We are in the throes of final preparations for our 104th Founders’ Day. We can all look back proudly on the first two terms of 2023. 

There is so much we could focus on: wonderful examples of boys growing and flourishing, an increasingly united and happy community, the working group that is reflecting on CAPEX projects for our school, extraordinary support and pulling off of memorable community-building occasions led by our Parent body, professional growth experiences of Staff etc. 
We will distribute a copy of the Headmaster’s Address at Founders’ Day and will request a text version of our Founders’ Day Guest Speaker’s address and will share this, too, once received. 
We congratulate our Deputy Head (Academics), Dr Moore, on successfully presenting at the recent International Boys’ School Coalition conference in Auckland, New Zealand.

A significant portion of the presentation was linked to the thought leading, innovative practice which is becoming increasingly embedded at The Ridge.
We are delighted for our Grade 7s who have finalised their Grade 8, 2024, College placements. Congratulations are also in order for the 16 Scholarship awards that were offered to our Grade 7 boys who are part of the class of 2023. This is a remarkable achievement. While I acknowledge the stress that often comes with the College application process, the placements and scholarship awards of our Grade 7 boys should serve to give parents additional comfort that boys from The Ridge continue to be sought after by all the leading colleges.

For the purposes of this newsletter, the focus is on our commitment to innovation.   
There is no place for mediocrity in schools that wish to thrive and to survive. Innovation initiatives embed this truth and they also role model to our boys what we hope their primary future visions for themselves will be. I sincerely thank our Staff and our Parent community for their support in this Ridge ideal. 

 What follows is a summarised breakdown of some of our innovative processes over the course of 2023: 

• We are thinking creatively about future CAPEX projects. The particular focus areas, currently, are a revamped Pavilion, a revamped OSIC centre and a revamped aquatics area 
• The voluntary, out-of-school-hours Grades 6 and 7 RidgeUp initiative continues to offer our boys a rich and deeply impactful thinking experience where discussions and cognitively enriching learning processes are happening around a range of powerful texts. Grade 6s considered the poetry of Langston Hughes as an introduction to their studying of the play, “A Raisin in the Sun”. Grade 7s have been studying a range of South African voices (Athol Williams, Tatamkulu Afrika, Ingrid de Kok, Ingrid Jonker, James Matthews) and boys enjoyed presenting on their paintings (which visualized key messages underpinning studied poems,themes/messages). Using extracts from Adichie’s “Americanah”, they have also studied the seminal text,“The Danger of a Single Story”. 
• Our English Department is planning a recreated Grades 4-7 curriculum where the core English offering will be supplemented, for 2 lessons a week, with Master Classes presented by different members of Staff, In Grades 4 and 5, the focus will be on reading for meaning and the curriculum will be co-designed by our Lighthouse. In Grades 6 and 7, the 3 classes will be divided into 4 groupings who will experience each of the 4 English Master Classes on offer. In Grade 7, for example, mine will be entitled, “Oral communication strategies through the lenses of Shakespeare, Sontag and Serote”. We will share details of this initiative and the various Master Classes as soon as possible 
• Our recently published Code of Conduct is a record of our values as a community. Its focus is on ensuring that we have restorative and constructive journeys. A comprehensive set of infographics has been designed to visualize this code. It will be shared with parents and will be displayed around our school to remind our boys of expected codes of behaviour and conduct 
• Differentiated learning experiences for individual boys remains a key priority for The Ridge. The Junior Primary has, for example, successfully implemented a rotation stations programme where boys can experience learning in different ways at different learning stations (each with a differentiated focus on learning a particular ‘thing’) 
• Our Project Based Learning (PBL) experience in the Senior Primary phase is ensuring that boys are learning collaboratively and creatively, drawing on a range of modes of learning within their learning groups. A future PBL vision is that groups of boys are tasked with a complex question/problem and then have to present their solutions after a rigorous and collaborative thinking process 
• The recreated Headmaster’s Leadership programme for Grade 7 is resulting in significant engagement and the leadership of an array of powerful leadership projects (most of which are focused on hearing and growing ‘the other’). 
• The creation of a new tradition of an exit, rite of passage overnight, farewell camp for our Grade 7s is being finalised and promises to be a meaningful initiative for our 2023 and future Grade 7s 

In conclusion, the link below contains a deeply moving and thought provoking text entitled, “How to be More Alive: Hermann Hesse on Wonder and the Proper Aim of Education”. It is such a worthwhile read for all of us and, should you get the chance to read it, I hope you will enjoy.https://www.themarginalian.org/2023/07/06/hermann-hesse-wonder-butterflies/
I wish each boy and each of our families a happy and rejuvenating end of Term break.

2023 is turning out to be a very good year for our school and I thank each of you. 

By Frank Rumboll

 Mojalefa Mtimkulu

I am Mojalefa Clifford Mtimkulu, first born in a family of three, one brother Nhlanhla and an only sister, Lerato. I hail from the revered township of Soweto and an offspring of parents whose love for education and belief system have carried and sustained me from the dusty streets of Jabulani to the hallways of schools and prestigious institutions of education.I started my primary school at St Matthews Primary School and matriculated at St Matthews High School where I was introduced to the Catholic Education Systems.

The ethos of kindness for all, especially those neglected, was a mainstay of my upbringing and I have carried this with me over the years. At St Matthews I was under the firm arm and tutelage of the educationally recognised ageless Sister Francis who to this day has kept my former High School, an oasis of Soweto.

I graduated from Wits University with a Bachelor’s in Education and joined McAuley House School in 2008 and rose through the ranks to being HOD of Inter-Sen Phase the position I held prior to joining The Ridge School in May 2023.

I am first and foremost a perpetual learner who also brings a fountain of experience in teaching Grades 4 to 7 in IsiZulu, Technology and Mathematics. I hope to continue learning from my colleagues.I have a deep passion for sport inclusion in the all-round development of our young learners. According to Nelson Mandela “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand”. I believe our Ridge Boys have the world in their hands and through education and sport they will be well-rounded and well-equipped to change the world.

I am also passionate in the holistic guided development of young people. I was one of pioneer members of the Kwanele-Kwanele (Enough is Enough) a silent protest or campaign aimed at raising awareness on the abuse of children and women held regularly at McAuley House to try and bring an end to this scourge in our communities. I hope to enlighten our boys here too, to never be perpetrators but to provide a solution to this perennial problem.

I aim to contribute in raising boys who will strive to serve the needs of the South African community with dignity, humility and integrity.

Cindy OLIVER

By doing what you LOVE, you INSPIRE and awaken the hearts of others.Learning can be fun! Learning can lead you into a creative and fun world. There is so much around us that we have not thought about, learnt about or even questioned. Creating this love for learning should start somewhere…and that is what a driven teacher does.I had a Grade 5 Science teacher who showed me how to explore, have fun and embrace new knowledge. She created a loving and fun learning environment. She awakened the love for teaching in me at a very young age.My biggest aim is to bring change into our classrooms where the learners can feel free to express their ideas, learn to love Afrikaans and to have fun while learning.I am an energetic and passionate teacher who believes in creating a love for the subjects I teach. I always strive to create room for curiosity, innovation and laughter. When learners experience love for the subject they are more open towards receiving information, questioning the information, and nurturing curiosity.I am a mother of two. My son joined The Ridge in Grade 1, and my little girl is attending Blue Bird pre-primary. I graduated from North-West University obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and started my teaching career in South Korea teaching English to different age groups. I learnt about different cultures, different ways of teaching and that fun plays a big role in education. I have taught Afrikaans, Natural Sciences, Life Orientation and Robotics, which I have been able to do because of my passion for teaching. I had the opportunity to fill the role of Phase Head of the Intermediate and Senior phases at Curro Rivonia for three years.I have now joined The Ridge family as the Head of Afrikaans. I will strive to always do my best and share my passion to help grow the Afrikaans Department where the learners can enjoy learning and appreciate the language.

TRIBUTE TO PENNY BY JANE LAMB AND MELISSA SMITH

The tribute paid to Penny Meyer by Jane Lamb and Melissa Smith on behalf of the Lighthouse Team at the Staff farewell function on 18 July, 2023.Penny, this is for you from your Lighthouse Team. Firstly, thank you for all you have done for the Lighthouse. And for all we have gleaned from your wide, extensive knowledge regarding Inclusive Education and Neuro diversity. As an aside, Penny is currently working on her Masters in Inclusive Education. We wish you good luck as you complete this magnum opus. The concept and implications of Neurodiversity are now familiar jargon at the Ridge School, thanks to Penny who has fed us all pertinent and useful information on a regular basis. We are now able to discuss Neurodiversity with confidence and great interest. When Penny arrived at the Lighthouse there were many loose ends. She has spent hours, weeks, months meticulously tying all these loose ends together. It’s been a huge task. Well done and thank you, Penny!Penny, now to “Your Boys”; they have loved and respected you as you have guided them through their barriers of learning into new, exciting territory where a light is beginning to shine for them. YAY!No “Boy – Problem” was ever too much trouble for you. You always explored the options. Penny, with your combination of skills, what you have to offer the world is of huge value.It is now our fervent wish that this new, important step in your career will bring you great happiness, deep fulfilment and good fortune. Hamba Kahle, dear Penny. 

By Jane Lamb

May the road rise to meet you, dear PennyAs you embark on a new path with grace.May the wind always fill your sails,Guiding you to success in every place. May the sun shine warmly upon your face,As you chase your dreams and embrace new lands.May your heart be filled with joy and peace,As you follow the call of your own demands. May you find happiness in every endeavourAnd may your spirit remain forever strong.May the impact you’ve made be everlasting,And the memories of the Lighthouse live on. So farewell, dear Penny, with a grateful heart,We bid you adieu but not goodbye.May your future be bright and your journey blessed,As you spread your wings and soar high in the sky. May luck and prosperity be yours always,And may the blessings of the Irish be your guide.With gratitude and fondness we say farewell,Your legacy in the Lighthouse will forever reside. 

By Melissa Smith 

Congratulations to The Ridge Old Boys, Charlie Dewer, James Dewey and Weston Davis for making the South African Junior boys polo team. Wishing them good luck with their tour to Zambia. Do us proud boys.

Congratulations to one of our Ridge Old Boys, Oliver Johns for making the U16 Eastern

Province Grant Khomo Team. We are very proud of you!

Congratulations to one of our Ridge Old Boys. Michael Van Heerden, congratulations on your outstanding swimming achievements. During the April holidays, he competed in both the SA Schools National and the SA Senior National Championships. From the 21st to the 23rd of April, Michael represented the Gauteng Province at the South African National Schools’ Swimming Championship in Durban. He received Gauteng Provincial Colours in recognition of his selection to the Gauteng Schools Swimming team in 2023. He won six gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Gauteng Champs, as well as the Senior Victor Ludorum trophy for his efforts.Michael’s outstanding results qualified him to compete in the Senior National Aquatic Championship in Gqeberha

Congratulations to Hamilton Wende a Ridge old boy for winning the 2022 National Press Club’s Journalist of the Year. Print/Online Features/ Investigative Journalism award.

Old boys Rory Steyn and Ben Cheales are part of the Michaelhouse Competition Marimba Band that won the recent International Marimba & Steelpan Festival. They came first overall; first in the High School Large Ensemble Strictly Classical section; first in the High School Prestige section; and second in the High School Large Ensemble Battle of the Bands. Rory was also awarded best High School Drummer out of 42 schools. Their marimba and drumming journeys began at The Ridge! 

SENIOR PREP OVERVIEW

Academics at The Ridge School is continually under review and strengthening as we strive to provide the best possible education for our boys. The Ridge School achieved outstanding results in the International Benchmark tests (IBTs) for English, Mathematics, and Reasoning skills. We are proud to report that our boys performed above average both nationally and internationally in these areas. In fact, in some specific aspects, our boys performed significantly above the national and international norms. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our boys and teachers.

However, our commitment to excellence does not stop there. We believe in a growth mindset and continually seek areas of improvement. The information gathered from the IBTs is being used to inform our teaching practices and curriculum development. By analysing the results, we can identify the specific areas where we can enhance our boys’ learning experience, ensuring they are well-prepared for future academic challenges.

To gain a broader understanding of our boys’ performance and adjustment to high school, we conducted surveys among the schools they attend after leaving The Ridge School. The overall feedback from these surveys was highly positive, with the majority of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that our boys are doing well. With new Heads of Department in both isiZulu and Afrikaans, as well as other initiatives, we hope to prepare our boys even better for their education beyond The Ridge School.

Another significant change we are implementing is the restructuring of our assessment process. We want to shift the focus from a more summative approach to formative assessment, emphasising the learning process rather than the final product. In this regard, we have renamed the examination process as “Summative Assessment Week,” where we have reduced the number of exams and introduced different assessment methods.

Our aim is to gain a more comprehensive and insightful evaluation of our boys’ progression and abilities in various subjects. Additionally, we have provided professional development training to our staff on different modes of assessment to ensure its effective implementation.

At The Ridge School, we recognise the importance of professional development for our staff. Most staff members are making significant progress on the PurpleZA professional development platform, and we have devoted several of our weekly professional development sessions to enhance staff learning in the pedagogy of Project-Based Learning (PBL); we’ve had discussions around gender and have been given feedback from conferences that staff have attended.
The PBL sessions were designed as interactive PBL projects, allowing staff to experience it first-hand and create innovative projects for implementation in their classrooms. The response from our staff has been remarkable, with a great deal of innovation and excitement about the learning process.

To further support staff development, we have introduced a coaching programme, inspired by the Google Coaches Certification programme. Staff members will identify areas they want to improve, and coaches will work with them to develop strategies for growth. Our ultimate goal is to have several staff members trained as coaches, ensuring the programme’s sustainability and ongoing improvement of teacher practice.

As part of our commitment to staying abreast of the latest international trends in education, several members of our school community will be participated in the IBSC International Conference. Anton Pretorius began a cycle of Action Research, Glynnis Moore presented at the conference and Daniel McLachlan attended as a delegate.

We had the opportunity to attend various workshops and presentations, sharing insights and learning from educators around the world. In addition, the networking opportunities were invaluable. We believe that such exposure will enrich our teaching methods and further contribute to our boys’ overall growth and development.

In addition to academics, we place significant importance on the social-emotional well-being of our boys. That is why we continue with the Attachment Awareness Schools (AAS) programme in the Senior Primary. This programme enables us to view discipline differently and provide appropriate support to children with poor attachment styles who may be facing behavioural issues.

Research indicates that addressing attachment issues can positively impact academic progress and social-emotional learning. To further enhance learning experiences, we have embraced Project Based Learning (PBL) in the Junior Prep. Through engaging projects, such as the Crime Investigation in Grade 5, we aim to foster higher-order thinking skills, critical thinking, 21st-century skills, self-directed learning, and a love of learning among our boys.

Moreover, we believe in the power of shared learning experiences between Junior Prep and Senior Prep. Collaborative interactions between our two phases provide unique opportunities for learning and personal growth. This semester, we have piloted joint classes between Grade 2s and Grade 4s, as well as Grade 2s and Grade 7s and the Grade 5s and Grade 2s. These interactions have proven to be successful and enriching for our boys.

As we continue on this journey of growth and improvement, we are confident that our commitment to providing a nurturing and academically enriching environment will yield positive outcomes for our boys and contribute to their overall success in life. Together with our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and enthusiastic boys, we are excited about the future of The Ridge School and the positive impact it will make in the lives of our boys.

By Glynnis Moore

JUNIOR PREP OVERVIEW

At the end of another successful term, the Junior Prep boys have so much to celebrate. They can certainly be very proud of the way they have taken on all the challenges, growth opportunities and experiences offered during this busy term. Lots of striding, not much shuffling!We welcomed two new families to The Ridge this term. Tsepang Monyamane joined us in Grade 0 and Zack Olivier joined us in Grade 1. We wish both these boys, and their families a very happy Ridge journey! Perhaps a highlight of the term for many of the boys will be the unusual and yet truly magical snowfall we experienced in July. Absolute elation and excitement (which included the adults!) heard in the corridors and out on the fields and pathways left me feeling so incredibly lucky to be part of this special place! 

Highlights extended to Cross Country, Rugby and Soccer Seasons, which included many fixtures both at home and away for our Grade 2 and 3 boys, watching the SP production, visits to our classrooms from the Headmaster, shared learning experiences with classes from the SP, 100 days of school in Grade 0, outings to Croc City and the Magaliesburg, Happy Chappies, celebrating special Moms and Dads, a fair few birthdays, making new and special friends, Music assemblies, World Environment Day pledges, SALT sessions, cake sales, family picnics, a wonderful Junior Choir performance for the Eventide Old Age Home, traditional food demonstrations in Grade 2, safe and unsafe touch talks for the boys, task money collections for The Hope School, Project Based Learning, a fabulous History week where the boys learnt all about the school’s rich heritage and Literacy week where we were treated to innings like Hooked on Books, Pajama day, On Cue Theatre, books sales and author talks. Phew! It’s quite a list! 

The Ridge Boy Attributes have been explored by each of the boys in their Grades. We have discussed, thought up examples, and related these attributes to our everyday lives at school and beyond. Each boy in the Junior Prep completed the self-assessment for the mid-year reports. He identified himself as a novice, apprentice, or master for each. We will continue to place emphasis on these attributes as they are the foundations of the strong set of values we hope to impart to each boy during his Ridge journey. 

The recent visit from OISESA (Office of Independent Schools Evaluations, South Africa) has provided us an opportunity to look critically at everything we do here at The Ridge. Our inspectors spent three days in our classrooms, meeting with staff, boys and parents and getting a genuine feel for what happens on our campus. The boys made them feel right at home with their warm welcomes and kindness. We look forward to being able to share some of the wonderful feedback they gave us. Raising children (and teaching them) in our highly competitive world of instant gratification, with information at our fingertips, has its challenges.

In an article I read recently from the Institute of Child Psychology, entitled ‘Turn down the Pressure Valve: Turn up the Magic of Childhood’, it spoke of the nostalgia that many of us feel of “just being a kid” as an increasingly endangered dream. The societal demands to fill every minute of every day with scheduled activities is the great poison facing our children. What our young children crave more than anything is meaningful relationships, presence, and unstructured time. Play (the work of children) is particularly threatened. Through play, our children learn countless life lessons. They learn about themselves, about others, how to face fears, get better at something, and nurture resilience. On that note, I wish all our Ridge families a wonderful, restful holiday filled with meaningful family connection, unstructured time, and lots of play!

Happy Holidays! 

By Holly Ferrar

SOCIAL JUSTICE OVERVIEW

Halfway through our busy year I can confirm that The Ridge School is a community that prioritises fairness, justice and diversity. Our school places respectfulness at the forefront of lessons, interactions and fixtures and, as a result, our boys stand out and are exemplary amongst their peers. Our assemblies have been intentionally aimed at educating our boys about the importance of upholding the values our school encourages.

The staff at The Ridge play a key role in ensuring that principles of inclusion are lived out and felt in all experiences. We support our staff by making it possible to attend various seminars which deal with the realities of schools within South Africa and abroad. Staff report back on these experiences in professional development sessions, which are beneficial in guaranteeing that we are speaking in a unified voice, with a common purpose. 

Our relationship with other schools is one that we can be proud of, having had numerous visitors from other schools this term. We had teachers and students from schools across the country who have been complimentary of our school and our ways of being. The revitalising of our relationship with Salvazione Christian School has been amazing. We have hosted Chess and Soccer days to strengthen interactions with students who can learn from one another. On a school level, we hope to embark on joint outreach ventures in Term 3.

Our Students’ Social Justice Committee has worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm, meeting every week to discuss accomplishments and challenges that our boys are faced with. The level of engagement has been commendable and as a result we hosted our first evening of dialogue where parents were invited to attend and participate. The evening was a great success, and we look forward to hosting the next one. Mandela Day was an astounding success which reminded our boys that there is something positive to be gained from working collectively to achieve a greater good. All our grades came together and contributed towards a cause. 

I am sincerely appreciative to our community for the full support received thus far and trust that we can continue to encourage values and attitudes that can become habitual to our boys as they develop. I look forward to a sustained partnership as we inspire future leaders at The Ridge School. Wishing you all a Happy Women’s Month and our families a well-deserved break.

By Songezo Malangeni

MUSIC OVERVIEW

What a magical, musical term it has been!

Concerts abound with choir festivals and community singing and culminated in the boys showcasing their talents on our very own stage for this year’s musical production of Oddz, Sodz and the Greek Godz.

This year’s school musical production was such fun! The best part was to see the boys enjoying themselves in the rehearsal process and finally on stage for each performance. The Grade 7s worked incredibly hard and it has been a pleasure to see them grow in confidence throughout the process.  A huge thank you to all involved for your support in bringing this production to life!

We have shared the joy of music amongst our own school community and enjoyed collaborations with our wider school connections with APPS and St Katharine’s. Our Ascension Day service was a real celebration of togetherness when we joined forces with our sister schools. The spirit of togetherness was continued through into the tiny details of a shared message from the Heads of schools, the combined choir arrangement on the day and of course the long anticipated ‘social-time’ at the end of the service.

We have also begun some new musical relationship building with St John’s and WHPS, helping to create some exciting opportunities for our boys. A new concert added to the calendar included a collaboration with Pridwin and St John’s for the St John’s Three Schools Concert. The Senior Guitar Ensemble and the Senior Orchestra represented us well and the evening finished off with a combined orchestra of the three schools where I had the privilege of conducting one of my own musical arrangements. We were warmly welcomed to the WHPS Centenary Choir Festival this year in June. They hosted a wonderful Festival where we sang alongside WHPS, St Peter’s and Pridwin. Our boys most certainly did The Ridge proud and we also performed altogether in a massed choir item singing ‘Together we are Stronger’.

The individual music boys showcased their talents at The Johannesburg Festival of Music. Numerous boys have received outstanding results, including top honours of Diplomas and have represented our department with aplomb.

Our special congratulations are extended to Joshua Cook for receiving the Eugenie Chopin Trophy for the most promising Male Singer. Well done, Josh!

The Junior Choir boys hosted an afternoon outreach project for the residents of the Salvation Army Eventide Home for the Aged. The boys performed with enthusiasm and gusto and a lovely afternoon was had by all who attended. A Special thank you to Mrs Morrick and her team of choir moms for all their efforts in making this a successful event!

Our individual music boys continue to go from strength to strength, and this is evident in their confident performances in the Junior Music Assemblies. The Grade 2s showcased the start of their musical journey with fervour and energy, learning from the Grade 3s who performed a few weeks earlier. Well done to all the boys for their efforts – we are so proud of you!

Our Senior boys always bring their A-Game for the evening Soirees and this term was no different. We are so excited to see the Grade 4 and 5 boys enjoying their music so much, that these are always our most subscribed performances. Each Ridge boy gave his best and we have two very successful evening Soirees.

Well done to all the boys and staff for all their musical efforts this term, it most certainly has been a full calendar of events and a wonderfully magical musical term! 

By Carol Ackermann

ISIZULU OVERVIEW

Ngiyanibingelela nonke mphakathi wase, The Ridge School(I would like to greet the entire Ridge School community) and thank you for welcoming me with warm hands in this winter season.

We started Term 2 by quickly identifying boys who would benefit from an IsiZulu programme called “IsiZulu Sethu”. The aim of this after school programme is to identify boys who we felt would benefit from having a small group where individual attention would be given and skills would be reinforced.  

An invitation letter was sent out to the boys and parents, the classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays of every week. Our boys are committed to their isiZulu lessons and we are using everyday experiences to develop their language use. We started writing book reviews of stories that had been read over the years or are currently being read. The reviews are in isiZulu and boys are exposed to a variety of stories. I encourage boys and parents to use as much Zulu as they can especially when greeting and allow boys to have small chats with other individuals they come across, who can speak the language.

We working very hard to equip our boys with the necessary vocab and understanding to have a basic conversation and that can only be possible if the opportunity avails itself. We transformed the isiZulu JP class by putting up posters, props and making it a language based class.

This has been well received by the boys who have their lessons in that venue. I managed to have a meeting with Limulab (an online language app), together with our management, we agreed to pilot their app with our Grade 3 and 6 boys in Term 3. On the 18^th of June the much-anticipated Shaka Ilembe was aired on television.

OzithobayoMnu. Mojalefa Mtimkulu

By Mojalefa Mtimkulu

ULWAZI OVERVIEW

Our Quiz team had the privilege of hosting an Inter-School Quiz at The Ridge School on the 22^nd of May. We had 7 schools (13 teams) participating and Miss Wellard was a fabulous MC for the event. The final podium standings was in our favour, with The Ridge Grade 7 team coming in first place, Christ Church in second and St Peter’s Boys Grade 7s in third place.  

The rest of the term, Mrs Glanz and Mrs McLellan were hard at work planning another fantastic Literacy Week, which kicked off on the last Monday of the term.   Literacy Week was filled with all things literary, carefully chosen to inspire boys to read.   Monday the 31^st of July, the Grade 0s and 1s had Augustine Mulenga, an author coming to chat to them and the Grade 2s, 3s and 4s had Nancy Gaylard with her book, Ayen’s First Day, which raises awareness around our 12^th official language, SASL.

The Senior Prep had their Inter-House Quiz trials, causing much excitement around the House Teams!   On Tuesday the 1^st of August, we were all snug and warm in our pyjamas and had so much fun with the Hooked on Books crew as well as the teachers sharing their favourite books with the Grade 4s to 7s.   Wednesday the 2^nd of August saw another round of authors. Grade 6 and 7 had Hannes Barnard, a YA author and sales manager for Penguin Random House Publishers, explain how to get a book from conceptualization stages to finally having it on the shelves of bookstores. Lori-Ann Preston entertained the Grade 3s, 4s and 5s with an energetic presentation of her books.  

Exclusive Books had the most amazing selection of books on sale, for the entire week. Even staying late on Monday during the soiree and on Thursday during the Science Expo. We definitely consider Refiloe and her team as a part of The Ridge Family!  

We ended the week on Friday, with a very exciting Inter-School Quiz Final. Each house had 4 team members, one from each Grade. For the first time ever, we had a Teachers’ team as well! The final score was: 5^th – Nicolson 4^th – Dunn 3^rd – Teachers 2^nd – Cheales 1^st – Rose   The Ridge Ulwazi Assistants received their badges, after many months of training, testing and confirming whether in fact, they think being an Ulwazi assistant is the right fit for them. Congratulations to Oscar Berman, Jamie Berridge, Pranav Bhana, Imran Budlender, Nick Goussard, Jamie Grantham, David Marais, Avumile Nguqu, Brunello Schierenberg, James Short and Thor Tipping, for their dedication and commitment to making Ulwazi the special place that it is.  

We are looking forward to another term of reading and celebrating books, in Ulwazi.

But first… a holiday to relax, put your feet up, and read another book.

By Hanlie Glanz

JUNIOR PREP LIBRARY OVERVIEW

For Term 2, all sorts of learning and excitement has happened in the JP Media Centre.The Grade 0s have been learning about various authors, local and international and how different libraries are run. They love choosing their books each week and being responsible for them.

We have also been talking about plastic and the environment, which included the lovely book “The Tale of the Toothbrush”. This story is about a toothbrush that lands up in the ocean but has a little twist near the end!In Grade 1, the boys have been introduced to the new picture books and they have been eagerly trying to read them by themselves. I have encouraged the boys to take out books in the green section but a lot of them are still fascinated by snakes and dinosaurs! The most popular book this term,seemed to be the brand new book called The Bowerbird by the amazing Julia Donaldson. 

The Grade 2s were given the challenge to read as many red section books (chapter books) and then were all allowed to take a yellow book from the Grade 3 section. I read the book The Legend of Spud Murphy to them and changed the title to The Legend of Spud McLellan (my surname). The boys loved the fact it was about a ninja librarian and their teachers were mentioned in the story.

They could not wait till the last word in order for me to reveal the “true” book. Lots of fun and discussion on this including how books get published.

In Grade 3, the boys have been exposed to local authors, many different series and discussions of what happens in a library. The boys were also introduced to graphic novels of which they loved the Dog Man and InvestiGators series. With all that happens in the library, I have also included the General Knowledge quizzes which include True or False questions or moving up and down the outside stairs according to the right or wrong answers (the best fun ever)!In the Last week of this Second Term, the boys get to celebrate another Literacy Week. Exclusive books will be selling their books the whole week.

On Monday, the JP will have two authors visiting with age-appropriate books. Tuesday is the firm favourite of Hooked on Books and they get to wear their pyjamas that day! Grade 3s will join the Grade 4s and 5s for another author tale and on Thursday, the whole school will be watching On Cue Theatre performing Around the World in 80 days. A load of fun for the last week of school.It has been a very busy term but seeing the delight that the boys take in the library lessons has resulted in many treasured moments. Thank you to one and all for all the amazing support.

By Suzanne McLellan

SPORTS OVERVIEW

As we approach the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to express my excitement about the upcoming break and for your opportunity to spend some quality down time with your boys. This term has been filled with dedication, hard work, and remarkable achievements in sports, and now it’s time for well-deserved rest and relaxation.

The sports programme has hit the ground running with a perfect blend of enthusiasm and rigour. We have been diligently working towards expanding networking opportunities beyond our school’s confines, fostering a diverse range of experiences for our boys. 

I am delighted to share that our sports programme has shown promising results. The dedication of our boys has been commendable, and it is evident that they are driven to excel in their respective sports. Their commitment to hard work, resilience, and teamwork is a testament to the character of the young men we are nurturing at The Ridge.

I must extend a heartfelt thank you to our remarkable coaching staff. Their tireless efforts, expertise, and commitment to developing our young talents have been instrumental in driving our sports programme forward. Their dedication has produced some outstanding results, and I am confident that with their guidance, our boys will continue to flourish in their sporting endeavours.

As we reflect on the rugby season, we are thrilled to share some of the exceptional achievements and exciting developments within our rugby programme. The dedication and passion displayed by our boys, coaches, and supportive parents have contributed to a highly competitive and successful season. Our A and B teams have been outstanding, achieving remarkable results. Their commitment to the sport, along with their exceptional skill and teamwork, has been evident in every game they played. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the positive spirit they have brought to the field.

We are equally delighted to see the growth and progress of our C and D team boys. Playing two games has provided them with invaluable experience, improving their overall rugby knowledge and skill. Witnessing their development has been a rewarding experience, and we commend their dedication to learning and improving their game. One of the most gratifying aspects of this season has been the increased parental support for our rugby programme.

Your active involvement has had a profound impact on our boys. It has created a supportive and vibrant rugby community, where the players feel encouraged and uplifted by the presence of their families in the stands.

In a landmark moment for The Ridge, we were proud to have co-hosted the u11 Youth Day Festival for the first time. This event is a wonderful opportunity for young rugby enthusiasts from various schools to come together and celebrate the sport they love. Our u11 boys have showcased their talent and sportsmanship, and we are confident that this experience will be a stepping stone for their future rugby journey.

The Ridge took part at this years Independent Schools Rugby Festival hosted by WHPS. This year marks their Centenary, adding even more significance to the occasion. Our 1st Team competed against some of the top Independent Schools in the country.

Tennis:
Throughout the season, The Ridge tennis teams showcased a high level of commitment, competing weekly with enthusiasm and dedication. It was truly heartening to witness our boys’ passion for the tennis programme.We are pleased to announce that the tennis programme has recently welcomed two excellent coaches, Georgina Dougall and Callum Brand. Their coaching skills and expertise have significantly elevated the training and development of our tennis players. Under their guidance, our young athletes have made remarkable progress, improving their skills and techniques on the court. Their dedication to the sport has been invaluable in nurturing a strong foundation for our tennis programme. 

Cross-Country:
Our Cross-Country boys showcased commendable performances throughout the season, participating in various events hosted by different schools. The season concluded with an exciting Inter-Schools event held at Rietvlei Zoo Farm, generously hosted by St. John’s. Our runners rose to the occasion and demonstrated their dedication and skill on the course, making us incredibly proud of their achievements. A special mention must go to our u9 team who placed 1st. 

U9: 1st place U10: 7th place U11: 4th placeU12: 7th place Open:  8th place Climbing:
Our climbers have delivered extraordinary performances this season, and it brings us immense pride to share the remarkable achievements of Jack Heenan. He demonstrated exceptional talent and determination, securing first and second positions in the disciplines he entered. As many of you are aware, Jack’s exceptional skills were on full display during the Gauteng competition, where he claimed top honors in two separate disciplines. His outstanding performance earned him a well-deserved spot in the Gauteng u15 climbing team for the South African National Climbing Federation competition, held two weeks ago. Despite being too old for the u13 category and no u14 section available, Jack’s dedication and passion for climbing have propelled him to new heights, and we couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments.

Canoeing:
I am thrilled to share with you the outstanding achievements of our paddlers in both the GCU Sprint Trials and GCU Marathon events!

Congratulations to all the paddlers who competed in the GCU Sprint Trials at VLC, Germiston on Saturday, 4th February 2023. Your dedication and hard work have paid off, and we are incredibly proud of your performances.

Furthermore, a big round of applause goes out to the paddlers who participated in the GCU Marathon events held at ERK, Homestead dam on Saturday, 3rd, and Sunday, 4th June 2023. Your skills and determination during these events were truly commendable.We are especially proud to announce that the following paddlers have earned Gauteng Representation in the 2023 SA Sprints & SA Schools Sprint Championships at VLC, Germiston in April 2023.
Gauteng Representation List: 

• Asher William Wilson u10
• Mathew Kuhl u12
• Benjamin Carmichael u12
• Caden Wilson u12

Your achievements in both the junior GCU Sprint Trials and GCU Marathon events are a testament to your talent and commitment to the sport. You have made our school community proud, and we are excited to see you represent us on the national stage.As we look ahead to the upcoming championships and future events, let’s continue to support and encourage our paddlers. Your passion and dedication to paddling exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship and excellence that we strive to foster at our school.

We congratulate these boys for their unwavering dedication and commitment throughout the season, leading them to this fantastic achievement. Additionally, starting from half-term, all our boys have been actively engaged in compulsory football. We have concluded our season, and we are pleased to see impressive results across the board. This year, our Grade 7s had a football tour,with the A and B sides heading to Penryn and the C and D sides going to Camp Discovery.

Hockey:
Moving on to hockey, we have recently held trials to select a side to represent The Ridge at the annual Prep Schools Hockey Festival hosted by KEPS this year. We extend our best wishes to the 14 boys selected, who will be facing tough opposition nearing the end of their season, while we embark on the beginning of ours.

Basketball:
Basketball trials are underway. 12 boys will be selected to participate in the Annual Kearsney basketball tournament. We wish our boys well as they prepare for this.

Waterpolo:
During the Winter season, our boys in Grades 5, 6, and 7 demonstrated remarkable dedication by participating in the Winter League waterpolo. This additional commitment led them to exciting Friday afternoons, where they competed against provincial and school teams. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was evident that their hard work paid off as we performed exceptionally well against some of the finest polo players in Gauteng.

During this term, we are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional achievements of four boys at The Ridge. Among them, two boys earned provincial representation, showcasing their remarkable talents and dedication. Additionally, two other boys proudly represented The Ridge school in five different first team sports, embodying the true spirit of our sports program. A massive congratulations goes out to these boys for their outstanding accomplishments. Their hard work and commitment have not only brought honour to themselves but also added to the pride and excellence of our school’s sports community. Well done, and we look forward to witnessing more of your success in the future! 
Sports honours award

•  Yousha Gani (Southern Gauteng Hockey)
• Jack Heenean (Gauteng Climbing)
• Nick Goeller (five first team sports)
• Maddon Elliot (five first team sports)

I would like to extend my gratitude to all parents for your continuous support and encouragement. Your involvement in your son’s sporting endeavours makes a significant difference and adds to the sense of community and pride at The Ridge.

As we head into the holiday season, let’s take a moment to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and remarkable achievements of our boys in sports. It is through their passion and commitment that The Ridge continues to foster a culture of excellence and sportsmanship.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, relaxation, and quality time spent with your families. May the upcoming break rejuvenate our boys, and may they return to school with renewed vigour and enthusiasm for the sporting challenges that lie ahead.

Thank you once again for your support, and I look forward to welcoming our boys back for another exciting term of sports at The Ridge.

MARKETING OVERVIEW

The 2^nd term of school was busy but fun.

The boys learnt math and played in the sun.

Youth Day was celebrated, and boys donated their time.

To making sandwiches on Mandela Day, the boys were sublime.

During the school day the boys leant English and History But who can forget the snowfall, that will always be a mystery?

The Senior Prep boys performed the “Oddz, Sodz and Greek Gods” play.Where boys practiced and sang their hearts out each day.

The boys played cricket, rugby and chess but don’t forget the cake sales.

They are always the best.

Term 2 was busy but fun!

By Jenni Caister-Carbonari

LIGHTHOUSE OVERVIEW

The Lighthouse has experienced a busy Term 2. The first half of the term saw some of the Grade 2 boys begin with the RAVE-O reading program with much enthusiasm.

RAVE-O (Reading through Automaticity, Vocabulary, Engagement and Orthography) is a literacy programme based on the science of the brain and reading. It is an evidenced based intervention for learners struggling to read in Grades 1 to 5 and has shown to be effective across socio-economic, cultural and home language backgrounds.There has also been some staff movement in the department, with the Head of Learning Support, Penny Meyer, leaving us at the end of the term.

Zoë von Klemperer will be taking over as the new Head of Learning Support from 1 September 2023. We know that the Lighthouse and our boys are in good hands with Zoë and wish her all the best as she takes on her new responsibilities.

By Penny Meyer

GRADE 1 OVERVIEW

Our Grade 1 boys have made it through the coldest and longest term! The Second Term at The Ridge lends itself so well to the teaching of the seasons. The changing colours and falling leaves, wearing of tracksuits, and playing tag rugby all herald the onset of Autumn. The boys used all their creativity and autumn colours to decorate trees and create an Autumn feel in their classrooms.

The boys made grand crowns to celebrate the coronation of King Charles II and began their sentence writing journey recording this historic event. We all felt privileged to be a part of this wonderful event and witness the pomp and ceremony that the British do so well.

As the culmination of our Reptile theme, the Croc City outing was an enormous success. The boys behaved well and listened to the Guide with interest and asked relevant questions. The bus rides, well-equipped playground, picnic snack all added to the event. Learning all about Space is another favourite theme for the boys. They were amazed by the fact that without satellites, there would be no internet to play their online games.

The Senior Prep Musical Production was a highlight. The boys waited eagerly for the Matinee, and found the singing, dancing, and seeing familiar faces on stage enthralling. They loved naming the boys they knew from their SALT groups.

Grade 1s wait on the playground for their SALT leaders to fetch them for the SALT session. They find the activities fun and come back from the gatherings full of bounce and stories.
The boys love going to the computer laboratory with Mrs. Mafunise. They spend 30 minutes growing their mathematical skills using the Cami Maths Programme.

Junior Prep assembly is another weekly highlight, loving the birthday celebrations and the
announcement of the task money collected for The Hope School. R5 covers a wide range of tasks. Pets benefit from these tasks: fed, taken for walks, bathed, played with, given clean water, and occasionally just loved. This is all for R5.

At Assembly, Happy Chappy is for the Grade 3s but Grade 1 waits with anticipation for the next Happy Chappy and are as enthusiastic at the announcement of the recipient, as possibly the boy himself.

The snow created great excitement and it was a moment of wonder as the snow fell silently all around the school. The boys were mesmerized and thrilled to be seeing and touching snow, many for the first time. A very well-planned phonics lesson introducing the sound “ow” blow the snow fortuitously coincided with a flurry of snow on Monday 11th July causing extreme excitement and wonder. So many questions arose that the careful planning for the day was sidetracked as we learnt more about snow.

The boys made sandwiches for Mandela Day and enjoyed taking part in this activity. We are ending the term with our much-anticipated Founder’s Day celebrations to end on a high note!

The Grade 1 Team

GRADE 3 OVERVIEW

The Grade 3s had the most enjoyable time in Term 2. The theme was Animals and they started off the term with a trip to Magaliesberg for a practical experience in the river whereby the boys looked for various insects that indicated the ‘river health’. Two moms joined our team and the one mom, a Freshwater ecologist, guided our boys in this activity. 

The boys also had an opportunity to deliver speeches on an Animal of their choice. They worked hard and did quite a bit of research. The boys spoke confidently with cue cards, made good eye contact and shared interesting facts with their classmates. During our computer time boys could use their knowledge of animals and present it in a typed project inserting photos, changing the font and adding extra features. They enjoyed this project thoroughly. In Mathematics the boys covered the concept of money and visited Snazzy Max on the school property.

They brought a certain amount of money to buy items at Snazzy Max and afterwards had to work out the change. Obviously, the eating part was the most favorable. Our second theme after Half Term was Sport with special focus on Tour De France. We had a dad speaking to us about cycling and the ins and outs of Tour De France. The boys learnt all about the different jerseys, stages like the Queens stage etc. sticky bottles and even our very own ‘Tours De South Africa’, which is The Cape Argus and 94,7 Cycle race. We followed the stages daily and the enthusiasm grew as the names of the front riders became more familiar. The boys had to design a bicycle, thereafter, using different textures and add some special features to it. They had loads of fun.

As we were approaching Founder’s Day at school, the Junior Prep participated in a history week of The Ridge School. Jenny Herman, our school’s archivist, took our Grade 3s for a day of fun, sport and history around our school. Boys learnt about the different headmasters, how they used to start their day with sporting drills, a visit to the Dunn Koppie and ending off with a 1920 Sports Day at The Ridge. Wow, the way they dress was a sight to see, Durban July has seen nothing.

On the last day the boys visited Holy Family School in Parktown and experienced a day in the life of a 1920 classroom with ink wells, desks and cursive handwriting. Boys dressed up in olden day school wear and spent the day in the attic and around the school. The boys had a good learning experience at school this past term, both academically and practically. The classroom came to life and we hope that these memorable experiences will never be forgotten.

By Carmin Groenewald

GRADE 6 OVERVIEW

“Slow and steady wins the race.” This is how I would describe the journey our Grade 6 boys have undertaken thus far. The last few months have been filled with challenges and growth, and the boys can be so proud of how far they have come.

Success has come in various forms, from the sports field to our boys being recognised for their achievements in music and choir as well as, most recently, the Grade 4 to 7 production. Despite the busyness of the term, our boys have prided themselves on each task and approached each week with enthusiasm, winning a coveted pizza party as a reward. Sports fixtures with our local rivals have led to great teamwork and camaraderie.

The boys have learnt valuable lessons about losses and victories. These lessons ranged from teamwork, discipline, connection with coaches and their peers, and to embrace their full potential. As part of our Mandela Day Activities, we spent a happy morning, writing cards and putting beautiful gift bags together for the staff of Princess Alice Adoption Home.

The well-received donations will also have a huge impact on the little ones being looked after at this wonderful place of safety. We are encouraged to see that the boys are happy and willing to foster empathy, instilling in them a sense of pride and fulfilment. 

The Grade 6 boys have been on a rewarding journey of growth and learning. It is important to acknowledge their efforts both in and out of the classroom and we look forward to seeing how they build meaningful friendships, find their sense of belonging and make connections with both staff and peers in a meaningful way as the year continually unfolds.

By Deidre Leibrandt

GRADE 7 OVERVIEW

We are extremely proud of our Grade 7 boys, who have managed a busy term with such maturity and enthusiasm. The boys were the lead roles in the Senior Prep production and displayed great talent and teamwork. The college application process can sometimes be daunting for our boys, and they managed the process with such resilience and grit. We had 16 scholarship offers this year, and we congratulate the boys on their wonderful achievements. Many of our boys continue to do amazing work with the Headmaster’s Leadership Programme, and we encourage them to continue working on their components. The boys hosted a tea for the residents at Park Care Centre for Mandela Day, and our boys displayed kindness and patience. The boys put together a special morning for the residents, and in doing so, they were able to appreciate the importance of spending time with and creating joy for others. The Grade 7 boys have had a meaningful and productive term and we look forward to a happy Term 3.

By Urvasi Naidoo

The Ridge School hosted its very first football match against Salvazione. It was a fun day filled with friendly football matches. The children displayed competitive football skills, good sportsmanship and passion for a sport they all enjoy. Our school fields were bursting with energetic, enthusiastic and budding young footballers who played with grit and passion. We are proud of both schools.

SALVAZIONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

You may have heard again of our outreach school Salvazione Primary in Mayfair – this unique school offers a safe learning environment for 219 children from Grade 0 to Grade 7 who are not able to attend local schools due to their financial and personal circumstances.

Salvazione will in the coming weeks launch its Friends of Salvazione fundraising programme and is also looking for volunteers to participate in the literacy and numeracy programmes at the school under the auspices of The Link Literacy Project which is held on Thursday mornings between 8:15am and 10:15am for literacy and 10:30am and 12:00pm for numeracy for Grades 2 and 3 (see https://www.thelinkliteracyproject.co.za/our-centres/salvazione/ for more details. No experience is needed other than your enthusiasm, so please consider lending a hand to this incredibly worthwhile and fulfilling cause!

There is a lot of good work taking place at Salvazione and many initiatives are underway thanks to volunteers and donations. Please email Eleonore on fundraising@salvazione.org to hear more about how you can make a difference.

FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS

SCIENCE EXPO

TEACHERS VS ESTATE STAFF

Our Ridge coaches and some of the teachers played a soccer game against our estate staff to cap off the season. After a very competitive but enjoyable game, the estate staff defeated the coaching staff 6-5. This victory will go down in history because the coaches have not been defeated in the last ten years. Congratulations, Gentlemen

RIDGEUP

The Grade 7 RidgeUp boys created, in groups, A3 drawings, each of which is linked to one of their South African poems. Each poem had been studied and discussed. This was followed by groups being allocated one poem and then visualising its key messages. Groups then had to present an analysis of their poem using the visual as their base.

HISTORY WEEK AT THE RIDGE

The JP is participating in The Ridge School, History Week. The boys are learning about their previous Headmasters, buildings and Founders of our school. Mrs Jenny Herman, the coordinator and school archivist, prepared amazing interactive activities, including tasting cod liver oil. This History Week allows the JP boys to experience school in the year 1920, where pens were swopped for ink wells and how handwriting was practised back in the day.

Mandela Day Celebrations

The Ridge Coaches vs Pridwin STAFF

Congratulations to The Ridge Coaches and their victory over their main rivals Pridwin Preparatory School. The game was played last Saturday in good spirit and camaraderie amongst fellow coaches. Thank you to all that came to show their support. 

Coaches training session

Assistant coach from the Univerisity of Pretoria Nicholas Stothard hosted a coach-the-coaches session with The Ridge School Football coaches. He shared his knowledge about coaching and how to improve our football skills. Thank you Nicholas Stothard.

Play Practice

Our Senior Prep boys have been working hard in preparation for their Senior Production of “Oddz, Sodz, and the Greek Gods.” The production week has arrived. “Teamwork makes the dream work”.

Grade 2 Soccer

The Grade 2s hosted St John’s Preparatory for a friendly soccer game. It was a delightful afternoon with both schools having a good time. Congratulations to the boys for displaying good sportsmanship and The Ridge spirit.

Grade 3 Tour de France

The Grade 3s theme “Sport” focused on the Tour De France. They learnt about the different jerseys, watched the different stages and followed the winners daily. A Grade 3 parent came to talk to us about cycling and mentioned our own 94.7 and Cape Argus cycle tours. It was very informative and fun, and the boys enjoyed picking up his 7,6kg bicycle

Sports Honours

Congratulations to Nick Goeller and Maddon Elliot for being awarded sports honours. This is a remarkable accomplishment in representing The Ridge in five different first-team sports and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Academic Recognition Awards

Congratulations to these boys on their Academic Recognition for 2 semesters of 80% and above. Academic Honours for 3 semesters of 80% and above. Both starting in their Grade 6 year. Keep up the hard work boys

The Ridge Attribute Awards

We would like to celebrate Mufunwa Tsatsawane for receiving the attribute of “respecting the learning process”. For fully engaging and always giving 110%.

Congratulations to Matthew Kuhl, for showing the Right Ridge attributes and receiving an award for being respectfully bold. 

Congratulations to Sinesipho Sibiya for receiving the award for having the Right Ridge attributes. For always choosing INTEGRITY over everything

Student Social Justice Community

Congratulations to our first-ever Student Social Justice Committee. This committee will address student concerns and devise solutions to improve The Ridge community.

Scholarship Awards

Celebrating 100 days

What an exhilarating day it was for our Grade 0 boys! They had reached the milestone of spending 100 days at The Ridge School, and to make this occasion even more memorable, we were blessed with snow. The unexpected snowfall was an added extra touch of uniqueness which made it a very special day.

Hockey Champs

Congratulations to these boys who represented the Provincial and Regional Hockey teams. Yousha Gani U13A, Southern Gauteng won a silver medal and Iain Thomson U13 Southern Gauteng District 9, a gold medal. We are proud of you boys.

Karate Champ

Congratulations Hugo Cantrell in Grade 3, who entered two events at the South African KWF Karate Championship and won gold and silver medals. Well done

Cross-Country Awards

Congratulations to these Grade 6 and 7 boys who were awarded their Cross-Country Badges. They placed in the top 20 at an Inter School event, demonstrating a consistent contribution throughout the entire cross-country season.

our amazing estate team

Always the first to arrive and last to leave, from cleaning the classroom to serving us tea and cake. Tending to  the beautiful Ridge Gardens and freshening the paint work, all done with a smile, behind the scenes. We appreciate and love all the estate and kitchen staff. Thank you for being a part of our Ridge family.

THE GRADE 1s HAD A BUSY TERM

The Grade 1s put a lot of effort into their academic work. They use art to spark their imaginations. They also participate in sports, working on their ball skills and beating on drums during music….another great day in Grade 1.

Salt

SALT stands for “sharing and learning together”. During today’s SALT session, the entire school participated in an activity discussing unity and creating a  Unity Wall at the school. Important questions included “What unity means”, “What positive qualities enable unity” and how a Ridge Boy can encourage unity at the school.

Proudly South african

The Grade 2 parents had a South African-themed food demonstration for all the Grade 2 boys. The boys had an amazing time making koeksusters and vetkoek as well as tasting mielie bread and boerewors. Their busy morning ended off with a cup of rooibos and a delicious rusk. They not only introduced the boys to new and delicious foods but also to the rich and diverse cultures of South Africa.

Grade 7 Boys learnt about vertebrates

Having completed the section on biodiversity, the Grade 7 boys culminated this section of work by dissecting a fish, which depicted the characteristics of vertebrates.

UP AND COMING EVENTS

The times we are in remain challenging and uncertain. Based on our experiences in the last two years, we all know of someone who has lost their job, closed their business, changed their school, or succumbed in the most severe way. Our duty calls for us to keep supporting each other, praying for friends and family, adapting, and caring without ceasing.

After a super busy year with all the challenges and opportunities it presented, the wellness of the staff and especially the boys is more important than it has ever been. The love felt by a parent does not automatically translate into love experienced by the child. The same holds true in teaching – what we feel for the children in our care does not automatically translate into that being experienced, unless we are deliberate and practical in our actions. It remains our endeavour at The Ridge to be deliberate in our actions so that all those in our community experience the care we feel. I am certain that the historical record in this magazine testifies to the immense care and effort that everyone in our community has put into making it a special one for the boys. These actions, in many ways, are representative of the ‘fruits’ we are called to grow.

The events, activities and the programme that is outlined in the magazine, is a teaching of the following when one considers growing ‘fruit’.

• The tree does not consume its own fruit. It is produced for the benefit of others. Let our fruits be for the benefit of others – be deliberate in making sure others experience love, patience, goodness… and not assume that they experience it because we feel it.  
• Fruit is not produced the same day the roots take to the ground. Invest daily in the parts of yourself where it is produced. The mind and heart produce what you feed it.  
• Fruits are not produced by the tree itself. If a tree is not producing, we do not look to fix the tree but the environment in which it is planted. If you feel that the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control are not being produced in your life – fix the environment.  

I have often spoken about not going back to normal and to create a different quality of life. In doing so, I look to encourage you with these reflections:

• Do not focus on where you must get to – focus on how far you have come. You are better because of it.  
• What you did this year was based on the knowledge you had. Do not judge yourself or others for the actions of this year – they were because of the options available at that time. Now that you know better, you can do better. 
• You may not see it now or tomorrow, but when you look back at this year, you will be awed by how everything added up to take you somewhere more wonderful or amazing than where you were headed. You will be grateful that things did not work out the way you once hoped it would.  
• Mental, emotional and physical health is more important than academic progression. There will always be given time to develop academically. 
• Generally, in life, it has become second nature to complain about all the things we have to do. Without questioning it, we became accustomed to have-to-do lists. It became an essential part of being organised. I hope that we change our mindset – now we have get-to-do lists. This is not playing on semantics – it is a magnificent attitude – we get to go to school, we get to spend time at home, we get to learn, we get to experience new things. We get to… 

Now, go and do.

By Wayne Naidoo

TRIBUTE TO WAYNE NAIDOO BY GLYNNIS MOORE

Wayne joined The Ridge School as Headmaster in August 2021. From the beginning, he worked tirelessly to continue the proud traditions of The Ridge School yet to make it relevant to today’s society and the world in which the boys inhabit. He maintained equilibrium and high standards while the school was in the midst of COVID restrictions and although this was not an easy time, he carefully guided the process of returning to regular schooling. 

Wayne is a visionary who held high ideals for The Ridge School and its future. Although he was here for a short period of time, he made significant contributions in terms of putting structures and policies in place that were well-considered so that the management and functioning of the school could improve and progress.

Wayne was approachable and accessible to the entire Ridge community at all times.  He had an unfailing readiness to listen and the profound ability to empathise and view matters from multiple perspectives. With an air of humility, he managed difficult situations with diplomacy, In staff meetings, he guided discussions deftly and tactfully.  Wayne has an analytical brain and is an adept problem solver. He did not lose sight of the bigger picture and would bear in mind the distant implications of decisions and issues. Decisions were always taken with fairness, wisdom, immense integrity and for the overall good of The Ridge School, the school community and in particular, the boys.

His mantra to the Executive Team and staff was “Deep change or slow death” and his commitment to deep change will have a lasting effect. Wayne has dedicated his life to education and will no doubt continue to make valuable contributions to education as he takes up his new position at WPPS in Cape Town. We will continue to collaborate and share ideas and in so doing, extend our network with similar boys’ schools across the country. 

Wayne is someone with integrity and dedication to his faith and values. His commitment to his family and to family values is honourable. We wish Wayne, Fiona, Abby and Jessie all the best for their journey ahead.

TRIBUTE TO MANDY HEROLD BY THE JUNIOR PREP TEAM

How does one start a tribute for someone who has changed the language around teaching of boys and how they are seen?

It all started 12 years ago when Mandy took up the position of Head of Junior Prep. At that stage she had 2 young children with Ryan and Robyn being toddlers at the time.

It was during her second year at The Ridge that Mandy had a dual role, that of Head and of parent. This was not an easy task, to be sure, but she took it in her stride while always considering what was best for the boys in the Junior Prep.

It was also during her time with us that she met (as she refers to him) “her person”. Gareth has been a pillar of strength for Mandy as the challenges of the job morphed and changed with the needs of the boys. It must be said that Mandy has always been the biggest cheerleader for Gareth for all that he does, learning significant amounts of information about hockey. It was surprising that you were not roped in to coach one of the teams here!

With Mandy’s unshakable belief that the children in today’s world need more coping strategies than ever before, her interest in finding out more took her to America. There are 2 thought leaders that have caused a shift in Mandy’s approach to what is now common language in the Junior Prep. I like to refer to them as the Double B’s. For those who have not had the privilege of reading up or being at a workshop, these Double B’s are Brene Brown and Becky Bailey.

Brene Brown is known in particular for her research on shame, vulnerability, and leadership. Becky Bailey is an award-winning author, renowned teacher and internationally recognized expert in childhood education and developmental psychology.

Together these 2 ladies have had a huge impact not only on how we teach the boys in the Junior Prep, but also on how we engage with each other. Mandy has used the teachings of these woman to build a better team and a greater understanding of boys and how they learn. By implementing Conscious Discipline lessons throughout the Junior Prep the boys have a common language that can be used to express themselves.

Mandy’s investment in the Conscious Discipline way of thinking has led her to be the  first International Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor in Africa as well as member of the Association for Coaching. Her passion has taken her to great heights, speaking on this topic at conferences and workshops. It is ultimately this new window into teaching that has taken her on her new adventures.

With both highs and lows during your time here, you have always worn your heart on your sleeve! Thank you for your passion and commitment to The Ridge School, never wavering in your belief of how beneficial Social and Emotional Learning is to our boys. We look forward to seeing how your new adventure takes you further. I am sure you won’t miss the mundane tasks such as report editing, meeting after meeting and the lost property. Whenever you feel too calm, please visit us to help out in all those areas!  

I doubt that you will need any one of these during the next year. A pretzel, a balloon, a drain or a S T A R because you will already be calm 😊

TRIBUTE TO JOE KOTWAL BY CHRIS VERSTER

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree at Rhodes University, Joe started his teaching career in 2004 at his Alma Mater, Parktown Boys. He quickly climbed the ranks and was Head of Geography, Head of Grade 12, Chief Examiner for Finals and still gave of his time on the sports field. Joe coached the 1st hockey team to win the Aitken Trophy (the most prestigious high schools hockey competition in Johannesburg). Joe could also not be stumped on the cricket field. He took the 1st team which won the Chubb Challenge as well as becoming the u16 Night series champions.

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions – Author Unknown. In 2012, Joe completed a Post-Graduation Diploma in Management and moved into the role of Director of Marketing whilst still at Parktown Boys. This was a brave move and indeed Joe’s calling. He joined the Ridge at the beginning of 2016 as Director of Marketing in a role that had been created. Another brave move, leaving his Alma Mater and comfortable environment. Joe had no shoes to fill and no experience in a prep school, yet it was a role that he developed and made his own. He made an immediate impact on the school community and the saying of “Does Joe Know” echoed throughout many a Staff, PA and Exec meeting. In 2019, the Marketing Department went to the next level, with the school’s Centenary Celebrations. It was probably Joe’s busiest year ever and his wonderful dry sense of humour and ability to remain calm and unflappable in all situations, really prepared The Ridge for a most happy year-long celebration.

As a colleague, friend, business partner and lover…of red wine, I still don’t know how to fully describe Joe. I found an interesting way around this dilemma and consulted John Platter’s book on the description of wines. There are some informative descriptions that bear uncanny resemblance to people; one sums up Joe Kotwal rather well:

• Pinotage: intensely individual, robust, with potential for refined development, when matured it is luscious.

• Merlot: generally softer and more approachable in youth.

• Cab Sav: Plenty of class and style, worthy of aging. 

The above wines are close descriptions, but to me Joe Kotwal is a shiraz. Shiraz: inspirational, with style and quality, able to express itself most eloquently. It has classic attributes of being spicy, with warm hints of fruitiness, combined with gentle traces of nuttiness.

By his very nature, Joe likes to call a spade a spade and does not appreciate any form of indecision or circumvention. He is a hard and methodical worker who gets the job done. At a recent Exec Meeting, we were asked if we were an animal, what would we be and why? Joe said that he would be a lion. I am not sure why he thinks he would be a lion, we all know that his roar is bigger than his bite! Now if I had to choose an animal for Joe, I would choose a ram. Highly revered as one of those rare creatures that even the most terrifying of beasts would not deal with, rams are easily seen by many as a symbol of grit, determination, and fearlessness. Capable of fighting off a host of big game predators, it inspires us to stand firm and tall in the face of life’s most challenging situations.

So, Joe takes another plunge, from stand alone to a bigger more complex environment in that of St David’s Inanda. That’s again brave, braver than some of us. An apt quote is John Keats: I leaped headlong into the Sea, and thereby have become better acquainted with the Surroundings, the quicksand, and the rocks, than if I had stayed upon the green shore and took tea and comfortable advice: (John Keats, from a letter to J.A Hessey, 8 October 1818.)  

The dog barks and the caravan moves on. Joe, you have made an impact wherever you have gone, and will continue to do so wherever you go. I think you underestimate the difference you have made to the boys, staff and parents. Your moral compass and the fact that you are just a good human being is respected by us all. Go well my friend, The Ridge’s loss is most certainly St David’s gain!

TRIBUTE TO ERICA KINNEAR BY THE GRADE 4 TEAM

Erica, Easy E, Miss K, ma’am. You go by many names but we all know you as the salt of the earth Miss K.

It’s time to bid you farewell. From a colleague to a mentor and now a true friend. We are all going to miss you dearly. Your passion, dedication and commitment to The Ridge School and education as a whole has spanned some 40 years, 18 of which were shared with The Ridge School. You came out to South Africa from the Highlands in Scotland with a gap year in mind. This gap year has now lasted 39 years and counting, and boy have you made the most of each and every one of those years!

From our lively grade meetings, to enjoying a Hansa on your swoop home at Pirates, your time and company are always cherished. The last 4 years have been nothing short of incredible. From celebrating the Centenary Year, to navigating online learning, to finding our feet again in this new normal and now finally for the last dance. 

Your infectious sense of humour and hilarious ‘Little Rocking’ motion when re-enacting a story, are going to be sorely missed. But nothing more than the care, love and passion that you share with not only the boys but us as staff, who have become friends and some even family. E, you are the most amazing educator and I know I can speak on behalf of all the young men and women that have had the privilege of having had you as their teacher. 

Although our ‘dream team’ is parting ways it has been an absolute pleasure being part of the team and the guidance and wisdom that you have both shared with me are so appreciated and I cannot thank you enough!

In closing, some of your finest quotes: “Make a plan and not a fuss”, “You can’t fly on one wing” and finally “I hope I don’t get like you, when I’m your age”. These all speak to your real zest for life, to never sweat the small stuff and to live each day like it is your last!

Thank you for everything, E! We will all miss you dearly. 

TRIBUTE TO LAUREN BAINES FOURIE BY THE JUNIOR PREP TEAM

Lauren Baines-Fourie has been a teacher at The Ridge School since August 2011. She started her time as a locum in Grade 2 and never left. 😊

Lauren worked with Izette Varty, Wendy Schultz, Kathi Rossouw, Tessa McWilliams,Tracy Beukes and the always amazing Ms Miriam Mafunise over the years. Even though the group changed, the humour, fun and support was a constant. Laughter, an anecdote or two about the boys and a cuppa have always been the way to begin the day.

When Covid hit and we were all in a state of panic, Lauren stepped up and provided much needed calm, assistance and moral support with Seesaw, an online learning platform that was used to engage with the boys and parents. Lauren helped us with the tech to record videos, create activities and respond with digital marking. She helped us maintain a sense of humour at a time when we really needed it.     

As a team, we have shared so many happy moments with Lauren. From the time she met her lovely husband Juan, an engagement, wedding and the birth of her adorable daughters, Olivia and Sienna.

Lauren leaves to pursue new ventures and the Grade 1 Team would like to wish her all the love and happiness in the world. 

TRIBUTE TO SARAH BEHR BY MANDY HEROLD

The year was 2015 and we were looking for a Grade 0 teacher to take over from the legendary, Jenny Jones. Bennie du Preez recommended that we interview a young intern from WHPS, so we did! The rest as they say in the classics, is history!

Sarah joined our JP team in January 2016 and very quickly found her feet in and out of the classroom with the staff, parents and boys. She consistently went above and beyond the call of duty for her colleagues and boys. Sarah opened her home in Lawley Road for many a staff gather and always hosted friends in the most generous manner.

In 2019, Sarah moved to Grade 1 for a year and was then appointed as Head of Grade 0 from January 2020.

Sarah has been the most dedicated and avid supporter of The Ridge School, including many, many school functions over the years – Galas, Rugby festivals, Founders’ Day, sports fixtures, cocktail parties and plays. She’s been a key role player in the SP Climbing extra-mural club and supervised the boys at City Rock and on campus.

Two of my highlights with Se were the ECD conference in Rustenburg at Lebone College in March 2017 and our KZN school visits in 2019, where we stayed with her fabulous parents in Durban.

Sarah personifies a contagious positive energy and professionalism. She has been a gift to our school family and from the bottom of my heart, I wish her all the very best on the next step of her journey as Headmistress of The Parks Pre-Primary. I just know that she’s going to inject her ‘Sarah-magic’ into that lucky community. 

Tribute to Cameron Eliot by Erica Kinnear AND Maresce Opperman

Cameron joined the Grade 4 team at The Ridge in 2019. He is a passionate teacher and we are all the richer for having him on the staff. Cameron has been amazing in giving the boys who have passed through Grade 4 during his time, an unforgettable year. As the boys make the daunting transition into the Senior Prep, he is unfailingly kind and caring. He quickly gains their trust, gradually builds their confidence and gives them the tools to go on to enjoy a happy, fulfilling year of growth.

Cameron is always willing to take on any challenge and nothing is ever too much for him. He has enjoyed the opportunity to teach Earth Sciences to the Grade 7s, over and above his Grade 4 commitments. Having experience as an intern, he offered his services to assist with, and enhance our intern programme. Cameron loves his sport and has been fully involved in coaching rugby, football, cricket and hockey to a range of age groups. He has also, happily and successfully, accompanied several sports tours. Over the last four years, we have been fortunate enough to benefit from Cameron’s commitment to immersing himself fully in the life of the school.

Cam, we thank you for all you have brought and contributed to The Ridge. You are going to be sorely missed by boys, staff and parents alike, but you really deserve this wonderful opportunity to make your mark in London. Just remember, they don’t sell Hansas and you need an umbrella! Take care and go well, Cam. We know you will continue to make us proud.

Tribute to Naadhirah Loonat by

Glynnis Moore

Naadirah began teaching at The Ridge School in 2020. It was a difficult time to begin as a new teacher as we were in the midst of COVID and online learning. Yet, Naadirah was a fast learner and showed her resilience by finding ways to educate her learners in as efficient and educationally sound manner as possible.

Naadirah has been a Grade 5 class teacher for the past two years and has also had a focus on teaching English. As a class teacher, she set firm boundaries yet was empathetic and kind towards all her students. She worked collaboratively with parents and was keen to engage with them when required to do so. Naadirah has an interest in children who learn differently and has worked closely with the Lighthouse to assist those boys who require more support. She knows her boys extremely well and is sensitive to their needs and emotions.

In her teaching, Naadirah equipped her learners with the knowledge, skills, ways of thinking and working that are needed for their future lives as leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, innovators and workers in different vocations. 

Naadirah was a part of the Project Based Learning (PBL) team from the second term onwards. Here she demonstrated her ability to work collaboratively within a team of teachers; to innovate; to learn new modes of pedagogy; see the value in it and to facilitate learning in a different way. She also surprised us with her ability to direct boys and bring out the best in them when they were required to present to a wider audience. 

The boys will miss the guidance, support and encouragement that  they received from Naadirah and her kind nature. In addition, she has been a valued colleague. Naadirah leaves us to take up a position at her Alma Mater, Roedean School for Girls and we wish her well in her future career which will no doubt be a bright one.

Tribute to Scott Mallen by Nico Seakamela

To dearest Scott, and this not many people know…

We’ve known one another for years; I’m not just saying that for show.

Quiet, calm, and very unassuming, you are your own man

Caring, kind and often amusing.

The year was 2020 when you came to us.

Dedication, commitment, when it came to the boys there was never a fuss

You leave your mark here, and for this I can attest.

With many parents and boys, stating that you’re simply the best.

Your best attribute is that you see the boys.

The human touch without the noise.

Yet another chapter, now awaits

Like the boys at break, it is open gates.

Mum, sister and now, you

The Ridge Golden thread, it deeply runs through.

Scott the Mensch, you’re a hellava guy

Tot siens, hamba kahle and a fond goodbye.

Tribute to Aiyabongwe Dube by Maresce Opperman

Congratulations on securing a new internship which will create more learning opportunities for the specific teaching phase you have embarked on.

On behalf of the teachers and the special boys at The Ridge School, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to you for the various contributions you have made to The Ridge School. I thank you for your dedication and commitment.

It is always difficult to say goodbye, but it gets easier when we know that you are ready for your forthcoming journey and that this experience is going to be worthwhile and rewarding. You, as a person will grow tremendously as you are all set to move out of this zone and explore more of the world and yourself.

I would like to impress on you to always see yourself as an ambassador of this school and never allow selfish interests to blemish the integrity that you have nurtured over your years here. Be kind and good to people you meet on your way. Allow the words of your elders to guide you as you journey on to greatness. Dream big and be optimistic. Be the change you want to see in the world!

Tribute to Tafadzwa Matariro By Maresce Opperman

Four years ago, you came to the Ridge School as an enthusiastic and naive young man and today you leave as a mature individual ready to face the real world. The time has come when you are required to become serious about life and make important decisions that will determine your future. When I look at you today, I see a leader of tomorrow. Someone who will make a difference by sharing what he has learnt.

I would like to thank you for all you have done for the Ridge School, its teachers and most important of all, the boys!

You have got all the potential and now you must find the right platform to express your talent and make your dreams come true.

Tribute to Siya Makinana by Cameron Eliot AND Maresce Opperman

Siya, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and working alongside you this year. Although your stay at The Ridge was brief, your contribution to the school is so appreciated.

Particular mention is to be made for your commitment and involvement in the hockey season, travelling down to
Rondebosch with the boys, coaching them and umpiring whenever you were called upon.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, although this may not necessarily be in teaching, I am sure you will continue to succeed in your field of coaching. Thank you for everything and I wish you all the best for next year!

REMEMBERING MAX MOYO

We hosted a special tea to commemorate the unveiling of the plaque in memory of Nabazayo “Max” Moyo, who served The Ridge community with a gentle enduring spirit, warmth, and kindness.

We had the pleasure of welcoming 46 Old Boys from our Grade 7 Class of 2017, and their parents to a special assembly. Our honoured guests reconnected whilst reminiscing about their time here at The Ridge. After the assembly, a few of them visited their former teachers and even spent time with our boys, sharing advice and of course stories of their days at The Ridge.

Congratulations to the following Ridge Old Boys at Hilton College, Oliver Joyner has been named McKenzie Head of House for 2023, Ben Kok has been named Head of Academics for 2023, and Matthew Peters has been named Newnham Head of House for 2023 and Captain of Rowing. Christopher Harty received full academic colours, Flynn Newell received honours for academics, Ross Short received full academic colours (A levels), Luke Holden received a Merit Certificate for Soccer, Thomas Roy received half-colours for soccer, and Murray Brink received half-colours for rugby 7’s.

Congratulations to Daniel Bloom, Head of Ochse House (St Alban’s College) and to Sean Ruwodo, David Ball and Leruo Mophatlane , Espin House prefects at St Andrew’s College. May you continue to proudly fly our flag.

Congratulations to the following Ridge old boys on becoming prefects and heads of their various houses at Michaelhouse. David du Toit – Head of Baines House, Oliver von Klemperer – Prefect of East House, Marc du Plessis – Prefect of Ralfe House, Oliver Walters – Prefect of Pascoe House and Cameron Fleming – Prefect of Farfield House. We are proud of all of you gentlemen. Keep striving for excellence.

Not often do young men like Sebastian Bouilliart come around. As a young boy at The Ridge he was amazing, as a young man, he is exceptional.Sebastian has been named the Dux Scholar at St John’s College for 2022.
He received the subject prize in the following subjects at the recent Valedictory Mass,
AP Mathematics, English, French, History, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Orientation

We are very proud of our Ridge Old Boys: Weston Davis, Lebusa Mokhele and Sam Wearne, who have been elected as prefects for 2023 at St David’s Marist Inanda. Further congratulations to Charlie Dewar who has just received his South African colours for Polo.

We would like to congratulate Courtney Jamnik at Southern Cross in Hoedspruit on his election as the Head of the boarding house and also the house captain for Bateleur House. We are proud of you.

SENIOR PREP OVERVIEW

On your marks, get set and GO! The year 2022 was always going to be an action packed one. Having lived under strict COVID protocols for close on three years the school was bursting at the seams to come back to life. 

One of the things we strive to achieve is to build a dynamic learning environment that engages our students, promotes deep understanding, and nurtures a love of lifetime learning and inquiry. One of the ways that The Ridge is trying to engender this mindset is through the introduction of PBL (Project Based Learning) 

It goes to reason that, if we support students in becoming active creators, initiators, problem finders and community members while we as teachers focus on coaching, mentoring, and being community navigators; then students’ understanding, engagement, curiosity, and self-direction will increase.

We are once again pleased to note that our boys remain highly valued and prized by many of our leading Colleges around the country. Whilst we passionately believe that the process of learning should be more valued than the outcome, it is with a great degree of pride that we announce that our boys were offered no fewer than eighteen scholarships this year.

The school is most alive and vibrant, when we open our doors and invite our community in. After a long hiatus, we were able to welcome back many of our traditional events. Founders’ day is one such occasion with the excitement being palpable as the days drew closer. The day as has become custom was an enormous success. 

This day, more than most, highlights what makes this school so incredibly special. Whilst the clothing and food stores can keep one occupied and fed for hours and the music performed keeps one entertained. It is the people, “our community” and the generosity of spirit coupled with friendship and laughter that makes this a red-letter day.

Speaking of things that lift the spirit, another personal highlight was when we hosted the premiere of the Mission Joy movie, featuring The Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This documentary was a celebration of the human spirit, the power of the “human touch” and how leading with kindness can spread joy.

Having last had a music tour in 2016, it was with great excitement that the school embarked on a tour de force to KwaZulu Natal. The boys played with passion and enthusiasm and fully embraced the opportunity to spread joy through their musical gifts. Our boys were well received whenever we performed and more importantly, they conducted themselves in a manner of which our community could feel proud.

Music touches us emotionally where words alone cannot. The boys and music department fortunately for us, took this to heart. Back in full swing, parents and staff were treated to musical soirées, Carols by Candlelight, and a most fabulous return to the Linder Auditorium where we hosted both the Junior and Senior Choir Festivals.

The academic year never feels complete without a school production, and the Grade 7 adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk proved to be just the tonic and an enormous success. It has been said of this particular year group “That when they are called upon to show the Right Stuff and need to perform, they never fail to deliver,” and our boys should be proud of that. The boys and the production team deserve an enormous amount of credit for a most enjoyable and slick production.

Not to be outdone, our fabulous PA team was in full force once again. They came together and gave of their love, commitment, and time to put together a host of scintillating events. We had Lumo Dances, Night Runs, Golf Days, Cake Sales and even the occasional art auction. 

Sport plays a huge role in a young boy’s life and we at the Ridge use this as an opportunity to inculcate strong values. Sport allows us to be intentional in displaying empathy, resilience, respect, authenticity, and a sense of belonging.

It feels like we toured every inch of the country this year, from Knysna, to Cape Town, Mpumalanga to Durban. Nowhere was too far for us to travel in search of competition and the boys jumped at the opportunity to travel and play competitive sports once more.

Besides the obvious health benefits and mental well-being that sports provide, it presents opportunities to strengthen bonds and ties with other schools near and far. The Ridge School is renowned for being fantastic hosts and this year was no different. 

We hosted the Independent Schools Cricket Festival which feels like a school’s mini World Cup, such was the competition and number of schools that came through our gates. The festival provided opportunities to rekindle friendships and play competitive cricket in a festival environment. Where involvement and personal and collective growth is the measure of success not merely results.   

There was also a welcome return of grade camps for both boys and staff. The camaraderie, team-building, socialisation and grit these camps provide for the boys should not be underestimated. For the staff, the hidden curriculum comes into play beautifully, and provides another lens in which to see our boys. 

The year was action packed from start to finish and we would not have it any other way. As we lean towards the finish line, I wish you all a blessed and restful festive season and a reminder to lead with empathy and kindness in all that we do. 

By Nico Seakamela

JUNIOR PREP OVERVIEW

I write this with a heavy heart as it is the last time that I will be doing it as the Head of the Junior Prep at The Ridge School so this is mostly a reflection of the 2022 school year and partly a farewell to my beautiful school.

Schools are the most hyper-connected human spaces and 2022 has given us a plethora of a year of ‘getting back to normal’. We are delighted that our boys have been able to participate in sport events, outings and concerts.

Our Parent Association has had an extraordinary year of events including the Lumo Dance, Neon Night Run, Founders’ Day, Soap Box Derby and the Grade 6 & 7 Social.

More than half of 2022 was spent in the dreaded masks! I had an interview on eNCA in May about why masks are so bad for all of us, especially our children. The voices of some of the Grade 3’s were included in the interview saying the following:

• “Masks are taking away the joy of being able to see our friends’ faces”
• “I can feel the lines on my face because I’ve weared a mask for so long”

• “I don’t understand why the government hasn’t listened because it’s been scientifically proven that masks don’t help”

• “Masks hurt the earth and they’re not even helpful, whatsoever”

It was with much joy and gratitude that we celebrated the end of mask wearing on 23 June!

I did tell the boys that we could have a bonfire to mark the occasion but as one particularly thoughtful Grade 3 boy pointed out “Mrs Herold, is that not disrespectful to those families who still chose to wear masks!”

Term 3 saw the re-introduction of Task Money. This is an amazing opportunity for the boys to be of service at home and then pool the monies to donate to a worthy cause. Princess Alice Adoption Home is the recipient of this term’s Task Money.

I’m going to miss everything about the day-to-day ‘buzz’ of our school. No two days are ever the same. My dream for The Ridge School is that we continue to be a dual-purpose educational institution where we not only focus on academics, but also the emotional wellbeing of all the humans in the space.

My gratitude is deep and sincere. Thank you to each and every person who has played a role in my journey over the last 12 years. You will forever be in my heart. I wish you well. 

By Mandy Herold

MUSIC OVERVIEW

The Music Department has had a Rockin’ year in 2022! The ensembles and choirs have gone from strength to strength, and we’ve had a few new additions onto our calendar of yearly events.

Marcus Wyatt joined our team as our new Brass instrument teacher and has brought quality tuition into the department. The Jazz Band has done exceptionally well this year under his tutelage, and we look forward to watching this musical team grow. Highlights of the year included a vibey Founder’s Day stage performance and a confident showcase at the St Mary’s Ensemble evening; which showed their resilience in being able to continue despite the loadshedding interruption mid performance.

We have enjoyed the collaborative delights of singing together with our wider Ridge community; St Katharine’s and Auckland Park Preparatory School. We hosted our Annual Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day Services on the Hersov field, where the combined choirs filled the Westcliff with their beautiful singing.

Each term the individual music students have an opportunity to perform at the relevant Assemblies and Soirées. The department has grown in number with boys taking individual music tuition and we look forward to watching these boys continue on their respective musical journeys.

The Choirs have flown the Ridge flag high this year at a number of internal and external events. The most outstanding Senior Choir performances include the Kingsmead Junior Choir Festival in Term 2 as well as their formidable performances at Founder’s Day and The Ridge Choir Festival at the Linder Auditorium. Our smallest choir in the school, the Amtoti Choir, has managed to produce some of the highest quality choral music, through difficult technical arrangements and dedicated boys.

The Junior Choir, under the directorship of Irene Morrick, have had several notable performances. The Grade 3 Assembly, Special Easter service, Founders Day, The Sound of Children Choir Festival, Carols by Candlelight as well as a unique opportunity to perform for invited guests and dignitaries for the African Premiere of the Movie Mission:Joy. This incredibly moving documentary tells the tale of the friendship between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and The Dalai Lama. The Junior Choir boys also took the time to do some community engagement in sharing their musical talents with the residents of the Eventide Home for the Aged in Emmarentia.

The Foundation Orchestra has continued to grow this year having performances at a few Music Assemblies and was a highlight at the Carols Service with their rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’. These boys have also collaborated with the Senior Orchestra on a few occasions, giving them the opportunity to play in a musical team with other strong, confident young musicians at The Ridge.

Our Marimba bands are always a firm favourite at many different events. The Grade 5 Band has performed especially well this year, having opportunities to perform at the Kingsmead Ensemble Festival and also for the arrival of dignitaries for the Movie Premiere held on campus. The Grade 6 and 7 Marimba Band combined to form the Tour Band for our music tour and brought the house down with their vibrant energy. The Grade 4 Band has gone from strength  to strength performing at our home Ensemble evening as well as for the Junior Art Auction later in the year.

The Senior Orchestra has developed in quality and finesse under the baton of Khanyisile Mthetwa. This ensemble has produced a wide range of repertoire from Classical to Pop and is our most well-established ensemble on campus. The boys continue to work hard, week on week, to be able to perform at any function or occasion.

We introduced a new Ridge Ensemble Evening in Term 2 where all our musical ensembles showcased their efforts and hard work to our Ridge community. This event was highly successful and will definitely become a regular event in the future. Some smaller ensembles were also able to showcase their talents here, including the Senior Guitar ensemble and our Senior Rock Band.

The Music Tour to KZN was an absolute highlight of 2022! The Tour boys were incredible in their performances, in their willingness to help with all the setups and breakdowns from one performance to the next and were fabulous ambassadors for The Ridge. Our Tour included special community concerts around Mandela Day at Caister Lodge, Garden Grove and La Domaine. School concerts were hosted by Highbury Prep and Clifton School, and the boys had an incredible collaborative performance with the Internationally renowned Kearsney College Choir.  Our newest ensemble was also showcased here, the Drumline. I have a hope of a Ridge Marching band in the years to come and we have started with the rhythms of the drums. The 2022 Music Tour was a resounding success, and our Ridge boys certainly did us proud!

The boys from Grade 0-7 have had wonderful opportunities this year to enjoy the magic of music outside of the choirs and ensembles. The Grade 0s presented a heart-warming showcase at the annual Grandparents Day early in the year and wowed the community with their SPACE spectacular for their end of year concert. The Grade 1-3 boys were absolutely delightful in the presentation of this year’s Nativity, where the Junior Primary staff also made a cameo appearance. The Grade 4-7 boys have been a part of many of the special assemblies held this year, including a whole school showcase for our Heritage Day celebrations. The Senior boys culminated the year with their confident, well-rehearsed Christmas music for the Carols by Candlelight.

Music is flourishing here at the Ridge, and we commend all the boys and staff on their dedication, hard work and continued commitment to excellence in the Performing Arts.

By Carol Ackermann

ART OVERVIEW

As we close off another year of Art, and on the back of so many changes at The Ridge and in our broader context, it’s good to step back and take stock of what we actually do with our boys in Art class. In the words of veteran Art Educator and publisher, Maryanne Kohl “Art is as natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment”. The journey of an individual through art begins at The Ridge School in Grade 0. From Grade 0 through to Grade 3 boys are busy with the building blocks of art-making. This is a time when exploring colour and representing objects begins. By Grade 3 they are using more complex ways of describing their world, and they begin to get to grips with the language of Art. By Grade 4 boys enter the Senior Prep Art studio – the most spectacular Art studio in the country! Here they start to use techniques with more confidence and awareness, and they are able to produce more original work. In Grade 5 they begin to grapple with how to use materials in unique ways in order to achieve their vision. By Grade 6 boys are able to understand that art is also about the idea, and they learn how to use it as a tool for communication, particularly through Graphic Art. The Grade 7’s bring it all together in their projects, marrying their technical skills with their conceptual abilities- and their work never fails to impress.

No matter the age or the stage, our boys are not afraid to tackle whatever artistic challenge is thrown their way. In addition to learning about artists and techniques, Art class is about using one’s imagination, finding multiple solutions, patience, humility, respect for others, and appreciation for diverse cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. Boys realise that their Art making is not only about producing something amazing to look at, but that many skills can be applied to the world more broadly. The thought processes involved in creative endeavours influence and enhance all other spheres of learning. In an ever-changing world where AI and IT dominate, it is the things which make us uniquely human and machines can’t replace, which we have to develop and nurture. Such things are compassion, critical thinking and creativity. Art classes at The Ridge make a substantial contribution to equipping our boys with these ‘softer’, but soon becoming ‘core’ skills. I have seen how, over their time in the studio, boys become more curious, they develop their intellectual courage, they explore, problem solve and collaborate, becoming more adaptable, resilient and committed! Many old Ridge Boys return to the studio to tell me about their Matric Art, or Fine Arts degrees, or even how Art has influenced technical subjects like Engineering and Sciences.

Art classes give boys a wonderful space for innovation and imagination. There should not be a formula for producing art. The American abstract sculptor, Louise Nevelson said “I think all great innovations are built on rejections.” Having the freedom to make mistakes and seeing them as opportunities to create something new, is my guiding philosophy, which gives boys the courage to make beautiful creations and interesting innovations. I am always surprised and always inspired by what they do.

By Nicci Kurz

Pastoral Care FEEDBACK

Strong Pastoral Care underpins everything we do at The Ridge, knowing that a happy and confident boy will flourish and achieve wonderful things. We believe that a boy’s wellbeing is paramount and therefore, foster a truly strong partnership between parents, learners and staff; as one Ridge Family.

Pastoral Care is woven into the fabric of every subject and activity; with all boys understanding and modelling the responsibilities of looking after one another; celebrating and sharing in each other’s successes, and more importantly, helping each other get there. This forms a key part of encouraging relationships built on trust, kindness, and respect.

A good moral compass guides our boys to become the best version of themselves they can be. We believe that instilling the importance of morals and values through our SALT and House systems, under the guidance and support of SALT teachers and Heads of Houses, boys are allowed to feel uniquely valued, both as an individual and as part of the Ridge School Family.

A positive approach to behaviour management, led by our Pastoral Care team, ensures the boys are encouraged to reflect on the causes and effects of good and bad decision making. Teaching the boys to take responsibility for their decisions or actions is an integral part of how we shape the boys as they progress through the school; resulting in well-mannered, respectful, and chivalrous young gentlemen we are all proud of.

By Ryan Bezuidenhout

SPORTS OVERVIEW

2022 started with much excitement and anticipation as we were finally allowed to start our official Sports Programme without having to worry about COVID. We were finally allowed to participate in inter-school events and participate in all sporting codes.

Term One saw us back in full swing with swimming, cricket, water polo and basketball starting. What a busy start, but after two years of no sport, we were ready to go. Polo matches happened on Thursdays, galas on Fridays and cricket & basketball on Saturdays. 2022 saw The Ridge hosting the Prep Schools Cricket Festival for the first time ever. The festival was a great success with 12 different schools participating. The festival was also the founding member, Mr Rory Wood’s last festival, thus fitting that we made it an unforgettable one for him. This was also a very good festival for The Ridge who didn’t lose a game.  At the end of term one our first team rugby boys were already prepared for the St Stithians night festival and the St John’s Easter festival. Our basketball boys also participated in the St John’s tournament whilst our second team water polo boys participated in the Knysna Chukka Festival hosted by Oakhill. Our U10 B & C, U11 B & C and second to fourth teams also had our annual Clifton inbound and outbound tours. Thus, a very busy First Term.

Term Two was rugby, cross country and tennis from the start with football starting after half-term. Another busy term lay ahead for all our boys with tennis fixtures on a Thursday, cross country events on a Friday and then rugby on Saturdays. This year saw the Prep Schools Rugby Festival hosted by Bishops and our boys performed well and enjoyed all that Cape Town had to offer. The rest-day saw Cape Town showing off all its true beauty as the boys enjoyed an open top Red Bus tour, a boat trip through the harbour and Waterfront, a trip up Table Mountain, fish and chips in Houtbay and then ending with a visit to the beach. Amongst all of this the boys still played some really attractive rugby ending the tour with a convincing win. 2022 also saw the return of a much-needed football tour to Nelspruit, hosted by Penryn for our first and second teams. This year also saw our third and fourth teams attend a football festival at Camp Discovery. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the season with some tight and competitive fixtures during the season. During the August holidays our first and second team tennis boys attended the annual Sun City tennis tournament, a really well-run tournament which the boys love attending. A week later our first hockey team were on their way to Cape Town to participate in the Prep Schools Hockey Festival hosted by Rondebosch. A tough, but great, pre-season for our Ridge boys facing some stiff opposition who were at the ends of their respective seasons. The Ridge was the only Johannesburg based school to win a fixture at this festival.

Term Three started with compulsory hockey for all our Gr 3 – 7 boys. This is an extremely busy season with our boys being bussed to various schools with Astros to practice. For a school without an official astro our boys take some time getting used to the surface and we punch well above our weight in this code. This term also saw our First team basketball attend the Kearsney basketball tournament, narrowly missing out on a quarter final spot. Hopefully the introduction of two courts at The Ridge will see our basketball become a formidable force in the next few years. The Ridge also attended the annual SACS water polo tournament in October, this year having 28 schools participating. The Ridge ended the tournament as the 4th best ranked Gauteng school. Half-term saw The Ridge host the second edition of the Camp Discovery Festival. This year saw it adjusted to a T20 format  with 5 fixtures scheduled for the weekend. The boys truly enjoyed the weekend and produced some exciting cricket. This will remain an annual event on our calendar going forward. At the end of the hockey season our boys had a very short and compact athletics season, with the inter-schools event scheduled to be hosted by The Ridge and St Stithians being cancelled due to inclement weather. We were however able to complete our first inter-house athletics event since 2019. At the time of writing, we were still busy with field events so could not provide the results. This event was also a special event as it was Ms Erica Kinnear’s final Saturday sport event in 43 years of education, 17 of them at The Ridge. What a legend and I wish her all the best for the future.

To all the staff who made this year’s sporting programme a success I must give a huge thank you, as without you, our boys wouldn’t have the opportunities they had.

Finally, this will be my final end-of-year article, as I will not be at Ridge this time next year. My journey at The Ridge started in 2007 being appointed as a Senior PE and Maths teacher. In 2010 I was asked to take over as Head of Sport. This has been an incredible journey with many ups and downs along the way – however, a most memorable journey. The Ridge is very well respected amongst all the Johannesburg and many coastal schools, and I hope the relationships that have been built will be maintained. I have seen many boys and staff come and go during my time at The Ridge and yet we have always managed to punch well above our weight in all that we attempt. There have been so many highlights along the way, far too many for me to mention without leaving one off a list or forgetting about one. The Ridge is a special place and will always remain dear to me. I look forward to following The Ridge’s progress in the years to come.

Wishing you all a wonderful break and time to relax and reflect on the year that has passed. Celebrate the many blessings received, and wishing you a prosperous 2023.

By Bennie du Preez

SENIOR PREP LIBRARY FEEDBACK

The Senior Prep Library was a hive of activity this year. Boys flocked to the library for books to read when they had some time, in between all the rest of their activities. We introduced a Library Lovers Award at the end of October for boys who read the most during the month. This will be continued into the future. The competition is fierce!

Our Reading Breakfasts (Term 1 and 3), were a huge success. The first one happened on the 4^th of March to celebrate World Book Day and on the 16^th of September we celebrated Roald Dahl’s birthday (13 September 1916) with another wonderful Reading Breakfast.

Families joined us on the Hersov field to picnic and reconnected over coffee, snacks and loads of books. Boys and staff (and some parents!) dressed up as their favourite book characters, bought books from the Book People, coffee and snacks from the Grade 6 mums and celebrated reading and books in a way that makes every librarian’s heart beat just a little faster.

Did you know… 

• The BFG was Roald Dahl’s favourite story

• The Peach in ‘James and the Giant Peach’ was originally a cherry!

• Roald Dahl wrote his stories in a shed, in his garden, using HB pencils and yellow note pads

• ‘The Enormous Crocodile’ was the first book illustrated by Quentin Blake in 1978

• Roald Dahl is responsible for adding over 250 words to the English language

• Roald Dahl could speak three languages: English, Norwegian and Swahili

The Second Term ended with Literacy Week 2022. It was a week filled with fun and all things Literary. This happened from the 1^st to the 5^th of August. We had authors coming to talk to us; teachers sharing their favourite books with us; shows including Hooked on Books, On Cue Theatre and The National Children’s Theatre; the chance to accessorise and dress up (or down); a fabulous book sale hosted by Exclusive Books and ended the week with an epic General Knowledge Quiz. The focus of this week was to give boys the opportunity to rediscover the joy of books and stories as well as broaden their horizons so that they can embrace all the aspects of Literacy with enthusiasm and excitement. If you looked around the school at the piles of books being carted around, listened to the excited chatter and witnessed the boys’ wide smiles… I think we achieved our purpose!

The 2023 calendar is already filled with fun book-related events and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back into our special library space!

By Hanlie Glanz

TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY

Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion

The Preamble to the South African Constitution bears these powerful words:

“We the people of South Africa,

Recognise the injustices of our past;

Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;

Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and

Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.”

At the Ridge School, we believe that Education plays a central role in bringing about a fair, just and inclusive society and that our boys have an important role in achieving this.  A school is a reflection of society and while we grapple with the challenges that our country and world face, we try hard to make The Ridge a welcoming and nurturing place for all boys, staff and their families.  The Ridge School commits itself to building a community that respects human rights, celebrates diversity, encourages inclusivity, and develops pupils and staff who are comfortable with debate and discussion by providing a safe space within which pupils and staff can explore differences while recognising our common humanity. We strive to build an environment where each individual feels welcomed and affirmed and where each person is encouraged to explore and develop their racial, cultural, and religious identity.

Diversity and Transformation form an integral part of the vision of The Ridge School.  We strive to:

• live the values of the Christian faith, humbly and courageously
• respect, nurture and value each person
• embrace and celebrate diversity in the communities of our school and nation.
• inspire individuals to open their minds and hearts, and to reach their dreams
• offer a world-class, all-round education fully up to date with the best educational and technological advances
• address global issues including the sustainability of the environment both as part of the curriculum and as demonstrated in school operations

The School has adopted various policies over the years to bring about the desired transformation of the school in line with current South African realities and values, as contained in the Constitution. This year was an opportunity to revisit those policies which culminated in a revised anti-discrimination policy, anti-bullying policy and Code of Conduct. Intolerance and discrimination on any ground, including race, culture, language, religion, nationality, sexuality, or ethnicity, have no place in our School.  Implementation of these policies is therefore key.   

We encourage all Ridge families to help us realise the vision of creating a welcoming, inclusive and positive environment for boys to grow. 

By Wayne Naidoo

ENVIRONMENTAL FEEDBACK

Environmental awareness at the Ridge has continued to grow at The Ridge in 2022. While we have come to realise that a shift towards environmental sustainability is the only way forward, we have challenged our community to think about their own mindset. 

We joined forces with Whole Earth recycling earlier in the year. This ensures that waste generated at our school is minimised and that it lands up in the right places. Our boys and staff have been encouraged to ‘think green’ when disposing of various waste items at school. We are looking forward to decreasing our waste footprint and adopting even more sustainable habits going forward. 

In June, we celebrated World Environmental awareness month. Each Grade was challenged to take on a project or run with an initiative to help create awareness or make a positive impact on changing mindsets. 

The Grade 1s created bird feeders using pine cones and peanut butter. They learnt about the importance of a habitat and the need for us to provide this important space for wildlife in urban areas. 

In Grade 2, the boys were lucky enough to be visited by Mrs Coetzer, who taught them about earthworms and how they play a vital role in soil decomposition. The boys built a Grade 2 class worm farm and now deposit their apple cores and banana peels in there for the worms to feed on instead of throwing them in the bin. 

In Grade 4, the boys learnt about the value of water and what a precious resource it is. They even took up the challenge of carrying around their own 5l water bottle for a day, just to get a sense of what it is like for many people who must travel great distances each day to access clean water. 

The Grade 5s took on the Clothes to Trees Drive and got the whole school on board with bringing in their unwanted clothing and shoes. This is the second time we have partnered with Clothes to Trees, and it was another successful campaign. 

The Junior Primary Art Auction raised significant funds to support our Rhino’s in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Many thanks to all the parents who came out to support the event and who gave so generously to the cause. Thank you to the PA Moms who organised the event. 

As we end another year, I appeal to all our community to make time to consider your carbon footprint and the legacy you are leaving future generations. When you are setting your goals for 2023, think about how you can make small changes in your life to better support the environment. By working together, we can be kinder to our planet. 

By Holly Ferrar 

GRADE 0 OVERVIEW

It has been a busy, fun, and adventure-filled year in the Grade 0 block. It has been wonderful to observe as the boys have settled into The Ridge School, made new friendships, become accustomed to different experiences, and learn in a boy-centred environment. The Grade 0 teachers and interns have had such fun getting to know these special little people who provide hours of entertainment, quirky humour, and an enquiring outlook on life.

Some of the highlights of the year have included catching tadpoles from The Ridge ponds, enjoying a delicious braai and boerie rolls in celebration of our South African theme, whizzing around the Lawley Road car-park for Bike Day, and most fondly, celebrating 100 Days of School. For this occasion, the boys came dressed as 100-year-olds and there was much laughter to be heard when seeing each other donning grey beards, glasses, and even some walking sticks! The teachers took part too, much to the boys’ entertainment.

Our Grade 0 Mums were treated to a Mother’s Day morning, whereby they were pampered with manicures and had the chance to create some gorgeous, beaded bracelets together with their sons. The Dads were invited to come in for a more physical morning, where they had the chance to show off their woodwork talents and build boats with their sons in preparation for the annual Grade 0 Boat Race in The Ridge School pool.

After many Music lessons and working hard with Mrs Ackermann, the Grade 0 boys put on the most fantastic performance of ‘A Trip to Space’ in the Nicolson Hall. With shiny silver helmets, and impressive NASA badges, the boys took the audience on a journey through Space. Parents and special guests were entertained with a variety of songs and dances. We are so proud of our boys for all their hard work that went into putting on such a wonderful show.

To end off an exciting and fun-filled year, the boys showed off their sporting talents at the Inter-House Athletics and Gala. Their fitness levels are something to be admired, and thanks to the Sports coaches for all the guidance to get their boys to this point. 

There is no place quite like Grade 0 at The Ridge School. Classrooms filled with colour and creativity. A playground offering explorative opportunities and a sense of adventure. Teachers who are passionate, kind, and fun. And boys that are happy, mischievous, and hungry for knowledge. What a year 2022 has been!

By Sarah Behr

GRADE 1 OVERVIEW

What an amazing year we have had in Grade 1 this year! The boys experienced an uninterrupted year of learning and fun.

It was so encouraging to watch them learn and play together and have the freedom to be mask free and able to interact with teachers and peers alike. Playing on the jungle gym, in the playground and with the construction toys is the highlight of their day. For the teaching team, the ability to see the smiles and expressions on our boys’ faces has been priceless.

The boys enjoyed so many ‘firsts’ in terms of experiencing traditional Ridge celebrations, like Founders’ Day, The Lumo Dance, Reading Breakfasts, Grade 7 Market Day, cake sales and various themed ‘dress up’ days. Our outing to Random Harvest Nursery was a firm favourite, although it is the teachers’ opinion that the bus ride was the most exciting part of the day.

Initially, the introduction to a formal learning routine can be daunting for these little chaps. As their teachers, we are always so proud to see them grow in ability and confidence. Humour is always found in their illustrations and their ideas for their ‘News’ sentences and independent writing. We are confident that they are going to enjoy Grade 2 just as much. Well done, boys!

Tracy Beukes

GRADE 2 OVERVIEW

What an exciting year to be a Grade 2 boy! Being the first full contact year after the COVID 19 pandemic, it has been action packed and full of adventure. 

Term 1 started off with a bang as we began our Art, Gardening and Games extra-murals. The boys gained so much knowledge about how to care for nature, how to use different mediums and how to work as teammates to create and play games. Then came the celebration of Shrove Tuesday. They enjoyed some pancakes on the terrace and themed activities about the significance and history of the day. By far the most exhilarating experience for Term 1 was the outing on the Big Red Bus where the Grade 2s got to explore our beautiful city of Johannesburg. 

We started discussing the cultures of people in South Africa and the food that they eat at the beginning of Term 2. Thanks to a generous mum, they got to watch the process of ‘braai broodjies’ being made and eat them! They also enjoyed some peppermint crisp dessert to finish off the meal. What a treat! As the Grade 2s gained independence, Mrs. Coetzer taught them how to become more responsible for their environment. She helped the boys to make a worm farm for the creation of compost. This worm farm is still going and the boys do their bit by adding their banana peels and apple cores. We are so proud of them!

Term 3 was the busiest term by far. The boys engaged in Project-Based Learning activities to introduce and consolidate some tricky concepts in Mathematics. They thoroughly enjoyed using information from previous lessons, iPads, and their teammates ideas to solve problems related to Time and Capacity. Problem solving was practically experienced during our outing to Honeydew Mazes this term. The boys were so pleased with themselves being amid nature and working their way through the maze. Literacy week was another learning opportunity for the boys. They got to watch some shows by Hooked on Books and On Cue Theatre as well as a special reading by a young girl who wrote her own book. This was inspiring for the boys and many of them began to create their own books thereafter. 

During the year, the boys relished many of the school events. Some of which were the World Book Day Reading Breakfast and the Roald Dahl Reading Breakfast. The Grade 2 Family picnic was also a wonderful event shared with their families at the school. Two absolute highlights for many of the boys were the Lumo Dance and the PA Night Run where they could wear their luminous clothing and accessories. 

The sporting matches this year were played with absolute ambition and enthusiasm. The boys gave their all during the Tag Rugby season and competed against St Peters School. While the excitement for Tag Rugby was met with some disappointment, the boys showed their fighting spirit during Soccer matches against St Peters, St Stithians and Pridwin in Term 2. When the Cricket season approached, the boys already learnt how to play to each other’s strengths and work as a team. They displayed this teamwork when playing against St. Davids, Pridwin and St. Johns in Term 3. It has been so wonderful to watch their sporting growth over the year. 

It has been such a stimulating year filled with experiences, exploration, skills development, and a whole lot of learning! We are so proud of all our boys! 

By Jhulan Govan

GRADE 3 OVERVIEW

The Grade 3 boys, together with their teachers, have certainly made the most of their last year in the Junior Prep. Not only have the Grade 3’s learnt a lot but we have been involved in a variety of wonderful educational opportunities both in and out of the classroom.

In the first term, the boys were involved in learning about themselves and Pirates. This meant a Mr Men day where boys could dress as any character that showed something about themselves. We saw many talents, skills and interests being represented. We also learnt about Shrove Tuesday and Chinese New Year. This widened our knowledge of others and the important traditions celebrated. The Grade 3s hosted an Easter Picnic, inviting estate, security, admin and teaching staff. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know significant role players within the school. As we finished the theme of Pirates, the boys completed a collaboration project building boats.

The second term was filled with lots more learning,  particularly about animals. The lifelong learning during this theme, broadened the horizons of how each individual can help the world going forward. We celebrated World Environment Day and World Oceans Day. As part of the learning the boys had the opportunity to create an ocean diorama and write a speech on an animal, ocean pollution or how we can assist in looking after this invaluable resource. It was also during this term that we celebrated Founder’s Day and the Grade 3 boys loved every minute of this important tradition

The final term saw the boys spend time together on their first school camp. Being out in nature provided many opportunities to learn about teamwork, responsibility and independence. The boys also enjoyed Roald Dahl Day and dressed up as their favourite character. Our last theme was linked to World Cup Soccer. Sportsmanship, countries and players led to many wonderful discussions. Grade 3s also took on the role of the main parts in the nativity play.

A year filled with lots of fun, learning and getting ready for the Senior School.

By Di Wellard

GRADE 4 OVERVIEW

The Grade 4s have had an amazing year! They entered the Senior Prep in January, wide-eyed and a little apprehensive about what lay ahead. However, they were full of energy and showed an enthusiasm to embrace all the new opportunities and challenges.

The year started with a week of orientation which incorporated different activities to introduce the boys to life in Grade 4. One of the highlights was the ‘Capping Ceremony’ during which the Grade 7 boys each cap a Grade 4 as a mark of recognition of their promotion to the Senior Prep.

Some exciting new subjects were introduced, including Social Science, Natural Science, Design and Technology, Digital Literacy and Life Orientation, each offering their own set of skills and capturing the boys’ interest. They have particularly enjoyed the additional practical aspects of these subjects.

There were also new opportunities in the extramural programme. Climbing, canoeing and water polo showed their popularity on the sporting front, whilst marimbas, debating, orchestra, chess and drama attracted boys to the cultural programme.

Grade 4 places a great emphasis on the importance of reading, and the incentive of a bar of chocolate and a book voucher awarded in assembly when they reach their target, works exceptionally well! Some Moms and Dads have also been able to offer their services and join their son’s class once a week to assist with the reading programme. 

Project work has also been a highlight. The boys have been engaged in a Minecraft project, centred around the design of a zoo, following research on the habitats of selected animals. They covered a wide range of topics in their Science Expo projects and thoroughly enjoyed all the presentations. ‘The Importance of Water’ was the subject for their Environmental investigation and this included each boy carrying a 5 litre bottle of water for a day in appreciation of all the children in the world who do this on a daily basis to obtain water. This water was then donated to Ashraful Aid Charity who transported it to the Eastern Cape. The Grade 4s also participated in teams in the Travel Game in the 3^rd term. This year the game took them to the FIFA World Cup, finally ending in Qatar. Each team had to earn ‘money’ to travel to countries participating in the World Cup by doing good work and deeds, as well as involving themselves in activities. Similarly, money could be lost! The boys also had to research and gather information on the countries they visited.

Outings included an informative walk in the Melville Koppies, investigating the plants and grasses as well as learning about the fascinating history of the area. A day at Gold Reef City proved to be extremely popular. As well as learning about the history of gold in Johannesburg and the trip down the mine, the Grade 4s loved the opportunity to test their nerves on the rides. They were definitely braver than some of the staff…..the innocence of youth! 

Camp Konka in September was a wonderful success. The boys grasped every opportunity to challenge themselves physically and enjoyed working together in teams to solve problems. However, the ‘Mudstacle’ course and the tuckshop won the day as the most popular activities!

And so, it has been an incredibly busy year for the Grade 4s, but it has also been full of fun and camaraderie.

To the Grade 4s of 2022, you have grown beyond measure and made your teachers proud. We look forward to watching your onward journey, as you continue on your road of success through your years at The Ridge.

By Erica Kinnear

GRADE 5 OVERVIEW

It was wonderful to be back in the classroom for the entire year in 2022. It’s hard to believe that the year is already over, but this is unsurprising since we have been so busy in the classroom, on the sports field, singing and playing instruments, debating, playing chess, chatterbox, and immersing ourselves in our project-based learning. 

Our Egyptian exploration was stimulating, interactive, and fun! In the Third Term, we took a similarly exhilarating expedition exploring Mars. In English, the three set works this year were The Witches, Kensuke’s Kingdom, and Wonder. Themes arose and were discussed, such as external appearances, seizing unexpected opportunities, and kindness. We continued to transcend the CAPS Curriculum in Maths and several Grade 5s acquitted themselves well at the provincial Maths Olympiad. In the FAL languages, boys were consistently challenged to use their theory to go beyond the written word and become authentic Zulu and Afrikaans conversationalists. This was evident on our excursion to the Voortrekker Monument. These core subjects were always accompanied by a wide variety of artistic, musical, and dramatic offerings. I am most proud of the notable representation of Grade 5s in the school choir and orchestra. A particularly worthwhile event was the lunch our boys prepared for the service staff – a great day was had by all.

The Grade 5s of 2022 beat to the rhythm of their own drums. I will watch them keenly as they progress in the Senior Prep. I would like to thank Ms Loonat and Mr Seakamela and all the Grade 5 staff who go beyond the call of duty every day. 

Scott Mallen

GRADE 6 OVERVIEW

It is always daunting to be starting off a new school year. Post Covid, we were overly cautious and always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Our Grade 6 boys were determined to make the most of their opportunities by creating wonderful memories and celebrating each other’s achievements. 

As with any other year, there are always challenges, be it on the sports field or in the classroom. The boys have acquitted themselves well with everything they had to face, and most times put on a brave face. Each sporting code had its pros and cons, especially those early Saturday mornings we had to endure while we played rugby and football. I had the privilege of being with this group for almost all the sporting codes and I have never met a group of boys who displayed such enthusiasm just to be in each other’s company. There was never a quiet bus drive to hockey, without the boys singing their hearts out.

The latter part of the year flew by with many exciting activities. We spent three wonderful days in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The weather was beautiful, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors with their friends. We returned earlier than the rest of the grades and spent some time giving back to our community. The boys (and parents) generously donated towards the Princess Alice Adoption Home. It took us quite some time to pack and organise everything before it was dropped off. We got to spend some time with the little ones and the staff, before meeting the rest of the boys at Hope School. The rest of the morning was spent reading to the Grade 1s to 3s, sharing a snack and playing a few games with them. 

This experience has allowed the boys to recognise differences and accept people for who they are. Enriching their lives and others with little acts of kindness. This year has flown by, with the busyness of it all and this year group is commended for their grit, friendliness, empathy towards others and always wanting to do their best.

By Deidre Leibrandt

GRADE 7 OVERVIEW

The Grade 7 boys experienced a full calendar-year of events without having the disruptions of Covid. The year started with the traditional Induction Assembly, which officially introduced our boys to the greater school community as leaders of the school. The assembly often serves as a reminder to the boys of their responsibilities as leaders and the opportunities that lie ahead. With the challenge set, boys were encouraged to make the most of the opportunities afforded them and were urged to work towards having a happy and rewarding year.

As leaders of the school, they were fully committed to the life of the school. The boys successfully represented the school at various sports tours and festivals, and displayed incredible maturity in managing a busy school life. They took the lead in important events such as the Grade 7 production and hosting the Remembrance Day assembly; they showed The Ridge community the magic they can deliver when they work together as a team. Using the Headmaster’s Leadership Programme, boys worked independently to develop their own skills and helped the community as well. The boys dabbled in the business world and became budding entrepreneurs for their Market Day project. The profit from the sales was used to purchase a gift for the school, which is a well-loved tradition. As seniors of the school, the boys participated in assemblies and marketing initiatives, and the Grade 7s proved to be invaluable and dependable. The Grade 7 boys must be commended for their exceptional year in and out of the classroom. 

The class of 2022 was a relatively small group of boys, and each boy was on a journey. It was wonderful to see boys working towards reaching their personal goals, challenging themselves to venture out of their comfort zones and displaying incredible personal growth. It was a busy year filled with many successes and wonderful memories. The boys can be proud of the work they have done, both individually and collectively.

Innovation and Research OVERVIEW

At The Ridge School we acknowledge the need for a high standard of education with consistency of curriculum delivery that comprises an innovative and forward-looking education and pedagogy. The aim is for a future focused education that creates solution architects  with a strong sense of social justice and responsibility. 

To this end, collaborative work is being done by the staff on the curriculum and learning processes. Learning is to be student driven with pedagogies that support this. In doing so, we aim to provide a personalised learning journey for each boy. Differentiation and inclusion is an area of focus and is required to be a part of every lesson. A student centred approach that is inquiry based and requires problem solving, is in the process of becoming our mode of instruction. An aim has become to create learning that is fun, engaging, authentic and to instill a sense of wonder, curiosity and a love of learning so that our boys can become lifelong learners. 

We have begun to explore such learning through the implementation of pilot projects which include:  Philosophy for Children (P4C) in Grade 4; Robotics and Coding in Grade 4; Project Based Learning (PBL) in Grade 5 and Applied Drama in Grade 7. The PBL (Project Based Learning) programme in Grade 5 has been successful. Boys were excited about their learning, thoroughly engaged, used critical thinking skills, collaboration, inquiry-based learning, creativity and their learning was self-directed in many ways. Most importantly, they had fun whilst learning.

We plan to extend the pedagogies that have worked in the pilot projects to other subject areas next year.  With continual research, staff development and an iteractive process whereby we analyse the effects of our innovation, academics at The Ridge will thrive.

By Glynnis Moore

SOAP BOX DERBY

INTER-HOUSE ATHLETICS

Climbing OVERVIEW

Once again, we had full commitment from our climbing boys this year.  Two of our Senior climbing boys, Jack Heenan and William McIlleron made the 2022 Gauteng Climbing Squad and attended Nationals in Cape Town in March 2022.  Congratulations go out to both boys for obtaining their Provincial Colours in acknowledgement of this wonderful achievement. 

The boys participated in a friendly inter school climbing competition held at City Rock in October. They participated in both the bouldering and top rope disciplines. The boys did themselves proud. The competition was tough, but they persevered pushing themselves to the limit while displaying appropriate Ridge Behaviour.

The journey of both the Captain and Vice-captain

Captain: William Mcilleron

It has been an awesome experience climbing at The Ridge School. I have gotten to know many people older and younger. I have become stronger physically and emotionally and have done things I would have thought impossible. I have been on this journey for over three years, and it is a hobby I hope to continue for many years to come. Climbing started in Grade 4, when we were still learning how to tie a knot and now, I am here, climbing routes that I thought only the best of the best could do. It has been an incredible journey. I have had so much fun climbing, talking and joking around with the rest of the climbing group and coaches. I would like to thank everyone involved for the amazing experience and I wish The Ridge Climbing Club luck for the coming years.

Vice-Captain: Mustafa Adroos

Wow, what a time! My climbing adventures at The Ridge have come to an end and I can

certainly say that I have grown from climbing, in many ways. I have learnt discipline, grit and

resilience through climbing and it will definitely be a fun and enjoyable sport to all who

decide to give it a try.

The feeling of finally getting to the top of the climbing wall, while doing a route that I have

been struggling with for a while, is one of the best feelings, if not the best feeling ever.

Through my many experiences with climbing, I have learnt that failing is only the path to

succeeding. Climbing is a sport that stands out from many other sports where you can

always come back and try the same route again the next day.

I would like to thank Mrs Ram and all my coaches for introducing climbing to me and helping

me all along the way throughout these special years of climbing at the Ridge.

By Shanitha Ramsurwaj

DRAMA CLUB

Drama is an extracurricular activity that allows students to express themselves through their acting abilities. For Drama this year, we focused on improvisational acting, spontaneous decision making and team building exercises.

For the improvisational component of what we did in drama this year, we were given our activity for that day, for example doing a commercial on a product, followed by a demonstration of said task. Continuing the commercial example, we would be sent outside or were allowed to stay inside to practise our piece with a group, either chosen by the teacher, or of our own choice, for around 5 minutes. By the time we came back indoors, we took turns as groups presenting our projects, and after we were done, the teacher would analyse our performances and tell us what we did right, what we did wrong, and how we could improve.

As for the spontaneous decision-making aspect of drama, the teacher gave us complete creative control of what we could do, provided we went along with the given requirements. When we did improvisations, we would go outside for around 2-3 minutes, which was only enough time to get a basic concept of the performance and to do a little bit of preparation. Once we came back, the whole act would mostly be improvised because of the aforementioned time restrictions. The teacher would then rate how well we improvised and worked together, then tell us what we could improve on for when we did an activity like this again. They would especially emphasise the use of our imagination in the acts we did, as well as using the environment to the fullest.

Lastly, for our team-building aspect of drama, we would do reactionary exercises, such as games of Bang, Broken Telephone, Charades, Musical Chairs, and Splash before a lesson. All of these games were to get us ready for the lesson we were about to do, and to get us in the acting and improvisational spirit.

Drama was very interesting and fun this year. We learned a lot of new things; we’ve had experiences that we’ve never had before; our confidence and collaboration skills developed and we played a lot of fun games that got us into the Drama spirit. 

By Lelo Mofokeng and Umi’Phakade Gwala

THE RIDGE SCHOOL SOCIAL

THE RIDGE SCHOOL GOLF DAY

We hosted our annual Golf Day at Parkview Golf Club. What was meant to be a grand afternoon of golf, mother nature turned into a fun, festive and competitive Pub Quiz. We’d like to thank our parents and sponsors for all the wonderful prizes, the PA and the staff for helping organize the event, and finally, thank you to all the players who stayed and made the quiz a memorable afternoon.

SWIMMING OVERVIEW

nd just like that we were back in the pool, enjoying early morning training sessions with Covid a not-so-distant memory. Both staff and boys alike embraced each training session, especially if hot chocolate and sometimes a warm shower was on the cards.

After almost two years of no competitive league galas, we had sufficient teams to allow our boys to be part of all three league galas, which took place weekly. Very few were called off due to bad weather and this gave the boys an excellent opportunity to show their grit and determination. Due to the busyness of the term, and our grade 6s and 7s also participating in other sporting codes and tours, we often had to double up and move teams up. The boys held their own, even if it often meant that they were swimming in each race for their age group.

Travelling to and from venues each week, also gave the boys opportunities to build friendships and camaraderie while competing. The Grade 7 boys are to be congratulated for always stepping up to the plate and ensuring that the younger boys were looked after and ready for their races.

We were also privileged to be able to compete in the inter-school gala held at KEPS this year. Both the A and B teams fought brave battles against some stiff competition but still held their own. A long day of competitive swimming meant that some of our boys waited a few hours, only to have a few seconds in the pool. They are commended for their enthusiasm and commitment, with both teams ending in 5^th position out of the 9 and 10 teams they competed against respectively.

The swimming season for term one ended on a high, with our boys enjoying the much-anticipated inter-house gala. The Grade 7 house captains and their team of boys (together with some moms) ensured that each area for their house had been decorated colourfully. The spirit captains ensured that there was endless cheering to spur on the boys who were competing for their respective houses. The title of ‘Inter-House Champions’ was well-earned by Rose house, as they cleaned out and excelled in each race, despite having some tough competition. Well done to all the swimmers and coaches for ensuring we had a happy and successful season.

As I end off my report, I’m a little sad as we are saying goodbye to a stalwart of The Ridge and someone who epitomises what we do on a daily basis. Miss Kinnear has been a significant part of the development of swimming and coaching of many young boys in her time at The Ridge. Both staff and boys alike have benefitted hugely from her vast knowledge. She has never hesitated to tackle the bull by the horns, especially if we have found the boys struggling with a particular stroke. Miss Kinnear is a dedicated and passionate coach who will be sorely missed by all.

By Deidre Leibrandt

INTER-HOUSE GALA

TENNIS OVERVIEW

Term 2 is the traditional start of Tennis season amongst the preparatory schools in Johannesburg, and 2022 was no different. Boys were extremely eager to get going in their tennis fixtures and there was a lot of jostling for positions on the tennis ladder. The Open teams, in particular, had a lot of very strong tennis players, so there was a lot of effort to get places in the various teams. 

We started our tennis fixtures as normal, doing extremely well. As per our usual Ridge standard, we competed tremendously well in every one of our Open team fixtures, but unfortunately only attained mixed results. Our U11s showed a lot of promise and grew stronger and stronger as the season progressed. 

During the August Holidays, we sent two senior teams to the prestigious Sun City Tennis Festival. This tour is always the highlight of the tennis calendar with boys playing against schools from all over the country at the incredible Sun City venue. The multiple trips to Valley of the Waves were a hit, as well as the opportunity to meet peers from different schools. Unfortunately our teams didn’t do as well as hoped, with our 1st team coming 7th in the A division and our 2nds coming 8th in the B division. 

I look forward to another very successful tennis season in 2023! 

By Anton Pretorius

GRADE 3 CAMP

GRADE 4 CAMP

The anticipation and excitement for the two- night trip to Camp Konka reached a crescendo on Wednesday 7 September, as we climbed onto the bus and headed out of Jo’burg. Whilst it is only a two hour journey, after 20 minutes the cry of ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ had already started!

On arrival, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, the river was full and the birds were singing. It was all a perfect start to three full days of exciting and challenging activities. We stayed in the dormitories at the top this time which were conveniently next to the swimming pool, although a slightly longer walk to the activities. Once again, Konka laid on a great range of activities that incorporated some physical challenges, including the high wall, canoeing and the Hexa Challenge. Alongside the physical activities there were games that required teamwork and problem-solving, as the blindfolded boys tried to pick up magnetic letters  to create a word, and build a bridge using planks that weren’t quite long enough! During the breaks, the swimming pool proved to be a welcome form of relaxation followed by the ice cream, cool drink and sweet treats from the ever-popular tuckshop. However, the ‘Mudstacle’ course and the thrill of the ZipLine once again won the day as the favourite activities, followed closely by the spaghetti bolognaise on the meal front!

On the morning of the 3^rd day, we walked to see the lions which are now 10 in total. Whilst observing from a distance, Bazooka arrived and took us around the perimeter where we were treated to some real close ups! Later that morning, we sadly had to board the bus and head back to Jo’burg. This time the journey was almost silent as the exhausted, but happy and fulfilled, Grade 4s made their way home. Well done to every boy for throwing themselves into all the activities with energy and enthusiasm and rising to each and every challenge. You made us so proud. 

Erica Kinnear

GRADE 5 CAMP

In the first week of the Third Term, 60 excited boys and seven teachers set out for Camp Discovery in Dinokeng Game Reserve. For many of the boys, in the context of the pandemic, this was the longest stint they had been away from home. We were very proud of the manner in which the boys conducted themselves over the three days. It was an invaluable opportunity for staff and pupils to spend time together in a different and stimulating setting. Highlights included the “mudstacle” course, FBI, survival shelter building, and the pool party. Of particular interest was the game drive where the boys gained some fascinating insights into the importance of ecosystems, conservation, and being sustainable custodians of the planet. Hearty thank you to the following staff for giving their time and making it such a worthwhile trip for all involved: Mr. Spilhaus, Mrs. Ramsurwaj, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Loonat, Mr, Seakamela, and Ms. Mashobane.

Scott Mallen

GRADE 6 CAMP

With the end of the August holidays looming, we were looking forward to starting the third term with our annual camp. The boys were lugging their heavy bags onto the tennis court on the morning of the 6^{th of} September. Many boys were wearing colourful clothes, super excited for camp. The drive to Golden Gate Highlands National Park didn’t seem as far just before we left.

The beautiful Maluti Mountains made the long drive worthwhile. We were surrounded by nature and the boys enjoyed three days filled with activities. As usual we had the early risers as well as late sleepers. The activities included an early morning hike with Mr McLachlan, vulture spotting, canoeing, abseiling, and enjoying the outdoors with their friends.  This was no different to other camps where boys were challenged both physically and mentally. We were in awe of our beautiful surroundings, and we often forgot how long, or far we were walking. Our last day was spent at the Basotho Cultural Village. Here the boys were immersed in the traditional arts, food, and way of life of the Basotho People.

And all too soon we were on our way back home, richer after spending a few days with friends and teachers alike. Ready to tackle the third and final term head on. It was once more a fantastic opportunity for both boys and staff alike to forge relationships and continually explore that hidden curriculum. A special note to this special year group. They have continually prided themselves on making the most of every opportunity that has come their way, and this grade camp was no exception.

By Deidre Leibrandt

GRADE 7 CAMP

Design and Technology OVERVIEW

Design and Technology is part of the Senior Primary curriculum. It is a stand-alone subject in Grade 4 and in Grade 7. In Grade 5, it is combined as one of the PBL subjects and in Grade 6 it is part of STEAM. The boys use the engineering design process which is a series of steps that engineers follow to find a solution to a problem. Using creativity and imagination, the boys design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. The subject stimulates learners to be innovative and develops their creative and critical thinking skills. It teaches them to manage time and material resources effectively, provides opportunities for collaborative learning and nurtures teamwork.

JUNIOR PREP LIBRARY OVERVIEW

Here is to another busy, successful year in the Junior Prep Library in 2022.

The boys have loved being exposed to all the lovely, new books that have been bought this year. They particularly enjoyed seeing the books that local authors have produced. In amongst this, they have been doing General Knowledge Quizzes and have really kept Mrs McLellan on her toes!

We celebrated the Reading Breakfast in the First and Third Term. This last one being able to celebrate Roald Dahl and dressing up as one of his characters from his books. Sitting with family on the Hersov field and enjoying the sunshine and book sales. For the Junior Prep, they especially love this.

In our Second Winter-Term we celebrated Literacy Week at the end of the busy period. The boys saw three different shows namely; Under The Baobab Tree performed by the National Children’s Theatre, Hooked on Books and Beauty and the Beast performed by On Cue Theatre. On the Hooked on Books performance day the boys were allowed to come dressed in their pyjamas and bring a favourite cuddle toy. It was winter and it was chilly, so a good time to be snug. In that week, we had two authors come to The Ridge School to read and talk about producing their books. The first author was Bailey Bezuidenhout who wrote “Hello, Trees”. A very beautiful book and a good present to give to any child. The second author was Richard James Edwards who spoke to the Grade 3s, 4s and 5s about his Puzzle Train series.

In the Third Term, the Junior Prep had the delight of having nine year old Aara and her mum, Bhavna coming to talk about the book that Aara wrote. She has a nut allergy and decided to write about her allergy to make more people aware. The book is called No Nuts, Nani.

It has been lovely to see the energy and “the love of books” from all the boys in the Junior Prep. I want to take the opportunity to thank all the parents for their support this year.

By Suzanne McLellan

HERITAGE DAY

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

READING BREAKFAST

We celebrated Roald Dahl’s birthday with a wonderful Reading Breakfast.

Families joined us on the Hersov field for a picnic and reconnected over coffee, snacks and loads of books. Boys, staff and parents dressed up as their favourite Roald Dahl character. We celebrated literacy in a way that would have made Roald Dahl proud!

GRADE 7 PRODUCTION – JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AND FRIENDS

Roald Dahl is a well-loved author who has entertained young and old audiences. His storylines are clever and witty and always have a healthy dose of mischievous fun. Dahl also ventured into the world of fairytales and wrote his famous revolting rhymes. He took traditional fairytales and made them into entertaining and comical poems that are unconventional.

This year, our Grade 7 boys are putting on stage their very own version of the Revolting Rhymes: Jack and the Beanstalk and friends. The story follows three friends: Jack, Red and James, all characters from Dahl’s stories. Jack is given three magical beans, which lead him and his friends to a Giant’s castle. The friends go on a quest to find the golden eggs. However, no quest is made easy, and the three friends have equally keen competitors, a Giant and his sidekick. The Golden Goose is a sassy and cheeky character who keeps everyone on their toes by sending all the characters on a challenging quest. The quest exposes the characters to bears, wolves, and many other loved fairytale characters, and through their encounters, the characters learn about friendship and sharing. As with any production, a huge team works behind the scenes. I would like to thank all Grade 7 parents for their support during the term.

The fantastic team of mums who helped with the incredible makeup and sourcing the stunning costumes and props, thank you for all your time, effort and hard work. The boys looked amazing on stage, and I couldn’t have done this production without you. Thank you to all the staff at The Ridge for all that you do so willingly. Mr Pretoruis and Mrs Morrick thank you for your guidance and support. Lastly, to the boys, the stars of the show, to the cast and crew, thank you for engaging and committing to the play from the very start. The boys dedicated many hours to the play, at rehearsals and outside school. It was wonderful working with the boys who were willing to learn and displayed incredible growth and maturity.

GRADE 0 CONCERT

MARKET DAY

NATIVITY PLAY

Photography Club

The Photography Club is a unique club designed to provide a supportive environment for all boys interested in photography at The Ridge. It has given the boys an opportunity to share ideas, discuss their mutual interest in photography as well as improve their photography skills. This club allows every boy to discover the artist within them and paint their ideas into reality. The Photography Club meets once a week to learn new skills and practise their photography skills. This year we aimed at developing the boy’s camera skills, by completing weekly projects. Each project was designed to practise the skill taught in the previous session and evaluate the boys abilities and assess their understanding. The boys also learned all about stop-motion, which is an animated technique in which a camera is repeatedly stopped and started, frame-by-frame, in order to give inanimate objects and figures the impression of movement. Once they had understood this technique, they mastered it by producing several stop-motion films. 

By Ashley Keene

PRIZE-GIVING

GRADE 6 BOYS VISITED HOPE SCHOOL

The Grade 6 boys spent some time at the Hope School reading to their Grade 1 – 3s. It was a lively morning and their laughter could be heard down the corridors. They spent priceless time together, forming friendships and nurturing their love for reading.

GRADE 6 BOYS SHOWING THE RIGHT STUFF

The Grade 6 boys did a collection for Princess Alice’s Adoption Home. In an effort to give back to their community, they collected items that Princess Alice had on their wish list. It was a wonderful opportunity for our boys to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

ROBOTICS AT THE RIDGE

The Grade 4s were tasked with developing solutions to one of society’s current problems during their robotics lesson. The boys chose pollution as their problem and agreed that recycling was the solution. The robots were then programmed to collect recyclable trash or food.

SENIOR PREP BOEK BUDDIES

The SP boys were treated to an exciting Afrikaans Boek Buddies show in an effort to expose our boys to Afrikaans outside of the classroom and in an interactive manner. Redhead Productions put on the show, which featured popular Afrikaans songs. Not only were the boys encouraged to sing along to the songs, but they were also encouraged to learn Afrikaans words that appeared on the screen with English translations

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

The Ridge Quiz teams participated in a General Knowledge Inter-School Quiz, hosted by Kyalami Prep. It was Grade 5’s first time competing but they were not officially part of the competition. The boys did really well and did us proud, achieving 2nd place (Grade 6 team), 6th place (Grade 7 team) and an unofficial 8th place (Grade 5 team).

DEBATING CLUB

Our debating team participated in the annual Gauteng Provincial Debating Competition at Cornwall Hill College. There were 48 schools in the competition which took place over 2 days and The Ridge, being the only prep school, broke 9th. Our team performed exceptionally well winning 4 out of 6 debates. The team consists of Finn Berman (Captain), Felix Jackson, Katleho Ramatsoso, Imran Budlender, Muhammad Casoojee and Oscar Berman.

GRADE 1s ENJOYING SPRING TIME

There has been so much excitement in Grade 1 thus far. It is also the busiest Term of the year with much to do, experience and accomplish.

The boys dressed up with the usual enthusiasm for Roald Dhal day and Heritage Day.

The favourite of the term though has been our spring theme, as boys love bugs and have loved discovering facts they never knew, about the bugs they see every day. We, as their teachers, loved the look of wonder on their faces as they watched their beans sprout and grow. They were so proud to take them home and hopefully plant them in a good spot for some beans.

We are looking forward to the last stretch of Grade 1 and know that our boys still have so much to achieve. They are amazing!

GRADE 0 OUTING

The Grade 0 boys had a great time at Montecasino Bird Gardens! There was a lot of anticipation for their first bus ride, packed lunch, and outing with close friends.

THE JOHANNESBURG MUSIC FESTIVAL

Every year our boys showcase their musical skills at a prestigious festival. 2022 was no different with boys showcasing their talents on the violin, piano and in singing.

The Johannesburg Music Festival has been in existence for decades and provides a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to perform and receive feedback on their musicianship and performance skills. The festival remained online this year, and the children watched their recorded performances over Zoom in July with live adjudication. Many of our boys received excellent feedback and two of our boys were invited to perform at the live Gala Concert on Sunday 18 September.

Luke Goldstein and Bradley Legg were presented with incredible accolades at the Gala event.
Bradley Legg who is taught by our very own Mrs Irene Morrick performed with aplomb and won the Eugenie Chopin Trophy  for the Most Promising Male singer of the Festival.

In the string section, Luke Goldstein was awarded the South African Suzuki Association Trophy 10 years and under (shared with Hiroyuki Numasawa) AND the Diana Neille Trophy for the Best Performance of a Violin Recital, which he also won in 2021.

Well done to all our budding musicians, we are very proud of you!

CHESS FINALS PARENTS VS BOYS

It was a memorable night for The Ridge Chess team, who were competing in their final chess tournament against their parents.
It was a difficult match for some parents who got their King Piece trapped, resulting in a loss or defeat.
This brought a lot of joy and happiness to all of the players who only needed to learn one or two moves to win the game.

GRADE 0 2024 PLAYDATE

We arranged two playdates for the Grade 0s of 2024. It was lovely to meet future Ridge boys and their parents. The young men greeted Ridgie with charming smiles, waves, and hugs.

BASKETBALL TOUR

Our 1st Team Basketball attended the Independent School Stayers’ Basketball Tournament hosted by Kearsney College in KZN. The boys played a total of 10 matches against some very tough opposition, displaying competitive spirit, grit and impeccable manners. Our boys finished in 8th position out of 13, well done boys.

CHATTERBOX

The boys in Grades 4-6 took part in the interschool Chatterbox Festival at Pridwin. Congratulations to our boys.

FRUITY FRIDAY

The Fruity Friday collection was another indication of the amazing generosity of our parents, boys and staff. Thank you for supporting the children of The Hope School.

GRADE 0s ROTATION STATION LESSONS

Our Grade 0s do rotation stations each morning. At each station, the children work on a different skill with 5 stations in total: literacy, numeracy, fine motor skills, perceptual skills, and puzzles.

GRADE 2s LEARNT ABOUT STOP MOTION

The Grade 2s are busy learning about Stop Motion. Stop Motion is an animated filmmaking technique in which the subjects are physically moved in small increments between individually photographed frames. When strung together, a movie is created and the boys then add a voice-over to their movies. There has been loads of fun and excitement. Here’s to future film directors!

DIGITAL LITERACY

Our Grade 2s had an introductory lesson in what to expect in Grade 3 Digital Literacy. The boys learned the fundamentals of operating a desktop computer and tested out the Microsoft office suite.

GRADE 3 HOCKEY VS ST DAVID’S

GRADE 7 SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

The Grade 7s conducted a science experiment to investigate the distinction between kinetic and potential energy. Using a marble, a ruler, and a paper cup to determine whether an object’s height affects the distance that a cup can travel.

CANOEING AT THE RIDGE

Our Canoeing Team had the honour of training alongside the best of the best. Clinton Cook and Hamish Lovemore are the current South African K2 Marathon Champions, with Hamish also holding the U23 K1 Men’s World Championship title. Clinton is a member of Dabulamanzi, a club in which our Ridge boys also participate, he finished second in the Fish River Canoe Marathon in October.

MATHS OLYMPIAD

All Senior Prep boys at The Ridge participate in the national Maths Olympiad, which is organised by the South African Maths Foundation and AMESA. This year we had close to 100 boys from Grade 4 to 7 who made it through to the Second Round of the challenge. Today we recognised the significant achievement of 28 boys that achieved bronze certificates and 11 boys that achieved silver certificates from the Second Round. Special commendations were given to Robin Grantham, Thomas Faber and Luke Goldstein whose exceptional performances resulted in them being invited to the prestigious Third Round of the competition.

GRADE 4s LEARNT ABOUT MATTER

The Grade 4s investigated ‘Changing States of Matter’ in Science by making Oobleck and observing how you can change it from a liquid to a solid and back.

JUDO CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the Hajime Judo Club for 31 years of teaching Judo at The Ridge. This year, The Ridge managed to win 4 of the 8 trophies. It was the first time in history that a single school not only won 4 trophies but also both Grade 0 trophies. We are extremely proud of the boys.

HOCKEY

To cap off the hockey season, the coaches and 1st team hockey squad played a friendly game against one another. It was a highly contested game and everyone was in good Ridge spirits.

GRADE 3 EISTEDDFOD

Congratulations to our Grade 3 boys who participated in the Eisteddfod drama competition, which was held at our school over the past two days. For their efforts, all of the boys received certificates..

CONGRATULATIONS TO KHANYISILE

We are so excited to share this news. Congratulations, Khanyisile Mthetwa on your outstanding awards at the 2022 SAMAs held at Sun City. In addition to winning Best Classical/ Instrumental album Khanyi also won the award for Best Newcomer of the Year! Simply amazing.

The Ridge Music Department has been busy this month. The incredible South African Jazz Musician, Marcus Wyatt, who is part of our team, was invited to conduct the Metropole Orkest in the Royal Albert Hall. Closer to home, the 2nd World Sound Concert held at the Joburg Theatre featured Irene Morrick’s compositions with Khanyi Mthetwa as well as a performance by our vocal coach Ziza Muftic.

We could not be more proud of our Music Department.

PURPLE ZA STAFF TRAINING

We are excited to announce that all of our teachers now have access to PurpleZA – a world-class professional development platform to empower our teachers to effectively leverage technology for teaching and learning as well as implement progressive pedagogies such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning and design thinking. This self-paced teacher learning allows teachers to build their own learning paths, grab micro-credentials and earn incentives on the way. It is jampacked with amazing teaching resources and contains discussion forums where our teachers can connect to other South African PurpleZA schools, share ideas and resources and help each other level up.

GRADE 0s LEARNT ABOUT AVIATION

The Grade 0s combined Maths and Aviation into a fun PAPER JET competition. With squeals of excitement, the Grade 0s launched their creations and then carefully measured how many steps it took to reach their planes from the Hersov Field steps.

GRADE 6 GAME OF LIFE

The Grade 6s have been participating in the “Game of Life”. They must apply for jobs, build houses, and manage their portfolios on a weekly basis in order to earn a living. The boys have learned various real-life skills over the last few weeks.

The Grade 6s played in a 5-a-side tournament at Marks Park as part of the ‘Game of life’. This was a fun and competitive outing.

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AT THE RIDGE

Our boys celebrated the diversity of their cultural backgrounds in order to gain a better understanding of the many different cultures represented in our country. They studied their family histories and researched historical events that were significant and shared their findings with their classmates

REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY

GRADE 7 FINAL WEEK OF PREP SCHOOL

In what is their final few days of prep school, our Grade 7s have enjoyed a fun-filled week. They went back to their old Grade 0 classes and spent time playing with the boys, they did graffiti art of the school badge in the corridors, went on a trip to FNB stadium and visited Sakhumzi on Vilakazi Street in Soweto. They ended off their week with a 5-a-side football game at Marks Park.

The power of words 

Words are not simply sounds caused by our mouths shaping air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. This has been the basis of my teachings in the assemblies this term. The scripture I used to introduce and develop this theme was taken from Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Words do more than convey information, they have an impact on people. Although our words do not have the power to manifest in physical forms, they certainly manifest in the emotions of the person who hears them. We have often unpacked with the boys the words that build up and the words that break down. Are they being filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, encouragement or destruction? Words are tools that can make life better. 

In conversations with the boys, they certainly have the sense that one kind word can change a person’s entire day. In reflecting on this, we further unpacked that our words come from an overflow of our heart. Our state of being, feelings and the condition of our hearts have more to do with our choice of words than our literary influences. 

Words, when put out there, can only be forgiven and not forgotten but they can also be treasured and life giving. Mother Theresa has been quoted as saying, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Our impact can be endless if we choose our words wisely. 

After focusing on the power of words for the first part of the term, we developed it into how our words influence our actions. The expression ‘actions speak louder than words’  is thought to date far, far back. It essentially means that how people act is more telling than what they say. It is a saying often used when someone’s actions don’t match what they have said they would do, what they promised or how they claim to live their life. This results in their words, what they say – becoming weak, untrustworthy and worthless.

Confucius said, “The superior person acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.”

I implore us all to bring our words and actions into alignment, to bring life and hope, and to build up and not tear down.

By Wayne Naidoo

SIYA MAKINANA

Greetings to all

I am a student teacher who is qualified in Transportation Managament which I obtained at The University of Johannesburg. I have worked in corporate and realised my passion lies with the young ones.

I have been in the sports industry for six years and I was given an opportunity to work in schools like St John’s and St Stithian’s. I was also part of our Johannesburg Provincial hockey staff ( Southern Gauteng Hockey Association) as a coach for two years and the experience I gained has been exceptional.

I decided to join The Ridge Family for many reasons: such as the respect the boys display, the boys’ work ethic and the warmth the staff have shown. I would like to make a difference by growing and shaping the boys.

My experience at the school thus far has been great and I am excited to start playing my role in making a difference.

RELEBOHILE PHERANE

Hi, my name is Relebohile Pherane, but everyone calls me Lebo. I was born in Lesotho but grew up in Cape Town. In 2016 I decided to pay Joburg a visit and six years later I am still here and loving it. I am very passionate about education (Mathematics in particular) and sports…. yes, in that order.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean & Atmosphere Science from the University of Cape Town. I completed my undergraduate degree in 2014 and thereafter I volunteered for an after-school programme called Year Beyond (YeBo). Basically, I was placed in a school from one of the disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. I assisted the learners with their homework, assignments and reading. I was then recruited by Teach South Africa a year later to be their Mathematics Ambassador and I was placed in J.B. Matabane Secondary in Ivory Park, Tembisa where I taught Mathematics and Technology. I completed my Postgraduate Certificate in Education at UNISA in 2020.

I have been involved in some cool education projects in the last 6 years such as Columba CAP/Ngenhloso (Cognitive Acceleration Programme Through Mathematics). I have been in the education sector for over ten years now. I really enjoy working with and mentoring young people. After all, the future of our country rests upon their hands and it is our duty to equip them with the right tools.

I love nature and exploring our beautiful country. I love taking road trips with friends and family. I plan to explore every corner of South Africa and hopefully Africa in the near future. I love music (though I cannot sing to save my life) and I hope by the end of this year I have learnt to play the guitar that I got as a birthday present five years ago.

ANDREW SLAWSON

Hello everybody, I am Andrew, the new Finance Manager for The Ridge School. I have now been here for just short of four weeks and to see how a school operates from the “other side” has definitely been a revelation. I have been welcomed with open arms (this might have something to do with the fact that I pay the salaries) and I have been made to feel part of the family from day one. I attended the Founders Day ceremony for the first time, and it was inspiring to see the effort everybody, including the PA, went to to make this day the success that it was.

I have experience in the corporate world, having worked at ABSA, Nedbank and Naspers for many years in various finance related roles. I also have some SME experience having started my career at a small engineering, property and steel retailer group. I am a qualified Chartered Accountant and I have been working for over 30 years. As part of my giving back to the community, I am the treasurer for my Church, and I also audit the financial records of four other parishes in the Anglican diocese of Johannesburg.

I am originally from Pietermaritzburg but have been in Johannesburg for all of my working career. I live in the south of Johannesburg with my partner and our teenage son who is currently in Grade 11 at KES. I love visiting the Kruger National Park and go as often as my work and family commitments allow. In my spare time I like to read fiction novels for relaxation.

Your Ridge journey has come to an end, and we bid you farewell. May your future see you soaring to heights in the years to come.

 TRIBUTE TO NDILEKAN(THABI) DUMA BY MARTHA

We sometimes wonder why young people are being abandoned by their loved ones, especially their children, while they are still so young. But God said that everyone has a time to live. God’s word both creates and comforts us.

Thabi was a wise, intelligent, and very active lady who was very passionate about her work. For many years, she worked in the kitchen at The Ridge School.

She was my friend, my younger sister, and we worked hand in hand together, though she has now left us at a very young and beautiful age.

May her soul rest in peace.

Three Generations of Hersovs at The Ridge School 1935 – 2016

Basil Hersov (b 1926)is currently the oldest living Ridge old boy. He turned 95 in August and in September he and Antoinette celebrated their 64^th anniversary. From the Ridge (1935-1939), Basil went on to Michaelhouse in 1940. He wrote matric in 1943 and then did six months post-matric because he was too young to serve in the military. When he turned 18 in August 1944, he immediately joined the SAAF and trained as a pilot. He later joined the Airforce Reserve and flew with them until the late 1950s. After the war he went up to Cambridge University. He returned to SA on the death of his father in 1949. He spent his entire career in Anglo Vaal, the mining and industrial group that his father Bob had co-founded in 1933. As the last chairman and managing director from 1971 – 2000, he led the restructuring of the group in the late 90s whereafter he retired. He was for many years chairman of Barclays Bank/FNB and the SA Foundation. Aviation has been an enduring passion and he continued to fly as a private (qualified commercial) pilot until the late 2000s. He has been an Honorary Colonel in the SAAF for over 35 years. When asked about The Ridge in his time, Basil reminisced: “The only sport I did well at The Ridge was swimming – I got my colours and was made captain. We played soccer … cricket I disliked, because I was invariably playing silly mid-on or silly mid-off, and the batsman invariably drove the ball straight into my stomach. I was in a house called Botha and my brother Ronnie was in Rhodes. There was a pupil we called Mad Ritchie. He was always making guns and guillotines. When we were playing marbles, if you lost, you had to put your finger in his little guillotine and you had to get it out quickly, because it actually worked. He went on to become a very well-known gunsmith in SA.”  Basil also fondly recalled his years as a governor of The Ridge and then chairman of the board from 1976-83.

Basil’s brother Ronnie (b 1928)attended The Ridge (1936-1941) and he too went on to Michaelhouse. He moved to Portugal and then to the UK. He has lived in various European countries and now spends a large part of his time with his wife June in southern Spain. Ronnie’s son Charles (b 1963) spent two years at the Ridge (1970-1971) and then attended school in the UK. He now lives with his wife Deborah and their two sons Jago and Milo in southern Spain.

Basil’s elder son Rob (b 1960), attended The Ridge (1967-1973) and went on to Michaelhouse, completing A-Levels in 1978, followed by UCT, National Service in the army, a couple of years banking in NYC and then Harvard Business School. After an early corporate career in the US and Europe he launched a series of entrepreneurial ventures, whilst living in London with his first wife Kim and two sons Alexander and Luke. With several businesses well-established and after 31 years abroad, he returned to South Africa in 2017 and has since founded several more businesses. He lives in Cape Town with his second wife Kate and his two younger children Inara and Finn.

Basil’s younger son James (b 1964),followed the now well-established family tradition of attending The Ridge (1971-1977) and Michaelhouse. He then went on to Cambridge University, followed by two years of National Service in the SAAF. After co-founding a trading business in southern Africa he then joined Anglo Vaal and remains a NED of AVI. After a varied entrepreneurial career, as well as producing award-winning documentary films, he moved with his wife Elisabeth and their boys to the UK in 2017. He has since co-founded a financial advisory business and an innovative tech business and is chairman of the Lee R Berger Foundation for Exploration, supporting scientific discovery and research in Africa. James remembers, “acting as Second Baby Rabbit called Lucy in The Wind in the Willows; fighting battles with grass sods on the kopje during break whilst looking out for scorpions and snakes; sharing an Art Prize in Grade 2 with Beezy Bailey; Major Johnson barking orders on the sport fields; gentlemanly Mr Rose and the construction of the Rose Pavilion; and Mr Cheales’s larger than life personality, explosive temper and size 14 slipper.”

James’s elder son, Jasper (b 2003), completed Grade 7 as the Dux at The Ridge (2009 – 2016) and went on to Eton College, where he is now in his final year. He was awarded an Oppidan Scholarship and this year has been selected to Sixth Form Select, a prestigious prefect body established in the 1830s, “when the twenty ablest boys at the top of the school were taught by the Head Master in his schoolroom.” One of the roles of Sixth Form Select is to make speeches to the school (a few of which are still conducted in Latin or Greek) and there are five performances a year. He is Keeper of the school’s Shackleton Society for Exploration and Editor of the school’s online Science website, EtonSTEM. Jasper plays tennis for the Open Team and still loves to perform on the piano whenever he has the opportunity. His fondest memories of The Ridge include “the excitement of Friday afternoon swimming galas; Mrs van der Poel’s enthusiasm on Senior Choir tours and at Music Soirees; and the inevitability of Cheales (his house) winning the house cup at the end of the year.”   

James’s younger son Max (b 2006) left the Ridge at the end of Grade 4 (2012-2016). On arriving in the UK, he attended Lambrook Prep for two years, where he was put forward to write Eton College’s scholarship exams and won a King’s Scholarship. He is currently in his third year at Eton. Like his brother he obtained his Grade 8 in music and plays the clarinet in the school’s junior orchestra and senior concert band. He too loves tennis and represents the school team in his age group. In addition, he plays some sports specific to Eton, such as the Wall Game, Eton Fives and the Field Game. When asked what he remembers of The Ridge, Max replied: “The festive vibe of Founder’s Days; cricket matches on the Hope field (which were rather more glamourous than matches on the Hersov field); and playing in the Jazz Band.”

By Janet Fox

Wishing Old Boy, Ben Kok (2018) well as he departs on his trip to NASA in Houston, USA.

Congratulations to Old Boy, Kabir Budlender (2020) on winning the Speech of the Day prize at a recent isiZulu Oral Competition hosted by St Mary’s DSG in Pretoria.

Michael Van Heerden (LIV Fleming) has had a very busy year, achieving incredible honours and records in his junior swimming career. He managed to break six records at the Inter-House Swimming Gala in the first term followed by qualifying for the South African National Junior Championships and earning himself three firsts and three seconds.

On Thursday 12 May we welcomed Old Boys from as far back as 1951 to as recent as 2021 to our annual Johannesburg reunion. Thank you to our guest speaker, Doug Gain (1989) for his insight into independent schooling in Johannesburg and his passion for The Ridge School and for what it stands for.

Thank you, also to James Carmichael (1989), our Old Boys Chair and parent, for his excellent hosting skills and running, together with Doug, a rigorous and robust debate.

SENIOR PREP OVERVIEW

What is it that we want of our boys once their journey at The Ridge School is over? This is a question that we as educators often ask ourselves. We understand that giving our boys a sound educational base is a primary objective. I could spend hours talking about the various ways in which schools try to achieve these goals with each one claiming to offer the best, most sophisticated method of unlocking a child’s potential.

I look around the country and the educational climate that we find ourselves in, and I am concerned. Whilst schools churn out impressive school results and puff out their chests at the number of scholarships achieved. It brings to mind the question of how we measure success.

On one hand, parents want to know that their child will be afforded the best opportunity to succeed and thrive in life and to that end, academic excellence is a strong driver. The process of learning should count more than the outcome, and how we measure growth, through encouraging a growth mindset should be the cornerstone of what we do as educators.

Academics will always play a critical role in what we do at The Ridge, and it should. We take this opportunity to celebrate the boys that achieved academic recognition and honours – two and three terms of an 80% and more average is no mean feat. We congratulate all our Scholarship winners and recognize that their discipline, focus and time on task have also reaped great rewards.

Private schools are becoming more diverse in their makeup, and this is a beautiful thing, but can we rely on our old model of how things were done to equip our boys of the skills they will need for the future. Creating cultures of thinking and inclusivity should be what all progressive schools strive to achieve, and these outcomes should go hand in hand with the vision and values of a school. We should be intentional in displaying empathy, resilience, respect, authenticity, and a sense of belonging to all who enter through our gates.

One of the many highlights of the semester was when The Ridge School hosted the premiere of the Mission Joy movie, featuring The Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This documentary was a celebration of the human spirit, the power of the “human touch” and how leading with kindness can spread joy.

Having last had a music tour in 2016, it was with great excitement that the school embarked on a tour de force to KwaZulu Natal. The boys played with passion and enthusiasm and fully embraced the opportunity to spread joy through their musical gifts. Our boys were well received whenever we performed and more importantly, our boys conducted themselves in a manner of which our community could feel proud.

The role that sports plays in our schools cannot be underestimated.  Besides learning and honing one’s skills in a particular sporting code, sport has the power to mould young men of character and integrity, and it instills accountability, discipline, and teamwork. Boys should be encouraged to play hard and fairly, giving their all for the team but once the final whistle blows, it should the enjoyment and love of participation that is remembered and not merely the end score.

To emphasise that very point, our first team rugby boys participated in the Independent Schools Rugby Festival hosted by Rondebosch in Cape Town. Though the results did not always go our way. the boys were congratulated on their style of play and grit by many of the other traditional rugby schools. What the boys remember are the sidesteps, mauls, and moves that finally worked and led to tries, not the huge hits received and final scores. What the boys remember are the bonds strengthened and new friends made and that is the beauty of sports.

The Great Debaters is a drama starring Denzel Washington based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Whilst we haven’t quite reached those lofty heights, the debating class of 2022 can be proud of putting The Ridge School firmly on the debating map.

Our Debating Team participated in a series of seven meets which culminated in the Antheneum Debating League, finals in which our boys earned first place in our category. Even more impressive is that we were the only junior school that managed to reach the finals and then win against high school students.

Some of the benefits of learning debating are improved critical thinking skills, articulation, greater empathy, and emotional control, these skills are sorely lacking in our world, and are vital in navigating the challenges we face today.

“Hear ye hear ye!” after a lengthy absence, the Grade 7 school production is back. Scripts have been written, cast assembled and rehearsals are underway. An adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk is what we can look forward to as we come back for the final Semester.

Drama and the Arts are one of the vehicles used to build creativity, improve confidence and encourage teamwork and collaboration and we look forward to these skills being put on display for what will surely be a memorable few nights of theatre.

What our robust school curriculum shows and tries to achieve is a teaching method in which complex real-world problems are used as the vehicle to promote student learning of concepts and principles.

The formalized introduction of Project Based Learning (PBL) helps to promote and reinforce the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication once again. It also provides opportunities for working in groups, finding, and evaluating research materials whilst also reinforcing the joy of lifelong learning.

The school year never really feels whole without our Founder’s Day celebrations, and it rings true that absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. The Ridge Family came together after a two-year hiatus to celebrate the Founder’s Day celebrations in person on our grounds. The day proved to be a huge success where the community and loved ones could share in laughter, unwind, and enjoy the festivities. This day helps to remind us that it is our diversity that makes us stronger together.

As we reflect on what has been a Semester full of activity and learning, we should take this time to evaluate our past, live fully in the moment, and look to lead into the future with kindness. This should fill us all with hope and joy for what our future leaders can achieve.  

By Nico Seakamela

JUNIOR PREP OVERVIEW

 It’s hard to believe that part of Term 2 2021 was spent online, and now, just a year later, we have been able to re-introduce all the in-person academics, performing arts, sports and extra mural activities back into our daily lives.

Term 2 is traditionally a cold, long term and this year wasn’t made any more cheerful with the Stage 4, 5 & 6 load shedding. Thankfully, we live in Johannesburg where even when there is no power during the day, the sun is still shinning and warming the beautiful teaching spaces on The Ridge campus.

Here are some of my highlights from Term 2 2022:

JP ASSEMBLY

“I’m helpful, I’m brave, I’m kind” – These are our JP Assembly mantras and positive affirmations, these help us focus on how we want to show up and challenge any negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, they become our second nature.

Every Thursday morning, we come to the Nicolson Hall with our Junior Prep School family. This is a time of formalities and fun, notices and celebrations. Towards the end of every assembly, we take a few moments to say these 3 short phrases together:

I am helpful.

I am brave.

I am kind.

What we focus on, we get more of and what we offer to others, we strengths in ourselves.

A light-hearted moment in our assemblies is when we incorporate some dance or movement into the proceedings. We particularly enjoy DJ Raphi’s YouTube channel. DJ Raphi a Johannesburg-born beatboxer, dancer, DJ and recording artist currently based in Jerusalem, Israel. When I tagged DJ Raphi on the video below he said he was delighted to see the JP Ridge boys enjoying one of our favourites, ‘Follow the Leader’.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE – Parent workshop on 25^th May

I had a meeting with a Junior Prep Mom in Term 1, and she was saying how truly isolating the pandemic had been for her and her family. She picks up most of the responsibilities of day-to-day parenting for her son and his younger brother. She is still getting to know the other Ridge families and so does not yet feel comfortable to ask for help with practical things like playdates, lifts or lunchboxes. She was the inspiration behind this parent talk. I opened the session with a welcome and opportunity for parents to introduce themselves to each other. Candice Fletcher then spoke about the after effects of the pandemic and then Mr Naidoo wrapped up with his dad’s perspective of having young children and how asking for help gives other an opportunity to ask for help too. The best moment of the session was when Mr Naidoo took off this shoe and sock and showed us how his daughters had painted his toenails pink and purple!

GRADE 0 & 1 – PARENTS AND SONS SPORT – 9^th & 16^th July

As a school, we are proud of the achievements we have had on the sports field over a number of years, and therefore we are always striving to keep improving our programme. We believe the success of the programme relies on continued support from both the boys and parents.

Our coaching staff focus on developing the necessary physical skills, as well as learning about the importance of good sportsmanship, like shaking hands after a match of parents vs boys!

My heart was bursting when I walked down to the field on a chilly morning in July to see the incredible turnout from the Grade 0 and 1 parents and sons.

SALT – Sharing and Learning Together – 10^th June

 I really look forward to and enjoy these SALT sessions with the boys. During this SALT meeting, with a South African theme, we played a game of ‘Snakes & Ladders’ with different tasks and instructions.

Grade 7 boy: “What do you love about South Africa?”

Grade 1 boy: “Cape Town”

Grade 7 boy: “What do you not like about South Africa?”

Grade 1 boy: “Guineafowls!”

When I grow up, I want to me more like a child. I often say this, and I really mean it. No two days are the same when you work in a school. The boys are interesting and hilarious and honest and eager. They teach me more than I teach them and being with them fills my heart with joy.

By Mandy Herold

LIGHTHOUSE OVERVIEW

It takes a village … supporting boys with neurological developmental differences

“In a world like ours, accepting ourselves as neurodivergent is the hardest thing to do. It often feels futile, as if there are a thousand barriers standing in the way. We are taught, intentionally or unintentionally, to think that any form of disability is a bad thing. From teasing at school, gung-ho attitudes about our capability, media displays of inspiration porn, right down to lackluster classroom accommodations and social stereotyping, we are taught that disability is somehow not okay.” This is a sad, but real, account of the neurodivergent experience from a former Matric student of mine. In truth, the general perception that neurotypical people have of people with neurodiversity is complete and utter nonsense. The task of changing these perceptions in schools is challenging, but not insurmountable.

Research was undertaken in 2021 with the aim of understanding the interactions neurodivergent people experienced within the educational environment, and what barriers and enablers were present for neurodivergent inclusion and participation. Results from that study show that positive relationships are enablers to inclusion, and assumptions made by teachers based on labels, competence, stigma, or stereotypes are barriers. Positive relationships with teachers are forged:

• when teachers listen and proactively respond to an Autistic student’s known needs, whether the needs are explicitly stated or otherwise communicated.
• when teachers who are sensitive to the student’s needs, enable the student to blossom, which in turn leads to that student developing confidence to self-advocate.
• when teachers avoid making assumptions, passing judgement or stereotype their students.
• when teachers actively dismantle stigma associated with neurodiversity. 
• when teachers foster two-way communication that includes self-advocacy 
• in a robust way to ensure that an educational environment is inclusive for every individual.  
• when teachers have a presumption of competence,  
• When as well as dismissing the deficit-based assumption surrounding Autism, one can also foster inclusive educational environments and offer positive educational experiences for Autistic people.

My experience of inclusive education in three different countries and in a number of   different schools has shown that academic inclusion doesn’t always look the same, it varies depending on how inclusion is defined, and how much inclusion support is actually provided by schools – in some cases, none at all. Education should be inclusive and accommodating for all students wanting to go to school. Every educational setting is different in the way they approach inclusion of neurodivergent students, but it is essential to incorporate support for social and emotional wellbeing, behaviour, communication, and sensory needs.  

It is important to remember that our boys who have neurological developmental differences such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or are autistic/have autism do not engage in willful disobedience. Their behaviour is not determined by too much sugar or too much Minecraft, and symptoms are not “just a tantrum”, a character flaw, or down to poor parenting. Neurological differences won’t be cured by sports or discipline.

Children with neurological developmental differences experience a range of challenges at school. Sometimes these challenges stem from differing styles of communication and social differences that result in difficulties in relationships. Accumulating research and evidence indicates that neurodivergent children are more likely to be bullied at school. Neurological developmental differences do not equate to low ability or low intelligence. Without neurodivergent brains, it is unlikely that we would have explorers, entertainers, pioneers, innovators, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, computer engineers, and creatives. “There are neurodivergent people in EVERY walk of life and in EVERY profession, and learning how to engage positively with ALL people from a very young age is a life skill that we must all learn.”

By Penelope Meyer

SPORT OVERVIEW

This year was the first year that we have officially trialed a switch in winter sports to align with rugby with the Easter Festivals. We also introduced TAG rugby as an alternative to contact rugby which the boys really seemed to enjoy. Our rugby season as a whole was quite a tough one but our boys’ showed lots of grit and determination, especially against the larger Boys Prep Schools. The culmination of the season was the highly anticipated Independent Schools Rugby Festival hosted by Bishops for our 1^st side. Our boys really did us proud during the three matches they played against WPPS, Woodridge and St Andrew’s. The boys really played awesome rugby and the victory on the last day was exactly what the boys deserved. The boys also experienced an awesome tour of Cape Town on their rest day; doing a harbor cruise, going up Table Mountain, an open top Red Bus tour of the city, local fish and chips in Hout Bay and finally some fun time on the beach. The boys also enjoyed a round of putt-putt in Sea Point and a trip to the Waterfront.

During the term we also had boys playing tennis, running cross country events, climbing in competitions and canoeing.

Our tennis boys are still currently playing fixtures which will end during the last week of term. They have had some stiff competition during the season but have punched well above their weight and produced some impressive results. The Ridge has also entered two teams to participate in the annual Sun City Tennis tournament during the August holidays. We are looking forward to this event and know our boys will do us proud.

Our cross-country boys performed well in the various events that were hosted and the season ended in an Inter-Schools events hosted by St John’s at Rietvlei Zoo Farm. This was a great event and our runners performed well and our teams finishing as follows out of the 8 participating schools:

• Grade 3 – 5^th
• Grade 4 – 5^th
• Grade 5 – 7^th
• Grade 6 – 2^nd
• Grade 7 – 2^nd 

Our climbers also performed well this season and we ended up having two boys selected to represent Gauteng at the Cape Town Nationals. Congratulations to both William McIlleron and Jack Heenan on being selected. A very special mention needs to go to Jack who finished 3^rd in the Lead section for U12 boys. Both these boys can be extremely proud of their achievements and are commended for their time and dedication to the sport.

Our canoeing boys trained every Friday in Term 1 and this paid off for three Ridge boys who went on to represent Gauteng at the SA Marathon Champs held in KZN this year. These three boys flew The Ridge flag extremely high and achieved the following results:

• Boys U8 – Asher Wilson finished 1^st
• Boys U10 – Ben Carmichael finished 1^st  Edward Carmichael finished 2^nd

This was a fantastic achievement and we would like to congratulate these boys on the dedication and commitment they have  shown during the season.

As from half-term all our boys started playing compulsory football. At the time of writing this report, the boys had already played 4 fixtures and there have been some impressive results across the board. This year we will be taking the entire Gr 7 group on football tour with the A and B sides going to Nelspruit and the C and D sides going to Camp Discovery.

We have held hockey trials to select a side to represent The Ridge at the annual Prep Schools Hockey Festival hosted by Rondebosch this year. We wish the 13 boys selected all the best as they play some really tough opposition, who will be nearing the end of their season, whilst we are only starting ours. 

Lastly, I would like to thank all the coaches who have been involved in making this term’s sport run as smoothly as possible. To all the staff that have given up their time to go on tours or who are still going on tours, a very big thank you for the time you have given up to create memories that our Ridge boys will hopefully never forget. To the Estate and Catering staff who ensure that the fields are marked and maintained, and the tea, coffee and snacks are being served to parents and visiting schools I also need to say a huge thank you to our parents. It is wonderful to have you back on campus supporting your boys. Lets keep encouraging and cheering for our boys at every opportunity we get.

As we approach the final term, I wish all the Ridge staff and coaches a wonderful and deserved break and safe travels if you are going away or on tour. Return well rested for an exciting final term.

By Bennie Du Preez

INNOVATION FEEDBACK

Innovations this term included the introduction of: Philosophy for Children (P4C) in Grade 4, Project Based Learning (PBL)in Grade 5; Robotics and Coding in Grade 4; and Applied Drama in Grade 7.    

P4C encourages the development of reasonableness, practical wisdom and good judgement. It develops clarity of language, open-mindedness, and precision of language. In addition, It addresses central human concerns such as fairness, responsibility and truth. The four C’s of P4C thinking include: critical thinking, creative thinking, caring thinking and collaborative thinking. It teaches children to think more deeply and philosophically through a variety of activities based on questioning, collaborative enquiry and dialogue. 

Project Based Learning (PBL) in Grade 5 integrates the subjects: Geography, History, Design & Technology and Science. It is a learner centred approach that promotes skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, problem-solving, perseverance, collaboration, information literacy, and the integration of technology. It was wonderful to observe the boys’ excitement and enthusiasm for this approach. 

This term, our driving question was: What might we learn from Ancient Egypt that would help us to develop a better today? The boys began the engagement process by planning their own trip to Egypt where they were given a budget and parameters for the duration and nature of the trip. They then went on to explore the roles of various people during that time. They continued the exploration through the incorporation of design and technology aspects by creating, in groups of four, models of “A Day in the Life of Ancient Egypt”. Amongst other things, the models needed to include:  a pyramid, a River, a Shaduf, a sarcophagus, a crop; a Rosetta Stone, an Obelisk and artifacts of their own choice. Thereafter, they looked at lessons learned from the Ancient Egyptians that could assist us today, in order to answer the driving question. The project culminated in an Egyptian Evening where the boys showcased their learning to their parents.

Drama in Education (DIE) provides a stimulating context in which students are able to think and reason with reference to moral dilemmas. Drama has been known to have a positive effect on attitudes such as self-confidence, commitment, sensitivity and the desire to learn and develop understanding. It provides learners with the opportunity to absorb realities that differ from their own, to create, to perform and reflect upon that performance and to engage in emotional commitment within those realities.  It may be used as a means of educating through the immersion of participants within complex situations. The boys explored subjects such as: bullying, social scenarios which may arise in High School and how to respond to these and how to act when difficult or awkward situations arise.

In terms of teaching and learning, research was done into the relationship between curriculum and pedagogy and we have begun to implement alternative ways of teaching and learning. We are examining the ways in which assessment takes place by considering assessment for learning, assessment as learning and assessment of learning. The focus is to be on assessment on the process rather than of the final product only. We have explored ways in which to provide a personalised learning journey for each boy by taking into account the different learning needs of each boy. The aim is to offer more than a curriculum-based education so as to develop an individual’s sense of self and worth in their context. Learning should be fun, engaging, authentic and instil a sense of wonder, curiosity and a love of learning so that our boys can become lifelong learners. 

Ultimately, we would like to provide our boys with the knowledge, skills and habits of mind for a forward thinking, sound education that is personal and that supports our strategic vision within the school.

Caption for pictures:  Grade 5 boys working on their Egypt models.

By Glynnis Moore

ENVIROMENTAL OVERVIEW

The Second Term has seen The Ridge take on and participate in a variety of Environmental initiatives. We were lucky enough to have Mr Kevin Moore address the boys and staff at Assembly during World Environment Awareness Month in June to speak about his work in conservation at SANParks. He reiterated the importance of water conservation and taught us some interesting things about alternate water sources. They boys were intrigued and motivated to be more mindful of their own water consumption. 

The Grade 4 cohort studied the topic of water. They investigated the significance of water in our lives as well as the survival of all living things. The boys were asked to bring a 5-litre bottle of water to carry around for the day in honour of the many people who must travel several kilometres every day just to collect fresh water. The water was then collected by Ashraful Aid Organisation and delivered to the Eastern Cape, where it is desperately needed. 

The Grade 1’s took a trip to Random Harvest Nursery where they learnt about indigenous plants. They spent time in the soil learning about the many living organisms that contribute to making healthy, fertile soil in which plants can grow. The Grade 1’s also collected pine cones and made their own bird feeders which have attracted a variety of birdlife to school and home gardens. 

The Grade 2’s tended to their vegetable garden which has involved a lot of soil prep and weeding. They planted winter vegetables such as spinach and carrots as well as flat leaf parsley and cabbages. The birds have proved a challenge to the garden this winter and so the boy devised ways to protect their crops. In lessons the boys have learnt about the farm to table process that the food we buy goes through. This culminated in the boys making their own butter from scratch. A tiring and rewarding exercise. Mrs Coetzee came in to help the boys set up our own worm farm which will provide our vegetable garden and soil with excellent nutrients to see it into Spring. 

The Grade 5’s took over the organisation and running of the Clothes to Good drive. All members of the school community were encouraged to bring in green bags filled with clothes and materials that they no longer use. There are so many wonderful benefits of this organisation. The aspect of reducing, reusing and recycling is at the core of everything they do and the benefit of empowering women in their own small businesses makes it even more meaningful. Please visit https://clothestogood.com/ if you would like to learn more. 

As a school community continue to make Eco-Bricks which are collected at the Parker Block. The bricks are given over to Khensani’s Collection in Diepsloot where they are used to build classrooms. Every Eco-Brick is a triumph as it contains the small pieces of plastic that cause damage and destruction to our wildlife. Please keep them coming in! 

The school is committed to recycling our waste and reusing where we can. We have active compost heaps and we have reinstated our Bokashi Bins since the reopening of the school kitchen. Recyclable waste is collected by WholeEarth recycling once a week. We are always looking for more effective ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. 

By Holly Ferrar

GRADE 0 OVERVIEW

With winter around the corner and brand-new tracksuits ready to be donned, the Grade 0 boys entered into Term 2 with excitement and awe. One of the most wonderful privileges of being a Grade 0 teacher is the joy that comes with the simplest of new experiences through the eyes of 5-and 6-year-olds. 

Term 2 has been a hive of excitement for The Parker Block! It is quite possible that some of the most memorable days were the ones where parents offered to share their passions and occupations with our boys. This was a new project, and we are so grateful for how well it was received. The boys learned about a range of jobs from policewomen and lawyers to cookie bakers and doctors. A research scientist provided much fun and entertainment as the boys learned about sound waves, and witnessed real-time hypotheses being created. 

Another highlight of Term 2 was celebrating 100 Days of School. The significance of this celebration is to recognise 100 days of learning, whilst incorporating the understanding of the concept of the number 100. The boys began their week of celebrations by bringing in bags of 100 items in the hopes of a better understanding of how the number can be represented in many different ways. For example, a bag of 100 rice grains looks very different to 100 marshmallows. The boys then learned about making 10 groups of 10, as well as counting in 10s, in a practical and fun way. We concluded the week with a visit from Ridgie and Mr Naidoo and each boy received a certificate congratulating him on completing 100 days at The Ridge School.

We have enjoyed the reintroduction of Parent and Sons Sport, and what a happy sight it has been to see so many boys and their folks filling the Cheales field on Saturday mornings. The boys and their parents have braved frosty fields to home in on their soccer skills and get to know one another in a different environment. 

After the hype and excitement of Founder’s Day it was a downhill slide to the end of Term! We are so looking forward to welcoming the boys back to a warmer Third Term after a well-deserved holiday.

By Sarah Behr

GRADE 3 OVERVIEW

It has been an exciting term for the Grade 3 boys. Not only did they learn a lot about the world around them, but they developed an understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship.

The theme for the term was “The World around us”. This allowed the boys to find out more about animals that interested them and highlighted our role as humans in the world. With World Environment Day as well as World Oceans Day in June, we discussed how we can influence the environment in which we live. Learning about habitats, food chains, animal classifications and sustainability allowed the boys to deepen their understanding of the Animal Kingdom.

The theme culminated in a project where the boys were able to merge their creativity and animal knowledge. They made an Ocean Diorama that represented the habitat in which their chosen animal or animals lived. The boys then prepared a 2 minute speech on the chosen animal or animals. The standard was very high and the creativity shown in making their dioramas showed unique ideas. It was a huge success and the learning that took place was amazing to witness.

A wonderful addition to our timetable this term was that of Art. The boys worked on both theme related ideas as well as learnt more about famous artists. The boys developed their spatial skills and their understanding of colour. The term ended with a paper mache project making a model of the Earth, which developed their understanding of the continents.

The rugby and soccer seasons provided many opportunities to  develop the boys fitness levels and to work together in a variety of teams. The greatest lesson learnt was how to deal with disappointment and regroup as a team, developing resilience for the next game.

We look forward to the last term of 2022 and hope that the lessons learnt during Term 2, about how to look after each other , as well as the Mother Earth are with our boys for many years to come.

By Di Wellard

GRADE 4 OVERVIEW

The Grade 4s have had an extremely busy term and have enjoyed being fully involved in many aspects of school life, from the classroom to the sports field and Music department. They started the term with a project-based style of learning that incorporated many of their core subjects. First of all, the boys worked in pairs to design a zoo on Minecraft. The excitement and enthusiasm for this was immeasurable! They chose 4 animals, researched their habitats and designed each enclosure to incorporate all the necessary features required for their animal to survive in their habitat. The boys were then required to draw a map and create an poster advert for their zoo, as well as present a radio advert in Afrikaans and design an invitation in Zulu. Following on from this project, the boys learnt about how animals and plants have adapted to their environments and they each created a wonderfully entertaining presentation on Chatterpix, describing the adaptations of a selected animal.

After a long gap resulting from the Covid restrictions, we have been able to resume the Reading Programme where we ask parents to come in and read in small groups with the boys once a week. Both boys and parents are really enjoying this opportunity to read together and for the boys to develop their reading skills. 

The rugby season was a highlight for many, including some of those who weren’t so sure about the game at the beginning. We ran several ‘contact’ teams and a couple of ‘tag’ teams. It was great to see the improvement as the weeks progressed and the Grade 4s are to be complimented on some very promising results. We are now in the throes of an extremely busy football season having transferred their skills from their hands to their feet!

The choir boys had an opportunity to display their musical talents when they endeared themselves to the audience at the premier of ‘Mission Joy: Finding Happiness in Troubled Times’.

As our theme for ‘Environmental Awareness Month’ in June, the Grade 4s investigated the topic of water and the crisis hitting various corners of the earth. We learnt about the importance of water, studied the water cycle and carried a 5 litre bottle of water around for a day in appreciation of the millions of children in the world who do not have access to fresh water and have to travel many kilometres to fetch some. The water bottles were then donated to Ashraful Aid who transported them down to the Eastern Cape where the people are in dire need of fresh water.

The history of The Ridge was learnt by means of a ‘treasure hunt’, where the boys had to find sources of evidence around the school to gather information about the last 103 years. This was definitely an action-packed challenge which found Grade 4s racing around the premises in all directions!

We would like to acknowledge and offer hearty congratulations to Ben and Ed Carmichael who finished 1^st and 2^nd respectively in the South African U10 4km Canoe Championships, and to Antonio Isidro who has been selected to represent South Africa at the Tillotson T4 Nations Cup for Go Karting to be held in Spain in September. Well done, guys!

And so, as this busy term draws to a close, we are proud of all that the Grade 4s have achieved. They are a pleasure to teach, full of energy and enthusiasm, and they have certainly earned a restful, happy holiday. 

By Erica Kinnear

MUSIC OVERVIEW

Woo-hoo for Term 2!

After the incredibly successful Term 1, I wasn’t sure if we would be able to top it, but the boys defied all expectations to present another amazing selection of performances throughout Term 2.

We started off the Term by hosting the Ascension Day Service here at The Ridge, and it was an absolutely joyous celebration alongside the APPS and St Katharine’s girls. The school hosted the South African Première of the film Mission: Joy – a collaborative film about the friendship between the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu. What a privilege to be part of such a wonderful event, with an incredibly important message of togetherness. The Grade 5 Marimba band welcomed the guests and dignitaries upon arrival and the Junior Choir opened the evening’s formal proceedings with an energetic rendition of Give a Little Love by Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers.

We hosted our second Ridge Ensemble Evening on Monday 6 June, and it was a very successful evening with performances by all our Marimba bands, the Senior Orchestra as well as début performances by the Senior Guitar Ensemble and the Jazz Band, under the direction of Marcus Wyatt. 

The Senior Choir participated in the Kingsmead Choir Festival, giving the boys an opportunity to showcase their well-rehearsed choral programme, alongside the choirs of De la Salle and Kingsmead. The boys did The Ridge proud and managed to deliver a high-quality performance after a long afternoon on the sports field.

This year’s Music Tour to KZN was a resounding success, with community concerts held at the Caister Lodge and Garden Grove retirement homes, as well as at Le Domaine retirement estate. We also presented school concerts at Kearsney College and Clifton, and to a wonderfully energetic audience at Highbury. The boys worked hard, performed exceptionally well, and had a number of fun activities to enjoy too. They represented the school adeptly and our hosts thoroughly enjoyed their polished performances.

This year marked our first Founder’s Day since the Centenary Celebrations in 2019. The Music Department showcased the Foundation Orchestra at the start of the formal service and then combined with the Senior Orchestra to officially kick off the proceedings with a South African flavour, performing a piece called Kwêla. The Junior Choir and Amtoti Choir were also featured here, as well as a combined item with the Senior Choir and Orchestra of Sisi ni Moja which means We are One, in Swahili. This was a wonderful, celebratory service with the whole school community in attendance.

The afternoon Founder’s Fun Day celebrations provided a stage for the Rock Band, Jazz Band and Staff bands to demonstrate how incredibly versatile our Music department is. Great fun was had by all!

Grade 2 and 3 Music Assembly provided an incredibly important platform for the Individual Music students to display their growing talents. Much improvement has been made since the Term 1 concert, and the boys are commended on their continued efforts in polishing their musical skills.

The term ended with a community engagement performance at the Salvation Army Eventide Home for the Aged, where the Junior Choir boys performed their whole repertoire and also brought treats and goodies to host a tea for the residents. A special thank you to all the moms who helped make this opportunity a possibility.

The Senior Soirée was an utterly joyful way to end the term on a musical note. I look forward to all the musical gems taking place in Term 3. See you at the next concert!

By Carol Ackermann

MUSIC TOUR KZN

FOUNDERS DAY

On Saturday 23 July we celebrated Founders’ Day and our 103rd birthday. The day kicked off with an assembly on Hersov field, as we enjoyed words of encouragement from Mr Reginald Lucky Seane, our guest speaker (Old Boy 1998). The festivities continued on Rose and Cheales late into the afternoon.

ART OVERVIEW

As we close off another term of Art, on the back of so many changes at The Ridge and in our broader context, it is good to step back and take stock of what it is we actually do with our boys in Art class. In the words of veteran Art Educator and publisher, Maryanne Kohl “Art is as natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment”. The journey of an individual through art begins at The Ridge School in Grade 0. From Grade 0 through to Grade 3, boys are busy with the building blocks of artmaking. This is a time when exploring colour and representing objects begins. By Grade 3 they are using more complex ways of describing their world, and they begin to get to grips with the language of Art. By Grade 4 boys enter the Senior Prep art studio – the most spectacular art studio in the country! Here they start to use techniques with more confidence and awareness, and they are able to produce more original work. In Grade 5 they begin to grapple with how to use materials in unique ways in order to achieve their vision. By Grade 6 boys are able to understand that art is also about the idea, and they learn how to use it as a tool for communication, particularly through graphic art. The Grade 7s bring it all together in their projects, marrying their technical skills with their conceptual abilities, and their work never fails to impress.

No matter the age or the stage, our boys are not afraid to tackle whatever artistic challenge is thrown their way. In addition to learning about artists and techniques, art class is about using one’s imagination, solving problems along the way, patience, humility, respect for others, and appreciation for diverse cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. Boys also learn that their art making is not only about producing something amazing to look at, but that the lessons learnt can be applied to the world more broadly. In our fast-changing world where AI and IT are dominating, it is the things which make us uniquely human that machines can’t replace, which we have to develop and nurture, such as compassion, critical thinking and creativity.  Art classes at The Ridge make a substantial contribution to equipping our boys with these ‘softer’, but soon becoming ‘core’ skills. I have seen how, over their time in the studio, boys become more curious, how they develop their intellectual courage, how they explore, problem solve and collaborate, becoming more adaptable, resilient and committed! Many Ridge boys have returned to the studio to tell me about their Matric Art, or Fine Arts at university, or even how Art influenced technical subjects like engineering or sciences. 

Art classes are about giving boys a wonderful space for innovation and imagination. There should not be a formula for producing art. The American abstract sculptor, Louise Nevelson said “I think all great innovations are built on rejections.” Having the freedom to make mistakes, seeing them as opportunities to create something new, is one of my guiding philosophies, which gives boys the freedom to make the beautiful creations and interesting innovations they do. I am always so proud of their achievements, always surprised and always inspired by what they bring to their works of art.

By Nicci Kurz

NIGHT RUN

The PA Neon Night Run, back on the calendar after a couple of years, proved to be as popular as before with nearly 700 attendees. The golf course was alive with all things bright and bold as young and old tackled the 2km and 4km routes, both proving to be tougher than first thought. Congratulations to the PA, the event was a great success in bringing together The Ridge community to share in a fun and healthy evening out.

RUGBY TOUR: CAPE TOWN

SCIENCE EXPO

THE GRADE 4s VISITED GOLD REEF CITY

Our Grade 4s recently went to Gold Reef City on a heritage tour, learning about the history of Johannesburg “Egoli” the place of gold. The boys went into the old mine shafts to experience and learn about life as a miner and ended off the day with some fun and exhilarating rides.

MOTHERS CELEBRATIONS

The Grade 0 mums joined their sons for a special morning in The Eagle Room. The boys showcased what they had been learning in their Music lessons with Mrs Ackermann, which included a memorable mother-son dance to ‘Special Star’ at the end of their performance. The boys then pampered their mums with a beautiful manicure, and some were even brave enough to expose their toes to the freezing cold! The boys and their mums then showed off their fine motor and beading skills, and produced stunning pink bracelets as a keep sake from the day. It was the perfect morning for the mums and sons to make memories together, as well as an opportunity for the mums to connect with one another over a cup of tea and delicious eats.

MISSION JOY

On Wednesday 1 June, The Ridge, in partnership with the Anglican Dioscese of Johannesburg were privileged to host the South African premiere of the much anticipated international film Mission: JOY.

Mission: JOY is the moving and laugh-out-loud funny documentary about South African icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s friendship and their secrets of finding joy in troubled times.

The film shares the humour and wisdom of two of the world’s most beloved icons as these two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates united for one final mission: to show the world how to live with JOY.

SENIOR PREP LIBRARY OVERVIEW

Term 2 was a busy term. We hosted an exciting Inter-School General Knowledge Quiz in the beginning of May, with 13 teams (7 schools) at The Ridge School in May. The first one at our school since 2016!

Boys started flocking to the library for books to read when they had some time in between all the rest of their activities. Borrowing statistics for the 2018/2019 year was 3527 books, this increased in 2020/2021 to 4358 books (including the lockdown) and currently, for the 2021/2022 year we are breaking records with a staggering 7864 books that boys borrowed from the library. This just proves that “between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be”!

The event we looked forward to the most, this term was our Literacy Week. This happened from the 1^st to the 5^th of August. We had authors coming to talk to us (Bailey Bezuidenhout and Richard James Edwards); teachers sharing their favourite books with us (all available in the Library; shows including Hooked on Books (Books available at Exclusive Books), On Cue Theatre (‘Arthur the Black Panther’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast and the Happy Prince’) and The National Children’s Theatre (Under the Baobab Tree); the chance to accessorise and dress up (or down) and a fabulous book sale hosted by Exclusive Books.

The Inter-House General Knowledge Quiz in the Nicolson Hall on Friday morning, was the grand finale of our fun-filled week. We had House Team tables set up on stage, complete with colour-coordinated buzzers. The categories were: Random Facts, Geography, Literature, Food, The Arts, Sport, Myths & Legends and finally… Dinosaurs!

The audience participated at the end of each category, when we asked an audience question. The final score (after a nail-biting tie-breaker) was:

Rose in 4^th place with 370 points

Cheales in 3^rd place with 390 points

Nicolson in 2^nd place with 480 points

Dunn in 1^st place with 490 points

Well done to House representatives who made up the teams and thank you to the audience and staff for their enthusiastic support!

The focus of this week was to give boys the opportunity to rediscover the joy of books and stories as well as broaden their horizons so that they can embrace all the aspects of Literacy with enthusiasm and excitement. If you looked around the school at the piles of books being carted around, listened to the excited chatter and witnessed the boys’ wide smiles… I think we achieved our purpose!

By Hanlie Glanz

STAFF SOCCER DAY

To end off the football season, our academic, coaching and administrative staff played a friendly match against our estate staff. It was a fierce battle for a year’s worth of bragging rights, but when the dust settled it was the love of the game that triumphed. Thank you to our parents, boys and staff who came to support.

THE RIDGE SCHOOL WINTER APPEAL

Our Winter Warmth Blanket Drive has been a wonderful success thanks to our incredible Ridge community.

Dr Marjorie Manganye, aged 91, the Founder of Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home received the blankets that were then handed over to the 100 residents. The joy and appreciation of these elderly folk was heart-warming and humbling. We are also delighted to have supported the 67 Blankets for Mandela Day organisation again with knitted and crocheted blankets, and One Small Act of Kindness with 178 blankets.

Sincere thanks to Liz Wallis for coordinating and driving this initiative and to our generous parent, boys and staff for their donations.

Climbing

Despite the chilly second term, climbing boys were unrelenting in their commitment to the sport. They soldiered on embracing every challenge set out for them with vigour and verve. This mindset went a long way to help them improve their fitness levels as well as their technical ability and skill (whole body strength and finger strength). This in turn helped build their overall climbing confidence. A few of the advanced climbers were given the opportunity to learn about route setting. The focus of this skill was to help them to improve their problem solving ability when climbing different routes. Boys also assisted the coaches with setting out and packing away of gear, which in itself is an important skill.

Congratulations also goes out to the following 2 boys for the leadership roles:

• William Mcilleron – Captain

• Mustafa Adroos – Vice Captain

GRADE 1s LEARNT ABOUT SPACE

What a lively conclusion to Term 2. The Space theme was a big hit with our Grade 1 boys and we are very proud of all of their projects completed primarily with recycled materials. They followed all of the instructions and discovered that they could make the most interesting items out of things they already had at home. Excellent work boys

GRADE 0s CAREER DAY

The Grade 0s had so much fun learning all about different careers and jobs over the past two weeks. They have been fortunate enough to enjoy presentations from a range of parents who have come into share their knowledge and passions. We have heard from a police woman, engineer, architect, business manager, attorneys, investment banker, doctors, research scientist, cookie baker, and a pianist. What lucky boys! To end of this fun theme, the Grade 0s came dressed up as their dream job and had such fun sharing their ideas with their classes.

GRADE 0s 100 DAYS

The Grade 0s celebrated 100 days of school. They dressed up as an older person or a representation of 100. Ridgie joined as their special guest and Mr Naidoo handed each boy his certificate. Congratulations Boys

GRADE 2 WORM FARM

Mrs Coetzer, a previous grade 0 teacher, visited the Grade 2s and explained the importance of worms for the soil and their role in recycling food waste. She brought a jar of red wrigglers and assisted the boys in establishing their own worm farm. We learned what we should and should not feed them. The boys (and their teachers) are in charge of feeding the worms and keeping the worm farm in good condition. As we prepare for spring planting, we hope to be able to use the nutritious worm ‘tea’ in our Grade 2 vegetable garden

GRADE 4 PRESENTERS

As part of their Minecraft Zoo PBL cross-curricular project, the Grade 4s presented a radio advertisement during their Afrikaans lesson to promote their zoos. They spent the weeks before learning about zoo vocabulary and writing the advertisements by following a detailed brief.

The boys had such fun with their recording booth and recommend that every boy’s zoo is visited by the public!

CHATTER BOX

Several boys in Grades 4-7 took part in a public speaking competition last night at Kingsmead College. For their remarks, they each received a certificate.

Speaking in front of an audience is a gift. You’ll develop the self-assurance and poise needed to be anything you want to be.

GRADE 7s VISITED JHGC

The Grade 7 boys went on an educational excursion to the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre (JHGC). This excursion formed part of the cross-curricular approach as the boys read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in English and they will also be looking at the topics of slavery and South African history this term. The JHGC runs a programme that is specifically tailored for Grade 7 learners and covers issues of identity, personal as well as group and national identity. The tour included a discussion around diversity, difference, “othering” and how these result in the dehumanisation of minorities.

THE GRADE 7s LEARNT ABOUT VERTEBRATES

The Grade 7s had an opportunity to look inside a fish as part of Earth Science. The boys dissected a fish whilst studying vertebrates and had to identify the different organs inside the fish.

DEBATING CLUB

Congratulations to the following boys, Felix Jackson, Finn Berman, Katleho Ramatsoso, Muhammed Casoojee, Imran Budlender and Finn Berman who, as a team, finished in first place of the Antheneum Debating Competition. Our team competed in the Junior Divison against teams in Grade 8 and 9 and through hours of hard work and dedication pulled off an emphatic win. With thanks to their coaches Itu and Thato for their guidance and Mrs Patel for her unwavering support.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE U12 & U13 HOCKEY BOYS ON THEIR DISTRICT HOCKEY SELECTION

U12 Hockey boys – Iain Thompson & Yousha Gani

U13 Hockey boys – Neo Selibe, Nicholas Vogelzang, Hamza Kaka, Tom Rivett-Carnac

U8 & 10 CANOENING

Paddling their way to the top! Congratulations to Edward and Benjamin Carmichael and Asher Wilson on their performances this past weekend at the South African Canoeing Marathon Champs. Asher placed 1st in the U8 2km event. Benjamin placed 1st and Edward placed 2nd in the U10 4km event.

SALT

SALT session focused on Mandela Day, giving back to the community and the value of good leadership.

SALT (Sharing and Learning Together) is a mentorship initiative that is structured to form a ‘family’ unit from Grade 1 to 7. The ‘family’ gets together at set times, twice a term. A teacher coordinates and assists each ‘family.’ We are family.

THANKSGIVING LUNCH

Gratitude opens the door to the fullness of life. It multiplies what we have into more than enough. On the 2nd of August, the Grade 5 boys prepared and served a three-course Thanksgiving lunch to our service personnel. Thank you for demonstrating The Right Stuff and for contributing to a shared vision of community building, where everyone is seen and appreciated.

CHESS AT THE RIDGE

The Senior Chess Team welcomed Safe Study, a local NPO, to The Ridge to play a friendly chess match. The morning was spent enjoying playing chess and making the most of their shared interests. After everyone enjoyed lunch, our boys handed over donated blankets to each of our guests.

JUNIOR CHOIR

On Monday afternoon, our Junior Choir brought some joy to the residents of the Eventide Home in Emmarentia. The boys sang with lots of enthusiasm, bringing smiles, and some tears, to the retired folk who live there. Since we were unable to sing for them on Mandela Day, due to our Music Tour, we went this week. Donations of groceries and delicious eats were also given to the home, which falls under the Salvation Army. The boys were thrilled that Mr. Naidoo also joined us.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

GO-KART RACER

Congratulations to Antonio Isidro (Gr4) on his selection for the South African go-kart racing team. Antonio will travel to Spain later this year to represent his country. Wishing him and his team the best of luck.

STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF

I had a parent call me a few days ago, apologising profusely for bringing their son 10 minutes late to school and close to tears for letting the school and her son down. I told the parent to stop being so hard on themselves as I have two daughters (age 6 and 7,5) and I am impressed that they even made it to school. 

I also sensed the sheer panic in many parents, queuing to buy Lumo dance merchandise, get Howler bands and ensure that their sons had everything they needed to have a great time. I wished the boys knew how hard the adults worked to make sure that they had fun. And it is also ok if he did not get the last pink tutu because I got it. 

We are all driven by demands of excellence from ourselves and others and when things go askew or fall short of those impossibly high expectations, we spiral into self-recrimination. Perhaps you thought that self-criticism keeps you sharp, hoping that if you are tough on yourself for long enough you will be compelled to perform. Is performance to that degree more important than our humanity? 

Last week I sat in Grade 4 – 7 academic meetings when all the staff got together and discuss the progress of each boy. Unbeknown to the staff, I was keeping a tally of the number of times the words anxious or stressed were used. I stopped counting when I got to 300. Surely, this anxiety or stress is our humanity telling us that something is not right! And to strategise to pursue performance that is taking away our humanity, our fun, our life – is not a performance at all.

By being hard on ourselves we tend to define achievement in a hyper-specific way, that is, complete and total excellence at all times. You don’t need to lower your bar, but you do need to broaden your scope of what qualifies as a “win.” Achieving the desired outcome isn’t always in your control, so broaden your definition of success to include:

• Overcoming resistance or fear
• Pushing back and standing up for what you think is right
• Approaching a situation with a different mindset or attitude
• Having fun with your family
• Prioritising your wellness before you have to prioritise your illness

Humans essentially use two strategies for rewarding themselves and others. These two are destructive but schools have become exceptional at doing them. 

• The first is – “If you do…, then you get…” How often do you seek to motivate yourself and your children (or others) by using this approach.
• The second is – “Now that… I can give…” again, we wait for an impossible set of expectations to be reached and then view it as excellent.   

I want to suggest a third way to reward yourself and others – Self Acknowledgement. 

By acknowledging and celebrating yourself more often, you physically alter your brain to notice more evidence of your capabilities and success – not in comparison to an external set of factors or to other people. You accept that you are doing your best and that is enough. You can program yourself to believe that you deserve good things and that you are capable of creating positive changes in your life.

GLYNNIS MOORE

I arrived at The Ridge School a little more than a month ago to a very welcoming environment. My first greeting was a huge: “Hello…Welcome!” from Mandy Herold on the steps in front of the JP building. This set the tone for what was to follow. 

The first activity of the day was a Whole School Photo.The coordination of the entire school coming together in front of the hall – including some very little boys – was in my eyes, a feat nothing more than amazing. I admit to a feeling of ‘imposter syndrome’ by my inclusion in the photo  as I gazed over the wonderful view of Johannesburg. This was the first in a series of events and activities that had not taken place since before the advent of COVID lockdowns and it has been lovely to be a part of the palpable sense of excitement as more activities and events have happened over time.

The following day was an Ash Wednesday service where, in addition to a lovely service,  I was able to meet staff and girls from St Katherine’s and APPS. We enjoyed items performed by a combined choir and the boys and girls certainly enjoyed the opportunity to socialise during their break afterwards.

Imagine my surprise the following day when I was met by the sight of a host of Harry Potter and Cat In The Hat (amongst others) look alikes having a giant playdate on the Hersov field. Parents were clearly delighted to be experiencing a sense of community again whilst having their breakfast picnics on the lawns. There was even a Queen of Hearts, AKA Di Wellard, taking temperatures at the top gate. 

I was invited to several of the grades’ parent socials and was able to meet with many of the parents – some who were meeting for the first time – and they were grateful to be able to be out and about socialising after such a long time without being able to do so. It was clear that The Ridge parents loved the interaction and collegiality.

I was able to attend sporting events such as cricket, which seems to have a culture all of its own, with boys excitedly calling out to each other on the fields and parents cheering on the sidelines. The Inter House Gala and Cross Country demonstrated the boys’ energy and enthusiasm for active activities and obvious support for one another. 

Perhaps the most exciting event, especially for the more senior boys, was the Lumo dance. Besides the obvious enjoyment of the children (and some staff) bopping up and down on the dance floor, there were many opportunities for valuable discussion on the Monday afterwards as boys unpacked the events and interactions that they had had with children from other schools.

Where academics is concerned, I have been meeting with groups of teachers and visiting classes to gain a better understanding of how things work at The Ridge and to plan some of the way forward. In addition, we had an Exec getaway where we embarked on a process of strategic planning to guide us on our way forward. More details regarding this will follow.

The most recent event that I attended was a music festival at Kingsmead College in which our orchestra and marimba ensembles performed.  Everyone was really delighted that such an event could once again take place and the energy and sense of excited anticipation of our boys and the audience was notable. I found myself feeling extremely proud to be a part of this wonderful school. While boys and parents greeted and chatted to me, I realised that any feelings of “imposter syndrome” had left and that I am really beginning to feel at home at The Ridge School. I look forward to my time ahead and being a part of new developments that will follow.

KABELO MOTHLHOMI

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. I started my music tuition in 1997 at the age of 11 with Rosemary Nalden at Buskaid in Soweto. In the 10 years I spent playing with Buskaid I led the Ensemble for 5 years and collaborated with distinguished orchestras around Europe and the United States. During this time I had the privilege to play with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The English Baroque Soloists conducted by John Elliot Gardner.

At the age 19 I went to further my studies at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where I completed my  Higher Diploma in Music under Jonathan Morton who is the Artistic Director/leader of the Scottish Ensemble and performs as a leader for the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and other orchestras.

Since my  return from Manchester in 2009 I have been freelancing with orchestras from Johannesburg and Durban, teaching music at local institutions and Private schools. As a former member of the Diamond Quartet, which has been involved in big festivals like the National Arts festival in Grahamstown and Festival Culturel International De Musique Symphonique in Algeria.

Being a constant performer; whether in an orchestra, solo artist, session/recording artist or in collaboration with other artists, I pride myself on my professionalism, dedication and high standard of performance. I regulary  perform with all the major orchestras in Johannesburg like the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Festival Orchestra, Johannesburg Music Initiative and occasionally get invited to play with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic in Durban. As a musician and recording artist I have worked or collaborated with Bra Hugh Masekela at the Market theatre in 2010 “Songs of Migration” and with Sibongile Khumalo celebrating 20 years of enriching the country with her music. To add to a long list of artists are Tshepo Mngoma and Gloria Bosman, Bala Brothers, Judith Sephuma and Zahara, Swazi Dlamini, Black coffee, Kent, Khuli Chana, HHP, Kwesta and many others. As a soloist and concertmaster I have  toured Europe and the United States with Buskaid. The Biggest highlight in my career was in 2013 when I was asked to play at the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom held in Johannesburg

AZEEMAH MAYET-MOOLA

I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce myself to you and to be a part of The Ridge Learner Support team. Working with children is my passion and interacting with the boys brings me so much joy.

I studied Speech and Hearing Therapy at the University of Witwatersrand. After graduating in 2008, I completed my community service at 1 Military Hospital. Thereafter, I furthered my experience and knowledge at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Park Lane Clinic. I started my journey in private practice in 2012 (10 years ago!).

First and foremost, I am a mum to two beautiful boys (A Ridge boy and a soon-to-be Ridge boy). As well as being a published academic (2011), I have completed a basic and advanced Neuro-Developmental Training (NDT) course and have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of early intervention. I have completed the “It Takes Two to Talk” training hosted by the world renowned Hanen Centre, as well as the PROMPT technique hosted by the PROMPT Institute and the SOS Feeding Approach which targets children with difficult feeding and picky eating. I completed my Masters degree in Early Childhood Intervention in 2014, at the University of Pretoria.

A paediatric Speech-Language Therapist can screen, evaluate and treat children in developing their communication abilities. I am able to treat speech, voice, fluency, language, processing and understanding, listening, social interaction and writing difficulties.

My mission is to promote optimal developmental outcomes for children and families with communication needs within their home and learning environments. Therapy considers the resources, priorities and concerns of each family and the school to optimise the success of every child.

MELISSA SMITH

It is well understood that each human is unique. Robert John Meehan states:  Every child has a different learning style and pace. Each child is unique, not only capable of learning but also capable of succeeding. 

No two children are alike. They differ physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually and it is therefore, essential that each child is understood and respected within this uniqueness and individuality. We need to understand and accept our children’s gifts and encourage them. It is important that the focus is rather on effort and not perfection.

For me, it is crucial to observe and pursue the interest of children to see what makes them curious, knowing that it is through curiosity that the best learning takes place. As a dedicated teacher, and now, learning support specialist at The Lighthouse, I ensure that the teaching I provide is not only interesting and exciting, but varied. Varied to the learning styles of the children’s specific needs, guiding them to grow their confidence, for with confidence, comes the ease of learning. I believe that there is value in stepping back and embracing each unique child that I have in my presence.

I conclude with Psalm 139 v 13- 14 that says;

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. “

ALISON BRADFIELD

Hi, I’m Alison, a paediatric physiotherapist. I joined The Ridge at the beginning of this year, and since then, have been enjoying every second spent on the school grounds where the boys and staff have made me feel so welcome and part of the team.

I graduated from Wits with a degree in Physiotherapy in 2017, and completed my community service in Bloemfontein in 2018. Since then, I have been working almost exclusively with children. Working with children has taught me to enjoy the little miracles that life has to offer. One of the greatest joys of being a physiotherapist is watching children grow and develop, and to watch their excitement as they master new skills that they weren’t able to do before.

I have experience working in a large variety of environments, including mainstream schools, special needs schools, hospital and intensive care environments and community based work. Most recently, I completed a postgraduate course in M.A.E.S therapy, specializing in the treatment of neurological disorders in children. At the moment, I work in an outpatient practice in Parkview which services a number of schools in the area, including The Ridge.

My work as a physiotherapist has taught me that every child is capable of amazing things. I can’t wait to learn just how amazing the children and staff at this school are. 

RECENT MALINDI

I am Recent Malindi (29 years) from a small village called Tshivhongweni in Limpopo (Venda). I am the first born with two siblings. I completed my Matric in 2011 and furthered my education at Vaal University of Technology and graduated with a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

I worked in a variety of companies to gain experience in different areas which would be valuable to me going forward. I started as a Mechanical Fitter at Metal Protection Engineering (2016) then in  2017 I worked as a motor technician in Boksburg. My career  began as a Junior Mechanical Operator at the Southern Gauteng Science and Technology park before moving on as Facilities Manager for Trinity House Northriding and Glenvista.

I am happy to join The Ridge School and would like to serve at my best. I am looking forward to many years of a good working relationship with The Ridge family.

TRIBUTE TO BRUCE NCUBE BY

MARESCE OPPERMAN          

Congratulations on securing a new internship with the likelihood of a teaching post for next year.

On behalf of the teachers and the special boys at The Ridge School, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to you for the various contributions you have made to The Ridge School. I thank you for your dedication and commitment.

I hope that this experience was close to what you hoped it would be if not more, when you applied.

I know that you are a bit anxious about the unknown at the moment but … Always remember that no matter where you go or what you do there are always going to be challenges. What I am asking is that you meet these challenges head on, with your head held high and your heart wide open. It is not enough to simply try and get by in life. Try to excel in everything you do, strive for excellence no matter how big or small the task is.

Although it is not easy to see right now, every accomplishment you achieve is added to the accomplishments of the world. When you succeed you are in a position to give rather than to take. Imagine if every individual lived up to his or her potential, how much better the world would be?

Well, you might not have the power to inspire the world to strive for success but you do have the ability to try and achieve it for yourself.

My challenge to you today is, to do all you can to reach your full potential and try and inspire the lives that you touch by your example.  The future is truly in your hands, so make the most of it and make The Ridge proud!

TRIBUTE TO MOEKETSI MOTSEPE BY

URVASI NAIDOO

It really is a bittersweet moment and as much as we wish Mr Motsepe well on his new journey to the Eastern Cape, we will sorely miss his presence around the school.

Moeketsi has been at The Ridge for 12 years and during that time has managed various portfolios. As a Mathematics and History teacher, he taught with passion, engagement and showed a commitment to boys’ education by being supportive and encouraging. The boys loved having Moeketsi as a teacher, and his connection with them speaks to his understanding of young people and what makes them tick. As a class teacher, Moeketsi often showed his gentle and caring side, and found a delicate balance between being a mentor and displaying tough love. Moeketsi and I have worked together in Grade 7 for a long time. During this time we put out many fires from teenage rebellious behaviour to questionable camp instructors, and even a camp trip that led to the bus being impounded by Metro police, with 60 boys on it! Through it all, be it achievements or a crisis, Moeketsi stood side by side with his team members. As colleagues, we were honest, displaying caring, we supported, we encouraged, we had passionate and robust debates, but in the end, I knew that Moeketsi had a vested interest in the team, and ultimately the boys.

Moeketsi was also entrusted with the Transformation and Diversity portfolio, which focused on community welfare as well. He guided The Ridge towards attaining a school that is reflective of South Africa, a melting pot of culture and diversity. One’s work is never complete and Moeketsi laid a strong foundation and the groundwork for us as a school, and now, we have a responsibility to develop and build on his outstanding portfolio. His work with Salvazione, the rhino campaign and many community outreach initiatives showed his compassion, and his desire to educate Ridge boys about the importance of giving back.

In the time I have worked with Moeketsi, he has quietly gone about his duties without a fuss, he isn’t someone who tries to grab the limelight, he works behind the scenes and does what is required. I have seen Moeketsi quietly empower staff, manage conflict situations head on, but with grace and sensitivity, and the school has benefited enormously from his wise counsel and expertise.

As a friend and colleague, Moeketsi has been an important part of my Ridge journey and I learnt a lot from him. I am most grateful and appreciative of his support, honesty and objective advice.

Moeketsi left the corporate world to work in education and his contributions to teaching makes the life of a school richer. Moeketsi once said,” a life as teacher is always going to be a poor one, people don’t go into teaching for the money, that’s for sure”. Teaching is a calling, and his passion and genuine interest in the welfare of the children entrusted in his care is what makes him valuable to any institution. 

St Andrew’s College is lucky to have Moeketsi, and on behalf of The Ridge School, we wish him everything of the best as he takes up the position of Deputy Head. We wish him, Amelia, Pabi and Kgosi every happiness and success as he makes Grahamstown his new home.      

TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW MARTINS BY JOE KOTWAL

Matthew arrived in Johannesburg from the beaches of Cape Town, as a nearly fresh out of school hockey player studying at UJ. He convinced Bennie to hire him as a student master and the rest as they say is history. Almost six years later, with three degrees, Matthew has opted to return to the icy waters of Clifton 4th where the knowledge acquired from his collection of nearly 50 ZigZag surf mags can finally be put to good use. 

It was never Matt’s intention to study to become a teacher, nor make a career out of working at a school. He is still not a teacher and his career at a school is now over, but the mark left on his character and the memories he made here will live on and continue to shape him in his chosen career path – that of Renewable Energy. If there was a noble profession in the corporate world akin to teaching, it would be those climate warriors who seek new and creative ways to fuel the world on clean energy! Matt, you are one such warrior! 

Matthew is a caring individual who does life in a more serious fashion than most. I have never met anyone who studies for a quiz night. His thirst to succeed is unquenchable and is why he has landed a job at one of the top renewable firms in the country, the reality that he must move to Cape Town is the only sad part of this tribute.

Matt began as a Stooge, was announced by Angie Chapman as the Head boy of the Stooges and entrusted with many great responsibilities in our Centenary year. When Richard Leaver left Matthew was asked to manage Phys Ed and the staff who ran it and in the short time with him at the helm Phys Ed has become a more structured lesson with meaningful outcomes.

Personally, I have always valued Matt’s eagerness to get involved. In 2019 I had a WhatsApp group with the Interns and Stooges.  This group of guys ran bars, put up bunting and then took it down and then put it up again. Eventually one of them would fall out of a tree, this was Matt – he never complained, but just got on with it, injury and all.

Matt, thank you for teaching me about solar energy, wind farming and the rate at which the world is moving towards a cleaner future. People like you give us all hope that because your skills are so in demand the world will be a different place for the boys who walk these corridors. 

I will miss our coffee chats; I know Scott will miss your catch ups in the staff room and Sarah will miss those whiskey visits. Many of us have come to value your presence at The Ridge and we will find it hard to fill the gap you leave. 

TRIBUTE TO ASHIK HARIPERSADH BY

JOE KOTWAL

Ashik is the type of person who does everything with a smile on his face. It is this personality trait that has made him both indispensable at The Ridge but also highly in demand elsewhere. Many people don’t know that he has been approached by no fewer than 3 schools in Johannesburg, he turned them all down because The Ridge was always where his heart wanted to be. 

Ashik grew up KZN and worked at Highbury Prep as his first role in a school. He then moved to Kearsney College before Richard Stanley convinced him to make the move up the hill. It was this move that saw Ashik grow into a role he most likely never imagined. One that required him to manage both the IT infrastructure and development of a school from an Edtech perspective, to eventually finding himself in the classroom teaching boys. Ashik grew into a confident teacher in 2021, which was when he truly immersed himself in the heart and soul of the school. His flexibility and ability to adapt to new environments and take on new challenges has seen Ashik become an asset at The Ridge, and not just an employee. We are all very grateful for the way he steered the IT ship when we needed to switch to online learning in March 2020. It was seamless because he made it so.

Ashik’s family and friends have grown considerably here at The Ridge. 

Arielle, his beautiful daughter was born in 2019 and has further softened Ashik, bringing out the caring, loving and doting father, who will always be captured by Arielle’s eye. Rose, Ashik’s wife has supported him through the high and the lows and put up with a lot of travel back and forth to be by his side.

Ashik has a certain way with people that allows you to trust him from the very beginning. Many staff have confided in him and see him as a great listener with a level head who gives amazing advice.

One would often see staff and parents walking down to his office with a gift bag in hand as a thank you for something he helped with, most likely above and beyond his role as IT manager. Some of those favours were no doubt not related to The Ridge and this spoke to his kind nature.

I know that we will miss his warm nature that filters to those around him. Ashik’s calmness and can-do attitude has allowed many a frantic staff member to arrive at his office angry, and ready to fight, only to be diffused by his manner and willingness to listen first then assist where he can. 

Ashik, from everyone you have befriended here at The Ridge, we wish you well at St Mary’s Kloof. 

TRIBUTE TO MBULELO NTSHINGANA BY

PAT MBELE

What an amazing bonding we shared all these years, and I can’t thank you enough for that!   A truly great colleague is hard to find…difficult to part with and impossible to forget. The fun and laughter we shared will be cherished and fondly remembered. I guess we have a lot to keep ourselves busy with until we meet again.

It was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your tremendous  help and kindness “ You never really leave the place you love. You take part of it with you and leave part of you there.”  Wishing you success on your new adventure! I am sorry to see you go, and hope that we will meet again.  

Just like how you don’t forget the tune when a song fades out and stops playing, I will never forget the way you taught boys how to play basketball at St Peter’s and The Ridge. Your teams were always on top of the league. Mention must be made of your wonderful IT skills that you shared with many boys and staff members, and your endless patience. 

Each man’s life touches so many other lives, when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole.

Dr Suess said, “Remember me and smile, for it’s better to forget than to remember me and cry.”  

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Ndlela Nhle !!!

Gaju the son of Ntshingana kaMajola kaSozabe!!!.

By Pat Mbele

SYLVIA MOREMI

I met Slyvia in 2003 when she moved to Johannesburg from Limpopo. We got along immediately and soon after our first meeting we became like sisters. After Slyvia’s husband passed away we lived together for 4 years. This strengthened our bond and we were inseparable. During this time I got to know her family and I became the elder aunty of the family.

Sylvia joined the Ridge in 2019  as part of my team, based in the Junior Block. She loved her job and was always smiling when at work. She was a hard worker and did her best at any task given to her. Slyvia was soft spoken and straight forward, called a spade a spade.

The special moments we shared over the years will always be treasured and never forgotten.

May her soul rest in peace.

By Martha Skhosana

FLORINA MOHAPI

I was deeply saddened when I received news of Florina passing on. We weren’t expecting to receive such news of her and we all were in shock upon hearing this.

Florina and I worked together for 2 years at The Ridge. Florina was a humble, sweet person and always worked hard and gave her best in her job. She showed respect to those around her, big or small. Although I worked with Florina for a relatively short time, she had knowledge and I always had something new to learn from her.

Florina was very fond of her family and loved her Aunty Elizabeth very much. You would always hear her chatting about her husband and children whom she loved dearly.

She will be greatly missed by her fellow co-workers. May the almighty give her family the strength and guidance during this difficult time.

May her soul rest in peace.

By Martha Skhosana

MAX MOYO

It’s hard to imagine our beautiful school without the calm presence of our beloved Max Moyo. Max, was a husband to Memory, and three children, Njabulo, Thandiwe and Tholozisi and Grandpa to 3 grandchildren. You would never have said that Max was turning 60 later this year! His youthful energy and work ethic was inspirational. Max was a peaceful man of few words.

Even during the hard lock down in 2020, Max pivoted, rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in with the other estate staff to paint and do other jobs around the school.

Here are a few tributes that the boys wrote for Max:

“I will remember Max for his caring heart and his hard working. I will miss the yum chocolate chip cookies that is the size of my face!”

“Magic Max – Max you amazing person. We miss you already. It’s hard to say good-bye. When I finished school and was so tired, you always made me smile. When you said hello you made everything worthwhile. Darling Max, thank you for you.”

 “I will remember Max for his chill attitude and him knowing my order. I will miss him for the cookies and his smile”

From the outpouring of love that the community has shown to Max’s family, it is clear that the impact that he made on all our lives was enormous. May your beautiful soul rest in peace dearest Max. 

By Mandy Herold

OLD BOYS NEWS

Congratulations to Ben Kok (Grade 11) who has been selected to represent South Africa at the 2022 United Space School which will take place at NASA, Houston, USA from 24 July – 7 August 2022. Ben is one of two SA high school students who were chosen to go to NASA after a countrywide selection process was conducted.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OLD BOYS AT MICHAELHOUSE

ACADEMIC RESULTS

• Grade 10: David du Toit (first overall in the Grade); Marc du Plessis (8^th overall)
• Grade 8: Davrin Gillot (10^th overall)

SPORTS RESULTS

• On the sporting front, Tom McCall cracked 56 to chase down more than 300 in the first XI’s 2 wicket win over the Futura Academy XI. He followed that up with a knock of 32* in our 7 wicket win over Maritzburg College.
• Matthew Nel placed third in the U16 K1 category of the Ozzie Gladwin Canoe Race.
• Oliver Cheales and Oliver Walters are both representing the first water polo team
• Adrian von Klemperer’s leadership abilities have been recognized in his appointment as the captain of the U15B water polo team.
• Recent Old Boy Sizwe Sibotshiwe has been selected to represent the U14A basketball team.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OLD BOYS AT HILTON COLLEGE

Grade 11 Prizegiving:

Congratulation to Fayzan Adroos who competed in the U17 age category of the South African National Championships for climbing after having qualified for the Gauteng team at the provincial championships. Fayzan qualified for the SA Youth team in all three climbing disciplines i.e Lead, Speed and Bouldering and placed as follows:

 1st place-Gold in Lead;

1st place-Gold in Speed; and

2nd-Silver in Boulder.

Fayzan will now participate as part of the South African team for the 2022 Youth World Championships to be held in the USA, Texas in August this year.  

Fayzan was also the only athlete from the Gauteng team, across all age groups,  to qualify and represent Gauteng in the top 8 Open Men’s final for Lead. 

 He also achieved the fastest times across all age groups at the Competiton in the Speed discipline.   

MUSIC

2022! What an amazing musical year we have had so far. We have been blessed to have hit the ground running with more ensembles available to the boys and are bursting at our seams with boys wanting to learn musical instruments.

The year started with a bang in the first week, as we held a Choir and Orchestra Boot Camp, where boys came together for team building, learned new repertoire, and set the musical tone for the year ahead. These camps were both highly successful, and both flagship ensembles have grown in numbers since the start of the year.

We welcomed professional Jazz Musician and Performer, Markus Wyatt, to our team this year. He is teaching Brass at the school and is sharing his Jazz skills with the boys by heading up the Jazz Band.

We were privileged to host the special Ash Wednesday Service with St Katharine’s and APPS once again after a 2-year hiatus. This beautiful service was complemented by the combined choir of over 230 boys and girls singing together on the steps of the Hersov field. We welcomed parents to this event and shared the love of community with our three schools. The choirs performed with confidence and energy, singing Panis Angelicus and Ukuthula. The Ridge choir also sang a special Goodbye Tribute to the Headmistress of APPS, Mrs Howden, as we bade her farewell, singing Go with a Song in your Heart.

The Grade 2 boy,s who have just recently begun their musical journeys, performed for the Junior school at their Music Assembly. We were treated to special performances as two boys were accompanied by their moms. This was a wonderful moment to witness, as the love of music was shared between mom and son.

The Senior Orchestra and the Grade 5 Marimba Band showcased their exceptional talents at the Kingsmead Ensemble Festival. It was wonderful to share the joy of music once again, alongside other schools, including Kingsmead, Pridwin and St Andrews School for Girls. The boys represented The Ridge well and our Marimbas most certainly gave an energetic performance.

This term, three of our newly reinstated ensembles were showcased at the Grade 3 Music Assembly alongside the individual musicians. The Junior Choir, the Foundation Wind Ensemble and the Foundation String Ensemble showcased their hard work.  These boys were given their music badges as they now begin their time of representing the department in our choirs and ensembles.

At our final Headmaster’s assembly of the term our newly instated Drum Line performed for the school. They raised the roof with their radical rhythms and brought the house down while showing off their skills. Well done to these boys, for the first Drum Line performance at The Ridge!

Term 1 culminated in a large assembly of the Grade 1-7 boys, as we gathered at the end of term to celebrate Easter. The Senior Orchestra, Senior Choir, Amtoti Choir and Junior Choir all performed special items as we celebrated together as a school community.

It is so wonderful for me to be able to share news of the Music Department’s vibrancy after a time of quiet and regulation frustration. The Music Department has been working very hard towards the upcoming Tour to KZN in July, and we look forward to sharing more music with you in Term 2.

By Carol Ackermann

KINGSMEAD ENSEMBLE EVENING

SENIOR ORCHESTRA

2022 got off to a great start for the Senior Orchestra. We started off the year with an orchestra camp on the first Friday afternoon of the year. The boys got a chance to meet each other and find out each other’s interests and hobbies. It was an afternoon filled with music, fun, and some delicious food. The new recruits also got a warm welcome from the rest of the orchestra. This camp was very successful, as the boys left with a sense of being part of a team and understanding that they are ambassadors for our school. In keeping with the theme of the year “Dance”, I chose a very dance-orientated repertoire list with pieces such as Mamma Mia and Dance Monkey.

The orchestra rehearses twice a week, and this has really helped us to deliver polished performances. The boys have shown incredible dedication and performed to rave reviews at both the Ash Wednesday service and at the Kingsmead ensemble festival. It is really a blessing to continue to harness and witness their incredible talent and love for the music. We are looking forward to performing at the Easter service and on a Music tour later this year and, showcasing the flagship ensemble of the Ridge school.

By Khanyisile Mthetwa

JUNIOR(iziNkhozi) CHOIR

It has been absolutely marvelous to restart the Junior Choir after a hiatus of almost two years. Our Grade 3 and 4 choristers, or “Eagles” choir, have immersed themselves in their rehearsals, and are thoroughly enjoying the repertoire. After just eight rehearsals, they have already learned seven songs, and polished five! Their repertoire captures their boyish exuberance, and ranges from upbeat traditional and popular songs to slower anthems and ballads. With the proverbial “carrot” promise of two performances this term, they have exceeded all expectations. It is hoped that our young eagles will go from strength to strength, growing not only in numbers, but also in their musical experience. 

By Irene Morrick.

GRADE 0 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

GRADE 0 FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Picture this: Wednesday 12^th January. The sun is shining, classrooms have been decorated, special name labels have been poked with safety pins, stuck onto lockers, allocated to bathroom hooks, and carefully placed onto brand new tables. The Parker Block Garden is bursting with colour and the smell of freshly cut grass fills the air. The most exciting of all, though, is the footsteps of 59 brand new Ridge Boys walking into our School – which will be their home for the next 8 years.

With a slow and staggered arrival, our newest members of The Ridge family settled in quickly. The boys spent some time greeting one another and introducing themselves during morning ring. We quickly moved onto free-choice painting, where the boys created some incredible artworks ranging from cars, trains, and aeroplanes, to rainbows, gardens, and animals. The boys then enjoyed a yummy snack that had been packed thoughtfully into their new Ridge School lunch bags. It quickly became apparent to the Grade 0 teachers that we would have to practise some zipping skills!

The excitement of the playground lay ahead, and the boys jumped at the opportunity to get stuck into the sandpit, explore the pirate ship and rock features, or test out their balance skills on the walking buckets. They couldn’t believe it when the teachers rang their special shakers to indicate that it was story time and the end of their school day.

The rest of the week was spent drawing self-portraits, baking delicious cupcakes, playing with Lego, rolling playdough into shapes, more time in the sandpit, more time on the pirate ship, more time in the garden, and lots more time to get to know new friends. By the time Friday rolled around, the boys couldn’t wait to meet the other half of their class, as well as their Specialist subject teachers.

From Monday 17^th January, the Grade 0 boys all enjoyed the start of their full school programme. The Grade 0 teachers were so proud of how quickly these little people settled into their new environment and it has been wonderful getting to know each one of their unique personalities ever since.

By Sarah Behr

VALENTINE’S DAY

GRADE 4 CAPPING CEREMONY

The capping ceremony is a wonderful occasion that takes place at the beginning of the year to mark the Grade 4s graduation into the Senior Prep. The Grade 7 boys welcome them into the Senior Prep by presenting each Grade 4 boy with his Ridge cap. Not only are the Grade 4s excited by the opportunities that lie ahead for them, but also that they can wear their cap as a significant symbol in recognition of their graduation.

The 2022 Capping Ceremony was combined with the Grade 7 Induction Ceremony and took place outside on the Hersov field which is a perfect venue. The early morning blue skies and golden sunlight overhead added an energy and a brightness to the occasion. The tiered steps enabled the Grade 7 boys to be significantly placed as the new leaders of the school, as well as ensuring a clear view for everyone. The event was not only enjoyed by the boys, but also by their parents as they watcedh their sons embark upon the next phase of their lives.

We look forward to the Grade 4 boys continuing to wear their caps with pride, and we wish them a happy, successful and fulfilling journey through the Senior Prep.

By Erica Kinnear

GRADE 7 INDUCTION

The Grade 4 and 7 Capping and Induction Ceremony is a beautiful tradition at The Ridge School, and is one of our biggest calendar events in the Senior Prep. The assembly was a wonderful opportunity to welcome parents onsite in the new school year, and the event was well received and enjoyed by both boys and parents.

The Grade 7s were officially inducted as the seniors of the school. In this ceremony they received their Grade 7 badges, tied the symbolic knot and committed to the Grade 7 pledge. This special assembly honours and recognises the senior boys of the school. One of their first responsibilities as seniors of the school was to “cap” the Grade 4 boys; it is a special moment that warmly welcomes the Grade 4 boys to the Senior Prep. 

 The assembly signifies the start of what could be a wonderful year ahead for the boys. We encourage boys to embrace the year and look for opportunities that will extend and challenge them. As the seniors of the school, we wish them a year filled with fond memories, happiness and personal growth.

By Urvasi Naidoo

ASH WEDNESDAY

CRICKET FESTIVAL

WATER POLO TOUR

On Thursday the 3rd of February The Ridge participated in the Oakhill Waterfront Chukka Festival in Knysna. Twelve boys and three very excited staff members embarked on what felt like a very long trip to the Western Cape. This Water Polo festival was truly unique as it was played in the harbour and within the sheltered surrounds of some beautiful yachts. The team was met by some very stiff opposition, but as Ridge boys do they did not shy away from hard work and showed determination. Credit to the boys they played with heart, tenacity, and no shortage of skill, but also learnt the power of team spirit. They supported each other constantly throughout the two days. Lots of new memories and friends were made on tour. The tour was most certainly enjoyed by all.

By Ryan Bezuidenhout

CANOEING

We have thoroughly enjoyed the return to an almost full canoeing programme this term. From Grade 4 to Grade 7 we have 37 boys participating in our wonderful sport. Six of our Grade 5 to Grade 7 boys have participated in two official Gauteng Schools League sprint events in February and March, and in the last event, we had a representative from Grade 5, 6, and 7 that finished in second place in their respective heats (Grade 5- Oliver Stewart, Grade 6- Jack Heenan, Grade 7- William McIlleron). We’ve also attended a river proficiency trip on the Klip River in February, where 3 boys gained some valuable river experience.

The marathon event race distances are as follows: U10s 3km, U12s 6km and U14s 12.5km.

We are also really excited that canoeing training and events will now continue in term 2. We have the following upcoming Gauteng Schools League marathon events in May:

– Sunday 8th May – Florida Lake Canoe Club Marathon Race

– Sunday 15th May – ERK Marathon Race (Homestead Dam, Benoni)

– Sunday 22nd May – Dabulamanzi Canoe Club Marathon Race (Emmarentia Dam)

– Friday 27th and Saturday 28th May- Gauteng Marathon Champs (Victoria Lake, Germiston)

Our canoeing team boys are really looking forward to the challenges ahead in term 2, which should provide some valuable race experience as well as a great opportunity to build some endurance and paddling fitness.

By Daniel McLachlan

iSIZULU AT THE RIDGE

This Term the Grade two boys have learnt under the following topics, the sounds, isiZulu vowels, to follow different isiZulu instruction, by using action words that they have learnt during, greetings and family members in isiZulu. They have enjoyed greeting each other in isiZulu so that they can get the correct pronunciation, role playing different characters, introducing themselves in isiZulu. They have also enjoyed talking about their family members and telling the class their names. It is very important to get the vowels correct in order to perfect pronunciation. At the Ridge school we take isiZulu very seriously because it is one of our South African official languages. During our lessons I always encourage our little boys to practise the language as often as they can because it is not about getting the correct answers. They are expected to speak the language. I am so proud of the boys because they take isiZulu very seriously and I am so pleased with the effort they put in during our lessons. 

By Thulisile Zulu

THE IDEAL RIDGE BOY

The Grade 2 boys were in discussion about their wonderful school and all that it entails as part of a Life skills lesson. One of the key topics being that The Ridge boys make the school what it is- a wonderous place full of admirable qualities like kindness, resilience, and teamwork. Once we completed the discussion, the boys were given the opportunity to build The Ideal Ridge boy in the form of a stick puppet.

We first had to give each boy the appropriate uniform, which was neatly dressed onto the puppet- just as the uniform should be worn. The boys then pasted a heart on the shirt to symbolize the kindness and care that all Ridge boys should have for one another and the society at large. Each hand was given an item to hold. The first item was a tennis racket- to represent the teamwork and sportsmanship which we believe makes the Ridge boy who he is, both on the sports field and off. In his other hand, a set of books were placed. These were a reminder that Ridge boys work hard and strive for their best in Academic work- displaying resilience even when something is hard. Finally, a picture of a brain was pasted just above the puppets head to remind boys to be ‘Bubblegum brains’ and not ‘Brick brains’. This means, to let experiences teach us to think differently and to trust ourselves when we say that “We have got this!”

The boys were so encouraged by their own puppets to represent the Ideal Ridge boy that some have pasted them in their rooms as a daily reminder! We thoroughly enjoyed taking pride in our school and showing it off to everyone in it!

By Jhulan Govan

READING BREAKFAST

The Ridge School had an early start to the Reading Breakfast on the 4^th March. It turned out to be such a beautiful morning despite the prospect of rain.

The Book People set up the books on the wraparound veranda of the hall. The children and their respective families and loved ones sat on the Hersov field enjoying their picnics. Due to the books being at the entrance of the hall, the sales were fantastic and everyone enjoyed browsing the different genres. The majority of books bought seemed to be more of the fiction section, which was lovely to see.

For the Librarians it was a real treat to be able to have the families back onto the property. Being able to see groups reading to each other, chatting and enjoying being outside in the fresh air. It was also fantastic to have so many people making an effort to dress up, using their creativity. The majority of costumes were handmade from items found around the home. We did have a competition with the Junior Prep boys to vote for the best dressed teacher team and the winners were the amazing Grade 2s. Congratulations to the 101 Dalmatians and Cruella De Ville!

On behalf of the Senior Librarians and myself, thank you to each and everyone of you for the effort and the support that you bring to the Reading Breakfast. Look out for the next one which will be in the warmer months of the Third Term.

By Suzanne McLellan

SWIMMING GALA

And just like that we were back in the pool, enjoying early morning training sessions with Covid a not-so-distant memory. Both staff and boys alike, embraced each training session, especially if hot chocolate and sometimes a warm shower was on the cards.

After almost two years of no competitive league galas, we had sufficient teams to allow our boys to be part of all three league galas, which took place weekly. Very few were called off due to bad weather and this gave the boys an excellent opportunity to show their grit and determination. Due to the busyness of the term, and our Grade 6s and 7s also participating in other sporting codes and tours, we often had to double up and move teams up. The boys held their own, even if it often meant that they were swimming in each race for their age group.

Travelling to and from venues each week, also gave the boys opportunities to build friendships and camaraderie while competing. The Grade 7 boys are to be congratulated for always stepping up to the plate and ensuring that the younger boys were looked after and ready for their races.

We were also privileged to be able to compete in the Inter-School’s gala held at KEPS this year. Both the A and B teams fought brave battles against some stiff competition but still held their own. A long day of competitive swimming meant that some of our boys waited a few hours, only to have a few seconds in the pool. They are commended for their enthusiasm and commitment, with both teams ending in 5^th position out of the 9 and 10 teams they competed against respectively.

The swimming season for term one ended on a high, with our boys enjoying the much-anticipated Inter-House gala. The Grade 7 house captains and their team of boys (together with some moms) ensured that each area for their house had been decorated colourfully. The spirit captains ensured that there was endless cheering to spur on the boys who were competing for their respective houses. The title of ‘Interhouse Champions’ was well-earned by Rose house as they cleaned out and excelled in each race, despite having some tough competition. Well done to all the swimmers and coaches for ensuring we had a happy and successful season.

By Deidre Leibrandt

CLIMBING

The Ridge U13 and U15 boys participated in the Gauteng Provincial Selections on the 19^th and 20^th of February. The following boys participated in the competition: Jack Heenan, Thomas Naude, William McIlleron, Mustafa Adroos, Owen Murfin.

Congratulations to Jack Heenan for receiving gold medals for both the Bouldering and Lead disciplines.

The Ridge Climbers have been busy strengthening their bodies to tackle the walls at school and City Rock. Watching them make their way up and down the walls is something quite impressive. The boys listen carefully to the needs of their climbing partners on the wall and work together as a team to ensure a safe and successful climb.

Jack Heenan and William McIlleron represented Gauteng in the National Climbing Championships in Cape Town last weekend.  It was a wonderful opportunity and experience for them both and Jack Heenan came 2nd in the Lead Climbing discipline.

LUMO DANCE

JOBURG MINI COUNCIL EASTER DRIVE

Our two Joburg Mini City Councillors launched the Easter project to their fellow Ridge boys. The collection is in aid of over 120 child centered organisations across South Africa, who will ensure that Easter is a little sweeter this year. We would like to wish Aidan Butler and Katleho Ramatsotso, seen here with their mums, well during their term of office

ST PADDY’S DAY

A surprise and delight for St Paddy’s Day. Our wonderful Ridge mums dressed up and treated our boys to gold coin chocolates and other goodies.

THE DEBATING TEAM

Finn Berman, Muhammed Casoojee, Oscar Berman, Imran Budlender and Ismail Tayob participated in the second leg of the Antheneum debating Competition at King David Linksfield.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

Spencer Gilchrist, Kachi Amaonwu, Neo Selibe and Sakhile Zondo represented The Ridge on Monday the 14^th of March, at Beaulieu Prep in Midrand.

It was the first General Knowledge competition for all of The Ridge boys. They worked well together as a team, and behaved so well, that teachers from other schools commented on their good manners and team spirit. Well done, boys! You truly made us proud!

SPORTS RESULTS TERM 1

GRADE 7 SHROVE TUESDAY

Shrove Tuesday marks the  day  before  Lent  begins.  The name comes  from  an  Old  English  word “shrive”  meaning  absolve.  This year it fell  on  Tuesday,  1  March. In the Christian calendar,  Lent  is  a  season  of  fasting  and  penitence.  It is for this  reason  that Christians  emptied  their  pantries  of  flour,  eggs,  milk  and  sugar.  These ingredients were  used  up by  making  pancakes.   This year our class enjoyed a pancake  to  celebrate. You can enjoy making  these  at  home  by  following  this  recipe  below:

• 100g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 300ml milk
• 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying lemon wedges to serve (optional) caster sugar to serve (optional)

Method:

STEP 1:Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter.

STEP 2: Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.

STEP 3: Set a medium frying pan or crêpe pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.

STEP 4: When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden, keeping them warm in a low oven as you go.

STEP 5: Serve with lemon wedges and caster sugar, or your favourite filling (Nutella) . Once cold, you can layer the pancakes between baking parchment, then wrap in cling film.

GRADE 7 EARTH SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

The Grade 7s created structures in Earth Science during their study of plate tectonics and earthquakes. They used Jelly Tots and tooth picks to create their structures. The boys placed their structures in a tub of Jelly and mimicked an earthquake to see which of their structures were the most stable.

GRADE 0s LEARNT ABOUT SYMMETRY

The Grade 0’s explored the meaning of symmetry and learnt that symmetry provides an engaging context in which to explore mathematical structures and patterns. They learnt that something is symmetrical when it is the same on both sides. First, they matched the left and right sides of their bodies like a mirror on either side of the vertical line. Then they painted one side of the paper and folded it to create a symmetrical butterfly. Finally, they completed complex worksheet demonstrating their understanding of symmetry.

GRADE 4s LEARNT ABOUT DATA COLLECTION

As part of their Maths lesson the boys created and wore a moustache as they collected data from their peers for the questions they designed. This information will be used to draw a bar graph as they learn about data handling.

GRADE 4 D&T PROJECT

The Grade 4 boys built a race- car out of recycled materials. They learned about wheels and axles and how the car is propelled forward by air escaping from a balloon.

The boys had great fun assisting each other and racing against the other cars.

GRADE 2 RED BUS ADVENTURE

We started the journey of the Red Bus tour in our classrooms, learning about the different parts of Johannesburg. We learnt about how Johannesburg came about, the mining districts and even looked at some older pictures for some added context. The boys learnt some interesting facts about our lovely city. After 2 weeks of learning about this in the classroom, the day had finally arrived to board the bus and take off into the city. To say that they were excited would be an understatement. We began with a beautiful view of the whole city from Munro drive. We then experienced a piece of history by visiting the Military Museum monument where the boys were encouraged to look at the names engraved on its pillars. Following this, we all had lunch at Constitution Hill where the boys were lucky enough to go into the court and view the incredible South African artwork created for display outside. Listening to an excerpt from the constitution while viewing the Flame of Democracy was a highlight for many of us. The trip was so memorable for us all! We had the best time driving through Johannesburg together, taking in all the views and leaving us with a true love for our home (as well as sleepy eyes). We cannot wait for the next adventure!

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN GRADE 3

We have had lots of fun during the year, learning about each other and the celebrations of religious events that are part of those in the Ridge community. 

We look forward to learning more about Ramadaan and Eid on our return from the holidays.

During the 1^st Term, we celebrated Chinese New Year and Shrove Tuesday. Chinese New Year taught us about how important it is to have a new beginning and what it means to make the most of it. It was also an opportunity to develop our fine motor skills while using chopsticks.

The Grade 3s also enjoyed some pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. They discussed what it means to give up something for Lent, and how they could give up something to feel more grateful. It was amazing how many of them were willing to give up homework and vegetables 😊

As we are heading into the end of term, we hosted an Easter breakfast that focused on getting to know staff members and how to start a meaningful conversation. We enjoyed some hot chocolate and hot cross buns while discussing the Easter message.

By Di Wellard

THE GRADE 1s LEARNT ABOUT THEIR SENSES

The absolute favourite activity for the boys was discovering The Five Senses while making popcorn

• Hearing- the joy of hearing the first pop
• Sight- seeing the kernels popping through the glass lid
• Smell- the delicious aroma of popcorn wafting on the playground
• Taste- finally getting to eat the popcorn
• Touch- there was such joy in being able to put the first one into their mouths

WACKY WEDNESDAY

Wacky Wednesday brought about the biggest display of funky socks that teachers have ever seen. This was followed by wacky hats and shoes. Who knows what will be next?

RUTH MIFKIN LITERACY WEEK

The Grade 0s learnt new sounds in their RML lessons. They have been working with their sound cards; building sound walls, making green words and practicing their speedy sounds . All of the grade 0s are blending sounds together to sound out words like “mat” “tin” “sat” & “sit” and are using their Fred Fingers to sound out green words as well as nonsense words on the carpet.

The Grade 0s also learnt about the letter ‘p’ in their RML lesson. They came to school dressed as pirates, had a pirate picnic with only ‘p’ foods, drew pirate pictures, made ‘p’ circle maps with ‘p’ foods, learnt how to write the ‘p’ sound using the pirate rhyme and listened to pirate stories.

GRADE 0 GRANDPARENT’S DAY

THE GRADE 7s EXPLORING 3D OBJECTS

The Grade 7 boys have been consolidating their understanding of 3D objects. They used nets of various 3D shapes to construct the actual 3D object and then combine them together to create a spaceship model.

GRADE 7s LEARNT ABOUT THE MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

The Grade 7’s learnt about Mean, Median, Mode and Range using Smarties during their Maths lesson. This provided an opportunity for boys to be aware that maths is all around us.

SAFE STUDIES INNER CITY PROJECT

A welcomed contribution was donated to the Safe Studies Inner City Project. With this contribution the boys and girls from inner city Johannesburg could make use of the art packs that were generously donated by parents and guardians. Thank you to Mrs Kurz and Mr Bezuidenhout for driving the initiative.