2018

Tue

23 Jan

Pre-Nursery intake

Pre-Prep indiv/class/staff & sibling photos

Wed

24 Jan

Pre-Nursery intake

Gr 1 – 7 indiv/class/staff & sibling photos

08:00 Nursery Info Morning

17:30 New Prep Parents Cocktail

18:00 PA Elections & Gr 1 – 7 Parent Evening

Thu

25 Jan

Pre-Nursery intake

08:00 Gr R Parent Info Morning

Fri

26 Jan

Gr 7 Leadership Day

13:30 Reddam U13 Action Water Polo

Tournament

14:20 Gala at St Cyprians

Sat

27 Jan

11:00 Reddam U13 Action Water Polo

Tournament

Dear Parents

A very warm welcome to 2018. I would like to wish all our Herschel families a

fruitful 2018.

In assembly on Tuesday I launched our theme for Term 1 – BELIEVE. The power

of belief enables ordinary people to accomplish extra-ordinary things. Our faith

is based on the fact that we believe that somebody other than ourselves is in

control of our lives.

I explained the definition of Believe: “to have confidence in the truth, the

existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that

one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act

purposefully.”

I shared three verses from the Bible which all covered the importance of faith,

belief and hope. Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6 and Romans 15:13.

The quote, which follows, from Theodore Roosevelt is one which I believe will

enable our girls to accomplish the extraordinary and make a true and meaningful

difference in our country in the future. Our job is to ensure that the girls believe

that each of them plays a significant part in the changes that need to happen in

order for Herschel to be a place where every girl feels that she is as important

as every other girl. “Believe you can and you are halfway there.”

Our song for this term is called To Believe and is sung by Jackie Evancho, the link

attached (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHa1e83g-ak) will allow you to

hear the song sung by a group of children about what they believe and hope for

in the world in which they live.

During Assembly I explained to the girls that often that what we see has hidden

beauty behind an exterior that appears dull, boring or even ugly. I used the

example of the transition of an ugly caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. I

explained that during this transition the caterpillar has to be well prepared. It

therefore ate a lot before going into its dormant stage and that even during its

battle to break free from the cocoon it would need to be determined and

resilient. We also spoke about the fact that nature would determine the weather

on the day on which it comes out of its cocoon and that there are certain things

that will be out of our control.

HERSCHEL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Message from our Head

MUSIC

LIBRARY PRE-PREPARATORY FOUNDATION INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR

Ms Annamarie van der Vywer

Music

Ms Zazie Khan

FP HOD, Grade 3

Mrs Leanne Thebus

Grade 1

Miss Nicole Stuart-Findlay

Busy Bees Mrs Tessa McGhee

Grade 4

Mrs Liz Howard-Tripp

Drama

Ms Nicole Barends

Aftercare

Some butterflies will be born on beautiful still days, whilst others will

emerge during a storm. Life will give each person days that are beautiful

and still and other days which will be stormy. As the term progresses we

will look at the skills required in order for girls to change dreams and goals

into reality. We will also spend time in class connecting lessons reminding

the girls that they need to believe in themselves and acknowledge their

own strengths and weaknesses in order to grow into the best possible

person they can become. All the necessary support is available for them

in the form of Class Teachers, Specialist Teachers, our Counsellor,

Chaplain and peers. Each girls also has a support system within their

family and friends outside of Herschel. As parents, we encourage you to

speak often to your daughter about her dreams and goals and assist her

in making reasonable, reachable goals for 2018.

We look forward to the journey ahead and encourage you to remind your

girls to think, believe, dream and dare.

Staff News

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all the new staff who have

joined us. We wish them a long and happy stay at Hershel Prep.

Page 2

Important to Note

New Girls

I invited all the new girls who joined the Prep School this year to have tea

with me this morning. It was delightful getting to know them a little

better. I believe that they will soon feel at home in the Herschel

environment and have no doubt that their families will also be welcomed

by our extended Herschel community.

Grade R Ross, Abdulla, Duffus, Maskey, Adonis, Salie, Desai,

Harvey, Dunley-Owen and Mostafa families

Grade 1 Ratheb family

Grade 2 Maskey, Madonko and Hendricks families

Grade 4 Roberts and Bellairs families

Grade 5 Madonko, Rahme and Hendricks familes

Gr 1 – 7 Formal Parent Information Evening

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

(PA Elections and New Prep Parents Cocktail)

17:30 New Parents Address in the Hall

18:00 Drinks and snacks on the Hall veranda for all Parents

18:30 Grade 1-7 Parents to meet in the Hall for Welcome

Address and PA Elections for 2018

Parents will move to classes/venues for address by individual teachers

once the formalities are concluded.

Please note that we will have Grade 7 PR girls on duty in the library from

17:30 to supervise Grade 1 to 3 girls who are unable to be left at home.

There will be a movie on in the Space and girls can play board games or

read should they not which to watch the move.

Page 3

Pre-Prep

Foundation Phase

It was a cheerful start to 2018 at our Pre-Prep. We had lots of girls ready

and eager to meet their new class teachers and others excited to begin

their new adventure at Herschel.

The girls have enjoyed their first two days in Grade 1. There was great

excitement when they met their Grade 7 “Big Sister”. This ensures that

every Grade 1 girl has a mentor in Grade 7 who is there to offer advice,

support and is always around for hugs and encouragement. The Grade

7 girls love looking after the younger girls and enjoy the hugs as much.

Page 4

Music Ensembles Rehearsals

Senior Choir rehearsals will start on Friday, 26 January at 07:15 – 08:15 in

the Singing Room.

Senior Orchestra rehearsals will start on Thursday, 25 January at

07:00 – 07:40 in the Music Auditorium.

String Orchestra for all Grade 4 – 7 violinists and cellists will start on

Tuesday, 30 January at 07:15 – 08:00 in the Music Auditorium

All other ensemble rehearsal time will be confirmed and communicated

to you at a later date.

Music Applications for private music tuition:

Please fill in the forms and send to Ms Conrads

pconrads@herschel.org.za by Friday, 26 January

Uniform

Outreach

ICE CREAM SALES: Grade 1 - 7

Ice creams will be on sale at first break

every Wednesday and Friday. Ice

creams will be on sale outside the

studio. All proceeds go towards the

Herschel Outreach Fund.

Thank you for your continued support!!

Due to the water crises and water restrictions, our girls will continue to be

permitted to wear the “drought uniform”. The aim of the drought uniform

is for girls to utilise only one set of clothing during the course of a day. If a

girl has PE or sport at any stage in a day, they should wear their sports kit

or ball skills kit to school from the start of the day. Please do not allow your

girls to wear their uniform on a day when they have either of these

activities, as it is not responsible or ethically acceptable.

Page 5

Holiday News

Page 6

Four of our girls were involved in The Frog Prince production at the Artscape

Theatre during the December holidays. The Frog Prince was directed and

assisted by our school Stagecraft team: Cheryl Abromowitz and Caryn Reznik.

Nsovo Baloyi (Grade R in 2017) - pink waterlily

Emma Brodziak (Grade 4 in 2017) - Princess

Sarah Holwill (Grade 3 in 2017) - Princess

Lucy Mulder (Grade 2 in 2017) - green frog

Well done, girls! We are proud of you.

Page 7

During the course of the next week we will be asking parents to confirm their personal details including addresses and

telephone numbers. These details are vital in order for us to be able to contact you in case of an emergency and for effective

communication between the school the parent body.

You will also receive a Health Form which you are asked to complete accurately and return by Monday, 29 January 2018. Please

ensure that you put all details with regards to allergies, and any medication which your daughter is currently taking on this

form. In order to ensure your daughter’s safety we require all details to be in writing so that should it be necessary we will be

able to inform medical professionals accurately with regard to your daughter’s current health status.

Our newsletter will go out on a Friday in 2018.

I look forward to a fantastic year together! I have no doubt that during the course of 2018 I will, once again, be inspired by

what our girls have to offer and manage to accomplish. May 2018 be a year of joy for you and your families.

We look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday evening at our meeting and I have no doubt that the year ahead will be

exciting.

Yours sincerely

Mrs B Heidmann

Head of Preparatory