Inter-Schools Gala

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s)

With the Inter-House Athletics, Inter-Schools Athletics, Valentine’s Week and the Inter-House Gala all behind us, I am pleased that we are settling down to more of an academic focus. At most schools this hectic start is not unusual and schools aim to get these big events completed early in Term 1 to facilitate an academic focus.

You may have read a rather controversial article in the Sunday Times dated 21 February 2010 entitled ‘Ditch Homework’ – I have attached an extract from the article for you to read. While the US expert Alfie Kohn does have an interesting argument - I am not sure I agree that homework should be ‘ditched’. However, children in primary school should not be burdened with excessive amounts of homework. They need time to exercise and play sport, read, spend quality time socialising with parents and friends and just have fun as children!
There is a place for homework in moderation:
Homework is an important consolidation tool, particularly for subjects like Mathematics/Numeracy and Reading.

I have never subscribed to big research projects, very often plagiarised, that take hours of time at home and which very often become a ‘family’ project – it is far more beneficial for the child to do the assignment in class and it also gives a more accurate reflection of the child’s capabilities.

Homework needs to be constructive and diagnostic.

Homework must be recorded in the diary and there should be a set time for homework daily.

This helps children improve their organisational skills and time management.

Homework can be an opportunity for parents to be involved in their children’s education.

The WCED has in fact urged parents to ensure that children practise Maths and English. This is part of the rolling out of a poster campaign asking parents: “Did your child read, write and practise Maths today?”
Suggested daily homework times for the various grades are as follows:
Foundation Phase:
Grades 1 & 2: 15 minutes
Grade 3: 20 minutes

Intermediate Phase:
Grade 4: 30 minutes
Grade 5 & 6: 45 minutes

Senior Phase:
Grade 7: 60 minutes

Please be aware that often homework in excess of the time guidelines above is often work that was not completed in class and the child is then required to complete the unfinished work at home. Apart from Grade 7’s, the teachers try to avoid giving homework over weekends.

INTER-HOUSE GALA:
We had a wonderful Inter-House Gala last week Friday. We will be handing out the certificates and trophies for the Inter-house Gala in the Assembly on Friday. Parents are welcome to attend.
The final results of the Inter-House Gala were as follows:

1st - Orange House
2nd - Blue House
3rd - Purple House

Well done to all the participants and swimmers – you are stars! Thank you to Mrs Wendy Way, Mrs Julie Friedman, Ms Wendy Paarman, parents and teachers who assisted as officials. Special thanks to Mrs Hamber and Mrs Swart who were the main organisers of the gala – this is a huge event to organise and particularly to co-ordinate for all children to participate. Well done! Thank you to the Camps Bay Parents (CBP’s) for running the tuckshop at the gala and organising the delicious pizzas!

SPORT: WELL DONE!
Swimming: Well done to Gadi Friedman who has been selected to represent the Western Province Swimming Team. Congratulations, Gadi
Athletics: Congratulations to the following athletes who competed at the District Champs and have now been selected to compete at the final Western Province Athletics Trials: Moki Mtwa, Alice Pillar and Zoë Gadeyne.
Moki won the gold medal in the U12 high jump – an outstanding achievement!
Congratulations to all of you – we are very proud of your achievements.

ROAD SAFETY:
Thank you for your support – the procedures implemented, as an interim measure, below have improved the traffic congestion and safety of our children on arrival at school in the mornings

The ADT Guard at the gate assisting with road safety in the mornings.

Orange beacons will be placed outside the main entrance gate in the road to prevent vehicles from stopping in front of this gate as it serves as the entrance for children to the Netball court in the mornings. There is a “no parking” sign on the gate!

Orange beacons will be placed along the curb (adjacent to the Netball court) that will designate a STOP-AND-DROP ZONE. Please use this area as a stop-and-drop zone ONLY. The ADT Guard will assist to ensure that this area is used for this purpose only.

Children that are dropped off on the opposite side of the road must walk to the beacons opposite the entrance gate from which the ADT Guard will assist them in crossing the road.

EVENTS:
STAFF DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP:
There will be a staff development workshop at Camps Bay Primary on Friday 26 February 2010 from 13h30 to 15h00 for the educators from Camps Bay Primary and Preparatory schools. The presentation is by Dr Elizabeth Nadler-Nir and the topic is dyslexia. Thank you to Jo Springthorpe and Jeff Liss for sponsoring the presentation. It is greatly appreciated.

GRADES 1 and 2: Circle Sports Day and School Picnic: Parents of the Grade 1’s and 2’s should have received the invitation from the Preparatory School to the exciting Circle Sports and Picnic on Friday 5 March 2010 which will be held on the Camps Bay High School fields. Thank you to Mrs Roussopoulos and the Preparatory School for including us in this exciting event. Further information will follow.

DOGZCOOL SHOW: Monday 1 March 2010
Camps Bay Primary will be having a Dogzcool Show for the Foundation Phase learners (grades 1 to 3) that will be held on the 5-a-side court on Monday 1 March from 11h30 to 12h30. Parents of pupils in the Foundation Phase should have received a letter from Mrs Swart explaining the arrangements for the show. The grades 1 and 2 learners from the Preparatory School will be joining us for this fun show. Parents are welcome to attend this event.

NOTES4NOTES: Diarise Thursday 25 March (the night before school closes) for a fun packed Rock/Blues concert in our hall. Featured will be some of our star quality upcoming bands from both the primary and the high school, along with our main attraction being Albert Frost, a brilliant Rock/Blues guitarist. Don’t miss this exciting event. Time: 18:30 for 19:00. Price: Adults R50 – Children R20. ***Block bookings via the office 021 438 1503***
Albert Frost is an all-round master guitarist with a passion for music that reflects happiness over any audience and for lovers of all genres. He has performed and recorded with some of the world’s best musicians including Ali Farka Toure, Vusi Mahlasela, Arno Carstens, Koos Kombuis, Valiant Swart, Riku Latti, Louis Mhlanga and Simon Orange. He has shared stages with The Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and Simple Minds and performed for Nelson Mandela. Alongside Arno Carstens, he shared the stage with Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and the Pixies.

GRADE 3 Sunset SOCIAL: Friday 26th February from 5.30 pm till sunset at CLIFTON 3rd Beach. We would love to see you all there - bring picnic / balls / games and candles in brown paper bags. Any queries – phone Rose 084 558 5053/ Claudia 0825610720 / Dale 0722239247.

GRADE 4 SOCIAL: Friday 26th February from 5pm till late at Clifton 4th beach on the right hand side of the beach (while facing the sea). Please bring picnic, warm clothing, bats / balls etc and candles in brown paper bags. Contact Helen Gosnell (4J) 084 880 3523 or Helen Bynes (4A) 084 659 9091 for any queries.

PARENTAL WORKSHOP: Please feel free to join us for the following:
Suicide Prevention Workshop aimed at understanding depression and its link to suicide. The workshop will be run by Suzanne Leighton who is a Complementary Medical Practitioner with a special interest in the initiation into parenthood and mental health (depression, suicide prevention, mania, bipolar disorder). There will be no cost.
When: Wednesday, 3 March 2010 from 18h00 - 20h00
Where: Camps Bay High School

FEEDBACK: A reminder that Feedback Day is every Wednesday. Please send extra lunch with your child to help those less fortunate. The extra lunch can be dropped off at the kitchen in the green crate. Thank you.

2ND HAND UNIFORM SHOP: Opening Friday 5th March, from 7.30 - 8.00am. Trade in your items that are too small for you, and get a 'trade-in' discount. Great prices.

TUCKSHOP: Opening Friday 5th March, and every Friday. Healthy snacks only.

CBP's looking for clothes rails, hangers, popcorn machine, George Foreman griller - any contacts? Carol 072 200 2691

ICE LOLLIES FOR SALE: Ice-lollies will be on sale every Wednesday at first break at a cost of R2.00 to raise funds for the Grade 7 Farewell.

WEBSITE: We are in the process of redesigning our website – therefore please take note that the information on the website is not up to date but will be soon! We do, however, publish the newsletter on the website each week so should you wish to view it electronically please visit www.campsbayprimary.co.za and click on the news tab.

WEEKLY BOOK REVIEW ON WEBSITE: We have added a weekly book review written by one of pupils to the website. Please visit www.campsbayprimary.co.za and click on News tab.

Proudly Camps Bay Primary

S.P. COLLIER
PRINCIPAL

DITCH HOMEWORK!
A US expert sparks controversy by saying it damages younger children
By Suthentira Govender

Homework for primary school pupils is unnecessary, debilitating and risks putting a child off learning for good. And it's stressful for parents. These views, expressed by US author and parenting expert Alfie Kohn in his book The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing, have sparked local and international debate. In South Africa, children from Grade 1 to 7 are given homework in subjects like literacy, numeracy and life orientation.

In an audio clip on his website, Kohn says that virtually no research supported the claim that homework was good. And Professor Jonathan Jansen, a leading education expert and the vice- chancellor of the University of Free State, agrees. "I believe that homework is unnecessary in the lower grades, but managed carefully, can be a positive way of extending and enriching classroom learning in the higher grades," Jansen said. "Schools seldom co-ordinate homework tasks across the subject areas - with the result that young people are stressed with too much to do in a grade." He said "good teaching within the school periods" could offer an alternative to homework in primary school.

Clinical psychologist Sinette van Rooy Booysen said homework could lead to conflict between parents and children. "Homework is then seen in a negative light and will create a daily 'battlefield' between child and parent," she said.

PROVISIONAL DATES TO DIARISE:
DATES TO DIARISE – 1st TERM 2010

March 2010
Fri, 5
Mrs Linda Anders Birthday
B Prep & Grade 1 & 2 Circle
Sports Picnic @ CBHS 2 – 4pm

Tues, 9
General Knowledge Round 1

Tues, 16
Gr. 7’s Depart for Camp

Fri, 12
Inter-Schools Relay Gala
Easter Egg Drive Begins March 2010 - Continued

Fri, 19
‘Magic Maths’ Assembly
Gr. 7’s Return from Camp.

Mon, 22
Public Holiday

Tues, 23
Inter-house General Knowledge Quiz

Thurs, 25
Reports issued at 2:30pm in hall
Notes4Notes Concert

Fri, 26
School ends at 11am.
Handover of Easter Eggs