Combined Newsletters 08 October 2021

	DATE: 08-Oct-21
Combined Newsletters 08 October 2021

ACS 75th ANNIVERSARY

MENTAL HEALTH DAY - 10 OCTOBER

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2021, is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Mr and Mrs Lydall

Mr and Mrs Lydall will be leaving Assumption Convent, and will be emigrating to the United Kingdom. Their last day will be the 19th of November. Our very best wishes go with them and their daughter Kelly. Matthew and Victoria have a combined 27 years of loyal service to ACS. Their contribution has been huge, and they leave behind a special legacy. Thank you Matthew and Victoria for your unwavering dedication and hard work, you will be greatly missed. Please keep in touch.

God bless

Neville Workman
Principal

GOLF DAY 2021

Dear Assumption Parents

We are very excited about our PTA Golf day 2021.

We will be hosting the event at Glendower golf club this year on 5 November 2021.

We are very pleased to announce that all our playing slots have been filled and we will have a full field of 30 four balls playing.

We are still in need of prize donations, any prizes are welcome, some ideas are: small kitchen appliances, beauty products, gift vouchers and DIY tools. All prizes, no matter how big or small will be
appreciated.

We need everyone’s help in making this Golf day a success.

Hope to see you all out on the course.

Regards

Japie Goosen

LINKS TO ACS

https://www.facebook.com/Assumption-Convent-School-490865964395871/

https://www.instagram.com/assumptionconvent/

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PLEASE FOLLOW US, LIKE OUR PAGES AND PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

HIGH SCHOOL PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

We have just launched our High School promotional video. This video showcases and captures our High School in a short but fuzzy-feeling video. This video is available on all our social media platforms as well as You Tube, School app, LED outdoor board and our website. Please share with family and friends and promote this video on your own private social media platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B52pGhJwBdg

ENROL NOW FOR GRADE 8 2022

HIGH SCHOOL RELIGION

GRADE 10 RETREAT

The Grade 10s had a retreat facilitated by the Life Teen group this past weekend. It was a truly special experience and we were blessed to have some old Assumption girls in the facilitators team. The theme of the weekend was: Discovering who you are in the world, in the eyes of God.
Each session was made up of an input (teaching), testimony, followed by group discussions and activities. There was an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration in our school chapel, followed by Praise & Worship. We joined Blessed Sacrament parish for Mass on both days. The retreat was a special time for growth and bonding and we continue to pray for our Grade 10 girls.

GRADE 8 SEASON OF CREATION

To end off the Season of Creation which ran from 1 September to 4 October, our Grade 8 girls reflected on the Story of Creation from Genesis 1-2:4. They then had the opportunity to walk around our school and take pictures of something from creation that touched their hearts. Here are some pictures followed by their own captions:

“I chose flowers because I think they are really beautiful and they have blossomed so much in the spring.”

“I chose this flower as it’s still bright and blooming”

“I chose me because humans are a creation”

“God created beautiful people”

“I chose trees because they give us oxygen to breathe”

“I chose water because we need water, and without it, the flowers won't grow”

Everything was created by God, even the small bugs.

Sr Kgomotso

HIGH SCHOOL

SAGTA CONFERENCE: 23- 28 September 2021

Finally, the South African Geography Teacher’s Association could hold their bi-annual conference in Howick, KZN. I was very fortunate to attend. Thirty-two geography teachers from all over the country attended. Many informative lectures were presented on a broad range of topics. We were shown how technology can enhance research methods and we participated in field work activities.

A visit to a forest plantation showed how climate change is affecting the trees. We did a historical trail of Howick using apps to collect data. Two geologists showed us evidence of continental drift at Thompsons Bay beach. We were also shown many urban renewal projects: The Point development in Durban, Rooftop gardening in the Durban CBD and the old Hilton Station which has been transformed into a quaint market and eatery.

There was even a walk in a tunnel that goes across the harbour under the sea. The sewerage pipe that goes through this tunnel did not really bother us. It was an inspiring conference, and it was wonderful being in the company of geography teachers from around the country being able to discuss latest trends in education in person, and not on a ZOOM screen.

Ms Mennen

BLOOD DRIVE 8 OCTOBER 2021

We would like to thank all the girls, staff and parents who donated today. SANBS is especially grateful as the blood reserves are currently at a critical level. We encourage all of you who were unable (or too scared) to donate today, to consider going to any blood donor centre on the weekend to make a donation.

At our last Blood drive, SANBS bled 27 units (which was a personal best for Assumption). We hope to surpass this number today.

Mrs Taffara

INTERACT

The Interact has partnered with the Santa’s Shoebox initiative and we will be collecting and distributing Shoebox presents to little boys and girls for Christmas.

The following are some of the items that will be included in the Shoebox:
1.  Toothbrush
2.  Toothpaste
3.  A bar of soap
4.  A wash cloth
5.  An outfit for the little boy or girl
6.  Educational supplies
7.  Sweets
8.  A toy

This is a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas with a jingle to a child’s life.

If you would like to be part of this heartwarming drive, kindly give your name to Tamyrn Currie, Tracy Moukouemi or Mrs Heeralall. Let the Shoeboxes be filled.

INTERACT - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

To honour and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Interact Committee will be selling Pink ribbons at R2 each. This ribbon will be worn as a symbol of support.The funds collected will be donated to the Helen Joseph Hospital – Breast Clinic.Our young girls at Assumption Convent School, see the need to be involved with the spread of Hope and Awareness. If you would like to purchase a ribbon, please contact Tamryn Currie, Tracy Moukouemi, Mrs Heeralall or any other Interact member.

Cancer can be beaten.

Mrs Heeralall

GRADE 12 DRAMA

Grade 12 students preparing for their final performance exam.

Ms Human

FINAL MATRIC MATHS CLASS

FINAL MATRIC HISTORY CLASS

ALUMNI

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

ATHLETICS - 30 SEPTEMBER

On Thursday 30 September the Athletics team ran at Boksburg stadium. We competed against Kingsmead, Holy Rosary, Jeppe High School for Girls, St Andrews, St Mary's and Brescia House.
There were no points taken so our athletes were racing against the clock.

As always we saw some really brave, gutsy performances from our girls. Our season ends on the 20th of October so its got to be now or never to see how far you are able to push yourself. ACS athletes need to be aggressive and single minded in their approach to their training and races. That is how we will get our best result.

ATHLETICS - 7 OCTOBER

On Thursday the 7th of October ACS participated against St Mary's and Kingsmead. It was an interesting event as it took place in the Astro turf. Our girls performed really well under these new conditions.
2 more meets to go. Keep up with the training girls and the results will come. We got this!

Mr Goeieman

INTER-HOUSE ATHLETICS

On Monday 4 October the High School held their Inter-house athletics event. Only the athletes for each house were allowed to attend as we could not have spectators. There was major excitement for this event especially after the Primary school event earlier in the morning. We have not had this competition since 2019.

The program was u14 – Open 60m, 200m, 400m, 800m and Relays. Our house captains did their best to inspire their athletes with support. They created themes for their houses and the music played all afternoon.
There was a clear winner after the individual track events which all changed after the relays which offer double points.

The current standing before high jump, long jump and hurdles are as follows:

1st – Assumpta and Rosaria on 131 points
3rd – Paulist on 80 points

Well done to all involved.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

HS Tennis vs King David Linksfield Tues 12 October
HS Athletics at Jeppe Girls Thursday 14 October

Mr Lydall

ROWING

After sadly having our first Regatta cancelled due to bad weather, our rowers will take to the water this weekend at the Homestead Knock-Out Regatta.

The regatta follows a different format to conventional 8-lane racing in that crews will race one-on-one and progress through finals until the final 2 crews race in the grand final of each event.

The regatta will take place over Saturday and Sunday (9 and 10 October). We wish our rowers all the best!

#stayfast

Coach Kwaku

CONGRATULATIONS

To Lisa Klopper who received her Gauteng Gymnastic colours in Acrobatics gymnastics. Lisa will also represent Gauteng at the SA Games on 9 and 10 October 2021. She will also compete at the WAGC trials which will take place on Friday 8 October. This trials, if she qualifies will grant her the opportunity to represent South Africa at the World Age Groups Championships 2022.

PRIMARY SCHOOL RELIGION

PRAYING

It is such a blessing that every morning, I can visit our beautiful school chapel and pray. Often, I will take a class to the chapel, and we pray together. In these quiet, peaceful moments, many of the girls share their concerns about their families and friends, the difficulties and struggles they are faced with, and the heartaches they have experienced. During this time, they can give all their problems to God. When we pray, we interact with God. The act of praying is seen in written sources as early as 5000 years ago, and some anthropologists believe that the earliest intelligent modern humans practiced a type of communication that we would today recognize as prayer. From the ancient Aztecs and Mayans to the Greeks and Romans, to the Aboriginal Indigenous people of Australia, all embraced some form of prayer.

Prayer is practiced in many ways in different cultures and countries. Often Christians will bow their heads and fold their hands in a gesture of respect, we make the sign of the cross, which is a prayer, and say grace and blessings over our food. The Lord’s Prayer, which according to the Gospels, is how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Much of Jewish prayer consists of reciting written prayers aloud in synagogue, as an act of community participation. In the Hindu religion, mantras are chanted. In Islam, the public call to prayer from the mosques sets the rhythm for the day. Native American people dance in praise and prayer to the Great Spirit. Buddhist monks chant prayers accompanied by instruments. Many religions use prayer beads when praying.

Why do we pray? Through prayer we seek connection. In our Christian faith, God wants us to talk from our hearts and express ourselves to Him. We are encouraged in the Bible to pray, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”-Romans 12:12. Prayer allows us to worship and praise, to confess our weaknesses with genuine repentance, and to present our requests and hopes to our Lord. Learning to trust God with our prayers is often compared to like being a toddler. We wobble, we waver, and we fall. Our loving Father is always there to encourage us to get back up and try again. "Do not make prayer a monologue...make it a conversation."
- Author Unknown

Pope Francis spoke about prayer in a beautiful way. “It is in prayer that our hearts find the strength not to be cold and insensitive in the face of injustice. It is in prayer, God keeps calling us, opening our hearts to charity. Prayer unites us, it makes us brothers and sisters…and reminds us of a beautiful truth which we sometimes forget, as in prayer, we all learn to say ‘Father’, ‘Dad’.”

Pope Francis chose his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, who became an icon of simplicity and following the will of God. Many of us are so busy with the responsibilities of family, friends and employers, ambition and getting ahead, all the worries and stresses of our society, that we sometimes think we don’t have the time or the energy for prayer. That was the experience of St Francis of Assisi up until his mid-twenties. Then he discovered that prayer was more real than many of the things he had thought to be more important. Rather than ask how he could find time and energy to pray, St Francis was known to ask himself, “How could I not pray.”

The Prayer of St Francis is a popular one. It was first recorded in 1912 in France, in a religious magazine called La Clochette, run by a Catholic group called The Holy Mass League. In the magazine, the prayer was entitled, “A Beautiful Prayer to Say During Mass.” It was published anonymously. During the World Wars, the prayer became very popular and was known as being a prayer for peace, later becoming known as the Prayer of St Francis. It is a spiritual prayer, and in this world in which many experience despair and sorrow, when we pray these words, we are people who promote light, hope and joy. It is a prayer about living our lives just as our Lord did.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Mrs Bondonno

GRADE 1 2022

ENROL NOW FOR GRADE 1 2022

PRIMARY SCHOOL

PRIMARY SCHOOL QUIZZ BADGES

Our primary school girls are encouraged to read widely and watch the news. This is to broaden their general knowledge. To encourage this we have a monthly quiz that the girls complete. The winner in very class earns a quiz badge for the month. Below are the quiz winners and runner-ups for September:

GRADE	WINNER/S	RUNNER/S-UP
4D	Arianna Nagar	Gia Fitzpatrick
5A	Ava Ferreira	Peyton Smith
5R	Priyal Nagar	Hannah Weir
6J	Jennifer-Kate Eillis Tanesha Barnes	Ashleigh Knipe
6S	Eryn Ash Megan Gerber	Kayleen van Houwelingen Belinda Law
7D	Chiara Szabo Eryn Ash	Rhea Billimoria
7E	Daniela Whitfield Chloè Gouws	Kgethego Tshoma

MERITS FOR THIS WEEK

Gr 0 Mrs Smith

Imanathi Dlamini – for his wonderful improvement with his letters, sounds and numbers.
Nonhle Khumalo – For her kind and gentle nature and always giving of her best.

Gr 1 Mrs Brown

Osmara Silva – For always doing her best, her positive attitude and lovely, neat work. Well done!
Tamira Morar – For always doing her best and always being so positive and enthusiastic. Well done!

Gr 2 Mrs Sheerin

Mikayla Clark – For your beautiful, neat work and your excellent Mathematical skills. I am so proud of you.
Alexa Taylor – For trying so hard in all your schoolwork and for your neat handwriting. Keep it up, Alexa.

Grade 3 Ms. Faulha

Hala Garcia – You have worked so hard on your handwriting, and you finally have your pen license. Well done!!!
Amé Smith - You have improved in all areas of your work and received your pen license. Well done.

Grade 3 Mrs Lloyd

Zama Mchunu – I can see that you have made an effort to improve in all areas, especially reading. Keep it up!
Keira-Jade Schmidt – For always trying your best in all areas of work. Keep it up!

Grade 4 Mrs. De Rijk

Angelina De Ponte Sousa – for her enthusiastic help finding a tutorial for our soiree.
Alexandra Lou – For her beautiful Art that she displayed for us at our soiree.

Gr 5A Mrs Scott

Karina Figueira – for working so hard and always being eager to participate in class activities.
Kayla Smith – For her excellent Mathematics results and her positive attitude.

Gr 5R Mrs Ritky

Talita Mark – for a beautiful heart and her resilience and maturity in accepting whatever life offers.
Priyal Nagar – For her excellence and diligence displayed towards all her academic subjects. You are a high achiever!

Gr 6 Mrs James

Susena Taye – For approaching Term 3 with dedication and determination.
Alessia Puente – For catching up her mapwork.

Gr 6 Mrs Swanepoel

Siya Simelane – For attaining an exceptional result in her English Cycle Test.
Katia Goncalves – For her dedication and positive attitude. Her beautiful prayers in the morning are always an inspiration.

Gr 7 Mrs De Klerk

Caitlyn De Wet – For being a very compassionate friend to her Gr 7 classmates.
Zeeva Jones – For always being the helping hand in class and her good sense of humour.

Gr 7 Mrs Elliott

Daniela Buffer-Pace – For your strength and being an amazing friend,
Nolitha Khumalo – You have an awesome sense of humour. Keep smiling!!

Mrs van Wyk

MINI COUNCIL

Our Mini-Council representative for 2022 were elected this week. The Johannesburg Mini-Council has been effecting change in the lives of our youth for over four decades. With a specific focus on Grade 7 learners, the leadership lessons that they learn are invaluable to their future development. The interested students had to write a motivational letter that displayed their interest and reasons for wanting to join the Mini-Council, the Grade 6 girls then voted for who they thought would best represent them. Congratulations to Tanesha Barnes and Ashleigh Knipe on being elected as our representatives for 2022.

Mrs Elliott

OUTREACH ACCL

Outreach Assumption Convent would like to thank Education Officer Johann from Animal Anti Cruelty League for giving an informative talk to our Outreach Team. The aids used were extremely effective. The presentation was interactive and highly educational. AACL go to a great deal of trouble ensuring the message gets out to our youth. We must learn how to handle cruelty and we must act to protect our animals. Please support this amazing NPO. They help those members of public ( pet owners) who are unable to afford the services of a private veterinarian. Their facilities are state of the art, but they do need our on-going support. We handed over all the tin food, collars and tennis balls collected and donated by our wonderful parents and pupils. Thank you! Outreach ACS - Touching lives. Helping to make a difference.

Mrs Ritky

PRIMARY SCHOOL PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

Please click on the link below and view the video promoting our Primary School. Please share with family and friends.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_C_bZTm54NTgVXpWrP6puONQTcp6ONAb/view?usp=sharing

PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORT

TENNIS

Our U11 and U13 tennis girls have been doing us proud on the tennis court over these last few weeks. They have enjoyed every moment of being back on the court and are improving more and more with every game. Keep it up girls.

U11 vs Sacred Heart: Win
U13 vs Sacred Hear: Win
U13 vs St Columbus: Draw
U11 vs Reddam Waterfall: Win

CONGRATULATIONS

Chiara Szabó (Gr. 7), Stella Szabó (Gr. 3) and Amelia Kuiken (Gr. 1) have been offered a wonderful opportunity to dance with the Joburg Ballet in their production of the Nutcracker this month. They will be performing at the Joburg Theatre on Saturday the 9th of October at 15:00 and Sunday the 17th of October at 15:00.

Well done to Tanesha Barnes for achieving a Pro Gold at Dance Fusion held on 19th September. Keep making us proud.

Ms Tennent

BABY STEPS 2 ASSUMPTION

This week our children have been learning about various countries and culltures and are very excited about our mini olympics coming up on the 15th October. Each teacher has picked a country out of a hat and each class will be dressing up as that country and taking part in various sports. Letters have gone out as to what colours your children must wear, look out for more information in their school diaries. The grade 000 and 00’s took a trip to India to take part in some yoga, the children had fun in their very exciting Yoga class with teacher Emily.

We celebrated our amazing teachers this week – It was world teachers day on the 5th October. We want to thank ALL our Baby Steps 2 Assumption teachers for their love and passion for what they do for the children daily and for all their hard work, you are appreciated.

What are we learning about this week?

Other Countries and Cultures

Letter – Vv for Violin

Extra homework – Learning to tie your shoelaces

15 October mini Olympics – please remember the colours your child should wear!!
Toddlers Netherlands: Blue or Red
Grade 000’s China: White or Red
Grade 00’s Greece: White or Blue
Grade R’s Italy: Red or Green
22 October – Literacy week and mad hatter tea party.
26 October – Graduation Photo’s – more details to follow.
29 October – Splash Day.
6 November: Open Day/Meet your new teacher: Toddlers to Grade 00 – more details to follow.
Please note: If your child has a runny nose, cough, fever or not well in general, we kindly urge you to please kindly keep them at home to prevent spread of infection, with Covid we have to be a lot more cautious so we do not put others at risk. Thank you for your understanding in this regard.