Message from our Head

Transcription

1 Dear Parents HERSCHEL PREPARATORY SCHOOL MUSIC LIBRARY PRE-PREPARATORY FOUNDATION INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR Message from our Head Rev. Sue Taylor led this week s assembly, making reference to World Book Day which took place this week. She explained to the girls that it was fitting to focus on the Book of all books, the Bible. It is a truly wonderful book because it is God s story all about how much he loves the world. References about the Bible are made in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. The Bible is INSPIRED, which means that God has breathed his life and truth into what is written in the Bible, which is why it is so inspiring and makes us want to follow what it says. The Bible GUIDES us through all circumstances in life. A lovely image is in Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Just like a torch lights up our path in the dark, showing us where to walk, so the Bible shows us how to live in every circumstance. Rev. Taylor shared some wonderful and encouraging verses from the Bible to guide us on the path: Isaiah 41:10 Don t be afraid, for I am with you. Don t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 27 Apr Thu 28 Apr Fri 01 May Mon 02 May Tue 03 May Wed 04 May Thu 05 May Fri 06 May Sat 2017 Freedom Day Public Holiday School Holiday Workers Day Public Holiday Seussical Rehearsal: LONG DAY 12:30 14:00 All Gr :00 15:00 Gr 6 & 7 15:00 16:00 Gr 4 & 5 16:00 17:00 All Gr :30 PA Meeting 12:30 Blood Clinic SS Sports Centre 07:45 09:00 Gr 7 Parent Workshop (details and invitation to follow) 08:00 PP Class Reps Meeting 14:30 Somerset House Festival U12 & U13 Netball; U9 U11 Hockey 08:30 12:30 Somerset House Festival U8 U11 Netball; Open A Hockey Matthew 28:20 And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Page 1

2 Our Theme for Term 2: J O Y was also introduced at Assembly. I explained that the definition of J O Y is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Examples of people who live a life of true joy are His Holiness the 14 th Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu who are both recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. These two spiritual giants met in April 2015 at the Dalai Lama s 80 th birthday. Upon meeting, Archbishop Tutu was gifted with a Khata from the Dalai Lama. The presenting of a khata is a ceremonial Tibetan custom of greeting and respect and the length of the scarf determines that respect. It was a great honour for the Archbishop to receive a scarf that touched the ground from the Dalai Lama a sign of great respect and honour. They embarked on creating The Book of J O Y to enlighten others on finding J O Y in the face of life s sufferings. Both men have experienced great challenges and suffering. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile from his home country for 50 years. Archbishop Tutu has experienced apartheid and has battled with cancer. Both have overcome their challenges by living great lives of joy. They share a common love for all people irrespective of their race, religion or any other defining characteristic. These two leaders are above all completely selfless. I went on to explain to the girls that feelings associated with J O Y are pleasure, amusement, excitement, contentment, relief, wonder, bliss, exultation, radiant, pride, jubilation, gratitude, delight. J O Y can be seen in a person through tears, laughter and smiling. According to The Book of J O Y, written by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu with Douglas Abrams, there are 8 pillars of J O Y: Perspective, Humility, Humour, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Compassion and Generosity. Our focus this week was Perspective. We will continue to look at the others as the term progresses.

3 Pre-Preparatory The Preparatory teachers, Nursery Class Reps and children planned a pre-wedding surprise for Miss Claire Harrington, now Mrs Brittain. Each of the Nursery girls wore a beautiful floral coronet and came to school wearing their flower girl dresses. Mrs Brittain looked like the perfect bride-to-be with a veil, bouquet and even a wedding cake. We held a ceremony in the foyer with the children singing a number of songs about love and marriage. Foundation Phase Stars of the Week! Well done to our Grade 1 3 Stars of the week. Page 3

4 Intermediate Phase Congratulations to our newly appointed Class Captains for Term Gr 5 A: Mrs Blake Vice- Kate Formby Anna Searson Grade 7 Outings The Grade 7s enjoyed a break from the normal school day this past Monday and Tuesday. The girls went ice-skating and ten-pin bowling. Gr 5al: Miss Webster Vice- Gr 6 A: Mrs Lewis Vice- Tia Deliperi Leah van der Merwe Zintle Lujabe Chloë Coutts-Trotter Gr 6al: Miss Oosthuizen Kerryn Benade Vice- Jemima Houwing Gr 7 A: Mrs Fisher Vice- Gr 7al: Mrs Billett Vice- Kate Theron Jessica Dore Sarah van Wyngaarden Anna Cousins Grade 5 Outing On Tuesday the Grade 5 classes had a fascinating visit to the South African Natural History Museum. Mrs Blake took one class through the sections on living creatures, whilst the other class were taken to the San rock art displays by Miss Webster. After our snack break outside the classes swapped around. They were given pamphlets to work in, encouraging observations and forming opinions. It was a most successful and enjoyable morning and we thank the parents who gave up their time to transport the girls. Page 4

5 Seussical Rehearsals Tuesday 2 May Wednesday Friday Saturday 6 May: Sunday 7 May Costumes Please note: 12:30 17:00 Full cast. This is all girls in Grades 4 7. Please note this takes precedence, no other sport will take place on that day. Please allow your girls to bring an additional snack and a warm top in case it gets cooler as the afternoon progresses. Girls will be brought up to the Prep at 17:00 and can be collected from the usual points. Rehearsals are during the school day 14:00 18:00 Leads and Seussettes only in full costume with make-up 14:00 17:00 Selected leads only All girls must bring their costumes for Seussical to school from Monday 8 May as we will be rehearsing in costume from then. No make-up however. Please speak to Mrs Foale-Price about costume queries.

6 The Sparkle Centre Page 6

7 Winter Uniform The Uniform Shop at Bishops has confirmed they have all sizes in stock of the new winter school uniform. The old winter uniform will no longer be available for purchase. However, should you have the old winter uniform the girls are permitted to wear this until they outgrow it. There is no deadline, at present, with regard to the girls having to wear the new uniform. Girls will be permitted to wear the summer or winter uniform from 2 May. The full formal winter uniform will only be compulsory from 15 May. Outreach ICE CREAM SALES: Grade 1 7 Ice creams will be on sale at first break every Wednesday and Friday, outside the studio, weather permitting. All proceeds to towards the Herschel Outreach Fund. Thank you for your continued support! It was fantastic to see the girls celebrating as the rain fell today. The expressions of joy and delight were wonderful. We hope that you have a truly special long weekend as South Africa celebrates Freedom Day and Workers Day. I hope that during the course of the weekend you are able to find joy as you share special moments with friends and family. Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. Henri J.M. Nouwen Mrs Belinda Heidmann Head of Preparatory Page 7