Newsletter for the students, parents and staff of Amazing Kids Private School | September 2017

From the Editor's Desk ....................... Cancer Apples……………..………….. Grade 12 Charge……………………….1 Staff Team Building……………………1 Let's Talk - Childhood Cancer…….….2 Weather Station…………………………3 Science Heart Project………………….4

Emergency 911………………………4 Gobabeb Excursion.………………..5 Uncle Andrew's Soul Food………..6 Graduation Ceremony……………6-7 The Sports Desk…………………….8 A vote of thanks……………………..9 Upcoming Events……………………9

Editor’s Desk

Greetings to all readers….. The theme of giving cheerfully couldn’t find better meaning, than in this year’s “Cancer Apple” Project. Our learners have stepped up their game in giving more than they have given in previous years. It was also important to us to emphasize the importance of the support of such a project and how far the influence can reach, if everyone will be committed to give even more than they have given before. AKPS & A collected N$ 15 945.00. Our 2018 target is N$ 48 000.00 and we urge every child to purchase a minimum of 10 apples @ N$ 50.00 Giving cheerfully and bountifully, not holding back, because God loves a cheerful giver. After all, it is better to give then to receive. The Editor

Amazing Chronicles Cover Page

AMAZING KIDS SUPPORTING CANCER

Companies, individuals and communities.

The project is aimed at making a difference in the lives of those suffering from cancer, to create awareness about cancer and to educate the Namibian public on how they can protect themselves from cancer, and live healthy lives.

That is why Amazing Kids is always proud to be part of this notorious event on a yearly basis. We encourage our learners to support the effort by buying apples and we also make sure that they are educated on the reasons as to why they purchase the apples and what difference it can make in other people’s lifes.

A little contribution can make a huge difference.

The Cancer Association together with Bank Windhoek has launched a “Cancer Apple” Project in 2001.

The project is currently in its 16th year and is widely considered as Namibia’s biggest national fundraising effort as a result of the cooperation of Schools,

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GRADE 12 – CHARGE!!!!!

It is customary for Grade 12 learners to say “goodbye” at the end of the year to teachers, fellow students and all who have been a part of their journey during their school years. It is usually a day packed with

mixed emotion, ranging from sad, elated, uncertain, scared, excited, etc. but nevertheless it is a day that each and every Grade 12 learner is looking forward too. It is at this point in time, that they are

confronted with the reality to make it on their own in the real world. We can just hope and pray that they will apply the good and discard the bad.

STAFF TEAM BUILDING

It is not only the children that need fun and motivation now and then, but the teachers too. In order for staff to socialize amongst themselves and to foster good working relations, it is

necessary to allow themselves some time to be playful and act goofy.

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Let’s Talk

CHILDHOOD CANCER Cancer is a large group of diseases (over 200) characterized by an abnormal growth of cells in a part of the body. The human body is made up of various

cells. When these cells continue to multiply even when the body does not need them, the result is a mass or growth also called a tumour.

WHAT IS CHILDHOOD CANCER?

Childhood cancer (also known as pediatric cancer) is cancer in a child. It is an arbitrarily adopted standard of the ages 0–14 years inclusive, that is, up to 14 years 11.9 months of age. However, the definition of childhood cancer sometimes includes young adults between 15–19 years old.

WHICH CHILDREN CAN GET CANCER?

• Cancer affects children from all

ethnic groups and all different socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Children that are infected with HIV are at a higher risk.

IS CHILDHOOD CANCER A PRObLEM?

• Worldwide it is estimated that

childhood cancer has an incidence of more than 175,000 per year.

• The annual mortality rate is 96,000 per year.

MOST COMMON CHILDHOOD

CANCERS IN NAMIbIA • Leukaemia • Burkett’s Lymphoma – Immune • Brain Cancer • Kidney Cancer

Other types of cancers are: • Neuroblastoma – Nerve Cells • Non-Hodgkins

lymphoma/Hodgin lymphoma – begin in lymph system

• Rhabdomyosarcoma – begin in striated muscles

• Retinoblastoma – eye tumour • Bone Tumours • Germ Cell Tumours • Liver Tumours

Children with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop

certain cancers.

CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER

• Family history of cancer • Genetic factors • Environmental hazards and

exogenous factors such as; prenatal exposure to tobacco, x-rays or certain medication

• Immature physiological systems to clear or metabolise environmental substances

A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a

disease.

HOW CAN CHILDHOOD CANCER bE PREvENTED?

• Encourage an energy-balanced lifestyle

• Learn the facts about vaccinations

• Teach your children to be sun-smart

• Encourage kids to balance food and drink choices and stress the importance of physical activity.

• Provide a smoke free environment

• Avoid chocolate and sweets • Eat lots of fruits and

vegetables • No alcohol • Drink a lot of water • Avoid fizzy drinks • Always wash your hands • Bath everyday • Brush teeth twice a day • Cover your mouth when

coughing • Get adequate rest

Early diagnosis will save lives

CHILD CANCER EARLy WARNING SIGNS

Continued, unexplained weight loss

Headaches, often with vomiting

Increased pain in bones, joints, back or legs

Lumps or unexplained masses

Development of excessive bruising, bleeding or rash

Constant infections

A whitish colour behind the pupils

Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea

Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness

Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly

Recurrent or persistent fevers of unknown origin Consult a qualified nurse or doctor as

soon as you notice any of these warning signs/symptoms.

CHICA

(CHILDREN WITH CANCER IN NAMIbIA)

A Project run by CAN to support children with cancer in Namibia

• To educate the general public about prevention, early detection and dangers of childhood cancer.

• Provide welfare services to children and parents of children suffering with cancer.

*With the support of CAN

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CHECK OUT THE WEATHER A weather station is a

facility either on land or

sea, with instruments and

equipment for measuring

atmospheric conditions to

provide information for

weather forecasts and to

study the weather and

climate.

The Grade 7’s paid a visit to the Weather

Station on 6 September.

• The purpose for such an excursion is to teach our children how the meteorologists, make, collect,

process and exchange weather observations.

• They get to see how weather forecasts and data are made available for aviation, shipping and the

public.

• They also get to see how the weather station compiles climatic records of places in Namibia and

other parts of the continent.

• Learners were taken to various instruments at the station that they also cover in their curriculum.

• The demonstrations were very practical and children had the opportunity to ask questions.

• They also had the opportunity to visit the computer room to witness how data was captured.

• The best part for the learners was the fact that they could attend a live weather forecast

presentation and some were given the opportunity to do the presentations themselves.

• It was an awesome and educational experience for our learners.

Weather Station Instruments

• Thermometer – measure air and sea surface temperature • Barometer – measure atmospheric pressure • Hygrometer – measure humidity • Anemometer – measure wind speed • Pyranometer – measure solar radiation • Rain gauge – measure liquid precipitation over a set period of time • Disdrometer – measure drop size distribution • Transmissometer – measure visibility • Ceilometer – measure cloud ceiling

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BIOLOGY GETTING PRACTICAL The Grade 7-11 learners

took Biology to a complete different level

when they decided to get their hands dirty and

examine human organs in reality. They looked at

the heart, lungs, trachea, kidneys, liver, etc.

Learning outcomes

To know the structure and function of the

human internal organs. To understand how

important the human transport, excretory and

respiratory system is.

What to do in case of an

emergency?

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Grade 11 – Gobabeb Excursion

Where is it? Gobabeb Research and training centre

is located in the Namib Desert ,

120km south-east of Walvis Bay.

The centre conducts

research in the fields of climate,

ecology and geomorphology

During the week of 11-15 September, the Grade 11 Biology and Geography learners undertook an educational excursion to Gobabeb Research and Training Centre.

The Centre is an internationally recognized centre for dry land training and research in Namibia.

The station consists of permanent researchers, students and interns as well as short time visitors such as school, university groups and tourists. It also hosts film crews, journalists and artists.

The main purpose of the trip was to expose the learners to practical Field Biology as well as Geography.

Some of the activities conducted during their visit:

• Daily weather recording from the weather station equipped with all the weather instruments.

• Scientific processes. The learners had to revise the scientific method and use it to carry out several scientific researches.

• Ecological exploration where the learners learned about adaptations of different organisms in the three ecosystems found in Gobabeb, such as Gravel plains, Kuiseb river and Namiba Sand and sea.

• They visited the indigenous plant called the Welwitschia.

• They did some scorpion hunting.

• They also paid a visit to the National Aquarium in Swakopmund.

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Uncle Andrew’s

Soul Food

Greetings in Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is the nicest work ever assumed by men and women to deal with youthful minds/

The greatest care should be taken in the education of youth to vary the manner of instruction, so as to call forth the higher and nobler powers of the mind.

Parents and teachers of schools are most certainly not qualified enough to educate our children properly, if they have not first learned the lessons of self-control, patience, forbearance, gentleness and love.

What an important position for parents, guardians and teachers!

There are very few who realize the most essential wants of the mind, and how to direct the developing intellect, the growing thoughts and changes in our youth.

What a great task we therefore carry, but keeping in mind that with God on our side we are surely more than conquerors!!!!

God bless

AWARDS CEREMONY

The highlight of every child’s school career is the Awards Ceremony, and at Amazing Kids it is no exception. Learners, teachers and parents are working hard throughout the year to make sure that learners take home with them, some kind of prize or recognition, to show how well they have performed during the year. It is a very proud moment for all involved. This year Amazing Kids wanted to make sure that recognition is given where it is due.

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AWARDS CEREMONY

In the pictures shown are some of the recipients of different kinds of awards for the year. Amazing Kids is very proud of the achievers and encourage every learner to keep on doing their utmost best on all levels such as academics, arts & culture and sport. Well done to all for making this event successful.

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On the Sports field

During the weekend of 15-17 September the Amazing Kids Boys and Girls soccer teams, were invited to go on a Sports tour to the Erongo Region, where they participated against many different schools.

Both our Boy and Girl teams played their very best, but it was the Girl teams that walked away with the accolades, wining all their games, showing that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Since last term our Girls played the “Galz and Goals” leagues against 11 various schools in the country. We registered the U/13, U/15 and U/17 teams, and we are proud to say that the Amazing Kids u/17 Girls team took 2nd place.

The U/15 girls’ league consisted of 22 schools in which Amazing Kids took 3rd place.

We are very proud of all our teams, as well as the coaches, Mr. Kangala and Mr. Katjizua for their commitment and dedication to the Sport.

We encourage all our teams to continue with their dedication and commitment to all the Sport codes, as it contributes towards their holistic development.

Hendrina back from Tunisia

We are very happy to welcome

Hendrina Apollus back to

Namibia, after her short trip to

Tunisia, where she represented

Namibia, the Tennis Academy

and Amazing Kids in the U/15

ITF Tennis Championships.

It was a challenge for her to

play on clay courts but she did

her best, nevertheless.

Although she did not receive

any prizes this time, she still

feels privileged and humbled

by this awesome experience.

Hendrina has also been

selected to represent Namibia

in Mauritius, in the U/13

tournaments ITF/CAT on 2-9

November this year.

We wish you all the best!

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Chuckles

02 October…………………….. Safety Emphasis Day

02 October…………………….. Motivational Talk Grade 7-12

5-6 October……………………..Midterm Break

9-13 October…………………… Cycle Tests

13 October……………………….Arbor Day

20 October……………………….Ubuntu Music and Arts Festival

23-27 October…………………..Pre-primary Awards Ceremony 2017

31 October……………………….Community Service

Q: What did the computer do at lunchtime? A: It had a byte! Q: What animal cheats at exams? A: The cheetah! Q: What is a math teacher’s favourite dessert? A: Pi! Q: Why does it take pirates so long to learn the alphabet? A: Because they spent years at C!

Upcoming Events

A special vote of thanks goes to our Amazing Parents, who helped raised funds for our “Big Walk”. The amount raised by the Main Campus was N$ 115 624.50 and for Campus 2 it was N$ 22 464.00. It brings us to a total amount of N$138 088.50. These funds will be used towards

building a decent School Hall for Amazing Kids. Well done Parents!