Applewood Weekly Newsletter 3 March 2017
Walking prospective parents around during the week made me very proud. The school was abuzz with the sound of learning and the visiting parents were drawn into the classrooms. Our children greeted them enthusiastically and they were impressed. We are very fortunate at Applewood to have an environment which lends itself to learning and indeed a group of teachers who create ideal conditions for children to learn.
Last weekend a number of our children took part in the Fedhealth Xterra triathlon. I was interested to learn that this is an event which takes place all over the world and that the one in Grabouw is actually the largest Xterra event worldwide. It was wonderful to see so many of our children taking part in the various categories of racing. Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and is a wonderful lifestyle choice. This and such events are right on our doorstep and hopefully we can support it even more in the years to come.
The excitement is mounting as we look forward to Peggy Zee visiting our school from 13 to 17 March. Peggy is a consultant and lecturer in early mathematics and learning challenged. She works with the Singapore Ministry of Education as a leader in early childhood development. She has been instrumental in the development of mathematics teaching and teachers, particularly in the Pre-Primary and Junior Primary phases in Singapore. She is a sought after expert who runs courses and workshops all around the world. Her goal is to enable each child to find joy in meaningful learning experiences so that he or she can develop his or her potential.
Peggy will spend time in each classroom during the school day and she will run workshops in the afternoons. I would like to invite parents to an information evening on Tuesday, 14 March. At this evening Peggy will outline her philosophy and give useful hints of how you can assist your child in developing his or her learning potential. Watch your inbox for details. Peggy is very active on social media and her Facebook posts are always very informative. We look forward to an enriching week at Applewood.
The updated Homework Policy, Aftercare Policy and the Pre-Primary Parent Guide Booklet will be uploaded onto our website by this Monday. Please have a look at these and familiarise yourselves with their contents.
A reminder that school will close next Friday, 10 March straight after the conclusion of the Inter-House athletics at 12:00. There will be no aftercare as all staff will be involved in a staff development exercise from 12:00.
I am concerned about the huge amount of lost property that has been collected since the beginning of the year. Uniforms are a great expense to parents and must be looked after. Most of the items which have been handed in are not marked. Please could you check your child’s uniform and make sure that it is marked. Help us to teach children to take responsibility for their belongings.
The end of the term is fast approaching with many exciting adventures still to be had. Please remember to sync your calendars.
Aerial picture of Applewood - Taken by Harold Smook’s new drone. Thank you Harold - AGO Africa.
Ek was hierdie week baie trots om met voornemende ouers deur die skool te stap. Die skool was lewendig met leer en ouers kon nie help om in die klasse ingetrek te word nie. Ons kinders het met oorgawe gegroet en hulle was beïndruk. Ons is baie bevoorreg by Applewood om ‘n omgewing te hê wat leer bevorder word tesame met onderwysers wat ‘n gunstige omgewing vir leer skep.
Verlede week het ‘n goeie aantal kinders aan die Fedhealth Xterra driekamp deelgeneem. Ek was verras om uit te vind dat hierdie byeenkoms, wat regoor die wêreld gehou word, eintlik die grootste een in Grabouw is. Dit was wonderlik om so baie van ons kinders aan so ‘n verskeidenheid van wedlope te sien deelneem. Driekamp is een van die vinnig-groeiendste sport in die land en ‘n wonderlike lewenstyl-keuse. Hierdie en ander sulke byeenkomste is reg op on voorstoep en ons sal dit, hopelik, in die jare wat kom selfs meer ondersteun.
Die opwinding bereik nou ‘n hoogtepunt terwyl ons uitsien na Peggy Zee se besoek aan ons skool vanaf 13 tot 17 Maart. Peggy is ‘n konsultant en dosent in vroeë Wiskunde en leeruitdagings. Sy werk saam met die Singapoerse Ministerie van Onderwys en as 'n leier in die gebied van vroeë kinderontwikkeling. Sy was instrumenteel in die ontwikkeling van Wiskunde onderrig en onderwysers se opleiding, in besonder by die Pre-primêre en die Junior Primêre fases in Singapoer. Sy is ‘n gesogte kenner wat werkswinkels en kursusse regoor die wêreld aanbied. Haar doel is om elke kind toe te rus om vreugde in betekenisvolle leerondervindings te vind sodat hy of sy, sy of haar potensiaal kan ontwikkel.
Peggy sal gedurende die skooldag tyd in elke klaskamer deurbring en in die middag sal sy werkswinkels aanbied. Ek nooi alle ouers uit om ‘n insiggewende inligtingsessie op Dinsdagaand 14 Maart by te woon. Gedurende hierdie sessie sal Peggy haar filosofie saamvat en bruikbare idees gee oor hoe u, u kind kan help om sy of haar leer potensiaal te ontwikkel. Hou u eposse dop vir verdere besonderhede. Peggy is baie aktief op sosiale media en haar Facebook-inskrywings is altyd baie insiggewend. Ons sien uit na ‘n verrykende week by Applewood.
Die hersiende huiswerkbeleid, nasorgbeleid en die Pre-Primêre riglynboekie vir ouers kan almal aanlyn op ons webwerf gelees word van volgende week. Maak asseblief seker dat u hierna kyk en vertroud raak met die inhoud daarvan.
Ons herinner u daaraan dat die skool volgende Vrydag 10 Maart direk na afloop van die Interhuis Atletiek om 12:00 sal sluit. Daar sal geen nasorg wees nie, omdat die personeel vanaf 12:00 by 'n personeelontwikkelingsessie betrokke sal wees.
Ek is bekommerd oor die hope verlore goedere wat sedert die begin van die jaar gekollekteer is. Skooluniforms is ‘n groot uitgawe vir ouers en moet na omgesien word. Die meeste van die items wat ingehandig word, is nie gemerk nie. Kan u asseblief weer na u kind se uniform kyk en sekermaak dat dit gemerk is. Help ons om kinders te help om verantwoordelikheid vir hulle eiendom te neem.
Die einde van die kwartaal kom vinnig nader met ‘n hele klompie avonture wat nog voorlê. Maak dus asseblief seker dat u kalender gesinkroniseerd is.
Geniet ‘n rustige naweek.
Recipients of the Kilembe tree Leaves.
Grade 2's learning about tens and ones.
The Grade 4 class learnt more about the process of growing new apple trees! Thank you so much to Dr Nigel Cook (Christopher's dad) who shared his amazing knowledge and experience and gave us insight on the exciting projects he is working on!
Apple Pips enjoying their Physical Education lesson and making drums.
Happy birthday to children who had birthdays in February
The Grade 3's would like to thank Caroline de Villiers for donating seedling trays for their garden. They are busy mastering the propagation process.
Looking for an experienced nanny who has good references to work for 2 families - 2 days for Rowena and 2 days for Di.
She will be looking after a baby and 2 young children.
Includes some basic housekeeping work.
Please contact Rowena (0722447227) or Di (082 343 1603).