Culture - Mission Statement

Animal Anti-cruelty Society   up ^

Edgemead's Animal Anti-Cruelty Society is open to all learners who have a passion for animals and animal rights. The aim of our society is to assist those organizations who are trying to curb and prevent the very prevalent animal abuse and neglect that pervades our country. Every term we have one big "project" / collection or fundraising drive.

These drives include dog tin collections, blanket collections, toy drives etc. The goods/proceeds are then donated to one or other animal welfare organization.

Outings to shelters, the aquarium and other places of interest happen usually on Friday afternoons. We also do collections for various organizations which happen on Saturdays.

We would like to encourage all those who are animal-lovers to join our society.

Teacher-in-charge:
Miss Reeve

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C@st   up ^

C@st is the Christian society at school. The acronym C@st refers to Christians-at-school-together. It is therefore interdenominational and tries to get Christian pupils from various churches to work together at school.

Meetings are held at break on Tuesdays. Youth leaders from various local churches come in and share with the pupils. The committee also arranges various activities to "connect" with the school. In addition, there is a Missions Week, and pupils also present Easter Devotions, and other devotions in assembly during the course of the year.

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Debating   up ^

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Drama - One-Act Plays, Production 2010, Candle Light Theatre   up ^

One-Act Plays
The One-Act Play festival is an annual event which encourages all learners to get involved in theatre: acting, directing, writing, stage managing, backstage work, prop design, sound and lighting are but a few of the areas from which they can choose.

The process starts in the fourth term of the preceding year. A call goes out to aspiring directors. Those learners who want to direct a play have to submit a play of their choice; either an existing play or one they have written. Their play would have to meet specific criteria: a one-act play; appropriate for a school audience; entertaining etc.

Once their play has been approved they must proceed with auditions for a cast.

At the beginning of the year, rehearsals start and directors are responsible for a proper rehearsal schedule. The teacher in charge merely oversees everything and is there to guide and advise.

Every year the school community is astounded by the talent and creativity which emerges from the one-act plays. It is a most fulfilling experience and learners are enriched in a variety of ways.

A further incentive to learners is the fact that they are then eligible for a cultural scroll award at the end of the year. They also stand a chance of winning prizes and trophies at JCE and ARE for their acting ability.

Many learners have said that the one-act plays have been the best experience of their high school career.
Co-ordinator:
Mrs C. Williams

Production 2010 Group
About 150 learners have signed up for this group already. We await new learners to grade 8 next year to enroll them into the production. Learners who have not yet signed up may send an email: or you may drop a note to Mrs Wallace via the secretaries. Information needed is: full name, this year's tutor class, area/s of interest.

The following are categories in which you could become involved: Acting, dancing, choreography, singing, music composition, lyricist, researcher, writer, designer, set construction, painting, makeup, stage management, director, technical, front of house, publicity, cast support.
Parents who can help are very, very welcome.
Teacher-in-charge:
Mrs Wallace

Candle Light Theatre Group:
The Candle Light Theatre is the home of the dramatic arts groups. Experimental activities in drama and theatre fit happily into this environment.

Candle Light Theatre stages smaller, more intimate productions in a relaxed cabaret setting. Any learner is welcome to become part of these activities which next year will include going on theatre visits, small fundraising productions and events, dance, acting classes, workshops.
Teacher-in-charge:
Mrs Wallace

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Health and Safety Committee   up ^

The Health and Safety Committee is responsible for the overall wellbeing of staff and pupils on the school premises. Student involvement centre mainly around the First Aid Committee and Fire Committee.

First Aid Committee members are required to have at least an entry level one First Aid certificate before they can assist in a medical emergency. Normally training is performed on the school premises by St. Johns Ambulance or another private service provider. Once this is obtained, students are required to perform regular first aid duty during school breaks as well as facilitate the sport that takes place after school. The First Aid Committee requires a high level of responsibility and maturity as one is dealing with peoples lives. Anyone interested in considering a career in the medical field should consider joining this committee.

The Fire Committee members are required to do regular checks on the fire equipment around the school, namely the fire extinguishers and fire hoses. A yearly service of all fire equipment is required and members are to do regular checks periodically thereafter. Committee members check and record that fire extinguishers and hoses are in working order and have not been tampered with.(i.e. Whether extinguisher pins need to be replaced or if the extinguisher is condemned as a result of the powder or gas being released). A yearly training workshop is also offered to get members up-to-speed on the latest techniques of fire management such as: throwing a hose correctly and getting a victim out of a smoke-filled room. Once again a strong sense of responsibility and maturity is required from Fire Committee members.

The First Aid Committee and Fire Committee plays a pivotal role in maintaining safety standards and awareness around the school.

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Hiking Club   up ^

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Interact   up ^

Interact is the society at EHS that cares for the school and the community. We work together with numerous charities on a variety of projects for the enhancement of the community. We run a few ongoing projects that span the year such as a weekly sandwich collection for our sister school Ysterplaat Junior Primary School and a stationery collection.

We enjoy connecting with others and seeing a difference made in their lives. We know that it is not always the grandiose acts of kindness that touch others but the small but enduring thoughts and smiles that brighten lives. Anyone who has a sincere desire to serve the community is welcome to join our society and participate in the all the fun we have helping others. We are always on the look out for new ideas, projects and ways to get involved.
Teacher-in-charge:
Miss C Williams

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Library Assistants/monitors   up ^

School library assistants are accepted from grade 8 to 11. Monitors work 1st or 2nd break and their duties and responsibilities include: Shelving and shelf tidying, issuing and returning of books and other library material on the computer, covering of books, advice to readers and dealing with general enquiries.

If they perform their duties satisfactorily, they receive a service award at the end of the year which will also be reflected on their CV.

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Music   up ^

First InterschoolsClassical Guitar Competition
Miss Aereboe (music dept. head) and Mr Raphael Williams (classical guitar teacher) hosted the First Edgemead High School Classical Guitar Competition on Tuesday 3 November 2009.

The competition brought together 18 guitarists from Edgemead High, The Settlers High School and the Bellville Academy of Music. The competition was divided into four groups viz. primary school, junior high, senior high and an open section.

All the performers rose to the daunting challenge of solo performance beneath the intimidating spot lights as they fought for the coveted medals and trophies on offer. Each performance was met with enthusiastic applause.

Mr Tabisher (Music Subject Advisor) Miss Aereboe and Mr Williams had the unenviable task of selecting the winners from the 18 worthy competitors.

The Winners were:

School	Entrant	Entry type
Each competitor received a performance medal.
Primary School	1st Layla Abdurahman	Private entry
	2nd Chad van Wyk	Bellville Academy
	3rd Bernd le Roux	Bellville Academy
Junior High	1st Curtis Grootboom	The Settlers High
	2nd Danie le Roux	Bellville Academy
	3rd Megan Wheeler	Edgemead High
Senior High	1st Tamryn Kleyn	Edgemead High
	2nd Herschel Jansen	The Settlers High
	3rd Michael Potgieter	Bellville Academy
Most improved trophy	Jin-Young Kim	Edgemead High
Most promising trophy	Michael Potgieter	Bellville Academy
Best overall trophy	Katrin Muller	Bellville Academy

All those present declared the competition a huge success. All guitarists made a commitment to start preparing for the Second Edgemead High School Classical Guitar Competition next year.

Reported by:
Mr Raphael Williams

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Photography Club   up ^

Photography is open for all learners at the school and is the ideal extramural activity for anyone with their own camera and who seeks to be involved in the life of the school. This is an opportunity to document exciting events of all aspects at the school - sports, cultural as well as academic activities of peers are acknowledged and recoded. Being a photographer for EHS means that your photographs may feature on the school's web site, in the annual magazine and often in presentations during assembly or other prestigious functions such as the awards evenings.

As each year draws to a close, diligent and enthusiastic photographers are nominated for Scroll Awards. Anyone who is interested in joining the photography club is welcome to contact Miss Erasmus for further information.

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Services Committee   up ^

The Services Committee is composed of a group of enthusiastic and proactive learners in Grades 10-12. These learners volunteer their time in order to assist the school with a variety of events. These include:

• Helping teachers with admin
• Ushering at school events e.g. One Act Plays
• Selling tickets for school events
• Waitering e.g. sports dinners, Annual Review Evening etc.
• Assisting at sports matches e.g. tuckshop, timekeeping
• Taking prospective parents on tours around the school
• Assisting at school fundraising events e.g. Golf Day, Big Knit

Learners on this committee are reliable, responsible, well-dressed and punctual. They act as ambassadors for EHS both in and outside the school.

Records are kept for all events completed. This aids the staff members in charge to award service badges to those learners who perform their duties exceptionally.

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