Quarter 1 Newsletter 2020

9 discovered species of superbeast insects. They have also been building giraffe and horse paper sculptures, learning about 3D paper sculpture techniques in order to make their animal stand. 3D modelling on Morphi, creating a fish using the 3D drawing tool and 3D shapes have kept the Grade Threes busy this quarter. In addition, they have been building a coral reef sculpture from recycled and craft materials. Using the augmented reality function on Morphi, their 3D modelled fish will be projected between their coral reef sculptures. In the Senior Preparatory Art Room, the Grade Four learners made colourful coffee and teacup collages with coloured paper and recycled magazines. They also created exquisite oil pastel animals with geometric patterns focussing on emphasis as the design principle. The Grade Fives created mixed media vases with flowers, after learning about famous artworks and the history of flowers. They used oil pastels, watercolour and acrylic paint. They explored Cappadocia's hot air balloon rides and collaborated with their peers to create a hot air balloon ride collage through experimentation and focussing on balance as the design principle. Our Grade Six learners mastered specific watercolour techniques and created a watercolour artwork through observation and colour mixing. For project- based learning they answered the driving question: ‘What is the best way to preserve a Folktale?’ Using their knowledge of watercolour techniques learnt in Art, rhythms and composition taught in Music and voice recording and performance techniques learnt in Drama, the learners created interesting projects based on inquiry, thereby learning by doing and creating a new unique piece to be preserved for the future. The learners could choose how best to preserve a Folktale, giving them the opportunity to create something unique and different. Design Society is an exciting new co- curricular activity offered to both Junior and Senior Preparatory learners. Embracing the recent windy days, the Junior Design Society learners painted and made a traditional Japanese Koinorbori windsock. Using a variety of geometric and organic shaped stencils and fabric paint, the boys and girls designed their very own pencil bag. To finish off their pencil bag, they designed a zipper grabber on the 3D modelling app, TinkerCad. Their zipper grabbers were 3D printed and attached to their colourful pencil bags. The Senior group created gorgeous floral inspired artworks, designing the various shapes through repetition and layering in acrylic paint on canvas. They designed digital drawings on Sketches Pro and printed their own T-shirts with their designs on it. A graphic illustration using watercolour and fine liners, focussing on simplicity and balance, was their final project of the quarter. Our dancers have been very busy preparing for the Cape Town Eisteddfod, which takes place in May and June. The costumes have been ordered, the sequins will soon be stitched, and on any given afternoon, both dance venues and the hall are filled with budding ballerinas, modern enthusiasts and shuffling tap dancers. The members of our Drama Society have experimented with characterisation, role-play, the use of space in scenes and storytelling activities. The senior groups are busy preparing solo poetry, prose and monologues for the newly established CADA Eisteddfod, and are looking forward to performing on stage in June. Every Friday, a future virtuoso pianist accompanies our School Song at Assembly, and we have also been treated to pieces presented by our Choir, Orchestras and Ensembles. Music fills our Assembly, as we have pianists, violinists and flautists playing each week. The variety of genre is astounding, with everything from Beethoven to modern compositions being played and our audiences enjoy singing along at times too. We were very privileged to host the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra this quarter. It is wonderful to have a world class orchestra so accessible to our learners, and their enjoyment of the programme which was presented is evident in the reaction to the music. To quote Friedrich Nietzsche, “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” A SPORTING ADVENTURE… It feels like summer has just started, but in fact we are standing at the end of a very successful and enjoyable summer season! The first quarter is swimming season which saw our swimmers participate in three galas. The squad won the Table View Primary Swimming Gala, and produced good results at the Kenridge and Storzner Cup galas. The annual Inter House Gala was also very well attended by all Grade 4-6 learners! Our Summer Quarter was a very exciting and fulfilling one on the Softball Diamond: new faces, new challenges and learning new skills. The girls showed great enthusiasm, dedication and encouragement on and off the field. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed their season and have shown great sportsmanship throughout the quarter. Our Parklands water polo players continued their good development in the pool this quarter. The programme, still in its early years, is regularly tested by stronger, more established schools. The exposure to playing in this league has been great for development and it won’t be long before both the boys and girls will be going head-to-head with the best. Looking back we can be very proud of both our boys and girls water polo team results. Cricket is always a highlight of the summer, and this year was no different. With the spotlight shining on the programme, cricket shone. From the Mini Cricketers taking to the field for the first time, to our U/12A team, there were eleven matches taking place at the Preparatory on a weekly basis. We were privileged to be able to test ourselves against Bishops towards the end of the quarter, and all the teams showed that they can hold their own against the top cricket-playing schools. As the seasons change, we look forward to an inviting winter sports programme!