Our good run of form in the IEB, Grade 9 bench-marking exams continues. This week we received the results from the Afrikaans Huistaal paper. Granted we only had one candidate writing, but if you regard him as a statistic, then he constitutes nearly 5% of Grade 9! So, well done on your distinction, Armand Kriel.

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BEING A DRAKIE REQUIRES TENACITY

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16/11/2018 I TERM 4 I NEWSLETTER

ISSUE

103

CONCERT AWARDS

NEWS FROM ACADEMICS

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I

would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event itself. We

GOODBYE TO STEVEN AND MELANIE…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE HEAD

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE HEAD

BEING A DRAKIE REQUIRES TENACITY…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

More accolades for our School came this week in the form of an email from Kearsney College notifying us of the achievements of some of our Old Boys, who will be in Matric at Kearsney next year. This is what we learned:

Thando Myeza: Prefect (Deputy Head of Sheffield House) and Deputy Head of Choir.

Neo Mntambo: Head of Choir and Vice-chairman of the Kearsney College Council (explanation below if required).

Siyabonga Tshabalala: Cultural Portfolio Representative of the Kearsney College Council and Musical Leader.

(The Kearsney College Council represents the boys of the College. The function of the Council is to foster the ideals of the College, to promote pupil welfare, to act as liaison and to interact with other school bodies. Two boys from each Grade serve on the council with the Grade 12s of 2019 making up the majority of the Council, serving as Chair and Vice-chairman and Academic, Culture, Sport, Houses, Dayboys, Environment and Chapel portfolios).

Then, our Sport and Cultural Awards Prize-Giving ceremony on Friday night was a wonderful occasion. Certificates and trophies were handed out, as well as colours and honours. I was extremely proud of all the recipients.

The presentation of the Platinum Jabot reminded me clearly that the Drakie experience is an exercise in perseverance, tenacity and good ol’ South African ‘vasbyt’! One is inclined to think, that to be awarded Concert Status means that a boy has ‘arrived,’ when in fact it is but the start of the second stage of the journey (Training Status being the first). I have come to understand this year that the Blue and Jabot means only that you are eligible to be on stage but that your performance is never guaranteed; nor is it a right.

Furthermore, the Drakie journey really only ends in Grade 9 with the awarding of the Platinum Jabot. When it is hung around a boy’s neck by his parents, it is a very poignant moment, as it symbolises the support and encouragement given by his parents, and the successfully completed Drakie journey undertaken by the boy. This special and moving ceremony is not something any boy takes for granted.

Then, what better way to thank the Grade 9 boys and their parents for their contribution to the school than with a splendid Grade 9 Dinner on Saturday night. Erika Linde’s attention to every detail, and the thought and consideration that went into every aspect of the evening, made it one which few of those who attended will ever forget. In an evening of many highlights, the Grade 9 skit, which ‘ripped-off’ the teachers, had me doubled up with laughter. Boys are an observant bunch, although they often do not app ear to be so. The traits, quirks and idiosyncrasies of their teachers were put on grand display as one boy after another took on the caricature of a teacher and played the part perfectly.

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With highlights like the Noёl Tour, CiB and our Academic Awards Ceremony still to come, the year, it seems, is gearing up not winding down!

Talking examinations though, the school is in study mode at present and the boys are furiously engaged either in writing or learning for the next exam. Of course, choir continues, as does a restricted sports programme. The senior inter-house soccer match between the Hawks and the Eagles on Tuesday, (won by the Hawks, 2-0) and then on, Thursday, the junior match (also won by the Hawks, 3-2 on penalties) brought to an end, formal sport for the year, but we have tried to incorporate some rest and relaxation for the boys each afternoon, when they can at least get into the river or the pool for a swim, just to afford them a break from their studies. The weather has been frightfully warm here, with, ‘heavy cloud but no rain,’ (apologies to Sting) and the mornings have been quite extreme.

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Farewell:

It was with great dismay that I learned this week that Sonnie Grobbelaar will be leaving us at the end of this year. ‘Miss G,’ has become a favourite with the boys and the New Boys certainly flourished under her guidance.

Sonnie has an opportunity at a number of universities in Europe to further her studies towards her PhD next year. Who knows, we may yet welcome Dr Grobbelaar back onto our staff in a few years.

We wish her all the best and thank her for a job well done!

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Last Word:

A graduation ceremony is where the guest speaker tells a room full of students dressed in identical blazers, white shirts and ties that ‘individuality’ is the key to success.

Till next time,

Greg Brooks

Executive Head

Old Drakies currently at Kearsney College:

Siyabonga Tshabalala, Thando Myeza, Neo Mntambo

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WEDNESDAY CONCERT AWARDS

SOLOIST OF THE WEEK

CHORISTER OF THE WEEK

Vuyo Mcanyana Angus Sommerville

COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCES

Oratile Pega Kevin Jordaan Angus Sommerville Bandile Nzuza

Vhuthi Siwada Karabo Machepha Neo Ramalitse

Luke Brown

Nkazimulo Mabaso

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NEWS FROM THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

With the end-of-year examinations now in full swing, I have become even more aware of the stringent schedule within which our boys function so admirably. The extra-mural programme at most other schools is tapering off, but here at Drakies the boys are writing their final exams while the demands of Noёl Tour and CiB preparation escalate significantly. A typical day during this exam period has two, two-hour exam and/or study sessions and two choir practices. In addition, the weekly concert is still a feature. There is no doubt that our boys feel the pressure, to the point of it seeming unreasonable at times, but the track record of countless Drakies in their senior years at other schools bears testament to the coping mechanisms that are being developed through the challenges of our unique product-offering. As reported on last term, the Grade 9s wrote the national external IEB Subject Specific Tests in English, Mathematics and Afrikaans Home Language (one boy). The results, which have been submitted to the IEB for moderation, clearly indicate where we are on track and what needs attention. While some areas for development have emerged, the former is more dominant. Similarly, the Grade 7s have written nationally set Shared Assessment Tasks in English, Afrikaans (First Additional Language) and Mathematics. These too offer the opportunity to benchmark Drakies standards against those of the participating schools. The feedback will be available in January next year. I have no doubt that subscribing to the above two assessments will direct the planning and execution of our teaching at all grade levels. As the year closes out, I am more than satisfied what has been accomplished in the academic arena and I am excited about where things are headed from the start of 2019. On reflection of my two terms at Drakies, I am filled with a deep sense of belonging and pride. Dave Cato

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Caleb Saks

24 November

DATE EVENT TIME

14-23 November Exams

17 November Choir 08:30-12:30

21 November Wednesday Concert 15:30 - 17:30

24 – 17 November Noёl Preparations

23 November Drakies Christmas Dinner 17:00

24 November Conference at Wits End

25 November Chapel 18:15

Calendar 16 November – 25 November 2018

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