Principal's Desk

It was unusual to end Term 3 on Friday, 3 October, but it did.

Rewind to Wednesday, 1 October, several members of staff attended the funeral service for the spouse of Mrs Haripershad, one of our English teachers. His passing was sudden and completely unexpected, on Wednesday, 24 September. Our prayers and thoughts go out to her, her daughters, and the extended family.

That same day, the Grade 12 Matric Hospitality learners had their first-ever Restaurant Service event at the school. Under the guidance of Ms Mamhende and Mrs Chirinda, the learners offered their parents, family members, and staff the opportunity to savour and experience all that they had been taught over the past three years. Well done, matriculants! It took long hours in the kitchen and careful preparation to ensure a successful event. Thank you to the teachers! Hopefully, these learners will now truly appreciate the service offered the next time they visit a restaurant, knowing what it really entails.

With the matriculants starting their Final NSC exams on Tuesday, 21 October, we were obliged to host our Annual Valedictory Ceremony on Friday, 3 October. The Cooking Club, motivated by Ms Mamhende, who spent that week preparing the wonderful boxes filled with tasty treats for all the matriculants. It also meant a really early start on that Friday morning to ensure a beautiful display awaited the special guests, our Matric Class of 2025. The work of all BHS employees was also acknowledged when they, too, received their breakfast box.

The Matric Valedictory Ceremony is always a bittersweet day. The matriculates are elated to say farewell to high school and all its rules and regulations, but a tinge of sadness when they realise that they will not have that safe space or see familiar faces. Hopefully, some lessons taught will stand them in good stead for the future.

Monday, 13 October, staff and learners returned to school for the start of Term 4. There was much excitement in the air as the Matrics had their Final Assembly. A showcase of matric dance outfits, singing, dancing, and just a lot of fun. This was followed by the annual photo days to capture the memories of 2025. By Wednesday of that same week, the newly elected Prefects boarded the transport to their eagerly awaited 3-day camp for some serious planning and teambuilding. Thank you to those members of staff who accompanied them and sacrificed personal family time to stay overnight with our learners -Mesdames Booysen, Daniels, Murphy, and Messrs. Furstenburg and Lambrechts. They had a visit from Mr Rimbault on the very first day.

Friday, 17 October, we said goodbye to our Sports Coordinator, Mr Rimbault, who had served BHS well over the 9-year period he had spent at BHS. We acknowledged his role and involvement in our extensive co-curricular programme. His involvement in so many areas of the school will be remembered, which included First Aid,the Marketing team, Prefect camps, and being hands-on to ensure that the facilities were ready for any of the sporting events taking place. Never afraid to get his hands dirty. He will be missed.

A round of applause goes to the Bursar, Mrs Marais, and our two IT members of staff, Mr Murray and Goliath, for the time they spent procuring the new photocopiers as well as overseeing its installation. To our governors and the WCED for approving the lease.

By 21 Oct, all matriculants were sitting for their first English exam. The previous week, learners having CAT as a subject did their practical exam. Currently, the exams are well underway. We hold them all in our prayers and thoughts as we wish them well for their final school exam.

Our Grades 8-11 have completed their Paper 3 exams and are earnestly involved with wrapping up lessons and doing revision. Exam timetables have been emailed. Parents, please ensure that your child prepares well for their final exams. This means reduced screen time, earlier bedtimes, possibly reduced chores (but some are still necessary to maintain the balance), exercise, and lots of TLC (which includes some snacks for those study nights and weekends, which will most certainly be appreciated).

Thursday, 30 October, during the assembly slot, I had the privilege of announcing our RCL Co-chairs for 2025/26 –Triston Fortune (re-elected) in Grade 10 and Joel Cupido in Grade 11.

This was followed by the announcement of the Heads of school for 2025/6. Our two Deputy Heads of School, Anel Snyman and Scott Adams. Our Heads of School, Shylow Singh and Silas Antonio. We wish them an exciting year of service to the school, alongside their peers.

On Friday our athletes, under the care of Mrs Cloete, Mr Peters, and Miss Grass, head off to Norman Henshilwood High School for a triangular event, accompanied by their coaches. Our best wishes accompanied them. We also extend our gratitude to Mrs Cloete for accepting the invitation to the Belgotex Athletics Event held at UWC on Saturday, 25 October. To the parents who supported not only their own children but all our athletes, thank you so very much! Your messages of gratitude for the role played by Mrs Cloete are appreciated. Our learners were one of 90 teams competing on the day.

We have a Chess match taking place, a Cricket Tournament, and the Grade 8 learners for 2026 are doing Diagnostic Tests today. Proving again that BHS never sleeps, but is a hive of activity and a happy place to be.

Friday also marked the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month, but that required a separate message to you (below).

Saturday was the end the last of the Grade 10 and 11 Revision classes and extend our gratitude to Mrs Miles and Mr Rasmeni for overseeing the administrative functions and to all the educators who could be resting but offer to teach instead.

Ps. Last but not least, on behalf of the staff and the governors, we wish to thank every parent who continues to make regular school fee payments, thereby ensuring quality teaching, much-needed resources, a clean and beautiful environment, and well-maintained infrastructure.

Regards

Mrs P Demas

PRINCIPAL