14th May 2010
Newsletter 13/2010
Dear Parents
Well we have had some interesting weather in the last couple of days. Winter is fast approaching and as a result there are a number of things like uniform and co-curricula activities that change and perhaps need clarity.
All the pupils seem to be correctly dressed in their winter uniform. However it seems that as it gets colder pupils think they can add blankets and non-school uniform items of clothing like jackets and “beanies”. Please assist us in this matter. If your child is still cold they need to wear any extra clothing under their uniforms. Items like beanies will be confiscated.
We have attempted to have Bafana Friday within the context of a non “civvies day” approach. Unfortunately some pupils in the High School have pushed the limits in this regard despite the numerous warnings they have received, so we have decided that the High School may not wear World Cup shirts. Full school uniform is required. The Primary School however will be allowed to wear the “Bafana Friday” clothes until such time as we feel they too start abusing the privilege.
As far as co-curricula activities are concerned it seems as though pupils like to “hang” around after these activities during this season. I can’t understand why, as it is usually much colder and darker. Whatever the reason, please assist us in ensuring your child is picked up as soon as the activity has ended. Recently we have had a number of activities cancelled because of the weather and parents have got confused and as a direct result some children have been left here until 20:00. This is really concerning.
Last Saturday we had a Mass celebrated here at the College for the Anti-Human Trafficking campaign that is being run by the South African Bishops Conference. Cardinal Wilfred Napier was the main celebrant and Bishop Buti from Johannesburg spoke about this terrible situation. I would like to add that in light of my previous paragraph parents have a responsibility to make sure they know where their children are at all times.
This weekend we have advertised a “Mother’s Day” Mass. We will in fact call it a “Parent’s Day” Mass which will start at 10:00 on Sunday. All are welcome.
We are now at the end of the Raffle Book session. Please ensure that all books are returned by Monday 17th May i.e. this Monday. I would like to thank the many families who have once again helped raise much needed funds for the College. I must add that we have not raised as much as we normally do at this point. This might be understandable given the fact that we had the Swimathon last term which raised R80 000, but there are some families who have contributed to neither and still expect the school to make ongoing changes to the facilities.
While on the subject of fund raising, our thanks is extended to all the parents and friends of the College who continue to shop with their MySchool Card. Last month we did much better than previously. I would also like to extend a big thank you to those Primary School parents who have been shopping and helped with the “play-it-forward” promotion.
The last point to be made about the finances of the College, parents please need to ensure that the fees for June and July are paid. As was mentioned in last week’s newsletter we notice that over the holiday periods parents sometimes ‘forget’ to pay school fees. This year we have a much longer holiday and some parents might ‘forget’ both months.
As we enter the novena period between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost we pray for Christian Unity: “Come Holy Spirit and inspire our hearts to listen to Your voice speaking to each of us”
God Bless
PR ROSS
HEADMASTER