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A Message from the Principal

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth." - Dan Rather

Our function as a school is complex by nature. If it were to only impact knowledge our task would be simple. We are however mindful of the fact that we are helping to mould the most precious person in you life, and as such we take our responsibilities extremely serious.

We are blessed at Brackenhurst Primary School to have fine teachers in our midst, people who have dedicated themselves to the holistic development of these wonderful young children.

While academic excellence will always remain our top priority, it is a well known fact that the fondest memories that a child will make will not necessarily be in the classroom, but rather after school in the many and varied activities that a school has to offer. There is a special place for every child at our school in terms of these extra curricula activities. If they are not inclined to sport, then encourage them to participate in cultural activities. Furthermore they can become involved in service to our community. Whatever their gift in life is, and each child has a special gift, it is incumbent on both the educators and parents to encourage them to develop these talents. This will ensure a self confident, well rounded child.

Children today are faced with growing up in an age of enormous and often difficult choices, life is often not simple for them. We are here, together with you the parents, to guide them into making the very best choices possible and steer them on the sometimes perilous course to achieving their full potential as adults. Let us strive as a Brackenhurst family to at al times keep the golden triangle between educators, parents and child in tact, and base our actions and decisions on that which is in the child's best interest.

Anne Burger

Staff Matters

Welcome to the following educators, we trust that you will have a long and happy association with Brackenhurst Primary School.

Mrs T Muller - Grade 4

Mrs L Theron - Grade 7 (Arts and Culture)

Mrs B Downs - Intern

CONDOLENCES

To Mrs Marlene Botha on the passing of her mother.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

PARENTS CORNER

What Teachers Wish They Could Tell You

School teachers play influential roles in shaping the future of children, which is why parents need to hear their words of wisdom regarding children. Teachers are a rare breed, choosing to devote their lives to the daunting and sometimes downright unappreciated task of educating our children..and possibly playing a large role in the shaping of their future too.

With such responsibility comes great experience, especially when you consider that teachers may spend more waking hours with your children than you do. This has earned them the right to certain pearls of wisdom, which are listed below. After all, experience has also taught them that there are some rather scary parents out there!

The Golden Rules

“Don’t take honest feedback on your child as criticism or a personal attack. Feedback is based on information and observation, often after a long period of interaction with your child.”

“Please don’t prevent your children from learning a big lesson in life – that every action has a consequence. If you keep covering for them – bringing in things they’ve forgotten at home, making excuses for their forgetfulness, laziness etc. – you are not teaching them important life skills. Allowing them to make mistakes and to learn from them is one of the most valuable things you can do as a parent.”

“Encourage! We are so grateful to those parents who take the time to send a little note or leave a phone message to thank us for what we are doing. This costs nothing and, if justified, can make our day and ultimately make us happier people for your child.”

“Healthy lunch provides a healthy mind!”

“First be your child’s parent and role model, then be their best friend.”

“Label all belongings and don’t send your child to school with valuables. We have enough to do in our days without having to conduct searches.”

“Don’t send an upset child to school and expect your child to have a ‘great’ day.”

“Don’t do homework for your child. Teachers can see the difference! You are fooling only yourself and not teaching your child to work independently.”

“Don’t allow your child to adopt a cute pose or have a cute saying which continuously melts you and persuades you to let him/her have his/her way.”

“You may hold a powerful position at work or in the community, but when you abuse your power of authority you teach your children that power buys anything and you present a distorted view of life.”

“Don’t tell your teacher that little Johnny won’t go to bed on time, won’t eat his vegetables, won’t stop jumping up and down on the chair in front of you. The message you are sending is that your child is impossible. The message the teacher is receiving is that your parenting skills are not up to scratch!”

“Your child is no angel!”

“Understand that teachers too are human. They do get sick. They do have babies. They do have families and lives outside of school. They are not available 24 hours every day. Phone calls at 10 0’clock on a Sunday night are not acceptable business practice.”

At the end of the day, teachers want nothing more than a fair trade; sharing their knowledge and wisdom to attentive and respectful audience. The rewards for a teacher come with seeing a past pupil flourish into a successful and happy individual, knowing that some of his success was nurtured in their very classroom.

Article from “Child Magazine.”

An update on Jarred Deans

To all the wonderful Brackenhurst Primary family that supported the Deans family two years ago in whatever way, when their son Jarred was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his first birthday we thought you may want to see how wonderful he is looking now!

As this is the last newsletter for the year, we have decided to end off with a poem for the children:

How to torture your teacher

By Bruce Lansky

Only raise your hand when

You want to sharpen your pencil

or go to the bathroom.

Repeat every ten minutes.

Never raise your hand

When you want to answer a question,

instead, yell, “Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!”

and then, when the teacher calls on you,

Say, “I forgot what I was going to say.”

Lean your chair back,

take off your shoes, and

put your feet up on your desk.

Act surprised when the teacher

puts all four legs of your chair back on the floor.

Drop the eraser end of your pencil

on your desk.

See how high it will bounce.

Drop your books on the floor

see how loud a noise you can make.

Hum

Get all your friends to join in.

Hold your nose,

Make a face, and say, “P.U.!”

Fan the air away from your face,

and point to the kid in front of you.

On the last day of school,

Lead your classmates in chanting:

“No more pencils!

No more books!

No more teachers’

dirty looks!”

Then, on your way out

The door, tell the teacher,

“Bet you’re looking forward

to summer vacation this year.

But I’ll sure miss you

You’re the best teacher

I’ve ever had.”

Brackenhurst Primary - A KFC Achiever School

A special word of welcome to all our new Grade One learners andparents, as well as any other new learners and their parents, we hope you feel part of the special Brackenhurst Primary School family from day one. Welcome back to all our existing families, we trust you had a wonderful holiday and are ready to face the challenges that 2012 holds.

SCHOOL TERMS 2012

Term 1: 18 January – 30 March

Term 2: 10 April – 22 June

Term 3: 16 July – 28 September

Term 4: 8 October – 7 December

CHANGE IN SCHOOL TIMES – GRADES 1 – 3:

Please note that as from Monday, 23 January 2012, school closes for

Grades 1 – 3 at the following times:

Grades 1 and 2: Monday – Friday: 13:30

Grade 3: Monday – Thursday: 13:45

Friday: 13:30

SCHOOL COMMUNICATOR:

This week we have made hard copies of the newsletter for all families. However, from next week we will only be sending hard copies to parents who do not have access to a computer and are unable to receive the newsletter via the Communicator or on our

school’s website: www.brackenprim.co.za.

Should you wish to receive a hard copy of the newsletter, please forward a note to your child’s register teacher. Hard copies will only be made for parents who have requested them.

PLEASE MAKE USE OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNICATOR:

This software programme will ensure reliable and up to date communication with you, the parent/guardian. This is a very simple and easy to use programme and can be installed on your home and/or work computer/s. This will allow us to keep you up to date on a daily basis as to what is happening at school. This will include the newsletter, photos, sporting fixtures, contact details, etc. The

Communicator updates itself via your internet connection. More information about the communicator can be downloaded from

http://www.brackenprim.co.za/weeklycirculars.htm in a document called ‘School Communicator Document.’

You can make use of one of the following options:

1. Download the software directly from the Website using the following URL www.schoolcommunciator.com/downloads.

2. Send an e-mail to comp@brackenprim.co.za requesting to borrow an installation CD. Please provide the name and class of your child/ren in the e-mail.

3. Send a memory stick in an envelope marked for attention M Fabel via the class teacher with your child’s/rens name/s and class/es.

4. The communicator is now also available for download on your mobile phone. Go to the following address on your cell phone and select the school you want to look at from the dropdown list. You will be able to view all the content that appears on the School Communicator at this time.

5. The address is:

http://mobi.d6communicator.com.

SCHOOL FEES

Please make sure when direct deposits are made that the correct reference (your school account no. or your child’s name), is used and confirmation sent through via fax or e-mail.

SCHOOL FEES 2012

School Fees 2012: R9 339,00

OPTION A: To be paid by 9 March 2012 = R7 938,00

(Discount @ 15% - R1 401,00)

OPTION B: - Debit Order & Monthly payments – R9 339,00

R849,00 per month x 11 months

Please note the first monthly payment for 2012 is due 1 February 2012.

NB: If new enrolment please bear in mind to take off R1 000,00 already paid towards school fees 2012 (R400,00 computer fee does not come off school fees.)

Please make sure that school fee payments are kept up to date on a monthly basis to avoid further action being taken.

R100,00 INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD LEVY

A motion was passed at the AGM towards the end of 2011 whereby R100,00 per child per year would be collected over and above school fees. This will be used exclusively towards the purchasing of Interactive Whiteboards.

To date, we have installed 9 interactive whiteboards, BUT WE STILL REQUIRE MORE as we would like every class to have an interactive whiteboard. We urge those families who have not yet paid the R100,00 whiteboard levy, to please send the money as soon as possible as we would like to install some more whiteboards.

Please be so kind as to send this money in a clearly marked envelope “WHITEBOARD LEVY” with your child to be handed in to his/her register teacher.

PLEASE DO NOT DO AN EFT FOR THE WHITEBOARD LEVY.

CURRICULAR MATTERS

Assessment week:

Detailed information regarding Assessment Activities for this term will be advised at a later date.

GRADE 1 - 3 INFORMATION MORNING

Grade 1 to 3 Information Morning will be held on Saturday, 28 January 2012 at 09:00.

Please make every effort to attend.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR MATTERS

Tennis:

Free tennis will be offered on Mondays with coach Rudolph – please meet directly at the tennis courts. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Grade 1 - 13:35 – 13:55

Grade 2 - 13:35 – 13:55

Grade 3 – 7 - 13:45 – 14:25

School Team - 14:25 – 15:00

Thank you to coach Rudolph for fixing our tennis nets, it is greatly appreciated.

Athletics:

COMPULSORY PRACTICE for all athletes commencing next week:

Tuesday: 14:00 – 15:00

Wednesday: 14:00 – 15:00

From Monday 23 January 2012 onwards there will be athletics practice every morning from 08:00 – 08:40 during athletics period.

Athletes may wear their PE uniforms to practice in.

Grade one athletes will only participate in run offs at the beginning of February.

Action Cricket:

ACTION CRICKET trials will be held on Friday, 27 January 2012.

U/10 and U/11 boys 14:30

U/12 and U/13 boys 15:30

These trials are for Southern Gauteng Provincial team and the tournament will be held at Meyersdal Action sports from the 2nd to the 7th July 2012. If you are unable to attend the trials but would like to be included, please phone Melissa on the numbers below and your name will be added to the list.

MELISSA VAN SCHALKWYK

Tel. ()11) 867 7941

Cell: 072 803 3947

Fax: (086) 627 4893

E-Mail Melissa@actionsports.co.za

GENERAL

Second Hand Clothing Shop:

The Second Hand uniform shop will be open on Thursday afternoons from 14:00 – 14:30 in the foyer of the hall. All items are priced below R50,00, depending on condition.

Tuckshop menu:

DAY FOOD COST

Monday

Pies R8,50

Muffins R5,50

Tuesday

Hotdogs R6,00

Wednesday

Mince Roll R8,00

Thursday

Hotdogs R6,00

Friday

Pizza slice R8

We are appealing to any mothers who would be able to assist in the tuckshop to please contact Mrs Darlene Smith on 084 705 1742 or at the tuckshop (011) 900-1990.

CIVVIES DAYS

Please take note of the following rules regarding “Civvies Days.”

Girls may not wear their hair loose.

No make up may be worn

No “extra” jewellery may be worn.

Tops must be “decent.” No low cut tops.

Boys may not have “fancy” hairstyles.

No rings to be worn by the boys.

PE Uniform

Please note that no changes to the PE uniform are allowed during winter. Please ensure that if your child is cold and has PE that they wear the full Brackenhurst tracksuit. Any child not wearing the correct uniform will be dealt with severely.

PLEASE, PLEASE, OUR ANIMALS ARE HUNGRY!

We are appealing to learners in all grades to please bring the following items to the lab. Wild bird seed; budgie seed; mixed bird seed; hamster food and bedding; rabbit food; carrot tops and lettuce and empty tissue boxes.

LATE COMERS

Parents please note, if your child arrives late for school, he/she MUST report to the office to fetch a “LATE NOTE.” Late comers will miss the first period of school and no late comers will be allowed in class without a “LATE NOTE.”

Bread Tags:

Thank you so much for the huge response. Please keep sending bread tags as we need to fill 10 black municipal bags for 1wheelchair.

Used Printer Cartridges:

PLEASE, WHEN HANDING IN USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES, ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE PACKAGING.

We are still collecting used printer cartridges for recycling purposes, in conjunction with “My School”. When you replace your printer cartridge, please send the old one in with your child, as we will receive a cash incentive for collecting them. If you are able to collect old cartridges at work please send these in as well.

Thank you for all the parents who continue to hand in their used printer cartridges for recycling.

Media Fines

After the two week period, late returns of media books will be fined in the amount of 50c per day. This money is payable to Mrs Sharp, the school librarian. All funds collected are used to purchase new media stock.

There is no reason why a book should be late as learners are required to bring their library book to their Media lesson every week.

If a library book is lost, the learner will have to pay the following to replace it:

a) R100 if it is an old book

b) R150 if it is a new book.

LOCKERS

Lockers are now available for hire. All learners, Grade 4 – 7, have been issued with a letter setting out the details with regards to the lockers.

The cost of the lockers is: Large locker – R150 deposit and R150 rental per year.

R300 payable at the beginning of the year.

Small locker – R100 deposit and R100 rental per year.

R200 payable at the beginning of the year.

Should you have any queries, please contact Mr Ayres at the school.

FRONT OFFICE

We once again need to remind parents not to drop off lunch, keys, money and homework with Mrs Brown to deliver to their child.

Unfortunately with close to 1 200 children at our school it becomes a logistical nightmare to deliver all the "forgotten" items. Please be assured that if your child forgets their lunch at home, the teacher will ensure that other children share their lunch. If your child forgets homework at home, please allow him/her to take accountability for his/her actions and face the consequences, which, if it is a first or second offence only amounts to a warning. Please assist us in this regard, as well as teaching your child responsibility.

We will at all times accept medication, especially chronic medication such as asthma pumps, which have been left at home.

CELL PHONES

Please note that in line with the cell phone policy (which will be issued to all learners within the next few weeks), no learner may have a celllphone at school which has internet connectivity and/or a camera.

On Monday we will be conducting an inspection and any learner found with the incorrect cellphone will have their cellphone confiscated and this will only be returned at the end of the term.

We request your co-operation in this regard, which is in the best interests of your child.

Should we have any more complaints regarding the fact that children may only bring a basic cellphone to school, or that an incorrect cellphone has been confiscated we will have no choice but to ban cellphones from being brought to school completely.