Last weekend we hosted the Independent Schools’ Sports Festival (ISSF) which brings girls’ schools from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng together to play sport in the four disciplines of hockey, netball, squash, and tennis. The return of this event was highly anticipated, as it is a festival that has always been played in good spirit, highlighting the value of participation over the end result. Our campus was a hive of activity on Friday and Saturday. We were blessed with bright sunshine, crisp air, spectators around the sports fields-all contributing towards a great atmosphere.

Schools have welcomed the return of such events, which bring enjoyment and a full school routine. We know the value that the co-curricular programme brings to students’ lives but it remains important to balance the educational offering with an awareness of what we have learnt during the pandemic. We must take care of the whole self to enjoy complete health.

An education at its best is multi-faceted: it supports, extends, and reinforces learning in the broadest sense. The Form Is were supported in their development this week through participation in a mental health session, followed by a substance abuse workshop for the Form IIs. This while the senior girls were into the second week of mid-year examinations. It is through these facets of the school programme that our children learn and develop into engaged and mature scholars.

DEANNE KING
HEAD OF SCHOOL