Silverlight Version
A walk up into the mountains nearby to admire the disas during the first term was a treat and a privilege and made us realise again how fortunate we are in Greyton to have so much beauty within our reach.
The Grades 5 to 8’s had a very successful camp at Wortelgat near Stanford, also during the first term. The programme focussed on environmental issues, including dune ecology and the importance of wetlands. The pupils were involved in team-building exercises, rope courses, archery, problem-solving and even a mud-smearing competition… eugh! They returned exuberant, filthy and bursting with stories about what they had seen and learnt. Camps like these certainly add much to our aim of giving pupils at Greyton House “A Childhood to Remember”.
Once again, the Grades 5 and up made a positive contribution to the environment by participating in a hack, helping eliminate invasive vegetation on our mountain. Under the careful eye of their teachers, some volunteer parents and the Greyton Conservation Society, this is something we hope to do at least once a term.
In August, the Grade 5 and 6 classes were fortunate to have a sunny day at Rondvlei, where they enjoyed the excellent outdoor education programme there. It was informative, interesting and the children particularly enjoyed meeting the resident porcupine!
An outing to an Alpaca farm near Villiersdorp in April made for a very interesting an informative day for our Grade 7 and 8 class. Apparently, many family pets in this grade are now being categorised according to “hair quality” by the new experts in this field…....
Apple-picking season can’t go by without a visit to the orchard, with the children learning many things about running a fruit farm that many adults would be amazed to know.
“It was our best ever camp!” exclaimed Mrs T on return from the SOS camp with her class in May. On arrival, the group was greeted enthusiastically by a tame porcupine. Activities included rock-climbing, canoeing, a night hike, grooming and feeding a variety of farm animals and many outdoor activities involving ropes, obstacle courses and, of course, the wealth offered by nature itself. It was so gratifying to receive the following feedback from the team at S.O.S:
“As the main instructor of the combined group (Greyton & Klawer), I would like to compliment the Grade 3’s and 4’s of Greyton House on their outstanding behaviour.
Upon arrival, I could see they were very fond of “Mrs T”. It was obvious that she concentrates on good manners, academic knowledge and independence in the classroom. Not even one missed home (sorry, mommies).
Their academic knowledge extended far beyond that of their peers that we see at S.O.S.
Well done! Or as we say at S.O.S; Bravo, bravo, jolly good show!”
So as not to be outdone by the younger classes, the Grade 7’s and 8’s packed in a variety of activities during a 2-day trip in August, where they visited Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and a large mixed farm in Malmesbury.
At Koeberg, the pupils were amazed at some of the facts they learnt about nuclear power. They had the opportunity of experimenting with different power sources – not nuclear, we were assured! – and in typical Greyton House style, threw themselves into it with much enthusiasm.
Apart from learning a lot about farming and different crops, perhaps the highlight of their stay was watching a calf being born. This was certainly a visit they will never forget.
What have some of our pupils, past and present been up to?
We were delighted to learn that all the Greyton House pupils now in Grade 8 at Somerset College have already been placed on the academic merit list. We congratulate Emma Tough, Grade 9 and Tina Jaffes, Grade 8 who were both placed in the top ten of their respective grades in the June examinations this yegrade. In the music quarter, David Taylor is doing well in clarinet and is the only Grade 8 pupil invited to be part of the school jazz band.
Piet Matthee, now in Grade 9 at Overberg High School is also one of the top academic pupils in his year, with his Maths and Science being particularly impressive. In 2008, he was the only Grade 8 in the inter-schools General Knowledge team and now in 2009, he is the only Grade 9 in the team. Not surprisingly, perhaps, Piet was awarded the General Knowledge prize at the end of Grade 8. He is still a speedy runner, representing the school in the athletics team and picking up a fair number of top places along the way.
Chevaan Patience is in Grade 11 at the Cape Academy for Maths, Science and Technology and is flying academically. He is also flying on two wheels, being a committed and very successful cyclist. Chevaan is planning to cycle professionally and is aiming high. Watch this space!
Isabella Kuijers, now in Grade 11 at Rhenish, led her school’s public speaking team at the finals of inter-schools event held at Bishops in May, with radio presenter John Matham being on the team of judges. Out of the 45 schools represented, her team achieved a fantastic third place. Isabella was also selected to represent the Rhenish debating team in Pretoria recently and has just been invited to participate in an international event in France. Where to next, we wonder: Speaker of the House?
What about the pupils who matriculated at Greyton House not too long ago?
Karnita Patience spent a few months in Toronto at the end of 2008 and assured us that “cold” and “snow” are in a different league there… She is now at UCT, studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Claire Nichols is also at UCT, studying Environmental and Geographical Sciences.
Jos Goodale is thriving in her second year at Rhodes University, studying Zoology as her main focus.
Anna Kargaard, Whilst she may not be able to take up the position, congratulations must go to Anna Kargaard who was offered a place in the highly esteemed medical faculty of the University of Brno, in the Czech Republic, starting in September. Anna is presently studying a B.Sc. at Stellenbosch University.
If you are a past pupil, please contact us on greytonschool@telkomsa.net or phone and update us. We’d love to know where you are and what you’re doing.