From the Principal’s Desk

From The Principal’s Desk, 30 October 2020

Dear Parents

In my last few newsletters, I have avoided writing anything about the Covid-19 pandemic.  I thought it best to shift to a more positive, student-centric focus.

Unfortunately, in the last few weeks there has been an increase in the Western Cape and the Parklands area specifically identified.  Although we have only had one positive case, a student, we need to remain vigilant.

It is our duty to ensure that we follow the protocols prescribed by WCED and the Department of Health.  Our year 10 and 12 students are writing their external Cambridge examinations and it is crucial they remain in good health.  Should they test positive or be in contact with a positive case it will affect their ability to complete the examination series.  We thus ask that you maintain rigorous protocols at home.

Students must always maintain social distancing.  As much as they may wish to socialize and mingle closely with friends, it just takes one positive case to change the course of their lives.

We are also acutely aware that the process of dropping and collecting students at school can be very frustrating.  Parents must please use the demarcated parking bays and not double park.  Our neighbors, and the area around the school in general, has been negatively affected by the queues of cars trying to enter the school property at certain times of the day. We have sent letters in the past regarding this issue and respectfully ask you to adhere to the guidelines.  We can make someone’s day or ruin it entirely by our own actions.  Let us be mindful of one another in an already difficult and frustrating time.  Let us be the kindness someone might need today.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Edna

From the Principal’s Desk, 23 October 2020

Dear Parents

“A child is like a butterfly in the wind.  Some can fly higher than others, but each one flies the best it can.  Why compare one against the other?  Each one is different.  Each one is special. Each one is beautiful.”

– author unknown

An educator at heart, the best part of my job is working with children and over the years, having worked with students from diverse backgrounds, I continue to be moved by the innocence and humanity of my students. It is a privilege to aid in the development of a child and watch as they discover and develop their potential.

There are various ways in which we as parents and educators can encourage a child’s individuality.

1. Make time every day to engage with your child and take note of all the little changes as they grow and develop.
2. Foster their interests and encourage their hobbies.
3. Introduce them to various activities to broaden their horizons.
4. Encourage their innate curiosity.
5. Practice patience no matter the situation.

Every child has unique characteristics and abilities which makes them special.  It is up to us to celebrate their achievements and encourage them at all times. It is important that children feel understood and supported and that they know that we, as parents and educators, are always available to them.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend of happy play times, exciting discovery, and effective communication.

Best regards

Edna

From the Principal’s Desk, 16 October 2020

Dear Parents

“SOCIAL NETWORKS”

In 1969, a few professors from three California universities created the first communications network called the ARPANET. This would be the precursor of what we know today as the INTERNET. Since then, the growth in the number of users has risen exponentially, reaching more than 4.5 billion in this year 2020.

Today you can find on the “network” multiple services developed on different protocols such as email, instant messaging, online video games, education and communication platforms, or popular social networks, among others.

The recent pandemic caused by COVID – 19, has in many cases forced teleworking, proving a new normal way of living and communicating with the rest of the world. The use of global platforms for the acquisition of consumer goods over the Internet and the massive development of social networks such as Facebook with 2.45 billion users, YouTube with 2 billion, Instagram with 1.1 billion or TikTok with more than 850 million has also increased, just to name the most popular and widespread.

Today our world’s reality is very different from that of a few years ago, we can ask ourselves a series of questions:

– Do these technological devices or the algorithms that manage these applications cause addiction?
– Does the excessive use of social networks have negative effects on mental health?
– Are the big companies behind social networks using our personal data in a disinterested way?
– Is our consumption and life habits being influenced by controlling the use we make of social networks?
– Are massive amounts of data being manipulated to influence our citizens’ decisions in politics, life choices, hobbies, etc.?

These and other questions have complex answers.

As responsible educators, at Blouberg International we are concerned that our students may be making the wrong use of social networks and digital applications. We are convinced that benefits can be obtained, but there are also risks. We believe that parents and educators must do everything possible so that our students can take advantage of technological advances to have optimal personal, physical and mental development, but more importantly have them know how to discern between the positive and the negative in the world around them.

Recently, the Netflix platform has included in its offer the documentary “The Social Dilemma”. We believe it is a very interesting film and recommend students over the age of 14 to watch it. It will allow them to better understand how these and other networks interact with them as social network users, but of course, this being not a program specifically designed for schools, it must be you, their parents who decide at your own discretion whether or not it is convenient for them to watch it.

In 2019 we hosted Emma Sadlier from the Digital Law Company to address parents and students about the dangers of social media.  We hope to have a follow up on the talk she had with us and would like to encourage you to attend when we host the next session with her.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Best regards
Edna

From the Principal’s Desk, 9 October 2020

Dear Parents

One of the best feelings is the glow of satisfaction that comes with reaching one’s goals.  As a school we have been consistent in our hygiene and safety protocols. Whether it be the regular temperature checks and sanitizing throughout the day or continuous reminders about the necessity of social distancing, we have worked hard to keep our staff and students safe.

This week I was busy with my report on these protocols and it is with relief and satisfaction that I can report that, thus far, we have not had one positive case amongst our students.  It is such a great relief to know we are all in good health! Our school is almost at full capacity and it is therefore essential that we follow the protocols with rigorous attention.

Student well-being is important to us.  When they are emotionally healthy, they have the necessary foundation for academic stability and success.  It is thus important that we as educators, as well as parents, are mindful of their wellbeing.

Here are a few ways we can promote student well-being:

1.  It is important that parents and educators check in with students and allow them to vocalize their feelings.
2. Journaling their feelings is a good way of expressing how they feel, especially if they are not naturally talkative or open to sharing their feelings.
3. We should equip them to be able to make choices.  By allowing them to make choices, we are allowing them to take responsibility of their choices.  This creates accountability in return.
4. The old saying of “children should be seen and not heard” is a total no go!  Children should be allowed to have a voice and express it.  As adults we should teach them it is how they say things that is as important as what they are saying. Respect is key.

“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day!”- Author unknown

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Warm regards
Edna

From the Principal’s Desk, 1 October 2020

Dear Parents

Welcome to Term 4! This is the last stretch to the finish line, and we are excited to have all our students back at school.

I managed to take a few days during the school holidays to enjoy a break on the beautiful West Coast.  This was an opportunity to rest and relax, but also to reflect on the past year.

During my break, I read an interesting article about ‘the new normal’: a phrase which has become a regular addition to colloquial discourse.  We have all had to adapt to some kind of ‘new normal’ during lockdown and I am concerned that we are caught up waiting for life to return to what it used to be.  The question is, do we want things to go back to what they were?  As educators, do we want to teach the way we did prior to Covid-19?

I would hope the answer for all educators would be “NO!”  Each one of us was presented with challenges, but more importantly, with new opportunities. Our teaching methods have adapted and been enhanced by the challenges of the past months; our skills have improved.  Why then would we want to go back to the way things were? Let’s forget the old methods and focus on the following opportunities:

1. More authentic learning experiences
2. Better professional learning and teaching amongst staff
3. Increased staff collaboration
4. Different leadership styles and methods

These are just a few identified areas of change.
I am certain that our students do not want to return to the old ways, and this should be celebrated as a win!
There is opportunity in every challenge we face, and we have the responsibility to make the best of it.  Change is as good as a holiday.

“If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”- Maya Angelou

We wish all our Year 10, 12 and 13 students the best of luck whilst they are writing their final external examinations.  We believe in them and wish them every success.

Have a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

Kind regards
Edna

From the Principal’s Desk, 18 September 2020

Dear Parents

We have come to the end of term 3 and are looking forward to our holiday.  On Wednesday, we had a great time having dinner with our Year 12 students.  It was a privilege to end the term off celebrating them this week, with a Valedictory service as well as treating them to a dinner at the Gorgeous George hotel in the City Centre.

We finished our term having some fun recording the Jerusalema dance and what great fun we had, from the youngest year group to the teachers joining in.

I realized again how wonderful it is to be part of the Blouberg International family.  As we prepare to take a break, I wish you all a wonderful time spent with family.  May all the staff enjoy their break and come back refreshed and ready to finish the last term well.

Thank you for all your hard work and support throughout term 3.  We look forward to welcoming you back next term.

Regards
Edna

WATCH: Jerusalema Blouberg International School

From the Principal’s Desk, 11 September 2020

Bringing Back The Normal.

The most important year for any student is their matric year. Not just academically, but it is also the last time they will participate in school sporting events, productions, prize-giving and most importantly, the Matric dance.

Due to the pandemic our Year 12’s have missed out on so many of these traditions. However, as soon as we were moved to level 2 we began planning for a few important events this term. We are holding our Valedictory service next week and although parents cannot join us they will be able to stream the event online. We have also organised a Matric farewell dinner and the Year 12 students are extremely excited to dress-up for the occasion.

Although there were a lot of setbacks for schools all over the country and the world, it also opened doors of “first time ever”. For the first time ever, we held our Student Representative Council (SRC) voting online. Our IT department created a platform where the High School students were able to view prospective SRC candidates’ videos and then cast their votes on an online ballot. The new SRC will be announced at the Valedictory service.

In the Primary School we had our verbal feedback meetings and we trust it went well for all parents. The Primary students are also practicing hard their Jerusalema dance. Keep an eye out for this exciting video

Wishing all our families a restful weekend.

Julian Harrison

Head of Academics High School

From the Principal’s Desk, 4 September 2020

From the principal’s desk, 28 August 2020

Dear Parents

It is unbelievable to think that we are at the end of August!  We have three weeks left till the end of term and our year 10 and 12 students are finishing their pre-lim examinations this week.  On Monday, 07 September our year 7,8,9, 11 and 13 students will start test week.  We are confident that our students are adequately prepared to write their tests and that all their hard work during lockdown will see them succeed.

This week we communicated about the commencement of our aftercare programme on 01 September and holiday care programme on 17 September 2020.  I am sure many of you have returned to work and hopefully working from home is slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past.

This afternoon Ms. Kiley shared with me one of the topics from her PSHE classes with the Year 2’s.  The topic was about ‘worrying’, and the students were encouraged to identify some of their own worrying thoughts.  It was heartwarming when a parent shared with us that her daughter taught her some of the lessons she had learnt in class. It turns out that this inquisitive mind encouraged mom at home about not worrying and shared what she had been taught in class!

This is the opportunity we as educators have daily.  We can share our experiences with the young minds in our care and teach them important skills which they can apply even at this young age.  The responsibility we have is great and not to be taken lightly. We educators need to ensure we are adequately prepared to take care of every student in our care.

As we begin a new phase in our aftercare classrooms next week, we hope that you will share your thoughts and suggestions with us as we strive to make your return to work smoother. We are in this together and together we are better.

“Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace.”- Unknown

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Edna

From the Principal’s Desk, 21 August 2020

Dear Parents

As I was looking back through the school calendar for 2020, I was reminded of all the events we have missed over the past few months. We missed the Interactive Curriculum Morning in April, a bi-annual event where parents participate in an interactive learning experience in the classroom. This was also the first year we did not have our Grandparents/Someone Special Day.  No school photos were taken in July and the SRC of 2020 had little chance to enact any of the plans they campaigned for.

However, do not despair! We are not going to let the rest of the year pass by without enjoying some of our annual celebrations. Planning is underway for a special Valedictory service for our matric students and even though the matric dance cannot follow the traditional format, that does not mean we don’t have something exciting up our sleeves! We also launched our first Virtual Open Day last week and this week, our very first Virtual Talent Show! We look forward to many entries for this competition as we know how creative and talented our students are.

There is always something to be grateful for and always something to look forward to!  Where there is no vision, people perish.  Blouberg International staff, students and parents are not without hope, vision, or innovation.

To our matric and year 10 students who started their prelim examinations this week, we wish you all the best and success ahead.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend filled with family time and much laughter.

Kind regards

Edna