GRADE 08

MESSAGE FROM GRADE HEAD

Welcome to this exciting time! I am sure you cannot believe that it is time for high school. We are excited to meet our next group of learners and guide them through their first year of high school. There will be nine classes, each with a base class teacher. The assistant Grade Head is Mrs Lentz. 

There are many unknowns about high school, especially if this is your first child going to high school. It is part of our responsibility to ensure a smooth transition. We will give you and your child all the information as it is needed to avoid information overload and unnecessary anxiety.

While we know that the growth of your child during their high school years is amazing to witness, and that the independence is something they long for and cannot wait to experience it, it is still very important that you as their guardian/parent remember that you are still the “boss”. It is ok to say no! Do not change your family’s morals and values because of pressure, both from children and other parents. The age-old story still prevails; children need boundaries. Don’t be afraid to ‘check in’ with other parents regarding birthday parties, sleep overs etc. While flexing their wings your little angel can sometimes do rather uncharacteristic things. So please check up! Check phones, check stories and check with them by asking many questions!

My goal is to have a group of young men and women who have shown kindness, courage, resilience, perseverance and personal growth by the end of their Grade 8 year.

Please remember that you are never alone in this journey. This is a team effort (parent, child and teacher) and we all have the same goal. Please communicate if there is something you are unhappy with so that we can do our best to fix the problem or explain the reasoning behind the decision. Please communicate positives too, because it might just be what we need to hear, to know that we are doing the right thing.

I look forward to an enjoyable orientation, as well as a positive year of teaching & learning, sport, culture and meetings.

GRADE HEAD LETTER
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
SGB LETTER - FEES

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

IMPORTANT POINTS

  • Grade 8s will come to school on 13 January (Tuesday). Please drop them off in Gleneagles Road (main entrance) by 07h40 and collect them at 15h00 from the main entrance. PT clothes must be worn. We are planning a fun orientation day for the grade 8s.
  • The Grade 8 class teachers will be introduced and learners will be divided into their base classes.
  • Textbooks and writing books will be handed out. (Please send a school bag)
  • Friday 16 January school will close for the grade 8s at 15h00. We will have a sing song after school.
  • The Grade 8s will get lost as they move from one class to another — it is part of high school. We know this and actually expect them to get lost, however it will not take long for them to find their way around.
  • They will have seven lessons each day and must only pack the books that are needed for that particular day. A limited number of lockers are available — please phone the school office to enquire about the size and cost.
  • We make use of the ‘Karri App’ for payments relating to school tours, books, name badges etc.
  • Extra-mural activities will take place according to the extra-mural timetable. This will be made available on Stirling High Community group. We expect each Grade 8 learner to participate in one winter and one summer extra mural activity. Please encourage your children to get involved. This is how they form special friendships and make lasting memories. Being part of a group/team is very important as they share highs and lows which develop each individual and shape them for their future. They are fortunate to be attending a school where many activities are available to meet a wide range of interests — please encourage participation.
  • Homework is given (when needed) and it is an expectation of the teacher that it will be completed by the next lesson. A homework diary is an essential item, so please buy one when shopping for pens, pencils, etc.
  • Stationery items that must be in their pencil bag are blue and/or black pens, red pen (for marking their work), pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler, scissors, glue, highlighter, scientific calculator, stapler.
  • All the writing books will be given to learners when they receive their text books (included in the book fee). We will send a list of what each book will be used for, in order to label the books.
  • The classes will have Physical Education as part of the Life Orientation (LO) curriculum. On the days when they have PET (Physical Education & Training), they will come to school wearing their normal school uniform and will change into their PT clothes before the lesson. The LO teachers will inform their classes when this will happen.
  • Counselling: We have a Masithethe counsellor who is available, if there is a genuine need. Should your child need to chat to a professional, please let me know. This is completely private and all information is kept confidential. Communication with parents will take place in serious cases.
  • Braids – please note that the following codes are acceptable according to our code of conduct #1, #2, #4, #30, #33, #100J, #350.
  • Cellphone policy: Cellphones at school are NOT necessary. While they may bring them to school we do discourage this. Should they need to contact you they can go to the office or come to me. If they are caught using the phone within the school building they will receive demerits and the phone will be confiscated. Misplaced or stolen phones can become a problem for the school.
  • WORK ETHIC: This is a big issue. Please remember that your child has just stepped out of a very protected “spoon fed” environment and now has a little more flexibility. While most learners thrive with this new pace there are some who cannot manage their time, their homework and their work schedule! If you know that your child needs some guidance then please ensure that you are checking homework books and work books regularly.