Principal's Desk
MARCH 2024
On 1st March we welcomed back Mrs Van Rooyen. SGB elections were underway as we started the process of electing a new governing body that would serve the learners, parents and staff for the next 3 years. We were very fortunate that the number of candidates required across the parent and staff categories were easily achieved with only the Academic Staff needing elections. Details of the parent SGB members have since been emailed to everyone.
Several highlights for March were another successful Blood Donation Drive, several houses had their fun day, the Scholars Cup took place as well as a Spelling Bee competition amongst the houses.
The Grade 11 and 12 learners were very grateful to Mr Blennies for arranging a visit from Home Affairs to complete the ID process. A record number of easter eggs were collected between the Houses and these were distributed by Mrs Murphy and Interact to various organizations or schools to spread the joy of Easter.
Mrs Nyoni and Mrs Ramjatan arranged two successful Career Day exhibitions to assist our learners with making good decisions for their tertiary education.
Several societies and clubs met to share common interests and various sporting codes spent many an afternoon in training or playing a match, some even on weekends. The highlight of Term 1 is always the Athletics season with several learners under the guidance of the Head of Athletics – Mrs Cloete – making it to the Champs of Champs event at Vygieskraal. Hard work and determination paid off.
Various religions were given the opportunity at an Assembly to share with their peers’ significant events on the calendar or provide insights into what their religion was all about. These included Muslims, Christians and Hindus. Others are encouraged to also share their story.
Our staff and learners eagerly participated in various sporting codes outside of school, like The Argus Cycle Tour and marathons on weekends. We congratulate them on all these achievements, big and small.
Friday, 15 March was a day very few will forget. The day before the Music Department participated in the Bandslam at the V & A Waterfront, an annual event that invites various schools to compete for some wonderful prizes and showcase their talent. By late Thursday evening, we were told that BHS was one of the schools to compete in the final round. Friday, the school celebrated its 67th birthday and we were not to know that later that evening, the school would receive the best birthday present ever. The announcement of being the Bandslam winners for 2024, making it three successive wins in a row.
As a school, we are tremendously proud not only of our learners and music staff who contributed to the school’s success on the night but of the past and present pupils, staff and parents who arrived early afternoon to secure a seat in the amphitheatre. The applause was deafening on both nights. We acknowledge the participation of the competing schools, who at one stage had us worried. But the perseverance, commitment and dedication of our Music Department shone through as they reaped the rewards of hours and hours of rehearsals.
At our final Assembly on Wednesday, 20 March we say a fond farewell to a few members of staff. They are –
Mr A Williams – a past pupil who matriculated in 2017 and joined the BHS staff as a Life Orientation teacher in 2022. He played a significant role in coaching and managing one of our Cricket and Rugby teams, amongst other areas of involvement at the school. He embarks on a new career path aboard a cruise ship.
Ms K Raw – joined BHS in 2017 as a Business Studies teacher, eventually taking over from Mr Fortune (who retired last year) as Head of Business Studies. A Hockey coach and manager, the Alan Gray Entrepreneurs Club TLO, POI Club TLO, Matric Dance TLO and Tau House Assistant Head, were but some of her areas of involvement at BHS over the years. Ms Raw was also instrumental in the design of the flags for the new House System. She moves over to Reddam House Constantia at the start of Term 2.
Mrs D Marais – joined the BHS staff in January 2014 – thereby giving us 10 years of wonderful service in our Housekeeping Department and has decided to take early retirement. She has cleaned numerous areas of the school over the years and will be fondly remembered for her good work ethic and friendly disposition. We trust that she will rest well in the years ahead.
Mrs Van Rooyen – joined BHS in 2009 and in her lifetime at BHS, she was Head of Consumers (Home Economics in the early days), taught Technology, Maths and Maths Literacy, was the Blood Donation TLO and in later years managed our Cooler Room. Ask your child what the latter is. She also heads off to early retirement.
We thank them for their years of service and commitment to Bergvliet High School and whether enjoying retirement, sailing the seas, or starting at a new school, our best wishes accompany them.
Parents will receive their child’s report on the last day of term. We encourage all parents to carefully assess their child’s progress during Term 1. In particular note the number of days your child might have been absent. Pay attention to the BAWs and other comments made by the Register teacher and House Head as well as specific subject comments, as they tell a significant story about your child’s progress (or lack thereof) in various subjects.
Schools close for a short holiday and in that time-frame, our Christian families will celebrate Easter.
We wish our learners and their families a wonderfully safe holiday period.
MRS P DEMAS
PRINCIPAL