St David's Newsletter

From the desk of the College Senior Deputy Head: David Smith

Homework for the Weekend

The topic of whether or not teachers should be giving homework is topical at the moment in many forums, at home and overseas. A distinction needs to be made between daily homework and preparation for tests and examinations. When homework is given it needs to be focused, to the point and directly relevant and essential to classwork that is to be covered the next school day; homework must develop responsibility and homework must develop a closer educational relationship between students and teachers. Also, it must be highlighted that some subjects require more practice on specific skills than other subjects.

It’s not realistic to expect students to spend 7-8 hours in lessons and at extramurals and then have 2-3 hours of homework every day. Students need time to relax, refresh their bodies and take their minds off schoolwork; they need time with friends and family. However, especially in the higher grades, there are certainly going to be periods leading up to tests and examinations where students are going to have to be self-disciplined and spend those extra hours reading up on topics, doing research and spending time on good old fashioned “swotting”. As in all things in life, we need to find that healthy balance that keeps us in equilibrium.

This interesting memo to students from an American teacher went viral on social media: it appeared on Huffingtonpost.com. Hopefully, you and your family can all tick many of the boxes this weekend.

Homework for Monday 27^th June
“We are now in the last couple of days before the mid-term break and it is vital you use your time this weekend wisely. This is your homework for this weekend. Please complete as many of these activities as possible and tick when done.”

Ride your bike.
Read a book.
Play some sport.
Smile often.
Eat some ice-cream.
Spend time with people you love.
Laugh till your tummy hurts
Play outside and enjoy the weather.
Go for a walk/swim.
Spend time on your favourite hobby.
Rest.
Visit friends.
Run until you can’t anymore.
Cook or make something.
Play in the garden.
Do something you have never done before.

“If you feel you have to, you may revise some work, BUT you can only do this for a max of one hour. Remember Mrs Thom is in charge of worrying – you don’t need to. You are all amazing and I could not be more proud of you.”

Have a fabulous weekend.

Click here to read: Mini Marist Prattle

Please click on the link below to give us your feedback on our Jubilee week

Jubilee week reflection - Google form

COLLEGE NEWS

College Week Ahead

College Inter-House Hockey

Inter House Hockey took place on Thursday 23 June for Seniors and Wednesday 29 June for Juniors. 7-a-side matches were played on the Astroturf which made for great fun, competition and excitement. Each House could enter an A and a B side into the competition.

In the Senior A section Benedict dominated proceedings. In the B section College walked away with the honours.

In the Junior A section Osmond won. The B section ended in a draw between Benedict and The Bishops.

The fact that all sections points were added meant that in the end with both age groups and both sections added we ended with a draw between The Bishops and Benedict.
Goal difference awarded the overall win to The Bishops.

Congratulations to all who participated in great spirit.

College Inter-House Golf – Monday 27 June

This was a fabulous afternoon – the boys had such a good time, spirits were high, behaviour exemplary with lots of good humoured competition.

The best team did win – these are very fair results. The boys played off their handicaps to level the playing field, and everyone’s score was counted.

Huge congratulations to Michael Cardoso, Golf captain, who spearheaded all the day’s organisation and pulled it all together with efficiency, good humour and grace.

1^st         College 115
2^nd        The Bishops 110
3^rd        Osmond 107
4^th        Benedict 103

Winning gross score:
Best round (lowest score):        Adam Breen (77)
Best stableford points: Marc Leicher (34)

College Inter-House Cross Country

On Monday afternoon 27 June, College boys across all age groups participated in the Inter-House Cross Country events: a 4km race route for individuals; and the same distance for the team relay race. The McGregor Oval was buzzing with runners, marshals and officials in their House colours as every boy who finished earned points for his House. In the individual category, each house entered 5 runners in the Senior category and 5 runners in the Junior category. In the relay event, there were close to 60 teams entered.

The overall results were:
1^st           Benedict
2^nd          (tied) The Bishops and College
4^th           Osmond

College Inter-House Music

What a vibe! Inter-house Music was a blast, complete with Mexican waves and audience support that was reminiscent of a soccer match. The Grade 8's and 9's filled the hall with an excitement that was tangible.

College was first to take the stage, their acoustic version of "Moves Like Jagger" accompanied by the guitar playing of the Deputy Head Boy was immaculate.

Osmond was next with their version of YMCA, which was hilarious. They redeemed themselves later with a feisty rock number very well sung by Simphiwe Hlatshwayo.

The Bishops brought out the saxophones and gave brass renditions of two of their songs lending a rather jazzy feel to the evening.

Benedict House was last and the winner of this year's competition. Kyle Abernethy led Benedict to victory with a sterling performance of "Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance.

The competition was competently adjudicated by Merle Kantor.

Well done boys, a superb evening!

Benedict        115 (The winner)
The Bishops 103
College        95
Osmond          91

College: Sports Results

MATRIC DANCE 2016 - SOPHIATOWN

Well done to the following boys who were awarded General Honours in last week's assembly.

Akash Chiman (Music, Leadership, Service), Dhanya’l Mayet (Academic, Leadership, Service)

Click here to view our St David's Flickr Gallery - Photos

Sandton Chronicle article - Young minds make the loudest noise

St David's Exchange Programme

Visit to the Spanish Embassy

Stefan Viviers, Paul Hancock, Thomas Painting, Jedd Jacobs, Joseph Walbeck, Luis Soldevilla Moreno, Alejandro Pedros Juste, Fernando de Lucas Olesti, Jorge Ruiz, Miguel Jimenez and I had an exciting opportunity to meet the Spanish Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz, for lunch at his beautiful official residence in Pretoria, Waterkloof on 23 June 2016.
The Ambassador was genuinely interested in the many experiences that the Spanish boys had in South Africa and what the South African and the Spanish boys had learned from each other. Everybody seemed to agree that the main advantage is how many things you tend to learn by being exposed to a foreign culture and a different way of life. The Spanish Ambassador commented on how well the Spanish boys and the South African boys were getting along. The boys looked and behaved as if they had been friends for a very long time. Jorge said that he wished he could stay longer in our country and this sentiment was shared by all the Spanish boys.
The Spanish Ambassador showed the boys various photos in his reception room. He shared with them some information about the present King and Queen of Spain. The photo of the Spanish Ambassador with the Coach of Real Madrid caused the greatest excitement. After this the boys did not feel shy about chatting and expressing their views about soccer and their favourite teams. The boys unanimously agreed that tickets for one of the matches to a Real Madrid game must be booked for our boys going to Spain on exchange later this year.
The Spanish Ambassador proudly showed us the photo of his three daughters and his wife and we had an opportunity to learn a bit about his personal life. The Spanish Ambassador was previously the Ambassador to Russia and lived in Moscow from 2005-2008.
Tasty Spanish traditional snacks were served. The South African boys enjoyed the food and the Spanish boys enjoyed the familiar cuisine.
The boys played soccer on the lawn before dessert was served. The Spanish traditional dessert tasted a lot like milk tart. Happy and energetic, the boys played soccer a bit longer while I had a chance to chat to the Spanish Ambassador and his Attache over a cup of coffee.
The Attache offered to help arrange a meeting with the South African Ambassador to Spain at the end of October closer to the time to our departure.
This was a special and interesting afternoon, enjoyed by all.
Anya Dyer

Indian Exchange Students

For the past six weeks we have had two Indian exchange students from Welham Boys' School in Dehradun, Vinay and Yuvraj, attend St David’s. They have been hosted by two of our Grade 10 boys, Adam Goetsch and Daniel Smit. During their time here, Vinay and Yuvraj have experienced all aspects of St David’s life. In addition, they have enjoyed being tourists by visiting some of the amazing sites South Africa has to offer. They have experienced a Soweto tour, spent the weekend at Sun city, watched the Springboks play Ireland and we are still going to visit Cape Town over half term. Their many wonderful experiences in this amazing country of ours, as well as the manner in which they have been hosted, are life-experiences few have the privilege of enjoying.

Not only do Vinay and Yuvraj have a better understanding of South Africa, but their excitement to reciprocate a similar type experience for Adam and Daniel when they go to India in November, is what this exchange programme is all about: we are creating opportunities for boys to experience other cultures in different parts of the world, make life-long friendships and contribute significantly to global citizenship.

On Friday 10 June 2016, three American exchange students who are currently being hosted by St Theresa’s, visited St David’s for the day.
They had an exciting day attending the Old boy’s assembly and watching the St David’s boys practice their war-cries before the Clifton fixture the following day.

Lee Black

PREP NEWS

Our annual Grade 7 and Grade 6 Science Expo's took place in the Champagnat Hall this month. The boys presented their projects to the judges, explaining the scientific process that they followed. They demonstrated the model that they created and answered questions regarding their particular topic. Judges were thoroughly impressed by the boys level of understanding as well as the informative charts that were produced. Judging took place in the afternoon and the following day each grade was allowed to walk around and view the experiments. Medals were awarded for first, second and third place. Meritorious medals were also given to outstanding projects. Each grade must be commended for the hours of work that went into producing a very high standard of work.

MINI CITY COUNCIL

James Auret and Joshua Maroun, members of the Johannesburg City Council led a winter blanket drive and collected over 400 items. Thank you for your contribution and wonderful support.

PREP WEEK AHEAD

TODAY	01 July	School closes for half term
Monday	11 July	School re-opens after half term PTA meeting
Wednesday	13 July	Football vs St Johns
Saturday	16 July	Football vs St Benedict’s Family Mass at 17:30

GENERAL

The Prodigal Son DVD

If anyone is interested in buying a copy of The Prodigal Son DVD, please email Mr Rose-Reddiar in order to establish the number of parents interested in the DVD. Once numbers are finalised a price can be confirmed.

Please e-mail Mr Rose-Reddiar at: rose-reddiars@stdavids.co.za for orders.

LOST PROPERTY SALE

The School Swop Shop will be holding a Lost Property Mid-Year Sale to clear the pile of items that have not been collected by boys.
DATE: 14 July 2016
TIME: 12h00 – 15h30
VENUE: Lawns beside the Thatch in the main car park

Items will be individually priced and can be paid for with cash, card or Snap Scan. Funds raised will be directed to the St David’s Marist Foundation.
If your son has lost an item of clothing, we ask that you please check lost property before 13 July as all items (marked and unmarked) will be sold and items cannot be claimed at the sale.

THANK YOU TO WINTER SPORTS' SUPPORTERS GROUP

The School wishes to acknowledge, with thanks, the support and contribution of the Winter Sports’ Supporters Group during this seasons’ Rugby and Hockey home fixtures and particularly over the Jubilee Derby weekends. The money raised through the sale of bacon rolls, boerewors rolls etc and after-match events is reinvested directly back into the College Sports’ programmes and recent evidence of this is the scoreboard erected on the A-Rugby field which was funded by moneys raised by past and current Supporters Group parents.

SAVE THE DATE

Book your ticket now at Quicket

Mandela Day 2016
One of our long-standing St David’s Marist Foundation friends is climbing Kilimanjaro next month in aid of the Imbumba Foundation’s #Keeping the Girlchild in School’ campaign. Should you wish to support Peta’s campaign via an sms donation please find details below:

Thank you for your support but tickets are now
SOLD OUT

Reflection

Liturgical
3^rd July
14^th Sunday of the Year

Ps 66 1-7.16.20
Lk 10, 1-12.17-20

Forward

Homework for Monday 27th June “We are now in the last couple of days before the mid-term break and it is vital you use your time this weekend wisely. This is your homework for this weekend. Please complete as many of these activities as possible and tick when done.”

“If you feel you have to, you may revise some work, BUT you can only do this for a max of one hour. Remember Mrs Thom is in charge of worrying – you don’t need to. You are all amazing and I could not be more proud of you.”

Have a fabulous weekend.

Homework for Monday 27^th June
“We are now in the last couple of days before the mid-term break and it is vital you use your time this weekend wisely. This is your homework for this weekend. Please complete as many of these activities as possible and tick when done.”