19th February 2010
Newsletter 5/2010
Dear Parents
Our thanks goes to all those that supported the various Valentine’s Day activities that we had last week. I was particularly happy with the “V-Ball” which was well organised and the pupils stayed to clear up afterwards. The staff are always prepared to go the extra mile when the pupils play their part.
There are however two points that need to be made: after an event such this, you, as parents need to be aware of the end time and be here to pick up your child or at least make arrangement to do so. Two senior staff members were left here till 01:00 as two young girls were not fetched as “the transport” was late. That is inexcusable. If it wasn’t unprofessional of me, I would name and shame those parents in this letter.
The second point is that this event was a pupil driven event with the proceeds of the day going to the Matric Dance Committee. As always we levy a charity tax on the amount of 10% which goes to the ERS for the work that they do during the course of the year.
While we are on the issue of raising funds, I would like to point out that our first fund raiser is the Swimathon. The PTA have identified that they would like to be involved in helping to fix up the swimming pool and the surrounds. It seems that it would be appropriate then that this becomes the first project that they undertake for 2010. In the past this event has been an “Intermediate Phase” event but now it will be a “Whole School” event where we will raise more and give the year and PTA a solid start. Forms have been issued to all pupils and hopefully they are already gathering in the sponsors. As this will happen partly in school time we are expecting all pupils to participate.
Last week I reported on Nono Modise who had to undergone brain surgery. She is still in hospital, not having fully come out of the coma, so I continue to ask for your charitable prayers for her recovery. The family have asked me to express their thanks for the many kind words that have been delivered to them.
Last week we also issued the Code of Conduct with the attached letter that needed to be returned. To date there are still about 10% of the forms outstanding. Please make sure that the forms are returned to the College with immediate effect. It is imperative that we have those forms signed; it forms part of the contract that the College has with you the parents.
It is with extreme sadness that we are currently experiencing a major theft spree, particularly of cell-phones and wallets. We encourage you to help your child understand that despite our best efforts this kind of thing does happen. Children are asked not to leave valuables lying around. We on our part intend to uncover how and when these people operate and to take the necessary action to remove them from the College. Again I would ask that you talk to your children about how easily it is to get caught up with this kind of thing and to be accomplices by virtue of remaining silent.
A remainder that next week FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED. It is the Annual Catholic Teachers Day and the staff will all be away on a conference and as a result there will be no school.
The High School had their Inter High Gala on Wednesday 17th February, many individual swimmers did well but unfortunately the team as a whole, did not do as well as we had hoped. Well done to Manuela Pereira-Jardim who was the runner up to the Victrix Ludorum. The team, together with the Primary School team will be swimming in the Annual Inter CBC gala on Friday 19th February and hopefully do better there.
The prayer for the week: “We pray for our Priests that they may be lead by the Holy Spirit to bring the people of God closer to the Father.”
Yours truly
PR ROSS
HEADMASTER