Assembly – 31 July

Theme: SOCIAL JUSTICE  

From Scripture:

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29 [Peer support programme]

“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:4   [Peer support programme; College Brotherhood/Core Values/Credo]

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself ” – Leviticus 19:18 [College Brotherhood/Core Values/Credo]

“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31  [College Brotherhood/Core Values /Credo ]

 

A prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Giver of all that is good,
We thank you for the blessings and privileges we daily enjoy as members of this School.
Give us grace, we pray, to use your glory in the service of others.
Strengthen us to stand firm in our faith in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
May your Holy Spirit so rule our hearts and lives that we may daily grow in love of you and one another.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. AMEN

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” – — Angela Davis

 

What is Social Justice?  

What is the meaning of social justice in education?

Social justice is a communal effort dedicated to creating and sustaining a fair and equal society in which each person and all groups are valued and affirmed. It encompasses efforts to end systemic violence and racism and all systems that devalue the dignity and humanity of any person.

 

Why is it important?

Social justice focuses on respecting and upholding the rights of everyone. Social justice seeks solutions to inequality, and advocates for the equitable distribution of resources within a community and country so that every single person has the same opportunities and freedom.

 

What are the benefits of social justice in education?

The goals of social justice in education include more empathy, more justice, and more equality. Students taught with this framework will ideally have a stronger sense of what’s just and fair, and choose careers and lifestyles that support their communities.

 

Introduction to the College Youth Council (CYC)

Mr Shongwe HOD: Pastoral Care and Well-being spoke on the College Youth Council and its plans. Read his full speech here.

 

SPORT

It was a big weekend for the College 1st XI soccer team who took part in the Big Primo 10 tournament hosted at Hilton College. College won the inaugural event, but lost the semi-final in 2022. On Sunday they rose to the challenge and triumphed bringing home the trophy for the 2nd time, winning all their matches. Results from the pool round;

Vs Hilton won 3-2
Vs Clifton won 3-0
Vs SCC won 5-0

In the quarter final they faced Michaelhouse and won the match 2-1, securing a place in the semi-final against the Hilton side again. College 1st XI did not disappoint and emerged the victors with a score of 1-0. The final against Glenwood was a tough game, but College fought hard and won the match and the tournament, with a final score of 1-0. Well done to all our boys, and to Nic Haswell, Mike Dibben, Chemon Petersen and their coaching team, we are so proud of you!

This weekend also saw Maritzburg College host the boys and staff of Pretoria Boys’ High for the second exchange of the season. With nine sporting codes in action and a wonderful music concert, it was a great weekend of activity.

Full results are here.

 

CHOIR AND JAZZ BAND

On Friday the College music department welcomed our friends from PBHS who brought their orchestra as part of the musical exchange. College’s jazz ensemble, jazz band and choir performed to an appreciative audience. This was the final official performance by our choir under the baton of Mrs Stickells, and the boys did her and themselves proud.  The same could be said of the jazz ensemble and jazz band led by Mr Simon Stickells.  The wonderful collaborative nature of the evening saw virtually the whole PBHS band join the College band for one or two numbers which resulted in a standing ovation by the audience and an encore. Our sincere appreciation and thanks goes to Mr and Mrs Stickells, Mr Heyns, Mr Kisby-Green and Mr Solomon our new director of music who joined in as well as to all the boys and PBHS.

 

Certificates of Recognition

Congratulations to the following boys were have been awarded certificates in recognition of excellent achievements:

LT du Toit [Barns]             Scoring 30 points against Affies 1st XV Rugby
MS Qasha [Pape]               Scoring 3 goals against Kloof High School 1st XI Soccer Team
EM Mchunu [Pape]           Scoring a hat-trick against Kloof High School U14A Soccer Team
KJ Marais [Lamond]         Gold + and 2nd in Public Speaking against PBHS
MM du Toit [Pape]            Gold and 3rd in Public Speaking against PBHS
RJ Froise [Pape]                 Best Senior Speaker in debate against PBHS
K Moodley [Snow]             Best Junior Speaker in debate against PBHS
P Kubheka [Barns]            Selected for SA U18 Rugby vs France & England
LS Kunene [Calder]           Selected for SA U18 Rugby vs France & England
CA Sellick [Lamond]          3rd Junior KZN Interschools Cycling Series #1 at Waterfall College
KH Vogt [Calder]                1st U16 & 2nd U18 Upper Umgeni 16km league race
J Worthmann [Commons]   3rd U14  Upper Umgeni 16km league race

 

FINAL COMMENT

I wish to compliment every single one of you on your commitment and effort in all the various activities during the past weekend of hosting PBHS.  It was a truly outstanding exchange in every respect, and I want to thank all of you and your parents for opening up your homes to host to the PBHS boys.  A sincere thank you to all the staff and boys who participated, and to Mr Kyle and his staff especially for the overall coordination and logistics.  Congratulations on a superb performance.

This next weekend we will face our other old foes from Gauteng, KES, who arrive on Friday to do battle. Let’s ensure we give them the same wonderful reception as well as the same fierce sporting contents.

 

Pro Aris et Focis

CL Luman (Headmaster)