HIGH SCHOOL – Mrs Pat Fitzsimons

We are already into the second week of school with all memories of the holidays gone. For the boys, after 3 weeks of very little time management or pressure, structure and application in their school activities is again required.For some this past holiday was not quite so relaxed.  Thank you to Mrs Ruthven, Ms Dolman, Mr Askham and Mr Flood for giving of their time to allow the boys the opportunity to go on the Euro Tour.  To all of these young men thank you for representing your school so well and I am sure you have grown from the experience.  To Mr Douglas and Mr Testa, thank you for taking our hockey boys on their training camp in the early part or the holiday, I have heard it was very beneficial and I am sure we will see the results as the boys use the instruction and develop their skills further.   To the rugby coaches who were available to the boys all through the holiday for fitness training, thank you. Well done to all those boys who came to train, I am sure you will feel the benefits as the season begins.   To our squash teams and their coaches who gave up part of their holiday to play a fixture, thank you for your commitment to your sport.   Thank you to Mr Wermuth who was on an R.E. conference in part of the holiday, thank you for giving your time in order to gain more experience and grow in this very important area of our school life.  Finally to Mrs Stoop and her maintenance, cleaning and ground staff, thank you for allowing us to return to a beautifully manicured and clean environment, especially the boys’ toilet block, which looks stunning. 

ACADEMICS

The students have had feedback on their 1^st Term achievements, through their reports. It is time for them to asses their situation and use this feedback.   I say for them to asses their situation as it is only them who can, in some cases,  continue with their excellent work, in others a change their approach is in order to improve performance.  Teachers are here for them, academic support is available, hours during the school day are used in guiding, instructing and preparing them for their assessments and examinations. However, in many cases if I ask how many hours are spent at home in preparation and consolidation of work done in school, the answer is, very few.  I encourage all boys to get into the habit of doing at least 2 hrs of school work each evening. For Matrics and Year 11 this should be 3hrs. This time can be 30 minutes here and 30 minutes there slotted into their other activities. [On most Weds. study hall allows the senior boys to plan 2 of these 30 minute sessions.] We are all great procrastinators when it comes to getting things done, but a 3^rd of the year is already gone, for the Matrics half of their year—it is essential to get down to work.  Assessment Timetables for this term will be given to the boys this week. End of term examinations for Years 8, 9 10 and 11 begin 10th July and finish 24^th July.  Matrics do not write examinations at the end of term, they will however receive a report based on their continuous assessment marks. The Prelim Examinations for Matric begin on the 15^th Sept finishing on the 3^rd Oct.

SPORT

Well done to all of our sports sides as they begin the 2^nd Term fixtures. I wish you all a term in which your understanding of commitment, school spirit and brotherhood grows. May you develop your skills and feel that in every match or competition you have given your best.

CULTURAL

The debating society has also begun their competitions and we wish them continuing success. Pipe band practice also continues on Monday evenings as this group prepares for a number of Gatherings this term , the first being the K.E.S. gathering to be held at Jeppe this Saturday 17^th May.

EDMUND RICE SOCIETY

This group continues to push, prod and remind us to think of those who are less fortunate. Boys please bring what you can to your tutor groups and the E.R. representatives will collect them.

MATRIC FAREWELL

This group is exceptionally busy at the moment, with Ladies Day and the Golf Day in this month. We thank all those boys and parents in Year 11 who are working towards preparing these days and of course all of you who are supporting them in their efforts.

PIPE BAND

The Pipe Band had a very busy holiday in April competing in no less than two gatherings.  The first of these was the KES gathering held on 19^th April 2008, and the second (South Coast Gathering) was held in Amanzimtoti on 3^rd May 2008.   Our CBC – Jeppe combined band achieved a 2^nd place and a 3^rd place overall at these respective competitions – an excellent achievement.

The following boys & girls competed in the solo competitions at these gatherings—

K.E.S. GATHERING

SOUTH COAST GATHERING

Many congratulations to all who participated in these events and for representing our schools so well.  Your contribution is valuable and appreciated.  Thank you, especially, to all of our Tutors for your enormous sacrifice of time and effort.  We wish you all the best for the rest of the season!

UP AND COMING EVENTS

Your support would be greatly appreciated!

HOUSE REPORTS

EDMUND  (Mr Barnett)

Brrrrrr … the cold weather has certainly slowed our mornings and I ask the boys to make every effort to get to school timeously.  Thank you for arriving at school on the first day neatly dressed with schoolboy haircuts—it certainly makes for a pleasant beginning.  This term we have two house events, firstly the Cultural Evening (20 June) and then the Inter-House Indoor Games (11 July).  So it’s not all work and no play!    A reminder to boys that 1st team home rugby games on Saturday mornings are compulsory for all (first home game is 24 May).

Enjoy the term.

REVILL  (Mr Phiri)

The second term has gotten off to a smooth start, as if we were never away for a few weeks’ break.  I trust that all boys took time to “recharge” their batteries and are now “energised” for this long and busy term.  A big thank you is due to all parents whose sons came back well groomed and ready to roll for school.  It is rather disappointing to me that I have to send a few boys for a haircut on the first day of every term.  This is inconveniencing to the boys,  the school and parents, as they have to use time out of their busy schedules to take their sons for a haircut.  With proper planning, this could be avoided.  Academic reports for the first term were issued last Friday.  I encourage you to sit with your sons and look at them objectively and thus find a solution to raising marks that are low, as well as maintaining standards in the learning areas in which your sons have excelled.  I have reiterated to the boys the importance of these marks, as they form the foundation of their academic performances for the whole year.  Well done to the boys who excelled, and to those whose goals were not achieved, it is not too late to make up for lost ground.  Dottie Walters writes, “Failure?  I never encountered it.  All I ever met were temporary setbacks.”  Thank you for all your co-operation and enjoy the second term.

FOUNDERS  (Mr Muller)

Welcome back to everyone for Term 2.  It is also a blessing to know that all pupils returned—nobody was injured or decided to go to another school.  Reports for Term 1 were handed out last week, and pupils and parents have gone through the results with a fine tooth comb.  I know that some were satisfied with their marks but, unfortunately, some weren’t.  Please do not see the end of the earth in bad marks.  Rather turn it around and decide to do something about it.  This is where I appeal to parents to assist their boys in every way possible to help them obtain the goals that they have set.  I know we are all very busy, but please try.  Again, this term is very busy especially on the sport. Front.  The boys must realise that they must work hard from the start;  they will not be able to “catch up” later in the term.  Matrics and matric parents—you do not have time to play around any more.  We are down to about 14 weeks before prelims start.  Matrics cannot think that they will start working harder tomorrow—there is no time anymore to wait for tomorrow!  I pray that this term will be a blessed term for all.  Remember, never leave that ‘til tomorrow what you can do today.

AQUINAS  (Mr Rindfleisch)

Welcome back after a hopefully relaxing April holiday.  First term reports were issued on Friday and it’s now time to set your goals for the second term.  Remember to complete this in the front of your diaries and refer back to these goals regularly to keep yourself focused.  The two major inter-house events for this term are the cultural evening and indoor games.  If you are interested in helping with organisation or participation, please speak to the matric leaders in the cultural or sport portfolio.  The first Saturday home rugby match is on 24 May.  Remember that attendance is compulsory for all, so please don’t make any other arrangements for that morning.  Best of luck for all that you are involved in this term!

FROM THE MATRIC EXECUTIVE

Firstly we would like to welcome everybody back to school for another term of hard graft.  It has already kicked off with a bang, especially with the release of everybody’s favourite—first term reports!  Well done to those who put in the work and achieved their goals.  For those who did not, it is never too late.     The second term brings along with it the start of the winter sports programme.  Good luck to all rugby and hockey teams this term.  To the matrics, we hope you are all working hard as this is such a hectic but important term.  Last, but not least, we hope that Mrs Fitzsimons had a wonderful birthday on Tuesday 13 May.  We would like to leave you with a quote from William Blake,  “Great things are done when men and mountains meet.”

DATES TO REMEMBER

PREPARATORY SCHOOL – Mr Stephen Bryan

Thank you to all parents and pupils for the GOOD start to Term 2.  The boys look very smart in their winter uniform of blazers and full tracksuits.   The House Leaders presented us with an interesting and challenging Opening Assembly last Tuesday.

ACADEMICS

Congratulations to the Top Ten achievers for Term 1.  It was most encouraging to have so many proud parents attend the Academic Assembly last term.  Thanks to Mrs O’Toole for her address to the boys.

2009 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Congratulations to Damian Maher, Matthew Lavis and Nathi Gumede on being awarded these scholarships for their High School careers.

EXTRA-MURAL PROGRAMME

All boys received their programme last week.  Remember to have your son participating in at least one sport and one cultural activity.  At present most boys are playing soccer and rugby.  Boys may also play squash and tennis.  Culturally boys may participate in Chess, Pipe Band, Choir, Bible Quiz, Brainiacs, Chatterbox and Eisteddfod.  Extra lessons / academic support lessons are offered in English, Math and Afrikaans.

AWARDING OF SCROLLS

Please remember that the awarding of scrolls is based on participation and loyalty throughout your son’s four-year stay in the Prep. School.  These scrolls are awarded to Years 6 and 7 boys only, who represent the school in the open age groups.

YEAR 7 LEADERSHIP BADGE AWARDS

Well done to the very many Year 7 Leaders who received their Portfolio Badges for a successful first term’s duty.  Boys  who missed theirs are able to achieve it early this term.

YEAR 6 WORKSHOP—SATURDAY 17 MAY

Year 6 parents are reminded to attend this very important update on Year 6 progress in the Media Centre from 08h30—10h00.

CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS

On Saturday 19 April the Jeppe/CBC Boksburg Pipe Band played at a gathering at K.E.S., the first of the year.  The band was placed 2nd.  In the solo section held on the Sunday after, Philip Jones, on practice chanter, came 1st.  Damian Maher played on bag pipes and came 6th out of 17 pipers.  Well done boys!   On Saturday 3 May the pipe band played in the Amanzimtoti Gathering, the 1st of 3 Championships Gathering, and was placed 3rd.  Keep up the excellent piping, boys!  Last Saturday Callan Brombacher (Year 7T) represented CBC in a Chess Tournament at St Dunstan’s.  He won 5 out of  7 games, landing up on Board 4.  This is the first round of Easterns trials.  Well done Callan!

SCHOOLBOYS OF THE WEEK

SOCIAL QUIZ EVENING—FRIDAY 23 MAY

A reminder to please support the Quiz Evening in the Hall from 19h00 onwards.  This is always a fun-filled evening with great prizes to be won.  Parents are welcome to invite family and friends.  Tickets (R25 each) are available from Mrs Barnett (Year 6 Head).

PIPE BAND

The Pipe Band had a very busy holiday in April competing in no less than two gatherings.  The first of these was the KES gathering held on 19^th April 2008, and the second (South Coast Gathering) was held in Amanzimtoti on 3^rd May 2008.   Our CBC – Jeppe combined band achieved a 2^nd place and a 3^rd place overall at these respective competitions – an excellent achievement.  The following boys & girls competed in the solo competitions at these gatherings—

K.E.S. GATHERING

SOUTH COAST GATHERING

Many congratulations to all who participated in these events and for representing our schools so well.  Your contribution is valuable and appreciated.  Thank you, especially, to all of our Tutors for your enormous sacrifice of time and effort.  We wish you all the best for the rest of the season!

UP AND COMING EVENTS

Your support would be greatly appreciated!

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRIMARY SCHOOL – Mr Henry Moolman

Dear Parents

Judging by the many interesting accounts related by the boys it would seem that the holidays were very special occasions for many families.  Welcome back to you all, we have a term that holds much promise for everyone.  May you experience God’s blessing and love as we embark on the second term.

PARENTS’ EVENING

Notwithstanding the power cuts experienced, the new arrangement allowing for time slots proved very effective in eliminating long queues outside classrooms.  Thank you to all who attended.

WINTER UNIFORM

Most are aware of the requirements surrounding the change into winter uniforms.  Parents, I must stress that care be taken that a combination of winter and summer uniforms not be worn.  During the interim, one or the other may be worn until the end of May, after which the winter uniform only may be worn.

PUNCTUALITY

As with  many good values learnt, their continuous repetition and monitoring results in their inculcation.  With nights getting longer and the resultant darker mornings, waking up and getting ready for school is that much more difficult.  However, please help us by getting your lad to school on time.  By doing so, the stress on him and yourself will be greatly reduced.

TEDDY BEAR TALK

Please note that the proposed Teddy Bear talk on 21 May 2008 has been postponed.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Should your son be selected to play in a school team but is unable to fulfill his commitment, please convey this timeously to Mr Maree (phone number 084-583-9128).  It remains a disappointment and embarrassment if a team is fielded with fewer players than is required.

FUN ATHLETICS

Thank you to the boys, parents and staff for their support and effort at the Fun Athletics last Saturday.  The morning was a glorious autumn day in which all the athletes excelled.  Our thanks to St Dominic’s for hosting us.

SPORT

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

MERIT SASH WINNERS

Congratulations to our Merit Sash winners.

SPECIAL AWARDS

We salute the following boys on their achievements—

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them;  their notions of good and evil are a result of the moral atmosphere they breathe.”

Jean Paul Richter.

SPORT – High School

HOCKEY  (Mr Colin Douglas)

There have been a few changes within the personnel of the sports department.  Form now on any hockey related issues are please to be addressed to me personally, and not Mr Moriarty.  On this subject, the fixture list is once again attached to this newsletter, with dates and teams involved.  Please would you both review it and make the necessary arrangements around the fixtures.  If, however, there is a situation where the pupil is unable to make the match, would you please inform me in writing one week before the fixture.  Please encourage your sons to take responsibility for themselves and make sure that they know what the arrangements are for all fixtures.  Please contact me should you have any queries.