ORION HIGH SCHOOL NEWS March 2017

When we think of Easter we think of THE LOVE that was shown all for mankind, but it is also a time of

development. Not only how the earth and mankind has developed since its creation but we also

celebrate our learner’s development from January entering their new grades, levels and year for the first

time; how they performed during term 1 and how they will continue performing from term 2 onwards.

From my side, I would like to thank all parents for caring, motivating and assisting their learners during this

busy term. Thank you to all learners for doing their best, both in the classroom, outside on the sports field,

playing chess and participating in drama. A big WELL DONE to all learners who obtained merits for good

behaviour and dedication as well as their performance outside of school.

The cycle tests and assessments have been completed and the staff are now busy compiling reports

that will be handed out during the first week of Term 2. Once you have received and read your child’s

report, you will have the opportunity to discuss their progress with the staff during parents evening (more

details to follow). Each family will also receive a new term planner for term 2. Please take note that the

cycle test and exam dates set out in the term planner are subject to change depending on the GDE and

we will only be informed at the beginning of the term.

REMEMBER SECURITY FIRST: please remember to report to the Office first when collecting your child if

fetching him/her for doctor’s appointments or if your child is in the sick room. You will also be required

to complete a “Pupil Request for Leave Form” when planning to take your child out of school for any

length of time. The ladies in the Office will send you a form via email or hand a hard copy to the learner.

On a sad note; to the learners that are leaving us at the end of Term 1, all the best for your future

endeavours and may you be successful in everything that you do!

To all staff, learners and parents, may you enjoy a blessed Easter and have a good rest and return

refreshed as term 2 promises to be a busy and challenging one!

The school term ends on Friday 31 March at 12:00. School reopens on Wednesday 19 April 2017.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

During April, the school will close for a long weekend on Thursday 27, Friday 28 April and Monday 1 May, and

back to school on Tuesday 2 May 2017.

NEW SCHOOL:

All platforms for the new Orion College has been completed and construction will happen soon.

what does the dictionary say?

(plural: respects)

1. a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something

elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

2. due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK………

To the stars………….

ORION’S GOT TALENT

Well done to all those learners who auditioned on Friday 24 March.

To those who would like to show off your talent there is a further opportunity to

audition.

Friday 21st April 2017 at 2pm – same venue

Come and show us what you can do!!

Marlena Potgieter and her family, in conjunction

with HMC Models and Jenni Gault International

Jewellery Designers held a photographic

competition called “Angels for Baby Moses”.

Marlena was crowned 1st Princess in her age

group – Girls 14 – 16 years and Miss Debutante for

Angels for Baby Moses. She managed to raise a

donation of R16 300.00.

Marlena is also a finalist in the Miss Elite SA 2016/2017 – this is a charity

competition to raise funds for babies in need. It will be held in the

Portuguese Hall in Klerksdorp.

JP Potgieter won the title of Most Handsome in his age group – Boys 14-16

years and JJ Potgieter won the title of Most Handsome in his age group –

Boys 10 – 13 years.

Emma Meyer and her horse

Sally

She came second in the

60cm Ideal Time horse riding

competition held at Maple

Ridge on Saturday 25 March.

Senior Pre-Vocational Class (S.P.V.)

Vicky Mostert

On 23rd February 2017 the Senior Pre-Vocational

class went on an outing to the Ten Pin Bowling

arena at Northcliff Corner. A

day of great fun was had by

all and the learners showed

off their impressive skills at

bowling. Well done High

School Pre-Vocational class.

Senior Skills Class (S.C.S) Fatima Boomgaard

We have been working so hard this term making winter goodies with our loom knitting kits. The children

researched and chose their own patterns whilst some needed help with their decisions. Our products range

from bags, scarves, leg warmers, neck warmers, cell phone pouches, baby socks, gloves and beanies.

We recently completed our rabbit hutch in woodwork. Well done to all my hardworking boys and girl

The Class enjoys their cooking, baking and sewing lessons and we extend our services to the students where

we mend their clothing with our sewing machines!! WOW how fantastic! Maybe we should start charging

them???

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents and staff and students

who are so supportive and encouraging. You are indeed amazing!!

PLEASE support our class by buying or just viewing our goodies on the 26 April

2017 when we celebrate language week next term.

AcADEmic nEwS…….…

CERTIFICATES FOR ACHIEVER OF THE MONTH

Pre-vocational class vocational

Thabang Panyane -

Kitso Tsoai -

Literacy & Numeracy

Life Orientation

Munyaradzi Kakora -

Lwandle Ndaba -

Langa Mtshotshisa -

Logan Armour -

English

Life Orientation

Hospitality

Maths

skills Grade 7

Tumelo Kutoane -

Kamogelo Selepe -

Moseki Seatlanyane -

Jacques Nel -

Christopher Mbali -

Sabusiswa Vilakazi -

Matthew Sieff -

Jewellry Making

Numeracy & Literacy

Sewing, Loom Knitting,

Woodwork

Woodwork

Loom Knitting

Cooking & Baking

Most improved in Practical

Skills

Thabiso Ramogale -

Laura-Ashley Weatherburn –

Chelsea Mulenga -

Nolan Trevelyan -

English

Afrikaans, Maths, Life

Orientation, EMS, Creative

Arts, Technology

Social Science

Natural Science

Grade 8 Grade 9

Morgan Herod -

Calvin van Niekerk -

Kayden Morrow -

Zabrina Nicholson -

English, Natural Science,

Technology

Afrikaans, Social Science,

Life Orientation, EMS

Maths

Creative Arts

Sonwabo Sobopha -

Chelsea Feben -

Tristan Reyneke

English, Creative Arts,

Technology

Afrikaans, Maths, Life

Orientation, Social

Science, EMS

Natural Science

Grade 10 Grade 11

Marlena Potgieter -

English, Life Orientation,

Maths, CAT, Business Studies,

Consumer Studies &

Afrikaans

Likano Makote -

Adam Dunstan & Ridhaa

Solomon -

Dimitri Manolas -

Likano Makote & Dimitri

Manolas -

English, Life Orientation,

Business Studies

Afrikaans

Maths & CAT

Consumer Studies

Grade 12

Kayla van Malsen -

Nonhlanhla Nkabinde -

Amaro Dos Santos -

Aidan Fritz -

Afrikaans & English

Life Orientation & Consumer

Studies

Maths & CAT

Business Studies

Language week for 2017 will be celebrated from 24 – 26 April 2017 and not in March as shown on the term

planner. The highlight of the week will be the fun day and variety show on 26 April from 08h00 to 13h00.

Children will have the opportunity to take part in a number of fun activities and we will end the day off with

an open air variety concert. All the learners will take part in the concert and we hope that the entire Orion

family can join us on the day. The school leavers of 2017 will be selling refreshments to collect money for their

matric farewell.

UPCOMING EVENTS

21 April: HS Report hand out

“Orion’s Got Talent” another opportunity to audition from 2pm same venue. Come and show us what you can do!

24 April Parents Evening from 6pm

HS Extra murals & extra lessons start

24 – 26 Apr: HS Language Week

27 April – 1 May - School is closed for a long weekend - back to school on Tuesday 2 May 2017.

MONDAY Maths 14:30 – 15:30

WEDNESDAY Afrikaans 14:30 – 15:30

THURSDAY English 14:30 – 15:30

Extra lessons will start again on Monday 24 April

2017

MONDAY Rugby 15:30 – 16:45

WEDNESDAY Netball 15:30 – 16:45

THURSDAY Soccer 15:30 – 16:45

Extra lessons will start again on Monday 24 April 2017

Learners attending and showing dedication during practises and

delivering an overall good performance during competition will

be rewarded with a badge during assembly and will be

acknowledged as the “STAR OF THE WEEK”.

Our learners participated in Chess matches, Swimming

galas and athletics meetings. The level of participation

was outstanding and our athletes gave it their best

when going head to head with an opponent. Thank

you to all the parents who supported and motivated

their children throughout the term to part take in a

sport. It is greatly appreciated.

We are looking forward to another successful term of

sports in term 2. Have a safe and wonderful holiday

TRUANCY AT SCHOOL Truancy or the non-attendance at school is a major barrier to learning and it has a significant effect on learning

and achieving.

Section 29 of the South African Constitution gives everyone the right to a basic education in one of the 11 official

languages. With this right comes our responsibility to adhere to the laws and regulations governing the education in

South Africa.

There are different laws to govern school attendance. For the purpose of this essay I will refer to the SOUTH AFRICAN

SCHOOLS ACT NO. 84 OF 1996 (SASA).

The following is directly quoted from SASA

3. Compulsory attendance — (1) Subject to this Act and any applicable provincial law, every parent must cause

every learner for whom he or she is responsible to attend a school from the first school day of the year in which such

learner reaches the age of seven years until the last school day of the year in which such learner reaches the age

of fifteen years or the ninth grade, whichever occurs first.”

Experience shows that the top achievers normally have an excellent attendance record.

It is impossible to teach learners if they are not in the classrooms. Learners who are truant have to catch up the

work missed. In most cases the written work is then completed without any explaining from the teacher. During

normal teaching, interaction between the teacher and the learners is beneficial for them to understand the work,

and this gives the learners the opportunity to ask questions if they do not understand the work.

At Orion College we strive to offer invitational education. Fortunately, most of the learners attend school regularly,

however, there is a number of learners who are not benefitting from this approach as they are often truant from

school.

We must find a way to encourage these learners to attend school regularly. We need to eliminate the causes of

truanteeism.

Some of the causes of irregular absenteeism are:

1. Lack of Interest: Learners could be lacking interest in their schoolwork, which could be as a result of content

that is difficult for them to grasp hence pushing them away from school.

2. Teacher approach: The teaching approach used by teachers may not be understood by the learners and this

could cause them to lose interest in their schoolwork.

SPORTS news……… coordinator - Mr nerf

Extra Lessons TERM 2 extra murals

Extra lessons will start again on Monday 24 April 2017

3. Pamperedness from the Family: Parents could allow learners to stay at home at the learners’ requests in order to

pamper the learner or to avoid conflict.

4. Peer Pressure: Learners may be bullied at school or they may be influenced by their friends to stay away from

school.

Parents, guardians and teachers must work together to eradicate these causes. Each and every learner of Orion

College deserves a safe and happy environment where quality teaching and learning can take place.

Truancy is the one barrier that can be overcome if we all work together.

Wishing you all a fabulous holiday. We look forward to seeing all our learners refreshed

and ready for another busy, fun-filled term.

Louis Buitendag

and the High School Staff

Linda hage

Educational Psychologist B Ed (FET) (cum laude); BA (hons) Psychology (cum laude); M Ed Educational Psychology (UJ) HPCSA no.: 0130591 Practice no.: 0618179 Cell: 0723818035 Email: hagelinda89@gmail.com

Fatima Sadien

Speech & Language Therapist Tel: 0824804490 Email: fatima_sdn@yahoo.com Practice No.: 0647896

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