Dear Parents
Term 3 Reports:
Thank you to all parents who kept to their appointments on Saturday, 14 September 2024. Your concern for the academic well-being of your child is commendable. I’m sure your child appreciates your commitment to their success.
Term 3 Reports will be sent home on Thursday, 19 September 2024. Please ensure that all learners are at school on Thursday. If learners are absent, parents are only allowed to collect reports after 1 p.m.
Heritage Day Civvies:
Learners will be able to wear their Heritage Day Civvies on Thursday, 19 September 2024.Let us dress up with our traditional attire whilst we celebrate our deep heritage.
The R10 charged for wearing civvies will be a fundraiser in support of CROW - Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Extra Mural Activities:
Please note that Extra-Curricular Activities for Term 3 ended on Friday, 13 September 2024. Please make necessary transport arrangements so that learners are not left waiting after school. Mrs Laurence, however, has decided to continue with her Swimming Club lessons until Thursday, 19 September 2024.
As per policy, there will be No Aftercare on Friday, 20 September 2024.
Early Closure on Friday, 20 September 2024
School will close at 10.30 a.m. on Friday, 20 September 2024. If parents are unable to fetch learners at 10.30 a.m. on Friday, we suggest that learners do not come to school at all. Those learners who are absent on Friday, 20 September 2024 will not be counted as absent when it comes to them aiming for their “Full Attendance” record.
Unfortunately, many transport providers are unable to fetch learners at 10.30 a.m. and educators have had to wait with children who have not been fetched for many hours on the last day of the term. We therefore, ask that parents consider not sending those learners who experience transport challenges to school on the last day of the term.
Due to the high volume of learners absent on the last day of term, no significant work will be covered on Friday.
The staff usually use the last day of term for our strategic planning / grade and subject planning as well as for Term 4’s calendar and professional development.
St James Church:
We are very grateful to St James Church on Sir Arthur / Venice Road for their generous donation of sandwiches made with love and care each week. One of the ministers at the church, Reverend Elaine Gilchrist (former principal of Clarence Primary) passed away last week after her battle with cancer. We fondly remember her disciplined leadership in the community, always encouraging the hearts of many through her 30 years as principal and her time in ministry at St James.
Speech and Drama Festival:
Our Speech and Drama Festival takes place from 16-18 September 2024. Our adjudicator will be Mrs Shaylene Miller, former principal of Durban Primary School. Please ensure that all learners are well-practiced at home.
Spring Day Planting Ceremony:
Teaching children to plant a tree at least once a year is an excellent way to instil in them a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment. This simple act on 2 September 2024 will hopefully have a profound impact on their understanding of the importance of conservation and sustainability.
Quiz Evening:
Congratulations to Grade 5GE on their well-deserved win! And commiserations to Grade 6BH on a close second place - I'm sure they'll be back stronger next time!
Inter-House Maths Quiz:
On 11 September 2024, our learners participated in an exciting Inter- House Maths Quiz. Each house was represented by the top Maths learner in Grade 4, 5, 6 and 7.
The following learners represented their houses…
ATHLONE: Daniel Famezoo; Saurav Chetty; Melokuhle Mbatha; Mamello Msiya BUXTON: Caleb Veress: Yumna Mia; Yusra Mia; Leah Tondo
CLARENDON: Kumo Magwaza; Chloe Naidoo; Ndibabale Zoko; Nompilo Mchunu DUNCAN: Caleb Govender; Ethan Ranjith; Dawood Seedat; Mayil Singh. The Maths questions were challenging but based on the curriculum. The teams were asked questions as a group with limited time to respond. Athlone and Duncan House went throughto the final round. We say, “Congratulations to Duncan House” for emerging as the winnersof the Maths Quiz! Well done, to all the learners who participated. Thank you to Miss Cele, Mrs Pillay and Mr Barath for their team effort in making this annual venture a success. Report by Mrs S. Ahmed
Raffle 2024:
Our fundraiser for Term 3, the Raffle, proved to be very successful. We have collectively raised a superb amount of R102 153! Thank you to the amazing learners, teachers and parents for their support in this drive. Congratulations to Mrs Rupnarain and Grade 1RN for raising the highest amount in the Foundation Phase, which was a whopping R10 480. Well done to Miss Cele and Grade 4CL for raising the highest amount in the Senior Primary, which was R6 680. The Raffle draw took place in the hall on Friday, 6 September 2024.
Raffle Winners - Foundation Phase
Bicycle - Nesa Arunsamy (1FG)
Scooter - Kingston Allers (3ES) Mini Desk Fan - Shanya Pillay (2PS) Rummikub - Saihiren Govender (1GD) Mini desk fan + Meal Voucher - Saheed Ross (2PO) MTN hamper - Alexis Talke – (1RN) Meal Voucher +Sharks Shirt - Angiphile Maqubela (3CN) Sharks Shirt - Asemahle Mtshali (1RN) Table Top Hockey - Benjamin Sardinne (2KE) Principles Parking Bay – Aria Ngcobo (1RN)
Senior Primary
Bicycle - Mnqobi Ngcobo (6BB)
Drone - Kivara Singh (4PE) Meal Voucher Sharks T Shirt - Axel Jooste (5GE) Mini Desk Fan - Ndondo Manqele (4KM) Soccer Ball - Uthando Silwane – (5) Sharks Back Pack - Luthando Mtethwa (7GR) Table Top Soccer - Zoe Van Zyl (7SH) MTN hamper - Kiav Singh (7AD) Sharks Shirt - Uminathi Nxumalo (4) Meal Voucher + Mini Desk Fan - Ethan Baijnath (4CL)
Front Row Seats for School Functions – Nihaar Singh (5PY)
The learners who raised R500 or more enjoyed a Pizza Party in the hall on Friday, 13 September 2024. The learners who raised R1000 or more will have their handprint painted on the new Netball stands next term.
Report by Mrs S. Ahmed
Debate League 2024:
Our debate teams showcased their talents in a thrilling series of debate matches. The debate series covered a wide range of thought-provoking topics, each presenting unique challenges for the participants.
Here are the topics:
Debate Round 1 Topic vs Durban Girls College: This House Believes That technology has diluted the importance of family bonds.
Debate Round 2 Topic: This House Supports implementing a three-day weekend. Debate Opposition: Maris Stella and Our Lady of Fatima 2
Debate Round 3 Topic: This House Would follow a plant-based lifestyle.
Debate Round 4 Topic vs Our Lady of Fatima: This House Believes That much has been achieved in 30 years of democracy in South Africa.
Best Speaker Awards:
Several learners stood out for their exceptional speaking skills, particularly in terms of clarity, persuasion, and poise under pressure. Special recognition goes to:
• Dominic Natasadu (Gr 7) and Avaran Govender (Gr6) for their powerful rebuttals during the three-day weekend debate.
• Avaran Govender (Gr 6) and Zaheer Sheik (Gr 7) for his analytical approach and strong closing statements in the plant-based lifestyle debate.
• Avaran Govender (Gr 6) for his thought-provoking deliberations on important contemporary issues in the democracy in South Africa debate.
Both teams took the win in the plant-based lifestyle debate, thanks to their compelling arguments.
The opposition team 2 emerged victorious in the democracy in South Africa debate, after a convincing case.
The debate matches were a testament to the intellectual curiosity and skill of our learners. Each participant should be proud of their efforts, as we look forward to seeing even more growth and success in future debate tournaments.
Report by Mrs J. Pillay
Foundation Phase Chess Tournament:
On Friday, 13 September 2024, 9 learners from Grade 3 participated in the Foundation Phase Chess Tournament hosted by Glenmore Primary School. Our MPS learners showed exceptional talent, hard work and dedication to the game of chess. Despite facing tough competition amongst several participating schools, they made it through 6 challenging rounds. A remarkable accomplishment by Lethabo Khumalo in Grade 3BA, who persevered and emerged victorious, placing 3rd, which is a testament to his abilities as a chess player. We at Morningside Primary School are so proud of all our learners who participated and gave it their absolute best.
Report by Miss N. Martin
World Robotics Olympics - National Finals 3 years in a row:
Friday, 13 September 2024, was anything but unlucky, for four Grade 7 learners from Morningside Primary and two from Durban Preparatory. We, the Victor Daitz team from Durban, flew up to Johannesburg on Friday for the National Finals. This is the third year in a row that Morningside managed to qualify for the National Finals. This means placing in the top 28 from hundreds of schools and robotics clubs from across the country. Jiya Perumal, Mayil Singh and Leah Tondo, our first all-girl team, together with Zachary Sardinne and his teammates from DPHS, flew up to Curro Aurora in Randburg to represent KZN at “The World Robot Olympiad National Finals.” Not even being at the airport at 6:20 a.m. could dampen the high spirits of the children and their parents who came to see them off. Neither team managed to finish in a top spot on Friday, but our children retuned as happy as they left, knowing that the experience was an enriching one.
Report by Mr R. Singh
With warm regards
Mr N. Boodhoo
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