Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
HORIZONS<br />
The Ridge School 1 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
HEADMASTER’S MESSAGE<br />
Headmaster’s<br />
Report<br />
Dear Parents,<br />
My last headmaster’s message of the<br />
year is reserved for a final vote of<br />
thanks to the many who, in various<br />
ways, have contributed to all that<br />
has helped to make <strong>2016</strong> such a happy,<br />
memorable and successful year.<br />
Like any well-oiled machine, the successful<br />
working of the whole is largely<br />
dependent on and determined by<br />
the combined efforts and specialist<br />
functioning of each active part.<br />
Here at The Ridge we have many of<br />
these ‘working parts’ in the form of<br />
men and women who go to make up<br />
an important part of the extended<br />
family that together represent those<br />
who serve our school.<br />
There is, as always, much to give<br />
thanks for here at The Ridge. As we<br />
prepare to bring the curtain down on<br />
another year of teaching and learning,<br />
we can do so with the knowledge<br />
that our committed teaching<br />
staff team has gone the distance and<br />
beyond to breathe life, energy and<br />
learning into our carefully coordinated<br />
boy-centred environment. On<br />
behalf of boys and parents, I would<br />
offer a sincere thanks to our teachers<br />
for all that they have done in the<br />
interests of providing the best possible<br />
educational experience to each<br />
lad during the past eleven months.<br />
To The Ridge Board of Governors,<br />
a special thanks for many hours of<br />
sub-committee meetings and those<br />
often lengthy Board and Strategic<br />
Planning meetings, that each governor<br />
has been happy to attend and<br />
be a part of. Your loyal, focussed<br />
and dedicated labours are crucial to<br />
the ongoing stability and long term<br />
relevance of this fine school.<br />
No school, with our intricate assortment<br />
of dynamics, operational complexities<br />
and daily demands would<br />
be able to hold it all together the<br />
way we have during another, often<br />
taxing year, without the hands-on<br />
support, care and positive interaction<br />
of our parent body. My sincere<br />
thanks to all our Ridge mums and<br />
dads who, as the third arm of the<br />
educational triangle, have given so<br />
much time, energy and financial<br />
backing in support of your own boys<br />
as well as the broader scholastic<br />
experience.<br />
Finally, I would extend a warm and<br />
sincere thanks to the boys who individually<br />
have added so much spirit,<br />
flavour, and unique little boy flair<br />
to the kaleidoscope of memories<br />
that we can take away with us as we<br />
look back on <strong>2016</strong>. As busy as the<br />
year has been, the vast majority of<br />
you boys are to be commended on<br />
the determined way in which you<br />
have stayed the pace, worked hard<br />
and applied yourselves in body and<br />
mind to all that has come your way.<br />
Well done!<br />
To The Ridge family as a whole, best<br />
wishes for a happy, relaxing and safe<br />
Christmas holiday, and a blessed<br />
time in which family, friends and<br />
festive cheer will be the order of the<br />
day.<br />
Richard Stanley<br />
Headmaster<br />
A special thanks, too, must also go to<br />
our hard-working admin staff team<br />
and the many men and women who<br />
go to make up our large support<br />
staff unit. Their combined, behind<br />
the scenes, efforts have again played<br />
a significant role in helping to create<br />
a wholesome, comfortable and wellcared<br />
for learning atmosphere.<br />
The Ridge School 2 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Di Louw<br />
Di Louw (middle of photo) has been<br />
a passionate, energetic and beloved<br />
teacher at The Ridge for 28 years.<br />
Her colleagues in Grade 3 had this<br />
to say about her:<br />
You have touched so many boys and parents<br />
lives and are truly a cherished colleague.<br />
It is so evident that teaching has<br />
been a true calling for you. How lucky<br />
we are that your journey bought you to<br />
The Ridge and allowed you to leave your<br />
mark for some 28 years. The Grade 3<br />
team will not be the same without you.<br />
You will be sorely missed and will always<br />
have a place in our hearts!<br />
STAFF LEAVERS<br />
Bev Schultz<br />
Bev Schultz has been a teacher and<br />
Senior Prep Librarian for 21 years at<br />
The Ridge. Her colleagues had the<br />
following to say about her:<br />
I know that many of the boys and staff<br />
would share the sentiments of Winnie<br />
the Pooh, “How lucky I am to have<br />
something that makes saying goodbye so<br />
hard.” Bev is leaving an amazing legacy.<br />
It is due to her diligence, passion and<br />
knowledge that the library has become<br />
a place which anchors The Ridge community,<br />
bringing boys, parents, and the<br />
outside world, together.<br />
On a daily basis Bev has masterfully<br />
juggled labelling, covering and cataloguing<br />
of books. She keeps abreast of what<br />
teachers and learners need and are interested<br />
in, constantly researching new<br />
books and approaches to media studies.<br />
Not to mention lesson preparations,<br />
which she puts so much thought and care<br />
into, expanding little minds with her<br />
depth and breadth of knowledge. She has<br />
really made reading cool.<br />
The Ridge School 3 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Shannon Wales<br />
Shannon Wales has been a teacher<br />
at The Ridge for 8 years. Her colleagues<br />
in Grade 4 had this to say<br />
about her:<br />
STAFF LEAVERS<br />
Shan has been an integral part of The<br />
Ridge for the last 8 years and I am not<br />
sure how we are going to tick without her.<br />
She is passionate about and committed<br />
to her role as a teacher, guide, advisor<br />
and even surrogate mother on occasions.<br />
I have truly admired her selfless commitment<br />
to ensur¬ing the well-being of the<br />
boys in her class and, in fact, every boy<br />
at The Ridge. She is com¬passionate and<br />
caring, firm but fair, bringing the best out<br />
in every one. The boys build a complete<br />
trust in her and feel safe and secure in<br />
her care. Even when they leave grade 4<br />
she continues to fulfil her commitment<br />
to them and take an active interest in<br />
their lives.<br />
Joan Pulling<br />
Some words from Janet fox Van Der Poel:<br />
Joan arrived at The Ridge in January of 2013. Very quickly we<br />
realised we had an amazing musician and teacher in our music<br />
department. Joan showed us that she had a great deal to offer<br />
our boys. Not only could she teach piano and recorder, she was<br />
also a brass player and a fine accompanist. Joan is a true musician<br />
and her boys have been very fortunate to have had her as<br />
their musical mentor. We hope you will continue to teach music<br />
to children.<br />
Nelisiwe Ndlalane<br />
Some words from Nelisiwe’s colleagues:<br />
Thank you for the time we have been priviliged to spend<br />
with you, we have cherished every moment and you will be<br />
sorely missed. Thank you for your disciplined nature, the<br />
respect you show for your fellow man and not to mention<br />
how hard you have worked each and every day. We wish<br />
you the very best in the next chapter of your life.<br />
The Ridge School 4 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Head of Junior<br />
Prep Report<br />
From the moment you walk down<br />
the stairs of Ollie’s garden towards<br />
the reception, you can share the<br />
anticipation of what the day might<br />
hold. The boys approach their days<br />
with interest, optimism and joy.<br />
The relationships of those who<br />
work within are highly valued and<br />
the education of our boys takes<br />
place within this context of rich relationships.<br />
The boys feel safe and<br />
secure and can build a strong sense<br />
of belonging, both within their<br />
class and grade.<br />
Grade 2 – Dads and Lads, Knights<br />
and Castle theme that culminated<br />
in a Medieval Feast and delicious<br />
dining, and our boys were lucky<br />
enough to be knighted by ‘King<br />
Stanley’! We thank the Grade 2<br />
mums who have been supportive in<br />
working with the vegetable garden.<br />
Grade 3 – The Grade 3 Camp was<br />
a hit! We took 66 happy campers<br />
to Camp NELU in Hekpoort for 2<br />
nights and the boys and staff had<br />
an amazing time. Reading at The<br />
Hope School, water week, making<br />
boats, Rhino day and dress up days,<br />
and most recently, the thanksgiving<br />
service<br />
For the first time this year, we have<br />
highlighted a number of different<br />
religious celebrations in assembly.<br />
Di Wellard, together with our<br />
Muslim, Jewish and Hindu Grade<br />
3 boys and their parents, each took<br />
a turn to present at Junior Prep assembly.<br />
This was really meaningful<br />
and a tradition that we hope tocontinue<br />
annually.<br />
I am honoured to work with an<br />
amazing team of ladies and a gentleman;<br />
all of whom have a passion<br />
for little boys and making sure they<br />
reach their full potential. Our little<br />
boys are a delight and we so enjoy<br />
the time we spend together.<br />
JUNIOR PREP REPORT<br />
We are so blessed with incredible<br />
teachers at The Ridge School and<br />
in the words of Michael Oakeshott,<br />
‘teaching is a variegated activity<br />
which may include hinting, suggesting,<br />
urging, coaxing, encouraging,<br />
guiding, pointing-out, conversing,<br />
instructing, informing, narrating,<br />
lecturing, demonstrating, exercising,<br />
testing, examining, criticizing,<br />
correcting, tutoring, drilling...” Our<br />
teachers support, guide and enrich<br />
each child’s thinking by providing<br />
provocations for learning.<br />
Mandy Herold<br />
Our days are full of age-appropriate,<br />
boy-friendly fun and here is an overview<br />
of <strong>2016</strong> with many highlights<br />
and memories:<br />
Grade 0 – Hope School visit, Rhino<br />
money box, Bird Park outing, Vegetable<br />
Planters, Christmas Concert.<br />
Grade 1 – Gorgeous stars, angels<br />
and gum boot dancers in the Nativity<br />
play, the outing to Bester Bird<br />
Park where our were great ambassadors,<br />
and the task money collection<br />
– especially for the rhinos<br />
The Ridge School 5 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
SENIOR PREP REPORT<br />
Head of Senior<br />
Prep Academics<br />
There is no codified list of best<br />
practices. That means you get to<br />
explore like an astronaut, experiment<br />
like a scientist, design like an<br />
engineer and create like an artist.<br />
Like any other skill, it takes a lifetime<br />
to perfect. There’s no point<br />
where you “have arrived”, and<br />
there shouldn’t be. As a teacher,<br />
you’re always exploring, always<br />
experimenting, always innovating.<br />
Reflecting on <strong>2016</strong>, and the academic<br />
pulse that drives the teaching<br />
and learning, it is clear that we<br />
are blessed with the best teaching<br />
staff. Staff who offer advice, a<br />
helping hand, who drive our boys<br />
to be the best that they can be, but<br />
also understand that holistic development<br />
is essential in the growing<br />
and knowing of every boy who<br />
attends The Ridge School.<br />
Whilst sitting early mornings and<br />
late afternoons in my office, it’s evident<br />
that the buildings are quiet,<br />
with a gust of wind that channels<br />
its way through the corridors, or<br />
an ominous cloud that decides to<br />
dissipate once the sport has been<br />
cancelled. It’s too quiet – yes, the<br />
beautiful buildings that we are<br />
aesthetically spoiled with remain as<br />
the “framework” for the teaching<br />
and learning to take place, but<br />
it is the boys and the staff who<br />
ignite the fuel when the school day<br />
begins and ends.<br />
much wider than traditional scope<br />
speaks more powerfully to the lives<br />
of learners likely to live.<br />
We ran an interactive Making<br />
Thinking Visible workshop earlier<br />
this year, with a focus on the<br />
parents actively participating in<br />
various tasks that their own son<br />
has been exposed to. Interestingly<br />
enough, there was a hesitance<br />
at first. Not many parents were<br />
keen to share ideas, fearing they<br />
could be wrong. We often use<br />
past experiences (such as when<br />
we were in school) to navigate our<br />
way through another experience.<br />
Ironically, the boys feel empowered<br />
when working alongside each<br />
other. They realise that they don’t<br />
always have to be right. They have<br />
the confidence to ask questions<br />
and learn through discussion.<br />
They have opportunities to genuinely<br />
enquire as well as a chance to<br />
speak and be heard without fear of<br />
getting an answer wrong.<br />
The statement “Life’s a journey,<br />
enjoy the ride” lends itself well to<br />
the way in which a school runs.<br />
You cannot enjoy a journey without<br />
passengers, you cannot enjoy<br />
the ride without a driver. It is this<br />
that encapsulates the destination<br />
– one in which the experience and<br />
outcome of the journey can be<br />
enjoyed by all.<br />
So what do we want our boys to<br />
look like when they leave The<br />
Ridge School? I know many parents<br />
have a different set of ideas,<br />
but let me end with some food<br />
for thought – will you remember<br />
in a few years time the day that<br />
your son played cricket for the C<br />
team, will you remember the day<br />
that your son achieved 70% for his<br />
spelling test or that time when he<br />
was a reserve for the first team?<br />
Or, will you remember the time<br />
that your son played the vital role<br />
as the tree in a play, the time when<br />
he created his own interactive<br />
game during an IT lesson, the<br />
point where he climbed out the<br />
car by himself and carried a dozen<br />
bags through the main school gate,<br />
or even designed his own band<br />
t-shirt and sang in front of the<br />
School. If it is the latter, then we<br />
have got it right.<br />
When the destination has been<br />
reached, you will find a successful,<br />
confident and responsible individual<br />
whose effective contribution<br />
to society means a lot more than a<br />
mark on a piece of paper.<br />
Nick Diana<br />
It is here that life-worthy learning<br />
takes place. According to David<br />
Perkins, author of “Future Wise:<br />
Educating our Children for a<br />
Changing World”, when teachers<br />
introduce twenty-first-century<br />
skills, new advances in disciplines,<br />
interdisciplinary studies and so on,<br />
they foresee that a curriculum of<br />
The Ridge School 6 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Director of Sport<br />
Report<br />
SPORT<br />
<strong>2016</strong> has been a good year for The<br />
Ridge Sport and there has been a<br />
definite mind shift amongst the<br />
coaching staff and boys. What I<br />
have realised is that our boys have<br />
learnt to become far more competitive<br />
on the field and that is our aim<br />
as coaches, for the boys to have fun<br />
and yet still be competitive. An over<br />
emphasis on results in the past is,<br />
for me, the reason sport has been<br />
on the decline at various schools.<br />
Our aim has shifted to up skilling<br />
our boys in all sporting codes, this<br />
will lead to the results taking care of<br />
themselves in the long term. By also<br />
changing the mind set to having the<br />
correct attitude will also have a huge<br />
impact going forward, by instilling<br />
a sense of belief and confidence in<br />
our boys.<br />
We have committed to designing<br />
Ridge specific blue prints in a number<br />
of the sporting codes which we<br />
will be rolling out from 2017. We<br />
do realise that these will be working<br />
documents that will most definitely<br />
change as we try and shift our mindsets<br />
from good to great. We look forward<br />
to an exciting 2017 in which<br />
the boys show the right stuff in all<br />
areas and continue to punch above<br />
their weight.<br />
Bennie Du Preez<br />
Cricket<br />
The cricket season has been quite<br />
a successful one for many of the<br />
teams and our boys can be proud<br />
of what they have achieved. We are<br />
aware that there are one or two age<br />
groups that have struggled this year<br />
but overall I am proud to say that<br />
we have won approximately 52%<br />
of the matches we played this year<br />
across all the age groups. One of<br />
the greatest achievements this year<br />
was our 2nd XI who went through<br />
the year not losing a single match.<br />
Our first team also had a fantastic<br />
year winning close to 65% of their<br />
matches. They have represented the<br />
school well in the festival and tours<br />
they attended and we look forward<br />
to an exciting 2017 season.<br />
Bennie Du Preez<br />
Swimming<br />
Our <strong>2016</strong> swimming season was a<br />
fantastic one. Our boys competed<br />
well in the 1st term with both our<br />
A and B teams holding their own.<br />
In term three we decided to move<br />
our B team into the A25 league<br />
and enter a C team into the B25<br />
league. Once again our boys didn’t<br />
disappoint and exceeded well above<br />
all expectations in all three leagues.<br />
The proof was in the pudding<br />
when we swam at the inter-schools<br />
gala and came third in both the<br />
A and B league galas, this was<br />
an outstanding achievement and<br />
especially with the A team missing<br />
second place by a single point. A<br />
very special mention needs to be<br />
paid to Ms Kinnear & Mrs Wales<br />
who have been the backbone of our<br />
swimming success and have created<br />
such a positive swimming passion<br />
at The Ridge. Mrs Wales we wish<br />
you all the best at Pridwin, you will<br />
be greatly missed.<br />
The Ridge School 7 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Rugby<br />
Soccer<br />
SPORT<br />
<strong>2016</strong> was a tough year on the rugby<br />
front when one looks at the overall<br />
performance of The Ridge across all<br />
the age groups. Our boys, were, however<br />
better prepared and competed<br />
far better than 2015. We are working<br />
close with Bafana Nhleko from<br />
the Golden Lions to create a Ridge<br />
brand of rugby going forward. One<br />
needs to remember that this is a<br />
process that will take a few years and<br />
also requires a whole school buy-in.<br />
We won’t see immediate results,<br />
however, the process will eventually<br />
take care of itself. The goal is that<br />
we all speak one language and read<br />
from the same page from U9 – 1st<br />
XV level. A big thank you to all the<br />
coaches and I hope to see more of<br />
the same in 2017.<br />
Bennie Du Preez<br />
Hockey<br />
The hockey season was a very exciting<br />
one, especially considering that<br />
as a school we don’t actually have<br />
our own astro. Our 1st touring side<br />
did really well on their pre-season<br />
tour to Bloemfontein for the SA<br />
Prep Schools Hockey Festival. A<br />
most memorable match was coming<br />
from behind to draw to DPHS. The<br />
local season also went well for The<br />
Ridge with an average 50% win ratio<br />
against every school we played,<br />
excluding a nearby rival on-top of<br />
the hill. One phenomenal achievement<br />
was the unbeaten season experienced<br />
by our U12A, B, C & D<br />
sides. Our hockey is growing from<br />
strength to strength and 2017 seems<br />
to be a promising year. A big thank<br />
you to all the coaches for their hard<br />
work and dedication.<br />
Bennie Du Preez<br />
This term saw a transformation in<br />
soccer as a whole. A set formation<br />
and playing style was introduced to<br />
the staff. The rewards of this will<br />
only be seen as time goes on. The<br />
1st team were introduced to Friday<br />
morning training sessions which<br />
included a breakfast, which in-turn,<br />
built the team spirit. Every player<br />
played for one-another. It is not often<br />
that, as a coach, you come across<br />
players that understand the necessity<br />
of hard-work and dedication, not<br />
through words, but in attitude and<br />
in actions. I’d like to thank the parents<br />
of this team for supporting every<br />
game and believing in the team.<br />
The highlight of our season was the<br />
game against St Stithians where our<br />
attacking style of play began to pay<br />
off. Considering the soccer season is<br />
only 5 weeks and to have only lost 2<br />
league games is a big step forward in<br />
soccer at The Ridge School.<br />
Shannon Diedricks<br />
The Ridge School 8 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Tennis<br />
Scientists and doctors around the<br />
world point to tennis as one of the<br />
healthiest activities you can participate<br />
in because it delivers overall<br />
physical, mental and emotional development.<br />
The Ridge enjoyed its<br />
most successful tennis season in its<br />
history to date, as the First tennis<br />
team went through the entire season<br />
unbeaten. The Ridge also claimed its<br />
maiden South African, private primary<br />
schools tennis championships,<br />
held in Sun City in August, with a<br />
dominant performance throughout<br />
the championships, and in the process<br />
did not lose a single fixture.<br />
SPORT<br />
Tennis has certainly taken off at<br />
The Ridge and the tennis season has<br />
now officially been extended to all 3<br />
terms. We have seen a huge interest<br />
from the boys with mass participation,<br />
so much so, we were the only<br />
school that entered 4 teams in the<br />
SA primary schools championship.<br />
The boys developed many skills<br />
such as: a good work ethic, learned<br />
sportsmanship, accepted responsibility,<br />
managed mistakes, enhanced<br />
discipline and teamwork, learned<br />
to cope with pressure and adversity<br />
and developed healthy habits.<br />
All the boys are to be commended<br />
for their enthusiasm and participation<br />
this year, whether they represented<br />
the school or attended social<br />
practices. I look forward to another<br />
successful year next year in terms of<br />
interest, passion and love for this<br />
wonderful sport which is widely regarded<br />
as the “sport for a lifetime”.<br />
Damian Pikkiri<br />
Water-Polo<br />
The 1st and 2nd water polo teams<br />
displayed an incredible amount of<br />
passion and determination this year,<br />
with both punching above their<br />
weight in many regards. The boys<br />
braved the chilly waters during early<br />
morning sessions at school and late<br />
afternoons at Zoo Lake in an effort<br />
to develop their skills. After a very<br />
short 1st term, where both teams<br />
only managed to play one match<br />
against KEPS, water polo went into<br />
hibernation for the winter.<br />
The 3rd term was far more eventful<br />
and included highlights such as the<br />
1st team tour Cape Town to participate<br />
in the SACS tournament and<br />
the St Stithians Festival here in Johannesburg.<br />
Despite the preparation for these<br />
competitions being hampered by<br />
scheduling conflicts with other<br />
sports, the boys trained 6 days a<br />
week and the improvement was evident<br />
in the quality of their play.<br />
The 2nd team deserves a special<br />
mention this year for their commitment<br />
and desire to play the game,<br />
giving 100% at practice week after<br />
week with limited game time. This<br />
attitude is ultimately what earned<br />
many players a call up to the 1st<br />
team, providing me with some serious<br />
selection headaches each week.<br />
I thoroughly enjoyed coaching this<br />
fantastic group of boys and I wish<br />
them all the very best in the future.<br />
Mike MacFarlane<br />
The Ridge School 9 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
SPORT<br />
Kayaking Report<br />
The goal for <strong>2016</strong> for the kayaking<br />
club was to become more actively<br />
involved in the Gauteng School<br />
League, and this milestone was<br />
achieved in a wonderful fashion.<br />
The Ridge competed in two Sprint<br />
events held at Florida Lake and Victoria<br />
Lake, as well as four Marathon<br />
events held at Emmarentia Dam,<br />
Benoni and Victoria Lake. Nick<br />
Venter and Matthew Maccelari were<br />
the two standout paddlers for The<br />
Ridge, and went from strength to<br />
strength as the year progressed. After<br />
only two years in a boat, Matthew<br />
managed to achieve a highly<br />
impressive 2nd place overall for the<br />
season in his age group.<br />
The profile of the kayaking club has<br />
continued to grow in <strong>2016</strong>, and this<br />
year we have had over 20 boys participating<br />
in the Monday and Friday<br />
afternoon sessions held at Emmarentia<br />
Dam. The goal for 2017 is<br />
to have a larger contingent of Ridge<br />
boys representing their school in<br />
the Gauteng Schools League, as well<br />
as to organise another “Dads and<br />
Lads” Orange River trip in the April<br />
holidays.<br />
Daniel McLachlan<br />
Climbing Report<br />
<strong>2016</strong> has been a defining year for<br />
climbing at The Ridge. Probably the<br />
biggest achievement is that it was<br />
the first time that we won the interschool<br />
climbing competition! It was<br />
especially meaningful as Mr Mitchell<br />
leftTthe Ridge so we felt it was<br />
a fitting send off for a great Coach.<br />
Our team then went on to take part<br />
in the Nationals competition held<br />
at City Rock on 1 and 2 October.<br />
Six boys made it into the Nationals<br />
selection – they were Nathan Berlin,<br />
Rho Mathee, Alex Setterberg<br />
Rees-Jones, Nico Setterberg Rees-Jones,<br />
Alex Hutton and Jack Solomon<br />
in their respective ages and<br />
categories.<br />
It was an action-packed weekend of<br />
climbing covering the full range of<br />
‘the agony and the ecstasy’ . Unfortunately<br />
the boys struggled in this<br />
competition. Many of the competitors<br />
are our friends so it was a good<br />
test of sportsmanship - climbing<br />
really teaches us a lot of camaraderie<br />
and positive support towards all<br />
who take part in this great sport. So<br />
even though the boys didn’t make<br />
it through to the next round, they<br />
stayed to cheer on their friends.<br />
Ridge boys making it to these stage<br />
of the competition, they were there<br />
to offer support. I felt very proud<br />
of this because it was my first time<br />
taking part in the Nationals and I<br />
was a bit stressed, yet the team was<br />
there to support. In addition to this,<br />
I felt the pressure because my family<br />
weren’t there as my brother was<br />
having surgery. But then he came<br />
straight from the operating theatre<br />
to watch me in the finals and I came<br />
first in South Africa in U13 Top<br />
Rope. So it really was a personal and<br />
meaningful highlight for me. I hope<br />
that the Captain next year has the<br />
same experience of the Gold Medal!<br />
I hope that 2017 continues for the<br />
Ridge success and the team goes<br />
from strength to strength. I wish<br />
the next Captain all the best – it has<br />
been the best year for me not only<br />
personally but that the team has<br />
won so many awards and achieved<br />
so much. Thank you for a great opportunity<br />
to be Captain of a great<br />
team in the best sport.<br />
In case you didn’t know, climbing<br />
is now an Olympic sport and part<br />
of Tokyo 2020. Perhaps we will see<br />
some of these talented Ridge boys<br />
flying the SA flag?<br />
Alex Setterberg Rees-Jones<br />
We have another distinction in that<br />
Nico Setterberg Rees-Jones fell in<br />
the qualifying round and broke his<br />
arm in a dramatic fall. The ambulance<br />
arrived and the organisers of<br />
SANCF (South African National<br />
Climbing Federation) were really<br />
great in their support. It was only<br />
later we were told that his fall was<br />
the first broken bones at City Rock<br />
– but he didn’t get a medal for that!<br />
On a personal note, when Nico was<br />
having his surgery the next day to<br />
put wires into his broken bones I<br />
continued through to semi and then<br />
finals. Despite none of the other<br />
The Ridge School 10 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
CULTURAL<br />
Chess Report<br />
Chess is an intellectual sport and<br />
it is played by people who are able<br />
to plan and think ahead. Every boy<br />
that took part in the chess season<br />
enjoyed it and learned a lot. The<br />
number of boys involved in chess<br />
has increased this year, which is<br />
a sign that the sport is becoming<br />
more popular at The Ridge. We had<br />
a very successful season this year,<br />
but most of all we had a lot of fun.<br />
We can attribute our successful season<br />
and growing numbers to our excellent<br />
teachers, they are always encouraging<br />
and supportive. In every<br />
chess practice we learned something<br />
new. The weekly puzzles challenged<br />
and encouraged boys to participate<br />
in the lessons. The boys who attend<br />
weekly chess practices through the<br />
year must be commended on their<br />
commitment to the sport, I am sure<br />
those cold winter mornings were<br />
not pleasant but they were there.<br />
Chess is a growing sport at The<br />
Ridge, hopefully it will go from<br />
strength to strength. It teaches boys<br />
to think, plan and strategise, but<br />
above all it encourages boys to enjoy<br />
themselves.<br />
Samuel Kahanovitz<br />
St Katherine’s Daisy<br />
Chain Mosaic<br />
A wonderful collaboration between<br />
a group of keen mosaic artists and<br />
enthusiastic Ridge boys, resulted in<br />
the making of a 4 meter long Daisy<br />
Chain. The beautiful blue, yellow<br />
and white creation is a gift from<br />
The Ridge school to St Katherine’s,<br />
in celebration of their centenary<br />
birthday.<br />
Mosaicking is one of those things<br />
that can really get under your skin.<br />
It’s like the challenge of needing<br />
to complete a puzzle. You need patience,<br />
good fine motor skills and<br />
spatial awareness.<br />
And if you don’t have any of those,<br />
then a good sense of fun and enjoyment<br />
of team work will get you<br />
through!<br />
The boys delighted in piecing together<br />
this giant puzzle, finding just<br />
the right place for their piece. The<br />
mosaic took a month to complete,<br />
with boys taking time out of their<br />
busy schedule to be part of this wonderful<br />
gift project. The mosaic now<br />
features as a colourful backdrop<br />
to the pool area at St Katherine’s<br />
school.<br />
Nicci Kurz<br />
The Ridge School 11 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Art Week<br />
This year’s Art Week was a spectacle<br />
of colourful, joyful and thought<br />
provoking work by our Grade 3 to<br />
grade 7 boys. With over 500 works<br />
on exhibition, there was something<br />
for everyone to enjoy. Many parents<br />
were delighted to put their blue<br />
stickers on their favourite art work<br />
on show, in addition to a red “sold”<br />
sticker on their boys’ work. The<br />
school was able to raise a substantial<br />
amount for the Rhino Fund,<br />
due to these generous pledges, and<br />
the boys learnt that there are different<br />
ways to make a contribution to<br />
our broader community and environment.<br />
CULTURAL<br />
<strong>2016</strong> saw many of the boys being<br />
able to consolidate techniques they<br />
have practiced over the past few<br />
years in the studio. Art classes have<br />
stretched our boys to not only think<br />
creatively and to problem solve, but<br />
to produce work of beauty, value,<br />
and interest. The variety of work<br />
was testimony to boys as makers,<br />
preparing them to be 21st century<br />
learners. In other words, to be curious,<br />
to have intellectual courage, to<br />
explore, problem solve and collaborate,<br />
to be adaptable, resilient and<br />
committed! I am very proud of their<br />
achievements and look forward to<br />
another year of creative exploration<br />
in the magical world of art making<br />
at The Ridge School.<br />
Nicci Kurz<br />
The Ridge School 12 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
CULTURAL<br />
Reading Breakfast<br />
On Friday 14 October, there was a<br />
distinct nippy breeze about, but no<br />
sign of rain. Johannesburg’s clear<br />
blue skies looked down on the quadrangles.<br />
Would this unasked for chill<br />
this morning deter the breakfasters<br />
and readers? Would The Book People<br />
feel let down by the poor turnout?<br />
Maybe it was time, after nearly<br />
nine years of breakfasts, to let go of<br />
this twice-yearly event, along with<br />
my 21 years at The Ridge?<br />
But no, the new Librarian for 2017,<br />
Hanlie Lombard had arrived to experience<br />
this Ridge phenomenon,<br />
so that she could carry it through.<br />
Mums, dads, boys and siblings started<br />
arriving, and spreading out their<br />
blankets and chairs in the early<br />
morning sun. Others found nooks<br />
and crannies and the library stairs,<br />
sheltered from the breeze. Gaps appeared<br />
on the bookseller’s table, as<br />
children and adults devoured the<br />
stock and joined the paying queue.<br />
One of the card machines took on<br />
a mind of its own at the speed with<br />
which it was asked to operate, and<br />
just opted out.<br />
My last Reading Breakfast was legitimately<br />
over.<br />
The amazing cleaning staff were<br />
washing up cups and saucers; The<br />
Book People were tallying their takings<br />
and packing away, with more<br />
empty boxes than full ones. Boys<br />
had gone off to classes and parents<br />
to their commitments. Time had<br />
stopped for me.<br />
It was time to look to the future and<br />
all the new opportunities that it will<br />
bring. Thank you all for your wonderful<br />
support and encouragement<br />
over these many years, and may the<br />
photos bring you as many happy<br />
memories as they do me.<br />
Bev Schultz<br />
Roald Dahl Day - In<br />
Celebration of his<br />
100th Brithday<br />
Boys without accompanying parents<br />
poured into the Art Studio to be<br />
read to by Nick Dianeaand Moeketsi<br />
Motsepe while Nicci Kurz listened<br />
in, while busying herself with the<br />
Art Exhibition preparations.<br />
We walked around and Hanlie was<br />
able to meet a number of boys and<br />
their parents so that she, and they,<br />
will not be totally new faces in the<br />
new year; together we choose some<br />
books to be added to the library.<br />
And suddenly, the quad was emptying....<br />
I looked at my watch, 07.30.<br />
Why? Had the chill got too much?<br />
Had disinterest set in early? The Art<br />
Studio was empty again. Nicci, what<br />
is going on? My watch had stopped;<br />
it was actually close to 08.30.<br />
The Ridge School 13 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Music Tour Report<br />
St Martins-in-the-Veld Carol Service Photos<br />
Music tour was a great experience<br />
and the boys had a wonderful time.<br />
Our first performance was for Highbury<br />
Prep School in Hillcrest, a spirited<br />
performance followed and we<br />
soon got into the swing of things.<br />
Onwards to Thomas More and<br />
we can safely say that both performances<br />
on day one were exemplary.<br />
Day two saw us perform in front of<br />
Umhlanga College where the choir<br />
and Marimba band stole the show.<br />
Later that day and under the blazing<br />
Durban sun we gave an admirable<br />
performance to Durban Girls College<br />
– but enough about music and<br />
onto the fun!<br />
MUSIC<br />
From the amazing breakfast waffles<br />
we had at The Blue Waters Hotel<br />
to the luxurious experience we had<br />
at Shakaland, which also taught us<br />
so much about the Zulu culture;<br />
we truly were spoilt. We visited the<br />
Durban Sharks Board and followed<br />
that with a tour of the Durban Harbour<br />
and after that we thankfully<br />
settled into John Dory’s for a well<br />
deserved dinner after a long day on<br />
the road.<br />
The highlight, aside from the music<br />
part of the tour, of course, was the<br />
visit to uShaka Marine World. We<br />
had three hours to spend there and<br />
we made full use of every minute.<br />
On behalf of the boys on tour we<br />
wish to thank Mrs Fox Van der Poel,<br />
Mr Stanley and the other staff who<br />
took us on tour and made the experience<br />
so enjoyable.<br />
Luca Genovese &<br />
Samual Kahanovitz<br />
The Ridge School 14 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Grade 0 Concert<br />
After much practise, the Grade 0<br />
boys were finally able to perform<br />
their Junior MasterChef concert to<br />
their mums and dads, siblings, and<br />
special grandparents on 2 November.<br />
The boys were bursting with<br />
excitement, and ran up to the hall<br />
to escape the thunderstorm that<br />
was rolling in. They performed with<br />
great enthusiasm, and made their<br />
parents and teachers very proud.<br />
Kitchen utensils that doubled as<br />
musical instruments added to the<br />
fun of the performance. These little<br />
chefs danced, sang and recited<br />
their poems beautifully, whilst donning<br />
their shiny aprons made by the<br />
women of Bethany House.<br />
Sarah Bear<br />
JP CONCERTS<br />
Nativity Play Grade<br />
1-3<br />
A true reflection of what a South<br />
African Christmas story would be<br />
like was the theme of this year’s Nativity.<br />
It had never occurred to any<br />
of us that the transport that Mary<br />
and Joseph were travelling in broke<br />
down, and that is the real reason for<br />
them ending up on a donkey!<br />
The scene was complete with angels<br />
and stars as well as the 3 wise<br />
men on their camels. The story still<br />
spread the message of peace, love<br />
and joy to all at this special time of<br />
year – with a few hyena, buffalo and<br />
zebra in the grasslands.<br />
Di Wellard<br />
The Ridge School 15 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
OLD BOYS<br />
Leaving The Ridge for<br />
High School - Memoirs<br />
from our Old Boys<br />
Bongi Fleisher was recently appointed<br />
as the Head Prefect at Michaelhouse for<br />
2017. This is a great honour and a wonderful<br />
achievement for Bongi but also<br />
The Ridge. Nicolas Jeffrey was also announced<br />
as a school prefect at St John’s<br />
College. I recently asked them if they<br />
would be willing to share their thoughts<br />
and insight into life at high school and<br />
how they navigated their first few years.<br />
In true Ridge spirit they were more than<br />
willing to share in their experiences.<br />
It has been four long years since my<br />
last day as a Ridge boy but the memories<br />
make it seem far closer. Moments<br />
throughout every year have<br />
reminded me of the time I spent<br />
growing at The Ridge and one this<br />
year stuck out in particular. Reminiscing<br />
with friends and watching<br />
The Ridge’s recent promotional video,<br />
A Day at The Ridge, at an Old<br />
Boys’ function earlier this year filled<br />
me with nostalgia and I was immediately<br />
flooded with memories. The<br />
dreaded early morning water polo<br />
practices; smashing the marimbas<br />
at break; Founders’ Day festivities;<br />
many odd games; friendly teachers<br />
and the incredible atmosphere of<br />
inter-house galas – to name a few –<br />
all returned vividly to my thoughts.<br />
By the end of my eight years, I had<br />
been given so much to take with me<br />
as I moved on to the next phase of<br />
my schooling life.<br />
new place with different rules and<br />
unknown people always takes some<br />
time. Another change that many<br />
face, and one that had the greatest<br />
impact on me, is leaving home<br />
to board. Although the act itself is<br />
daunting to many and terrifying to<br />
some, I strongly believe that boarding<br />
has an immense positive effect<br />
on those who take it on. It is not<br />
always easy, and that is expected,<br />
but the challenges it presents imbed<br />
valuable skills in while teaching<br />
important lessons to those who go<br />
through the experience.<br />
How does The Ridge prepare you<br />
for all of these changes? In terms of<br />
academics, sport and culture, Ridge<br />
boys compete across the country at<br />
the top level, however, the unmeasurable<br />
things are more difficult to<br />
determine. The emphasis of The<br />
Ridge’s education is one that is holistic<br />
and provides boys with “the<br />
Right Stuff”. Characters who portray<br />
the qualities promoted by The<br />
Ridge will adapt successfully in any<br />
environment, whether it is a boarding<br />
environment or not. What The<br />
Ridge - and other prep schools - cannot<br />
prepare you for is adapting to<br />
high school. This is something that<br />
can only be done through personal<br />
experience.<br />
The most difficult and important<br />
part of this change is not to make<br />
new friends or succeed; it is to<br />
continue to display the core Ridge<br />
values and be significant in a new<br />
community. If this can be done, the<br />
rest will fall into place no matter the<br />
situation.<br />
The most valuable lesson I have<br />
learnt since leaving the Ridge, although<br />
it is incredibly clichéd, is to<br />
make the most of the opportunities<br />
offered. Before you know it, the five<br />
years of high school will have flown<br />
by and then the real world must be<br />
faced. As I near the next phase of<br />
my life, I know that the positive influence<br />
of The Ridge will continue<br />
to benefit me greatly. The massive<br />
emotion shown each year as the<br />
Grade 7 boys leave is only a testament<br />
to the great love this school instils<br />
in those who pass through it. I<br />
will often wish I had an opportunity<br />
to put on my Blues, walk down the<br />
road and experience a day at The<br />
Ridge one last time.<br />
Bongi Fleisher (2013)<br />
After The Ridge, life changes quite a<br />
bit. Boys get deeper voices and some<br />
start shaving while others deal with<br />
the drama of relationships and the<br />
pressures of school work. Sport is<br />
on another level and the busyness<br />
of school life sometimes seems overwhelming.<br />
All Ridge boys must face<br />
a change of scenery. Adapting to a<br />
.<br />
The Ridge School 16 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
OLD BOYS<br />
The Ridge’s motto – ‘Where boys<br />
are known and grown’ – is a lot<br />
more real than many people realize.<br />
Throughout my time at the school,<br />
The Ridge was successful in building<br />
my character, as well as allowing<br />
me to make many strong friendships<br />
with people I am still close to today.<br />
The unique atmosphere of the<br />
school provided an environment<br />
much like home to me, and because<br />
of this, my transition into St John’s<br />
College came with much difficulty.<br />
The move from a relatively small<br />
school where every boy was quite<br />
literally ‘known’, to an absolutely<br />
massive institution with many<br />
more unknown faces was terrifying:<br />
although The Ridge had built<br />
my character to a large extent, I was<br />
still a young and immature boy only<br />
just out of junior school, and this<br />
proved difficult for my transition<br />
into St John’s. However, what was<br />
most fortunate about my move to<br />
St Johns was the sheer number of<br />
other Ridge boys also making the<br />
exact same transition: around 20<br />
boys from The Ridge joined me in<br />
my move to the St Johns, providing<br />
me with many initial friends other<br />
boys from different junior schools<br />
did not have. The advantage I had<br />
over boys from other junior schools<br />
was a significant factor, allowing my<br />
transition to high school to be much<br />
smoother than anticipated.<br />
top academics in the grade. I have<br />
also found a passion for drama<br />
which was never really apparent at<br />
The Ridge – I always tried to get involved<br />
in school plays at The Ridge,<br />
however, I never saw drama as one<br />
of my strengths, which I do see now<br />
I think that the reason for this immense<br />
change in myself is not because<br />
of the different standards of<br />
both schools, but rather the idea<br />
that The Ridge allowed me to explore<br />
and find meaning in many<br />
things. Through the many ‘downs’<br />
I had at the school (such as performing<br />
quite poorly in academics<br />
and sports), I was able to realize the<br />
potential I actually have. I firmly<br />
believe that one can only really be<br />
good at something when they have<br />
failed at it numerous times, and it<br />
is because of these certain ‘failures’<br />
at The Ridge that I have become<br />
so much more successful today – I<br />
would never have become a prefect<br />
at The Ridge, whereas now I am a<br />
prefect at St Johns, one of the finest<br />
schools in South Africa. This<br />
really shows the large extent I have<br />
changed.<br />
In speaking about my ‘failures’ at<br />
The Ridge, I do not mean to create<br />
the idea that I was a complete and<br />
utter failure: there were still many<br />
aspects in which I was highly successful,<br />
such as being the top musician<br />
at the school in my grade 7 year.<br />
However, it is clear that The Ridge<br />
is significant for the role it played in<br />
shaping the person I am today. Because<br />
of the loving and accepting environment<br />
The Ridge provided me<br />
with, I was able to experiment and<br />
go through many ‘downs’ during my<br />
time there. This has allowed me to<br />
achieve many things I did not think<br />
I could ever achieve, and I still hope<br />
to achieve much more in my final<br />
year at St Johns.<br />
Nicolas Jeffrey (2013)<br />
What surprises me the most when<br />
I look back on my years at both St<br />
Johns and The Ridge is how much<br />
I have changed since leaving The<br />
Ridge. Although music is still an<br />
extremely important part of my life<br />
(which The Ridge laid the foundations<br />
for), I have found many new<br />
talents and hobbies I never thought<br />
I would have. While at The Ridge<br />
I seldom performed well in either<br />
sports or academics, while at St<br />
John’s I am currently playing at a<br />
first team level and am one of the<br />
The Ridge School 17 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
Fraser Jones - Will he<br />
be the next Jacques<br />
Kallis?<br />
Fraser Jones (2013) got the call up<br />
to the Michaelhouse 1st XI cricket<br />
side early on in the <strong>2016</strong> cricket<br />
season as an opening bowler and<br />
middle order batsman. During<br />
this time Fraser was chosen as one<br />
of two cricketers at Michaelhouse<br />
invited to participate in practice<br />
sessions with the KZN Dolphins<br />
cricket squad and was selected to<br />
represent KZN Inland U17 to play<br />
in the CSA U17 Cricket Week in<br />
Johannesburg.<br />
OLD BOYS<br />
Truly a rare honour was when Fraser<br />
was awarded his Full Colours<br />
for cricket at Michaelhouse, this<br />
all being particularly impressive<br />
considering the fact that he is<br />
completing Grade 10 and therefore<br />
playing out of his age group.<br />
During his school holidays Fraser<br />
can still be seen The Ridge School<br />
cricket nets where he receives<br />
coaching from our resident cricket<br />
pro and 1st team coach, Brandon<br />
Buckley, pictured below on<br />
the right of the photo.<br />
The Ridge School 18 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
GENERAL INTEREST<br />
Grade 3 Camp<br />
The Grade 3 boys, together with<br />
their teachers, had their camp adventure<br />
in September. The excitement<br />
and nerves were tangible as we<br />
boarded the bus for 2 nights away<br />
from our loved ones.<br />
It became obvious that it was the<br />
first time away as bag after bag arrived<br />
– and each one larger than<br />
those the teachers had brought with<br />
them.<br />
The activities ranged from wall<br />
climbing, hiking, swimming, shelter<br />
building and, of course, the muddy<br />
obstacle course. The boys conquered<br />
every challenge put before<br />
them showing the Right Stuff! The<br />
boys enjoyed the opportunity the<br />
build new friendships, show teamwork<br />
and the ability to face their<br />
fears.<br />
It was also an opportunity to learn<br />
more about the environment and<br />
understand the role humans play in<br />
trying to help save the planet. A reptile<br />
and nature talk ensured that the<br />
boys got up close and personal with<br />
a variety of natures best!<br />
The boys enjoyed everything on the<br />
camp – from the freedom of exploring<br />
nature in a safe environment to<br />
experiencing new challenges that<br />
differed from those at school or on<br />
the sports field.<br />
We were so proud of the way in<br />
which the boys handled themselves<br />
for the first time away from home.<br />
I am sure they learnt a lot about<br />
themselves and that they had their<br />
work cut out for them keeping up<br />
with the teachers!<br />
Di Wellard<br />
The Grade 0 Santa’s<br />
Shoebox Initiative<br />
Our Grade 0 classes worked tirelessly<br />
to design, decorate and most importantly<br />
fill their boxes in support<br />
of the Santa Shoebox Project.<br />
60 boxes were delivered to the drop<br />
off point ready to be handed over<br />
to it’s less fortunate recipient on<br />
Christmas Day. The boxes were<br />
filled with a variety of items that<br />
were prescribed and then each boy<br />
was allowed to add in something<br />
unique and special to give his present<br />
a personal touch.<br />
Our boys have learnt that Christmas<br />
time is just as much as about giving<br />
as it is receiving.<br />
The Lighthouse<br />
The Lighthouse saw its official<br />
opening in the latter part of this<br />
year, a true celebration of a valuable<br />
resource for boys, parents and teachers<br />
alike. The team of Lighthouse<br />
professionals led by Jan Mallen,<br />
have been very busy over the course<br />
of the year extending their reach<br />
throughout the school. This lively<br />
centre of learning and development<br />
is proving to be a cohesive, supportive<br />
haven for all those who seek its<br />
warmth and care. It is establishing<br />
itself as a hub of creativity, fun, collaboration<br />
and learning in the heart<br />
of the school.<br />
The team’s time has been well spent<br />
working collaboratively to fulfill various,<br />
individual roles, among them:<br />
play therapy and counselling, occupational<br />
therapy, speech and language<br />
therapy, physiotherapy and<br />
remedial therapy. In addition to<br />
these specific therapies, curriculum<br />
based intervention has been provided<br />
in Grades Two to Six, either in<br />
the form of small breakaway groups<br />
or in the context of the classroom<br />
environment. Collaborative teaching<br />
in a number of these Grades has<br />
enabled us to enhance our understanding<br />
of the boys within both a<br />
classroom and individual environment.<br />
A committed and cohesive team<br />
within The Lighthouse has provided<br />
the platform for the sharing of<br />
specialised educational knowledge,<br />
skills and resources, allowing us to<br />
utilise the year to grow and develop<br />
as professionals in order to better<br />
serve the teachers and boys whom<br />
we support. It has been a privilege<br />
to work as part of this dynamic team<br />
who are making a difference to so<br />
many boys’ lives.<br />
Jan Mallen, Candice Fletcher and<br />
The Ridge School 19 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
GENERAL INTEREST<br />
Golf Day<br />
The Ridge is proud to have our annual<br />
golf day back on the calendar<br />
after 4 years since the last event.<br />
Parkview hosted the 28 four balls<br />
neatly attired in Ridge blue golf<br />
shirts. We certainly could not have<br />
asked for better weather as the rain<br />
stayed away and the mercury rose to<br />
sweltering 34 degrees Celsius. The<br />
warm weather, however, did not detract<br />
from the quality of golf played<br />
with our winning four ball amassing<br />
90 points in the four ball alliance<br />
competition. As usual, The Ridge<br />
was spoilt by its numerous suppliers<br />
and corporate supporters with<br />
some amazing prizes. One of the<br />
highlights of the day was drawing<br />
the winner of The Lion Sands weekend<br />
away prize generously donated<br />
to the School by the More family to<br />
raise funds for our newly adopted<br />
Rhinos.<br />
Planning for next year is already<br />
under way and we hope to build on<br />
what was an extremely enjoyable day<br />
out.<br />
Joe Kotwal<br />
Ridge Mums take on The New York<br />
Marathon<br />
Past and present Ridge mums, after months of training, headed off to New<br />
York to take on a must have on everyone’s bucket list – The New York<br />
Marathon. Described by many as the only time a New Yorker will give way<br />
for you, the race is a test of ones focus as one can’t help but get caught up<br />
in the amazing sites made popular by Hollywood. All six starters finished<br />
the race in the allotted time frame and have vowed to reunite one day and<br />
do it all over again.<br />
Front Row left to right: Linda Kok, Debbie Thomas, Karen Short and<br />
Caroline Schnell<br />
Back row left to right: Lucy Gush & Kobie Claasens<br />
The Ridge School 20 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>
GENERAL INTEREST<br />
The School and the PA<br />
say farewell to Kath<br />
Robins<br />
After her two-year term of office as<br />
the chair of The Ridge PA, Kath<br />
Robins gave a heartfelt speech to<br />
parents and staff at The PA Cocktail<br />
Party in late November. Kath<br />
served with diligence and always<br />
had a calmness that filtered through<br />
to those around her. As is typical<br />
with Kath, her words gave praise to<br />
the volunteers mums of the PA and<br />
highlighted the amazing work they<br />
do for The Ridge but also Salvazione<br />
Christian School and The Hope<br />
School. Kath will be succeeded by<br />
the very capable Fanella Johns.<br />
Below, an excerpt from Kath’s<br />
speech.<br />
Judo (A letter from a<br />
proud parent...)<br />
Dear Mr Stanley,<br />
I am writing to inform you that the<br />
Junior and Senior Prep boys, who<br />
represented the Ridge School, at<br />
the judo inter schools competition<br />
on Saturday afternoon, 3 December<br />
<strong>2016</strong>, placed second in the competition.<br />
The junior school boys are<br />
Jaden Paxton, Joshua Barassa and<br />
Tate Millar. The senior schools boys<br />
are Cheyenne Paxton, Ross Ravelli,<br />
Lukhanyo Dongwana and James<br />
Weinberg.<br />
Now that <strong>2016</strong> is coming to an end<br />
and so is my time at The Ridge, part<br />
of me wants to start all over again<br />
as I have so enjoyed my experiences<br />
here and especially being a part<br />
of this very special family. Being<br />
Chair of the PA for the last 2 years<br />
has been an absolute privilege and<br />
I have been so lucky to work alongside<br />
such wonderful and talented<br />
people.<br />
To the PA of <strong>2016</strong> – thank you for<br />
sitting through hours of meetings<br />
and for all the organisation and efficiency<br />
you handle each and every<br />
task. It’s a big ask and it is so appreciated.<br />
I know we have made a huge<br />
difference and not too mention how<br />
fun it has been to watch you all sitting<br />
outside Cupped laughing and<br />
enjoying being part of the school<br />
and I can so recommend being a<br />
pertise and experience would have<br />
correctly seen them through to first<br />
place, as it did to reach the semi-finals<br />
against strong competitors like<br />
St John’s College.<br />
Penelope Paxton<br />
member of the PA to any parent.<br />
And in the words of the great Dr<br />
Seuss<br />
“Don’t cry because it’s over – smile<br />
because it happened”<br />
These boys were absolutely amazing!<br />
In my view the only reason they<br />
placed second in the competition<br />
was because they were matched<br />
against boys and girls who were not<br />
in their height and weight category<br />
in the semi-finals, yet took up the<br />
challenge. Had they been up against<br />
their respective peers, I have no<br />
doubt that their combined skills, ex-<br />
The Ridge School 21 <strong>Horizons</strong> <strong>Term</strong> 3 <strong>2016</strong>