South African College Junior School

Headmaster’s Circular 19/2018

26 October 2018 Dear Parents of SACS Pre-Primary and SACS Junior School Greetings! Assalaamualaikum. Yho! Kushushu khakhulu! Ons hoop dat niemand gesmelt het nie!

THE STUNNING ‘SACS FAMILY’!

The past fortnight has seen a multitude of engagements with various members of our cherished ‘Family SACS’ across the generations – a continuum from baby steps in our journey together through to those in the golden years of our deeply meaningful relationship. It all started with Mrs Burmeister and Mrs Latsky rocking up with their newborns – Luke and Nova, respectively – to the coos, ‘Oooohs!’ and ‘Aaaahs!’ of the staff and boys! By this time, various members of the Matric ‘Class of 2018’ had returned to their Junior School classrooms on Valedictory Day to seek out their teachers and capture the atmosphere of those days. Then, two Old Boy Reunion Groups graced us with their presence – the Matric ‘Class of 1958’ and ‘Class of 1988’, 60 and 30 years out of Standard Ten in that order. What a privilege to be in the striking presence of these SACS men (some with spouses in attendance) and to feel the ‘SACS Gees’ which grows stronger through the decades. Welcoming our ‘new bugs’ at Grade One 2019 Orientation on Thursday 25th took us back to the very beginning, showing that the future of SACS and South Africa is most promising. Then, somewhere along this timeline, comes the big event of this weekend – the marriage of Grade Five teacher, Miss Catherine Douglas, to Mr Rupert Hare. The Grade Five Team were not shy in giving Catherine an appropriate send-off, as the photo shows. These cameos recap how important Mindfulness is – to stop and relish the present, particularly as we are an integral part of this unique human energy and sense of community. Speaking of roles of accountability …

RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

This positive theme should be front of mind in the 21st Century and will be the game changer to more productive interpersonal relationships for our youth. For them to flourish in the future, accountability is at the forefront and needs to be exemplified, taught and learned by all involved. In society, we hear increasingly of daily horrors through abuse of Social Media, to the detriment of individuals and groups. It lies in the domain of responsible parenting to assist our children to utilise the power of Technology for the benefit of all, not to the detriment of any person or group. To this end, we raise awareness of aspects in our approach at the Junior School:

Boys are not allowed to bring cell phones or media devices to school unless in extenuating circumstances, backed by a written request from parents. In these instances, all phones must be signed in at Reception. In the event of phones being brought to school without permission, these devices will be confiscated. Please monitor strictly from home to obviate unhappy outcomes.

The firewalls and filtering systems in our network are sensitive and able to pick up inappropriate language or browsing. These circumstances will be dealt with firmly on an individual basis.

Control of screen time; knowing the appropriate age for putting a device in the hands of a child and scrupulous monitoring of group platforms by responsible adults are essentials in knowing where guidance and restrictions are required. We are reminded that it is illegal for a child under of the age 13 to engage in use of Facebook. Quite ironic, too, that the minimum age for use of WhatsApp by minors in EU countries is 16. We need to apply our common sense to these limits.

We remember that, what we commit in type digitally is cast in stone digitally. Emma Sadlier of the Digital Law Company reminds us: What we wish to put in speech or writing, we should be prepared to display on a billboard (along with our portrait and name) next to a busy highway for all to see. This is a sobering urge to manage our impulsivity in all forms of communication. Use of words intended to hurt through discrimination towards Gender, Generation, Culture, Faith, Sexual Identity and other areas concerning our bill of rights are not just perilous for adults only. The innocent, irresponsible or risk-taking child needs to know of current examples where use of racist language or hate speech has ruined the future of the offender, their families and careers for good.

We shall be running Parent and Teacher Workshops and information sessions in the new year. We strongly endorse that these conversations be had in the home. Education at school on these topics takes place during IT as well as in other subjects, but it is not in the domain of the classroom for teachers to deal with such exceptionally sensitive issues. There may be classroom or group dynamics which are incongruent with parenting styles in the home. Thank you for your cooperation.

STAFF MANOEUVRES

Some smart strategies by our Academic Team have seen the filling of a small number of vacancies for 2019, which became available fairly late in the year. In Grade R, Mrs Diana Grant takes the place of Mrs Nina Hampton, who becomes a home-based mum and is exploring business opportunities. Diana’s former experience as Pre-School Head in Queenstown, as well as her wealth of teaching experience at this level, were strong motivators for her selection. Then, in order to expand the Counselling Support pillar of the Education Support Unit, Ms Tracy Visser has been appointed to work alongside Ms Wonique Dreyer, the SACS Junior School Counsellor. To replace Tracy, Mrs Sandy Hare will bring her vast knowledge of Foundation Phase teaching to Grade Two. In complementing this healthy bouquet of change, Mrs Stephne Keulder returns to the FP fold to teach one of her favourite grades – Grade One. Her presence gives us confidence that the vital needs of the Grade One learning and extra-mural environment will be seen to more than adequately. We are excited by the spread of experience, growth in service and thread of

consistency which these moves promise. cold

SGB 2018 BUDGET REVIEW AND 2019 BUDGET RATIFICATION: MONDAY, 29 OCTOBER

We remind parents of our invitation, sent on 27 September to attend this very important meeting on Monday 29 October, in the Junior School Hall, commencing at 19:00 sharp.

AQUA CENTRE CELEBRATION AND FUNDRAISER

WOW! What a massive ‘SACSess’! Apart from the immense fun that was had by all participants in celebrating our awesome new-look Aqua Centre, the event raised a total of R238 000! These funds will go towards the costs of kitting out the PTA’s beautiful new Tuck Shop facility at the Centre.

SUPPORT FOR THE FIRE-RAVAGED COMMUNITIES

On Monday, Xhosa teacher Ms Nonotombi Matu and a group of SACS boys will visit Nkazimlo Primary School in Khayelitsha to deliver footwear and clothing to children of the school who are part of the community heavily affected by disastrous fires last weekend. The proceeds used come from funds raised by our SRC. Should SACS families wish to support (materially or financially) the Western Cape communities affected by recent fires, one of the sites we have found has the following link.

U13 CAPE SCHOOLS CRICKET Mr A Kirsten: Cricket

Our U13A Cricket team travelled to East London at the end of the Third Term to take part in the annual Cape Schools Cricket Festival, hosted this year by Selborne Primary School. Our team produced some outstanding cricket, for the record, beating Dale and Queens in 50-over matches and Grey PE and Selborne in T20 matches. The foundation of the success was undoubtedly some inspired batting from the top order recording four centuries, backed up with some good bowling and fielding and an all-round polished team effort. Congratulations must go to the following boys for their incredible batting displays: Oliver Whitehead 100 vs Dale and 108* vs Queens plus 38* vs Selborne; Ben Levitt 131 vs Queens, 70* vs Grey PE, 49* vs Selborne; and Michael Newton 108* vs Queens, 70 vs Dale and 40 vs Grey PE. I would like to congratulate all the boys who went on tour for this wonderful event. We are all very proud of your efforts both on and off the field. I would also like to thank the Parents who made the trip for your continued support and encouragement.

GK QUIZ Ms S Stammers: GK

The third and final round of the Interschools General Knowledge Quiz took place at Pinehurst Primary School on 16 October. SACS secured an impressive fourth place overall. Well done to the following boys for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the competition: Robert Steenekamp, Malik Jamie, Aidan Jones, Cuan Ugarchund, Matthew Duk, Oliver Ashwell, Oscar Buffler, Brent Lovely and Pierre van Selm.

WATERPOLO SLABBER CLUB Mr J Edwards: WaterPolo

Due to the water crisis, The Slabber Cup was moved from the first to the fourth term this year. SACS were seeded first in the Cape and met Western Province Prep in the semi-final. After a gruelling three days of waterpolo at the SACS Tournament our side was missing two boys through injury and illness, requiring the whole team to step up and rise to the occasion. The boys put together a well-composed performance against WPPS in the semi-final and managed a convincing 13-4 win. The final was against Rondebosch and all the boys were focused and ready for the main event. We took control from the first whistle and put the pressure on Rondebosch by scoring four unanswered goals. From that point SACS were able to control the rest of the game finishing it off 7-3 and retaining the Slabber Cup. Well done to all the boys for their hard work and dedication; spreading the name and swelling the fame of the S.A.C.

WATERPOLO TOURNAMENT Mr J Edwards: WaterPolo

SACS hosted the 18th Edition of SACS Junior School Revelstone Water Polo Tournament from the 11th to 13th of October. 220 boys descended on The Aquatic Centre for its’ inaugural of this event. Both our under 12 and under 13 sides worked incredibly hard in preparation for the tournament and this showed in their results. The under 12A side played some wonderful water polo claiming one win and two draws, whilst playing against under 13 teams. Our under 13A side won nine of their ten pool matches only drawing against a very strong St Davids team. In the quarter-final we came up against Clifton and managed to win the game 3-0. We were drawn against St Johns in the semi-final and the boys fought hard throughout the game. Unfortunately, St Johns managed to capitalise on an opportunity in the last minute of the game and won 2-1. DPHS ended up beating St John’s in the final to claim the trophy. Well done to all the boys for working so hard and playing their hearts out. A huge thank you to all the SACS staff and parents involved who helped make this tournament the magnificent event that it was.

MUSIC FESTIVAL PTA

On Saturday, the PTA hosted their Music Festival which was a resounding success! Even the

wind played its part and calmed down to a (strong) breeze. There were a record number of

attendees this year – a total of 872 tickets were pre-brought through Webtickets for the

event. The Festival kicked off with the SACS Junior Concert Band followed by our boys in the

Jazz Band. The Night Sky Zombies who are a group of Five SACS Dads then

wooed us with their sounds! Between the five of them, they have ten boys at

SACS. Our headline act was GOODLUCK and WOW! did they put on a show for

us which not even a little power failure dampened! Adults had their hands in

the air and kids were dancing on the stage. Thank you for joining us and for

your support!

SAXIE’S WYSBOEK!:

We extend a huge round of applause to the SACS team of boys, staff and parents who collaborated interdependently to make Thursday morning’s Grade One 2019 Orientation Day (aka ‘O Day’) a remarkable and resounding success – a fitting welcome to our 104 boys starting Grade One next year.

Best wishes to the Enviro Club who, led by Ms Lynne Roscoe, attend their Annual Camp at Wortelgat (close to Stanford) this weekend – all for caring and making a difference for our planet.

Good luck, SACS athletes who travel to Paarl Boys’ Primary School on Monday evening next week to participate in the host’s annual Twilight Athletics Meeting.

Next Friday is the renowned ‘Grade Five Trading Day’ – an opportunity for our lads to flex their entrepreneurial muscle during a morning of what should be brisk trade. That key Habit of Mind, ‘Creating, Imagining and Innovating’ is central to the amazing products and ideas which catch the eye each year.

SACS Sportsmen have been in the spotlight of late. Congratulations to Jake Dreyer who competed (as a Western Cape rep) in the Junior National Climbing Competition in Durban recently. Jake won silver in Bouldering (placed second nationally) and bronze in Lead Climbing competition (third nationally). Well done, too, to the following boys for their selection to WP Waterpolo: U13A Team: Noah Bigara, Ryan Dawson, Jack Gee, Alexander Palframan; U13 B Team: Nicholas Fall, Rogan Stirk. We are very proud of these achievers!

Seven of our former Junior School boys have been selected to the body of 13 Prefects at SACS High: Congratulations to Jamie Baxter, Kyle Baxter, Luke D’Aguiar, Benjamin Hartley, Devon Laurenson, Ian Paterson, and Brent van Niekerk. We also extend our best wishes to the Head Boy and Deputy, Panasche Gundani and Zach Baskir, respectively. On another front, we are proud to share our leadership talents with neighbouring friends, Westerford! Liam Dugmore (ex SACS Junior) has been elected Head Boy of Westerford High School for 2019. Very well done to all! And so, we close until the next circular in a fortnight’s time. As we approach Week Four of Term Four, the waning moon tips us into the last weekend of October. May you and the family have a wonderful weekend of laughter, fun times together, sharing good food and relaxation! Thank you. Dankie. Shukran. Enkosi kakhulu. Yours sincerely F M J NEL HEADMASTER