COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday 1 April 2023

PINELANDS METHODIST CHURCH "HOME GROWN" MARKET

It’s no joke. The Market is back in the church hall at 2 Union Avenue from 9am to 12:30 pm. Open to all (yes, even ‘fools’) with free admission. No charge either for friendly fellowship. Various value-for-money stalls and plenty of good food available. Call Joan on 082 810 1889.

Mon-Tues 3-4 April 2023

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS AT PINELANDS METHODIST CHURCH

All are welcome to a meditative walk at your own pace. The venue is at the church at 2 Union Avenue and will be open on: Monday 3rd: 2pm to 8pm Tuesday 4th: 9am to 12 noon. For more information contact the church office on 021 531 8972.

Tuesday 4 April 2023

PINELANDS BAPTIST CHURCH DIVORCE CARE COURSE BEGINS

Meeting at 14, The Triangle, the course will run every Tuesday for 13 weeks commencing 4th April at 6pm with a meal provided. Cost of meals and manual will be R750 per person. Please do not let this put you off - funding is available where necessary. We look forward to hearing from anyone going through divorce or separation or even thinking about this. Let us know if you are interested in a Divorce Care for Kids course. Call Alan Minogue on 083 456 1196 or the church on 083456 1196.

Wednesday 5 April 2023

HAPPY HOUR SOCIAL GROUP

Meet at the Pinelands library from 9:30am to 11am for a Book Chat.

All welcome. Call Santa at 021 531 2600.

Thursday 6 April 2023

WESTERN CAPE BLOOD SERVICE

Do something remarkable - donate blood at St Stephens Church Main Hall, Central Square, from 3pm until 7:30pm. Confirm times at 021 507 6300.

Wednesday 19 April 2023

PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB

Join the adult book club from 10am to 11am in the Pinelands Library Committee Room. Enjoy a book chat by special guest, feminist researcher and author about her debut novel, The Other Me.

RSVP: Verna 021 814 1780 / Lauren 021 814 1777.

Wednesday 26 April 2023

PINELANDS STAMP CIRCLE

Meet at 6:30pm in the Activities Hall at Pinelands Library. This will be an allmembers Postcard evening. All welcome. Call Martin 021 689 5050.

Saturdays 2023 9am to 1pm

BRIC-A-BRAC SALES FOR KAPS

Keep an eye out for Gloria running the Karoo Animal Protection Society (KAPS) bric-a-brac table at the Pop-Up nursery at Pinelands Club from 9am to 1pm. Donations of dog/ cat food are welcome. These will be taken to KAPS in Barrydale.

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! email muse@pinelandsdirectory.co.za. Send content for the May 2023 edition by 14 April 2023. R160 ensures placement in the calendar.

On 24 February, the Board, teachers and children of Grace Primary School welcomed a variety of guests to a dedication event celebrating the completion of the final phase of their permanent premises in Protea Close. The guests included, amongst others, parents, neighbours, former staff, the building team, local school Principals, a representative from ISASA (Independent Schools Association of South Africa) and Mrs Govender, from the WCED (Western Cape Education Department). Thankfully it was beautiful weather for an outside event in the central garden area. Guests were given tours by members of the Grade 7 class, followed by a dedication service and refreshments in the lovely new staff-room with its mountain view! Some beautiful cupcakes in school colours were prepared

On Monday 6 March, students, staff and parents were privileged to attend a lecture by Pinelands High School alumnus, Dr Chris Leatt. This was the first lecture of 2023 in the termly Pinelands High School Academic Lecture Series which aims to expose students and the community to the latest groundbreaking research in a wide variety of fields, inspiring them to pursue their passions and exciting career paths. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear about Dr Leatt’s life and his journey to creating the internationally renowned LEATT neck brace for motorcyclists and mountain bike riders. LEATT has developed into a headto-toe protection brand, now creating a wide range of gear that is designed to save the lives of riders in a variety of twowheeled sports. LEATT Corp has become so successful that it now trades on the US Stock Market. Dr Leatt spoke about finding passion in what you do, how his curiosity for neurosurgery, combined with the tragic loss of a friend in a motorcycle accident, inspired him to search for better

Grace Primary School Phase Ii Building Dedication On 24 February 2023

Construction, various professionals on our parent body, the Governing Body and Clive Alfino who assisted with management. He also thanked the neighbours of the school, who have, like the children and teachers, had to bear the brunt of the noise and disruption. The ceremony was concluded after the Grade 5 class gave a beautiful recitation of Psalm 127 and two pupils, JoJo de Witt (Gd 6) and Isabelle Sole (Gd 7), cut the ribbon to signify the official opening of the building.

for all our children and parents to enjoy. Judy McComb (Co-Founder and Director of Educational Philosophy) shared the beginnings of the Grace Primary story, followed by Karen Wood, school Principal, who continued the story from her perspective after joining the school in January 2020. Chris de Witt (Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Governors) then gave a short biblical perspective on the building fabric being a privileged space where children could grow up as whole people, maturing in character and creatively engaging with ideas, with others, and with the world around them. Finally, Darrin McComb (Co-Founder and Building Project Manager) thanked all those who had been involved in bringing this building project to completion, particularly the team from Brice

The founders subsequently discovered that the date of this event had unintentionally commemorated, to the day, the transfer of the piece of land from Garden Cities NPO to Grace Primary NPO seven years earlier! While there have been many challenges along the way (not least when delays happened through COVID times), it was great to take a step back and see the amazing progress the Lord has enabled for the school: from starting in 2014 with 14 children a joint Grade 1&2 class in the minor hall of the Congregational Church, to now having a facility for Grades R to 7 along with a library, large music/aftercare room, art/science room, additional music room and administrative spaces and nearly 120 children. We give Him all the thanks and praise for giving us this space to grow and for enabling the children to flourish in their ‘living education’. From Sophie de Witt.

Pinelands High School Academic Lecture Series

protection for those participating in high speed sports. Dr Leatt displayed some of LEATT’s latest protective gear, made of 100% recyclable material. This interactive part of the session led to many curious questions from the audience, ranging from how to start a company, to how the nonNewtonian materials work in the newest cycling helmets. Dr Leatt demonstrated the exceptional qualities that Pinelands High School hopes to instil in every one of its students. From Barbara Coaton. 

A year ago the WP Peninsula (PENS) indoor hockey team finished fourth at the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT). This year the team returned to Durban for the IPT 2023. The team were the underdogs but they persevered all the way to the final finishing in 2nd place. The WP PENS ladies team can be immensely proud of their silver medals. Their unity and selfless discipline took them all the way to the final to compete against South Africa's best. The week began with a strong start where WP PENS beat the KZN Mynahs 4 -1 in the opening game. Day 2 started with a tough game against KZN Raiders and the 0-7 score line was quite harsh considering the good hockey that was played. The evening of day 2 saw WP PENS play Mpumalanga in their last pool game which was an effective quarter-final. WP PENS needed a draw to progress and won 4-1. Day 3 was the semi final. WP PENS took on

SILVER MEDALS FOR WP PENS!

the might of the Northern Blues who had 4 players who have represented South Africa in their squad and one Namibian international player. The team showed huge amounts of grit, determination and character to draw the game 1-1, having led most of it. The game went to shoot-outs and Michelle Tullis as well as Michelle Winter scored emphatically. Manisha Desai (former Cannons Creek Primary student) managed to save one shoot-out and force their last taker wide. WP PENS ladies went into their first ever indoor IPT final! History makers! How to beat the KZN Raiders who had won 6 of the previous 7 tournaments was the challenge posed to the ladies. The WP

PENS came out firing. After conceding early they went on to score 2 goals through Sillie Mxinwa and Andrea Leader and they led 2-1. KZN Raiders got the rub of the green with a questionable call and then went on to lead 3-2. WP PENS took their goalkeeper off in the closing stages and threw everything they had at the KZN Raiders but were unable to equalise. KZN Raiders triumphing 3-2 to win their 7th title in 8 years in a thrilling final.

Three former PHS alumni Chelsea Jeffery, Andrea Leader and newly matriculated Emily Adams (who didn’t concede a penalty corner goal all tournament) represented the team which was coached by Pinelands High School first team coach Luke Thönissen. The WP A side ladies finished 4th and the WP men won their 4th title in four years captained by former PHS learner Jody Erasmus. It is great to see Pinelands so well represented on the indoor hockey court at IPT level.