HIGH SCHOOL – Mrs C. Ruthven & Mr N. Askam

Open Day

A very successful open day was held on Saturday, 15 March.  It was wonderful to see the hive of activity on display throughout the day.  Thank you to all staff, boys and parents who were involved in making the day so extraordinary. 

Inter-House Sport

Well done to all four houses on their enthusiastic participation in the touch-rugby and hockey tournaments held on Friday and Saturday last week.  Despite the inclement weather, most of you were present and contributed wholeheartedly to the community spirit which has become an undeniable trademark of our College.  Congratulations to the House Masters and their respective Matric leaders for their excellent organisation and the enthusiasm with which they generated participation within their houses.  Our thanks to Mr Moriarty and the sports department for running the event so efficiently.  Results were as follows—

Touch Rugby—

Opens – Aquinas                                                                                                                      

Juniors - Founders

U/15 – Revill

U/14 - Aquinas

Hockey—

Opens – Revill

U/16 – Aquinas

Pipe Band Gathering

This was the first pipe band gathering ever hosted by CBC, Boksburg!  We would like to thank Mrs Stoop and her team for the wonderful way in which they supported this event on Saturday and for making it possible.  Many thanks to the pipe band parents for supplying us with gazebos, umbrellas etc. and for their general assistance on the day.  The weather threatened to upset the programme, but thanks to our new indoor cricket centre, the show went on uninterrupted.  We would also like to thank Mr Harvey for officiating at the prize giving.  Many congratulations to our pipe band (the combined CBC-Jeppe band) for coming first in the Novice Juvenile competition on the day.  We are very proud of all of you!

Speakers’ Dinner

A wonderful dinner was held after seven weeks of hard work by the 1^st group of grade 10 boys under the direction of Ms Dolman and the guidance of the Toastmasters in culmination of their speakers’ course.  All present were thoroughly entertained by the amusing (and sometimes serious) impromptu as well as prepared speeches.  Some of the boys participated by speaking and others by evaluating these speeches.  It was evident that all of these boys had gleaned something of real value from this whole experience.  Well done to one and all and a special word of thanks must go to Ms Dolman for her investment of time and effort over the past weeks.  It is greatly appreciated!       

Academics

Second assessments have now been completed with some pleasing results.  Well done to the boys who have improved their work ethic.  Some areas of concern remain and boys are requested to manage their time very wisely in preparing for the forthcoming examinations.  Timetables have been available for some time now and it is hoped that all of our pupils have embarked on a study programme by now.  Cramming simply won’t do at high school level – particularly our senior grades who are establishing foundations which will have to carry them through their Tertiary education and beyond.

Matric Farewell Fundraising

Grade 11 boys are reminded to bring their donations or gifts for the golf day.  Every boy is expected to contribute something please.

The golf day will be held at the new Ebotse Golf & Country Estate on Wednesday, 28^th May.  Entry forms have been distributed to the high school.  Book early to avoid disappointment!  For enquiries, contact Mrs C. Ruthven or Mrs Fitzsimons at school.

Easter

We wish you all a most blessed Holy Week and Godspeed over the Easter weekend.  May you all be spiritually nourished by the significance of this reflective time. 

Wedding Bells

On behalf of all at the College, we would like to Congratulate Mrs Fitzsimons on the marriage of her daughter, Alison, to Dario Mratovich, an old boy of the College!

House Reports

Aquinas  (Mr Rindfleisch)

It’s been a busy, but successful weekend at the inter-house touch rugby and hockey.  Our Open, Under 16 and Under 14 teams won their respective categories in touch rugby.  Congratulations to all those involved.  The senior hockey team performed well and narrowly lost out to Revill in the final in some testing weather conditions.

Exams begin on 2 April.  With most sporting events concluded for the term, it’s time to start focusing on them.  First term exams are the perfect opportunity to do well because the work load is not as heavy as in other terms.  Be focused, disciplined and study hard!

Founders  (Mr Muller)

We have had our last house competition and I am very happy with the results of Founders House.  Thank you very much for all the boys who did their bit.  I was again amazed at the dedication the boys have towards their sport—thank you very much!  Also, thank you to all the parents who came to support the boys.

Now it is the final stretch to the exams.  There are less than two weeks before the exams.  Boys must now realize that studying is priority number one.  Good luck for the exams and your studies.  Remember, check that you have all the work for the exams—it is your responsibility to make sure you do have everything.

I hope everybody enjoys the Easter time!

Edmund  (Mr Barnett)

Thank you to the boys who gave of their time to play rugby and hockey on Friday and Saturday.  Although we didn’t take the trophy, we did achieve a second and third place in the competition.  Thank you to Mr Testa for his hockey umpiring.

Congratulations to Michael Former and Gareth Millar on their respective achievements in squash and soccer.

Only two academic weeks left to exams, and so I urge all Edmundians to prepare for the end of the term.  Enjoy the Easter weekend.

Revill  (Mr Phiri)

Last Friday and Saturday saw us compete in the last inter-house sporting events for the term, the hockey and touch rugby respectively.  The enthusiasm of the boys never ceases to amaze me and I commend all of them for their fine efforts.  However, special mention must go to the hockey teams in both the junior and senior sections for pulling off wins , despite playing with short teams on Friday.  Our senior hockey side was the eventual winner on Saturday—well done to the boys.  Thanks must also go to the parents who braved the unpleasant weather to support their sons.

On the academic side, second assessments have been done and it is only a matter of days before we sit for the exams.  May call to the boys on this note is simple—ADEQUATE PREPARATION PLEASE!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and restful Easter weekend.

Dates to remember

PREPARATORY SCHOOL – Mr Stephen Bryan

YEAR 5 WORKSHOP

Well done to the Year 5 staff team on the informative and practical workshop conducted on 8 March.  It was most encouraging to see such an EXCELLENT turnout of parents and pupils sharing good quality time together.  Thanks to Mrs Bayley for organizing the workshop.

2009 YEAR 8 SCHOLARSHIP ASSESSMENTS

Thanks to the Year 7 staff and boys for their participation in these exams last Saturday.  The names of the three boys to be awarded scholarships will be announced at our Academic Assembly on Wednesday 9 April.

ACADEMICS

The next few weeks will see a concentration on final assessments for the Term Mark.  Reports will be handed out on Friday 4 April.  Reply slips need to be returned on Monday 7 April.

A Parents’ Evening will take place on Tuesday 8 April from 16h00 onwards according to each Year’s arrangements.

The Academic Assembly to honour our Top Ten Achievers takes place on Wednesday 9 April from 12h30—13h30 in the Hall.

PIPE BAND GATHERING

Congratulations to our Prep. boys who did us proud at the recent gathering hosted by CBC.  The Jeppe / CBC Boksburg band played in two contests and were placed 1st in both.  CBC came 1st overall in the novice juvenile grade. 

In the solo piping events, Philip Jones came 6th out of 9 competitors on practice chanter.  Damian Maher came 6th in bagpipes.  Keegan McGregor was placed 1st in the solo drum pad competition out of 3 competitors, and in the solo tenor drumming context, Warwick Vorster came 7th out of 16 competitors.  Congratulations boys!

CHATTERBOX

On 7 April 2008 the following Years 6 and 7 boys will be participating in a Chatterbox Evening at King David, Linksfield—

Year 6—Daniel van den HOuten, Peter Trewick, Justin Dansie, Renato Caldeira and Rowan Erasmus.

Year 7—Nathi Gumede, Michael Pienaar, Bradleigh Peeters, Brandon Ramnath, Cameron Prutton.

We wish them all the best in this worthwhile cultural experience.

GRAHAMSTOWN FESTIVAL TOUR

Mrs Luiz reports an enthusiastic full house of all tour places have been taken up for this enjoyable and interesting tour during the 2nd term mid-term break from 27 June—5 July.

YEAR 7 LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

Year 7 boys who wish to apply to participate as an exchange student are advised of the dates in advance.  The selected boys will attend CBC schools in Bloemfontein , Pretoria , Kimberley and Cape Town from 2—9 August, and host their representatives from 20—27 September in Boksburg.

Boys who wish to participate must hand their names in to Mrs Cooley by Friday 28 March latest.

ST JOHN’S RUGBY FESTIVAL

Congratulations to the following boys who have been chosen to represent the Open A Rugby team over the Easter weekend—

Sean Green, Damien Gouveia, Duncan MacGregor, Matthew Lavis, Matthew du Preez, Daniel Barry, Ryan de Kock, Christopher Worthington, Matthew Purvis, Brendan Lindsay, Kingsley Botes, Mischa Fernandes, Michael Gaitskill, Matthew Bryans, Jared Lucas, Marciano Teixeira, Dean Ryder, Gianluca Manca, Jared de Beer, Grant Bowie, Mandla Zwane and Michael O’Donoghue.

SCHOOLBOYS OF THE WEEK

DATES TO REMEMBER

Have a safe and happy Easter long weekend.

PRIMARY SCHOOL – Mr Henry Moolman

We are rapidly approaching the end of the term.  As one reflects on the events, challenges and progress made over the months, it would be hard not to count or ignore our many blessings and mercies received, especially in the light of Easter and its significance.  This point was brought home to our boys and the staff through two very thought provoking liturgies held for them.  They learnt that Easter eggs and bunnies hold a deeper meaning and reality, so too the ingredients of cookies when it comes to Jesus’ sacrifice.

Thank you, parents, for your support and involvement in the following events—

Lads and Dads Cricket

Although the weather threatened we were still able to enjoy a special moment with each other.  Thank you to Mr Maree for his assistance in my absence.

Cake & Candy

The Year Two Cake & Candy was well supported by parents supplying the treats and boys who eagerly bought and consumed the varied and delicious spread.  My thanks to the moms who kindly gave up their time to organize and serve at the tables.

Inter-School Mini Athletics

An apt word to describe the day would be “festive”.  The many colourful umbrellas and vocal supporters added to the energetic atmosphere.  Those mothers and fathers who braved the sixty metre dash, throwing both caution and reputation to the wind, we salute you!  Thank you to Mrs Diesel and the entire staff for their support on what turned out to be a very successful and enjoyable day.

Swift response to lice

On a not so pleasant topic, thank you parents for your swift and effective response to the lice outbreak.  Due to the measures taken we seem to have eradicated the scourge.  Thank you!

HAIRCUTS

I’ve noticed some lads in need of a haircut.  Please take your son to have one should it be required.

CAMPOUT

I changed the date of our annual Campout for fathers and sons in the hopes of avoiding cancellations due to inclement December weather!  For those who enjoy this time, the date for the Campout is Friday 4 April.  More details to follow closer to the time.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Merit Sash Boys

Congratulations to those boys on being awarded the merit sash in their class.

Sport Awards

SPORT

Please take note of Mr Maree’s report on page 7.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Don’t get stuck on the bumpy parts.  Keep moving!”

SPORT – High School (Mr Mike Moriarty)

TENNIS RESULTS

Congratulations to all our tennis teams.  All three were unbeaten in their leagues this term.  Well done to all involved!

RUGBY

The Inter-House competition was played this past Friday & Saturday.  Well done to all the boys for some great skills displayed & thanks to the parents who braved the weather on Saturday.