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SOMERSTRAND NEWS
23 March 2015

Term 1 Newsletter

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From the Principals Pen:

As the first term marches to a frenetic close, and the

Easter Holidays are almost upon us, it is time to reflect on the role that each and every one of us has
played in the life of the school. My philosophical tone
arises from an incident which I witnessed recently
whilst coaching some learners the skills of shot putt.
A boy (who shall remain nameless for the time being!) asked if he could try, even though he had never
putt a shot in his life. He promptly put it further than anyone else, including those older than him. I pointed out that unfortunately it was too
late to enter him for the WP regional Athletics meeting.
My point is that a school like ours offers each individual the opportunity
to try various activities and events, without the fear of failure. It offers
parents the chance to get involved in their community in a personal
way with others who have the same goals and beliefs, without having
to overcommit themselves. Please get involved: it is such fun, and so
rewarding. Dont have regrets like my friendly shot putter. Seek out
opportunities to be an integral part of the school. I ask you, learners
and parents: are you onlookers and bystanders, or are you actively involved? Do you just drop off your kids and pick them up again, or do
you walk hand in hand with your kids and your teachers? Do you wake
up too late to opportunities? Or as the well-known saying goes, 'The
difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs.
The chicken is involved; the pig is committed. Which one are you?

Important Dates
Term 2:
April:

7thParents meeting and

GB Elections

22ndCowboy quiz night

@ the Barn

29thCake Sale

30thOrganic Market

May:

7thMothers Day morning

27thCake Sale

28th Organic Market

EXAMS
May 30thJune 15th
June:

17thSchool Holiday

18thFathers day Afternoon

21stfield trip

24thschools close

Regards,

25th Organic Market

Spencer King

Please ensure that you have all

the important dates on your
calendar.

The Board of Governors elections are being held on 7 April. If you

have the expertise, drive and the commitment to be involved, please
stand for election. Forms are available from the front office.

Notice of Nomination and Election Meeting

Election of Parents of Learners as Members of Governing Body
SOMERSTRAND COLLEGE
Notice is hereby given that a meeting for the nomination and election of
candidates for the election of parents as members of the governing body
for the above-mentioned school will be held on
7 April 2016 at 18:00.

It shall be determined at 18:30 on the evening of the nomination and election meeting whether a quorum of enfranchised parents is present. Parents
are thus requested to be present before 18:00

A candidate may also be nominated by lodging with the electoral officer, not
more than five days and not less than 24 hours prior to the commencement
of the above meeting, a nomination form duly completed by the proposer,
seconder and candidate. For this purpose, nominations will be accepted at
the school from 2 April until 16:00 on 6 April. (Nomination forms are obtainable from the principal).

If more candidates are nominated than the number of members to be elected, a poll will be conducted immediately.

Welcome Illona
Illona Nel has joined our team as Anschens personal assistant to assist with marketing etc.
Farewell Ezanda
Unfortunately Ezanda has resigned as her husband and herself are moving closer to
his place of work.
Welcome Stephni Van Rooyen
Stephni will be replacing Ezanda as the Accounting, Business Studies and consumer
Studies teacher. Please help her to
feel welcome at our school.
Stefnis Baby
On the 12 feb at 12:35 Wynand Van
Blerk was born. He measured 78 cm
and weighed in at just 2.7 kg
Congratulation Stefni, Gary & Nicole!!!

Lianda rides the Argus

Lianda completed the Cape Argus cycle tour in a time of 5
hours 44min
WELL DONE Lianda!!

ClarksonGroom Furthers his education

Clarkson our stable groom us busy
with a part time course in business
management through UNISA. He has
passes 5 subjects for year 1 so far.
GOOD JOB Clarkson!!!

Academic Merit Lists:

Foundation phase:
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Learner
FOSTER, LILY-MAYE
HOLDSWORTH, MORGAN
DEL CASTILLO BAZOBERRI, CAYLA-LEE CELESTE
HAMMON, FAERNE ZAHRA JADE
FILLIS, CESARIA
DALGARNO, RORY JOHN
MPITIMPITI, LINAMANDLA
VICTOR, TIAAN
VAN HEERDEN, LUCIANA MONICA
DE LANGE, CINDI MICHELLE

Intermediate Phase:
Position Learner
1
VAN WYK, ROWAN ( GR4 S VAN BLERK)
2
MONTGOMERIE, LIAM ( GR4 S VAN BLERK)
3
SPINGIES, EOWYN ( GR7 C CRONK)
4
KEYZER, MIKYLE ( GR5 S VAN BLERK)
5
ALFREDO, JACKSON ( GR7 C CRONK)
6
SEDDON, JARED PATRICK ( GR5 S VAN BLERK)
7
DE LANGE, KAYLA OLIVARI ( GR4 S VAN BLERK)
8
PHILISO, ASAKHE ( GR4 S VAN BLERK)
9
SMITH, DEVAN BRIAN ( GR6 C CRONK)
10 DALGARNO, ANGUS ROSS ( GR6 C CRONK)

Academic Merit Lists:

Senior Phase:
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Learner
FOWLER, ROBERT NESTA ( GR8 MRS SCHEEPERS)
HOOGENBOEZEM, NADINE ( GR9 MRS SCHEEPERS)
OOSTHUIZEN, KYLE ( GR9 MRS SCHEEPERS)
COWIE, MICHAEL ( GR9 MRS SCHEEPERS)
WALKER, BEATRAE LYNN ( GR9 MRS SCHEEPERS)
NIEUWENHUIS, NITISHA ( GR8 MRS SCHEEPERS)
RICHTER, NATHAN ( GR8 MRS SCHEEPERS)
MEYER, LUKE ( GR8 MRS SCHEEPERS)
WALKER, AIDEN ( GR9 MRS SCHEEPERS)
GROENEWALD, ALYSSA ( GR8 MRS SCHEEPERS)

FET Phase (Grade 10-12):

Position
1
2
3

Learner
ODETTE THERON
KIM ROOS
SETH PIETERSEN

Dear ECO Friends,

Our first veggies:
GOOD NEWS!
We harvested our first batch of vegetables for the SomerStrand College kitchen. Look at the size of the pumpkins - huge, healthy farm
style goodness. Have you seen the red cheeks of our youngsters?
No nasty chemicals or pesticides in these veggies mom - only the
best for our little
people!
Organic Market
We want to thank our gr 1-3's for their great effort in planting herbs
and flowers - your little pots are amazing!
Upcoming Market: SATURDAY; 27 MARCH 2016 Remember to
come & visit our organic market as we will be selling organic fresh
fruit and vegetables, cheeses (the best I've ever tasted), yoghurts,
bottled chutneys, vegetables and fruit; rough woodwork items, a
white elephant table, cake shop (also healthy snacks - Banting
cakes), smoothies & juices (freshly made in front of you), honey,
jewellery and freshly grounded coffee, plants & compost
Then we have lots for the kids to do: AN EASTER HUNT in the fairy
forest with BIG bunnies giving the kids some hints as to where the little eggs
and
gifts are hidden.
Pony & horse rides
Animal petting zoo with a variety of soft natured little animals to pet and love.
Feed the little dwarf goats & come and meet Dora the Explora (our fat tail
sheep) & the naughty potbellies!
Come & plant your own seed to see it growing - in front of your eyes.
Tractor Rides - a huge favourite
Also come and play in our kiddi-garden section To end this market off - we will
be having a doggie-walk - The-Easter-sniff-your-treat-out-walk! All the funds of
this walk will be going to the SPCA - they will also visit!
SEE YOU ALL on the 27th of March between
10:00 - 12:00!

ECO International Award:

SomerStrand has been awarded the international flag!
Well done to the students and educators for
making Mother Earth such a wonderful place
and for always appreciate what she has to offer.
You deserve this award Summies!

Thank you to all members for their input in making our horses
happy & shiny. Also for our adults grooming and feeding the
horses:
Members leaving our club:
It is with sadness that we say good bye to Chelsea & Shaka
as they are leaving our SomerStrand Equestrian club. Please in future notify us in writing if you are
leaving the club as this has an influence on the feeding rosters etc. Also note that Chelsea will no
longer be the SomerStrand Equestrian Club horse riding instructor. We are busy with interviews for
this position and will inform you soon of who your clubhouse manager and instructor will be. In future
the school will manage this person to ensure consistency, quality of horse riding instruction and safety
and care around the horses.
Also note:
-That the stable and clubhouse area may only be utilized by club members.
-No club equipment may be taken from the clubhouse without the permission of
Mrs. Du Plessis as we have everything on inventories.
-Also please dont change the tack of the horses.
-Every horse has its own grooming kit not to be
shared.
Good News:
SANESA, Qualifier II; SDRC: Kim Roos and Important
Lad won a third place in competition jumping 80
cm. Well done Team SomerStrand!
The novice couple also did their first Working Hunter together where they jumped from a 1,3m wall. But most of
all, they had lots of fun!

Finding a bigger horse for our taller students:

We are looking for a big horse (13-14 hands tall) preferably a Boerperd for our older students. Please help
us to look for a soft natured and schooled horse for the senior students and
adult riders.
T-shirt:

Weve spoken to our clothing lady. The Pony club shirt will be ready beginning of next term.
Pony Club:
We will open our club next term as our club manager will be in place by
then.
We will grow from strength to strength!

Interschools athletics results:

The following students received placings at the
recently held Interschools Athletics.

Event
3000m
80m
Discus
HighJump
Javelin
Shotput
200m
100m
400m
1500m
60m
Discus
Discus
Shotput
800m
Shotput
60m
HighJump
Javelin
Javelin
Shotput

Place
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3

Name
Odette Theron
Faerne Hammon
Beatrae Walker
Beatrae Walker
Angus Dalgarno
Alyssa Groenewald
George Matsha
George Matsha
Odette Theron
Jacques Theron
Faerne Hammon
Nitisha Nieuwenhuis
Odette Theron
Beatrae Walker
Jacques Theron
Lona Jam-Jam
Danelle Lombard
Jacques Theron
Lona Jam-Jam
Robert Fowler
Eowyn Spingies

Time/ Distance
14:31.8
11.40s
15.36m
1.17m
19.47m
7.02m
26.41s
12.19s
01:23.6
05:41.9
9.66s
15.26m
16.14m
8.10m
02:52.1
6.27m
10.75s
1.19m
10.89m
16.88m
5.96m

Provincial athletics results:

A total of 18 medals where won on Saturday 12 March by our athletes. 10 of these
students qualified for nationals in Sasolburg to be held 23/24 September.

Event

Place

Name

Javelin
Discus
3000m
Discus
400m
ShotPut
ShotPut
60m
80m
100m
200m
1500m
LongJump
80m
600m
Discus
Javelin
800m
Discus
LongJump
60m
ShotPut
LongJump
ShotPut

1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
5
6

Angus Dalgarno
Beatre-Lynn Walker
Odette Theron
Odette Theron
Odette Theron
Alyssa Groenewald
Beatre-Lynn Walker
Danelle Lombard
Faerne Hammon
George Matsha
George Matsha
Jacques Theron
Jarred Seddon
Jarred Seddon
Lionel Hearne
Nitisha Nieuwenhuis
Robert Fowler
Jacques Theron
Jacques Theron
Eowyn Spingies
Faerne Hammon
Odette Theron
Odette Theron
Eowyn Spingies

Time/ Dis- Qualified for

tance
Nationals
21.17m
16.89m
14:13.78s
15.68m
1:22.41s
7.04m
8.66s
10.66s
14.32s
12.59s
26.10s
5:29.62s
3.67m
12.75s
2:36.15s
16.66m
29.30m
2:46.79s
19.50m
3.34m
10.91s
7.40m
3.73m
5.30m

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Athletics Medal winners:

Grade 1s perform for the school.

ABC Song

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Animal Therapy Term 1!

This term Animal therapy was all about exploring different
animals: from their habits and habitat to their food consumption. We looked at videos, read about facts and had
animal encounters, in order to learn more about these animals. Another fun thing we did was to do a few art projects, where we made our very own animals!
We took Dora for a walk and fed the pigs, amongst other
things. Next term we are planning exciting things, such as
a visit to the SPCA! Im looking forward to teach, learn
and explore more animals in the following term!
Teacher Amor

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Walk for water

Our Annual walk for water
highlighted the plight of
many underprivileged children that walk many kilometres daily to get water for
simple tasks that we
take for granted. Well
done to Rowan Van
Wyk & Lionel Hearne
on being the fastest
walkers over the 6km
track.

Market day pics

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Beach Sports vs Newberry house

A number of students went to Newberry house to play some fun beach games. The
students enjoyed the fun, social aspect of the games and commented on the relaxed
environment.

Valentines day
To celebrate valentines day our senior students where allowed to purchase a picnic
basket and take a pony ride into the forest for a romantic picnic lunch.

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Story Time for the Grade Rs with the Grade 1s:

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