WHAT IS A COCHLEAR IMPLANT? The Grade 1 and 2 classes were treated to an outstanding presentation by Kate Allwood and Anna-Rose Cocks on hearing impairments and cochlear implants. The girls explained their own journeys and demonstrated clearly how the cochlear implant works. They had an informative power point and the children were able to look and feel both the cochlear piece that Kate wears on her head and Rosie’s hearing aid. On Monday Rosie goes into hospital to have a cochlear implant. The JP send her lots of love and wish her well. We look forward to hearing all about it.

VOLUME 29: 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

TAKING A STAND On Friday many of our Prep School pupils dressed in back to show their support of the stand being taken across our country against the ongoing violence affecting so many. Somerset House takes a stand against violence, against intolerance, against ignorance. Age appropriate conversations were held in all grades, covering “stranger danger” and respect for one another.

STAFF SOCCER! There is a moment before a vital goal is scored when there is silence, as hundreds of lungs are filled with an air of expectation of the celebration that will follow. A split second of calm before that magnificent, intoxicating explosion of euphoria. Just ask Jonathan! Just ask Aiden!! Drama Street had been waiting for this moment. It throbbed and pulsated. In every seat, in every stand the natives roared. The old pavilion resplendent in the September sunshine, hundreds of children’s arms held aloft as they cheered for the staff. Four Seasons United was ready. Somerset House Football Club expectant. This was the day Four Seasons United and Somerset House Football Club were waiting for. A close first half ensued with end to end chances going a-begging. Both teams pried for weaknesses in each other’s defenses, but both teams were not giving an inch. Into half-time and the score was dead-locked 0 – 0. Four Seasons United were wise, a half-time team talk under the shade and a change in game plan. Somerset House Football Club had a quick drink of water and were back on to start the second half. Both teams threaded silky passes and made sniping runs into each other’s goal areas, but it would be the cross ball from the Four Seasons United players to an unmarked Jonathan that would prove the undoing of the Somerset House Football Club. A ‘Messi’ like touch off the right foot sent the ball curling into the back of the SHFC net. The score 1 – 0 Four Seasons! SHFC tried to make a quick come-back, but eventually resorted to shots from range. A burst up the left flank, together with some ‘Neymar’ like footwork and suddenly the ball had been buried in the back of the SHFC net again, courtesy of their player on loan, Aiden. It was a thrilling game of football, witnessed by the SH family and played with great determination by the staff of Somerset House. Well done Four Seasons United – back-to-back wins, arguably the ‘Team of the year’!

PERFORMANCE Jana Ochsenbein in Grade 4 was invited to perform a trumpet duet with Rocco (her duet partner) at a Somerset College assembly this week.

DORMOUS NEWS The Grade 00s built an amazing tower out of Planx and the Shopkeepers of this week offered their customers some delicious pudding!

CONGRATULATIONS! Past Pupil Chloe Garner claimed the World Long Drive Championship title in Thackerville, Oklahoma, USA on the 4th of September 2019. Congratulations, Chloe!

MORE PAST PUPIL NEWS Past Pupil, Arden Scholtz, has been selected for the KZN Midlands U16A Soccer team and now the KZN U16B Team. Well done, Arden!

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE! Congratulations to Emma Steenkamp (Grade 6) who was selected to take part in the final round of Kids Talent Festival 2019. During the Grand Finale all the selected best entries will be able to showcase their talent to both our local and international adjudicators. The finale will take place on the 22nd September 2019 at the Atterbury Theater.

RANGERS! Ranger Hillman and Ranger Sabbagha flew in from the Kruger National Park today after a night patrol, to chat to our Grade 2 children about what they’ve learnt this term in Life Skills, and more specifically Nocturnal animals! They were impressed with what the children knew and had interesting discussions about conservation and life at night. The children also taught the Rangers a thing or two about collective nouns in the animal world!

CASUAL DAY Many thanks to all those who supported Casual Day in the Prep School today. R 3551 was collected (with only a few donations to collect on Monday). Thanks to Connor Roman, Frances Downes and Aiden Herbertson for counting all the money this morning.

GR 7 CLASS OF 2019 PRESENTS: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL! Tishal Prag: James (Cast 2) In the play, I am James, an auditioner for the Winter Musicale, a basketball jock, and a "skater dude". I have a supporting role and help where I can.

Amber Mendes: Gabriella Montez (Cast 2) Gabriella is the shy, new girl at East High, who discovers Troy Bolton (the boy she met on vacation) is at her new school. She’s extremely smart and is convinced by her best friend (Taylor Mekessie) to compete in the school decathlon team. She loves singing with Troy and they have a strong connection whenever they sing together.

Zach Crossley: Troy Bolton (Cast 2) Troy is captain of the basketball team and the most popular guy in East High. He is funny and talented, and the girls just love him! Troy secretly loves singing, but is afraid to reveal this to his jock friends. He and lead actress, Gabriella, form a singing duo and wow their friends and teachers.

Cole Plaatjes: Zeke Baylor (Cast 1) Zeke is one of the main jocks on the basketball team. He is a good basketball player and is one of Troy’s best friends. Zeke has a secret passion for baking, but is afraid to admit it for fear of judgement. He soon realises, however, that if Troy can share his secret passion for singing, he can reveal his too.

ARTISTS OF THE WEEK Grade 2s have just completed their brightly colored Ndebele Angels. These were made with paper maché and painted with brightly colored dots arranged to form patterns. Congratulations to Emily Griffiths, Noah Da Costa, Sienna Vonbun and Amber Parker.

The Grade 4s dinosaurs have emerged from the kiln in all shapes and sizes, characters and textures. Congratulations to the following children who are our Artists of the Week Mikhaila Mendes, Makai Mitchell, Kiana Staples , Luna Cleghorn, Olivia Jones, Luca Schreuder and Jana Ochsenbein.

The Grade 4’s dinosaurs have emerged from the kiln in all shapes and sizes, characters and textures. Congratulations to the following children who are our Artists of the Week: Caroline Gilfillan, Sarah Downing, Sebastian Newton-King, Nicholas Oscroft, Hunter Mitchell and Joshua Terheijden.

JP CLUBS In Term 3 the JP clubs were managed by children in Grade 3, and these are some of the innovative ideas that the children in our Lego club came up with. Future leaders in the 4th industrial revolution!

SPORTS NEWS ISABELLA AND ASHLEY REPRESENT THE WP CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM Last Saturday, Isabella Herbertson and Ashley Hingeston represented the Western Province Cross-Country Team at the Western Cape Trials which were held at Hottentots Holland High School. The Western Province athletes competed against runners from Boland and Eden (South Western Districts – George, Knysna area). Competition was fierce as all athletes were determined to do well. Races included about 50 athletes for the course around HHH.

Ashley was first up and managed to maintain the lightning pace set by the front runners, finishing strong in 5th place overall. Isabella also had a wonderful race, however, it was a huge challenge for her trying to keep up with athletes much taller (and therefore with double the stride length as she has). Nevertheless, Bella gave it her all and ended up in 13th place overall. Another wonderful performance by our athletes! Ashley’s 5th place earned her a spot in the Western Cape Team to compete at the SA National Cross-Country event to be held in Mpumalanga on the 20th and 21st of September. Congratulations, Ash and Bella. We are so proud of your achievements throughout this exciting cross-country season!

FIELD EVENT AND TRACK TRIALS Our field event trials for the U9 to U13 pupils took place on Tuesday afternoon with some awesome action at the Long Jump, High Jump and Shotput areas. Our 150m, 200m & relay trials took place on Thursday morning. Please see the parent portal for a list of finalists. The Field event finals for the girls and the boys will take place on Monday 9th September. Our Long-Distance Finals will take place next Wednesday, 11th September, and our full Inter-House event, on Friday 13th September. Parents are invited to wear their child’s house colours and to come and support our children in the various events next week, culminating in the final sports event for the term on Friday 13th September.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES ~ END OF SEASON SOCIAL Our Girls and Boys 1st Hockey Teams ended their season off on Wednesday with an exciting match on the Astro at Parel Vallei High School. The girls put up a good fight, however, the boys were just too strong, winning the battle 3-0. This encounter was followed by matches vs parents and a braai back at Somerset House. Special thanks to all our parents for their wonderful support this season and to our awesome teams who, despite not qualifying for the Western Province Top Schools Tournament this year, had a fabulous season. A summary of the 1st team hockey results is as follows:

• Girls 1st Team: Played 26 Matches, Won 17, Drew 5 and Lost 4

• Boys 1st Team: Played 35 Matches, Won 22, Drew 8 and lost 5

CHESS NEWS On Friday our u13 chess team played against Somerset West Primary School. Our players played very well. The results were as follows: Won 1, Drew 1 and Lost 4.

SH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS Good luck to all the pupils taking part in the Chess Championships. A full report will be published in the newsletter next week.