SOMERSET WEST PRIVATE SCHOOL TERM THREE 2015

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1 Morne SOMERSET WEST PRIVATE SCHOOL TERM THREE 2015 Three down and just one more term to go! And what a term the third term has been. Although it was another jam-packed term, we always seem to find some time to blow off steam and have fun - I cherish memories of a Matric Farewell, a Market Day and a Lip-Sync battle - to name just a few. We have also had some amazing academic achievements with our Head Girl, Jessica Andras, scoring 74% in the final round of the SAIPA National Accounting Olympiad. Well done Jessica! We also hosted our first round of the Maths Olympiad at school, opening our doors to many learners from schools all over the Western Cape. Simon du Toit, once again, deserves a special mention when it comes to Mathematics and Olympiads. After his success in the UCT Maths Olympiad last term, Simon was invited to participate in the South African Mathematic Championship, representing the Boland team. Throughout the term, our learners had many opportunities to go on various academic field trips. We really value these trips as our learners get to transform the boring pictures and paragraphs from their textbooks into reality and experience these aspects first hand. National Arbour Week was recently celebrated and SWPS participated by planting two trees in acknowledgement of this countrywide endeavour and as part of our duty as a registered as an Eco-School. As we ended the third term, our Matrics prepared themselves for their Prelim Exams. These exams are written under the same conditions as the final exams and our Matrics really get a taste of what the end of the year might hold. Although they only end on the 23 rd of September, some of the results have been coming in and generally look really promising. Let s hope that they remain focused and reap the rewards of the hard work they have been putting in this year. Although we are all heading for a lovely two week break, when we come back on the 6 th of October the Grade 12s only have two weeks of school left, while the rest of the school has four weeks remaining before the final examinations begin. Let s use these holidays to rest well, but also to recap on the academic aspects we need some more help with so that when we come back at the start of the fourth term we can hit the ground running and fully prepare for those ever-looming final exams. Yes, the end is in sight, but now is the time that we should buckle up and put in that last big effort to achieve the results of which we are truly capable. Last year we finished as 13 th best school in the Western Cape and we have accepted the challenge to improve on this by aiming for a 100% Bachelor s Pass for our Grade 12s. Although this is a bold challenge, I always hark back to our school song s very last line when I m in need of a little motivation, SWPS, I ll do my best! ~ RUAN ELLIS ~ Head of Academics and Discipline SWPS Page 1

2 MATRIC DANCE 2015 SOCIETY PAGES GLAMOUR On Friday 14 th August, the Grade 12 s donned their most magical outfits and made ready for their long-awaited night of feasting, dancing and PARTYING!! The theme for the evening was The Roaring 20 s with the occasion being hosted by the Winery Rose Forest. ALL the Matrics looked absolutely STUNNING as you will see in the pics on the next couple of pages! Mr Ellis the Grade 12 Head delivered a moving speech of farewell to his babies and set the tone for a night of sentimentality, gratitude and REVELRY!! Many thanks to Anna Lord and Sarah Hinchley for all the background slavery involved an EXCELLENT night was had by all. SWPS Page 2

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4 Dancing Queen & Ladies Man SWPS Page 4

5 I ll be praying for you! Grade 12 s, your teachers wish you all the best of luck. We know you are ready to take on the world!! Most of you clean-up pretty nicely too... if you re very good, I might join you on the dance floor later and teach you some proper moves...! Eat up all your lamb shank and veggies or no pudding... Mr Ruan Ellis Grd 12 head Mr Rob Moll Fond Teacher SWPS Page 5

6 RED CARPETS AND... ROMANCE!!! SWPS Page 6

7 beauties... and beasts...!! WHAT A NIGHT! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES GRD 12 S! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX SWPS Page 7

8 SOCIETY PAGES TALENT SHOW Report by Nikola Schuster and Taryn Reddy (Grade 9) ANNA TARYN NIKOLA VAL & SARAH GREASE!! AMAZING GYMNASTICS!!!!! The Primary and High School took part in a Talent Show at the end of August. The show included a Lip-Syncing Competition, a Fashion Show featuring recycled, homemade couture and a host of dancers, gymnasts and more! We have to admit that the Primary School almost stole the show, but the High School produced some amazing acts, including Luke Van Rensburg and Karabo Sehloho who blew the audience away with their fantastic lipsyncing skills. Our group (Nikola, Islay and Taryn) was joined by teachers Valerea and Anna on stage we had a blast! Nerine Van Dyk in Grade 11 took the honours as winner of the lip-syncing battle in the high school. ISLAY AND VAL Although we had to spend breaks and time after school rehearsing, it was all worth it in the end. We had so much fun this exercise definitely awoke some school spirit and everyone really enjoyed the show! SWPS Page 8

9 OLYMPIADS ACADEMIA SWPS is making their presence felt in the academic community! Congratulations to Simon Du Toit (Grade 9) for being selected to be part of the Boland Team in the South African Mathematics Competition (formerly known as the Interprovincial Maths Olympiad). Jessica Andras (Grade 12) took part in the 2015 SAIPA National Accounting Olympiad. She really rose to the occasion and achieved an outstanding result. Many thanks to accounting guru / teacher, Samantha Mann, for providing the opportunity for SWPS s best to stretch themselves further and go the extra mile! SWPS Page 9

10 Toastmasters was a unique experience. For six weeks, we met after school every Friday. The classes included how to do an impromptu speech, a prepared speech and how to speak to an audience confidently. At the end of 6 weeks, we had a showcase evening where we showed our parents and friends what we had learned. Toastmasters helped me with my confidence. ~ Islay- Skye Lourens After the show case evening, Jessica Andras and Islay-Skye Lourens went through to compete against 5 other schools. Islay was the only Grade 9 to compete. Jessica Andras came second after Stellenbosch High School who were the winners for the third year in a row! Back Row (left to right): Nichaela Cole; Sarah Cole; Islay Lourens; Jessica Andras; Laiken Mattheys; Nikola Schuster Front Row (left to right): Ernesto Jardim; Rochelle Roux; Coach; Hisha Prag SWPS Page 10

11 GRADE 7 AND 9 MARKET DAY THE GRADE 7 AND 9 STUDENTS COMPLETED AN EXCITING EMS PROJECT THIS TERM: THEY HAD TO WORK IN GROUPS, DESIGN A PRODUCT, ADVERTISE IT AND THEN SELL IT. THE WHOLE SCHOOL BENEFITTED FROM THIS EXERCISE AS WE WERE ALL INVITED TO BE THE CONSUMERS ON MARKET DAY! THE YOUNG ENTREPENEURS HAD TO PEDDLE THEIR WARES AND MAKE A PROFIT AT THE END OF THE DAY! THE ENTIRE AFFAIR WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND, THANKS TO THE EMS DEPARTMENT, WE WERE CERTAINLY A WELL-FED SCHOOL AT THE END OF IT! WELL DONE TO ALL THE STUDENTS INVOLVED YOU REALLY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB! Top left Thomas Horn, Reiner Wiese, Simon Du Toit and Kai Heimann (all in Grade 9) were the WINNERS by achieving the highest profit margin!! Their delicious home-made waffles were a clear winner! Top right Power girls with CHOCOLATE HEAVEN on offer: Sarah Cole, Taryn Reddy, Nikola Schuster, eager customers Skye Meyer and Anique Botha; in the foreground Islay Lourens. Left Thomas Von Spronsen with hot chocolate! Right Ross Hainsworth, Bryan Isaacs and Devan Cornelissen SWPS Page 11

12 OUT AND ABOUT Grade 11 Geography Outing to Kogelberg Area On a sunny Friday in September, the Grade 11 Geography class left on an excursion for the day. We drove through Gordon s Bay to get to the Anonymous Pass that leads to Steenbras Dam. At the dam we had a perfect view of False Bay. It was extremely windy and we were almost blown over. We learnt about the Fynbos, fold mountains and drainage systems of the area. Our next stop was Kogel Bay. We s tudied the geographical features of the area, including ocean working and steroidal weathering. We drove to Kogelberg Nature Reserve which is a national heritage site. The vegetation here was stunning and many pictures of our class were taken. The highlight of the day was the stop at Stony Point African Penguin Colony. This reserve in Betties Bay allowed us to see the African penguin up close, as well as a few other small animals. Thereafter, we had a delicious lunch in Pringle Bay followed by a walk on the beach. We headed back to school after what was definitely the best outing ever! Thank you to our teachers, Anina and Rob, for the amazing opportunity. ~ Cindy Dorrington (Grd 11) SWPS Page 12

13 GRADE 9 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OUTING TO SUNSTEP is a joint venture between the University of Stellenbosch to reach out to learners and increase their Science, Electronics and Technology knowledge. Report by Nikola Schuster (Grade 9) On the 31st of August, we went to Sunstep at the University of Stellenbosch. When we arrived, they first handed out all the equipment. Afterwards, we got a detailed explanation on how to build the device, AND what the purpose of each component was. After we had put all the components in their correct position on the circuit board, the soldering began. When everything was done, we tested our light dependant resonators and found out that they needed direct sunlight to make them work. We then commenced on a tour through the solar experiments of the engineering students on top of the roof. There were lots of mirrors all angled onto one plate, all working together to warm it up and create some form of electricity. Afterwards, we went to the student centre for something to eat and drink and some exploring of the university. Ruan fetched us a little earlier than planned so we were still in time for the last two lessons! This was a fun outing - we saw all the theoretical things we do in class applied practically. Thanks to our teacher, Anna Lord, for arranging this wonderful day for us. SWPS Page 13

14 COMMUNITY SERVICE ANINA GROBLER REPORTS Animal Welfare Helderberg - Grd 10 Community Service As part of the LO curriculum, the Grade 10 s need to do a project where they do at least 4 hours of community service. Most of the class went to the AWH to take food and walk the dogs. The dogs literally took them for a run! Thanks to all the Grade 10 s for their positive attitudes! SWPS Page 14

15 Macassar Soup Kitchen Karabo, Max, Min Chan, Sam and Luke went to Macassar to help people in need. They joined the Helderberg NG Church that has a weekly outreach to distribute food and clothes to the people. The Grade 10 s really enjoyed it and made a huge difference to the people of Macassar. SWPS Page 15

16 Arbour Day Some of our Grade 7 girls helping to plant an Olive Tree in the school gardens to honour Arbour Day. The Primary School also made their contribution by planting a Lemon tree. To show that SWPS is devoted to the environment, we are also involved in a Paper Recycling Drive which also saves trees! See the table below for the winners of the drive thus far: TERM 3 31-Aug 07-Sep 14-Sep Total Position Grd 2 & Grd Grd 5 & Grd 7 & Grd Grd Grd Weekly total SWPS Page 16

17 GYMNASTICS STAR J.D DU TOIT SPORTS SWPS is so proud of Grade 9 gymnast extraordinaire J.D Du Toit. He started gymnastics 5 years ago and discovered his amazing talent. This year, J.D took part in the S.A South Zone Championships where he came 4 th in both the Double Mini- Trampoline and the Artistic categories. During the course of the September school holidays, J.D will be taking part in the S.A Champs, representing the Western Province. He is practising four times a week in preparation. J.D is passionate about his sport he says he absolutely loves it! The school would like to wish him the very best of luck! CONGRATULATIONS to: Shani Carstens (Grade 7) for participating in the: DANCE EISTEDDFOD. What a beauty! We are so proud of her! SWPS Page 17

18 Post Matric learner, Chris Visser, has been chosen to compete in the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship in Italy in September, as well as the ITU Duathlon World Championship in Australia in October!! Well done Chris!! One of our past learners, Jessie Berndt, has recently left for Antarctica to assist a UCT PhD candidate with their study on Pelagic Birds. Jessie has just completed a Masters in Zoology, studying the Martial Eagle. All this from someone who once was at a school before SWPS where she was advised never to study science!! Well done Jessie!! SWPS Page 18

19 love.is IN THE AIR! Primary School teacher, the beautiful Niquelle, is getting married! The staff threw her a bridal shower with lots of yummy eats and all our best wishes. Anina put together a stunning recipe book with all Niquelle s colleagues best dishes now she ll be able to feed her man in style! We wish the happy couple a blessed future! SWPS Page 19

20 SWPS is growing all the time! We welcomed several new students to the fold this term I m James Smith Grade 10. Just an average boy with a serious case of ADHD and horrific spelling! I am very glad I got into this school the teachers have the right ratio between fun and work and I know they are backing me all the way. This school does not make me feel like I m in a prison I can be me! Thank you SWPS! Hi! My name is Nicole Sarah Wright. I am in Grade 9. I have come to SWPS to improve my marks! SWPS Page 20

21 My name is Cindy Dorrington and I recently joined the Grade 11 class at SWPS. I have been enjoying my time here immensely. The school has a strong academic focus as our classes are very small which allows for individual attention. We have great professional relationships with our teachers and this school offers many opportunities. I love the atmosphere at our school and I feel I have developed as a person at SWPS! I am Kirsten Hoffmann I am also new in Grade 11. I am here to work hard and improve my marks! The school is very friendly and welcoming Hi! I m Franki Bredenkamp! I am so happy to join the SWPS family! I hope to start a debating Society and encourage my peers to express their views! I m Pieter Pienaar! I like it at SWPS because all my marks are improving. The teachers are very helpful. This is a very happy, social school SWPS Page 21

22 I m Rohan Jacobs in Grade 11 and I enjoy SWPS a lot! The school has helped me to develop a better work ethic and create a better balance between work and play. The staff and students here are helpful and friendly. My name is Reichard Jacobs, Grade 11. So far I love this school the teachers and my fellow learners are friendly and always positive. Fewer kids in the classes makes it easier to learn and concentrate. I would highly recommend SWPS! SWPS Page 22

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