From the desk of Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh - Preparatory Deputy Head: Student Affairs & Extra Murals Recently, I saw this image doing the rounds on social media and I thought it hugely relevant to our modern day schooling in South Africa.
Sport is an amazing thing. It can unite us as a school and even a country when going well, and divide us even quicker when it is not. It has become a multi-million rand industry, and the pressure to achieve at the top level has never been higher than it is now, with the press and social media ready to end a career at the slightest sign of a blunder. The sad thing is that this has filtered down to school level, and permeates through every sporting fixture in every sporting code.
Often, the parents, the teachers, the coaches and the boys get so caught up on winning the next match, that we forget why sport was introduced into schools in the first place—to allow kids to have fun and as an additional educational tool. It is extremely sad for me when boys wish to give up sport because “there is too much pressure” or when teachers ask to no longer be involved in the coaching of sports due to “the unrealistic expectations of parent; after all, I do this to enjoy, not to be screamed at every 5 minutes”. Have we not lost the plot?
So, I ask you to read through the 5 points on the above billboard and remember them this weekend and any weekend going forward when your son represents St David’s. Let’s aim to have our boys enjoying it for the right reasons, and lets have staff supported as they voluntarily give up their weekends, to enhance the educational experience of your son.
A huge thank you must be said to all the staff that came to show their support, the boys loved every minute of the afternoon. To Mr Eyles, Mrs Shahim, Mrs Joseph, Mr Hewitt, Mr Nortje and Mrs Johnstone the boys were so impressed to see the support that they recorded some of the best times for the whole year. It just shows how much influence we have on the learners.
Mr Kolkenbeck-Ruh and Mrs Harris, without your support and guidance this would have not been possible and such a great success.
With Interhouse Canoeing done for the year I hope to be out of everyone’s hair for a while but please note the boys are racing in a Gauteng League Race this Saturday at Emmerentia @15h30, and support is always welcome.
Tyron Horne
Week: 17 – 23 October
Monday
17th
18h00
Grade 00-7 New Parents' Evening
Tuesday
18th
07h45
Junior Prep Mass
Wednesday
19th
08h00
17h00
Grade 7 Market Day (originally calendarised for 20/10/2016)
Art Exhibition Gr 4 – 12 (Matric art will be set up on stage for viewing until Monday morning)
Thursday
20th
11h00
11h15
CIVVIES DAY
Grade 00-3 depart
Grade 4-7 depart
Friday
21st
08h00
Mid Term Break
Prep Cricket Festival
Saturday
22nd
08h00
Prep Cricket Festival
Sunday
23rd
08h00
Prep Cricket Festival
COLLEGE NEWS
Speech and Awards Evening -Vrajesh Patel
Today marks the end to yet another eventful week at St David’s. On Monday the College celebrated the annual Speech and Awards Evening.
The evening commenced with Mr Smith, the Senior Deputy Headmaster, welcoming all of our guests and boys to the Champagnat quad. It was fantastic to see so many of our boys and we were delighted to celebrate their successes with them.
It was an event not to be missed as teachers, pupils, parents and special guests joined in the commemoration of success over the last year.
Special renditions from the Choir and Chamber Choir added an extra sense of occasion to the evening and illustrated perfectly the talent that was being honoured with awards. Mr Braam Malherbe, guest speaker at the event, spoke of how he loves the attitude of the boys at St David’s and how they whole-heartedly get involved in both the school environment and the broader community, without neglecting pressing global issues. In his address he spoke about grabbing every opportunity and making the most of it but importantly, also ensuring that this is always done with humility and for a greater cause.
The evening also saw the handing over of the leadership of the College from the Matrics of 2016 to the current Grade 11s. Head Boy, Joshua Clegg, and Deputy-Head Boy, Bogosi Msutwana, entrusted their roles in the school to Merrick Hughes and Mathew Benning respectively, both of whom were pupils in both the Prep and College.
It was a wonderful evening of celebration for all.
Matric Final Assembly
The College Grade 8's -11's say their Farewell to the Matric's in this Final Assembly.
Valedictory Mass 2016
A Final Mass for the Matrics as they end their Schooling Career at St David's Marist Inanda, Class of 2016
Matric Breakfast 2016
Breakfast with the Matric Class of 2016 after Valedictory Mass
COLLEGE SPORT
Congratulations to Spencer Botes
Spencer has been selected to attend a National Men’s Hockey training camp in preparation for international matches in January 2017.
This is a fantastic achievement for Spencer and our school, considering he is still only 17 years old.
U16 Water Polo Tournament - Dean Whyte
The U16s, along with some U15 boys, departed early on Thursday morning - 6 October - to compete in the Durban High School U16 water polo tournament. The team was coached by student coach Jabulani Sibiya and managed by Llewellyn James.
The boys had some tough games at the start of the tournament but managed to achieve victories over Jeppe High School, King Edward VII and the most noteworthy victory over 3rd place finishers - Glenwood High School.
The boys were unlucky to lose their quarter final play-off in a hard fought battle to a strong St John's College team. St John's were the eventual victors of the tournament.
St David's finished a respectable 6th out of 16 schools, losing in their final play-off against Selborne College.
I would like to thank all the parents and staff for their tireless efforts at practice and assistance in to making this tournament a great success. Next year we hope to place even higher with what proves to be a formidable team.
Headmaster, welcoming all of our guests and boys to the Champagnat quad. It was fantastic to see so many of our boys and we were delighted to celebrate their successes with them.
Mr Braam Malherbe, guest speaker at the event, spoke of how he loves the attitude of the boys at St David’s and how they whole-heartedly get involved in both the school environment and the broader community, without neglecting pressing global issues. In his address he spoke about grabbing every opportunity and making the most of it but importantly, also ensuring that this is always done with humility and for a greater cause. 
Boy, Joshua Clegg, and Deputy-Head Boy, Bogosi Msutwana, entrusted their roles in the school to Merrick Hughes and Mathew Benning respectively, both of whom were pupils in both the Prep and College.
