14th April 2010
Newsletter 10/2010
Dear Parents
Welcome back to the start of our Easter term. This term is always filled with the wonderful feasts the Church has to offer. This is also going to be one of the busiest but shortest terms. Of course we all eagerly await the start of the Soccer World Cup at the end of the term, but a lot has to happen before then. For the High School we have very important exams, not to mention the many sporting and cultural commitments, as well as our annual school tour week.
I would like to thank The Heads of Phases Mrs Sim and Mr Batty for making sure that the end of last term ended smoothly. In particular I would like to thank Mr Pike for carrying the heavy burden of looking after the school while Mr Oliver and I headed to Ireland. The trip itself was very successful and of course we have both come back filled with great enthusiasm for the whole Edmund Rice Network. We are more than happy to bore anybody who cares to listen, with our stories. It is always interesting to see how other people do things and to realise that we in fact do things very well here in South Africa and particularly here at Mount Edmund.
Sadly this holiday saw the deaths of two of our community. Adam Reyneke, who left the College a number of years ago was killed while riding on his bicycle. His funeral service took place here at the Chapel on Tuesday morning. Our sympathies go to Bruce, Angela and Natasha Reyneke. Mrs Phala is currently away from the College as she sees to the burial rites of her younger brother. To her and the extended family we offer our sincere condolences.
I do understand that many parents attended the parents’ evenings that were held at the end of last term and perhaps some parents felt as though we should change our system so as to get through the numbers more quickly. We have tried several ways previously and generally it is felt that the current system works best. In fact most staff had completed their interviews by the 19:00 deadline. If, however, you feel that you were not properly attended to by a particular staff member, please feel free to make a special appointment with that person. If you would like a senior member of staff present as well, members of the management team would be happy to sit in on the interview. Your concerns need to be expressed constructively in this manner and we wish to engage you in them.
The College will be holding the first of two Open Days this weekend. They will be taking place on Saturday from 09:00 – 11:00, and again on Monday from 16:00 – 18:00. If you have got friends who are interested in bringing their children to the College please let them know so that they can attend or at least start getting their application forms in to the office.
The PTA will soon be starting with their next fund-raising event which is our annual car raffle. All families will once again receive a book. If you do not intend selling any tickets (which would be a pity) please return the book as soon as possible so that we can recycle them to those people who do end up by selling upwards of 10 books. Also remember that last year one of our own parents actually won the car, so this year it could be your turn. I would also like to point out that the only other major event we are going to have this year will be the Monde Day, so please help support the College in the drive to start work on the swimming pool.
While I’m doing the begging thing could I remind everyone about the MySchool Card. Last month was not a good month as we only brought in about R900 when we normally bring in about R1400. If you do not have a card and you shop regularly at place like Woolworths, Garden Centre or Mugg & Bean then please ask at the accounts office or simply get a card from Woolworths and you will be helping us to help you. This has to be the best win-win situation you have ever come across.
“If you sit on the bank of a river, you see only a small part of its surface and yet, the water before your eyes is proof of unknowable depths” – Is that not what Easter is about?
God Bless
PR ROSS
HEADMASTER