Almost 99% of all fires are caused by human negligence. They are mostly caused by electrical faults or carelessness. Cigarettes, matches and lighters, candles, heating appliances and open braai fires can all cause fires if not carefully monitored. But it is not only human error that causes fires. Environmental factors such as changing weather patterns and urban spread increase the risk of fires, with the effects and level of damage often being felt more severely.
To prevent the loss of lives and property, everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of fire, especially during fire season this winter. Here are some tips to stay fire safe:
• Always extinguish fires and safely dispose of hot ash, coal and cigarettes.
• Ensure that your electrical appliances are correctly wired.
• Don’t overload power points and switch off appliances when not in use.
• Make sure gas appliances are correctly installed.
• Keep the area around your home clear of flammable materials (dry bush, scrub etc...
• Ensure that your electrical appliances are correctly wired.
• Don’t overload power points and switch off appliances when not in use.
• Make sure gas appliances are correctly installed.
• Keep the area around your home clear of flammable materials (dry bush, scrub etc...
• Never leave an open fire unattended (braai, in the fireplace at home, garden refuse etc...)
• Always make sure that you are alert in the kitchen when cooking and don’t leave the stove unattended.
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan.
• Clean the lint filter of your tumble dryer each and every time you use it.
• Take extra care when using heaters and electric blankets. Do not leave them on unattended.
• Always work in an open, cleared area when working with power tools.
• Buy a small fire extinguisher from a reputable dealer to keep in your home – note the correct way to use it and ensure that it has not expired.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency numbers in the event of a fire and medical emergency OR call the KSS 24/7 Control Room on +27 (0)33 3305911.
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan.
• Clean the lint filter of your tumble dryer each and every time you use it.
• Take extra care when using heaters and electric blankets. Do not leave them on unattended.
• Always work in an open, cleared area when working with power tools.
• Buy a small fire extinguisher from a reputable dealer to keep in your home – note the correct way to use it and ensure that it has not expired.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency numbers in the event of a fire and medical emergency OR call the KSS 24/7 Control Room on +27 (0)33 3305911.
News supplied by Knight Security Services.
On 2 June 2017, the St Anne’s Old Girls’ Guild awarded Sarah Collins (1987, Usherwood) with The Award of Excellence for her incredible journey empowering impoverished women with the Wonderbag.
The winter holidays are upon us already ..... is it just me or did this term fly by faster than ever?
Time: 7pm, entry R25, bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact 
St Anne’s is very proud to have eight girls currently singing in the KZN Youth Choir, including the choir Head Girl, Sarah Thornton-Dibb, who has been a member of this prestigious group for four years.
We, at La Popote, are trying something different for Friday's. Perfect for those of you who want a quick lunch.
Recently, a group of Grace College staff and students visited Sunnyside Park Home to spend time with some of the residents. While there, they participated in hand-making chocolate and playing Bingo while entertainment was provided by Megan Pluke (Grade 11) playing the ukulele. Students enjoyed the time chatting to the residents and listening to snippets of their life stories.
Omar Wilson, a Grade 5 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School, took part in the KZN MTB XCO Provincial #3 race on Saturday, 3 June, at Cascades, Pietermaritzburg.
Grace College recently hosted a netball tournament for senior netball teams from Jabula, Willowfountain and St John-Paul Combined Schools as well as from Siyanda, Asibemunye and Zuzulwazi High Schools. The teams competed with spirit, the winner was Asibemunye High School and the runner-up was Siyanda High School.
The Ashburton Aloe Festival will be held over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd July in the Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy, 10 km east of Pietermaritzburg. An annual event borne out of the close-knit communities passion for conserving this beautiful bushveld environment, six venues are open to the public, between 09h00 and 17h00, to enjoy a full programme of walks and talks amidst bushveld setting of the beautiful wild, giant flowering Aloe candelabrum. The event helps raise awareness for the conservation of both natural and cultural heritage, and raises funds for the protection of the plants and wildlife species of the area, as a living legacy for our children. The event is hosted by the Mpushini Valley Conservancy and showcases the Mpushini Protected Environment, the first such community conservation area in Kwazulu-Natal. The six venues include: Galago Farm, TopRock Farm, Impala Bend, Rocky Wonder Aloes Nursery, Spencer’s Place and the Hackland Aloe Garden. Things to do include: Specialist talks and walks, Self-Guided trails, Aloe, and indigenous plant sales including succulent, grasses, groundcovers, enjoy light music, browse a variety of stalls, including, crystal, mineral and gemstones, hot meals including vegetarian options, soups and home baked bread, tea garden, pancakes and refreshments, pony rides and the natural beauty, peace and tranquillity of this special hidden valley. Tickets are R30 per person and allow entry to all venues for the duration of the weekend. Children under 12 are free. There is a children’s art and environmental programme at venue 1 including child supervision at a nominal cost. Directions: take N3, Ashburton exit 69, Turn right, and continue 4 km onto D389, after the ticket sales booth, follow the signs to venues 1 – 5. To get to venue six, continue past venue 5 and proceed for 12 km as follows. After crossing the Msunduzi River, turn right at the junction of D389 towards Bishopstowe. Continue 2km and turn right. Continue for 2km and turn left at the signpost Rick Hackland Farm. After 50m turn right into the palm lined avenue to reach Femma and Rick Hackland’s Aloe Garden. For more information phone Darlene Bond on 082 933 5036 Facebook Pages, Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy; Event Facebook Page - Ashburton Aloe Festival 2017; Twitter @mpushini
William Luxford in Grade 10 at Grace College completed the "Impi Hard Enduro" at Tugela Ferry this past weekend. This is one of the toughest endure races of the year, they raced for three days.
Senior sport teams from Grace College entered the Laddsworth Night Fun Run/Walk on Thursday 15 June where our star trail runner Nick de Scally finished in first position.
Kimé Brits, a Grade 7 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School, competed at the Royal Show on her horse Cruisia Nikki.
This morning, Karl Wörner from Karkloof Safari Spa officially handed over a Game Viewing Vehicle to our Headmaster George Harris. Karkloof Safari Spa has donated this vehicle to our Conservation Centre and this generous gift enables us to make the natural wonders of the nature reserve more accessible to the school community.
Laddsworth Primary School Chess teams participated in the Midlands Junior School Chess Championship at St. Nicholas Diocesan School on 29 May 2017.
Time: 7pm, entry R25, bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact 
We are THRILLED to have been selected as an official beneficiary of funding from the N3TC Touching Lives Initiative! It has been an answer to our main challenge which is to find funding to be able to commit to our knitters on a regular, monthly basis.
Laddsworth Primary School will hold its annual Night Fun Run/Walk on the 15th June at 18h00. The race caters for young and old, fit and unfit, as there is a 6km and a 4km marshalled route. The race starts and ends at Laddsworth Primary School and runs through parts of Hilton and the St. Anne’s College Wetland. This year we are also inviting schools, clubs and companies to enter teams, dressed in their sports or corporate gear. The aim of the Laddsworth Night Fun Run/Walk is to bring friends, family, businesses and schools of the Midlands Community together for a bit of fun. There are many lucky draw prizes that will be handed out on the night. Put your takkies, headlights & lumo kits on and come and join us for a fun night out! The first 500 entries will receive glow paints and glow sticks in their race packs.