St David's Newsletter - 07 July 2017

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From the Desk of David Smith - Senior Deputy Headmaster: College

Inappropriate use of Social Media

Scarcely a week goes by without some boy at St David’s being disciplined for breaking the College rules relating to the inappropriate use of social media. The Code of Conduct is very clear as to what is acceptable behaviour. Boys may not belong to a St David’s linked social media group or platform which does not include a staff member. All social media users must give proper consideration for other’s privacy and be respectful to others in all comments they post. It is totally unacceptable to use: racial, ethnic, sexist, and religious slurs; personal insults, obscenities; foul language; or engage in any online conduct that is offensive. Boys need to be very aware that what they perceive to be “jokes” are extremely offensive and defamatory to other members of society. When using social media platforms, it is important to remember that everyone who has contributed to the dissemination of defamatory content may be held liable for defamation.

I refer boys and parents to the following extracts from the College Code of Conduct:

Communication (Disrespectful) via Electronic Media: A Major Offence:
(Respect for others is a Pillar of Character for all St David’s boys.)

Boys are to follow the correct etiquette when communicating via any electronic and/or social media platform (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp). Boys are reminded that these are public forums – any defamatory, slanderous, racist, sexist or offensive religious tweets/posts will result in a disciplinary hearing. This also applies to parody accounts.

Social Media Groups (WhatsApp etc.):

All school related chat groups (Homework Groups, Sports Teams, Portfolios, Class/Grade Groups etc.) must have an academic staff member on the group. If a derogatory/defamatory post is made on a group that St David’s boys belong to, it is mandatory for all boys on the group to report the offensive/derogatory post to their House Tutor and immediately leave the group. Failure to do so is a level 2 offence.

Hair Regulations

Several boys in each Grade are not complying with the hair regulations as specified in the College Code of Conduct. On Monday, 10 July, a hair inspection will be held at House line-up: boys with hair styles that do not comply with the regulations, with face sanction and the possibility of being sent home.

Please note the following with regard to the College hair regulations:

Hairstyles are to be short and neat: hair is to follow the natural shape of the head. Steps, hair in the eyes, long fringes, gel and dyeing/highlighting of hair are not permitted.
A boy’s hair may not noticeably vary in length from one part of the head to another Hair is to be off the ears and off the collar, and is to be kept clean and tidy. Outlandish, fashion or irregular hairstyles, detrimental to the image of the School, will not be permitted.

Click here to read: Mini Marist Prattle

COLLEGE NEWS AND SPORT

House plays Awards:

Highly commended awards for performance in a supporting role:
Matthew Jarvis, Jack Warren.

Best performance in a supporting role:
Mirza Hassan

Highly commended award for performance in a lead role:
Luke Rheeder
Enrico Nordman

Best performance in a lead role:
Garrick Pagel

Best script:
Damien Wantenaar and Garrick Pagel – College House

Best Director: March Strauss – Osmond

Best overall production:
College House – David McMaster, Damien Wantenaar, Gerhard Human, James Hancock, Garrick Pagel.

Grade 8 Physical Science Expo

This year the grade 8s had to choose a local television / magazine / online advert, that makes a claim about being better than their competitors. The advert did not have to be current. They had to design an experiment using every-day apparatus that would help them to prove or disprove the claim made in the advert. On Wednesday afternoon the Grade 8s had a chance to exhibit their projects and their projects were then judged. The judging was not related to the marks. The judges were looking for experiments that showed excellent scientific practice, innovative thinking and how their aspect of science impacts on life.

Results
The results are as follows:
Bronze medal: Cassim Mohammed, Oliver Leenstra and Matthew Bester
Project : ‘The effectiveness of Sunlight ‘

Silver medal: Alexander and Christopher Michaels
‘Will MAC “stain busting claim “ triumph over Arial?’

Gold: Jonathan Van Reenan , Matthew Maccelari & Saigan Moodley
‘Do Duracell Batteries last up to 10 times longer than other alkaline batteries?’

Certificates of commendation for innovative projects go to:
Gregory Shave, Malo Riche and James Jacklin – ‘Wall and All’
Marko Veselinovic - ‘Colgate Whitening Toothpaste’
Brian Hudson, Kian Kinnear & Ronan Ferreira-‘Shopping comparison’
Jordan Nunes, Jordan Cloet & Nicholas Lutz – ‘Dettol fish’
Mohammed Cassim, Inaam Moosa and Yaseen Mayet – ‘Fidget spinners help with focus and concentration’

Inter-House Graffiti by Michael Smith

On Friday 23 June, boys from the College participated in our first annual Interhouse Graffiti/Pavement Art competition. The boys, working in their various houses, completed multi-faceted drawings and paintings on the theme of 'I Am Marist'. Showcasing their skills, but also exhibiting the ability to work well together, the produced wonderful works. Ultimately, College House and Osmond took the joint top spot, with Benedict coming in second and The Bishops third. Thank you to Mr Jaco Ferreira for fostering this new and exciting cultural competition, and for Mrs Heather Joseph from St David's Prep for adjudicating. Well done to all the boys who enthusiastically created beautiful works, and for expressing the theme in such diverse yet compelling ways.

Congratulations to Dean Whyte, St David's 1st Team Water Polo coach, on his selection to represent South Africa at the FINA World Championships which take place in Budapest Hungary from the 14th to 30th of July. This will be Dean's 3rd World Championship.

The men's SA Water Polo side is the ONLY amateur side in the tournament competing against professionals.

They are participating in a particularly tough Pool, having to compete against the likes of Serbia – current Olympic, world and Euro Champions, Greece – bronze medalists of the above and highly rated Spain.

We wish Dean and the SA Team the best of luck. We will be rooting for you here in SA!

UK TOUR 2018

I am happy to announce that the school is strongly considering a UK Tour for the College Band and Chamber Choir in April 2018. The tremendous success of the Supper Show held recently served to highlight not only the quality of our musical programme in general, but also the excellence of the current band and choir in particular. We have tremendous confidence in this 2017 group and believe that the time to export the musicality and passion of our boys is now!

All boys who have participated in the music programme in any way are invited to submit their names for consideration for this exciting project.

Parents are asked to do the following if they are interested:

Email Jaco Ferreira at ferreiraj@stdavids.co.za with your show of interest and any queries;
Attend the first tour meeting on Tuesday, 11 July, at 18:00 in the Champagnat Hall. We will discuss the draft itinerary and critical matters relating to finances and the selection of the best possible team for the tour.

COLLEGE WEEK AHEAD

COLLEGE RESULTS

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS ON FLICKR

PREP

PREP WEEK AHEAD

Friday 7 July	07h40 SP Mass
Saturday 8 July	08h30 Football vs St Peters & St Stithians
Sunday 9 July	10h30 Dads and Lads Soccer
Monday 10 July	Grade 4 Retreat – buses leave straight after line-up
Tuesday 11 July	Grade 5 Retreat 07h40 SP Mass
Wednesday 12 July	Grade 6 Retreat 07h40 SP Assembly & Hymns 13h00 JP Inter-House Football
Thursday 13 July	07h40 JP Mass 11h19 JP Assembly 14h00 Tennis vs St Peters
Friday 14 July	08h00 Gr 4’s outing to World of Cats and Dogs 12h30 Gr 2 Football vs The Ridge 18h00 for 18h30 Appreciation Dinner

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Buy your tickets Now

REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK

MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.

Blessed are those who keep his decrees!
With all their hearts they seek him.

I have sought you with all my heart;
let me not stray from your commands.

My soul is consumed with longing
at all times for your decrees.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
your decrees I have upheld.

See, I long for your precepts;
give me life by your justice.

I have opened my mouth and I sigh,
for I yearn for your commands.

Fr Teboho Matseke

LITURGICAL
Sunday 9 July - 14th Sunday of the Year
Rom 8, 9. 11-13
Mt 11, 25-30

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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