

of our General Knowledge team.

Please Note: Due to staff development, Eco Club will no longer be held

on 26 October. It has been rescheduled to the 16 November.

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Recycling at Herschel Oasis began as Oasis Special School in 1952 where it provided education for learners with intellectual disability who were

excluded from mainstream schooling. As the children grew older, there was the challenge of finding work for these pupils. In

response, Oasis Protective Workshop was opened where the children transition from school into a job.

Oasis is a national organisation that provides employment for people with intellectual disabilities and support for their

families. Read more about this organisation on: https://oasis.org.za/

Each Tuesday, the Oasis truck collects recycling from Herschel. Below is a list of the goods that can be recycled. Notice that

most of the plastic wrapping generated by food packaging is unable to be recycled. This plastic can however, be rinsed and

placed into a 2 litre cooldrink bottle to form an eco-brick. Eco bricks need to be filled to capacity, which means the plastic

needs to be pressed in from the bottom up! These can be brought to school and delivered to the Technology classroom once

their mass is between 450 and 500g. Look at the link to find out more about this worthwhile initiative.

https://www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/how-to-make-ecobricks-reducing-waste-at-home

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As the week draws to a close, the sense of sadness and despair can be felt throughout Herschel and the extended community.

There was a quietness today that is contrary to the usual Friday atmosphere at the Prep. I have no doubt that during the course

of this weekend most of us will think often of Kit’s family and friends. My hope is that they will be surrounded by the love,

care and support of all those who loved her dearly.

I ask that you keep them all in your thoughts and prayers as you spend time with your own precious families this weekend.

Warm regards

Mrs B. Heidmann

Head of Preparatory

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