FROM THE OFFICE

Life isn’t about mere existence, but about purpose, substance, ambition and legacy. ‒ Nonhle Thema

In the midst of the Pandemic, I frequently remind myself about the above quotation. The problem with “mere existence” is that there is no opportunity for excellence. There is little to can be proud of.  It requires us to assess the situation and change course and thereafter we can reap the rewards.

 I wish each Midstream family a fantastic March.

CONGRATULATIONS

Midstream College High School has once again "wowed" us with  their incredible results.  The Matric Class of 2020 and the staff are to be congratulated on their dedication and hard work!   We are so proud to be associated with them.  Well done!

Results are as follows:

• 100% pass rate for the ninth consecutive year (IEB pass rate: 98,1%).
• 100% admission to tertiary studies.
• 453 distinctions (3,1 per candidate).
• 7 candidates in the top 100 IEB candidates (Mishke Jooste, Ryno Pieterse, Lené Koch, Ingemari Malan,
   Wynand van der Berg, Ruelé van Zyl and Xuan Yssel).
• 18 of the 19 subjects presented at the College are above the IEB average.
• 4 subjects have an average above 80%.
• 8 subjects have an average above 75%.
• 3 subjects have an average above 70%.
• 3 subjects have an average above 65%.

Further interesting subject statistics:
• 82% of all the matrics had Mathematics, with an average of 74,1%. (40% of these candidates had an
  average of 80%.)
• 59% of the Accounting candidates had an A average (Subject average: 78,5%).
• 74% of the EGD candidates had an A average (Subject average: 85,8%).
• 62% of the IT candidates had an A average (Subject average: 79,7%).
• 53% of the English First Additional Language candidates received As (Subject average – 80,1%).

PERCUSSION BAND

We are very pleased to let parents know that Percussion Band practice (gumboot dancing) will start next week on Wednesday afternoon, at 14:00. Children who are interested in joining the Percussion Band must please write their names on the list on Mrs Badenhorst’s door.

SENIOR CHOIR

Senior Choir practice started yesterday and will take place in two sessions every Wednesday afternoon. If your child did not get to attend an audition, he/she is welcome to attend next week, either at 16:30 or at 17:30. An audition will be done just before the practice starts. Children who were members of the choir in 2020 are welcome to attend the sessions as follows:
• 16:30 – 17:20 Soprano
• 17:30 – 18:20 Alto.

We look forward to seeing many more of our past members returning to the choir! Please take note that learners will wear masks and will practise physical distancing.

FOUNDATION PHASE MIDTERM REPORTS

On Friday, our Foundation Phase learners will be taking home their work books for you as parents to see their lovely work. A Midterm report, indicating how they have settled in over the past few weeks, will be pasted in their work book. Please complete the Parent Observation section on the Midterm report. All books are to be returned to school on Monday.

PRIZE GIVING

We are delighted to inform you that the 2020 Prize Giving for our Grade 4 – 6 learners will take place from next week.
The Academic Prize Giving for the respective grade groups will take place on the following dates:
• Grade 6 (2020) – Monday, 1 March
• Grade 5 (2020) – Monday, 8 March
• Grade 4 (2020) – Monday, 15 March.

The learners will receive their awards during the assembly period. Unfortunately, the current regulations still do not allow us to accommodate parents in the hall along with the learners during the morning. Therefore, we thought it would be best to proceed with the prize giving for our learners and to send the video recording to parents. Please note that the recordings will only be sent to you during the afternoon of the school day.

We would like to congratulate you, as the parent, on the excellent achievement of your child, in what was an unusual academic year. Your child has really worked hard and we are proud of every learner.

GRADE 8 ADMISSIONS 2022

Grade 8 admissions for 2022 will be open until Friday, 30 April 2021. If you would like your child to attend Midstream College, kindly note that you have to complete the application form online.

Please consult the Midstream College website for the relevant guidelines and online form.

For any admission enquiries, contact Ms Carine Cronje (carinec@midstreamcollege.co.za).

SECURITY UPGRADED

Midstream Estate has upgraded its security. Due to the upgrade, learners need to re-register in order to use the different gates (Balmoral gate and gate 12). Forms for re-registration are available from the school office.

RETURN TO TRAINING: NETBALL AND RUGBY

We are excited and thrilled to start our Netball and Rugby season for all our learners on Monday, 1 March.

We encourage all our learners to join, as everyone is welcome. A healthy body ensures a healthy mind and we look forward to our learners being physically active and socialising with their peers on the sports field. All the necessary COVID protocols will be adhered to during these sessions.

Practices will be held according to the allowed regulations.
Please take note of the following arrangements and practice times:

FOUNDATION PHASE LEARNERS
Practice times: Mini Netball
Under 7: Monday and Thursday from 13:30 – 14:15 (Grass courts)
Under 8: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 13:30 – 14:30 (Grass courts)
Under 9: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 14:00 – 15:30 (Grass courts)

Practice times: Bulletjie Rugby
Under 7: Monday and Thursday from 13:30 – 14:15 (Meerkat A field)
Under 8: Monday and Thursday from 13:30 – 14:15 (Meerkat B field)

Practice times: Rugby
Under 9: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 14:10 – 15:30 (Meerkat A field

INTERSEN PHASE
Practice times: Netball
Under 10: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 14:00 – 15:30 (Primary School Netball courts)
Under 11: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 14:00 – 15:30 (High School Netball courts)
Under 12: Monday (14:00 – 15:30) Tuesday and Thursday (15:30 – 17:00) (High School Netball courts) Under 13: Monday (14:00 – 15:30) Tuesday and Thursday (15:30 – 17:00) (High School Netball courts)

Practice times: Rugby
Under 10: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 14:10 – 15:30 (Meerkat B field)
Under 11: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 (Meerkat A field)
Open Teams: (Grade 6 and 7 Boys) Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 15:30 – 17:00 (Meerkat B field)

• The Foundation Phase learners will change into their PE/Bulletjie kit during the course of the day to
   ensure that Covid-19 protocols and regulations are in place – Teachers will limit the number of learners
   changing at a time.
• The Intersen Phase learners will change after school into their Netball/Rugby kit – Teachers will limit the
   number of learners changing at a time.
• Learners are to keep their masks on and to practice social distancing when changing.
• Learners must to go to their respective fields once they are dressed, where their coach will meet them
  at the allocated time. Wearing a mask remains compulsory.
• Learners may take their school bags with them to the field.
• Learners who leave the school grounds after school will have to re-enter the school grounds for practice 
  in the later time slots by making use of Gates 1, 4 and 12.
• Learners’ temperature and screening will be done before the practice sessions commence.
• Hands will be sanitised before and after practices.
• It is essential for participants to have their own water bottle at the practice as no sharing of water bottles
  will be allowed.
• Learners are to make use of Gates 1, 4 or 12 after the practice session when going home. Gates 2 and 
  3 will be locked at 14:15.
• Unfortunately, due to COVID regulations, no parents will be allowed at these practice sessions or on 
  school grounds.

“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.”
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the TEAM.” – Phil Jackson

EXTRA CURRICULAR

Please click on the link below for the extracurricular schedule for the rest of the term.

FOOD BAG PROJECT

Each year, Midstream College Primary School reaches out to families in need by providing basic non-perishable food and other household items. Together with KSM, we want to distribute food optimally and effectively to families in need. Food bags are filled by families every month and delivered to the school, whereafter they are handed over to KSM for distribution. Alternatively, you can choose to sponsor one or more (10 in total) bags during the year by paying the amount per bag directly into the church’s account each month. This is an easy way to get involved in charity work and involve your children in a caring project. Please see the pamphlet for further information.

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!

EQUESTRIAN

Congratulations to Morgan Parmenter-Bridger who competed in the SA Champs on 17 and 18 December and achieved the following results on her horse, Moonlight:

Show Jumping 60 cm Phase 2 ‒ 2nd place
Show Jumping 60 cm Speed ‒ 3rd place.