Principal's Desk
The Buzz September 2026
Wednesday, 23 September, marked the end of yet another busy term. Term 3 assessments for Grades 8 to 11 have been concluded, and we thank our learners for their hard work and our staff for their dedication and support.
Our Matric Class of 2026 wrote their Trial Exams in preparation for the final NSC examinations. The NSC exams officially commence in Term 4 with the CAT Practical on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
To each of our matriculants: you have worked hard, and we are proud of you. We wish you every success with each paper you write. Believe in your preparation, look after yourselves, and give your best.
Last week, our Grade 12 Visual Art learners completed their final Art Practical exam, which spanned four days. Well done on the dedication and creativity shown throughout, under the guidance of Mrs. Shukla, Head of Visual Art. This exam marks her final matric exam at Bergvliet High School, as Mrs. Shukla retires at the end of the year.
On Tuesday, 22 September, our Grade 12 Hospitality learners, guided by Mrs. Mamhende (Head of Consumer and Hospitality Studies) and Mrs. Chirinda, wrote their Final Practical Exam by running a restaurant service. Family members and staff were invited to enjoy the wonderful array of food prepared by our matriculants. The day was a huge success, and the learners achieved excellent results. Congratulations to all involved!
We are delighted to announce that the Art Exhibition is coming home. After four wonderful exhibitions at Blue Route Mall, it returns to our school. The opening night will take place at 18h00 on Tuesday, 6 October, the first day of Term 4, in the Multipurpose Gym Hall. Guests will be able to view a selection of artwork created by our Grade 12 Visual Art learners over the past three years. We hope to see you there.
Caitlin Hannibal (Grade 11), one of the two talented daughters of our Head of Music, Mrs Hannibal, participated in the semi-final round of the UCT String Competition at the Baxter Theatre on Wednesday, 9 September. Well done, Caitlin, on representing Bergvliet High School so beautifully on such a prestigious stage.
On Saturday, 12 September, Grade 10 Visual Art learners Ethan Cook and Levi Wright were acknowledged at an Awards Ceremony at the Iziko National Art Museum. Their artwork will be displayed alongside that of other learners for a few weeks. They were accompanied by the Head of Visual Arts, Mrs Shukla. Congratulations, Ethan and Levi, on this wonderful achievement!
On 18 and 19 September, 30 of our athletes, guided by our Head of Athletics, Mrs Cloete, took part in the Top 15 Schools Challenge at Stellenbosch High School. We were thrilled to hear that they placed 7th out of 94 schools. Well done to all our athletes and to Mrs. Cloete for their commitment, effort, and school spirit.
On Friday, 18 September, Mrs. Mamhende encouraged us to show our support to the families of the women who were brutally murdered in the Kempton Park area in recent weeks. The inhumanity of the perpetrators can never be condoned, and violence against women must be stopped.
Our learners and staff wore black as a sign of solidarity and deep sorrow for the lives lost. We were joined by the Prefects for 2027, who also wore black. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims.
On Monday and Tuesday this week, memories of 2026 were captured on our annual photo day, coordinated by Mrs. Buerger. Thank you, Mrs Buerger, for organising it so smoothly and staying calm amidst potential chaos.
If you are a TikTok fan, you may have been entertained by the videos posted by a member of our Marketing Team, Miss Grass. Keep an eye on our social media pages for more glimpses of life at Bergvliet High School.
From Monday, 21, to Wednesday, 23 September, our Prefects attended the annual Prefect Camp. We acknowledge the time sacrificed by four of our educators, Mrs Murphy, Mr Johns, Mr Furstenburg and Mr Lambrechts, who accompanied them. We are grateful for their safe journey there and back, and we look forward to the plans the Prefects will put into action when they return next term and in the new year.
Term 3 also brought to a close the time spent at Bergvliet High School by two valued members of staff.
Mr. Blennies, our Afrikaans educator and a member of the SMT, joined the school in 2020 and will be transferring to Cravenby High School on 1 October.
Mr. Furstenburg, our Head of Maths Literacy and a member of the SMT, will be joining Fish Hoek High School on 1 October.
Learners and staff paid tribute to both men at our last assembly of the term and again today. They will be fondly remembered, and we wish them every success and fulfilment at their new schools.
We wish both learners and staff a well-deserved break.
To our learners: congratulations to those who achieved the goals they set for themselves. To those who need to spend more time with their books and be more focused in class, we encourage you to do so. A steady work pace wins the race and guarantees success.
To our staff: thank you for the time and energy you gave so generously this term.
To our Housekeeping and Maintenance staff: we are mindful that you do not have a break just yet, as you will be preparing the school for the final quarter of the year. Thank you, ladies and gents.
To our parents and guardians who continue to make regular school fee payments, thank you. Without these regular payments, salaries and bills cannot be paid, and ongoing repairs and maintenance cannot be attended to. So, on behalf of the SGB, please accept our sincere gratitude. To those struggling to make regular payments, please make an appointment with the Debtors Clerk to make alternative arrangements. She will happily assist you.
Term 4 begins on Tuesday, 6 October, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back, to the opening night of the Art Exhibition at 18h00 that evening, and to supporting our matriculants through their final examinations, starting with the CAT Practical on 13 October.
MRS P DEMAS