Date: 15 April 2019 From the Office of the Executive Head Dear Parents/Guardians and Learners COACH JASON ROODE “Coach Jason”, as the learners know him, is a very dedicated staff member and a valuable asset to the Foundation Phase. Not only is he a Grade R assistant, but he teaches PE classes for Grade 1 – 3, as well as the under 19 Soccer and under 13 Basketball teams. Jason obtained his diploma in Sports Management and is currently busy studying towards his B.ED Degree through UNISA. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his friends at the beach, swimming and surfing. As a Fitness trainer, he offers Boot Camp classes and individual training. Jason is also a rugby player himself, playing rugby for Brackenfell Rugby Club’s first team and Sevens for the Rebels. Thank you, Coach Jason, for your hard work, dedication and everything you do for the kids. STAFF NEWS We wish to congratulate Teacher Alicia Petersen and her husband on the birth of their son, Blake, on 14 April 2019. Telephone number 0219704540 | email address [email protected] | www.curro.co.za SPENDING TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN Spending time with our children is one of the most precious things in the world. Unfortunately, for most of us, time is limited, especially in the 21st Century. Whether we have a full time job, a new baby, or we just need to make the coffee, dinner or strip the beds, we are always wishing for more time. What can we do to have quality time with our little ones in our busy schedule, even if it is only for a couple of minutes….? When you walk pass your child, or he/she walks pass you – give them a hug and tell them “I love you”. Each day, have one eye-to-eye conversation with your child. Even if it is 1-minute-long, look them in their eyes while talking to them Remember that there are 9 minutes during the day that have the greatest impact on a child; - The first 3 minutes right after they wake up - The 3 minutes after they come home from school/aftercare - The last 3 minutes before they go to bed We need to make those moments special and remind our children that they are loved. Adéle Käsner - Foundation Phase Head COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF! Thank you to Ryan Rhodes, dad to a precious little girl in the nursery, for this beautiful message, recognising the Kitchen Staff for their hard work. On a daily basis they prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks for the nursery learners as well as the aftercare meals. I'd just like to take a moment to give praise to the kitchen staff that prepare the meals for the nursery class. The quality of food that we take home is phenomenal and it's so reassuring knowing that our daughter, Zoey is receiving such nutritional value during the day. I'm not sure of the names or email addresses of those that work so hard, but could you please extend my gratitude and heartfelt thanks! It's such a pleasure having Zoey at Meridian Pinehurst knowing that she's in the most capable hands in every aspect! Telephone number 0219704540 | email address [email protected] | www www.curro.co.za Page | 2 ACADEMICS The following Foundation Phase learners received achievement certificates: Grade 1 Milani Dayile Keagan Hockly Malique Jones Alutha Gam Milan Isaacs Bailey Holloway Isabelle Eddericks Liam Steenberg Owethu Bontswayo Logan Carelse Grade 2 Lukhanyiso Ncayo Skyler Peters Evan Wagner Brooklyn du Plessis Lily Fortuin Eli-Ada Chavhanga Jival Mestry Micayla Botes Emily Dijkers Gia Erasmus Grade 3 Jade Vergotine Thandile Mayambela Matthew Isaacs Lisakhanya Rayi Riley Smith Tshimollo Baloyi Charmaine Muronzi Tia Botha Chimdike Okorafor Mamello Oliphant Telephone number 0219704540 | email address [email protected] | www www.curro.co.za Page | 3 Grade 8 & 12 Mentorship programme: During the first term, and for the duration of the year, the 2018/19 Matric Council has been facilitating a mentorship programme between the Grade 8s and volunteers from the Matric learner group. Every Grade 8 learner has been assigned to a Matric learner who will mentor them and guide them through their first year of High School. The Grade 12 mentors meet their Grade 8 mentees every two weeks and discuss various things such as the grooming policy, sport and culture opportunities as well as academic goal setting for upcoming terms. The aim of this initiative is to help the Grade 8s transition into High School comfortably whilst placing them on their journey of growing into model Meridian Pinehurst learners. Article written by: Maziko Kagoli [Head leader of Matric Council] Photo from left: Bukho Mngeni, Jordan Johannes, Khanya Mgoqi, Elisa Pemba with their Grade 12 Mentor, Maziko Kagoli. ARTS & CULTURE M-Factor Results We were excited to once again embrace our learners’ talent on stage in an unplanned Two-part series. Our annual event was postponed from Term 1 to last week Friday night due to load shedding. Luckily the performers and the audience didn’t see this as an obstacle and gladly came out to support both nights. We had 19 acts of which only 9 performed during the first night. When the lights went off, it was decided that we would continue the show as planned in the following term. Over and above the acts on stage, we also had an Art Exhibition of 10 of our students. This was on display on the first night. Last Friday our judges and expert teachers voted and the winners of this category were: in third place, Lukau Makani-Mansomi, in second place, Shannon Cairns and the winner, that walked away with a photoshoot and an Exclusive Books voucher, was Kelsey Julies. On the first night the audience was entertained by our Master of Ceremonies, Jarred Ricketts, the 26-year-old recording and performing artist from Cape Town. Telephone number 0219704540 | email address [email protected] | www www.curro.co.za Page | 4 Regrettably, Jarred was unable to MC last Friday night as he had a show of his own. Our beautiful Art teacher, Ms Lourenco, stepped in and dazzled the crowd as our new Master of Ceremonies. Acts included: singing, poetry, hip hop dancing and even an original rap duo. Our judges had a hard time but in the end, there could only be one winner. TOP 5 acts were: Janine Adams, Maylin Symons, The Powerpuff Girlz (Leah Van der Heever, Aaliyah Du Toit and Shanna Stevens), Lathitha France and Ashleigh Poulton. Congratulations to our M-factor 2019 winners: 3rd place: The Powerpuff Girlz 2nd Place: Maylin Symons 1st Place: Lathitha France The poem, that secured Lathitha the first prize that included a Photoshoot, Tygervalley and Exclusive books vouchers, was an adjusted “clean” version of the poem Perfect by Maia Mayor. Once again, we would like to thank the learners and teachers for their dedication and hard work as well as who came out for two nights and supported our annual event. Celeste Butler - FET Phase Head Photos of the event will be posted on our Facebook page within the week. Click on the image and VOTE for the Curro Anthem Project! #Currage Telephone number 0219704540 | email address [email protected] | www www.curro.co.za Page | 5 BE A BUDDY! (Anti Bullying Campaign) Week 2 – Why does bullying happen? Learners are bullied for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they are bullied because they are different, or because they are clever or popular. It can be caused by these differences: • appearance and weight; • ability or disability; • gender and/or sexual orientation, and • culture, race and religion. Other times, they are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. BADGES ARE NOW ON SALE! Learners! Show your support by purchasing a BE A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY button badge for only R5 each. You are allowed to wear this badge with your uniform. SPORTS REPORT Individual achievements PE Brilliance Michaela McCallum in Grade 4 celebrated her achievements in the Dance Mouse Competition that took place on the 5th and 6th of April 2019 during Physical Exercises period. She claimed gold medals in the solo and group dance categories including a silver medal for the smaller dance group event. Karate Jesse Masimila (Grade 3E5) participated in the 2019 WP Kyokushin-kan Kata Championships on the 9 March. The competition was very tough, but he placed third in the qualifiers and overall third in his age group. On Saturday 13 April he will be taking part in WP Kyokushin-kan Kumite (fighting) competition. Telephone number 0219704540 | email address [email protected] | www www.curro.co.za Page | 6 Karate Matthew Nel won a Bronze medal in the in WP Kyokushin-kan Kumite (fighting) competition which took place on Saturday 13 April. Under 13 Soccer results The under 13 soccer boys locked horns with Curro Century City on Thursday 11 April 2019 at the Hellenic soccer grounds in Milnerton. The boys managed to record a win of 12 - 7 and a loss of 4- 12. Both matches were five a side action soccer. High School Soccer Meridian Pinehurst will field three soccer teams for the high school namely under 14, under 16 and under 19. Efforts are also being made to field a girls’ team. The coaches need more players to establish it. Meridian Pinehurst Premier Grass League This past weekend saw the start of the Girls’ Hockey season and with it, the official kick-off of the MERIDIAN PINEHURST PREMIER GRASS LEAGUE.