30 July 2021

Dear Waterberg Family
Dear Parents and Teachers

Are you a success story?
Did you make a difference today?
Did you leave your mark and make the world a better place?
No, you say

Well, let’s have a closer look

Beyond the textbooks and remote learning, beyond the wellbeing of your own children, the drive to school this morning, feeding your children, I’ll bet you made a difference.

What about Jonetta? Didn’t you encourage her to do better at Maths or John who you encouraged to work harder? And Bob – to the little boy on the street corner who you helped with a small meal this morning. Didn’t you put a gentle hand on his shoulder to show your encouragement?

What about your coffee date this morning with someone special who might be going through a difficult time now? Oh yes, what about Bailey and Edward? You know, those two who were at loggerheads yesterday; you mended the relationship.

And then there is the new teacher at the school or the new neighbours who have just moved into our area. Didn’t you offer to help her get her room set up, didn’t you take them a plate of food last night? Didn’t we as parents show our teachers an incredible amount of support and understanding whilst they were on sick leave?

Yes, I thought so. You did make a difference. You are a success. Never forget that.

Report back

During the holiday, we painted out the administration block and all the primary school classrooms. I would like to thank the PTA who donated the money to enable us to complete the project.

The new Google Lab has been installed and all our pupils have access to the lab. Thank you to Mrs Steyn who organised the funding for these computers
Return to classes

As from Monday 2 August 2021 all classes will be returning to the Academy for face to face learning.

COVID

Expected behaviours

• Please do not organise or attend any social / church functions including with family and friends. Waterberg Academy has cancelled all extra mural events for the remainder of the week. We all must limit the possible exposure to the virus “out there” to any of our 150+ families and 30 staff.
• Be extra vigilant at work and at home concerning safety protocols.
• In order to keep our community as safe as possible, it is essential that you do not come to school or bring your children to school if you or any of the people you live with or are in regular close contact with (including housekeepers and gardeners) have had any flu-like symptoms.
• All Academy families and staff must please ensure they are implementing our “COVID-19 SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE”.

Symptom screening

• All are required to screen themselves (employees) and their child(ren) every day before leaving home.
• If any of the symptoms listed below are checked “yes”, the family doctor is to be contacted by telephone to determine if they can come to school.
• The affected person may only proceed to school if the doctor has given the all-clear.
• Normal procedures for sick leave (employees) and school absences (learners) will be followed.
• No person may come to school while he/she or anyone they have been closely exposed to is awaiting a C19 test result.

A temperature higher than 37.5°C, new loss of smell, cough, chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, new loss of taste, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting.

We do know that well-ventilated spaces are an important mechanism to minimise infection and that during the winter that can be quite uncomfortable. To assist in that regard, we haveloosened our uniform regulations and are allowing learners to bring blankets and hot water bottles to school.

It is essential we follow the above procedures, even though we all are C19 fatigued. None of us want to return to online learning.

Thank you for support and may we have a successful term.

Kind regards
Vernon Rorich
Headmaster