February 2016 Newsletter - Port Elizabeth Montessori School

LEARNING TO LOVE TO LEARN
February 2016
Montessori Messenger
Parent Community Newsletter of The Port Elizabeth Montessori
School
Issue 1, 2016
Important Dates Term 1
13th
February
Family Picnic at Victoria
Park – see inside for details
24th
February
Parents Listening Circle at
Villiers campus – Guide to
High School Options. All
welcome. 7pm
7th to 10th
March
18th March
New Parents Feedback –
individual meetings for new
children to the school or a
section of the school. If this
applies to you, you will get
a reminder.
Term One ends
Welcome to Life
School Life is in full swing and at last there seems to be routine
and a nice steady rhythm to everything. The children are
settled, real and meaningful work is happening from toddlers to
primary children and everyone is happy at school. For some
children, the reality that Life at school is on-going seems to
have taken them by surprise but it appears to be a good surprise
for the majority.
As mentioned at the parents meeting, the smaller details in
anticipation of my maternity leave are being put into place and
everything seems on track with that. There is great excitement
among the children and parents, which has been so appreciated
and heartwarming – thank you! I understand there is some
betting going on among the older children about names etc –
definitely not school-endorsed but amusing nonetheless. I have
even had quiet offers for extra information in order to win the
bets! It is all in good spirits and assures me that there will be no
shortage of politicians in our country!
We look forward to seeing you at the picnic next weekend –
details inside. Have a peaceful weekend and again, my deepest
appreciation for all of the love and support shown to me, the
staff, the school and most importantly my little son! Best wishes
Sam
Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
Upcoming Events and Reminders
Family Picnic and Baby Celebration 13th February 2016 Victoria Park
(Walmer) 9am to 11am
toa12noon
We had approached a company to10am
organize
fun family weekend getaway but sadly
they have not been able to put anything concrete together. So we have decided to have a
family picnic – it is informal, there is nothing specific planned just an opportunity to get
together, relax and enjoy each other’s company for a few hours.
Many parents have been asking about a Baby Shower for Sam and although there isn’t
anything formal planned, the picnic will also be an opportunity to celebrate this special
occasion. Anne Smith and Zarika will be co-ordinating this. It is not necessary to bring
gifts but if you want to share some words of wisdom as parents, this would be
appreciatedJ Speak to Anne S or Zarika if you need more info.
Parents Listening Circle 24th February 2016
This will be held at the Villiers campus at 7pm. All parents are welcome. You do need to
RSVP with Zarika by 20th February.
This listening circle is being held at the request of many parents. It is quite a daunting
task making that step into high school arena in PE. Many families have been part of our
school community since their children were tiny and have been with us all the way
through so the thought of venturing “out there” is quite a hard one. We agreed to host
this discussion to better inform parents of their options, what kinds of questions to ask
prospective high schools and to understand the landscape of this important sector in
education. If you have specific questions that you would like answered, please send them
through to Sam by email before 20th February so that we are sure your particular
concerns are addressed.
One family has reported HEAD LICE to us and are
treating their children. Please check for this. See your
Parents CD for advice on how to handle it.
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Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
News from the Toddler Community
Although Sam is the head directress of the Toddler Community, Kate, Mariam and Jess (above),
handle most of the day to day experiences within the environment, particularly at the moment. The
toddler community is now in fourth year of running. So far this term news from the team…Welcome to
all the new toddler families. The tears of week one were much less than expected. It's amazing
how quickly the toddlers have settled into the daily routine of the environment. The highlights of our
first week were music- All the children loved clapping, dancing and singing; fruit sellers on Friday
was a huge success. The toddlers are learning to patiently wait their turn for their fruit and to say
please and thank you. Our Art theme for the first term is Discover and Discoveries. For the toddlers
this is about making discoveries about our world. We've made the Ocean Discovery bottles, in
which the children poured and posted sea shells, sea sand, water and plants. Next they discovered
mixing colours using droppers to develop fine motor skills. Till next month...
News from the Pre School from Rita and Ayesha
Welcome back to everyone and a warm welcome to our new parents and children. We have
started the year on a positive note, however the first few days brought with them a few short
lived tears.
Many new friendships have been formed and the older children have really enjoyed helping
and supporting the new members of the class. We are very happy that the children have
settled nicely and we look forward to an eventful and successful term together. We are
currently reviewing classroom rules and routines to help the children adjust to the daily
routine. We have introduced the children to the theme of ‘Discoveries and Discoverers’. At
the moment, we are discussing the discoveries of Egypt. Our first art project was the
construction of a pyramid and this was followed by the making of a scroll inscribed using
hieroglyphics.
NB: An important reminder to all parents to depart as quickly as possible in the morning, as
delaying departure only upsets children even more.
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Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
Continued
Kerri, Rita and
Mandy who
work together in
one of our 3 to 6
classes.
Rita is also the
head of the
Prospect
campus.
Ayesha with her
team – Princess
and Jayme –
work together in
our second 3 to
6 class.
SECURITY TAGS
Please ensure you have your own security tag/s as this is how you are
supposed to enter / exit the property. This is especially applicable to
AFTERCARE parents. To order extras, send R100 in an envelope
with your request, or do an EFT and send it through to us. We have
tags in stock so as soon as we receive payment (which is a deposit),
you will receive your tag. In the afternoons at Villiers especially, there
is no one available in the main building so make sure whoever fetches
has a tag. And remember an umbrella for rainy daysJ
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Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
Continued
Vital Links in the LIFE of our school – the admin and
auxillary staff
Zarika on the left is your go-to person for most things.
Above are Nozuko and Kuda – our cleaners at
Prospect. Wellington, our gardener, was not available
for the photo!
Sipho is our
gardener/maintenance person at
Villiers, Sphokazi and Veronica
are our cleaners at Villiers. We
could not survive without them!
CONGRATULATIONS
Founding
Principal, Sam,
with Luvuyo
Mendu.
Sam also
teaches
literature to the
primary
children.
to the following families who have
added new littles one over
December/Jan and Feb:
Ntsangani Family
Ackerdien Family
Schumacher
Family
Francis Family
Tait Family
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Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
News from the Lower Primary Classes
(Anne L and Sharmell)
It’s hard to believe that we’ve only been back a few weeks (and we mean that in a good way!) It is
surprising how quickly the grade 1’s settle into their new routine and the older children quickly learn
the new timetable and new children’s names. Old friendships have been re-kindled and new ones are
being forged.
The new children are adjusting well to the more serious side of school life and despite a few
exclamations of disbelief that there is another task list waiting once this one is finished they have taken
it in their stride.
All the children seem to be enjoying the enrichment activities such as art, drama and music. It is
evident already that we have budding artists, musicians and actors in our midst. It is always interesting
to watch as this more creative side of all the children is nurtured and to see how they are brought out
of their shells by the excellent teachers we have.
We look forward to continuing ahead with what has been a positive start to the year.
Lower Primary team (L to R): Caroleen, Sharmell (directress) , Claire, Anne L (directress) and Haji
LEFT:
Cathy Bott
(Xhosa
teacher)
RIGHT:
Sharon
Rother
(Drama
Teacher)
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Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
News from the Upper Primary Classes
(Anne S and Sue)
We have had a really positive start to 2016 with the children embracing all our newcomers –
whether they be new to the primary school or new to a particular section. As Sam mentioned at
the parents’ meeting, there is excitement around our focus on discoveries and the children are
working on posters together in community time that are focussed on discovering some of the
many questions that they have about the universe.
There has also been a really positive response to our enrichment activities and extra murals,
not disregarding the firm favourites that continue to be offered. It’s always nice to see the
children embracing creativity and being inspired in so many different areas by people who are
passionate about what they do. We are truly fortunate to have so many opportunities to learn
and grow together.
2016 promises to be the year that will give us the chance to pay forward and share some of
what we have with a greater community “Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues but the
parent of all others.” Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Upper Primary Team: Sue (directress), Agnes, Keeran (also does sport!), Anne S (directress) and
Anna-Karien
LEFT: Ulagh
Williams
(Music
teacher)
RIGHT: B-A
MoolmanHeath (Art
teacher)
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Learning to Love to Learn
February 2016
INTEGRAL MONTESSORI
Integral Montessori is a Montessori teacher training organization that allows people
to extend their Montessori teacher training from the initial level to the primary level,
as well as engage in workshops and other professional development opportunities.
Several of the second year students are currently embarking in action research
projects and you may get information of these projects through the School. If you
would like to participate, you can respond accordingly.
We are excited about supporting the research being conducted as it is absolutely
necessary to start proving what we know to be successful about Montessori
Education.
Please direct any queries to Sam.