the Muse - Nov 2022

Adolf Thelen

MUSICIAN

Mike & Terri van Haght

Timm

RASPBERRY ICE

SANDWICHES

Editor: Max Schutte

About the cover:

"Lest we forget" - Traditionally, the 11th November is a day of remembrance for those who have fallen while protecting their homes and families and countries. Initially started after the first World War, the day is now also dedicated to all those serving in the armed forces protecting their countries.

The poppy as a symbol of remembrance was inspired by a poem by John McCrae when he saw poppies growing in the battle scarred fields of Flanders in Belgium.

HYBRID – THE BUZZWORD FOR THIS DECADE AND BEYOND?

After the bleakness of World War 1 and the Spanish Flu pandemic, the 1920's surprised the world. It started out as "The Roaring Twenties" and became the "Jazz Age" and there was economic prosperity and carefree living for many. Although it ended with a major global depression, the decade was the introduction to a new world order of grand capitalism, the rise of the corporates and mass production in huge factories.

In the same way, I don't think that we saw the events of the 2020's coming... After starting 2020 with confidence and high hopes, we were quickly plunged into our own new pandemic and, emerging from that, we face an unwelcome and possibly prolonged economic depression. However, through all that, we also tried out some new ways of working, entertaining ourselves and socializing. It is still early in the decade for any predictions, but I see some of them sticking and it may shape up as "The Hybrid Decade", when we will again be steered into a new blended and balanced way of life with options that were not before thought possible or even considered follies.

The current generation of retirees were perhaps the first to experience the hybrid way, where retirement means a blend of continuing to work part of the time while also enjoying some freedom to do as we wish. It is partly out of necessity and partly from a desire to continue with some meaningful activities. COVID brought hybrid work to our workplaces with a bang! Whether that meant having the option to work mostly from home or perhaps for some, having to move from a steady job into freelance work for a number of clients. I sense that with that genie out of the bottle, this may become an employment condition necessary to attract people to work for a company.

Education too was forced to quickly find alternatives to the time-honoured classroom model. Working solutions were put in place and adjusted on-the-fly, and some of the positive aspects of remote learning look set to be retained in new hybrid models that will evolve.

In a broader sense, this new realisation of options may encourage us to seriously question and change the status-quo of other established traditions and institutions such as the megacorporates, environmental responsibility and even governments. Interesting times, indeed!

Max Schutte

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2022

L i lac-Breasted Roller

This is of the most colourful birds found throughout the northern parts of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

It has pointed tail streamers, a green crown, nape and mantle, and a lilac breast.

The voice is a harsh “chak” repeated when agitated, and in flight the call is “grak, grak and grarrak”. It is a very common resident in savannah where it perches conspicuously.

Rollers get their name from their acrobatic rolls and dives as they mate "on the wing".

Featured bird text by John McFarlane Resident at Pinewood Village, Pinelands, John has been a keen birder for more than 30 years, and has travelled to most parts of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana following his birding passion. "Being retired makes it easier to get away" he says.

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John McFarlane at the flower sellers Howard Centre

Image: John McFarlane Kruger National Park

Saturday 29 Oct 2022

CANNONS CREEK CARNIVAL

The community is invited to the Cannons Creek Carnival from 9am to 2pm. Entry fee is R5 for adults. There will be children's rides, music, a craft market, a food court, an animal petting zoo and much, much more.

Saturday 29 Oct 2022

HELEN KELLER FÊTE 10AM TO 2PM

Things look a little different this year, some new stalls, some old favourites too. Come and join us!

1st Wednesdays 10am to 11am

HAPPY HOUR SOCIAL GROUP

Meet at the Pinelands library and enjoy.

2 Nov: My Heritage - where do I come from?

7 Dec: Year End Bash from 10am to noon.

Call Santa at 021 531 2600.

Saturday 5 Nov 2022

PINELANDS METHODIST CHURCH "HOME GROWN" MARKET

‘Remember, remember the 5th of November …’ The Home Grown market is back (with a bang!) at 1 Ridge Way from 9am to 1pm. The usual stalls, good fellowship and excellent Saturday brunch. Call Joan on 082 810 1889.

Saturday 5 Nov 2022

LA GRATITUDE AMAZING DUCK RACE

Come to La Gratitude at 9:30am for the Duck Hunt which precedes the Duck Race this year. Your R50 entry fee per family/group includes a 3 duck entry into the race! Don't miss the magician, pancakes and meals for sale. The Amazing Duck Race at the canal will be at 11am.

Friday 11 Nov 2022 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

The Children's Hospital Trust invites you to the annual Day of Remembrance Ceremony at 10:30am for 11am at The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. See info page 6. RSVP by Tues 1st November. Call 021 686 7860.

Saturday 12 Nov 2022

CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH FOOD FAIR - DOORS OPEN AT 5PM

You are invited to come and have an enjoyable evening at the Christ The King Catholic Church Food Fair in Woodside Drive. Call Nicky at 072 997 7550.

Thursday 24 Nov 2022

WESTERN CAPE BLOOD SERVICE

Donate blood at St Stephens Church Main Hall, Central Square, from 1:30pm until 7:15pm. Confirm times at 021 507 6300.

Wednesday 30 Nov 2022

PINELANDS STAMP CIRCLE

Meet at 6:30pm in the Activities Hall at Pinelands Library. This will be the end of year meeting with the AGM and prize-giving. There will also be a small stamp display. All welcome. Call Martin 021 689 5050.

Saturday 3 Dec 2022

PINEWOOD VILLAGE FÊTE

Visit the annual Pinewood Retirement Village annual fête in University Drive, Pinelands from 8:15am to 1pm. Enjoy the tea garden, books, tombola, cakes, pickles & jams, boerewors rolls, beers & cooldrinks, raffles & lots of bric-a-brac. Proceeds go to Village Projects and a portion to charity.

Mon 5 to Thurs 22 Dec 2022

PINELANDS CRAFT AND GIFT FAIR

For a variety of gifts for all ages from 200 crafters come shopping at the Pinelands High School Craft and Gift Fair. Enjoy a cup of coffee, light meals or an ice-cream. Visit the pop-up nursery and buy fruit and vegetables. This is a child friendly environment. Parking is safe and entry is free.

Saturdays 2022 9am to 11am

BRIC-A-BRAC SALES FOR KAPS

Support the Karoo Animal Protection Society bric-a-brac table at the Pop-up-Nursery at Pinelands Club. Donations welcome.

YOUR EVENTS! email muse@pinelandsdirectory.co.za.

for the December 2022 edition by 18 Nov 2022.

ensures placement in the calendar.

OUT AND ABOUT

Stellenberg Gardens

Two of our recent out and about choices are gardens that were originally all part of one property belonging to Simon van der Stel, namely Stellenberg. The magnificent Manor House has had many owners and functions since 1697 and was renovated by architect Louis Leipoldt at the end of the 18th century. The property covering over 120 morgen was prime building land for Claremont and Kenilworth so was eventually divided and sold. In 1845 Ralph Arderne, a passionate gardener, bought the beautifully treed area of Stellenberg. He developed the land into Arderne Gardens in Claremont. This park was declared a National Monument in 1979 and contains 6 protected champion trees. At Stellenberg Gardens however, the Manor House with well preserved Cape Dutch architecture, the original werf, along with the beautiful gardens remain and are carefully maintained by the Ovenstone family who have owned the property for 70 years. Both Gardens are well worth a visit. Arderne Gardens are now maintained by the Friends of Arderne gardens. Entrance is free. Address 222, Main Road Claremont. Open 8am to 6pm daily. See www.ardernegardens.org.za. Stellenberg Gardens can only be visited by appointment as the Manor House is still an occupied residence. Entrance R200 per person. R80 per person for groups. 30 Oak Avenue Kenilworth. Closed May to August. The best time to visit is in November. See www.stellenberggardens.co.za.

Arderne Gardens

THE DEADLINE IS 31 OCTOBER - VOTE TODAY!

We are DAYS away from the make-orbreak moment: 31 October. Pinelanders are people of action. One only needs to look at the many active and hard-working civic volunteer groups to know Pinelanders are about making a difference. A CID will support all existing structures and add new services as requested by Pinelanders.

WHAT IS THE CID (City improvement DistriC t)?

The Pinelands CID, City Improvement District, also known as a Special Rating Area, SRA, has been long in the making. The volunteer steering committee has done the slow steady leg work including liaising with city and drawing up a business plan. This process started in 2018, then Covid arrived. In March 2022 the plan was resurrected and finally ready for presenting and voting by the end of September. October 2022 is the month for obtaining the buy-in from the community.

HOW DOES A CID BENEFIT PINELANDERS?

A successful YES vote will then provide Pinelanders with approximately R800 000 per month to spend on public safety,

environmental development, maintenance and cleansing and social development. To fund this, residents will pay more on their rates bill. For example one would pay an extra R56.06 per million of the municipal valuation. (figures from the CID website).

STEERING COMMITTEE WORKING FOR A 60% VOTE FROM PINELANDERS

October has been a crazy month where the CID Steering committee has been a hive of activity sharing information about the core work done to date with the Pinelands community and asking for a YES vote. All the members are already very active in a range of Pinelands structures and organizations. They are dedicated Pinelands citizens, making a difference. Now they have also volunteered their time to creating a CID, so their voluntary role in the CID is done with passion. And should the YES vote of 60% of all Pinelanders come together, they are still committed to the 6-month interim committee process until the CID is officially fully fledged in June 2023.

DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS FOR THE CID INFO

A great effort has been made to distribute the CID information to homeowners and business owners for them to make an informed decision, including face-to-face group and Zoom meetings, many one-onone chats at various venues in Pinelands, flyer drops, emails, phone calls, WhatsApp messages, FB drives and two news articles in the Tatler and the People’s Post about the proposed CID.

PINELANDERS - MAKE YOUR VOTE "YES"

To make this a reality, vote YES. Not voting is saying NO. Check in on neighbours and friends. Encourage them to say YES. Let’s make this happen.

CID Steering committee: Nasir Adam, Emily Bolton, Desray Britz, Aslam Clarke, Yazied Davids, Sandy McGuffog, Marilynn McNamara, David Owen, Paul Rist.

(Not in this order for the image above).

For voting see https://pinelandscid.co.za.

For infographic see: www.pinelandsdirectory.co.za.

SGGS CONSOLIDATES ON ONE CAMPUS

Talk of moving St George’s Grammar School to the Bloemendal Estate may have commenced in 1940, but it only became a reality in 1973. During those intervening 33 years, there were many interesting events on the road to the Bloemendal campus:

• Under the Headship of Philip Cuckow (1944 – 56) cadets, last done in 1930, was reintroduced;

• the lower Primary grades moved to the Bloemendal campus – as there was no formal building for them, classes took place outdoors until they moved into a prefabricated building;

• an extension to the Cathedral classroom block took place and in 1951;

• the ownership of the school’s land was transferred from the board of trustees of the Diocese of Cape Town to The Trustees of the St George’s Grammar School Property Trust.

• In 1956, the swimming pool was built on the Bloemendal campus and 10 years later, the junior school moved from the prefab building to the junior block, complete with a school hall.

Graham Dods initiates a senior block

Graham Dods took over as Headmaster in 1966 and played a major role in moving the school forward. In the early 70's, plans were initiated to build a senior block on the Bloemendal campus. Thanks to the singlehanded fundraising efforts of Graham Dods, the Charlie Mouat Building was eventually completed in 1973.

Pre-primary opens its doors in 1975

The issue of what to do with the building next to the Cathedral was solved thanks to the idea of opening a nursery school (pre-primary) that would become a feeder

school to the primary school. The preprimary opened its doors in 1975.

1989 - SGGS becomes a co-ed school

In 1980 discussions were initiated around another major change for the schoolwhether to start enrolling girls. Again this only came to fruition a couple of years later when the first girls eventually joined the school in 1989. One of the reasons for the decision to include girls was based on research that indicated boys did better at co-educational schools.

New ideas from new headmaster

In 1984, the school welcomed another education stalwart Paul Cannon as the Headmaster. During his time, the school moved away from playing rugby to playing soccer and also did away with the prefect system, instead opting for a system where each Matric pupil, in weekly meetings held with Mr Cannon, was encouraged to see themselves as leaders of the school and guardians of its welfare and of the welfare of others.

SGGS is an inclusive school

The year 1988 saw a group of 12 boys with learning disabilities but with high academic potential enrolled into a special class, further entrenching the inclusive nature of the school.

Middle school concept in 1995

The concept of a Middle School was introduced in 1995 - this saw the Grades 7, 8 and 9s having their lessons on the top floor of Bloemendal House.

Barry Hart leads into the new century

When Paul Cannon retired at the end of 1997, the role of Headmaster was taken over by Barry Hart who led the school into the new century.

The continuing history of St Georges Grammar School as it approaches its 175th anniversary in 2023

Watercolour of the Prep School building that was completed in 1966.

Isbaella Baker, Zawadi Zondi, Robert Kightley, Baily Manko and Michael Morgan (winner).

CANNONS CREEK WINS

INTERSCHOOLS DRONE LEAGUE

On 20 September, five Cannons Creek High School pupils attended the Inspire Africa Interschools Drone Racing League, hosted by Herzlia Highlands High School. A special congratulations to Michael Morgan (Grade 9) for completing the course in the quickest time, thereby taking the winning title. Cannons Creek competed against Curro Foreshore, Herzlia Highlands and Christel House; and had the opportunity to meet some FlyFPV SA professional pilots who demonstrated the use of a racing drone outdoors, and the pupils were able to see from first-person perspective using VR goggles. Pupils were also able to test their flying skills, using simulators.

GRAFFITI CAN ADD VALUE

Cannons Creek Independent High School recently hosted its Certificate Awards Assembly, which celebrates excellence and commitment to sport, culture and service at Cannons Creek.

The Guest Speaker, Mr Garth Wareley AKA Aweh Migo, an accomplished graffiti artist and mural designer, shared a live display of graffiti techniques. "Thank you for educating us. Thank you for enlightening us and adding a new twist to a formal occasion" said Mr Mike van Haght (High School Principal).

Mr Garth Wareley said "This art form has helped me travel, and meet new people. It's taught me persistence, and if you follow your passion, it won't feel like work... We need to change the way people see a spraycan and break the stigma that graffiti is bad and uses derogatory terms." Garth explained that graffiti is about adding value, making a place brighter than it was before, and that the artist wants to be known worldwide.

Image: Design & Art teacher, Mrs Andy Stuart, Reese Rumble (Grade 9), Amaal Cassiem (Grade 9) and Graffiti artist Aweh Migo.

By Sue Torr Director Crue Invest

How your investments are dealt with when you die

Many people mistakenly believe that their Will directs the distribution of all their assets in the event of death, but this is not the case. Here we take a look at six types of investments and what happens to them in the event of death.

LIVING ANNUITIES

When setting up your living annuity, you are free to nominate your beneficiaries as you wish and, in the event of death, the funds will be made available to them almost immediately. Your beneficiaries will have the option of taking a lump sum withdrawal, transferring the funds to a living annuity in their own name, or a combination of these two options, keeping in mind that up to the first R500 000 may be tax-free. Your beneficiaries will not pay tax when transferring the full benefit to a living or life annuity in their own name, but any income received from the annuity will be taxed as per their personal income tax rates. The proceeds of a living annuity will not form part of your deceased estate, are not estate dutiable, and are not subject to executor’s fees.

RETIREMENT FUNDS

The distribution of retirement fund benefits is governed by Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act. Section 37C directs the retirement fund trustees to determine who is financially dependent, either wholly or in part, on the member and to apportion the funds accordingly. Those who qualify as ‘financial dependant’ can include the fund member’s children, spouse, siblings, aged parents or anyone who is in some way dependent on the deceased at the time of their death. As the member’s death benefits are paid directly to his financial dependants, the funds do not form part of the estate and are not included when calculating the deceased’s estate duty. Further, as the executor does not need to administer these funds, no executor’s fees are payable.

ENDOWMENTS

Policy holders of endowments can elect who the life assured and nominated beneficiaries to the policy will be. Generally

speaking, the proceeds of an endowment policy are paid out on the death of the last life assured, with the policies being payable immediately. Although not part of the winding-up process, the proceeds of an endowment policy are considered deemed property in a deceased estate and will be subject to estate duty. As the executor is not responsible for the administration or distribution of these funds, no executor’s fees are payable on the proceeds.

TAX-FREE INVESTMENTS

Whether or not you can nominate a beneficiary to your tax-free investment depends on the nature of the vehicle. If your tax-free investment is life-wrapped, you can nominate a beneficiary which means that the proceeds, while forming part of your deceased estate, will be paid directly to your beneficiaries and will bypass the winding-up process. On the other hand, if your tax-free investment is housed on a LISP platform, you will not be able to nominate a beneficiary and will need to stipulate in your Will as to what should happen to these funds. These funds will be estate dutiable and subject to the estate administration process which means that your loved ones may have to wait for the proceeds. While the investment is held within the estate, the returns on it will remain exempt from income tax, dividends tax and capital gains tax.

UNIT TRUSTS

When opening up a unit trust portfolio, you do not need to nominate a beneficiary as the proceeds of this type of investment fall within your estate and are therefore estate dutiable. In the event of your death, your executor will provide the relevant LISP platform with a copy of your death certificate following which no further transactions will be able to take place, although your investment will continue to generate market returns depending on market conditions. As such, it is advisable that you stipulate in your Will how you would like these proceeds to be distributed, keeping in mind that executor’s fees are payable on these funds.

Torr

Eric Jordaan, CFP®

Planning

Sherry Tapfuma

Hannah Myburgh B.Comm

Planning

Cherise Erasmus, CFP

B.Comm PGDip Financial Planning

Erin White, FSA

Financial Planning Certificate

Gareth Collier, CFP® B.Comm AdvDip Investment Planning

Corlene Botha National Certificate in Wealth Management

Alex Odendaal B.Comm

Ayden Reeks Financial Administrator

Chantelle Potgieter Healthcare Administrator

Shaneez Bredekamp Office Manager

Danielle Botha BA Marketing Assistant

GRACE PRIMARY SCHOOL NURTURES TALENT IN PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL PETER PAN

Grace Primary School were thrilled to put on a musical production once again after 2 years of missing out on this privilege. This year they chose Out of the Ark’s musical adaptation of Peter Pan and held it in the Cannons Creek High School Hall on the 21st and 22nd September to soldout audiences. The play was a true crowd pleaser and delighted the audience with a variety of catchy musical tunes and comical renditions of the well-known characters of Peter Pan: Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and Mr Smee! All of our Grades 4-7 pupils were involved in the play in either acting, singing or as part of the stage crew and it was wonderful to see their different talents and skills combine to produce a delightful performance after many weeks of dedicated preparation. We were so thankful to various members of our staff team who invested a great deal of time and energy into preparing the children for the evening, in particular play director, Mr Chris Louw, music teacher Mrs Anne Meyer and costume and set designer, Mrs Angela Jack. Investing in the performing arts is hard work but always brings joy, bonding and lasting memories, as well as fresh opportunities to showcase and nurture much talent among the school children.

OLD MUTUAL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB AWARDS

The Old Mutual Junior Football Club held their 2022 Season Presentation Awards in Pinelands on Saturday 8th October 2022.

Junior Club Chairlady Yvette Maguire said “The last two years have been challenging but this season has been a testament to the resilience, commitment and determination of not only the players but their coaches and families." Apart from the player awards, special recognition was also given to Graham Maguire for his 55 years association with the Old Mutual Football Club.

Top image: Zackary Matthews (U11 Player of the Season); Coach Darren Hart and Antonios Stamatiadis (Junior Football Club Goalkeeper of the Year.) Image above: Graham McGuire with Antonios Stamatiadis.

Kate Chisholm

Mike & Terri van Haght

Pinelanders Mike and Terri van Haght will retire from their long held posts at Cannons Creek Independent School at the end of the year. Their dedication to education is appreciated and they will be missed. We wish them well with days filled with happiness in the next phase of their lives.

Yearning for a better education system Mike started his teaching career at Fairbairn College (then Fairbairn High School) in January 1982. He moved to the brand new Table View High School as a Head of Department in January 1986 and took up a Deputy Principal position at Queens Park High School in July 1991. In 1995, at the age of 38, Mike took over as Principal of Queens Park High School. At a time when Mike felt that the Outcomes Based Education was not very successful he toyed with the idea of starting his own school. After being approached by Cannons Creek in 1998 to start a high school for them, Mike started the Cannons Creek Independent High School, in a 2.5m x 4m Sunday School room in the Pinelands Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 23 January 1999. It consisted of three Grade 8 pupils.

Dedicated duo working for Cannons Creek

At the end of 2022, Mike will have been at Cannons Creek for 24 years as Headmaster of the High School and Science teacher.

Terri will have been the High School Secretary for 13 years, and while she may have officially started working for Cannons Creek in 2010, the school had been an integral part of her life and their family life since 1999 as she had, unofficially, been doing 90% of the High School secretarial work from home in the evenings. They have two sons, Gavin and Andrew, both of whom matriculated from Cannons Creek. Gavin, the elder, lives with his wife, Kirsty and two daughters, Chloe and Charlotte, across the way from Cannons Creek. Chloe started in Grade RR at Cannons Creek this year. Andrew lives with his wife, Lauren, and two children, Oliver and Emmy, in London. How long has Pinelands been your home?

Terri has lived in Pinelands practically all her life. She was born in Mossel Bay but

her parents moved to Pinelands when she was three. When Mike and Terri married in 1982 they rented a flat in Pine Glen, behind the Howard Centre. In 1983 they moved to Edgemead and in 1991 they bought the family home where Terri had grown up and moved back to Pinelands. They have been in the same home ever since.

What are your interests outside school?

"To tell the truth, Cannons Creek has been an enormous part of our lives since 1999. However, we have always made sure to have interests outside of school as well. Both Terri and I come from large families, so big, loud family get-togethers, with lots of food and a bottle or two of good wine are a part of our family DNA. We enjoy taking part in quiz evenings and don’t do too shabbily when we operate as a family team. We have a love for reading so it is no surprise that Terri is still part of the Edgemead Babbling Book Club that she joined back in 1984. We both enjoy the outdoors and hiking and, while we do not hike together as a family much these days, we still try to get out for walks (even if it’s just around Pinelands) as often as possible. Over the years we have walked a number of trails in the Western Cape and hopefully will get more time for this again once we retire."

Cannons Creek Adventure Week

Mike’s love for the outdoors (nurtured as a Scout) led to him establishing the annual Cannons Creek Adventure Week back in 2000. Every year the High School closes for one week in term 1 during which every pupil from every grade heads off into the bundu for a week of adventure. Grade adventures vary from hiking the Cederberg Mountains, canoeing the Orange or Breede Rivers, cycling the back roads of Elgin, kloofing the Wit Els and other kloofs, mountaineering in the Matroosberg, Witzenberg and much more. "It’s amazing how much we learn about ourselves when drinking from a mountain spring, sleeping under the stars, carrying our own food and provisions for a week, and being alone with our own thoughts. Adventure Week has become a defining and integral activity at Cannons Creek, "says Mike.

Mike: My memories and experiences are of the people of Cannons Creek.

"After 24 years at Cannons I will leave with so many memories of my time there. However, the experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life are those involving people. I have worked with excellent teachers who took massive risks with their careers in joining a fledgling

PINELANDERS

school with little money and even fewer resources because they believed in what we were doing - teachers who teach because it is a calling, in their blood; something they were born to do. They have supported me and backed me in the face of fierce odds. They have become my friends.

I have worked with ground staff who gave up prestigious jobs at large estates in the leafy suburbs of Cape Town because they bought into the vision of helping to start a new school, even though this new school had no money for lawn, plants, equipment or even a fence when it started.

I have worked with parents who mortgaged their homes so that we could get the funds to build a high school building. And then they refused to be acknowledged publicly. I have had the privilege of working with parents, trustees and directors who supported me in extremely difficult days.

I have worked with pupils whose primary school principals told me when they enrolled that they would probably not make grade 10, yet they matriculated and went on to graduate with a medical degree.

Cannons Creek Success is a team effort

I’ve learned that Cannons Creek is not and will never be one person’s creation. It owes its existence to all who have been part of her - the founding teachers and trustees, all of the pupils over the years, the parents, the teachers and staff and all the many supporters on the sidelines who backed and supported the school even though they had no children there.

A comical moment

There is one event that does stand out, though. In 2002 I was taking a group of Grade 10 pupils on a five day hike through the Cederberg Mountains. We would be on our own, alone in a wilderness area without contact with other human beings for 5 days. We were carrying everything we needed for these five days on our backs. During the preceding weeks we had spent numerous hours preparing pupils and parents for what this entailed so as to make sure that everyone was 100% prepared for the week. Shortly after we had waved the truck that had dropped us off, goodbye, I instructed everyone to get their kitbags ready to start hiking. It was only then that a Korean pupil approached me in a pair of slops, holding a lunch box containing a sandwich, apple and a small box of fruit juice. It slowly dawned on me that this was all he had with him - he thought we were going on a one day school outing! He had no kitbag, no sleeping bag, no waterbottle, no boots, no hat, no food. The kids donated what they could and the hike went on!"

Terri: Experiences at Cannons

"My best experiences at Cannons will

always be the ones that involve watching the growth in our pupils from Gr 7 - Gr 12. Cannons is a small community and there is nowhere to hide - pupils learn very quickly to take responsibility for their actions. There are numerous opportunities for public speaking and the thing I love the most about our pupils is how non judgemental they are. Someone can stand up at an assembly and stumble awkwardly through a speech, but be cheered and supported all the way through. Our healthy, caring, supportive environment is what I am most proud about and what I will always remember."

Education: The effects of Covid "Without any doubt Covid changed much about education in the world. South Africa is no exception. Overnight we came to realise that what we thought was using Education Technology (Ed Tech) was no more than doing the same thing using different toys. As a private school we realised within 24 hours that if we did not carry on teaching our pupils well, we faced the very real possibility of closing down. No teaching meant no school fees which meant no salaries. We discovered that we could use Ed Tech not only to deliver lessons but to teach concepts, to practice and drill work, to review, analyse, collaborate, assess and so much more. The danger was falling back into our old ways once Covid faded. We realised that Ed Tech will never replace the teacher. A good teacher uses Ed Tech to improve, enhance and enrich teaching.

Plans for retirement

While we’re both looking forward to retirement, there’s no doubt that we are going to miss Cannons Creek dearly. One doesn’t pour yourself into something for a quarter of a century and simply walk away unaffected. However, there are a few simple things we will enjoy:

• Having Saturday mornings to ourselves for the first time in our married life

• Being able to go on holiday outside school holidays.

• No more marking. Enough said.

• Not having to ever tell someone to cut their hair or tuck in their shirt.

• Being able to go to the shops barefoot, in an old T-shirt and rugby shorts (Mike not Terri!)

• Traveling while we’re still fit and healthy. Mostly in Southern Africa and hopefully, if the budget allows, a trip or two overseas.

• Spending much more time with our family,

grandchildren and friends.

• Mike has always harboured a secret passion for farming bees. Hopefully that dream can become a reality.

• Mike will probably still take on a few substitute teaching jobs. Nothing beats chemistry pracs in a school lab along with a few awful smells and one or two explosions.

• Terri would love to take on a “fixer-upper” house as a project but that depends on the budget. However, who knows?

In the end, living our lives, not governed by timetables, terms, school calendars and school bells is something that appeals, although, we’re sure it’s going to take some getting used to.

Enjoying a strong faith

Our faith has always been an essential part of our lives. Mike has been a lay-minister in the New Apostolic Church since 1988 and over the past 13 years has been the pastor of, first the Cape Town Congregation and later of the District Six Congregation. In August this year Mike stepped down from his ministerial responsibilities. We now enjoy going to church and simply sitting in the benches and being a part of the congregation.

Message for the readers

If I may make an appeal, it is to: “Value your teachers”. Treat them with respect. Back them. Have high expectations of them. Trust them. Don’t bad-mouth them in front of your children. Select only the best to enter the profession. Train them well. Pay them fairly. Treat them as professionals. Until teachers are once again allowed the status they deserve (and once had), such as in countries like Finland, Germany and Denmark, we will always struggle to find good teachers. Until we invest in our teachers, we’re denying future generations of our children the education they deserve".

Author of Muse articles

Mike has been a consistent writer for the Muse with many "Principal's articles" for our readers to enjoy. We will miss your input and would like to wish you and Terri a well deserved and happy retirement.

Born and raised in Germany in the 1960’s & 1970’s Adolf studied Music and Religious Education at the University of Münster, before taking up a teaching post near the City of Bremen. In 1994 he moved to Windhoek, Namibia teaching at the German Private school and as the musical director for the Namibia National Orchestra established their “Africa meets Symphony” repertoire. His life in Cape Town started in Meadowridge in 1997.

Classics In JazzAfrica - on tour Adolf met Dr Mike Rossi on the Cape Town Jazz scene in 2004 and has worked with him ever since. Their fusion-band “Classics in Jazz” was a well-oiled Quartet, which performed at the “Crypt Jazz Club”, the Endler Hall and other venues in and around Cape Town. Adolf recently joined Dr Rossi to play their newly arranged Duoprogram “Classics in JazzAfrica”, an eclectic mix of crossover arrangements from Bach to Bebop to Cape-Jazz. Launched in Franschhoek earlier this year, it also proved to be a winner overseas.

For nearly twenty years Dr Mike Rossi was “Professor Jazz-Sax” at UCT’s College of Music. Now he enjoys his retirement in Italy. Dr Rossi, American by birth with Italian ancestry, has performed with Thornton resident and pianist Adolf Thelen in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria.

Classical Venue for Jazz

The “Palais Lichtenau” in Potsdam seemed to be the right venue to start their European Tour in July this year. The local cultural association was out in full force to welcome the two artists from abroad. Usually, a venue that hosts classical music, this time the audience was tuned into the Jazz-version of Bach’s famous “Toccata”, the “Badinerie”, “Aranjuez/La Fiesta” with a Spanish flavour

Adolf Thelen

Thornton pianist Adolf Thelen shares his experience of playing in jazz-themed recitals in Potsdam, Germany and Montegranaro on the East Coast of Italy with Dr Mike Rossi, previously Professor of Music at UCT.

and also the all-time favourites from Cape Town, such as “Yakali Nkomo”, “Tshwake” or “Manenberg”.

Garrison Church in Potsdam

Concert engagements then took them to the old Garrison Church in Potsdam and the “Schleiermacherhaus” Cultural Centre in Berlin. This formally Lutheran community centre will be developed into a “House of Faith”, providing meeting and worship facilities for all followers of the Abrahamitic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Montegranaro - Italy

The performance in “Montegranaro” on the East Coast of Italy saw the attendance of the provincial Minister of Tourism and Culture, since the performance happened in the Art Gallery “Philosoph-Arte”.

To enhance and broaden the cultural experience, the concert was accompanied by a traditional Italian supper and an Arts exhibition. A truly multi-cultural experience for the artists and audience alike!

Enjoying life in Thornton

"I still enjoy my lifestyle in Cape Town and I am often surprised, when Capetonians from different walks of life ask me: “Why do you live here – it’s much safer and better to live overseas.” We chose to live in Thornton which proved to be an affordable location to rent a house and it was easy for both my late wife, who taught in Manenberg and myself to get to school. My teaching at Holy cross Brooklyn plays an important part in my professional life, because I can make changes to the lives of less privileged children." Adolf has also been the organist for the German Catholic Community in Cape Town at Nazareth House Church since 2002. On the 4th December 2022 Adolf will be performing in the Christmas Concert hosted by the German Catholic Community in Cape Town. Entrance is free for you to enjoy "Classics in Jazz", English, German and Ukrainian Carols and some local musical flavour too. See www.kath.org.za.

Adolf in his Thornton Studio used for music productions and arrangements.

Adolf Thelen and Dr Mike Rossi playing Classics in JazzAfrica at the Schleiermacherhaus in Berlin

Dr Mike Rossi and Adolf Thelen at Palais Lichtenau in Potsdam.

The Pinelands North Primary School music department participated in two Eisteddfods this year: The Cape Town Eisteddfod and the virtual WCVE Eisteddfod. The results ranged from Bronze, Gold and even Cum Laude which was awarded to Nathan Broster-Masureik (piano) in Grade 7.

The Cape Town Eisteddfod also had a virtual section (the same as last year) and there were great awards given to talented pianists, vocalists, and violinists. Well done to Kyle Rae (Grade 7 vocalist) and Maddelyn Chiles (Grade 3 vocalist) for winning individual awards.

The Grade 7 Marimba group received a high merit award. Nathan Broster-Masureik received a Diploma, in the “live” section of the Cape Town Eisteddfod, which was held at Wynberg Junior School, on the 10th of September. This “live” section was not available last year due to COVID-19, but happily it appears that things are slowly getting back to normal.

DIRECTORY

Right: Nathan Broster-Masureik.

Below: Cameron Edwards, Liam Fransman, Esam Mjenxane, Emily Richards, Kendra Matthysen, Kyle Rae, Jada Johnston.

Unlocking tension - Restoring self-healing

John,

and Colleen Beck

By Nina Timm

Cook, teacher, blogger and author of Easy Cooking from Nina's Kitchen and Maklike Etes uit Nina se Kombuis!

Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients

2 litre good quality vanilla ice cream

2 x 150 g vanilla wafers

100 g fresh raspberries

Method

1. Line your baking tray or dish with cling wrap leaving enough plastic hanging over to cover the sandwiches when you are done.

2. Pack a layer of wafers in the bottom tightly against each other.

3. In a large mixing bowl, add the ice cream and with a spatula, soften the ice cream.

4. Spread in a thick layer over the wafer biscuits. Work as fast as you can.

5. Press the raspberries into the ice cream. Top with another layer of wafers.

6. Cover up with the plastic and freeze overnight.

7. When ready to serve, remove from the baking dish and cut into sandwiches. Serve immediately.

Notes

Raspberry season in South Africa is from October to about March, make the best of it during Summer. For more delicious raspberry recipes, visit www.my-easy-cooking.com.

Fun-to-eat Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

I grew up in Ceres and boy-oh-boy that place can get hot in Summer! Sunday School picnics were always in the middle of summer and it was almost always held at Witels, which is a mountain resort near Ceres. I have such fond memories of Witels, but the highlight of these picnics were those Dairymaid Ice Cream Sandwiches. The intense heat of the day, the fatigue from swimming all day, the sunburn and then biting into that ice cream….. Such joy!

So I wanted to create the same fun-toeat Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches. The best part is that you can chop and change ingredients to your heart’s content. I am thinking chocolate and hazelnuts, honey

and nougat or how about Amarula for the grown-ups?

To make these easy Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches, you literally need 3 ingredients. Wafer biscuits, vanilla icecream and of course raspberries. Here are a few important pointers before you start.

1. Make these ice cream sandwiches early in the morning or late at night. In the middle of a scorching hot day, it is not going to work.

2. Find a baking tray or dish that can fit a layer of biscuits from side to side – it makes the cutting easier in the end.

3. Soften the ice cream by hand, I find the microwave oven melts it too much.

Portrait: The Photographic Journey Food shot: Nina Timm

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberries

No-bake Raspberry Cheesecake

Eaton Mess Ice Cream Cake