FROM THE OFFICE

It was wonderful to welcome the learners back at school on Monday. They were ready for their school work and well-equipped with the required textbooks and stationery. The excited laughter and chatting of the learners was particularly “heart-warming”. It is also gratifying that only a few learners have not yet returned to school.

I would like to request that parents practise social distancing at the school gates and not hinder the flow of learners leaving the school grounds.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7

BIRTHDAY EATS AND TREATS

The school realises that celebrating a birthday is a highlight in everyone’s year. This is even more so for our young learners. However, in light of the current situation regarding the virus and owing to the regulations, we cannot allow cakes and party packs at school. We trust that you will understand and appreciate your cooperation in this regard.

GRADE 1 APPLICATIONS 2022

Parents are requested to submit the Grade 1 applications for 2022 before 26 March 2021.

Please note that the school has switched to an online application system. No hard copy or email applications please. Follow the link to Admissions.

Please contact Corrie Burger (at corrieb@midstreamcollege.co.za or 012 940 9122) for any enquiries.

INTERSEN PHASE EXTRA CLASSES

Extra classes in English, Afrikaans and Maths are offered at no cost to Gr 4 – 7 learners. These classes will commence on Monday, 8 February.  No booking is necessary.

Details are as follows: 
MATHS   
Grade 4: Mondays from 14:00 – 14:45 (in classroom 69)
Grade 5: Mondays from 14:45 – 15:30 (in classroom 69)
Grade 6: Wednesdays from 14:00 – 14:45 (in classroom 75)
 Grade 7: Wednesdays from 14:45 – 15:30 (in classroom 75)

ENGLISH
Gr 4 – 7: Mondays and Thursdays from 13:45 to 14:30 in Marita Havenga’s computer classroom (F06)

AFRIKAANS
Gr 4 – 7:  Tuesdays from 13:55 to 14:30 in Marita Havenga’s computer classroom (F06)
Gr 4 – 7:  Wednesdays from 13:55 to 14:30 in Ms C. de Villiers's classroom(LS06)

JUNIOR SQUASH

Centurion Junior Squash specialises in a mini squash programme specifically designed to expose children between the ages of 6 and 10 years to the sport of squash and to introduce them to the skills and concepts of these games in a fun, safe environment.

Coaching Sessions
CJS utilises modified equipment, games and rules to ensure that all players can participate successfully. Each session comprises a broad range of activities aimed at developing coordination (particularly “hand-eye”), fundamental and perceptual motor skills, etc., which all focus on the central theme – FUN! (Equipment will be provided.)

Quality Guarantee
Only affiliated and appropriately trained instructors may present the programme. Instructors are provided with updates on a regular basis to keep up with the latest skills, games and activities and teaching/coaching techniques.

Benefits of Junior Squash
A segment of each session is dedicated to “squash specific” skills and activities. Not only will your child experience a sound introduction to this sport but they will also learn skills which are transferable across to other sports that they may attempt. Due to the nature of these activities being mainly group oriented, your child should gain confidence while interacting with children of the same age in a fun and non-threatening environment.

Venue
Sessions will be presented at the Midstream Primary College Squash Courts next to the swimming pool. You are welcome to read more about us at cjsquash or visit our Facebook page: Centurion Junior Squash Group.

A compulsory annual registration fee of R200 per player is payable upon registration. Thereafter, the school pays for the coaching session. Should you be interested, please follow the link to register .

For more information, contact: Maryna Fourie 072 130 9381 or send an email to info@cjsquash.co.za.

SWIMMING

U8 (Grade 2) Assessment Session
If your child is able to swim freestyle and backstroke with ease, over a distance of 25 m, he/she is welcome to attend the assessment session to be held on Tuesday, 16 February from 13:30 – 14:00 at the school’s swimming pool.

If you would like your child to attend this session, please send an email to Carien Kruger at carienk@midstreamcollege.co.za on/before Monday, 8 February at 08:00.

Unfortunately, due to COVID regulations, no parents will be allowed on the school grounds.

U9 – U13 Swimming Trials
Trials will take place on Monday, 15 February for all new learners and learners who were not part of 2020’s school teams. Swimmers must be able to swim freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke with ease, over a distance of 50 m. The trials will take place from 14:00 – 15:00 at the school’s swimming pool.

Please send an email to Carien Kruger at carienk@midstreamcollege.co.za on/before Monday, 8 February should your child want to participate in the trials.

Swimmers who were part of 2020’s school swimming team don’t need to attend these trials. They can just join the swimming training. The training days and times will be communicated shortly.

Unfortunately, due to COVID regulations, no parents will be allowed on the school grounds.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We are still waiting in suspense to receive information from the various Governing Bodies on the return of sporting and cultural activities.

With the excitement of the learners back at school and the anticipation of starting sports and cultural activities, we thought it would be appropriate to do a general skills and conditioning programme with the learners in the coming weeks.

These exercises will not be sport-specific exercises but will rather focus on the development of learners’ fitness, coordination, balance and general skills that are in line with what the learners are doing in Physical Education periods. At a later stage, these exercises will develop into more sport-specific skills exercises.

We aim to make these exercises a pleasant experience for all our learners and we hope that everyone will take part of this initiative. Our learners need to be physically active but also need to interact with their fellow learners on a social level outside of the normal school interaction. The group allocations and times involved will appear in next week’s newsletter. We plan to start the first practice sessions on 15 February 2021.

Our club athletes, club cricket, tennis and squash training will continue as normal.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
 At this stage, the Revue groups may not practice at all according to the regulations. Choral Verse and the Spreekkore will only start practising in the second term.

The information regarding the Junior Choir and Senior Choir auditions will appear in next week’s newsletter and these activities will commence on 15 February 2021.
 
We also wish our Grace Ensemble and the public speakers the best of luck with their practices which are starting.
Please consult the newsletter each week for further information.

“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ‒ Christopher Columbus

ORDERING OF INDIVIDUAL 2020 PHOTOS

If you would like to order any individual photos from 2020, the website is now open for orders.
Please use the unique code provided on the photo form given to you last year.
Kindly contact the photographer, Martie, should you have any queries on 082 334 8847.

VALENTINE’S DAY

This year we would like to continue building on the new Valentine’s tradition started at our school last year.

As a primary school, we believe that Valentine’s Day is a day to be celebrated at our learners’ age level. Our children are not yet emotionally ready to understand and experience Valentine's Day for what it really is. We want to protect our children from unnecessary hurt and the feeling of rejection. We would much rather teach them about real caring, for example, caring for people who need support, acceptance and help.

This also creates a feeling of joy and fulfillment to cherish, help and support others. So, this year we are again going to do something special on Valentine’s Day that is focused on the idea that love for our fellow man is not only a command from God, but also wonderful and fun!

Please do not waste your money on bears, plastic roses, chocolates and other gifts! Rather save that money for when your child is in high school. This year we are putting the colours pink and red away again on Valentine’s Day! We are going to support the CHOC Foundation’s Flip Flop Day with blue bows in our hair and comfortable flip flops on our feet!

Children and teenagers who are fighting cancer are the bravest of the brave. They are facing the most frightening journey of their lives… But these young warriors are not alone in their war against cancer because they are experiencing love. They are so loved that CHOC builds an army to walk with them and fight all the way with them.

We are going to be part of this support group and show our love on Valentine’s Day to children fighting cancer. The CHOC Flip Flop Day stickers, which will free your 10 toes from school shoes on 12 February, will be sold at R10 at the tuckshop. The tuckshop will also be selling their delicious flip flop cookies at R16 each.
 
Come and buy a sticker before Valentine’s Day Flip Flop Day and enjoy 12 February in a comfortable way that gives everyone the chance to make a difference in a wonderful and fun way!

TUCKSHOP: TUCK IN

For your convenience, Tuck In has an online webshop where you can order lunchboxes, salads, sandwiches,  cooked lunches and combos.
Visit Tuck In online webshop and order today!