General News – applies to all students
Last Day of Term
School closes for the 2019 academic year on Wednesday 11 December at 12:00 midday. Aftercare supervision will continue as normal on this day.
Festive Wishes and Words of Appreciation
We would like to take this opportunity to express a sincere word of appreciation to all our families for their wonderful support and assistance throughout the year. The positive feedback and co-operation we receive is highly appreciated.
We wish all the families a safe, festive and magical summer holiday where memories are made and happiness is shared.
Sad Farewell
To the families who are leaving South Africa for their new posting or relocation, we wish you well and will miss you all. We sincerely hope that your time in our lovely country has been spectacular.
Thank you
We thank all the teachers, administrators and assistant staff of Courtney Kids, Courtney House and Courtney College, for a productive and amazing year. Everyone has worked diligently and tirelessly to ensure that the best experience of education is awarded all. We, Teachers: Jo, Cara and Demi, are ever thankful and proud of our terrific team.
Offices Closed
Please take note that the school offices will be closed between 13 December 2019 and 7 January 2020.
A special word of thanks to Shirley Matawela and Thelma Bokhale for their exceptional dedication as the office administrators.
Campus Changes for 2020: Courtney House International School
Please take note of the following:
The Primary Campus (Reception Year to Year 5), headed by Teacher Demi, Charles Bramley/Mackie Street.
The Senior Campus (Year 6 to IGCSE), headed by Teacher Cara, Florence Ribeiro/Mackie Street.
The A-Level Campus (AS- and A-Levels), headed by Teacher Linda, Dey/Main Street.
Term Dates for 2019
Term 4 7 October – 11 December 2019
Term Dates for 2020
Term 1 15 January – 20 March 2020
Term 2 1 April – 12 June 2020
Term 3 7 July – 18 September 2020
Term 4 5 October – 11 December 2020
Adventure/Leadership/Educational Camps in Cape Town
Junior Camp Sunday 23rd to Friday 28th February 2020 Grade 3 -7 children
Senior Camp Sunday 5th April to Friday 10th April 2020 Grade 8 – AS/A-Level students
Stage Production 2020
Dates have been confirmed for 9 – 12 December 2020, with evening performances on 11 and 12 December 2020. This involves all children at the primary campus. The Stage Production takes place at The Atterbury Theatre.
Preschool News – applies to children in Tiny Tots, Grades 000 and 00
Congratulations
We congratulate Jessika Joubert (Grade 00) for being awarded 1st place at her show jumping event at Cornerstone Equestrian Centre on Sunday 1st December.
In addition, Jessika was also the winner of the Fancy Dress section whereby Jessika and her horse, Blackberry, had to look the same but also move as one dressed in theme: ‘Fairy of Light and her Trusted Warrior Horse’. Well done, Jessika, we are very proud of you.
Day Outing to Children’s Theatre in Parktown
All is set for the outing to the National Children’s Theatre in Parktown, Johannesburg on Monday 9 December during the school day. Children will be entertained with a stage performance of Dr Seuss’ renowned ‘Cat in the Hat”. We look forward to a wonderful day out.
A reminder to parents to send a packed lunch (no warm-up food).
Sad Farewell and Thank You
As Courtney Kids has been phased out, we thank Melodie, Refilwe, Monique and Julia for all their wonderful work over the last three years.
We wish Melodie and Monique the very best for their new ventures in 2020 and may they be blessed with luck, happiness and success.
Julia and Refilwe will stay on as assistant staff.
Primary Campus News – applies to children in Reception Year to Year 5
Civvies Days
As a special treat, children may wear civvies (ordinary clothes of their choice) for the last three days of school: 9, 10 and 11 December.
Day Visit to National Children’s Theatre and Acrobranch in Johannesburg
All is set for the outing to the National Children’s Theatre in Parktown, Johannesburg on Monday 9 December during the school day. All the teachers and some assistant staff shall accompany the children on these visits. Children must bring their own lunch packs for the picnics.
Children in Reception Year and Grade 1 will be entertained with a stage performance of Dr Seuss’ renowned ‘Cat in the Hat’. They will return to school after enjoying a picnic at the theatre grounds.
The Grade 2 – 5 children will be entertained with a stage performance of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ based on Roald Dahl’s Children’s Novel. After this, they will proceed to the Melrose Acrobranch Park for a picnic in the garden followed by a variety of Acrobranch activities and a chance at the Ziplining. Parents must take note that these children will only arrive back at school at approximately 15:30 on this day. Additional indemnity forms for Acrobranch were handed out last week and these need to be completed and signed for your child to attend.
Please remember to bring a hat along and wear sunscreen and a raincoat and umbrella for rainy weather.
Children dress in civvies on this day, wearing comfortable, casual clothes.
Thank you to parents who have already made payments for this outing.
Prize Giving Success
Thank you to the parents who attended the prize giving event at the Brooklyn Theatre on Thursday evening. The auditorium was filled to capacity and we are truly amazed at the great turn out of parents and family who attended.
Congratulations to all the children who received certificates, we are proud of each and every one of you!
Well done to the following children who received top achiever awards for the core subjects:
Grade 3
English Top Achiever Imaan Fakey Runner-Up Sazi Eccles
Math Top Achiever Vedansh Morya Runner-Up Sazi Eccles
Science Top Achiever Zachary (Zac) Blumenow Runner-Up Alys Imogen-Leigh Skinner
Grade 4
English Top Achiever May-Lia Nakhjavani Runner-Up Leone Mwebe
Math Top Achiever Tebian Nakhjavani Runner-Up Nurin Irdina Ishak
Science Top Achiever Senara Mallimaratchi Runner-Up Sarah Fadzil
Grade 5
English Top Achiever Madeeha Hyder Runner-Up Vuyani Eccles
Math Top Achiever Vuyani Eccles Runner-Up Anisha Simmonet
Science Top Achiever Jesse Kibet Moindi Runner-Up Madeeha Hyder
Final Academic Reports
The final academic reports will be ready for collection on Tuesday 10 December. Parents can collect the reports from the school office between 07:15 and 17:00 on this day. Parents will need to sign for their child’s report.
New School Times for 2020
The following times will apply as of January 2020:
Reception Year to Year 2 Mondays to Fridays 07:45 – 13:30
Year 3 to Year 5 Mondays to Fridays 07:45 – 14:00
Aftercare supervision is available until 17:00 daily.
Early morning supervision is available from 07:00 daily.
Text Book Orders for 2020 -IMPORTANT!
Parents are also asked to refrain from trying to purchase titles themselves as there have been some title changes due to books being out of print.
Text books are ordered in bulk batches through suppliers who are often able to provide books at cheaper rates, which makes it far more economical for parents to order and purchase directly through the school.
Languages and Grammar Books
Children are required to keep their text books used for English Grammar as well as French, Afrikaans and Spanish as these books are used in the following year or two.
Adventure Camp for February 2020 – Year 3 – 7
There are still a few places available for late reservations for the leadership/team-building/educational and adventure camp which will take place in Cape Town in February 2020. This is a wonderful opportunity whereby children learn a variety of skills which cannot be accomplished in a classroom.
Parents who would like their child to attend can make reservation bookings with Thelma at the school office.
School Uniform Orders for 2020 – Please order now for 2020
Parents are asked to please place orders for 2020 uniform items now as stock becomes more difficult to purchase during the festive season. Only online orders are acceptable. This is particularly important for all the new children who will start at Courtney House in January 2020.
Jenny is available at the primary campus on Monday and Friday mornings (between 07:00 and 08:00) for assistance regarding uniform items. The physical address for fitting and purchasing uniform is available on the website. Please consult the website for ordering and purchasing school uniform items which is www.schooluniformshop.co.za
Eat et Cetera School Lunch Packs
Healthy, wholesome and convenient lunch packs can be ordered, as usual, for daily lunch packs and hot meals. Please contact them on (012) 941 3999 or info@etc.co.za for more information.
Student of the Week
Each week, a child from each class is identified as ‘Student of the Week’ for showing excellence or great progress in various areas. The children are awarded badges at line-up. There is a display near the school office where the children who receive badges are acknowledged.
Congratulations to the students who received awards for ‘Best at English Writing”
Important Dates to Remember
Senior Campus News – applies to students in Year 7 to A/AS-Level
End of Year
The school closes officially on Wednesday 11 December at 12:00, however, our official academic programme ends on Friday 6th December.
We have a fun-filled programme planned for the last three days of school, the 9th to the 11th of December, and we encourage parents to send their children to come and enjoy these few days with their teachers and peers.
Monday 9 December: we will have a Movie Day, Quiz Show Competition and Creative Card Making activities.
Tuesday 10 December: we will have a Games’ Day ranging from ping-pong tournament to board games and lego building activities.
Wednesday 11 December: we are going to enjoy a Park Day! Students should bring picnic food and a blanket. We will play soccer and other games in the Blue Crane Park.
This is an ideal time for our students to engage in healthy, social interaction, team-building activities and opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
Prize Giving – Checkpoint 2021 (Year 7)
Thank you to the parents and students who attended the prize giving event on Thursday 5 December. We are very proud of the following students who received top achiever awards for the core subjects, based on their Grade 6 performance:
English Top Achiever Erin Feldtmann Runner-Up Atisa D’abdon
Math Top Achiever Milind Beegadhur Runner-Up Blanka Koscielecka
Science Top Achiever John-Paul (JP) Mbetse Runner-Up Ostap Rozumni
