I Wonder...............................

I wonder how many parents take time out of their busy schedules to actually view our website or read a blog?

I wonder why we have chosen to send our beautiful children to a school, far from the madding crowds of a big city, set in a beautiful part of Plettenberg Bay with mountains and sea at our fingertips?

My name is Melissa Mann and I am a proud mum to Sienna (5) - pre-school, Robyn's class.

Every morning I wake up with the amazing feeling that my child is able to attend a school like Greenwood, with the loving, nurturing care that is offered by wonderful teaching staff and the wide open spaces with clean air!

Yes, it is an Independent School with higher fees than a state school, but this is what I have chosen and so do not begrudge the little bit extra that is asked of us - after all, does "fundraising" not take place at every school?

My child is happy and that makes me happy so it is important that I make the effort to be involved for the greater good of her education, which incidentally, is the greatest gift we can give our children.

So I am offering you all a challenge - take the time to be involved, attend workdays, give graciously and smile now, you might actually enjoy it!

The end!

ps: Of course, I wonder how many parents will actually read this and give it a try....................

at the end of the day.........

My name is Willemijn Murray, mother of pre-schooler Femke and wife of Glenn. And this is my first entry!! Being a busy mum, (with my own business and a traveling husband), I sometimes feel that the world and the childhood of my gorgeous daughter is passing me by!! Time is flying and I sometimes wish that I could make her stop growing and enjoy the past day for a little longer. But every day bedtime comes so soon, and another day has rushed by!!

A Dutch friend started this tradition, almost every night after bath, brushing teeth and pj's he sit his daughters and wife down and asks the following questions: 'what was the best thing this day?' and 'what was the worst thing this day?' Everyone gets a turn, and everyone needs to listen to what the other tells. We have started doing it a couple of months ago, and it is amazing what answers you get! Sometimes very little, seemingly insignificant things that have happened during the day, are 'the best things' according to my girl. It is also a great opportunity to 'clear the air' and discuss very briefly what went wrong during the day. When we have guests, they even have to join in!!

Give it a try, just two simple questions, and do it with the whole family. When Gran is staying for dinner, get her involved. When your child has a sleepover friend, ask him or her. You'll be surprised what the answers are and it is a lovely way to close of the day! Have fun, and I would love to hear your reactions.

Have a lovely Greenwood day xx

After dropping my children at school today I was just giving some thought to what some of our clever MOM's do and so I thought I would just name a few here today.

1. Caitlin Truman-Baker (Mom to pre-schooler Connor & baby Jasper) is a graphic designer based in Plettenberg Bay. Caitlin has also designed the new African Serenity baby sling called Coo&Co. This design has been refined from an age old concept. Designed to keep you baby close and comfortable, while keeping you hands free and chic.

2. Janet Forest (Mom to Pre-schooler Julia) also a graphic designer. Janet and her husband, Dennis, own and manage the wonderful Eagle Encounters Centre. This is a bird of prey rehabilitation, educational and Eco-Tourism Centre. This is well worth a visit and our children have been here often on school outings! How lucky we are to have all this on our doorstep!

3. Willemijn Murray (Mom to pre-schooler Femke) owns a delicious shop in town called Willemijn Murray. Willemijn is Dutch and has great fun sourcing and making objects for her shop - she makes the most beautiful jewellery!

4. Kim van Rensberg (Mom to pre-schooler Zoe and Ruby in grade 6) is also a design mom. Kim runs her own business called Clean Living Interior Design but has also just launched her new yummy product called "Oh my goodness". These are delicous non dairy, non wheat and raw food products that are excellent for lunch boxes for the kids!

5. Laura Jamieson Chatz (Mom to Ayla in grade 1 and Noah in grade 2) is another design mom who has a background in ceramic design, decor styling and glass blowing. Laura's Luma Glass Studio is in Plettenberg Bay where she produces amazing jewellery and even chandeliers.

These a just five of our wonderful Mom's! We are so lucky to have such talented people around us. I will post some more of our other parents on the blog soon. Enjoy your day!

Right... here we go - our first post on the personalised Greenwood blog! I do hope you enjoy our blog and you keep returning to find out what other parents & teachers have to say!!

My name is Lyndall and I am Mom to Nicholas (7) and Fenella (4) who are both at Greenwood. Fenella is in the Pre-School in Robyn's class (another Mom contributor to our blog) and Nicholas is in grade 2 with Teacher Lynn.

Today started off well - we all managed to get out the house in time for school! A small miracle in our house... Nicholas is at an age when school is really exciting. His learning includes reading, spelling (ever heard of magic 'e' words?), bonds in maths, creative writing and lots more. Sport is also included into the morning lessons - today was hockey. He is a keen sportsman and very active - although is a bit of 'wobbly man' at the moment as he seems to enjoy being horizontal - diving on the floor at any opportunity. Today I also did reading in his class for an hour. This is just fun reading where the kids get used to reading and also reading to different people. A couple of moms volunteer for this termly.

My little girl Fenella (who thinks her middle name is Princess) is in the pre-school. Today I dropped her off while she was happily carrying on doing the monkey bars. She had also showed me the small worm farms they have in the class - jars of different coloured soil in layers with which you can track the earthworms movements. This afternoon Fenella's friend Zoe has come to play.

I love the interaction between our home family and the school family. Tonight I am off to a talk at the school about Nutrition and Sibling Rivalry! I will keep you posted.............

As parents & teachers of children at Greenwood School we have decided to write a blog about the daily happenings at the school. This should be a fun, honest and interesting look at the days our children spend at school. We do hope you enjoy the new updated version of our blog.

From the Principal’s Desk…

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

It’s going to be a wonderful year. A great big special
welcome to all our new learners, from the Toddler class, right
through to our brand new Grade 6 class.

We are so fortunate to have Elaine Galanakis joining our staff
this year. Our Grade 6 learners are going to have great year
with her. Welcome Mrs G, we wish you a year filled with joy.
Lize, our Grade 3 teacher, got married on the 18 December
and is now Lize Beukes. We wish her and Rayno years and
years of married bliss.

The other changes within our staff structure are the
appointments of Robyn as Head of Department in the
Preschool and Lynn as Head of Department in the Foundation
Phase. Michelle stays as Head of Department for the
Intermediate Phase (Grade 4, 5, 6) Our Montessori Toddler and
Preschool is in good hands. To the rest of the staff members, a
year filled with peace and harmony.

Please, DO NOT MISS OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR, MEET
AND GREET, on THURSDAY 21 JANUARY at 6pm. We will meet
in the classrooms at 6pm so that you can meet your child’s
teacher. She will share with you her expectations of you as a
parent and various ideas about homework etc. This is not for
individual chats, that will be later this term. After the class
meeting, about 6.45, we will all get together for a chat and
get to know the new parents.

Kindly remember to note all the dates given in the newsletters,
have a file handy so that you can keep letters and newsletters
at hand.

Call or pop in for a chat at any time you need to, my door is
open. Please feel free to contact me whenever necessary.

May our family of Greenwood grow from strength to strength;
we wish you an amazing year with us. - Mary

Our Golf day was a great success and now we are looking forward to our next event. Our Grade 4 & 5 classes are going to show what wonderful entrepreneurs they are on Friday, 20 November. Their business plans are looking good, I'm sure they are going to make a good profit.
Robberg Beach is waiting for us on the 15 December. Anybody looking for a day of fun and/or exercise must come down and join us. A great day out for the family.
Our learners are tops when it comes to Academics, the Conquesta results are just absolutely magnificent. We had 30 Platinums, lots of Diamonds, golds, silvers etc. We are determined to keep our Academics high!
Our cricket teams are fairing so well, even winning against Oakhill!
Well Done Greenwood!