Newsletter 3 September 2021

Friday, September 3, 2021

Dear Parents, Friends and staff

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” – Peter Drucker

The month of September generally heralds the arrival of spring with the sentiment of rebirth, new life and a future full of hope and promise. Let us build on this thought and look forward to a tomorrow that brings us closer to a world that we fondly recall.

Our learners are engaged in the current program of assessments and we have seen a mixed bag of results to date.  I need you to make sure that your child/ children is productively engaged in the preparations for these assessments on a daily basis.  Too many leaners remain at school after the examination sessions, engaged in non-academic Pursuits

 I remind you again of the uniform adjustments to be implemented at the start of term 4 for Grades 4 to 6 and 8 to 11.  Please make sure that your / children have the appropriate uniform.  As stated, Grades 12 need to wear their matric jackets and grade 7 must wear a track suit top of similar item, identifying them as learners of the school. Uniforms are available from Bank Store and Stands Stationery in Mokopane. We made the decision last year to remove uniform requirements as part of the Covid requirements. This is now not seen as necessary. The uniform and dress requirements are attached to this letter.

There is a very clear and sound reason for the wearing of uniforms which includes the following:

• They help learners to dress smartly to the school, the school dress will help them to become confident
• Students realize that they are all equal in front of the educational organization
• Learners who wear school uniform properly will soon realize the importance of giving respect to others
• Learners take pride in wearing the school dress since it helps them to connect with their school—there is a sense of belonging
• When learners wear the school dress, they feel that they belong to a particular organization
• We can better identify who are our leaners in the areas around the school and control access accordingly.

While on the subject of Covid related issues. I must caution you against complacency and urge that you remain vigilant. The current rate of infections remains alarming and the very present risk of the 4^th wave remains real. The statistics speak for themselves.

Term 4 2021 Uniform and Dress Requirements

PERSONAL APPEARANCE

1. Learners who wear inappropriate clothing will have the offending items confiscated or be sent home to change into proper school uniform.
2. Hair – Girls and Boys
   1. No extreme hairstyles.  Deviations will be determined by senior management and dealt with on an individual basis’
   1. No patterns shaved into the hair. No dreadlocks, or mullets
   1. No new hair colour or bleaching allowed.
   1. Braiding must be close to the natural hair colour. Hair must be tied back into a ponytail(s) if long.
   1. (Girls) Hair accessories must be black or brown.
   1. No decorative hair accessories to be worn at all, including beads Hair extensions should not be oversized in length and thickness.

Boys

• Boys must be clean-shaven every day. Special permission, for Muslim boys, to keep a beard is currently allowed.
  • No moustaches.
  • No sideburns longer than between the eye and the ear-hole. No necklaces or wristbands allowed. 
• Earrings – Girls
  • Only one set in the bottom hole (if there is more than one hole in the ear). Only plain sleeper rings or studs of silver and gold, without shiny stones or patterns.
  • Size: maximum 10mm rings or 3mm studs. No necklaces or wristbands allowed.
  • Boys are not permitted to wear earrings

• Uniform – Girls and Boys (Except Grade 7 and Grade 12)
  • Prescribed uniform is obtainable from Bank Store, Stands Stationery Mokopane. Only plain white vests are allowed to be worn underneath school shirts. Vests may not have any logos or graffiti on. No long-sleeved vests are allowed under a short sleeve shirt. No T shirts, showing around the neck or above the shirt line allowed.
  • Boys are not allowed to wear black jeans.
• Ties
  • Prescribed School ties to be neat and worn with correct length from the collar down to the trouser belt or skirt belt.
• School tours or Short Trips
  • School uniform or tracksuits may be worn – all learners must wear the same uniform.
• Sportswear
• Prescribed sportswear must be worn. Obtainable from Bank Store and Stands Stationery Mokopane.
• Belts
  • Colour – black.
  • No studs or other fancy buckles are allowed.
• School Skirts
  • Length: 10cm from the floor all round when learner kneels. Please note: Girls must wear black ski pants under their skirts
• Socks
  • Boys: Long blue(MEPS)black(MASE) school socks.
  • Girls: Winter – long blue(MEPS)black(MASE) school socks. Black tights without decorations also permissible.
  • Summer – White socks, folded over once.
  • (Socks may not be rolled over into or just above the shoes.)
• School Shoes
  • Boys: Black leather school shoes – no boots or ‘slip-ons’. Girls: Black leather shoes with single strap and buckle.
  • Black lace-ups are allowed, and must be tied at all times. – no boots, slip-ons or  takkies.
• Accessories
  • In winter, the following are permitted:
  • Beanies (with school badge)
  • Scarves (with school badge)
  • Gloves (black)
• Jewellery
  • No rings, a string or rubber/plastic bands allowed, except SOS tag or Medic-Alert. Crosses and rosaries may not be visible.
  • The abovementioned is also applicable for all extra-mural activities. Black only alice bands may be worn
  • Jewelry will be confiscated.
  • Only one wrist watch to be worn on arm. The watch must be conventional in design, l.e, no charms, attachments, etc., and must have a plain plastic, leather or metal strap. No Smart watches are permitted.
• Nails
  • No nail polish.
  • Length: Nails must not be visible when palm is turned upwards. No artificial nails allowed. Nails must be clean and short.
• Make-up
  • NONE! – including lip-gloss. This is also applicable to extra-mural activities.
• Sport Gatherings
  • School tracksuit, school uniform or designated sportswear for the specific sport.

NOTE: SHOUILD ANY ACCESSORY, NOT APPROVED AS APPROPRIATE TO THE SCHOOL UNIFORM, NEED TO BE WORN TO SCHOOL, PERMISSION MUST FIRST BE OBTAINED FROM THE PRINCIPAL.

As always have a great weekend, say safe and stay healthy.

Brian Dawson