Pinelands High School
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Pinelands High School
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Supporting Departments
With much expectation, Pinelands employed two assistant teachers from the U.K. for the first time in January 1997. Their job description was to assist those teachers who are absent by teaching their classes and also providing expertise on the sports field. Since then many young students have helped the staff.
Rachel Stone
At the end of this term, it will be time for me to leave PHS after having stooged here since the beginning of July last year. It is almost surreal to think that only seven months ago I was writing the final papers of my A-Level exams back in England. Receiving those all important results a whole continent away was a testing experience, and on more than one occasion I was all set to pack up and make my permanent residence in South Africa - the climate alone is tempting (not to mention alcohol prices!). As those of you who have been lucky enough (or unlucky enough, depending on how you view it) to visit the UK will appreciate, there is a world of difference between your sub-tropical rainbow nation and my lively, if somewhat grey, homeland. It has been a real learning curve for me to experience a wholly different culture to my own. My being here in Cape Town came about by an ever-strengthening relationship that have been forged between my school, Hurstpierpoint College, and PHS. Thus far, a total of four exchanges have taken place, and there are more in the pipeline - for all you girls out there, my school has a ratio of ten guys per girl, so if you are hoping for the chance to travel to England, start impressing your teachers now. Such an opportunity does not come around every day, so my decision to defer studying an Economics degree at UCL in London for a year was not a difficult one to make. Before arriving back in the UK in July, I am going travelling into Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and hopefully I'll get the opportunity to visit an Indian Ocean island, or two. I've had a ball working (if you can call it that) at PHS, so thank you to everyone who has made my time here all the more enjoyable - you know who you are. Adios
Holly Brown
I stepped on the plane in England braving the driving wind and rain and stepped off to glorious sunshine and blue sky in South Africa. I had spent months of continual liasing between the two schools, negotiating budget priced flights and attempting to cram seven months worth of my large wardrobe in one suitcase. Before I knew it I was in Cape Town. After I had dragged my rather large suitcase through arrivals I was met with a much-needed hug from Jenni Copeland, and so began the next seven-month chapter of my life. The story begins at Dame Alice Harpur School where I had been a pupil for ten years. The opportunity arose at the school for someone to stooge in their year out. I jumped at this, as I wanted to travel and as yet had no definite plans of what to do before my four year nursing degree at Hull University. I awaited my A-level results and once I found that I had the grades I needed I began concentrating on my trip. I was so busy with my job as an auxiliary nurse at my local hospital, deciding what to pack, arranging flights, visas and university placements that the time flew by. I was well briefed before leaving by Saretta Muller, one of last year's matrics, who had arrived in my hometown of Bedford to stooge at my old school. We spent two weeks swapping notes and advice on what to do and see. Now I feel like I have been here forever, the staff are all so friendly and make me feel very at home. Stooges are here as support for the teaching staff. If a teacher is absent then we can help out by sitting with the class while they do work set. When there are not any substitutions we help out with administration or any work that will help the school. Traveling to the other side of the world and starting a new job certainly tests your independence levels. You have to be very adaptable and expect the unexpected. If you can keep your eyes and minds open then these type of experiences are for you. I am enjoying my stay no end and am certain this was the best decision I could have made. Travel introduces you to many new cultures, lifestyles and environments and in my future role as a nurse this is a much-needed asset to encourage tolerance and understanding. I would recommend to anyone who wishes to take time out before university to travel and definitely visit South Africa. Holly Brown, Pinelands High School Stooge Jan 99 to Jun 99
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We strive to be a world-class school, rooted in Africa, that facilitates a quality, all-round education in a caring and disciplined environment. Webmaster: Harvey Muzzelle: [email protected]
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