OVERVIEW
We believe that a key role of education is to nurture and develop good citizens. Particularly, people who are respectful, are able to think independently and be creative and make good decisions, even under difficult circumstances, thereby making a difference by impacting positively on others.
The development of a set of values, morals, and characteristics such as trustworthiness, responsibility, respect and the ability to care for others is vitally important.
Character development provides the ground rules for life and instils values at a deeper level, ensuring that positive behaviour is automatic, and children become conscious of what is right and wrong.
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral Care is at its most effective when it is fully integrated into the school’s daily curriculum, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. As such, it not only involves the Pastoral Care team, but all staff members in various ways. Our Pastoral Care aims have clearly considered the importance of it for all students. These aims have been set with the school’s Mission Statement in mind, which emphasises moral values like dignity, integrity, honesty, empathy, tenacity and appreciation for the environment. The aims are as follows:
In order to achieve the aims above, every staff member plays an active role in the development of each pupil. Through its unique character and opportunities offered to the pupils on campus, these aims are built into the academic, sports, cultural and outdoor education programmes of the school. In order to further improve the care provided by the staff, Woodridge also has a full-time Chaplain and makes use of a tutor system where each teacher takes charge of a small number of pupils.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Woodridge offers a range of medical support services, catering for various needs and conveniently located on campus for staff and pupils. Referrals to other specialists and health professionals outside of the school can also be arranged on behalf of a pupil when necessary.
MEDICAL CARE
The Woodridge Sanatorium is a well-equipped clinic manned by two experienced and qualified nursing sisters, offering expert medical care, advice and support to all our pupils. The facility is open 5 days a week and accessible over weekends during set times, and always on call for emergencies.
Medical doctors, Konrad and Ansa von Hagen are fondly referred to as the school doctors and are not only husband and wife, but current Woodridge parents. They are available on campus for consultations twice a week on Tuesdays (07:45) and Thursdays (14:30).
Konrad is currently one of the team doctors for the Proteas (South African national cricket team) and Eastern Province rugby and a well-respected Sports Medicine Practitioner. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (1997) and a MSc Sport Medicine (2003) from the University of Pretoria. He has also been heavily involved in the medical care for the Springboks, Southern Kings Rugby (2009-2017), South African Sevens (2012-2022), Warrior Cricket (2002 – present), Chippa United Football Club (2014 – 2021), and has been the Ironman South Africa Medical Director since 2008.
Konrad also administers any suspected concussions tests for pupils who participate in school sports, particularly contact sport such as Rugby, as per the Boksmart regulations, and he is an accredited IRB level 3 educator.
Ansa obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (University of Pretoria, 1997) and a Diploma in Occupational Medicine (2005) from the University of Stellenbosch. She currently consults as an Occupational Medical Practitioner.
Sophie Chandler & Associates provides physiotherapy to our staff, parents, students, and the surrounding community. Having served the Port Elizabeth community since 1988, they have a wealth of experience and expertise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and sports injury management.
Sophie and her team have been the official physiotherapists for the Warriors and Eastern Province cricket teams for over 20 years. The practice also provides services to Eastern Province Rugby and looks after many other provincial players from different sporting backgrounds.
They will be available for appointments on campus on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons during school terms. Appointments can be made by calling the Sanatorium on 041 492 2407 (during office hours) or email them at sanatorium@woodridge.co.za
Occupational Therapists, Mrs Pippa van der Spuy and Mrs Courtney Mercer as well as Speech Therapist, Ms Jessica Hazell, provides additional onsite support to pupils when necessary. Referrals to other specialists and health professionals outside of the school can also be arranged by the nursing staff on behalf of a pupil.
General & Sports Medicine Practice - Dr Konrad von Hagen:
135 Cape Road, Mount Croix, Tel: 041 492 3388
Speech Therapy - Avante O' Reilly:
Mobile: 083 488 5672, Email: aorspeech19@gmail.com
Occupational Therapy - Sher Christmas:
Mobile: 072 535 9275, Email: sherchristmas@gmail.com
Therapeutic Play Therapist (Play Therapy) - Cherin van Heerden:
Email: cherin.vanheerden@woodrige.co.za
The emotional and mental wellbeing of our pupils form an integral part of their personal and academic development. Psychological services can not only bring about improvements in areas of difficulty, but can also enhance existing areas of high functioning.
The school psychologist, Chantél Minnie, is a full-time staff member at Woodridge. She is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (PS 013 8797) and holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, Honours in Psychology degree and a Masters in Counselling Psychology degree, which she obtained from Rhodes University.
A range of psychological support services are offered to pupils and staff, including:
Chantél is available for consultations in her office on campus from Monday to Friday and can be contacted for appointments via email: chantel.minnie@woodridge.co.za
Download and print this useful and easy-to-read resource, aimed at children between Grades 1 and 7.
If your children are between Grades 8 and 12, this is a useful resource to download and print for them.
CLINIC TIMES
Because young people sometimes try to avoid classes by visiting the Sanatorium, we have a strict policy regarding consulting hours.
Pupils may consult the sister on duty as follows:
Monday – Friday
Saturday
Sunday
VISITING
Pupils admitted to the Sanatorium are not allowed visitors (this includes chatting to friends at the windows). When pupils are in the Sanatorium for a long time, visiting is at the sister’s discretion and is limited to non-infectious patients only.
PERSONAL MEDICATION
When visiting the Sanatorium, the nurses must be notified of ALL medication the pupil is using, as some drugs interact negatively with each other. All medicines are to be kept by the Sanatorium, or with the House Parent, if the Sanatorium staff approves.
ELECTRONIC POLICY
Pupils admitted to the Sanatorium may not have any access to electronic devices between 08:00 – 16:00.
Phone: 041 492 2407
BIOKINETICS
The Woodridge College Biokineticist, Wade Inglis, runs the first team sports strength and conditioning sessions and rehabilitation. These sessions take place in the gym facility on campus from Monday to Thursday between 14:45 and 17:45. His qualifications include a B HMS undergraduate degree, BA Honours (HMS) Biokinetics degree and a MA HMS Research degree. All qualifications were attained at Nelson Mandela University under the Health Science faculty. He can be contacted for bookings as follows:
Wade Inglis:
Mobile: 076 294 8399
Email: wade.inglis@woodridge.co.za
