St David's Newsletter - 06 October 2017

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From the Desk of Helen Mills - Deputy Head: Junior Preparatory

“It’s so unfair!” How often do we hear these words uttered at our school or in our homes? This time it

was being said by a Junior Prep boy, in response to the consequence of him leaving his takkies at home. I fully expected to hear “It wasn’t my fault” next. Who would he blame?

As teachers, we have heard all the excuses. From “the dog ate my homework” to “my mom forgot to pack it”. It is amazing how easily boys can shift the blame and then don the cloak of ‘victim’. The role fits them comfortably, as it is much easier than taking responsibility for their actions. It’s human nature to take the path of least resistance, is it not?

It is crucial for us as adults to guide our young boys away from this ‘victim mentally’ that threaten to overwhelm and disable them. It is hard to let our children fail in a world where failing is seen as a weakness, something to be avoided at all cost. It is in their best interest, however, to learn how to accept the consequences of their actions from an early age.

Back to our young Junior Prep boy. A long story ensues about the hardship faced when he had to walk around the hockey Astroturf instead of joining in the game, all because of the takkies that were left behind. I was curious to see how his mom would react. Would she blindly follow her maternal instincts and mop his weary brow, offer a cold drink and find the culprit that dared to make her son perform such a seemingly senseless act? To my surprise, though, I heard her say: “At least you got some exercise anyway. What do you think you can do that will help you remember your takkies next week?” Her nomination for ‘Mom-of-the-Year’ is in the mail!

It is all too easy to join in our children’s pity-parties but we should avoid this at all cost. Instead, here are some ways to help them let go of the “poor-me” attitude:

Create a gratitude habit. Make it a ritual to name three good things that happened during the day. This can be done at the supper table or during bed-time chats.
Don’t give up on expectations and consequences. Be consistent and follow through when rules have been broken. Don’t accept bad behaviour.
Provide positive reinforcement when your child takes responsibility and makes good choices. They will need encouragement along the way and who better to provide them with this than the people who love them most?

So, let us help our boys to understand that getting cut from a team or having difficulty in a subject does not make him a victim. Let us support them on the path of turning struggles into strengths, so that they become responsible and resilient young Marist men.

PREP NEWS AND SPORT

First Holy Communion Retreat

In preparation for the special privilege of receiving the Eucharist for the first time, the First Holy Communion candidates participated in a Retreat on Saturday morning. The event began in the Chapel of Mary where parents were given the opportunity to remember the vows that they made at their sons’ Baptism and then symbolically pass “the Light of Christ” over to their sons in the form of handing them a lighted candle.

The boys then spent time developing their understanding of the Eucharist by doing some craft activities and then acting out the events that occurred at Jesus’ Last Supper. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the Retreat and came away with a heightened insight of the significance of their First Holy Communion which was to take place the following morning.

First Holy Communion

Sunday 1 October dawned as a cloudy and overcast day, however, the inclement weather certainly did not dampen the spirits of 45 little First Holy Communicants. The day they had been preparing for all year had finally arrived. They were to receive the Body of Jesus in the Eucharist for the very first time.
What an exciting and memorable day it was and it would be true to say that a vibrant “Family Spirit” was evident throughout the occasion. The beautifully decorated Chapel was packed to capacity as friends and family joined together to be part of the celebration.
We congratulate these children and it is our prayer that they will always approach the Table of the Lord with the same excitement.

Congratulations Go To:
Leo Attieh,James Barclay, Rhonnan Bernariusz, Alessandro Boscia, Matthew Cahi, Giulio De Villiers, Cameron Duarte, Remo Ferrari, Luke Fellner, Blake Fortuin, Zach Fourie, Michael Fry, Joshua Fynn, Tome Garcia Del Rio, Adam Garnett, Danilo Giuricich, Tristan Gomes, Timothy Grossman, Matthew Haggard, Tyron Kaufmann, David Latilla-Campbell, Roberto Mariano, Spencer Marsden, Kanego Mashigo, Zachary McBean, Connor McJannet, Dominic Michael, Luca Moreira, Fabio Morse, Miles Pegg, Daniel Rautenbach, Luke Rundle, Roberto Sacerdote, Jason Schulz, Joshua Scott, Joshua Seely, Devlyn Slatter, Richard Van Der Zwan, Benjamin Viljoen, Luke Viljoen, Michael Wands, Jess Webber, Jethro Wickins, Giorgia Wickins, Thaseen Williams.

Cherie Smith

Staffing

We welcome Miss van Rooy to St David’s. Miss van Rooy joins our staff as the Assistant Librarian in the Preparatory School. We wish her a long and happy association at St David’s.

Teachers' Day

Boys showed their thanks and appreciation to all of their class teachers on Thursday.

Junior Preparatory Cultural Evening

On Thursday, 5 October, the Grade 2 and 3 boys entertained their parents during our annual Junior Prep Cultural Evening. This evening is the culmination of all the effort and hard work that is put in into our cultural extra-mural programme.

After a rainy start to the day, the skies cleared as our boys’ families gathered in the Grade 1 block. There was excitement in the air as the audience was seated right in the middle of the action, surrounded by marimbas and choir stands. The beautiful flowers and fairy lights added to the atmosphere.

Our Junior Prep choir sang with enthusiasm and passion and had the opportunity to showcase the songs they have rehearsed throughout the year. The variety of their repertoire amazed us all and inspired audience participation as well! There was not a dry eye in the house when, during the last song, the boys presented their moms with a long-stemmed red rose as they sang to her in person.

The Grade 3 marimba band entertained the audience with their energy. It was a pleasure to watch the boys get lost in the rhythm and work together as a team to make music. Their dedication and perseverance is truly inspiring!

The boys from our drama club delivered a delightful poem with such animation that it left the audience wanting more! It was a pleasure watching these boys enjoy their moment on stage. Well done, drama boys!

The boys can be very proud of all they have achieved so far this year in the area of music and drama!

Helen Mills

Prep Week Ahead

TODAY	6 October	Rick Wilson water polo tournament Hockey vs CBC
Saturday	7 October	Hockey vs CBC Family Mass at 17:30 Grade 0 camp out (weather permitting)
Tuesday	10 October	Grade 4 & 5 English Declamation
Wednesday	11 October	Pop-up Coffee Chat at 07:00 SACS water polo tournament departs
Friday	13 October	Catholic Schools’ Grade 7 Mass at Regina Mundi
Saturday	14 October	Grade 00 concert Hockey vs The Ridge

Book a Jaguar service online

Click here to read: Mini Marist Prattle

Please CLICK HERE to view more photos on Flickr

COLLEGE NEWS AND SPORT

Gr 12 Final Assembly

Congratulations to the following boys who received General Honours in Assembly:

Benjamin Gerson (Cricket, Leadership, Soccer)
Tshepang Mlambo (Music, Leadership, Athletics)
Marcell Scheepers (Cricket, Rugby, Athletics)

Congratulations to Daniel Lee who received his South African blazer for representing South Africa at the World School’s Debating Championships. The SA team finished 3^rd overall and Daniel was ranked as the 9^th best speaker in the world.

Valedictory Mass and Breakfast

Survivors Tea

Water Polo by Michael Young

The U14A Water Polo team departed for the prestigious Rodebosch Invitational Water Polo Festival on 24^th September. 13 eager boys touched down in Cape Town for what was to be an extremely successful tournament. The pool games pitted the boys against some of the top schools and they finished first in the pool. The quarter-finals saw a comfortable 10 – 2 win against Pearson but also meant that Reddam, the favourites, would be our semi-final opponents. A few errors and a strong Reddam team saw us lose; however, many remarked that this should have been the final as both schools have been finalists in various tournaments. We went on to place third; a remarkable feat for our first Rondebosch Tournament.

Having had the pleasure of working with these young men for the last two months has had its challenges but I am exceptionally proud of their progress and determination, and look forward to many more successes. Thank you to the parents who travelled down to watch and support their sons, and a massive thank you to our “momager”, Ms Stewart, for all of her assistance on this tour.

COLLEGE SPORTS RESULTS

COLLEGE WEEK AHEAD

REFLECTION

Scripture Reading - 2 Cor 12: 9b - 10c
I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Father Teboho

LITURGICAL
Sunday 08 October- 27th Sunday of the Year
Ps 80, 9.12-16.19-20
Mt 21, 33-43

2017 SWOP SHOP TIMES
Day		Time
Monday		07:15 - 08:30
Tuesday		13:00 - 15:00
Wednesday		07:15 - 08:30
Thursday		07:15 - 08:30

ST DAVID’S MARIST INANDA 2017 CALENDAR

TERM 1
Start	Wednesday 18 January
Close	Saturday 8 April (After sport)
Half Term	CLOSE	Thursday 23 February (After school)
	RETURN	Tuesday 28 February
School and Public Holidays	Monday 20 March (School Holiday)
	Tuesday 21 March (Human Rights Day)

TERM 2
Start	Wednesday 3 May
Close	Friday 4 August
Half Term	CLOSE	Friday 23 June
	RETURN	Monday 3 July
Public Holiday	Friday 16 June (Youth Day)

TERM 3
Start	Tuesday 5 September
Close	Tuesday 5 December
Half Term	CLOSE	Thursday 19 October (After school)
	RETURN	Tuesday 24 October
Public Holiday	Sunday 24 September (Heritage Day)
	Monday 25 September (Public Holiday)

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