st john’s preparatory school · spelling bee michael norman alex harding devlin hugo katleho...

1 July 2011

St John’s Preparatory School St John’s Preparatory School Houghton Tel: 011 645 3100/ 087 550473 Newsletter Number 7

01/07 Geography Assessment UIII & LIII

Hist/Geog/Science Assessments

LII - UII

Break up for Half Term

12/07 Rugby vs St Andrew’s (1st XV)

Squash vs St Andrew’s (U13A)

13/07 Hockey vs St Andrew’s (1st XI)

Rugby Matches vs Pridwin

15/07 Cross Country Meeting

16/07 Gaudy Day

18/07 Parent’s Information Evening: Music

19/07 Hair Inspection

Drama Show LII & UII

20/07 Rugby vs WHPS


21/07 Academic Assessment Meeting - No

Extra -Murals


22/07 UIII Market Day

Cross Country Meeting

27/07 Rugby Matches vs The Ridge 1st Team Rugby & Hockey Teams Depart

29/07 Cross Country Meeting

Reports Go Home

Reminders from the Diary

From the Headmaster…

St John’s College Shop New opening times: Monday & Thursday 7am to 3pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 3pm

“I’m a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound

effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the

kind of freedoms that they’re interested in.” Bill Gates

For this newsletter I would like to do something a little different. I have decided that instead of writing to you the parents, I would like to write an open letter, directed specifically to the boys. All I ask is that over the mid-term break you make sure your son has a chance to read it … I will be in London for the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Conference during the week after the mid-term break. Margot Long and Nicky Sulter will be presenting action research papers at the conference and I wish them all of the very best. Karen Maitland will also be there in preparation for her research paper in 2012, as will Brigitte Taylor who is accompanying her husband, Warwick. Patrick Lees

Last match of the season

St John’s Preparatory School

1 July 2011

Dear Men of St John’s Prep As you read this letter, I hope that you all are having a wonderful and relaxing time with your family during this mid-term break. You may find it a bit strange that I am writing to you, but far too often, as teachers and parents, we are too busy telling you to do things that we don’t think you are doing correctly, rather than talking to you about the things that really matter. So, in an effort to correct that, I would like you all to know how proud I am to be the Headmaster of St John’s Prep and that it is 100% down and due to every single one of you being part of this school. You all play a major role in making it such a special place. I also want you to know that for me it is not important that you get 80% in every subject, or pass your music exam with distinction, or play in any of the A Sports Teams. If you do, that’s fantastic and you are to be congratulated. If you don’t, remember what is important is that you give of your very best in everything you do - and enjoy it. Remember that no one can be good at everything and, probably more importantly, no one is good at nothing! Every single person has some special quality - that potential just needs to be uncovered. The challenge for you is to make sure you know what your strengths are and to keep striving towards the goals you have set for yourself. If you normally get 50% in a subject, strive towards a 60% mark; if you play in a C team, play with as much pride and skill as if you were playing for a national team; if you play a musical instrument, practice twice as much and twice as hard; if you greet one person on your way into school, greet 10 … the possibilities are limitless. My challenge to you is to read this letter and then to send me a reply email at [email protected]. You can tell me anything: whether you are struggling with something; what your goals are going to be in the next term; what you love about St John’s or what you would like to see changed or introduced in the future; or simply how your mid-term break is going and what you are doing. I promise to reply to every one of your emails when I get back and to answer your questions and hear your concerns. I hope you have a fantastic and restful break – Lux, Vita, Caritas! Cheers. Sir (aka Mr Lees) [email protected] .


“Parenting 101”

Effective parenting has never been more important to a family’s success than today. Proper parenting shapes the coming generations, and the way the next generation will behave, affecting the world around them. History has taught us that parenting without a proper foundation tends to lead to confusion for any developing child. That is why the task of trying to be a successful parent is so important and will be the most important job of our lives. Knowing what healthy methods are best for our child during the parenting process is time consuming, but well worth the effort. Discipline Probably the most important and controversial parenting skill is discipline. We parents are conflicted over what type of discipline to apply at what time. Appropriate discipline for a two year-old might not be appropriate or effective for a ten year-old or a teenager. The most important piece of the discipline puzzle is determining who is in charge: the parents or the child. This may sound simple, but in this day and age, the answer isn't always clear. The fear of hurting a child's feelings or crushing his or her spirit coerces many parents into allowing their children to rule the roost. Children need firm boundaries that come from clear and consistent parental discipline. Whether the method is redirection, time-outs, loss of privileges, grounding, or extra chores, it is crucial that we embrace our role to train our children to become moral, respectable adults. I feel that it is important that there are consequences for a child’s actions, be they positive or negative. Consequences allow the child to know immediately if his action was correct or not. Education The ability to recognize that we are always teaching our children is one very valuable parenting skill. From the moment our children are born, they are learning from us. They learn that if they cry, we respond. If they pull our hair, we say, "ouch!" If they throw their cup on the floor, we pick it up. As time goes on, we also teach them to walk, talk, get dressed, and say their A-B-C's. As parents, we also have the responsibility to teach our children morals and values. We cannot depend solely on the school to fulfil this important duty but when I see a child unable to manage a situation, or struggling to behave well, I cannot help but think that he should be able to fall back on what his parents have taught him. There are occasions when I feel very sorry for some children, as their misbehaviour is not entirely their own fault; rather they lack the necessary guidance on what the right thing is to do. In conclusion, I would like to see the school and parents work in partnership with each other to the benefit of each boy in our care. We see your son as a unique individual, and we would like to form and shape him as best we can, in order that he may make a significant contribution to his community one day. "Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. Talk to your son and teach him today, tonight and tomor-row. And the day after that. Forever. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I do look forward to meeting you! Craig Verdal-Austin Second Master 011 645 3116

4CTea 10 June U11A Soccer team were placed second at Wade Foster Tournament Ethan Chilvers Keir Mantzios Dale Hallendorff Stefano Cavalieri Michael Mackie Thamsanqa Mtizira-Nondo Bradley Dunbar Travin Bouwer Luca Allasio Brandon Vermeulen Ciaran James Sean Jacobs


24 June Outstanding English and Afrikaans Assessment Mpilo Mseleku and Colin Kinghorn Outstanding Afrikaans Assessment Lodewijk Volkersz and Sahil Harryprasadh Zulu Assessment Thando Myeza Matthew Robinson Hlumelo Mtshali Jack Gnodde Gahle Letele Reabetswe May Brandon MacKenzie Oliver Kieser Excellent English Results Merlin Love Spelling Bee Michael Norman Alex Harding Devlin Hugo Katleho Ramosedi Helping in the Library Michael Norman Ayrton Griffin-Ellis Aidan Bellingan


Chess Results 6th June St John’s A vs Grayston Seniors won 27 - 1 Juniors won 24 - 4 Overall won 51 - 5 Well done to the following boys who won both their games: S Modi, M Berger, J Batzofin, E Baleni, O Kieser, B Thomas, T Grubb, D Harding, H Papageorgiou, D Lowu, L Pan, A Ionescu, N Moschides, S Gaffney, J West, N Haripershad, B Milton, G Thompson and S Omand. Inter-House Chess Inter-house Chess, played on 20 June 2011 was very exciting. There was great house spirit and the boys took their games seriously. Thanks to the captains for organizing their house teams. Overall Results: Tie 1st : Bousfield and Darragh with 30 points each 3rd : Carter 19 points 4th : Cullinan 17 points

St John’s B vs Roedean Seniors won 23 - 9 Juniors won 23 - 5 Overall won 46 - 14

Karate

Christopher and Nicholas Ching took part in the KWF Karatenomichi South African Karate Championships held on Saturday, 11 June 2011. Nicholas Ching won a gold medal for advanced Kata, a silver medal for open Kata and a bronze for open Kumite. Christopher Ching won a silver medal for open Kata. Well done, boys!

Joshua Vosloo won the South African Championships, held on Saturday, 11 June for Kumite. He will now go to Japan next year in May 2012, to compete in the World Championships. Well done, Joshua!


Mountain Biking

Kevin Frew rode the 4th leg of the provisional cross country mountain bike champs at Rietvlei on the 12th of June. He came 2nd in his age group. Well done Kevin!

St John’s 1st XI took part in the St Benedict's Soccer Tournament on Friday 10th June and Saturday, 11 June 2011. The team made it to the quarter-final, losing 1 - 0 to KEPS who were the eventual winners.

Gino Sanchez and Nicholas Hallendorff were selected to be part of the tournament team. Well done, boys!

Byron Ledlie has been chosen to play for the Under 13B Gauteng Provincial team. He will be representing his province at a Squash tournament to be held in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Well done, Bryon!

Squash

The Southern Gauteng Hockey Tournament took place on 11th June. Well done to Murray Blair, Alex Bester, David Greeff and Timothy McKernan who all took part. Well done, boys!

Soccer

Hockey


Inter-House Quiz

Senior results: Bousfield 67.5 Darragh 52.5 Cullinan 50 Carter 42

Overall results: 4th: Carter 99 3rd: Darragh 106.5 2nd Cullinan 110 1st Bousfield 123.5

Junior results: Cullinan 60 Carter 57 Bousfield 56 Darragh 54

Music Alexander Whitehead, UIIH, has been invited to take part in the Samro Hubert Van Der Spuy National Music competition. The competition will take place in September. Well done, Alexander!

Kian Rose, UID, has qualified to represent South Africa in the U.S. Kids’ Golf World Championship. Well done, Kian!

Golf


Inter-House Soccer

Overall Results 1. Carter 2. Cullinan 3. Darragh 4. Bousfield


Polar Bear Swim The Extreme Explorers programme requires the boys to complete a polar bear swim. To this end, some exceptionally courageous boys braved the depths of Long Walk pool at 06:55 on the 27th June.


EXTREME EXPLORERS: Upper III Solitaire Weekend at Kloofwaters Eleven determined Upper III boys braved the early winter cold and travelled out to Kloofwaters for a camping weekend and an opportunity for a second attempt to earn their Solitaire Award for the Extreme Explorers Programme. This entails spending six hours alone in the bush, from 14h00 until 20h00, with only your clothes, water bottle, journal and one other item! The boys were stoical about the cold (even Grant Foley and Max and Gabriel Baard who thought it would be a good idea to wear shorts) and all of them made it through the six hours of solitude. When it got dark, Alex Brady perched on a rock, bravely wielding a big stick to fight off nocturnal marauders; Grant Foley moved into the burrow that he had created during the daylight hours; and the boys hunkered down until they were called. The following morning, Steve and Smiley (Mike) from the Kloofwaters team took the boys up to a nearby Kloof to do a big 35 metre abseil down into the Kloof, which qualifies as the Adventure Activity Award for Extreme Explorers. All of the boys completed this, even those who were petrified. It was a great weekend, and special thanks must go to the following:

• Zach Muldoon and Gabriel Baard for their work in helping to arrange this trip. • Kloofwaters for hosting us. • The Bradys and Stuart Norman for assisting with transport.

The following boys took part and completed both Extreme Explorers Awards:

Zach Muldoon (organiser) Gabriel Baard (assistant organiser) Max Baard Alex Brady Grant Foley Thomas Mattiuzzo Grant McDonald Matthew Nelson Michael Norman Aidan Quinn James Vieyra Brett Nicolson

Thomas Mattiuzzo Abseiling


Grant Foley’s Burrow

Grant McDonald whiling away the hours

Spot Zach’s solitaire spot!


The Rock Climbing season is in full swing, with over 60 boys from UII to UIII taking part in weekly climbing training sessions with Mr Poco, Mr Nic and a group of coaches. They are learning climbing techniques and safety skills, being challenged person-ally, and having fun! Congratulations to our captain and vice-captains for 2011: Captain: Rhys Newton-Hill Vice Captains: Matthew Nelson and Grant McDonald

Inter-School Climbing Competitions: Twenty of the climbers have competed in two big inter-schools competitions at WonderWall Climbing Gym, facilitated by the participating schools in partnership with the Gauteng Climbing League. Our boys have once again achieved outstanding results, completely dominating the U13 Boys category – 12 of the top 20 climbers were from St John’s. The following boys have qualified to climb in the Gauteng Primary School Finals on the 29th July:

NAME: INTER-SCHOOL RANKING: U13: Matthew Robinson 1st! Grant McDonald 3rd James Shelton 4th Rhys Newton-Hill 6th Matthew Nelson 7th James Vieyra 13th Christopher Ching 14th Murray Blair 15th Max Baard 16th Neil Gultig 17th David Nolan 19th Gabriel Baard 20th U11: Alex Thiel 11th Antony Mason-Gordon 15th Waterval Boven Rock Climbing Tour Ten Prep climbers spent the June 16th long weekend camping and climbing at Waterval Boven, together with five climbers from The Ridge. Apart from being an incredibly beautiful place, Boven boasts some of the best sport climbing in the country, and our boys had a good taste of what it has to offer. They led and top-roped routes from grade 14 to grade 21, and up to heights of nearly 30 metres.

ROCK CLIMBING


The boys who took part were: UIII: Grant McDonald Matthew Nelson Rhys Newton-Hill James Shelton James Vieyra LIII: Murray Blair Christopher Ching Neil Gultig Matthew Robinson Seth Streeter Thanks to Bruno Poco, Ryan and Nadia Butterworth, Marcus van der Hoven, Charles Fourie, Richard Mitchell and Hylton Goodwin for helping run this weekend, as well as to Megan Nelson and Lesley Hill for helping to arrange the catering. Well done, climbers – you were awesome! Brett Nicolson


Lower II

The Lower II boys had to draw a man, based on use of directions. Eight cardinal points were given to them. Here are the results:

By Ziyanda Manaway

By Janovin Scholtz By Emin Yilmaz

By Nikhil Haripershad


By Matthew Appleyard By Jack Stewart

By Daniel Fowlis By Rhys Jurgens


Lower II

Simile Poems: An Autumnal Leaf

A smooth leaf glides down

like a beautiful eagle

A powerful leaf parachutes down

like a group of paratroops

A chocolaty leaf melts down

like a peaceful drop of rain

By Thato Nthoroane

A silvery leaf spinning down

like a spinning ballerina dancing on the stage

A colourful leaf

flying down

like a flying saucer in space A star leaf

twirling down like a frisby in the sky

By Bohlale Masala

A fragile leaf floating down

like a star falling from the night sky

A golden leaf

tumbling down like an eagle soaring

A silvery leaft

fluttering down like a space shuttle landing

on earth

By Wade Omisore


Lower II

The Lower IIs have been thinking about ‘Similes’ Here are a few they have written

My teacher, Mr Bornman, is as kind as a wise turtle. Huzaifah Masood My teacher, Mrs Trolese, is as strict as a mad lion. Liam Fowlis My teacher, Mrs Trolese, is as joyful as a singing bird. Jack Montgomery My teacher, Mr Martins, is as fast as a cheetah chasing a zebra. Ntokozo Dlamini My friend Juliet is as beautiful as a butterfly on a flower. Max Milella Pretzels are as crunchy as feet stomping on bones. Oliver De Sousa Pizza is as lovely as a girl. James Rumsey Dark as a cow at night. Austin Karan Dark as the back of the moon. Matthew Levendig Happy as a school boy on holiday. Rian Sadler Happy as a dog running without a leash. Tarun Gupta Smart as a calculator. Alistair Verhoogt


Lower II In Research Skills the Lower II boys have been exploring advertising. Here are some examples of their own adverts for the Knights Theme.

By Caleb Buchel LIIV By Andrew Raney LIIV

By Milan Prioreschi LIIZ By Max Milella LIIT

By Jack Montgomery LIIT


isiZulu

In isiZulu this term the Lower II boys have been learning about animals. To describe their animal they made a mask and gave a speech. Here they are showing off the animal masks that they made.


Jock of the Bushveld – Homegrown Animation

This is our very own Bushveld story in glorious, animated technicolour on the big screen! Along with the Pre-prep and some Roedean girls, we were extremely privileged to have Duncan McNellie, director of Jock, the animated version, speaking to us. We were shown a sneak preview of the movie and watched closely, the intricacies of the animation process as well as how the music, including that of Johnny Clegg, was selected to fit in with the story. The boys were fascinated by the way in which the voices, including those of Bryan Adams and Helen Hunt, were added to the characters. Duncan regaled us with many tales of his experiences in Los Angeles rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Our Upper II boys have been reading Jock of the Bushveld and have created their own comic strips of an event in the story. These were presented as a thank-you gift to Duncan. Inspired by these works of art, a competition for the best Jock graphic novel has been initiated by the film-makers. http://www.jock-animation.com/ Judging from the audience’s enthusiastic response to the talk, come the opening of the film on the local circuit on 29th July, there will certainly be many St John’s boys queu-ing to watch it!


Upper II Graphic novel pages inspired by the Upper II literature study of Jock of the Bushveld this term.

By Thomas Deppe and Nicholas Lansdown

By Garyn Berry and Alexander Thiel


Upper II

By Brendan Thomas and Anthony Mason-Gordon


Upper II

By Stefano Cavalieri


Upper II

By Bradley Dunbar, Samuel Shumba, Takudzwa Kudzurunga, Thendo Mudau and Michael Smith


Upper II

By Tristan Mattiuzzo, Michael Mackie, Ethan Roets and Andrew Ray


Upper II


Lower III Family History

My family originates from Butterworth, Easter Cape. My great paternal grandfather who was a peasant farmer migrated to Zimbabwe (southern Rhodesia) with a group of fellow tribesmen and his children during the apartheid era. This was after their livestock and land had been taken away from them as a result of the 1913 Land Act. They later migrated to Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) where my father was born. My father returned to South African in 1991 through the United Nations organized voluntary repatriation program. He met my mother in 1994. They married in 1996 and they’ve been together since then. I was born to my parents on the 22 April 1999 and we currently live in Rivonia, Sandton.

By Edward Baleni LIIIF

Great Grandmother 4th from left in black and white hat Great grandfather back row 3rd from left


Lower III Family History My father’s family geographic history starts in Centre of Italy, in a green, mountain Region called Abruzzo. My dad’s father, Gabriele Di Giacomo, was a bright young, multidisciplinary qualified Electrical Plants Engineer from “The University of the Sudies” in Rome and from “The Politecnico” in Milan. He had always desired to work overseas, particularly in Southern Africa, where the electrical generation, transmission and distribution was still in its pioneer stage with huge development potential. After several power lines built successfully in Europe, my grand-father was appointed, by a well-known World Wide Company (SAE), as Executive Director for the Construction of overhead transmission lines in Southern Africa. In this position, from 1955 he established the activity in South Africa where he, between 1956 and 1960, was appointed the Chief Executive of the “Rhodesian Power Lines (Pty) Ltd” which (supported by the South African Company and SAE Italy) tendered successfully for the supply and construction of the transmission lines related to the “Electrical Kariba Project”. The High Voltage power lines scheme built from the Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe towards South Africa included, between others, the Kariba-Karoi-Sinoia, Sinoia-Northon, Sinoia Salisbury (Harare), Northon-Salisbury (Harare), Northon-Bulawayo (approx. 2000 kms).

Lake Kariba extends about 280 km and the mighty Zambesi river took more than four years to fill the lake created by the Kariba Dam (where powerful hydroelectric generating turbines produce ~ 1200 MW of electric power). My dad’s parents were on the stage with the Queen Mother, who officially inaugurated the first phase of works in May 1960. My dad was born in Harare in 1958. From Zimbabwe my dad’s parents moved to Australia (Sydney) and, after a few years, they moved to North Italy where my dad also became an engineer, as his father. After their wedding, my parents moved to Johannesburg for good (!!!), where I was born in 1999. By Claudio Giacomo LIIIF


Lower III


Lower III and Grade 2 Interact Day Drawings of Mr Lees


Notices


Notices

Art club and extra classes From the beginning of next term, Mr Poco is starting an Art Club (for LIII and UIII boys) and extra art classes for junior boys. Senior boys are encouraged to join the Art Club on Tuesdays from 14h00 -15h00 or Thursdays from 15h00-16h00. Juniors may arrange extra art lessons with Mr Poco at alternative times and on alternative days.

We hope to see the senior boys joining the Art Club to create various exciting art works with mediums they do not normally use in class, such as print making, photography, oil painting and many more. This will be a fantastic opportunity for any boy who wishes to develop his art skills.

For further information e-mail Bruno Poco on [email protected]

Italian Language Lessons

Small age appropriate classes and individual tuition offered outside school hours at St John’s. Experienced mother-tongue graduate teacher using communicative method of conversation, maintaining cultural ties for solid IEB foundation. Contact Lisabetta on 082 682 2859 or

[email protected]

EXTRA ZULU LESSONS

Lower III and Upper III boys. Every Thursday 13h45 Upper III Mrs Mashele

All Welcome

Hair Dee-Lite 082 462 6813/ 011 648 6367

Dee offers excellent work for the whole family, competitive prices and the added

convenience of being on campus.

Modern cuts, colours (from R300) and hi-lites.

Kids R50

7 Elm Street (Opposite Rice Field)

Open Tuesday to Friday

08h00 - 17h00

Saturday 08h00 - 13h00

EXTRA MATHS LESSONS

Lower III & Upper III boys in Mrs Jean Clarence’s classroom

Every Thursday 13h45 All Welcome

Extra Math Lessons Individual tuition offered

Mrs M Hauptfleisch

Call 011 442 1854

083 256 7714


When you thought I wasn’t Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,

and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat,

and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favourite cake for me,

and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer,

and I believed that there was a God to talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight,

and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes,

and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I looked.... and I wanted to say thanks for all the things

I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

st john’s preparatory school · spelling bee michael norman alex harding devlin hugo katleho...

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