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. 10 – 30 NOVEMBER 2007
FROM
THE DESK OF THE RECTOR
Dear
One & All
In my Christmas card this year, I have quoted
from the Gospel of St John, 10:10, “I
have come so that they may have life
and have it to the fullest”. This is
such a radical assertion in a world gone mad with materialism, war,
exploitation, human degradation and our increasing assault on the earth that
sustains us. I am currently reading a
book entitled “The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight”, which details the history
of the energy revolution with the discovery of coal in the Middle Ages to the
increasing energy crisis we are facing today.
It is quite clear that unless we who have rather large carbon footprints
make a radical shift in our lifestyles, we may not live life to the fullest and
indeed our grandchildren never will.
The following prayer was said at the Girls’ Prep
Carol Service last Monday evening. It
struck me that if more of us lived by the tenets of this man, Jesus, whose
birthday we celebrate at this time, we, and indeed all of humanity, could have
life to the fullest.
When Mary’s baby was born
Calendars were
renumbered
The heavens applauded
And a new star appeared
in the sky
The angels sang
The shepherds came
running into town
Inquiring wise men
brought gifts and unwittingly
Frightened King Herod
when Mary’s baby was born
When Mary’s baby walked
this earth
People came from miles
around to sit at his feet
And heard the wisdom
that could only come from God
They brought the sick,
the lame
And those who were
troubled in their minds
The winds and the seas
had to obey him
Because he was Emmanuel,
God with us
Formidable Demons
trembled.
And ran away screaming
When Mary’s baby walked
upon this earth
When Mary’s baby died
Even the earth was
grieved
The sun hid its face and
refused to shine
And the ground lost its
footing and began to shake
(Some called it an earth
quake)
While Roman soldiers
confessed
That Jesus was the son
of God
But now Mary’s baby
lives again and is seated in heaven
Mary’s baby lives again
and is praying for you
Mary’s baby lives again
And makes it possible
for you to have joy.
My Christmas wish for all of you is that you
have a safe and happy holiday, that you spend quality time with your family and
friends, and that you come back to the new year refreshed and ready to meet the
challenges of 2008.
INDEPENDENT
QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY (IQAA)
During the course of the First Term, many of you
participated in the IQAA Survey on St Stithians College. As communicated at the time, the survey
results represented the raw data of information for the College. During the Third Term, these results, together
with focus group discussions, lesson observations and other forms of evidence
collection were used to compile a report on the College as a whole, and each
individual school. This report has been
completed and was tabled at the College Council meeting on 22 November 2007. It has also been published on the Saints
website (www.stithian.com).
As previously reported, this process was
overseen by an external mentor appointed by IQAA to assist the College. The
mentor’s chief function was to ensure that the College’s processes and
procedures are in line with the IQAA evaluation instrument; and that the
process was conducted with integrity.
The IQAA process involved a team from each of
the Saints schools, who were tasked with identifying all the areas that required
attention; collecting evidence from other sources (e.g. lesson observations);
and developing plans of remediation to tackle any of the focus areas. Once this process was completed, each school’s
mentor spent three days at the College; meeting with staff, the school’s
evaluation team and other focus groups, to satisfy themselves that the College had
complied with all the requirements of the evaluation process. This was necessary to protect the integrity of
both the College and IQAA.
2009
CALENDAR
The 2009 Calendar for St Stithians College is attached
to this newsletter for your information. I would like to warn parents that we are
anticipating a restructured calendar for 2010, because of the soccer World Cup.
We will probably be in school during the month of August 2008, with school holidays
taking place during the time of the World Cup in June. Details of this new calendar will be released
early in 2008, so that families can make any necessary plans well in advance of
2010.
SAHISA ANNUAL
CONFERENCE REPORT
During the August 2007 schools holiday, the
IMPORTANT
DATES FOR 2008
The Saints Calendar for
2008 is attached for information. Please
note the following key dates:
·
·
Founders’ Day - Saturday, 07 June 2008 (08:00-15:00) on Baytopp
Field. (Compulsory day for all staff & learners.)
·
Wednesday, 10 September 2008 – Parents are advised that all the Saints
schools will close early on this day, i.e. at 11:15. This is due to a Staff Development Workshop
for the campus staff. The College
regrets any inconvenience that this may cause parents, but it is the only time
that the international speaker, who is addressing the staff, can be available
given his very busy itinerary. Please
make a note of this in your diary.
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
Pauline Dickson (Environment Committee) &
family on the death of her father.
·
Mrs
Norma McGhee (GC Tuckshop administrator) & family on the death of her son,
Michael.
Please keep these families in your thoughts and
prayers.
GOOD NEWS COLUMN
It
is always gratifying to receive letters of praise and congratulations about our
staff and learners.
We have 3
children, all of whom will be at Saints next year. Our two boys, Gavin and Stenton, are starting
in Grade 0 and Grade 8 respectively and I have been so impressed with the
admissions packs and your very efficient and friendly staff. The information evening for Grade 8 was great
and the Grade R party this weekend was also very exciting for my little one. So our compliments to all involved from the
McKenzie family.
Regards
Regan Mckenzie
Apart from
absolutely adoring Mrs Eskinazi (my daughter's grade 4 teacher) in all
ways. I also love those Gremick security guards for always being so welcoming
and cheerful in the morning as we come in racing in after having beat the
traffic to get to school on time.
Kind
Regards
Nozipo Mbere
I would like
to put on record how impressed we were with the First Team Water Polo
Tournament held at Saints this weekend.
The organisation and keeping to schedule was admirable! As was the behaviour and performance of our
Boys and Girls teams. All in all it was
an amazingly successful 2 days and I would like to pass on my congrats to all
the organisers and participants. Yet
again, Saints comes up trumps. What a
way to end the 2007 season.
Yeah Water
Polo!
Regards
Nadine and Ian Watt
Should
you wish to contribute any Good News, please send the details to: rector@stithian.com.
With
kind regards
STEPHEN LOWRY
RECTOR
______________________________________________________________________
GENERAL NOTICES
WORLD AIDS DAY
Saturday
1st of December is World AIDS day. The theme for 2007 is “Stop AIDS;
Keep the Promise- Leadership.” The promise they speak of is one of universal
access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention services by 2010. The
theme highlights the need for innovation, vision and perseverance in the face
of the AIDS challenge. The campaign calls on all sectors of society such as
families, communities and civil society organisations- rather than just
governments- to take the initiative and provide leadership on AIDS.
In
line with this year’s theme, a Stop AIDS in Children campaign is being
run to call for urgent action in the prevention of mother- to- child
transmission (PMTCT). Currently only 9% of pregnant women living with HIV in
the developing world are provided with drugs to prevent the virus being
transmitted to their babies. As a result, half a million children become
infected with HIV every year. The Stop AIDS in Children campaign is
calling on all governments and international agencies to urgently improve PMTCT
coverage worldwide.
What
can you do to support World AIDS day?
- Raise awareness of
HIV and AIDS in your area
- Wear a red ribbon
as a sign of commitment and support and get others around you to do the
same
- Sign up as a
supporter of the Stop AIDS in
Children campaign on http://www.avert.org
- Protect yourself
and your partners
- If you are worried-
get tested
- Educate your
children on the severity of AIDS
SAINTS
STAFF
REQUIRING ACCOMMODATION
o
The College is looking
for accommodation, close to Saints, for two young post-graduate students, who
will be starting their internships and teacher training at the College in
January 2008. Should you be able to
assist, please contact Mrs Linda Galanakis (Tel: 011-577-6300 or lgalanakis@stithian.com).
o
A staff member is
urgently seeking accommodation, close to Saints, for her family of 4. Requirements: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, small
garden (if possible) at a rental of no more than R4200.00 (per month). Should you be able to assist please contact
Mrs Sylvia van der Walt (Tel: 011-577-6381 or svdwalt@stithian.com).
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
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.
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.
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
ST
STITHIANS COLLEGE
|
FEE STRUCTURE FROM JANUARY 2008 |
|
||||
|
Grade |
Annual |
Annual fee discounted by |
10 Monthly |
||
|
|
Fees |
5% if paid in advance |
installments |
||
|
|
|
before 31 January 2008 |
commencing |
||
|
|
|
|
02 January 2008 |
||
|
Grade 0 |
31,795 |
30,206 |
3,180 |
||
|
Grade 1 - 2 |
37,484 |
35,610 |
3,748 |
||
|
Grade 3 - 5 |
43,500 |
41,325 |
4,350 |
||
|
Grade 6 - 7 |
49,677 |
47,193 |
|||