BUG NEWS

18 April 2024

Menswaardigheid - Ek leer altyd om 'n goeie mens te wees. 'n Persoon is 'n persoon deur ander mense. Alhoewel ons almal verskillend is, is ons ook dieselfde.

Ubuntu - Ngalo lonke ixesha ndizama ukuba ngumntu olungileyo. Umntu ngumntu ngabanye abantu.Nangona sonke sahlukile, sibanye.

Humanity - I am always learning to be a good human being. A person is a person through other people. Although we are all different, we are also the same.

During one of our meetings this week, we were asked to provide an example of ubuntu that we noticed recently. While there were one or two instances that came to mind instantaneously, we had to reflect quite deeply on the action ubuntu requires of all of us.

Humanity is a collective term to represent human beings' love, affection, compassion and concern for others. When given a choice between being right and being kind, a person with humanity chooses to be kind without much contemplation. It is essential for us to each do a little introspection on our humanity towards others. This understanding of ubuntu was highlighted in our Intermediate/Senior Phase assembly this week. We were challenged to think about our awareness of how much we give and take kindness and that it takes all of us to experience a real sense of ubuntu in our school community.

The unconditional love for all human beings is the foundation of humanity. We need to choose humanity, allowing our diverse threads to constantly remain interconnected and interwoven with one another.

Belinda Petersen

Principal

FAREWELL

At the end of this term, we bid a sad farewell to two of our very special staff members who are both relocating.

Irene Nagel and her husband are emigrating to Melbourne, Australia. Thank you for your passion and energy you have shared with our Grade 6's. Your dedication and commitment to everything you do is so admired.

Renée Harris and her family are relocating to the Eastern Cape. Renée, thank you for your incredible leadership as a Departmental Head and acting Deputy Principal. Thank you for your nurturing and caring manner for your Grade 3s over the years.

We will miss you, Irene and Renée. We wish you and your families all of the best for this exciting chapter in your lives.

Always remember, "Once a Rustybug, always a Rustybug"!

TWO OCEANS!

Congratulations to Kim Jackson, Jess Banks and Leon Moser who all took part in the Two Oceans last weekend. Kim and Leon completed the Ultra Marathon and Jess ran the half marathon with her dad!

Well done to Kim, Jess, Leon and all our parents who ran in the Ultra and half marathons. We are so proud of you all.

MEET OUR STAFF

Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all our staff at RGJS. This week meet our Grade 5 and Admin Team.

Melanie Dudley

Gr 5a

The much anticipated December holiday break presented me with the wonderful opportunity to spend a month in Lisbon, celebrating the arrival of my new-born niece, Valeria. Travelling abroad is one of my passions and Portugal did not disappoint. From its vibrant landscapes, beautiful architecture, rich food culture and welcoming locals, my expedition was memorable and well worth the expense. This trip certainly set a positive tone, which I am determined to carry through the year.

Dominique Maritz

Grade 5b

Hello Rustybugs! My name is Mrs Maritz and I am new to Rustenburg this year. I have been a teacher for almost four years and I wouldn’t change it for the world. When I'm not diving into the wonders of the classroom, you can find me indulging my inner foodie at little coffee shops and markets, savouring every flavor and looking forward to a sweet treat at the end! I'm a nature enthusiast, relishing every moment spent outdoors, whether it's hiking through scenic trails or simply watching the sunset on the beach. Family time is precious to me, and I cherish every opportunity to create lasting memories with my loved ones. Adventure is my middle name, and I'm always up for trying new things and embracing new challenges. I look forward to embarking on a journey filled with learning, laughter, and limitless possibilities this year!

Alex Abrahams-Crocker

Grade 5c

I enjoy the thrill of sports, the serenity of nature, and the creativity of photography. Time spent with friends and family is my greatest joy. Amid life's hustle and bustle, these passions ground me, reminding me to savour the beauty in every moment.

Sanele Nkomombini

Gr 5 Student Teacher

I’m Sanele Nkomombini and this is my second year at Rustenburg. I’m proud to be teaching at this school because I’m one of the people that are contributing towards raising a girl child. I enjoy sports because that’s where we get to be free and express ourselves by doing what we love. I aspire to be a great teacher, one that will be remembered by the learners for having a positive impact on them.

Alex Wallace

Receptionist

Things I Love; My Family, My Friends, My cat, RGJS, Laughing, Ice Cream!

Things I Hate; Liars, Bullies, Unfairness, Storms.

Looking forward to!

Becoming a Granny in 5 weeks' time!!!

Venessa Joseph

Principal PA & Admissions Secretary

I'm the principal's P.A. and admin officer at RGJS. I've been at the school for three years now, going on four. It has been a pleasure working with the principal, staff, learners, parents and community as a whole. My family is my whole heart. I value every minute I spend with them.

Belinda Petersen

Principal

This year marks 5 years since I joined RGJS and my ninth year as a principal. What a journey it has been! The role has evolved so much over the past 9 years and I am enjoying the learning along the way. I love spending time with family and close friends and experiencing life with them. We always make time for laughter and dancing to good music!

Renée Harris

Acting Deputy Principal

This year marks my sixth year as part of the Rustenburg family. What an absolute joy it has been to be back in the classroom with our beautiful girls this year, albeit for only a short time! The classroom is where my heart lies and after 28 years of teaching this remains my happy place!

Outside of the classroom, I spend most of my time on pooldeck as my other passion is swimming. This passion is shared with my 16 year old daughter. There is little "downtime" available when you have a teenager in the household.

Lynn Cornelius

Bursar

Hi! My name is Lynn, I work in the Finance Department with a great team.

I am a mom of three daughters, whom I love unconditionally, however this year it seems our nest is emptier - one is studying at Stellenbosch University and soon one will be travelling overseas.

My spare time goes to community activities, as we care for the elderly and the youth and try to make a difference in at least one person’s life. I love walking on the beach, taking long drives, and most of all spending time with my family.

Lauren Nel

Assistant Bursar

My name is Lauren Nel and I have been part of the RGJS Finance team for 10 years this year.

I love lazy days, spending time with family and friends and getting into a good book...when I'm not running around after a very busy 3-year-old.

Leon Moser

Business Manager

As Business Manager, I am fortunate to work with a great team that provides support to the school to enable an environment that serves the best interests of the girls. Anita and I have 3 children and in the past year we celebrated our first wedding when our son married a Rustybug and our youngest leaves home in 2 weeks which will be an adjustment. My main hobby outside of school is the breeding and hybridisation of new clivia varieties which requires patience as the outcomes are only known after flowering in 4 to 5 years.

Robyn Lynch

School Assistant

I have been fortunate to be employed at RGJS for over 10 years now. I am passionate about reading and believe that through reading we open and uplift the world. I like nothing better than to settle down with a gripping novel. I also enjoy theatre and going to live music gigs, particularly supporting artists and musicians that I know personally. You can often find me in the kitchen cooking or baking. You will always find me in the kitchen parties.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Intermediate_Senior Phase Teacher 2024 - 1st July 2024

Closing date: Monday 22 April 2024

Deputy Principal

Closing date: 30 April 2024

SCHOOL NEWS & UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 2 2024

Fri 19 April: Senior Choir 13:30 - 16:00
Tues 23 April: Gr 7 Parent Talk - Digital Wellness 19:00
Tues 23 April: World Book Day
Wed 24 April: Gr R/1 Parent Talk 18:30
Thurs 25 April: Gr 5 Music Workshop 18:00
Thurs 25 April - Sun 28 April: Knysna Netball Tour
Fri 26 April: Civvies Day - Adopt an animal
Fri 26 April: Swap Shop
Sat 27 April: Freedom Day
Wed 1 May: Workers Day
Thur 2 May: HELP THE RURAL CHILD - book sale
Fri 3 May: HELP THE RURAL CHILD - book sale
Wed 8 May: Gr 5 Parent Talk -Nurturing Emotional Intelligence in your Tweens 18:30
Fri 10 May: House Day - Help The Rural Child

ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE RGJS SITE

Disabled Access - Please contact admin@rgjs.org.za should you require wheelchair or assisted access to our school campus.

HOOKED ON BOOKS & WORLD BOOK DAY

On Monday our learners enjoyed engaging with the actors from Hooked on Books. Our Rustybugs met some of the characters in the latest books on offer from our school library as the Hooked On Books team acted out various scenes from the latest novels.

Thank you to Mrs Wates for arranging this wonderful start to our school week.

Tuesday is WORLD BOOK DAY. Rustybugs can bring their favourite book to school on Tuesday to read with their friends during break times. On Friday 26 April, we shall have a civvies day for animals, more will be shared in assembly next week. Rustybugs can dress as their favourite book character from any novel or their favourite animal. Please remember your PE kit if required on Friday.

PHOTOS

GRADE 2 ORANJEZICHT MARKET

This week the Grade 2s ventured through Oranjezicht City Farm. They experienced the taste of Spekboom, and learnt about Bug House which can attract good bugs to help with pollenation of herbs and vegetables. We then made our way to the "stinky" part of the farm where we learned about green and brown waste that can be made into compost. We saw the different stages of how compost is made and when we couldn't handle the smell anymore, we put some rosemary under our noses. We also learnt that chicken poop is very good for making compost! Oranjezicht City Farm buys chicken poop! Who would have thought?! We then discovered the perfume pockets in lemon tree leaves and broke the leaves to release the beautiful aroma. We made our way to the fish pond where we learnt about the water ecosystem and spoke about the differences between the water and vegetable ecosystems. We saw the beautiful water lilies opening in the wonderful morning light! We made our way around the farm discovering all the wonderful fruit and vegetables that are available for the public to buy. We visited the nursery or greenhouse where the seedlings are taken care of and protected from the harsh Cape Town elements. We finished off by discovering the end product of the soil/compost, which was no longer stinky, and planted a bean plant. Let's hope the beans give us something magical!

PHOTOS

GRADE 2 PARENT TALK

Our Grade 2 parents entered the hall full of Maths apparatus and paper, shocked as they were expecting to just listen! We focused on 'What we teach in Grade 2 Maths', 'How we Teach,' and 'Why we teach.' It was an interactive evening filled with playing with apparatus and exposing our parents to the fun and joy of learning about place value, but most importantly why we teach it as we do and not to use the vertical method!

PHOTOS

PARENT NEED SURVEY

Please would parents and caregivers complete this following Google form for Penny Biccard, the school counsellor. She is interested in gauging interest in a possible informal coffee connection and information morning. The idea would be to arrange separate connect meetings with the Foundation and Intermediate/Senior phase parents/caregivers once or twice a term.

MOLO MHLABA

On Tuesday our Senior Management Team spent part of their day visiting Molo Mhlaba, engaging with their staff and learners. The team left feeling inspired by this incredible beacon of hope for the girls of Khayelitsha.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

On Saturday our Grade and Subject Heads spent the day in a leadership training workshop with Owen Henderson.

HOUSE CONNECTION!

Yesterday our Rustybugs spent their break connecting in their HOUSES.

PHOTOS

GRADE 4 ASSEMBLY

On Monday our Grade 4 Rustybugs shared their assembly message reaffirming our Term 2 theme, UBUNTU. In their assembly message, the Grade 4s also spoke about character development;

UBUNTU - It goes beyond intellectual intelligence and focuses on building strong character traits, such as: - resilience, empathy, and responsibility.

Character development is crucial for personal growth and well-being, as it helps individuals develop a sense of purpose, self-awareness, and the ability to make ethical decisions.

GRADE 3 - IZIKO MUSEUM & PLANETARIUM

The Grade 3 Rustybugs enjoyed going back in time and into outer space at the Iziko Museum and Planetarium. They learnt about the different ways different creatures breathe and used their hands to investigate different animal skins, shells, and scales. They viewed preserved animals, dinosaur fossils and various life forms such as starfish and butterflies. With their deepened understanding of life on Earth, they were able to place this knowledge into perspective as they were zoomed into our incredible solar system. At the Planetarium, they had the opportunity to explore each of the fascinating planets and constellations above us. The stars and planets they have seen in the night sky are much more massive than they appear, and our little Earth is unique and precious.

PHOTOS

COMPUTERS IN GRADE 1 & 2

In Computer lessons, our Grade 1s are learning to type their email address and password on a simplified paper keyboard.

Our Grade 2s are learning about wheel, axels, chassis, DC motors and coding their cave car to move.

RGJS 130 BIRTHDAY GOLF DAY

CALLING ALL GOLFERS!

Save the date: RUSTENBURG 130 BIRTHDAY GOLF DAY

Thursday 31 October 2024.

Please contact Pam Heiberg for more info: pamhei@rgjs.org.za

RECYCLE BINS

Recycling bins are now in all our playgrounds. Thank you to our Rustybugs for placing their waste in the correct bins. Together we can all make a difference to save our planet.

SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

Our Solar Panel installation is complete. Thank you to Marshall Jacobs for overseeing this massive project and to the staff and parents on the project team who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen!

Thank you to all our staff and learners for their patience, cooperation and understanding during the installation process.

NO MORE LOADSHEDDING AT RGJS!

Mother's Day Morning Tea

The Grade 7 Fundraising Team will be hosting a Mother's Day Morning Tea on Saturday 18 May 10:00 - 12:00 in the Orton Hall.

"Special Ladies" are invited to bring along their Rustybugs for a fun morning of live entertainment, a feast of sweet and savoury delights and surprises.

This event is open to Grade 4 - 7s, space is limited, so book your tickets on KARRI from Monday 22 April 2024.

Tickets are R125.00 per person.

MANDELA DAY - 130 BLANKETS

As part of our 130 Birthday celebration, we would like to contribute to Mandela Day by donating 130 blankets made by the learners at RGJS and RGHS. To complete this exciting challenge, we will require plenty of hands, patience, wool, knitting/crochet needles and enthusiasm!

WHAT WE NEED: Size 5mm Knitting Needles

Wool - any colours

Knitters - Do you enjoy knitting, happy to teach learners how to knit, able to pop in for half an hour before school starts?

Please contact Pam Heiberg pamhei@rgjs.org.za if you would like to join our "Knitting Circles" leading up to Mandela Day.

Please also contact Pam if you have any parents/grandparents in Old Aged Homes that would like to join us on this journey. We'll happily share the info with their homes and get them involved.

"Ubuntu gives human beings their humanity; it's a quality we owe each other." - Nelson Mandela

SANDWICH TUESDAY

If you are able, please remember to pack in an extra sandwich and or a piece of fruit for the learners at Molo Mhlaba on Tuesdays.

The sandwiches and fruit are collected every Tuesday at 08:30 and delivered to Molo Mhlaba in Khayelitsha.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

PARKING AROUND RGJS

Please be considerate when parking around the school. Many parents/guardians/adults collecting Rustybugs are parking on the pedestrian crossing, on yellow and red lines, across stop streets, on corners etc. This inconsiderate parking can result in learners or adults being injured and cause accidents. Please be mindful of others when collecting or dropping off learners at school.

STOP AND DROP - TERM 2

Please sign up to assist with the STOP AND DROP in front of our school.

We encourage ALL families to be courteous and kind to each other.

FUNNY FESTIVAL - ADULT EVENING

ONLY 30 TICKETS LEFT!

We all enjoy a good laugh😂 Round up a group of friends and/or family and enjoy an evening FULL of fun and laughter.

The Funny Festival is on at the Baxter and we have secured a limited amount of tickets for

Tuesday 11th June 2024 at 20:00.

The Funny Festival is South Africa's oldest and foremost comedy festival showcasing the best local stand-up comedians together with top international variety acts.

PG 16 - Tickets: R210.00. Please contact Pam for tickets pamhei@rgjs.org.za🐞

SPORT

CROSS COUNTRY

We had a SUPERB turnout at the first Cross Country Race which took place at Zwaanswyk Academy.

38 Rustybugs lined up - WOW! The course was tough and the girls were pushed to the limits.

Each age group race started at a relentless pace and I am sure that all spectators were relieved that they were on the sideline watching!

Congrats to ALL our runners and a special mention to Steffanie White and Eva van der Westhuizen who both had exceptional races (both placed 2nd overall and not by much).

We are looking forward to seeing the girls in action at next week's race.

NETBALL RESULTS

Well done to ALL our netball players who played their first game of the season yesterday.

RGJS HOCKEY TOUR 2024.mp4

HOCKEY

Today our hockey Rustybugs played their first matches of the season, well done to all our players. Results will be shared in the next newsletter.

Good luck to our First 11 Hockey Team who are on tour in Knysna. They left in the early hours of this morning and are playing their first game this afternoon.

BUGS IN ACTION

We love sharing good news and achievements in our newsletter especially our Rustybugs "in action" outside of the school day. Please send your news and pics to Pam Heiberg - pamhei@rgjs.org.za

BASKETBALL BUG!

This year Nuna Forlee Vella Gr 7c participated in the Minis A Eagles Team for the WPCSA (Western Province Chinese Sports Association) Eagles Club.

They took home the win in their fixture for the 63rd SACSA Easter Tournament up in Johannesburg this past Easter holiday.

Well done Nuna and team, we are so proud of you.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

ART APRONS & ART BAGS

Art Bags and Art Aprons are available from Bugs Boutique. All learners are required to wear an art apron for their art lessons and use the art bag to keep their pastels and art liners.

SUN HATS

Please remind your daughter to pack in her hat for break times and outdoor activities including sports, especially during this warmer weather. Sunhats are compulsory and must be worn outdoors at all times.