St David's Newsletter - 2 December 2016

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From the desk of Graham Edwards: Headmaster of the Prep School

Dear Parents, Staff and Boys,
Today’s newsletter is the final weekly newsletter of the year. At the risk of being trapped by rhetoric, it must be said that it is incredibly difficult to believe that the end of our Jubilee year has arrived. This past year has been characterised by ‘firsts’ for many boys, reminders of what it means to be a Marist boy, traditional sporting encounters, but also memory making in the form of Jubilee celebrations. From the opening of the Jubilee Fountain in January to the celebrations of our Jubilee week, and notable highlights through the year, I believe that we can safely claim a year of celebration for St David’s. We do indeed have a great deal to celebrate! Amidst the busyness of school activities and Jubilee celebrations, however, we are reminded of the Marist values and characteristics on which St David’s is founded: Simplicity, Modesty and Humility as well as ‘Love of work’, 'Presence', 'Family Spirit' and ‘In Mary’s Way’. As one set of celebrations end, we embark on a journey which signifies the rich heritage of Marist education. Next year, 2017, marks the 200^th year of the founding of the Institute of the Marist Brothers and 150 years of Marist education in both South Africa and Africa. These are significant milestones indeed, and will be appropriately marked through the course of the year.
On behalf of Mr Thiel and the School Executive, I thank all boys, staff and parents for their contribution to our school this year. We value and appreciate your input in so many areas of school life. We wish you a safe holiday and a blessed Christmas, and look forward to welcoming all new and returning boys to St David’s in 2017.

Click here to read: Mini Marist Prattle

FINAL ASSEMBLY FOR 2016 - A TRIBUTE TO MR WILLIAMS
The final Prep School assembly of 2016 was held as a tribute to Mr Williams. After ten years of dedicated service to St David’s, Mr Williams will be taking up the Headship of Marist Linmeyer Primary School. A number of special guests attended to pay tribute to Mr Williams’ contribution to Marist education. These included Br Joe Walton (Marist Brother), former Prep Headmasters, Mr Wilson and Mr Castle and former colleague, Mrs Geldenhuys. Family members, Mrs Williams, Reece and Bryce Williams were also in attendance. Tributes which highlighted Mr Williams' character and dedication, as well as his leadership skills were presented by Mr Kolkenbeck-Ruh and Grade 6 boys. Beautiful choir pieces added to the dignity and sincerity of the occasion. St David's will certainly miss Mr Williams, and we wish him and his family every success and happiness in the years that lie ahead.

Grade 7 Valedictory Mass

The Grade 7 Valedictory Mass marks the end of the Prep School years and celebrates the transition of these boys into High School. This Valedictory Mass was celebrated by Fr Teboho Matseke with boys, staff and parents in attendance. At the conclusion of Mass, the parents formed a guard of honour for the boys to walk through on their way to the Champagnat Hall. Speeches and thanks were said by Mr Tony Williams, Ethan Kalell (Grade 6) and Joshua Maroun, on behalf of the Grade 7s. The traditional awarding of the Headmaster’s Trophy, for consistent endeavour throughout the Grade 7 year, was awarded to Giuliano Maraschin, a worthy recipient of this prestigious award. The Grade 7s were then presented with a gift pack from the school which included a Grade 7 photograph and a letter from their parents.

We wish all of our Grade 7s the very best for their High School journeys ahead.

Results for the Owen Simms Trophy

1st College

2nd Benedict
3rd The Bishops

4th Osmond

PREPARATORY WEEK AHEAD

PREP SCHOOL REMINDERS FOR END OF TERM

TODAY	2 December	17:00: JP Praise Giving
Saturday	3 December	17:30: Family Mass
Monday	5 December	Last day for boys 11:30: Extra-curricular awards ceremony
Tuesday	6 December	17:00 Senior Prep Praise Giving and Prize Giving – followed by Grade 4-7 report distribution

PLEASE NOTE:
School reopens for boys on 18 January 2017

PREP SPORT

GARETH KOLKENBECK–RUH
Preparatory Deputy Headmaster: Student Affairs & Extra Murals

COLLEGE NEWS

Montagne Day 2016 R 75 Pledges Feedback:

Thank you so much to so many who have taken part and contributed to the 2016 Montagne Day Pledge initiative. In addition to the returned written pledges from the boys (which are currently being composted in preparation for the planting of the Montagne 'Pledge' Tree which was blessed at the Montagne Day Mass on Friday 28 October, together with the pledges) a total of R 57 850 has been received to date from 257 boys across all Grades as their Pledge to their Class Year Circle in support of a bursary. Particular thanks to Mr King, Mrs Kirsten Woods and the Grade 5 Parents and Boys for the wonderful initiative of the Grade 5 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge in support of the Montagne Day Pledge initiative – the team rode on Sunday 13 November and have raised almost R 21 000 towards a bursary through their ride.

R 10 000 of the pledge funds raised are being used in service (‘Love of Work’) by the Hands of Champagnat Grade 11 Service Group. The group left yesterday for a five-day service camp where they will be renovating a school in Vuyani, a small rural settlement 30km north of Louis Trichardt, and utilising the funds for project materials for the school.

Fiona Budd (Foundation Manager)
St David’s Marist Foundation

94.7 Riding for a Purpose by Daniel van Staden Gr 11

After witnessing the great work that the Kidney Beanz Trust do and the support they give the families of people suffering from kidney disease, I decided to try make a small difference and ride the 94.7 cycle challenge 'with a purpose'.
I put an invitation out to St David’s boys to join me and I received a positive response from Damien Potts , Ross Nayler and Nic Davies.
The four of us raised money individually and contributed R30 000 to this worthy cause .

The highlight for me was meeting and receiving my race shirt from the greatest downhill racer of all time, Greg Minnaar. Race day was an awesome occasion as it is a privilege and honour to be allowed to race through the streets of Johannesburg that were closed off to traffic for our benefit. Race conditions were good and the course extremely tough but it was a thoroughly enjoyable and a fun day out.
My goal for next year is to start early and convince many more boys to participate and make a much bigger difference in the lives of kidney disease sufferers.
May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me, it was greatly appreciated and the money raised was well received by the charity.

COLLEGE SPORTS RESULTS

GENERAL NOTICES

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
ADDITIONAL TIMES FOR DECEMBER 2016
Date	Day	Time
2016/12/02	Friday	07:15 - 10:00
2016/12/05	Monday	07:15 - 10:00
2016/12/06	Tuesday	13:00 - 15:00
2016/12/07	Wednesday	10:00 - 12:00
ADDITIONAL TIMES FOR JANUARY 2017
Date	Day	Time
2017/01/16	Monday	08:00 - 10:00
2017/01/17	Tuesday	13:00 - 15:00
2017/01/18	Wednesday	07:15 - 09:15
2017/01/19	Thursday	07:15 - 09:15
2017/01/20	Friday	07:15 - 09:15

Contractors and 1^st Avenue access

Next week our Contractors will commence with the excavation of the new pool. This will result in heightened truck activity, and therefore restricted access, in 1^st Avenue and we would recommend that should you currently use 1^st Avenue as both a drop off and a pick up point that you rather make use of the main car park.

MY PLANET CARD

If anyone still has a My Planet Card application form, please hand them in at reception. If anyone would like a My Planet Card form but did not receive one, please contact Mr Castle on castlew@stdavids.co.za.

Christmas Shopping at the St David’s Pop-up-Shop
The St David’s Pop-up-Shop (the container conversion on the grass verge facing the main car park) will be open from Wednesday, 30 November through to the end of the term at the times indicated in the schedule below. Please visit the shop to buy some St David’s branded items for Christmas prezzies for friends and family or even corporate gifts.
The Pop-up-Shop’s product range will expand next year and will be branded appropriately in the near future. However, visit us in the interim and give us some feedback. Thembi Meni, who has been appointed to run the shop for us (and oversee Lost Property) looks forward to welcoming you.

Opening Times for the Pop-up-Shop and Lost Property until the end of term:
07h00 – 09h30: Pop-up-Shop
09h45 – 11h00: Lost Property (PLEASE NOTE that Lost Property will not be open first thing in the morning and your sons will need to collect their lost property at break)
11h30 – 13h30: Pop-up-Shop

We will also communicate opening times related to evening functions via the APP.

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

Reflection for the week:

WITH THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit, with your gift of Wisdom, I am able to recognize God working through everyone, everywhere.

With your gift of Understanding, I am able to apply reason in the apprehension of truth and to know how I am meant to live my life in accordance with Christ.

With your gift of Counsel, I am able to determine right and wrong, and to choose the righteous path.

With your gift of Fortitude, I am able to overcome fear, endure persecution and work towards the good.

With your gift of Knowledge, I am able to understand God as best I can.

With your gift of Piety, I am able to maintain a deep sense of respect for God and for myself as a humble servant.

With your gift of Wonder, awe and fear of the Lord, I am able to be fully aware of God’s majesty and glory while maintaining a healthy sense of filial fear to guide me.

I am grateful to you, Holy Spirit, for all of these gifts which you have bestowed upon me as well as my brothers and sisters.

AMEN.

Liturgical

4^th December – 2^nd Sunday of Advent
Rom 15, 4-9
Mt 3, 1-12

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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