Theme: Stepping into a new season
Message to the boys
I trust that you all have managed to have a restful break and had the opportunity to relax and unwind with family and friends. Furthermore, that you and your parents have reflected on your achievements and academic progress for Term 1 and know where your focus needs to be for Term 2. Several of you sacrificed a significant portion of your holiday to attend various festivals around the country and overseas and I thank you for that.
Our theme for the start of this term is that of literally stepping into a new season. Last term/season is in the past and you can leave that all behind you now – you are stepping into a new season – a new term, a new start, and need to do so with positivity and zest. Look forward to your winter sports programme, Reunion, the school musical production, other personal activities and events, and of course MID YEAR Exams which commence on Monday 29 May.
Socrates says the following:
‘The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new ‘
As you approach this new season in your life you may be facing a time of uncertainty, remember you need not fear as God will always be with you to guide you through these times. All you need to do is ask for his help.
My prayer for you is that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and your mind, and that you also find this beautiful place of rest in him.
From Scripture:
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” – Psalm 37:5-6
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
Welcome to our new staff
We welcome several new staff to College this term:
- Miss Jenna Muirhead joins us from Alexander High and will teach Geography as well as be a mentor in Pape House
- Mr Kwanda Zakwe joins us from Scottsville as a isiZulu educator, and will be a mentor in Lamond House and do duty in the BE
- Mr Dauw Steyn joins us from Northwood and Jeppe, to teach Afrikaans, and will be a mentor in Barns House and do duty in the BE
- Mrs Chernise Singh will join us from Grace College at the end of April as a Geography teacher and will be a mentor in Calder House
- Mrs Vanessa Gramani will take up the position of Estates Administrator from 17 April
- Mrs Lauren Barbour has been appointed as Student Care & Wellbeing Officer
- Mrs Charmaine Paterson join us from Athlone Primary as Assistant Admissions Secretary
- Mrs Courtney Sanders is serving as a locum for Geography and LO
In addition, there are several Term 2 Promotions:
Assistant Estates Manager Mrs Shannon Elliot
Deputy BE Housemaster Clark House Mr Wynand Greyling
Deputy BE Housemaster Nathan House Mr Paul Gonlag
Day Housemaster Pape Mr Meiring Kritzinger
Day Housemaster Calder Mr Graham Dorling
Day Housemaster Nicholson Mr Brandon de Lange
Assistant Day Housemaster Lamond Mr Jacques Wilcock
Assistant Day Housemaster Pape Mr Francois Maritz
Assistant Day Housemaster Calder Mrs Kerry Bartholomew
Assistant Day Housemaster Commons Mrs Debbie Gademan
Admissions Secretary Mrs Reshmee Ramdeen (1 May)
INTERHOUSE COMPETITION UPDATE
Well done to Fuller and Calder on their excellent House Music efforts which sees them at the top of the interhouse competition with only 1 ½ points separating them.
SPORT
Our rugby and hockey teams produced some excellent results at a number of festivals and tournaments held during the Easter holidays.
Details of these are here.
Well done to all our boys and to the coaches and support staff who assisted.
WELLNESS SURVEY
Thank you to the boys who completed the survey. I can assure you that we do take it very seriously and read all comments. There will be follow up in several areas – thank you for the suggestions provided. Boys who have been identified as being bullied and those bullying others will be followed up the school counsellor, housemasters and senior staff. Please continue to take these matters seriously and report any issues that you see or may have to your mentor, housemaster, school counsellor etc.
IMMEDIATE AMMENDMENTS TO THE SCHOOL CELL PHONE POLICY
Mr Marwick advised the boys on the new cell phone policy at College from the start of term.
Amendments to the school’s cell phone policy:
- Over the last few months, the school management has been carefully examining trends in cell phone usage at College, and has been gauging not only the hopes and expectations of your own parents, but also international trends.
- The backdrop to this is the growing concern throughout the digitised world about the dependence and at times addiction of especially young people to their devices, and the negative long-term effects they are having on productivity, stress levels and especially relationships.
- Another concern that emerged at College last term is the spike in cheating by boys in common tests, arising from the attempted use by about 15 College boys of their cell phones in tests.
- By the end of last term, it became clear that action was required.
- And so, with immediate effect, the College cell phone policy has been changed.
- These six points list the amendments to the School’s cell phone policy:
- The school appreciates that some devices may be needed for academic work. This use will be allowed.
- However, all boys are to from now onwards lock their phones in their own lockers from 07h50 until 14h00 or leave them at home or in the BE. Other than the one exception I have already referred to, there will be no exceptions.
- Cell phones will not be allowed to be used, or even visible. The school block and surrounds during the school day are NO CELLPHONE areas.
- If a teacher requires a cell phone for a particular lesson, the boys in that class are allowed to take their phones out of their lockers for that lesson only. The phones need to be returned to the lockers at the end of the lesson.
- The bringing by a boy of his cell phone to school is at his own risk. Boys are generally encouraged to leave their phones at home.
- The new policy is for a trial period of one term.
We ask for your co-operation. All boys, before you go to lesson 1 today, please lock your phones away.
Closing message
You need to ensure that you are at practice from today and give 100% at practice as well and ultimately enjoy what is a very special and unique occasion. A reminder that you remain committed to your academics, sporting programme, cultural activities etc and that you meet all requirements of that particular code, subject or activity. Failure to turn up and give your best is unacceptable.
I remind you of my challenge to you at the start of the year for 2023: One of your major aims for 2023 should be, Be Better than Before i.e. BTB – strive to be the best that you can be in all that you do.
I wish you all a very successful and enjoyable second term.
Pro Aris et Focis
C Luman (Headmaster)