PREP MATRIC FAREWELL FUNCTION
On Tuesday evening we hosted all those matrics and their parents who had been at the Prep, in the Jagger Hall. It was a wonderful turnout as we shared memories, saw photographs of their Prep years and caught up.  I had to ask some boys their names as they had changed so completely in appearance, however some were instantly recognisable, just bigger. We were also joined by past staff members, Stuart Scott, Laurelle Fry and Sharlene Groom.

This was the Covid Grade 7 group – who missed out on so much of their final Prep year – but they were also an impressive group in their resilience, optimism, ideas and the extended time we had to just talk and connect. They left us with a new Leavers’ Dinner format, introduced a Leavers’ Farewell Chapel Service, and paid to do a Table Mountain walk in aid of Vusa. We were able to wish them well for their Matric Dance this evening, their coming final exams and then out into the wider world.  It was such a pleasure to host these boys and their parents – our hearts were truly full.

HERITAGE DAY
Hopefully you enjoyed the chance to pause yesterday. On Friday we held a short Heritage Day assembly. At the annual Independent Schools’ Heads Conference, I was struck by a visual in a presentation by Dr Braam Hanekom. It was a photograph taken in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve of the veld in truly glorious flower. He pointed out that the Reserve has about 1 600 plant species, a floral diversity per unit area that is greater than anywhere else in the world. The extent of its diversity was its beauty.

Telling the boys about this, it was possible to connect to us as a country, certainly one of the most diverse in the world with twelve official languages, multiple cultures, religions and practices. Boys were exhorted to honour their heritage and actively enjoy the diversity of our nation, city and school, be interested in difference and ask their peers about their culture and practices, to enjoy a truly enriching South African upbringing.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION AGM
Please reserve Tuesday, 21 October next term for the PA AGM. They need to elect their next Committee and it is a good chance to hear from the Chair about the past year. It is also an opportunity to raise any general issues or questions.

TERM 4
Next term opens on Monday, 13 October and is a very short term, only eight weeks. It is also a very busy term with second semester final assessments, summer sport, tournaments and our production of Bugsy Malone in the third week. We will all need to help our boys be very organised and stay on top of all they do. 

Thank you to you all for your support and assistance in so many ways over this past term.

Our U13A cricket team travel to King Williams Town for the Cape Schools Cricket Festival and we wish them well.

We wish all our Jewish families Shanah Tova and well over the fast.

May boys and staff enjoy a relaxing two weeks. Hopefully you will be able to make some extra time to spend with family and if you are travelling, safe travels.

God Bless

End of Term 3

Time: 11h30
Boys to wear No 1s

Aftercare will be available till 13h00

Start of Term 4

Boys to wear No 1
No extra-murals

Athletics (U7, 8, 9 and 10)

Time: 15h00 to 17h00
Venue: Rhenish, Stellenbosch

10A Day/Night Cricket v Durbanville

Time: 16h00
Venue: Frank Reid

PA AGM

Please see further information under TAKE Note

Parent Talk by Laura Cook

Time: 07h30
Venue: Library
Further details to follow

U11A & U12A Polo Festival

Time: 14h00
Venue: WBJS

Ms Johns needs at least 100 clear wine bottles (no labels) and liqueur bottles that are interesting shapes and colours for the set of Bugsy Malone.  Please could you send any bottles you have to her in the Art Room tomorrow or early next term.

If you are interested in the Soccer Clinic, please click HERE

If you are interested in the Study Skills Course, please click HERE

Notice of PA AGM

The PA AGM will take place on Tuesday 21 October 2025.

• Please click HERE for the Notice of AGM.
• Please find the Nomination Form attached.

Van der Bijl House held their games night on Friday evening at Woodlands. It was a perfect evening. Boys were treated to games of bubble soccer and they got to spend time with the boys and girls from Siyaphambili Orphan Village. We welcomed our new staff representatives, Andrew Dunn, Khanyisa Gwabavu and Zweli Sodladla. Thanks to our parents who planned and decorated the most amazing event. We all had the greatest time and we are so grateful to all our VDB families for spending the time with us all.

The Charlton House Games Evening was once again a tremendous success! The boys and parents who attended had such fun, and it was wonderful to come together to celebrate while supporting a great cause. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and boys for your incredible support. The funds raised will make a real difference at the Ikhaya Lekamva in Langa, and we have no doubt they will be put to very good use.

The Artists of the Week were chosen from Grade 3.  The following boys were chosen for the drawing and paint mixing skills in these Astronaut projects: (please click HERE to view all the artwork.)
3B Miles Bohm, Nicholas Brown, Yaseen Harnekar, Jack Parkhurst
3P William Goudvis, Zidan Hassan, Hlomla Jemsana, Zubayr Orrie
3S Charles Burrow Charlie de Wet, Isa Survé, Henry van der Schyf