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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - General Overview

Some changes were introduced at the beginning of 2015 such as the teachers remaining in their classes while the children moved between lessons and the timetable set according to ‘days 1-5’. In addition, the cycle test periods were rescheduled within teachers’ timetables and not on a specific day. The children, in particular the Grade Fours, responded magnificently and, with guidance and reminding from their teachers, they adapted to the new systems smoothly.

This year the ‘bubble’ of three classes reached Grade 4, necessitating the need for 3 classes instead of the usual two in each grade. One again, the challenges presented by this were dealt with effectively by teachers and children alike.

The new teachers, Miss Carla Paulo and Miss Monique Louw relied on their colleagues to assist, mentor and guide them so that they could adapt to the needs of the pupils and

manage the many other demands made of them. The Art Exhibition in the first term, co-arranged by Miss Louw was a great success in many ways as was her initiative of the school blog. I am confident that these two ladies will be valuable assets in future.

The International Benchmarking Tests, written under the auspices of the Australian Council for Educational Research, yielded some outstanding results. We were particularly proud of Melinda Reyneke and Sarah Kwon who attained the top marks in South Africa for Natural Sciences in their grades. The overall results underscore the sound teaching and excellent work ethic of those students who did well.

I have been most impressed by the sensible conduct shown by all of the Grade Sevens. The members of the JEC that were elected showed a refreshing level of maturity, quiet confidence and humility. They conducted themselves with minimal guidance and adult control. These young adults were excellent examples for the younger children to follow, abiding by rules, having fun and being prepared to work hard to achieve their goals. I remember seeing them ‘mucking in’ with brooms and dustpans, cleaning the hall in preparation for the Valentine’s Social, as well as coming up with innovative ways to raise funds. They ensured that the hall was spotless before the evening ended and they went home. Of course, it was encouraging to see parents supporting them in their endeavours. We had dads braaing, then supplying a portable generator when load shedding threatened to ruin the

evening, and generally allowing their children to have fun in a responsible way.

Academic scrolls were awarded to Bailey Wilson and Academic Half colours were attained by Kayla O’Bree. Full colours were awarded to Prisha Brijraj, Cheyenne de Sousa, Jade du Preez and to Tiago Teixeira who was the Dux for 2015. The Principal’s Award was received by Bianca van Zyl.

Out of the classrooms is has been a busy year with most students making the most of the opportunities afforded them. While our students have participated in various team and individual sports, they also visited other schools for public speaking, quiz and chess evenings. The Toastmasters course that some Grade Sevens attended resulted in much personal growth, increased confidence and improved oral communication.

I am aware of the interest and encouragement that parents have shown in their children during this critical stage of their growth and I thank you for being supportive and essential partners in your child’s development.PCS is a dynamic, busy place and we strive to be flexible and proactive in adapting our teaching and management systems so that the students can become the best they can be. While time-trusted traditions are important to maintain, it may also be necessary to keep an open mind and make adjustments that best prepare the students for their continued learning. Our school is a great one, blessed with a unique flavour, wonderful children and dedicated academic and support staff.

Mr P.J. Dickinson – Deputy Principal, Senior Preparatory Phase.

General Overviewactivities | inter-schOOl Quiz niGht

On a Thursday evening, 19 March, twelve smart and enthusiastic Grade 7 children formed three teams with the shared goal of proudly representing The Pretoria Chinese School at an inter-school Quiz Night; and that is exactly what they did. CBC Mount Edmund hosted the event and there was an outstanding turnout with over thirty teams participating from schools across Pretoria. Our children were bursting at the seams with the general knowledge required to answer a diverse spectrum of questions, which were asked in three separate rounds. This experience was an eye-opener to the children as they realised how important the knowledge is that they attain in every subject being taught at school, as it forms an important foundation for their general knowledge and world view. Each team worked so well together and they were all wonderful sports! As the final scores were tallied, one of our teams was placed in the top ten which is a wonderful achievement. Most importantly, each of the twelve participants left that evening with huge smiles on their faces because they had such fun!

Mrs Michelle Holmwood

Inter-school Quiz Night

Thando Sibanyone, Jared Gorton, Thabiso Nhleko, Bruce

Lazola Madikiza, Connor Cloete, Armando Ventura, Nokwanda Legoabe

Erin McGladdery, Daniella Lee Ming Yesca, Beth Rundle, Prisha Brijraj

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - activities | nelsOn Mandela tribute by PuPPeteers

Nelson Mandela Tribute by Puppeteers

All the learners celebrate and enjoy the experience as well as the story.

From Left to Right: Ethan Ohlson, Jordan Pullon, Daniella Lee Ming-Yesca, Eric Bell, Luyanda Maseko, Galelo Mafilika, Vuyani Mtintsilana.

Glory Odiegwu, Neo Kekana, Horia Mocanu, Shane Beckworth, Khethiwe Masango, Lebone Matsena, Nkosisihlelele Hlatshwayo, Rorisang Mareka Makgobane Gaffane, Nokukhanya Sibanyoni, Luc Lapage, Joel Donkin, Lerato Maseka, Lakiesha Pather, Jennifer van Rooyen

A wedding feast danced by the girls and boys in the show

activities | nelsOn Mandela tribute by PuPPeteer

The African National Congress promoted anti-apartheid and eventually Nelson Mandela was arrested for his role in the party’s defiance. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on 12 June 1964. The black prisoners were flown secretly to Robben Island immediately after the trial was over to begin serving their sentences.

Ming-Yesca, Keagan Carmody, Lufunolwashu Mufhandu

On 16 June 1976, a group of high school students led an uprising in Soweto in response to the inclusion of Afrikaans as medium of teaching. They were met with fierce police brutality. The first to be shot was a 13-year-old boy named Hector Pieterson, who became a symbol of the uprising.

This event sparked many countries around the world to question South Africa’s stance on Apartheid, which was a form of separation between whites and people of colour.

The StoryRolihlahla Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo, a village near Mthatha in the Transkei, on 18 July 1918 and grew up in the village celebrating and working as any other child at the time.

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From Left to Right: Jordan Ofosu-Koranteng, Khanya Sigaba,

Muhammad Amod, Athenkosi Spelman, Eric Olivier.

An outcry to “FREE MANDELA” became a worldwide phenomenon, eventually leading to South Africans being allowed to vote for the first time after FW de Klerk, President of South Africa, pushed for the release of Nelson Mandela on 11 February, 1990.

Left to Right: Reotshepile Maragelo, Nokwanda Legoabe, Munenyiwa Munaka, Paballo Makobe, Aidan Nel.

From Left to Right: Alexia Argyrou, John- Alexander Coertze, Rebecca Lachenicht,Mahima Lalla, Calum Grindlay, Christian Lee, Ming-Yesca, Keagan Carmody, Lufunolwashu Mufhandu

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - activities | nelsOn Mandela tribute by PuPPeteer

On 10 May 1994, Rolihlahla Nelson Dalibunga Mandela was inaugurated as President of a democratic South Africa. In his inauguration speech, he said: “We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free. Their dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. We are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege

that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government.”In June 1999, Nelson Mandela retired from the Presidency of South Africa. But although he retired as President of South Africa, he worked tirelessly, campaigning globally for peace, children and the fight against HIV/Aids in particular.

activities | lOOkinG back: Grade 4c in actiOn

2015 held an enormous change for the Grade fours. Not only did they have to move classes but they also had more subjects as well as more teachers in their encounters. Fortunately, they adapted quite easily and enjoyed the various experiences along the way.

Mathematics offered new experiences, including learning about the Tangram, an ancient Chinese puzzle with 7 pieces that fit into each to form a square. These pieces can also be manipulated to form “pictures”.

Looking Back: Grade 4 C in Action

Left clockwise from left to right:Khanya Sigaba, Nkosisihlelele Hlatshwayo, Keabetswelethabo Modikoe and Thomas Woodrow trying to “square it together”..

Above from left to right:Jason Cox, Wei Lin, John-Alexander Coertze and Makgobane Gaffane try a different version of the Tangram

While in Geography, the Grade fours learned about South Africa, its provinces and capital cities by being introduced to building of a puzzle of the country.

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - activities | lOOkinG back: Grade 4c in actiOn

And making a compass was the order of the day before embarking on a treasure hunt around the school. Reading instructions, following out directions and working well in a group, earned the learners a small treasure on successfully completing this task.

The Art classes also offered the learners a variety of techniques and skills in the use of media to put together an artwork.

Makgobane Gaffane, Alexia Centurion in background, Wei Lin, Quon Lee, Jui-ying Hsu and Yiru Liu also get on with it.

Lebone Matsena, Fae Rundle and Nokukhanya, Sibonyoni show off theirs.

A civies day brought about a deal with me . . . “If we wear civvies, ma’am, you should come in uniform. Being the type of person who takes up challenges “for the sake of education”, I met my class with my own high school uniform on . . . and I did give Mr Dickinson a letter for my poor school shoes.

BACK: Mrs Curwen, Shane Beckworth, Fae Rundle, Lebone Matsena, John-Alexander Coertze, Khanya Sigaba, Keabetswelethabo Modikoe, Jason Cox, Thomas Woodrow, Yiru Liu. FRONT: Nokukhanya Sibonyoni, Makgobane Gaffane, Quon Lee, Jui-ying Hsu, Wei Lin.

Then came the Walkathon day. After much deliberation, it was decided that our theme be “Zombies”. The class sure surprised with their style! So proud of these guys.

ABOVE: Yiru Liu, Quon Lee, Shane Beckworth, RIGHT (FRONT): Thomas Woodrow, Thomas Woodrow, Makgobane Gaffane, Mrs Curwen Fae Rundle, Nokukhanya Sibonyoni, Makgobane Gaffane.

All in all, a great year has been had by everyone. The Grade fours proved their worth by participating in as many activities as possible. In so doing they easily adapted to the “newness” and the demands were easier to work through. We learned so much this year, like working together, patience, self-discipline and the importance of hard work. I wish all my Gr 4C learners, and their parents, all the best for 2016. You’ve been an awesome class! Mrs Lydia Curwen

cO-curricular PrOGraMMe | Public sPeakinG

Speaking in public could seem like a daunting task to most adults, let alone children, and yet these courageous

and talented children chose to face their fear this year and have grown exponentially in confidence and skill!

Public speaking is a crucial skill required in any tertiary and job environment in our children’s future. They have not only built on their ability to successfully speak in front of an audience but, more importantly, they have learnt how to communicate their ideas, feelings and unique personalities effectively and to convey a worthwhile message.

Public Speaking

Unprepared speeches at Tyger Valley College on 27 July 2015. From left to right: Jade du Preez, Cheyenne de Sousa and Lakiesha Pather.

Unprepared speeches at Tyger Valley College on 27 July 2015. From left to right: Catherine Kruse, Ethan Ohlson and Lufuno Mufhandu.

Prepared speeches at Southdowns College on 8 June 2015. From left to right: Mrs Holmwood, Catherine Kruse, Sydney Curwen, Isabella Afonso, Zeenat Mahomed Khan, Refilwe Mashiane and Moira Dhalan.

Prepared speeches at WHPS on 19 October 2015. From left to right: Moira Dhalan, Lakiesha Pather and Tiffany Schafer.

Prepared speeches at WHPS on 19 October 2015. From left to right: Catherine Kruse, Lufuno Mufhandu, Sydney Curwen, Ethan Ohlson and Bathandwa Bhengu.

Each of our Public Speakers represented Pretoria Chinese School with pride and decorum at various Public Speaking events throughout the year and many of the external adjudicators actually singled them out by mentioning how phenomenal they were for their age group.

Thank you to each of the parents and family members who supported their Public Speakers and had the patience to listen to speeches over and over again until they could recite it themselves… We couldn’t have done it without you!

Mrs Michelle Holmwood

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - cO-curricular PrOGraMMe | Public sPeakinG

Most of our Public Speakers at the ‘End of Year’ party for the Public Speaking Club.

cO-curricular PrOGraMMe | newsPaPer club

The Newspaper Club - Pretoria Chinese School of Blog The Newspaper Club is a new initiative undertaken by the Senior Preparatory better known as the Pretoria Chinese School of Blog. Instead of a printed newspaper it was decided to rather start an electronic newspaper which can be viewed by anyone with internet access without having to waste unnecessary resources. A physical newspaper has its’ limitations, of which the biggest is the amount of space available per edition. With a blog it is possible to give all the students in the Newspaper Club an opportunity to submit work for every edition without having to select only a few. The blog as a medium also opened up other options for expression such as video clips. The main purpose of the blog is to

Newspaper Club

A screenshot of the online blog.

give the learners an opportunity to express themselves through photography, writing, sketching and other miscellaneous creations and to help parents stay updated with events at school and news related to our learners that is entertaining and fun. It is also an important learning opportunity and exposes learners to many different skills. To view the Pretoria Chinese School of Blog go to http://pcsob.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to comment on the various entries. Every time the interface colour of the blog changes, it means a new edition is available. Make sure to scroll down as far as possible and to click on “OLDER POSTS” to see all the entries. Click on the headings or on the image itself to enlarge it.

Miss Monique Louw

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - cO-curricular PrOGraMMe | athletics

Athletics

U13 Boys relay team, first place at St. Paulus: Sinegugu Masango, Manelisi Mthembu, Horia Mocanu and Thabiso Nhleko

U13 Girls relay team, third place at St. Paulus: Mfundo Malabi, Nicole Ofuso-Koranteng, Erin Mcgladdery, Daniella Lee Ming Yesca

Bruce Pan

Jake Wood Panashe Samasuwo Nokukhanya Sibanyon

Manelisi Mthembu Jordan Pullon

cO-curricular PrOGraMMe | netball

“Netball isn’t just a sport! It is a way of communicating, having fun and of developing new skills such as leadership and teamwork.”

Josephine Mantshonyane

“Netball is one of those sports where you have to have a lot of focus and energy . . . and it also keeps me fit.” Thatohatsi Nkopane

Quotes from the teams

“Netball is really fun! It requires skill, practice and a good attitude. . . Even though netball is sometimes hard, I have learnt to never give up!”

Tiffany Schäfer

“Netball is a friendly sport that can make people work together.”

Refilwe Mashiane

“I love netball because we are taught new skills and it’s awesome because of the friends I have when we play – it makes me happy.” Lufuno Mufhandu

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - cO-curricular PrOGraMMe | sOccer

Soccer

Warming up before a game at Camp Discovery: Horia Mocanu and Eric Bell.

Warm up drill with Leland Lapage, Bruce Pan and Lazola Madikiza.

U8 6-a-side squad at the Junior Malas Tournament.

U7 soccer players at the Coever Invitational Tournament.

Pic 6: Bruce Pan and Leland Lapage representing Northerns at the annual BST U13 Provincial Tournament.

U13 6-a-side squad that made it to semi-finals at the Malas Tournament.

Back row, left to right: Leland Lapage, Manelisi Mthembu (Captain), Dillon Pienaar, Sinegugu Masango (Vice-Captain), Bruce Pan, Horia Mocanu.Front row, left to right: Sinenjabulo Masango, Motlhabi Letsoalo, Aiden Nel, Mr Holmwood (Coach), Lazola Madikiza, Eric Bell, Thabiso Nhleko.

U13 squad that played at the Coever Soccer Invitational Tournament hosted at the Hatfield Urban Soccer Grounds, and took first place (beating Glenstantia Primary in penalties).

subjects | natural science

GRADE 7 DISSECTING FLOWERS

1 4

25

63

1. Connor Cloete, Luca Nortje 2. Tshegofatso Lefoka, Celine De Villiers 3. Nicole Ofusu-koranteng

4. Thabiso Nhleko, Bailey Wilson 5. Latita Mongalo, Kayla O’bree 6. Leah De Steur, Nourah Kone

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - subjects | natural science

7

8

10

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7. Jihee Ko, Yyunhee Ko 8. Bianca Van Zyl, Jade Du Preez 10. Teagan Van Der Merwe, Hyunjun Jang

11. Neo Kekana, Mfundo Malabi 12. Kayla O’bree, Akani Mashimbye

subjects | natural science

1

4

2 3

1. Motlhabi Letsoalo, Thando Sibanyoni, Jared Gorton2. Hyunjun Jang, Bruce Pan3. Bianca Van Zyl, Retang Lv4. Kayla O’bree, Jade Du Preez

Snail Race

Grade 7’s lookinG closely at snails

1. Snail 4 8. Snail 9

2. Snail 6 9. Snail 8

3. Snail 3

4. Snail 1

5. Snail 5

6. Snail 2

7. Snail 7

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Senior PreParatory - Senior PreParatory - subjects | natural science

GradE 6 ExpErImENts usING IodINE aNd starch

3

1 2

4

1. Oneang Modiba, Natasha Pereira, Jin Ho An

2. Jordan Pullon, Jaabier Louw

3. Shaeleigh McCracken,Isabella Afonso

4. Nicholas Argyrou, Sinenjabulo Masango, Sabelo Radebe

Made biltong

GoodbyE GradE 7s

Grade 7 PaGe | GOOdbye Grade 7