Newsletter 3 January 26, 2012
A fun-filled fantastic first Formal Friday assembly Reddam House Waterfall newsletter page 1 Tel: 011 1000 353 e-mail
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"Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words!" ~ A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943 ~
B
astian Balthazar Bux’s ion was books.
If you have never spent whole afternoons with burning ears and rumpled hair, forgetting the world around you over a book, forgetting cold and hunger — . . . If you have never wept bitter tears because a wonderful story has come to an end and you must take your leave of the characters with whom you have shared so many adventures, whom you have loved and ired, for whom you have hoped and feared, and without whose company life seems empty and meaningless — You will never understand what Bastian did next. . . . Staring at the title of the book, he turned hot and cold, cold and hot. Here was just what he dreamed of, what he had longed for ever since the ion for books had taken hold of him: A story that never ended! The book of books! . . . (~The Neverending Story by Michael Ende ~)
understanding due to poor vocabulary, then this child is a cripple. This child will resent reading and this resentment will manifest in poor learning skills in every area of the academic strata and the end product is a child who is an underachiever. The ability to become fluent readers starts in the home. Children who have been read to daily from infancy, delight in stories, and respond favourably to the reading programme in the early grades. These children will continue to show prowess in academics throughout high school and indeed, even throughout tertiary education.
Every child ought to experience the thrill of loving reading, yet sadly it is not so. All too often there is a wrinkling up of the nose, a deep sigh and a shrug of shoulders, and the clichéd sentence: ”I don’t have enough time to read.”
In the IEB (Independent Examination Board) system, to which our school subscribes, great emphasis is placed on higher order thinking skills. The ability to infer, to make predictions, to analyse, to compare and contrast and to make judgement calls. These skills are expected to be exercised in all subjects and expressed coherently in written and spoken language. In the high school, essay writing skills are crucial. But without sound reading, higher order thinking and expression will fail.
This may be true sometimes, but the real TRUTH is that a child who struggles to read or lacks fluency, does not WANT to read because it is a labour and one that gives little pleasure. If a child struggles with word recognition, or fluency or
The foundation for these higher order thinking skills is established in the primary school. Without solid reading, such skills will be poorly grasped and the price will be paid in high school. It can therefore be seen that reading is the
cement which binds academic progress, and which in turn strengthens pleasure and personal satisfaction. Ironically, the very child who protests, “I don’t have enough time to read,” is also the child who manages to watch the next episode of his favourite television programme, or who manages to sit idly for hours with earphones plugged into some ear-numbing music on his iPhone! Inspire your children to read. Give them access to plenty of reading material that they will enjoy and discuss it with them. Sample everything — traditional printed books and eBooks on the Internet, classic children's novels and fairy tales, as well as more modern stories. Read about Pooh Bear to Harry Potter to Edward the glittering vampire to Bilbo Baggins or to Jane Eyre — if it is printed, read it! Audio books are equally enjoyable, especially on long journeys. So, delete the music from the iPhone, and insert an audio book! It is a great aid in improving listening skills and vocabulary. And please switch off that television for a while, read as a family, and let us together work towards the goal of creating readers of our children who will become ionate about books. ~ Gianna Tommei ~
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Department of English
BOOK APPEAL We want to start stocking up our library. If you have books in your bookshelves which are no longer being read and may benefit some other eager readers, please give these lovely books to the receptionist.
Public Speaking & Debating The skills involved in Public Speaking and Debating are practised in class in English and in Drama. However, Public Speaking and Debating is offered as an extracurricular activity as well. We urge our students to become involved as this would offer an excellent opportunity to practice the skills learned. Please consult the extracurricular programme in The News Spot.
“Speak ‘Friend’ and enter” ~ Gandalf, in The Lord of the Rings
ACCOLADES Reddam House Waterfall will acknowledge all outstanding achievements attained outside the School. Please submit any recognition achieved to Mr Balios together with the certificate received (which we will return to you).
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UNIFORM We were most impressed with our smartly dressed students on Formal Friday. They all wore their new attire with pride and we can say that “dress maketh the man and the woman ...”
‘The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." ‘ ~Dan Rather
Reddam House Waterfall has decided that BLACK shoes will be the norm. Those children who have brown shoes, may continue to wear them until they need to purchase the next pair. HOUSE T-SHIRTS will be available from the Uniform Shop from next week.
The SPORT UNIFORM may not be worn to school. Students must bring their sport togs to school in a tog bag and change at school. We expect our Reddam House Waterfall students to arrive at school in their correct school multiform.
LOST PROPERTY: This may be claimed at RECEPTION. All items of clothing which have name labels indicated on them, will be returned to the students. All items of uniform must be labelled for this purpose.
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T I M E
EXEAT FORMS
PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS:
DROP-OFF: The official drop-off times is 7h30. Children ( especially the Grades 1 and 2) who are dropped off earlier may be left with the guards at the guard gate. Children in the Club House may sit in the canteen lounge or outside their classrooms if they wish. Please note that while the school endeavours to ensure the safety of your children, we cannot take responsibility for the children prior to our official opening times. The same goes for after school hours.
THURSDAY 2 February:
Grades 3 - 4
VENUE: Club House TIME: 19:00 THURSDAY 9 February: VENUE: Club House TIME: 19:00
Grades 5 - 9
MATHS OLYMPIAD Round One: MONDAY 19 March Grades 8 and 9
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME: The academic programme commences for Grades 5 to 9 on Monday 30 January. All relevant text books are to be brought to class.
VALENTINE’S DAY 14 February A day to celebrate friendship and love and appreciation.
“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” ~ Albert Einstein ~ Reddam House Waterfall newsletter page 5 Tel: 011 1000 353 e-mail
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Students who need to leave school early must have a signed EXEAT FORM from their parents. These forms must be submitted at Reception. Non-parents collecting children must get clearance from the school. Please e-mail reception@reddamwat erfall.co.za with the details of the person collecting your child / children. A letter will be given to you to show the guards.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES TERM ONE CULTURAL
SPORT MONDAY TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
CRICKET 14:45 to 16:00 KARATE boys and girls 14:45 to 15:30
Reddam main field Club House
MONDAY
TOUCH RUGBY boys and girls 15:00 to 16:00 SWIMMING boys and girls 13:45 to 15:00 GOLF* boys and girls 14:45 to 16:00
Reddam school
TUESDAY
SOCIAL TENNIS 14:30 to 15:30 TENNIS boys and girls 14:45 to 16:00
WEDNESDAY Club House / External Pool Club House and Driving Range
DRAMA: 8-9 14:45 to 14:45
Drama room
ART CLUB 4-7 14:45 to 14:45 DRAMA: 1-7 14:45 to 15:45 DANCE: 1-2 13:30 to 14:00
Art room
PUBLIC SPEAKING: 5-9 13:30 to 14:30
Grade1 — Taking measure
Drama room ELS Hall
Ms Fitzgerald’s classroom squash court
DANCE: 3-5 14:30 to 15:15 squash court Club House and Tennis Courts
THURSDAY
Optional activities with an * are at an additional cost. Pamphlets to be issued. Reddam sport uniform to be worn for all activities. Students must submit their names to Mr Truscott / Mr Dewar to confirm their attendance.
Additional activities which students may desire will be subject to number of students interested.
FRIDAY
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DANCE 6-9 15:15 to 16:15 CHOIR: 4 -9 14:30 to 15:30
Club House hall
ENVIRO CLUB: 7 -9 2nd break
Maths classroom
MARIMBA WORKSHOP: 3-9 7:15 to 8:00
Music room
CHESS: 3-9 14:30 to 15:30
TBC
INSTRUMENT TUITION: Letters regarding instrument tuition will be sent out by Friday 3 February. These letters have a reply slip which must be returned to the class teacher by 10 February. Tuition offered in the following: VIOLIN: CELLO:
stage 4 - Gr 9 stage 4 - Gr 9
TRUMPET: Gr 3 - Gr 9 SAXOPHONE: Gr 4-Gr 9
PIANO: VOICE: GUITAR:
stage 4 - Gr 9 Gr 1 - Gr 9 Gr 1 - Gr 9
DRUMS: FLUTE: CLARINET:
Gr 2 - Gr 9
Gr 3 - Gr 9 Gr 4 - Gr 9
Dressed to the nines!
Kindly note that extracurricular activities are governed by the number of participants. Where the group is too large or too small, arrangements may change. Read The News Spot for updates regarding this.
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WEEKS 1&3 LUNCH: CHOICE 1:
CHOICE 2:
MEALS
VEGETARIAN
GRADES 1 and 2 Due to us not yet having our own canteen, we are pleased to use Philippe Wagenfurher’s catering services which focuses on healthy meals. The children will have the food delivered to the Early Learning School (i.e. their classrooms). Parents are asked to complete the form (end of newsletter) and send it with their child / children to give to the class teacher. Parents may order the following: 1. MORNING SNACK: This will comprise of a carbohydrate snack e.g. sandwich or scone etc. and a fruit Cost: R8.00
2. HOT MEAL (LUNCH TIME): R 28.00 Parents can choose items indicated on the menu options opposite. (Indicated in yellow)
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
warm potato & tuna salad, guacamole and sour cream whole grain pasta, chicken in tomato sauce soya burger, potato wedge
chicken strips with butternut and rice fisherman’s pie, vegetables vegetables and bean stew, rice
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
beef stir-fry with noodles
chicken wrap with lettuce
fish burger, whole grain bun, potato wedges
roast chicken, cauliflower, morney potatoes mushroom and soya curd curry, noodles
ravioli tomato sauce with vegetables vegetable ravioli tomato sauce with vegetables
mini pizza with ham and pineapple vegetarian quiche, mixed salad
TUCK SHOP mixed salad, fruit salad, yoghurt, fruits, cheese, sandwiches, muffins mango, apple, orange, guava, tropical, water, milk, soya milk
FRESH JUICE
WEEKS 2&4 LUNCH: CHOICE 1: CHOICE 2: VEGETARIAN
MONDAY
TUESDAY
quiche lorraine, mixed salad chicken in tomato sauce, potato gnocchi soya sausage, potato wedge, tomato sauce
beef lasagna, mixed salad chicken a la king, whole grain rice vegetable lasagna, mixed salad
WEDNESDAY chicken burger, potato wedge pork stir-fry, vegetable, noodles soya mince and mushroom sauce penne, mixed salad
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
grilled haddock. mash shepherd’s pie, vegetables
spahetti bolognaise mini pizza with ham and pineapple moussaka of vegetables, mixed salad
bean stew, rice, vegetables
TUCK SHOP mixed salad, fruit salad, yoghurt, fruits, cheese, sandwiches, muffins
Parents will be billed after Philippe has received the necessary information via e-mail.
MONDAY
FRESH JUICE mango, apple, orange, guava, tropical, water, milk, soya milk
GRADES 3 to 9 Children may order in the canteen and pay cash. Reddam House Waterfall newsletter page 8 Tel: 011 1000 353 e-mail
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FOOD ORDER FORM 1. NAME OF STUDENT (Grades 1 and 2 only) : ___________________
2. CLASS: __________ 3. CELL PHONE : _______________
Want to learn how to make your own
4. e-mail address: _______________________________ 5. Tick appropriate block: snack
R 8.00
hot meal: menu selection (indicate) 1: 2: 3:
R 28.00
6. Date: ______________________
jewellery? Then this is the workshop for you. Mrs Tommei will be running a Beginners Workshop for Grades 4 upwards. This workshop is open to all students, friends, mums and grans. Only 10 people per workshop, so hurry and book your place. Duration : FOUR sessions, one each Monday from Monday 6 February to Monday 27 February Times: 3 - 4 ( or slightly longer, depending on project) Cost: R500.00 and R150 for starter kit (pliers, tiger tail, crimps etc.) You get to keep what you make. Mrs Tommei in class or cell phone: 083 4689192. Bookings must be made by Thursday 2 February.
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