No. 4 of 2008 – Thursday 6 March

HIGH SCHOOL – Mrs Pat Fitzsimons

Mid-Term Reports have been issued, parents evenings have been held and the term rushes on towards 1^st Term Examinations.  Winter sports practices have started and the boys and their teachers continue to be very busy as they contribute to this wonderful, vibrant mix which makes up our school life.  The work never seems to end, but as Jeane Pinckert Dixon says, “Work is love in action, if more people thought about their work and lives in this way, they could accomplish so much.”

ACADEMICS

As mentioned, parents’ evenings were held last week Monday and Thursday.  Thank you to all parents and teachers for these evenings, I hope you found them positive and constructive.  If as parents you did not get an opportunity to speak to the teacher you wished to, please do not hesitate to contact us through your son’s diary or by phoning the College to set up an appointment.  Assessment continues over the next few weeks and exams begin on 3 April. [The examination time table will be given to the boys tomorrow, Friday.]  It is essential that the boys plan well and keep up to date with their work.  A reminder that any missed test or exam requires a Doctor’s note, also that no exam will be written before or after the scheduled time, a missed exam means an incomplete report.  A little note from Mrs Ruthven [Academic Vice- Principal] to all those boys she has spoken with and helped formulate study time tables—PLEASE USE THEM.   Academic support continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please remember that to utilise the Academic Support lessons effectively, the student must first have gone through his work and identified the problem area, which he then brings to the teacher.  [The Academic Support time table has been re-issued to the boys.]

CULTURAL

Pipe Band continues to practice on Monday evenings and we are looking forward to the Pipe Band Gathering to be held here on Saturday 15^th March.  The school band is sounding very good at assemblies; they are still looking for a base guitarist.  Pease speak to Mr Askham if you are interested.  The Year 10 Speakers’ Course for the first group comes to and end next week. The Speakers’ Course Dinner will be held on Thursday 13^th March. Well done to all of the boys who have completed the course and thank you to Miss Dolman for her organization of this course and the dinner.

EDMUND RICE SOCIETY [OUTREACH]

This group is extremely active and every Tuesday gives of their time to assist those less fortunate than themselves.  This past weekend a number of boys from this group attended an Edmund Rice Rally at Assisi in the Free State .  Report backs from this weekend have been very positive, both from the boys and the staff who attended.  We are very proud of them and thank them for representing their College so well.  Thank you also to Mr Wermuth for accompanying the boys and for all the time he gives in encouraging our young men to be aware of and compassionate towards those in society who struggle just to get by.

SPORT

As previously stated the winter sports programme has begun.  This has necessitated a change in the structure of the Wednesday programme.

Under 14 and under15 attend sport from 13h15 to 14h45.

Under 16 and Opens attend sport from 15h00  to 16h30.

Study hall and fitness sessions are still available in the 13h15 to 14h45 session.  The boys have been given letters to make their choices during this time.  The system has allowed the College to facilitate the provision of the best coaching to all our students and we thank the parents for their co-operation in pick up times.

CONGRATULATIONS TO—

Vincent Fernandes (Year 10) - who has been chosen to represent his parish at World Youth Day in Sydney Australia.  We wish Vincent well and know that this will be a wonderful experience for him.

Dean Harris—on his selection for Gauteng East Under 15 Tennis.

Douglas Erasmus—selected for Eastern Gauteng Swimming.

Jonathan Gardiner—selected for Easterns Lifesaving and Provincial Gauteng Swimming.

Kyle Marks—selected for Easterns U21 Indoor Hockey.

YEAR 11 MATRIC FAREWELL FUND RAISING

The next big fund raiser for this group is a Golf day at Ebotse Golf Estate. This will take place on Wednesday 28^th May.  Look out for the flier giving information on sponsorship and the booking of a  four ball within the next week. 

PIPE BAND RESULTS

A number of our pipe band members competed in the St Benedict’s solo competitions last weekend and did very well.  We congratulate the following boys and girls on their achievements—

Phillip Jones – Yr 6—3^rd place in the Practise Chanter Competition

Damian Maher – Yr  7—4^th place in the Novice Strathspey & Reel competition

Sharon Maher – Yr 9—3^rd place in the Novice March competition

Kgotso Motaung – Yr 10—8^th place in the Novice March competition

Kabonina Motaung – Yr 7—8^th place in the Practise Chanter competition

Well done to all of you and best wishes for the season ahead!

HOUSE REPORTS

Edmund  (Mr Barnett) 

Congratulations to Liam and Michael on their respective performances in the hockey and squash disciplines.  The winter sports programme has kicked in and Liam and Greg are assembling hockey and rugby sides to compete in the inter-house competitions.  Remember that attendance for Saturday home games is compulsory for the entire house.  Thank you to all boys who supported the High School swimming gala at Brakpan pool.  Too many boys on detention this week!  Please do your homework and respect the teachers—thank you.

Aquinas  (Mr Rindfleisch)

I am pleased to report that the following Aquinas boys have been chosen for provincial teams—

Kyle Marks (Under 21 Indoor Hockey), Douglas Erasmus (Swimming), Jonathan Gardiner (Swimming and Lifesaving), and Darren du Plessis (Lifesaving).  Good luck to these boys in their respective competitions.  They are a fine example to the rest of us because they all enjoy their respective sports, have obvious talent and most importantly, work hard to achieve their goals.  Don’t forget that next weekend is the inter-house touch rugby and hockey competitions.  Make certain that you keep Friday afternoon and Saturday morning open for these events.  If you are interested in participating in any of these events, please give your names to the leaders in the sport portfolio.  Finally, thanks to the boys who have participated in the time trials on Friday afternoons.  Your support is much appreciated.

Founders  (Mr Muller)

It has been a week where the boys have realized that education is very hard work.  Teachers are realizing that they are nearing the exam time and they are pushing hard to finish what must be done, in time for the exams.  And I am picking up that some boys are overwhelmed by the amount of work.  This is the reason I am asking parents to support their boys by helping them manager their time.  The first thing boys start cutting down on when they get very busy is their homework and studying.  And this cannot happen.  Parents must please help their boys cope with their busy schedules to ensure a balanced lifestyle.  I would like to thank all the boys in Founders for trying their best and also staying out of trouble. We have the fewest boys on detention, the second week running.  Thank you very much.  A special congratulations to the following two boys—

Brian Teeling—he was chosen to cycle for the Toyota sponsored Junior Tour.

Dean Harris—he was chosen to participate in the Inter Schools’ Provincial Tournament.

Lastly, good luck to the leaders organizing the inter-house touch rugby and hockey competitions.

Revill  (Mr Phiri)

Father and son after issuing of mid-term reports—

“Let me see your report.”

Son—”My friend just borrowed it.  He wants to scare his parents.”

I take it you have all seen your sons’ reports, have been to parents evenings and have put measures in place to rectify areas of weakness as well as maintaining pleasing  results.  Academic support is available in the various learning areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays for boys to consult with teachers in those aspects in which they feel they need help.   This week has seen us switch over to winter sports.  May I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all the Revill boys who took part in the sports offered in this first half of the term.    The House system continues to grow from strength to strength, as evidenced last week at the Inter-High School Gala.  Despite the gala being called off due to poor weather conditions, the boys acquitted themselves well and surely brought credit to the College.  A total of fifty-six boys attended the gala, but the spirit displayed was truly representative of the whole High School.  A reminder to both new and old parents of Revill boys—please would you ensure that your son has the Revill Scroll on their blazers.  I would also ask you to please phone the school office if your sons are absent from school, ideally before 09h00.  Congratulations to Marco Micic on being accorded the Revill All-Rounder for the fortnight.  Marco is a diligent learner who has given of his best academically and is heavily involved in all facets of the College.  He is a true credit to Revill House.

DATES TO REMEMBER

PREPARATORY SCHOOL – Mr Stephen Bryan

EDMUND RICE INTER-C.B.C. SUMMER FESTIVAL, WELKOM

Congratulations and well done to our Cricket, Tennis and Cross Country teams for doing so well last week in Welkom (see sport section and results).  Thanks very much to Mr Tsotsotso and Mr and Mrs van Schalkwyk for accompanying the boys.  It was lovely to have excellent parent support as well.

EXTRA-MURAL PROGRAMME—REVISED

The swimming and cricket seasons have come to an end.  Rugby practices will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Soccer practice on Wednesdays until the end of term.

MID-TERM ASSESSMENTS

Thanks for returning the reply slips with regards to your son’s progress.  Remember that the rest of the term’s assessments are based on all continuous work done by your son.  His DIARY remains an important aspect of planning, organization and responsibility – remember to sign his diary every day, even if he says he has no homework!

2009 YEAR 8 SCHOLARSHIPS AND OPEN DAY—SATURDAY 15 MARCH

All Year 7 boys are invited to sit for these exams from 08h00—10h00.  The results go towards the awarding of the three Academic Scholarships, as well as entrance for 2009 to our High School.  Please invite all relatives and friends to come along to view the school with the possibility of applying for admission in 2009.  Open Day takes place from 08h00—10h00.

WORKSHOPS

Well done to Mrs O’Connor and her Year 4 team on the successful workshop held on Saturday 23 February.  The focus was on study techniques.  This Saturday, 8 March, from 08h30—10h30 in the Hall, Mrs Bayley and her Year 5 team will be sharing ideas on the application of skills in English, Math and Afrikaans.

AWARDING OF SCROLLS

Academic, Sport and Cultural Scrolls are awarded as per criteria in the College diary. Please familiarize yourself with these conditions.

PIPE BAND

On Saturday 1 March Philip Jones and Damian Maher played in a Solo Piping Competition at St Benedict’s College.  Philip played in his first practice Chanter competition and came third out of nine competitors.  Damian played in two contests, the Novice March and Novice Strathspey and Reel.  In the march competition he came 6th out of 11, and in the Strathspey and Reel section he was placed 4th out of 9 competitors.  Well done to both of you!  We are all looking forward to the Pipe Band Gathering at CBC on Saturday 15 March.

SCHOOL BOYS OF THE WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRIMARY SCHOOL – Mr Henry Moolman

Disappointments are like bumpy roads, they slow you down a bit but don’t prevent you from ultimately reaching your destination, even if a pothole is struck!  But we do notice and appreciate the smooth road all the more afterwards.  This is with the proviso that we don’t give up!  Our little men at school and at home will face many challenges in the journey to adulthood.  Some of them serious ones, others not.  As parents we may be tempted to panic, fret and even become exasperated when they occur.  Please do not become despondent.  With careful guidance and input from home and school, the challenges faced may provide an ideal opportunity for important lessons to be learnt and victories to be won.  We tend to want to protect and shield our children from all of life’s negative experiences and influences (within reason of course).  However this is neither good nor healthy for our boys.  By allowing them to make their mistakes and experience the consequences of their choices, in secure environments such as homes and schools, the experience may initially not be pleasant, but the outcome will certainly be a positive one for them.  A young man was most impressed by an older sage and asked,  “How did you become so wise?”  “Through experience” came the reply.  “How did you gain the experience?”  “By making mistakes!”

Your boys are going to make mistakes, they are going to disappoint you some time along the way.  But the road will become smooth if we are diligent to correct, guide and very important, to pray for them.

The last of the cricket matches have been played.  We will provide an opportunity for your boy to play in a game next season!  What with the cancellation by other schools and the inclement weather, this has not been possible.  I wish to thank Mr Moriarty, Mr Maree, the coaches, Mrs Stoop and you, the parents, for your help and support during this past season.

The enthusiasm among the lads is a tonic.  They couldn’t wait for rugby season to start.  As soon as Mr Maree has received the league fixtures, they will be disseminated.   We are confident that the move to the Gauteng Rugby Union will enhance our rugby and be aligned with the broader philosophy we espouse.

ASSESSMENTS PHASE

If it is at all possible please do not remove your child from school for the next few weeks.  This is to provide staff with an uninterrupted opportunity to formally assess your boy’s progress for the term.  Without him being present this is not possible, especially as teachers have to adhere to a strict schedule.

LOST CLOTHING

Jarrod Labuschagne had his school clothes removed from the kitchen last week.  The clothing is clearly marked with his name and was in  Pick ‘n Pay plastic packet.  Should anyone have accidentally taken the clothing, please return to the school via the front office.  Thank you.

CAKE & CANDY

The Year Two’s will have their Cake & Candy this Friday, 7 March.  As always we look forward to the traditional support from our parents and boys.  Thank you in anticipation.

DADS AND LADS CRICKET (Year 1—3)

This has always been a very popular and well attended occasion on our calendar.  Dads, if you boy played cricket this season and is in Year One, Two or Three, you are invited to the one day, limited over clash of the titans on Saturday 15 March 2008.  More details to follow shortly.

PROMOTIONAL TALK

On Saturday 15 March 2008 at 08h30, Mr Connell, the Headmaster, will address prospective parents and enquirers, followed by a talk and tour by each Principal of their respective schools.

SPORTS REPORT

Please take note of Mr Maree’s report on page 9.

MERIT SASH WINNERS FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

Well done boys!

SPECIAL AWARDS

Congratulations to the following boys—

SPORT – High School (Mr Mike Moriarty)

Please take note of the 2008 Rugby and Hockey fixture lists given to boys today.

TENNIS RESULTS