As we conclude Term 1 of 2025, we reflect on a period filled with enthusiasm, growth, and memorable experiences. Our campus buzzed with activities that not only enriched our students’ learning but also strengthened our community bonds.
The term commenced with vibrant energy as students settled into their new classes, eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Executive:
Chairlady: Asmaa Jaffar
Secretary: Morgan Talbot
Treasure: Joanna Twycross
Swallows: Holly Laubscher; Mila Bester; Alexa Burns; Morgan Talbot
Kingfishers: Inathi Maqizana; Jennifer Moultrie; Gernika Nonyane-Mancebo; Joanna Twycross
Robins: Samiha Ally; Azra Mohamed; Eliza Eedes; Emily de Groot
Outreach: Abigale Campbell; Kruti Chhiba; Charlotte Brown
Cultural: Asmaa Jaffar; Noor Bray; Alexa Burns
Pastoral: Isabella van Koesveld; Hana Salie; Taylor Antohnie
The Micklefield Summer Picnic was an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, and community spirit. Families gathered on the lawn, picnic blankets were spread out under the golden evening sky, and the sounds of Ruskin Road set the perfect atmosphere.
We started the evening with performances from our Senior Marimba bands and the Mass Choir before introducing the main event, Ruskin Road.
Ruskin Road’s lively performance kept everyone entertained until the sun dipped below the horizon, creating a truly magical backdrop.
Adding to the experience, a selection of food trucks provided a delicious feast of flavours, with everything from popcorn chicken to sweet treats delighting our picnic-goers.
It was a night of togetherness, great music, and good food—one that will be fondly remembered as a highlight of the term!
Our youngest Micklefield girls have settled beautifully into Grade 00, embracing each school day with enthusiasm and curiosity. Their excitement for learning has been evident in every activity, especially during Show and Tell—who knew we had such confident public speakers in the making?
We began the year with our Summer Theme, perfectly matched by the warm weather. This was followed by a heartwarming Teddy Theme, where the girls delighted in teddy bear-themed art and playtime with their Build-a-Bears. A highlight was the Teddy Bear’s Picnic with the Grade 7s. Judging by the giggles, it’s hard to say who enjoyed it more!
Next came a burst of creativity with our Colour Theme. Each day focused on a different colour, with fun activities and colourful outfits to match. Our Family Theme was just as special, with the girls proudly sharing family photos on display.
Beyond the classroom, our specialist lessons in Singing, isiXhosa, Phys Ed., Library, and Art have added even more excitement to their days. It has been a wonderful start, and we can’t wait for the adventures ahead with this bright and fun-loving group.
After a few weeks of settling in, our Grade 0 girls have found their rhythm, embracing each day with curiosity and enthusiasm. We were delighted to welcome two new classmates, and it was heartwarming to see the kindness and inclusivity shown by the girls as they made them feel part of our Grade 0 family.
Public speaking has been a key focus through our weekly Show and Tell sessions, where the girls are growing in confidence as they stand in front of the class and share their special objects.
Our literacy journey has been exciting with the introduction of the Time2Read phonic programme. The girls are learning new language concepts such as compound words, syllable segmentation, and blending sounds into words building a strong foundation for reading and writing.
Creativity has flourished in our Senses Theme. Through hands-on activities with scented playdough, orbies, foam, salt art, and finger painting, the girls have explored their senses while strengthening their fine motor skills. Construction play has also been a highlight, with buildings, cars, and entire cities taking shape as the girls develop problem-solving and dexterity skills.
Physical growth has been just as important, with climbing equipment challenges helping to build gross motor skills and encouraging responsible risk-taking. Our Family Theme sparked meaningful discussions about what makes each family unique, seamlessly leading into our Think Equal curriculum, where we explore identity, inclusion, and empathy.
It has been a fantastic start to the year, and I look forward to the learning journey ahead with this curious and courageous group.
The term began on a high note as our Grades 4–7 girls prepared their special Summer Picnic performance of What a Wonderful World.
Excitement filled the air during the recording session for their backing track, adding a professional touch to their outdoor performance.
The girls then got to watch a group of four amazing vocalists, Ruskin Road, perform.
Our Grade 1 girls have impressed us with their beautiful singing and, for the first time, have joined the Junior Choir, previously reserved for Grades 2 and 3. Meanwhile, our Senior and Imilonji Choirs are thriving, with voices blending in perfect harmony.
The 2025 Shocking Pink vocal ensemble wasted no time in setting the stage for the year, delighting us with a heartfelt performance of Perhaps Love on Valentine’s Day.
We also welcomed a new group of talented musicians into the Grade 5 Marimba Band, who are eager to bring their vibrant rhythms to life.
With such a tuneful start, we look forward to many more musical moments ahead.
Our Grade 1 girls have embraced the exciting transition into the more formal stage of learning to read and write. Their enthusiasm for our new Time2Read programme is contagious, and they are eager to put their growing skills into practice.
Beyond literacy, their school days have been filled with enriching experiences from exploring new languages like Afrikaans and isiXhosa to developing their tech skills in the computer room. Music lessons have been filled with joyful singing, and on the astro, the girls have been sharpening their tennis and netball skills during Phys Ed.
It has been a wonderful start to their learning journey, and we can’t wait to see them continue to grow and flourish.
As Term 1 comes to an end, it has been a joy to reflect on the incredible growth of our Grade 2 girls. They have settled beautifully into new routines, embracing each day with enthusiasm and curiosity. Their unique personalities and willingness to learn from one another have made the classroom a vibrant and supportive space.
This term has been filled with exciting moments, from Civvies Day and the Valentine’s Day Door Challenge to the Bake Sale and their enthusiastic participation in the school’s Eco Theme. Their curiosity and commitment have been evident in every activity, both in and out of the classroom.
Beyond academics, they have thrived in creative and physical pursuits, enjoying music, art, drama, and sport while developing new skills, friendships, and confidence.
“It has been an absolute privilege to teach this special group, and I will miss them dearly. I wish the class all the best for the rest of the year and look forward to seeing their continued growth and achievements!”
As we look ahead, we are excited to welcome Mrs Meredith back next term, after the birth of her baby. We would also like to thank Ms Southwood for the dedication and energy she put into Grade 2 during her time here.
What a fantastic first term it has been for our Grade 3 girls. Moving up to Grade 3 is a big leap, with longer school days and a more structured curriculum, but these young pupils have embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and resilience.
Our Natural Science themes this term have been all about creatures that flutter, buzz, and chirp—Insects and Birds! We kicked off the year by delving into the fascinating world of insects. From discovering their unique characteristics to exploring their habitats, the girls became mini entomologists! Each student conducted a research project on a chosen creepy crawly, unearthing fun facts and designing eye-catching posters. The highlight? A visit to Wendy’s Wild and Wonderful Garden, where they got hands-on experience collecting insects and creating habitats for them. There were a few squeals of excitement (and maybe some squeamishness), but seeing the insects magnified under a microscope and projected on the big screen was simply mind-blowing.
It’s been a term of exploration, discovery, and plenty of ‘tweet’-worthy moments, and we can’t wait for what’s to come next.
This term has been filled with remarkable athleticism and school spirit at Micklefield School.
On Friday, 14 March, Micklefield hosted the PGSGU Inter-Schools Gala at the Herschel Senior School pool. Our girls made us proud, swimming with determination and finishing 7th, a good result for the only school without a pool!
RESULTS:
On February 21, our Grade 3 to 7 students participated in the annual Interhouse Cross Country event. Each house (Swallows, Robins, and Kingfishers) showcased determination and camaraderie as they navigated the course. Congratulations to the Robins for securing the Cross Country Trophy with their outstanding performance. The Kingfishers came in second and the Swallows, third.
This term’s Fancy Hats Parade was a spectacular showcase of imagination and craftsmanship. The Swallows, Robins, and Kingfishers all amazed us with their unique and beautifully crafted hat designs.
From the tallest hat to the most creative, there were plenty of well-deserved category winners, but the real highlight was the enthusiasm and effort from every participant.
The excitement continued on February 22 with our much-anticipated Sports Day. The event commenced with vibrant marches, setting an energetic tone for the day. Our students competed in various races, demonstrating exceptional athleticism and team spirit. Parents also joined in the fun, participating enthusiastically in the relay races. The day’s accolades were awarded as follows:
Sports Day at Micklefield is such a wonderful event.
Everyone arrives bright and early to get a good parking space and a perfect spot to set up their comfy camping chairs. The House captains get their houses in order. The MC sets up his microphone to make sure that everything is working. The food trucks prepare to take a lot of orders. The dads with brittle knees and backs, get ready to run with their daughters.
From the first to the last race, all the houses were screaming as loud as they could in the hope of winning their races, as well as the Spirit Cup. Everybody was exhausted by the time it got to the relay races but got ready to launch themselves. Soon they were like cheetahs, sprinting down the track, completely focused.
After all the races were done there was the Fancy Hat parade, where the parents could see their daughters’ beautiful hats. There were tall hats, tiny hats, big hats and out-of-the-box hats.
A fantastic day was had by all.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, staff, and families for making these events memorable celebrations of our school’s athletic talents and community spirit.
On Thursday, 6 March our Open A Tennis Team took part in the PGSGU Tennis Tournament held at Springfield. Both our couples played a high standard of tennis and are congratulated on finishing 4th overall in both sections.
Greenfield did not participate
Greenfield did not participate.
We’ve had an amazing start to the term in our EdTech and Robotics program, and I’m excited to share the incredible journeys our pupils have embarked on across all grade levels.
Our youngest tech adventurers have begun their iPad journeys. They’re bringing their creativity to life in Book Creator while learning key Digital Citizenship concepts with characters like “Arms” and “Heart.” They’ve also become Kahoot! experts – and absolutely love the challenge.
After honing their skills in Book Creator, our Grade 2s have stepped into the vibrant world of Canva. They’ve created stunning seasonal presentations featuring their Minecraft creations, blending artistic expression with digital literacy. They have also started learning how to add projects to Google Classroom through Canva.
Grade 3s have focused on teamwork while expanding their expertise in Minecraft, Google Classroom, and Canva. Their collaborative treehouse projects in Minecraft transformed into shared presentations, fostering both creativity and cooperation. They also explored the Grade 4 Personal Museum, using Canva to create reflections on their experience while developing digital photography editing skills.
Grade 4 students have entered the world of Scratch coding, learning the basics of programming. They’ve also enhanced their Google Docs proficiency and explored Canva’s Magic Media tools, using them to design characters for their very own comic strips.
Game design has taken centre stage for Grade 5s as they’ve created their own Scratch games. In addition, they’ve refined their Microsoft Word processing skills and taken their first steps into web design, building their own Google Sites.
Our Grade 6s have taken Scratch coding to the next level by incorporating more complexity into their games. They’ve also designed eye-catching Canva posters showcasing the benefits of Scratch coding, complete with coded video elements. Be sure to ask your daughter about her “Student Canva Hacks” project – she’ll be excited to share her favourite tip with you.
Our senior students have excelled at game coding, creating detailed presentations about their projects. They’ve also designed custom Scratch coding logos and applied them to mock-ups of leisure wear and products, demonstrating the intersection of digital design and entrepreneurship.
We’re thrilled to introduce two fantastic additions to our tech toolkit: micro:bits and a 3D printer! We’ve already begun printing designs created by last year’s Grade 3 students, and this will be integrated across all grades. Our Grade 7s will be the first to explore 3D design this year, building on their TinkerCad skills from last year.
Additionally, we’ve launched our Coding & Robotics Club, where students are currently programming Lego Spike Prime robots, which they had to build bringing coding to life through hands-on engineering.
I’m incredibly proud of all that our students have accomplished so far. I can’t wait to see where their creativity, innovation, and technical skills take them next.
We are excited to see what the future holds for Micklefield’s IT department.
The big move up the stairs has been a smooth and exciting transition for our Grade 4s! They have embraced new subjects and challenges with enthusiasm, forming a close-knit, supportive, and fun-loving class.
Our budding scientists nurtured bean plants from seeds, carefully documenting their growth before planting them in the school garden, they will have seeds of their own. In Maths, we have tackled 3- and 4-digit numbers with confidence, while Practical Maths Fridays have been a highlight, bringing friendly (and sometimes fierce.) competition.
English has been a favourite, with students crafting mystery stories, poems, movie reviews, and even diving into a bit of grammar. In Geography, we explored everything from footpaths to skyscrapers, and in History, we delved into family stories, personal timelines, and even conducted interviews with older family members. The term’s highlight was our Personal Museum showcase, where baby photos, first books, and treasured keepsakes helped us reflect on our own histories.
It has been a wonderful term of learning, and we can’t wait for more adventures in the months ahead.
The year started on a joyful note as we welcomed our intern, Miss Holmes into the classroom, along with two new classmates, Sydney and Annabelle. Adding to the excitement, Mrs. Dollie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Asma, on 15 February—such a special moment for our Grade 5 family.
In Mathematics, the girls have been mastering factors and multiples and growing more confident with long multiplication and division. Geography lessons took us on an adventure across Africa, with each student creating a travel brochure on an African country, many choosing places they have personally visited, making the research even more meaningful.
Back at school, Valentine’s Day sparked a whirlwind of creativity! The girls went above and beyond for the door decorating competition, extending their display beyond the door to the windows, verandah, and any open space they could find. Their hard work paid off as Grade 5 won the competition and earned a well-deserved civvies day.
Adding to our achievements, we were thrilled to learn that Grade 5 won the Conquesta inter-schools competition.
Our assembly this term was another highlight, where the girls presented the inspiring story of Jane Goodall and her work with chimpanzees in Tanzania. Her message of caring for the environment, animals, and communities ties in beautifully with our ongoing recycling project. Every Thursday morning, the Tree Huggers eagerly collect recycling bags and transport them to the school’s collection bins, proudly playing their part in protecting our planet.
It has been an action-packed and inspiring term, and we look forward to the adventures that await.
This term, our Grade 6 girls put their business skills to the test with an entrepreneurial sales activity, gaining hands-on experience in the world of commerce. They explored income and expenses, profit calculations, mark-ups, business meetings, and cash management.
In today’s digital age of card payments and “tapping,” handling physical currency was a new challenge—learning to calculate change without a device became an unexpected yet valuable skill. This experience highlighted that some of the most meaningful lessons happen in real-world situations.
It’s been a term of growth, both in and out of the classroom, and we look forward to more exciting adventures ahead.
The annual leadership camp that the Grade 7s go on every year brings excitement and learning, and most importantly, teaches the girls how to lead.
This year when we attended this fun and exciting camp, we learnt a lot about who we are, how we can learn and grow and how to be a good leader. The camp was a great triumph. We bonded as a class and learnt how to work collaboratively.
On behalf of the Grade 7 class, I would like to say thank you for giving us a great opportunity and, at the same time, have loads of fun in the process.
The Grade 7 girls this year went to Greenpoint Park for an outing; to have fun and laugh with their friends as well as learn more about biodiversity and the fascinating creation around them.
What a wonderful experience it was to see the wide variety of plants, birds and animals. The knowledge we gained has filled our minds and amazed us all; from the different medicinal plants to veld plants, to biodiversity and our highly impactful human actions. Greenpoint Park is a beautiful place; lush, soft, green grass, comforting bird and animal calls, clean, lovely grounds and the breath-taking sight of the magical, clear water patches; all you feel is relaxed, peaceful, calm, refreshed, joyful and at ease.
I was reminded how we are very fortunate to have a place like Greenpoint Park that we can use right in the middle of our city. With many features that can be enjoyed by the whole family, it is topped with a splendid café where the Grade 7s all had something delicious to eat.
I found it to be a great learning experience, but also a relaxing excursion that was a fun way to bird-watch, identify plants and enjoy being in nature with my friends.
This term, our budding artists from Grade 00 to Grade 5 began their creative journey by crafting beautiful self-portraits. These delightful artworks, along with contributions from some of our talented Grade 7 art curators, now brighten the school foyer and administrative block.
It is truly inspiring to see the individuality and creativity reflected in each piece. Watching our students’ artistic skills develop as they learn and grow is a heartwarming reminder of the power of self-expression through art.
As a Grade 7 House Captain, I am proud to share that our Valentine’s Day Bake Sale turned out to be a great success!
Our team of House Captains worked hard to plan, bake and organise a variety of delicious sweet treats for everyone to enjoy. From cupcakes to cookies, each item was carefully decorated with a festive touch. The sale was a huge hit, and it was wonderful to see so many students and staff come together to celebrate love and support our cause. Thank you to everyone who supported us and made the bake sale a sweet success.
The Pastoral Committee gave our staff thoughtful Valentine’s Day cards, as well as decorating the staff room. We did this to show our appreciation to the people that we look up to. Showing love and appreciation is our way of saying thank you for all that that staff do for us. We want to spread our message of kindness, to create a better, happier world. We hope that this event allowed everyone to feel special and appreciated.
Valentine’s Day is a day to show love to those we appreciate, including those who protect us. The Grade 7 Outreach and Cultural committee visited the police and fire stations on the 14th of February to show our appreciation to those who look after the community and take care of us. To show our appreciation, we dropped off cakes for both the policemen and firemen to enjoy at tea break. It really was an incredible experience for us to meet the firefighters and to see their very happy faces. I hope this is a tradition that we keep at Micklefield.
This term, our girls had the opportunity to experience learning in nature with an outing to the Alphen Greenbelt. Each pupil received a journey stick, which they added to along the walk, collecting special natural treasures as they went.
Our guides shared fascinating insights about seed dispersal and how plants grow, deepening our appreciation for the environment. It was a beautiful outdoor classroom for the day, filled with exploration, discovery, and a love for nature.
A highlight of the term was our exciting outing to Freedom Park, where the girls bravely faced their fears on the high clamber climb. With enthusiasm and determination, they tackled a range of adventurous activities, embracing hands-on learning in a fun and energetic environment. It was a day filled with laughter, courage, and unforgettable experiences.
This term, we spread our wings and soared into the fascinating world of birds always a Grade 3 favourite. The girls learned to identify 30 different bird species found in and around the Western Cape’s waterways. Each student became an expert on a particular bird, confidently sharing their knowledge in engaging oral presentations.
The Grade 3s had a fantastic and successful morning at the Strandfontein Bird Sanctuary, marking the culmination of this term’s theme on Western Cape Water Birds. The real challenge came when the girls put their skills to the test binoculars in hand, spotting and identifying birds in their natural habitat.
The girls have been learning to identify 30 bird species commonly found in the region, and their hard work truly paid off. Mrs Steffen was incredibly impressed by how quickly they could recognise and spot the birds in the wild. Their focus, patience, and excellent behaviour ensured that the birds remained undisturbed in their natural habitat. A few girls even managed to tick off every single species on their list (wink).
A huge thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who joined us—your support truly makes all the difference.
The biggest literary showdown of the year was a fantastic afternoon filled with book knowledge, fun, and friendly competition! Our Grade 6 and 7 teams took on the challenge with enthusiasm, performing especially well in the “Hats” and “Hospitals” categories. The quiz was also a great reminder of the importance of classic literature, as many questions drew from these timeless stories.
A huge well done to our girls—you were fabulous. And a special thank you to our gracious hosts at Grove School, who kept everyone going with refreshing snacks and drinks on a particularly hot afternoon.
The inter-school Lit Quiz is a competition designed for those who love to read. It is a series of questions based on different topics about anything to do with books.
The main competition was held at The Grove School. It is always a highlight of the term. The Lit Quiz is the perfect place to blend a competitive spirit with a love for reading. It is such a delight to see the looks of concentration, excitement and nervousness on the younger teams’ faces and I hope Micklefield will continue participating in the Lit Quiz for many years to come.
History came alive with an incredible outing to !Khwa Ttu on the West Coast, where we stepped back in time to experience San culture. The girls learned about traditional hunting methods, fire-making, and daily life, and a tractor ride through the reserve gave them a chance to spot wildlife. They then presented orals and projects showcasing their knowledge of the San people, impressing us all with their research and creativity.
Our visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens was a wonderful blend of teamwork, exploration, and discovery.
Divided into five teams—The Proteas, Cycads, Fragrance Garden, The Garden of Extinction, and The Useful Plants—the girls embarked on an informational treasure hunt, delving into different sections of the gardens.
Despite the heat, they engaged all their senses, read signs, and truly appreciated the beauty of our natural surroundings. This outing reinforced not only their understanding of plant life but also the importance of teamwork and perseverance in any learning journey.
It has been a thrilling term for the Grade 4-7s in Drama as they were introduced to the characters and plot of their upcoming school play, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Auditions were held, and with an adapted script ensuring that every girl has a role, excitement is high. A double cast of Grade 6s and 7s will share the main parts, and with the cast now announced, rehearsals are set to begin next term.
Meanwhile, the Foundation Phase has been developing important performance skills, exploring storytelling through tales of cheeky bears and naughty monsters helping them understand emotions and behaviours in a fun, engaging way.
Extra-Mural Drama kicked off with great enthusiasm, with students diving into lessons centered around time travel and world adventures in storytelling. The senior group has also begun preparing for an exciting international collaboration with the Scottish Young People’s Theatre Group, Wonder Fools. Their play, Be Careful What You Wish For, will be filmed and sent to Scotland as part of the project. With rehearsals in full swing, it’s shaping up to be an exciting performance.
As we wrap up this exciting term, it’s wonderful to reflect on the incredible creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm our students have shown across all their learning adventures. From exploring new digital tools to embracing teamwork and innovation, they continue to amaze us with their growth and achievements. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and, of course, our incredible girls for making this term such a success. We look forward to the next chapter, filled with even more learning, discovery, and fun.
