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Preparatory News

We have had a successful and exciting 2011. As a school we have achieved great things and are very proud of each and every person who has made the school what it is today.

The first ever Southdowns College Ensemble Jamboree took place on 27 and 28 July this year. The Jamboree was an Eisteddfod celebrating ensemble playing from duos to orchestras with participants from a variety of age-groups. It was adjudicated by Diane Coutts, a very prominent pianist and orchestral musician from Johannesburg. Our music department has grown from strength to strength and we look  forward to the completion of our new music building, currently being built, to accommodate our rapidly growing section.

Seven hundred parcels were collected on Madiba Day by the Prep and Pre-Prep of Southdowns College. This was an outstanding effort. The food parcels were delivered to the Irene Middle School, Lethabong Primary and Amadea Safe House. Thank you to every family which contributed to this amazing achievement. It was greatly appreciated by all. The ECO team, under the guidance of Liezel Lubbe and Janine de Gouveia, were very active throughout the year. 2011 saw the beginning of the Owl Release Programme which is a five year programme where the school will regularly get owls to raise and to release. The owl pen was erected during the beginning of the year and the pupils have had the opportunity to see the owls and interact with them. These are rescued owls that are passed on to Ecosolutions. They are placed in the pen for three weeks so that they can get used to the area and sounds, so when they are released they will be conditioned to stay in the area. 

Southdowns Preparatory School was also awarded their National Green Flag for Eco Schools. The aim in 2012 is to achieve International Green Flag status. The vegetable garden and recycling centre were two other projects that were also hugely successful. The Eco-Club also gave their ‘67 minutes’ for Madiba day by serving a three course meal to the ground staff on Wednesday, 13th July. The lunch was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Eco-Club served them and wrote cards, thanking them for looking after the recycling centre, the vegetable garden, the school grounds and our environment.

It is with the greatest sense of pride that we congratulate the winners of the AMESA / Jet Maths Challenge of 2011. The children who took part in the challenge did Southdowns very proud. The Conquesta Olympiads are multiple choice question papers which challenge students’ knowledge in the various subjects. The teachers were very pleased and impressed by the results achieved.

Afrikaans week introduced everyone to traditional Boerekos. All the proceeds from this event went towards  Afrikaans readers. Glaskas (an Afrikaans Popcornrock Band) which includes  Southdowns’ own guitar teacher, Francois, performed for the whole school. The atmosphere during break time was electric!

On behalf of all the Prep staff I would like to thank you for the support given to your children and to the teachers throughout 2011 and I wish you a safe and relaxed festive season.

Festive greetings,

Dean Marsh

Preparatory Principal

 

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