Issue 3

HIGH SCHOOL – Mrs Pat Fitzsimons

Welcome back after a short mid- term break. It was very early this year as Easter is earlier but with the busy start to the term, it was much appreciated by both boys and teachers.

Academics

The Mid Term reports will be issued tomorrow Frid.22^nd Feb. I am very pleased with the majority of marks and most boys are working well, congratulations to all of you who have attained your goals. It is however worrying when I see on individual reports marks ranging from 70% in some subjects to 30% in others. This obviously leads me to look at the averages in these subjects but this discrepancy does not occur there.

It is true that students find some subjects easier to apply themselves to than others but this is no excuse. Effort must be made an all areas of work, the boy who can achieve 70% in some subjects can, with application and effort achieve 70% or close to it in all subjects.  When trying to attain top marks there is no substitute for full attention in class and consolidation of work that evening, also absenteeism must be kept to a minimum.

Load shedding and periods of time without electricity have become a part of our every day experiences and we have all made preparations for electricity cuts. This also has to be the case when revision for assessments or homework has to be done. Please be aware that the excuse of a power cut will not be accepted for homework not done or being unprepared for a test.

Sport

Congratulations to all of the Houses on the great spirit at the 20\20 cricket last week Thursday. To all who were involved in making the day such a success, thank you very much.  The cricket and swimming season is almost over with the final fixtures occurring over these next few weeks. Many boys and staff have given much of their time to these sports and I know that at times there has been a lot of pressure, so well done to you all. We always find that those boys who are most involved in the activities of their school are those who get most from their school and in the end are the most successful.

Cultural

Pipe band continues with their practices on Monday evenings and will be taking part in many Pipe Band Gatherings and competitions as the year goes on. Look out for a big gathering of pipe bands to be held at the school on Sat. 15^th March.  The debating group has also been involved in a number of competitions and continues to be very successful. Debating occurs on a Thursday after school in Mrs Caldeira’s room and is always looking for new members.

Edmund Rice Society

This group of boys every week gives of their time to help those less fortunate. At this time they are asking all boys in the school to think about these less fortunate people and remember to give to the charity collection every week. They have also been asking for donations of old books and stationery for the children of a small school they have visited recently. Any donations may be passed on through the outreach representative in the Tutor group or directly to Jerome Farah or one of the E.R.S. members.

Matric Farwell

Thank you to all for your support of this groups Valentines Day Fund raiser. To Ms. Dolman and all the boys, well done on your efforts.

Golf Day at the new Ebotse Golf Estate—Wednesday 28 May 2008

Look out for further details in fliers and the next newsletter.

HOUSE REPORTS

Edmund  (Mr Barnett)

At the Edmund House assembly last Thursday we began the meeting with a prayer for “the perfect day”.  Well, it certainly was a fantastic day and the boys were, once again, at their ‘mischievous” best behaviour!  We didn’t win the cricket, but the boys certainly enjoyed handing our a Five Roses teabag to every St Dominic’s girl who was brave enough to join our house.  On a more serious note, I must urge the boys to really concentrate on the second half of the term as we are heaving for exam time.  Thanks for making good times possible!

Aquinas  (Mr Rindfleisch)

Mid-terms are to be issued this week.  This is an opportunity to compare current performance (the mid-term mark) with goals set for Term 1 (hopefully written in your diary).  If you are on target, well done!  If not, you still have opportunities to remedy the situation.  Do something about it!  Well done to those boys involved in the inter-house events that were finalized over the last few days.  Congratulations to our cricket and tennis teams for winning these events.  Our squash players performed well by clinching second position.  Thanks to all the boys involved in inter-house events and for their participation.  Thanks, also, to the boys who participated through the support of these teams.

Founders  (Mr Muller)

So, we are through the first assessments for 2008 and the first reports will follow soon.  I hope that all the boys have done their best and that the parents will be satisfied with the results.  These first results must be used to predict the future assessment mark for the rest of the year.  Congratulations to those boys who are satisfied with their results.  To the other boys, you are now at a two-way street—you either carry on as before or you try harder.  I hope that it’s the latter decision.  Congratulations to the cricket boys for beating Edmund on Thursday.  I was also impressed with the behaviour of the supporting boys  You kept the spirit going and you did not give in to temptation.  I am very proud of you.  Congratulations must also go to the squash boys who won the inter-house competition, and to the golf boys who came second.  All of you are holding the Founders banner high.  Thank you for your dedication.  I hope everybody had a good rest during the mid-term break.  The rest was needed, for it is now a long stretch to the exams.  It is hard work to make sure all work is handed in on time, that test results are good, and that the boys start studying for the exams on time.  One last request to parents—I need to know of any achievements the boys have received so far this year.  This is necessary for when they apply for Colours.  I would appreciate it if I can get the information a.s.a.p.

Revill  (Mr Phiri)

The mid-term break has come and gone so quickly.  I trust you all had a restful long weekend and are ready for the “marathon” which awaits you until the end of term in April.  Thank you to all of the boys for their confirmed loyalty to the house.  It is such a pleasure to see the camaraderie displayed at the inter-house events as displayed last Thursday at the Inter-House cricket finals.  Hard luck to our cricketers for going down by less than ten runs to Aquinas.  Thanks to Wesley and the other leaders for their organization.  Mid-term reports come out this Friday and I would like to urge all of you to look at them objectively, with a view to improving in those areas where there is need to do so, as well as consolidating in the good ones too.  Boys are encouraged to attend academic support lessons where they are falling short and not wait until the problems pile up.  Congratulations to Deryck May (Year 11) on being selected our Revill All-Rounder for the beginning of this term.  Deryck is a worthy member of the house who displays selflessness in all he does and, above all, epitomizes what a CBC boy is.  He continues to excel both on the sporting and academic fronts.  Well done to him.

DATES TO REMEMBER

PREPARATORY SCHOOL – Mr Stephen Bryan

THANK YOU AND WELL DONE

Thanks to Father Robert, Mr Flood and Mrs Luiz for organising the very important Mass on Wednesday 6 February that prepared us for the onset of Lent.  Thanks to Mrs Bayley for arranging the Swimming Prize-Giving on Monday 11 February.  It was lovely having Mrs Claire Bryans, mother of our swimming captain Matthew, as our Guest of Honour.  Well done to all the achievers who received their certificates and trophies.  Thanks to Mr Croukamp (fun games) and Mrs Luiz (songs) for organizing the most enjoyable Valentines’ Picnic on Thursday 14 February.  Of course, we all enjoyed hosting the St Dom’s girls at CBC!

CONDOLENCES

Our sincere condolences to the Botes family on the sudden passing away of their grandfather (Kingsley 7V and Spencer 4C).  Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this sad time.

ACADEMICS

Cycle tests are being written every Tuesday morning.  A reminder that all assessments (tests, assignments, orals, group work) count toward the end of term mark.  Mid-term assessments will be handed out on Friday 29 February to enable parents to take note how their sons are progressing this term.

SPORT

The swimming season reached it’s climax with the Inter-Primary and Inter-CBC Galas this week.  The cricket results have been most encouraging in our matches against the very strong private schools.  Our tennis boys are doing us proud in their league matches.

INTER-C.B.C. EDMUND RICE SUMMER FESTIVAL (Welkom—Thursday 28 February to Saturday 1 March).

The Open A Cricket, Tennis and Cross Country teams will represent us at this annual festival.  Congratulations to the following on their selection -  Christopher Worthington, Kingsley Botes, Kegan McCullough, Daelon Campbell, Peter Trewick, Mischa Fernandes, Matthew Lavis, Matthew Purvis, Joshua Datnow, Wesley Swart, Nicholas Schoeman, Ryan de Kock, Matthew Goodenough, Brandon Alston, Brendon Lindsay, Joshua Beneke and Cameron Prutton.

ST JOHN’S RUGBY FESTIVAL (Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Monday 24 March)

The practices to select our Open A rugby team to participate in this festival are going very well.  Good luck to the players and coach Mr Tsotsotso, in your preparations.

CHARITY

There has been a very good response to giving and donating in our Prep. Section so far this year.  Thanks for opening up your hearts to those less fortunate than ourselves.  Our donations go to the many needy organizations in and around Boksburg.

SCHOOL BOYS OF THE WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRIMARY SCHOOL – Mr Henry Moolman

The propensity for play is especially great and important in the lives of children.  It is a great encouragement to have so many of our boys involved in the extra-mural programme.  Besides learning about the game, very important life skills are acquired along the way.  Being considerate of others is among the most important lessons boys can learn.  The world abounds with tragic examples of men who have selfishly done things for their own ends, not taking into account the impact their actions have on those about them.   Thank you for supporting your sons and the school.  We seem to have successfully addressed the minor hitches encountered surrounding the fetching of pupils after sport, etc.  A request—please impress upon your sons not to run off without their case or kit bag, etc. after extra-murals.  If these are, however, left behind I normally collect them and pass them on to the rightful owner the next day.  The fewer bags I pick up the happier I am!  The Year Ones and Twos played their first cricket matches.  Judging by the spirit in which the games were played, all seemed to have enjoyed the experience.

THANK YOU

To the Year Three parents for donating so generously to the Cake and Candy.  A special thanks to the moms who “manned” the tables.  Those parents who managed to attend the Year One Workshop were skillfully enlightened about the process involved, and how they could support their boys in their role.  Thank you to Miss Edwards and the Year One teachers for organizing the event.  The Valentines’ Day at St Dominic's went off with a bang.  The consensus among the boys afterwards was that girls were, “not so bad” after all!  Transport to and from St Dominic’s went off without  a hitch.  The poor dogs en route were given ample “stimulation” by the boys!

SQUASH

We have introduced squash as an extra-mural activity for our Year Three boys.  This will happen every Wednesday for thirty minutes, starting at 13.30 at the squash courts.  No special equipment in needed, only that boys must be dressed in their Sports Skills kit.  Mr Wermuth is the responsible staff member.

YEAR TWO WORKSHOP

Please diarise the workshop for Year Two parents this Saturday, 23 February starting at 08h00 in the Media Centre.  Looking forward to seeing you all there.

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOGRAPHS

These would have been taken already.  As soon as they are ready they will be given to the boys.  There is no charge for the photographs, only if additional copies are required.

PRE-GRADE SPORTS DAY

C.B.C. will be hosting this traditional sports day involving three other schools on Saturday 8 March.  More details to follow closer to the event.

SPECIAL AWARDS

We are proud of the following boys who were Merit Sash winners—

SPORTS REPORT

Please see Mr Maree’s report on page 7.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Speaking of children   -  “Please set a  good example for me to follow.  Your values are the ones that will have the most influence on me for the rest of my life.”

SPORT – High School (Mr Mike Moriarty)

CRICKET

Congratulations to-

*  Cameron Williams for taking 5 wickets for 26 runs in the U/14B match vs Krugersdorp

*  Jedson Le Grange for taking 6 wickets for 26 runs in the U/16A match vs Krugersdorp

*  John-Claude Leitao for taking 5 wickets for 22 in the U/15C match vs Potch

*  Douglas Morton who took a hat-trick in the 1^st XI match against Potch

Thank you to all involved in the Inter-House 20/20 finals played on 14 February.  Well done to all the boys for a fantastic display of school spirit. Thanks to Mr Bernhardt for organizing & to Mr Flood, Mr Askham & Mr Khanye for umpiring.

Results—

FIXTURE RESULTS