Parents' Association News

Some of us are born with simply extraordinary talent.  This type proficiency normally only achieved by a handful of adults usually results in two responses.  We are either inspired to develop our own talents or we are simply overwhelmed and say, ‘I could never do that’.  In the main though, most associate such brilliance with success.

The enormous effect of environment on intelligence in the early years is one of the main drivers for the opening of our own St Peter’s Pre-Prep.  Early Childhood Development (ECD) encompasses physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and motor development between 0 to 8 years of age.

The appearance of the Covid-19 virus in South Africa produced a deluge of news:  articles, opinions and statistics.  Anxiety gripped society which seemed obsessed with the worst predictions, serving only to heighten fear.  We quickly realised that dealing with the panic would be likely to be more taxing than dealing with the effect of the virus itself at School.

As dawn breaks on Saturday, 22 June, our school starts to come alive with the familiar hustle and bustle of a St Peter’s ‘get-together’.  It’s only been 24 hours since the winter solstice and already the blue skies and balmy sunshine seem to indicate the approach of summer.

Winter Warmers, is one of many St Peter’s Prep social events and a firm favourite for a relaxed afternoon of chilled chit-chat with other families.

St Peter’s Prep Schools, through the Transformation arm of the Parents Association, hosted another successful “My Story” evening with over 80 parents and staff in attendance. This time a special guest was invited; Roy Gluckman, a diversity and inclusion specialist.

Old Petrian’s Water polo Girl’s Tournament

Sunninghill - St Peter’s College will be hosting the 15th Annual Old Petrian’s Water Polo Tournament for girls as well as the 4th Annual Old Petrian T20 Cricket Festival. The tournaments will take place from Thursday, 21 February – Sunday, 24 February 2019 at St Peter’s College.

On Tuesday evening 12 September, the Foundation hosted My Father’s Coat as a fundraiser for the Isematholeni Intern programme. The St Peter’s community gathered at St Peter’s College MADDitorium to listen to Michael Charton, founder of Inherit South Africa in Cape Town, tell a story.

This story, although heard many times, was unlike other stories about our country’s history - in the way it was told.

Our very first St Peter’s Family Soccer Day was held on Saturday, 15 July. Nearly 400 St Peter’s families came together to celebrate the ‘Beautiful Game’. 

The children, and many grownups, were entertained and amazed by Drumkit, the beat-boxer, as well as Philani Gumede, the freestyle ball juggler. To top that off we had South African Soccer Legends: Mark Tovey, Doctor Khumalo, Andre Arendse, Shaun Bartlett and Stanton Lewis joining in the afternoon of fun!

An icy wind on Sunday morning didn’t deter the many enthusiastic cyclists who turned out to ride the St Peter’s Cycle Challenge on 24 July. (This was a second attempt at holding the event this year as the earlier date had been rained out)

The spectre of racism, which arose so powerfully at the end of last year, constitutes a disheartening reminder of how little progress we have made in uniting as a nation since 1994.

I often think that as South Africans, one of our most limiting characteristics is that we do not know how to listen.  We listen to respond rather than to understand.  This is why, for me, the Parent Transformation Meeting held a few weeks ago was so important.  It provided the first real opportunity for people, with different life experiences, to listen respectfully to each other.

This past Sunday morning saw the PA organised St Peter’s Schools Fun Run & Walk hosted on the Prep Schools campus for the first time.