Dear Parents

Our boys all seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the two additional extension to learning opportunities that have come their way in recent days. The first came in the form of the Care-to-Learn Day shared with the girls and boys of Salvazione Christian School and the second was highlighted through the well-received, wonderfully supported and happily convivial Celebrating Strong Women in Literature Reading Breakfast.

The latter served, in an understated but nonetheless very meaningful way, to bring to the boys’ attention so much literature that is available to us all on the subject of powerful and influential women; from history and on the world stage currently.

As one of our mums observed in her email to me, “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to expose our boys to the role that boys and men play in working for a better society.”

The Care-to-Learn Day proved to be another important ‘crossing the divide’ opportunity for our boys who don’t have too many occasions through which to interact with children from disadvantaged and poorer parts of our city. Moeketsi Motsepe did a wonderful job in planning for and then overseeing the coming together of a creative assortment of activities that kept the children busy and involved.

Some of the activities included:

• Grade 0 – 3 … a number of ‘fun-in-the-sun’ activities that took the children down onto the fields and into the fresh air
• Grade 4 … African games and Zulu reading
• Grade 5 … Coding and the Amazing Race and Music
• Grades 6 and 7 … Creating Dream City Houses out of an assortment of cardboard boxes and throwaways.

Well done to Mr Motsepe and all the teachers from both the schools and to our kitchen staff team for once again providing nourishment and drinks on the day.

An update to The Ridge’s response to COVID-19

Members of The Ridge Executive team sat together on Friday afternoon in order to think through, discuss and decide on the School’s response to a possible Covid-19 outbreak in the country and in Johannesburg, in particular.

Needless to say, this is completely unchartered territory for all of us, as it is for all of you as parents, professionals and, indeed, people intent on doing whatever is needed to look after our loved ones and ourselves. As such, and given the myriad ‘what ifs’ that present us all with the many complex and complicated unknowns, we endeavoured to focus on investigating what authority figures around the world are saying and heeding their advice, learning from what is happening in schools elsewhere in the world, and focusing essentially on what we need to do here at The Ridge to look after and to protect, as best we can, your precious sons.

Our discussions and resultant plans of action are centred around six key areas

1. Raising the levels of awareness and responsiveness amongst boys and staff:

This will be an ongoing intervention strategy that, as far as the boys are concerned, we, here at The Ridge, will be sharing with you their parents.

Specifically, though, during the course of this week special Covid-19 meetings will have been held with all teaching and admin staff members, with a separate meeting being held with support and service staff personnel, as well.

A special Corvid-19 Assembly has been planned for all our boys – again to take place this week – that will serve to highlight, at appropriate levels, the seriousness of the situation but without wanting to spark unnecessary fear, anxiety and panic.

We trust that parents have taken it upon themselves to provide similar levels of information, comfort and support to their children at a time when their anxiety levels might begin to become somewhat stretched.

2. Tightening up on the implementation of revised hygiene protocols and practices:

• We have ordered and will be installing sanitizer dispensers in each classroom and in the other well-used rooms and meeting venues throughout the school. Teams of people will be assigned to make sure that the dispensers are refilled as needed
• We have ordered and will be placing boxes of tissues in each classroom but would ask that boys bring their own to school as well
• Boys, staff and parents will be encouraged to make use of bathroom facilities that will have been well-stocked with soap and hand towels
• New posters have been ordered that will be promoting hand-washing and respiratory hygiene.
• We will not supply the boys with facemasks but should parents prefer for their lads to wear a facemask during his days here at school, we are happy to accommodate such requests
• Other hygiene-related messages will be communicated through to the boys and staff members on a regular basis. These will include sneezing or coughing into a clean tissue, discarding the tissue in a waste bin immediately afterwards, sanitizing hands on entering the classroom and before leaving, etc

3. Working to better understand the School’s role in identifying and then dealing with people who are not feeling well:

• First off, there will be many of us who, as the winter months close in, will experience days when they are feeling a little off colour. These asymptomatic boys and staff members will be looked after here at school and will be carefully monitored as they go about participating in a normal day’s programme.
• We will expect parents to carefully monitor their son’s symptoms should he become ill. Please do not send your boy to school if he is not well and certainly not if he is running a fever, has a headache and has developed a cough.
• As there is no medication or vaccine available in the asymptomatic period of the Covid-19 virus, it is critical that safety precautions be reinforced to protect others within the school.

             These include:

• • Washing of hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • When coughing or sneezing, covering the mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched objects and surfaces, and spaces that may have become contaminated.
  • Avoiding close contact with someone who has possibly acquired tha Covid-19 infection.

4. Working to better understand the School’s role in identifying and then dealing with people presenting with possible Covid-19 symptoms:

• It is expected that boys or members of staff who present with what might prove to be the Novel Coronavirus will not be well enough to come to school.
• These people or their parents ought to seek medical care and advice as soon as possible.
• Anyone who is confirmed to be carrying Covid-19, should follow the medical advice to remain at home for a period of 21 days of self-quarantine and then to get special clearance from their treating healthcare providers before coming back to school. They will require a doctor’s clearance certificate before returning to school.
• When coughing or sneezing, the sick person must cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue, throw tissues away immediately and wash their hands straight away or as soon as possible.
• The School will ensure regular cleaning and disinfecting of any frequently touched objects or surfaces that the sick boy or staff member may have come into contact with.
• It will be important, as much as we are able to, to maintain a record of other boys and staff members who might have come into contact with the sick boy or staff member.

5. Exploring of a viable strategy and related contingency plan that will allow for remote learning to take place should the school be forced to close for a period of time:

It goes without saying that should a remote teaching and learning system be forced upon us here at The Ridge, not only would it be something completely new for boys, teachers and parents, but it would require a good deal of bedding down.

In addition, the understandably more tactile, hands-on, learn-through-play as experienced in the ECD and JP Phases would, by-in-large, be lost to the boys for a period of time.

We are considering a number of digital options for teachers to make use of:

• To begin with, we would set time aside to train staff in the use of certain screen-based teaching and learning platforms.
• We would make use of emails and our Adam admin system as normal.
• Certain modifications might need to be made to staff computers to give them access to their home-based boys, Video Conferencing systems, etc.
• The boys and their parents would be given important guidelines, instructions and information that would enable them to link up with their teachers.

6. Prevent the spread of social stigma around Covid-19 in the workplace:

For most people Covid-19 is a disease that can be overcome. What is important is that we talk positively and emphasize the effectiveness of prevention and treatment measures. We must encourage the sharing of facts and prevent the spread of misinformation that stigmatizes people who acquire Covid-19, as this might …

• Cause people to hide their illness to avoid discrimination
• Prevent people from seeking healthcare immediately if symptoms arise
• Discourage people from adopting healthy behaviours that prevent the spread of Covid-19

We are mindful, above all else, that we must seek to remain calm so as not to elicit panic and unhelpful overreaction through miscommunication. As we go about implementing this plan of action, we will endeavour to do so in measured ways so as not to cause an increase in the anxiety levels for the boys. Our aim being to retain, as much as possible, a semblance of normality and business-as-usual for them and, indeed, for us all.

On a Lighter Note:

On a much lighter note please enjoy a little wisdom from Winnie the Pooh …

“Where are we going Piglet?” asked Pooh.

“We need to get supplies,” said Piglet. “For Coronavirus”

“Ahh,” said Pooh, nodding in understanding. ‘Things like bread, milk, cough mixture, tissues and cat litter even though we don’t have a cat?”

Piglet did a little laugh, and a sort of leap and a bit of a cough. “No,” said Piglet. “No, those aren’t the sort of supplies we need at all! What we need are family sized bags of chocolate buttons, massive Toblerone, jelly babies and crunchies and a freezer full of stuffed crust pizzas, and all of the Prosecco that we can possibly carry, so that when we get quarantined we won’t mind it even slightly. THOSE are supplies.”

All of a sudden, Pooh thought that the idea of coronavirus didn’t seem quite so bad, and actually, getting quarantined with Piglet and their supplies really didn’t sound such a terrible thing after all. “Oh Piglet.” Said Pooh. “I really do think you are a very wise animal.”

Pam Tudin’s not to be missed talk here at The Ridge on Thursday, 12^th March evening:

Fortnite, FOMO and Other F words 

In this talk she will gives us the real inside scoop on what is going down in the heads, hearts and other body parts of our tween and teen boys. Whether your budding teen is a passionate Gamer, a potential YouTuber, a WhatsApp junkie, a TikTok addict or a secret sender of sexts, Pam provides the real hands on skills for helping US to help our boys manage their online lives. She offers her insights, pragmatic approach, large doses of humour and most importantly ways to have the hard conversations.

Buckle up for the ride. It is a wild one but, with this talk, you’ve got this!

Pam Tudin is a Clinical Psychologist and author of “Get off Your Screen, Granny Died!”

A Final Word

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

There is much, on both a global scale as well as back home in beautiful South Africa, that is causing, for many of us, a few sleepless nights and certainly some moments when we have to wonder as to surreal nature of much of what we are living through.   

In my experience, having been around the block a few times, it is at these moments when, as we seek some deeper understanding, a broader perspective, and to find a few fathomable answers, that the spiritual part of who we are can come to the fore in ways that are sometimes unexpected but nonetheless welcome.

In my Ash Wednesday message to the assembly two weeks ago, I touched on the opportunities that this Lenten time of the year can offer each of us. Opportunities, if we choose to engage them, to reflect, to repent and to be restored. It is in and through the process of restoration that the spiritual side of our nature is able to experience a degree of solace, to feel refreshed through hearts more alive to our blessings, and to find, through this honest time of renewal, a deeper semblance of peace.

Irene Morrick has been teaching our senior primary boys a few new hymns and choruses. The lyrics of this one, entitled,  Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), are worth taking to heart. No matter what, if any, our faith may be, these words can prove to be cathartic.

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

 And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

 Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

 So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

 Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made strong                                                 Hillsong UNITED

I wish you all peaceful hearts and best wishes

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

The months immediately following a school Centenary and all that comes with such a 100 year birthday celebration, should provide for most schools and their stakeholders, an opportunity to take a collective breath in the interests of finding a sense of operational normality again.

As much as we are enjoying ‘resting’ in the afterglow of what was a truly memorable 2019 here at The Ridge, we are excited, too, that 2020 will be offering in a rather unique opportunity for us to channel our energies into the next important school programme.

 

The Independent Quality Assurance Agency – IQAA:

As I mentioned to all parents at the Information Evening on 20 January, we will be undergoing a full Whole School Independent Quality Evaluation in the months immediately ahead. With a new Board Chairman and six new governors about to take office, and with the last Strategic Plan having been implemented back in 2016, the time could not be better to make good use of the IQAA Evaluation by conducting a related Future-proofing Strategic Planning exercise.

Meetings between the IQAA external team and our Ridge internal facilitators have been held in recent days and we can look forward to the evaluation and mentoring process to begin in earnest as the month of March unfolds. In this context, I thought that it would be appropriate to share with parents something of the background to and the work conducted by IQAA.

IQAA was established in 2004 and has subsequently assessed over 800 schools in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ghana and Swaziland.

IQAA provides quality assurance services to a variety of schools including, Montessori schools, Waldorf schools, Cambridge International schools, Jewish, Christian and Moslem schools, as well as Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres and LSEN schools for special needs learners.

Each school evaluated, its pupils, staff, parents and community, are given complete respect and concern by IQAA, especially in relation to the school’s own distinctive mission, ethos and aims. All of IQAA’s services can be tailor made to suit the specific needs of individual schools and other clients.

The Opinion Survey service will be available online to parents, learners and teachers, in both English and Afrikaans. All that is needed is access by the school community to computers, laptops, iPads, tablets or phones with 3G capacity.

The Ridge has experienced two previous IQAA Evaluations; 2007 and 2014. Both proved to be enormously enlightening and informative. The whole self-reflection process is designed to be very transparent and inclusive.

 

The Ridge Charter:

As we prepare The Ridge family for this evaluation we need to be mindful that, where we are excited to ‘look in the mirror’ and to critically examine ourselves, we do so against the backdrop of so much that has served, over 100 years, to define our ethos, culture and values.

In an effort to help to prepare the ground for all that IQAA and the Future-proofing Strategic Planning process will be bringing our way, I thought that it would be useful to share again our Ridge Charter with you all. This excellent manifesto was drawn up by then Headmaster, Paul Channon, the Board of Governors, senior management and members of staff several years ago.

To quote from the document itself:  

What is a Charter?

“A charter is a framework for action.  A charter is not simply a reiteration of what is wanted, believed or valued.  A charter provides a road map and guide to Ridge stakeholders to navigate change and transformation while preserving the essence of the Ridge, and to prioritise and allocate investment and resources.

Through the Charter we want to unite the school community.  Practical, financial and value based support is needed to execute the Charter.

To have a charter is rarely comfortable as it will often challenge a preconception or entrenched position, it is complex, diverse and change driven.  As custodians of The Ridge our responsibility is to be clear about what we need to protect while being honest about what we need to do differently, and having the wisdom to know the difference.”

I believe that the months ahead will provide members of The Ridge family with some valuable self-reflection opportunities that will test just how well we are able to recognise and embrace the sentiment of the above highlighted sentence.

In addition, we will do well to reflect too on our Ridge School Values as they are spelt out in the Charter:

We value:

• Responsibility for self, property and the consequences of our actions
• Respect
• The pursuit of excellence
• Tenacity and competitiveness
• Equanimity in handling success and failure

We commit ourselves to a school that:

• Provides a balance and range of experiences
• Is diverse
• Offers education for life
• Is connected to its community

 

Parent Alert … Dangerous TikTok pranks /games to warn your children about:

As many parents will be aware, TikTok videos are making their presence felt by challenging children, teenagers and even adults to engage in high-risk prank-type activities.

One particular game is called the Trip Jump Challenge and is particularly unpleasant. It can cause serious harm to those participating in it and even death.

The attached video link doesn’t require too much more in the way of explanation.

Please warn your children about the obvious dangers associated with this prank activity.

https://youtu.be/oBSVe9xHmKs

 

A Final Word:

Against the backdrop of our chosen Now or Never – Growing Earth Children theme for the year I have taken the liberty in a previous newsletter of sharing ideas from the book Wise about Waste by Helen Moffett. These very practical and useful prompts, reminders and/or suggestions are worth tapping into as we work to change mindsets which in turn will serve to change behaviours.

In her chapter called Concluding Thoughts: Deckchairs on the Titanic, Helen challenges the reader not to feel completely swamped by the enormity of the crisis that is facing our planet, but to rather develop simple strategies that can and will combine with others to make small but meaningful changes.

“If the ship is going down anyway, it might not do any good rearranging the deckchairs, much less wiping specks off them. But we can rope them together to create extra life-rafts.”

It’s in creating life-rafts that appropriate environmental translations can be found. She goes on to say, “Amid all the horror and despair, there is a great deal of kindness and grace. I keep finding wonderful people doing extraordinary things. As we move to lifestyles where we’re making more conscious and creative choices about how we use the world’s resources, we’re finding that hanging around solution-oriented people is good not just for the planet, but for our souls.”

Helen Moffett goes on to offer what she calls a few Resource Checklists. The one entitled ‘Decluttering Checklist’ makes for an interesting prompt or two:

• What NPOs and charity shops that receive used goods are near where you live?
• Which will take your:                                                                                                                    
  • Clothes in good condition (most charity shops)
  • Clothing, towels, blankets and other textiles in poor condition (some animal charities to use for bedding)
  • Old spectacles and medical equipment (St John Ambulance)
  • Books (many charity shops)
  • Toys and sporting equipment (schools and crèches)
  • Fabric and craft remnants (community employment collectives)
  • Furnishings (crèches, homeless shelters, shelters for refugees and/or families fleeing domestic violence)

 

I wish you all an ‘eco-friendly’, quiet, restful and safe Half-term weekend.

With warm regards

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

 

 

Dear Parents 

14^th February … Happy Valentine’s Day.

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

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

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

School Leadership:

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

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

The new governors are:

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

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

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

 

The Ridge Community Engagement Programmes for 2020

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

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

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

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

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

b) Grade 0 – 6 Outreach initiatives

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

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

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

c) Right Stuff Passports

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

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

d) Annual Action Day

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

e) The Johannesburg Mini Council

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

f) Task Money

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

2. Partnership of Hope 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bus Transport and Pupil Safety 

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

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

A Final Word on this Valentine’s Day

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

With love and best wishes

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents

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

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

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

Staff News:

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

• Executive Leadership Team: 

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

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

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

• Pastoral Care Directorship:

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Music at The Ridge:

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

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

Names and Faces App: 

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

Lightning Early Warning System:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salvazione News – The Friends of Salvazione Project: 

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

Final Word:

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

Richard Stanley

Headmaster

Dear Parents 

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

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

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

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

Staff News:

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

New to The Ridge:

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

New portfolios for existing teachers at The Ridge:

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

New Interns for 2020:

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

Holiday News:

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

Special holiday projects have included:

1. Repositioning of the Phezulu Information and Technology Classroom:

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

2. Setting up of the fourth Grade 0 classroom:

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

3. Work done on renovations to staff accommodation:

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

Early Reminders:

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

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

A Final Word:

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

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

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

Richard Stanley

Headmaster