Annual 2015 Bridge House Magazine the Annual Magazine for 2015 Will Be Printed in March Next Year
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BRIDGE HOUSE PRE-PRIMARY · PREPARATORY · COLLEGE P R E P N E W S Issue 35 www.bridgehouse.org.za 6 November 2015 Grade 7 Farewell The highlight of the Grade 7 year is, without doubt, the Grade 7 Farewell. This is traditionally an opportunity or parents, teachers and pupils to celebrate our Grade 7s’ readiness for their transition into the College, and to reminisce about their time in the Prep. Our 2015 Grade 7 Farewell was a memorable and beautiful occasion touched with special moments in a tropical island atmosphere. Our MCs for the evening were Jeanne Blaisse and Teubes van Niekerk. They also delivered the Grade 7 Farewell Address on behalf of their peers, and spoke with fondness of the highlights, the people, and all that went into making their experience in Bridge House Prep so unforgettable. Katja van Dyk and Lloyd Phillips gave the vote of thanks and then invited their mums and dads to join them on the dance floor in the traditional “first waltz” of the evening. Our heartfelt thanks go to all who contributed to making the evening exceptional, and special mention must be made of our Grade 6 waitrons who acquitted themselves so professionally. Grade 7s of 2015, you all looked beautiful and behaved with such decorum. We are proud of you! - 2 - - 3 - - 4 - On 30 October, the Grade 4 learners paid a visit to the Science Centre in Observatory. After much anticipation and excitement we arrived and were met at the front door, where we were greeted by our facilitators and divided into two big groups. We spent the day researching, experimenting and learning and thoroughly enjoyed the time given to explore. The children participated in a Sound workshop to consolidate what was covered in Science last term. This was concluded with a practical activity where each child constructed their own harmonica using straws, cardboard and elastic bands. After a busy morning we all sat down and had lunch, whilst enjoying the summer rays. The groups rotated from the workshop to the building site, gyroscope and to the camera- obscura. The afternoon was topped off with an awe-inspiring Science Show filled with chemical explosions and reactions and lots of pyrotechnics. Before heading home the children were once again given time to explore the numerous scientific activities available at the centre. We left feeling inspired and far more aware of the role science plays in our lives . - 5 - - 6 - Heritage sites, animal rehabilitation centres, wineries, night hikes, obstacle courses…and LOADS of fun! The Grade 5 group was treated to the majestic beauty of Vergelegen Wine farm where they learnt about the early Cape. They experienced the incredible work done by Monkey Town and Eagle Encounters in their rehabilitation of animals. They were able to interact with raptors and owls and some were even lucky enough to have monkeys climbing on their heads and eating out of their hands! Team building was a key element of this camp and various activities took place back at the camp site – falling in mud, getting wet, facing their fears, bonded the group and leaders came to the fore. Talented musicians and actors were discovered around the bonfire. Swimming, cricket and chatting kept them occupied in between a full programme. We ended the camp at Mont Destin and many thanks to the Bürgin family for hosting us – what a treat! “This was the best camp ever!” Seth Nel - 7 - - 8 - - 9 - Twee weke terug het verskeie superheroes die Afrikaanse klas besoek. Hulle het die klas omtrent vermaak met hulle spesiale kragte en reddingsdade. Swart Engel, alias Cameryn Luis, het vir ons vertel hoe sy haar swart towerkrag gebruik om slegte insidente na goeies te verander. Sypersmite, ook bekend as Viktor Babl, se superkrag is dat hy blitsvinnig kan vlieg. Hy beskik ook oor die vermoë om mense se gedagtes te lees. Met hierdie superkragte het hy verhoed dat ‘n bank beroof word. Vlermuismeisie (Allegra Newton) het vertel hoe sy met vlermuise kan kommunikeer. Sy het ook haar interessante uitrusting vir ons gewys. Katmeisie, anders bekend as Jessica Phillips, het ons vertel van haar uitsonderlike nagvisie en hoe sy met katte kan kommunikeer. Vyf van die superheroes het vandag besoek afgelê tydens ons saalbyeenkoms. Hulle het vir die kinders meer kom vertel oor die spesiale werk wat hulle doen met behulp van hulle spesiale kragte. Ons kan beslis baie veilig voel hier by Bridge House met al die superhelde wat hier skuil! - 10 - From the Head’s Desk Last Friday was another memorable evening for all our Grade 7 pupils, parents and staff. The pupils revelled in the moment and danced the night away. Again I must include my sincere thanks to all who contributed to making the night one to remember. Grade 1 is the starting point of a new phase and to smooth the transition, our Grade 1 teachers hosted a Parent Information session in the Prep Hall. The session was well attended and gave parents a glimpse of the changes and new aspects that await them. It was also a good opportunity for ‘second time’ Grade 1 parents to share their experiences and provide helpful tips for the upcoming year! Thanks to Mary, Colette, Hilke and Jeannie for presenting the session. As with last week, camps and outings continue to be high on the agenda. This week it was the Grade 2s who had the opportunity to experience a camp as they went off to Kijk in die Pot. On Thursday, the Grade 1 pupils were whisked off to Riverside for their annual Adventure Day Camp. The annual Pre-primary Gymnastic display took place this morning. As usual, our young gymnasts shone as they performed their various routines. They must have felt like super stars with all the cameras and flashlights from all their adoring fans (and parents). Thanks to Danette Smith for coordinating and making this such a cute and successful event! As the end of year approaches and we are in the process of finalising staffing for 2016, I am happy to report the following appointments and changes for next year: Playschool and Pre-Primary – In Grade 00, Linda Orsmond joins Roxy Rennie. Linda comes to us from Bumble Bee, with a number of years’ experience in ECD. Linda is also a parent at our school: her daughter Erin is in Grade 9 next year. Leigh-Anne Jones join Kate Stamper and Nina Siconolfi in Grade 0 and Sandra Boyes steps back from class teaching to perform her role as Phase Head of this section. Carle Smit, who qualifies at the end of 2015, has agreed to take up the role as a teacher assistant for 2016. Junior Primary – In Grade 1, we have appointed Bronwynne Honey who joins us from ProEd House in Cape Town. She has extensive experience in Junior Primary and has been teaching Grade 1 for a number of years. To complete the team, Jeannie Barclay from Grade 2 becomes the third Grade 1 teacher. We are in the process of appointing the second class teacher in Grade 2 to join Claire Ferreira. Timshell Pheiffer joins Michelle Willard in Grade Three. Timshell currently teaches at Heronbridge, a private school in Gauteng and is also a highly respected netball coach. Chloe Murray who was a student teacher who stood out while completing her teaching prac at our school, has also been appointed to join the Grade 3 team. Mary Heistein steps out of the class to take up a more dedicated role as the Phase Head of Junior Primary. Senior Primary – In Grade Five, the team grows to three classes. Brett McLaren joins Kim Storey and Lynn Fell. Brett is from St George’s Prep in PE where he has been a class teacher for the past six years. He comes highly recommended and will have a positive impact on the sports front. Another change is the promotion of Greg Hinds who takes on additional responsibilities as the Head of Creative Curriculum Development (this position includes Creative Arts). We also welcome him into the role as the third class teacher in Grade Six, joining Belinda Lindhorst and Matthew Ackermann. Elizabeth Looke, a newly graduated teacher, has been appointed to swell the Afrikaans team. - 11 - ESU - We welcome Liesl Conradie as the third Remedial Teacher in the ESU. As the school has grown, so too has the demand for Remedial Therapy. Music - On the music front, Adele Bate (Head of Individual Music) is in the process of finding a maternity replacement for Marsanne Malan. Philip and Marsanne are expecting their first child in January hence Marsanne will be away for six months on maternity leave. Sport – We are in the process of appointing two Sports Interns, one male and one female. The appointed interns will offer additional support on the coaching front and are required to be studying towards an educational degree or diploma. As the New Year fast approaches, changes are imminent and these come with challenge, but also opportunity. Michael Josephson’s quote encapsulates this nicely. Look forward with optimism to the coming year! To those taking part in school events over the weekend, do your best! For those of you who are using the time to relax and recharge the batteries, enjoy! Marc Barrow Head of Prep - 12 - PLEASE NOTE! NO prep pupils may wait to be collected at College reception after school as the College is in session until almost 15h00. Cricket - U11B vs St Vincent Primary Bridge House batted first, and got off to an excellent start. They scored 85 for 1. James Shone opened and scored an excellent 32 runs not out and was well supported by Sebastian Phillips (9) Zach de Kock (14*).