Issue Number 33 SPRING Mapping Our Child s Future

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1 Issue Number 33 SPRING 2016 Mapping Our Child s Future Sean Page Recently, I was fortunate enough to find myself sitting outside on a beautiful South African evening surrounded by friends while enjoying a good meal. There were a few couples that were new to the group and when they found out that I was a teacher, they immediately started firing questions at me about schooling, universities and the current educational climate in the country. It was at this precise moment that I realised why doctors feel uncomfortable when people start rolling up a shirt sleeve to ask them to look at a mole or a rash at a social function. However, being the person who never misses an opportunity to show off, I answered their questions to the best of my ability. But later, I thought back about how anxious parents are about their child and are already trying to map out their future. If we (and by we, I mean those of us who can remember garages being closed on a Sunday) think back to our school years, we only started to think about our future in Standard 8 (Grade 10 for those people whose petrol needs have been fulfilled 24/7). It was only in high school that we would start thinking about tertiary education. Where are you sending your son for high school? was posed to me last year for the first time and my son was only 10 at the time. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Mapping Our Child s Future Pre-Prep Fun Gr 0: E is for.. Boys of the Week Junior Prep Numeracy Week Sport: Cricket Music: Practical & Theory Exams Music: WHPS Woodhill Concert Yes, I do understand that the times have changed and that by the end of Grade 6, one must have narrowed down their options and some kind of strategy must be in place. But I overheard a parent talking about what university they were thinking about for their child and this was on the side of a primary school cricket field. So where do we draw the line in terms of a definite future plan? Our tertiary institutes are under-going a period of massive change at the moment. Things have always undergone change and periods of change will always be a part of our lives. I came across an advert for a Chief Listening Officer and immediately knew that I was under qualified as I am a male. A Chief Listening Officer checks what everybody is saying about a company s product on Social media. So that person is being paid to sit on Facebook all day. The job market is constantly changing and in 10 years time careers will exist that we never thought would be necessary. A stat was released recently stating that 65% of primary school children will end up ding jobs that do not yet exist today. The jobs of the future may be uncertain but there will always be core skills and qualities that remain vital. Skills and qualities such as Critical Thinking, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Adaptability, Logic and a touch of Magic. These skills and qualities are most certainly a big part of what your sons are encouraged to develop here at WHPS. So the next time I am quizzed about where I am going to send my son, I will respond with whatever suits him at the time because mapping out the next 10 years of our boys future is a futile exercise. High school choice, most certainly, is a priority but only when your child turns 12. I will leave you with this last, albeit lighthearted, word for now worry only about what your boy is going to wear at his first social. REMINDERS: Pre-Prep Play & Picnic Thursday, 03 November :30 20:00 Junior Prep Fun Gala Friday, 04 November :00 12:30 Gr 7 International Day Tuesday, 08 November :00 12:00 Sean Page / HOD Senior Prep Page 1. WHPS Newsletter, No. 33

2 Pre-Prep Fun Gr 0: E is for... ECLAIRS ELEPHANT The Gr 0 s were treated to homemade eclairs to round off their lessons about the Letter E. Junior Prep Boys of the Week 31 October Matt du Plooy Kagiso Maepa Alessandro Maiorana Grade 1C Grade 1H Grade 2S Why did you do all this for me? he asked. I don t deserve it. I ve never done anything for you. You have been my friend. replied Charlotte. That in itself is a tremendous thing. - Charlotte s Web Ross Steyn Motheo Shango Keegan Dick Grade 2W Grade 3A Grade 3L Page 2 WHPS Newsletter, No. 33

3 Junior Prep: Numeracy Week Sport: Cricket 1st XI vs Cornwall Hill The 1 st Cricket Team played Cornwall Hill at Cornwall Hill on Saturday. The level of cricket was very good, with both teams dominating specific phases of the game. The Cornwall bowlers started well and restricted the scoring early on. However, Brett McLachlan and Greg Ford dug in and put on a hundred run 3 rd wicket partnership. Brett batted for three hours and fifteen minutes for his 82, while Greg ended on 59. WHPS ended the innings on 190 for 8 after 52 overs. The bowlers had a very good day, which was made even better by some outstanding fielding. Alex Vermeulen and Greg Ford bowled well upfront, accounting for the two Cornwall openers. The change bowlers tightened the screws, which forced Cornwall to play for the draw. In the end they finished on 157 for 7. Greg Ford finished with figures of 2 for 36 in 11 and Reece Jackson took 2 for 14 in 8. Well done to all the boys for a clinical performance in some trying conditions. We look forward to next match against St David s on Herringer Oval. Krinesan Moodley / 1 st XI Coach Page 3 WHPS Newsletter, No. 33

4 Music: ABRSM Practical & Theory Exams Recently close to 70 pupils played the ABRSM Practical exams that took place at WHPS. Stephen Ellis, the examiner, came all the way from the UK to exam our boys. The music staff have been working extremely hard preparing all their pupils for the exams and many extra lessons were slotted in where needed, making sure that the boys were well prepared. The boys were excited, yet nervous getting ready for their big day, and to think that all is over within minutes from the time that they enter the exam room. A number of breaks were also sacrificed by the boys and the music staff getting everyone ready for the ABRSM Theory exams that took place at Pretoria Boys High a few days after the Practical Exams. Many theory exam papers were worked through in preparation for the big day and what the boys enjoy, is marking one another s papers just like the examiner, even deducting marks for untidiness. The biggest reward for them is getting 100% and earning a free break. A huge thank you to the music staff for all their hard work and time that they spend in preparing for the practical and theory exams! Melanie dos Santos / Director Performing Arts Music: WHPS Woodhill Concert The WHPS Woodhill Concert, this year hosted at WHPS, was a huge success. Parents and staff were treated to a jam packed programme which included a wide range of performances. Page 4 WHPS Newsletter, No. 33

5 Habit #15 Think Interdependently Work together; Learn together! is our WHPS Habit for the week! Thinking interdependently entails the following four characteristics: Positive Interdependence This means that the group sinks or swims together, that they rely on each other. There should be one group goal, not multiple individual goals. Think of sport teams and how they work together? The UBUNTU philosophy of I am because we are is encouraged in all aspects of WHPS life. Individual Accountability Each person should be responsible for their part. Although the task must be a joint task, each person has a role and must be held accountable for completing their part. The recent Grade 1 Play was a perfect example of how each little boy performed his role to the very best of his ability so that the overall success was enjoyed by all. Equal Participation No one can be left to do it all, and no one should be able to opt out. The roles within the group are fairly distributed according to skills and time. Never has this been more evident than now, with staff members taking on added responsibilities as the year reaches its conclusion. Simultaneous Interaction To encourage effective group work everyone should be doing something at the same time. We don t want to encourage the division of labour into a sequence of unrelated tasks. No one should be waiting for others to do their part. The Grade 7 Boys are preparing for their exciting Leavers Dinner and this means everyone needs to be working towards the same end goal. Take care of each other. Share your energies with the group. No one must feel alone, cut off, for that is when you do not make it. Brigitte Theunissen / Deputy Head- Academics Address: 535 Ruddell Street, Brooklyn School Shop: Sue Head Contact Details: Tel Fax samanthav@whps.co.za Shop Hours: Mon 16:00 17:00 Wed 07:00 07:30 & 12:30 16:00 Fri 07:00 07:30 & 14:00 15:00 Page 5. WHPS Newsletter, No. 33