AWSUM Lowveld November Edition 2024

Playful dads, happy kids: Building connections through fun

Engaging in play is one of the most impactful ways fathers can enhance their children’s well-being. Play is essential to a child’s development, nurturing cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Recognising this, Takalani Sesame launched its Bond Through Play Campaign in August, encouraging father figures to embrace the power of play.

“Fathers bring unique perspectives and strengths to play, complementing the care mothers provide,” says Mari Payne, Deputy Managing Director at Sesame Workshop South Africa. Playtime not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also challenges harmful gender stereotypes, promoting caregiving as a shared responsibility.

Tips for Playful Parenting

Takalani Sesame offers practical advice for fathers at every stage of a child’s development:

• Infants: Engage in gentle rocking or massage to provide comfort and build trust.

• Toddlers: Participate in active games like chasing or throwing a ball to develop motor skills and coordination.

• Preschoolers: Encourage imaginative play, such as storytelling or dress-up, to foster creativity and language development.

Fun, Family-Friendly Games

Make playtime enjoyable with these South African classics and creative ideas:

• Hide and Seek: Play indoors or outdoors to promote problem-solving and physical activity.

• Round-robin storytelling: Add hand shadows for a magical twist, enhancing imagination and narrative skills.

• Laundry: Sort clothes by color or type to teach categorization and make chores fun.

• Shopping: Spot shapes and colors in the aisles to develop observational skills.

• Cooking: Turn meal prep into a scavenger hunt, encouraging participation and learning about food.

• Traveling: Count cars by color or play “I spy” to keep children engaged and attentive.

More Fun Activities for Bonding

• Scavenger Hunt: Create a treasure map for your home or garden and hide small treats or toys for children to find.

• Obstacle Course: Use household items like chairs, cushions, and broomsticks to create a fun indoor or outdoor course.

• Musical Chairs: An old favorite that combines movement, music, and laughter.

• Paper Plane Contest: Make paper planes and see who can fly theirs the furthest.

• Nature Walk Bingo: Create a simple bingo sheet with items to spot during a walk, such as leaves, birds, and flowers.

• Puppet Shows: Create puppets from socks or paper bags and put on a family performance.

• Dress-Up Adventures: Use old clothes and accessories for imaginative play as pirates, superheroes, or explorers.

Active Games for Energy Burn

• Ball Games: Play soccer, basketball, or catch in the yard or at a local park.

• Simon Says: A classic game that improves listening and following instructions.

• Dancing Games: Have a mini family disco with favorite songs.

Quiet and Calming Activities

• Puzzle Time: Work on age-appropriate puzzles together to build problem-solving skills.

• Story Time: Take turns reading or inventing stories to enhance language and imagination.

• Building Projects: Use LEGO, building blocks, or household items to create towers or imaginative structures.

“Playing with your children means spending quality time with them,” says Payne. “It’s an investment in their social, emotional, and academic growth, as well as their readiness for school.

As the December holidays approach, it’s the perfect time for families to embrace the joys of play and create lasting memories together. Whether through traditional games, imaginative adventures, or simply spending quality moments with your children.

LAERSKOOL NELSPRUIT

Nellies Swem - Mpumalanga Topskole 2024

Ons is baie trots op ons Laerskool Nelspruit swemspan van 2024 wat uitstekend presteer het tydens die Topskole kampioenskappe wat die naweek by Penryn plaasgevind het. Laerskool Nelspruit is vir die agtste agtereenvolgende jaar as Mpumalanga se Topskole swemspan gekroon! Welgedaan seuns en dogters, ons is ongelooflik trots op julle.

We achieved:

• Overall Best Boys Team

• Overall Best Girls Team

(These results are determined by combining the scores of both the junior and senior teams.)

• Overall Best School Team of the Day (This title is awarded based on the combined results of junior and senior boys and junior and senior girls teams.)

Riley Adams was also awarded a trophy for Best Individual Performance in the Junior Girls category. Congratulations, Riley, we’re so proud of you!

Lumey De Beer, Emilia Klaver, Ané Schoültz, Ivan Marx, Hugo Van Coller, Liam Fischer, Ruben Bekker, Genevi Saayman, Dwayne Roodt, Ethan Nel, Jacques Van Heerden. Row 2: Micaela Douglas (Swimming Organiser), Aniek Myburgh, Alana Bam, Dané Kok, Riley Adams, Christopher Leeuwner. Row 3: Cara Swanepoel, Heidi du Toit, Kari Venter, Elzeré Meyer, Ava Lira, Elsje Braun, Jané Barnard, Ian Engelbrecht, Wynand Swanepoel. Row 4: Milan Genis, Dylan Roodt, Jana Pienaar, Lienke Myburgh, Lana Cronjé, Joshua Von Bardeleben. Row 5: Cayla Fourie, Alizé Engelbrecht, Olivia Renaud, Alia Leeuwner, Jané Du Preez, Carmi Roux. Back: Emma Terblanche, Andrew Bruyns, Wilco Du Plooy.

Nellies Gholf

Die Mpumalanga finale van die laerskole gholfliga is Maandag, 28 Oktober in Evander gespeel. Ons Nellies het baie goed gespeel en dit is lekker om bekend te maak dat ons seuns A-span as Mpumalanga kampioene gekroon is. In die dogtersafdeling is ons A-span as die Mpumalanga naaswenners gekroon. Our boys B team achieved third place overall, well done to all our players, you make us proud!

Dinsdag, 15 Oktober het Nellies se o.10A-krieketspan vir Laerskool Goedehoop met 5 paaltjies geklop in die finaal van die Mpumalanga Superliga. Goedehoop het die loot gewen en besluit om eerste te kolf, waarna hulle slegs 102 lopies gekry het na hul 25 beurte. Nellies se groot uitblinker met die kolf was Janco Cronje met 57 lopies nie uit nie. Ons seuns het die telling verbygesteek met die verlies van 5 paaltjies.

Baie geluk aan die afrigters, mnr Jaco Breyl en mnr van Niekerk in sy afwesigheid. Welgedaan seuns, ons is trots op elkeen van julle!

’n Spesiale woord van dank aan ons borge en ouers wat ons seuns en afrigters so pragtig ondersteun het gedurende die suksesvolle seisoen.

Alex De

Cronje

LJ Hauptfleisch (o.k), Liam White, Stefan Augustyn. Agter: Natasha Hauptfleisch (Tellinghouer), Rossouw Du Toit, Peter Emery, Simon Reynders, Joshua Hofmeyr, Ruben Reynders, Daniël Smit, Jaco Breyl (Afrigter).

MP

u.12 Super League Runners-up 2024

The Nellies u.12A cricket team are the Mpumalanga u.12 Super League runners-up after losing by 31 runs in the final against Laerskool Middelburg on Wednesday, 16 October.

Middelburg decided to bat first and posted an impressive total on a slow wicket of 144 runs all out. In response, Nellies fought hard but were unfortunately bowled out for 112 runs. Welgedaan aan mnr Fourie du Plessis en sy seuns met ‘n uitstekende seisoen!

’n Spesiale woord van dank aan ons borge en ouers wat ons seuns en afrigters so pragtig ondersteun het gedurende die suksesvolle seisoen.

On Wednesday, October 17, both Mr. André Drummond’s u.11A team, as well as Mr. Adendorff‘s, Genfin u.13A were named Mpumalanga Super league champions of 2024.

Mr Drummond’s u.11A’s secured a 78-run victory over Laerskool Goedehoop of Secunda. Batting first, the Nellies posted a total of 137 for 9 wickets in their allotted 25 overs. Key contributions came from George Neuhoff, who scored 68. Goedehoop were bowled out for 59 runs. Well done to the coach and his team.

’n Spesiale woord van dank aan ons borge en ouers wat ons seuns en afrigters so pragtig ondersteun het gedurende die suksesvolle seisoen.

me Amanda van Aarde, Ruben Luus, Luan Badenhorst, Durandt de Wet, Christiaan de Kock, Kilan Kotze.

MP o.13 Superliga Kampioene 2024

Nellies se Genfin o.13A-krieketspan het op sy beurt vir Laerskool Kragbron met 124 lopies gewen. Die Nellies het eerste gekolf en het 202 / 7 in hul toegelate 25 beurte aangeteken.

Nellies se groot uitblinker met die kolf was Johann Roets met 78 lopies van slegs 62 balle. Goeie boulwerk deur Leandro Schofield wat 4 paaltjies geneem het in 4 beurte vir 19 lopies. Kragbron is uitgeboul vir slegs 78 lopies. Baie geluk aan mnr Ade Adendorff en sy seuns.

’n Spesiale woord van dank aan ons borge en ouers wat ons seuns en afrigters so pragtig ondersteun het gedurende die suksesvolle seisoen.

HOËRSKOOL NELSPRUIT

Senior debatspan blink uit in die nasionale finaal

NHS se junior en senior debatspanne het vandag aan die nasionale Dink of Sink Debat deelgeneem. Die 7 junior en ses senior spanne het elkeen aan 3 verskillende uitklop rondtes deelgeneem. Die 2 spanne met die meeste punte het aan die finale rondte deelgeneem. Ons senior span, Rosemarie Oberholzer, Brenton Eastes en Nina Prinsloo het uitmuntend presteer en in die finale rondte teen Helpmekaar te staan gekom. In die finaal was Nellies voorstanders en Helpmekaar teenstanders met die onderwerp Grondhervorming sonder vergoeding is noodsaaklik vir regstellende geregtigheid in Suid Afrika. Nellies eindig tweede met hierdie uiters moeilike en sensitiewe onderwerp. Baie geluk en baie dankie aan advokaat Maritza Uys vir die briljante afrigting van die twee spanne!

Tennis

Chané Steyn (Graad 11) het ’n ongelooflike geleentheid gekry om aan die einde van die jaar by die Great Base Tennisakademie in die VSA aan te sluit. Vir die afgelope drie jaar het Chané verskeie prestasies en hoogtepunte behaal.

Spesiale toekenning oorhandig tydens prysuitdeling

Op Donderdag 10 Oktober het die tweede prysuitdeling van die jaar plaasgevind - ‘n besonderse geleentheid waar leerders nie net erkenning ontvang het vir akademiese prestasies nie, maar ook vir dienslewering. Tydens hierdie spesiale geleentheid is mnr. Johan Hattingh vereer vir sy jarelange diens en leierskap in die onderwys. Die erepenning is aan oud-Nellie, mnr. Meiring de Clercq, oorhandig. Baie geluk aan al die pryswenners!

Sebastian van Heerden Meriete Duxleerling

Ian Wood Die Hoof se Toekenning

NHS redenaars blink weer uit met eerste plek

Schalk Grobbelaar Mees Verdienstelike Leerder

NHS se redenaars het die afgelope drie dae aan die nasionale finaal van die Oppie Tong Af redenenaarskompetisie deelgeneem. Sewe leerders en twee spanne het onderskeidelik voorbereide en onvoorbereide toesprake by Laerskool Rooihuiskraal gelewer. Karla du Toit, Kirsten Lea, Zoe Coetzee en Rossouw van Wyk het as onvoorbereide span eerste gekom. Dit is die tweede opeenvolgende jaar wat NHS se span hierdie trofee verower het. Nina Bester, Iloné Botha, Lüshce Neethling en Misha Janson het in die voorbereide afdeling ‘n tweede plek losgepraat. Baie geluk aan me. Frances van Niekerk wat deur die jaar hierdie sprekers so goed afgerig het!

ATKV-Crescendo: Tyd vir inskrywings raak min

Die tyd vir voornemende kunstenaars om oorweeg te word vir ATKV-Crescendo se mentorskapprogram in 2025 raak min. Belangstellendes het tot 31 Desember 2024 tyd om vir hierdie projek in te skryf.

Oor die afgelope vyf dekades het Crescendo gehelp om die musikale loopbane van kunstenaars soos Rina Hugo, Riana Nel, Jak de Priester, Anna Davel, Anneli van Rooyen en Karin Hougaard af te skop. Die formaat het egter oor die jare verander. “In plaas van ’n talentkompetisie waar net een persoon as ’n wenner aangewys word, fokus ATKV-Crescendo deesdae op die ontwikkeling van musikante, want talente is nie gegee om teen mekaar te kompeteer nie, maar eerder om mekaar daardeur te verryk,” verduidelik projekorganiseerder Morné van Staden. “Deur die jaar woon ’n aantal finaliste slypskole by om hulle voor te berei op ’n loopbaan in die kunste. Daar word ook klem gelê op nuutskeppings, aangesien kunstenaars liedjies moet inskryf wat uit hulle eie pen kom.”

Die talent wat uit hierdie mentorskapprogram gekom het, het die ATKV genoop om ATKV-Crescendoproduksies te begin, wat nuwe produksies op die planke bring en finaliste help om hulle liedjies, albums en musiekvideo’s vry te stel. Hierdie produkte kan op aanlyn platforms soos YouTube gesien word en liedjies word op radiostasies en stroomplatforms soos Apple Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Amazon Music en Deezer vrygestel. “Op hierdie manier,” verduidelik Morné, “voorsien ATKV-Crescendo ’n konstante vloei van nuwe stemme, kunstenaars en liedjies vir die Afrikaanse musiekindustrie.”

Alhoewel die finaliste dit eens is dat die mentorskapprogram hulle musikale loopbane ’n hupstoot gegee het, is die persoonlike groei wat die kunstenaars hierdie jaar ervaar het nie te versmaai nie. Lize-Marié Naudé verklap dat sy gedink het die ervaring gaan “cool” wees, maar “nie só cool nie”. “Selfs toe ek die e-pos kry dat ek deurgedring het na die slypskool was dit reeds lewensveranderend. Die mense is egter next level. By hulle kon ek net myself wees. Dit was nie nodig om voor te gee nie. Dit was nie nodig om grimering aan te sit nie. Ek is aanvaar net soos ek is en dit is wat die mooi van musiek en musikante is – ons bring die beste in mekaar uit. Die ATKV-Crescendo-familie is nou die een familie wat ek nie gaan los nie.”

Meer selfvertroue is wat vir Lester Paulus (aka Crimson Hozai) uitstaan as hy die persoonlike groei wat hy hierdie jaar ervaar het, moet beskryf. “Ek het meer vertroue in myself, die tipe musiek wat ek skryf en die tipe kunstenaar wat ek is. Ek kan ook nou oor enige onderwerp skryf en rap. Na dese verstaan ek dat my opinie van ander s’n verskil en ek is oukei daarmee.”

Potensiële finaliste kan hul inskrywings digitaal instuur, maar daar is ook talentsoekers in verskillende dele van Namibië en Suid-Afrika wat oudisies in persoon hou indien deelnemers dit verkies. Die inskrywingsproses werk soos volg:

Besoek crescendo.org.za indien jy ’n digitale inskrywing wil doen. Hier sal jy ook kontakbesonderhede kry van talentsoekers in Suid-Afrika en Namibië indien jy eerder ’n oudisie in persoon wil doen. Die sluitingsdatum vir alle inskrywings is 31 Desember 2024.

Uit hierdie inskrywings word 25 finaliste genooi na ’n omvattende mentorskapprogram tydens die Maart/April-skoolvakansie.

Die doel van hierdie weeklange mentorskapprogram is om die finaliste toe te rus met genoegsame kennis en kundigheid om hul loopbane af te skop hetsy hulle deurdring na die volgende ronde of nie.

Na afloop van die mentorskapprogram word daar tien finaliste uit die 25 gekies. Hierdie tien finaliste tree op in ’n reeks produksies gedurende die jaar.

Tydens ’n finale slypskool kry finaliste loopbaankartering en een-tot-een-onderrig, want hierdie groep is die mense wat met die ondersteuning van Crescendo hul musiekloopbane afskop.

Besoek ons webwerf by www.crescendo.org.za vir meer inligting oor ATKVCrescendo, wat in 2024 vyftig jaar se talentontginning vier.

Skandeer die QR-kode om in te skryf.

your school.

UPLANDS COLLEGE

Uplands College Honours Evening

CURRO NELSPRUIT

Primary School Mentors 2025

We’re thrilled to announce our new mentors for 2025! Big congratulations to these remarkable individuals who will inspire and guide us on our journey ahead. Your dedication will undoubtedly make a lasting impact! As John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Here’s to a fantastic year of growth and collaboration! Let’s make 2025 unforgettable together!

Head Leaders 2025

Huge congratulations to our newly appointed head leaders for 2025! You’ve all worked incredibly hard and are more than deserving of these roles! Your leadership will guide us to new heights next year.

• Head Girl: Mia Putter

• Head Boy: Bradley du Plessis

• Deputy Head Girl: Michealle Skhosana

• Deputy Head Boy: Nathan Cooper

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek Here’s to a year of growth, leadership, and success!

Congratulations to our Newly Elected Leaders of 2025

We are excited to announce and congratulate the outstanding leaders of our Grade 12 class. Your commitment and dedication have set an inspiring example for your peers, and we look forward to seeing your leadership flourish in the coming year.

”True leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” May you continue to lead with strength, humility, and the vision to inspire others! Here’s to an incredible year ahead!

NELSPRUIT PRIMARY

Newly elected Prefects 2025

Congratulations to the following learners who have been elected to represent their school as prefects for 2025.

Prizegiving Ceremony 2024

Congratulations to the learners who were rewarded with the highest achievements for 2024.

LAERSKOOL LAEVELD

Hoofleiers | Prefekte 2025

Ons stel graag aan julle bekend | We would like to introduce you to:

Armin Goddefroy Hoofseun

CT Scheepers Onderhoofseun - Kultuur, Dux-leerling Gr. 6, Eretoekenning Kultuur

Christelle Kleynhans Hoofdogter

Cailin Botha MediaprefekHoofdogter

Anrich Botha Onderhoofseun - Sport, Beste Seunsatleet

Niané Malan MediaprefekOnderhoofdogter

Leanie Alberts Onderhoofdogter - Sport

Devon Jansen van Vuuren Diensraad - Hoofseun

Ere-Toekennings | Honorary Awards 2024

Jamie Grobbler OnderhoofdogterKultuur

Loyiso Maphanga DiensraadOnderhoofseun

Baie geluk aan die volgende leerders vir hul harde werk. | Congratulations to the following learners for their hard work.

Miané Swart

Roelofse

Gr.4

SA Medal of Honour

Nina Hoffman Dux-Leerling Gr.5

Emily PieterseSportdogter, Beste Dogtersatleet

Marlu van Wyk Hoof se Toekenning

Janse van Vuuren Beste Landloopseun, Beste Bouler, Kolwer & Krieketspeler

Xanru Ferreira Beste Rugbyspeler, Beste Hokkiespeler, Sportseun, Uitstaande Sportprestasie, Voortrekker Leiers-erepenning

2024 Prestige Meriete Toekeningsfunksie

PENRYN SOUTH AFRICA

Valediction / Farewell to the Class of 2024

We bid farewell to our Matric Class of 2024. Nomndeni and Seth shared their thoughts on their time spent at Penryn College and Tendai blew the audience away with his rendition of “Make You Feel My Love, by Adele”. The Matric’s hard work was acknowledged and recognised with a plethora of academic and special awards. Special mention must go to Anna Phillips on her outstanding achievements, attaining the second highest average in the history of Penryn College. The Bible Handing Out ceremony touched the hearts of both the scholars and teachers as an opportunity was given for scholars to thank those teachers who meant so much to them! Honours/ Full Colours

Lomhlangano Gama

• Penryn Full Colours

• HC: Sport Athletics

• HC: Academics

• H: Culture Visual Art

• H: Culture Debating Ntshepeng Ntsheroa

• Penryn Full Colours

• H: Culture (Marimba Band)

• FC: Sport

• HC: Academics

Lomhlangano Gama Top 7 Awards

Tenhlanhla Gama

• Penryn Honours

• FC: Sport

• FC: Academics

• H: Culture Visual Art

• H: Culture Debating

Anna Phillips

• Penryn Honours

• FC: Sport

• H: Academics

• H: Applied Academics (IT)

• H: Culture Debating

Owethu Mahlalela

• Penryn Honours

• H: Applied Academics (Global)

• FC: Academics

• H: Culture Marimba

• H: Culture Debating

Unam Sefani

• Penryn Honours

• FC: Sport

• FC: Academics

• H: Culture Debating

Bonginkosi Thwala

• Penryn Honours

• FC: Sport

• FC: Academics

• H: Culture Debating

Junior History Olympiad Ambassadors Award

Eight of our scholars participated in the HOZA Junior History Olympiad, competing against 910 entries. We're proud to announce that Penryn College emerged as the top school in Mpumalanga!

A huge congratulations to Wisani Keipeile, named the best male scholar and placing 2nd in the country. He ranked in the top 1% nationwide, earning Platinum status, and is also the top scholar in Mpumalanga!

Additionally, Mia Spies achieved Gold status for placing in the top 5% of the country. What a remarkable achievement!

The Dramatic Arts Department once again proudly hosted the Drama National Eisteddfod for Penryn College in the Drama Centre. Scholars from Grades 9 to 12 participated, showcasing their talents in monologues, scenes, original poetry, and original group pieces. It was a fantastic event, with four performances awarded Gold certificates and an impressive 15 awarded Diplomas, which serve as invitations to the Young Performers’ Certificate program.

We are thrilled to congratulate our category winners

• Milan Barnard (Grade 6, Prep) – Monologues in Afrikaans & English, and recipient of an Ambassador’s Award

• Zenanile Shabangu (Grade 9) – Monologue

• Lwandle Mabane (Grade 10) – Monologue

• Eduard Phillips (Grade 10) – Original Poetry

• Nondumiso Nyambi (Grade 12) – Monologue

Our heartfelt congratulations to these scholars, and we wish the best of luck to all who will participate in the Young Performers’ Certificate program!

Congratulations to Sinhle Mona. She received an Ambassadors Award at the National Eisteddfod Showcase Event at the Roodepoort Theatre. These Awards are awarded to participants whose results fall within the top 3% of all results during the National Eisteddfod.

LAERSKOOL WITRIVIER WHITE RIVER PRIMARY SCHOOL

Rugby u.10 - u.12

Silver Medal Winners at Fathers Ground 7’s tournament.

Winning gold medals in Mozambique!

Maricus Seaman wen goue medaljes in Mosambiek! Maricus Seaman is gekies om in ‘n gala in Mosambiek te swem en hy het baie goed gevaar. Die gala het die naweek van 19 en 20 Oktober 2024 in die hoofstad, Maputo, plaasgevind.

Maricus Seaman wins GOLD medals in Mozambique! Maricus Seaman was selected to swim in a gala in Mozambique and he did really well. The gala took place on the weekend of 19 and 20 October 2024 in the capital city, Maputo.

Uitslae / Results:

Goue-medaljes / Gold Medals:

• 50m - Borsslag / Breaststroke

• 100m - Borsslag / Breaststroke

Silwer-medalje / Silver Medal:

• 200m - Individuele wisselslag / Individual Medley

Brons-medaljes / Bronze Medals:

• 50m - Vlinderslag / Butterfly

• 100m - Vryslag / Freestyle

Laerskool Witrivier wens hom geluk met sy eerste internasionale toernooi! Baie trots op jou, Maricus.

Congratulations to the following rugby boys who were selected for the u.11 and u.12 Ehlanzeni rugby teams. We are proud of you!

WWT - Olimpiade 2024

Die WWT-Olimpiade word net vir Gr 6-leerders aangebied. Laerskool Witrivier het op skoolvlak, streeksvlak en provinsiale vlak deelgeneem aan die Olimpiade.

• Lisa Raath - 3de plek Wetenskap

• Reuben Bester - 3de plek Wiskunde

• Lian Briel - 6de plek Wiskunde

Reuben en Lisa het elkeen ‘n goue medalje ontvang asook groot pryse gewen. Lian het ‘n brons medalje ontvang.

Leierraad 2025 / Leader Council 2025

Baie geluk aan die volgende leerders wat verkies is tot die 2025 Leierraad. Congratulations to the following learners who have been selected for the Leader Council of 2025.

hier vir meer aanlyn nuus!

HOËRSKOOL ROB FERREIRA HIGH SCHOOL

2024 Prysuitdeling

Baie geluk aan die volgende leerders vir hul harde werk.

Callum Crawford Duxeerling/learner vir/for 2024:

Koeun Park Omnia Toekenning, Nelia Haasbroek Wisseltrofee: Sportdogter 2024 - (Mpumalanga Shooting: Full Score in prone at Nationals)

Dienstoekenning –Wisseltrofeë

Best Individual Sport Boy 2024 - (World Ranking – no 8. 2nd In South Africa)

Danie

Wisseltrofee: Sport Boy 2024 - (SA Athletics, 1st Team Rugby and 1st Team Cricket)