16 January 2012
Dear Parents and Guardians
Welcome back to a new school year. I trust that you all had at least some form of holiday and are refreshed and ready for what the year will throw at us.
Please allow a few quality minutes to do justice to this newsletter; there is much that needs noting:
1. I am immensely proud of our 2011 matric academic achievements. Eight of our subject departments recorded a subject average of more than 70%. 228 subject distinctions were achieved with 20 of our matriculants attaining an "A" aggregate. Our Dux Academic, Aaron Ruffels, excelled with 9 subject "A's" and a final aggregate of 90,9%. Sadly, two of our pupils failed.
2. New parents allow me to extend a warm invitation to you to attend our New Parents Information meeting. Please join us for one hour, at 7pm on Thursday 2 February, for a cheese and wine.
3. Our website can be accessed at www.fishhoekhigh.co.za. Take a look at our facebook site: Searchword: Fish Hoek High School. The addresses appear on the back cover of the school diary. A letter explaining the Mobisite accompanies this Newsletter.
4. School times: Please note that school ends at 2.45 daily, except for Friday, which has a 2pm close and most second Tuesdays (Day 2) a 1.45pm close. We have a system of Optional Extra Time (OET) i.e.an additional 15 minutes, which is used from time to time for disciplinary reasons; you will be informed via SMS.
5. Absenteeism: Please ensure that a letter accompanies your child on the day of their return to school.
4. Latecoming: Please ensure a letter of explanation on the day of, or the day after, having arrived late.
5. Detention: The school holds both Academic and Behavioural Detentions each afternoon, with the exception of Tuesdays. The occasional Saturday Detention has also been scheduled. Pupils receive a green tear-off slip as a reminder. Parents will be contacted via the SMS system of Saturday detentions.
6. Homework diaries: The school diary is a mine of information. Parents are not expected to sign it unless their child has been placed on homework report. We strongly encourage you to interact on a daily basis with your child and his/her diary until such time as good work habits are established.
7. Bus-fares: Golden Arrow's prices in 2012 are: Noordhoek weeklyR58.50 and R257 monthly, Da Gama Park; R56.50 weekly and R249 monthly, Ocean View R58.50 weekly and R257 monthly.
8. Grade Heads: Each Grade this year is under the skilled care of two Grade Heads, a Grade Supervisor and a Counsellor. All but the most critical of your concerns should be communicated to them first, before calling the Principal.
9. Parking: Please do not drive into the grounds to drop off or collect your child, it causes major congestion. Also, please respect the red line in 13th Avenue and keep the bus stop area clear. Thank you.
10. Pastoral Care: We are fortunate enough to have the gifted services of a Social Worker, Mrs King, a Guidance Counsellor, Mrs De Villiers and Grade Counsellors, Mrs Singh and Mrs Starke. Please don't hesitate to approach them when the need arises. Mrs Singh is, in addition, currently completing her studies towards becoming an Educational Psychologist by doing a year's internship with us.
11. Extra-murals: The extra-mural programme, which offers more than 30 different activities this year, is underway. Please be aware that the policy is as per the letter I sent out last week.
12. The Mom's Who Care is a remarkable group of ladies, who perform random acts of kindness and lift us up in prayer. They would love you to join them. Please contact the secretary for details.
13. Verification form, School Fees form: (Grade 8 and new pupils): Please ensure that we have received these documents, by this week Thursday. The school fees form should be returned in a sealed envelope, with name and class on the outside, to the register teacher. For confidentiality purposes the envelope will remain sealed until deposited with the bursars.
14. Tests and Assignments: Decidedly the most important note you receive from the school is the schedule of the tests and assignments. May I encourage you to keep it, prominently displayed and insist that your child begins preparation earlier than the night before. Your child should write it up in their diary. You will receive this schedule in the course of the next week.
15. Parents Association: Lynn MacLean heads up the Parents Association and is asking for Grade 8 parents to make themselves available to act as class reps. Come on, folks, don't lose your primary school zeal just yet! We have a particular shortage of tuckshop moms and dads. Please volunteer! More information about avenues of involvement will be discussed at the New Parents Evening.
16. Pupils needing to leave school during the course of the day must hand in a letter of explanation to the office during register period. Pupils who fall ill during the course of the day are to report to the secretary and may not contact parents on their cell phones.
17. Please make use of the accompanying Comments and Compliments form to provide us with feedback, no matter how small you may feel the issue to be.
18. We are urgently in need of a Softball coach or two. Supply is not matching demand. Please contact Mr Murray Douglas at school if able to assist.
19. Many of our textbooks are taking strain and the state has provided a completely new set for Grade 10. Please cover them and encourage their proper care.
20. We are very excited to have Mrs Lesley Smith on board in the Music Department. We are now in a position to offer individual music tuition to Grade 8 and 9 pupils. The termly charge is just R600. Please contact Ms Ruth Chalmers if interested. A few places remain open.
21 New Uniform: Please note that prices cannot remain unchanged indefinitely, particularly regarding items that are being re-stocked.
22. Please consult the calendar in the diary for the terms activities.
Kind regards
GS Fish (Principal)
