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BRIDGE HOUSE
PRE-PRIMARY · PREPARATORY · COLLEGE
P R E P
Issue 10
N E W S
www.bridgehouse.org.za
Bridge House - A Wonderful World!
20 March 2015
The music, movies, song, dance, words, all in Twenties-style for the School’s 20th birthday on a sunny
Saturday morning, made for a delightful, fun, entertaining and uplifting occasion. From the tiny
“flappers” to our twenty year-old past pupils, whose sincere, thought-provoking speeches made us
proud, our children were the focus of the assembly on Founders’ Day. The coming together of the
entire school community to thank our Founders, Susan Huxter, Tim Rands and Richard Friedman, and
to celebrate our birthday, is a wonderful tradition at Bridge House and the number of parents who
patiently pack into every nook and cranny in the gym is a mark of the community spirit that exists at our
school. This year after the assembly, families picnicked on the lawns and enjoyed some quality time
together and entertainment from our talented musicians. Next year is a milestone birthday, our 21 st, and
special celebrations are planned.
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The annual Grade 7 Pushcart derby took place
on 5 March. Pushcarts of all shapes and sizes
arrived at school after 6 weeks of preparation
at home. Groups worked through the Design
Process, the main aim of the task, and
designed, built, tested and re-designed their
pushcarts. Teachers decided to live on the
edge and were the drivers on a course around
the cricket pitch, some taking the turn at high
speed. The derby day was a great success
and the Grade 7 classes are congratulated on
the high standard of the pushcarts produced.
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Pet week
As part of our Pet theme, the
children were invited to bring
their pets to school. We were
visited by their puppies of all
shapes and sizes. We were
told what games they play with
their pets and what their
favourite food is. What the
grade 00s loved the best, was
taking the dogs for a walk in
their quad.
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News from the Play
School
To end off our term we chose
“Colours” as our theme. The
children were so excited every
morning to see that we were all
wearing the same colour on that
particular day. There were days
when they did not like the colour
chosen, so they wore their
favourite colour instead.
We wish all our children and their
families a safe and happy holiday.
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Last Thursday the Bridge House Prep Choir had our first performance at the Somerset House
Choir Festival held at Somerset House. Together with the Prep choirs of Somerset College and
Somerset House we enjoyed an evening filled with song and dance moves. Each choir
performed two songs, and then we all joined together in a massed choir, singing “Shine” by Elvis
Blue and “Take on the World” by Sabrina Carpenter. What an experience to hear more than 300
children singing together! Congratulations to the choir on a well-received first performance at this
event. We look forward to it becoming a regular on the calendar.
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It is difficult to believe that we are at the end of the first term of 2015. As in past years, the first term
is always a busy one, with many events taking place from day one!
Those of you who were at the Founders’ Day celebrations will agree that it was another memorable
assembly. The “Roaring 20s” theme allowed us to celebrate by taking inspiration from the number 20
and using it to project forward and reflect back as to the school’s development. I was especially
proud of our pupils, both current and past, who spoke sincerely and honestly of their time at Bridge
House. They were true ambassadors for the school.
I’m sure you will also agree that the school has begun to outgrow the gym and I am sure we will not
be able to use this venue for much longer. Next year, our 21st Birthday has been earmarked for a
“Big Bash” and I know we will begin planning as soon as we return from the April vacation. Being 20
means the school is a young adult – now we just need the key to the door!
In my final assembly for the term, I took my inspiration from one of our End Values, “Integrity”, and
found the following quote by CS Lewis that simplifies the meaning. Please talk through the concept
with your children, so they can reflect on their own attitude and behaviour when confronted with
difficult situations. Encourage them to be mindful of their actions and reactions.
I want to end the term by thanking the entire Bridge House community for
making this school what it is! Enjoy your holiday with family and friends and if you are travelling, stay safe!
Marc Barrow
Head of Prep
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Have you liked the Bridge House Facebook page? You
can click on this link and do so right now
https://www.facebook.com/BridgeHouseSchool
Art Club
There have been several requests from parents that we start an Afternoon Art Club. Dave
Fuller (College Art) is prepared to ‘host’ such a club for pupils from Grades 6 -9. The intention
would be to limit the numbers to +/-10 students and to hold it on one afternoon a week
between 15h00 and 16h30. There would be about 8 lessons per term and during the course of
that term Mr Fuller would endeavour to teach a new skill and practise it (e.g. linoprints).
There would be a cost of R150 to cover materials. Should there be any funds left over, they
would be put into the Bursary fund.
Attendance at this club would be on the proviso that sports obligations would be a priority.
Once pupils have signed up for the club, they would be expected to attend for the whole term.
To help us assess whether such a club would be viable, could interested parents (as there is
a cost involved we need parental permission) contact Dave Fuller [email protected]
either during the holidays or at the start of next term. He would need to know the names and
grade of each student as well as their sports commitments.
Implementation of 1:1 iPad Programme in 2016
You should have received an email about the above on Wednesday this week. If you did not
receive the mail, please contact Gill Malcolm [email protected]
Well done, Mrs Sandra “CAN DO” Buys!
The PA would like to take this opportunity to thank Sandra Buys who implemented and has
successfully managed the Swimathon for the past 6 years. She has helped to raise over
R1.3million for the school. We salute and thank her for this effort. Our thanks as well go to all the
parents who helped her along the way, as well as the children, sponsors and staff.
THANK YOU SANDRA for your CAN DO attitude.
Happy Passover
Happy Easter
To our Jewish families, we wish you a
Happy Passover.
To our Christian families, we wish
you a Happy Easter.
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Bridge House AGM
The Bridge House AGM took place on Monday 16 March. Forty-two members (parents) of the
Non-profit Company attended the meeting and sixty-two proxies were received.
According to the Memorandum of Incorporation, one third of the Directors, excluding the Head
and the Chairman of the Parents’ Association, are required to retire by rotation at every Annual
General Meeting of the Company. Three of the existing Directors, Gary Clack, Carole Day and
Susan Huxter retired and agreed to stand for re-election and did not need to be nominated. Dave
Rundle and Tim Noakes resigned from the Board and Anna Hamilton, who was co-opted,
declined to stand. There were therefore six vacancies. Originally seven nominations were
received but one was withdrawn. One parent, Kgabo Ralebepa and two independents, Des
Kruger and Lynn Campbell, put themselves forward for election. With six places and six
nominees, there was no need for an election and Gary Clack, Carole Day, Susan Huxter, Kgabo
Ralebepa, Des Kruger and Lynn Campbell were elected unopposed.
After the formal proceedings of the meeting were over, Shaun Kirk, Director of the Learning
Commons, presented the School’s vision with regard to the implementation of the 1:1 iPad
programme in 2016.
Note: This does not apply to Prep pupils, as they do not use the Café.
Click below and sign up Now !!
Sign Up Now
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SA National Level 3 Age Group Swimming Championships – Port Elizabeth
Migael Adams took part in the SA National Level
3 Age Group Swimming Championships last
week in Port Elizabeth. This event sees the top
swimmers in each age group from across the
country compete against each other. Migael
competed well and managed to swim personal
best times in most of the events. In the 50m and
100m Breaststroke events he reached the finals,
and is now currently ranked 6th and 8th
respectively for these events in the country.
Migael would like to thank everyone who has
supported him. Well done on an awesome
result, Migael!
Wilson Slam Tennis Tournament
Jenna Downie and Jake Downie took part in the second leg of the
Wilson Slam tennis tournament, which took place in Paarl last
weekend.
Jenna Played in the U12B section, with 14 other girls. She played 6
matches, winning 5 of them to reach the finals. She played an amazing
final, but unfortunately lost 2-5, getting awarded the silver medal.
Jake played in the Boys U10A section, where 14 boys attended, and got
himself into the semi-finals, where unfortunately he met the No 1 player in the Boland and just
lost! He then went on to play for 3rd and 4th and managed to win that match, placing 3rd overall.
Tennis Results – 12 March
U13 A Girls vs Paarl Gymnasium
U11 A Girls vs Hugenote
U13 A Boys vs Stellenbosch Primary
U13 B Boys vs Paarl Gymnasium
U11 B Boys vs Rhenish
lost
lost
won
lost
won
2-4
0-6
4-2
0-6
29-21 (3-3)
Provincial Cricket
Well done to Lloyd Phillips (U13) and Lesedi Ralebepa (U11) for making the final squad
for the Boland cricket trials.
Western Province Aquatics Junior League Championships
Michael Potgieter and Thomas Truter took part in the Western Province
Aquatics Junior League swimming Championship held at UWC last weekend.
Both boys swam in the 8 year old category and did extremely well.
Michael Potgieter came home with three medals: Gold in the 25m Freestyle, Silver in
the 25m Backstroke and Bronze in the 25m Breaststroke. Thomas brought home 2
gold medals for the 25m Butterfly and the 25m Backstroke. Well done, boys!
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Good Luck!
Good luck to the following boys, girls, coaches and teachers who are
taking part in various sporting activities during the holidays.
Viktor Linell will be taking part in two interprovincial tournaments during
the holidays as part of the Boland tennis team. This weekend Boland will
play against Western Province in Worcester. Next weekend he will travel
to Kimberley to take part in the Synergy Cup where Boland will play
against Western Province, South Western Districts, Northern Cape and North West Province.
Jeanne Blaisse and Chloë Morrie are travelling to East London to swim at the SA level 2
Regional Age Group Aquatic Championships from 19- 21 March. Lenka Brönn will be attending
the same event for synchronised swimming.
Laela Masson will be taking part in the SA Biathlon Championships in Stellenbosch on 4 April.
Our thoughts are with Coach Keith Jansen who will be taking part in the senior section of this
competition, too.
Jacques du Plessis travels to Germiston to take part in the SA Junior Athletics Championships in
the U13 High Jump competition. His event will take place on Saturday 21 March.
Christiaan van Dyk will be representing Central Boland in a chess tournament in Ceres on
Saturday 28 March.
Lesedi Ralebepa (U11) and Lloyd Phillips (U13) will be playing in the final Boland cricket trials on
Saturday 21 March.
We have a number of boys and girls taking part in the first round of U13 Regional hockey trials in
Paarl on 23 and 25 March. Thank you, to the staff giving up their valuable holiday time to
accompany our boys and girls.
Our SANESA equestrians will also represent the school at a SANESA event in Durbanville on
Saturday 28 March.
Miss Danette Smith will be running in the Two Oceans Ultra marathon over the Easter weekend.
She has been working hard towards this goal, and we wish her all the best for the race.
Good luck to you all! We eagerly await the news of your excellent results!
Please note:
Sports practices (hockey) start on the first day of
term 2. Remember to pack the appropriate kit, including mouth guards
and shin guards.
Please consult the Term 2 Extramural Programme which will be sent
out with the reports for details regarding the sports on offer and times
of practice sessions.
The fixture list will be sent out in the first week of term. No fixtures
are planned for the first week back.
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