Dear MBHS Parents / Guardians
Muizenberg High School continues to invest in the potential we see in our learners. It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the year. We are grateful once again that we had a successful term. Term 2 is one of the busiest quarters of the school year, with winter sports codes and academic activities at the heart of their respective seasons.
We would like to thank all the learners who were partaking in these winter sports codes and their teachers/coaches for their hard work and dedication. Thank you to all parents and guardians for your continued support and loyalty.
MATRIC 2022:
Our teaching staff continue to provide academic support and enrichment programmes, particularly to our senior grades (Gr 11 and 12 learners) after the normal school days. Many learners are benefitting from these opportunities as we thrive to produce excellent academic results at the end of the school year. Learners’ attendance at these support classes goes a long way in improving learners’ results, due to an incredible amount of time lost by our Gr 11 and 12 learners during Covid-19 lockdowns, hence we plead to all parents/guardians to support this drive.
Our matric class of 2022 had their first vital practice of the full examination by writing their pre-Mock June examinations from Friday 13 June to Thursday 23 June 2022. This practice examination is paramount as it will mediate between the preliminary and the final examinations. Informal reports on these pre-Mock Exams will be issued in the 2nd week of term 3.
After the long unexpected restrictions due to Covid -19 regulations, our matrics were issued with their invitation to an exciting event – Matric Ball 2022. The theme for the dance is masquerade ball. The date is 23 July 2022.
Our learners continue to triumph academically against all adversities. The following are our top three learners in each grade for term 2, with an overall aggregate of between 75 to 99%.
- Grade 8 of 2022 – third position – Amba Isamo Ngoy, second position – Kayden Frank and in first place, Jayden Lottering.
- Grade 9 of 2022 – third position – Hannah Martin, second position – Victoria Kariza and in first place, Azeerah Kemp.
- Grade 10 of 2022 – third position – Memory Frazer, second position – Tannah Whitaker and in first place – Yolin Naidoo.
- Grade 11 of 2022 – third position – Nonthombi Moyo second position – Sphokuhle Gxagxa and in first place – Lukhanyo Silihasa
- Grade 12 of 2022 – third position – Nicholas Marthinus second position – Antonette Chingombe and in first place – Sasha-Lee Lewin
LEARNER SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE:
One of our matric leaners Kinelly/Vanessa and her sister Kimberly Mubaiwa went missing on the 27th of May 2022. We are living in unique times with global challenges affecting us all. May we remain steadfast in our faith in God as we continue to pray for the safe return of the two girls. We trust that the police investigations will bring closure to their family soon.
| A massive thank you to all who supported us on the two days our matriculants and teachers marched to protest against kidnapping and human trafficking. Our learners and teachers are still traumatised and in disbelief as the search for Kinelly/Vanessa and her sister Kimberly Mubaiwa are still in progress. Below are the MHS students and teachers marching in support of the ongoing investigations and raising awareness. Archbishop Tutu said “Do your little bit of good, where you are; it is these little bits of good put together that overwhelms the world” |
In light of the recent developments of increased kidnappings and missing children, MHS continue to encourage our parents, guardians and caregivers to remain vigilant, alert and encourage our children to continue practicing humanity, value based life styles and integrity.
MHS – A SCHOOL OF OPPORTUNITIES AND HOPE
This term saw Wellness Services shift from online to face to face, where Liza, our school councillor is now operating onsite allowing access to service to a larger spread of our families. The shift was opportune as the Department of Health (DOH) dispatched a team to our school to undertake eye screening and eye tests and those who were in need. Teaching staff were most helpful in identifying learners who reflected signs of poor eyesight. Thank you, teachers.
While we celebrate this opportunity afforded to our learners, it is concerning to note the numbers at senior level who have had the need for glasses met so close to the end of their high school careers.
We are humbled by the eye clinic team’s dedication to their work evident in the pride and excellence with which our learners were served. Even the receipt of spectacles was done with a fitting which allowed for any queries to be addressed. It is with much gratitude that we thank the team involved: Janica Phillips, Shaney Deport, Loren Le Vack, Toni Ahjam, Jessie Ahjam and optometrist Marwan. We look forward to their next visit in 2023.
Images: Learners receiving their spectacles from the department of health.
OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND OUR BOARDERS:
Seven of our learners and two teachers (Ms Groenmeyer and Ms Holman) have been working on an ENSA global project alongside a school in Germany on a project called Urban Litter. ENSA aims to connect schools in Germany to schools in Africa to form partnerships and exchange programs. We had weekly Zoom meetings with the school in Germany and engaged in various explorative tasks. We visited the landfill in Strandfontein, held a litter collection competition for the grade 9s and statistically analysed the litter. We then compared our data with the German team who had completed the same exercises. The highlight was having a local artist mentor the learners on how to make recycled plant pots and macramé hangers made out of plastic bags. All of the data, photographs and interviews were put together into a video to encapsulate our years’ worth of work.
The learners’ hard work has been richly rewarded. Our project won first prize at the award ceremony held in Berlin by the German government – the Ministry of Economy and Development, winning a considerable amount of money. This prize will enable us to take our learners to Germany later in the year, as well as receive the German team members for an exchange to Cape Town.
We are so proud of our learners for their commitment, creativity and hard work.
Images: ENSA learners and their educators in action.
THE ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO and TERM 3 ASSESSMENTS:
Teaching and learning is at the core of every day at MBHS.
To ensure excellence in curriculum delivery:
- all learners will receive a printed assessment booklet each term, with the assessment timetable as well as the Work to be Testedto enable them to prepare for their assessments and to be guided by the topics that will be assessed in formal tests.
- All subjects for Gr 8 to 12 will write term 3 assessments as prescribed by the Department of Basic Education.
- MHS will continue to use Google Classroom as a platform to share learning material and to communicate with learners who might be absent with valid reasons as prescribed by the Department of Basic Education. This platform will also be used to remind learners with outstanding assignments/projects hence it is imperative that parents/guardians and caregivers support your child to be active on Google Classroom.
- the SAIC (School Assessment Irregularity Committee) regulates fairness and honesty in all assessments. Parents /guardians and caregivers to please read the Cheating and plagiarism policy that is given to your child in the assessment booklet as this will assist in guiding your child when completing projects at home and when writing examinations.
- Term 3 is technically the last quarter for our matric learners before they start writing their final examinations. They will write formal preliminary examinations, which play a vital role in finals preparation – beyond generating marks which contribute to their overall year mark. It is this reason that our matric learners should therefore not take this winter break as a holiday but time to regroup, redeem themselves and continue to cover all the grey areas before coming back to term 3.
- All subjects for Gr 8 to 12 will write term 3 assessments as prescribed by the Department of Basic Education and the dates for term 3 assessments will be communicated in due course.
ABSENTEEISM:
Learner’s absenteeism remains a huge challenge in the academic performance of our learners. We request that parents/guardians, in the best interest of their children’s academic performance, stand firm and ensure regular school attendance up to the last day of term. Any missed knowledge may jeopardize their ability to succeed academically and progress to the next grade.
Parents/guardians may please not make any appointments for your child during school hours. Learners need to be in class to benefit from teaching.
If a learner is absent due to illness, please email your child’s register teacher and grade heads using the school Gmail address. Parents must please send a medical certificate to school for absenteeism during formal tests/exam days.
TERM 3 CALENDER:
- The term will start on DAY 2 – Tuesday 19 July and end on Friday 30 September 2022.
- School starts at 08h00 and the academic day ends at 15h00 on Monday to Thursday and at 12h05 on Friday. Any other changes to the usual times will be communicated by SMS.
- On sports days i.e. Tuesdays and Thursdays, the day could be extended for extra-mural programme. Parents/guardians will be informed timeously to make transport arrangements.
SCHOOL UNIFORM:
Learners will continue to wear winter uniform in term 3 (See the uniform policy posted on the school website). Please note learners may only wear the school jersey under the blazer or the school all-weather jacket. Any other jacket or clothing item will be confiscated. We appeal to all our families to support the uniform policy and the school code of conduct. We do believe that our learners are proud of their uniform and we would like to ensure that they look presentable and that they take ownership of their uniform.
CELL PHONE POLICY:
Once again, too many learners are bringing cellphones to school daily. We encourage parents to please regulate their child’s access to a cellphone on a school day as this may be a security risk and a distraction to learning if it is not handed in to the office. If the cell phone is not handed in and your child is found with the cell phone on him/her, the cellphone will be confiscated, whether the cellphone was being used or not. If a cellphone is not handed in and goes missing, the school will not be held liable.
A confiscated cellphone will be returned only at the end of term after a R50 penalty is paid and NO EXCEPTIONS will be made. If there is an emergency, the office will contact you.
SCHOOL FEES:
School fees statements will be included in the envelope with your child’s report. Please ensure that your child’s fees are up to date and make payment arrangements if necessary.
HOLIDAY WISHES:
It has been a frantic term with many highs as well as the realisation that we need to shake off our Covid lethargy and become fit for purpose as we return to the rigour and demands of life as we knew it pre-Covid.
As always, thank you for your support as together we educate your children. A sincere thank you to the academic staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver the curriculum to all learners.
Kind Regards
P. Cupido
Principal
24 June 2022
Dear MBHS Parents / Guardians
We look back with gratitude to a term that earmarked the return to full-time school attendance and
academic activities.
Our teaching staff, office staff, ground staff and leaners have returned to school enthusiastically
and ready for the new academic year.
We all contributed to solving the initial growing pains of returning to full-time learning and now at the
end of the busy and successful term we can attest to a successful term at Muizenberg High School.
Thank you to all parents and guardians for your continued support and loyalty.
In January 2022, we welcomed the most vibrant and energetic group of 2022 grade 8 cohort to
MBHS.
In February 2022, we celebrated two academic awards ceremonies.
- The grade 8 and 9 awards ceremony for the 2021 academic results, with the following top three
achievers:
(a) The grade 8 of 2021 top three achievers were: third position – Victoria Kariza, second
position – Jessica Kitoko and in first place, Kirah Rabie.
(b) The grade 9 of 2021 top three achievers were: third position – Jamie Thomas, second
position – Aidan Seconna and in first place, Tannah Whitaker.
2. At the grades 10 to 12 awards ceremony the top three achievers for the 2021 were:
(a) Grade 10 of 2021 top three achievers were: third position – Lukhanyo Silihasa, second
position – Sphokuhle Gxagxa and in first place – Nontombi Moyo.
(b) Grade 11 of 2021 top three achievers were: third position – Nicholas Marthinus second
position – Zoe Heunis and in first place – Sasha-Lee Lewin
STAFF NEWS:
We bid farewell to our talented staff member, Mr Jonathan Chuter, who joined MHS at the beginning
of 2022 as an itinerant music teacher. We wish him well in his future endeavours.
He performed excellently at the two academic awards ceremonies and he will be remembered for his
passion for music for which he was known and respected in the department.
We welcome the new music teacher, Ms Carla Nicholson to the MHS family and wish her all the best.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP:
The induction of the 2022 RCL and guardians was another highlight. Congratulations to these
learners who have been recognized as leaders by both their peer group as well as the teachers.
MUIZENBERG HIGH SCHOOL
P.O.BOX 6. MUIZENBERG. 7950
TELEPHONE: 021 788 1424 / 788 8947
EMAIL: admin@muizenberghigh.org.za / darendse@muizenberghigh.org.za
Sasha – Lee Lewin and Elise Muyolo were elected as the 2022 head guardians.
RCL -2022
The RCL under the mentorship of Mrs M Barry will drive the Pay it Forward (PIF) society. In
term 1, they have been extremely involved and were busy with planning and putting together a project
on raising awareness on mental health to our learners. In term 2, they will introduce a drive to ask
for donations of non-perishable food items to assist those in need.
THE ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO:
Teaching and learning is at the core of every day at MBHS.
To ensure excellence in curriculum delivery:
• all learners will receive a printed assessment booklet each term, with the assessment timetable
as well as the Work to be Tested to enable them to prepare for their assessments and to be
guided by the topics that will be assessed in formal tests.
• the Blended Learning Policy ensures that teaching and learning happens in class and at home
on Google Classroom. MHS will continue to use Google Classroom as a platform to share learning
material and to communicate with learners who might be absent with valid reasons as prescribed
by the Department of Basic Education. Please support your child to be active on Google
Classroom.
• the SAIC (School Assessment Irregularity Committee) regulates fairness and honesty in all
assessments.
TERM 1 – ACADEMIC REPORTS:
The grades 8 to 12 reports can only be issued at the beginning of term 2. As the school and the whole
country return to full-time learning, it is now necessary that the teaching staff meet with parents and
guardians to give face-to-face feedback on the academic performance and conduct of learners.
Academic reports must be collected by an adult parent /(s) or guardians on the following dates:
Gr 12: Tuesday 5 April 2022, the evening will start with a compulsory Grade 12 parents
workshop from 6pm to 7pm and reports collection and feedback from all subject teachers from
7pm to 8:30pm.
Gr 10 & 11: Tuesday 5 April 2022 – Reports collection and feedback from all subject teachers
from 7pm to 8:30pm.
Gr 8 & 9: Thursday 7 April 2022, the evening will start with a compulsory Grade 8 parents
workshop from 6pm to 7pm and Gr 8 & 9 reports collection and feedback from all subject
teachers from 7pm to 8:30pm.
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NOTE: Reports may not be issued to learners at all, therefore we appeal to all parents or
guardians to please make arrangements to come and fetch reports and meet the teachers of
your child to discuss your child’s academic progress.
Analysing your child’s academic report:
Please study the results carefully with your child and put measures in place where the results are
concerning:
• pay special attention to the work and conduct rating/codes on the report.
• your child must have a homework diary with a copy of the timetable to pack books daily.
• your child must do his/her homework every day;
• children should read every day;
• Mathematics, Maths Literacy and Physics needs to be practised daily;
• your child’s subject notebooks should be up to date and indicate the work done in class.
• Parents are allowed to sign and date their children’s note books as per daily timetable to support
the teaching staff.
The work and conduct ratings are an indication of how your child is behaving and performing
academically in individual teachers’ classes. If the ratings are poor, please address the issue with your
child.
LOOKING BACK TO TERM 1:
In collaboration with Nordic Earth, 60 of our learners participated in a project to plant 2 000 Spekboom
plants and 15 Pear trees to beatify our school grounds. The learners participated with an endeavour
which will bear fruit for years to come. Our sincere thanks to Anki Riemer and her team for making it
possible.
TERM 2 ASSESSMENTS:
• Grade 12 learners will write mock June Exams and the exam timetable will be issued in term 2.
Feedback on Mock June Exams will be given on a separate report at the beginning of term 3.
• All subjects for Gr 8 to 12 will write term 2 assessments as prescribed by the Department of Basic
Education. Learners will receive the assessment booklet with information on Term 2 assessments.
• All learners will be assessed throughout the term and will be expected to attend school until the
last day of term 2 on 24 June. As these are formal assessments learners who are absent for an
assessment have to hand in a medical certificate upon return to school.
TERM 2 EXTRA MURALS:
Extra-murals will commence with our winter codes in term 2. The list of sports and culture available for
term 2 is as follows:
Sports: Chess, Cross country, Hockey, Netball, Rugby and Soccer.
Culture: Drama – Poetry/Scriptwriting
Music – Band/Choir/Guitar/Sound
Design – Fashion design/Prop design/Set design/Photography
All learners are encouraged to participate. We trust that we have the full support of all our parents.
We would like to encourage everyone to come and support when we have matches.
ABSENTEEISM:
It is most disappointing that there are still learners who stay absent after they have written formal tests.
Writing tests never signifies the end of a term. Teaching and learning continues right up to the last day
of term. We request that parents, in the best interest of their children’s academic performance, stand
firm and ensure regular school attendance up to the last day of term.
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Please do not make any appointments for your child during school hours. Learners need to be in class
to benefit from teaching.
If a learner is absent due to illness, please notify the register teacher using the school Gmail address.
Parents must please send a medical certificate to school for absenteeism during formal tests/exam
days.
COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHING STAFF:
Parents and guardians must be reminded not to request face-to-face meetings with teachers during
school hours but rather to contact the Grade Head via the school Gmail address to discuss any
concerns. All parents are encouraged to use the school allocated Gmail address when emailing
teachers and for the school to streamline communication. Grade 8 parents will be given their school
Gmail addresses at the teacher parents meeting at the beginning of term two.
TERM 2 CALENDER:
• The term will start on DAY 2 – Tuesday 5 April and end on Friday 24 June 2022.
• School starts at 08h00 and the academic day ends at 15h00 on Monday to Thursday and at
12h05 on Friday.
• The day could be extended for extra-mural programme, extra lessons or practicals.
Parents/guardians will be informed timeously to make transport arrangements.
SCHOOL UNIFORM:
Learners wear the winter uniform in term 2 (See the uniform policy attached). Please note learners may
only wear the school jersey under the blazer or the school all-weather jacket. Any other jacket or
clothing item will be confiscated. We appeal to all our families to support the uniform policy and the
school code of conduct. We do believe that our learners are proud of their uniform and we would like
to ensure that they look presentable and that they take ownership of their uniform.
CELL PHONE POLICY:
Too many cell phones are handed in daily. A covering letter accompanying the cell phone from
parents must be handed in and the cell phone must not be brought to school every day except
on the rare occasion. One letter will not suffice for the daily hand in of your child’s cell phone.
If the cell phone is not handed in and goes missing, the school will not be held liable.
If a cellphone is confiscated, it will only be returned at the end of term after a R50 penalty is paid
and NO EXCEPTIONS will be made. If there is an emergency, the office will contact you.
SCHOOL FEES:
School fees statements will be included in the envelope with your child’s report. Please ensure that your
child’s fees are up to date and make payment arrangements if necessary.
HOLIDAY WISHES:
A sincere thank you to the academic staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver the curriculum to all
learners. May they have a restful well-deserved break. Thank you to the office and ground staff for
being the backbone of school activities every day and enjoy the break from school.
We trust that every Muizenberg family will have a safe holiday and return refreshed and ready for term
two. Please adhere to the COVID protocols at all times.
We wish all Christian families a blessed Easter celebration.
Yours sincerely
P. Cupido
Principal
23 March 2022
Archived Letters from the principal