`

Newsletter 01/2016 21 January 2016 Dear Parents, Guardians and Learners Welcome back to a new academic year and an especially warm welcome to those educators who joined our team last week (see page 2), as well as our Grade 8s and the new learners in the senior grades who have decided to make Rand Park High School their home. Joining a new school can be both a daunting and an exciting experience; some thrive on the opportunities presented and new friendships to be made, while others find it overwhelming. Either way, it does take time to settle into a new environment and I am confident that there is a unique place for each learner within Rand Park. It is up to the individual to participate, ask questions, contact their Grade Tutors for assistance and make the most of every opportunity presented to them to excel academically, on the sports field and in our cultural and service programmes. Our School has had an extraordinarily busy start to the year. We achieved a 99% Matric pass rate with an increase in the number of distinctions obtained compared to the previous year. Our Class of 2015 was awarded 251 distinctions; up from 240 in 2014. Dux Scholar, Shannon Meinel (pictured right), is congratulated for achieving seven distinctions, one of which was for Additional Programme Mathematics. Notable, too is that of the 65 schools in the Johannesburg North District, Rand Park High School achieved the highest number of Matric passes and Bachelor’s Passes overall. I’d like to acknowledge our educators and staff for their hard work and commitment to achieving these results.

We were, once again, recognised as one of the Top Feeder Schools to Wits University, and have been overwhelmed by the interest in the School by future parents who have enquired about enrolment into Rand Park.

I encourage every learner to make this year, your best year ever. Be kind to one another; get involved; work hard; and support our school and your peers. I look forward to following your progress.

Yours sincerely MR A WILKE PRINCIPAL

All parents and learners are reminded to download the D6 Communicator –

see page 5 for the hyperlink.

NEW STAFF 2016

Welcome to the following new staff members who joined Rand Park High School at the

beginning of this year. We wish you a long and rewarding stay at our school:

Mrs A Schroeder

Commercial Subjects

Ms Z Motha

History

Mr T Pretorius

PE & LO

Ms S Van Heerden

Afrikaans

Mr P-J Roos Geography

Mr L Kruger

Afrikaans

Mrs N Van Biljon

Science

MATRIC RESULTS

Congratulations!!!!

Rules and Procedures We would like to remind all parents of certain rules and procedures:

1. School starting time Children MUST be at school at 07h30 every morning.

Classes begin promptly at 07h40.

2. ‘Drop off’ and collection of learners Please be considerate when dropping learners off at

school in the mornings and collecting them in the afternoons, so as not to cause congestion and delays. Stopping across the entrance to the school to let children off is prohibited and if/when they need to cross the road to the school, learners MUST use either of the two pedestrian crossings. Parents must give right of way to learners making use of pedestrian crossings.

Please do not obstruct our neighbours’ driveways under any circumstances and obey the rules of the road, particularly the no parking/stopping zones.

3. Cell phones May not be used in class unless under the instruction of

the teacher concerned. They must be switched off or placed in ‘silent’ mode during lessons. If cell phones are used inappropriately, they will be confiscated (with SIM card) for a week. In these cases, parents will be notified.

4. Leaving school due to illness Children must get permission from the teacher they are

currently with if they wish to go to the sick bay. They may stay there for a maximum of one period. If they have to go home, the school will call the parents to inform them.

5. Leaving school for pre-arranged reasons A letter from the parent must be handed in by the learner,

at reception, on the day in question (first thing in the morning) when further instructions will follow.

6. Leaving school for unscheduled reasons An email must be sent to the school advising the reason

and requesting permission for the learner to leave.

7. Medication If a learner is on prescribed medication that may need to

be taken in the event of an emergency, notification of this should be in the learner’s file and lodged with the Sick Bay administrator (Mrs Podmore). The school is not permitted to dispense any medication.

Grade Tutors - 2016 Our Grade Tutors fulfill an important role within the Rand Park High structure and are the ‘go-to’ educators who assist learners and parents with most day-to-day matters that relate to our academic programme within the respective grade. The Grade Tutors for 2016 are as follows:

Grade 8 Mrs N Naudé (Classes F, H, I, J)

Mrs A Steenkamp (A, C, E, G) Mr D Schmidt (B, D, K) Grade 9 Mrs J Farquhar (Classes B, I, J)

Mrs F Viviers (D, G, F) Ms L Shearing (A, C, E, H) Grade 10 Mrs L Palmer (Classes A, D, G, J)

Mrs M Cartwright (C, E, I, J) Mrs E de Villiers (B, F, H, K) Grade 11 Mrs T Ferreira (Classes C, F, I)

Mrs J Küpper (B, E, H) Mrs T Lingens (A, D, G, J) Grade 12 Mrs V Lesser (Classes C, F, H, J)

Mrs M Pienaar (B, D, G, I) Mrs I Riley (A, E, K)

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MathsBuddy Notice to Parents An important letter was distributed via email to all parents earlier this week regarding the MathsBuddy Programme. We encourage our learners to use this programme to enhance their Mathematics skills and knowledge. The cost to purchase a license is R190 per year, if purchased through the school, and may be purchased from the Book-keepers. Full details about the MathsBuddy Programme are available in the letter which is also posted

on the D6 Communicator.

NOTICE FROM THE BOOK-KEEPERS’ OFFICE Please note that the Banks are no longer accepting the old R200 bank notes. We therefore request that parents refrain from paying school-related expenses with these R200 notes as they will not be accepted by our Book-keepers. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

2016 Blood Drive

D6 Communicator To enhance our communication with you as a learner or parent, please ensure that you download the D6 School Communicator on to your desktop computer or hand-held device as soon as possible. Instructions: http://www.school-communicator.com/download.php

Select our School: Rand Park High School

School Uniform Policy Reminder

A reminder to all parents that school blazers are to be worn by all learners from 1 February 2016 on Mondays for the formal school assembly and at all school-related sports and cultural events where learners represent Rand Park as a participant and/or supporter.

We are aware that some of our school uniform stockists have sold out of blazers in certain sizes and are awaiting delivery of new stock. Should you be unable to source a school blazer for your child by 1 February 2016, please notify your Grade Tutor in writing. No punishment will be meted out to these learners provided the school is notified in good time.

Matrics are required to wear their blazers at school events and on Mondays, instead of their Matric jackets. The latter may be worn to school on the remaining days of the week.

Learners may not wear their school jerseys without their blazers. The bomber jacket may not be worn this term; it will only be permitted as part of school

uniform during the Winter months.

2016 Maths Olympiad Entries Entries for the Maths Olympiad (to be written on 9 March) are now open. Learners must hand their R30 entry fee to their Maths teacher by 2 February to secure a place at the Olympiad.

Have you visited our School Website recently?

We have updated the school’s website

and encourage our parents and learners

to visit it: www.randparkhigh.co.za

Please donate blood on 29 January 2016, in the School Pavilion, and help to

save a life. 09h00 – 12h00.

Welcome to our Grade 8s

A new school, leaders, teachers and friends greeted our 2016 Grade 8s at the beginning of last week as they participated in orientation sessions, fun-filled activities, as well as a swimming gala. The week culminated with the official Inauguration Ceremony, held on Friday, 13 January. This is an annual event and is held at the beginning of each academic year for all our new Grade 8 learners and their parents. The ‘light of knowledge’ is passed on to the Grade 8s by the leaders through the symbolic lighting of candles. This gesture is a tradition within our school and forms part of the warm welcome extended to each Grade 8 and his/her family as they join the Rand Park High family.

GRADE 8 INAUGURATION

SSPORTS RESULTS

Cricket vs Helpmekaar Saturday 16 January First Team Rand Park batted first and scored 275 all out Helpmekaar batted second and scored 160 all out Rand Park won by 115 runs Notable performances: Chris Taylor scored 103 runs Shane Botha took 4 wickets for 32 runs in 8 overs U15A Helpmekaar batted first and scored 180 for 9 wickets Rand Park batted second and were 90 all out Helpmekaar won by 90 runs U14A Helpmekaar batted first and scored 169 runs in 35 overs Rand Park batted second and scored 119 runs Helpmekaar won by 50 runs

-oOo- vs CBC Boksburg Saturday 16 January 3rd Team CBC batted first and were 68 all out Rand Park batted second and scored 69 for 3 wickets Rand Park won by 7 wickets Notable performances: Cameron Clark took 3 wickets for 11 runs and scored 40 off 22 balls

Water Polo Saturday 16 January Old Mutual Tournament 1st Team Girls vs St Stithians Lost 10-1 1st Team Girls vs Roedean Lost 9-2

Cricket First Team Chris Taylor

U14A vs Helpmekaar

INTER-HOUSE SWIMMING GALA

Bishop Takes the Honours – Winning House & Spirit Trophy The Swimming Pool area at Rand Park was the place to be on Tuesday, 19 January where Bishop, Lourie, Martin and Shrike competed for the honours at the Inter-House Swimming Gala. Congratulations to Bishop House on winning the House Trophy as well as the Spirit Cup. Final results were as follows:

Bishop 482 points Martin 473 points Lourie 423 points Shrike 399 points

Mr Wilke presented the individual trophies to the top performing Swimmers:

Jnr Victrix Ludorum (shared): Angela Graham and Courteney Pienaar Jnr Victor Ludorum (shared): Tristan Whitehead and Bernard Wolfaardt Snr Victrix Ludorum: Kirstyn Zoutendyk Snr Victor Ludorum: Aaron van der Heever

NOTICE: 2016 SCHOOL FEES

It has been agreed by the parents of Rand Park High School at the Annual General Meeting of the School Governing Body held on 28 October 2015 that: 1. Rand Park High School will be a fee paying public school.

2. The school fees per learner, for Rand Park High School for the year 2016 shall be:

R33, 300 per learner: Grade 8 and New Learners

R32, 300 per learner: Grade 9 to Grade 12

10% early settlement discount will be granted to those accounts settled by 31 January 2016.

3. The School Fees for 2016, per learner payable either: a) In full by 31 January 2016, less a 10% early payment discount or; b) Ten equal monthly installments commencing from January 2016 up to and including October 2016 by way of:

A monthly debit order

Direct deposit into the school bank account

Utilising the debit/credit card facility at the school

Cash paid to the book-keeper

4. Certain extended payment dispensation will be allowed, as presented and approved by the finance committee, subject to the clear understanding that:

Should the school allow payment dispensations, these undertakings in no way change the fact that the payment of school fees is a statutory duty and not a voluntary agreement, particularly not credit agreement as defined in terms of the National Credit Act. No. 34 of 2005.

Should the parent(s) default and fail to pay any single installment by the due date, the full amount that is outstanding will become immediately due and payable.

5. Payment of School Fees is a statutory duty, which a learner’s parents must pay and the parents (married, unmarried or divorced) are jointly and severally liable unless and to the extent of them being exempted.

6. Payment of School Fees is a statutory duty, and In order to enforce this, all monies received by the school will be allocated to outstanding school fees, first.

7. The School Governing Body may, by process of law, enforce the payment of school fees by parents who are liable to pay in terms of The South African Schools Act #84 of 1996 section 40.

8. Exemption from School Fees is available to qualifying parents in terms of the South African Schools Act #84 of 1996 Section 39.

Parents who wish to be exempted from the payment of school fees must apply annually to the SGB.

The income of both parents, irrespective of their marital situation or the maintenance agreement, is used in the calculation of exemption.

The exemption amount granted, is based on the gross, annual income of both parents/caregivers/guardians, and not affordability.

A maintenance agreement cannot be enforced on a third party being the school.

No learner may collect and or return an exemption application form.

The exemption application form can be collected from Mrs Justine de la Rey from 13 January 2016 at the school office between 07h00 and 13h00.

9. Admission of Immigrants to Rand Park High School will be governed by the terms of the Immigration Act No13 of 2002, Immigration Regulation dated 22 May 2014 Section 12(1)(h).

No learner will be admitted to Rand Park High School, unless they are in possession of a valid study visa obtained from the Randburg Department of Home Affairs or the duration of the learner’s studies.

In terms of the condition of a study visa, parents must pay the annual compulsory School Fees annually in advance for the duration of the learner’s studies at Rand Park High School.

For all school fee matters please contact Mrs Avril Stevenson 011 793 1246 ext 2027 or via email avril.stevenson@randparkhigh.co.za. For Exemption Applications please contact Mrs Justine de la Rey 011 793 1246 ext 2055 or via email Justine.delarey@randparkhigh.co.za. For any other financial matters, suggestions or complaints, please contact the Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Liza Bezuidenhout on 011 793 1246 or via email liza.bez@randparkhigh.co.za.

Rand Park High School does not endorse any advertiser or sponsor’s

product or service.

Advertising enquiries: email: rphs@randparkhigh.co.za

CLASSIFIEDS

ART CLASSES: By renowned artist and experienced teacher – Amanda Ellis. B.A.(Art), B.A. Fine Art, Advanced Diploma in Fine Art, Higher Diploma in Education P.G. (Secondary) U.C.T. All welcome. Contact: (011) 782-1686 / 072-179-6574.

EXTRA MATHS LESSONS: For all students who want to/need to improve their marks. Lessons conducted on a one-on-one basis by very experienced teacher in Randpark Ridge. Contact: Ursula on (011) 794-1067 / 072-313-0645 /or email: ullakleyen@mweb.co.za

HONEYDEW DRAPERS SCHOOLWEAR: Honeydew Shopping Centre, cnr Beyers Naude & Blueberry Streets. Summer uniform available. Lowest prices all year round! Contact: (011) 795-1617.

IN NEED OF TUTORING? Shannon Meinel, 2015 Dux Scholar and recipient of 7 distinctions, is offering tutoring to Grade 10 to 12 students in the following subjects: AP Maths, Maths, Science, Biology, Geography and Business Studies. For more information and rates, refer to www.1on1tutor.co.za or contact Shannon on 082-747-3929.

JA BOOKKEEPING SERVICE: Home-based bookkeeping company looking for clients. Services offered: processing on Pastel on-line; secure and confidentiality guaranteed; qualified Pastel Payroll Administrator; debt collecting: SARS return; VAT/EMP201 and EMP501. Books up to management reports. 15 years’ experience. Please contact Judy Adams on 078-457-8101/ jabookkeeping@webmail.co.za.

KATZ SCHOOL OF DANCE: Offers Ballet, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Latin and Ballroom. We are taking 2016 enrolments now. Come and be part of a dance revolution!! Contact: (011) 886-0529 / 082-572-0563 / admin@ksdance.co.za

RED DOOR MUSIC STUDIO: Taking Singing, Piano or Keyboard lessons will develop your creativity and confidence. For lessons in the comfort of your own home, or at our studio in Bromhof, please contact Amy Calf at Red Door Music Studio – reddoormusicians@gmail.com/ 083-337-2702.

We gratefully acknowledge the Rawson Properties Randpark Ridge team for their generous

sponsorship of this year’s general school newsletters.