From the Headmaster’s Desk
May 2016 No.8
Dear Parents
Now that we have enjoyed the first few days of the new term I am able to offer you all a warm welcome back. The
early wintry embrace that Mother Nature has wrapped us in in recent days has certainly not dampened the excitement
associated with the opening of another new chapter. The term has started as expected with staff well rested following
the three weeks' April holiday and boys full of spirit and energy, eager to get to grips with what the term ahead has in
store for each of them.
As we consider the anticipated busyness of another Ridge term that lies ahead we must do so mindful of our guiding
role as the adults in our boys' lives. A deliberate act that sees us being in place to advise, direct, support, correct or
instruct as deemed necessary at any given moment. At the same time though, recognizing that we need to give them
their own independent space in which to grow and through which to develop, over time, their own rite of passage.
Each successive school term provides another opportunity for us to release the kite strings just a little more as we
encourage our boys to reach out to and make connection with the world around them.
It is in this context, and as we sail into the second term, that I would share words of wisdom from Nikki Bush.
Under the heading Isn’t Letting Go The Ultimate Goal? She advises as follows:
“Parenting is filled with lots of detail and many, many decisions. You see, the baby part just required one decision –
‘Let’s do it!’ Thereafter we are faced with dozens and dozens of choices every single day – until our children grow
wings and fly. And, as much as we may feel weighed down by the responsibilities of parenting, there is also the
satisfaction of being needed, really needed, by another human being. But this need changes over time, and we must
recognise this and grow with it, otherwise we may disempower our children; taking away their opportunities for
personal growth and development, ultimately stunting their journey to independence.
We can get so involved with our children, caring for them, solving their problems, fetching and carrying, coaching and
mentoring and facilitating, and generally being needed, that we often lose sight of the fact that the ultimate need our
children will have is that of independence. They will need us to let go. ...
Keep lovingly letting go as you inch towards the ultimate goal of healthy parenting – to release into the world a young
person who has wings to fly and roots to hold them steady and guide them by. One who is independent and has
something unique to contribute to the world – themselves.”
Nikki Bush
Creative parenting expert, inspirational speaker and co-author of Future-proof Your Child (Penguin, 2008), and Easy
Answers to Awkward Questions (Metz Press, 2009)
[email protected]
www.brightideasoutfit.com
Along similar lines, I would ask parents to please diarise Tuesday evening, 24th May, to attend a talk by Mark Harwick
from the Guardian organization on the subject of building resilience, fostering emotional intelligence and what he
terms, 'bubble-wrapping our children'. More on this closer to the time.
Paul Channon
As all of you will know, Paul is gravely ill in hospital following a very serious car accident on the morning of 30th April.
We have been able to represent Vivienne and her children by sending out regular bulletins keeping The Ridge family
informed about his recovery.
Vivienne has asked me to thank the mums of the PA for their special love and concern, and through them, the many
parents who have been so generous and thoughtful in support of the Channon family. Please would you pass on to
your respective class parents that they are asked to continue to use Liz Wallis and the School through which to pass
on their donations, in whatever form, to Paul and Vivienne.
Staffing
We have been delighted to welcome Chris Verster and his wife Lindsey onto the school staff team in recent days. A
reminder that Chris joins us as Deputy Headmaster (Operational Matters) while Lindsey is filling in for Astrid Read
(Learning Support) who is on maternity leave for this term. Chris has been a Head of Department at Rondebosch Boys
Prep in Cape Town for a number of years and joins us with a real commitment to and deep knowledge about boys'
primary education. They have two children: Joshua, who is ten years old, and Kyra, who is eight.
In addition, we have welcomed Justin Wardle into the Music Department. Justin hails from Wynberg Boys in Cape
Town. He has a wealth of music experience and expertise behind him and will prove to be a marvellous right hand man
to Janet Fox in the months and years ahead.
We wish them all a long and happy stay with us here at The Ridge.
Staff Professional Development
It is good to be able to share something of the staff professional development programme that will be rolled out during
the weeks and months ahead this term:
Junior Primary:
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Report writing techniques and related practical tips. There are three workshops devoted to this.
Regular professional development sessions on a variety of topics each Monday afternoon. These
‘Musing Monday’ sessions will include: Pencil grip and handwriting workshop; Stress management
and mindfulness workshop.
Senior Primary:
-
Early Monday morning ‘iPad Teacher Training / Development’ sessions
Wednesday afternoon workshops on the subjects of: Making Thinking Visible; Effective technology
in the classroom; Digital safety; Developing independent and collaborative learners; 3D Printing;
Assessment practices.
Sharing and Leading Together – SALT:
We will be making a start on this term’s SALT programme on Wednesday 18 May. In addition to spending quality
‘sharing and caring’ time together in respective groups, our Grade 7 senior lads will be working with their junior lads
to come up with ideas that, once activated, will support the children from The Hope School.
On Wednesday morning, the idea will be for the Grade 7 boys to host intimate ‘a warm welcome’ group times. They
will be asked to bring some boiling water in a flask, a tin of hot chocolate, milk, sugar and some biscuits. Nothing better
than some hot chocolate on a cold winter’s morning to help to develop some friendships and to stimulate some ‘careto-learn’ ideas.
Rhino adoptions at The Ridge:
There are a number of Eco School related plans lined up for the term ahead. The first and most exciting is the new
'Adopting a Rhino' project that was launched here this morning.
In fact we will be adopting two rhinos that are in the protective care of the Wildlands Trust organization in the Pongola
area of northern KZN.
We look forward to being able to share more on this project as the weeks unfold. The boys have been invited to
participate in a competition that will result in suitable names for our adopted rhinos. In the meantime, photographs
of the two (one with a calf) will be posted on the noticeboards for all to see.
Medical aid and the cover of boys on the fields:
As we go into the rugby, soccer and hockey seasons parents are asked to please take note of the fact that should your
lad be injured whilst playing, and should that injury require specialist medical treatment over and above the on the
field first-aid intervention that he will receive, parents or guardians will be asked to furnish medical aid details. If these
are not available then treatment can only commence once an upfront cash payment has been made. Any shortfall on
the medical aid provision will be covered by the school’s insurance.
A Final Word:
“The parent who is willing to bail his child out of every difficulty may be doing him or her a devastating disservice.” Dr
James Dobson
I look forward to catching up with you all as the winter term rolls through.
RICHARD STANLEY
HEADMASTER