Latest news with #BresciaHouseSchool
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Local dancer shines at Croatian International Dance Open
South African dancer Isabella van Tonder, who is a learner at Brescia House School, recently returned from the International Dance Open in Zagreb, Croatia, where she represented the country and gained life-changing experiences According to Isabella, the competition pushed her, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. 'I learned what it truly means to be both a team player and a team leader. Being part of a supportive and kind team helped me grow, and I found myself becoming someone the younger dancers could look up to.' She explained that the language barrier with dancers from other countries was challenging, but said they found ways to connect, using Google Translate and shared smiles to build bonds across borders. 'Even with the differences, it was amazing to see how dance unites us.' Also read: Class of 2025 celebrates Centennial Schools' inaugural matric dance Isabella said one of her biggest takeaways was learning to stay calm under pressure. 'The backstage environment was loud and stressful, but I had a kind of switch in my mind where I found calm in the chaos. That helped me perform better and stay focused.' She explained that the competition also exposed her to different styles of European dance, which she plans to incorporate into her training. 'I did an open ballet class with a Russian instructor who did not speak English, but she still managed to teach us valuable techniques. My dad always says: 'You are never too experienced to learn', and that stuck with me.' Read more: Brescia's Arwen Terblanche strikes gold at national orienteering champs Isabella pointed out the emotional depth of watching her teammates perform. 'I actually cried seeing their raw emotion on stage. It reminded me why I dance: To express, to feel, and to connect.' Now, she is back home, and more motivated than ever. 'This experience taught me that things don't have to be perfect. As long as you dance your best, you should be proud.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young swimmer makes it to six finals, clinches bronze, at South African Junior Nationals
Gemma Walters has made a splash at her first major national swimming event, the South African National Junior Championships held in Cape Town recently. The 15-year-old, from Brescia House School, qualified for six finals across eight events, achieving personal bests in every race and earning her first junior national medal: a bronze in the 200m backstroke. Gemma's journey into competitive swimming began at age 12, after winning multiple 50m races at her primary school's challenge gala. Also read: Kew residents fill pothole in spite of Joburg Roads Agency's promise Inspired by her father and driven by her passion, she quickly progressed through club training, setting her sights on bigger stages. 'It's incredible to know that all my hard work with training over the past few months has paid off. I never expected to make this many finals, especially with a personal best, by as much as six seconds, in my 400m individual medley. I'm incredibly happy with how this gala went, exceeding my own expectations of how I could perform under pressure.' Her journey was not without hurdles. She faced a rotator cuff injury two months before the event. 'It was very stressful, but I started sessions with a biokineticist to strengthen my shoulder, which helped me recover and get back into training.' She added that her discipline and perseverance paid off, allowing her to resume her six-times-a-week training routine, to peak at the right moment. Read more: Progress being made on pipe repairs at Illovo reservoir The highlight of Gemma's competition was the 200m backstroke final, where she not only secured third place but also dropped five seconds off her entry time. 'Catching up and overtaking the swimmer in third place was an incredible feeling. Talking to other swimmers beforehand, sharing our frustrations and encouragement, really boosted my confidence.' Qualifying for the finals at junior nationals was a dream come true, especially at her age. 'Knowing I'll be competing at that level against the best swimmers in South Africa is surreal. I'd love to make a B final next time and keep improving.' Looking ahead, Gemma plans to focus on next, upcoming junior nationals, aiming to add more medals and improve her times. Long-term, she hopes to qualify for the World Championships or World Junior Championships and represent South Africa on the international stage. Also read: JMPD nabs two in Sandhurst cable theft bust Gemma offers encouraging advice to young swimmers. 'Don't put too much pressure on yourself at every gala. It's normal to have setbacks, but those moments motivate you to work harder. Trust in your training and enjoy the journey.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Brescia's Arwen Terblanche strikes gold at national orienteering champs
Arwen Terblanche, a matric learner at Brescia House School, claimed a remarkable gold medal at the South African Orienteering Sprint Championships, held in George on May 4. Competing in the fiercely contested Women U20 category, Arwen navigated her way to victory with a blend of physical fitness, mental focus, and tactical decision-making. Orienteering is a unique sport that challenges both body and mind, requiring competitors to move at speed while navigating a course using only a map and compass. 'A lot is happening at once, you are reading the map, planning your next move, and keeping your pace up. I was in the zone and nothing else mattered in the moment except the race.' Also read: Brescia's Christine wins 5 gold medals in Gauteng Schools Championships She said, despite tough competition and unfamiliar terrain, she thrived in the cool, slippery conditions. 'It was colder and wetter than I expected, and I had never been to George before. But I knew I had to give it my best. I made a really good route choice at one point that gave me a big advantage, which was a defining moment in the race.' Arwen added she had entered the event simply to gain experience but surprised herself. 'I was shocked. I didn't go there expecting to win. I just wanted to enjoy the event and see what national competition was like.' Also read: 13-year-old Brescia House Student finished first Midmar Mile She added she was a member of the South African Junior High Performance Squad. 'Balancing training with matric is tricky, but I find that exercising helps me focus better when I am studying. Luckily, most competitions are on Sunday mornings, and my family is incredibly supportive; they even take part in some of the events.' Arwen credits orienteering with teaching her essential life skills. 'It has helped me learn to multitask, adapt quickly, work under pressure, and perform in challenging conditions. The muddier and bushier the course, the better I seem to do.' Read more: First-ever Carnival Day at Morningside Country Club brings families and sports together She said she was inspired by her father, who introduced her to the sport, and hopes to qualify for the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Sweden next year. 'Orienteering is still quite unknown in South Africa. But it is fun, it is challenging, and there's always someone there to help you get started.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
