Can you believe that I have actually survived a year! I am exhausted and so are all the staff and girls, but it has been worth every little bit of effort. A 90th birthday year well worth celebrating.
Since half term, much of the senior girls’ time has been absorbed with studying and preparing to write their final assessments for the year. Most of the girls have acquitted themselves exceptionally well and can be proud of their achievements.
The ballet concert was very well supported and allowed all participants an opportunity to display their talents. Thank you to Mrs Tania Doyle for her enthusiastic involvement in this aspect of school life.
Diwali and Eid were celebrated immediately after half term. Thank you to Mrs Govender and the girls for educating us about their religious beliefs.
On 7 November we had a visit from Dr Jane Hofmeyer, who is the Head of ISASA. It was refreshing and affirming to have her in our midst. A true inspiration to all, a phenomenal educator and expert in her field. She was extremely pleased with what she observed at APPS.
I have been busy having termly goal meetings with all of the staff and finalising timetable allocations and distributions for staff.
The soirée (music and art evening) was an exceptional event. The girls involved in this programme played extremely well and they were delightful to observe. The art was outstanding and, fortunately, it was on display for a full week for all to enjoy. This event was followed by the Junior Play which was truly a delight. The history of the school and the music over the past 90 years was celebrated in style. I loved the Grade 0 girls depicting the 1920’s, the Grade 1 girls in the Bob Marley era, the Grade 2 girls doing the modern, current pop and the Grade 3 girls narrating the play and covering some of the earlier periods. Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Romy Levin and Mrs Kathy Salgado for their talent and expertise in coordinating these events, and drawing the best out of every child. It truly was a celebratory affair and much fun was had by all. Most of the little ones loved being in the limelight and grew with each performance.
Sadly, Jacob Mogodi, a former member of the school’s service staff for 26 years and the father of Paulinah in Grade 7, passed away during the assessment period. A number of staff and myself attended his funeral in Polokwane on Saturday 19 November where both Maria and I said a few words and we all paid our last respects with the family. He truly was a gentleman and will be fondly remembered by all.
Our sincere thanks go to the PA, its Chairperson, Mrs Nicky Parkin, and all the class mothers for their outstanding efforts with the Christmas Market. Despite the rain, there was a great vibe and fun was had by all. Mrs Letha Burger’s daughter, Nadya, definitely got the party going.
The Junior and Senior Music Concerts, a visit from the Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Junior and Senior Carol Services were all organised by Mrs Kathy Salgado and were exceptionally well received.
On Monday 21 November the Grade 7 girls and parents had an exceptional evening out under the stars (with no rain) in celebration of poetry. Ruth Everson ran the evening and she was very well received. The standard of writing was second to none from a very talented group of girls.
Our annual Speech Night was one of the many highlights of the year with both our guest speakers, Mrs Anne van Zyl, the Headmistress of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and Miss Kineta Kunutu, a former APPS girl and current Head Girl at St Stithians Girls’ College, delivering outstanding addresses which were very pertinent to our Grade 7 leavers.
Mrs Jess Gultig, Mrs Marion Spanos and the Grade 6 parents and girls really excelled with the Leavers’ Party. The theme ‘Under the Sea’ was amazing. Every little detail was evident and the dècor was spectacular. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The Grade 7 girls were dressed to kill, one could see that they truly felt special and were able to celebrate their years at APPS in style.
During the last week of term, I had exit interviews with all the Grade 7 girls and those parents wishing to do so. We also had a fun cross-curricular event with The Ridge and St Katharine’s Schools. The Grade 4 and 5 girls and boys came to APPS and our Grade 6 and 7 girls went to The Ridge. They were placed in mixed teams and completed a number of interactive activities across all learning areas. A great time was had by all. We look forward to more occasions such as this between the three schools.
St Andrew’s Day was another fun day where the girls enjoyed a variety of events and were spoilt by the St Andrew’s team comprising Mrs Bev Hindley and her clan, the Grade 7 mums and girls.
As mentioned in one of my previous communications, Mrs Doreen Stapelberg will leave APPS to teach in Grade 8, 9 and 10 at St Mary’s School next year and we wish her all of the very best. We value her energy and the input she has had at APPS over the past 10 years and hope that she finds this a challenging and worthwhile move. Mrs Fritzette Edwards, who has just retired from Roedean, will join us for a year and she will teach Grade 5, 6 and 7.
We have also employed another secretary for the front office, Mrs Lesley Ellis, who will join us in January. She is currently the secretary at Emmarentia Primary School and we look forward to welcoming her into the APPS fold.
There will be one or two slight adaptations to the timetables next year. We will commence school at 07:30 each day and end at 13:00 in the Foundation Phase and 13:30 in the Senior Phase of the school. Wednesday will be slightly longer with choir in the afternoon. School will commence on Wednesday 11 January and the offices will be open on 9 and 10 January for any queries. The extra mural timetable will include marimbas for Grade 6 and 7 girls and there will be auditions for these places. In addition to this, we will also have beginners swimming, social swimming, team swimming, tennis for all age groups and team tennis.
All of the very best to our Grade 7 girls who will be going off to the senior school of their choice, and to the one or two other girls that are relocating and going to other schools. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your stay with us and that you will leave with fond memories.
The Grade 3 to 7 Carol Service at St Thomas’ Church and the Grade 0 to 2 Carol Service in our hall were truly celebratory and have certainly put us in the holiday mood and reminded us of the true essence of Christmas.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas period with plenty of family time and special time with friends. Thank you all for your wonderful support and friendship over this year. This has been much appreciated, especially with the recent passing of my mother in law.
As Mother Theresa said “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
