Dear Parents
NEW STAFF APPOINTMENTS: 2022
We have appointed one of our interns, Nanele Tyali, to a full-time post from 2022. He qualifies at the end of the year and has been with us for four years. Originally from the Eastern Cape, he represented Border Rugby at U19 level before starting with us in 2018. He has grown into the role and we are very excited by his success and look forward to working with him as a full-time teacher.
Sue Kieswetter, our librarian for the last twenty years, retired at the end of 2020, staying on this year in a fixed term contact as we could not find a suitable replacement. We re-advertised last term and have appointed Chloe de La Harpe as our new librarian. Her references show her to be extremely passionate and creative. She has a very interesting background having originally studied in Scotland before returning to South Africa and doing her PGCE here. She is currently the librarian at Kronendal Primary in Hout Bay where she has been for the last four years. Her experience is diverse having spent a few years working for NGOs in the field of literacy development, including the SHINE organisation. She has also been involved in outreach work in the Hout Bay community. We look forward to her joining us.
Bruce Mitchell completes his 10 year tenure as Housemaster of Charlton at the end of the year. Known as the “hiking Housemaster”, he has never missed an opportunity to get the boys outside and on the mountain. His Grade 6 leadership hikes up Skeleton Gorge with a sleepover in the mountain hut have become legendary. The boys have always come first in Charlton and they have benefitted from his wisdom and deep sense of caring.
We congratulate Grant de Sousa on his appointment as Charlton Housemaster from the start of next year. He has been the Assistant Housemaster so we are now going through the process of appointing a new Assistant for the House.
SPECTATORS
It was wonderful to see parent spectators back on the grounds this last week instead of seeing our visitors peering through the fence and the vast majority dropping off their boys and missing the game. So I am sure everyone is enjoying the opportunity to be present again. Thank you for continuing to observe Covid protocols and your patience while waiting to be screened.
EVENTS
This week we have two full music concerts – at last – a Grade 3 Beginners’ Concert in Jagger Hall on Monday night and on Wednesday evening our annual Ensemble Concert in the Memorial Chapel. 67 of our 74 Grade 3s are performing – a truly remarkable total, 91% of the grade taking an instrument. The Ensemble Concert will include strings, brass, wind band and marimbas. Regrettably still no choir. This is our next challenge, with such a good vocal tradition, to re-launch and soar again.
SPORT
We have a full weekend of water polo, tennis and cricket matches and next week is the same. And a few more of the House braai’s still happening. Life is a bit hectic as we try to fit in so much, but it is wonderful to see the boys firing on all four cylinders.
PLEASE SEE A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL BELOW
These past two months, many of us have listened to the News24 podcasts that have highlighted the scourge of abuse of children in schools. This includes not only sexual abuse but emotional abuse where children have been manipulated by those in authority. Our children are most precious to us, and we will do all we can to protect them as their parents. But so too will the vast majority of teachers who go out of their way to look after those in their care. They take this very seriously indeed and will go the extra mile, often at the expense of time they could have spent with their own families.
We ask you to trust the school, the Executive and the Council, as we deal with this matter. We will communicate to you as soon as we are able to do so. Schools must be places of safety and, while there are never any guarantees in life, we have to do all we can to look after our boys. There are many lessons to be learned from the podcasts for individuals and for schools but let us never forget the main issue – to keep our children safe and happy, free from any form of abuse.
Have a good weekend.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
