A Tel: (011) 577-6000/6387 (Direct);
Fax: (011) 789-7519
ST STITHIANS COLLEGE
Private Bag 2, RANDBURG, 2125
Saints Honour:
Honour God, Honour
Others, Honour Self
NEWSLETTER NO. 09 – 09 NOVEMBER 2007
FROM
THE DESK OF THE RECTOR
Dear
One & All
The mad end of year rush is upon us once again. All of the “little ones” in the Junior Prep
are well aware of Mrs Dace’s “Novemberitis”:
an affliction of hustle ‘n bustle and stress that seems to start, almost
magically, on the first of November every year.
This has affected our Grade 11s and 12s who are
all writing IEB examinations. It is the
first time that Grade 11s have written external examinations, and this has been
done because they will be the first group of Grade 12s to graduate, at the end
of next year, on the new curriculum and new assessment system. The IEB thought it prudent to do a test run
of examinations to serve as a comparison to the results that these learners
will achieve next year in their final exams.
Of course, all our teachers are busy either
setting exams, marking exams, preparing reports and/or planning for next
year. No doubt our parents too are busy
in their own places of work and in their homes, preparing for the end of the
year and planning for the new year ahead.
Although, we may feel a little frazzled by all the
demands made on us at this frenetic period of the year, we all need to make the
time to stop and breathe, to “just be”, and to count our blessings. I urge each and everyone of you to pause and
remind yourself of what a beautiful time of year it is. The rain has brought forth the wonderful
colours that brighten our fields and gardens; and the estate is looking as
lovely as ever (may I warmly thank those of you who have written to me
expressing your appreciation of how wonderful the campus is looking), As you pause, you will notice too that
despite the stresses, everyone seems to be aglow with a smile and laughter,
friendship and fellowship. It is
especially important at stressful times to remember just how blessed we are to
be learning or teaching or parenting at an institution like St Stithians College
- truly a privilege.
So folks, my prayers and good wishes are with
you all as we work through the last few weeks of the year and speed headlong towards
the December holidays and Christmas.
May I take this opportunity to wish all our
pupils well with the end of term assessments; to thank the staff for their
efforts, commitment and diligence; and the parents for their ongoing support of
the College.
Vasbyt,
min dae …
2008 -
STUDENT LEADERS
Congratulations to the following pupils who
have been elected to lead the student bodies in the Boys’ College and Girls’
College in 2008. We wish them a very
fulfilling and successful year ahead.
|
School |
Head of School |
Deputy Head of School |
|
St Stithians
Girls’ College |
Kamogelo Diphoko |
Carla Eskinazi |
|
St Stithians
Boys’ College |
Michael van Gysen |
Peter Burge |
IMPORTANT
DATES FOR 2008
·
The
Saints Calendar for 2008 is attached for information.
·
Rector-Parent Information Meeting: Wednesday, 13 February 2008 at 19:00 in the
General Lecture Theatre (GLT).
·
Founders’ Day: Saturday, 07 June 2008 (08:00-15:00) on Baytopp
Field. (Compulsory day for all staff & learners.)
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.
SAINTS FAMILY NEWS
We wish to express our sincere condolences to
the following members of the Saints Family on their loss of loved ones in
recent weeks:
·
Mrs
Silke Smith (Boys’ College staff member)
& family on the death of her mother-in-law;
·
Mr
Dawid Mattheus (Boys’ Prep Teacher)
& family on the death of his mother-in-law after a long and difficult
illness;
·
Mrs
Effie Lopes (HOS Art, Girls’ College) on the death of her mother; and
·
Mrs Sian May (Girls’ Prep Teacher) and family on
the death of her brother.
Please
keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
Congratulations to:
·
Mr
& Mrs Evan Snyman (Maths Teacher, Boys’ College) & family on the birth
of a son, Niall Conor Snyman, on 05 November 2007.
GOOD NEWS COLUMN
It
is always gratifying to receive letters of praise and congratulations about our
staff and learners. Should you wish to
contribute any Good News, please send the details to: rector@stithian.com.
With
kind regards
STEPHEN LOWRY
RECTOR
______________________________________________________________________
GENERAL NOTICES
SAINTS
DESK DIARIES 2008
The
2008 Saints Desk Diary can be purchased from the School Receptions @ a cost of
R 95,00 per diary. This makes a super
Christmas gift. Please support this
fundraising project, which is co-ordinated by Mrs Denise Martin on behalf of
the Fundraising & Events Committee.
DARE
TO GIVE DIFFERENTLY THIS CHRISTMAS
The Refilwe Community Project in Lanseria is
offering a very different range of Christmas gifts as an alternative to soaps
and socks this festive season.
For
R200.00 you could sponsor a pig and help their income generating project; for
R130.00 you can donate 2 bags of cement for the brick making programme or for R
300.00 to feed a child for a month. Other gifts are also available.
Purchasers who buy these sponsorship gifts receive
a beautiful gift certificate to give to their family and friends on Christmas
morning.
Dare
to give differently and really enjoy the art of giving this Christmas. Visit www.refilwe.org . or alternatively e-mail jaco@refilwe.org.
___________________________________________
REMINDER:
DOGS ON CAMPUS
All
members of the Saints Family, who walk their dogs on the College estate, both
in the mornings and evenings, are reminded to please ensure that their pets are
kept on leads at all times. People
walking dogs on the property are also requested to clean up after their animals
and to carry 'pooper-scoopers' for this purpose. It has reached the point that if these rules
are not strictly adhered to by all, we will have to seriously consider banning
“visiting” dogs from the campus.
___________________________________________
ST
STITHIANS COLLEGE CALENDAR FOR 2008
(APPROVED
BY COLLEGE EXEC: 06 NOVEMBER 2006)
TERM 1 (58 days)
Staff
Development Days: Monday, 14 &
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
School Commences: Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Ends: Friday,
11 April 2008
Half
Term: 12:00 on Thursday, 14
February 2008 to 07:00 Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Saints School Holiday Thursday,
20 March 2008 (for learners & academic staff)
Public
Holiday/s: Friday,
21 March 2008 (Good Friday & Human Rights Day)
Monday,
24 March 2008 (Family Day)
___________________________________
TERM 2 (63 days)
Staff
Development Day: Monday, 05
Commences: Tuesday 6
Ends: Friday, 1 August 2008
Half Term:
Public
Holiday/s: Monday, 16 June 2008 (Youth
Day)
____________________________________
TERM 3 (64 days)
Staff
Development Day: Monday, 01 September 2008
Commences: Tuesday, 02 September
2008
Ends: Tuesday, 02 December
2008
IEB
marking: Thursday, 04 December to
Tuesday 9 December 2008.
Half Term: 12:00 on Thursday, 16
October 2008 to 07:00 on Monday, 20 October 2008
Public
Holiday/s: Wednesday, 24 September
2008 (Heritage Day)
2009:
School commences – Wednesday, 14 January 2009
PARENTING
TIPS
The PARENTING TIPS Page is provided as
a service to members of AHISA (Australian Heads of Independent Schools
Association - August 2007
40 Developmental Assets®
for Adolescents (ages 12-18)
Search Institute® has identified the following building blocks for
healthy development – known as Developmental Assets® – that help young people
grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
EXTERNAL
ASSETS
Support
1. Family Support – Family life provides high levels of love and
support.
2. Positive family communication – Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate
positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from
parents.
3. Other adult relationships – Young person receives support from three or more
non-parent adults.
4. Caring neighbourhood – Young person experiences caring neighbours.
5. Caring school climate - School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
6. Parent involvement in schooling – Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young
person succeed in school.
Empowerment
7. Community values youth – Young person perceives that adults in the community
value youth.
8. Youth as resources – Young people are given useful roles in the
community.
9. Service to others – Young person serves in the community one hour or
more per week.
10. Safety – Young person feels safe at home, school, and in the neighbourhood.
Boundaries &
Expectations
11. Family boundaries – Family has clear rules and consequences and
monitors the young person’s whereabouts.
12. School boundaries – School provides clear rules and consequences.
13. Neighbourhood boundaries – Neighbours take responsibility for monitoring young
people’s behaviour.
14. Adult role models – Parent(s) and other adults model positive,
responsible behaviour.
15. Positive peer influence – Young person’s best friends model responsible
behaviour.
16. High expectations – Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young
person to do well.
Constructive Use of Time
17. Creative activities – Young person spends three or more hours per week in
lessons or practice in music, theatre, or other arts.
18. Youth programs – Young person spends three or more hours per week in
sports, clubs, or organisations at school and/or in the community.
19. Religious community – Young person spends one or more hours per week in
activities in a religious institution.
20. Time at home – Young person is out with friends “with nothing special
to do” two or fewer nights per week.
INTERNAL
ASSETS
Commitment to Learning
21. Achievement motivation – Young person is motivated to do well in school.
22. School engagement – Young person is actively engaged in learning.
23. Homework –
Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.
24. Bonding to school – Young person cares about her or his school.
25. Reading for pleasure – Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours
per week.
Positive Values
26. Caring – Young person places high value on helping other people.
27. Equality and social justice – Young person places high value on promoting
equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
28. Integrity – Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.
29. Honesty – Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.”
30. Responsibility – Young person accepts and takes personal
responsibility.
31. Restraint – Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or
to use alcohol or other drugs.
Social Competencies
32. Planning and decision making – Young person knows how to plan ahead and make
choices.
33. Interpersonal competence – Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and
friendship skills.
34. Cultural competence – Young person has knowledge of and comfort with
people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
35. Resistance skills – Young person can resist negative peer pressure and
dangerous situations.
36. Peaceful conflict resolution – Young person seeks to resolve conflict
non-violently.
Positive Identity
37. Personal power – Young person feels he or she has control over
“things that happen to me.”
38. Self-esteem – Young person reports having a high self-esteem.
39. Sense of purpose – Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.”
40. Positive view of personal future – Young person is optimistic about her or his
personal future.
Source: www.search-institute.org