EDITION 21 1 August 2019
Calling
FP Dads and Lads Hockey Skills Session at Riverside
College Principal “In this world the optimists have it, not because they are always right, but because they are positive. Even when they are wrong, they are positive, and that is the way of achievement, correction, improvement and success.” - (David Landis, American Economic Historian from ‘The Wealth and Poverty of Nations’.) Being positive is so important, especially for boys as they learn. We all learn from our mistakes and need to keep our focus, adapt, change and do the right thing. We are already into the second week of term with the holidays something of a distant memory. Our soccer season has started in earnest and it is pleasing to see so many boys playing. We have a full round of fixtures this Saturday against Hilton. On Friday and Saturday we hosted a very successful Rugby 7’s Tournament at Riverside The rugby was hard and exciting and the players were exhausted at the end of the day’s play. The U15’s in particular, gave a very good account of themselves. The facilities at Riverside helped to create a festive atmosphere. Mr Bell, Mr McVicar and their helpers are to be complimented on organizing such a successful event. On the cultural front, the boys are busy with a variety of activities. The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Course has started and involves Grade 11 boys. This course helps boys to speak confidently in public, covering a range of ideas and topics, and preparing them to speak ‘off the cuff’, as well as in prepared speech contexts. These are definitely life skills that will stand them in good stead. We also have a number of quizzes and debating events taking place. In the semi-finals of the Durban Coastal Debating League – Team 1 came up against Team 2, with Team 1 the winners. They now progress to the finals. We also had a wonderful celebration of music last night, when we hosted the annual DGC/Clifton Soiree at Clifton. The musicians and staff of both schools must be thanked for the talent on display and we acknowledge the effort, time and hard work that goes into playing or singing for an audience. One always feels wonderful after such an evening as we all know the value that music plays in enriching our lives and in particular our souls. On the Academic front, the matrics are hard at work preparing for the Trial Examinations which start on
Monday 12 August. These examinations give the matrics a taste of what the finals will be like and will prove beneficial in their preparations.
As a parent, one often reflects on one’s role as a father or mother and whether one is doing the right thing. A book I have mentioned before and have found to be worthwhile reading, and that gives practical advice about teenage boys is, ‘He’ll be Ok’ by Celia Lashlie (Harper Collins 2013), a New Zealand mother, who has since passed away. Browsing through the book again, I found something for the dads and I quote: “If you were to ask my opinion about your role as a father in the life of your adolescent son, on what the boys told me I’d answer that you should be on the bridge of adolescence, to show your boy what manhood is. Your role is also to create pathways to other men, so that the stuff that he can’t talk to you about, because he’s so pragmatic, he can talk about to another male. Accept that he will talk to another man, because there are some things he can’t talk to you about. Being a good father doesn’t mean that your son talks to you about absolutely everything; being a good father is simply being there. In his eyes, you’re enough as you are now, simply because you are his father; you’re special because you’re the only one he can call ‘Dad’. That’s all he’s focused on. Continue to be who you are, continue to walk beside him and he’ll be the good man he has the potential to become. And you will have a great deal of fun along the way.“ In conclusion, encourage your sons to be positive and reaffirm their positive behaviour. Boys need affirmation. They thrive on it. Enjoy the weekend.
Yours faithfully
GERRY GOEDEKE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Meander... Messrs Boniaszczuk and Ravenscroft will join Mrs Achmad at the Proudly Primary Conference being held at Highbury. Mr White will support the Foundation Phase and Prep hockey fixtures being played at various venues over the weekend on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday Messrs Knowles, Goedeke, Mezher and Bresler will be at some of the College soccer matches being played against Hilton, considering games are being played at Riverside and at Hilton. Messrs Knowles and Ravenscroft will be at the Prep hockey matches being played against Virginia at Riverside.
Congratulates... Ignatius Friedman who was selected as a member of the U12 and U14 KZN Coastal Ice Hockey Team. The team played 8 matches in Cape Town and won bronze in the finals. Ignatius was the second highest point scorer. Well done, young man. You certainly are ‘boxing above your weight’ as one of the youngest members of this team!
Both our senior Debating Teams who made it through to the semi-finals of the Durban and Coastal Debating League, having won their debates against Glenwood in the quarter finals. Clifton 1 were up against Clifton 2, with the motion being: This house regrets the narrative that you can become anything you want to be. Clifton 1 won the debate, and will face Thomas More in the final on Tuesday 6th August. Congratulations go to Anthony Traicos who was selected for the UKZN Debating team at the recent Provincial tournament in the July holidays.
Well done to the Interact Executive Committee who were formally inducted at assembly this week.
Kaylem David (Grade 2) for winning the Grade 7 Entrepreneurs Day Raffle!
Jacques Mahanga and Joshua Taylor (Grade 11) who completed the Rotary Goodwill Leadership Course held at Seula during the holidays.
The Clifton Golf Team of Cade Cryer, Matthew Kruger, Muhammed Peer, Ryan Koekemoer, Nicholas Phipps and James Jarvis who played in the KZN Interschools Team Championships at Beachwood and Durban Country Club, and finished 4th out of the 11 schools.
Cameos
Clifton hosted the annual Interschool's History Quiz in the Ken Mackenzie Hall. Well done to Michaelhouse who emerged victors on the evening.
Yet another indication of the wealth of talent and passion both the Clifton and Durban Girls' College musicians and staff have for music! Guests were treated to vocal, piano, violin (and other), choir and orchestra performances at the annual Clifton and DGC Soiree last night. Bravo!
Miss Watson has been helping the boys with their hockey skills on our Grade R Astro.
Some of our matric gentlemen and their partners prior to the ‘Captains Table� Matric Farewell Dinner.
Nominate your favourite teacher for Teacher’s Day Awards and you could win over R400 000 worth of prizes for you, your teacher and your school. Someone who makes a difference with a smile, a hug, or helping you do better? Teachers create hope every day, so let’s celebrate those that shine. Tell us all about your favourite teacher in a letter of no more than 200 words. www.myschool.co.za
Old Boys
Remember to keep swiping your MySchool card or simply download the app.
Congratulations to Clifton Prep Old Boy, Dylan Nel who was named at the Otago Daily Times premier player of the year award. Dylan is an Otago loose forward and the trophy was presented at a ceremony at the Green Island Rugby Football Club.
Clifton Old Boys and international cricketers; Robin Smith (1976), Barry Richards (1958), and Brad Wheal (2014) got together for the release of Robin's book 'The Judge'. The Judge was Robin's nickname. He captained the 1st X1 at Clifton in 1975 and 1976 and went on to play 62 tests for England in the late 1980s and 1990s. In the archived photo, Robin receives some coaching tips from Barry. They clearly worked!
Our 2012 Head Boy, Murray Dunn, taking the initiative and effecting change by developing an environmentally friendly pesticide to replace chemicals. Prodesse Quam Conspici, Murray.
Cameron Peters (2013) graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master of Studies in Film Aesthetics degree.
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