GENERAL

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR  -  Mrs K. Stoop

NOTICE

A reminder that, should your son not be returning to CBC next year, written notice should be give to me by the last day of this term, i.e. Friday 1 August 2008.

SCHOOL FEES

All outstanding school fees are to be paid up to date by the last day of term.  Statements are sent via your son—if you have not received these, please contact me.  Fees should be paid monthly, and if you are unsure of your balance to date, kindly query this with me without delay.  To those parents whose fees are regularly up to date, thank you.  Your co-operation is much appreciated.

HIGH SCHOOL – Mrs Pat Fitzsimons

ACADEMICS

As I am sure you are all aware we are in the middle of examinations at the moment.  It is a time when the hard work and preparations throughout the term should be paying of.  Although the matrics will only be writing summative examinations from the 15th Sept. [PRELIMS START], they are still very busy with the more formative assessments and have many pieces of portfolio work in which they must give of their best.

Timetables have been set up for English and Afrikaans Orals and I need to stress that these are in fact FINAL EXAMINATIONS and should be viewed by the boys as such. Absence from an arranged oral time will only be allowed under the same conditions as absence from the final matric examination and these conditions are very strict.   In Years 8, 9,10 and 11 absences from an examination must be explained with a doctor’s note. Please be aware, as has been our policy, absence from an examination means an incomplete report will be issued. This becomes a very serious issue in an end of year examination as it could affect promotion into the next year.

Reports will be handed out to all years on Friday 1^st August.

MATRIC WINTER SCHOOL

The matrics will be receiving the winter school timetable, their prelim timetable and some guidelines for study during the holidays with this newsletter.  Parents, it is very important at this time, that our matric boys focus on their work and use the holidays to prepare for prelims and in fact final examinations. Boys should be doing at least 3 Hrs of work each evening even now and weekends should be used to re-enforce those more difficult concepts.  It is also getting to that time of year when portfolio pieces of work which have not been completed MUST BE HANDED IN.

SPORT

The winter sports season has been completed and I thank all those involved in organizing, coaching and playing in this season.  We do have however a rugby touring side visiting us on the 29^th and 30^th of July and our 1^st and 2^nd teams will be playing them starting at 11h00 on the 30thJuly. Thank you to all who are hosting these visitors and to the boys and coaches who continue to prepare for these games.

EDMUND RICE SOCIETY

This group continues to be very active within and outside the College. Each Monday night Mr. Wermuth and Dean Fernandes go to man the soup kitchen at St Dominics church. They do this as representatives of our school and I thank them for it.  I have also received two letters thanking our school and our boys;

One is from the Bophelong Roman Catholic Church in Vanderbijl Park . [this is apparently a very poor and needy community] this letter says “ we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the food parcels donated to us. The poor around the church benefited from your schools generosity. We appreciate your kind heart and we remember you in our prayers” Fr. Clement Kholopa

The second is from the St Francis Care Centre “I express my sincere thanks to Mr. Wermuth and the four CBC boys who gave up their Sunday in order to assist during Holy Mass and afterwards at the function to commemorate the opening of the Fr. Nicholas Nemoto OFM hall.  I would like to compliment the school on the way the boys conducted themselves. They are truly a credit to Christian Brothers’ College Boksburg.” Fr. Stan Brennan

Thank you to these boys and to all the families and boys in our school who make it possible to send food parcels and to supply blankets. There have been some very generous donations and I ask all our families and boys to continue with their good work.   “Each person has the opportunity every day to lay the groundwork for his heavenly defence, simply by opening his eyes and heart to the needs of others.”

YEAR 11 MATRIC FAREWELL COMMITTEE

Well done and thank you to all Year 11 boys and parents who have been involved in the raising of fund for the 2008 Matric Farewell Dinner. Everything is on track and we look forward to a very enjoyable and successful evening at the Birchwood Hotel on the 1^st August.

PIPE BAND

Congratulations to the Pipe Band on attaining a 3rd place overall at the St Benedict’s Gathering held on Saturday 5 July 2008.  The last Pipe Band Gathering for this season is to be held at Benoni High School on Saturday 26 July.  We wish the band members all the very best for this competition.  School bands start playing from around 08h30 in the morning.  Please support this event if you can.  Massed bands play in the late afternoon—a spectacle not to be missed.  Hope to see you there!

HOUSE REPORTS

Edmund  (Mr Barnett)

Congratulations to the Edmund soccer teams that won (Opens) and drew (juniors) in the first round of the Inter-House competition.  We will be playing our next round soccer on the second last day of the term (Thursday 31 July) and on the first day of term 3 (Tuesday 2 September).   Our boys are looking forward to competing in the Inter-House indoor cricket tournament in the first week of the third term (Under 15) and the second week of the new term (seniors).    To all boys who are keeping warm under a THATCH of long hair, I must ask you to have a haircut a.s.a.p. or you will be sent away for an early morning “shaving”.  Welcome back to Liam and Reece from the Provincial Hockey Tournament held in Pietermaritzburg.  Their teams achieved a second place.

Study hard (persevere like the Proteas) - it’s nearly time to enjoy the August holiday.

Founders  (Mr Muller)

The boys are in the middle of their exams and I hope and pray everything is going well with them.  The boys should never see exams as crunch time, they should see it as an opportunity to prove their worth.  Good luck with the rest of the exams!  Just a reminder that there will be Inter-House Soccer happening in the last week of the term.  This last week will be very busy, many things happening, so the boys should not see this last week as part of an extended holiday.  They must be present at school until the last day.  I would like to wish all the boys a good, restful holiday for August and I would like to remind the Leaders of their winter school in the last week of the holidays.  I pray that God will keep everybody safe during the holidays and protect all against evil spirits.

Aquinas  (Mr Rindfleisch)

A reminder of up-coming Inter-House events—

Soccer on Thursday 31 July and Tuesday 2 September.

Indoor Cricket during the first week of Term 3 (Under 15) and during the second week of Term 3 (seniors).

All boys involved please make certain that you are prepared for these days.

Best of luck for the rest of the exams.

Revill  (Mr Phiri)

The boys in Years 8—11 are busy with their exams at the moment and I hope that they are adequately prepared for these.  In a few weeks time we close school after yet another busy term which has just flown away so fast.  I commend all boys for their fine efforts and bringing credit to the College in all that they have done this term.  Thanks must also go to the Tutors for guiding the boys on a daily basis, as well as the parents for the support they accord their sons and the College.  To the boys, enjoy the forthcoming holidays and come back fully refreshed for the final stretch next term.  Let me share with you some exam answers collated from last year’s British GCSE exams (16 year olds)!  Give us strength ..  these people are tomorrow’s leaders … my bet is that we will become extinct!

DATES TO REMEMBER

PREPARATORY SCHOOL – Mr Stephen Bryan

GRAHAMSTOWN CULTURAL TOUR

Congratulations to the 24 boys accompanied by Mrs Luiz and Mr Croukamp on the enjoyable and successful cultural experience in Grahamstown during the mid-term break.

UPCOMING SPORTS TOURS

Please make sure that your sons have relayed all correspondence on the following tours—

Bloemfontein Soccer Tour from 25—27 July

Under 11A and Open A teams.

Inter-CBC Winter Festival in Pretoria from 31 July—2 August

Open A Soccer and Open A and B Hockey teams.

ACADEMICS

Thank you for your support and encouragement of your sons during the exams from 23—27 June.  Teachers and pupils have all checked over these exam results.  Reports will be handed out on Friday 25 July.  Parents are invited to attend the Academic Assembly on Tuesday 29 July at 12h30 in the Hall.  Parents’ Evening will also be held on Tuesday 29 July from 16h00 onwards.

MINDWORKS PROGRAMME

The boys will be participating in our annual programme whereby we will be involved in academic, cultural and sporting events from Monday 21—Thursday 31 July.  This programme aims at extending the boys’ interest and participating in activities beyond the classroom experiences!

SPORT

The Athletics season is taking place with practices at the moment.  Boys who quality for the Inter-House Competition (Thursday 17 July) and Inter-CBC Event (Monday 28 July) will represent their Houses and School.

Hockey practices and matches are being enjoyed by all boys who are trying out for the last of the 3 winter sports on offer.

CULTURAL

All the best to the many boys who are preparing for the Inter-House Public Speaking competition on Monday 28 July.

Next term CBC is hosting the Eisteddfod from 16 September.  Good luck to all staff and boys who are preparing for this important event.

Pipe Band

Congratulations to the Pipe Band on attaining a 3rd place overall at the St Benedict’s Gathering held on Saturday 5 July 2008.  The last Pipe Band Gathering for this season is to be held at Benoni High School on Saturday 26 July.  We wish the band members all the very best for this competition.  School bands start playing from around 08h30 in the morning.  Please support this event if you can.  Massed bands play in the last afternoon—a spectacle not to be missed.  Hope to see you there!

SCHOOLBOYS OF THE WEEK

YEAR 7 BARN DANCE

Good luck to all the Year 7 boys and staff who are participating in the fun-filled social with our sister school, St Dominic’s, on Friday 18 July!

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRIMARY SCHOOL – Mr Henry Moolman

The Pre-Primary Concert has proved to be a delightful treat.  Being on stage before an audience takes some doing, especially for the very young.  Congratulations to our boys for their sterling performance.  Mrs Diesel and staff, all the anxious moments and hard work in the light of a superb production makes it all worthwhile.  Thank you!  To those moms and dads who gave up their time to paint, cut and carry, a big thank you.  Last but not least, to all parents for their support, and to Mrs Stoop and her administration team for their valued input.

The Year Three boys have been preparing for the Inter-House Athletics today.  My thanks to Mr Bryan and his staff for accommodating our boys and to the Year Three staff for their input as well.

The Science Expo, before the mid-term break, proved to be a show stopper for our lads.  The budding High School scientists were only too eager to answer the many “why” and “how come” questions asked by bright-eyed, inquisitive Primary pupils.  Thank you to Mr Askham and the science pupils for a truly worthwhile experience.

ENTREPRENEURS’ DAY

The Year Twos are busy preparing for the annual event, taking place on Friday 25 July 2008.  The hands on experience of preparing, costing and selling their prepared fare or goods has far reaching benefits for both the immediate and distant future for the boys.  For the rest of the school, come prepared to support our boys (and their parents).

BLOEMFONTEIN TOURNAMENT

Mr Maree, Coach Tebogo and the Under 9 football team will leave for Bloemfontein on 25 July to participate in a weekend of football.

MERIT AWARDS

Well done to the following boys on their awards.

SPORTS REPORT

Please see Mr Maree’s report below.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Reassure a loved one of the constancy of your love and experience the endurance of loving kindness.   (Rabbi Sunam Jacobson)

SPORT – Preparatory School (Mr Ketsise Tsotsotso)

INTER-HOUSE ATHLETICS

I hope everyone enjoys the Inter-House Athletics today.                                                    

Well done to all boys who participated and thank you to those who supported.                  

BLOEMFONTEIN SOCCER TOUR

Our soccer players are looking forward to this annual tour.

INTER-CBC WINTER FESTIVAL

Our soccer and hockey teams are preparing for this competition to be held in Pretoria

shortly.

HOCKEY RESULTS

SPORT – Primary School (Mr Piet Maree)

Most of the sport for the term has finished, with only the Bloemfontein Tour remaining and, hopefully, a match or two for the Under 7 and Under 8 soccer players.