Reports

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Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s)

I hope you found the time to read the research article on parenting by Patrick F. Bassett (president of National Association of Independent Schools in the USA) in last week’s newsletter. If you did you should be familiar with concepts of ‘under-parenting’, ‘over-parenting’ – ‘helicopter mode’ etc. Included with this newsletter is part two of the article for your bed-time reading pleasure! Part two of the article focuses on two aspects. Firstly, Bassett encourages parents to read to and with their children. I must commend Camps Bay Primary on the wonderful reading culture which they have inculcated at the school. As a newcomer who teaches both grade 7 classes for Social Sciences, I am amazed at how many pupils read. As soon as the lesson gets boring I notice children get out ‘thick’ novels and they cannot wait to read their books, even under the table. This is amazing and I must commend Mrs Olivier (the librarian), teachers and parents – the primary school pupils are far ‘bigger’ readers than the high school pupils! This reading culture at the school is an area we must preserve and build on. The second aspect focuses on encouraging your child to be ‘good’ and success and happiness will follow. Read further the enclosed article at your leisure.

STAFF NEWS:
We welcomed back Mrs Judith Nott who will be mentoring some of the new teachers until the end of the term. Wedding bells are ringing at Camps Bay Primary this Easter! Ms Tina van Hoof will be getting married on 4 April 2009 and will be away from school at the end of this term as well as at the start of next term. Rumour has it that she will be away in Thailand. Fortunately, the experienced Mrs Judith Nott will be taking Ms van Hoof’s Grade 3 class in her absence. Ms Gina Sobey is also getting married, during the holidays, and she will be away for the first two weeks of next term. Ms Sobey is still unsure to where she will be whisked away on her honeymoon! Ms Hayley Africa, a qualified intermediate teacher, has been appointed to replace Ms Sobey in her absence. On behalf of the Camps Bay ‘family’ we would like to wish both ladies a wonderful day and many happy years ahead.

TERM 1 REPORTS:
The teachers are at present frantically completing assessments, marks and comments in preparation for the term 1 reports. The term 1 reports will be issued on Wednesday 1 April from 14h30 onwards. Reports must be collected by a parent – please note that reports will not be handed to a child to take home.

The Parent-Teacher meeting/interviews to discuss your child’s report and progress will be at the start of next term on Thursday afternoon 16 April from 14h30 to 18h00. We have arranged an Interactive Whiteboard demonstration at 18h00 on Thursday 16 April at Camps Bay Primary in the hall – please diarise this date and also make sure you attend to see the marvels of the Smartboard!

NOTES4NOTES: We were treated to an exceptional and phenomenal classical performance by the accomplished and world renowned guitarist, James Grace, on Wednesday evening in our own school hall! Thanks to the parents that attended the evening and a special thanks to Ms Caroline Attwell and Ms Debbie Ferreira as well as the Notes4Notes committee of Moms, Anneke Bright, Lisette Forsythe and Katherine Boraine who organised this special evening.


GRADE 7 CAMP:
The Grade 7s are all very excited as they will be on camp next week at Wortelgat, near Stanford. They will be accompanied by Mrs Visagie, Mrs Hamber and Ms Attwell. I am also planning to attend the camp for a night. We wish them well and hope they have a fantastic and exciting time away.

ASSEMBLY FRIDAY 20 MARCH:
Assembly this week will include a short presentation on Human Right’s Day which is the public holiday on 21 March 2009. Included in the Assembly will also be an exciting Skipping demonstration by an outside organisation. Please attend if you can.

GRADE 4s CUP-CAKE FUNDRAISER:
Kelsey, Julia, Katya, Carmen and Meghan will again be selling cup-cakes at breaks on Thursday to raise funds for the Chaeli Campaign to enable the purchase of a wheelchair for a disabled child. (see previous newsletter for details). Last week’s cup-cake sale was a bumper sale with the cup-cakes sold out during first break. Thank you to Mr Phoplanker (father of Fuzail in Grade 3) who has kindly agreed to donate muffins for sale to assist the girls with their fundraiser. Thank you, Mr Phoplanker for your kind gesture.

A ‘BIG’ THANK-YOU
On behalf of the Camps Bay ‘family’, and particularly the pupils, I would like to say THANK YOU to Isabella and Samuel Hulme as well as Matteo Greyling, ably assisted by Mr Alten Hulme, for the fantastic footbridge which they built on the pathway up to the Symmonds Field. We all owe you a ‘big’ thanks! Please see the photograph at the end of the newsletter of Isabella, Samuel and Matteo on the footbridge.

EASTER EGG DRIVE: Commencing on Monday 23 March we will give you the opportunity to donate Easter eggs which will be distributed amongst needy organisations. All three Camps Bay Schools will be collecting Easter eggs and handing them over to James House in Hout Bay, Nazareth House, St Paul’s Primary School and Sea Point Place during the last two days of this term. Camps Bay Primary has specifically selected Sea Point Place as an opportunity for the ‘young to give back to the old’. Please help us, as a Camps Bay Schools campus, to make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than ourselves.

ICE LOLLIES: Ice-lollies will be on sale at a cost of R2 at break tomorrow in aid of the Grade 7 Farewell.

MERIT AWARDS: Congratulations to the following pupils, each of whom was presented with a merit award at our assembly last week. We are proud of each one of you and would like to encourage you all to continue doing your best at all times.

Eden Assad Ines Desportes Alexandra Phillips Jonathan Scott
Demitra Caldis Kaliya Arumugam Laylah Sujee Joshua van der Schenk
Cheyenne Rhoda Dohné Mento Jarred Lombard

RECYCLING NEWS: We have won 5th prize of R100 in Category 1 in the February 2009 Collect-a-Can Competition. Thank you to all of you who brought in cans!

EXTRA-MURAL INFORMATION:
SCHOOL EXTRA-MURALS: Please note that all school extra-murals come to an end on Friday 27 March 2009 unless otherwise stated by the individual extra-mural provider.

DRAMA CLUB: Drama Club ends this term on Tuesday 24 March 2009, parents of pupils in the club are most welcome to come along and watch the final class, to see what we have been doing this term. We will more than likely convene in a shady spot outside. The first class of Drama Club in the second term begins on the 28 April, the cost is R300 and pupils are reminded to pay promptly within the first two weeks of starting.

STEELBAND: Please note that Steelband returns to the normal time of 1pm as of this Friday 20 March 2009.

PTA NEWS: The PTA would like to thank all the parents that assisted in making the “eats” sale at the Swimming Gala such a great success!

LOST: The following items have been lost, should you find them please hand in at the secretary’s office:

Nicol Black’s blue and white striped swimming towel.

A cricket bat was lost at the Camps Bay Prep picnic 2 weeks ago, belonging to Alexander Dickie. A group of children were playing with it and we think perhaps someone took it home by mistake. It is a Slazenger bat with a black handle...and it has his name on it (albeit faded). Please hand into the office if found.

LIFT WANTED: We live in Vredehoek across the road from Deer Park. We are looking to form a lift club or a lift home in the afternoons from Camps Bay Primary. Will pay for this service. Please contact Francois 083 448 1627 or Sonia 083 390 9885.


PROVISIONAL DATES TO DIARISE:

DATES TO DIARISE – 1st TERM 2009 and 2nd TERM 2009
1ST TERM DATES
MARCH 2009
Tues, 24 - Grade 7’s go to camp.
Fri, 27 - Grade 7’s return from camp.
Fri, 27 - Parent (Adult) Social
Tues, 31 - Inter-house General Knowledge Quiz

APRIL 2009
Wed, 1 - Reports issued to Parents
Fri, 3 - 1st Term ends at 11:00

2ND TERM 2009 DATES
APRIL 2009
Wed, 15 - 2nd Term begins.
Thurs, 16 - Parent / Teacher Meeting
Mon, 20 - Read-a-thon Week
Thurs, 23 - World Book Day
Fri, 24 - Grade 3 Cake Sale
Mon, 27 - Public Holiday – Freedom Day

MAY 2009
Fri, 1 - Public Holiday – Workers’ Day

Proudly Camps Bay Primary






S. P. COLLIER
PRINCIPAL


S E L L I N G B E E

BLINKWATER SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION: Spacious self-catering accommodation with breath-taking views available until 20 December 2009 at R5000 per month. Suitable for a quiet single person. For more information please visit www.capestay.co.za/blinkwater/ or call Barry on 083 297 3863.

MATHS MAGICIANS: Let us help your child discover the magic in Maths! Unique new Maths tutoring service for Atlantic Seaboard learners. Tutors come to you. Half hour “Back to Basics lessons (+ - x /), or 1 hour extra Maths lessons. 10% discount until end of March! Contact Bianca on 083 381 8079 or email biancahd@telkomsa.net or visit www.mathsmagicians.synthasite.com for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photographer available for social or corporate functions, weddings and special birthdays! Please call Barry on 021 438 9177 or 083 297 3863 or visit www.barrypix.com for more information.

GUITAR LESSONS: All ages. General style, professional musician and tutor. 20 years experience in the business. Contact Otis 021 790 1433.

WANTED: I am looking to buy a pre-owned Djembe and breadmaking machine. Please contact Jannie at 082 882 0161.

WSKF KARATE AT THE CAMPS BAY BOWLING CLUB: Karate for girls and boys offered at the Camps Bay Bowling Club (next to the library) by the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation. Tue and Thu 16:45 – 17:30. Please contact Sensei Allan States on 083 309 1202 for details. Visit our extensive website at http://www.wskfsa.co.za/. Karate improves fitness, flexibility, speed, reaction, discipline, mental skills, coordination, balance, spatial awareness, motor skills, muscle tone and is FUN!

ACCOMMODATION WANTED: Our lovely Zimbabwean maid is looking for a maids’ room for herself and her husband in Camps Bay or Hout Bay. Her husband works as a mechanic in Cape Town full time during the week. They currently rent a shack for R300 in the Hout Bay Township but the shack owner is returning from Jhb shortly and wants to move back in. She is willing to work one day a week in return for accommodation or can pay rent similar to what they are currently paying. She is very reliable, honest and trustworthy, and I can highly recommend her as someone who deserves help. If anyone has a maid’s room with a bathroom available please get in touch with me. Janette 072 9473511.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE
RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY for Professional Recruitment Company in Gardens. Lovely small team of people. Need to be extremely computer literate and interested in developing in this field. Also need to be organised, energetic and have excellent people skills. See our website wwww.debron.co.za

WORK FROM YOUR HOME: Assist busy Industrial Psychology practice based in Camps Bay with all admin/secretarial/back up tasks and some personal stuff. Need to have own work station, access to internet and be available to schedule appointments telephonically and by email. I need someone to organise us, handle our professional clients but be firm and nice about it!! This is a position that is NOT full time but needs you around at the end of a telephone and pc fairly consistently. Nice challenge and development opportunity!

For both positions call Debbie on 021-4382456/0824539105 or email me on debbie@atkinsfurnell.co.za

FOR SALE: Cockatiels-hand reared by pensioner needing some support! Make beautiful pets and have been lovingly tamed. Call 021-6714934

Article: Part 2
When Parents and Schools Align (Patrick F. Bassett, Winter 2009)Patrick F. Bassett is president of NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) in the USA.

To prepare children for school, parents should read with them often. The research is clear: students from family environments where books and newspapers and other publications are part of daily life - where kids regularly see parents reading and engaging in discussions on what they read- end up as the most verbally-accomplished students. And this "left-brained" academic skill is the key to success in school and college. It doesn't matter what kids read, so long as they read and develop an interest in story and narrative. As psychologist Michael Thompson has pointed out, if a boy is excited by Captain Underpants, let him read Captain Underpants. That said, as a student of popular culture, I'm an advocate of reading The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales to young children, and, when they are able, having them read the tales to their parents as "bedtime stories." These narratives, originally from the oral tradition, speak powerfully to children and help them in their imaginative lives as they navigate the challenging and sometimes scary path to adulthood.

As children mature in middle school and secondary school, I'm an advocate of parents reading with their children the "rite of passage" novels that schools tend to assign at those stages. To name a few - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird (to understand injustice); Funny in Farsi or Typical American (to understand the similarities and differences of growing up in other cultures); and Catcher in the Rye (to understand some of the fears about entering the adult world).

Yes, play games (sports and Wii games); go to cultural events and sporting events together; watch (and critique) TV shows together; but, most importantly, limit TV to an hour per evening during the week and two hours per day during the weekend, so kids and adults can make time to read. Nothing else you invest in later (SAT-prep courses, private tutors, summer school enrichment) can return as much as a little investment sooner by nurturing the reading habit in your child. Focus on helping your child to be "good." Happiness will follow.

The sociologist Anthony Campolo notes that, in Japan, when he asks parents about their aspirations for their child, mothers say, "I want my child to be... successful." While this is a universal parental aspiration, the preoccupation with success in Japanese culture has had serious deleterious consequences for the well-being of some adolescents, namely an unrelentingly stressful experience in school and a high suicide rate among adolescents (14.1 per 100,000 in 2006, the most recent data available). In America, when asked the same question, mothers respond, "I want my child to be... happy."

In American culture, the preoccupation with happiness has had serious consequences of its own, and it may explain the growing need among youth for constant approval and gratification, the growing incapacity to transcend id-driven pleasures for ego-necessary tasks, and the alarming devolution into hedonistic excess. When parents keep saying and signalling, "I just want you to be happy," they send dangerous signals and set unrealistic expectations that life is supposed to be one continuous rush towards Nirvana, located somewhere between Bliss Street and Ecstasy Avenue. Campolo's observation is that children are better served if their parents completed the sentence by saying, "I want my child to be... good." By "good," he means "virtuous," since the research shows that the pursuit of success or happiness leads to neither, but young people who seek to be good end up, disproportionately, to be both successful and happy. The corroboration of Campolo's point about the "goodness effect" is in the research by Douglas Heath in his books Schools of Hope and Lives of Hope, both of which are based on his study of independent school students and graduates. His conclusion is that a combination of three factors - psychological balance, "androgyny" (by which he means honoring both our masculine and feminine sides), and virtue - track with the most successful (and, yes, happy) people.

Tony Jarvis, the legendary head of Roxbury Latin School (Massachusetts), would tell parents (often MIT and Harvard professors) of prospective students that there were only two things the all-boys school could promise:"That your son will be known and that he will be loved." In the end, that's all a parent should wish for, since, when schools deliver on that promise and parents support and partner with the school, everything else tends to fall into place for the kids. Encourage your child's school to be experimental and innovative. Schools, especially those steeped in tradition, face huge resistance from their faculty and parents to change, since the natural conservative nature of education (with teachers preferring to stick with "what's worked in the past" and parents thinking school should look and feel like whatever they experienced decades ago) militates against experimentation and innovation.
Basically, teachers want some other teacher to experiment first, and parents want some other kids to have the experimental teacher - until it's obvious that the experiment works or doesn't work. Trust me, if, as a parent, you ever have a choice, choose the teacher who wants to experiment. Your child will benefit from the excitement of being part of a change dynamic, regardless the outcome of the experiment. The picture is starting to emerge about what "schools of the future" will look like, so if your school is moving in one or more of these directions, be a supporter, not a critic.

Schools of the future will toss out textbooks (which are dated as soon as they are published) and use the news as the context for posing questions related to real-world problems that require students to use a variety of academic and problem-solving skills. What math, science, and political science knowledge do we need in order to figure out why that bridge collapsed in the Twin Cities, and how vulnerable bridges are in our locale?

What economics and social studies knowledge do we need in order to understand the current global economic meltdown? What religion and history knowledge do we need in order to understand the conflicts in the Middle East or Darfur? What web-based resources and digital tools can we access to answer these questions? In and out of school, students will work in teams in a digital environment that fosters collaboration - and their "grade" will include components for individual and teamwork.

Content publishers will create virtual environments for simulation of real-world challenges, including an open-source "marketplace of ideas" for wikis (what Wikinomics calls an "ideagora") that begin to collect the best solutions. Kids will continue to have face-to-face interactions, however, and not just virtual ones. The opportunity to meet one another in the same physical space will continue to be important for learning. "High touch" will continue to be just as important as "high tech."

Once again, teaching and learning will become intergenerational - involving students, parents, and grandparents, as well as others from all three generations - and not just transactional exchanges between a teacher and a student. Learning in the context of family and community and historical traditions (religious and cultural) will be restored as central to effective education and the well-being of communities. Yogi Berra tells us, "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." It's also tough to predict how kids will turn out, but parents who prepare the path by following the admonitions above will grease the skids.