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26 January 2017 Dear Parents, Pupils and Staff Acts 20: 35 - “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Whilst many of us try to honour the above well-read bible verse, the question we need to ask is do we live it? Irrespective of race, colour, religion or creed, we are all members of a society and by virtue of that we have an obligatory commitment to the well-being of those around us. At the start of this term, the staff got together to watch the movie, “Pay it Forward”. So what is ‘Paying it forward’? Perhaps the best explanation comes from, Trevor, the 12-year-old hero of Pay It Forward (the movie), who thinks of quite an idea. He describes it to his mother and teacher this way: "You see, I do something real good for three people. And then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say they have to Pay It Forward; to three more people each, so then nine people get helped. Then those people have to do twenty-seven." He turned on the calculator, punched in a few numbers. "Then it sort of spreads out, see. To eighty-one; Then two hundred forty-three. Then seven hundred twenty-nine. Then two thousand, one hundred eighty-seven. See how big it gets?" Since the release of the novel written by Catherine Ryan Hyde and , later the Warner Brothers movie, “Paying it Forward”, the PAY IT FORWARD FOUNDATION was established in September 2000 to educate and inspire young students to realise that they can change the world, and provide them with opportunities to do so. By bringing the author's vision and related materials into classrooms internationally, students and their teachers are encouraged to formulate their own ideas of how they can pay it forward. Whilst, I have no doubt that all in the St George’s community display acts of kindness most days, our next question would be; do we do enough? This is the challenge we will be setting out to our boys and girls this term and hopefully after that. Would it also not be amazing to see all St George’s stakeholders doing as our boys and girls do! So, what little, simple acts of kindness can we do to pay it forward today? Here are a few suggestions:
• leave a copy of a really great book you’ve read in a hotel/B & B/school for someone else to enjoy • forgive a driver directing road rage at you • buy or pack a meal for a homeless person (or give him/her your to-go box from a restaurant) • give a warm coat to a homeless person • offer to do pro bono work on a project where your skills are needed • mentor someone • make a donation
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• say a prayer or whisper a kind wish for someone
• compliment a stranger • next time you leave a foreign country, give all or some of what’s left of your currency to someone who resides
in that country who may need it more than you • next time you’re at the airport, offer to pull the bags belonging to a woman or a mother with child out of the
conveyor belt • praise generously • let someone cut in front of you at the grocery store • give someone a chance to prove him or herself • encourage someone to pursue their dream • allow someone to let his or her light shine • show support to an artist or writer or musician • hold the door open for someone • teach a child something you wish you knew at that age • smile at someone who’s sad • smile at strangers • offer sincere, kind words to someone who’s hurting • visit a hospice and spend some time with a terminally ill patient • spend some time with a senior citizen living alone • inspire someone to be the best that they can be • give someone the benefit of the doubt • offer to babysit for a single mother • help a pregnant lady • sit and talk with a homeless person and learn their story • loan something to someone and forget about it • contribute to a friend’s child’s education fund • give blood
This process may be difficult, or hard, or time-consuming, but as the school master in the Motion Picture said, “Is it possible? The realm of possibility exists where? In each of you, in your mind, it’s up to you!” Kind regards Alex Hall- Campus Head Twitter- @AlexHallZA Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AlexHallZA Linkedin- za.linkedin.com/in/alexhallza
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Staff News St George’s Staff were ready and looking forward to the boys and girls all returning to School for 2017! It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Mrs Julia de Meillon at the end of this term and wish her and her family all the best in their new life in Scotland. Mrs de Meillon has been with us for just shy of ten years now and has headed up our Music Department since 2011. Julia’s creativity, caring nature and brilliant reviews will be missed. Her contribution to the Prep Senior Management Team has also been invaluable and we certainly will miss her input! Mrs Junene du Toit will be joining us as Head of Music in the 2nd Term and we welcome her and her daughter, Jennah, to the Prep Family and look forward to many happy years together.
Parents’ Association In 2016, under Helene Nepgen’s and our PA members leadership, the PA raised an incredible R190,000, which will go towards upgrading the pupils bathrooms. We are excited about this year’s PA projects. The following members make up the new 2017 PA team: Helene Nepgen Chairlady Di van Heerden Treasurer Andrew Stamper Deputy Head Anton Peltenburg Head of Sport Ryan Hartel & Caitlin van Heerden Catering(from Super-nova) Dawn Berry Head of Marketing Anusha Sewsunker Wuanita Tucker Chandré West Patience Nganwa Chevé Schwind Brian Nyoka Murray Johnson Vanessa Kreusch Kelly Naidoo Karina Olivier Showtime Awards – St George’s Prep’s ‘The Wizard of Oz Production’ 2016 We are thrilled to have been awarded with 12 Showtime Awards last night including Show of the Year - The Wizard of Oz. The other awards were for: Best Ensemble (The Crows), Best Vocal Director, Best Choreographic Contribution, Best Technical Achievement: Sets & Special Props, Best Contribution to Musical Theatre, Best Female Singer in a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Animal Portrayal, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Director of a Musical, We are very proud of our pupils and staff!
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Welcome Wednesday Open Mornings – Term 1 2017
Our small class sizes are just one of the many things that set St George's Preparatory and Pre-Primary School apart. Come and experience the life, colour and atmosphere of our special school. Tour the school campuses, meet our staff, receive admissions information and experience us in action! For bookings contact [email protected] or 041 585 4825
Grade 1 2018 Information Evening – Wednesday 15 February 2017
What’s on for the next 2 weeks of 2017! (School Events & Sport Fixtures for the week 30 January to 12 February 2017)
Tennis Match fixtures will be finalised this week and will be available from Monday. Waterpolo matches – schools are only informed the day before matches. Pupils will be informed and an alert will be sent to parents through the d6 Communicator. Galas – Mr Glover will provide letters to swimmers involved in Galas this term.
Date School Event / Sports Match
Time Opponents / Information
Venue Estimated End Time
Monday 30 January
Tuesday 31 January
Grade 7 Skipbreuk – SAMREC Outing
09h00 SAMREC 13h00
Girls Waterpolo 16h25 Manta Rays Collegiate Pool 16h55
Boys Waterpolo 16h55 Grey Collegiate Pool 17h25
Wednesday 1 February
Grade 3-7 Swimming Gala
Trials 10h45 Swimming Pool 12h45
U13A Cricket 14h30 Verkenner Verkenner 17h15
Thursday 2 February
U11A Cricket 14h30 Sunridge Union B 17h15
Friday 3 February
St George’s Cares Prayer Group
07h10 All Parents are
welcome Prep Staff Room 07h30
Saturday 4 February
U11A & U13 A Cricket vs Kingswood (away)
U11B Cricket vs Kingswood (home)
C League Gala
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6 February – 12 February 2017
Waterpolo matches – schools are only informed the day before matches. Pupils will be informed and an alert will be sent to parents through the d6 Communicator. Galas – Mr Glover will provide letters to swimmers involved in Galas this term.
Date School Event / Sports Match
Time Opponents / Information
Venue Estimated End Time
Monday 6 February
Gr 5 Paddajagdag – SAMREC Outing
09h00 SAMREC 13h00
Tuesday 7 February
Wednesday 8 February
U13A Cricket 14h30 Zwide Union B 17h15
Thursday 9 February
U11A Cricket 14h30 Grey Union B 17h15
Oakhill Chukka U13 Waterpolo Festival
Thurs 9 Feb Knysna Sun 12 Feb
Friday 10 February
Oakhill Chukka U13 Waterpolo Festival
Thurs 9 Feb Knysna Sun 12 Feb
Saturday 11 February
Oakhill Chukka U13 Waterpolo Festival
Sunday 12 February
Oakhill Chukka U13 Waterpolo Festival
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A peek around the Prep We welcomed back all our St George's families and a special welcome to all the new families joining us this year! Our Grade 7's enjoyed reconnecting during 1st break.
Well done to our “Georgie” girls on their first Polo Our 1st T20 game this year out at outing this year Woodridge for our 1st XI!
What wonderful opportunities there are at the Prep ... Fencing Club is one of them.
Happy Grade 1 Preppies in the Park loving their picnic!
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Our brave Grade 7 boys and girls canvassing for House Captaincy last week
Grade 6's learning about photosynthesis in Natural Science by studying leaves under the microscope.
Great afternoon of cricket on the Daverin for our U9 and U11 lads!
St George’s Family Bring and Braai – Tuesday 17 January 2017
Our Annual Family Braai was held on Tuesday 17 January in the Hall Quad and it was a resounding success with so many families joining us. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends and meet new Prep families.
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