Brackenfell

High School

“ The school in the community for the community.”

DECEMBER 2015

NEWSLETTER 4/2015

Staffing and School Fees

As a result of a decrease in the number of learners

attending our school – partially because of Protea

Heights Academy and partially because of smaller

classes in the senior phase of Brackenfell Primary – the

number of teachers allocated to our school has been

reduced by three.

We have decided to, as far as possible, refrain from

filling these posts from the Governing Body account.

We predict that 2016 will be a difficult year for the

school, financially. We can assure you that the

Governing Body and the staff will proceed with the

utmost care with the funds at our disposal. We are

definitely aware that the pinch of the economy is felt

by many.

As a consequence of the decrease in learner num-

bers, the school would have to raise the school fees

by 10% just to retain the same income as this year.

And then we have not budgeted for inflationary in-

creases. This explains the substantial increase in

school fees for 2016. In spite of this, our school fees

are still considerably lower than those of our neigh-

bouring schools.

The school will do its utmost to offer the same quality

service as in the past. However, it is going to demand

a lot of skill on the part of our staff, especially when it

comes to meeting the requirements of the timetable.

The reduction in learner numbers is not bad news only.

Managing a macro-school presents its own challen-

ges. When a single grade group is the size of the ave-

rage school in South Africa, you can imagine that it

can be very demanding. Luckily, there are also many

more opportunities for enjoyment of the many learners

and their achievements in a sizeable school.

Our average class size this year was one teacher per

28 learners and will increase to one teacher per 30

learners next year. Your child will therefore still receive

quality education in a class with a manageable num-

ber of learners.

We are convinced that the school will grow again in

future, but we doubt the desirability of raising the num-

bers to 1650 and more – in spite of the financial ad-

vantage for our parents. (And here I mean that the

“unit cost” per learner is lower in a school with high

numbers than in one with fewer learners.)

In general, school fees are very high. However, if you

compare ours to those of our main competitors, we

remain a bargain – a very big bargain!

THE SCHOOL BIDS FIVE STALWARTS

FAREWELL

Brackenfell High School is in the privileged position to have a

very loyal staff. The staff turnover is very low which ensures

stability in the school and for the learners.

However, time goes by and for many of our very experienced

teachers, the moment of retirement has arrived.

Mrs Sarah Fourie (Physical Sciences) has been teaching at

this school since 1979.

Miss Marina de Kock has taught Mathematics since 1981.

Mrs Irma Toerien (Afrikaans) has been in service of the

school since 1982.

Mrs Cora Hüsselmann (English) has been teaching at the

school since 1998.

Mr Kobus Wiid (Sport organiser) has been working here

since 2003.

Some of these teachers have probably taught some of our

learners’ parents as well.

Such experience is not easy to replace and the gap left in their

wake will be felt by the school for many years to come. We

thank this very experienced team for their contribution to our

school. May your days be filled with good health and pleasant

memories of wonderful learners and colleagues!

You have made your mark!

Photo: Our five beloved staff members retiring at the

end of 2015 f.l.t.r.: Sarah Fourie, Marina de Kock,

Kobus Wiid, Cora Hüsselmann and

Irma Toerien

The tug-of-war team of Anicia le Roux (Gr 10) was awarded a silver medal at the Western Cape Schools’ Competition

held at Bredekloof.

Dean Nieuwoudt (left) and Jason Jansen (right), both grade 9 pupils, have been

included in the WP u.15 Elite Rugby Group. It is an excel-lent achievement if you con-

sider how many rugby players the WP have!

Ms Botha (teacher) and Anél Swanepoel (learner), winner

of the Western Cape Accounting Olympiad.

We wish our

learners,

parents and

teachers a

blessed

Christmas!

The older I get, the more I become aware of how beauti-ful youth is. A boy on a bicycle on his way to practise sport; girls chatting amongst their friends; teenagers’ smiles, some-times despite having lots of problems, and the knowledge that all of them possess endless possibilities locked inside them.

Which examples do you repre-sent when it comes to these young people?

When their parents’ marriage is breaking down, children are forced to grow up very quickly. Parents use their children as weapons to hurt each other. Many mothers are forced to ask for financial relief because their husbands have left them and their children in the lurch. Not many children have the privi-lege of leading lives free of wor-ry, because they have many concerns that take away their enjoyment of life.

Life at its best, poses many chal-lenges concerning the modern family. Please don’t complicate it further by burdening children with unnecessary problems.

One big difference between teaching thirty years ago and

now is that a BIG percentage of learners come from broken homes. (I estimate about 50%). Fathers are forced to leave their families to try and make a living overseas. This causes lots of psychological and social prob-lems.

Another big difference is the fact that many children nowa-days struggle with so-called adult illnesses like bi-polar mood disturbances and depres-sion etc. It is amazing that many of these illnesses have a somatic influence on children which then manifest itself in physical problems.

Children who are struggling with these modern illnesses are lagging behind their peers who do not have to struggle the way they do.

Think about how anxious and overwhelmed you as parents sometimes feel. Children expe-rience this as much worse.

I admit that parents have to pursue their own life plans which will ultimately mean that children will be better provided for financially. However, suc-cess which has been achieved at the expense of the most im-

portant relationships in your life will taste empty eventually.

According to me, success means establishing steadfast relation-ships and nurturing them.

Have you ever heard of a person wishing that he had spent more time at the office on his death-bed?

Should anything in life have more value than establishing and keeping up nurturing rela-tionships between you and your wife and children?

It is not my job to judge, but if you answer no to the above question, maybe it is time to reflect on the way your life is turning out.

These beautiful teenagers I work with every day, have not asked to be born. Somebody wanted them. That somebody should never leave them in the lurch. They are just too valua-ble—truly the most special Christmas gift of all!

Children — God’s most special gift to us

Electronic Problems

It is really frustrating to continuously talk about something without having any effect at all. Every day we have to nag that cell phones should be left at home. Some learners actually regard their cell phones as a body part which they need to function properly.

During the past exam, despite many requests from our side, cell phones had to be confiscated from learners writing the exam. Worst of all is that learners regard teachers who confiscate cell phones as aliens from another planet.

Technology develops at a mind-boggling pace. High tech watches functioning as cell phones and much more, are presented to learners as gifts from their parents. This forces staff at schools to be extra vigilant concerning the security of papers or cheating during exams, which causes learners and their parents to be extremely upset and not sharing our concerns.

Any form of electronics has its advantages, but

It poses a security risk for your child on his way to school and back;

It is a temptation to use in class

It is a vexation among teachers because learners can’t leave their phones alone.

Please let children leave their cell phones at home. It won’t help them in case of an attack on their way home; it would rather serve as an attraction for a criminal. If a leaner is caught with a cell phone on his person during the exam, his mark for that paper will be regarded as null and void—no matter whether the cell phone was switched on or off.

2016 Representative Council of learners: BACK f.l.t.r.: Gr 12: James Sloane (Vice Chairperson), Nina Wiese (Chairperson), Stacy Witlouw and Alvirno Coetzee 3rd ROW f.l.t.r.: Gr. 11: Megan Pienaar, Wikus Strydom, Lukhanyo Ngam-lana and Simoné Bloem 2nd ROW f.l.t.r.: Gr 10: Nicole vd Kolff, Samantha Alexander, Bianca Pool and Simonet Kapp FRONT: f.l.t.r.: Gr 9: Carey Connor, Anja Mouton, Judy Vermeulen and Alberto Ladu

21 learners participated in the Bio-Science Global Olympiad for Mathematics Literacy. The learners’ teacher is on maternity leave,

Ms Tieneke Neethling, so Ms Nicolene Wassenaar, the substitute teacher, is seen here with them. The following learners receive cer-

tificates for 60% and higher: On the photo f.l.t.r.:: Anika vd Bank (72%); Aiden Muller (74%); Zandri de Koker (74%); Zonika Groenewald (72%); Shani de Jager

(64%); Bernard du Toit (66%) and Christo Botha (80% - gold certificate)

Rotary Awards Brackenfell High School's Interact received 5 awards at the Rotary District 9350 Awards ceremony 2015: Two for our Bread tag/wheelchair project that built best relationships be-tween the school and the community and made a great impact on the com-munity. One for Etienne le Roux (President 2015/2016) for working hard on a pro-ject that impacted the community. First Place Award for Ms Sandra Kotzé (vice principal/liaison) for being the teacher most committed to Service above Self. One to Mieke Erasmus (President 2014/2015) for making the most signifi-cant difference in the Interact club.

Ex-Brakkie, Danielle Bester, has been nominated as

US-Lecturer of the Year (Subject: Accounting).

Anél Swanepoel (Gr 12) had an excellent achievement. She is the First Lady in the Western Cape in the 2015 SAIPA National Accounting Olympiad. Her accounting educator, Ms Retha Botha, says that it is all her own work and that she is very proud of her. Anél also achieved well in achieving the eleventh position in the national Afri-kaans Olympiad and she achieved well in the UCT and SA Mathematics Olympiads. Her mother, Annemie Swanepoel, is an ex-Brakkie who matriculated in 1986. Three of her teachers are still members of staff — Ms Toerien and De Kock and Mr J Kotzé. Photo: Back f.l.t.r..: Ms Marina de Kock (Annemie’s Mathematics educator), Ms Irma Toerien (Annemie’s Bible educator as well as Anél’s Afrikaans educator), Mr André Pretorius (Principal) and Ms Annemie Swanepoel. Anél is in front.

Action Netball: Matric achievement

Janneke Baard and Elzet Potgieter, members of

the SA u.18 Action Netball Team, took part in the

World Series in Australia. They received silver

medals in the Six-a-side and Seven-a-side. We

have great expectations for their future.

Our SAARA– and

SANSSU-

marksmen

achieve!

Photo: Courtney Dalhouzie receives SANSSU National Colours (green blazer)

and was chosen as the Western Cape Springer Class Captain

Photo: Adriaan de Beer re-ceives SAARA National Fede-

ration Colours in 2015

Photo: Gustav Meyer re-ceives SAARA National

Federation Colours in 2015

Photo: Samantha Alexander receives SAARA National

Federation Colours in 2015

The Brakkie Target-shooting Team excelled at the SA-Schools Target-shooting competition when they won 21 medals. The

Western Cape Team received a bronze medal for this excellent achievement and was the winning province in the Springer class.

Medal winners:

Gold: Daniel Geldenhuys, Courtney Dalhouzie Silver: Rickus Neethling, Bronze: Wiaan Potgieter, Rickus Neethling Team competition medals: Stephan Fourie (Gold), Karin Fourie en Lisa Terblanche (Silver), Wiaan Potgieter (Bronze) and Courtney Dahouzie (Bronze) SAARA: Jan Mostert (Gold ánd Silver) SAAPA: Jan Mostert (Gold for Pistol Shooting)

TOP TEN MEETING IN MOORREESBURG Brackenfell High convincingly won the 2015 Dirkie Uys-Top Ten Athletics Meeting in Moorreesburg with 13089 points on the ASA-table. At this meeting each participating school’s 16 best achieve-ments accomplished by 10 of the athletes were used to judge the winning school. Windhoek Gymnasium was second with 12510 points and Girls’ High third with 12482 points. Our athletes appear on the photo: f.l.t.r.: Jean-Louis de Lange, Hanro Crous, Johanette Duminy, Liam Pietersen, Elandri Weyers, Inge-Lynn Jordan, Dominique Fuchs, Inge Liebenberg and Rozanne Liebenberg. Absent: Waylin Booysen

Athletics

Simoné Bloem

and her horse,

Lindan Choco-

late, came 7th,

10th and 12th in

the Open Cate-

gories (all ages) of

180 riders at the

Western Cape

Horseriding

Championships

(SAWMGA).

Celine Ware-Lane, Gr 11 (left on the photo)

and Gabriella Truter, Gr 12 (right on the photo),

Receive the Springbok award of the Landservice

Organisation.

Three of our teachers are appointed in senior positions in the marking of 2015 NSC-exam papers:

F.l.t.r. on the photo are Ms Retha Botha (Chief marker: Accounting), Mr Johan Nieuwoudt

(Internal Moderator: EGD) and Ms Iana le Roux (Chief marker: Consumer Studies).

2015 Most versatile Sportsman: Branden de Kock

Sportman of the Year: Kyle Appel Most versatile Sportswoman: Elzet Potgieter Sportswoman of the Year: Kyla Connor and

Courtney Dalhouzi