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www.thevillagenews.co.za
10 March 2021
Western Cape LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL Curro Gala Matric Awards is ready for third wave From P 1 Containment responses must focus on prevention behaviour and increased testing and surveillance, while mitigation measures include retaining core field hospital capacity and making use of the additional infrastructure put in place during the first two waves. The province has also implemented a surveillance strategy that focuses on determining the proportion of and places where previous infections have occurred; tracking the rate, areas, and the molecular characteristics of new infections; and tracking individual new cases which allows for tracing contacts and advising them to isolate or quarantine in order to contain cluster outbreaks. “Our waste-water testing system is an excellent early warning system which we continue to use. Scientists across the country and around the world are also constantly working to identify new variants which may have an impact on the third wave,” Winde said. According to the province it has completed the first tranche of just over 13 000 vaccines, and the second tranche is currently being rolled out to frontline medical staff.
“The general population will begin to receive vaccinations in phase two of the rollout and it is important that we urgently vaccinate priority categories within the next three months in order to mitigate the impact of a third wave. As phase 2 includes many of our most vulnerable including those over 60 years old, and those with serious comorbidities, this phase is important in reducing deaths, and protecting our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed,” Winde said. He added that at this stage, the only vaccines currently available in the country are those being used as part of the J&J Sisonke study. “Given this limitation of availability, contingency plans to procure vaccines for the country and the province must be explored urgently. Members of the public who qualify for vaccination during phase 2 will be informed when they can register on the national Electronic Vaccination Data System. “We must not lose sight of the fact that Covid-19 is still with us – in the Western Cape over 1 000 people are currently still in hospital, and we have lost 11 258 lives. We must still do everything we can, every single day to ensure that we protect ourselves and our loved ones so that we can save lives,” Winde said.
The annual Curro Matric Gala Awards took place on Friday morning for Curro's top students around South Africa. All the schools would normally meet for this prestigious event in Johannesburg, but due to Covid-19 restrictions each school held a function in their hometowns for their top students and their parents. Curro Hermanus held the event at Arabella Hotel and Spa, where the top students, their parents and the Grade 12 teachers were treated to a small breakfast and later lunch and non-alcoholic champagne to celebrate the students' and Curro Hermanus's achievements in the 2020 academic year. After the breakfast and some tea/coffee, everyone gathered in the conference hall to watch a video sent by Curro Holdings Head Office, which congratulated the students who later received beautiful glass trophies and a cash award. The video also announced the
top 10 IEB students in South Africa (who all had an average of 90% or more) and the academic school awards, of which Curro Hermanus won a Merit Award. Jean Michael Weight, who got 8 distinctions (all As) and 100% for Mathematics, placed 10th in the top 10 IEB students. He was the only student in the top 10 to receive 100% for a subject and was also
awarded a Trophy of Excellence for his results and a R1 000 PNA voucher. Out of the 1 525 Curro learners in South Africa, there was a 99.5% pass rate for 2020. Well done! – Taylum Meyer From left to right are Jean Michael Weight, Luke Grindley-Ferris, Shanéa Smith and Melissa Jordaan. (Absent: Shanelle Prins and Tiah Stannius).
Trees for High Street Overstrand Municipality started planting trees in High Street on Friday as part of the CBD revitalisation project. A panel of experts decided that the best tree for the project was the Syzygium guineense (also known as waterberry or waterpear). The trees are being planted by the contractor under the supervision of Overstrand’s horticulturist Lauren Rainbird. The municipality would like to thank businesses and property owners for beautifying the area and keeping an eye on the trees.
