At last, the winter cold has arrived and we have experienced a very chilly school this week. For the first time this year, there was a clear note of winter and temperatures were very close to zero. This is always an exciting and different ‘feel’ to school life, and provides memories that boys will have with them for the rest of their lives.

PRIZE GIVING TERM 2

INSIDE:

Follow me to page 2

30/06/2017 I TERM 2 I NEWSLETTER

INSIDE

POLAR BEAR SWIM

ISSUE

54

FINAL WEEK OF TERM 2

ABRSM THEORY EXAMINATIONS

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event itself. We

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE HEAD

JAPANESE SALARYMEN…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Exams are now finished and the boys have been busy in all aspects of school life; from preparing for Japan, or getting concert status to Polar bear swims and afternoon sports.

The school has been abuzz with preparations for departure to Japan. You will soon see the new golf shirt, which is being introduced, as a tour shirt (x6) and then it will become part of the new uniform going forward. As such, the ‘old’ golf shirts will be phased out during the remainder of the 2017 year. By 2018, all boys will be required to have the new shirts.

I am also happy to announce that Mrs Tanya Hildebrand, a current mum, is taking over the reins from Steven Wellbeloved from August next term. These are big shoes to fill, but given Tanya’s experience, I am very hopeful that this department will continue to get better and better.

On a more serious note, educational expenses are a real burden; however, I would like to remind parents who are behind on their school fees to please make every attempt to bring your account up to date, before the start of term three. It is always a terrible thing for children to endure when asked not to return to school, given a fees issue. Having said that, I would like to thank those parents who have, and do pay their fees accordingly – it is the lifeblood of our very special organization.

I would like to wish the Injasuthi choir and Cathkin choir all the very best on what I hope is a wonderful tour and an exceptional opportunity for everyone. We have always wanted to perform in major concert venues and the chance has now arrived. It was interesting to hear that eighty percent of all the concerts are already sold out. Imagine singing in a concert hall of 2000 people – wonderful!

Next week is the start of holidays for some, and for those of you who can look forward to spending time with your children, I hope you enjoy this extraordinary long holiday.

Andrew Stead

FINAL WEEK OF TERM 2…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE HEAD

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NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

CHOIR AWARDS FOR THE PAST WEEK

COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCES CONCERT CHOIR

Stephen Barnard

Kevin Smith

Angus Sommerville

Bandile Nzuza

André Wears-Taylor

Douglas Yazbek

Lefa Motshele

Odirile Mokoma

Anthony Ncube

Nathaniel Stoffels

Voice group of the concert:

Basses

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SOLOIST OF THE CONCERT

NEW BOYS OF THE WEEK

CHORISTER OF THE TERM

Reece Olsen

NEW BOY OF THE TERM

Qhawe Mafika

Ntsako Lekula

Matthew Beuster

Kigen Chepkonga

Nkazimulo Mabaso

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CONCERT STATUS – 29 June 2017

Mmanga Pepu (Mentor), Joshua Naidoo, Kenny Kabak (Conductor), Connor McKenzie and Connor Lessle (Mentor)

Connor McKenzie Joshua Naidoo

Congratulations to Connor McKenzie and Joshua Naidoo on receiving your concert status!

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NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

ABRSM MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATIONS

We are going to be doing the entries for our annual ABRSM Music Theory examinations at the beginning of Term 3. The entry fees will be charged to parents’ accounts.

Please note and understand that boys whose school accounts are not up to date, cannot be entered for the examinations. Those boys will still be able to write the examination, but will not receive a certificate from the ABRSM if they pass the examination.

Please email jkruger@dbchoir.com if you have any queries regarding the above.

Junine Krüger

Subject Head: Music

INDIVIDUAL MUSIC LESSON REPORTS

Please note that, due to all the music staff being very busy with the extensive Japan tour preparations, and the fact that Mr Krüger will not be at school next week, the bi-annual individual music lesson reports, for boys who take individual voice or instrument lessons, will be emailed to parents at the beginning of next term.

Please email jkruger@dbchoir.com if you have any queries about individual music lessons.

Please note that parents have to give written notice at the end of this term, should you not want your son to continue with music lessons in Term 3.

Junine Krüger

Subject Head: Music

mailto:jkruger@dbchoir.commailto:jkruger@dbchoir.com

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13. Brett Fernihough 14. Kigen Chepkonga 15. Reece Olsen 16. Ntando Ngcobo 17. Geo Kirsten 18. Siphesihle Sigwebela

1. Alex Brits 2. Sean Morrick 3. Alec Gibson 4. Stephen Barnard 5. Liam Muller 6. Sheldon Spence

DRAKIES ACADEMIC A TEAM Congratulations to the following boys for obtaining an average of 80% and above.

7. Kieran Griffin 8. Michael de Goede 9. Nkazimulo Mabaso 10. Caleb Saks 11. Angus Sommerville 12. Connor McKenzie

Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9

3rd Tjama Keta

Ntando Ngcobo

Kieran Griffin

Henno Klopper

Alec Gibson

Stephen Barnard

2nd Brian Brits

Reece Olsen

Siphesihle Sigwebela

Connor McKenzie

Sean Morrick

Liam Muller

1st

Brett Fernihough

Kigen Chepkonga

Geo Kirsten

Angus Sommerville

Alex Brits

Sheldon Spence

PRIZE GIVING TERM 2

TOP ACHIEVERS IN EACH GRADE

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SPORTS AWARDS: RUGBY

RUGBY AWARDS: INTERNAL PRIZE GIVING

PROFICIENCY IN RUGBY PROGRESS SHOWN IN RUGBY

PERSEVERANCE IN RUGBY

Liam Muller Alec Gibson Ryan Smith

Sihle Manonyane Alex Brits Kevin Jordaan

Anthony Ncube Itebogeng Machobane Katlego Phetla

Kevin Smith Stephen Barnard Layton Abrahams

Lwenzi Sibiya Francois Snyman Kieran Griffin

Kabo Madi Luke Torres Ntando Mbele

Siphesihle Maphumulo Henno Klopper Lukhanyo Zulu

Tiaan Esterhuizen Benjamin Samasuwo Michael de Goede

Blessings Chiluba Mohau Tladi

Awande Kheswa

Brian Brits

Daniel van Jaarsveld

Keenan Beeslaar in action during ‘Can’t stop the feeling’

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THE NEW DRAKIE UNIFORM

Okuhle Madondo with our new sport shirt. Luke Gallant and Douglas Yazbek in the new golf shirts.

JOHAN LINDE AND PIETER JANSEN VAN VUUREN VIEWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUILDING.

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Matthew Beuster, Connor McKenzie

and Alex Brits

146 Brave Swimmers

Keenan Beeslaar

Daniel van Jaarsveld and Francois Snyman

True Drakie Brotherhood

One hundred and forty six brave “Polar Bears” took up the task to participate in the annual Drakensberg Polar Bear Swim Challenge in aid of the Estcourt Animal Shelter and Khetani Animal Rescue. The temperature was only seven degrees Celsius.

DBCS is very proud of our twenty-seven pupils that participated. Our Head Boy, Liam Muller did not allow a dislocated shoulder stop him from participating. Thank you Ann Gray for organising this great event. Well done Drakies!

Belinda Espag

POLAR BEAR SWIM

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BE PART OF THE 2017 COMMERATIVE PUBLICATION!

Don’t miss this opportunity to appear in the Drakensberg Boys Choir’s 2017 school magazine, featuring our journey of the past 50 years and this year’s celebration highlights. Simply complete the booking form below and email it to bespag@dbchoir.com.

Be part of this publication by sponsoring a page as a family at only R250 per page.

Create lasting memories for your son.

mailto:bespag@dbchoir.com

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SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN

Well, finally – a bit of bad news to report! They always say that good news doesn’t sell, and I’m generally a bit short of horror stories. Unless you count my healthcare procedures, of course.

It seems to have been the week for skeletal damage, with two significant shoulder injuries being sent to the distant city for X-Rays. The first incident was rugby-related and involved a prominent member of our student body. It was directly after he dislocated his right shoulder, that someone high-up banned all contact sport until next term. Fortunately, the chap’s prognosis is good and he is recovering well.

So on Tuesday, the boys played soccer instead. That was when one of our top sportsmen sustained an ugly fracture to his right clavicle. Doctors in the city decided that surgical intervention was needed, so the afflicted chap was given a lift home, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Smith It helps that his father is one of several medically qualified people in the DBCS parent contingent. Dad’s training didn’t seem to mitigate much against anxiety over his son’s condition, though.

Speaking of parent-doctors, I didn’t mention how our Head Boy’s misplaced shoulder was fixed. In the case of dislocations, it is advisable to return the joint to its anatomical home as soon as possible. This reduces the risks of long-term ligament damage. It also makes the patient happier. Last Thursday, it just so happened that one of our parent-doctors popped down from Johannesburg to visit her son (he recently achieved Concert Status so we can forgive the indulgence). Anyway, the dear doctor arrived at reception just as the suffering young man and his malformed shoulder were being assessed. In no time, she had his head of humerus back in its socket, giving the chap immediate relief from his agony. His very devoted parents then drove through the night to go for follow-up X-Rays.

One certainly sees some incredibly committed moms and dads in this place. Some potty parents are even known to occasionally do a round trip from Pretoria for a ninety minute Wednesday concert.

Sister Lianne

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STUDENT CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (SCA)

Our senior boys meet once or twice a month, on a Friday evening for a time of fun, fellowship and sharing around God’s Word.

Bruce, Mark, Damien and Anne from Turning Point Ministries, helped the boys, initially.

Currently Alli, from Scripture Union, comes with her team. Her main objective is to train and empower our SCA leader, Nivin Pillay; and the committee, to conduct their meetings independently and effectively. She has engaged them in fun activities and hilarious icebreakers. Furthermore, Alli has assisted Lefa Motshele, with praise and worship information and has facilitated the teaching of God’s Word by involving the boys, who actually lead a discussion or study, from the Bible. Brian Xulu is our current, in-house ‘preacher’.

The entire evening intends to be relaxing, uplifting and one that contributes to the spiritual development of our boys. The last meeting was open to all, as there is a keen interest amongst the younger boys, who eagerly awaited the invitation.

The boys look forward to meeting other SCA’s and to exchange news. As a school, we look forward to fruitful eventualities from these small beginnings.

May our boys be blessed, as they become a blessing to one another and to the community, at large.

Rosanna Pillay

SCA Lefa sharing

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CALENDAR 2018

JANUARY

12 January New Boys Arrive

13 January New Boy Orientation

14 January All Boys Return

19-21 January New Boys Camp

FEBRUARY

23-27 February Parents Weekend and Mid Term Break

MARCH

23-25 March Outward Bound

26 March School Holidays Start

APRIL

8 April School Holidays End

26-30 April Music in the Mountains (MiMs)

MAY

5-13 May Midterm Break

3-14 May International Tour to Switzerland

JUNE

29 June School Holidays Start

JULY

4 July World Choir Games start

14 July World Choir Games end

22 July School Holidays End

AUGUST

23-26 August Midterm Break

SEPTEMBER

28 September School Holidays Start

OCTOBER

7 October School Holidays End

NOVEMBER

24 November Noёl Programme Starts

DECEMBER

4 December Noёl Tour ends

7-9 December Christmas in the Berg (CIB)

10 December School Holidays Start

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Mohau Tladi

6 July

Devon Williams

8 July

Bandile Nzuza Sashin Rathinasamy Francois Snyman

DATE EVENT TIME

30 June International Tour Group 1 Departs

Staff Briefing

10:20-10:40

1 July Board Meeting

Choir

08:00-12:00

2 July Chapel

SCA

10:00-11:00

18:00-19:00

3 July

Japanese TV Crew visit DBCS

Staff Briefing

Assembly

Prefects Tea

07:20-07:30

07:25-07:45

10:40-11:40

4 July Wednesday Concert 15:30-17:30

5 July Assembly 10:05-10:25

7 July School Holidays

Buses Depart

Calendar 30 June – 9 July 2017

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL

PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU -NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: administration@dbchoir.com | www.dbchoir.com

INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NOT FOR GAIN - NPO 002-106

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