Granny Moolman showed us their lovely, cuddly bunnies, while some of us went with Aunty Nicole to show us their climbing billy goats, which were so friendly and full of energy. The highlight of our trip was definitely when Grandpa Moolman got the tractor ready and helped us climb on the back of the trailer to see the whole farm.

PREPARATORY BULLETIN

Mermaids spotted in GHS pool!

The green tinge that was present in the pool had made very favourable conditions to spot mermaids. Look closely those are reeeeaaaal mermaids…

(P.S. you may make out Nicke de Ridder and Caitlyn Fox, but don’t tell the little ones…)

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

The most recent theme in Grade Two was ‘Healthy Living’. Included in this theme was the component of ‘Eating Healthily’.

Dr Van Staden came to visit the Grade Twos and cleverly presented a child-friendly, interesting talk on the symptoms and causes of Diabetes. He also talked about the foods to avoid and how to manage the illness.

One of the Global Competency skills was put into practice too, as Research Rajesh gave clear instructions for the children to find out more about the different food groups. Pictures of food types pertaining to these food groups were collected, sorted and discussed in class before being pasted into their exercise books.

This component was concluded with a picnic held in Mr and Mrs Van Niekerk’s beautiful garden, under the shady trees. The Grade 2s had to make sure that the 5 food groups, discussed in the classroom, were represented in their lunch boxes. Once again, the Global competencies of socialising and communicating effectively were exercised. Discussion ensued as the children chattered about the wholesome food their lunch boxes held before they heartily tucked into the contents. The morning finished with a swim in the pool before the children walked back to school.

The Grade 2s and their teachers extend a BIG thank you to Dr Van Staden, Mrs van Niekerk and to the parents for preparing lunch boxes that held the ‘yummiest,’ nourishing foodstuffs!

COLLEGE CAMPUS

MYANMAR OUTREACH TRIP

On 7 February 2019, eleven Glenwood pupils, two teachers and three parents ‘set sail’ for the shores of Myanmar (previously known as Burma) to visit a number of orphanages.

This undertaking was born out of a partnership with the Living Ball organisation and its founder, Mr Manie du Toit.

Living Ball has a network of South Africans living in Yangon and has begun establishing a ministry involving several local orphanages and schools in the city. Part of Manie’s vision was to involve young people in his ministry and to instil in them a passion for reaching out to the lost. Hence, the partnership with Glenwood.

It is a very difficult task to put into words one’s impression of a magical, and mostly foreign, land like Myanmar. I don’t think any amount of preparation could have prepared us for our discovery of a dilapidated, poverty-stricken country ravaged by a tumultuous history, however, populated by a people so gentle and welcoming that we didn’t have a choice but to be moved and influenced to the point where we returned home as changed people.

Although our experience of Myanmar was limited to the main city of Yangon and its surrounds, we were still exposed to the richness and diversity that the country had to offer. We were witness to the harsh impact that military rule has had on the Burmese people and their country and how they are struggling to survive and rebuild their lives in their fledgling democracy which struggles to overcome the problems caused by the plunder and rape of the country by tyrannical ‘warlords’.

The purpose of our trip was to take our youngsters out of their comfort zone into an unfamiliar environment that forced them to rethink their ideas of ‘normal’ and to stir their hearts in response to the human plight. I was overwhelmed by the success of the tour seen in this light. My expectations were exceeded as our children embraced the ‘foreign’ with respect, modesty and love, dropping all their preconceived ideas and opening their hearts to experience the love of a people so different from themselves, and at the same time giving of themselves to bless others.

Our trip to Yangon was filled with a plethora of alien sights, sounds, tastes and experiences. Although the focus was on working among orphans and impoverished children, we also had the opportunity to visit tourist sites and take in a few of the beautiful wonders of this country.

As I said, sometimes words fail one, and the old adage “a picture tells a thousand words” rings true. Hence I choose to stop writing and allow a few pictures to tell the story.

This was truly a once in a lifetime trip that will stay with me for the rest of my life. In closing, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:

- Mr Symes, who supported this trip from its inception.

- Mr Manie du Toit from Livingball who had the dream.

- Ivan & Rhelda Venter who orchestrated the entire trip on the Myanmar side

- The parents who invested in their children and supported the trip from Day 1.

- Yolanda Hugo and Kolette Scholtz who accompanied us on the trip.

- Our Heavenly Father who provided the vision, made a way and protected us all on this trip.

russia tour

Good news! There are still a few places available for the tour to Russia from 20 – 29 September this year. Don’t miss out on this exciting venture! Please see the letter with information and the reply slip on the D6. The deposit of R3000 is payable by the end of term, so don’t delay... (PS: We accept parents, too 🙂 )

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

A parent’s guide to team selection

“I remember the first time my son was not selected for a team. I was truly devastated and very disappointed. Going over what the possible reasons for this could be, made me more frustrated and dissatisfied. Until it occurred to me. Who was more unhappy with this, my son or me?” These are often the thoughts that we as parents have to deal with when it comes to a team selection process.

Team selection is not an exact science. There are more variables in the mix than most people care to ever think about. What is decided today is dashed by the ever-present human element the very next day.

There are a few non- negotiables:

- We play to win.

- We do not play to win at all costs.

- The best team must be on the field.

- Every child who pitches for practice must be given a fair chance to make the team.

- The values of sportsmanship and integrity have to be nurtured.

Any seasoned coach will, when selecting a team, consider a number of components that make up the game, like: positioning, tackling, dribbling, passing and anticipation of the game regarding the player’s role as defender and attacker. Coaches also look for consistency, by every player, in all these areas.

Then, selection is done on a positive basis. That is, selecting who has these qualities, or the most of these qualities, first. Working their way through positional selection until every position is filled.

Then follows the selection of reserves. A question that coaches keep asking, regarding reserves or players on the bench during a match is - Who, on the field, can be replaced with this player? Should the coach believe a reserve would be able to perform better than a player on the field at a given point, they will replace this player.

Every coach has their own match strategy or game plan. Some coaches approach a match from a defensive point of view, others play an attacking game. Naturally the team selected will be reflected in the game plan desired. It is every coach’s duty to balance this aspect in favour of the team’s performance.

Team selection is dynamic. Players gain form and lose form during a season. It is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that the best players on the day are on the pitch.

This aspect of coaching is also why the coach needs to select. They see all the elements that present themselves in all the practices. Children are human and very few athletes are the same today and every day. A player can easily shine in a single match, but fade when critiqued on consistency.

As parents, we can easily voice our opinion based on passion. We are a community of parents who love our children deeply but, unfortunately, this passion clouds our ability to make unbiased selection decisions which negatively impacts on our proficiency to select.

Storming up to a coach and voicing your opinion does not, in any way, serve in the best interests of the team. It is important to note that the main reason you have this opinion of this player is because it is YOUR child!

Spare a thought for the child whom you intend to displace from the team. Are you truly convinced that they do not deserve to be in your child’s place?

Allow yourself time to digest your feelings on team selection. The 24 hour rule works wonders. Then, put your thoughts into words and state your recommendations. You may be doing the coach a favour in highlighting an area previously overlooked. Now you are constructively contributing to your child’s success.

The competitive arena of sports brings out our best and, unfortunately at times, our worst. Encourage your child to be a team player, to work hard, to strive for excellence. Then, their hopes will be turned into reality.

preparatory

HOCKEY - GEORGE TEAM

Glenwood House is proud to announce the selection of the following U13 hockey players to the George team.

WATER POLO

Glenwood House hosted a local water polo day and our U11 and U13 teams participated. The U13 B boys team did very well by winning all their matches.

Our U13 A team did exceptionally well. They beat the formidable Oakhill team for the first time in our young polo playing history. Lead by their captain, Hugo Naudé, who scored a hat- trick, the win was secured by another brilliant goal from Matthew Seabrook, to take the match 4- 1.

COLLEGE

SWIMMING

Interprovincial Swimming Gala, East London

The following Glenwood students were selected for the Inter Provincial swimming gala in East London on 12 January 2019:

George Marais, Matthew Seabrook, Robert Hendricks, Roelof Naudé, Stefan Steyn, Wido Rudolph

There were great performances by these Glenwood swimmers, against tough competition at this prestigious event.

Results:

Stefan Steyn (11-12) 200IM (1st), 100 Breast (1st), 100 Free (1st), 50 Breast (1st)

Wido Rudolph (11-12) 50 Fly (1st), 50 Breast (3rd)

Matthew Seabrook (11-12) 100 Back (2nd)

George Marais Boys (18) 50 Fly (3rd)

TENNIS

Tennis at Glenwood is certainly becoming more and more popular and this season ended off with a group of girls playing on social level, promising to become great league players. Enthusiasm was in abundance, enjoyed by coach and managers alike!

Both the boys' and girls' league teams ended off with their last games in March, beating their opponents satisfactorily. Players like Jason Fogle and Karla Grobbelaar managed to entertain the spectators with fantastic tennis. Both Jason and Karla, as well as Ruan Lamprecht, have done the school proud in taking part on provincial level and certainly made their mark at this level.

We are sad to have to break for winter, but are looking forward to the new season at the end of the year.

S.West ( Tennis Manager)

WATERPOLO

1st Team Girls Water Polo Tour to Kingswood

Our 1st Team Water Polo Girls travelled to Kingswood College, Grahamstown, for the annual and very prestigious Brian Baker 1st Girls Water Polo Tournament. This tournament host twelve top tier teams from around the country.

During the pool stages, they played some outstanding Waterpolo, holding their heads up against some incredibly tough competition, Durban Girls College, Reddam, Crawford Lonehill, Clarendon and the hosts, Kingswood College. The team beat Alexander Road 11-6.

The tournament ended on a high for Glenwood with their wins against Hudson Park and DSG. This Grahamstown tournament was always going to be a difficult one but they really pushed through.

Bridge House School

Bridge House School, near Franschhoek, visited with their U16 boys. Our U15 boys beat their U16 9-0.

Vides 2019

The Glenwood House 1st boys’ Water polo team was invited to Selborne College, East London, to play in the prestigious Vides Water Polo tournament. This annual event is the oldest schoolboy water polo tournament in the country. This year was the 43rd edition.

Results of the pool matches were: 2-16 loss vs Grey College, 7-14 loss vs Reddam House (Jhb), 2-28 loss vs Grey PE and a 14-6 win vs Hudson Park. In the play-offs we beat Durban High School 8-4, but lost 2-6 to Glenwood High School and 4-7 to Crawford, to end 16th (out of 20 teams) at the tournament.

The sportsmanship and team spirit of the Glenwood House team was seen by many as a highlight of the tournament. Thank you to Coach Guy Bird, parents Grant and Trudie Lockyear, Greg Powell, Nic Smuts-Muller, Lauren Bird and Lacy Mentz for pool-side support and also to Mr Eric Young for transport over the weekend.