GOLDEN GROVE PRIMARY & PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL
Newsletter 27/2012                 17 May 2012

Dear Parents / Guardians 

Last year the SGB, SMT and staff met and formulated a strategic plan for our school to be implemented by 2015.

Here are the 6 areas of the Strategic Plan prioritized to enhance teaching and learning at Golden Grove:

• To become a 21st Century school
• Innovative use of technology
• High premium on the teaching of Science
• To build a strong Music Department
• Our code of conduct to be restorative and teach values
• To include Xhosa into the curriculum

• To be a social and environmental responsible school
• Anti-bullying and peace initiatives
• Awareness of environment
• Social responsibility – less advantage, senior citizens
• Recycling – also massive potential to make money for school.

• Financial stability and sustainability
• Maintenance of buildings & grounds
• Skills audit of parents – to utilize parent skills
• Wealth creation – to reduce dependency on school fees
• To organise business people to meet & think creatively

• To create an inclusive learning environment for all learners
• To increase capacity of Learner Support
• To investigate impact of smaller class sizes – on learning & financially
• Grade 0 – two year preparation for Grade 1

• To improve communication and collaboration
• Between parents and school
• Between school and broader community
• Branding of the school
• Building an authentic community

• Sport
• To improve sport infra-structure
• To increase capacity                                                

We now have to raise funds and sponsorships to reduce the impact on school fees. The first step though is to get parents involved in order to get the ball rolling.  Achieving these objectives will help us to establish a sound and creative platform for dealing  with challenges in 21st Century schools.   We are aware of many business persons in our school community and appeal to you for assistance.

SENIOR & INTERMEDIATE PHASE MERIT CERTIFICATES
Merit certificates were presented to:  Aneeq Bassadien, Saarah Daniels, Fawaaz Gallie, Qay-yoom Davids, Thaakira Williams, Paris Miller, Thaakirah Shaik, Simanyeni Joyi, Tashreeq Marshall, Azraa Mohamed, Zuhair Edwards, Ayesha Salie, Kaitlin Volanie, Shuaib Sadien, Laila Banderker, Iazza Mookrey, Insaaf Ajeraan, Caitlin Pena, Badr Abrahams, Seshen Thaver, Kaylin Cloete, Shaza Mowzer, Jason Solomon, Cade Sylvester, Imrah Kariem, Darren Jordaan, Ammaarah Dawood, Raeesa Marlie, Tristan Hermanus, Israh Kaffaar.

HOUSE POINTS
De Mist – 725                         Milner – 750                               Stuart - 800

ECO-WATCHERS
Last week’s Eco-Watchers were:  Mishal Taliep, Connor Moollan, Tatum Puckree, Ghanaan Parker, Abdud-Dayyaan Rajh, Ashraf Rahbeeni, Rhys Julies, Zoe Alexander, Caleb Kannemeyer, Ayesha Abrahams, Zoe Plato, Raeesah Peters, Aamirah Hashim, Jessica de Koker, Asisipho Qamarana, Iqra Faki, Ziyaad Rahim, Yusuf Gameeldien, Daanyaal Gamieldien.

PHOTOGRAPHS – 29 May 2012

• Please note that sibling photographs have to be pre-ordered.  Please send your eldest child to collect a sibling photograph envelope from the school office, place the correct amount of money in the envelope (R65) and send back to your eldest child’s teacher.  Please note that all orders must be placed by Friday 25 May – NO late orders will be accepted.
  
  
• The final date for orders for Grade R, 1, 2 & 3 individual photographs is Friday 25 May.  Please ensure that you return the correct amount of money in the envelope provided and remember that the sample photo must accompany your order.

GRADE 6 COMPULSORY PARENTS EVENING TUESDAY 22 MAY 2012 AT 18:30

FOOTBALL ACADEMY PLUS
Cape Town’s premier child soccer academy encourages ALL Golden Grove parents to please allow their children (boys and girls from Gr 4-7) to attend the demonstration next week: 
Tuesday 22 May for Gr 4 & 5; Wednesday 23 May for Gr 6 & 7.  The demo will be an hour long, from 14:45 to 15:45 and will take place at Golden Grove.

GRADE 1 CAKE SALE:  Friday 1 June
This is an early notification to all Grade 4-7 learners.  The Grade 1’s will be holding a ‘popcorn, cupcake and sweet sale’ on Friday 1 June.  Please bring silver coins, not more than R5 per learner and support our worthy cause.

HELP THE RURAL CHILD
Thank you to all who have responded so generously to the ‘Help the Rural Child’ appeal.  The bags will be collected from the school on the morning of Tuesday 22 May so Monday is the final day for sending in your contributions.

HANGERS NEEDED
We are appealing for hangers of any kind for our Lost Property department.  If you have spare hangers, please send them to the office.  Thank you.

INTERHOUSE CHESS TOURNAMENT
On the evening of Tuesday 8 May, 48 enthusiastic chess players battled their opponents in a round robin.  Many parents patiently observed the games while a few challenged each other at a friendly game.  After more than an hour of tense thinking and strategizing, the following players were identified as table winners:  Ghalied Hanslo, Fawaaz Salie, Raees Adams, Amaan Jamalie, Caeleb Weber, Moegayudeen Allie.  The final round of the chess tournament will be held tomorrow to identify the King of Chess 2012.  We thank all parents, learners and educators for contributing to a memorable Chess Evening.   – Mrs V Thaver

SPORT RESULTS

• On Thursday last week the U9 Mini Soccer Team played an away match against Pinehurst B.  We all enjoyed the match very much and beat them 3-0.  Rameez Ganie scored two of the goals and I scored one.   -  Zaakir Gangat (Captain)
  
  
• On Wednesday the U11 soccer boys played a home match against Turfhall Primary.  It was a good game and in the end we won 6-1.  Goals were scored by Fayaaz Dalvie, Liam de Kock, Zaid Dawood, Mikail Latib, Uthmaan Abrahams and Qaanit Vallie.  I’d like to thank Mr Smith for coaching us and the team for playing so well.   – Fayaaz Dalvie (Captain)
  
  
• Last week Thursday the U13 soccer boys played their first match of the season against Claremont Primary School.   It was a hard match but a good way to start we season.  We drew 2-2.  The goals were scored by Matthew Blake and Izaaz Mookrey.  Man of the match goes to Mikaeel for his goalkeeping.  Well done, boys.

• On Thursday last week the U13 hockey girls played an away match at Kirstenhof Primary.  The defence was good, especially our goalkeeper Imrah, who saved many goals although our forwards need to work on their fitness.  It was a challenging match and in the end we drew 0-0.  I would like to thank Mrs Hermanus for coaching us and the girls for playing so well.  I would also like to thank the parents for always supporting us. -  Caitlin Alkana and Hannah Hellenberg

Yours sincerely
A J AUSTEN
Principal