Grade 10 Life Science students studying sheep hearts. As part of the module on circulatory systems, students study heart structure. This section introduces quite a few new names, such as ventricle, atrium and aorta. It is one thing to see a neat labelled diagram of a heart, but quite another to see and touch a real heart, and apply those new words to something real. Being able to see a real heart means that the function of a particular structure become more obvious. For example, the walls of the ventricles are so much thicker and stronger than the atria walls, as the ventricles push blood to the rest of the body and the lungs, while the atria receive blood from the body and lungs. #weareproudlypinelands #lovescience #bethechange #learningthroughdoing

To celebrate National Arbor Week we planted three Keurboom (Virgilia sp.) trees on the school campus. We chose the Keurboom as it is indigenous, quick growing and can withstand strong wind. Keurbooms produce lots of beautiful flowers, whose nectar provides food for various insects and birds. Once the trees are established they can also be nesting sites for birds. Therefore one tree can support many organisms. To remember this event, Dr de Roo created a certificate that all students involved in the tree planting signed. The Eco-club and Dr Payne's grade 8 class were able to assist in the tree planting, and in the process learn about the importance of planting indigenous trees, and different soil types.

Thank you to Mr Robert Kati for digging the tree holes, and for teaching the students about tree roots and how to plant trees. #weareproudlypinelands #ArborWeek #treesgivelife #trees #EcoClub

All science students in Grade 11 at Pinelands High School completed a Science Fair project in May of this year. A small group of seven students were then selected to participate in the Western Cape Virtual Science Fair - Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. All 7 of our entrants won an award, with Aaliyah Sonnie winning a gold medal for her project on the "Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Awareness and Behaviour Regarding Global Warming". Joshua Lugt and Kaneez Abbas both won silver medals while Andrew Cornelissen, Nabeelah Ismail and Dorcas Rezant won bronze medals. We are so proud of these Grade 11 students, for their hard work and dedication to this extra curricular activity, particularly during COVID times. 

Aaliyah, Joshua and Kaneez will represent the Western Cape region at ISF (International Science Fair) which is both a national and international level competition, to be held virtually in October. We wish them all the best in this next phase of the competition.

Seated L to R: Kaneez Abbas, Dorcas Rezant, ,Nabeelah Ismail, Andrew Cornelissen

Standing: Mrs Nicole Masureik, Yusha Samaai

Absent: Joshua Lugt, Aaliyah Sonnie

THANK YOU to our students, staff and parents who contributed to the Toiletry Gift Bag Drive organised by our Interact Society. Thank you to Nihal, Mia and Isra for enduring that all gift bags were properly packed and then delivered to the Saartjie Baartman Centre.  

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBCWC ) is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. Their vision is the creation of a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights. Visit their website to find out about the incredible work they do with women and children.

We are a diverse, progressive, and high-functioning public school which seeks to employ teachers who are hard-working, resilient, passionate, and ready to immerse themselves in the holistic education of young people.  

The following full-time, permanent Governing Body post is available starting January 2022. 

ENGLISH HL (Grades 8 – 12)

The successful candidate will become part of a happy and cohesive staff team with a clear vision for the power of education in the lives of individuals and their families and communities. 

Applications consisting of a Cover Letter, CV, certified copies of ID document and qualifications, and details of recent contactable referees should be addressed to: The Principal, Pinelands High School, Forest Drive, Pinelands, 7405 or emailed to applications@phs.org.za.

Closing date: 9 September 2021

Should applicants not have heard from the school by 24 September 2021, they may assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

These photos and videos were taken during the Grade 12 Electrical Circuits practical assessment task last week. Students were required to apply theoretical knowledge to practical experience. While some of the equipment they would have used in junior grades, other equipment such as the digital multimeter is new to them.

Rather than just supplying and demonstrating how the equipment works, and then supplying data for students to analyse, we prefer all students to have the opportunity to engage in a practical experience that reinforces the theory learned in class. They gain valuable practical skills such as following instructions, trouble-shooting, manipulating equipment (thing knowledge) and then the satisfaction of collecting usable data.

Why is the practical done after school? 

Completing the practical after school in one session ensures that student scores are a reliable measure of their understanding and skills. In addition, it protects lesson time - the practical can take up to two hours to complete, it is better to do it in one session, rather than spread out over multiple lessons.

https://www.phs.org.za/images/easyblog_images/62/IMG_5096.MOV

Grade 10 Visual Arts students at Pinelands High School were tasked with creating a ‘Hand Portrait’ from acrylic paint on a stretched canvas 90cm x 60cm. They were not allowed to use images from the internet, but rather had to work from a photographic source that was their own. This helped them to recognise the importance of lighting and composition in successfully creating an image.

The main focus of the project was to create a strongly personal artwork that celebrated themselves or someone close to them. Another primary focus was to develop a strong and original narrative using only a few simple elements. The notion of reducing an idea or concept to its most poetic form is a key concept in the Arts. This project introduced the learners to visual synecdoche and archetypal thought.

The style was dictated as realism to help learners improve their observational skills, understand colour theory, paint application, form, shape and tonal modelling.

Ruby-Fisher

Francisca Beatty

Shakeerah Levy

Ferial Paries

Please note that applications for Grades 9 to 12 at Pinelands High School in 2022 close at 14h00 on Friday 3 September 2021.

Click here to complete the Pinelands High School's application form. 

Applicants will be informed, in writing, of the outcome of their application by 12 November 2021.

Congratulations to Joshua Beerwinkel, one of our Grade 11s, who leaves for the USA today.  After a stringent selection process Joshua was selected for a cultural scholarship offered by the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Programme (KL YES).

He will be based in Herriman, Utah with a host family, for 10 months and will be attending Providence Hall High School as a Junior, which is equivalent to our Grade 11.

Joshua applied through Pinelands High School and AFS Intercultural, an international, non-profit organisation that offers learning opportunities through youth exchange.

Some words from Joshua:

I didn’t expect to be accepted for the scholarship, but after a number of interviews and meetings it became more believable. I applied because I wanted the experience of living in a completely different environment and being exposed to a different culture which will help me to become more understanding and open-minded. I expect the first few months away from family, friends and everything familiar to be very difficult, but this will force me to adapt.

I am expected to do a set number of hours of community service and perform well academically during my time in America but, given that it is a cultural exchange, my goal is ultimately to meet people and learn their culture whilst sharing mine. I plan to appreciate every moment of this exchange and learn as much as possible, and have no doubt in my mind that I will come back a better person. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I intend to make use of it by spending every moment learning, sharing and just enjoying cultures. I’m really excited to have this experience!

Pinelands High School wishes Joshua everything of the best as he jets off on his adventure.

We know that he will continue to make us proud and impeccably represent his school and country with ease and grace.  Go well Joshua!

Pinelands High School, in conjunction with the Epoch & Optima Trusts, is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to aspirant Mathematics, English and Physical Sciences teachers. Teacher internships are available for the 2022 academic year. Applicants will be planning to study for their PGCE through a recognized distance learning institution in 2022 (e.g. UNISA, NWU). Final selection will be dependent upon acceptance to one of these institutions.

See further details by clicking here.

Closing Date: Monday 30 August 2021