FROM THE OFFICE

We are so pleased to be able to have our schools open at the beginning of this term as scheduled. The happy faces that greeted us on Tuesday morning were testimony to the fact that our learners thrive in a school environment.

We have taken so many things that have given us joy in the past for granted – from going to the shops, going out to a restaurant, meeting friends, to singing our praises and worshipping in church. When this pandemic is eventually a thing of the past, we certainly shall look at the ‘little things’ in life with far greater appreciation.

“When people really love and believe in themselves, no matter how tough the situation they’re in, they move through it, grow and get to the next level” – Gisele Wertheim-Aymes

We are excited to welcome Ms Larian Botha to the MCP team as a permanent member in the English Department. She certainly will be a valuable asset and we cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes in our ‘Next Level’ school!

I wish every learner, parent and teacher a prosperous, blessed, third term.

FUNKY SUPPORTERS’ DAY

Let’s celebrate the start of a fantastic Term 3 on Friday, 30 July.
It will by Funky Friday Sock day and Supporters’ day.
Put on your unmatched, crazy, colourful pair of socks and combine that with the clothing of your favourite sports team and a pair of long pants.
Be creative, there is no need to buy a supporter shirt/top – just wear a shirt/top in the colour of your favourite sports team.

VIRTUAL PARENTS’ AFTERNOON

The parents’ afternoon will take place on Monday 2 August via Zoom sessions. Kindly make appointments via the Parent Portal. No e-mails will be accepted. The Parent Portal will be open from Thursday 29 July at 16:00 until 2 August at 12:00. No appointments can therefore be made after 12:00 on Monday 2 August.

Sign on to the Parent Portal using your “Parent ID” (code starts with the number 3) and password.
Click on “Student” tab.
Click on learner’s photo.
Click on “Parent/Teacher Appointments” tab.
Select teacher’s name from the list.
Select a timeslot.

For each appointment scheduled, you will receive an e-mail confirmation, including the Zoom link for that particular appointment.

PHOTO DAYS

Individual photos will be taken on the following days:
Grade 1 to Grade 3: Thursday 5 August.
Grade 4 to 7: Thursday 12 August.
Learners must wear their winter school uniform and a blazer. 
Please send your child’s register teacher a reminder if your child will not be at school on the scheduled Photo Day.

EXTRA CURRICULAR PROGRAMME

Please click on the link below to view the extra-curricular activities that are permitted under the current directives.

CROSS COUNTRY

Cross Country practice will continue as usual.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14:00 to 15:00.

Planned Cross Country leagues will take place this term. Unfortunately, all the learners cannot participate in these leagues. Only the 2 fastest athletes per age group and gender can compete in the Cross Country leagues. Therefore, trials will be held on Thursday 5 August from 14:00 to 15:00.
Due to Covid, the leagues will possibly take place over two days and further information will be communicated.

The provisional league dates are as follows:
League 1: Thursday and Friday 12 and 13 August 2021
League 2: Thursday and Friday 19 and 20 August 2021
AGN: Saturday 28 August 2021.

Please note that the school is not allowed to transport your child to the Cross Country leagues.
Athletes who therefore qualify in the trials will have to provide their own transport to these events.

CHESS

Chess practice resumes next Tuesday 3 August.
Grade 1 + 2: 13:30 – 14:00
Grade 3 + 4: 14:00 – 15:00
Grade 5, 6 + 7: 15:00 – 16:00

SWIMMING

Swimming training will start on Wednesday 4 August.
The training group from Terms 1 and 2 are welcome to join these practices.

Venue: Midlands swimming pool
Days & times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 14:00 – 15:00

A school bus will leave the primary school parking area at 13:50 and return to the school at 15:15.

GOLF 2021

The school would like to give our learners the opportunity to play golf with their friends on Tuesdays. Learners who are therefore able to play nine holes on their own, are welcome to join the golfers on Tuesdays where they will be able to play nine holes under supervision. This arrangement will start on
3 August and will continue until 14 September 2021. Players must report to the Golf Course at 14:00.
To adhere to the Covid 19 regulations, we will need to compile a list of the learners who are interested in playing golf on Tuesdays. Therefore, please send Mr. Kotze an email with your child’s name, surname and grade.

THESE SESSIONS ARE NOT COACHING SESSIONS but provide learners, who can already play, an opportunity to play. For further information, please contact Mr. Kotze on (012) 661 0724 or email schalkk@midstreamcollege.co.za. (Cost: R50-00 per player per afternoon.)

Should there be any learners who would like to start golf, or who require lessons, please enquire at the Golf Course.
Contact Details: Patrick O’Brien – 082 992 1314 or via email patrick@pobgolf.co.za 
                             Christo Eagleton – 082 536 3354

EQUESTRIAN

Congratulations to the following Midstream College riders who have been selected as members of the SANESA Ekurhuleni Primary School Team for the Gauteng Finals. They will compete on 11 and 12 September 2021 at Maple Ridge Equestrian Farm.

Lexi Harding – Prix Caprilli
Kiara Kok – Dressage
Andrea Kok – Dressage, Performance Riding and Working Riding
Angelique Lombard – Dressage, Working Riding, Performance Riding and Equitation

COVID

Covid-19 information:
- It appears that the Delta variant is currently responsible for most of the daily new infections in South Africa and is also much more contagious than the Beta variant, for example, which was responsible for most of the infections during the second wave.
- It is important to note that people who had the Beta variant can become reinfected with the Delta variant due to the decrease in antibodies built up during the first infection.
- The symptoms of the Delta variant are similar to those of the Beta and other variants. A sore throat, headache, increased body temperature, etc. The loss of taste and smell and a chronic cough seem to be absent in most people with the Delta variant. Please note that a runny nose as experienced with a normal cold, is more common and therefore it is still very important not to send your child to school if he or she has any cold symptoms.
- Someone can still get Covid-19 even after they have had the vaccine. It will most probably only prevent serious complications from developing.
- According to the NICD (National Institute of Communicable Diseases), too few studies have been done and there is too little information available in South Africa relating to the immunity of people who have received the vaccine and their ability to transmit the virus. Consequently, it is still important for the person who has been vaccinated and has been in direct contact with someone who tested positive for the Corona virus to quarantine.
- This is also the reason why the person who has received the vaccine and tested positive still needs to isolate and the people he or she has been in high-risk contact with must be quarantined for ten days.
- Masks remain crucial in the prevention of the transmission of the virus. Please refer to Newsletter 22 (17 June 2021) for the requirements and guidelines for wearing masks.
- Please be assured that the school follows all protocols to keep the learners, teachers and general staff as safe as possible.

TINA COWLEY

The programme focuses on reading skills, such as reading comprehension and the improvement of reading speed, to help learners study and answer question papers. These are skills they will need for the rest of their lives. For more information, click on the link below.

TUCK IN

Visit us at school or online for healthy lunches and lunchbox options, as well as many more tasty snacks. We can also cater for all your birthday party needs!