CONTENT von Cziffra-Bergs and Robert Burman For excellent effort in preparing for the English test Sebastian Thompson and James Serrurier

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NEWSLETTER 6

21 FEBRUARY 2018

CONTENT

Upcoming Events 2

Headmaster’s Desk 3

Class Photos – New Date 4

School Rules 4

Old Boys News 4

Menu 5

Pupil News 5

Junior Prep News 7

Invitation 8

PPA News 8

Scouts & Cubs Scouts 8

Sport’s Desk 9

Chess News 10

Music Department News 11

Mid-Term Closing Times 11

Blingo Bingo 12

St David’s Grade 6 & 7 Social 13

Advertisement 14

CONTACT US

PRIDWIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Physical Address: Tel: 011 788 1116 St Andrew Street email: [email protected] Melrose, 2196 web: www.pridwin.co.za

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UPCOMING EVENTS

WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 14h00 Cricket fixtures - Gr 4C/D; Gr 5C/D; Open 5th/6th

THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 14h00 Cricket fixtures - Gr 3C & mixed ability

FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY 08h00 Class & individual photos 08h30 Cycle tests (Gr 5 Afrik, Gr 6 SOCS, Gr 7 Science) 14h00 Gala - A25 at Holy Rosary - B & C25 at Brescia House)

SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 08h00 Cricket vs St David’s

MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY 14h00 Athletics trials start 17h30 PPA meeting

TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 07h00 Gr 1 parent information session 13h00 Gr 1 parent information session

WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 12h00 Grade 2 Special Friends Banquet 13h00 Gr 3 - Parent information session (MPR)

THURSDAY 1 MARCH 07h00 Gr 3 - Parent information session 10h30 Gr 0 Open Day 11h30 School closes Gr 0-3 12h00 School closes Gr 4-7 12h00 Hilton 6s depart

TUESDAY 6 MARCH 07h30 School reopens

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THE HEADMASTER’S DESK

CHAPTER TWO Lythcott-Haims introduces us to the notion of the “checklisted childhood”. She begins with a scenario that is all too familiar to us. Two days after the birth of her son, Sawyer, she began the process of completing application forms for pre-school enrolment, fearing that any delay would hurt their son’s chances. This impulse to get into the best pre-school, is driven by the end goal. The desire to acquire the best University Degree possible. This desire is driven equally by love and fear. A fear that if your child doesn’t get the best he will not survive in the future world of work. Thus begins the journey of providing as many enriching experiences as possible. By the time the child enters primary school the checklist is in full swing. Their schedules are scrutinised, teachers analysed, sports coaches vetted, assessments cross checked, therapies organised and tutors hired. Extra-curricular activities are carefully planned with a view to building a comprehensive CV to maximise access to opportunity. Nowhere is this more glaringly obvious than on the sports field. Parents worry that if they are not vigilant their child will miss out on playing time, on quality coaching, and on the right kind of competition. There is a tendency to push primary school children into early specialization in sport. Instead of developing the child in a variety of sports, specialization causes the early development of certain muscle groups at the expense of others resulting in frequent injury. Parents show up for games “no matter what”, are very visible and very vocal. They don’t want to seem uncommitted and have a subconscious desire to influence outcomes “we cheer like hell, and we’ll also step in to question the coach, umpire, or referee”. (p. 33) Many parents seem to believe that they have a final say in what their child is going to do in school or on the sports field. Lythcott-Haims suggests there is “an erosion of trust, or lack of understanding of the construct of an authority figure.” (p. 33) This lack of respect for school authority and coaches is in stark contrast to parental attitudes a generation ago. The irony of the present day is that we want our children to have opportunities for challenge, vigor and growth without their feelings getting hurt. “The past is no longer on speaking terms with the present”. (p. 34) Lythcott-Haims describes social interactions all too familiar. In social gatherings she is often asked for advice on how best to prepare children for entrance to the elite universities. Here is what she has to say:

If you are married and in a committed partnership – stay together. 70-80% of successful students at Stanford come from stable homes (of course she admits that this is not actually what people want to hear).

Children need to be given free reign to pursue their “authentic” interests. What is the child curious about? What makes him tick? What matters to the child? What does the child like to think about?

Continued on page 4…

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Lythcott-Haims admits that in retrospect her children would have been fine in any number of schools. She cautions about the tendency to produce “the manufactured” kid, that if we have taught our children “that there is only one predetermined checklist for their lives, we may be constructing a path that is more about us than them. And a path that isn’t about them may be a path to nowhere. We have dreams for them, but mustn’t shape the way they dream”. (p 42). Reference: How to Raise an Adult – Julie Lythcott-Haims (2015)

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CLASS PHOTOGRAPHS – NEW DATE

The Individual and Class Photographs of the boys, will be taken during the course of the school day on Friday, 23 February commencing at 08h00. Please ensure that your son is neatly and appropriately turned out for these photographs. Grade 0 Pridwin golf shirt with any shorts and shoes Grade 1-2 Full summer uniform, socks and shoes Grade 3-7 Full summer uniform, blazer, socks and shoes Back to the top

SCHOOL RULES Boys are not allowed to bring cell phones, smart watches or any electronic device to school.

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OLD BOYS NEWS

We would like to congratulate Bradley Johnson on being chosen as a member of St

Alban’s leadership team for 2018.

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THIS WEEK’S MENU

THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY Beef lasagne

Spinach and feta lasagne Mixed salad

Water/Milk/Fruit

FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY Chicken stir-fry and rice

Veggie – noodles and stir-fry Salads

Water/Milk/Surprise

MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY Chicken schnitzel and chip/sweet potato chips

Vegetarian schnitzel Mushroom or cheese sauce

Salads Water/Milk/Fruit

TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY Curry beef and rice

Sambals Curry vegetarian stew

Salads Water/Milk/Fruit

WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY Boerewors & Prego rolls

(sold by PPA moms)

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PUPIL NEWS

KNIGHT OF THE WEEK

Ahmed Moti: For demonstrating Pridwin values in an exceptional way.

CLASS HONOURS

For excellent handwriting Matthew Dimitri-Kark

For excellence in reading Dylan Price

For always giving of his best Zaidaan Rawat

For settling in so well at Pridwin Jonah Juma and Abdullah Mohammad For good results in Mathematics Richard Brooks, Robert Burman, Mishar Batohi, Ryan Osler, Sean Kent, Rhys Watson, Ulrich Fey, Luca Langens and Thomas Arnott

For consistent effort in Mathematics Khalane Moletsane and Danny Zindel For Excellent achievement in the English Assessment Luc von Cziffra-Bergs and Robert Burman For excellent effort in preparing for the English test Sebastian Thompson and James Serrurier

For excellent achievement in his spelling tests Elijah Onyejiaka For good preparation for his spelling tests Michael Smithyman

For excellent mental maths Benjamin Scharges and Andrew Hattingh

KIDS' LIT QUIZ – CERTIFICATES GRADE 7 - TEAM 1 Matthew McMaster, Antonio Pereira, Jaipal Pillay and Ryan Pullinger

GRADE 6 - TEAM 2 Lucien Baldry, Oliver Benatar, Adrian Dobrescu and Rahul Fakira

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JUNIOR PREP NEWS

GRADE 0 OPEN CLASSROOM - THURSDAY 1 MARCH 2018 Grade 0 parents are invited to a Grade 0 Open Classroom on Thursday 1 March from 10h30-11h30, after which boys will go home. This is an opportunity for you to catch a glimpse of what your son does during his day at school as well as allowing you to spend some quality time with him in his classroom. We hope you can make it!

GRADE 0 GRANDPARENTS ASSEMBLY – FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2018 Grandparents and special friends are invited to join us on Friday 9March at 10h30 in the Auditorium for “An African Dream’ – a presentation by the Grade 0s. Tea will be served afterwards to enable your grandson to show you his classroom and some of the work he has completed in his short time at Pridwin.

GRADE 1-3 PARENT INFORMATION SESSION Parents are to attend an information session where we will discuss our approach to assessment and how you can use ENGAGE to track your son’s progress. In order to accommodate your work schedules, we will hold the session twice for each grade: Grade 1: Tuesday, 27 February in the Multipurpose room, at 07h00 – 08h00 and again at 13h00 – 14h00. Grade 2: Wednesday 7 March in the Multipurpose room, at 07h00 – 08h00 and again at 13h00 – 14h00. Grade 3: Wednesday 28 February from 13h00 – 14h00 and again on Thursday 1 March from 07h00 – 08h00 in the Multipurpose room. We hope that at least one of these times will suit you. Back to the top

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INVITATION

Dear Parents,

Please diaries the official opening of our wonderful new facilities at Pridwin. Come and celebrate the opening of the Junior School Library along with the new Music Block on Tuesday 20 March at 17h00.

This celebration of the Arts and Music will be an official school event with boys from the Marimba Band, Senior Jazz Band, Junior and Senior Choirs and African Ensemble participating. Many of the boys’ art pieces will also be on display.

More details surrounding the event will follow.

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PPA NEWS School shop will now be open on Monday’s from 07h00 – 08h00 as well as Wednesday and Friday’s from 07h00 – 08h00 and 13h00 – 14h00. We would like to open on Tuesday and Thursday morning from 07h00 – 08h00 however require volunteers to help on either of those days, once or twice a month. Please contact Alison on 0832609920 if you can help.

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SCOUTS AND CUB SCOUTS

Scouts and Cub Scouts will be allowed to wear their Scouting uniform to school on Thursday, 22 February 2018 in honour of their founder Lord Baden Powell.

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FROM THE SPORT’S DESK

SWIMMING GALA Friday 23 February 2018

Holy Rosary School will host the A25 team and Brescia House the B & C 25 team. Both galas will commence at 14h15. Parents may collect their boys from the respective venues, provided they inform their coach.

PRIDWIN VS ST DAVID’S 21 February – 24 February

TEAM DATE VENUE TIME

Gr 4D 21/02 Away – Astro 14h15

Gr 4C 21/02 Home - Melville 14h15

Gr 5C 21/02 Away – La Rosey 14h15

5th 21/02 Home – Venus 1 14h15

Gr 3C 22/02 Away – La Rosey 14h15

Gr 3 Warriors 22/02 Home – Astro 14h15

Gr 3 Eagles 22/02 Away - Astro 14h15

Gr 3A 24/02 Away - Astro 13h00

Gr 3B 24/02 Home – St Vincent Field 08h30

Gr 4A 24/02 Away - Astro 08h30

Gr 4B 24/02 Home - Astro 08h30

Gr 5A 24/02 Home - Janion 08h30

Gr 5B 24/02 Home – Henderson Park 08h30

4TH 24/02 Home – Melville 08h30

3RD 24/02 Home – Venus 2 08h30

2ND 24/02 Home – Venus 1 08h30

1ST 24/02 Away – La Rosey 08h30

ATHLETICS INFORMATION Athletics trials will commence from Monday 26 February 2018.

ATHLETICS KIT

ATHLETICS MEETINGS (Team only)

Black quantec shorts

School athletics vest

School tracksuit

Running shoes (optional)

ATHLETICS PRACTICES

Black shorts

House T-shirt (house colour)

Running shoes (optional)

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ATHLETICS FIXTURES 2018

DATE VENUE EVENT TIME

14/03 (Wednesday) St Peter’s Interschool 14h15

17/03 (Saturday) Pridwin - Venus Interschool 08h30

24/03 (Saturday) St Stithian’s Interschool 08h30

28/03 (Wednesday) Pridwin - Janion/Melville Interhouse 12h30

04/04 (Wednesday) St David’s Interschool TBC

RUGBY FESTIVAL PRACTICE

The provisional squad will practice on the following day: Thursday 22 February 16h30 – 17h30 Tuesday 27 February 16h30 – 17h30 Tuesday 06 March 16h30 – 17h30 Thursday 08 March 16h30 – 17h30 Tuesday 13 March 16h30 – 17h30 Thursday 15 March 16h30 – 17h30 Thursday 22 March 16h30 – 17h30 Friday 23 March: Concussion testing 14h00 – 14h30 Friday 23 March 14h30 – 15h30 Monday 26 March 16h30 – 17h30 Tuesday 27 March 16h30 – 17h30 The final squad will be selected closer to the festivals and boys will be informed. Back to the top

CHESS NEWS The chess fixture against Jan Celliers scheduled for next week Monday, 26 February 2018 at 16h30 has been cancelled by Jan Celliers. Back to the top

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MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS SENIOR ENSEMBLE CAMP

We will again be having a combined Senior Jazz Band, Senior Choir camp and African Ensemble. This camp is a compulsory event for all members of the three respective ensembles. The weekend is a highlight for the boys packed with excitement, learning and adventure. It also gives the boys opportunity to bond as an ensemble and to get to know their instructors. VENUE: Cyara River Lodge, Hekpoort

DATE DEPARTING: Friday, 9 March at 14h00

DATE RETURNING: Sunday, 11 March ±14h30

COST: R880-00. This will be debited to the school account.

EXTRAS: Money for tuck shop. (No more than R50 please)

SNACKS: A camp tuck shop will be available – extra snacks are not necessary.

Emergency contact details: Cyara contact person, Irmgarde Kruger (014) 576 1308 / (076) 684 8220 Boys going on camp will be allowed to come to school in Civvies on the Friday and will need to leave their luggage in the Small Hall at 7am. A full Kit List will be emailed to the parents by Friday this week. Should you have any queries, please contact Ms Labuschagne at [email protected]. We are really looking forward to hearing the results of the boys’ hard work! Back to the top

MID-TERM CLOSING TIMES Please note the following closing times for Thursday, 1 March:

Grade 0 – 3 go home at 11h30. There will be no aftercare, lunch or private sport. Grade 4 – 7 go home at 12h00. Boys in the Senior School may go home at 11h30 if they have a sibling in the Junior School.

School re-opens on Tuesday, 6 March. Back to the top

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BLINGO BINGO

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ST DAVID’S SOCIAL

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*Pridwin does not necessarily endorse any services advertised*