THE GRADE 1s LEARNT ABOUT REPTILES, NOUNS & ADJECTIVES
The Grade 1 boys have not let the Winter chill hold them back this term. They’ve just completed the reptile theme which turned out to be a firm favourite. The Grade 1 teachers are so proud of the effort these chaps have put into their speeches. We learned quite a few interesting facts from our smart boys!
Boys were also encouraged to write their own sentences and use a dictionary for tricky words. The introduction of some parts of speech was accepted with lots of humour as you can see in the activity, “Fun with nouns and adjectives”.
Our very own Haakon came to school with a ‘vintage’ blazer that his uncle wore as a grade 1 Ridge Boy. Our best ‘guess-timate’ is that it is at least 33-39yrs old.
We continue into the ‘chilly to freezing’ term with optimism and excitement for all that is yet to come!
THE GRADE 2s LEARNT HOW TO MAKE BUTTER
The Grade 2 boys have been learning about South African foods, and then dove into the processes of how we get food in the shops. We then made butter as a fun activity as part of there Life Skills lesson.
GRADE 4 RADIO PRESENTERS IN THE MAKING
As part of their Minecraft Zoo PBL cross-curricular project, the Grade 4s presented a radio advertisement during their Afrikaans lesson to promote their zoos. They spent the weeks before learning about zoo vocabulary and writing the advertisements by following a detailed brief.
The boys had such fun with their recording booth and recommend that every boy’s zoo is visited by the public!
U8 & U10 CANOEING BOYS
Paddling their way to the top! Congratulations to Edward and Benjamin Carmichael and Asher Wilson on their performances this past weekend at the South African Canoeing Marathon Champs. Asher placed 1st in the U8 2km event. Benjamin placed 1st and Edward placed 2nd in the U10 4km event.
THE GRADE 5s VISIT THE VOORTREKKER MONUMENT
The Grade 5s went on an educational tour of the Voortrekker Monument, in Pretoria. This formed part of there Language Immersion Collaboration between the Afrikaans and IsiZulu departments. The aim is to promote and develop an understanding as well as an appreciation of South Africa and its rich cultural heritage. Die Monument, as it is affectionately known, has been declared a Grade 1 National Heritage Site and it is the second most visited heritage site in South Africa.
The following topics were covered during the tour:
- The essence of monuments and museums in South Africa.
- The place of a monument and the importance of museums in preserving objects from the past.
- Explanation of the Voortrekker Monument as well as the Pioneer and Heritage Centre as a tourist attraction.
- Interesting exhibits and themes that include national symbols, food, settlements and the use of material such as wood, metal, leather, clay, ceramics, glass and textiles.
- The Zulu hut and objects that were used by the Zulu people are physically demonstrated and touched by visitors. Traditional Zulu culture and lifestyle of the Afrikaners.
We also discovered a link to the Monument through one of learners, Max Erasmus, who is a descendant of William Nicol. Most people know the name because of William Nicol Drive or his role as the Governor of Transvaal. William Nicol was Max’s maternal great grandfather. There is a portrait of him in the Voortrekker Monument and the Afrikaans daily newspaper Beeld, picked up on his story after we informed the Monument
William Nicol 1887-1967.
His father Matthew was a teacher, emigrated from Scotland. William served as a minister in the Dutch Reformed church Johannesburg for many years from 1913, his parsonage was in Houghton. From 1948-1958 he was the administrator (premier) of Transvaal and during this time many schools, hospitals, roads, and dams were built.
Nicol believed in teaching education in the person’s mother tongue and said any education taught in a second language would hinder a person’s growth and learning ability. Thus, he also helped translate the Bible with help from African religious leaders into isiZulu. He opposed the National Party’s Bantu Education and suggested a model with learning in the mother tongue with English as a second language so that people could all communicate.
ACT OF KINDNESS ON THE RUGBY FIELD
Whilst the U9c were valiantly trying to a secure a win against tough opponents, a WHPS boy went down with an injury. The game continued as the Ridge pushed for a result, Tinotenda Musora knew there was something more important than the result and decided to check that the WHPS boy was ok. As the medic attended to the WHPS boys Tinotenda showed incredible sportsmanship by comforting the WHPS boy while he was been treated. Well done Tinotenda for showing The Right Stuff.
THE GRADE 2s LEARNT ABOUT AUTUMN
The Grade 2 boys went looking for Autumn leaves around the school and they found red, orange and green leaves. After collecting the leaves they found, the boys went back to class and scratch coloured over the leaves, which they later cut out and stuck onto the trees they drew.
GRADE 2 BOYS SPEND TIME AT THE KOPPIE
The boys spent some time reading at the Kopie and made fun stick-boats to race down the water stream.
GRADE 0s CAREER DAY
The Grade 0s had so much fun learning all about different careers and jobs over the past two weeks. They have been fortunate enough to enjoy presentations from a range of parents who have come into share their knowledge and passions. We have heard from a police woman, engineer, architect, business manager, attorneys, investment banker, doctors, research scientist, cookie baker, and a pianist. What lucky boys! To end of this fun theme, the Grade 0s came dressed up as their dream job and had such fun sharing their ideas with their classes.
OUR BOYS AND STAFF PARTICIPATING IN THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS RUGBY FESTIVAL
LIGHTHOUSE NEWS
ADHD Parenting
Parents who are looking for guidance in parenting a child with ADHD may want to take a look at ADDitude Magazine’s website (https://www.additudemag.com/category/parenting-adhd-kids/won’t). They have ADD-tested strategies, everything you need to know about oppositional defiance, positive parenting, school and learning challenges, health and wellbeing, social skills, executive functions, treatment & more.
“As every parent knows, a child that’s short on sleep can swing between being grumpy and hyperactive, with effects that can mimic ADHD. Sleepiness can also affect your child’s ability to pay attention, with ramifications for their performance in school. Even minimal sleep restriction can have effects on your child’s day-to-day life.”
For parents looking for ideas to help set up good bedtime routines, there are suggestions at this link: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS FOR 2023
THE RIDGE WINTER WARMTH APPEAL
