SACRED HEART COLLEGE Tel: 011 081 2203 Reception: 011 081 2200 Fax: 011 648 5204 Website: www.sacredheart.co.za
PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL Newsletter Date: 13 June 2018
Dear Pre-Primary and Primary School Parents
General for all parents and guardians - Upfront Condolences Our condolences go to Aura Naidoo (Grade 6) and her family on the death of her grandmother this week, and to the Dunu family on the death of their daughter and sister Bianca. Bianca was with us until Grade 6 in 2016, and in the High School until September 2017, in Grade 7. We are thinking of and praying for your families.
Access and parking Please respect the guards at the gate and only park in allocated areas. DO NOT speed on the school property. You put your own children’s lives at risk.
Aftercare Ensure that you inform the school if the regular person is not going to do the pick up at aftercare. We need to make sure that the assigned person does the pickup.
What is Eid? Eid is not a “Muslim Christmas”. It is, in fact, a three-day celebration marking the end of the month of fasting for Muslims. However, in most non-Muslim countries such as our own, it’s only celebrated for one day. (It’s hard enough getting one day’s leave, imagine trying to get 3 in a row when we’re not even sure when Eid is to begin with! *Inside joke) *Okay, inside joke explained: Just like the start of the month of Ramadan, the end is also dependent on the moon. Muslims follow the lunar calendar and a new Islamic month begins when the new moon is sighted. The day is a reward for the month of discipline and reflection on what has passed. Eid signals the end of fasting and the beginning of a new Islamic month, Shawwaal. 1
When is it? As just explained, we’re not really sure. But we will always have an idea of it being either one of two days. In South Africa this year, Eid will fall on either June 15th or June 16th.
What do Muslims do on Eid day? Muslims will spend the month of Ramadan giving charity to the poor, as a show of gratitude to God and to obtain blessings for the fasts that were kept. It is also given so that the less fortunate can celebrate the day of Eid. This is why it needs to be given before the actual day so that it can be distributed beforehand. This charitable amount is calculated based on the price of the local staple food (if the food itself isn’t distributed). On the actual day, Muslims wake up early to shower, dress in their Eid best and make their way to masjids (mosques) to perform their special Eid salaah (prayer). Homes are decorated and tables are spread with sweet treats for any visitors coming to pay their greetings. On the day Muslims greet each other saying “Eid Mubarak”, “Eid Saeed” and other variations, which basically translate to “Blessed Eid” or “Happy Eid”. You might even hear Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum - May God accept (our good deeds) from us and you. Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim families.
Youth Day Our world is in transition. Many South Africans seem to struggle to understand and implement the principles of democracy, to make real our rich cultural diversity, to overcome feelings of insecurity, and to address an ever-widening poor-rich gap. While honouring the youth of ‘76 for their achievements, we are called to meet the present with courage and confidence. We remember our Youth.
Primary School Pope Francis and the Catholic School In 2015 Pope Francis spoke to Italian teachers and said: “In a society that struggles to find points of reference, young people need a positive reference point in their school. The school can be this or become this only if it has teachers capable of giving meaning to school, to studies and to culture, without reducing everything to the mere transmission of technical knowledge. Instead they must aim to build an educational relationship with each student, who must feel accepted and loved for who he or she is, with all of his or her limitations and potential. In this direction, your task is more necessary now than ever. You must not only teach content, but the values and customs of life”.
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Real study tips for Intermediate pupils Go public Make a detailed revision timetable on a large piece of paper (A3 at least) and post it up somewhere that everyone can see it. That way, everyone knows what you are meant to be studying and when. Strangely enough, letting other people know your plans actually lightens the load, because then it's not just down to you to motivate yourself. Quality time Ask friends over for a revision session. With things like dates and vocabulary, it's always better if someone else is testing you, rather than you testing yourself (and peeking at the answers). Catch the worm Just like those wriggling soil-dwellers, facts are at their most available and digestible first thing in the morning. Start at 9am, and you can get the bulk of your revision done early, so you don't spend the rest of the day feeling crushed under the weight of unread books. Ask questions of yourself Facts are sluggish, passive creatures and lie piled up inside your head. You can, however, awaken them through the power of questions. So when you're making notes, don't just write down "The Battle of Naseby was fought in 1645"; instead, put "When was the Battle of Naseby?" in one column, and write "1645" in an opposite column. Cover up the answer and each time you get it right, you'll feel a small, pixie-like pat on the back. De-digitalise Unplug your computer or laptop, as it's simply too tempting to go off roaming the wide, open spaces of Web-land, instead of ploughing through the causes of the agricultural revolution. It is also imperative to turn off your mobile phone (one distraction too many).
From the Sports and Culturals Desk Champagnat Day and Inter Catholic Tournament We celebrated a wonderful feast day last week. The mass was incredible and then the children showed us how to climb a mountain. The Play Africa activities were great and the sense of community was superb. On Saturday our teams excelled on the sports fields. Congratulations to everyone.
World Cup Soccer Foundation Phase Fun with Numbers Dress Up Day We look forward to this event with great excitement. There will be a great deal of fun exploring and developing number concepts. 3
World Cup Dress-Up, Thursday 14 June The Soccer World Cup starts on Thursday so all children may wear clothing or soccer shirts from the country they are supporting.
World Cup Draw We will also draw 2 countries per class on Thursday, 14 June. Classes will do fun exercises and activities with their countries during the World Cup period, and the class who drew the winning country will win a prize after the final.
Co-curriculars during test week Grade 4, 5 and 6 children may go home at 14:00 to study for tests during test week. The library will also be open as a study centre for those who cannot be fetched before 15:00.
Calendar Plan ahead 13 June 15 June 15-22 June 18 June 25-29 June 25 July
Soccer v Saheti: U9-U11 Away; U12-U13 Home Girls’ soccer v Observatory Girls: U10, U12, U14 Home Grade 4 to 6 Test Week Cross Country v Saheti, Away Mid-term break Sacred Heart’s Got Talent
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