Dear Parents 

14^th February … Happy Valentine’s Day.

Whilst commercialism has perhaps somewhat tarnished what ought still to be so refreshing and sincere about a day when Romantic /Eros Love is celebrated, it’s nonetheless still very appropriate within our prep school boys’ environment to make reference to hearts, red roses and sincere messages that speak words of love.

Looking at the boys’ faces during our Valentine’s Day Assembly this morning, I’m really comfortable that their young hearts were resonating well with what is, after all, such a natural and instinctive part of their make-up. To love and be loved.

Of course, the demonstrations and expressions of the four types of love take many forms and are characterised and personalised through so much that touches our lives and those of our children each and every day. In a world that is beset with so much that is at odds with messages of love of any kind, it is very good, again, to be reminded that unconditional, true love can and will always, in my view, come out on top.

School Leadership:

New Governors: As we brought the curtain down on 2019 and all that Centenary had blessed us with, we were faced with having to say goodbye to a few key people. Some of these, in the form of governors, had been involved in the life of The Ridge, as guiding lights and custodian spirits, for an extended period of time. It’s never easy to replace men and women who have been prepared to give so unselfishly and with real energy into the life of a school, so James Clucas (Chairman of the Board), Itumeleng Kgaboesele (Chairman-elect) and their team had been hard at work for some months leading up to year end acting on the Board’s succession action plan.

I am pleased to report that we will be welcoming six new governors onto the Board at the Board Meeting on the afternoon of 10 March.

The new governors are:

• Mrs Aimee Girdwood
• Mrs Bhavna Gounder
• Mr Isaac Malevu
• Mr Kabelo Gude
• Mr Rolf Eichweber
• Mrs Lisa Simelane

Financial Manager: It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news that Gillian

Dippenaar, our School Bursar for the past five years, will be leaving us in the middle of May this year in order to take up a bursar position at St Christopher’s Prep School in Hove in the United Kingdom. Gillian has been a remarkably professional, passionate, financially astute, and warmly personable Financial Manager during her five years here at The Ridge and will be sorely missed. An advert for a suitable replacement has been posted on various recruitment websites and we will have a new School Bursar in place by 1 June.

 

The Ridge Community Engagement Programmes for 2020

1. Proposed Care-to-Learn opportunities for the boys:

a) The Grade 7 Headmaster’s Leadership Program (HLP) (community outreach/ service component)

The Headmaster’s leadership program has 4 components to it, one of these is community service. The intention is to encourage Grade 7 boys to spend time at an organisation of their choice and learn how these make an impact on their benefactors. Over the years, however, this worthy initiative translated into boys asking for one thing or another from the broader school community and then passing it on to the organisation of choice.

The plan going forward is to streamline the program so that the emphasis is on boys giving of themselves and spending time at their charity of choice and fundraising for the organisation. These fundraising initiatives should be kept to a minimum at school. The final ratification whether to allow an appeal or not is and will remain my prerogative as headmaster. The efforts of the Grade 7s will not be restricted, they can engage with any organisation of their choice. They can look at relief funds and issues that affect people that need immediate action e.g. The Cyclone in Mozambique.

The HLP initiatives will be targeted at the Senior Prep (SP) of the school i.e. Grade 4-7.

b) Grade 0 – 6 Outreach initiatives

The suggestion going forward is that each Grade be linked up with an organisation that they will support. The primary focus of the said organisations should be:

1. Child related charity work
2. Animal relief work and
3. Organisations within the school vicinity.

The Grade Head, or their designated delegate, will make contact with the organisation annually to establish the organisation’s needs. Once these needs are established a plan will be put together on how to meet them, within a reasonable expectation that is. To encourage a meaningful and sustainable relationship with the organisation, each Grade is encouraged to devise a plan that will include periodic and regular visits, fundraising initiatives and school presentation of the work the Grade is involved with. The plan might divide the Grade into three terms and each class has a term to support the organisation or the whole Grade working together. Please note that this is a Grade initiative, totally different to Action Day. This is done throughout the year and not on 1 specific day.

c) Right Stuff Passports

Ijeoma Solarin and her PA Committee will be picking up on the success of the RS Passports that proved to be so successful in galvanising many Ridge lads to reach out to others with acts of service during a Celebrate with Purpose Centenary Year.

This year, as we look to encourage boys to again seek opportunities to engage with others less fortunate than themselves or organisations that are in need of support and care, a revised ‘passport’ system has been thought up. The implementation will take the form of PA mums and dads manning a Right Stuff Passport table outside the Nicolson Hall each Friday morning. Boys, JP and SP, will be able to hand in support material (evidence) of their service initiatives and will receive a RS stamp in their ‘passport’ and on the back of their hand. It is a simple system that ought to continue to encourage boys to commit to 100 minutes (at least) of acts of service in some form or another as the year unfolds.

d) Annual Action Day

The school will plan an Annual Action day of community engagement. This will be changed annually depending on where the greatest need in the community is. The PA and the Head of Community Engagement at the school will decide on this initiative. This will be a whole school initiative that is decided on at the beginning of the year and could include an appeal. The whole school’s focus will be around this initiative and every effort should be made to make it a success. The day should be commemorated as close to Mandela Day as possible to avoid duplication.

e) The Johannesburg Mini Council

Johannesburg Mini Council is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation whose primary purpose is to bring young people from different backgrounds in the City of Joburg together. The secondary purpose, which is just as important, is to use the power of social capital to assist the less fortunate. Pupils interact with fellow boys and girls from across the Johannesburg Metropolis both for the purpose of bridging the divide among our leaners but also for the sake of breaking down prejudices.  The Ridge has two representatives on the Council. The Council runs annual drives that include Easter Egg collections, Christmas drives as well as a blanket collection during the winter term. This has been a worthy cause and has been supported over the years by the school.

f) Task Money

Task money is a termly collection. The boys in the Junior Prep are encouraged to do chores at home for which a token payment of R5.00 is given as a reward. Boys are then expected to put these in a Class and then Grade kitty. At the end of the Term the cash is then given to a charity organisation identified at the beginning of the term.

2. Partnership of Hope 

A year ago, almost to the day, the Partnership of Hope ECD teacher training initiative was launched here at The Ridge. Together with the Teachers’ Learning Centre, we have been delighted to host and co-facilitate what is a weekly, five hour Saturday morning teacher training programme. This is designed to upskill, uplift and empower young caregivers who provide day-care support for very young children in their respective neighbourhoods. The one common feature linking them all is that the communities in which they serve are all desperately impoverished and underprivileged. Our current group of twenty teacher trainees will qualify with a certificate at the end of May this year.

The course being offered is an eighteen months Accredited Short Course Programme in the field of ECD and Grade R Phase teacher education.

On successful completion of the 142-credit, assessment-based qualification, teachers will be awarded with a recognised Full NQF Level 4 Certificate.

It is important to note that this is a legitimate and recognised qualification, endorsed under the National Further Education and Training (FET) Certification that are in place to govern Early Childhood Development (ECD) protocols. It can also serve to qualify the trainees for CPTD points and to allow the students to register with the South African Council for Educators. Officially it has been registered as an NQF Level 4 qualification.

We have been blessed with some wonderful support from a few parents and corporates. As a result these very generous donations are allowing for us to offer the programme to another twenty ECD teacher trainees as from the end of February.

3. The Ridge School’s Realema Teacher Internship Programme:

We were delighted again in early January to welcome two young men, freshly out of school, to join the ranks of our Realema Intern group. Ayibongwe Dube and Obakeng Maila are these newest Ridge School recruits who join a highly successful intern empowerment and support programme that has been running for the past five years.

The Realema Teacher Internship Programme is a stand-alone NPO whose vision is to offer Masibambane students the opportunity to study a teaching degree, thereby developing professional, passionate and experienced teachers who will contribute to their communities, partner schools and to South African education.

We are very proud of the other seven young Realema men who have been so much a part of the life of our school for the past four or five years.

• Zibula Dladla is a full-time, permanent member of our Ridge staff team, having completed his B Ed Degree midway through last year. He has been a vibrant and gifted member of the isiZulu teaching team for three years and, having proved himself, is now heading up the SP isiZulu teaching and learning programme.
• Gift Nkosi has also completed his B Ed Degree. Having enjoyed three successful years with us, he joined St Andrews College for a stint in a senior school environment. He recently joined WHPS in Pretoria as a full-time member of their teaching staff.
• Teboho Dlamini completed his five years with us at the end of 2019. He will be completing his B Ed Degree by the end of this month and is hoping to join his old primary school back in Orange Farm as a young educator ready and able to give back into his own community.
• Akhona Mtshabe is about to complete his B Ed Degree. He has enjoyed four years with us here at The Ridge and has shown himself to be a talented and had working young Intermediate Phase teacher.
• Neo Motaung was with us for three years before having a brief work experience at Michaelhouse last year. He has recently joined St Peter’s Boys Prep as a Maths co-teacher. He is looking forward to completing his B Ed Degree by mid-year.
• Bruce Ncube and Tafadzwa Matariro joined us at the beginning of last year and are in their second year of UNISA studies.

Where these young Realema Interns all teach and coach in the Senior Primary, we are very pleased to have welcomed an additional group of young lady interns into the Junior Primary in January this year. We look forward to getting to know Khanya Knight, Nadine Mckenzie, Kgathane Malane, Thinavhuyo Maloba, Masana Maringa, and Mokgantsho Matsela as they share their drive, passion and many talents with us all.

Bus Transport and Pupil Safety 

As an addendum to the revised Camp Safety protocols that were shared with parents a few weeks ago, the following Bus Transport Safety Measures have again been confirmed with Stabus Services:

• Safety of passages is their ‘number one priority’.
• The DriveRisk System, that monitors the conduct and behaviour of each driver whilst behind the steering wheel of their busses, is fully operational.
• Two people are specifically assigned to monitor all the StaBus busses and their drivers at all times.
• This includes monitoring of the Live Tracking system.
• Reports from the DriveRisk tracking company are sent through daily. These include the ‘drive cam’ monitoring reports.
• These daily reports come through to Regional Manager at 04.00 every morning. 
• Driver behaviour is monitored very closely.
• Should inconsistencies and bad driving be shown up, drivers are charged and discipline procedures are carried out.
• Records are kept in-house but can be released to us under special circumstances. Understandably, the drivers are protected by the POPI Act.
• Starbus also uses Edge Telematic Company to look after the actual bus and all that pertains to mechanical safety.
• This allows for remote tracking at Regional Manager level at any given time and with every bus.

A Final Word on this Valentine’s Day

We were treated to some beautiful music during the Valentine’s day Assembly this morning. Our senior choir sang I Choose Love by Mark Millar. In addition, some of our Grade 5 boys did a brief dramatized movement to Beyonce’s song, I Was Here. The lyrics of the song are worth sharing both in the context of Valentine’s Day and our Now or Never – Making a Difference theme for the year.

With love and best wishes

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

Well, after close to three weeks back, it’s good to be able to report that we’re off to a flier up here on the Westcliff Ridge.

If the first few days of the school year are anything to go by, 2020 promises to be a cracker. So many of our boys are already purposefully reaching out with engaging purpose in a variety of important growth areas as they look to make the most of all that will be coming their way in the weeks and months ahead.

Teachers and boys are now well settled into the formal classroom routines at each given level within the academic domain. On the extramural front, from early morning water polo and swimming, to afternoon cricket, basketball, tennis, swimming and climbing, the sports programme is in full swing – inclement weather notwithstanding, of course. Our Music and Performing Arts Department is in great shape with a record number of boys signing up for instruments training and participation in various ensemble groups.

Staff News:

The names of new members of staff were included in my first ‘welcome back’ newsletter. In addition though, and largely for the sake of new parents, I thought it appropriate to put a name to a title as I introduce senior members of our Ridge staff and those involved in Senior Manco and Pastoral Care Management:

• Executive Leadership Team: 

Nick Diana (Senior Prep Headmaster and Head of SP Academics);  Mandy Herold (Junior Prep Headmistress);  Gillian Dippenaar (School Bursar);  Chris Verster (Senior Master); Di Wellard (Director of Pastoral Care);  Moeketsi Motsepe (Director of Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion);  Bennie du Preez (Director of Sport);  Joe Kotwal (Director of Marketing). Carol Shutte (Director of Choral Music) will be joining this leadership team at the beginning of the 2^nd Term.

• Manco Senior Management Team:  (This team oversees the design and development of our whole school academic curriculum.)

Nick Diana (Head of SP Academics);  Mandy Herold (Junior Primary Headmistress);  Urvasi Naidoo (Head of English);  Daniel McLachlan (Acting Head of Mathematics and Head of IT);  Nicci Kurz (Head of Research and Innovation);  Erica Kinnear (Head of Middle School);  Agnes Jooste (Head of Learning Support);  Ashik Haripersadh (Head of IT Administration).

• Pastoral Care Directorship:

Di Wellard (Director of Pastoral Care);  Jacqui Haddow (Head of JP Pastoral Care);  Nico Seakamela (Head of  Middle School Pastoral Care);  Ryan Bezuidenhout (Head of Upper School Pastoral Care);  Candice Fletcher (School Psychologist).

Theme for 2020 – Growing Earth Children … Now or Never:  

 

This would seem to be such an appropriate theme for The Ridge School family to get to grips with at this time when we are looking at what a new century will be bringing into view for us all. For so many obvious reason, not least of which being that the next generation of adults – in the form of our children, in particular – are depending on us to find answers, the time is now to start realigning so many careless or ignorant behaviours that are resulting in bringing Mother Nature to her knees.

Whilst this is a massive global challenge that directly or indirectly impacts the lives of every human being, and one that seems well beyond the reach of any single community – let alone a single person, we really have no option but to get involved.

If we have any moral conscience, are committed to act on the courage of our convictions and are prepared to take our heads out of the quicksand of apathy, then we will demonstrate to our children that we really do care. A level of care that will be prepared to set the right example as we equip them with the skills of strength of purpose, adaptability, resourcefulness and courage. Change-agent skills that, together with a more mindful focus, will better prepare them to be global citizens who are determined to make a lasting difference.

We intend to make every effort to build on some of what, as a practicing Eco-aware school, we have had in place or some time. But we also intend to be intentional about introducing additional initiatives and imaginative measures that will serve to transform what up until now has largely been a rather half-hearted effort

Wise About Waste is an easy to read handbook written by Helen Moffett that provides some excellent ideas on ways to help our planet. From the chapter entitled, Head Start, I share the following:

“One thing that’s needed if we’re going to be wise about waste is the ability and flexibility to change our ways of thinking. We need to get wiser in general. Making changes to our actions and habits starts in our heads, so our first task involves shifting mindsets. Here are some tips to help us prepare mentally for a waste-wise lifestyle:

1. Step up to the plate. In spite of the terrifying data pouring in about the state of the planet, the impact of runaway capitalism, and the failure of governments around the world to address the single greatest danger we have ever faced – loss of our habitat – I still believe Margaret Mead’s words; ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’
2. The problem with staring this in the face is that it renders us despairing and helpless. Do not be overwhelmed. Resistance is NOT futile.
3. It comes down to a simple mantra we already know: think globally, act locally. To which I’d add this very important rider: act both as an individual and in concert with others.
4. First, accept that there is no such thing as a ‘zero-waste’ or ‘waste-free’ lifestyle. We all generate waste, as we breathe, eat, drink – from the carbon dioxide we exhale to the biological wastes our bodies produce.
5. Becoming waste-wise means shifting our mental habits, and becoming aware of and alert to our consuming patterns. We must change our ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitudes to waste.
6. Understand that you will have to swim upstream – like a spawning salmon – against the tide of popular culture and mass marketing.
7. Prepare to research everything. Take nothing for granted ever again. Do not fall into the trap of believing fake news, conspiracy theories and simplistic claims, not even when they tell you what you want to hear.
8. Don’t waste time arguing with climate-change denialists or sceptics any more than you would with flat-earthers or apartheid apologists.”

Music at The Ridge:

I am pleased to report that our Music Department personnel haven’t missed a beat since returning at the start of term. Irene Morrick as Acting Head of Choral Music and Leslie Elderkin as Head of Instruments and Performing Arts have set in place an exciting programme of class music, instrument training, and choir / performance ensembles.

Irene and Leslie have met with their team of highly talented peripatetic music teachers and are busy fine-tuning the many instrument practice sessions for the host of enthusiastic young aspirant musicians. We can look forward to seeing (and hearing) some exciting new developments on the music front in the weeks and months ahead.

Names and Faces App: 

Following the individual and staff photograph session this past week, you can expect the 2020 electronic Names and Faces app within the next few weeks. More information on this will be coming the way of parents shortly.

Lightning Early Warning System:

The 2019 January and February months saw an unusual number of particularly dangerous electric storms passing overhead here at the Ridge.

To date, we have not experienced nearly the same number of storms but we remains as alert to any lightning dangers. I want to assure parents that our lightning alert system here at The Ridge is in good working order and can be trusted to give advanced warning of approaching storms. In summary, the system works as follows:

• The lightning alert siren will go off if lightning strikes within a 15km radius of the school.
• The siren is mounted on the Nicolson Hall and has a very powerful and blaring resound.
• An ‘all clear’ siren will sound after 30 minutes should there be no more strikes within a 15 km radius.
• The ‘all clear’ will only go off 30 minutes after the last recorded strike.

We understand, of course, that no matter how good the system, there will always be a responsibility for coaches, teachers and parents to remain alert themselves, use their initiative and their own common sense and act decisively if they believe that lightning is threatening.

To this end the following instructions have again been issued to all members of staff:

• When a storm is approaching anticipate that the lightning alert siren will probably go off.
• When it does, do not hesitate. Get the boys under appropriate cover and into safety as soon as possible.
• Staff are then responsible for looking after the boys in that place of safety.
• No boy may leave that sheltered and protected space for any reason whilst the storm is overhead and before the ‘all clear’ has sounded.
• Only when the siren sounds an ‘all clear’ can the coaches or teachers return to the fields, tennis courts or swimming pool enclosure.
• If the ‘all clear’ is not given after an extended period of time and parents are intent on taking their boys home then the coaches and/or teachers may only release the boys if the parent or guardian is there in person to collect their son.
• Boys waiting in the carpark are expected to wait under shelter at all times when a storm is threatening or is overhead. They will be supervised accordingly.
• Coaches and staff at away fixtures or galas will take their lead from the host school (most have their own lightning alert systems) but will always be free to make a call themselves should they believe that there is a lightning threat in that area.

Salvazione News – The Friends of Salvazione Project: 

As part of the PTA AGM Information Sessions, parents will have heard the appeal from the Chairman of Salvazione Christian School, John Lobban, regarding the re-launching of the Friends of Salvazione Project. Through this project the school aims to encourage willing donors to contribute an amount of R250 per month to the school. If successful, this project will ensure that Salvazione is able to mitigate against the risk of receiving a reduced subsidy from the GDE. If you would like to hear more about this project or about the school, please would you contact Jenny Mundell at Jenny@consult.net.za or call her on 082 771 2812.

Final Word:

Every now and again one picks up a book that speaks into the heart with just as much fervour as it will stimulate the mind. Sometimes, most unexpectedly.

I enjoyed such an awakening during the December holidays, having received and read a book written by Charlie McKersey.  The title of, what is Waterstones Book of the Year in the UK, is titled,  ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox,  and the Horse’. 

 

If nothing else, it offers a delightfully refreshing bedtime story that parents will enjoy reading to their young lads. The fact that it has been read and re-read by multitudes of adults and is a celebrated best-seller in the U.K. right now, suggests that Charlie McKersey has written something far deeper and more profound than simply a children’s story book.

I will leave it to you to make up your own minds. My one word of encouragement, don’t just read it once. Read and reread this book that, to me, speaks simple wisdom and gentle truth into what the world needs to hear right now.

 

Best wishes to you all as we enjoy together all that this 1^st Term will bring our way.

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents 

Happy New Year to you all following what I hope has been a relaxing December / January holiday break that will have provided plenty in the way of quality family time, loads of fun-in-the-sun adventures and, for many, the expected merriment associated with the Christmas season celebrations and festivities.

As I welcome The Ridge family at the beginning of this first week of the new academic year, it is wonderful too, to offer a very warm welcome to so many new families whose boys will be joining us from Wednesday, 15th January. In particular, the parents of our 72 Grade 0 boys who join as our newest class of five year olds.

To all of our new parents and your boys, best wishes for what we trust will prove to be a wonderfully happy, all-embracing and life-changing experience for each young lad.

As we look forward to getting underway on Wednesday morning, it is good to be able to report that we are starting the new year with a pupil enrolment of 509.

Staff News:

We were delighted to welcome a number of new teaching staff to a special Welcome Tea on Friday morning last week. The following full-time, part-time and intern teachers have joined the teaching team and will be making their mark in their own unique ways in the weeks and months ahead:

New to The Ridge:

• Leslie Elderkin … Head of Instruments and Performing Arts
• Kim Hansen … Grade 2 class teacher and Junior Primary specialist teacher
• Ashley Keene … Grade 0 class teacher and specialist ECD teacher
• Naadirah Loonat … Grade 6 and 7 specialist English teacher
• Scott Mallen … Grade 5 class teacher and English and Drama specialist teacher
• Christina Mashobane … Grade 5, 6 and 7 specialist Afrikaans teacher/HoD Afrikaans

New portfolios for existing teachers at The Ridge:

• Jacqui Haddow … Remedial specialist teacher
• Agnes Jooste … Head of Learning Support
• Jan Mallen … Learning Support and Mentor
• Kathryn Rossouw … Grade 1 class teacher and Junior Primary specialist teacher
• Sarah Behr … Grade 0 class teacher and HoD Early Childhood Development
• Debra Coetzer … Grade 0 class teacher and specialist ECD teacher
• Nozipho Ndiweni … Grade 0 co-teacher
• Zibula Dladla … isiZulu specialist teacher Grade 5 – 7 and Head of SP isZulu
• Thulisile Zulu … isiZulu specialist teacher and Head of JP isZulu
• Daniel McLachlan … Grade 5, 6 and 7 specialist Maths teacher and Acting HoD Maths

New Interns for 2020:

• Obakeng Maila
• Ayibongwe Dube
• Masana Maringa
• Thinavhuyo Maloba
• Khaya Knight
• Mokgantsho Matsela
• Nadine Mckenzie

Holiday News:

Being the summer holiday, we made sure, as always, to give all members of staff time off. Nonetheless, the necessary time was set aside for the expected maintenance and upkeep programmes. As your boys return this week, they can look forward to being welcomed into classrooms that have been thoroughly spring-cleaned, buildings that have been painted, and a learning environment that is in great shape to offer them all the required amenities and comforts that such learning spaces should provide for.

Special holiday projects have included:

1. Repositioning of the Phezulu Information and Technology Classroom:

This well-utilized SP teaching and learning facility has been moved into the Oppenheimer Science and Innovation Centre where it will be used to support and enhance the many exciting programmes on offer within the Design/Technology, STEAM, and Natural Science teaching environments. The vacated classroom space will be used as a much needed utility classroom to support the greater SP teaching timetable.

2. Setting up of the fourth Grade 0 classroom:

We are very excited to be able to open an additional Grade 0 classroom that will join the three existing Grade 0 teaching facilities as we welcome the new crop of ECD boys into The Ridge. Each classroom will look after the needs of 18 young lads but the four rooms will each be used as specially purposed and equipped teaching spaces during each week.

3. Work done on renovations to staff accommodation:

With some resident staff movement having taken place at the end of last year, and given our ongoing commitment to being able to provide suitable accommodation whenever possible to members of staff, outside contractors have been employed to renovate and upgrade some of the existing homes, flats and living quarters.

Early Reminders:

• School uniform: Parents will be aware of our uniform requirements and related regulations. We urge you all to please make sure that your lads are appropriately turned out for school each day. In addition, that all clothing and personal attire and belongings are clearly marked.
• Haircut requirements: In keeping with our insistence that Ridge boys are smart and look the part apropos their uniforms, we are equally determined to maintain standards when it comes to hair length, style and colouring. Whilst we are cognisant and accommodating of certain hair styles where appropriate and within given cultures, we do insist that these remain within the required regulations. If you are unsure then please will you ask for clarity from your son’s class teacher, the Head of Grade or a senior member of staff.
• Carpark Drop Off and Drive Through regulations: All parents, guardians and au pairs are expected to comply with the following rules, please:
  • Keep under the 10km/hr speed limit;
  • Be alert to boys crossing the carparks – in front of and behind the motorcars
  • Observe and obey the drop off restricted areas
  • Make sure to park in designated parking bays only
  • Be courteous to each other as drivers and parents;
  • When parking on the pavements outside the school gates, make sure to see your lads into the safety of the school precinct. This applies particularly to JP parents and au pairs.

• The Ridge School App: This is available to all parents and, indeed, anyone associated with the School who wishes to have ready access to the information and communication network that underpins and supports our daily school operation. Please look out for daily alerts and related prompts that will serve to update parents on upcoming events, sporting fixtures and occasional changes to pre-arranged schedules. The Afternoon Activities up to 24 January can be located on the app under the Afternoon Activities icon. A reminder, the access code to the app is tr1919. Please visit the My School Profile icon and update your notification preferences to ensure you receive Red Alerts.
• The Live calendar: This can be found on The Ridge App and is kept current, ‘live’ and is actively updated on a daily basis. Some events and happenings to look out for the days immediately ahead this half-term:
  • Wednesday 15^th Jan … Boys return … Grade 1 – 7 lads to be wearing their Summer Blues
  • Friday afternoon, 17^th Jan … Grade 7 staff and boys return from Wagon Drift Dam
  • Saturday 18^th Jan … SP Parent Sport Information Session in Nicolson Hall
  • Monday 20^th Jan … PA AGM Information Evening and light supper
  • Friday 24^th Jan … Grade 4 and 7 Capping and Induction Ceremony
  • … Individual and Class Photographs … Boys to wear Summer Blues
  • Monday 27^th Jan … Grade 0 2021 Parent Information Evening
  • Thursday 30^th Jan … College Information Expo in Nicolson Hall
  • Tuesday 4^th Feb … Grade 0 Parents’ Cocktail Evening in the School Dining Room
  • Saturday 8^th and 15^th Feb … Grade 0 2021 Assessments and Screening

A Final Word:

It promises to be another memorable and highly engaging year for your boys as they reach out to enjoy and make the most of all that the 2020 Ridge School will be bringing their way.

I invite you all as mums and dads to stay in touch with us in whatever way you feel appropriate. Please don’t hold back if you are needing information on a particular matter or if you are confused about some upcoming arrangement. I would ask though, that you use the appropriate channels through which to direct your queries, that you refrain from using social media to vent your frustrations, and that you give staff members a full 24 hours in which to respond to an email, should you be expecting a response.

Warm regards and God’s richest blessings on you and your families as you look forward to the year ahead.

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

As many of you will know, at traditional, historically time-honoured schools like The Ridge a special assembly is set aside on 11 November each year to observe a formal Remembrance Day Service.

This year was no different and perhaps, given the poignancy that our Centenary year brought to bear, there was something understandably a little more meaningful and moving about the service.

Moeketsi Motsepe and his Grade 7 boys did a fine job of bringing the Armistice message home to the SP boys, staff and a good smattering of parents. With everyone wearing the synonymous red poppy as a symbol of unity and ‘Lest We Forget’, we were able to stand in silent tribute to honour the twenty-three Ridge lads who fell in battle during the 2^nd World War. The Grade 7 boys, did well too, to mention and so remind the congregation of the many others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace, justice and equality for all.

Ridge staff members on the move:

As always at this time of the year, as we prepare to draw near to bringing the curtain down on our 2019 scholastic programmes, we will be saying goodbye to a number of staff members from a variety of departments within the school. As expected, it is important to keep parents in the picture as this pertains to staff movement and our related recruitment and employment processes.

Retirement at the end of 2019 and related replacements:

• Janet van der Poel / Fox (Director of Music and Performing Arts). During the past 27 years, Janet has masterminded and established what is arguably one of the finest Music Departments in any boys’ prep school in the country. Her passion for music and the performing arts, her strong, people-centred leadership of her department, her genius in being able to bring music alive in the hearts of her pupils, and her uncanny ability to bring the best out of her boys, will keep her legacy alive here at The Ridge for the next 100 years.

  

Those of us responsible for finding Janet’s replacement have, understandably, been faced with a really challenging and, needless to say, interesting task. After seven months of interviewing, observing, more interviewing and plenty of deliberation, we have decided to replace Janet with two people: a Director of Choral Music and a Head of Instruments and Performing Arts.

The Director of Choral Music position was given to a gentleman who, as a specialist music educator, a musician and a choir master had all that we understood to be essential as one of Janet’s replacements. Having signed the employment contract on the 12^th August, I received a communique from him at the beginning of November to inform me that he is no longer able to honour the agreement. We have re-advertised and are in the process of interviewing. In all likelihood, the successful applicant will probably only be able to join us at the start of the 2^nd Term.

This being the case, as we return next year, Irene Morrick, who has many years of experience as a choir mistress, an accompanist, and an accomplished musician who holds a Masters in Music degree, will oversee and run the Choral Music and will receive assistance from other members of the Music Department.

I would like to assure parents that The Ridge Music Department and our Exco team will move heaven and earth to make sure that our school music programmes remain ‘on song’.

The Head of Instruments and Performing Arts position will be taken up by Mr Leslie Elderkin. He will also take up his new role at the beginning of next year. Leslie is a young, vibrant and highly skilled musician who plays sting, brass and woodwind instruments.

• Euphane Richardson will leave us after 17 years as Head of Orchestra and Instrument Training. Euphane has been a quiet and humble, but extremely talented and successful instrument teacher during her many years as Janet’s trusted lieutenant. Euphane is taking early retirement.

Mr Elderkin will absorb Euphane’s portfolio of responsibilities within his newly established position. He is eminently qualified and experienced to take over the reins from Janet and Euphane as he leads the instruments section of our Ridge music programme to new heights.

• Izette Varty has worked at The Ridge for the past 12 years; five of these as Head of Afrikaans. She has been a devoted, boy-centred head of department during this time and has done well to guide her Afrikaans teaching team to new heights of delivery in recent years. She too has decided to take early retirement in order to be able to spend more time with her grandchildren.

 

The new Head of Afrikaans is Christina Mashobane. Christina is an experienced teacher having taught at Hilton College and Pridwin. She has a rich background in languages being fluent in six South African languages. Christina’s mother tongue is Afrikaans.

• Zanele Zuma is retiring as Head of isiZulu. Mama Zuma has been at The Ridge for six-and-a-half years and has been head of department for all of that time. She will be joining he husband Silas as, together, they enjoy some well-deserved R&R.

Zabula Dladla has been appointed as Head of SP isiZulu and Thuli Zulu as Head of JP isiZulu. Both are currently part of our isiZulu teaching team and are exciting and dedicated young teachers eager to take the teaching of isiZulu to a new level.

• Jan Mallen will be retiring following six years of distinguished service as the Head of our Lighthouse Learning Support team. Jan stepped into the role following her retirement from Roedean where she had been headmistress for fifteen years. Being the first head of Learning and Academic Support at The Ridge, she took it upon herself to establish a Lighthouse intervention and therapy unit that, since its inception, has provided invaluable academic support, guidance and wise counselling to so many young Ridge lads and their parents. Jan will not be lost to us completely as she has agreed to remaining on in a part-time mentoring capacity.

I am pleased to share that Agnes Jooste (currently part of the Lighthouse Remedial teaching team) will be taking over from Jan Mallen as Head of Learning Support.

Agnes’s specialist Learning Support role will be taken by Jacqui Haddow who is currently a Grade 2 class teacher. She has vast experience in teaching boys and, in particular, JP boys with learning difficulties.

Jacqui’s Grade 2 class teacher role will be taken up by Kim Hansen who will be joining us from Parklands Prep School in the SW Cape.

• John Mathongwane has worked at The Ridge for the past 21 years. He has been a solid and dependable member of the Estate team for all of that time and, in recent years, has worked as a senior assistant to Chris Perumal and Isaac Mogano.

• Seciliah Malapile will be leaving our Housekeeping division following 22 years of devoted service. She has been a behind-the-scenes, loyal supporter of The Ridge and has given much in her own way to vital aspects of the school’s housekeeping requirements.

Resignations as they will take effect from the end of 2019 and related replacements:

• Damian Pakkiri will be taking up the headship of The Kings School in Linbro Park. Damian joined The Ridge in January 2011 and quickly established himself as a very able Maths teacher and tennis coach. He has led the Maths Department for all nine years. He is a respected and very able member of the teaching staff and has, this year, been a member of our Manco Curriculum Design and Development team.

The Acting Head of Mathematics position has been given to Daniel McLachlan, currently a Grade 5 class teacher. Daniel is an experienced and seasoned Maths teacher and a specialist Mathematician who has taught Mathematics to matric level. A new Grade 5 class teacher has been appointed. Scott Mallen will join us in January as a well-qualified English and Drama teacher.

• Susan Hughes joined us at the beginning of the year as a Grade 6/7 English specialist teacher. She will be joining her husband in their relocation to Mozambique.

Susan will be replaced by Naadhirah Loonat who is a young English specialist teacher, eminently well suited to join Urvasi Naidoo’s accomplished team of English teachers.

• Rosalind Page joined us as a Grade 0 teacher at the beginning of 2019. She has two very young children and the call to be mum and to see her children into the early phases of their elementary learning has meant that she will leave us in December.

With the introduction of a stretch fourth Grade 0 class for the year that the Board of Governors has agreed to and that will have a duel role of shrinking individual class numbers to 18 per class whilst providing enrolment space for an additional six wait list boys, means that we have employed two specialist Grade 0 teachers. Ashley Keene joins the ECD teaching team and Debra Coetzer (currently in a co-teacher capacity) returns to a full teacher role in the additional Grade 0 class. Nozipho Ndiweni has been employed as a new ECD Phase co-teacher.

• Kathi Rossouw will be moving up to Grade 1 having been teaching in the ECD Phase for the past 11 years and Grade 1 for the 10 years prior to that. Sarah Behr moves back to Grade 0 from Grade 1 and will take over as the new Head of Grade 0.
• It is important to note that all new teachers have been assigned an experienced mentor. These seasoned Ridge educators will support, guide and stay close to them during the first few months of their time with us. This will be in addition to the advice and encouragement that members of the Exco team will be providing.
• Richard Leaver has worked both as a teacher intern and as a student master during his eight years at The Ridge. Having completed his B Ed degree earlier this year he will be heading overseas to share his passion for teaching with children at a school in Singapore.

• Teboho Dlamini joined The Ridge in January 2015 as one of the first Realema Interns. He has worked hard to make his mark as a student teacher and aspirant sports coach. He will be completing his degree now and has decided to rejoin his old school as a young teacher keen to give back.

• Some of our music peripatetic teachers are also seeking new horizons. Jean-Louise Parker and her husband Alex, both having taught music instruments here at The Ridge for seven years, are emigrating to Germany. Danel Mecloen will be taking up a permanent music teaching position at St Katharine’s.

A Final Word:

We have three weeks left of the school year. With the sports arrangements beginning to slow down and with the focus in the Senior Primary shifting to 2^nd Semester exams, mark order meetings and all that will purpose our lads to finish the year on an academic high, I would remind parents to please stay close to and refer to our Live Calendar. Should an arrangement or some information be confusing or unclear please don’t hesitate in contacting the relevant person here at school who can clear things up for you or who will point you in the right direction.

Warm regards and best wishes as we look forward to enjoying the last three weeks of our memorable Centenary year.

 

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

The half-term weekend came as a welcome breather for many, I’m sure, and I trust that mums and dads were able to enjoy some important catch-up time with your lads without school activities getting in the way.

Whilst for most boys it was a non-sporting, away from school time-out, for a number of SP lads and their parents there was in fact a good deal happening on the extramural front during the half-term break:

We were delighted to welcome an inbound cricket tour of Clifton (Durban) and Cordwalles boys, coaches and parents as we played host to their U10, U11 and 1st XI teams – my sincere thanks to The Ridge families who hosted the KZN lads for the three nights of their tour; our basketball squad joined teams from three other JHB schools on a whistle-stop tour of the Mother City; a good number of our climbers and their families joined boys and parents from other schools for a brief climbing weekend in the Machadodorp area; and the Open water polo team was involved in a festival at St David’s Prep School.

Savouring the Spirit in Sport:

Needless-to-say, most of you would have made time last Sunday to gather with family and friends to support the Boks as they did battle against Wales. The hard fought 19 – 16 win having set up a mouth-watering final against England this coming Saturday.

As I sit to compose this newsletter at this time when, as a nation, we can again feel part of the pride and spirit of national unity that is galvanising us all to get behind our Springbok team, I’m reminded of the power that can be harnessed through sport. The power to believe … for an individual, for a team, for a school, for a nation.

In a recent News 24 article written by editor-in-chief, Adriaan Basson, he speaks of this power. Not in a general sense, but more particularly as it has been harnessed, personalised and modelled in the life of our Springbok captain, Siyamthanda Kolisi.

“One rugby game of 80 minutes will not solve our massive problems of unemployment, poverty and inequality. It won’t fix Eskom, help the National Prosecuting Authority start making those long-awaited state capture arrests or magically eradicate racism.

A Bok victory will not undo the damage done to our social fabric by a vicious and divisive campaign designed by a politician and his friends to capture billions in state revenue. And it will certainly not do away with Twitter trolls and those who made it their political project to divide us according to our apartheid race classifications. 

But a victory may show and inspire us that we are #StrongerTogether, which has become the slogan of Bok captain Siya Kolisi’s campaign to RWC glory.

Sport has the magical ability to make us put our differences aside for a fleeting moment and rejoice in unity. The streets of Twitter may even be less volatile on Saturday morning! (Imagine Helen Zille and Julius Malema agreeing on something!)

The importance of Kolisi – the first black Springbok skipper – leading us to possible World Cup glory cannot be overstated. Not only does he carry the dreams of 59 million South Africans, but Kolisi’s story will inspire a generation of poor black boys and girls who are looking for their one break in life. 

Kolisi got his in 2003 when a talent scout spotted him representing Emsengeni Primary School in Zwide, outside Port Elizabeth, at a rugby tournament. Up to then, Kolisi and his friends practiced rugby with their school shoes on a dusty field. The school only had one set of rugby jerseys, which they had to share between teams.

His school coach saw his talent and he was picked up by a working system, that saw him entering the rugby powerhouses Grey Junior and High School in Port Elizabeth. The rest is history. 

Kolisi’s story represents a South Africa that works. It shows that we have a system in place that identifies and rewards poor, black children who excel at their craft. Of course, the system isn’t perfect and naturally there are people who have abused policies of redress for their selfish, nefarious purposes.

But Kolisi’s story shows what a working system can achieve. He didn’t have the financial means or old boys’ network to get “normal” access to the country’s elite rugby schools, but we had rugby coaches and scouts out there who understood the importance of identifying top black talent for the sport to survive. 

Rugby was inherently associated with the apartheid-system. For many years, black and white rugby players were prohibited by law from playing together and the green and gold jersey was only accessible to white men with the right networks. 

Kolisi and those who came before him – people like the late Chester Williams, Tinus Linee, Lawrence Sephaka, Owen Nkumane, Thando Manana and Breyton Paulse – bashed down the walls and showed the world (and South Africa) that rugby was not the preserve of white men. 

South African rugby has been through a lot and “transformation” was for many years treated like a swear word, but we have finally reached a place where the majority of South Africans will unite behind a black captain from Zwide to take us over the final hurdle on Saturday at Yokohama Stadium.

Siyamthanda Kolisi has showed us that you can conquer the world despite hardship and struggle. He is a South African hero.”

What a well written and thought-provoking article that can only serve to inspire at this time when, a few days before the Springboks take on England, it makes real sense to add deeper meaning and pathos to the Captain’s #StrongerTogether motivating call.

It also provides a degree of context for boys, parents, coaches and educators as we consider all that has been achieved on the extramural front here at The Ridge this past year. Here I am not referring necessarily to results, winning or losing, or The Ridge Spirit, as important as each of these might be considered to be. I am inspired, more especially, by Siya Kolisi’s story because it reaffirms the importance of recognition, opportunity, resilience, reward and equality as offered within a sporting context, and it personalises how the head, hands and heart, working together, can give rise to hope.

It also shares a message of life, learning and leadership: the life and learning so poignantly captured in the way that Siya Kolisi has chosen to embrace and make the most of the opportunities that have come his way, while the leadership is so beautifully encapsulated in this inspirational man’s story just days before he leads his Springbok team into the World Cup Final to challenge for the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Whatever happens in that Yokohama Stadium on Saturday evening, history will have been written as a proud nation stands together in support of a young captain winning his 50th Springbok cap as he leads his Green and Gold team. Children of all ages will know that dreams can become a reality and that struggles can turn into triumphs no matter what challenges one might have faced along the way.

Staffing news: 

• I am delighted to share the news that Ashik and Rosanne Haripersadh have joined the parent ranks having been blessed with their first child, a beautiful daughter. Arielle Anne Haripersadh was born early on the morning of the 21st October.
• A full breakdown of teaching staff movement and related comings and goings will be shared with the parent body in my next newsletter on the 14th November.

School Security: 

The armed robbery in the Kingsmead School parking lot last week has again raised awareness for all schools and their security personnel to remain on high alert. More particularly, it reminds us that no matter what security system a school chooses to employ, criminals seeking to cause a disruption or to take advantage, will seek ‘creative ways’ of doing so. Kingsmead College and Prep have one of the tightest car park security systems available.

Here at The Ridge, we have again communicated our concerns to the guards and to the Dailtron Security Services administration. Every effort will continue to be made to maintain a vigilant and strong oversight of all parking areas and access points into and out of the school property.

I would ask that parents make it their business to remain aware, alert and watchful as they approach the school along arterial roads. If you see anything that might be considered to be suspicious, I would ask that you take the necessary measures to communicate your suspicions through to the school as soon as you are able to and to alert the guards at the Woolston or Lawley Road gates.

The School Estate and managing the drought:

Whilst the many folk have recently commented on just how amazing our school estate is looking, it is sad to have to report that the lack of early summer rains and the recent heat wave are really taking their toll. The boreholes have all but dried up and the Hersov Field, which is essentially the playground area for JP and Middle School boys, is taking a battering. As a school community we are cognisant of our responsibility to lead by example and to adhere to the level 2 water restrictions that have been imposed. We are again encouraging boys to be responsible when using water, to turn off taps and, wherever possible, to bring drinking water to school – preferably not in a single-use plastic bottle.

Board Succession Planning:  

On behalf of our Board Chairman, James Clucas, I would like to thank the mums and dads who have responded positively to the Chairman’s letter of the 8^th October by offering their services in order to be considered for governorship here at The Ridge. The Board Succession Planning team will be meeting in the evening of 4 November ahead of the Board Meeting the next day in order to discuss and debate the applications.

A Final Word:

As we set our sights on preparing the boys for the ‘last lap’ of the school academic year, I would remind parents to stay close to The Ridge School App and, in particular, the live calendar that will keep us all well informed about the many upcoming events, fixtures and end of year functions that will be coming into view all too quickly.

Warm regards and God’s covering over you all and your families in the weeks remaining.

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parent

When the initial Centenary Year programme of events and happenings was being considered some two years ago, there was unanimous support from within Angie Chapman’s Centenary Committee and our Ridge School Exco team to set time aside at various stages during the year to share the Spirit of Centenary and so many expected blessings with a wider community. A central aim being to bring deeper awareness and learning to our boys by encouraging exposure to the reality of others people’s lives, and, in particular, children, who are in need of special love, support and care.

Looking back at this stage of what has been a truly memorable 100th birthday celebration, it is pleasing to be able to report that every effort has been made to connect in meaningful ways with those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Of as much importance, of course, is the fact that the majority of our Ridge lads have been directly involved in some form of community service. This has allowed them to demonstrate first hand a semblance of their understanding of those deeper human virtues such as care, kindness and compassion.

The following are some of the areas of community engagement that our boys and/or other members of The Ridge family have been involved in thus far this year:

Salvazione Christian School:

The support that has been directed towards the Salvazione community has been astonishing. Both in financial terms and through ‘in kind’ gestures of conscious support and service, The Ridge family has again opened its heart to this amazing little school and to its children and members of staff.

In addition to the usual financial support that The Ridge provides each year, the Centenary Committee set out to raise R1,5 million that would be given as a donation towards the building of Salvazione’s new Junior Primary block. This was achieved within the first four months of the year. There have also been a good number of additional donations that individuals have bestowed that are over and above what the Centenary celebrations have generated.

One of our Ridge dads, for example, very generously arranged and paid for solar panels to be installed as an alternative energy source for the school. An obvious utility cost saving provision that has been greatly appreciated.

Ijeoma Solarin, as Chair of the PA, together with Smeeta Devchand have been facilitating fact-finding tours to Salvazione once or twice each term. These too have served to generate a good deal of interest in and information about the school for many of our parents and others who have wanted to get involved in some way.

Our termly Care-to-Learn community engagement programmes have allowed for some important pupil-to-pupil interactions that the Salvazione and our Ridge lads have been able to enjoy together.

Right Stuff Action Day: 

This truly memorable Saturday morning outreach initiative on the 1st June proved to be a particularly significant and enlightening exercise for all of our Ridge boys and for the majority of staff and parents. Such was the depth of learning and sensitizing for so many of us, it has been agreed that we will need to make time available every year for a similar type of ‘action day adventure’.

Right Stuff Passports 

This was another Centenary initiative that has galvanized some wonderful support from the majority of our Ridge boys. The ‘100 Minutes of Service’ challenge that was given to the boys in a Friday assembly at the beginning of February set in motion, for so many lads, a desire to harness for themselves a spirit of giving. This has been done in a variety of ways. In addition, Ijeoma and Smeeta, have run inter-class and inter-house competitions to encourage boys to maintain this ‘thinking of others first’ commitment. It will be of interest to parents that some boys have achieved over 1000 hours of service as reflected in their Right Stuff Passports … and we still have two months of the year to go.

Headmaster’s Leadership Project:

So many of our Grade 7 boys have been leading by example during another busy senior year by embracing all that the HM Leadership Project has asked of them. There are four components that have to be tackled, one of which is the compulsory service component. It has again been a real eye-opener for me to see the lengths that some boys have been willing to go to in order to bring support, blessing and joy into the lives of others. There are far too many to list now but I will be asking some senior boys to share their ‘leading through service’ stories on chosen Friday morning’s in the weeks ahead.

Early Childhood Development Teacher Training:

Midway through the month of February this year, we, together with the Teachers Learning Centre, launch a Partnership of Hope initiative. Our vision has been to make a difference in the lives of young Gauteng children by upskilling, equipping and empowering teachers and caregivers.

This Partnership of Hope programme is seeking to develop and improve the head, hands and heart application of skills for aspirant young ECD teachers. This training, which takes place each Saturday morning here at The Ridge, is enabling, equipping and enriching these young teachers as they look to becoming confident educators within respective, often very humble pre-primary learning environments.

The Ridge has hosted 20 learner teachers and their TLC lecturers and facilitators on our campus since the launch in February. The Teachers Learning Centre is providing a variety of eighteen months Short Course Programmes in the field of ECD and Grade R Phase teacher education.

I am delighted to report that the programme has gone from strength to strength and, as we  remain trusting that we will be able to find additional funding support, we look forward to this vital teacher training initiative continuing to grow into the years ahead.

 

Visual Arts Exhibition … 16^th – 18^th October:

Parents would have seen that Nicci Kurz and our Ridge boys will be exhibiting at and hosting the annual Visual Arts Exhibition next week. We are delighted to support Mrs Kurz and our many budding young artists as the showcase their artwork and through their work, the many creative and imaginative approaches that have been used to bring visual art alive here at The Ridge this past year. Please note that the Music and Arts Cocktails Evening calendarized for the evening of 17^th October has been cancelled.

On the evening of the 18^th October, with the beautiful artworks acting as backdrop to proceedings, we will be hosting the first Farewell to Mrs Fox evening. Parents will understand, I’m sure, that Janet’s remarkable 27 years here at The Ridge have been shared with countless people; many of whom are now bracketed as old boys, past staff or past parents. The 18^th October is reserved for this group of Mrs Janet Fox van der Poel supporters.

The current family of boys, parents and staff will be honouring her and bidding Janet farewell at various functions and happenings during the month of November.

A Final Word:

Under the banner of our Standing in the GAP theme for the term, regular encouragement is offered to our Ridge boys to play their part and be actively involved in recognising, respecting and reaching out to others. In addition to good manners, etiquette and politeness, they are reminded, as well, that there is an expectation also for them to be sensitive to the needs of those around them here at school, within respective families and, where appropriate and possible, in the greater community.

During the closing Friday Prayers that are read out by a senior boy at the end of the Service part of the assembly each week, the school, Grade 1 – 7 boys and teachers, is asked to respond following each of a few meaningful and recognised prayer requests. As the prayer comes to an end they read aloud together the following:

We are trusting that, given the added exposure to community engagement and the plight of so many others, these words might continue to hold more weight and meaning to each of them as Ridge boys conscious of what has been entrusted to them to stand in the gap and to make a difference.

Best wishes and God’s blessing on you all

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

Having recently returned from the Heads’ Conference held in the Drakensberg, this newsletter offered me the chance to touch on a few salient and pertinent ‘right-for-our-times’ messages. Talks that were delivered by a number of carefully chosen guest speakers, all accomplished authorities in their respective fields.

The theme for the 2019 SAHISA Conference was Nanela Entabeni: Echoes from the Mountains. As the four days unfolded and one speaker after the other shared their own interpretation of this theme as translated through personal stories and experiences, it became clear very early on that the collegial time away together would prove to be both challenging and compelling.

A few of the more thought-provoking lecture topics were:

• Social Responsibilities – Schools and Corporations … presented by Setlogane Manchidi

The ‘ag-shame’ outreach gift or sentiment / approach is essentially a sham and one that simply doesn’t work. Whatever social responsibility initiative a school embarks on needs, as much as possible, to be understood to be an empowerment exercise and a meaningful shared investment that will add significantly to the lives of others.

 

• How to be Grown-up … presented by renowned child psychologist, Tim Barry.

Tim spoke on the fascinating topic of a world increasingly full of, and in some cases, being led by infantilized adults. He argues that we are seeing a rising tide of stupidity in our adult world. People who are extremely ego-centric, who are incapable of embracing vulnerability and who cannot engage with objective reality.

 

 

• Leveraging your Personal values to Promote Values-based Education … presented by Raymond Perrier.

Raymond took us through an interesting self-awareness exercise which he linked to our personal values’ make-up. He suggested that related school value statements require an authentic buy-in from school leadership. By exercising more self-awareness, everyone ought to be able to move from an unconscious inauthentic state of being to becoming unconsciously authentic. A process that will serve to add credibility to all that we stand for and professionally promote as principals.

• Bringing Hope in Situations of Severe Crisis … presented by Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman who started Gift of the Givers

This remarkable and humble ‘Good Samaritan’ shared his personal story as it pertained to God calling him to start what is now the global Gift of the Givers humanitarian organisation. A story that demonstrates and encapsulates the fact that he and his organisation are willing daily to champion a philosophy of hope is situations of severe hopelessness and crisis.

• Mending the Wounds: Transformative School Leadership in Times of Uncertainty … presented by Prof Thabo Msibi

Professor Msibi gave an enlightened and brutally honest insight into what true transformation ought to look like and how we as South Africa’s independent schools need to recognise that in most cases the journey has only just commenced. He tackled this, as he puts it, largely misunderstood subject under the heading of ‘post conflict pedagogy’. He concludes that there are eight key areas to be intentionally embraced within the current South African context:

1. a) the power of indirect knowledge; b) the importance of listening; c) outgrowing received knowledge;  d) the significance of pedagogical dissonance;  e) acknowledging of our brokenness;  f) the importance of hope;  g) giving opportunity to those who want to offer alternatives;  h) the value of demonstrating leadership.

• Courage Under Fire … presented by Karen Tocknell

Karen used her very personal story of coping with tragedy, pain and loss following the death of her husband to offer hope, strength and courage to all in positions of school leadership. She encouraged us all, within the greater South African context, to remain positive, to stop complaining, to delight in the calling that we have as educators, and to celebrate through an act of surrender all that our roles and responsibilities bring our way each day. She challenged school leaders to embrace vulnerability, authenticity and to take comfort in being who we really are within the school environment. Taking seriously too, our purposing to be springs of water in a thirsty land.

• From School Skunk to Scribe – when Truth is Stranger than Fiction … presented by John van de Ruit

The renowned author of Spud, Spud 2, The Madness Continues and Spud 3 did wonders to capture our imaginations through his own brand of humour and some delightful repartee. Whilst his warm and lighthearted presentation gave his audience some enlightening insight into what had led to the writing of his Spud Trilogy, he made a point not to miss out on sharing a deeper message with us all. He challenged those of us involved in monastic boys schooling to remain sensitive to and highly critical of traditions, legacies and safeguards that might give rise to the development of a macho, egotistical and entitled culture within our boys and young men.

The Formal Dedication and Opening of our new Junior Primary:

On Friday morning 13 September, we took the opportunity to dedicate and officially open our new Junior Primary building. With the snag list having eventually been worked through, the gardens and playground areas beautifully restored, and the Hersov Field back in working order again, what was a stunning Spring morning proved to be all that we were hoping for, given the august sense of occasion.

Boys, staff, some notable dignitaries, and a few parents were able to gather in an appropriately intimate and meaningful way to give thanks as together we asked God for his special anointing and covering at this moment of dedication. The message focused on the strength and security that foundations offer, the importance of setting permanent footprints in the sands of time, and for us all to recognise again that God remains the solid rock on which future generations of boys will be able to anchor.

Our four Guests of Honour were assigned the responsibility of cutting of the ribbons: Edith Venter (past parent and patron); Gillian Dippenaar (Ridge School Bursar); James Clucas (Chairman of the Board) and James Thomas (Head of the Project Team).

Our Eco-School challenge … Another important Standing in the GAP opportunity for The  Ridge School Community:

Terri-Lee Dix and Holly Ferrar have connected with The Refillery organisation as we seek to ratchet up our school’s commitment to helping as many Ridge folk as possible reduce their plastic waste.

They have been asked to add a separate communique specific to their offering to the school and to each Ridge family. They offer several options that will assist our school and community to shop in a more eco-friendly manner. Some of these include:

1. They would like to offer all of The Ridge staff and students’ families a special 15% discount for all online shopping orders at The Refillery that can be delivered on a set day of the week to the school.  The attached communique deals with this offer specifically. They are happy to make this a regular service and keep the 15% discount in place.
2. They can offer customised (logo to be supplied) sets of Beeswax Sandwich Wraps in set of 2 for The Ridge family. These wraps are designed to remove the need for cling film completely. Wrap your son’s sandwich or lunches in them, wash and reuse over and over again. They are hand painted in gorgeous prints.
3. They joined the teachers at Wednesday morning’s staff meeting and will be coming in to talk to the boys on the subject of eco-sustainability and some easy steps that we can take to help reduce the plastic pollution of our local natural environments.

A Final Word … Are our school cultures transforming fast enough?

As mentioned, as part of my brief SAHISA Conference synopsis, Professor Thabo Msibi, whilst tackling with us the challenges of School Leadership in Times of Uncertainty, touched on what he termed ‘the importance of disrupting bitter knowledge and practices’. His observations:

• Schools are spaces where children spend most of their time
• Inaction sustains a state of woundedness doing untold harm to learners, teachers and principals. This potentially leads to violent masculinities; racism; femicide; wounded colleagues hiding under the guise of professionalism.
• A future of uncertainty = social crisis. School leadership is central for social change.

How to bring about this change:

… within the South African context at large, but particularly within our independent schooling cultures, his challenges provide some unpalatable but necessary food for thought.

 

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

A Reminder to purchase your entry into The Ridge School Raffle. The draw is limited to 1500 tickets and the winner will be announced in early December.

Click on the link now to buy your ticket – https://qkt.io/hGHwMb

Dear Parents

As we look forward to The Ridge reopening on Tuesday 10 September and to welcoming your boys back following what we trust has been an engaging but relaxing holiday time for each of them, it is appropriate for me to reconnect with you all again before we start.

As usual, the four weeks of the August holidays have been put to good use by our grounds, support and housekeeping service staff teams. It is important to report that as we celebrate the coming of Spring here on the Westcliff Ridge we are able to celebrate too, a school that has had a thorough spring-clean and that is in great shape to welcome your lads back.

Staff News:

Following a winter term that certainly took its toll on members of staff from time to time, we will be back to full strength as we open next week. Whilst most parents will be aware that we will be losing a few staff members to retirement at year end, I will wait until I have a complete picture regarding replacements in each case before sharing related information with you all.

Theme for the Term… Standing in The G A P:

There have been so many features that our year’s ‘Living the Legacy’ theme has brought to light for our Ridge boys. The one that sadly seems to be well below par, no matter how many reminders the boys, in general, receive, is in the area of good manners, respect for their elders and appropriate etiquette. We will be paying special attention to so much of what brings these failings to light during the months directly ahead this term.

Under the banner of ‘Standing in the GAP’ we will be challenging all Ridge boys to apply themselves consciously and knowingly to a G A P acronym:

• G – Greeting
• A – Awareness and Acknowledgement
• P – Politeness

I ask all parents to please play your part in reinforcing this theme on the home base.

School Security and Pupils’ Well-being:

We are, as always, acutely aware of our responsibilities as they pertain to us ensuring that your lads, once dropped off at school each day, are within a safe and secure environment. The recent kidnapping of a young 6 year old girl (subsequently released) from a school in Vanderbijlpark has sent shockwaves through the country.

I had a lengthy meeting with our security supervisor, Terrance Phakathi, and the owner of Dailtron Security Services, the company responsible for guarding The Ridge, earlier this week. Top of the meeting agenda was the need for absolute vigilance when boys are being dropped off and picked up, and a related keen alertness from our security guards when monitoring the flow of traffic into and exiting the school grounds each day. Needless-to-say, this applies to both the Lawley Road and Woolston Road parking and drop-off areas.

Where a concern was expressed by Mr Phakathi on behalf of himself and his guards, is during those early morning times when boys are dropped off by parents outside the school grounds; i.e. on the Woolston Road pavement, in particular. In this instance we are again reminding parents to please take it upon yourselves to accompany your boys into the safety of the school grounds. Whilst only Grade 6 and 7 boys may be dropped off at the Irish Gate and a person is on duty to monitor this drop-off area, even then parents are requested to make sure that they take responsibility to see their boys entering the gate, thus gaining safe access to the school grounds.

It has been agreed too, that an additional guard and security vehicle will be strategically positioned outside the Woolston Gate each morning in order to observe the comings and goings of vehicles and to better monitor the traffic flow.

Pastoral Care and Discipline Procedures:

Against the backdrop of ‘Standing in the GAP’, but this time focusing attention on an area within the pastoral care programme that our Grade 3 and SP teachers look after and are involved in each school day, we will be introducing, this coming week, a reworked Pastoral and Discipline Protocol.

The purpose of tightening this system is threefold:

1. Raising levels of responsibility and accountability amongst the Grade 3 – 7 boys;
2. Clarifying for our lads what consequences and related punishments will result from poor behaviour and /or choice making;
3. Providing a more transparent and easy to understand protocol that can be referenced and measured against and more consistently followed; both for boys and for teachers.

A copy of this four page Pastoral Care and Discipline document will be posted in each Grade 3 – 7 classroom and I will be speaking to all the boys about the purpose of introducing this tighter system and what we are expecting from each of them in response. A copy of the document is available to parents and will be posted on our Ridge App under the Senior Prep icon.

3^rd Term Centenary programme:

Following on from the 1^st and 2^nd Terms and the all-embracing, memorable and happily  successful birthday celebrations that we as a school family has enjoyed together, parents will find that the 3^rd Term will be somewhat quieter.

Our Live Calendar on The Ridge App will alert you all to some of what to expect in the form of the Art Exhibition, the Music at The Ridge concert, the Christmas Thanksgiving and Carols by Candlelight Service in late November, and further Right Stuff Passport happenings that your lads will be involved in. Regular reminders and updates will be coming through to you so please don’t miss out on being part of what will prove to be an important last term of celebration, thanksgiving and remembrance.

Reminders and Prompts:

As you begin the process of preparing your boys for their return to school next week, I would appeal to mums and dads to please make sure that the following are taken care of:

• Boys must return to school with their hair appropriately cut and coloured;
• All school clothing, bags, stationery, etc is to be clearly marked;
• Caps and blazers, in particular, seem, all too often, not to be marked as required;
• School blazers are to be checked to make sure that they have their two buttons firmly attached;
• Any additional sports clothing and equipment, or musical instruments that your lad will be bringing to school must, likewise, be clearly marked;

In addition, a special request from me to parents of Grade 3 – 7 boys to please ensure that your boys are at school before the Line-up Bell rings at 07.30 each morning.

 

I look forward to welcoming your boys back to school on Tuesday morning and to meeting up with and reconnecting with each of you in the days ahead.

Kind regards

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

Welcome back to you all after what I hope was a happy and relaxing half-term and particularly for those who were able to find some time to be with your lads during their week long break from school.

A few early reminders:

As we pick up momentum again in preparation for the five weeks of term that still remain, it is important to please take note of the following:

• The 2^nd Semester academic programme continues to gather pace and will run through to the end of the academic year in November;
• The Parents’ Interviews for our Senior Prep mums and dads will be taking place, as scheduled and booked for; tomorrow afternoon/evening, 9^th July, between 16.00 and 19.00, and on Wednesday 10^th July between 14.00 and 17.30;
• At ‘centre stage’ for the next two weeks is Janet Fox’s “A Westcliff Story”  Parents would have already received a letter from Mrs Fox providing details of all that parents will need to know regarding rehearsal and performance time, arrival and departure times of the boys, etc;
• The football season is already in full swing. A reminder that this is a compulsory sport and so every boy will be expected to participate unless, for medical reasons, he has been excused;
• We will be hosting our Centenary Old Boys’ Dinner in the Nicolson Hall on the evening of the 26^th July;
• The following day is, of course, set aside for our Centenary Founders’ Day which is a compulsory school day for all Ridge boys.

Our Live Calendar, found on the Ridge App, will give details of so much more that parents will need to keep tabs on as the days ahead come into view.

The Ridge Centenary Rugby Festival:

This Centenary year has offered up a number of opportunities to try something new or something done a little differently. Notwithstanding our 100 years of educational practice and history, the exciting ‘stretch’ nature of our Centenary programme of events has given rise to a number of these ‘experimental firsts’.

One such event took place between the 28^th and 30^th June when we were delighted to host our very first ever Ridge Rugby Festival. Eleven visiting 1^st XV rugby squads, some local and a few from outside Gauteng, participated in three days of highly entertaining festival rugby.

What a special joy and privilege it was for me as headmaster to witness and be a part of this significant and hugely successful three day event.

Playing host to eleven visiting squads, coaches and managers, their respective parent contingents, as well as members of our own enthusiastically expectant Ridge family took some doing … and it was in the doing that we again demonstrated the uniqueness of our Ridge Spirit.

The intentional and meticulous planning of the many supporting features required to hold such a festival together was played out with precision: from the transport and hosting arrangements associated with looking after all visiting teams; the customised preparation of the Hope Field, other holding venues and Nicolson Hall; to the detailed planning directed at  the two evening functions and the carefully thought through inter-schools fixtures programme, nothing was left to chance.

The three days provided for a highly successful celebration of prep school festival rugby that validated and brought to life yet another worthwhile Centenary ‘first’ that will be happily remembered and fondly looked back on in the years to come.

I would like to thank and pay tribute to Sarah Chorley, the Festival Convenor, who committed countless hours to planning and preparing for what was a finely-tuned and wonderfully memorable event. Sarah was ably assisted by her hard-working Rugby Festival Committee made up of Judith Slettevold, Natalie Elliot, Debbie Thomas, and Cindy Stoutjesdyk. As always, Angie Chapman, as Chair of the Centenary Committee, was again on call to offer hands-on support and guidance throughout the three days.

It is appropriate, too, to congratulate and thank our Director of Sport, Bennie du Preez, on having so successfully masterminded the many logistics and related arrangements associated with accommodating, transporting and looking after the needs of all twelve participating teams. In addition, to add that the weekend was made complete through the selfless service and support of so many other people. In particular, our Ridge teaching, coaching, estate, housekeeping and catering teams. To them all, a sincere vote of thanks. Finally, my thanks to the many Ridge parents who turned out in number to share and enjoy the festival spirit.

Environmental awareness and related responsibilities:

With the environment under siege, little needs to be said about Mother Nature’s growing travails as her natural world continues to suffer and suffocate under the merciless weight of our human neglect and wanton exploitation. So immense is the related challenge for humanity in general and, in particular, for us as individuals as we consider where to start repairing the damage, that, all too often, many of us simply go through the motions. Our need to act is often unconsciously abrogated as we look to others who, seemingly, have more resources at their disposal or more influence, and so who can supposedly make a real difference.

Here at The Ridge we have a long way to go before we can honestly say that we are playing a meaningful part and are doing enough. After all, in this context, what is enough? Holly Ferrer (Grade 2 class teacher) and Terri-Lee Dix (parent and PA rep) have taken on the challenge to lead our school into a more resolute commitment to do things differently.

The Ridge School’s ECO – Code sets out the following five bullets that we are wanting / needing to bring to life in ways that confirm that we are taking each one more seriously.

The Ridge School’s ECO – Code:

• Growing environmental capacity through a whole school involvement
• Manage water and electricity more wisely
• Minimize wastage and develop recycling at school and at home
• Embed action in the curriculum to enhance learning and understanding amongst our boys
• Share ideas and improve co-operation throughout the school community and outreach

In reading through and pondering our necessary response to each of these it struck me that we are clearly not tapping into all that, in particular, the last bullet is offering up. To this end I would invite those who might be interested in participating in a school community ECO think tank to please contact Holly Ferrer, Terri-Lee Dix or me.

Parents’ driving habits:

The subject of reckless and dangerous driving by a small number of parents was raised again at the most recent PA meeting. Understandably, I view this kind of negligent and downright thoughtless behaviour in an extremely dim light; a view shared by the vast majority of parents and members of staff.

It should go without saying that whilst entering, driving through and exiting the school grounds parents are expected to be on high alert at all times.

This translates into:

• driving at no more than 10 km/hour until your vehicle has left the school grounds;
• being ever watchful for little boys moving in front of or behind one’s vehicle;
• being thoughtful about and courteous of other drivers;
• obeying and complying with the Stop and Go protocols;
• parking in ways that do not hinder the through flow of traffic;
• playing one’s part in making sure that both the Lawley Road and Woolston Road car parks and the Irish gate drop off point are 100% child-safe zones for all our boys and any other children who might be visiting us.

I would repeat my earnest appeal to all parents, guardians and au pairs to play your part in helping to make sure that we will never have to face and deal with a tragic accident here on the school grounds that has been caused by negligent and dangerous driving.

The Ridge School Raffle:

The Ridge Trust, supported by the Board of Governors, has, for some years, been setting aside an annual budget allocation of fee assistance in the interests of being able to assist current Ridge families who, from time to time, find themselves in a tight financial squeeze. These fee assistance grants are very carefully allocated and individually monitored by a special Bursary Sub-committee of the Board. Each application is subject to a means analysis before qualifying for a grant-in-aid of any nature. This process is followed annually.

In addition, James Clucas, as Chairman of the Board, has been particularly intentional in his drive to secure related funds from old boy donors. It is good to report that he has been successful in securing some generous long-term funding, specifically earmarked to fee assistance, from a growing number of old boy benefactors.

I am pleased to inform parents that you will be receiving a flier with the details regarding the launch this week of The Ridge School Raffle. All money raised will be going towards our Ridge Trust Fee Assistance Fund. In brief, the Raffle details are as follows:

• Prize 1 is tuition fees to the value of R128 000 at ANY school in South Africa.
• Prize 2 is a one-week stay for up to 10 people at the 4 star Morokolo Lodge in the Pilanesberg.
• The 1st winner drawn will have the option to choose either prize should he/she wish to. The 2nd winner drawn will receive the prize not opted for.
• A consolation prize will be drawn for a 3rd winner which is a Ridge School hamper.
• The ticket price is R500;
• There are only 1500 tickets available;
• The winner will be drawn once all tickets have been sold or on 3 December. 
• All Terms & Conditions will be according to the Competitions Act requirements;
• The Quicket system will be used for online ticket sales;
• Tickets will also be sold manually at “A Westcliff Story” and at Founders’ Day;
• Needless-to-say there as absolutely no obligation for parents to participate in the raffle.

A Final Word:

I have included a thought-provoking article written by Mrs Janice Fialka entitled The Dance of Partnership – Why do my feet hurt? at the end of my newsletter.

Whilst the article is written within a special needs context, it nonetheless reminds me again of the significance of the trust, co-operation and respect that needs to exist between the parent and the professional. A partnership that must always centre entirely on the well-being of the child. A working relationship aimed ultimately at the fashioning of a unique set of wings that will release each child’s own potential to fly in ways that are ideally right for them.

The article is a direct transcript of a keynote address that Janice Fialka gave at a Special Needs Conference some twenty years ago. Nonetheless, in the mainstream teaching and learning context, I still found the wisdom of her advice to be both challenging and heart-warming. There is a simple but deep resonance that one can draw from her words of advice that, notwithstanding the specific reference to special needs, still holds true for all of us in these times when the partnership between home and school is needing to be stronger than ever before.

Mrs Fialka touches on five imperatives that she believes serve to underpin a healthy, trusting relationship between parent and professional:

1. Choice: Do you wanna dance
2. Forced Intimacy: Too close for comfort
3. Identification of Partners: Will the real partner(s) please come forward?
4. Role Expectations: Who’s leading the dance?
5. Differing Priorities Do you hear what I hear?

Best wishes and God’s blessings and covering as we enter the second half of the term.

Warm regards

Richard Stanley

Dear Parents

Following the outpouring of goodwill as demonstrated by our Ridge School family during the Right Stuff Action Day on Saturday 1 June, it is appropriate to keep in focus for a while longer so much that such a day was able to bring into view for us all. This is certainly not to indulge in any self-adulation or as a patting-on-the-back exercise but purely to reflect on what proved, for so many, to be a day through which Celebrating with a Purpose took on a new meaning.

From the boys themselves came a number of gently innocent yet remarkably perceptive comments that serve to highlight for us all some of what their involvement in the day brought home to them.

• Dear Ijeoma and Smeeta… thank you so much for the cool T-shirts and for organizing this magnificent event.
• I stayed at Park Care for three hours. I really enjoyed helping people but most of all I loved spending time with my family.
• The place that I went to was for children who get abused and bullied. The place is called Fight with Insight and they learn to box and to defend themselves.
• I made sleeping bags for the homeless and it was very exciting. When we had finished our first one I felt really satisfied.
• I went to Woodrock Animal Shelter. We painted the fence and fed the puppies and took them for walks. I loved Action Day and I hope that we can do it again.
• On Saturday I went knitting at school. We were making blankets. My mum was helping me and now I want to try by myself.
• I went to the Zoo to clean the Crocodile’s habitat. I picked the shovel duty because it looked interesting. I found that shovel duty was to pick up leaves and to put them in a bag with mud which they are going to turn into compost.
• While I was working I found a sawn bone that was probably growing fungus or bacteria. It looked like an antelope bone. My sister found a crocodile tooth. She got the good end of the bargain.

 

Staying alert to the effects of Winter ailments:

As always, at this time of year, the flu virus begins to make its presence felt and particularly within our schools where the various influenza strains seem to multiply in ways that make containing them a real challenge. We have been seeking advice from experts within the medical fraternity who have advised the following:

(Please bear in mind that this is offered very much in simple layman’s terms and is given purely to guide some of the thinking around when and when not to keep your boys at home should they be coming down with something)

The Influenza A / A1 strains – also known as Swine flu – are certainly doing the rounds again this year. Given that it is a particularly nasty virus the advice from the doctors is to stay at home, stay warm, not to exert oneself unduly, and to be patient as this particular strain can take up to a week, if not longer, to clear the system.

There are a number of other flu strains around as well, all of which also present with similar flu-type symptoms, i.e. fever, headache, cough, a build-up of nasal congestion, etc. All of which the body will fight off as it builds up the necessary resistance to the particular ailment. Doctors again remind us that taking anti-biotics will not serve any purpose when the body is fighting such a virus. Their advice is to boost the immune system with vitamin C and immune boosters. Keeping your immune system working is the best thing to fight off / reduce the effects and severity of illness.

The urgent request from us here at The Ridge is that if your lad is presenting with any of the above symptoms, please don’t send him to school. All that this will do is to delay his recovery whilst, at the same time, resulting in the flu virus being passed on to others.

Grade 7 2019 Scholarship Offers from senior schools:

We are very pleased to share that the following boys have been offered scholarships to some of the country’s leading boys’ colleges. Hearty congratulations to:

Transformation, Diversity and Inclusivity…              

It is good to be able to report that a number of exciting new TDI initiatives, introduced by Moeketsi Motsepe and his team, have been endorsed by The Ridge Board of governors. We will be introducing all of these to parents in due course.

“One of them worth passing on at this relatively early stage is the project with Heartlines. Heartlines is a research based social change NPO that promotes social cohesion through storytelling. The organisation’s research team has put together the instrument we will be using to test whether dialogue and storytelling can bring about a change of heart in learners. The instrument is based on the constructivist model of how knowledge is acquired. The idea is to use storytelling from authentic South African stories to promote cultural exchange between learners and across the length and breadth of our country.

The Heartlines team is currently writing lesson plans which will be sent to our English and Maths HoDs for comments.

The trial with the lessons will be conducted after half-term, and will carry on till the end of term. If it is successful teachers will be trained on how to source materials outside their immediate contexts and points of reference. This is done with the intention to widen the teachers research skill in sourcing material. The training will be carried out in the third term.”  Moeketsi Motsepe

Fathers’ Day on 16 June:

On behalf of our Ridge boys and indeed, the whole school family, it is good to be able to join together in remembering and honouring our Ridge dads as time is set aside for all to enjoy Father’s Day on Sunday this coming weekend.

 

A Final Word… Youth Day – 16 June:

As we look forward to enjoying this upcoming long weekend, it is important to bring to mind again the history, tragedy, pain and courage associated with Youth Day as we commemorate it here in South Africa. Friday morning’s assembly this week will be devoted to sharing much of this with our Ridge boys.

On 16 June 1976 an uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. Events that triggered the uprising can be traced back to policies of the Apartheid government that resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953. When the language of Afrikaans alongside English was made compulsory as a medium of instruction in schools in 1974, black students began mobilising themselves.

On 16 June 1976 between 3000 and 10 000 students, mobilised by the South African Students Movement‘s Action Committee, supported by the Black Consciousness Movement, marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive. The march was meant to culminate at a rally in Orlando Stadium.

On their way they were met by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on demonstrating students. This resulted in a widespread revolt that turned into an uprising against the government. While the uprising began in Soweto, it spread across the country and carried on until the following year. The uprisings tragically ended with hundreds of young people being killed by the apartheid government when they protested against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

The aftermath of the events of June 16 1976 had dire consequences for the Apartheid government. Images of the police firing on peacefully demonstrating students led an international revulsion against South Africa as its brutality was exposed.

 

Sunday 16 June 2019… a time for remembrance, reflection and the showing of respect as we consider the sacrifice made by so many young South Africans on this day forty-three years ago.

Best wishes and safe travels if you and yours are on the roads during the three long weekend days ahead.

Richard Stanley

Headmaster