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CIRCULAR 1/2015

22 January 2015
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s)
We truly hope that you all had a well-earned rest during the recent holiday. The entire Ferdie corps is
well-rested and refreshed and ready to tackle a very busy term with gusto! We intend making the best
use of every opportunity to allow each Ferdie learner to discover his/her potential and to ensure that
each of them is able to nurture and develop it.
And so we wish each one of the Ferdie family a
wonderful 2015, filled with energy, enthusiasm and empathy.
GRADE 12 RESULTS 2014
Ferdies is indeed blessed and thankful for it! The matriculants of 2014 are the 15th consecutive
Ferdie group who succeeded in achieving a 100% pass rate. Sincere congratulations to the matric class
of 2014 and to all the educators for their dedication and outstanding work.
The North West Department of Education lists the top schools who have obtained a 100% pass rate on
the basis of the school with the greatest number of matriculants. According to this criterion, Ferdies is
in the sixth position. When the number of subject distinctions is measured against the number of
matriculants and expressed as a percentage, Ferdies is placed 12th in the province.
Manus Kleynhans, our DUX learner, who obtained six distinctions, was placed in the Top 100 achievers in
North West.
Ferdies is extremely proud of him and of all the other Grade 12s who obtained
distinctions. They include: Riaan du Toit, Mariska Labuschagne, Zan Labuschagne, Katli Mabe, Kate
Pretorius and Zeldi Viviers each with four distinctions; and Brittney Groenewald, Elinda Harmse,
Janine Klaassen, Zon Knoetze, Clariesa Pretorius and Nicole Vivier who earned three distinctions
each. And of course there is a strong possibility of more distinctions after the re-marking of scripts is
completed several matriculants received marks in the high 70s and have applied for re-marks.
ACADEMIC AFTERNOONS
As we continue to strive for excellence, we have made a decision to continue with the academic
afternoons, which gives us extra academic time in the interest of our learners.
Grade 12 learners, kindly note that it is compulsory to attend afternoon classes on the following
afternoons in the respective subjects:
Accounting: Mondays 14:00-15:00
Physical Science / Mathematics: Mondays 15:00-16:00

(It may well be that Maths classes are offered on alternate Tuesday afternoons because the Gr 12
Maths group is a large one.)
Grade 11 learners have compulsory classes on the following days:
Physical Science / Mathematics alternating on Mondays from 14:00-15:00 (one week Physical Science,
one week Maths.)
If it is deemed necessary after the first term, extra classes will be arranged on Mondays for Grade 9
and 10 learners.
Many thanks to the Ferdies staff who are, as always, prepared to go the extra mile in the best interests
of their learners.
TEST AND TASK TIMETABLES
The test and task timetables for the first term are distributed to the learners in the first week of school
so that they can plan their work schedule accordingly. Parents and Guardians, please ensure that these
timetables are pasted onto the page allocated for them in the school diary. Educators and learners are
required to adhere strictly to the dates therein. Kindly note that tests are written on Mondays and
Thursdays in the first term unless otherwise indicated on the test timetable.
Subject teachers are not allowed to grant learners extensions for the late submission of tasks, or for the
late writing of tests. Only the Deputy/Principal may give permission, and only if circumstances warrant it.
If a learner cannot write a test on a specific date due to sickness or other valid reason, the Deputy
Principal needs to be notified, preferably on the previous day; failing that, early in the morning of the
scheduled day. Please notify her by telephone call / personally so that any arrangements that may be
necessary can be discussed.
Tasks that are submitted ONE day late are penalised by -5%, TWO days late with -10%, and if they are
even later, the learner forfeits all marks for the task. A medical certificate does not exonerate the
learner from submitting a task. If there is a valid medical reason (with a medical certificate) that prevents
a learner from meeting the due date for the task, the task must be then submitted on the first day that
the learner returns to school. In other words, all learners complete all their tasks in order to pass the
year.
ABSENTEES
All requests to leave school during the school day (e.g. for a dentist appointment) must be directed to
the Grade Guardian, in writing and with motivation. Learners must take the written request to their
Grade Guardian during register period or assembly at the beginning of the day. If the request is
granted, the learner must sign out and sign in again at Reception. Learners may not leave the school
grounds without following this procedure. It is regarded as a very serious infringement of the Code of
Conduct when a learner leaves the school grounds without permission.
Kindly note that learners may not simply be fetched from school without these arrangements being
made in advance. Grade Guardians classes may not be interrupted just because a learner has forgotten
to follow procedure; this regulation will be applied consistently.
As already mentioned, the Deputy Principal should be notified in the morning of a test/exam if a learner
is going to be absent, and the learner must submit his/her medical certificate as soon as possible
thereafter. Only a medical certificate serves as a valid reason for absence from a test or exam. If a

medical certificate is not submitted, the learner will be given 0 (zero) for the test / exam paper in
question.
REPORTS
First term reports will be handed out on 25 March 2015.
ACADEMIC TOUR
The top achievers from Grades 8 11 thoroughly enjoyed their exciting, active and exceptionally
interesting and educational academic tour to the Drakensberg from 1 5 December 2014. The
programme included the following interesting activities and points of interest: a visit to the
Drakensberg Boys Choir, to ESKOM, water affairs and forestry studies, a Canopy Tour, Paintball and
fabulously refreshing swimming in the warm-water pool.
Invitations and information regarding this years academic tour will be given to the Top Ten learners
shortly.
PARENTS EVENINGS
The first Parents Evening of the year will take place on Tuesday, 10 February 2015. We are looking
forward to seeing a substantial number of parents!
Educators can be visited in their classrooms between 17:30 18:00 without appointment; and from
18:00 19:30 according to appointments made in the week prior to the Parents Evening. Learners can
collect appointment forms from Reception in order to make 10-minute appointments in this time slot.
Grade 8 parents are invited to meet the Principal and Deputy for a short meeting in the hall at 17:30.
Thereafter the Grade 12 parents and learners are urged to attend an important meeting in the hall at
18:30.
SETH learners
A separate letter will be sent shortly to parents/guardians of SETH learners. This will provide more
information about this years programme and a time schedule. A SETH information parents evening will
also be arranged in the near future.
OUTREACH PROJECT
The charity committee of the SCR, together with Interact, are planning an outreach project to a
nursery school in Sarafina for the end of February. The committee would be grateful for any support in
the form of one or more of the following items that you may send to school with your child:

Stationery (used or new) and old story books that are suitable for toddlers and nursery school
children will be very welcome too;
Mealie meal (Mieliepap)
Tinned food
Soya mince (Toppers)
Toothpaste with toothbrush
Soap

Above-mentioned items can be handed in as soon as possible at Mrs Rosins class. You are welcome to
contact Mrs Rosin (083-7628675) or Mrs De Villiers (081-2712894) or Palesa Papers at school if you
want more information.
PULSATING PULSE 2015
Its back! Once again Ferdies is staging a Pulse production! This time it is a musical professionally
directed by the exceptionally talented Chris Steyn. The musical will take to the stage in the school hall
on 19, 20 and 21 August 2015. Save the date!
Such a production requires a tough rehearsal schedule and commitment and 100% attendance from each
participant. The rehearsal times will be available to all Pulse members on the WhatsApp group and on
the Pulse notice board.
Further, we expect each participant to pay R80 that will go towards providing cooldrinks during
rehearsals at the weekends, and also for meals at the Pulse camp. The money will also be used for
purchasing items required for the concert. More information will follow later.
ENGLISH OLYMPIAD
The English Olympiad takes place on Tuesday 3 March 2015. Many candidates have not yet paid for
their entry fee which includes the anthology and study material. Olympiad meetings will be starting next
week; candidates are expected to attend either one afternoon meeting per week or a weekly evening
meeting. We look forward to lively discussions once again!
CANSA RELAY FOR LIFE
This year the CANSA Relay for Life will take place at the Fanie du Toit sports grounds, starting at
18:00 on 7 March and finishing at 08:00 on 8 March after a short church service.
Although the school is not officially taking part this year, we give our full support to this worthy cause
and encourage parents/guardians and their children to enter themselves as teams. Please contact
Suzette du Toit (082 807 06 94) in this regard she will be happy to hear from you.
TEXTBOOK SHORTAGES
There are textbook shortages in some subjects at present. Be assured that the school is doing
everything in its power to resolve the problem as quickly as possible so that learners are not put at a
disadvantage.
IN CONCLUSION
We hope that each member of the Ferdie family moves forward towards their goals this term and has
fun and a sense of fulfilment doing so!

Cordial Ferdie greetings

____________________
A.J. LABUSCHAGNE
PRINCIPAL

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