HIGH SCHOOL – Mrs Pat Fitzsimons

End of term examinations are finally upon us and it is time for the boys to consolidate and apply their knowledge and understanding.  It has been a very busy term for students, teachers and coaches. I thank them all for their perseverance and commitment and wish all of the boys, success in their exams.

Absences from examinations

I have addressed this issue in previous newsletters but feel that it needs to be explained again. Being absent from an exam will only be allowed under exceptional circumstances.  If the student is ill a doctor’s note must be given explaining what is wrong and why the doctor feels the student cannot write. Please parents, ask yourselves, “if this was the final matric exam would my son be unable to write?” If an examination is not written then an incomplete report will be issued, just as an incomplete matric certificate would be issued.  Not having written an examination may also exclude a student from being considered for certain  academic prizes, as these are based on a year mark, which is a compilation of continuous assessment and formal examinations.  I realize this may seem quite harsh but we have to apply the conditions the Independent Examining body applies and they are very strict on this issue. They require much documentation and proof from us when this kind of situation occurs with a matric student.

Sport

Well done to all of the boys in their Inter-House Hockey and Rugby events. The spirit generated within the House before and during these activities is excellent. Thank you to the House Masters and their respective Heads of House and matric leaders for the hard work and organization in getting members of the House involved. Thank you also to Mr Moriarty and his sports department for their planning and execution of the events.  Good luck to all those boys and coaches going on tours over this holiday.  May you play to the best of your ability and enjoy your games.

Edmund Rice and Outreach

A huge congratulation to the Edmund Rice Society and their promotion of giving at Easter. There was an excellent response to their call for Easter eggs and food for the Easter Liturgy. 3000 eggs were donated, this far exceeded any expectation. Thank you to every boy for your generosity.

Year 11 Matric Farewell Fund Raising                                                                

Arrangements for the Golf Day at Ebotse on Wednesday 28 May are going well.  Thanks to the dads and boys involved in these arrangements.  Mrs Ruthven and the moms are busy with preparations for the Ladies Tea on Saturday 31 May.  If you have not booked yet, you had better do so quickly!  There are not many tickets left.

Last day arrangements – Friday 11 April

There will be a closing Mass at 08h15, then boys will go to their exam.  Years 10, 11 and 12 will therefore only finish at 11h30 .  We regret any inconvenience caused—we had trouble with the availability of the priest for Mass.  Have a relaxing break and return to school safe and refreshed.

House Reports

Edmund  (Mr Barnett)

At the last house meeting I made a comparison between teaching and moving bricks.  I told the boys that it sometimes feels like I am pushing a wheelbarrow laden with bricks.  I often have to stop and pick up the bricks that have fallen out.  When I had made the analogy, one pupil remarked, “So, are you a brick layer?”  Well, I suppose I am.  Let’s hope that we are building a solid wall that stands up to the rigors of the April exams.  Good luck from Mr Barnett and the builders!

Founders  (Mr Muller)

This is the last newsletter for the first term, and it definitely doesn’t feel as if it should be the end of term.  All the opportunities of this term are over and gone with.  If you did not make use of them, they will most probably never come around again.  The only opportunity left to prove yourself is in the exams.  I pray that God will bless you with knowledge, patience and calmness so that you can do your best.  I would like to thank everybody for all their hard work for Founders House.  I really appreciate the effort that you have put in, especially the leaders.  You have done an excellent job!   To everybody else, I hope that you have a good rest during the holidays.  I pray that God will keep you safe on the roads and we will again see one another at the beginning of term two.

Aquinas  (Mr Rindfleisch)

Can you believe it?  It’s already the end of the first term and exams are already upon us.  Good luck for the exams and have an enjoyable holiday after all the hard work.  A short reminder that Term 1 reports will be handed out at the beginning of Term 2.  If you don’t prepare adequately for these exams, you will eventually be found out.  So, keep working hard until your last exam has been written.  Congratulations to Darren Liebenberg on his victory at the Gauteng Nupay Tennis Tournament in the Under 18 section.  Finally, a big thank you to all the Aquinas boys who have actively participated in inter-house events this term.  Our success in these events has been quite extraordinary.  Well done!

Revill  (Mr Phiri)

The end of the term is looming on the horizon and that obviously means that exams are upon us once again.  I spoke about the need to prepare adequately for exams in the last newsletter and as such I won’t repeat it.  This has been a long and busy term and all boys have given of their best, particularly in all the house activities.  As such I commend all those who have made a meaningful contribution to the house this term.  Our matric leadership has done a brilliant job so far and I urge them to keep the momentum going next term.  A special thank you must go to the four tutors in the house whose selflessness rubs off easily on the boys.  I am always indebted to them for their dedication and the passion they exhibit for their boys.  On the same note we would all like to wish Mrs Markoulides a speedy recovery and look forward to her return to the College soon.  Well done to Dean Houghton in Year 10 who recently took part in the annual Kontiki competition.  Lastly, I wish all a restful and superb holiday.

Dates to remember

PREPARATORY SCHOOL – Mr Stephen Bryan

FAREWELL TO MRS O’TOOLE

Mrs Penny O’Toole leaves the College at the end of the term after 16 years of loyal service.  Mrs O’Toole has been an invaluable member of staff as Class Teacher, Year Head and Vice-Principal (Academics).  We wish the O’Toole family all the best for their move to Durban and thank Mrs O’Toole for her dedication over the years.  Congratulations to Mrs Karen Cooley who has been promoted to succeed Mrs O’Toole as Vice-Principal (Academics).

THANKS AND WELL DONE

Thanks to Mr Flood and Mrs Luiz for the very special Easter Liturgy presented on Thursday 20 March.  The liturgy prepared us all very well for the significance of Easter.  Well done to the Open A Rugby team on the excellent results of winning all three of their matches at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival recently.  Thanks to Mr Flood for his workshop presentation entitled “Not Over the Edge” on Wednesday 26 March.

ACADEMICS

All boys receive their reports tomorrow.  Please be realistic in your expectations of your son—consider his overall average and be aware of the challenges that each additional year brings.  Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday 8 April from 16h00 onwards.  If teachers are concerned about your son’s progress, you will be notified by the Year Heads (notes enclosed with reports).   Years 6 and 7 are working with specified appointments.  Teachers will be available to see other parents (who have not been given appointments) after 18h00 in the hall.  Year 5 teachers are available from 16h00—18h00 in the Media Centre.

Year 4 teachers have notified parents of their appointment times in classrooms.  Parents are welcome to attend the Academic Assembly on Wednesday 9 April from 12h30—13h30 in the Hall, where we will congratulate the Top 10 in each year. 

SPORT

Good luck to all the boys who are trying out for the rugby and soccer teams for the season that commences next term.  Tennis and squash participation is most encouraging.

YEAR 6 SOCIAL QUIZ FOR PARENTS

This fun-filled social quiz takes place on Friday 23 May next term and is hosted by the Year 6 parents to raise funs for the Year 7 Farewell.  All parents are invited to buy tickets from Mrs Barnett (R25.00 each).

SCHOOL BOYS OF THE WEEK

WINTER UNIFORM FOR TERM 2

Thanks for your excellent and proud support of your son’s dress code throughout this term.  Boys are to wear the FULL C.B.C. tracksuit as part of the P.E. uniform.  Blazers, ties and long greys are to be worn for the normal school uniform next term.

CHARITY CONTRIBUTIONS

Thank you to all boys and parents for their food and financial donations this term.  A total amount of R3 612 was collected.  The beneficiary this term was St Francis Home. The top contributors were—Year 5E—R613;  Year 5K—R430;  Year 4D—R405. Year 5E will be rewarded with a Civvies Day on Friday (tomorrow). 

DATES TO REMEMBER

Enjoy the approaching holidays.  Thanks for your support of the Prep. School throughout this busy and enjoyable first term.

PRIMARY SCHOOL – Mr Henry Moolman

Only a few, but important arrangements need to be met before the end of a long but meaningful term.  The improvement that each boy has made has been most rewarding  One immediately assumes this progress to be only academic in nature, important as it may be.  However, the progress they have made in the social and spiritual spheres has been equally significant.  Teaching boys to get along with each other, making the choice not to put themselves first but rather to consider their neighbour, takes considerable effort on the part of school and home.  Witnessing their progress has made all the effort worthwhile, despite the many challenges and hiccups along the way.  Character, it has been said, takes a lifetime to build;  there are no quick fixes or short cuts along the way.  To each family, thank you for your support, encouragement and interest shown which has made our work and task that much more rewarding and enjoyable.  As this is the last newsletter of the term I wish that every family will experience a time of relaxation and reconnection during the holidays.  To those going away, travel safely.

CONDOLENCES

To Connor Tearnan and his family we pass on our sincere condolences on the recent loss of his grandmother.  May God comfort you all.

THANKS

Thank you to Mrs Diesel and the Pre-Primary for an informative and meaningful workshop last Saturday.  To the parents who were able to attend I hope you found the material presented to be stimulating and practical.

PARENTS’ EVENING

If you did not receive a notice on Tuesday explaining the arrangements for the Parents’ Evening on Tuesday 8 April, please approach your son’s class teacher.  We hope to eliminate the long queues and associated discomfort by adhering to a strict time allocation per family.  If you have not indicated your chosen time slot, please communicate this to your son’s teacher at your earliest convenience.

NB—a ten minute time period per interview will be strictly adhered to.

REPORTS

Reports will be handed out on Monday 7 April 2008.

CAKE AND CANDY

The Year Ones will be having their Cake and Candy sale this Friday, 4 April (tomorrow).  In anticipation of it, thank you to the Year one parents for supplying the treats and to the rest of the boys for supporting them.  Also to the moms who are going to serve at the tables, thank you.

CAMPOUT

This eagerly awaited event will also take place tomorrow, Friday 4 April.  Details of this went home last Tuesday.  I sincerely hope by moving it to April the likelihood of torrential rain will be avoided!

EXTRA-MURALS

Extra-murals are in recess next week; including Life Skills and Art.

CLOSING TIME

I’m sure few need to be reminded that school closes on Friday 11 April 2008 at 11h00.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Congratulations to the following boys on their fine achievements.

SPORT

Please read Mr Maree’s report.                                                  

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Take the first step in faith.  You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just to take the first step.”

(Dr Martin Luther King Jnr)

SPORT – High School (Mr Mike Moriarty)

RUGBY

Well done to the 1st XV that took part in the Krugersdorp High Festival over the Easter weekend.

Results—

Please note that the proposed tour to the Sharks Academy has been cancelled.

GOLF

Well done to Mr Stoop & his boys, Dylan Alho, Gareth Williams, Lloyd Miller & Douglas Morton, who represented the College at the Dainfern Schools’ Golf Challenge.   They ended 14th out of 27 in the team competition.  Mr Stoop reports that the boys played extremely well and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

HOCKEY

Good luck to the U16 & open sides that are playing against Bridge House  on Friday. Thank you to the parents who are hosting the boys.

Fixture results—

CYCLING TRAINING

Any cyclist wanting to train with the CBC group is welcome to join us.

Tuesdays & Thursdays—Sunward 15km laps starting at CBC at 5am, 2^nd lap 5:30 & last lap 6am.

Saturdays—Airport loop starting at CBC 6am. 43, 66 & 89km options.

Sundays—Fitshack Club rides starting from Birchwood Spur at 6:15am. Various distances.

If you would like to be kept up to date with ride info via sms, please e-mail me your details moriarty@global.co.za

SPORT – Preparatory School (Mr Ketsise Tsotsotso)

ST JOHN’S RUGBY FESTIVAL RESULTS (Open A team)