End of Term Newsletter
We have come to the end of an extremely busy and demanding term, which has produced a number of challenges, as we worked through the expectations of a full co-curricular winter sport and cultural programme once again – the first time since April to June 2019, plus a full academic assessment programme. Many of the existing parents and staff from that time may have forgotten how onerous it is, as well as the boys in the Forms 5 and 6, and of course, the new parents, staff and boys in Forms 2 to 4 would have no idea what the expectations and demands are after dealing with the impacts of Covid as well for the past two and a half years.
There is no doubt in my mind that many of us and our College families have suffered immensely in all aspects of our daily lives, as we strive to resuscitate what is best for our boys ultimately. In discussions with colleagues both inside and outside the school, it is clear that our boys have also struggled to meet these demands and expectations as far as an academically focused work ethic and high expectations of behaviour are concerned. We have all had to go ‘back 2 basics’ as it were and start from scratch, which is understandably exhausting at times.
Hence my sincere acknowledgement of and appreciation to all parents and staff for your continued passion, commitment and dedication to your sons and the staff to the core roles in ensuring that we remain at the top of our game in all that we do. This is clearly evident when one reflects on the numerous achievements in this term alone. This would not be possible without your support in many areas of the school.
Term Three – Tuesday 19 July to Friday 30 September
Please take note of the proposed dates and important information concerning Term 3.
Saturday 23 July: Inter-School Exchange: Affies at home [compulsory attendance]
Monday 25 July: 6th Form Parents Evening
Thursday 28 July: 3rd Form Subject Choice Information Evening [compulsory attendance]
Saturday 30 July: Inter-School Exchange: PBHS away
Saturday 6 August: Inter-School Exchange: KES at Home [compulsory attendance]
Friday 12 August: 5th Form Parents Meeting
Saturday 13 August: Winter Sport vs Glenwood at home [compulsory attendance]
Friday 19 August: 4th Form Parents Meeting
Monday 29 August: 6th Form Trial Examinations begin [provisional date]
Wednesday 21 September: Sport and Cultural Awards Ceremony
Wednesday 28 September: 6th Form Trial Examinations End
Friday 30 September: Matric Leavers’ Function
Mid-year School Reports
Full mid-year reports can only be processed by the end of the second week of Term 3.
Parents’ Meetings
All boys are expected to attend with their parents.
Monday 25 July: 6th Form Parents Evening [Alan Paton Memorial Hall from 17:15]
Friday 12 August: 5th Form Parents Meeting [Alan Paton Memorial Hall from 14:30]
Friday 19 August: 4th Form Parents Meeting [Alan Paton Memorial Hall from 14:30]
3rd Form Subject Choice Information Evening – Thursday 28 July
Important information regarding subject choices for 3 rd Form boys has been placed in a circular which is available on the EDANA app, and which has been emailed to parents. In addition, detailed information on subject choices is available on our website. The final date for the submission of the subject choice forms is Friday 12 August.
6th Form Art Exhibition
The date of the 6th Form Art Exhibition is determined by the Department of Education’s external moderator. Parents will be notified once the date has been set.
Trial Examinations
The 6th Form Trial Exams run from Monday 29 August [provisional] to Wednesday 28 September, subject to confirmation. During that time, the 6th Form dayboys will be required at school only when they write an exam, for sport practices and matches. 6th Form boarders have their normal routine.
Staffing 2022
Resignations/retirement Term 2.
Mrs D Dickens is retiring
Term Two Appointments/Promotions
- Subject Head Accounting Mrs L Campher
- Subject Head EMS Mr A Budhoo
- Day Housemaster Barns Mr S Brill
- Day Housemaster Calder Mr A Usher
- Day Housemaster Forder Mr N Croeser
- Day Housemaster Lamond Mr S Siwila
- Day Housemaster Pape Mr S Mkhwanazi
- Assistant Day Housemaster: Calder Mr K Elder
- Assistant Day Housemaster: Forder Mrs K Moula
- Assistant Day Housemaster: Lamond Mr C Pitout
- Assistant Day Housemaster: Pape Mr M Kritzinger
- Assistant Day Housemaster: Snow Mr J Orton
A very sincere vote of thanks and appreciation to the three outgoing Housemasters viz Mrs MA Rembold, Ms A Greyling and Mr M Reed.
Co-Curricular Activities
Exchange/Hosting – 3rd Term and Sport Commitment
Maritzburg College has traditionally, for many years, played out-of-province fixtures against some of the country’s top schools. These are wonderful, festive exchanges that include many sporting and cultural activities. Part of these exchanges is that, when we travel, the opposition school’s parent community open their homes to host our boys and we do the same when they travel to us.
In April this year we had a full school exchange against Pretoria Boys High School. I would like to thank our parent community who opened their homes to host PBHS students, which is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, there were many PBHS boys who were not hosted, and we had to make very last-minute arrangements to borrow mattresses and squeeze these boys into the BE. This placed immense pressure on the successful running of the weekend. Hosting requires that you fetch preferably 2 or more boys from your son’s opposing team on the Friday afternoon once they have congregated on Barns’. We ask that you provide a meal and a place for them to stay on Friday night. On Saturday we ask that you drop them off at College in time for their fixture. College will provide lunch etc. for them when they are back on the campus. We are expecting to host approximately 650 boys from Affies, and so we need as much hosting as possible to ensure that these exchanges can continue.
Your son’s coach will have a team list and if you can assist with hosting on the weekend of 22/23 July, please indicate through your son to his coach as to how many boys you can host. We will start this process next week.
A reminder of the first four weeks winter sports fixtures in Term 3 are as follows:
22/23 July – Affies (H) hosting required
29/30 July – PBHS (A)
5/6 August – KES (H) hosting required
13 August – Glenwood (H)
I would like also to take this opportunity to raise the issue of sport commitment from our boys as the term has unfolded. We have noticed that since Reunion Day several boys have stopped attending practices etc. We will handle this through the sports codes but also ask parents to please support us in ensuring that your sons see through their sport commitments until the end of the relevant season. It is a poor reflection on us as a school when we have to cancel sports fixtures because players haven’t arrived at their relevant practices. There will be consequences for boys who miss practices and/or matches.
Leadership Selection process for Prefects
The Leadership selection process for Prefects started at the end of the 2nd Term. The Acting Prefects Identification Camp is scheduled to take place on Monday 1 August and Tuesday 2 August.
Tours, Leadership Camps and Hikes
The following tours and camps are proposed for the 3rd Term:
➢ 5th Form Economics Tour: take place from Sunday 25 September to Thursday 29 September.
➢ 5th Form Work Experience: take place from Monday 26 September to Friday 30 September.
➢ History Tour: take place from Monday 26 September to Thursday 29 September
➢ 2nd Form Leadership Camp to Spirit of Adventure is compulsory and takes place from Monday 26 September to Friday 30 September.
➢ 3rd Form Leadership Hike – Umko Valley is compulsory and takes place from Monday 26 September to Friday 30 September.
➢ 4th Form Leadership Berg Hike – Cobbam is compulsory and takes place from Monday 26 September to Friday 30 September.
The Leadership Camps are compulsory and part of the overall holistic education of your sons and will be supervised by our staff and professional instructors. Please do not request for your son to be excused.
School Fees
I again appeal to all parents to pay the school fee to enable us to continue to provide an uncompromised educational service to your sons. Please make paying school fees a priority.
Thank you for your continued support of the school as we deal with changes on a daily basis. We do realise that it is extremely unsettling for both you and more importantly the boys and we will continue to ensure that we will at all times do what is ultimately best for them. A reminder that if your son is struggling in any area, he should see his mentor and/or housemaster in the first instance.
I wish you all continued good health and safety over the next three weeks with your sons.
“Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses gratitude, humility, understanding.” ~Alice Walker
Pro Aris et Focis
CL Luman (Headmaster)