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Hillcrest Preparatory School, Term 1, 2015

Dear Parents and Guardians

‘All young people want the same things. Things like being included, learning, taking risks and experiencing success, having friends who value and accept them, and feeling competent and confident. They want teachers to be interested in them, to care for them and to be trustworthy. Likewise, parents want similar things for their children. To be happy at school, to feel safe, to be understood, to be well cared for by other adults, to relate well to others and become independent, and to experience success. They want to know that, if something goes wrong for their children at home or school, teachers will help them develop strategies to make things right again.’

A recent publication by the New Zealand Education Review Office started with this statement. I really liked it because it reminded me that wellbeing is vital for student success and is strongly linked with learning.

Deputy Heads’ Workshop The ATS hosted the workshop at Chisipite Senior School on the 6th and 7th of March. Mr. Nyakudzuka was one of the participants. The ‘Indaba’ yet again proved to be of a immense value to all. Among the highlights discussed included •The fact that the ATS (Association of Trust Schools in Zimbabwe is a unique entity that celebrates the diversity and difference among its membership rather than promote division and competition.

From the Head’s Desk

Contents

From the Head’s Desk 1

Merits 2

SDC Corner 2

Support Learning 3

Sport 3

•Some member schools are relatively new while others have been around for a very long time. •Certain institutions might appear to be endowed with ‘deep pockets’ whilst others are barely making ends meet. •Waiting lists might be the order of the day at some, while others battle to maintain viable enrolment etc. •The main common denominator among all ATS schools is how the economic environment continues to impact significantly on some aspects of service delivery, viability, developmental thrust, etc. •Private education though continues to offer the best value and is complimentary (not antagonistic) to the National vision.

Communication Please sign your children’s homework or any assignment done externally. It has added advantages to both the teacher and parent. Remember if the work cannot be tackled it must be referred to the class teacher with an accompanying note. Give praise where it’s due as a positive reinforcement technique.

Please take note of the remaining events of the term, in particular the Athletics Meetings, S.D.C. AGM and Consultations. Sincerely,

Josh Mutangadura

1st Term Highlights Inter-house Reading:

20/03/15

Hillcrest Athletics Invitational: 21/03/15

Infants Sports Day: 27/03/15

SDC AGM 27/03/15

SED Athletics @ Kyle : 28/03/15

Consultation Days: 30-31 March 2015

School Closes 01/04/15

TEL: +263 20 63120 +263 772 100 746 (Head)

head@hillcrestprep.net +263 772 249 009(Secretary)

info@hillcrestprep.net

Volume 5

Issue 4

Cholera Alert

Although we play our part as a school, it would be appreciated if pupils were always reminded at home to be active participants in spreading this campaign and adhering to healthy standards.

Once again we would

like to welcome Mr. J.

Mutangadura who

assumed duty on 01

October 2011 and was

officially introduced to

the parents by the

Management Board on

Saturday 8 October 2011.

The Rydings School Interpretive

Centre under reconstruction.

Hillcrest Preparatory School Newsletter

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MERITS

‘Winners and losers came first’ Nearly half a minute after all the leading runners had crossed the finish line in an 800m race, Simon trudged towards

the finish tape having previously taken a heavy fall during the initial rounds of the race. He received such a rousing

standing ovation for coming last.

We all like to bask in glory and celebrate when we succeed. In the process we tend to miss the fact that failure too

(coming last in the race) has even greater lessons in shaping individuals, institutions, nations, etc.

A pupil who receives accolades for various attributes at school is such a joy to his parents and school. Equally if not

more valuable is that child who never made the top 5 in any grade even after trying everything. This pupil might turn

out to be a balanced responsible realistic member of the community as an adult. Failure is the root of success. Always

encourage your child, spouse, colleague, etc. when they seem not to have measured up! Class 02 March 09 March 3C Christopher Manhanga

Phil Haukozi Delroy Nyanzunda Marlon Dourado

Romeo Chinyadza Rujeko Chayira Kundaishe Mugwagwa

3D Kumbirai Mugwagwa Munyaradzi Zambira Nashe Munhuwekare

Kudzai Murapa Tavonga Masendeke Charlton Muchisi

4C Eunice Mandeya David Lobo Nashe Kahuni

Ruvarashe Masudze Elsie Machingura David Nimhura

4M Charnelle Chirashi Inkosinomusa Mthethwa

Shaun Bvutira Arielle Dourado Rutendo Gwiba

4N Bradley Rugoyi Chelsea Pinto

Tariro Jera Casey Chisvo

5M Shawn Murove Tinevimbo Maravanyika Tapiwa Mutsemi

Nothando Moyo Tafadzwa Makotore Tyrees Knife

5R Proper Chiundo Nicole Mukonowatsauka Denyse Muchine

Cidia Feniasse Denyse Muchine Bradley Matsikure

6N Athena Dourado Munashe Furusa Kuzivakwashe Mapanda Alicia Musekiwa

Tapiwa Jera Tadiwanashe Pasipamire Seth Kodzanai

6W Shingirai Manyarara 7N Mufaro Shonhiwa

Kushinga Maarira Makatendeka Chikumbu

Mufaro Shonhiwa Charissa Manhanga Ropafadzo Chitowa

7W Kimunyu Ilunga Sheila Macheka Ghulam Mubashar

Rutendo Magomo Sheila Macheka Mike Nhema

Junior Shona

Latisha Mupira

Ruvarashe Masudze Nokutenda Nemaire Zainab Karim

Senior Shona

Makanaka Nago Siphethokuhle Majonga

Kimberly Ndakavambaani Tatenda Chemwaita Kaitlyn Pinto

Hostel Mutsa Chingombe

SDC Corner

Just how much time flies, to think that the term is almost about to end is really amazing! We take this opportunity to invite parents and guardians for an Annual General Meeting scheduled for the 27th of March. The meeting will take place after the Infants Sports Day, approximately 12p.m. Take time to fill in the nomination forms as provided.

Come the 28th of March, all roads lead to Kyle Prep for the Masvingo SED Athletics Competitions. We are availing transport for parents who are willing to go cheer our athletes. In the past we have always been conspicuously vociferous and that has spurred our children to perform at a higher level. This year should not be different. Contact us for a reservation on a ‘first come first serve basis.’

Work has started on improving the sports field ablution blocks. Our eLearning programme is on course as we took delivery of the last batch of white boards during the mid-term break. Plans are advanced to procure two interactive units for the infants and junior blocks. Please like and follow our Facebook page and invite as many friends as possible. Towards the end of the term, we will advise you about a new project, ‘Operation School Clean-up’ whose purpose is to foster a clean and healthy environment at Hillcrest. If God is for us, who can be against us!

Mr. Z. Banda: At the end of the term we bid farewell to Mr. Banda who is relocating to his roots in Bulawayo. (Petra School) He joined Hillcrest Prep in 2010 as an ICT Teacher and also took sport coaching and organising. “Mr Zee” as he is popularly known among his colleagues was a dependable member of Staff. As a school, we would like to give him an appropriate “send-off” for the dedicated service rendered by him to the school and the community. Donations in cash or kind are welcome and can be channeled through the Front Office or class teachers.

Marimba Group at the Eistedfodd As a first in the history of the school, our marimba group participated at the National Institute of the Allied Arts hosted by Prince Edward School in Harare. They were awarded a credible upper second class. It was by no means an easy feat as seasoned players who performed before us were awarded lower than our maiden achievement. The Judges commended the school and offered advice on areas that the group needs to improve on.

BJB Gala at Hippo Valley A severely depleted team participated at the gala hosted by Hippo Valley on the 6th of March. Integral members of this relays gala dropped off at the last minute from the travelling party. Nevertheless, this did not deter other team mates who performed well under the circumstances. A few swimmers were made to swim double lengths to compensate for absent team members and should be commended for their efforts.

1. Murray Mac 90pts 2. Hippo Valley ‘A’ 74pts 3. Hillcrest Prep 50pts 4. Hippo Valley ‘B’ 21pts

Tennis Festival The first teamers locked horns with five other schools at the event that was hosted at the Triangle Courts. The competition was intense and Hillcrest paid dearly for not getting enough practice time due to Athletics practice that took bulk of the time. Credit goes to the girls though, for their spirited play:

1. Kyle 2. Murray Mac 3. Hippo Valley 4. Hillcrest Prep 5. Mutarazi 6. Tongaat Hulett

7- Aside Cricket The team was placed in the ‘Group of Death’ with Kyle, Murray MacDougall and eventual winners of the festival, Chiredzi. Missing our talisman, Tatenda Chayayi, we always knew that the task ahead of us was going to be uphill. The boys gave it their all but were found wanting in the batting department. The two main bowlers, Shingirai Manyarara and

Zack Smith ICT Integration

Zack Smith in 6W has gone a step up by using a laptop in all his written exercises due to limited fine motor control in his hands that make him face a challenge writing legibly. Through the effort of his

parents, Psychologist, Occupational Therapists and the school’s Leaner Support Programme, Zack started typing his work from the middle of last year. He types and prints his work independently. We would like to commend his dedicated parents for providing him with a printer and bond paper. All his work is filed in special folders which take the place of exercise books. Communication has been established as per requirement with ZIMSEC and Cambridge to notify them of need for computer based examination in 2016.

Interhouse Reading Competition

This competition aims at raising the standard of reading throughout the school and at this stage focuses on Grade 3 to 7. Parents and friends are invited to come and support. Please note that due to our choirs travelling to Harare next week for the Allied Arts Competitions, the Reading Competition will now be on Friday 20 March. The venue is the Rec Centre, beginning at 10:45a.m. promptly.

The ECD Class at Leopard Rock for an Educational Excursion recently!

Takomborerwa Mtisi were superb. The latter got sizeable wickets and won himself the ‘best-catch’ award from his own bowling. The fielders worked tirelessly in restricting all the teams that we faced. The nature of the tournament favoured sloggers but our batsmen were slow and cautious and did not ‘go-big’ in a grand manner. Isaac Chengeta batted three innings without being given out, and managed to reach the ‘retirement’ score on the last ball of our match against Kyle.

1. Chiredzi 2. Kyle 3. Murray MacDougall 4. Hillcrest

Manicaland Swimming Team We are pleased to announce that the following pupils have been selected to swim for Manicaland at the Zimbabwe Junior National Swimming Championships to be held in Harare this weekend: 14-15 March 2015 (in alphabetical order):

Bwanya Leerose

Chivandire Richard

Grottis Chloe

Manhanga Charisa

Mukudu Rufaro We thank all those who have played any part in the grooming of these fine ‘water babies’ and wish them the best.

Inter House Athletics What would be an Inter House Athletics event without records tumbling at Hillcrest?

1. Nicole Chikosi O13 Girls Long Jump: 4,41m

2. Nicole Chikosi O13 Girls 400m: 1,06,54s

3. Owen Chihota U9 Boys High Jump: 1,10m

4. Sheila Macheka O13 Girls Hurdles:15,21s

It was colourful and well oversubscribed in terms of attendance. If you had placed bets on who would be victorious, we have to believe that you would all taken by surprise of the outcome:

1. Harrier 211pts 2. Kestrel 184pts 3. Eagle 175pts 4. Falcon 169pts

Hillcrest Preparatory School Newsletter

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