It is fitting that we ended the term with our Theme Week: Women Who Shape Us, at the same time that we bid farewell to our Headmistress, Jeannette Welgemoed, who has been a role model to hundreds of girls, a mentor to staff and colleagues and indelibly shaped Micklefield School with its special Micklefield Magic. Thank you, Jeannette, for 19 incredible, rewarding years and for leading Micklefield with grace, love and wisdom. We wish you every happiness in the next step of your journey. Go in Peace, Go in Love, May God be with us Forever.
Inspired by the books, Imbokodo, written by South African authors Athambile Masola and Xolisa Guzula, our Theme Week focused on women who have shaped our lives and communities. The entire school engaged in a variety of activities, and discussions and invited special and inspirational speakers to share their personal stories with us.
The Grade 1s used Theme Week to think about all the people in their lives who love and support them. They have put this into a circle diagram with the title “My circle of love” In the circles we see a common thread of strong women represented from mothers, to grandmothers and even some teachers, aunties and pets! We have taken a moment of gratitude for those who are solid and constant in shaping us.
As part of the Imbokodo Theme Week, the Gr 6s read about South African ladies who are young climate activists – either on a global scale – or right here in Cape Town. They learned about Ayaka Melithafa (19) who represented South Africa at the World Economic Forum alongside Greta Thunberg at Davos; Kiara Nirghin who, at age 16, invented an absorbent polymer which keeps crops hydrated during a drought, to relieve food insecurity; and Yola Mgogwana who taught her community about the dangers of littering and who helped lead a protest against climate change to the steps of parliament – aged 11.
The girls learned how to make an eco-friendly 8-page little book out of one A4 page and they filled it with profiles of the ladies above – and then profiled themselves, saying what they could each do for the environment – any initiative, big or small!
The Grades 1-3 girls have discussed the important women in their lives and were encouraged to look to the future when having the story ‘I am Enough’ by Grace Byers read to them. They have learnt and been inspired by 6 South African women: Professor Tebello Nyokong (Chemist and Professor), Brenda Fassie (Musician), Emma Sandile (princess, landowner and author), Masalanabo Modjodji (Rain Queen), Madosini Latozi Mpahleni (Musician), Dora Nginza (Nurse).
The Intermediate Phase were most fortunate to be addressed by Veronique Barthus-Joseph, a Micklefield mum, who is an advocate at the Cape Bar and has recently been appointed as Judge. In this capacity, Veronique noted the importance of imbibing the Micklefield values.
Veronique engaged so well with the girls, imparting some invaluable lessons, namely that time management is essential to keep ahead of the game, both in work and in life. She emphasised that with good time management, one is able to be a mother and pursue a career at the same time.
Thank you Veronique, for sharing your wisdom and personal journey with us!
When the Grade 3s grow into Women of substance …..
The Grade 3s discussed the Women of Substance in their lives and the women who shaped them. They described the important women in their lives using thinking maps. They also considered how they were going to grow into women who make a difference.
The Grade 00 girls have had such fun exploring and learning about The Body. We painted life-size pictures of ourselves – this was such a fun way to explore what our bodies look like and how “big” we really are. We used mirrors to reference our skin, eye, and hair colours. We also made a “Body Book” – a skeleton page, an internal organ page and a few pages of our bodies in different outfits. We used books to discuss how our bodies work and of course, our resident skeleton, George, was on-site to lend a hand in our exploration of bones and how they work!
The second term started with many celebrations. Thank you to the parents who came in to talk to the girls about Easter, Ramadan and Eid.
The book The Secret Adventures of Anonymouse is about a mouse who discovers the magic of doing kind deeds anonymously and the value of spreading kindness without personal gain. In Grade 0 the girls made their own Anonymouse masks and started a kindness garden. Whenever someone is kind the RECEIVER shares the deed with the class and a kindness seed is planted. Our kindness garden is growing!
The Grade 2s have started exploring and getting creative with games in and around the classroom. The themes covered this term were Space and Animals. The girls have enjoyed working in groups to create Space Planet Posters and were lucky enough to enjoy an outing to the Two Oceans Aquarium!
Grade 4s went on a lovely outing to the home of South African painter and activist, Irma Stern. We loved looking at the amazing artwork. She chose interesting faces over beautiful ones. We were inspired by many new art ideas. We liked all the unique activities and enjoying making our own art works. We found it interesting that visitors to the house could only talk to Irma Stern about her art and not about other artists. It was a beautifully creative time in the house and garden.
Kirstenbosch Gardens was the subject of our advertising project this term in Grade 5. The task was to create an advert, using the iPads and iMovie, to promote one of Cape Town’s famous natural heritage sites: The Floral Kingdom. The class rose to the challenge, enjoying the opportunity to work in smaller groups and to showcase their incredible creativity. They prepared for the ‘film shoot’ by learning about different types of shots, sequencing, and how to write a script. The end results were nothing short of award-winning!
In history this term the Gr 6s learnt about the fabled Golden Rhino found at Mapungubwe. After all their hard work Mrs Gordon set them a fun task to make their own rhino. It had to either be a folded origami rhino (no easy task!), a rhino cupcake or a hand-drawn rhino. Mrs Welgemoed was invited to an exhibition in the class where she could admire all the girls’ handiwork and also to look at the very beautiful and interesting slide-shows they had made about the different climate zones and all the animal and plant adaptions found in each zone. Mrs Welgemoed was very impressed! Olivia Traill made a multi-coloured rhino cake, so we all had a piece to celebrate the girls’ outstanding work!
This term has been busy, but enjoyable. The Kingfisher House Captains presented an assembly on one of the Micklefield values; being considerate. We also organised a scavenger hunt for grades 3-7, but we were unable to complete the hunt due to there not being enough entries. The scavenger hunt will be rescheduled for next term, and we will keep you updated. We also had inter-house netball, which the Kingfishers won. It was a really thrilling tournament and we loved hearing all of the shouts of excitement, and encouragement for our team.
This term the Swallows House Captains have been very busy planning and presenting exciting and entertaining events! We first presented one of our Micklefield values, responsibility, in assembly, where we spoke about how important this is and how you can be more responsible in future. We presented a video and created a speech to go with it. The Swallows and Robin House Captains came together to plan an awesome event! We hosted a movie night for the Grade 4s, 5s, 6s and 7s! We watched the movie ‘Encanto’ and we had snacks such as: pizza, juice, mentos and popcorn. We played games on the astro before the movie and prizes were won. In our opinion, the movie night was very successful. The Swallows have really enjoyed this term.
This term the Robins House Captains presented an assembly on the value of kindness. We performed a little skit showing the importance of kindness. Towards the end of the term, the Swallows and Robins House Captains did a movie night together.
This term the Pastoral Committee has been busy. We had an assembly about respect, and we teamed up with the Outreach Committee by holding a photography and art competition. In our assembly we talked more about respect and its value in the world today and how we must all strive to show it more. In conclusion the pastoral committee have had a successful term and we are happy with our progress we have made.
This term the Cultural Committee did a few presentations in assembly. Our first assembly was on a Micklefield value: honesty. We performed a short play and tried to convey the message of honesty to all the girls. Our second assembly was on International Women’s Day, where we explained why we celebrate it and the history behind it. Our third assembly was on Ramadan, Pesach and Easter which were all happening over the same weekend. We had originally planned to do a live talent show, but it has now been postponed to next term. We enjoyed working together this term and look forward to the rest of the year.
The Outreach Committee did an assembly on the value of being proud. We told the girls the dictionary definition, asked them what the word ‘proud’ meant to them and to offer examples of when they had been proud of their friends, parents or teachers. We also showed them a video of a boy who learnt how to tie his shoes and had the courage to speak in front of his class and that made him so proud of himself. The Outreach Committee also held a photography and art competition, entitled ‘Self Expression’.
Well done to our Open A hockey girls who went on tour to Knysna at the end of the first term. They were good ambassadors for Micklefield both on and off the field. They played 11 matches over the 3 days and competed well against tough opposition, learning and improving with each match.
The sun came out and dried up the Astro, just in time for the Grade 3-7 Inter-House Netball. A great action-packed afternoon was enjoyed by everyone. Well done to the Kingfishers (20 points), Swallows (16 points) and Robins (11 points). Thank you to the scorers who, unfortunately, due to injury could not participate- Hana Salie, Joanna Twycross and Hanna McDavid. Thank you to our netball coaches for umpiring at the Inter-House and for continuing to improve our girls’ skills and match play.
The Grade 7 Play, At First I Was Afraid (I Was Petrified…), was a great success. Mrs G collaborated with the Traverse Theatre in Scotland and Wonder Fools to adapt the script, making it work for 24 girls at Micklefield in 2022 about to face High School. Scarlett Turck coped admirably as the lead character, Cleo,as did Unarine Malada as the magical Fairy Godcarer, who helped her deal with her anxieties. All the girls wowed the audience with their moves at the end of the play, when they danced to the song “I will Survive” choreographed by Mzo Gasa.
The play was videod and will be uploaded on the Wonderfools Positive Stories For Negative Times Web site for people who are interested in the programme to view. Other schools and Drama /Youth Theatres around the world, who also worked with this script, will be able to watch each others’ performances.
All the Grades enjoyed their “Day at the Theatre ”, when they bought their tickets, dressed up in their finest, and sat like ladies in the Micklefield Theatre, with their programmes, enjoying the play and exhibiting excellent theatre etiquette. What was most interesting, was to read and listen to their reviews afterwards: they are astute and fair critics!
Hooked on Books presented a delightfully zany show to a most appreciative audience. Inspiring children to read is the aim of the travelling Educational Theatre Company and they certainly accomplished this with their fabulous show this year – girls have been flocking to the library to find the books that were dramatized – watch this space, the books will be on the shelves soon!
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