Bergvliet High School News

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you are excited for a camp, when you have high expectations and are hoping for the best; and so – when a camp exceeds those expectations as much as this past one did, you can’t say anything but, “Wow, that was awesome! Thank you!” It truly was a fantastic, once in a lifetime experience and all this happened:

Despite the fact that we arrived at different times in different cars, there was a positive atmosphere immediately. Those who had arrived first started tapping around a mini soccer ball (once bags had been ‘dumped’ on the stoep), and when Kelly’s mom arrived with bags and bags filled with groceries – there was immediate excitement. Food talks, and it talks well…

The groceries were unpacked, people found their dorms, the pool table was discovered, tables and chairs were unpacked, the volleyball net was set up and soon enough we found ourselves seated – awaiting orders. We were briefed on the busy camp ahead before making our way to the first meal of the camp – a fantastic lasagne. Food was eaten, dishes were washed and pool was played before we, tired yet excited, made our way to our dorms.

“Lights out!”

We woke up early in the morning after very little sleep. After a quick breakfast and our much needed cups of coffee, we gathered at the table. A guest speaker, Ms. Jennifer Ritchie, spent two and a half hours with us. She coached and mentored us on leadership skills and dealing with conflict. It was a very inspirational morning and we, as the student leader body, learnt many new things about both ourselves and our fellow leaders. We will be able to carry this newly gained knowledge with us into our exciting term of office.

Before breaking for lunch, we discussed and divided into the five established portfolios, namely Culture, General Matters (a combination of Student Matters and Practical Matters), Sport, Spirit and Entertainment and the newly introduced Service portfolio.

After lunch we broke into our portfolios again to plan our skiets. These skiets were to be performed for the parents and the teachers at the up coming braai.

We took advantage of the perfect “summer” weather and took a 2km leisurely stroll down to the beach, followed by our very own choir of Kelly, Duanne, CJ, Dexter and Stephanie! It was lovely to be able to feel the sand between our toes after such a cold winter. The volleyball net was quickly set up and almost everyone joined in the game. Ms. Jorge showed off her amazing volleyball talents and Simone proved to us she is a worthy recipient of ‘Camp Colours for Beach Volleyball’. This gave us the opportunity to bond as a group in a relaxed environment. Some people plucked up the courage and braved the freezing waters…

Stress levels rose as we returned to camp. It was time for big decisions to be made and votes to be cast for the new Heads of School of 2012.

The braai was a success! Parents arrived and were warmly welcomed by Dexter and Riley (in Afrikaans). Meat sizzled on the braai, a game of volleyball was played in the dark whilst relaxed, happy voices filtered through the air. After everyone had eaten, we gathered in the hall and Mr. Price addressed us. He gave a great motivational speech before the 2012 Heads of School were announced (Head Girl: Roxy Stott, Head Boy: Kyle Combrinck and Deputy: Duanne Aspeling). Each portfolio then got the opportunity to perform their skiets. The hall was left in hysterics after Dexter’s stand-up comedy, Tamryn and Keenan’s dance and Nancy and Mekaila’s impression of “old people”. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening.

Getting up was a little bit harder, but breakfast was far easier to manage (practice makes perfect)! We gathered in the hall and voting took place for some more of the very important roles in the RCL/ SL, for example: The Secretaries and Links.

The RCL/ SL assembly was then prepared, before Mr. Classen threw in some extra motivational advice. The venue was cleaned up, bags were packed and last games of soccer and volleyball were all played before climbing in to the buses and cars that brought us home.

The camp was extremely well organised and a truly rewarding experience. We would like to thank Ms Jorge, Mrs Earl and Mr Classen for making this amazing, productive camp possible for us. One thing that we would most definitely take away from this camp are the famous words, ”Tall trees catch the most wind”. We, as the leadership body of Bergvliet High School, look forward to having an exciting, adventurous year ahead.

Duanne Aspeling, Roxann Stott and Kyle Combrinck