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MJS MONTHLY NEWS
March 2015
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Parents, I write this column with mixed emotions. I
thought that this would be the final time I would write before I
moved on to my next chapter in education. However, due to the
delay in the process of the appointment of our new principal, the
WCED has deferred my appointment to 1 July 2015. I am very
blessed that I have been given one more term to serve this
amazing school community.
Issue 3/2015
SGB PARENT ELECTIONS—2015
Congratulations to our newly elected Governing Body, who will
serve the school community for the next 3 years. Our parent
members are, Mr Dennis Pillay, Mrs Tammi Williams, Mrs Anthea
Marthinus, Mrs Kerri Gailis and Mr David Reynolds. Our teacher
reps are, Mrs Miles and Mrs Brice and our non teaching rep is
Mrs Misplon. We wish them all the best as they plot the direction of MJS for the next 3 years.
CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESS
I’m sure you will agree that this is an amazing and special school.
As you know, our theme and buzz phrase this year is
“CELEBRATE EACH OTHER”. I would like to take this opportunity to CELEBRATE and THANK so many people who have
made this a very special term.
A sincere and special thank you to all our parents who ensure
that their children are at school, punctual, present and prepared,
ready to give of their best. Thank you to all parents who support
the school policies, as well as being supportive of the teachers.
As you know teaching and educating is about healthy partnerships. We need you to be involved.
Thank you to the parents and children who supported the various charity drives, especially the Volunteer Wildfire Services,
SPCA and the Fire and Rescue Departments when we were
faced with the raging fires on the mountains behind the school.
Thank you for supporting the fundraiser this term and for your
generous heart and spirit.
Thank you to all our staff (academic and non-teaching) who continue to give their utmost to educate and provide our learners
with so many opportunities to be the best they can be. I’m sure
you will agree that our staff go beyond the call of duty. We cannot achieve the school’s objectives, without the amazingly, talented, passionate and committed the staff. We salute and celebrate them.
Thank you to all our children, who have contributed to the success of our school this term. As they are always reminded by the
staff, to practise and do their talents justice. Most importantly,
they are reminded to practise and exercise their values, especially that of respect and tolerance for each other.
As somebody once said, if we have values and live them out, we
don’t ever need to have rules.
I wish you a wonderful and safe holiday and for those who celebrate Easter, may it be a happy and holy Easter for you and your
family. May the peace of the risen Christ reign in your hearts
always.
Warm regards
Mr B. Paulse
MJS was once again recognised for excellence in Language and
Mathematics by the WCED for its achievement in the annual
WCED Systemic Tests, written in October 2014 by the Grade 3
& 6 pupils. MJS was awarded for excellence, scoring above 80%
for both Language and Mathematics in Grade 3 and 6 and for
consistently excellent results for 3 years running. Our Grade 3’s
were also placed 1st in our Circuit for Language. Well done to
our staff who work tirelessly, getting the best out of our
learners.
DATES TO DIARISE FOR TERM 1- 2015
Mini Campaign: Punctual, Present & Prepared
13 April:
14 April:
15 April:
16 April:
17 April:
27 April:
1 May:
School Re-opens for 2nd Term
Guardian Induction Assembly
Gr 4E Outing—Groot Constantia
Gr 4K Outing—Groot Constantia
Guardians plant trees at SOS Camp
Freedom Day—Public Holiday
Worker’s Day—Public Holiday
For all term dates please visit http://www.muizenbergjunior.co.za
MONEY MATTERS—From the
Bursars Office:
School Fees: Thank you to all parents who regularly pay
their fees and to all who have paid up for the year already.
As per the resolution passed at the Budget Meeting on
3 November 2014, school fees are compulsory. They are
payable on the first of the school year or in 10 equal monthly instalments.
The next debit order will run on 30 April 2015.
Exemption Forms are available from the Finance Office.
Please read the Exemption of Fees Policy attached to the
application. Should you collect a form, please return timeously so that the Finance Committee can to plan with accurate budgets for 2015.
MUSIC FEES AND LESSONS - TERM 2
Please be reminded that Individual and Group Music Fees are
payable upfront and not at the end of the Term. All Term 1
Music Fees should have been settled by now. Should you
wish to enrol your child for music for next term, please contact Mrs du Toit. There are still a number of places for
lessons in clarinet, saxophone, trombone and trumpet. These lessons will be given by an MJS past pupil,
Jesse Williams, who is currently the principal trombone player in the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS:
Thank you to all parents who attended the recent Parentteacher interviews to discuss the First Term Report, as well
as their child’s progress. If you have not attended for whatever reason, please contact your child’s teacher next term
to set up an appointment. It is imperative for all parents to
be in touch with their child’s academic progress.
THANK YOU for the EASTER EGGS!
Mrs Brice and her team have had the pleasure
of sharing out the Easter Eggs, which MJS Families have generously donated. There are lots
and lots of happy children in the underprivileged neighbourhoods close by us, who will
be enjoying a sweet treat this holiday!
WINTER UNIFORM—TERM 2
Thank you to all parents who always ensure that their children
are correctly dressed in school uniform or sports uniform
every day. It is greatly appreciated by all.
Please be mindful that our uniform is part of our brand and
says something about who we are in the community.
On Monday, 20 April 2015, all learners should be dressed in
full winter uniform. Should you require any items of uniform,
these are available at our stockist, School and Leisure, in
Wynberg. There is a small stock of school ties available from
the front office. If you’re unsure about the winter uniform,
please check page 8—12 in the MJS Homework Diary.
Only MJS beanies and scarves may be worn. (available from
our office at R45 each).
SOCIAL MEDIA TALK
We had a very informative presentation about social media given by Cathy
McEvoy on Wednesday, 18 March.
Cathy presented many ways as to
how we can avoid the pitfalls of social
media. She encouraged parents to ensure that their
child’s privacy was restricted.
She encouraged parents to ensure that they have control over their child’s phone, that content, sites visited,
photographs and chat room conversations were age appropriate.
She also encouraged parents to download software filters onto the home computer or cell phone in order to
restrict compromising content.
She also shared valuable advice around posting in cyber
space:
1. Think before you click.
2. “Take five” before responding to upsetting communication.
3. Don’t spread rumours.
4. Don’t do anything in cyber-space that you would not
do in real life.
Most importantly, from the outset, parents need to
establish a “netiquette” for using the computer or cell
phone with their child. Please establish firm boundaries
and monitor regularly.
WOOLWORTHS AND MY SCHOOL CARD
Thank you to all families and friends who continue to swipe their
MYSCHOOL cards and have MJS as a beneficiary. If you need a new
card, or would like to know more please contact the office.
Remember, every swipe counts and adds to our fundraising
revenue.
Parents are invited to contact the office should they have
any queries, constructive criticisms or any ideas to
improve MJS.
E-mail address: [email protected]
MJS & TECHNOLOGY
One of our big foci at MJS is to provide
our children with a 21st Century
education, and this entails embracing Technology. One of the many ways to keep
abreast of the happenings at MJS is to regularly visit the
school website www.muizenbergjunior.co.za to follow and
“like” our Facebook page and to ensure we have correct cell
numbers in order for you to receive constant communication.
The vision is to move away from paper eventually and to
embrace technology wholeheartedly.
LEARNERS’ CORNER:
GRADE 7 EMS OUTING TO KALK BAY
As part of our field study in Economic and Management Sciences, we head off on foot to Kalk Bay Harbour. En route we take
note of the formal and informal businesses and answer questions on the businesses that we have observed. It’s also fun to watch
the fishing boats coming in with their load of fresh fish and to support local businesses, like Kalky’s and Ice Café, by buying their
delicious treats.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
The Music Department kicked off with a bang this year. It has seen growth of more than 100% within
the first term and it is still expanding rapidly.
We are very excited about the variety of instruments on offer at MJS: Violin, Piano, Keyboard,
Recorder, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drums and the whole spectrum of Orff Instruments.
We have two major Music Concerts planned for 2015. The first one will take place at the end of May and the other
towards the end of this year.
These concerts will not just include individual music pupils, but also choir and class music groups. The plan is that
every pupil in the school will perform on stage at some point in time this year.
There is an exciting buzz around the class music room and it is heart-warming to see and hear pupils sing
passionately on the break field!
We are looking forward to helping our pupils change their lives for the better by enthusing them with
Music.
BADMINTON
We are proud to announce that Leilah Sampson has been selected to represent Western Province in Badminton for the 5th year
running. She will be playing in the Nationals in Cape Town this holiday! All the best, Leilah!!
LIMERICKS BY GRADE 4’S
The Boy
There once was a boy named Lood
Who had a lot of food
He couldn’t stop licking
Until it made him feel sickly
Now he was in a very bad mood!
By Adam Johnson
“We
The Dog
There once was a dog named Cassie
Who ate a cat called Lassie
She went to the nurse
But got there in a hearse
There was no time to be sassy!
By Chloë Davids
The Tiger
There once was a tiger called Sammy
His mother’s name was Mammy
He wanted a peach
But could not reach
So he had to call his nanny
Tayla Abrahams
all have life storms, and when we get the rough times and we recover from them, we should celebrate that we
got through it. No matter how bad it may seem, there's always something beautiful that you can find.”
-Mattie Stepanek-
LEARNERS’ CORNER
Funtasia Fundraising Fun
Thank you to our MJS parents and friends who supported us in raising funds for our school…..
“It’s Cool to help our School! “ - that is according to Mr Read’s brother Captain Shortbeard and
his team, Sleepy John and the two wicked pirates! Thanks to Miss Prins and her team for the
great organisation and fun!
Gr 4 Outing to Dalebrook
The Grade 4 classes went on an outing to Dalebrook on Wednesday, 4 February. We headed for False Bay Station in the rain, but
when we got off at St James Station, it had stopped. We met our teachers, from the Centre for Conservation Education in Wynberg,
and started our lessons immediately.
We learnt that Dalebrook is a Conservation area and that we may not fish there or take any kind of marine animals out of the rock
pools. We may not even pick up shells!