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love for chess. Newfound
friendships and bonds are thus established.
Not only does chess instil a sense of discipline, but analytical as well
as mathematical skills are incorporated throughout the course of the
game. In the sage words of the famous Russian chess grandmaster, Garry
Kasparov,‘Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches
you to play by the rules and take responsibility for your actions, how to
problem solve in an uncertain environment.’
WATERPOLO
Brad Roets, Coach
What we thought was going to be a light introduction to the game, with only
a few intrepid children, was a notion that could not have been further from
the truth. In fact, another coach had to be brought in to deal with the sheer
numbers of Grade 5 and 6 learners who wanted to know more about the game.
Basic skills and the fundamentals of the game have been taught, along with
bolstering fitness and water treading skills. Treading water is as important to
water polo as being able to walk is to playing football. Towards the end of the
quarter, the children were introduced to the actual game, to the rules, strategies
and a few tips and tricks from an old dog. Our Grade 6 boys and girls who
intend playing this sport throughout their high school careers, will move to the
Sandown Campus with the first few lines in their play-books already written.
SWIMMING
AndrewTravis, Head of Swimming
It was a busy first term for the swimmers, with some children doing up
to four sessions in the pool a week and the Interhouse and Bridge House
Galas and Storzner Cup coming in quick succession as the quarter drew
to a close. With coaches Brad and Lauren pushing the children hard in
the training sessions, the general fitness increased quickly and there was
plenty of time to focus on and develop the individual strokes.
The Interhouse Gala was, as always, well supported and enjoyable. The
cheering was at times deafening, and the competition in the water was
fierce. Records were broken in a number of the events and individuals
shone. In the end, Yale won the Swimming Trophy and Oxford walked
away with the Trophy for the Best Spirit. Special mention should go
the Senior Victor andVictrix Ludorum: Euan Groenewald and Chloe
Govender; and our Junior Victor andVictrix Ludorum: Chad Brookstein
and Jade Turnbull.
The Storzner Cup was the first gala of the quarter and is an annual
event held at Milnerton Primary where the hosts,Tableview Primary,
Golden Grove, Groote Schuur Primary, Parklands College, and Deutsche
Schule Kapstadt compete for the honours. The Parklands team swam well.
Our swimmers were mainly successful in the individual races, but the team
was less competitive in the relays as it lacked the depth of numbers of
some of the bigger schools. Thank you to the Grade
Three and Grade Seven swimmers who joined the Senior
Preparatory to make up the U/9 and U/13 parts of our team.
Bridgehouse Gala is a relay only event. Unfortunately,
some of our top swimmers couldn’t make the event, and our
Grade Six learners came straight from camp, and were tired.
Despite some excellent individual swims, we again lacked
depth in our teams and struggled against some of the bigger
schools. Well done to all the swimmers who gave their
everything and remained positive throughout.
As the College grows, we look forward to building and
developing new talent.
SOCCER
Gareth Knott, Coach
It has been another great year on our soccer fields for
all of the grades. Soccer continues to be our most popular
winter sport, showing a large number of learners (boys and
girls) registering for the code at the beginning of the season.
We were able to field seven teams all in all over both
Preparatory campuses, and we have seen these seven teams
perform extremely well in their weekly fixtures.We are
one of the fortunate schools to be able to field an ‘A’ and
‘B’ team per age group in our local area, but this has meant
that our B teams have had to play in the A league to have
weekly fixtures.This has tested our depth which has not
been easy, but it has also narrowed the difference between
the A and B teams over the seasons. I have seen a great
improvement in our overall College soccer, and this has
been pleasing to both the coaches and the learners involved.
Our Grade Ones and Twos have not yet entered the
competition phase, but have shown to be a group with great
potential. Our coaches have followed a strict programme
with them, which has included teaching the basic skills
needed, the rules of the game and most importantly, how to
work as a team. Our Grade Threes were introduced to the
competition phase this year, and competed very well in their
first ever mini match season for the College. Our Grade
Fours had an erratic season but pulled off some excellent
victories along the way. Our Grade Five and Six teams were
amazing as they have matured into their roles and positions
and have truly shown their worth this year.
Well done to all our soccer boys and girls this year
- you have truly stood tall in what has been a season to
remember and one of which to be proud. I would also
like to thank the managers and coaches for all the work
that they have put in behind the scenes. Our parents also
deserve a ‘pat on the back’ for all the sideline support
which significantly contributes to a team’s success.
