ST STITHIANS COLLEGE

      A South African School Making a World of Difference

 

Private Bag 2, RANDBURG, 2125

      Tel: (011) 577-6000/6387 (Direct); Fax: (011) 789-7519
 
                                          

 

 

Saints Honour:

Honour God, Honour Others, Honour Self

 

NEWSLETTER NO. 05 – 10 JUNE 2005

FROM THE DESK OF THE RECTOR

 

Dear One & All

 

FOUNDERS’ DAY – SATURDAY, 11 JUNE 2005

St Stithians College celebrates its Founders’ Day on the 11th June this year.  This is an annual event of celebration in gratitude for the founding of the College and the vision of it founders, Albert Charles Collins and William Mountstephens.  This year our Founders’ Day is an opportunity for the school to commemorate, across the entire campus of five schools, from the Junior Preparatory School to the A Level College, the unique opportunities offered by this South African School making a world of difference.

 

Proceedings start at 07:45 with the unveiling of the newly completed Design and Technology Centre, the Girls’ Prep Grade 5 Block and the Girls’ Tuckshop.

 

The Service of Thanksgiving is to be held on Baytopp Field at 09:00 and will be accompanied by the co-ordinated choirs and musicians, including the Marimba bands, of all the schools on campus.  Our guest of honour and speaker is the dynamic Rev Alan Storey, Methodist Minister in Midrand and a frequent speaker on morality, social responsibility and education.

 

The Junior Preparatory School will be open and teachers available in classrooms from 11:00 to 13:00.  Several school and sporting groups will be on display and refreshments will be on sale throughout the morning.  At 13:30 the Boys’ College 1st XV plays Potchefstroom Boys’ High School on Jamieson Field.  Attached to this newsletter is the programme for the day.

 

We look forward to welcoming One & All to Founders’ Day.

 

FETC & UNIVERSITY

Earlier this term, the Boys’ College and Girls’ College invited all Grade 9 parents to attend a subject choice meeting and briefing on the new FETC (Further Education & Training Certificate).  I would like to add the following additional information about the FET and university entrance.

 

This information is based on input from Haroon Mohamed, Director in the Department of National Education and Professor Saleem Badat, CEO: Council for Higher Education.

 

The old Matriculation Certificate served a dual purpose:

·         Exit from school.

·         Entry into university.

 

The old system was designed to screen the entire population; to encourage the entire school leaving population (some 420 000 learners per year) to seek a place in a tertiary institution (which could only accommodate approximately 20% of these numbers).

 

The new model tends to be a more accurate instrument for determining career selection for school leavers.  It also attempts to enable learners to move between possible career paths (vocational versus academic).  The school-based FET is largely academic in focus.  The majority of the subjects offerings (in particular those that Saints are able to offer) have an academic or university focus. 

 

Essentially, there will be two possible mechanisms for selection to universities:

·         The grades achieved in the FETC will still be used.  In this regard, the Council for Higher Education has insisted that, although there is a new six point scale for assessment, the six point scale will also be translated into marks – i.e. the universities will still use marks to determine points for university entrance.

·         Increasingly, universities are making use of a generic skills test to determine suitability for university courses.  This tool has been developed mainly by UCT and is increasingly being used by many of the universities in the country.  Itt has been developed to assist universities to more effectively distinguish between a candidate who may receive an A-aggregate in the IEB and another who may receive an E in the Limpopo Province.

 

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2006

The St Stithians College Calendar for 2006 differs slightly from the published ISASA Calendar for next year.  It is attached to this newsletter for information.

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE TERM

o        College Report Back to Parents: The next College Report Back is scheduled for Wednesday, 22 June 2005 at 19:00 in the GLT.

 

o        Half-Term: Please note that this half-term only commences at the end of any sporting activities scheduled for Saturday 25 June 2005.  All the ISASA schools have recognised the need to keep that Saturday as a fixtures day to ensure that schools are able to fit all the fixtures required into the term.  Please may I ask all parents to ensure that they do not take learners who are committed to playing for teams out of school on Saturday, 25 June 2005.

 

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF INCOME FOR SAINTS

A PROFITABLE PARTNERSHIP WITH RMB PRIVATE BANK

The alliance between St Stithians College and RMB Private Bank is already proving to be a valuable one.  Since the partnership was announced in September last year, the College has raised an estimated R10 000, which will contribute towards improving facilities.

 

A meaningful collaboration

Every time a St Stithians College parent opens up a new facility with RMB Private Bank, the College is rewarded with a financial contribution.  It’s a win-win situation, with you as parents gaining access to professional wealth management advice and the College benefiting from additional funds.

 

A great offering

A unique debt-consolidation facility forms the basis of RMB Private Bank’s holistic approach to wealth management.  Besides providing a full range of transactional banking services, they specialise in structured lending, investment deposits, local and offshore advisory services, and assistance in the management of share portfolios.

 

By combining private banking expertise with merchant banking flair, RMB Private Bank offers Saints parents the kind of wealth-creating opportunities other ordinary institutions may overlook.

 

A shared vision

With a shared ethos of ‘Traditional Values, Innovative Ideas’, RMB Private Bank and St Stithians College are set to make inroads together.  For more information about the partnership, please call Garth Flint on 011 303 5343 or email gflint@rmbprivatebank.com, alternatively visit the College website (Campus Matters page) – www.stithian.com.

 

We are looking forward to a prosperous relationship.

 

QUESTIONS FOR THE RECTOR

If there is anything you would like more information about, please do not hesitate to send your questions to me at rector@stithian.com.  Learners as well as parents are quite welcome to send their questions.

STAFF NEWS

·         Dr Irene Lategan will be leaving St Stithians College at the end of June 2005.  Irene has been offered a wonderful opportunity to teach in Australia and so be near her son and grandchildren.  We wish Irene every happiness and thank her for her contribution to the College and the academic support programme.

·         Congratulations to Pauline & David Dickson on the birth of their newest grandson, Damon Alexander.  We look forward to welcoming young Damon to Saints in a few years time.

·         Congratulations to Mary Reynolds, Librarian in the Boys’ College Resource Centre, on being awarded a Masters degree cum laude.

 

GOOD NEWS COLUMN

It is always gratifying to receive letters of praise and congratulations about our staff and learners.  May I take this opportunity to share the following e-mails and letters with you:

 

“Just a quick note to please say a big thank you to your Grade 2 teachers who organised and carried out a wonderful soccer experience at St Peters on Fri. The event was extremely well co-ordinated, I think thanks to Mel Morrison.  The kids had a great time.  Mr Beaver is a huge inspiration to all the kids and the Grade 2 teachers there gave great encouragement to the kids.  I was proud to be a Saint Stithians parent at this most enjoyable event. Well done.

 

Regards

Judy Christiane”

 

__________________________________

 

 

“Greetings Mr. Lowry & St. Stithians,

My son started at Glenwood in grade 8 this year, and since then I have attended all the Rugby events that I could. It takes me back to my days of school at St. Charles in Pietermaritzburg  years ago. (not that many.. 1972 - 1977), when we played the great rugby schools of the day... Rugby days were celebrated with great pride and commitment, and until recently, I thought it may have passed with time.  The tradition and the spirit is great, and can be seen by the participation of the boys on rugby days like Saturday 21st May 2005 at Glenwood.  Although a Glenwood parent and supporter, I like to think our Glenwood spirit is great. I happened to be sitting right amongst your St. Stithians boys, cheering Glenwood while they cheered your school, all in a friendly and competitive manner. The atmosphere was great, and I can only congratulate your school on the behaviour of it's boys. Although Glenwood was winning, and the score in our favour increased, so did the spirit, cheering & singing of your boys. It is a credit to your school, and your rugby team's arrival at our school in future, will be greatly anticipated by parents like myself. I sat through all the games from U/16A to 1st Teams, and at no point did I witness anything but good behaviour by your boys... In this day and age that is a great accolade to be accredited to one's Scholars..

 

I wish you and your rugby teams well for the rest of the season, and hope to see you at Glenwood again soon.

 

Regards

Jero Allan

Parent at Glenwood

Durban”

__________________________________

 

“Dear Mr Stewart

 

Music Presentation at the Norwegian Constitutional Day

The Embassy’s celebration of Norway’s 100 years of independence took place yesterday, on our National Day, with a luncheon reception in the garden of my Residence.  Quite possibly the highlight of the event was the presentation of music from the Marimba Band and Choir of St Stithians Preparatory schools.  When the guests from the Diplomatic Community and Government organizations arrived, they were welcomed by the captivating performance of the Marimba Band, who played most enthusiastically to the obvious delight of all.

 

The children then presented their unique versions of both the Norwegian and South African national anthems during the formal part of the proceedings, adding a delightful mix of African sounds to Norway’s anthem.  The choir had also taken the time to learn it in Norwegian, and this was much appreciated.  As the Norwegian Constitution Day is focused on the country’s children, it was particularly fitting that we were able to have so many young people involved in the celebrations.

 

Thank you for allowing the children to be absent from school in order to travel to Pretoria... Please convey my sincere gratitude to the staff members, Michael Sibanda and Norman Sandnes, who went to so much trouble to arrange the outing, adapt the music and train the children.  As the school has only returned after a long vacation, this must have been a considerable challenge.

 

Kind regards

 

Ove Thorsheim

Ambassador

Royal Norwegian Embassy”

Should you wish to contribute any Good News, please send the details to: rector@stithian.com.

 

With kind regards.

 

STEPHEN LOWRY

RECTOR

 

 GENERAL NOTICES

FOUNDERS’ DAY – SATURDAY, 11 JUNE 2005 - PROGRAMME

 

07:45                            Opening of the new Design & Technology Centre

08:00                            Opening of the new Girls’ Prep Grade 5 Block

08:30                            Opening of the Girls’ Tuckshop

08:45                            Invited guests and pupils to take their seats for the Service

08:50                            Procession onto the field:

Foyer Party (leading off from Boys’ College Foyer)

Academic Staff (leading off from Girls’ College)

 

09:00– 10:30                 Founders’ Day Service on Baytopp

10:30                            Tea to be served at the Girls’ College and Junior Prep

11:00                            Various school activities & fixtures commence:

·         Junior Prep Open Day

·         Staff Marimba Band Performance

·         Girls’ Prep Interhouse Netball

·         Boys’ Prep Interhouse Football

·         Boys’ College Rugby and Hockey vs Potchefstroom Boys’ High School

·         Boys’ College Boys/Parents Fun Tennis Day

·         Girls’ College Hockey on Lower Dam Field

·         Girls’ Prep & College Equestrian Display

·         Round Square Presentation and Report Back in the GLT

 

12:00                            Lunch at the Rector’s Residence for invited guests and VIPs

Various Catering Stalls (e.g. Grade 8 Boys’ Businesses; Tennis Committee Fundraiser; Grade 7 Fundraiser; Tuckshops; Equestrian Club Cake Staff)

 

13:30*                         1st XV vs Potchefstroom Boys’ High School on Baytopp (*Note new time please)

 

GATES - IMPORTANT NOTICE

 

As previously advised, from the start of Term II we will be changing the times that the gates will be open on campus.  Please take note of the following:

 

Corlett Gates (Hendrik Verwoerd Drive):

·          06:00 – 18:00 (Monday – Friday)

·          06:00 – 14:00 (Saturday)

 

Peter Place Gate: Open access 24 hours / day.

 

Hurlingham Manor gate:

·          06:00 – 08:30 (Monday – Friday)

·          12:00 – 18:00 (Monday – Friday)

 

Medfem gate: 06:00 – 08:00 (Monday – Friday)

 

 

SAINTS CALENDAR 2006

(FINAL: 05 APRIL 2005)

 

TERM 1 (59 days)

Staff Development Days:        Monday, 16 & Tuesday, 17 January 2006

 

School Commences:                           Wednesday, 18 January 2006

Ends:                                       Wednesday, 12 April 2006

 

Half Term:                                12 noon on Thursday, 23 February to 07:00 Monday, 27 February 2006

 

Saints School Holiday              Monday, 20 March 2006 (for learners & academic staff)

 

Public Holiday/s:                     Tuesday, 21 March 2006 (Human Rights Day)

 

TERM 2 (62 days)

Staff Development Day:         Tuesday, 02 May 2006

 

Commences:                           Wednesday, 03 May 2006

Ends:                                       Friday, 04 August 2006

 

Half Term:                                Monday, 26 June 2006 to 07:00 on Monday, 03 July 2006

 

Public Holiday/s:                     Friday, 16 June 2006 (Youth Day)

 

TERM 3 (64 days)

Staff Development Day:         Monday, 04 September 2006

 

Commences:                           Tuesday, 05 September 2006

Ends:                                       Wednesday, 06 December 2006

 

Half Term:                                12 noon on Thursday, 26 October to 07:00 on Tuesday, 31 October 2006

 

Public Holiday/s:                     Monday, 25 September 2006 (Heritage Day)

 

 

2007: School commences – Wednesday, 10 January 2007