GRADE 1GRADE 1BBack row:Thina Maloba, AbdullahThokan, Kgosi Motsepe,Mihlali Mjekevu, EdwardLawrence, Simon Briggs,Luke Konyn, Oscar Erasmus,Mufunwa Tsatsawane, MiriamMafunise.Middle row:Zidaan Thokan, Daniel Barclay,Matthew Yates, Sean Murphy,Ethan Wang, Lucca Andrew,Mangaliso Makhunga, RhysJones.Front row:Tinotenda Musora, CharlesFerrar, Oarabile Makhalemele,Tracy Beukes, Zuhayr Peer,Muhyideen Laher, SamBemelman.GRADE 1BFBack row:Thina Maloba, Zaydan Moola,Francesco Morrico, LukePatmore, Limile Mtyi, GuyRothman, Issa Mayat, DanyaalMotala, Miriam Mafunise.Middle row:Zaydaan Motara, ShayRichmond, James Briggs,Matthew Sayers, Hamishvan Niekerk, Lando Lentsa,Oliver Gibb, BoitumeloMasithela, Euan Brown.Front row:Nikhil Muralidhara, HarrisonCook, Mason Diana, LaurenBaines-Fourie, KananeloKumalo, LangalethuDamaseb, BuchuleNgutshane.GRADE 1RBack row:Thina Maloba, Ishaaq Mayat,Bear Prince-Venter, AmilaMalevu, Tristan Kearns,Daniel Levieux-Lewis,Jack McGregor, ZachariahCassoojee, Miriam Mafunise.Middle row:Raffaele Pereira, KellanCrewe-Brown, VhutaliMareda, William Ferrar,Mason Francke, Liam Sayers,Noah Villion, Thomas Petzer,Robbie Ackermann.Front row:Kaelo Motene, Zaid Pelwan,Luca Ellenbogen, KathrynRossouw, Oliver Holness,Ammaar Patel, PhakadeButhelezi.118
GRADE 1The Grade 1’s startedthe year off filled withenergy and enthusiasmfollowing the veryexciting Centenary year.The boys all arrived onthe first day of schoollooking so smart intheir Ridge Blues andBlazer. (This is thefirst time the boysget to wear theirblazers!)GRADE 1Term 1 was a busy one, adjusting to themore formal format of Grade 1. The boys revised and wereintroduced to many new sounds and sight words; and so, their readingand writing journey began. We also celebrated Valentine’s day and loveddressing up for the Reading Breakfast. We were all set up and ready tocelebrate the end of Term and Easter, when not only the school butthe whole country was put into Lockdown as a result of the Covid-19pandemic. This brought with it many new obstacles, challenges andadventures into the Grade 1 year. The boys learnt how to use Googleclassroom as well as Google Meet. This obviously was a lot of fun and verynoisy to start! This brought an end to the First Term of 2020.Term 2 started during Lockdown Level 5. The boys were introduced toSeesaw, a Remote Learning platform that the teachers, parents and boyshad to adjust to. As always, our boys rose to the challenge and took onthe new format of learning in Grade 1. With practice the boys (teachersand parents) became more confident with Seesaw and the boys managedto fly through the curriculum. This was a truly unique experience, wherewe entered each other’s home, digitally of course, and shared our homelives with each other. It was amazing to watch the boys mature and engagewith each other in our meets, these became calmer and a wonderfultime to connect with each other. Besides the normal reading, writing andMaths activities, the boys got to go on ‘Autumn and Winter Virtual Walks’in Mrs Rossouw’s garden, many fun physical activities and challenges withthe coaches, art projects, baking and so much more. Term 2 ended withthe most unique ‘Virtual Founders’ Day Party’, a morning of family fun anddancing, celebrating the Ridge’s 101st Birthday!With great excitement and some anxiety, we were able to return to schoolin Term 3. The Grade 1’s were the first Grade to have all the boys return toschool. There were many changes and adjustments to the school day. Dropoff and collection routine had changed as well as our school hours andclass set up. As always, our boys showed resilience and adapted to this withease. I think we can all agree that we don’t like wearing masks, but the boyswore them with no fuss. These are true Ridge and global citizens adheringto the precautions set during the Covid-19 pandemic. We got straight backto work and the boys continued to progress through the curriculum. Ourboys were all reading and writing independently and it was amazing to seehow much they had learnt during this most extraordinary year. Even withall the restrictions we got to enjoy Heritage Day, where we danced on thefield to Jeruselema, this was a fun way to celebrate Heritage Day. The boyshad other fun-filled days such as “Lumo” Dress up day, Dress-up as yourTeacher Day, Market Day and end of year Tributes to the Grade 7’s. Asalways, our Grade 1 boys gave it their all. Term 3 seemed to fly by and theend of term and summer holidays were upon us.2020 has most definitely been a roller coaster of a year filled with ups anddowns, laughter and tears but we came out on top. It must be said thatthis year was truly a year of collaboration. (The parents, teachers and boysworked together and we were able to get through it unscathed.) Well doneto all the Ridge boys for taking on and conquering the challenge of 2020.LAUREN BAINES-FOURIEWHERE BOYS ARE KNOWN AND GROWN |119
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