It was disappointing to see how many learners in grade 8 and 9 did not meet the pass requirements in the first term. To pass grade 8 or 9 a learner needs to obtain 40% for his/her home language (L1 ENG) and at least 30% for the first additional language (L2 AFR), a minimum of 40% in Mathematics and a minimum of 40% is needed in four of the other learning areas. Please monitor your child's performance and assist, encourage and help wherever possible.
A busy first term lies behind us where many learners have used their talents to participate in sport an cultural activities. Many learners will be on tour during the holidays in preparation for the winter sport season that lies ahead. We wish them all a safe journey. Thank you to all the educators who have helped with fundraising for these tours and who will be sacrificing a part of their own holidays to accompany them. Thank you once again for all the parental support that we received during the last term: it is really appreciated. Without the support of all stakeholders a school cannot function efficiently. I wish you all a blessed Easter Holiday.
The following parents have been elected to the SGB: Mr G Groenewald; Mrs M Willis-Smith; Mr D Johnson; Mrs K Meyer; Mr K Müller; Mr D Jacobs and Dr Z Bodiat. Thank you for being prepared to give of your time to the running of the school. It is appreciated.
At the end of this term we have to say goodbye to some members of staff as the following are leaving Dundee High School: Mr Davel and Miss Bingham are moving to the Cape – we wish them well and know that they will always carry DHS in their hearts. Mrs Smuts, our Deputy Principal, has requested a transfer to Vryheid. Mrs Smuts was on our staff for 16 years and we will remember her for the work she did in the PHSC class and also on the netball field. Wherever she got involved she has produced work of outstanding quality. Thank you for everything you did for our school – may you be happy and blessed by our Father in Vryheid.
By now you have probably already been informed via the media that this year is the year for School Governing Body (SGB) elections. We plan to hold these elections at our AGM, which is scheduled for the 15th of March 2012. Please diarise this date. I hereby request that you as parent think about making yourself available to serve on the SGB, or to identify other parents that would be able to serve on the SGB. The SGB plays an important role in the school and we need your support. Further information regarding the AGM and the SGB elections will be provided before the end of February.
Welcome back to all the parents of our existing learners. I trust we will be able to build on our past relationships and be able to support each other in all matters regarding your children. To the parents of the Grade 8 learners and also the other new learners, welcome to the Dundee High family. We hope you and your children will be happy in their new school environment. Please encourage them to get involved in the many activities that we offer at the school, both culturally and on the sport fields.
If we look back to our Grade 12 class of last year we are happy to announce that we once again obtained a 100% pass rate. Two of our learners were in the top 5 of the Umzinyathi District. Tarryn Meyer was placed third and Fathima Rawat was fifth. A total of 10 Learners achieved an average above 80%. A further 41 obtained an average above 70% and 51 more an average above 60%. This means that 82% of our matric group qualified for university entrance. Well done to you all.
Of the 21 subjects offered at Dundee High 18 had subject averages above 60%. In 6 subjects learners achieved more than 10 A's. 174 individual subject distinctions were obtained. These are definitely results we can all be proud of, teachers, parents and learners, but we need to remember that they are the product of hard work by all the role players and a challenge has been laid down to the Matrics of 2012 to equal or better these results. Remember "Strenuis Ardua Cedunt".
A few staff changes have taken place with some teachers leaving and others joining us. Mrs Ferreira has decided to leave the teaching profession and Ms Soni has accepted a post in Pretoria. We wish them well. Fortunately we have found two new teachers and we welcome Ms Coetzee and Mrs Kotzé to our staff. We hope you will both be happy here for many years.
The third term has started at the same pace that the second term ended. Already we have had a parent evening for the Grade 12 class (thank you to everyone that attended) and our Matric Farewell. Once again it was a lovely function that was enjoyed by all. Thank you to those parents that helped the Grade 11 educators and learners to produce an outstanding event.
The highlight of the second week was surely the snow that we woke up to on Tuesday. The learners were all excited but unfortunately this resulted in many being absent and the threat of the closing of the roads resulted in school closing early. Unfortunately the Grade 9 Parent evening also had to be postponed.
Matrics and their parents, remember we have only six weeks of school. Trial Exams commence on the 12th of September. Parents, please help us and ensure that your child attends school during this important time. Only if we all work together can we maintain our 100% pass rate at the school. In some subjects additional teaching time has already been arranged to ensure your child obtains the best possible preparation for the exams that lie ahead.
Unfortunately we have to say good bye to Mr Stone who, for family reasons, has decided to leave us. We wish him well and I know we will miss him. Fortunately we have found a qualified replacement in Miss L. du Plessis who will join us on Monday 3 August. We trust that she will be happy in our Dundee High family.
