Prep Newsletter 1 2011
Transcript of Prep Newsletter 1 2011
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3 February 2011
St Johns Preparatory SchoolSt Johns Preparatory SchoolHoughton
Tel: 011 645 3100/ 087 550473 Newsletter Number 1
03/02 U11 Water Polo Festival
Open Water Polo Festival
04/02 Swimming Gala
05/02 Cricket Vs CBC Boksburg
09/02 ABRSM Music Theory Exam
09/02 UIII Feedback Evening
11/02 Swimming Gala
12/02 Cricket Vs St Davids
15/02 Parent Information Evening: Sport
17/02 U11 Water Polo Festival
Open Water Polo Festival
18/02 Swimming Gala
GROBS Rehearsal
19/02 Cricket Vs St Stithians
21/02 LII Camp to Kloofwaters Departs
GROBS Rehearsal
22/02 GROBS 2011
23/02 Golf Tour to Mpumalanga Departs
LII Camp Returns
Inter-Schools Quiz
GROBS 2011
24/02 Break up Mid-Term Break
Reminders fromthe Diary
From the HeadmasterIntroduction
May I wish you all the very best for 2011- I amexcited about the year ahead and I hope thattogether we can help make this wonderful school aneven better place for all of us.
The other day I heard someone refer to 2011 asTwo Thousand and Heaven a lovely positiveperspective - so lets hope and pray that it is!
I thought I would share this wonderful prayer byGeneral Douglas A MacArthur with you as I thinkthat as parents and as teachers we can learn a great
deal from it.
PRAYER FOR MY SON
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to
know when he is weak and brave enough to facehimself when he is afraid. One who will be proud andunbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle
in victory.
Build me a son who will know Thee and know him-
self in the foundation of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,but under the stress and spur of difficulties andchallenge. Here, let him learn to stand up in thestorm, here let him learn compassion for those who
fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goalwill be high, a son who will master himself before heseeks to master other men, one who will learn tolaugh, yet never forget how to weep, one who will
reach out into the future yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enoughsense of humour, so that he may always be serious,
yet never take himself too seriously.
Give him humility, so that he may always rememberthe simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true
wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper: I HAVE NOT
LIVED IN VAIN.
LIII Camp to Lapalala
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Staff
We welcome the following new staff and we hope that they will enjoy a long and happytime at St Johns Prep:
Craig Verdal-Austin Deputy Headmaster (Extra-Curricular and Discipline)
Heather Baker Upper II Class TeacherCaroline Rimmer Learning Support Teacher
Lynn Joubert Sports Coach
Natalie Brummer Drama Teacher
Charne Conway Intern
Nick Falconer Gap Student (UK)
Curriculum matters
Our new curriculum changes are working very well and we are very pleased with them. Iam certain that we will soon reap the benefits of these changes. I would like to thank all
the staff and in particular, Margot Long, for all the hours of hard work they have put into ensure that the changes are implemented smoothly and successfully.
Sport
Despite the unpredictable weather, our boys have managed to play some exciting cricketmatches, participate in two wonderful water polo festivals, several fantastic swimming
galas, as well as play several challenging chess matches.
Survey
A full report on our How Good is St Johns Prep? survey will be out shortly and variousissues / queries which were not discussed in focus groups will be dealt with in
forthcoming newsletters.
Reflection
We have begun the process of using our reflection times and this has proved quiteinteresting. Just getting the boys to keep still for a short while is proving to be achallenge, but we are getting there! I encourage you to talk to your sons about theprocess and about how, when we reflect on the past, it helps us improve the future. Just
being able to sit quietly for a short time in our busy lives is beneficial!
Weekly Timetable
You may have noticed that we have a new weekly schedule on the School Communicatorand up on the noticeboards. This schedule has all the events and fixtures for the weekahead and will be posted by 14h00 every Friday. Any feedback about this new initiativewould be greatly appreciated and I thank Craig Verdal-Austin for taking this on.
Conclusion
Please know that my door is always open to anyone. Please feel free to come in and seeme, even if it is just for a chat.
Patrick Lees
Headmaster
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This very interesting article by Rushworth Kidder about Bullying and Courage appeared in
The Ethics Newsline.
Bullying and Courage: Why The Kings SpeechSpeaks to Us Today
Could a film about a middle-aged man overcoming a speech defect become a box-officesuccess? It would help, of course, if the man were a British monarch and if the historicaltensions were legendary, the settings opulent, and the actors of the calibre of Colin Firthand Geoffrey Rush. Still, a key question would remain: Why, in 2011, would moviegoerscare about a stuttering king in the 1930s?
The Kings Speechanswers that question brilliantly. Detailing the agony of King GeorgeVI as he forces himself to deliver a key radio broadcast on the brink of World War II, itfocuses on two topics of keen interest these days: courage andbullying. Based on the true story of Albert, Duke of York it probes the background of his publiclydebilitating stutter. At bottom, apparently, was a case of deliberate and persistent bully-ing by a royal family that willingly addressed Bertie (as Albert was known) as B-B-B-Bertie. Following popular post-Victorian views of abnormality, his parents insistedthat his left-handedness be corrected by retraining, that his knock-kneed appearancebe altered by painful splints, and that (as his father demanded) he should will his waythrough his stuttering by learning to just spit it out!
At the time, neither the royal family nor Western culture recognized that such aggressive,persistent intimidation of the weak by the strong constituted a potentially deadly threat.Yet in Berties case, the harassment and denigration led not to suicide but to anastonishing expression of moral courage. Facing a situation that still strikes fear in theheart of many a perfectly normal adult the requirement to speak publicly to largeaudiences he faced up to the danger for the sake of his moral principles. His sense ofduty, and the unorthodox but effective coaching he received from an iconoclastic speechtherapist, impelled him onward. In the films climactic moment, he delivers a stirringnine-minute speech that helps galvanize his nation against Hitlers advances and ispraised by those who know what hes been through as one of the most courageouspeople of his generation.
As an object-lesson in overcoming bullying through moral courage, the film has deeprelevance for todays educators. As old-style bullying morphs into cyber-bullying, manyschools are at a loss. In the old educational models, bullying typically was seen as aschoolyard phenomenon and, therefore, subject to the schools jurisdiction. Today, asbullies resort to relentless, anonymous digital pestering through texts, cell-phonemessages, and Facebook postings, the schoolyard has become a cyber-yard. When theoffending messages are sent outside of school hours, whos in charge? Educators rightlyquestion whether schools should or even could exercise control over their studentsprivate activities.
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Yet without the community that the educators create, most cyber-bullying, whichtypically takes place between individuals who are part of the same community, could notoperate. So educators cant shirk their responsibility for addressing this problem. Nor arethey helpless. By seeing bullying as an issue rooted in community values, ethics, andmoral courage, they can do two things:
First, help students understand that, as a community, their school needs to operateby humanitys shared ethical values fairness, respect, compassion, honesty, andresponsibility and that bullying violates all of them. Bottom line: There are noethical bullies, and ethical communities can have no tolerance for bullying.
Second, teach students about moral courage the willing endurance of significantdanger for the sake of principle. Help them understand that in the triangularrelationship of bully, victim, and onlooker, the bully has only the fake courage ofbravado. Real courage resides in the victims who, like Bertie, rise to victory despite
the bullying and in those onlookers who, feeling their own values violated by thedisrespect and irresponsibility of the bully, find courageous ways to intervene, speakup, or bear witness in ways that crimp or stop the behaviour.
As criminologists, auditors, and anticorruption experts can attest, crime declines whenthe communitys culture says, We dont do that around here. Building courageous,values-driven educational cultures where individuals know why bullying is wrong anddare to do whats right is no longer an option. Given the public anguish over bullying,its a requirement.2011 Institute for Global Ethics
Margot [email protected]
28th January 2011
Andrew Raney Cricket
Matthew Gouveia Helpful to new boys
Riyaadh Haffejee Helpful to new boys
Janovin Scholtz Exemplary behaviour
Kirvashan Govender Exemplary behaviour
Jaan Niehaus Exemplary behaviour
Tariq Seedat Excellent behaviour
Jack Lees Cricket
4CTea
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Bullying: Defend a Friend!On the 1st of February, all the boys at St Johns Prep watched a production entitledBullying: Defend a Friend. The production was put on by The Health and
Wellness Theatre Company and it aimed to teach the boys about the effects ofbullying behaviour. Whilst being thoroughly enjoyable and interactive, theproduction was also educational. The messages conveyed in the play were aimed athelping boys to identify bullying behaviour and provided appropriate ways of reactingto a bully. The vital role of the non-reactive bystander was emphasised, highlightingthe importance of standing up for those who cannot do so on their own. Weencourage all our boys to use the three magic words from the play by making sure
they always Defend a Friend.
For further information or if you have any queries, please dont hesitate to contactme.
Hugo Meirim
School Psychologist
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St Johns ScriptOur St Johns script has been in the news on Radio 702. St Johns script was introducedat St Johns Preparatory School in 2006. Teachers found that boys who had spent many
hours learning cursive writing were making very little use of it and often reverted back toprinting as they progressed through the Prep and into the College.
We felt that we needed to develop a form of writing that was closer to print and that the
boys would continue to use. St Johns script is essentially a joined form of print.
For more information about St Johns script, contact Mrs Ana de Gouveia (011 645 3100)
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Community Service: TLC Babies Home
Many, many thanks to all our boys who contributed to the charity collections duringthe course of last year. At the end of the year, Ms Maitland used the last of the fundto buy this impressive pile of nappies and baby products, and during the holidays Idelivered them to the TLC Babies Home in Eikenhof, south of Johannesburg.Founded by the Jarvis family, TLC first began rescuing abandoned babies in 1993.
Over the years, TLC has changed the lives of more than 600 babies.
Several St Johns families have becomeinvolved in assisting the home in different ways, and many of our College boyscomplete valuable community servicehours there. If you would like moreinformation about TLC, please visit their
website:
http://www.tlc.org.za/TLC-DW/
aboutTLC.html
or feel free to contact me.
Margot Long
011-645 3122
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Individual Achievements
Chess Results
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Equestrian
Euan Chew, LIIZ and Tristan Butler, LIIZcompeted in the SANEF Schools EquestrianLeague on Saturday 28th January. Euan ispictured doing one of his dressage tests onhis pony Waterside Bonfire. Well done, boys!
31st January 2011
St Johns A vs St Peters A
Seniors won 25 - 7
Juniors won 11 - 9
Over all won 36 16
St Johns B vs Auckland Park A
Seniors won 25 -7
Juniors won 18 -14Over all won 43 - 21
Well done to the following boys who won both their games:
S Modi, M Berger, J Batzofin, W Kerr-Phillips, B Thomas, Li-An Pan, S Harryprasadh,
A Ionescu, D Greeff and S Omand
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Upper I
The Upper Is are currently covering the theme of My Body. They really enjoyedbuilding their own skeletons and are looking forward to looking at real internalbody parts a cows heart and lungs! What fun!!
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Upper I - Dont Poems
My Dont Poem
Dont write swear words on the school walls
Dont be rude to adults
Dont harm the school environment please!
Dont run around the school buildings
Dont steal school property please, please, please!
Dont not do your homeworkSays Mrs Lser BUT we dont listen
By Michael Gerhard UIL
Dont dare your friends to do the wrong thingsDont run, scream and shout in the library
Dont settle for less than your best
Dont smack the teachers
Dont back chat the teachers
Dont forget to say hello to guests
Says Mrs Lser BUT we dont listen
By Stuart Omand UIL
Dont scream in the classroom
Dont start a fight
Dont beat up and tease other boys
Dont break other peoples property
Dont blow up Mrs Reeves house
Dont break windows
Says Mrs Reeve BUT we dont listen
By Kwindla Mangaliso UIR
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Dont swear at Mr LeesDont bully your friends
Dont kick your teacher
Dont fight Miss Whizz
Dont shout at Mr Gunning
Dont be mean to Mrs Reeve
Dont play with fire
Dont kill your friend
Dont scream at anyoneDont smack your house master
Dont hit your best friend
Dont run around the classroom
Says Mrs Reeve BUT we dont listen
By Ekow Daniels UIR
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Upper I - Dont Poems
Dont annoy your friends when they are working
Dont sulk in the toilet
Dont swear at Mr Lees
Dont kick your teacher when you get something wrong
Dont cheat when we play bingo
Says Mrs De Gouveia BUT WE DONT LISTEN
By Zaahid Sulliman UID
Dont swear in class
Dont jump on Mr Lees
Dont scream in the library
Dont kick Mr Gunning
Dont throw the teacher out of the window
Dont hang your friends on a tree by their
underwear
Says Mrs De Gouveia BUT we dont listen
By Matthew Russell UID
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LIII Camp to Lapalala - Photo Gallery
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UPPER III ADVENTURE: SURVIVOR BABANANGO
The Upper III boys took off on the second day of term for a nine-day experience in theheart of Zululand, SURVIVOR BABANANGO. It was a profound time of personal
growth, bonding, getting to see each other and teachers in a new light, experiencing
and appreciating the amazing natural environment, learning about Zulu culture,
experiencing life in a rural Zulu homestead, completing various Extreme Explorers
challenges and learning about leadership, team work and service. Without giving
away too much more, here is a glimpse into what went down on camp. The Upper III
parents will hear the full story from the boys at the Feedback Evening on Wednesday
9th February.
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Notices
Staff can be contacted via e-mail, please see the list of addresses below. Please notethat teachers will only be able to download their e-mails first thing in the morning and lateafternoon.
Ana de Gouveia [email protected]; Anita Rossouw [email protected]
Anita Trolese [email protected] Ben Bornman [email protected]
Ben Oosthuizen [email protected] Brett Nicolson [email protected]
Brigitte Taylor [email protected] Bruno Poco [email protected]
Caroline Rimmer [email protected] Charney Conway [email protected]
Cheryl Reeve [email protected] Craig Verdal-Austin [email protected]
Dave Odgers [email protected] David Mulenga [email protected]
Duduzile Mashele [email protected]; Ethel Thomas [email protected]
Grace Arthur [email protected] Grant Harrison [email protected]
Heather Baker [email protected] Hugo Meirim [email protected]
Ian Stevens [email protected] Isabella Bonnet [email protected]
Ivan Forbes [email protected] Jaques Pretorius [email protected]
Jean Bwasa [email protected] Jean Clarence [email protected]
Joe Xaba [email protected] Jonathan Gunning [email protected]
J-P Lubbe [email protected] Karen Maitland [email protected]
Lynn Jonsson [email protected] Lynn Joubert [email protected]
Marco Martins [email protected] Margot Long [email protected]
Michelle Fehrsen [email protected] Natalie Brummer [email protected]
Nick Carter [email protected] Nicola Loser [email protected]
Nikki Sulter [email protected] Patrick Lees [email protected]
Paul Rowney [email protected] Tessa Van der Merwe [email protected]
Tony Johnson [email protected] Veronica Savage [email protected]
Zeza De Oliveira [email protected]
Upper I Class Music
Please ensure that your son brings his Recorder andRazzmajazz book along to his class music on
Thursdays.
Upper IL and Upper ID have class music on Fridays.
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Notices
St Johns College Shop
New opening times:
Monday & Thursday 7am to 3pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3pm
Stationery and Labels as well as all your sports clothes, jerseys, bags and
socks
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property will now be open every morning from 7h15 - 7h30
Class Mums 2011Lower IIT Jacqueline Gouveia
Lower IIV Fatima Haffejee
Lower IIZ Jane Golding
Upper IIH Julia Cavalieri
Upper IIB Michelle LowdonUpper IIF Linda Roets
Lower IIIC Nicola Beswick
Lower IIIF Paula Boshoff
Lower IIIM Liza de Jesus
Upper IIIS Lauren Frew, Traci Gerber, Lesley Kinghorn
Upper IIIJ Sue Bentley, Megan Nelson
Upper IIIC Helen Harding, Jackie Standish-White
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Notices
Art club and extra classes
From the beginning of next term, Mr Poco is starting an Art Club (for LIII and UIII boys) and extra art classes for juniorboys. Senior boys are encouraged to join the Art Club on Tuesdays from 14h00 -15h00 or Thursdays from 15h00-
16h00. Juniors may arrange extra art lessons with Mr Poco at alternative times and on alternative days.
We hope to see the senior boys joining the Art Club to create various exciting art works with mediums they do notnormally use in class, such as print making, photography, oil painting and many more. This will be a fantastic opportunity
for any boy who wishes to develop his art skills.
For further information e-mail Bruno Poco on [email protected]
ItalianLanguage
LessonsSmall age appropriate classes and individual tuition
offered outside school hours at St Johns.
Experienced mother-tongue graduate teacher usingcommunicative method of conversation, maintaining
cultural ties for solid IEB foundation.
Contact Lisabetta on 082 682 2859 or
EXTRA ZULU
LESSONS
Lower III and Upper III boys.
Every Thursday 13h45
Upper III Mrs Mashele
All Welcome
Hair Dee-Lite 082 462 6813/011 648 6367
Dee offers excellent work for the whole family,
competitive prices and the added
convenience of being on campus.
Modern cuts, colours (from R300) and hi-lites.
Kids R50
7 Elm Street (Opposite Rice Field)
Open Tuesday to Friday
08h00 - 17h00
Saturday 08h00 - 13h00
EXTRA MATHS
LESSONSLower III & Upper III boys in Mrs Jean Clarences
classroom
Every Thursday 13h45 All Welcome
Extra Math Lessons
Individual tuition offered
Mrs M Hauptfleisch
Call 011 442 1854
083 256 7714
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The Expert
Little Joe Horner
Sits in the cornerAs quiet as a packet of peas
He wouldnt say boo
To a bucket of glue
And he always says thank you and please
He cant kick a ball
And hes no fun at all
In the playground he sits on his ownHis writing is neat
And his homeworks complete
Cos he always takes lot of work home
But hes the most popular
Boy in the class
Now you might think that odd, I agree
But hes expert at maths
And at Science hes brill
And the best bit - he sits next to me
Hell give you a hand
If youre stuck with your sums
There is nothing that he doesnt know
If you cant add or measure
Hell help you with pleasure
And his charges are reasonably low
By Roger Stevens