From the Principal’s Desk – 24 June 2021

Dear Parents

In my last newsletter for the term I would like to refer to the photo above. The sun rises on a new day despite an intimidating bank of clouds that crowd over the school’s roof threatening to swamp it with their burgeoning mass. Above the mounting muscle, to the right, a vortex is visible, possibly bringing rain and adding to the sense of gloom and impending hardship.

And yet, if you look carefully, you’ll notice signs of hope. In the foreground, our little school stands strong and welcoming, Miss De Freitas’ door open and ready to draw in the first students to arrive at school. Pools of light warm the surface of the play area directly in front of the class, while a chorus line of wall lights throws its arms open invitingly to include all and sundry. Behind the clouds, daylight approaches. A new day is coming with all the promise that it holds. There is nothing to fear. The clouds will prove impotent, the vortex, an illusion and the gloominess will dissipate like so much moisture in the air.

Some storms are like that: all thunder and no rain. The storm we face as we prepare to go on winter break, is not one of those. It requires more of us than to merely put on the lights and open the door. I know: we are battle weary. We may feel that we do not want to put up with this anymore. We may wish to throw caution to the wind, come what may.

The truth is, though, that we are either part of the solution or part of the problem; either preventing or contributing to the rise in infections. There will be no reason to fear the onslaught of the third wave if we play our part. Stay home (without Uncle Cyril forcing you to do so), avoid social interaction as much as possible and do all you can to ensure that you do not contribute to spreading the virus. 

After a busy term, there is no better time to withdraw and use the time to regroup. Reconnect with your family. More than ever, your children need to hear the stories of your childhood. They need to find the joy in the little things – we all do! Build a puzzle together as a family; cook together; learn a new craft as a family. Teach your children to dance. Teach them about light, about new days and about hope. Stay home together and stay safe.

Also in the newsletter today is a well-written essay by Vincent Arnaud in Year 12 on excellence, one of the School’s values. It is truly heart-warming to know that we have students of this calibre at HIS.

Sadly, this term we say goodbye to two excellent teachers. Dr Alan Meyer is off on an adventure to teach in the Middle East, while Mrs Reynolds and her husband will be furthering their studies in the Netherlands. We would like to thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them both the very best in this new chapter in their lives. In their place we welcome Ms Amelia Burger, who will be teaching Chemistry and Physics to the seniors and Mr Tiaan Bothma, who will be taking the position of Music teacher. We would like to welcome them to the HIS family and hope that they will be very happy with us.

Before school resumes for the third term, a decision regarding online classes will be made based on the national and local Covid situation and in consultation with our sister schools and the board. This will be communicated to you in the week of 12 to 16 July. Be assured that our priority remains the well-being of our community and we will not hesitate to begin the term online should this be necessary. 

We wish all our students, parents and teachers a well-deserved break. 
Ms Cris Sanchez Black
Principal