‘Things I Never Learned in High School’

SilikamvaHighSchool

Trust, Respect, Tolerance, Love, Unity, Honesty...

Published by GT MediaTel: +27 (0)21 790 0664

Content & LayoutJess Morgan

jess@thegoodtimes.co.za082 777 3024

AdvertisingBrooke Irvingbrooke@thegoodtimes.co.za082 467 3659 www.thegoodtimes.co.za

Hout Bay Montessori Virtues Mural

Our first issue was published in June of this year for the twelve primary and high schools in Hout Bay. Both space and newspapers are offered free of charge to the schools and support via the local community is sought in order to cover print costs.The second issue saw popularity quadruple and the demand in other communities became apparent, thus we are very happy to be reaching further afield this term with local papers for both the Camps Bay to Sea Point and Constantia to Kirstenhof areas. We now have a stable of 28 schools and are reaching thousands of families in all three areas. As the year draws to a close I write this as my final article for 2013 and I sit reflecting over what has been

an amazing roller coaster of a journey from then to now. The work load tripled this time round and my poor family have been a little neglected, however I have never felt this amount of satisfaction in my life. This year has been filled with beautiful people and their unbelievable efforts in creating a better world for us all. I am blessed to have learnt as much as I have from such big-hearted, big-visioned people that live right here in our ‘little fishing village’. Thank you to you all for your enthusiasm and support of The Good Times and we wish you a very happy holiday. Rest up, read up and be safe. Make it a point to do at least one activity from our suggested To Do list!Here’s to an awesome 2014! ‘Ra-Ra’!

Competition Page 8 Top 10 To Do’s in CT Page 3Photo courtesy John Routley

Things I Never Learned in High School:• How to do taxes• What taxes are• How to vote• Anything to do with banking• How to buy a car or a home

But I sure am glad I know the Pythagorean Theorem.

I stumbled across this statement online recently and as a pupil-teacher-parent I had to laugh. In essence it’s true and has been for as far back in education as I can find, but it does negate the ‘brick by brick’ approach to a full education. It makes a strong point though, especially in South Africa where finding a job after graduation is by no means a given. And this is the part where I’m always wondrously led to where I need to be.While researching an article for a blog, I stumbled across the name Bruce Wade of the Entrepreneur Incubator Academy, who invited me to the ‘Awaken the Giant in You Breakfast Series’, hosted at the Vineyard Hotel by the SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation. The theme for the morning was ‘Big Dreams Start Young’ and the keynote speaker was Simon Mantell of

Mantelli’s Biscuit Factory. The intro speaker, Jonathan Jacobs, from the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Skylar Connects, whose personal mantra, though made up of small words, together packs a punch: “If it is to be it is up to me!”spoke of the formation of a Youth chapter in the Chamber of Commerce that will include scholar representatives. Founder of SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation, Lydia Zingoni spoke of

the importance of instilling a culture of entrepreneurship in young people. She stressed the need for the youth to become active in start-ups. “We want to be a part of this, we want the youth to start things, we want people with ideas. But it can only be done by people with an entrepreneurial background.”Based at the Cape Town Science Centre, the foundation hosts workshops, offers online resources and hosts an annual Teen Entrepreneur Olympiad among other events.

An engaging and confident Simon Mantell shared his story and advice with budding young entrepreneurs. “Find a gap in the market. You must have a thick skin, put your pride in your pocket. Start early and no job must be beneath you.”Mantell believes that the future of South Africa rests on the youth. He explained that though his dream was to have a pasta chainstore, he began by washing cars. Each small step a move towards the bigger dream. “What you go through in life is filled with opportunities. You’ve got to look and be aware. I believe South Africa is pregnant with opportunity.”We need to bring the important idea of entrepreneurship to the our schools. Just as we encourage the Green Clubs’ veggie gardening for food production, so too must we encourage scholars to start afternoon entrepreneurial clubs. The fundamentals of starting/running a business can be learnt in everyday situations. As Simon Mantell said, for starters, have the children stock and run their own tuckshops. For more information visit teenentrepreneur.co.za

“South Africa is pregnant with opportunity”

SilikamvaHighSchool

Trust, Respect, Tolerance, Love, Unity, Honesty...

Published by GT MediaTel: +27 (0)21 790 0664

Content & LayoutJess Morgan

jess@thegoodtimes.co.za082 777 3024

AdvertisingBrooke Irvingbrooke@thegoodtimes.co.za082 467 3659 www.thegoodtimes.co.za

Hout Bay Montessori Virtues Mural

Our first issue was published in June of this year for the twelve primary and high schools in Hout Bay. Both space and newspapers are offered free of charge to the schools and support via the local community is sought in order to cover print costs.The second issue saw popularity quadruple and the demand in other communities became apparent, thus we are very happy to be reaching further afield this term with local papers for both the Camps Bay to Sea Point and Constantia to Kirstenhof areas. We now have a stable of 28 schools and are reaching thousands of families in all three areas. As the year draws to a close I write this as my final article for 2013 and I sit reflecting over what has been

an amazing roller coaster of a journey from then to now. The work load tripled this time round and my poor family have been a little neglected, however I have never felt this amount of satisfaction in my life. This year has been filled with beautiful people and their unbelievable efforts in creating a better world for us all. I am blessed to have learnt as much as I have from such big-hearted, big-visioned people that live right here in our ‘little fishing village’. Thank you to you all for your enthusiasm and support of The Good Times and we wish you a very happy holiday. Rest up, read up and be safe. Make it a point to do at least one activity from our suggested To Do list!Here’s to an awesome 2014! ‘Ra-Ra’!

Competition Page 8 Top 10 To Do’s in CT Page 3

This cover photograph was supplied to us courtesy of John Routley. Hout Bay local, Matt Mercer, ran a ‘competition’ on the Facebook site Hout Bay Organised for the most ‘liked’ Hout Bay photograph. A number of incredible photos were entered with John’s Hout Bay Leopard winning the votes. Should you wish enter your iconic Hout Bay photo for the cover next issue, please send an e-mail to submissions@thegoodtimes.co.za by 31 May.

Paul du Toit - An International Hout Bay Super Hero!

Paul du Toit, local Hout Bay father to Danielle(18) and Josh(16), (above, photo by Gregor Rohrig) husband and highly acclaimed international artist, has created a unique position for himself in the international art community. At home, as abroad, he is a quiet, amusing and humble man. Behind the serenity and gentle inspiration that he exudes, lies the heart of a man who has given tirelessly of himself to amazing initiatives that occur around the country and the world benefitting underprivileged children in South Africa. Paul, despite his meteoric rise in the art world, has maintained his strong sense of social responsibility and is constantly involved in the upliftment of the community. Paul has been involved in fundraising initiatives for Zip Zap for many years, just the other day designing an artwork wrapping a rare bottle of wine that was

auctioned off at an event. (Right). However his involvement goes back further to The Art of Rock Events started in 2010. A blending of talents to delight the senses, the fundraising evening combines Paul painting live, with musicians and Zip Zap performing. The first event featured Parlotones and the second, in 2012, Freshlyground, with Paul painting furiously right in front of the audience and the painting being auctioned off later. (See bottom left, photo by Gregor Rohrig.) Involved in the Rock Girl & Safe Spaces Campaign, Paul (and 16 other artists) have created benches symbolising Rock Girl’s ideals of creating safe spaces for women and girls in the city and surrounds (See bench above right.) Paul also worked with the children of Red River Primary School teaching painting techniques and how to make instruments out of sticks and old sponge.

Paul has worked on five projects with Nelson Mandela (seen below) with the resultant art pieces being auctioned off for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664.Paul collaborated with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on a one of a kind book that was auctioned in America benefitting The Lunchbox Fund, an organisation that feeds hungry children in South Africa.Paul’s wine cooler (top second left) sold for R15 000 benefitting The Light from Africa Foundation. And, closer to home, Paul and Anthony Stroebel of Bay Harbour Market organised a group of local school children to help make Hout Bay more bright & beautiful by painting murals along the street outside the market. I could go on, but in short, here is a local dad making a difference and in full colour too! A true hero in my book.Photos courtesy Paul du Toit Facebook.

Hangberg 50c Feeding Project: So Many Heroes!

Cape WheelFor more information visit www.capewheel.co.za

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A Place to Call Home: Little Angels brings hope to the children of HangbergBy Kiara WorthAt five in the afternoon, more than 100 children sit amongst the playground of Little Angels, waiting to be fed. Within minutes, bowls of steaming and nutritious stew are delivered into their eager little hands, accompanied with a slice of bread and a cup of juice, and a feeding frenzy begins. For many of the children, most of whom are under the age of six years old, this is their one guaranteed meal for the day, and as the bowls are licked clean, their tummies full and their faces smiling, they run off to play with their friends.This is the Hangberg 50c Feeding Project, operated from the Little Angels

early childhood development centre for underprivileged children in the township of Hangberg, Hout Bay.Operating out of three simple Wendy houses on a small plot of land, Little Angels was started in 2011 by community leader and social worker Liezel Matthews, who recognised the desperate need for childcare in her community.“There are high levels of substance abuse, criminality, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS in Hangberg,” says Liezel. “Children are always the most affected and here we try to get them off the streets and give them the love and education they deserve.”With a heart of gold and a spirit of conviction, Liezel and her three volunteer teachers, all of whom are reformed substance abusers, now care for 60-80 children everyday, providing them with basic childcare, education, and hope in an otherwise desperate situation. Working closely with the Hout Bay Christian Social Upliftment Organisation, Child Welfare, local police departments, and the local Health Centre, they both monitor and ensure that care is given to children in the community. They also run a youth leadership program for young teenagers, who help the children with their studies and provide a social network that goes deep into the community.As Little Angels began to take shape, Liezel soon realised that even though they were providing education and care, children

were suffering from malnutrition and regularly did not have the food they needed to survive. She appealed to the members of the ‘Hout Bay Organised’ Facebook page, and the response was overwhelming.Lee Warren, Ellen Nortje, Annie Mercer, Helen Hays, Kerry Shrimptom, and Margot Martherus decided to champion the cause,

forming the Community Logistical and Planning team. Together they made an appeal to local restaurants and businesses to start the Hangberg 50c Feeding Project. They began by providing sandwiches and fruit to children on a Saturday and to avoid the creation of hand-out mentalities, they asked the parents of the children to pay 50c, hence the name of the Project. As support from the community grew, it was only three months before they began providing healthy and nutritious meals to more than 150 children three times a week.“Hout Bay, we are in awe!” says Lee. “We cannot thank you enough. Your support has changed the lives of so many children and we hope that this project will continue to grow from strength to strength.”Thus far, the feeding project is supported by local businesses Pakalolo, Posticinos, Bugattis, Deli Delish, Spiros, Ragafellows, Kitima, Caturra, Home Heros, and Luigis and Pescarne who will soon be involved.

SuperSpar Hout Bay, has provided freezers, gas cookers, storage space, rolls and ingredients for soup made by Urban Nosh; Shoprite Checkers is looking into creating employment opportunities for the community; and OK Mini Mart provides consistent donations of bread. Numerous individuals have volunteered their time to make deliveries and help feed the children. There has also been international support from KLM Airlines and Sonepar Germany who are helping to provide a fence.While the support has been overwhelming, the need is still great. Little Angels has very limited infrastructure, and with no electricity, no kitchen, no proper ablutions, no outside shelter and very little land and space, caring for the children – whose numbers grow on a daily basis - is still challenging. “We are appealing to local business owners and philanthropists to please support this project,” says Liezel. “Our needs are great, and only by working together can we work to create a better society. This is a place called home for a lot of children, and we need help to keep this beautiful family of ours going.”For more information about the program, please visit: www.littleangelsincapetown.wordpress.com and www.facebook.com/groups/681298261920310/ or contact Lee Warren directly at leewarren@hotmail.com or 076 041 4974.

“Hout Bay we are in awe!”

Photo courtesy Deborah Saint

Not sure what to do with your kids during the December holidays? We are here to help! We found some wonderful activities that your kids will love (and you will enjoy too) as well as some great New Year’s Eve suggestions.Get OutdoorsTake full advantage of the summery weather and spend as much time outdoors as you can – here are 3 outings that are perfect for those stunning sunny days:

Strawberry Picking - R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset WestThis really is fun for the whole family – no matter the age group, picking strawberries at the well-known Mooiberge Farm will not disappoint. Grab a basket, get picking and then enjoy your delicious handpicked strawberries at home with cream or ice cream.Tel: 021 881 3222

Deer Park Café – 2 Deer Park Avenue, VredehoekThis outing is perfect for the parent who wants to sit back and relax while the kids run around. With a playground just outside the café, it is an ideal place to go for lunch with friends and family AND your kids.Tel: 021 462 6311

Intaka Island – Century CityWho would’ve thought you could take a ferry across a lake to an island in the middle of Century City? Well, if you’d like to experience something very few other places in Cape Town can offer then this is it. Intaka Island has a beautiful selection of flora and a rich bird life – with a 2km path, you and your kids can stroll around at your own pace exploring all it has to offer.Tel: 021 552 6889

Get CulturalCape Town has so much to offer when it comes to learning about our culture and learning about the world – here are 2 activities that are sure to teach both you and your kids something new (and it’s lots of fun too!):

The Company Gardens and the Iziko Museum PlanetariumPack a picnic and start your day off sitting in the gardens, feeding the squirrels, and then head on over to the Iziko Museum when your kids are fed and happy. The museum is wonderful for all ages as there is so much to see - from whalebones and dinosaurs to crystals and wild animals. The planetarium has shows throughout the day, so you can even end your outing off with a relaxing viewing of the stars.Tel: 021 481 3900

The Cape Town Science Centre – 370B Main Road, ObservatoryWith daily workshops during the school holidays and loads to see and do, the Science Centre is sure to keep any child (and adult) captivated with their exhibits and experiments.Tel: 021 300 3200

Get CelebratingJust because you have kids doesn’t mean you have to be in bed by 9pm on New Year’s Eve. Here are a few options for parents with kids 6 - 8 years and older:

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens New Year’s Eve ConcertThis is possibly one of the most magical ways to enter the New Year – with amazing music, the natural surroundings, the happy crowd, and a yummy picnic – what more could you ask for? This year the artists performing will include Goldfish, Yoav, and Tailor. For more information call 021 761 2866

New Year’s Eve Sunset Hike at DelveraThis would be more suited for older kids (10 years +) due to the hiking. Spend the last day of the year taking an unforgettable hike up the mountain. At the top it’s time for snacks and champagne and to watch the sun set on 2013! For more information call 021 884 4352

Host your own party!Going out and joining the rest of the world can be tricky when you have very young kids, so why not bring the world to you? Get some friends together, buy the bubbly, get some snacks and you are ready to welcome in 2014 in the comfort of you own home! We’ll be sharing more December holiday tips and outings on our Facebook and Twitter pages, so keep a look out and you’ll be sure to have a super, fun-filled holiday!Kindly contributed by Klara Loots.

December Holidays and New Year’s Eve - Family Friendly Outings

Photo courtesy runnersworld.co.za

Photo courtesy sa-venues.com

Photo courtesy sa-venues.com

Photo courtesy intaka.co.za

Photo courtesy capetowndailyphoto.com

Photo courtesy josna.wordpress.com

Photo courtesy Llandudno Primary

Hundreds of people flocked to Hout Bay beach on Saturday March 1 to compete in the Hout Bay Sandcastle competition which raised record funds for education bursaries and materials for children from Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg.Almost R80 000 was raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, vendors, and raffles. Key sponsors Old Mutual Foundation and Hout Bay Super Spar generously stepped up to support the event.The contest, which has been running for 18 years, is organised by Valley Pre-Primary school’s parents and teachers, drawing on the support from local businesses and the broader Cape Town corporate community. Funds raised go to underprivileged children through two channels: Valley Pre-Primary’s Sonwabile bursaries in partnership with (NPO) Bright Start – through which ten bursaries are provided annually for underprivileged children; and the Hangberg Educational Trust, who administer Hout Bay Educare in the Hangberg community. 537 people entered the competition on Saturday, over 108 castles were built and

judges, who included E-TV’s Andrew Barnes, DJ Richard Hardiman and Hout Bay model and photographer Josie Borain, worked hard to select the winners. Coming out tops were ACS Offshore who won the corporate trophy. The Senior family, who won the highly competitive family category, were commended for their replica of Table Mountain, while Dave, Lee and Vicki Tuckniss were awarded for their Lazy Toad castle in the adult category. Also with the winners was Disa Primary School sponsored by Swift Displays in the Sonwabile category, and the Kronendal Clan: Johnny Marcopoulos, Connor and Reece Engelbrecht, Luke Kotze, Kyle Stephens, and Ronan Pearce in the Small Kids category. The Big Kids category winners: Mary, Basil and Anastasia Ragavalas, and Jamie, Christie and Jarad Shrimpton built the Lochness.Should you wish to be involved in the 2015 event contact Valley Pre-Primary School on 021 7901540 or e-mail valleykids@mweb.co.za. Visit www.houtbaysandcastle.co.zaPhotograps courtesy of Dwayne Senior.

Sandcastles Raise Record Funds for Education

A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health. Follow these tips and you can help keep your kids’ teeth decay-free:

Brush your child’s teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, once just before bedtime and at least one other time during the day. Encourage them to spit out excess toothpaste but not to rinse with lots of water.It is important to supervise tooth brushing until your child is seven or eight years old, either by brushing their teeth yourself or, if they brush their own teeth, by watching how they do it. From the age of seven or eight they should be able to brush their own teeth, but it’s still a good idea to watch them now and again to make sure they brush

properly and for the whole two minutes.To make sure they brush properly, try to:• Guide your child’s hand so they can

feel the correct movement.• Use a mirror to help your child see

exactly where the brush is cleaning their teeth.

• Make tooth brushing as fun as possible, using an egg timer to time it for at least two minutes.

• Don’t let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth as they may damage their mouths or choke if they fall over.

Helping you look after your kids smile. From the team at Hout Bay Dental Studio

Keeping Your Kids Smiling

Image courtesy theguardian.com

Mrs Boezak, Hout Bay Secondary School

Caitlin Wolstenholme, Ambleside School of Hout Bay.

Juante Wall, Llandudno Primary School

Jane Kruser, Sentinel Primary School Cristi Little, Silikamva High School

Nomzi, Kronendal Primary School.

Pam Yekani, Dominican-Grimley School.

International School of Hout Bay: High School

International School of Hout Bay: Primary School

Bronwyn Marx, Hout Bay Montessori

Where were you born? Matatiele, Eastern CapeWhere did you study? Transkei College of Education, UNITRAWhat was your favourite subject? Educational Psychology

Who was your favourite teacher? Mrs MmwendaWhich is your favourite day? Sunday, going to church.What star sign are you? Aries.

Where were you born? QueenstownWhere did you study? Cape TechnikonWho was your favourite teacher?Mrs Lombard as she motivated us to be the best we could.

Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Monday, as I love hearing all the children’s news from the weekend.What star sign are you? Leo.A special moment while teaching? All moments are special with the children I teach as they are full of surprises and there is never a dull moment.

Where were you born? Port ElizabethWhere did you study? Stellenbosch University & UCTWhat was your favourite subject at school? BiologyYour favourite teacher?

Mrs Elfrink (Biology)Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Friday as it is the start of the weekend.What star sign are you? LibraA special moment while teaching: My most recent special moment was when little Nicolas Puglia stood up for me when the class was being noisy and said, “Everyone I think we must be quiet, because Juante is special, and she makes us clever, so we must listen to her.”

I have the privilege of spending my week days with 16 ten-year-olds who teach me about faith, honesty and the importance of saying please, thank you and I’m sorry. They teach me how to forgive and what it means to not bear a grudge.They teach me to be excited about

numbers, patterns, words, ideas, stories, art & people and to see the beauty in nature. They teach me what a difference it makes when you begin the day with a smile and a positive attitude. They teach me not to label, limit, judge or underestimate because you will get it wrong. I am a teacher yet most of the time I am a student.When I’m not in the classroom I am either swimming, cycling or running and if all goes well I will be competing in the SA Iron Man in PE in April this year.

Where were you born? DurbanWhere did you study? Headstart Mercy MontessoriWhat was your favourite subject at school? English & Biology

Your favourite teacher? Sister Roswitha - Biology, Carol Abbot - EnglishWhat star sign are you? PiscesA special moment while teaching?I taught classical ballet for 28 years and Speech & Drama for 20. The highlight was definately getting two of my dancers into dance academies in London and America.

Where were you born? Hout BayWhere did you study? Battswood Training College, North West University and Western Cape College of Education.What was your favourite subject at school? Mathematics Your favourite day of the week?

I love Sundays, going to church, spending time with my family while preparing for the challenges of a new week. What star sign are you? VirgoA special moment while teaching: I have an intense passion for teaching thus each day is special. No matter how I feel when I arrive at school, the children I work with always manage to put a smile on my f ace. The bond I form with them is similar to that of my own children. I love teaching. I count myself lucky and privileged to be a teacher.

Where were you born? Caledon in the Overberg Region Where did you study? University of Stellenbosch and UWCWhat was your favourite subject? English & Geography

Who 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? Scorpio

Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? UCTWhat was your favourite subject at school? Reading in Primary, Biology in HighWho was your favourite teacher? Mrs Brey (Reading), Miss Scarola (Biology)

Which is your favourite day ?Wednesday because I was born on a Wednesday. The poem states that “Wednesday’s child is full of woe” but I always believed they meant to say “…full of Woah! You are AWESOME!” What star sign are you? VirgoA special moment while teaching: When a learner approached me and told me I was her hero and that she wanted to be a science teacher like me one day.

Denise Michel, Deputy Principal

Grant Ruskovich, Deputy Principal

Mrs Boezak, Hout Bay Secondary School

Naedene Vine, Ambleside School of Hout Bay.

Greg Trumble, Llandudno Primary School

Mackie Kleinschmidt, Oranjekloof Moravian Primary Faiza Salie, Sentinel Primary School Siphathisiwe Nkohla, Silikamva High School

Natasha van Greunen, Kronendal Primary School.

Rachel Hefer, Disa Primary School. Lee-Ann Stephanou, Dominican-Grimley School.

International School of Hout Bay: High School

International School of Hout Bay: Primary School

Justine Norman, Hout Bay Montessori

Where were you born? DurbanWhere did you study? University of Port ElizabethWhat was your favourite subject? Biology, Geography & SociologyWho was your favourite teacher? Ms Boyes (Biology) - Best ever!

Which is your favourite day? I love every day!What star sign are you? PiscesA special moment while teaching?I have so many special moments. I have had in the 12 years I’ve been teaching, been lucky enough to make a connection with nearly every child who has passed through my classroom. I love what I do!

Where were you born? GautengWhere did you study? University of Pretoria (Tukkies).What was your favourite subject?English.Who was your favourite teacher? Ms Viljoen, Grade 1Which is your favourite day?

Definitely Saturdays, Its the only day I can spend with my husband or friends without having to worry about time.What star sign are you? Gemini.A special moment while teaching? This year I had the privilege to not only teach GradeS 1-3 but the Grade R’s as well. As soon as I put a song on, their little faces brighten up and they become alive. I have had so much fun dancing and singing with them, the totally make my day ;)

Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? Cape Town Teachers Training College and UCTWhat was your favourite subject? English and Biology.Who was your favourite teacher?Miss Erasmus (Standard 2)

Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Definitely Thursday – knowing that Friday is only 1 sleep away.What star sign are you? Aquarius.A special moment while teaching: Watching a child who has become profoundly deaf learn to speak English through lip reading alone. Wow!

Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? C.T.T.C in MowbrayWhat was your favourite subject at school? HistoryYour favourite teacher? Mr Brian Jacoby (Science)

Which is your favourite day of the week and why? Friday- the weekend beckons!What star sign are you? AquariusA special moment while teaching: Mr Trumble wears a different tie for each of the +-205 school days of the year. Pupils in his class can request a tie eg horses or airoplanes that he will wear on their respective birthdays.

He has over 500 ties in his collection.

It is a common misconception that the realm of teachers is populated by those who ‘can’t’ It has been my happy and fortunate experience that teachers are largely those who ‘can’ and I count myself lucky to be counted among them. My pursuit of a meaningful

profession has led me down the paths of Law and Publishing, each rewarding in its own right, yet never quite making the mark in terms of fulfilment. I have taught across the board and each teaching experience has reinforced my respect and gratitude for being able to work with children. Ambleside’s calibre and integrity of the staff, the philosophy we embrace and the amazing children serve as a daily reminder of how privileged I am to be a teacher.

Where were you born? Cape Town Where did you study? Headstart Mercy MontessoriWhat was your favourite subject at school? Home EconomicsYour favourite teacher? Mrs Mouton - MathsWhat star sign are you? Virgo

A special moment while teaching: A boy in my class looked at me and said “Wow Justine, you have a lot of pimples on your face!” I Realised he was talking about my freckles. So sweet!

Where were you born? Claremont, many years ago!Where did you study? Zonnebloem Teacher’s Training CollegeWhat was your favourite subject? English and GeographyYour favourite teacher?Mr. Herbert was an inspiration.Your favourite day of the week? I love Sundays, because we get

together as a family. What star sign are you? ScorpioA special moment while teaching: I love every day, every lesson, especially when we can do story-telling and creative writing with illustrations. Editor’s Note: Mrs Salie is completing her 50th year of teaching in 2013. Fifty years at the same school. Her legacy is a lasting one and she continues to make a difference in many children’s lives. She is the matriarch of Sentinel!

Where were you born? Caledon in the Overberg Region Where did you study? University of Stellenbosch and UWCWhat was your favourite subject? 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.

Where were you born? BulawayoWhere did you study? University of Zimbabwe and UNISA What was your favourite subject? AccountingWho was your favourite teacher? Mr Kwadi (Accounting) He knew all our names on the first day and there were 35 of us!

Your favourite day of the week and why?Friday - because I always look forward to the weekend. What star sign are you? AriesA special moment while teaching: Some of my past students still call me on my birthday. It’s nice to know they’re still thinking of me.

Where were you born? Cape TownWhere did you study? UCTWhat was your favourite subject? ScienceWho was your favourite teacher? Mr Green (Science - and confidence!)Which is your favourite day? Friday

especially when my goals for the week have been realized and I have earned the weekend.What star sign are you? TaurusA special moment while teaching? In 1982 when many matriculants decided not to write their finals because of political disturbances. Learners innovatively structured the Biology lessons as an International conference and presented papers. Their work was of an exceptionally high standard. There were 16 learners with A’s in Biology with 8 in the top 20 in the Province….memorable !

Denise Michel, Deputy Principal

Grant Ruskovich, Deputy Principal

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

What is it and how does it work?The Battle of the Books, which has run for the past 6 years, is an inter-schools literature quiz (currently only for high schools), held in April on World Book Day.It is run purely on the passion of encouraging literacy and a love of reading amongst youth by its founder, Patsy Geach,the current librarian at Bergvliet High School.It is a unique event that provides a platform for teens who love reading to get together and pool their knowledge in a vibrant, competitive and fun environmentA school enters a team of 5 pupils, from lower and higher grades. (Entry fee: R 100)There are 10 categories with 10 questions in each category. Each question is read aloud to the teams and the audience by the quiz master for 2014, John Maytham.The teams have the opportunity to discuss the question amongst themselves and decide and collaborate on an answer,which they then write down.The answers are supplied by the quiz master at the end of each category. It is wonderful for the audience to be able to watch the teams huddling together debating heatedly in whispers!Does the audience participate?No, it is strictly for the official teams to discuss and submit their written answers, but throughout the evening the quiz is opened to the audience and questions and spot prizes are given out .What are the prizes?First prize: R 5 000 for the library of the winning school plus a R 100 Readers Warehouse voucher for each pupil on the winning team. Prizes are also awarded to second through to fifth placed teams. When and where does it take place?23rd April 2014 (World Book Day), 7pm, Bergvliet High School, Firgrove Way, BergvlietFor more information contact Patsy Geach on pgeach@bhs.org.za or 021 712 0284.

Intaka Island a ‘Must-Do’ Destination for Schools

When you wind your way to the very top of a narrow dirt road just next to the Oakhurst Farm Stall Spar, you will arrive at the “Clay Café” one of the gems of Hout Bay.Owned and run by Chris Bradburn, a very hands-on and capable lady.Chris started out in her home many years ago and has been in the current premises since 1999.The Clay Café, situated in a beautiful area of Hout Bay, overlooking the mountains and valleys, is a great place to go to work everyday.Chris is very much in demand and as we talk her phone rings, the staff have questions, I have questions and she handles it all with ease.

We take a tour of the premises which are bigger than one thinks at first glance. Bright, colourful ceramics are everywhere, from the teddy bear painted by a little girl, to the professional dinner service, being readied for delivery. I find it all so interesting I don’t know where to look first. Chris tells me she has a staff of 25, some of whom are from the same family and have been with her for many years. Chris herself only started pottery as an adult. However, the “pottery bug” bit her and she has not looked back.The products are of a very high quality and can be used in the microwave and dishwasher. You can buy them at Kirstenbosch Gardens and various shops around Cape Town. You can also purchase very good “seconds” at the Clay Café directly, at good prices. This way you can build up a dinner service that is completely unique!The “Clay Café” is also a good place to go for coffee and cake. Under the watchful eye and supervision of Danni Dogon, a Silwood trained chef, my husband and I enjoyed the

largest piece of chocolate cake ever, which had great flavour. We will definitely be going back again soon.The good news is, Danni will be giving cookery lessons during the holidays. Bring the children along to master the art of biscuit making, cup cake creation & pizza baking. Contact the Café on 021 790 3318 or email chasms@houtbay.com for information on dates and times.Also coming up is a “Holiday Special” which includes 2 items of pottery to paint, a juice and a snack, all for R95.00. A great idea for the children to use as Christmas presents for someone special, but don’t forget to allow 2 weeks for firing.Popular events are “Team Building” exercises and “Kitchen Teas”. The Café is also open at night for a minimum of 10 people for your own private function. Children’s birthday parties are very popular. There is a play area outside and a jumping castle, if required, to get rid of excess energy. Children of all shapes and sizes run around dressed in anything from jeans and tee-shirt to glittery fairy dresses. Anything

goes at the Clay Café.Families sit around tables, toasted sandwich in one hand, paint brush in the other, all working intently on their creations. Pretty much weather proof, because of large tents attached to the building, the Clay Café is an “all year” venue, which is great for the kids, mom and dad!For more information on “The Clay Café” phone: 021 790 3318, email: chasms@houtbay.com or visit their website at : www.claycafe.co.za By Margarett Macfarlane.

We Recommend a Day at the Clay Café

All ages enjoy painting at The Clay Cafe.

“Hardly ‘undiscovered’!” you may well retort! However this historic architectural landmark remains an undiscovered gem to many local Cape Town folk.Hout Bay Manor, originally The Royal Hotel, was built in 1871 by Jacob Trautmann and seemed beyond its heyday in the early 2000s. However, after an 18 month renovation and restoration, the hotel was reopened and to this day remains a popular wedding and honeymoon venue. Popular with tourists and visitors for it’s unique olde world Cape Colonial charm and it’s proximity to famous attractions such

as Chapman’s Peak Drive and surrounds, the hotel’s apparent exclusivity has left it seldom frequented by locals.But, no more! Since working on the H’out & About page in the previous Good Times issue, I have made a concerted effort to try new places instead of always falling back on our family’s “old favourites”.On a hot Saturday in early November we felt the need to get out of the house. Perusing the restaurant page, I kept being drawn back to the Pure Restaurant details, however it’s hardly a place to take seven children. (Not all mine!)I’d heard that there’s a big drive to make The Manor more accessible to locals, so I called ahead and enquired about the children and the receptionist assured me they were welcome. What a pleasant surprise! We took a large table next to the pool, the staff were attentive and friendly and the food was tremendous.Renowned as a fine dining establishment, Pure Restaurant runs a B.B.B. Special which is a burger & beer or bubbles special for R75.00. A substantial burger with chips and salad and a kiddies menu with chicken schnitzel that had my children devouring their food including the tasty side salad.As it wasn’t busy, our children were allowed to swim in the heated pool, and they had an absolute ball all afternoon. Not always an option, however they will let you know if you call them in advance.

Short of going to the beach and foregoing a delicious lunch, there was nowhere more perfect for us all to have spent the sweltering afternoon. On the downside, after our yummy lunch and lazy chats, none of us had any desire to go back home to those intended odd jobs around the house!

Hout Bay Manor also has a tea & cake special for R25.00, just perfect for under the trees on those hot summer afternoons.

Revealing An “Undiscovered” Gem!

Intaka Island, the jewel in the crown of Century City in Cape Town, is a 16ha environmental wetlands conservation area rich in birdlife and indigenous flora and more recently home again to Grysbok.Intaka which means bird in Xhosa is a unique example of nature conservation and property development co-existing in harmony and for mutual benefit.When development of the Century City site began in 1996 it was largely covered

by invasive alien vegetation and comprised a number of degraded wetlands, formerly known as the Blouvlei.The environmental impact assessment (EIA) which preceded development recommended that a multi-purpose nature reserve be created in the centre of Century City. The developer decided to do this both as a contribution to conservation and to create an attractive and functional wetland for the precinct. Intaka Island, which

received Voluntary Conservation Status from Cape Nature in October 2006, is the result. It now covers 16ha, half of which comprise some of the last remaining ephemeral (seasonal) pans of their kind in the world. These are highly protected and are not open to the public but can be viewed from a distance. The other 8ha are the “working wetlands” consisting of four water ponds which serve as a natural purification system

for the water in the 8km of canals which link all aspects of Century City.The working wetlands are teeming with bird life – about 120 bird species can be seen at any one time - and indigenous plant life. About 177 species of indigenous plants occur within the wetlands including extremely rare species which are on the Red Data list.The construction of an Environmental Education Centre was completed in 2010 and an Energy Classroom was added in 2013 to help meet growing demand for the facilities. Intaka Island plays host to a range of visitors from pensioners to corporate training functions and birthday parties. It has become a firm favourite with school groups, with educational programmes, which complement the curriculum, on offer for all ages from Grade R to Matric.To more info or to book contact Melissa at Melissa@intaka.co.za / 021 552 6889.

Get ready to battle in 2014

When does a child need an

eye test?

I’m a practicing optometrist and have been providing the residents of Hout Bay with professional eye care for the past 12 years. I have a special interest in contact lenses with a specific focus on child vision care.My aim is to treat and halt the progression of near-sightedness in children through the use of a ground-breaking procedure known as ortho-keratology.Ortho-k contact lenses reshape the eye while the child is sleeping. The lenses are removed in the morning and the result is perfect vision throughout the entire day; without the use of spectacles.This is just one of many exciting topics I will be sharing in the editions to follow but for now, I would like to answer some of the most obvious questions, you as a reader, might have.

When does a child need an eye test? Statistics reveal that 5-10% of pre-scholars and 25% of school-aged children suffer from visual problems. Therefore, early detection is crucial because if left untreated, these vision problems could cause strabismus (cross/misaligned eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), learning or reading disabilities, misdiagnosed ADD or ADHD and in some cases, permanent visual loss.

So in the case of infants, their first comprehensive eye test should be done at 6 months of age. This is performed by an ophthalmologist or an eye specialist. Thereafter, children should receive additional eye exams at 3 years and then just before pre-school (5-years).The second question I want to address is how you as a parent could detect if your child has any visual problems. There are a few risk factors and behavioural patterns you can look out for:

• A history of pre-maturity• Delayed motor development• Frequent eye-rubbing• Ex cession blurring• Failure to maintain eye contact• Inability to fixate (lock-on) a moving

object i.e. poor tracking skills • Moving closer to objects (TV) to see

better• Recurrent headaches• Reading or learning difficulties at

school• Short attention span• Family history of near or far-

sightedness

If your child presents any of the above mentioned symptoms, it is not to say that there is any problems present, however it serves as a good motivation for a comprehensive eye-test.The aim of this column is to share child related vision care and some new and innovative concepts, but also explanations on straight forward basic topics as well as offering practical advice.Wishing you good visual health.Riaan King

The Eyeball with Riaan KingPaul du Toit - An International Hout Bay Super Hero!

Paul du Toit, local Hout Bay father to Danielle(18) and Josh(16), (above, photo by Gregor Rohrig) husband and highly acclaimed international artist, has created a unique position for himself in the international art community. At home, as abroad, he is a quiet, amusing and humble man. Behind the serenity and gentle inspiration that he exudes, lies the heart of a man who has given tirelessly of himself to amazing initiatives that occur around the country and the world benefitting underprivileged children in South Africa. Paul, despite his meteoric rise in the art world, has maintained his strong sense of social responsibility and is constantly involved in the upliftment of the community. Paul has been involved in fundraising initiatives for Zip Zap for many years, just the other day designing an artwork wrapping a rare bottle of wine that was

auctioned off at an event. (Right). However his involvement goes back further to The Art of Rock Events started in 2010. A blending of talents to delight the senses, the fundraising evening combines Paul painting live, with musicians and Zip Zap performing. The first event featured Parlotones and the second, in 2012, Freshlyground, with Paul painting furiously right in front of the audience and the painting being auctioned off later. (See bottom left, photo by Gregor Rohrig.) Involved in the Rock Girl & Safe Spaces Campaign, Paul (and 16 other artists) have created benches symbolising Rock Girl’s ideals of creating safe spaces for women and girls in the city and surrounds (See bench above right.) Paul also worked with the children of Red River Primary School teaching painting techniques and how to make instruments out of sticks and old sponge.

Paul has worked on five projects with Nelson Mandela (seen below) with the resultant art pieces being auctioned off for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664.Paul collaborated with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on a one of a kind book that was auctioned in America benefitting The Lunchbox Fund, an organisation that feeds hungry children in South Africa.Paul’s wine cooler (top second left) sold for R15 000 benefitting The Light from Africa Foundation. And, closer to home, Paul and Anthony Stroebel of Bay Harbour Market organised a group of local school children to help make Hout Bay more bright & beautiful by painting murals along the street outside the market. I could go on, but in short, here is a local dad making a difference and in full colour too! A true hero in my book.Photos courtesy Paul du Toit Facebook.

Just when things are ticking over nicely, life decides on a bit of a shake-up.

As I began writing this piece, the electricity went off. This is apparently the start of a protracted ‘load shedding’ programme that Eskom are initiating all over the country. It would have been nice to have had a little warning but that’s not the way parastatals work! Anyway, the sudden and unexpected loss of power fits in nicely with my theme for this issue, which is that you just never know what life’s got in store for you. No matter how meticulously you plan, stuff outside of your control will, from time to time, raise its ugly head and throw you off balance completely. My family had first-hand experience of this over the Christmas break when we were involved in a freak boating accident whilst on holiday overseas. My wife broke her back and was in hospital for 9 days. We couldn’t return home on the scheduled date and had to extend our stay by a week. When we finally got back to Hout Bay, she was fairly incapacitated for a few months as well. So one minute, you’re relaxing and enjoying some family down-time and moments later…wham…your world is upside down. Now of course I don’t have a ‘how to’ guide for coping in any given emergency or drama. I do have a couple of thoughts

though – one practical and the other spiritual, if you like. Firstly, please don’t ever travel overseas without insurance and make sure that it covers the whole family for medical and repatriation costs. This sounds like a statement of the obvious but it is an added cost to your trip and so a lot of people take the chance that everything will be fine. As in our case, it might not be and believe me, you don’t want to be stuck in a far off place attempting to scratch some money together for very large medical bills, aside from the fact that it could mean the difference between life and death.Our experience also served as a reminder that life is precious and can be taken away or dramatically altered in a split second. Whilst it’s sensible and advisable to ‘plan for tomorrow’ as much as possible, it’s important to ‘live for today’. Make the call you’ve been meaning to make to a friend or relative, do that painting class you’ve been promising yourself or enter for the Argus or the Two Oceans, if that’s your thing. Life is a journey, not a destination. Dance like nobody’s watching and feel free to get back in touch with the way you were before responsibility took its toll. Finding the balance between living as a human being and a human doing takes a little effort but you can easily start by giving yourself some simple ‘me’ time, even if that’s feet up on the couch for half an hour with a good book or a walk up Chappies.Work hard, play hard, get involved and get out there, because you never know what’s around the corner. As for the electricity going off again later, no problem – I’m going to play cards with my daughter by candlelight. And beat her!

Here’s a Thought with Tom Purcell

Tom Purcell was born and raised on the mean and meaningful streets of south west London. Playtime was outdoors in all weathers climbing trees, riding bikes, playing football or hopping on a few busses to watch his beloved Chelsea FC. He attended Kingston University and gained a Bachelor of Laws in 1981, leading in due course to a career as a solicitor (attorney). A natural entrepreneur, Tom also built interests in property development and investment before he and his wife were offered the chance to spend two years working in Cape Town - that short assignment has turned into 14 years! Tom began a new career as a speaker and entertainer 5 years ago and now owns and presents on Hout Bay’s very own radio station - Republic Radio. He also has a weekly show on the iconic and much loved LM Radio.Tom has been married to Linda for 18 years and they have a daughter Georgia who happily attends Kronendal Primary. The three of them are very proudly Hout Bay.

As 2013 is fast drawing to a close, what better time for “Reflections”

What happened to our list of New Years resolutions we wrote out with such determination at the beginning of the year? Did we spend more quality time with the kids? Did we lose those extra kilos? Did we stop smoking? Did we clean the car weekly? And many, many more!Well, the chances are, we did none of the above, and to complicate matters, we feel bad that we did not.With 2014 around the corner, we will most likely repeat the whole process. Well, let’s think about this. We would all like to make certain changes and improvements

in our lives, but this needs to be a positive, ongoing, experience. We need to work towards our goals and make them life changing.Do you want to lose 5kg? Well, give yourself a year to do it. That way it will stay off and you will have changed your eating pattern for life. How are you going to spend more time with the kids. Allow 10 minutes a day extra and you get the equivalent of 8 days a year extra with the little people.The fact is, if we set our expectations too high, we set ourselves up for failure. On the other hand, if we aim for something achievable, it is win – win, and we feel good.So for 2014, think seriously about what matters to you – work out a practical time period, write it in the front of your 2014 diary and look forward to positive results at the end of 2014. Good luck and see you again next year !

Maggie, (Margerett Macfarlane) was born in Cape Town, and has been in business most of her life. She won the “SA Business Woman of the Year” award in 1992, when she was Managing Director of a company involved in electronic manufacture and export. She is trained as a Bereavement Councillor for St Luke’s Hospice. She oversaw the “Look Good, Feel Better” imitative in Cape Town for a number of years. (They provide make over workshops for cancer patients at various hospitals.) She qualified as an Image Consultant and firmly believes that we all need some colour in our lives! She gives motivational talks and is trained as a “Life Skills” coach.She has been happily married for 46 years, has 2 children and 2 wonderful grandchildren, all close by. These days she take it a bit easier and enjoys the moment. She exercises at least 3 times a week and hopes to start drumming soon.

Reflections with Maggie

The UP (www.theup.org.za) is about to celebrate 10 years of service, steadily growing UP from just 2 Hospital Care Clowns to over 75 in Cape Town and now also Gauteng.To celebrate that 10 years ago our joy-inspiring work began to Be on this Earth – we are having a HUGE 10th B’EARTHDAY PARTY.Nicola Jackman – founder of The UP and one of GLAMOUR’s WOMEN of the YEAR for 2013 says; “This is such a special milestone for us, we have really grown UP, we used to UPlift just 100 children and now with the ever-growing interest in our work, we bring consistent joy to over 3500 children every month. It’s the most awesomely YAY experience to see how sharing JOY effects everyone, the giver, the receiver and all who witness the exchange.”On December 16th 2013 – The UP is creating CAPE TOWN’s FIRST EVER PUBLIC B’EARTHDAY PARTY…Families will be able to simultaneously support The UP’s amazing work, whilst having a HEAP of fun travelling a mini-world at Kronendal Primary School.Nicola adds; “It’s our intention to inspire families to play together, we do a lot of corporate joy work and thought why not bring some team-building type games to our B’Earthday Party and build family/groups of friends as teams. There will be loads of bonus entertainment too – including theatre, music & dance”

Tickets are R50p/p (for all ages & remember the fee includes your donation to THE UP ensuring UP’s 10th year is the largest JOY outreach ever).Get behind this joy-inspiring organisation and have a fun day with the whole family or your friends. Travel the world & support the growth of JOY, play loads of games & win prizes for best dressed, fastest travelling group and other spot prizes. Tickets available on QUICKET (group booking discounts available). Just imagine, you and your family or friends, can dress up as your favourite culture, or as a world traveller and come and play games together. When you arrive your group or family will receive a group passport & then you will be able to explore the 13 different countries and enjoy all the other bonus entertainment too.R50p/p (2 & under free) Early Bird (limited tickets till 12th December) The B’Earthday party will be split into 13 country zones and an additional stage area, arts & chill area and food & some goods will be for sale too. Travel to Hawaii, Mexico, Brazil, France, USA, UK, Greenland etc - all in one day - play the games together to get your group passport stamped. Bring your friends and/or family and celebrate 10 years of sharing and growing JOY & let’s raise FUN and FUNDS for the UP and envision love & joy growing around the world! Venue: Kronendal Primary Hout Bay Time: 10am – 5pm

About The UP - The UP is a Not for Profit Organisation 122-357 NPO, founded in 2003. They are an arts for health humanitarian company, committed to bringing UPliftment and extra emotional care to sick & traumatised children in communities, homes & hospitals. Sharing joy sUPports the children’s well-being & recuperation. For almost 10 years they’ve been actively building, sharing and inspiring joy… “Care Clowning, laughter, play, our kindness – caring for one another – that’s UP; WE are all joy catalysts creating a healthier happier humanKIND.” (www.theup.org.za)

A B’Earthday Party - You’re Invited!

Each of us get 20 milk teeth after we are born. They are important, because healthy milk teeth help your jawbone and mouth’s muscles develop better – and make your smile beautiful!Between your fifth and thirteenth birthday you lose them, because you are becoming bigger and need bigger teeth. You then get 32 brand new teeth, which you have to keep forever. Sometimes one or two of your

milk teeth remain in your mouth until you are much older. This is because there is no permanent tooth below or above trying to come out.Here are some great tips to help keep your teeth healthy and shiny this Christmas• Brush your teeth after every meal to

remove every bit of food.• Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste

that contains fluoride – the stuff that makes teeth stronger.

• Begin at the gum and brush in small circular movements towards the tips of the teeth.

• Scrub the biting surfaces with small back-and-forth movements.

• Follow a routine so that you don’t miss anything.

• Begin at the back of the lower teeth and clean the outside. Then do the same with the inside.

• Do the same for the upper teeth and thereafter brush all the biting surfaces.

• Use dental floss to clean between your teeth.

• Eat food that contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Try to eat less sticky and sweet foods.

• Visit a dentist twice a year.

Tips for Healthy Teeth this Christmas

1 Pam Arlene PlaceMain Road Hout Bay

Bookings:021 790 3462

Shop A1 Mainstream

Shopping Centre

Hout Bay, Cape Town

(021)790 0305

daisyjax3@gmail.com

Kronendal Music Academy (KMA) was formed in 2007 as an NPO specialising in bringing music education to everyone in the Hout Bay valley, not just those few who were able to afford this luxury. We started out with some 25 pupils, based at Kronendal Primary School and steadily grew our numbers until we were spilling over into community halls and church halls around Hout Bay.Our first 5 years renting the redundant music room at KPS were important in establishing our presence in the community and by 2012 we were desperately looking for new premises where we could base all of our operations. This dream came true in the form of our present home, “Oakburn”, an old Cape Dutch building dating back to 1847, and part of the original Kronendal Farm in Hout Bay.Since moving to Oakburn, KMA has grown from strength to strength, with numbers

now reaching the 170 pupil strong mark. We proudly offer tuition in all brass instruments, all strings, flute, clarinet and saxophones, drum kit, piano, accordion, singing and guitars (electric and acoustic).We have some 16 ensembles and group lessons including our flagship Jazz Band, an adult singing group, our brand new Hout Bay Children’s Choir and our junior orchestra. We accept pupils from age 7 / grade 2 and there is no limit on ages we teach after that! Our “oldest” pupil is over 84!Our fees are balanced and fair and we make sure that our group lessons are affordable to everyone. We have proudly seen two of our pupils into tertiary education at UCT College of Music and continue seeking out appropriate opportunities for out post matric pupils. On the last Thursday of every month we hold an informal pupil soiree and once a month we offer our “KMA Intimate Soiree”

to the community, showcasing some of the best musicians Cape Town has to offer – and even some from abroad. Once a year we hold a concert series at Riverside Estates, creating a “Music Café” on their main hall. Why don’t you come along to one of these

many different performances and see what we do?If you are interested in joining the KMA family, please take a look at our website www.kmahoutbay.org, for more juicy info and many, many more pictures chronicling our last 7 years.

Kronendal Music Academy Making Waves

Out & About

In this wonderful era of instant communication we mustn’t lose sight of an indispensable skill.

We live in an age of instant gratification. I call it the ‘microwave society’ – we want it hot and we want it now. Far different from what I enjoyed (or endured!) growing up in the 1960s and 70s. Of course that time was a far cry again from the world my parents encountered. Each generation has a distinct playing field of rules, values and technology to look forward to and mould to their lives and aspirations. One of the amazing advances in the last 10 years has to be the way in which we communicate with each other.I’ve been involved in ‘communications’ most of my working life, but the truth is that we’re all in the communications business and we engage in this important activity pretty much full time. Explaining the importance of communication is therefore a bit like explaining the importance of breathing!Every facet of our lives revolves around communicating with others – our partners, children, teachers, co-workers, bosses, clients and customers…the list is endless! And, the ability to do it instantly has been with us for a few years now as well, to the point that it’s difficult to see how the technology innovators can have us keeping in touch with each other any quicker, unless they find a way to tweet thoughts! Nobody

would argue that our lives are not enriched in some measure or other by these brilliant tools at our disposal, but there are dangers. There’s the obvious one where reaction and reflection time (remember the old fashioned rule of sleeping on something overnight?) are lost to a knee-jerk riposte, only to be regretted later, when of course it’s too late. Facebook posts and comments, tweets and sms’s have become imbedded in our way of life, especially for our children and the pre-family generation. I have to admit to a wry smile every time I see a gaggle of kids huddled together texting each other – what’s that all about? Put the phones away and talk! This is at the heart of my concern : whilst computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones have opened us up to many more opportunities to ‘connect’, the quality of those connections might well be impaired by an inability to learn from nonverbal forms of communication, the soft stuff that’s lost when you’re not in front of the other person.Nonverbal communication accounts for two thirds of all communication and includes gestures, facial expressions, body language, appearance and something known as paralinguistics, which refers to tone of voice, inflection, loudness and pitch.The art of communicating effectively is one of the most important skills that a child can learn as he or she makes their way through life and into the world of work and a meaningful contribution to their community and I hope that schools and colleges will soon begin to make room in their curriculum to develop this competence. I suppose the answer’s ‘no’ until you ask the question. Ok, so what’s our principal’s twitter handle?

Tom Purcell was born and raised on the mean and meaningful streets of south west London. Playtime was outdoors, in all weathers, climbing trees, riding bikes, playing football or hopping on a few busses to watch his beloved Chelsea FC. He attended Kingston University and gained a Bachelor of Laws in 1981, leading in due course to a career as a solicitor (attorney). A natural entrepreneur, Tom also built interests in property development and investment before he and his wife were offered the chance to spend two years working in Cape Town . A short assignment that turned into 14 years! Tom began a new career as a speaker and entertainer 5 years ago and now owns and presents on Hout Bay’s very own radio station - Republic Radio. He also has a weekly show on the iconic and much loved LM Radio.Tom has been married to Linda for 18 years and they have a daughter Georgia who happily attends Kronendal Primary. The three of them are very proudly Hout Bay.

Here’s a Thought...with Tom Purcell Stats from the ‘Always Connected’ Report

Sponsored by Facebook, the IDC’s new research report “Always Connected: How Smartphones and Social Media Keep Us Engaged” is filled with good info-nuggets. We encourage you to read the 25 page report, but for those on the move, we’ve boiled it down for you. No pretty pictures or graphics below, but there are definitely some on the report, so check it out! (https://fb-public.app.box.com/s/3iq5x6uwnqtq7ki4q8wk)

• 25% of people surveyed cannot recall the last time their phone was not close them.• Today, half of the total US population uses smartphones.• In 2013, U.S. Smartphone Users is projected to be 181.4 Million which is 57.3% of

the population.• Within the first 15 minutes of waking up, 4 out of 5 smartphone owners are checking

their phones.• 79% of respondents have their phone on or near them for all but up to 2 hours of their

waking day.• 49% of respondents feel connected when using text/message application on their

Smartphones.• From Monday to Sunday, 84% of respondent’s time is spent on phone communicating

via text, email, social vs. only 16% on phone calls.• Men are 75% more likely than women to seek out application on Facebook using their

Smartphones.• People check their smartphones on average 150 times per day.

We took a survey over in our office and found that it was closer to a whopping 75% of us that could not recall the last time our phone was not close by. I suppose we have the “I need it for work” excuse, but still. Do a survey among your friends and family and see how many people can remember when last they went out without taking their phones along. Courtesy of www.mosio.com

Gemma Ball, Grade 4, Kronendal Primary. Kesha Abrahams, Gr 4, Sentinel Primary

Iona Thomson Grade 10, Ambleside School. Abdisalam Mohamed Grade 6, Dominican-Grimley. Nathalie Herles, IBDP2, ISHB High School.

Bailey Meyer, Year 1B, ISHB Primary School.

Six aliens and their quirky robot visit Earth from ‘Alieon’.They do scientific research, get into trouble, generally muck about and drink a lot of tea...SO WHAT IS ALIEONS?A Sci-fi adventure following a team of alien explorers visiting Earth. Each episode is a blend of story, humour and surreptitious learning.The educational element of each show is bit-sized and integral to the storyline without feeling teachy or repetitive. ALIEONS is very much about relationships; the ensemble cast each have a rich history and their stories and characters grow

throughout the episodes.Our goal is to inspire a love and respect for all Sciences, for music and for all forms of life.In every episode, the Alieons (named after their planet Alieon in the constellation of Orion) face overwhelming dangers and challenges with courage, intelligence, humour, MacGyver style tricks and of course marvellous ships and gadgets. (All sets and ships are physically made and props and characters - handmade)WHO IS IT FOR? This is a show for the whole family. It’s not frenetic or violent, we have aimed to create something cool, exciting and rich in detail. Made for both girls and boys to enjoy, ALIEONS has strong, smart and friendly

female and male lead characters. The educational element mainly suits early scholars, 6-8 years old, but the show really is made to be enjoyed by all ages because we know how it feels when they ask you to sit and watch with them: hence no squeaky voices, repetition or annoying music, but rather appealing characters residing in a beautifully crafted world living out original story lines .WE NEED YOUR HELP! Alieons The Series Hasn’t Been Made Yet.As of March 2014, we are finishing up nearly three years of pre-production. The trailers we are releasing indicate what the show will look and sound like. Although we originally intended the series for release via a traditional television network, the growing potential of crowd funding presents us with the opportunity to develop ALIEONS independently, which appeals to us as we will be enabled to create the show we would like to share with you instead of following a corporate agenda.

We are planning to launch a KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN…We have brilliant Rewards to share!The Goal: ~ Make the first 6 episodes of Alieons and see where it goes from there. ~IF YOU’D LIKE TO SEE ALIEONS MADE, PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROJECT ~Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, subscribe to our website: www.alieons.comIf you like this, please tell your friends and family.We’ll let you know when the KICKSTARTER campaign begins, so you’ll be able to back the project and get hold of the special edition series and releases as well as unique ALIEONS objects and art.If you wish to contact us via email: info@alieons.com

Six Aliens and a Quirky Robot Need Your Help

ART

Identifying Deceptive Brain Messages

At any given moment, our amazing brains direct our reactions to life circumstances by integrating current experience with past experience and doing so along habitual lines. Our brains are organs of habit, responding according to established patterns of networked nerve cells. With a little self-reflection, it is easy to recognize that our brain responses are at times less-than-helpful and can even be quite destructive. In their book, You are Not Your Brain, Jeffrey Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding identify these brain responses as “deceptive brain messages.” There are only a few true necessities in life, but for many of us, it does not feel that way. A lifetime of habits, ingrained by repetition, can seemingly make us slaves to a not always beneficial master – our own brain. Nothing is more confusing, or painful than when your brain takes over your thoughts, attacks your self-worth, questions your abilities, overpowers you with cravings, or attempts to dictate your actions. Have you ever felt something is compelling you to “go” places, mentally or emotionally, where you do not want to be? Do you find yourself acting in uncharacteristic ways or doing things you do not want to be doing? The reason is simple: Deceptive brain messages have intruded into your

psyche and taken over your life. Left to its own devices, your brain can cause you to believe things that are not true and to act in any number of self-destructive ways.The brain thinks and reacts as it is accustomed to think and react. It is an organ of habit. When habits are destructive, we follow a line of reasoning justifying ourselves, alleviating responsibility for the desired outcome. As Charlotte Mason points out in Parents and Children, it is a particularly pernicious habit.

We get into the way of thinking such and such manner of thoughts, and of coming to such and such conclusions, ever further and further removed from the starting-point, but on the same lines. There is structural adaptation in the brain tissue to the manner of thoughts we think – a place and a way for them to run in.Charlotte Mason recognized that both parents and teachers were far too often content to leave the children to their nature, to leave them to their deceptive

brain messages and unhealthy behaviours. Any significant growth in virtue begins with the recognition of bad habits and their underlying deceptive brain messages (both conscious and unconscious). These prevailing messages are sowed into lives through relationships, both in verbal and non-verbal ways.Adults must ask themselves the following questions: What are the deceptive messages that hold ground in the lives of those in my care? Am I a voice that communicates deceptive brain messages verbally or non-verbally? What are the life-giving messages that I wish to communicate to my child or student? How do I challenge the deceptive messages and relationally manifest the life-giving messages?We are always training in habit, whether habits of mind or body. Charlotte Mason gives us a potent reminder of how subtly these habits are formed:“Thus we see how the destiny of a life is shaped in the nursery, by the reverent naming of the Divine Name; by the light scoff at holy things; by the thought of duty the little child gets who is made to finish conscientiously his little task; by the hardness of heart that comes to the child who hears the faults or sorrows of others spoken of lightly.” Article by Maryellen St Cyr

“The bracing atmosphere of truth and sincerity should be perceived in every

school; and here again the common pursuit of knowledge by teacher and class comes

to our aid and creates a current of fresh air perceptible even to the chance visitor, who sees the glow of intellectual life and the

moral health on the faces of teachers and children alike.”

- Charlotte Mason

High School Information Evening: 24 April 2014Ambleside School of Hout Bay is a small independent school offering classes from Preschool to Grade 12. We are registered with the WCED and affiliated to the Independent Education Board (IEB), ISASA and Ambleside Schools International – which facilitates on-going teacher training and curriculum development. Ambleside School 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.

Advantages of being a small school:• individual attention • small classes • friendships can 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 and 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 requirements

High School Subjects• English (Home Language)• Afrikaans (First Additional Language)• Mathematics or Math Literacy• Life Orientation• History• Physical Science• Life Science• Business Studies• ArtAdditional Subjects in Grade 8-10Ambleside School uses the curriculum developed by Ambleside Schools International adapted for South African requirements (CAPS). A broad range of topics are integrated into the curriculum, including: Citizenship; Drama; Nature Study; Picture Study; Composer Study; Spiritual

Classics; Bible.Subjects in Grade 11-12Ambleside School is aligned with the requirements of the IEB. We offer the following subjects:Compulsory Subjects• English (Home Language)• Afrikaans (First Additional Language)• Mathematics or Math Literacy• Life OrientationPrimary Elective SubjectsPhysical Science; Life Science; HistorySecondary Elective SubjectsArt; Business Studies

Ambleside School of Hout Bay will be hosting a High School Information Evening on 24 April 2014. Please contact the school office for further information on 021 790 4449 or email school.office@amblesideschool.co.za

Ratanga Junction Theme Park

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Fun and gamesfor the whole family! For more info go to:

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Ambleside School Print Run Sponsored By RATANGA JUNCTION:

Three years ago, we started off with a patch in the garden, one season grew into four seasons, one grade grew into three grades and one vegetable patch grew into five vegetable patches. Before we knew it we were growing everything from tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, potatoes, mielies, sweet potatoes and herbs. We sowed, weeded, made compost and compost teas. We

harvested, spent some time in the kitchen and made pesto with the abundance of basil and relished pasta and pesto. It got to a point where we grew enough produce to harvest and sell.

The students had the opportunity to harvest, bundle and sell their vegetables to the parents, and they learnt the value of sustainability, local food gardens and entrepreneurship.

After a year’s break the vegetable garden will be starting again in 2014 and there is a lot of work to be done and fun to be had. Our Grade 5, 6 and 7s will be the gardeners and we hope they all have green fingers!With a lot of support and help from parents and students we had a ‘dig-in’ on Saturday

15th February. At the ‘dig-in’ we prepared the garden for planting.

We lay cardboard over the grass (to inhibit the kikuyu from growing), then layered wet green, dry brown and horse manure on top of the cardboard and finished it off with compost. These layers will ensure a rich and nourishing soil. We will begin planting seedlings before the end of first term.We look forward to making this community vegetable garden a reality, and hopefully we will soon be providing you with delicious, school-grown organic produce.

Ambleside’s Sustainable Vegetable Garden

Apostle Battery Camp 2014Camp 2014 at Wortelgat

At Wortelgat Camp there were so many activities to do which was fun. I was in a team named the Buffalo Bunch. In some of the games it was hard to get the teams concentration, but it was fun competing against the other teams.The place where I slept with three of my classmates was very cozy and there were very nice bathrooms. We four had lots of fun when we were together in the evenings with sweets and chips.The lagoon was salty and mucky but it was

warm and we canoed on it and swam in it and had mud and weed fights with the rest of the camp and teachers.The food was nice, the people were great and the walk to the beach was long but the beach was a wonderful reward! I thoroughly enjoyed camp!There was archery for us, the grade 7s, which was really enjoyable. The girls won and our teacher was awesome! I will remember that camp.Article by Isobel Rossouw, Grade 7.

Regional Athletics Team Parow 2014

From the 5th to the 7th of February grade 8 to 11 went on a camp to Apostle Battery above Llandudno. We played fun games and settled in quickly. We went on some beautiful walks and listened to inspiring talks. We split up into 4 groups and took part in lots of team building activities, including an obstacle course on the last day. Most of us enjoyed the underground

tunnels that we went through but some of us were scared. We also ate great food and all in all had a wonderful time except for the last morning when after our walk to the cross one of us came down off the swing like a wrecking ball! Thanks to the teachers, leaders and organisers for making it all happen. We had an amazing camp.Article by Gabriella Lupini, Grade 10.

Sphaza and Hip Hop

There was once again great excitement and pride amongst the Dominican Grimley fraternity when the Matric Results of 2013 were announced. Eight Learners wrote the National Matric examinations and passed, thus maintaining the hundred percent pass rate which has been the norm for the school ever since its learners started writing the National Examinations. Five of the matriculants achieved Bachelor Passes and three attained Diplomas Passes.Lorenzo Andrews is one of the learners who sat the examination. He, like his fellow learners at Dominican Grimley, is deaf. Lorenzo was a hearing boy until he contracted a virus when he was in Grade 7, which caused him to go deaf. He was no longer able to reach his potential in a mainstream school due to his loss of hearing, so he was moved to Dominican Grimley in Grade 10.Being a special needs school which uses the auditory verbal (oral) method to teach deaf learners from Grade R to Grade 12, Lorenzo found himself in an environment where his needs were catered for and he soon blossomed into a confident, hard-working, happy young man.In his Matric year, he was able to get a cochlear implant and was determined to achieve the best results that he could. His dedication and commitment were recognised by the school and he was the recipient of a book prize as well as certificates of Excellence.

He was also awarded The Sr. Macrina Veritas Trophy for Good Fellowship for his respectful, caring, and helpful manner towards his fellow learners.Lorenzo worked extremely hard for the Final Matric Examinations and was rewarded when he and his parents were flown to Johannesburg to attend the announcement of the 2013 Matric Results by the National Minister of Education. He had attained the second highest result in the country for Learners with Special Needs. Lorenzo attained three high As, three Bs and a very high C for his efforts.After the excitement of being hosted by the Department of National Education, Lorenzo and his principal, Mrs Maria Kerbelker, were invited to a function hosted by the Western Cape Education Department and Premier Helen Zille, where his hard work and dedication were honoured once again. Following his success, Lorenzo has received numerous gifts in recognition of his hard work from the National Education Department as well as from the Western Cape Education Department. He has also been awarded bursaries for his tertiary studies. Lorenzo is presently attending UCT, where he is doing a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree. Dominican Grimley is proud of this young man, who has proved that with the right attitude and determination, all challenges can be overcome.Congratulations Lorenzo.

Excellence in Matric Results in Our 150th Year

A lot of people might think of the word ‘sphaza’ as a sphaza shop where you buy snacks but the word also refers to a type of music. Not a lot of people know about it because it is made in the Xhosa language and sadly some of the musical groups don’t have enough sponsorships to promote their music.“300 Years” also known as “Amakhul Amathathu” is one of the top groups in Sphaza music. There are three members in the group. There is Monkatheni, Mary J Flower and Ngikilitye. Their producer is called Empire and they always mention his name in their songs. They record their songs at “Voice to Voice Studio” and also mention them in their songs.Something extremely shocking happened to one of the members of “300 Years” and he was the best in Sphaza music. At the end of last year after a rap debate, Nqikilitye – the best rapper in Sphaza – died from a gunshot. At the rap debate Nqikilitye was debating with another rapper and Nqikilitye won but his opponent wasn’t pleased. After the show, he pulled out a gun and shot him. That was the end of the Sphaza star. Nqikilitye wasn’t the only perfect one. Another rapper called Kideo was known to be second best and now enjoys the honours of first position.

Hip Hop is quite similar to Sphaza because you rap in both and the beats are the same. In English it is Hip Hop, in Xhosa it is Sphaza. Hip Hop is known all over the world but Sphaza is only known in the townships where it started not long ago. On every corner you will hear Sphaza either on cell phones or speaker boxes.A group from Gugulethu, Driemanskap, is the only group that got high sponsorship and it is even shown on television. The reason for this is that the whole of Gugulethu supports them as their music doesn’t use foul words. They rap about things that even grannies can listen to because their messages are clear and in some of their songs they involve ‘flows’ that speak of God and His good things. The songs are about how we can disappoint God and what we should be doing on earth. Some people might say it involves gospel music. It is the only group in Sphaza from the township to be incredibly famous and seen on television. The members in the group are mostly male.Now people wake up and discover the world. Even those from the township are on television making a lasting impression. We all start at the bottom to get to the top.Sphaza rocks!By Sinalo Ngolozana: Grade 10

What is Life Without Love?By Athule Mgodeli

What is life without love?Let me see:

Life is a wandering vesselSailing in violent seasWithout any direction.

Life is an appleThat has lost its taste

Because it’s been alone for too long.

Life is a bookThat has collected dust on a shelf

Because it’s neglected and is centuries old.

Life is a broken soulThat has lost its meaning and taste

Because it has been very cold for a fortnight.

You’re my petal,My flower and my entire being.

Without you, my Valentine,I’m as good as dead.

Dominican-Grimley School Print Run Sponsored By STAR DOT TOYS:

Grade R is special as the teacher brings her dog, Misty the Golden Retriever, once a week to teach the children how to care for animals and behave around them.

Making Memories with Misty Admiring Our Artwork

Top Left Self Portrait: Sive Takata, Gr 2. Bottom Left Self Portrait: Mihlali Morris, Gr R. Centre Self Portrait by Ruth Mentoor, Gr 6 Left Self Portrait by Yusuf Mitchell Gr 6 Centre Above: Siyam Milindi, Gr 1 Pencil Sketch above: Liam Maree Gr 7

We celebrated Valentine’s Day by dressing up for the occasion. Here, children from the Primary School celebrate the Day of Love.

Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day with Love

The 14th of February was not only a day for the lovebirds, but also for those who LOVED to show off their talents!This is exactly what the Grade 12 learners had in mind with their Valentine’s Show. Kids from the primary school joined in on a “ dance-off ” and had the crowd in total awe! They were screaming with excitement, all the while being cheered on by our MC’s, Zimasa Dyani and Jade Joubert!Former learner Chad ”Jackson”Van Rooyen once again entertained the audience with his dance moves and singing talents.Our models complemented this event with their gracious movements and beautiful costumes, which made it very difficult for the judges to make their decisions.Eventually, after lengthy discussion, the judges finally made their choices…Remaine Silver (Gr.11B) and Kyle Titus (Gr.12B) were crowned Mr & Miss Valentine 2014.

Young Women in Leadership involves a group of young girls from our school who is being mentored by The Quaker Peace Centre.The aim of this project is to draw / restore the bond between mother and daughter. This programme aims to build and support good relationships between young women, parents, caregivers and their educators. It also aims to develop sustainable leadership structures that can act as a platform for young women to discuss issues which are affecting their lives.These girls and their mothers / caregivers have been quietly active and already had numerous sessions / workshops at school on Saturdays. A one-day Young Women & Parent Indaba will be held on 15 March 2014. The Indaba

will bring together all the young women and caregivers whom we have worked with in all the areas. The Indaba will give an opportunity to each of these areas to present and discuss the problems that they have identified in this one year programme. They will then come up with recommendations which their support forum structures can support to improve the situation for young women.

Young Women in Leadership

A Poem on FRIENDSHIP

Being friends is about sharing our lives with others.’There are some aspects of our lives

that require that we spend a lot of time together or a lot of writing to help convey our feelings.

Other times sharing only a few words are more than adequate.

It is not always the long conversation that conveys the deepest feelings.

Sometimes, longer modes of expression may seem redundant and lacking in profundity.

Putting just the right combination of words on paper in succinct style may just hit the spot.

Faizel Matthe, Kenan Christians, Roman Bailey 10 A

Hout Bay Secondary School Print Run Sponsored By SA GOLF INSTITUTE:

Our school was once again invited to join Lee Botti and Associates for The Ithuba Workshop at The Iziko Museum. Both our Grade 12 classes, accompanied by Mrs Boezak and Mrs Julius, attended these workshops on the 11th and 12th of February. Our learners arrived in style with the Ikapa and Intercape bus services where they were warmly received by Ms Mieke Cimma who immediately guided

us to the venue to start the day! Inside the museum they were welcomed by Ms Lee Botti, freight recruitment expert and founder member of this project.By the end of this interactive workshop our learners were well equipped with knowledge about how to apply for a position, drawing up a Curriculum Vitae and how to present themselves at interviews.

The Gr 12 Ithuba Workshop

Our learners arriving at The Iziko Museum.

A Visit from Isidingo’s ‘Vusi’On Thursday 27th of February The Film and Publication Board visited our school to address our learners on the negative effects of social media.They also warned our learners that child pornography is on the rise in South Africa and that they should be careful as to who they invite on Facebook, Twitter etc. Our learners were very excited when the

famous ‘Vusi’ from Isidingo (Meshack Mavuso) took the stage and they listened attentively as he outlined the dangers related to social networks.He said: “ You might think it’s a good idea now, but one day when you’re old, like seventy years old, those pictures will still be on that site. Please think before you get involved in such things”.

Representative Council of LearnersOn the 21st and 22nd of February 2014 two of our learners, Jade Joubert in Grade 12B and Alexander Jansen in Grade 11C had the opportunity to attend a camp on leadership at Chrysalis Academy in Tokai.This is what they had to say about their experience:Report by: Jade Joubert (Gr. 12B)At camp we learned about the roles and responsibilities of RCL members, as well as the values and skills we should display when in such a position.My roles and responsibilities include the following:

• I need to have confidence and a high self-esteem to lead.

• I have to lead by example.• I have to motivate learners.• I need to be respectful of others.• I have to believe in myself.

Alexander agreed wholeheartedly and added that he also learned that one should not be unfair / scared to report one’s friends if they had done something wrong. Both learners stated that after the camp they felt very confident and enthusiastic to start their duties at school.

A Busy Term for Science LearnersOn the 8th of February 2014 a group of science learners from our school attended a workshop at the Renewable Energy Festival in Green Point, Cape Town.Siphesihle Blayi’s Energy Fest report:It was an adventurous day. When we got there, lots and lots of learners from various schools were already there.Several companies had different campaigns in which they advertised renewable energy.Hout Bay High, as always, managed to grab the people’s attention on the dance floor and having Bronwen on our side, spreading the word about the wonderful work we were doing in our veggie garden at school.We had great fun, learning about energy

that is stored underground. We also learned about ways of conserving energy in order to stop global warming, for example HAVE SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED!Thi term we also visited the Science Expo.Siyasanga Mqoqi’s Science Expo report:We’ve learnt how to write a scientific report and how to observe what is happening around us. When we are doing an investigation / certain experiments there are 10 steps that we need to follow in order for it to be a success. Afterwards we went around looking at other learners’ investigations which took them months to finish. We did a little test and Siphesihle ended with an excellent presentation.

The Importance of Teaching Conflict Resolution

At HBM’s last parent information session, the staff outlined the importance of teaching children to resolve conflict positively - this knowledge does not come naturally. Conflict resolution is a skill that needs to be learned. Children need to be taught how to enter into conflict and deal with it non-violently, constructively, creatively and responsibly.Children fight. By looking at the conflict that occurs in our classroom/home as a teachable moment, and not a reflection of you as a teacher/parent, you

can resolve it and make it less painful by dealing with it directly and creatively.* Avoiding conflict can be unhealthy in the long run. Children who don’t fight, those who avoid conflict or who always give in, grow up to be passive adults, or adults seething with suppressed anger and rage.* Knowing how to handle conflict is a matter of creating a peaceful atmosphere in the children and ourselves so that we can create a peaceful atmosphere in the classroom. Montessori advocated using

a PEACE TABLE to create a safe space for the children to enter into the ritual of conflict resolution.* Example is a powerful way to teach children how to handle conflict. Children tend to handle conflict the way they see adults handle it. This is an important point to mention to parents whose child may be battling with conflict resolution. Without thinking, parents may respond with techniques learned from their parents, teachers, peers and the media. If we were taught to see conflict as a contest, we will probably fight physically or verbally with our “opponents” until one of us has been soundly defeated. If they see their parents run from conflict, the child may do the same; if they are lucky enough to see the significant people in their lives handle conflict assertively, without aggression or passivity, they will model the same behavior.* Use the fair fight rules with each other (as adults): “When you do that, I feel hurt,” or “What do you need from me to feel better about this situation?” If you as a parent get angry, go away to cool off before continuing the conversation – a useful tool

for children to copy. Parents will “lose it” sometimes and say things they will regret. But rather than leave it at that, say, “I was very angry and said some things I didn’t mean. Give me five minutes to come up with what I really want to say.” Children need to learn that they can “lose it” and come back again.CONFLICT RESOLUTION FORMAT1. Stop the behaviour and form a triangle,

or light the candle at the PEACE table.2. Ask each child what happened. Ask

questions to help them to say all they want to. Check they have finished. (If a child is unwilling to speak, you can say what you saw and ask the child if you are correct).

3. Repeat back to them what you have heard them say – so they feel heard.

4. When each child has had a turn to say all they need to, ask what the other could do differently next time.

5. Ask them to ask the other child to agree to that.

6. Repeat the procedure with the other child.

7. Allow the children to shake hands or blow out the candle.

Last year, as part of our SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CURRICULUM, Hout Bay Montessori adopted an elephant from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. Our ellie’s name is Faraja. The children raise money to sponsor their orphan elephant and the money buys milk formula and pays to allow Faraja a keeper who even sleeps with him in his stockades at night.

Faraja is about 2 years old and his family was killed by poachers. The DSWT has a veterinary unit that flies into an area (once told about an orphan elephant), tranquilises the elephant and then flies them back to Nairobi where the orphanage is located.Once the elephants are ready, they are gradually integrated back into wild herds which actually mix with the orphans at waterholes each day.

Adopting Faraja the Ellie

The HBM junior primary class braved the wind and joined Noordhaven and Blue Moon Montessori Schools at Noordhoek Beach for a day of ‘sand frog’ building, whilst raising money and awareness of our endemic frog species. This was an ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST initiative.

LEAP Day Celebrations

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e: michael@mkarch.co.za www.mkarchitecture.co.za

Sustainable design solutions

Hout Bay Montessori Print Run Sponsored By MICHAEL KORNMULLER ARCHITECTURE:

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

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).

It was all pink, red and glittery on Valentine’s Day! We hope all our moms and dads were thoroughly spoiled as love filled the air!

Happy ‘Loving Times’ Day

Our junior primary class has embraced the concept of ‘bucket-filling’, based on the beautiful book by Carol McCloud. The children each have their own bucket, which they are encouraged to use as little postboxes - posting messages of love and appreciation to each other (in secret). They understand the concept that filling someone else’s bucket also fills your own

We Are Bucket Fillers!One of our preschool classes has actually reared Citrus swallowtail butterflies! The teacher, Bronwyn Marx, said: “ We kept them munching away on our lemon tree leaves - which is the host plant of that caterpillar and then when they were quite big we moved them onto leaves in a box which we covered at night. They moved off the leaves and formed pupa on the side of the box (usually they do this in a secret place in the garden) and then we waited 2 weeks and the pupa hatched – magically just as the children arrived at school. There was reat excitement as they got to watch mother nature in action. At first the wings were totally crumpled and it took an hour for the wings to slowly unfold and then fully open. Then the butterfly fluttered, flew off and landed on our lemon tree and the children were watching.”

Hand Rearing Butterflies

The opening ceremony for the new High School campus was a celebration of the efforts of many people: the school’s owners, the group of parents who founded the school, past and current families, teachers and Principals. It was wonderful to be able to welcome the IES staff, the Spanish Consul General, senior ISASA and SAHISA staff, Heads of schools in our community, the media, past governors, amongst others.Our Head of School, Robbie Sadler, was a charming and sincere master of ceremonies and speaker. The students performed two songs from the most recent musical, ‘Rent’, which were very moving. Each of the speakers told something of the journey to make the school a reality. Mike Hosty, National Chair of the South African Heads of Independent Schools’ Association reminded us that we are not only building

a building, but a legacy. That the school will be around for many years to come and that its impact on the community will be a permanent and positive one.This campus is the first of three phases, an expression of the IES group’s commitment to and faith in Hout Bay.I was immensely proud of and grateful for the efforts of all our staff and students to make the event run so smoothly. It was a big team effort and would not have been possible without their involvement, particularly my student leadership team. Events such as these are an important opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to celebrate the accomplishments and talents of the many members of our school community.

Andy WoodPrincipal

High School Campus Opening Ceremony

International School of Hout Bay: High School Print Run Sponsored By DA LUIGI RESTAURANT:

Imagine all the talent displayed on Friday at Camps Bay High School, developed and showcased on our very own field. This is the realistic dream we have for ISHB. Next year, all things being equal we could have an even more successful Athletics Day. OK, so we will have to make sure we have all the equipment, but nothing ventured, nothing gained....

You had to be there to see the impressive natural talent that abounds in our students. If it wasn’t enough to have such a fantastic cultural programme with the Musical and the One Act plays, it appears we also have some seriously talented Athletes. From field events to track events some students stood out from the rest. However, despite the pleasure in seeing

such talent given the opportunity to shine, what really made the day was that every single student in the school that was able on the day, was involved, doing their competitive best and having fun. Like the swan in the water, all appeared smooth and effortless, while below the water furious paddling was going on. Our thanks go out to all the staff who helped make the

day a success and the student leaders for their support of the Houses. Well done to Hillcrest for final victory, but also to every student who took part to earn points for their House and support their friends and peers in what turned out to be another great day for our school. Dan Landi, Director of Student Affairs and Co-curricular Programme

High School Inter-House Athletics 2014

The first days of high school are marked with the annual school camp. This is fast becoming a very successful tradition at ISHB and our return to High Africa gives us a wonderful sense of continuity and confidence in the value of having such a camp at the start of every year.Both the students and staff benefit hugely from the time together away from the usual school environment to build relationships, learn new skills from new experiences and look ahead to a great year. We return to High Africa because of the excellent

programme, competent and effective facilitators, safe environment and Yuri’s friendly face greeting us off the busses like favoured relatives too long away from home.The new students assimilate swiftly, old students renew friendships, challenges are revisited and overcome, and the staff have a rare opportunity to get to know their charges in pleasant and stress-free surroundings. The programme varies from year to year, but some activities such as the high ropes are worth doing every year. This

year more water activities were welcome in the heat and raft building and the classic “missionaries and cannibals” were greeted enthusiastically by the students. From the cooking competition to the night hike, the students had a ball.Our thanks go to Yuri and his team for yet another successful year at High Africa

and to the staff of ISHB, who never would have thought of enduring not one but two planning meetings that went past 10:30pm, unless it was in the comfort of “the deck” overlooking the Breede River!A great start to a year full of possibilities! Daniel Landi Director of Student Affairs

High Africa Camp 2014

A Gift of Love: Valentine’s Day 2014 Each term we have a different community outreach focus. To celebrate Valentines Day on 14 February, and to support the local fishing/harbour community, we asked the children to bring a gift of love in the form of non-perishable food items on the 14th February. This was totally voluntary; however, if the child or family made a donation of food, the child could come to school dressed in ‘Valentine Civvies’- dressed in red, white and or pink.The Harbour community has been struck by the decline of fishing in our seas and many are experiencing extreme poverty. Food was collected by all the classes and distributed to many families in the fishing community. The children embraced the spirit of love on Valentine’s Day and were filled with the joy of giving.

Yr 6 Community Club

As part of their “Action” component of the 2013 PYP Exhibition, Ashleigh Pastor, Luke Glass and Alex Ross set up an outreach community club where, a group of the current year 6s host 12 children from the organisation, “ABC for Life”, every Wednesday afternoon. The programme that the students have devised is based on the Learner Profile and attitudes and each week there is a particular focus - a recent one was cooperation.Activities include Art & Craft, reading, drama, soccer, cricket, beach activities and cooking. One of the highlights of the afternoon is the hotdogs and juice kindly provided by parents of the Year 6 students involved in the programme. The students; Kira Mijsbergh, Scott MacFarlane-Chase, Olivia Pastor, Kim Groenendijk, Adam Deuchar and Ilona Blijdorp are doing a great job and are thoroughly enjoying this exciting initiative.

U10 Cricket Cleans Up

Early one Saturday morning the U10 cricket boys, plus a few other children from school, decided to take part in the Hout Bay Beach Clean-Up. We are extremely proud to say that our children were a part of this great initiative. Coach Scott from RMCSE joined them on the beach and made sure they enjoyed a little beach cricket as a reward afterward. A big thank you to all the parents who were also involved, and especially to Scott for setting this ball in motion and joining his team on the beach. Thank you for making the beach a cleaner and safer environment for us all to enjoy.

International School of Hout Bay: Primary School Print Run Sponsored By DELISH RESTAURANT:

Big congratulations to our Year 3 & 4 Swimmers who triumphed over the International School of Cape Town at the swimming gala! The Swimming Squad invited ISCT to participate in a gala at the Dominican-Grimley pool. It was an extremely hot day and everyone was very grateful to cool off in the water. We enjoyed the school spirit and support from parents and children alike! The final score was 212 to ISCT and .......... 229 to us! Well done team!

International Show Down

Big news is that our U11 cricket side has beaten a Bishops Prep team. Bishops went in to bat first and our bowlers gave them a hard time, taking 9 wickets for 95 runs. Justus Schneider, Steven Glass and Jake Hugh-Jones had their hand in 2 wickets each while James Kirkman, Nicholas Anson-Esparza and Teddie Mcaleese each added one. We successfully chased 96 runs in 17 overs with Teddie Mcaleese hitting a brilliant 48 runs – just 2 short of his half century. This was a great start to the season for the U11 boys and we are very proud of their performance.

The U10’s had a very unusual end to their match at Kronendal where it ended in a draw. A special mention has to go Daniel Jordan who only conceded 1 run in his 2 overs and Aryaan Naseer for taking 1 wicket for 7 runs in his 2 overs. Even though the boys fielded well, Coach Scott still mentioned they need to work on keeping calm in order to get some run outs. The boys batted very well with a special mention to Antonio Biagi (17*) who came in at a difficult time and took the team through to the end. Aryaan Naseer also added a very neat 10 runs.

Later in the season for ISHB cricket, both our teams beat Herzlia Highlands! Coach Scott had this to say about the U10’s performance: “What a calculated and disciplined win by the under 10 boys. Well bowled and fielded restricting Herzlia to 64 runs off the 15 overs. Daniel Jordan and Max Lynn both took 2 wickets. On the batting side, after losing two wickets relatively early, Aryaan Naseer and Joshua Taylor (well batted) took us within 2 runs of the winning score, Antonio and Aryaan finished off the game. Great win by 7 wickets.”

The U11’s also played Herzlia in an away game in Gardens. We gave Herzlia a tough time when fielding and restricted them to 59 for 5 in 20 overs. Ludvig Hilberts (2), Justus Schneider (1), Nicholas Anson-Esparza (1) and Steven Glass (1) taking some wickets. Teddie Mcaleese once again did well with the bat and brought in the highest amount of runs before he was bowled on 20. We reached the target of 60 runs with only one over to spare, but managed to close out the match by winning with 6 wickets in hand. Well done boys!

Primary School Cricketers Celebrate a Superb Season

Our Primary School Eco Club is back in full swing. The senior primary has been busy planting seedlings of plants they researched and selected for our vegetable garden. They are responsible ensuring that their plants are watered and safe from our bunnies! Planted so far are chillies, gooseberries, strawberries, carrots and cucumbers, to name just a few.We also had a food tasting, comparing the flavours of organic versus non-organic products. We tasted passion fruit, tomatoes, green peppers and carrots and the overall consensus was that the organic fruits/vegetables had more flavour.

Eco-Club Greens Grounds

Valentine’s Dance: A Full Night of Fun on Friday 14th

This year the annual Kronendal Valentine’s Dance fell on Friday 14 February and followed on from an exciting day at school where learners were allowed to wear red, pink and white to celebrate the day of love. Tons of high-spirited Grade 4’s to 7’s flocked into the beautifully decorated hall, for a night of dancing and fun. With Valentine’s inspired treats on offer and delicious burgers prepared by dedicated parents, the children were able to re-fuel and return to the dance floor to enjoy a sociable evening with friends.

Above are some of the hard working mom’s who made this special event possible. From left: Vanessa Graham, Ivone Petrou, Sharon Morton-Craig, Sam de Villiers, Karen Phelan, Sarah Roodt and Heather Holtman.Top Right: Friends enjoying each other’s company on the dance floor. From left: Ethan Lawrence, Zachary Cronje, Enrico Petrou, Dian Vermeulen, Zanelle Vermeulen, Leanne Osner and Josie Wild.Right: Gia Pienaar, Megan Frost, Kayla Kohn and Eva Saunders at the magical entrance to the dance.

Kronendal’s newest arrivals spent a jam-packed hour of fun with the Grade 7’s on Friday 24 January. The Grade 1 Fun Hour is an event run by the Grade 7 learners in order to welcome the Grade 1’s into the Kronendal family. The Grade 7’s set up various activities on the field for the Grade 1’s to enjoy, including a water slide, an

obstacle course and a bobbing for fruit station. Grade 1 parents enjoyed picnicking on the stands while supporting their children from the sidelines. The Grade 7’s displayed a wonderful sense of leadership and encouraged the Grade 1’s to take part in all the activities on offer.

New Arrivals Enjoy 1 Hour of Fun

Seen here in their new school uniform are Grade 1’s Jessica Kirby and Philasane Mtyobile eagerly awaiting for the fun to begin.

The SOS campsite in Villiersdorp recently teemed with happy Grade 5 campers from Kronendal Primary School. Amongst other fun activities, the fifty grade 5 learners enjoyed a variety of challenging individual and team obstacles, building rustic shelters, cooking their own food on their own campfires, reading the weather,

petting and feeding fascinating animals, rock climbing, canoeing and hiking at the annual excursion last week. Not even Wednesday’s soaring temperature of 38’ C could dampen their spirits, but it certainly caused a deep appreciation of the swimming dam. A heap of fun was had by all and the memories will last a lifetime.

Challenging Grade 5 SOS Camp

Grade 7’s Skye Taljaard and Jamie Richards encouraging Grade 1’s, Irad Mazhirikawu, Cameron Holtman and Ashton Goode.

Seen here is Grade 1 Cameron Bayvel taking a brave leap onto the water slide.

Victorious Grade 5’s who managed to start their own fire using flint. From left are Gilles de Maudave, Jeffrey Leponesa, Lauren Pearse, Tash S’thembile, Ella Waterkeyn and Diego Jacobs.

Diego Jacobs, Gilles de Maudave and Jeffrey Leponesa paddling their canoe with great gusto.

Kayla Kohn and Leah Vosloo enjoying some cuddle time with the local bunny.

Kronendal Primary School Print Run Sponsored By HOUT BAY SUPERSPAR:

Grade 7 at High Africa

Awesome Athletes at Inter-House

Kronendal Primary hosted their Inter House Athletics which was attended with great enthusiasm by all the children and their parents. It was a very busy day for the senior athletes who participated in all track and field events and a great welcome to big school for the grade ones who ran their first “big” school race.A fun day was had by all with Disa House

(red) winning over all, followed by Sentinel and then Leopards.Victor Ludorum was won by Chad Losper and Victrix Ludorum was won by Joanna Roodt. Best Middle Distance Athletes: Lubabalo Mtyobile and Sophie Hartgers.Best Sprinters: Ngoni Mauye and Beth Goode. Best Field Athletes: Tariq Thompson and Milan Strydom.

On 28 February Kronendal hosted their annual Inter house gala. A fun filled day was had by all with some very close races amongst some of the age groups.All learners participated in the gala – even those that cannot swim properly had a turn

with the help of a grade 7 to get a point for their house. The winning house was Leopards with 418 points, in second place was Sentinel with 386 points and in third place, Disa with 362 points. Thank you to all who helped with the event.

Inter-House Gala’s Great Results

Kronendal Grade 7 learners recently enjoyed a 3 night stay at the High Africa camp. This beautiful camp is situated in Worcester on the banks of the Breede River. The four day adventure was action-packed with activities that helped build confidence and trust while bringing out the leader, friend and dare-devil in each learner. Some of the exciting activities included raft-building, a climbing wall, canoeing and traversing the 12m high ropes course, known as the highest jungle gym in Southern Africa.

Ethan Holtman, Tsuki Kwezana and Ryan Ball preparing some delicious grub to help replenish the troops after a demanding day of fun.

Ama Gaisie, Joanna Roodt and their teammates performing a reaching task that involves teamwork and trust.

The Big Splash Fundraiser

Kronendal held their annual Big Splash fundraiser last week Wednesday and Thursday. Each child is sponsored to swim 20 widths of the school pool in order to raise funds that are put towards the development of the school. Each grade has an hour in the pool in which to complete their widths and children who are not yet comfortable swimmers are happily assisted by Grade 6 learners. The children are permitted to use any sort of swimming attire or equipment, which makes the 20 widths lots of fun!

An enthusiastic group of Grade 1’s get warmed up for their first ever Big Splash, a fundraising event for school development.

Ronan Pearse, Mees Mangal and Connor Engelbrecht enjoying a quick breather before taking on some more widths.

Liam Birch (best boy junior swimmer), Michael Mercer (Victor Ludorum), Ciara Birch (Victrix Ludorum) and Grace Lundy (best girl junior swimmer).

Zubenathi Mshweshwe and Kasper ter Burg enjoy some friendly competition on the track.

Megan Fennell participates in shot putt for Leopard House.

Annual Sandcastle Competition A team of seven excited Grade 7s spent the morning at Hout Bay beach, creating a gorgeous hippopotamus sand sculpture. The team spent the first 30 minutes piling sand up next to their demarcated building site in preparation. At 09:30 they got underway sculpting their creation, which was later baptized “Henry the Hippo” after our very own Mr Henry. The judges loved the hippo’s authenticity and the Kronendal Grade 7’s won 2nd prize overall in their age group. A great way to spend a Saturday morning with friends, family and community!

BEFORE: A huge pile of sand ready for sculpting. Ryan Ball, Ama Gaisie, Shannon Phelan, Layla Loggenberg, Leo Horn, Tyrese Coetzee and Dane Agulhas.

DURING: Ryan Ball and Shannon Phelan molding the enormous body of the hippo, who later was named after our very own Mr Henry. It was hot and thirsty work.

AFTER: Proud Grade 7’s with “Henry the Hippo”. From left are Dane Agulhas, Leo Horn, Tyrese Coetzee, Ryan Ball, Layla Loggenberg, Ama Gaisie and Shannon Phelan.

Sunset Picnic Kicks off Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

As Llandudno is turning 60 this year, all our Llandudno pupils and staff will be photographed in a giant number 60 as part of our jubilee celebrations. There are many jubilee festivities planned through the year, the first one, a sunset picnic, held on Thursday 20 February. Current Llandudno families enjoyed a festive jubilee picnic with entertainment by our young steel drum players, some

of our past pupils on the ZIP ZAP Circus trapeze and fabulous and catchy music by our very own talented Skippy Shaked and his band.All in all, it was a lovely, relaxed, social evening, filled with the happy chatter of parents and the dancing and laughter of the children, all the while watching the sun set over Llandudno. We look forward to hosting old pupils soon.

Llandudno Primary School Print Run Sponsored By SHUTTLEBUG:

Grade 5 & 6 at High Africa

After quite a long bus trip to Worcester, the Grade 5 and 6 pupils arrived in high spirits at the High Africa Camp. Pupils settled into their groups and made their sleeping arrangements. The groups spent a while deciding on a name for their group and making up a war cry. All our activities for the rest of the camp were done in these mixed groups. We got to know and work with each other quite

well. Some activities we spent time doing were canoeing, swimming, games and puzzles, go-karting and rafting to name just a few. The main activity which the pupils had looked most forward to (and which the camp is famous for) is the high trapeze which pupils swing from. Very scary but very exciting! The camp was fun and thoroughly enjoyed.

Our junior and senior galas were held this term. Both events were enjoyed by all and we are very proud of all our pupils who swam.

The Inter-School Athletics Day was held at Kronendal Primary. It was a fun-filled afternoon and the children performed very well.

A Super Busy Sport Season!

Our cricket boys also participated in mini-festivals and skills-building festivals.

Besides participating in many exciting matches this term and the Reddam Tournament, our waterpolo girls were invited to play in the Oakhill School Chukka Festival in Knysna .The girls got to play in many matches over the weekend. Out of 8 games played we won 4 of them! The 10 participating girls did our school proud!Jazz Mallam, Catherine Vine, Jenna

Bramley, Megan and Zara Goslett, Shirley Knight, Katerina Lupini, Olivia Davis-Brorson, Shane Hodkin and Camryn-Rose Beaton represented Llandudno Primary at the Festival. We played at the Knysna Waterfront in the lagoon channel, with seals, fish and some other unknown creatures!We did very well overall and the girls learnt so much from the experience.

They also had an enormous amount of fun and met and made friends with many of the other teams.At the awards ceremony we were very proud of our team when Catherine Vine was named the Best Goalie of the Festival and Jazz Mallam was named the most valuable player in the Llandudno team.We would not have achieved all of this, if it were not for our coaches, Paolo Lupini and Angela Mihal. We are also very grateful to many parents in our school for their assistance with the tour. We would like to thank Natasja Mallam for putting the kit together, Beryl Goslett for designing and producing the beautiful waterpolo costumes, the Bramley and Hodkin families for their donations and finally to the families for transporting and supporting the girls in Knysna.

The aim of the festival was to have FUN and we most certainly did that! Thank you girls for your wonderful spirit, tenacity against tough opponents and willingness to forgive when wronged! You carried the Llandudno name with pride and behaved like true ladies! Thank You!

Girls’ Knysna Waterpolo Tour

The Santa Project Christmas Party

On 3 December 2013, just before the end of term, Oranjekloof Moravian Primary Grade R children were treated to a very special Christmas Party that they attended with the Sentinel Primary Grade Rs, which took place in the outdoor park behind Massimo’s Restaurant at the Oakhurst Farmstall Centre. It was a wonderful and happy time for all the children who each received a big present from Santa, a goodie bag and biscuits to take home.All this was made possible by the ladies behind The Santa Project, an initiative that was started three years ago by Caroline Psaros, Anna Loots and Sally Kinnear. In the first year, Sentinel Primary Grade Rs were invited and they received a Santa Bag filled with goodies, sponsored mainly by the awesome customers at Oakhurst Kwikspar who would add a R50 Santa Bag donation to their bill.Year 2 saw the project grow enough for Oranjekloof Primary to also be invited to the party.This last effort in 2013, year 3, with the aid of numerous local Hout Bay businesses, companies from further afield and of course the loyal Oakhurst Kwikspar customers, a massive R 22 000.00 was raised and the children were given the party of a lifetime. Each child received a big present plus a Santa Bag and some biscuits to take home to their families. Hout Bay locals pitched in to assist on the day (see if you can recognise Santa) and the local Fire Department assisted with Santa’s transport to the affair by driving him in on top of their fire truck. They also did a demonstration and let the children wield the hoses. Local businesses sponsored rides for the fairground, there were pizzas, a popcorn machine, ice creams and more to entertain the 120 children who attended.Thanks to everyone who participated for bringing such joy to us all, for the added twinkle in our eyes and memories to last a lifetime. Photos by Moments2Media.

Thank you for everything you have done for us, and may God Bless you in abundance!

Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School Print Run Sponsored By OAKHURST KWIKSPAR:

Thank You Sponsors!Thanks to everyone who participated: Eve’s Place, Hout Bay Insurance Brokers, Amici di Massimo’s, Travel Excellence, Oakhurst Kwikspar, Alan Dorman, R Sherman, Concargo, Sugapix, E Ungerer, Oasis Water, Hout Bay Gardens, Spar Western Cape - the official sponsors, Oakhurst Kwikspar customers and others who donated to the Santa Project, Coolag, Cape Town Rubber, Spiros, Wheelers Pharmacy, 4D Security, Westpoint Pharmacy, EMA Tygervalley and Moment2Media - Jenny Himschoot. You all helped to make the event a huge success. To see a

short film scan here:

Congratulations to the Matrics of 2025!Congratulations to the matriculants of 2025! You may be asking yourself, what is this? This is the headline we hope to see in 11 years time when our new Grade 1 learners will be finishing off their high school education. We were all there, the nerves, the anticipation, the jittery feeling in the pit of your stomach, and that is only what the parents are going through. Coming from a small community, many of the Grade 1 learners are already acquainted with each other so seeing their friends in uniform is be one of the few adjustments they needed to make.On the 15th of January we welcomed back all our learners but more excitedly, we welcomed the new Grade 1’s of

2014 into the Sentinel family. Here they will be loved, nurtured, given a warm meal, cared for and made to feel like a child. As the old cliché goes, they are tomorrow’s leaders. In conclusion, the class of 2014 has a bright future ahead of them. The world is their oyster and it is our job to help them achieve every single dream and desire they have. We hope they develop an insatiable hunger for learning. There is a very famous quote by Malcolm X where he says, ‘Education is our passport to the future. For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.’ We hope we are preparing them well.Here’s to all our future role models. We know you’ll make us proud.

It resembled something similar to a Milan fashion show, minus all the lights and catwalk. There were judges, cameras, music and of course an over excited crowd. The show was hyped up to fever pitch during the week. The excitement in the air was palpable. On the day the weather really played its part. We had yet another stunning day in

Hout Bay and the fashion was as hot as the weather. On the day of the event the school was abuzz with excitement. The models took to the makeshift runway and the foundation phase learners really knew how to strut their stuff. When the music started and the models came out, parents and students alike started cheering loudly and the models

clearly soaked up the atmosphere by bringing their own versions of twists, turns and blown kisses. When the senior phase learners came on, the crowd really came to life. There was competition amongst the models but also a sense of camaraderie as shown by the contestants wishing each other well after the event was done. The judges

had a tough decision to make with so many young hopefuls looking to win the prizes. In the end there could only be one winner. Apart from the students, the teachers also played a major role in making this day a success. Everyone had a wonderful time and we wait with bated breath for the next Valentine’s Day Show.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day With Love

Sentinel Primary School Print Run Sponsored By MODE hair & beauty:

Hard Work Pays Off!

Partnering With James House: The Isibindi Programme

Two Grade 7 learners from Sentinel Primary School in Hout Bay, obtained bursaries to finance their high school studies for the next 5 years. The bursaries cover their school books, uniform, school fees etc. until they have finished Matric, providing they continue to do well and try their best.Both obtained above 60 % in almost all their subjects. When asked what their advice would be to other learners, this is what they

shared: Take going to school seriously because it is planning for your future to live a better life. They advise other learners to BE LEARNERS by doing your homework every day, hand in all tasks and assignments and study regularly. The bursaries were made possible by a German funder, ‘Kinderhilfe in Südafrika.’ We are grateful that this group is prepared to give opportunities to Sentinel’s deserving learners.

In 2013 James House approached the school with the idea of a programme to help the learners and parents of Hangberg. In February of 2014 the Isibindi programme was started at Sentinel.Isibindi, which is Xhosa for “courage”, is a community-based model of care for orphans and vulnerable children from the Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu communities in Hout Bay. The programme is very practical and aims to ensure that children’s basic needs are met and that there is no breakdown in the family that would necessitate the removal of children and their placement in institutions. Examples of the services

offered included facilitating voluntary HIV testing and counselling, facilitating access to anti-retroviral treatment, helping families to access government grants, providing grief counselling and ensuring that children attend school and receive material and educational support to facilitate their continued attendance and success in the classroom. Isibindi incorporates the Safe Park, an after-care programme that is open to all primary school children from these communities. The Safe Park provides a safe space where children can participate in developmental activities, receive life skills training and meal, and simply play and be children.

Welcoming New Staff

Sentinel welcomed five new teachers to the school at the beginning of the year. With their arrival they brought fresh ideas, new energy and enthusiasm together with the latest teaching skills and methodology.It is always a challenge finding teachers to teach in Hout Bay. The majority of teachers have to travel and that has a huge cost implication on them. Following a rigorous recruitment process, the School Governing Body was determined to find talented teachers to join the experienced teaching core at

the school. Above Left: Ms Lizette Ruiters - Grade 6’s, Ms Shavonay Moses - Grade 4’s, Ms Malikah Abderasiet - Grade 3 English, Ms Anke Stadler - Grade 5’s & Ms Chantelle Usher - Grade 2 English.The teachers were each assigned a mentor and are following an Induction Programme which is supporting them in the early phases of their careers.The whole Sentinel family welcomes them to the school and trust that they will spend many happy and fulfilling years in Hout Bay.

A new year brings growth and Silikamva has certainly grown this year! Our Grade 9s of last year have moved onto a new Grade 10 group and we have accepted 140 new Grade 8 learners. This necessitated the construction of 6 new temporary classrooms along with additional

paving, in anticipation of the permanent school building. The classrooms were completed at the beginning of this year and form part of the new Grade 8 and 9 section, whilst many of the previous classrooms are being used for Grade 10.We are very grateful to Hi Q in Wynberg

for sponsoring the ceiling and wall-mounted fans that have been installed in the classrooms, library and admin areas. These have meant that learning could continue in relative comfort, through the immense summer heat. We are proud of the progress the school is making, and look forward to future growth.

New Year: New Beginnings: New Growth

The staff and learners of Silikamva High School are celebrating the establishment of a library and resource centre space at the school this term. We have been fortunate through the contributions of generous funders to convert one of the container classrooms into a library space that will double up as a small computer lab and centre where learners can begin to research future career paths and use as a homework and study area. In a school currently with limited resources we would like to thank the sponsorship

of Macquarie Securities for making this possible. Macquarie adopted the school as the beneficiary of their recent “Fight Night” fundraiser and this has made this project possible. In addition Teachers For Africa Foundation have provided both financial support and a commitment to ongoing staffing of the resource centre. As we fully stock the space with appropriate reading material and computers, undoubtedly it will be a most beneficial resource for the children of Silikamva.

New Library & Media Centre

The learners of Silikamva were the fortunate recipients of a personalized school diary this year. This initiative was made possible by The Joint Education and Development Programme which is primarily tasked to research, develop and issue school diaries to each and every South African learner as part of their annual “toolkit” for learning. The diary is issued free to encourage the daily use of reading and writing skills in

all South African classrooms. In this direct manner they seek to encourage organisation of each learner’s daily classroom activities. The state education system does not provide learners with school diaries and planners throughout their school careers, and so for Silikamva learners was with much excitement that they received diaries. Our appreciation and thanks to John Davids for making this possible.

New School Diaries for 2014

Landing Cupid’s ArrowThe 14th of February is a day that people everywhere look forward to with rose tinted glasses and ideas of love and romance. This was no different at Silikamva high School this year, however, instead of sticking to the soppy romance that often fills the day, a handful of students decided to come together and turn it into a fun filled day for all. These students formed the Valentine’s Day Committee and painstakingly planned an assembly that the entire school could

attend and enjoy. The academic day ended slightly earlier than usual and excited students filed into the hall class by class. The three hour long assembly was jam packed with amazingly talented students dancing, singing and rapping. Performances were punctuated by the reading out of love notes that the students had ordered for their chosen valentines, some even received a small chocolate along with the message. Teachers danced, students

blushed, performances were judged by a panel of “professionals” and prizes were handed out. The ambience in the hall was one of excitement and joy, and it definitely

turned out to be a day that all involved will remember. It is days like this that remind us as teachers just how inspirational, talented and hard working our students can be.

Silikamva High School Print Run Sponsored By THE ZEE GROUP:

On the 9th of January 2014, 17 newly appointed mentor students and 7 teachers started off on what would prove to be a very challenging hike up to The Peoples’ Hut on the Table Mountain Nature reserve. The idea behind the two day hike was that the students would overcome the challenge of walking not only themselves but their own bedding and food, up the mountain to the hut where we would all bunker down for the evening. Through this they would be able to prove to themselves that they can defeat any challenge that is put before them. And what a challenge it turned out to be! It was not only the students that learned a lot about themselves during the four hour scramble over rocks and up the sides of dams. We all worked together to encourage and sometimes push each other up the mountain. For newly appointed teachers like me, it was an opportunity to form relationships with both students and teachers. Once at the hut the real fun really began, there were group discussions, team building activities, journal sessions and an interesting lesson on perspective given by Principal Angus Duffet. The day ended perfectly with everyone enjoying marshmallows and hot chocolate. It was an exhilarating experience for all involved. The walk back down to Constantia nek followed an alternate route that got us home in a short and sweet 2 hours with everyone happy, safe and sound. A huge thank you to all involved, especially Eric our very helpful and informative guide up the treacherous and rocky paths.

Rocky Road to Leadership

Earlier in the term, an Italian Aircraft Carrier docked at the Cape Town Harbour. We had the privilege of being invited on board not once, but twice.On Sunday the 9th of February 60 students, identified by teachers as having difficulty with their eyes, were invited aboard the Italian vessel to have their eyes tested. All 60 learners were transported in busses and given lunch on board while awaiting their eye test. Those requiring glasses were either given a pair on site, or received a special delivery from Italy a few weeks later. We know that this has transformed the lives of many of our learners who will not soon forget the remarkable trip.The following day, the Grade 10 learners were given the opportunity to take a tour of the Aircraft Carrier. Both the learners and teachers were in awe of the sheer size of the vessel as we climbed countless flights of steps from hold to helm. A highlight of the trip, for some, was being able to sit in the Captain’s chair and turn the massive wheel that steers the ship. The view from the control room was staggering as we got to watch the operators at work, directing all the elements of the working Aircraft Carrier.One of the Grade 10 learners later wrote this about the trip:“The most amazing thing about going onto the ship was seeing all the women on board. This has taught me that women can do anything they want to do, even work in the Navy.”Thank you to all who made it possible.

An Italian Treat with a Difference

In 2014, golf was introduced at Silikamva High school, as an extra mural activity. The primary goal is to introduce the sport to our learners, although our ambitions are beyond that: we are trying to keep our eyes out for young talent as well! In the near future, we aspire to enter the WC Golf league with a strong team. Silikamva High School is very grateful to The River club in Observatory for accommodating the school once a week and the Southern African Golf Institute (Cape Town Academy) for all the support they give us.Visit www.SAgolfinstitute.com for info.

For more information on Silikamva High Golf, visit our website, http://silikamvaschool.co.za/. If you wish to contribute to the establishment of Silikamva High Golf, or any area of the school, please click on the “Get involved” tab to see our wish list. Alternatively, contact the school if you have any golf sets to spare: they will be put to good use!

New Extra-Mural Addition: Golf Our Boys are Feeling “Chippa”!

We are very excited to announce that four of our very own boys have made the u17 Chippa United team! The boys underwent a gruelling trial process at the Phillipi Stadium. After 4 stages of trials,

with teachers giving their support on the side lines, the players were selected. Congratulations Zukisani Kotswana, Siviwo Solani, Siyakholwa Nohuza and Odwa Gogwana. We are very proud of you!