The Good Times School Paper, South Africa

SilikamvaHighSchool

A chance glimpse of a grainy cut-out from a local Hout Bay paper, posted on Facebook in March, brought it all together in one massive, blinding flash. The teaching around the world; the live music venue; the years of publishing; a great friendship; years in design and sales; photography and parenting; these seemingly disparate life events, literally came together to create something that has been hovering on the outskirts of our imaginations for years.

“Have you ever noticed that when your mind is awakened or drawn to someone new, that person’s

name suddenly pops up everywhere you go? My friend Sophie calls it coincidence, and Mr. Simpless,

my parson friend, calls it Grace. He thinks that if one cares deeply about someone or something new, one throws a kind of energy out into the world, and

“fruitfulness” is drawn in.”Mary Ann Shaffer, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

And so, The Good Times was born. A collaborative platform for community schools to interact/share/learn

through the medium of a school newspaper. A newspaper dedicated to the upliftment of the community through communication and sharing with and through the youth of Hout Bay.We all share a common passion and vision for the future. From all our different backgrounds, we recognise a common desire in most, if not all, individuals to live in harmony and experience joy; to thrive within our communities and contribute to the social fabric within which we live.We recognise the necessity and the possibility of a close and harmonious community. We also understand that it lies with our children.The Good Times is a vehicle for encouraging better cross cultural & community based interaction; to revive the culture of journalism and school newspapers; for families to catch a glimpse of what is going on within their own, and surrounding schools in their community.The Good Times is a local newspaper. It’s about our beautiful community. It’s about all of us and all the good times; past, current and future, and it is unapologetically ‘Ra-Ra’!

Llandudno Primary School’s Carnival of Countries, 20 AprilPhotographer: Yvonne Kamp

Our beautiful Pre-School is set in the lush surrounds of Hout Bay and o�ers a combination of Montessori and Mainstream teaching methods.

We cater for children between the ages of 15 months and five years. We also o�er Grade R .

The Teachers and children have access to a comprehensive range of Montessori teaching equipment in each classroom. IPADs and an interactive Smartboard

are also available for use by the older children. Our classes are small and personal enabling our teachers to focus on individual learning.

Our farm like environment with organic veggie garden, donkeys, goats and other farm animals combined with a large sports field and safe play area creates an

ideal eco environment for the children to enjoy through play and daily interaction with the animals.

Enrol your child today, please contact the Principal Gillian on 082 82 999 39

during o�ce hours.

Hout Bay’s Own Magical Avalon Village

Nestled in the navel of the Hout Bay valley sits the mystical piece of land, Avalon Village: home to Fairies, organic veggies, holistic health, beautiful gardens, community gatherings and languishing lawns—all surrounded by those majestic coastal mountains. Avalon Village is a true Hout Bay Watering Hole!

Led by local Hout Bay hippies, Michelle and Gordon, Avalon Village offers a wide range of services and opportunities to the Hout Bay family. It’s an ideal location for children’s parties—replete with a tipi, jungle gym and sand pit. If you want to be committed to Yoga without the long drive into town, Avalon Village has a unique sunken Earth Dome where three times a week you can drop into the centering routine in a peaceful, nurturing setting.

The Earth Dome is also the gathering point for several regular community offerings, including the Hout Bay monthly Green Drinks get together (an inspiring time for locals to discuss ways and means to live more sustainably), a monthly women’s

drumming circle at Full Moon, Havan prayers at the end of each month, a bi-weekly “drawing the nude” workshop and so much more. For those who want a deep massage, Avalon Village sports its own practitioner’s room, or if you just need a good slow family picnic, drive in and spread out the blanket! Some groups come for a weekend of Team Building, reflection or retreat.

Finally, there are those scrumptious organic veggies grown in Avalon’s seven tiered Labyrinth and five tiered stone walls—all protected by the Water Spirit Mermaid atop the towering inverted tree. No pesticides or herbicides, just sun kissed wholesome veggies for Hout Bay folks who want to eat fresh and healthy—and who prefer no packaging and a low carbon foot print to boot. Avalon Village delivers veggies right to your home the same day they are picked, or if you prefer, come by yourself to fetch the veggies and hang out in the lovely garden while the staff harvest and prepare your veggie bag together with a bundle of fresh herbs and love.

Open on weekdays and Saturdays, drive on in for a peaceful stroll and your bag of veggies, but just remember, do not piss off the Fairies! You can check out Avalon Village online at www.avalonvillage.co.za or on Facebook: Avalon Village. And feel free to call Michelle at 082 922 5347.

Planet Warriors’ Children’s FestivalThe 7th annual Hout Bay Green Faire will take place at Kronendal Primary school on Saturday 2 November 2013. This event, entirely powered by Solar and Wind power, has become a permanent feature, aimed at making green products, services and causes accessible to the general public.

One of the features of the Green Faire is the ongoing Eco-House Building demonstrations throughout the day. Often people are unaware of green home alternatives available, and through these demo’s the public are welcome to get their ‘hands dirty’ by getting involved in cobbing, sandbag building, and view hemp bricks, straw bale and rammed earth building options.

Leading up to this event are a series of environmental workshops aimed at all the Primary school children in Hout Bay, especially the Grade 3’s. We are offering the children free workshops on various topics, with the end result to be showcased at the Green Faire. The workshops are currently being held at Kronendal Primary school on Tuesday afternoons from 3-4pm.

We offer a variety of workshops: ‘Trash to Treasure’ where the learners will use recycled objects to create new things and sell them at our Planet Warriors market, last year the winner of this category won a free stall at the

Bay Harbour Market for a day. We have extended this category with a ‘Make Your Own’ section where we will investigate how to make natural household cleaners, soaps, lotions and potions.

Another popular theme is our ‘Eco Fashion Show’ where the children will be assisted in designing, cutting, sewing and finishing their outfits. Often the outfits are made from plastic bags, newspaper, yellow pages or off cuts of fabric. The Eco Fashion show is always a highlight of the Green Faire with the children modelling their own amazing, creative outfits! We have included ‘Crocheting with plastic’ as another facet of this theme. Previous winners in this category have won an exclusive photo shoot or a day in a garment factory learning how this industry works!

The third category is the ‘Green Design and Innovation’ section. Here, with the assistance of Engineers Without Boarders (from UCT) learners will be encouraged to think outside the box and create inventions that will have a positive effect on the planet, for

example: a solar oven that creates clean water out of salt water. The children can show their designs at the Green Faire exhibition, and the winner’s concepts will be made into reality with EWB assistance. For example in 2011 a Llandudno student designed a wooden stove and the entire class were treated to a workshop to make miniature wooden stoves.

We have included a new theme this year, called ‘From Seed to Harvest’, where learners will be taught to take that bean or pea sprouting in cotton wool and plant it, tend to it and harvest the fruit. We encourage learners to create vertical gardens especially in homes without a garden or small spaces.

The final category presented is the Talent Contest. This has been a popular contest over the years with Red Bull Studios offering the winners an opportunity to record their song in professional music studio. Last year we added another

dimension to this by creating a separate ‘group’ and ‘solo’ award. This category will not be needing workshops, but auditions for the finals, to be held at the Green Faire, will be happening in October, later on this year.

For more info please contact: [email protected], see our website www.houtbaygreenfaire.org, or visit our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/planetwarriors?fref=ts

Helping HEROES

Home Heroes decided to sponsor their amazingly talented 15 year old midfield maestro, Sandro. New kit & new boots and a trial for Ajax Cape Town is on the cards.

Hout Bay Vineyards’ Open Weekend

On Saturday 25 May, braving the expected cold front, we embarked on our biannual sojourn to the Hout Bay Vineyard’s Open Weekend. We stepped out into the always breathtaking scenery that this unique boutique winery is famous for, noting again that there is nothing that owners, Cathy and Peter Roeloffze, have not thought of here.

This family-owned boutique wine cellar founded in 2001, is nestled high on the slopes of the Skoorsteenskop Mountain and has become yet another one of Hout Bay’s famous tourist attractions.

It is a family affair and everyone is involved with every aspect of the process - from the vineyards through to the final product. Pruning, harvesting, wine making, bottling, right up to the application of the labels and the sealing of the boxes, is done by hand in their very well-equipped and professionally laid out cellar.

Recently they have been expanding their horizons. When they bought the property, they planted ten olive trees which were secured from Linden Farm’s olive grove, and which date back nearly a hundred years. Over time they have planted more and more, and now have about fifty olive trees, although most of the olives were devoured by flocks of starlings over the last four years. This year, however, they have approached it more seriously and harvested 300kgs of olives, to be pressed for oil.

For the last year and a half they have had four beehives on the property and intend to add another eight or so. The first two hives yielded 25kgs of honey, 9kgs of which were used to make 50 litres of mead. Mead is fermented from honey and water and is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world, even the Gauls (better known as Asterix and Obelix) drank it.. Nowadays, it is made as a sweet or dry wine of low alcoholic content

Book Review: Really WILD AdventuresOn May 18 , on a beautiful Autumn morning, I attended the Pan Macmillan / Bay Bookshop launch of Michaela Strachan’s ‘Really WILD Adventures’. A local author with a son in Grade 2 at Llandudno Primary, Michaela is also a TV wildlife presenter for the BBC, Animal Planet and Nat Geo Wild on programmes like ‘The Really Wild Show’, ‘Michaela’s Animal Roadtrip’, Michaela’s Animal Babies’ and ‘Animal Rescue Squad’.

An over capacity crowd ‘forced’ us out into the sunshine and Michaela performed poems from the book to a riveted audience of children and adults alike. With refreshments available and water pistols firing at the crowd, it was a very entertaining morning.

“The book is all about adventures I’ve had with animals whilst filming and is all in poem form so it’s fun and factual!” Aimed at the aged 3 - 10 bracket, there was something for everyone. There was a book signing afterwards and the book was a sell out .

IT’S COMPETITION TIME!WIN a personally signed copy of

‘Really WILD Adventures’.Write an 8 lined poem about a wild animal from Africa and e-mail it, with your name and age, to [email protected] or fax it to 086 617 8452. Competition closes 31 July 2013.Two books are up for grabs. The top two poems will be published in Issue 2 of The Good Times and winners will receive a signed copy of Michaela Strachan’s ‘Really Wild Adventures.’The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the winners. Under 18’s only.

WIN R1 100.00 worth of LEGO

with Star Dot Toys!On presentation of the

advertisement on page 29, receive 10% off all LEGO purchases and enter your till slip to win LEGO worth R1100.00. Offer ends and draw takes place on Thursday 18 July.

Nevertheless, these varied sidelines have not distracted them from pursuing their passion of producing superb top-quality wines. Their wide selection of wines is now

available in numerous restaurants and they are extremely grateful for the local Hout Bay support shown by Massimo’s, Spiros, Pure at Hout Bay Manor, The Lookout Deck and Mariner’s Wharf. Further afield, their wine is available at The Codfather in Camps Bay, and more recently, The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay, to whom they were recommended by none other than Groot Constantia Wine Estate with emphasis on their Petrus. They also retail at Oakhurst Spar and Tops. Internationally, a number of private collectors in Germany have started importing their wines.

Of the six wines submitted last year, three of them (Klasiek, Petrus and Sauvignon Blanc) received 4 stars in the John Platter’s Wine Guide. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon each received 3½ stars and the rosé received 3 stars.

Although visitors are welcome by appointment throughout the year, the popularity of their biannual open weekends has grown and there were many new faces in amongst their faithful fans, and we await their next open weekend on 30 November to replenish our stocks in time for the holidays. As ever, it is a family occasion and everyone is welcome; see you there.

Win a study course through YEARN 2 LEARN!

Design a lively and attractive brochure or pamphlet to advertise the Hout Bay community. You can make it as way-out as you like, but remember that it should show clearly the special features that set your community apart. It should appeal to visitors to Hout Bay and be aimed at a specific age group. The age groups are a) under 6; b) between 6 and 12; c) between 12 and 18; d) between 18 and 25; e) Older adults.The brochure may not use more than one (1) A4 page. It must include 120 to 150 English words. Please staple a copy of the Entry Form to your entry. The Top 15 brochures will be put on display at Tobi information centre.

Prize: A Yearn2Learn course (value R750) and R150 voucher for Bay Bookshop.Closing date: Friday 19 July 2013. Entry Form: Full Name: ___________________________________________________ Age : ___________ Grade : _____________ School: _____________________________________________________ Contact e-‐mail:_______________________________________________ Cell number: ______________________________ Age group brochure/ pamphlet is aimed at: ___________________

Mrs Boezak, Hout Bay Secondary School

Myles Bing, Ambleside School of Hout Bay.

Liza Kuhn, Llandudno Primary School

Davidine Rhoda, Oranjekloof Moravian Primary Claudene Overmeyer, Sentinel Primary School Thandokazi Malgas, Silikamva High School

Taryn Pereira, Kronendal Primary School.

Talia Mitrani, Disa Primary School. Gordon Duncan, Dominican-Grimley School.

International School of Hout Bay: High School International School of Hout Bay: Primary School Anke Clementine Decábooter, Hout Bay Montessori

Do you have a nickname? TPWhere were you born? JohannesburgWhere did you study? UCT and UNISAWhat was your favourite subject at school? EnglishWho was your favourite teacher? Mrs Crutchley (English)

Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Sunday, because all my chores and marking have been completed so I can relax (most of the time)!What star sign are you? CancerA special moment while teaching?On Valentine’s Day 2013, my class gave me a red Christmas paper crown to wear and crowned me the “Queen of their hearts” for the day.

Do you have a nickname? “Mrs Boots”Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? UCTWhat was your favourite subject at school? HistoryWho was your favourite teacher? Mr Erasmus (History)

Which is your favourite day of the week and why?Fridays, because they are relaxed days, full of fun.What star sign are you? CancerA special moment while teaching? I teach a child who is resistant to learning English and very shy. Slowly but surely he is learning to speak. Recently at News Time on the mat, he eagerly talked for several minutes about his weekend. It was beautiful to watch him, and others blossom.

Do you have a nickname? Not that I am aware of!Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? EdinburghWhat was your favourite subject at school? English

Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Not a Tuesday because I have the Grade 11s for 4 periods of Religion Studies.What star sign are you? VirgoA special moment while teaching: The best moments are at the end of each calendar year when the matric results come out and all of the pupils have passed. Then you realize that the effort has been worth it! A good time to celebrate!

Where were you born? DurbanWhere did you study? Schooled in Zimbabwe, matric in JHB, trained at JHB College of Education and UNISA.What was your favourite subject at school? Geography & the ArtsYour favourite teacher? My MumWhich is your favourite day of the

week and why? Thursday, because it is nearly the weekend and I have another week ahead to look forward to. What star sign are you? CancerA special moment while teaching: Apart from all the plays, end of year parties and meeting incredible people, it must be all the love, care and support I received from colleagues, children and parents when I fell and broke my leg at school after a wonderful morning with my Reception Class, doing our 67 minutes community service on Nelson Mandela Day.

Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? UCTWhat was your favourite subject at school? Art and GeographyA special moment while teaching? There have been many, but most

recently, an evening together with my class, star-gazing. We are learning about the Solar System, and took time out in our week to just enjoy the stars, lying flat on our backs on the ground. Once the initial excitement had receded, 15 minutes of wonder and enjoyment followed. Together with Google Planetarium, poetry, scripture and hot chocolate, this has become an event I will certainly not forget and will definitely repeat. All welcome!

Do you have a nickname?Blauwõogje (Dutch: little blue eye)Where were you born? Brussels - the same hospital as the ‘Muscles from Brussels’.Where did you study? Midwifery in Brussels; teaching at Headstart Mercy Montessori, KenilworthWhat was your favourite subject

at school? Geography, I always wanted to travel.Your favourite teacher? One that told me to believe in myself and my abilities.What star sign are you? LibraA special moment while teaching: During her first spelling test, a 7 year old girl picked up a dictionary to look up a word. I realised that she has a tool for life; looking up the things you don’t know yet.

Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? Plantation Primary School and Wittebome High. I completed my diploma at Wesley College & part time at Hewat College of Education.What was your favourite subject at school? Mathematics & Art

Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Every day of the week is precious. So today is always my favourite as I can look forward to new experiences. What star sign are you? ScorpioA special moment while teaching: Always the one when a student walks up to you and reminds you of a special moment, that moment when they come back to the school to plough back. At Sentinel I have experienced many for which I am thankful.

Where were you born? Caledon in the Overberg Region Where did you study? University of Stellenbosch and UWCWhat was your favourite subject at school? English & GeographyWho was your favourite teacher? Miss Hans (English)Which is your favourite day of

the week and why? Everyday! It’s a blessing. What star sign are you? ScorpioA special moment while teaching? I always strive to get the best out of my pupils and in 2009 I received my first Departmental Certificate for obtaining 100% pass rate in English as a First Additional Language. I felt elated, knowing that my dedication paid dividends. With the support of my colleagues I have grown into a confident educator.

Do you have a nickname?Thando

Where were you born? Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape.

Where did you study? Cofimvaba High School

What was your favourite subject at school? Accounting and MathsWho was your favourite teacher? Mrs SabataWhich is your favourite day of the week and why? Thursday, because I have Dance as an Extra Mural which cools my head after a long week of hard work What star sign are you? Virgo

Where were you born? JohannesburgWhere did you study? Rand College, Hewat College and UNISAWhat was your favourite subject at school? Languages & Natural Science.

Who was your favourite teacher? Ms Frans (Grade 7) Which is your favourite day of the week and why?Fridays, it’s a short day and the weekend is in sight!What star sign are you? LeoA special moment while teaching? When ex-learners came back to school to say thank you and I learn about what they have become in their lives. It makes my job very rewarding.

Denise Michel, Deputy PrincipalGrant Ruskovich, Deputy Principal

Riddle by Angelina Nostro, Grade 2, Kronendal Primary.

I was doomed. Something of my very being seemed to have always known this terrible fact, and now, at this very moment when my life was flashing before my eyes like a horror movie in slow motion, I realised I was going to die.

It happened to many of us. First, they both took us away from our home. We had done nothing wrong. Men in trucks dragging us away from all we had ever known. I remember the screams of terror and the helpless feel-ing that crept over me when we were thrown into giant containers and the truck doors were slammed closed. The sun was scorching that day after those wretched doors were shut. I never saw it again.

The journey seemed to take a lifetime. The worst part was that none of us knew our destination. The suspense was sickening. Most of us knew this was the end, but the more optimistic among us had a glimmer of hope in them, the hope of being taken to a better place or waking up to find it was all a dream. I remember seeing that hope in them and pitying them, because deep down I knew there was none.

Eventually the trucks came to a stop. We were all taken into a big building and left in a cool, dark room. There were strange sounds in the distance, like the scratching of nails on a chalk board which made my whole being grow simultaneously stiff and weak. From then on, the following events are not so clear. Thinking back, it’s like trying to remember a dream. It’s right there in your mind, but you can’t quite reach it. All you know is the feeling you had. I’m not sure why this happened to me, all I know is I went in to a state of shock. But there are a few things I remember of that horrific place even though they have been blurred by time.

I will not pain you with the details, because even I dare not recall them too often. Instead I will pick up my tale a few months later, when a selected few of us were chosen. I had fallen asleep. I had gotten so used to this dreadful life of waiting for a rescue, being cramped in the dark and never knowing what to expect, that nothing caught my attention anymore, and I became like a dead body.

Suddenly I awoke, all of us had been removed from the place we had been kept for about a month now, and were being thrown into a scorch-ing hot kind of room. Except this wasn’t a room. The sides of it were metal and silver and it had no liquid and just as I was being thrown in, I noticed there were flames beneath us. When we were all in, a lid was thrown over the open top and the room got hotter and hotter. Screams for help, but no-one answered.

I could feel the life slowly sinking out of me as I began to burn. It was in those final moments that I realised, this is what we were created for, the very reason we had been taken from our home in the first place and gone through months of torture that had transformed us from the inside out. It was at that moment that I realised the cruel truth; that we were all just kernels in a pot, destined to become popcorn, and there was nothing we could do about it.

Written by Chloe McKellar, Grade 10, Ambleside School.

Written by Richard Solomons, Grade 11, Dominican-Grimley School.

A Story Told by Grandma

Written by Gem-Dior, Grade 1, Hout Bay Montessori.

Letter to the Argus: DEATH SENTENCE SHOULD NEVER BE BROUGHT BACK.

I strongly disagree with the notion of bringing back the death sentence. The crime may be bad, but to kill a person for murder makes you a murder-er too. It is not fair to take someone else’s life as a punishment. And what if the person is innocent, and then you have ended a person’s life for no reason. If the death sentence was brought back the problem of murder would not stop, but increase.

So in conclusion, the death sentence should not be brought back, it would not solve the problem, after all we are all human beings, and we all have the ability to change our will.

The World of Birds

Written by Kelly Blomerus, Grade 7, Llandudno Primary.

Friends are the cause of itSome friends’ lives are full of it

LoveWe love that stuff

People write itPeople make it rhyme

PoemsWe love that stuff

You can succeedYou can be the person you want to be

EducationWe love that stuff

People love itPeople make it

FashionWe love that stuff

Some cry with youSome laugh with you

FriendsWe love that stuff

Some can do itOthers can’t do it

BehavingWe love that stuff

My team can do itYour team can’t do it

WinningWe love that stuff

Some enjoy itSome are doing it for their careers

SportWe love that stuff

We Love That Stuff

Emergency

Written by Grade 9MM, Silikamva High School.

Picture & Poem by Zaayikah Tieling, Gr11 Hout Bay High. Portrait by Hannah O’riain, Grade 1, Kronendal Primary. Painting by Tarah McDowall, Gr 7, Llandudno Primary.

Portrait by Sakhi Thulani, Grade 7, Oranjekloof Primary. Portrait by Silikamva High School. Fist by Lindelwa Hlophe, Grade 8JL, Silikamva High.

Portrait by Iona Thompson, Grade 9, Ambleside School. Picture by Silindokuhle Hojisi, Grade 3, Disa Primary. Portrait by Eliane Dusabe, Grade 6, Dominican-Grimley.

Portrait by Jessica French, MYC2, International High. Portrait by Ashleigh Pastor, Year 6, International Primary. Picture by Hout Bay Montessori.

Gabriella Lupini, a Grade 9 Ambleside School student, was invited to participate in the One Cup Nation football and cultural tournament in Izmir, Turkey in May 2013.

The One Nation Cup is not just about football, but also about developing a mutual understanding of different cultures and backgrounds in the young people who participate. Young people from every continent of the world have come together for the fourth time to play football, but more importantly to win new friends. 16 U15-Teams from every continent of the world – 8 girls teams and 8 boys teams –took part in the ONC 2013.

Gabriella joined an U15 girls team of 14 players and two officials from the Coaching for Hope Women and Girls programme. The Women and Girls project is being delivered in Atlantis, Hout Bay, Langa, Lwandle, Mitchells Plain and Masiphumelele. The week was a huge success and many new friendships were formed.

The OneNation Cup

Ambleside School of Hout Bay, founded in 1987, is a small independent school offering classes from Pre-school to Grade 12. We are registered with the WCED and affiliated to the IEB, ISASA and Ambleside Schools International – which facilitates on-going teacher training and curriculum development.

Unique Teaching Methodology:Ambleside classroom practise is founded on the work of pioneering British educator Charlotte Mason. Students are presented daily with a broad and engaging curriculum based on the best available learning materials. We offer our students the richest source materials along with our highest expectations of what they can accomplish, both academically and in the conscious development of good character.

“The formation of habits is education,and education is the formation of

habits.”Charlotte Mason

We actively train students in the key skills of focused attention and memory recall through the technique of ‘narration’, or ‘telling back’. We encourage students to cultivate a life-long love of learning - including the mastery of good habits for a rich intellectual life. Every student’s character development is a priority, and the curriculum is designed to achieve the desired outcomes of emotional and relational maturity.

For Charlotte Mason, school was not utilitarian, nor was it solely a continuation of earlier patterns. Rather, it was an opportunity for students to undertake advanced work in thought and understanding, providing

a stimulating diet rich in living ideas. The intellectual rigour of giving focused attention, conducting independent and class readings, and narrating complex material allows students to engage in meaningful acts of knowing.

Core Principles of our Philosophy of Education

Education is an AtmosphereThe correct atmosphere is vital in promoting learning. We strive to establish an atmosphere free of narcissistic comparison, meanness and gossip. We seek to cultivate an atmosphere of mutual respect, kindness, service to others, a shared excitement about what is good, true, beautiful, and heroic, and forgiveness and repentance when necessary.

Education is a DisciplineThe process of student work is as important as the end product. School is not just an institution to get through, but a place to develop habits that will serve children the rest of their lives. Rather than only developing persons who are able to study well for the next exam, we are interested in helping students develop a life of study. We ask the questions:

• Did he/she give attention? • Did he/she put forth effort?• Was he/she thorough?

“Teaching should be such that what is

offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard

duty.”Albert Einstein

Education is a LifeReal learning occurs when the student wonders - asks ‘why?’, and ‘how?’ This happens in an atmosphere that stimulates thought, in an atmosphere rich with ideas. Our objective is to place the very best books before our students, books rich in content and ideas, putting them into relationship with the finest authors and thinkers. Through these ‘living books’ students interact with scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, historians, artists, poets, and explorers.

Students’ minds are nourished as they engage texts with classmates and teachers - discussing, arguing, inquiring and pondering all they have assimilated. The knowledge they encounter through this process becomes a part of them.

Advantages of being a small school• individual attention, in small classes of

16• friendships flourish across age, gender

and social differences• teachers are mentors, not merely

instructors• family-friendly calendar of events• a peaceful atmosphere and a culture

of inclusivity rather than isolation & cliques

Advantages of IEB affiliation • international benchmarking• academic rigour and a high-quality

National Senior Certificate (Matric)• extensive curriculum support• annual teacher conferences bring

teachers up-to-date with Matric requirements

Social ActivitiesMany of our High School students are active in the Front Row youth group of Shoreline Church. The school also hosts a variety of community building events during the year, to foster relationships between students, teachers and parents (and grandparents).

Ambleside: Redefining Education

Ambleside School Print Run Sponsored By Kumon:

Ambleside students are becoming increasingly aware of environmental and conservation issues. Situated as we are in the valley, between the mountains and alongside our beautiful wetlands, it is so easy to appreciate and love our environment. We hosted a compost workshop in February this year and planted 11 trees donated by the Thrive Organisation in April. We are busy training a team for the annual Thrive Environmental Quiz and preparing artwork for the Art Competition (both happening on Thursday 6th June).

We are encouraging students to be involved in the Planet Warrior Green Faire to be hosted by Kronendal School in November. We have just had 12 indigenous trees donated to us by the organisation EduPlant which will be used to create a windbreak next to the field and some representatives from the school are currently attending

their permaculture workshops. The flower beds around the school are richly filled with indigenous plants and we will soon be establishing an area for our students to be involved in growing vegetables organically.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55 v 12

At Ambleside we offer a range of extra-mural sports, and many students also pursue particular sports privately (some up to Provincial level). Over the past few years our athletes and swimmers have regularly represented Western Province in SACSSA National Championships. We are affiliated with the South African Schools Football Association and participate in Cape Town’s league and cup tournaments.

We believe that competitive sport is a powerful agent for growth. Kicking a ball around is fun, but not quite as fun as

wearing your school shirt and trying to win a game, alongside friends, against new opposition. The fun of sport translates to lessons of the importance of shared resolve and hard work.

In amateur sport, the prime objective is the desire for excellence, the desire to do your best. Connected with this desire is the knowledge that excellence goes hand in hand with discipline, respect for team mates and coaches and enjoyment. They are all interrelated goals that cannot be wholly separated from each other.

At Ambleside, the students have regular opportunities for creative expression, with Art, Drama and Music lessons integrated into the curriculum.

We also have a proud history of staging musical and dramatic productions in which all our willing students are able to participate.

Environmental Issuesat Ambleside School

Arts and Culture

The Importance of SportAnan Viljoen-Ventura Nanouk de WaalAnthony NunleyKhara Thomson

Planting trees at in April. Beach Sports Day

Parent involvement is a very serious matter for Disa Primary School, as it is a clear statistic and fact that successful parent involvement improves not only learner behaviour and attendance, but also positively affects their achievements. Parents are the most important partners in a child’s education. While it is true that it is a challenge for families living in disadvantaged conditions, struggling to satisfy their basic needs such as housing, clothes and food to establish a home environment that supports children as learners, it does not absolve parents from fulfilling their responsibility as primary educators, while the teacher will always be the secondary educator.

Disa Primary School hosted a Family Day on 02 March 2013. This event was the first of a series of community events planned for 2013, to cultivate and improve parent involvement in the school.

The theme for the day was “My contribution is important”. The intention behind this very successful day was to connect teachers and parents. After a warm welcome with a cup of coffee and biscuits, parents had

the opportunity to view their children’s work that the class teachers displayed in the hall. Teachers also engaged with the parents explaining methods, resources and techniques used in class, and answering all questions asked by parents.

It was a great privilege and honour to Disa Primary School, to have four exceptional guest speakers for this special day to our parents. Mr Eugene Daniels, formerly of the Metro South Education District, Western Cape, spoke to the parents about “The Active Parent”. The Director of Education Digicape, Mr Alan Goldberg, shared his expertise with our parents and gave a demonstration on how to use the iPad in the classroom. Our third guest speaker was Miss Minnette Dempsey, a well-known and loved Motivational Speaker and Development Coach, who spoke to our parents about “You may say I’m a dreamer”. Our final guest for this special day was Learning Support Therapist, Miss Debbie De Jongh, who spoke to our parents about Fun and Games with Learning.

While the Parents were all gathered in the hall, our learners had an organised and

supervised fun day on the field where they enjoyed jumping castles, fun activities, tennis and cricket. A light lunch was served to all our parents and learners.

Miss Gabrielle Lubowski, Disa Primary School’s Parent Liasor, says there are six areas of Parent Involvement, e.g Parenting Skills training, Communication between the home and the school, Parents as volunteers, How to support learning at home, Decision making and Community collaboration.

In addition to the Parent Empowerment workshop every Wednesday and Saturday at Disa Primary School, presented by Miss Lubowski, the regular community events are in aid of connecting the teachers, the parents and the wider community. Each event is planned according to a specific theme that presents the opportunity for a paradigm shift and gives all the stakeholders of raising and educating children the possibility to connect, to get to know each other, to engage together in life-long learning and to be better and better equipped to contribute towards the present, as well as future well-being of our children, the learners of tomorrow.

Disa Primary School Family Day

Class DisplayClass DisplayClass Display Mr Alan Goldberg

Miss Debbie de Jongh

Miss Gabrielle Lubowski and Mr Eugene Daniels

Disa Primary School Parents

Learners playing and having fun while parents attended the programme for the day.

Parents enjoying a light lunch.

Disa Primary School Print Run Sponsored By West Coast Paper Traders:

Disa Primary celebrated Mother’s Day on Saturday, 11 May 2013.

Saturday, 11 May, was a bright crisp and beautiful morning for each and every Mother from Disa Primary School. The Mothers of our community were honoured in true Disa hospitality. The hall was made up with such care and love. Tables were set with fine cups and serviettes. Beautiful flowers on all the tables made this special occasion even more special and each mother received a warm welcome on her arrival.

Each Mother received a special little gift on her chair and glorious platters of food were packed on each table.

The Principal, Mrs van der Westhuizen welcomed the Mothers on this special day, and read a touching poem especially for mothers. Next on the programme was the angelic music that filled the hall as a Quintet from Beau Soleil Music Centre entertained the guests with their talents. After that, Miss Minnette Dempsey was the guest speaker who captured each Mother’s heart with her wit and wisdom. Her good energy had all the mothers and grandmothers, young and old, lifted out of their chairs, clapping and dancing and singing together as the hearts and souls of two hundred mothers joined

together. Another highlight of the day was when Disa’s very own Grade 1 teacher, Mrs Mpetsheni, sang a traditional song!

Thank you to each and every Mother who left their families for a few hours on Saturday to celebrate Mother’s Day with Disa Primary and to be pampered. We honour and salute the Mothers in our community.

Celebrating Mother’s Dayin Fine Disa Primary Style

Mrs Antoinette Greyling and Mrs Hettie van Zyl have initiated quilting classes once a week at Disa Primary School and decided to enter the “Youth Quilt Block Challenge” (Teaching South Africa to Quilt).

Ten girls in Grade 3 were chosen to take part in the Junior School Children (Grade 1 – 4 ) category. The theme for 2013 is “I’m crazy about…”

Mrs Greyling and Mrs van Zyl have spent every Tuesday afternoon mentoring the

ten girls, teaching them, guiding them, and building special relationships and friendships with the learners.

We are extremely proud of the beautiful creativity and originality of these quilt blocks. Thank you to the two quilting mentors who made a difference in the lives of ten little ladies.

The competition closes on 31 May and judging will take place during June. We wish our two Quilting Mentors and our ten little ladies lots of luck with the competition!

The Youth Quilt Block Challenge

Flowers and candles on the cheese and biscuit table.

Mrs van der Westhuizen reciting a special poem to all Mothers.

Mrs Mpetsheni, Grade 1 Teacher in traditional clothes, singing a traditional song.

Miss Minnette Dempsey, our guest speaker for the day.

The Quilting Challenge team includes Gabby Booth, Lokombe Lotoko, Kanya Ndongeni, Zona Zazela, Lisa Mandamane, Silindokuhle Hojisi, Olona Mdatyulwa, Mildred Chitanda, Lateefa Swabu and Lethiwe Shadu.

In 1863, Dr Grimley, the Vicar Apostolic of the Catholic Church at the Cape of Good Hope, invited Irish Dominican Sisters to work in South Africa. Mother Superior, Sister Dympna, and her group of sisters came to South Africa and began to teach Deaf children. Shortly afterwards the Grimley Institute was founded under the patronage of Dr Grimley. In 1908 the school was recognised by the Education Department of the Cape Province and eventually became a state aided school.

In the 19th Century, the manual system involving the use of both finger spelling and signs was the recognised method of teaching Deaf children. Lip reading and speech gradually took the place of signs in the 20th Century. In 1920 the oral method was introduced and is still used at the school today.

The original school was erected adjacent to the present day St Mary’s School in Cape Town in 1933. By 1966, it became clear that Deaf children in the Cape Town area needed more adequate premises for schooling and the Dominican Sisters purchased the present site in Valley Road, Hout Bay for this purpose. After completion of the new purpose built school buildings, learners and staff moved there in 1980.

Dominican-Grimley School operates as a government school even though it is situated on privately owned land which is leased by the government from the Dominican Sisters.

The classrooms at the school are specially designed to facilitate the teaching of Deaf children using the oral method of instruction. The ceilings are acoustically treated. The windows are large so as to ensure maximum light.

The walls are painted flat white and the floors carpeted to reduce noise interference.

Some classrooms are fitted with sophisticated FM systems which transmit signals from the teachers’ microphones to the children’s hearing aids via receivers.

While most children make use of hearing aids, some are fortunate enough to qualify for cochlear implants. This is generally provided by the State, and the school plays an important role in assisting the families of these children to raise funds towards their share of this very expensive procedure.

The hard of hearing and Deaf learners of Dominican-Grimley are offered a specifically designed curriculum from Grade R to Grade 12. Small classes as well as a safe, happy, learning and living environment is provided. A committed, caring staff sees to it that the needs of these special learners are met.

The challenges that the community of Dominican-Grimley face include socio-economic difficulties, the cost of cochlear implants, hearing aids and related expenses, as well as the stigma and rejection that the learners face in the outside world because of their deafness.

In spite of these challenges, the ethos of the school strives to foster a sense of compassion and acceptance, as well as an appreciation of the joy, beauty and security of their surroundings in the learners, who are encouraged to take pride in themselves and their achievements and to learn the value of giving and receiving.

At Dominican-Grimley, we nurture respect for all races, creeds and cultures and recognise the worth of every individual.

A Brief Glimpse into a Long History Disa House Wins Sports Day

Making Flowers for Mothers Day

The High School

Grade 4

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 3 Mother’s Day Flowers

Teammates celebrate the win for blue Disa House whilst Erika House in red, commiserate.

Great camaraderie between the teams at the inter-house gala.

Dominican-Grimley School Print Run Sponsored By Avalon Village:

A Happy Day for Mkhuseli Mkheyiya

Mkhuseli Mkeyiya age 12. Recipient of a cochlear implant thanks to the generosity of Metroplitan Health.

Creative Lettering by Daniella Curtis, Grade 7 Mandala by Liam Maree, Grade 6

There is a group of young KRUMPERS based in Hout Bay who deserve recognition - young people across Cape Town, even South Africa, have much to gain from learning about these individuals.

KRUMP is a dance style that has only recently taken off due to its uniqueness. Some have described it as violent and even crazy. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

These dancers all belong to a family which they call - ‘The Rebirth Fam’. They have a “Big Homie” who is their coach and mentor. They have aliases (given by the Big Homie) and these names are tailored to describe their characters and skills in being able to use KRUMP as a tool of expression. The Fam-membership currently stands at 6: Shanice Hendricks, Marlo Le Roux, Shakeel Abrahams, Joshua Martin, Jean Paul Van Der Westhuizen and Simamkele Mosotho. These learners have

been seriously KRUMPING for 9 months only and their skills also include House, Popping and Locking Contemporary dance styles.

KRUMP is an acronym: Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise. It was created by an individual by the name of ‘TIGHT EYES’. He studied ballet, African dance and Mohammed Ali’s moves which he then combined to allow KRUMP to come to fruition. Its aim is physical, mental and spiritual upliftment. Mr Eyes was invited to South Africa last year, by the Goode Hope Christian Centre. During his short visit he conducted a KRUMP workshop at a dance studio in the city centre, which was hosted by RFK. The ‘Rebirth Fam’ was fortunate to attended.

The ‘Rebirth Fam’s’ gifts and talents are apparent in the fact that 3 of them have recently taken major titles at various dance competitions around Cape Town.

The most recent being ‘DANCE TO LAS VEGAS’, the biggest competitive platform for dancers nationwide. Joshua Martin aka BabyRebirth from Mandela Park took the ‘SOUTH AFRICAN JUNIOR KRUMP CHAMPION’ title. He is currently in grade 10 at Hout Bay High.

In February 2013, Marlo Le Roux, aka YoungRebirth, took the title of Grand Champ at the ‘GRAND CHAMPS’ competition hosted in Atlantis by RFK (Royal Family Kings). Marlo is in grade 8 at Hout Bay High.

Shanice Hendricks, aka GurlRebirth, the only female in the Fam at the moment, took the overall winner title at the ‘KINGDOM BATTLE FIELD’ last year in September 2012. She also attended Hout Bay High and passed matric in 2012.

These are titles that they will have to defend at some point in the future. Some

have been approached and have since been absorbed into other dance crews which further their scope and allow them to see dance as a career option.

On the 7th of February 2013, they appeared on Soli Philander’s “TAXI” show which runs regularly on CTV. ON the 8th of February 2013 they were hosted on another CTV show highlighting up and coming talent in Cape Town.

These learners have become an inspiration because they have chosen to use what they have despite their environment and circumstances.

In a time where expressive art and creativity have been removed from school curriculums, they are flowers blooming in a climate of adversity; imagine the fragrance and the iridescence of these blooms.

Article by Brenda Davis

Since the beginning of the year I have been working with the learners from Hout Bay High School through an NPO called PASCAP situated at the school. PASCAP provides a safe peaceful environment for the learners to spend their after school hours at. This typically consists of an hour of homework and then activity sessions ranging from arts and crafts, beading, pot planting and working on emotional intelligence, anger and time management.

We started the year off with a bang by painting the classroom with paint which was donated by the community; this was done with 30 learners ranging from the ages of 13-19 years and was a chaotic experience I will not forget. Since then we have developed a strong relationship and are very open with each other about the trials and tribulations in life.

PASCAP’s councillors come to the school every Monday where we attempt to assist problematic learners with the everyday stressors which arise

from poverty.

The highlight of my time with PASCAP apart from working with the learners themselves was being taken on a photographic tour of the community, which gave me a better understanding of their lives and circumstances. I have lived in Hout Bay all my life but had never ventured up into the back alleys of Hangberg before.The learners I work with are all from either

Hangberg or Imizamo Yethu, and therefore do not have adequate facilities to spend their after school hours. We play classroom games, watch DVD’s and do social outreach with Bathesda House; something we enjoy greatly. Earlier in the year we ran a course on Microsoft Word which the learners completed and were given certificates in. We have volunteers from France and a Latin and Ballroom instructor who comes every Wednesday.

We are always open for people wanting to volunteer their time or skills to these diligent and enthusiastic learners, as the more exposure they have to different avenues in life the better choices they will make. We are about to embark on a weeklong camp in Jonkershoek where the learners will participate in leadership skills, academic support, dancing and singing.

Article by Ruth Druiff.

Partners with After School Care Projects (PASCAP)

KRUMP - The Rebirth Family

Hout Bay Secondary School Print Run Sponsored By Sharon Depledge:

Hout Bay High School’s u/16 and u/18 soccer teams have had a storming start to the season, remaining unbeaten thus far.

Results for the Under 18 team are as follows: Match against Queens Park High was won 4 - 0; Trafalgar High School was beaten 7 - 2; Salt River High lost 2 - 0 and on the 23 May, Walmer High School was beaten by 12 goals to 0. Most of the goals this season were scored by Gabriel Warner in Grade 9.

Results for the Under 16 team, coached by Mr Matiza and Mr Phillips, were also impressive. The match against Salt River High School resulted in a 6 - 4 win, with Man of the Match going to Tauriq August, goal scorers were Tauriq August, Dastin van Nelson, Brent Van Bala and Godfrey Paulsten.

Against Gardens Commercial High School, the team won 3 - 2, with Shakeel Abrahams named Man of the Match and other scorers

were Tauriq August and Renaldo Samuels. The match against Harold Cressy High School yielded yet another win and Man of the Match for Shakeel Abrahams, with other goal scorers being Brent Van Bala, Tauriq August, Olin Warner, Godfrey Paulsten, and Enrique R. with an amzing result of 12 - 0.

There is also an Under 14 Boys Soccer team under the leadership of Mr Stuurman and Mr Onyeukwu.

Other codes at school include Cross Country under the leadership of Miss Langenhoven; The Christian Youth Movement under the leadership of Mr Cleophas and Mr Bradley Van Rensburg; Netball under the leadership of Miss Ngubelanga. Chess was recently introduced among eager learners under the leadership of Mr Chinhamo.

The MOD (Mass Opportunity Development) Centre is actively busy among the youth at our school.

An Unbeaten Season

Soccer u/18 Boys coached by Mr Botha and captained by Dillon Lakay.

Soccer u/16 Boys coached by Mr Matiza and Mr Ricardo Phillips and managed by Mr Kimar.

The Start of Something New

New to Hout Bay High School this year, is a girls’ soccer team established in the first week of May. With just 11 players, 3 of whom attend Sentinel Primary School, the girls faced their first match one short week after the team was formed. Lead by the team captain, Brighett Isaacs, Grade 9, they played a spirited match against the

Trafalgar High School u/16 team. Despite it being their first match, the team emerged triumphant with a 2 - 1 victory. Both goals were scored by the captain, Brighett, and no substitutions were made.

The members of the Hout Bay High School Girls Soccer Team would like to urge the rest of the girls out there to join the team so that they can have some fun and show everyone a thing or two!

The Enviro Club, co-ordinated by Ms Julius, has been busy with a set of Gardening Workshops in order to enter a National Competition in which schools have to create a food garden. This term’s workshops included how to enrich the soil and make a herbal tea for plants.

Learners who represent the school in these workshops are Melikhaya Mdubeki and Azola Maqabuka. Both learners are in Gr. 10. Furthermore, The Enviro Club has been seriously busy preparing for their Annual Enviro Quiz that took place on the 7th of June 2013.

Competition Time for Enviro-Club

Raymond Samuels in Grade 10 was awarded the title of Top Achiever of our school at The Annual UCT Mathematics Competition that took place on 24 April 2013. The teacher involved is Mr Stuurman.

On the Academic Front

When asked to write an essay on the topic “ … and when I woke up in the middle of nowhere, I had only myself to blame. ” Keena Newman, Grade 11A, responded thus. The teacher involved is Mrs Boezak.I can’t believe that this has happened to me. Why and how? I still don’t understand. Confusion strikes my mind when I reminisce about the mishaps of that fateful DownTown 21st party of Joan Rivers…Being the centre of attraction, and attention, was easy – especially if the Great Joan Rivers is your groupie! We travelled the globe together, exploring the enriching variety of environments. Today, 19 January 1882, was a special day, filled with spectacular events. It was Joan’s 21st birthday party. She booked us a private flight – me, her, and another 24 of the close chums.As we entered the aircraft, the sunset beamed over the dark majestic mountains. We were currently still in France, but slowly on our way to Florida. So we took off and began with the ball of all parties. At first, everything seemed fabulous – the mood, the snacks, the crowd. However, as the night sky grew darker and dusk began to settle in, stranger things happened on

board. Celebrities’ faces grew oblique to the ceiling, voices went from melodious to screechy. What was happening to us? Little did we know as the flight cruised on, the night grew increasingly dark. In fact, strange things took place.Our pilot suffered a heart attack causing his head to steer us out of control. Plummeting downwards we all went – thousands of kilometres out of the sky. CRASH!! Dust and clouds of smoke arose from the aeroplane. Joan and I were the first to awake – in the middle of nowhere. Bruised and severely injured we managed to escape from the wrecked and shattered aircraft. “HELP!! Somebody help!!”A jungle? How could it be? Slowly we hopped along. We decided to go separate ways in search of some oasis because the crash diminished everything we had.I walked to the right among large trees that almost lead up to the clouds in the sky. I turned around, my back against the hard bark of a tree. There it was, that larger than life reptile, staring at me. Teeth as sharp as razors. An air of rotten flesh. At that moment I knew : “it is over.” Here is no way out. HELP! Somebody help!I had only myself to blame. Why did I accept Joan’s invitation?

Hout Bay Montessori Primary School 2014

“I like my teachers because they are very kind. I like the work because it is fun.” Clara (7)

“I like the number work because it is good for your brain.” Max (6)

“I like the decimal layout because I am using my hands to make it.” Esona (7)

“I love that my teachers are kind and helpful to me.” Phoebe (7) “I like that all the children help me learn how to write and read but still do things by myself. I like how the children are kind and loving.” Jade (7).

upcoming talks

The “VIRTUES” programme : 13 June 15h00—16h00

A beautiful and comprehensive curriculum we use at Hout Bay Montessori to bring out the best in each of our children. This talk is aimed at any parent or educator who would like to support their child in developing a culture of character in their homes, classrooms and families.

The “MONTESSORI LANGUAGE” programme : 22 August 15h00 to 16h00

A presentation by the HBM staff on how children acquire language and excel at reading and writing (ages 1 to 12).

The “MONTESSORI MATHS programme :

24 October 15h00 to 16h00

A presentation by the HBM staff on the beautiful and unique Montessori Mathematics curriculum (ages 1 to 12).

Building Autonomy in our children: 14 November

15h00 to 16h00

A brief glimpse into the positive discipline approach used at HBM to nurture independence and self-esteem—how we teach conflict resolution and engage cooperation posi-tively (ages 1 to 12).

upcoming talks









15h00 to 16h00


What exactly is the Montessori primary programme about? The passage from the preschool to the primary is the passage from the sensorial, material level to the abstract. The need for abstraction and intellectual activity makes itself felt when a child is about 7. It is at age 7 that one can note the beginning of an orientation toward the judgement of acts as right or wrong, fair or unfair...

This preoccupation belongs to a very special sensitivity, the conscience. The 7 to 12 year old period, then, constitutes one of particular importance for moral education. There are three unique characteristics of an excellent Montessori primary environment:

1. Mastery of fundamental skills and basic core knowledgePrimary Montessori children explore the realm of mathematics, science and

technology, the world of myth, great literature, history, world geography, civics, economics, anthropology and the basic organisation of human societies. Their studies also cover the basics found in the South African National Curriculum, such as the memorisation of math facts, spelling lessons and the study of grammar, vocabulary, sentence analysis, creative writing and library research skills. Sometimes, because Montessori places so much emphasis on cultivating children’s sense of curiosity and wonder, parents may get the impression that the children can simply do whatever they wish, avoiding subjects that they dislike. This is not the case in any well-run class.

2. Dr. Montessori’s “Great Lessons”The Great Lessons are five key areas of interconnected studies traditionally presented to all primary children in the form of inspiring stories and related experiences and research projects.

The Great Lessons include the story of how the world came to be, the development of life on Earth, the story of humankind, the

development of language and writing and the development of mathematics. They are intended to give children a “cosmic” perspective of the Earth and humanity’s place within the cosmos.

3. Individually chosen researchMontessori primary children are encouraged to explore topics that capture their imagination. The children are encouraged to explore topics that capture their imagination. They do a lot of independent reading and library research. They gather information, assemble portfolios and handmade books of their own, and teach what they have learned to friends.

In the Montessori programme, subject is not separated into small little packages – traditional subject matter. Everything is inter-related. The subjects weave in and out of each other. Literature, art, music, dance, drama, history, social issues, political science and the study of technology all compliment one another in the Montessori primary curriculum.

This integrated approach is one of the primary programme’s greatest strengths. One of the keys to understanding Montessori’s success can be found in the way in which it carefully encourages the development of children’s self-esteem and independence.

Primary children are ready to take on a much higher level of challenge and responsibility. The primary class is a small community. The children keep the class in order, care for classroom animals, tend to the plants and the vegetable garden, work together and learn from each other.

Pirates Grill House; Gypsy; @ Home; Imagenius; The Club House; Yoga Spirit; Wakaberry; Brooke Irving; Fork; Cheviot Place Guest House; The Sea Bar; Quentin Spickernell; La Cuccina; Deja Vu; Casey B. Dolan; Home Heroes; Rock Chic; Hout Bay Riding Centre; Tamsin Snyman;

Wellness Warehouse; Dalida Pottery; Taryn Cutler; The Edge Gym; Star Dot Toys; Wild Olive Guest Farm; Ryan and Karen Christian; Dani Klaff; Spiro’s; Oakhurst Spar;

Lookout Deck; Shafeeka Broderick and NAP Linen.

Hout Bay Montessori would like to thank the following loyal sponsors who so generously contributed to our annual fund-raiser:

Hout Bay Montessori Print Run Sponsored By Cathy Bell:

Consider this: most of what we consider ‘misbehaviour’ in 1 to 6 year olds, when you really look at it, is children trying to do things by themselves and not being successful – clothes all over the floor (trying to dress themselves), spilt food (trying to serve themselves) etc.

In our hurried world, it’s easier to do it ourselves than to stop and show our children how to do a task and patiently wait as they complete it. BUT, helping a child to do things themselves is the number one SELF-ESTEEM tool you have!

We can begin to show our children how to use tools like knives, scissors, hammers and screwdrivers with 100% adult supervision. As a child’s skills and responsibilities grow, we can introduce new levels of difficulty with different tools and materials. Giving our children ‘real’ work with ‘real’ tools will help them gain independence.

Self-esteem is based on having skills, meaning you can act in ways that benefit yourself and others. Too often, adults think that just telling someone they are wonderful develops a feeling of self-worth. Self-esteem is based on the self-confidence of knowing how to do something, not on what someone says to you.

“Help Me Help Myself!”

I am often asked “why should I keep my child in Montessori for Grade R when they are going to make the transition into traditional school anyway – why not do it now?”

Please consider the following:• The Montessori pre-school programme is

deliberately designed to be a 3 year programme, and it is only in the third year that much of what has been developing finally blossoms.

• Children have often waited for two years to be one of the ‘biggies’ in the class. That third year is a time when they grow emotionally in ways that traditional programmes rarely allow. It is one of the prime reasons why Montessori has such a dramatic impact on most children.

• Most children at age 5 are at a very different developmental stage from most children at age 6. The Montessori pre-school programme is elegantly designed to play to the reality of their stage of development. It makes wonderful use of the hidden potential within almost every child. The lost opportunity is something that is, from our perspective of having seen so many children complete the process, really disappointing.

• Children from Montessori pre-schools are often far advanced academically and much more self-assured and socially mature than their peers from traditional pre-schools. When placed in a programme with a much lower academic expectation, they can become bored, despondent or assertive.

• It is much more common today to find a greater allowance for differences in Grade 1 programmes. Many teachers have not only heard about multiple intelligences, but they are actually trying to design programmes to allow for children who are more accelerated.

Why keep your child inMontessori for Grade R

upcoming talks









15h00 to 16h00


Grade R Extended Day Activities: preparing for Grade 1. A morning of birding yields great results!

Celebrating Chinese New Year. Celebrating Earth Day

Congratulations and well done to Leonoor Rinke de Wit (IBDP2) who was selected to join Berklee College of Music as a candidate for the Professional Music Diploma. Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, USA, and is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world.

Berklee Candidate: Leonoor Rinke de Wit

Students who wrote the IGCSE External exams last year were honoured for their academic achievements at the recent inaugural IGCSE Prize Giving. Well done to the following students for their outstanding achievements:

Gold Award Winners: Stephanie Russell, Emma Torr, Robert Sadler,Alanna Wells

Silver Award Winners: Stuart Brown, Agata Campione, Felicia Campione, Bradley Davies, Hanna Lim, Adam Lincoln-Lewis, Stacey Plasket, Thomas Seccombe, Matthew Croucher

Subject Award Winners: Robert Sadler, Hanna Lim, Thomas Seccombe, Emma Torr, Alanna Wells, Andreas de Beauregard

Special Award Winners:Emma Torr, Agata Campione, Adam Lincoln-Lewis.

Inaugural IGCSE Prize GivingCongratulations, special thank you, and well done to the chelo team members, parents, teachers and students who won 1st Prize for their interesting ‘dragon’ scene at the recent Valley Pre-Primary Sandcastle Competition on Hout Bay beach!

For our new families, who may not be aware of what chelo, (Children of Hout Bay Education and Learning Opportunity) is, it is the Bursary Programme driven by a dedicated group of parents and facilitated by the International School of Hout Bay and whose mission it is

to facilitate the inclusion of students from historically disadvantaged communities of Hout Bay by providing financial, social and educational support. chelo do amazing work!

Chelo Sandcastle Coup!

Science is everywhere in today’s world. It is part of our daily lives, from cooking and gardening, to recycling and comprehending the daily weather report, to reading a map and using a computer. At the International School of Hout Bay, we assist learners in understanding the basic principles of science and how it is linked to the technological world they live in,

by a balanced combination of theoretical and practical studies. Through research and discovery learners are provided with the necessary tools to analyse and test a problem or situation and enjoy the advantage of a higher comprehension and skills set to become life-long learners. Pictured here is Emily von Lemm and Natalie Moeketsi, both IBDP1 students.

The Science of Everyday LifeModel United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.

The participants role-play as diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated session of a committee of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. The school will participate in Provincial and eventually National events.

On Saturday, the 11th of May, a selected MUN team went to Chesterhouse High School to participate in the mini MUN conference. Aedan Dilley (IGCSE 2), Michelle de Castro (IGCSE 2) and Jude Caird (MYC 2) actively participated in the debate, which resulted in achieving the ‘best team award’.

Model United Nations

With the tremendous turnout of participants and spectators and the pertinent messages on the displayed posters, Saturday morning at Mainstream Centre was effective, inspirational and successful! Some of the slogans displayed were ‘STOP WOMEN ABUSE!’, ‘WE ARE MOTHERS, WE ARE TEACHERS, WE ARE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES!’, ‘STRIKE! DANCE! RISE!’, ‘1 IN 3 WOMEN IS RAPED OR BEATEN IN HER LIFE TIME!’

With the commitment and organisation by the Flash Mob Team, Agata Campione, Emma Torr and Felicia Campione (all IBDP 1) their personal awareness campaign about women abuse and domestic violence struck home. Enthusiastic students, staff, parents, family and teachers from our school community danced to Kelly Clarkson’s song “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, in the hope of spreading the message.

“Strike a Woman, Strike a Rock”

International School of Hout Bay: High School Print Run Sponsored By Mila’s Boutique:

The MYC3 Drama Class doing a dance that they choreographed to the song Radioactive.

Radioactive Dance - MYC3

Nastassja Krampe attended the South African Karate Nationals earlier in May, which was held in Durban. It was an ‘All Styles’ Karate tournament. ‘All Styles’ is different to the traditional style karate such as Shotokan, Shukokai, etc. and is the one style that everyone from different traditional Karate styles would be able to do. ‘All styles’ is a more fast, sport like form of karate and Nastassja competed in

the 14-15 year old age group, with a group size of about 20-30, girls. She represented Western Province and achieved second place in her division for fighting, also known as Kumite. By achieving second place I can go to Zone 6 which is a level higher than Nationals in Namibia; and UFAC, which is the African Nations Championships tournament taking place in Tunisia.

South African Karate Nationals

Ancient Trebuchet Triumph

On Sunday, 26th May 2013, undeterred by the Cape winter rain, a group of scouts brought an ancient siege weapon back to life. The scout group was led by Connor Thompson, 17, a senior scout at 1st Camps Bay, as part of his Springbok construction project. Connor built a Trebuchet, a giant catapult that uses gravity, the principles of leverage and a sling to propel a projectile a great distance. The trebuchet was built

using scouting pioneering techniques learnt during Connor’s 9 years as a cub and a scout. It was 5m long, 3m wide with the catapult arm reaching 7m into the air. The scouts managed to fling a projectile 53m. The Trebuchet was first used 2000 years ago in the East and later brought to Europe. The project took 10 hours to complete. Connor is a student at the ISHB in his pre-final year of the International Baccalaureate program.

Photography Club Efforts

With the building of the International School of Hout Bay’s new campus well underway, it was great to be part of the official launch of our sister school, Blouberg International School’s brand new school building with the Minister of Education for the Western Cape, Mr Donald

Grant. Blouberg International School, as part of the International Education Systems (IES) group, re-affirmed its commitment to quality private education in South Africa, with the official launch of its brand new school building in Ringwood Drive, Blouberg.

Seen here at the prestigious event are: (from left) Mr Henk Weyers (Principal of the International School of Helderberg), Mr Donald Grant (Minister of Education for the Western Cape), Mrs Nerine Resnekov (Principal at Blouberg International School), Dr Nicholas Tate (Chairman of

the IES Board), Mr Mark Barber (Area Manager Sub-Saharan Africa at Cambridge International Examinations), Mr Andy Wood (Principal at the International School of Hout Bay) and Mr Sergi Lopez (Technological Resources Coordinator for IES). Photographer: Paul Reichle.

Building of New Campus Well Underway!

There was great excitement in the Primary School when the team from ‘Rock ‘n Ride for Rhino’ came to visit. The whole school enjoyed the talk and songs and the Senior Primary were further inspired to take action after watching the videos about the programme. ROCK ’N RIDE 4 RHINO is an epic conservation, community and communications project entailing a 10,000km motorcycle adventure around Southern Africa from April - Sep 2013. It has been conceived by JASON HARTMAN, 2009 SA Idol and founding director of Men of the Trees, and DAVE ESTMENT, ex-professional superbike racer, professional wildlife photographer and videographer, and founding trustee of the Wild Imaging Trust - both passionate bikers and conservationists - in partnership with DAMIEN MANDER, former Australian Army Special Operations sniper and founding director of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. The purpose is to educate and inform, mobilize united action and raise R20 million to help fund the extensive equipment, manpower and resources required to effectively combat the poaching scourge that is threatening our wildlife and our planet, to support community upliftment specifically in areas impacted by poaching and to provide a powerful communications mechanism via video, still images and internet platforms.

Rock ‘n Ride 4 Rhino Team Visit

Mimi & Ophelia Harris competed in the 3rd South African National Equestrian Schools Association (SANESA) Qualifier earlier in May, representing the International School

of Hout Bay. Both did very well, winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in a number of their classes. They now have the last qualifier to compete in, after which we will know

whether they have won enough points to earn a place in the Western Province SANESA team to go to the regional finals in George later this year!

Mimi, Ophelia and the SANESA Qualifiers

Photography Club Efforts Under 9 Soccer

International School of Hout Bay: Primary School Print Run Sponsored By Velocity Sports Lab:

The weather did not deter excited children from heading off to the Back2Basics Camp in Grabouw! It poured with rain on Day 1 but this did not bother the children who participated in numerous team building activities in the main tent. By evening the rain eased and we headed off for a perfect night hike. Day 2 included raft building, obstacle courses and the zip

line. During the evening we sat around the camp fire before heading out on a map orientation walk. After breakfast on Day 3 we had a bridge challenge, which was very frustrating at first but the excitement of completing it was well worth it! Despite traffic hassles coming back we all returned exhausted, filthy and ready for next year’s camp challenge!

Year 4 and 5 Camp!Adam Deuchar

Novice Sailing Champion

Adam Deuchar has been sailing Optimist and RS Terra dinghies for about 2 years, and has in May completed his ‘Level 2’ sailing course. As the final part of this Level 2 course, the sailors were allowed to sail in the Inter-schools, and Club Championships regatta, as a ‘Novice’ group.

Although in a different group, they sailed with and competed against some of the best

sailors in the country, notably the current SA and African Optimist and Dabchick champions. Adam was placed first overall in the ‘Novice’ group for the Optimist class, in the Club Champs regatta. These Novice sailors were awarded their Level 2 Certificate by the Imperial Yacht Club, after the season’s ‘closing cruise’. Adam was awarded the Novice floating trophy for his performance during the regatta.

2013 is fast becoming a record-breaking year for Kronendal Primary School where learners have shattered 14 school records in swimming and athletics in the first term.

With such an exceptional start, Kronendal is looking forward to one of the best sporting years in the schools 112 year history (founded 1901).

Swimming Records include Girls U10 25m Freestyle Kayla Kohn 16,96; Boys U14 25m Freestyle Luca Avondo 14,78; Boys U14 25m Backstroke Luca Avondo 17,94; Boys U14 4 X25m Individual Medley Luca Avondo 1:27,13.

Athletics Records includes u/12 Girls Discus – Skye Taljaard; u/12 Boys Discus – Kyle Harms; u/12 Girls Javelin – Joanna Roodt; u/13 Girls Javelin – Olothando Gwayi; u/13 Boys Javelin – Ronan du Plessis; u/13 Girls Discus – Lydia Dawanapo; u/13 Boys Discus – Luca Avondo; 60m Boys u/7 – Josef Paterson-Jones; 60m Girls u/8 – Grace Lundy; 60m Boys u/8 – Steven Stander.

Alistair Cross, who heads up the busy sports programme at Kronendal School said he was really excited to see the success of Kronendal’s learners on the sports field and in the school’s pool.

A Record-Breaking Start

The Kronendal Grade 7’s delivered Easter Eggs to the day care centres and Pre-Schools in and around Hout Bay. The school has been collecting marshmallow Easter eggs for a few weeks now, in order to bring some Easter joy to children in our area.

Sharing the Easter Cheer

Willow Borain, Dane Agulhas, Callen van der Ross and William Johnson helping to hand out Easter Eggs at Little Lambs in Imizamo Yethu

On Saturday 13 April 2013, an eager group of 6 Grade 7 learners took part in the annual Valley Pre-Primary Sandcastle Competition on Hout Bay beach. Beautiful weather and a festive atmosphere ensured that a good time was had by all. The beach was jam packed with spectators and competitors alike, all enjoying the creativity and fun of sand sculpting. The Kronendal team’s sandcastle depicted a typical Hout Bay boat, and the team came 2nd overall!

Sandcastle Competition

7-year-old Grace Lundy, breaking the U8 60m sprint record at Kronendal Interhouse Sports Day.

9-year-old Kayla Kohn, broke the girls U10 25m freestyle record in 16,96 seconds at the Kronendal Interhouse Swimming Gala

13 year old Luca Avondo, proudly shows off his trophy at the Kronendal Interhouse Swimming Gala, after successfully breaking 3 records.

On Friday 10 May, the Kronendal Grade 1’s, 2’s and 3’s spoilt their moms with an afternoon of fun in the classroom. Each grade had a special treat planned for mom. The Grade 1’s enjoyed making special cards, the Grade 2’s performed in a talent show and decorated yummy biscuits, while the Grade 3’s designed and made beautiful beaded bracelets.

Grade 1’s and their moms doing some cutting and pasting.

Grade 1, Elliot Shuttleworth with his mom.

Grade 3, Blessing Gimidi with her mom.

Celebrating Mother’s Day

Dane Aghulas, Reshen Frieslaar, Bradwin Willoughby, Ms Pereira (Grade 3 Teacher), Safina Mongwe, Kaede Meter.

Kronendal Primary School Print Run Sponsored By Spiro’s Restaurant:

On Friday 19 April 2013, Kronendal Primary hosted the annual derby day with Camps Bay Primary School. Rugby, netball, soccer and chess matches were played. Eager spectators lined the fields and a competitive but fun afternoon was had by all.Results: Rugby: u/13 Team won 45-0.

Netball: u/10 won 4-2 and 5-2; u/11 won 3-0 and 9-0; u/12 lost 2-8 and 2-6; u/13 lost 4-6 and 5-8.

Soccer: u/9B Boys drew 2-2; u/9A Boys lost 4-1; u/11B Boys lost 4-3; u/11A Boys lost 5-1; u/13A Girls lost 4-0; u/13B Boys drew 4-4 and the u/13A Boys lost 2-5.

The U13 rugby match was a great place to showcase the boys’ talent.

Hannah Johnson (Kronendal U10) gets ready to pass the ball to a team mate.

Kronendal - Camps Bay Annual Derby Day

The under 13 rugby tour to Stanford early in the second term was a great success and served as a good bonding/ team building exercise. Two matches were played and won by Kronendal. The host school Okkie Smuts Primary was beaten 30 – 20, while Die Bron Primary was trounced by 30 points.

April Rugby Tour to Stanford WonderboxesSustainability and energy saving procedures are part of the Grade 7 Natural Science curriculum. This year, the Kronendal Grade 7’s made wonderboxes which save on energy and cooking time. They made a variety of scrumptious dishes in their homemade wonderboxes.

Doulton Pawley and Keagan Marx with their wonderbox.

Cameron Fisher and Jesse Vosloo with their homemade wonderbox made to look like a stove.

On the 20th of April, we held one of our major fundraising events of the year; the Llandudno Carnival of Countries. The weather was absolutely perfect with not a cloud in the sky and warm sunshine.

Everyone who arrived early to set up got stuck in and by mid-morning the venue

looked terrific! As families started to pour in around noon, the venue came alive!

Everyone had a wonderful time either playing games, enjoying pony rides, watching the entertainment or enjoying food and drink from different countries. Lots of prizes were won on the day, the

main prize being won by Mrs Gibson during the thrilling “Diamond Rush”. The day was a huge success and we managed to raise a lot of money for our building projects for the school.

Thank you all who came to support us and everyone who made the day possible. We

would like to say a very big Thank you to Natasja Mallam and Susan Tsakiroglou who coordinated and planned the event.

Thank you to all who helped, donated food, prizes, equipment, transport or manned stalls or contributed in any way to make it a truly lovely day.

Llandudno’s Annual Carnival of Countries

Mothers are extraordinary people, first and foremost they are moms, wives, partners, friends, sisters and daughters, to name but a few of the vital roles they play. To show our appreciation, we treated them to a NIA class in the school hall at Llandudno on Friday 7 May. NIA is a form of exercise that uses martial arts, dance arts and healing arts to connect the body, mind, and spirit. It is usually performed barefoot with soul-stirring music, balancing specific moves with freedom, encouraging people to personalize these movements. The focus of the morning was on keeping in touch with their inner selves, affirming them in their vital role as mothers and energising them to be strong and healthy in mind, body and spirit, to carry out their purpose as mothers. Dee, a NIA teacher from the area, lead our moms in dance and after the class, tea or coffee and muffins were a welcome treat in the lovely warm autumn sunshine. Moms were invited to the classrooms to spend some time with their children and enjoyed being back at ‘school’, doing different activities with their children and being entertained with poems or song - sharing some time with their young ones. The event was held to show our gratitude for the role they play in their young children’s lives and proved to be a great success.

Celebrating Mother’s Day

Our Very Own Star SailorThis year has been a full and exciting year of sailing for 12 year old Elsje Dijkstra of Llandudno Primary School. After her gutsy performance in December 2012 in the SA Youth National Championships in Swartvlei, Sedgefield, she was ranked 23 out of 70 participating sailors. This result gave her entry into the trials for the SA Team to sail in the African Championships to be held at Club Mykonos in August of this year. She made it into selections on two counts: placed in the Top 30 overall and top 6 girls. On the weekend of 2nd and 3rd March, Elsje represented Llandudno in the Inter Schools Sailing competition and came 7th overall and 2nd girl in the competition. Llandudno was placed 7th overall and 3rd of teams with only 1 sailor. During the long weekend in March, Elsje

attended a high performance sailing clinic at Theewaterskloof Sailing Club, run by Pim Strempel, who is the Dutch National Optimist Coach, with two local coaches assisting him. There were 19 junior sailors and these are close to all being in the top 20 in this class of boat (Optimist) in the country. Elsje placed 15th overall and third girl. She came 8th in the last race sailed. At the Easter Regatta in Hermanus, Elsje qualified for the team representing South Africa in the African Optimist Championships to be held at Club Mykonos from the 10th to 18th August 2013. The Regatta will have “Live Tracking” on each boat so schoolmates will be able to follow her races as they are happening. Although Elsje is modest about her achievements we are all enormously proud her.

Thomas Bell and his Mum with Asha Chidakwa

Ethan McLeod with his Mum for Mother’s Day.

An energising NIA class lead by local NIA instructor, Dee.

Llandudno Primary School Print Run Sponsored By Hout Bay SuperSpar:

On Friday the 3rd May 2013, our wonderful Llandudno General Knowledge team participated in the first round of the Atlantic Seaboard Zone’s Primary General Knowledge Quiz which was held at Camps Bay Primary. The team consisted of four Grade 7’s – Joshua Vaughan, Kiandra Bintcliffe, Tegan West and Romy Searll, and Grade 6’s – Jason Heynecke and Catherine Vine.

Llandudno finished a credible second and can be proud of this pleasing result. Well done to our fantastic team and we wish you luck for your next round!

The final points tally was Camps Bay 69; Llandudno 65; St.Georges 63; Milnerton 61; Sea-Point 56; Elkanah 53. Congratulations go to our wonderful Quiz team for doing us proud!

Great Showing by Quiz TeamLlandudno Primary is very proud to have many children from our school that participate in the Llandudno Surf Lifesaving Club Nippers programme. As they get older, they can complete their qualifications and become lifeguards on our beautiful beach.

Lifesaving training is a fantastic exercise regimen and incorporates many sport disciplines. The weekly training teaches our children to understand and respect our unpredictable ocean and encourages leadership, camaraderie, teamwork, and fun.

The children that pass their level exams are eligible to compete at the various competitions around the country.

Llandudno Primary children do very well at the various Nipper disciplines, namely Flags, Beach Sprints, Beach Relay, Long

Run, Swimming, Body Board and Board events, to name a few. We are proud to announce that at the SA Nipper Nationals this year in Durban, Sebastian Bauriedl was awarded a Silver for the U11 Flags and Nathan Schoultz achieved a Silver in U10 Sprints and a Silver in U10 Long Run. Fantastic boys! We also had two past pupils, Alessandra Bayly and Indiana van Rensburg, that helped the Western Province Nipper team to victory in the Inter-Provincial Championships and Indiana got Gold in U14 Sprints and a Silver for U14 Long Run – well done girls!

After a long, tiring, successful and fun season, the Llandudno Surf Lifesaving Club named Bree Mallam - U10 Girl Nipper of the Year, Nathan Schoultz - U10 Boy Nipper of the Year, Sebastian Bauriedl - U12 Boy Nipper of the Year and Camryn-Rose Beaton - U12 Girl Nipper of the Year – not too bad Llandudno Primary!!!

Llandudno Nipper Report

Sebastian Bauriedl and Nathan Schoultz with their SA Nipper Champs medals.

Camryn-Rose Beaton U12 Girl Nipper of the Year.This term has certainly been an exciting

one for all of our school sports. We have dominated across the board on the soccer field and on the netball and squash courts. We have seen a wonderful growth in our teams and their sports skills and have had many matches this term to boast about!

Congratulations go to our U11 Boys Soccer team for their consistent hard work on the soccer field! They won their very first two matches with a combined score of 25-0. Our U9A team followed closely behind in scores having played very well against their often strong opponents. A special mention must be made of Nicolas Yolland, Thomas Bell, Yamkela Matthiso, Zachary Willemse and Cameron Williamson.

The two Squash teams need to be praised for their wonderful spirit on the courts and for their great sports results this term. In particular our A team has had 4 excellent victories, 1 loss and 1 draw this term.

Well done to Joshua Harford, Sasha Amor and Cameron Williamson for being such super-stars on the squash court!

It has been a wonderful term for our netball girls. We have played in some really thrilling, fast paced games against challenging opponents, with many victories to boast home about. Together with this, we have had fun during practice sessions and during the Saturday netball clinics. Thank you to Mrs Bigaignon for all her help this term!

And lastly, for those pupils who are more into solo sport, stretching their legs for long distances and being out in nature, there is our school cross-country club. Our team has run a number of races on Fridays;

often in very beautiful surroundings with close on 1000 pupils taking part from around the peninsula and as many as 100 pupils per age group. Notable placings are Nathan Schoultz coming 7th in his U10 races in both Fish Hoek and Keurboom Park and Joshua Grieveson coming 8th in the U10 Fish Hoek race. Megan Grieveson came 10th in the U8 race in Fishhoek. Zara Goslett and Tarah Mc Dowell came 6th and 10th respectively in their u12 and u13 races at Zandvlei. They are all dedicated runners training twice a week and competing each week often in wet and cold weather.

Llandudno Winter Sports

Warming up for our cross-country race in Fish Hoek.

Josh Vaughan. Hard at work on the netball court.

From Left: Cameron Williamson, Joshua Harford, Kurt McDaniel and Sasha Amor.

Mrs Enid Davis, the current headmistress, retires at the end of the second term after a long and illustrious career at Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School. Mrs Davis was approached by the previous headmaster, the late Mr Paul Gallant, who offered her a post at the school on learning of her qualifying as a teacher. Mr Gallant, who taught Mrs Davis in both primary and high school, recognized the value of having her join the Oranjekloof family, and in 1979, Mrs Davis took up her post as teacher.

The school back then was very small and rural with just 99 children enrolled. Over the ensuing years Mrs Davis filled the roles of teacher, Head of Department and Deputy Principal, and by the time she achieved the position of Principal, the school had grown to over 700 children. Now, in 2013, 34 years after standing in front of her first class at Oranjekloof and with the school close to 1300 pupils, Mrs Davis steps down as Principal, leaving some very big shoes to fill.

Fond FarewellNelson Mandela’s Visit to Oranjekloof 1999

An April 1999 visit to Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School, sees former President, Nelson Mandela, taking a tour of the school and sitting down with the staff for photographs. An occasion still very close to the hearts of staff and children alike.

Mrs Rhoda, a Grade 5 teacher at the school, holds parent-child assistance classes on a Saturday morning for English and Mathematics.

The program has been running for 6 weeks now, and teaches parents how to assist their children with their school and homework at home.

Parent-Child Assistance ClassSeparate from the rest of the school, the two Grade R classes are bright and warm and filled with the little people of the future and their dedicated teachers.

Meet Grade R

Oranjekloof ’s Super Soccer Stars

Oranjekloof’s Sports Coordinator, Silulami Melane, presents the u/13 and u/11 players who recently had a very successful match day against Kronendal Primary with the u/11’s winning 6-2. They are coached by Dale Fani, of Imizamo Yethu, and captained by Luvo Sandlana in Grade 4.Grade Rb with Ms Shumi.

Grade Ra with Ms Harrison.

An Impromptu Delight from the Oranjekloof Choristers

On a chilly mid-May morning, we were privileged enough to be at Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School to take photographs of the children. After a number of shots of athletes and soccer stars, a large group of 74 children and their teacher, Ms

Kwazi, gathered on the stairs for a choir photograph. Encouraged by their dynamic headmistress, Ms Davis, the choir burst into song and for a moment, in that chilly Autumn sunshine, the world went still. Children from all over poked their heads

out of classroom doors and windows to see what was happening and tears came to our eyes.

The talented Ms Kwazi, previously a soloist at Masibulele College in Whittlesea,

Eastern Cape, began with the choir in 2002 and in 2013 they are an incredible vocal group, performing only at school functions and occasionally at funerals. Hopefully we will hear a lot more from them in the years to come.

25 Athletics Medals in the Bag!Earlier this term, our talented athletes took part in the finals of the Moravian Church Schools Athletics Meeting, bringing home a total of 25 gold, silver and bronze medals.

We are very proud of the hard work that our athletes have put into achieving such fine results and wish them lots of luck for their future meetings.

Grade 7 Medal Winners from Left: Zolakazi Joyi; Sixolile Gulw; Philani Luhlabo; Lukholo Mjo; Siyanda Makhaphetshu and Zusiphe Langa

Medal Winners Back Left: Kaylin Braaf, Gr 5; Lindokuhle Gwabeni, Gr 6; Nozubenathi Banise, Gr 6; Katiso Khoba, Gr 6; Nzuzo Sophangisa, Gr 6; Anastatia Chipwere, Gr 6. Front Left: Xolisani Sidimba, Gr 3; Onke Mtokati, Gr 3 and Simamkele Zimemo, Gr 6.

Towards the end of 2012, the School Governing Body and the School Management Team worked with a facilitator over two Saturday mornings to develop a new mission and vision statement for the school, in line with the expectations of where the school and its learners should be moving towards.

After much consultation, discussions and compromise, the following was adopted:Vision: To be a centre of quality teaching and learning.

Mission: Sentinel Primary School is dedicated to the highest levels of success, respect, integrity, commitment and responsibility while providing our learners and community with knowledge and skills to become competent and worthy citizens.The values are of particular importance to the school, and needs to be evident in everything we do and say, every day!

During a special assembly early in May, these values were introduced by the different grades. Different colours were

attached to the values to make it more real and easier to remember. These values and colours are: Success - Red; Respect - Blue; Integrity - Yellow; Commitment – Orange; Responsibility – Green.

Different grades presented the different values and each learner was encouraged to dress in that colour. This made quite an impression and the colourful introduction will hopefully add to reminding all involved daily of what we want to achieve at the school.

New Mission and Vision Adopted Sport, Sport, Sport

Our first Grade R Park was launched in 1990 but quickly became too small as the demand for another Grade R class was evident. The move in 1996 was to benefit all our learners but unfortunately, due to continuous vandalism, lack of maintenance and no funding, we soon had to improvise in order to help our children develop physically. To make matters worse, there are also no park structures within the community to aid us in our endeavours.

Over the past few years, it seemed as if the Grade R Park would never become a reality until the beginning of 2013, when a small business owner volunteered his services in the construction of our Grade R Park. It has been an exciting start to the New Year for the Grade R learners and Educators alike. The enthusiasm and good

heartedness of Patrick Cornelius created a ripple effect where a climbing frame and swings were also donated by a family in Hout Bay.

Our latest addition, a sandpit, has created a lot of excitement amongst our learners. This resulted in a beautiful park filled with lots of opportunities for stimulation and enhancement of our learners’ development.

We are so thankful that our learners are now able to extend their development outdoors as we are so mindful of the important ‘brain work’ that takes place during these physical activities. Our Grade R Park is thus a vital part of preparing our children for reading, writing and a better understanding of the world around us. It could not have happened at a better time.

A Brand New Grade R Park

At Sentinel the one thing that our learners look forward to more than anything is their sport. And believe it or not, during the winter months when most of us want to be indoors, they are outside.

Our soccer is one of the most loved games and our boys and girls are very eager to participate. This season has been a very successful one. Our under 13 boys played the following games and the results are evidence of their enthusiasm. Vs Kronendal 7 - 3; vs Reddam 4 - 2; vs Sea Point 5 - 0; vs Camps Bay 6 - 1.

Our girs played only one match as there are only a few schools that have female teams. They played Weizmann and beat them by 2 goals.

Our Rugby boys cannot wait to follow suit. We have a very kind sponsor who will make sure that our rugby boys will be getting jerseys soon, but we will leave that for a next issue.

We have an after school programme running daily till 17h00 and here many of our learners get the exercise and fun they need.

Sentinel Primary School Print Run Sponsored By Star Dot Toys:

At Sentinel Primary school, we have come to believe that ABC stands for ‘Angels’, ‘Believers’ and ‘Carers’, because this amazing NPO who works in our school, is making a huge difference, with kindness and with love.

ABC for Life was founded by two Hout Bay residents, Val Toledo and Lola Kramer. These two ladies were driven by the need to be of significance and make a lasting difference in the lives of children. They made the wise choice and got involved at Sentinel Primary School. The school mainly serves the Hangberg community plus some learners from IY. Lola and Val realised that in order to give learners a fair chance to be successful in life, they need to be able to read, write and do

mathematics. Many of Sentinel’s learners struggled with basic concepts which kept them back, and because they could not catch up, they fell further behind every year, until they became so despondent that they dropped out of school.

This year, ABC funds three full time teachers at the school. These ‘angels who believe and care’ support the learners who are performing below grade level, helping them to overcome the gaps so that they can be more successful in their grade. They also run an amazing volunteer programme with around twelve volunteers from the community of greater Hout Bay, reading with and to our learners, individually or in small groups.

Sentinel’s systemic test results which are written every year in Grades 3 and 6, clearly show the benefit that our learners who go to ABC for support, have. Until recently only the English classes were supported, and they did significantly better than the Afrikaans classes. Since 2013 the Afrikaans classes are now also supported, so improved results are expected there too.

It is an absolute privilege to work with our dedicated and professional teachers from ABC who are always willing to do their best for our learners. Together we are providing quality teaching to our learners.

ABC for Life Making a Difference at Sentinel

Over the years, Sentinel Primary has been categorized as an underperforming school. Our teachers have been labouring hard and they never gave up hope. It is a known fact that, although our learners are exposed to harsh and demanding conditions outside of school, they continue to strive to do their best.

The Foundation Phase educators have tried and tested every possible teaching strategy to secure and maintain high expectations. Teachers in Grade R, 1 & 2 assisted the Grade 3 teachers by taking Grade 3 learners afterschool to help them catch-up. We have ensured that learners come to school a bit earlier so that they can enjoy a warm bowl of porridge. Realising that children are unable to learn and concentrate on an empty tummy, a plate of food followed later in the day.

Our Grade R and Grade 1 Home-School Partnership Programme together with the input of other NGO’s such as ABC for Life have jointly added to the significant improvement of our Grade 3 Mathematics results of 15.4% (‘n aansienlike verbetering). We are proud of this achievement. Yet we acknowledge that there is much room for improvement. It has shown us that ‘practice makes perfect’ and you shouldn’t ‘give up’. This has been our season of ‘fruit bearing’.

At Sentinel Primary school, we don’t just aim high as stated in our school motto. We give, we love, we serve, we help, and we encourage and add value to the lives of others.

2013 has been a year of ‘reaping the fruits of our labour’.

Reaping the Fruits of Our Labour

The prefects at Sentinel serve the school well. We have 21 prefects in all and they are all potential leaders. Ms Davids’ work with the prefects and her goal is to develop and train young individuals to reach their full potential and dreams as such through inspiring leadership projects and activities. The aim is to uphold the vision and mission of the school by setting a good example for the lower grades and peers. They became part of our school improvement plan. Prefects help with the line-up of learners, assemblies and help younger learners to read during break in our new school library.

Good times, leadership and responsibility ... that’s what the prefects have experienced thus far on the venture toward personal growth as the youth of today.

The prefects at Sentinel have been active over the last two terms. One of the highlights was going on a weekend camp to Apostle Battery. The camp was motivational and inspirational and learners have acquired new skills and knowledge on leadership.

L said “It was great to spend a weekend with my friends. I enjoyed “ braaing” the marshmallows and listening to the scary stories Mr Jardien told us around the fire.” Roxanne in Grade 7 said that the camp was awesome, it was the best, all the teamwork and leadership games they took part in has inspired her and taught her how to be a good leader and prefect. Emile said “It’s great to know that it is not all work and the playing part of being a prefect is actually much more interesting. Oh and wow…Ms Davids’ braaied chicken was the best. I’m looking forward to applying the skills I have attained on camp at school.”

It was good to get the learners into new surroundings and give them new perspective of life and the world out there. The learners thoroughly enjoyed themselves and acquired new skills, great self-esteem and understanding.

The prefects at Sentinel know how to be responsible and work hard but they also experienced how to have fun, after all what is more cheerful than a child’s laughter.

Our Prefects’ Roles & Responsibilties

Silikamva High School is the new kid on the Hout Bay block having opened its doors for the first time in January 2013. The school started as Disa High, but has since been renamed to capture its own unique identity. The name meaning “we are the future” is an apt description of the learners that attend and the expectations we share with them. The school is situated on the site that was previously the YMCA campsite at the top of Penzance Road. Positioned right next to the settlement of Imizamo Yethu, the school primarily serves this community with the vast majority of its children from IY.

The need for an additional high school in Hout Bay has been apparent for some time so it is with much anticipation and hope that Silikamva High has started and now continues to develop.

The provision of a local, easily accessible school for the students of Imizamo Yethu is now a reality. The school has begun with grade 8 and 9 students, an approximate student compliment of 260. Reflective of the socio-economic situation of many families in Imizamo Yethu, the school is a non-fee-paying institution entirely reliant on Western Cape Education Department funding for all its running costs. Developing the site and school into one that we can be proud of will take the commitment and support of the wider Hout Bay community and other stakeholders.

It is the intent of the staff, learners and school community that Silikamva High will be an extraordinary school. It will take something special to buck the trend of inadequate schooling apparent in too many of our schools. In a community wracked by violence and upheaval, learning that aims to transform individuals and communities is

desperately needed. This is not achieved only through academic success, but through personal awareness and values-based teaching. Schools are living entities comprised of people with significant potential and it is this that must be realised.

Silikamva High School aims to provide students with the intellectual, emotional and physical development necessary for each student to grow into healthy and meaningful adulthood. The school is committed to holistic learner development and the promotion of value-based learning that stimulates independent enquiry and intellectual curiosity through a focused academic and extramural programme. Since our inception we have worked hard to develop a work ethic of our learners that will lead to the results that at least provide

them with real choices and opportunities as they grow up. Involvement in soccer, netball, art, choir, dancing, environmental awareness and community involvement all provide areas in which young people can pursue interests and extend their learning.

The schooling experience for children needs to be one that takes them into adulthood with the skills and values necessary to live healthy and meaningful lives. It is my intent that together with a staff of dedicated teachers, well intentioned parents, and active wider community support, Silikamva High School becomes a space for real personal development and change, so strengthening and benefitting the Hout Bay Valley as a whole.

The New Kid on the Block

There’s nothing like a good book to transport us out of our everyday lives and into a world where anything is possible as long as there are still words to be read.

This is a sentiment that our students share, as was evident at the launch of our mobile library this term. Not only were students volunteering on Saturday mornings to help cover and catalogue the books – eagerly pledging to protect them – but they were also clamouring at their class’ collection to get their hands on that special story. They are hungry for books and it shows!

Of course our book collection would not be possible without the help of both corporate sponsors and Hout Bay community members alike. Most notable of which is the partnership we have enjoyed with local author and book enthusiast, Dorothy Dyer, and the wonderful team at Fundza. Their

generous donation of over 80 excellent local titles has transformed our library. Not to mention, three of our students will be featured on the cover of their new book. How exciting!

Ms Muller, a Mathematics and English teacher at Silikamva has a connection to the Vulindlela reading club in Langa. It was this connection that inspired the start of our own reading club. Each week, students from the high school go across to the Little Lambs crèche that is next to the school and run a reading club with the children there. The students play games and read stories to the children – getting them as enthusiastic about reading as they are.

Our vision for the school library is to create a space where students can feel welcome, comfortable and relaxed - a cosy, inviting oasis of calm.

A Culture of Reading

Our Superb School GardenThe Green Club started a new project this term – a vegetable garden! The learners were very excited about this idea as it meant that they would be hands on. They started brainstorming and came up with brilliant ideas.

The club started by coming up with aims for the garden. These were:• the garden must be visually appealing• it should promote awareness of healthy

eating habits• it should promote skill and knowledge

development in the learners• it should encourage parents who are

interested to become involved in the school nutrition programme.

The students developed an action plan. Together with school foreman, Andrew, and environmental group, Thrive, they started by planting seeds in 2 litre coke bottles that had been cut in half in order to grow seedlings. Many of these seedlings have since been transferred to beds. Thrive, also partnered with us in planting trees and flowers and starting a compost heap. They are also training our foreman and two learners, as well as preparing them for the Enviro Quiz.

We are proud that in a short space of time the Green Club has made significant strides in growing a vegetable garden and developing the “green” interest of learners.

Silikamva High School Print Run Sponsored By The ZEE Group:

One of the most important aspects of a solid education—as Silikamva sees it—are those moments outside the formal learning of the classroom. True education, knowledge about the world and about yourself, is often found in a song, a veggie patch, a soccer team or a dance routine. That’s why extramural activities are such an important part of what a school can offer. We are very pleased to be able to provide our students with experiences and opportunities outside of the stipulated curriculum to broaden their experiences of their world and themselves.

We are fortunate enough to provide a wide variety of options to suit all tastes. On the sporting front we have a very enthusiastic soccer team who won their last game 8-5 against Zonnebloem High, a volleyball team who are already representing us in matches, a netball group and a casual running club.

If dance is your thing, teachers are on hand for ballroom dance, drum majorettes or gumboot dancing. Those less inclined to sweat can choose from a drama group run by ArtsReach, our regular Lalela Art Group who are well known in Hout Bay, the mural painting group run by Ms. Little, our science teacher, a movie club once a week showing short docu-dramas, our fantastic green club with veggie patches around the school, or the school choir.

A reading club has been set up in partnership with the Little Lambs crèche next door for our students to spread literacy as a shared source of joy with the younger children of Mandela Park. Each day there is a spread for the students to choose from.

Being such a new school, it is quite a lofty aim to offer a lot of extra-mural activities.

However, Silikamva students already involved are showing their quality and having fun in the process, whether it be a humorous skit by the choir in assembly or Lalela students having their artwork displayed in town as part of a greater exhibition; our freshly painted classroom murals or our soccer boys delivering another drubbing. Who knows! We may even yet find some help to fix the fantastic swimming pool on our school grounds and be starting water polo, snorkelling lessons, synchronized swimming…you name it come next summer (that’s a hint!). The sky is the limit.

History assignments and algebra may be the currency of official education, but it’s the spaces where students can find their passion and shine where true learning takes place.

Extra Murals at Silikamva High School

Our soccer team at Silikamva High School has been doing very well this term. We are playing in the SASFA league and so far we are undefeated! Four of the matches ended in victories whilst two resulted in draws. The team’s success is thanks to coach Bongani Nengomasha. The soccer team will continue to try its best to maintain this high standard in the leagues it participates in and make both Silikamva High School and Hout Bay proud.

We would like to thank Mr Duffett, the school principal, for giving us soccer boys the opportunity to perform.

School Reporter: Maxin Kantsho, Grade 9.

Soccer Report

The worldwide economic situation continues to affect the global housing market with some countries showing signs of improvement and others still in dire straits.

Some European countries still have house prices below the levels of 2007 while in the USA a sharp correction of prices has led to an increase in housing sales. The UK housing market continues to struggle although London is boosted by investment as it is seen as a safe haven and it remains buoyant. The market in South Africa fell dramatically from 2008 when unit sales dropped approximately 50%. The sector for second homes was the hardest hit. There are signs of improvement in the lower end of the market in South Africa but there is still a substantial gap between asking and selling prices.

Despite the overall market being difficult there are some positives, one of which is the NEW ZONING REGULATIONS effective as of 1 March 2013 ,which has been introduced to increase the density of existing and established areas.. These new regulations provide opportunities to home owners, especially those who may be extending or renovating. Although simplified, the regulations are still complex and we strongly advise you to enlist the services of a qualified Town Planner and an attorney to assist you to maximize your opportunities.”

Cluttons is not the largest estate agency in South Africa, but we pride ourselves on being highly regarded and respected, offering a distinguished

and outstanding service in all aspects of property transactions.

Ruyteplaats | R6 850 000

Northshore | R2 995 000

R27 000 / monthGreenacres | R3 295 000Meadows | R2 995 000Berg en Dal | R5 500 000Bokkemanskloof | R3 695 000

R21 000 / monthRuyteplaats | R5 400 000 Harbour Heights | R2 995 000Scott Estate | R2 000 000Klein Leeukop | R3 895 000

Documents

The Good Times School Paper, South Africa