In 2 years, 2011, I think I will be at university to finish my last year (course). I will struggle to find a job. I hope there will be a suitable post for me

After that, when 2014 comes, my mum will begin to talk about marriage… hmm… will that make me freak out??  I have no idea. Anyway at that time, I will have done well in my career. Also I’m, sure I will be doing well in my career.

2019… after 10 years… Where will I be? Perhaps, if I’m lucky I will get married or I will start my own business. Who knows

 
In-Kyung from Korea wrote  “Where I will be in 2 / 5 / 10 years”

We are proud to announce that Cape Studies Language School has been shortlisted as one of the best language schools in the Southern Hemisphere for 2009.

Cape Studies, our main sponsor, was shortlisted – one of the four best language schools in the Southern Hemisphere!!!

Award ceremony and the announcement of the winner will be begin of September in London. So hold thumbs please!

Woman Beautiful Woman

The Woman is the garden of life.
…she is patient
… she is easy going
… she is my mum, sister, wife, girlfriend…

The woman is the most important person in the world.
… you took me during 9 months in your belly
… you looked after me when I was a child
… you gave me more than I needed
… you are everything to me.

Woman is everything to us in this world.
Because of this I love you,
I am proud of you,
and I would like to say thank for everything.

Woman Beautiful Woman
I love you and i will need you all my life.

Poem written  by Issa Hassan from Niger during a skills class.

!!!

On a wonderful shiny sunny day, the water was calm and the wind was perfect for sailing. David Hansen, a lone sailor, decided to go sailing on his boat, Saucy Sal. During the night a storm came up and the waves were very big and high. The boat began to sway strongly from side to side. After a while David was exhausted and the boat started to sink. David panicked and fell over board. The next day David woke up on a remote but beautiful island. His first impression of the island was beautiful sandy beaches with palm trees. Then he realized that the boat had sunk and he was isolated from civilization. He decided to look for help by writing (HELP) using mussel shells. While he was making a fire the tide came up and washed his writing away. Three days later he felt desperate about his situation without food and civilization. At night when he tried to get some sleep, he heard some noise but he didn’t care. The next morning when he went out of his hut to hunt, he saw foot prints on the ground. He started to follow them and suddenly saw a group of people shooting a movie on the beach. He started waving and shouting at the film crew. And they looked at him strangely. David told them about his awful experience. After that the crew took him back to civilization. A week later an article was in the news paper about David.

This was written by Fatma (Oman) and Rainer (Germany). It was a joint effort between them, written during an upper intermediate skills class. They were given the topic SHIP WRECK and had to make up a story.

!!!

Today, I start my english course in Greenpoint and I miss Cindy, Chris, Jo-Ann, Christian, Sascha and Luci!

Ich bin in einer nette Truppe gelandet, wir sind 8 Leute, davon 3 aus good old Germany, ein Mädel aus Japan, 3 Jungs und ein Mädchen aus Brasilien. Morgens heißt es von 9:00 – 11:50 Grammatik, von 12:00- 13:30 sprechen, lesen, schreiben und um 14:30 – 15:30 Einzelunterricht. Was da jetzt noch fehlt ist eine WG mit englisch sprechenden Menschen.

Adams Place ist super nett, warm, lustig und sauber (das in 1,5 Tagen zu wissen ist doch nicht übel oder?), aber sie sprechen alle deutsch.

-> Also weiter suchen!

Wie war mein Tag sonst so?

Ich fühle mich einwenig konfus, zum einen sehe ich diesen wahnsinnigen Tafelberg, wie er mit den Wolken spielt bzw. die Wolken mit ihm (das muss ich noch beobachten) spielen oder die Ausgeglichenheit der Weinberge in Steelenbosch

und zum anderen ist da diese Unsicherheit oder innerliche Unruhe, wenn mir Black or Coloured entgegenkommen.

Wie verhalte ich mich, darf ich hier lang laufen, darf ich den anlächeln oder muss ich cool spielen, sollte ich mein Pfefferspray in die Hand nehmen oder das Kleingeld verschenken, kann ich in das Taxi steigen oder rufe ich mir eins und warte allein an dieser Straßenecke.

Mich stören die Mauern nicht, mich stört diese Ungewissheit oder besser der Grund dieser Mauern.

Das „kirre-machen“ beginnt in Deutschland, hier in CPT sind es die weißen, die Trommeln, mein Privatlehrer am Nachmittag sieht es nicht ganz so eng (Inder), die meisten Deutschen sind auch eher locker… zu viele Meinungen und das Bauchgefühl ist konfus.

Hier ist ein Mädel, die bereits seit 2 Jahren hier ist und ihr ist noch nichts passiert. Jedoch habe ich auch schon ein männliches Geschöpf kennengelernt, der zunächst ausgeraubt wurde und dem sie dann auch noch das Konto leer geräumt haben (Kreditkarte wurde kopiert).

Na mal sehen, wie sich mein Bauchgefühl entwickelt. Der Begriff „Freiheit“ wird mir hier bewusst, die eigenen Fesseln können ganz schön eng sein.

Heute morgen hatte ich mich dann für ein Rikki-Taxi entschieden (Sicherheits-Variante), als ich den guten Mann bezahlen wollte konnte er nicht wechseln und gab mir seine Nummer für die Rückfahrt am Nachmittag. Das fand ich sehr nett.

Am Abend, war ich noch „ZUFUSS“ einkaufen ( 3 RIIIIIESEN Papayas für 21 Rand -> nicht mal 2€) und habe mir dann meinen wöchentlichen Brief von Nadja gegönnt (@Nadja: Shame, I miss the sunset in this evening, but I will see it tomorrow -> Hopefully from the „Lion Head“)

!!!

Springboks vs Italy

Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town, Western Cape, is to be specially built for 2010, with a retractable roof and a capacity of 68 000. It will host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semifinal match.

In 2007, my company Cape Studies launched a children’s volunteer project called: “Cape Studies Apple Brigade”. The aim of this project is to build a bridge between our foreign students and underprivileged children from Kalkfontein, which is a multi-cultural township situated at the foot of the Stellenbosch mountains. Students spend some time interacting and playing with these children using English to embrace diversity and discover our common humanity. This project takes place every second Wednesday from 4 pm – 6 pm.The meeting point is at the school.

In the near future we will extend this project to mostly catholic youth groups from the townships. Stay on for more information.

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more pics on next side…

have a look at our student blog for lots of pics

Stanford, Western Cape: the Kindergarten is open to children from all cultural and language groups in the surrounding areas and all types of sponsorship are welcome, whether sponsoring of an individual child or an subject that encourages cultural understanding amongst the children and their parents. This project aims to give the underprivileged children within this area an equal opportunity to this wonderful learning adventure.

You will find lots of information at African Giggles – kindergarten for Africa

African Giggles is a Cape Studies – language school in Cape Town – project.

Welcome to African Giggles! This information will help to orientate you and your child to the daily workings of the school and enable you to participate as much as possible in the life of our school.

PARENT HANDBOOK 2009

Don´t tell God how big your storm is,
tell the storm how big your God is

WELCOME!

Welcome to African Giggles! This information will help to orientate you and your child to the daily workings of the school and enable you to participate as much as possible in the life of our school.

The parents, the children and the teachers are the school – African Giggles was started by parents like you, for parents like you who believe in giving your child the best start in life. Together, our ideas and input literally help to shape the school to the ultimate benefit of your children. African Giggles brings together families who have chosen to identify with a common commitment to the shared concerns, values and expectations they have for their children.

At this school we teach our children to understand and appreciate cultural differences and shared human values, peace, independence, human dignity and a celebration of life. Every child deserves to be acknowledged as a unique, growing individual. The years of early childhood can be vastly enriched by a school where the pupils are treated with dignity, given a sense of safety, inspired and stimulated to learn. Such an environment will encourage and equip them to realise their natural potential and become conscientious members of the community. We believe that a school, like the growing child must be alive and constantly evolving. At African Giggles we are committed to continually improving our programmes, expanding our knowledge and incorporating the best new ideas into our classes. We have created an educational environment which emphasises challenging academics, self esteem, positive discipline and peaceful conflict resolution skills.

By allowing children to develop a meaningful degree of independence and self discipline, the kindergarten experience sets a pattern for a lifetime of good work habits and responsibility. At African Giggles we aim to teach children to think for themselves and to discover and develop their unique talents and possibilities. Children work at their own pace, and learn in ways that work best for them as individual learners. There is an atmosphere of kindness and respect in which children discover that they are capable and independent human beings.

At African Giggles we strive to teach the children to think, not simply to memorise, feedback and forget, because we are convinced that learning the right answers is not enough. We help children to learn how to learn. The results are a love of learning, respect for life and an appreciation of each child’s unfolding spirit.

ADMISSION POLICY
If you wish to enrol your child at African Giggles Kindergarten, an application form along with an administration fee must be submitted to the school. We cannot enrol a child before receiving the necessary forms and meeting with parents.

If your child is accepted, the following should be submitted as soon as possible to secure a place:
• Enrolment form
• Consent and Indemnity form
• Copy of one parent/guardian’s identity document
• Previous reports from any therapists and previous reports from any school attended
• last page of this handbook signed to confirm that you have read it and agree to its content
• Non refundable registration fee

African Giggles reserves the right of admission.

Financial Policies:
Payment of School fees: All school fees must be paid promptly in accordance with the option chosen by you:
• Monthly: Payable in advance on or before the first day of each month. (if this falls during school holidays, arrangements are to be made in advance.)
• Termly fees attract at 2.5% discount and are payable as follows:

Bank Details for Electronic banking Transfer:
Name of Account: African Giggles, First National Bank Hermanus, Branch Code: 200 412, 622 021 35 275

Required Termination Notice: Please note that a full term’s notice in writing is required should you need to remove your child from our school.

Please find below our updated Fee Schedule and Terms for 2009:

New Enrolments:
Registration Fee: non refundable (R50)
Deposit: refundable when child leaves school – R1500

All Enrolled Children:
Yearly Insurance: charge of R240 (Payment to be made by 1st January 2009)
Fees: are payable on or before the 1st day of the month.

Administrative Surcharge: The school reserves the right to apply administrative surcharges on overdue accounts (10%) and to hand over accounts for collection if necessary. All costs incurred will be for the account of the person/s who has/ have signed responsibility for fee payments. Please phone to discuss any fee payment queries or problems with the Accounts Person – Deborah Mauerberger. Deborah is available to take your calls during the afternoon from 2pm – 5pm. She can be reached on 0794655917.

Extra activities: are charged separately from school fees.
morning session (8.30 – 12.30) & afterschool care (12.30 – 16)

Communication:
Please check your child’s bag every day for communication from school. The newsletters contains important information, so it is necessary for you to read them carefully and to diarise any important dates. We have an open door policy. Please feel free to make an appointment to discuss any concerns or queries with the teachers. We ask that you understand that the teacher’s responsibility during school hours is to help the children, so please telephone to set up a meeting.

Your child may not always have something to show for time spent at school as many of the projects that we undertake with them are part of an ongoing process and time is spent on puzzles, games and equipment. Please talk to your child about issues that are being discussed at school and get involved with him/her by pointing out these issues in daily life, in magazines and in books. The themes that are being dealt with in the classroom will be in the monthly newsletters. It is very important for teacher and parents to establish and maintain close communication. Please feel free to ask questions or discuss anything related to your child’s progress.

Saying Good-bye: Tips for parents on separation:
Many young children and their parents feel a bit nervous when they leave one another in an unfamiliar situation. A few tears may even be expected when children start school.

On the first day of school, please don’t linger too long in the class or react with alarm if your child is hesitant about the separation. It is very important to reassure children about where you will be during the day, and what time you will pick them up in the afternoon. Some children may be sad for a little while during the first few days, but kind words and reassurance from the teachers almost always alleviates their fears. We have found that a short and positive good-bye is easiest for the child.
Prolonged good-byes often make separation more difficult. Feel free to call the school for reassurance that your child has settled in and is adjusting well.

Picking your child up early:
Naturally, there will be occasions when you will need to take your child out of school early for a doctor’s appointment or similar obligation. To ensure that your child will be ready, please send a note to the teacher or phone the day before to let us know what time you will be collecting him / her. Unless we receive specific permission from you to do otherwise, we will only release your child to the people that you have specifically nominated.

We must receive a note, or in an emergency a phone call, from you in order to release your child to someone not on your list. This rule applies to children going home with school friends as well.

Children should be picked up promptly at 12.30. When parents are late it worries the children.

Attendance:
It is in your child’s best interest to attend school regularly. Consistency and routine are imperative for your child’s development. If your child is sick, especially with a contagious illness, please keep him/her at home for the full duration of quarantine.

Clothing:
Please see to it that your child is dressed comfortably and ensure that all clothes are clearly marked. Children must have a spare set of clothes in their bag.

Toys:
No toys or super hero costumes are allowed at school. Please deal with this at home as it lends itself to a bad start to the day when the teacher has to start off by taking the toys away. Explain to the child that toys are precious and may be broken at school. African Giggles takes no responsibility for toys brought to school.

Items of Interest:
Please encourage your child to bring flowers for the classroom, items for the nature table or newspaper clippings of interest. Insects’ should be sent in suitable aerated containers with appropriate food. As the emphasis in the classroom is always that of love and respect of all things, these creatures will be set free once the children have seen them

Show and Tell;
We encourage children to bring interesting items to show us and talk about to the class every Friday.

Birthdays:
Parents like to send special treats for their children on their birthdays – these are always welcome, but not compulsory. If you wish to give special treats, please only supply ONE of the following, as they agree with most children, are easy to manage and can be eaten by those on special diets:
Popcorn, plain salted chips, marshmallows, jelly babies or any soft eating sweets, cup cakes, biscuits, muffins or a cake. Alternatively arrange with the teacher to bring cake or cookie mix so that the children can participate in making the cake. Please DO NOT send birthday invitation to school to be handed out if you are not inviting the whole class.

Celebrations:
There is no task more worthwhile than to introduce young child to the earth and fill their minds with wonder; to get them interested in all the different cultures of the world. Ignorance breeds fear and prejudice. Our role as educators is to help children to learn to live in peace and harmony with all people and the environment. To do this, we must find a way of making that which is foreign to the child’s experience come alive.
We see the classroom as a community. We are all part of the larger community of our village, and ultimately of Man. Family, friends and beauty surrounds us. So often we are too involved in our everyday affairs to notice the passing of the seasons and the milestones that mark our lives. At African Giggles, the teachers will work with the seasons, festivals and special happenings in our community and celebrate these with the children.

Outings:
At African Giggles we like to go on an outing at least twice a term, and parents will be informed of these in advance. Certain outings will require a small entrance fee which parents need to pay. Parents are requested to help with lifts for outings. Those who volunteer must be in possession of a valid driver’s licence, a cell phone, and seat belts in good working order for each child. “Child lock” facilities are also essential for lifting any child.

When your child is ill:
When ever your child is ill and won’t be coming to school, please call the school between 8.00 and 9am to let us know. Children with infection diseases, such as chicken pox or strep throat, must stay out of school until the contagious stage has passed. For the sake of the other children’s health it is vital that you let the school know of your child’s doctor’s diagnosis as soon as possible.

In the case of a common cold and influenza the child should remain at home as long as there is a fever present, a sore throat, eye infection or severe nasal secretions. Children with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, head lice, or undiagnosed skin rash should remain at home also. Children will be sent home if any of these symptoms appear at school.

If your child gets sick at school:
Children that feel ill are isolated. If they seem to be fairly sick, or if after a brief time they feel too ill to return to class, we will contact you to arrange for your child to be picked up right away.

REMEMBER:
Because colds, flue and other childhood illnesses spread from child to child with alarming speed, please do not send your child to school if he has a fever, nausea or any other symptoms of illness. Children who come to school ill take longer to recover, and infect other children, and the staff.
Weather permitting; children will go outside to play every day. If you feel that your child may be too sick to go out to play, then your child is probably too ill to be at school.

Emergency Care:
In the event of any medical situation that requires immediate medical attention, we will want our child to see a doctor right away. We must be able to reach you at any time during the school day.
If your child needs immediate medical attention, and you cannot be reached, we will take your child to the emergency room at the Hermanus Hospital, as well as contacting your child’s General Practitioner. Naturally, we will continue our efforts to contact you. Please be sure to inform the school immediately if there is any change in your address or phone number during the academic year.

Medication:
Please do not send medicine to be taken at school, as those who need to be on medication are ill, and need special care at home. Except under extraordinary situations, we prefer not to administer medication at school.

Special Needs:
Some children require specialised guidance in addition to that received in the school environment. Should any problems arise that require a professional’s input, we will discuss this with you immediately and advise you on whom to approach. It is really important to note that once we do make an assessment and require this additional input we have observed the child carefully, and base our assessment on a genuine concern for the child’s development. We thus require you to take the necessary action and follow up on the recommendation as soon as possible. Every professional will agree that early intervention is the key to resolving problems, as well as consistent and intensive focus on the problem.

The African Giggles education is a holistic one that looks at every aspect of the child (physical, emotional, social, cognitive, moral/spiritual) and this includes aspects such as diet, discipline structures, allergies, home circumstances etc. Although it may seem invasive, we do require as much information as possible such as medical and personal information. Please have our assurances that all information given to the school is treated with the utmost respect and confidence and is only sought in order to help the child reach his/her full potential.

Ground Rules:
African Giggles expects students to demonstrate kindness, courtesy and respect toward the school and fellow students, teachers and staff.

Our goal is to establish a safe, warm and caring environment within which we teach children positive and appropriate ways to handle situations, rather than to assume that misbehaviour and punishment are inevitable: to develop a strong sense of self discipline, responsibility and courtesy, to develop an atmosphere conducive to peaceful learning. When anyone finds it difficult to follow the schools expectations about interpersonal conduct, we will quickly bring the student, family and staff together to work towards a solution.
We follow an approach based on empowerment, mutual respect and trust. Neither corporal punishment, nor physical or emotional intimidation, is allowed at African Giggles.

Please review these school guidelines with your child:
• Be kind and gentle to one another.
• Everyone has a right to privacy and concentration. Please don’t disturb anyone who is trying to concentrate on their work.
• Every one has a right to their personal belongings. Please do not touch anything that is not yours without the owner’s permission. If you accidentally lose or break something please replace it without a fuss.
• Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure. Please don’t express anger or upset feelings in a way that insults or threatens someone else.
• Everyone here has the right to be physically safe. Please don’t do anything that might hurt or endanger anyone.
• At African Giggles no one is allowed to fight, push, pinch, trip or use any other aggressive behaviour.
• Use playground equipment as intended.
• Let everyone who wants to play, join in with games.
• Stop chasing or playing scary games when asked.
• Do not leave your teachers supervision without permission.

Daily requirements:
Things to bring every day:
• A school bag that is easy for the child to manage independently and that can fit in a locker.
• A full change of clothing (everything clearly marked with your child’s name).
• Art apron
• Sun hat during summer. Please apply sunblock to your child before school
• Warm hat and wellies for outdoors in winter
• A healthy snack of fruit and / or vegetables. The school provides sandwiches.
• Each child should bring their own leak proof water bottle with a lid or nozzel
• Please ensure that bags and all items of clothing and bottles are clearly marked
• Nappies and wipes where necessary

MORNING ROUTINE :
08:30 Please ensure that children are here by 08.30 as late arrivals are disruptive and inconsiderate to the rest of the class who are already busily at work
08:30 – 10:00 Uninterrupted work period including the morning circle and creative activities.
10:00 – 10:30 Snack time followed by library time
10:45 – 11.15 Playtime in the garden. We have lots of activities for the children to benefit from during their outdoor play. Children are allowed free play during this time to explore and discover as well as perfect their gross motor skills on the out door equipment.
11:15-12.00 A range of activities depending on the theme for the week. This includes group time, art and crafts, baking.
12:00 – 12:30 Tidying up and story time, then home time.

Calendar:
• January 2009 Blessing of the school and building (catholic)
• 1st September 2009– Spring celebration and official school ‘launch’
• 24 September 2009 – School closed for Heritage day public holiday
• October 2009 – Stanford bird festival
• December 2009 – School concert
• 12 December 2009 – end of year picnic, school closes

soon we will have our official opening – here are some pics for the time being.

sponsored by Cape Studies

sponsored by Cape Studies