THE PULSE
Issue 2
The High School newsletter of Sacred Heart College
Issue 2 2 February 2016
IN THIS ISSUE New learner’s party 2016 First Aid club undertakes CPR training President’s Awards presented to Sacred Heart College learners
Sacred Heart College’s music ensembles shine at the Academic Mass Matric learners of 2016 leading in the new grade 1 learners of 2016 into the Academic Mass held on Thursday 28 January.
From the principal’s desk
Jazz band in preparation for the St Mary’s Battle of the Bands One Heart Choir: places still available Junior High gala makes a splash
Dear parents, guardians and learners Inter-house swimming gala We have had a wonderful two weeks filled with many sporting successes and a celebration of our Academic mass. Our cricketers, basketball players, tennis and swimming teams have all represented Sacred Heart College with pride. Our inter-house gala was interrupted by lightning and was completed on Monday. Despite this, there was an amazing spirit and the house captains did a fantastic job at organising the teams with many learners participating in the various events. Each year we grapple with the challenge of when to host the gala. If we hold it during the school day we overcome the challenge presented by learners who use public transport however this excludes those parents who work and would really like to watch their children swim. Hosting it during the day also interferes with our academic programme. We would appreciate your feedback for our planning next year. It can be emailed to heatherb@sacredheart.co.za. The test timetables have been uploaded onto the school communicator. These dates are for
DATES TO DIARISE February 2 3
5 6
8 10
Parent’s association meeting, 07h30, Habits coffee shop Grade 10 and 11 information evening 17h30, the hall St Mary’s Battle of the Bands auditions 18h00, The Edge St Mary’s, Waverley IEB user group conferences IEB user group conferences U13 inter-Catholic basketball and cricket tournament Maths olympiad 1st round Ash Wednesday
11 12
Midmar Midmar U16 St John’s Basketball Festival
13
Midmar Open inter-Catholic basketball tournament U16 St John’s Basketball Festival Midmar U16 St John’s Basketball Festival
14
SACRED HEART COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS
THE PULSE
Issue 2
standardised tests across the grade and form one part of our assessment. Homework tasks, assignments and projects also contribute to the end of term result that we report on. Our policy on homework is outlined in the diary on page 19. Preparation for tests should be over and above the time suggested there. We have scheduled the following homework and support classes: Day
Homework room
Teacher
Monday
Room 2:Grade 7 & 8 Room 1: Grade 9 & Senior High Room 2:Grade 7and 8, Room 1: Grade 9 and Senior High Room 2:Grade 7 & 8 Room 1: Grade 9 Senior High Room 2:Grade 7& 8 Room 1: Grade 9 & Senior High
Ms Weissenbacher Ms Ogle
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Maths support room Room 4
Teacher
Ms Weissenbacher Ms Ogle
Room 4
Mr Cyprian, Mr Janke and Mr Ntloko
Ms Modi
Room 4
Ms Chipindu
Ms Ogle Ms Braude
Room 4
Ms Chipindu
Ms Chipindu
Ms Modi
The computer and media centre are open each day for research purposes. We would like to encourage all our learners who are free on a particular day and who cannot go home to please use this opportunity. Feast day of St Angela Merici/ Academic Mass Our academic mass was held on the 28 January. It is during this mass that we celebrate the start of the academic year as well as focus on the huge contribution women have made to education given our history with the Ursuline and Holy Family Religious Orders of Sisters. The theme of the Mass was ‘#femininegenius’ with the emphasis on mercy, empathy and compassion, in line with the Catholic Church’s, “Year of Mercy.” Prior to 1980, Sacred Heart College was known as Marist Brothers Observatory or, more affectionately as, Marist Obs, a boys’ only school. However, in 1980, “Marist Brothers Observatory merged with St Angela’s Convent, Bezuidenhout Valley and the Yeoville Convent (Holy Family) to become Sacred Heart College. Teachers from all three schools, became part of the new staff. Co-education, once frowned upon by the Catholic Church, was, in the wake of Vatican 11, a perfectly acceptable, practical and successful venture.” (Marist Brothers Centenary Magazine 1889-1989). Tuesday, last week, was also the feast day of St Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Sisters. Many of our current staff members and parents will remember Sister Margaret Woodvine, who became vice principal of the High School in 1980, when the three schools amalgamated. Sister Margaret was vice principal until she retired in 1999. She is currently in frail care at St Mary’s and we ask the community to pray for her at this time. . Parents Association (PA) We say a very big thank you to Bea Roberts who has stepped down as the chairperson of the PA in the High School and extend a warm welcome to Aline Johnson who takes over from her this year. The PA meets every first Tuesday of the month in the Habits coffee shop. [Left: Presidents of the Learner Leadership Council of 2016 pour the blessed water from the Jubilee celebrations of St David’s, Marist Inanda held on 27 January into the quad fountain which symbolises the contribution of Sacred Heart College to the establishment of their school 75 years ago]
SACRED HEART COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS
THE PULSE
Issue 2
New learner’s party 2016: An amazing race indeed!
Congratulations!
By Masego Mafata [LLC president 2016]
This year, the annual New Learner’s party took place on Friday the 29th of January. The event was put together by the present LLC under the guidance of Mrs Pillay and Mr Maseko. The party started off with a rather entertaining round of pass the parcel that just wouldn’t end. Eventually the last bit of paper was unwrapped only to find that the parcel was a rock – their reactions were priceless. Next on the cards was an “Amazing Race” where the learners were put into groups and made to navigate around the school using interesting rhymes and riddles as clues. At each pit-stop there was an activity for the group to do, which included: a photo shoot, running on the courts, digging through flour for little sweets and so on. After we’d tired the students out, they made their way to the hall for some well-deserved pizza, a packet of crisps and a drink. What a great way to end off a pleasant day. The learners seem to have had an enjoyable time. This was truly a great way to start the weekend.
The following learners achieved bronze President’s Awards: Ruth McCormack, Tony Deng, Thomas Alfred, Skye Naidoo, Howard Su, Juanito Riego de Dios, Haseeb Hassan, and Divanth Naidoo
_________________________ The First Aid club ___________________ undertakes CPR training By ___________________ Peta-Ann Munnik
_____
The First Aid club has started up quickly this year with a Level 1 training course for newdepartment members run over the Music first weekend of the term. The training wasnews given by EMRS, who will also provide paramedic services for big sporting events at Sacred Heart Sacred Heart College’s College.
music ensembles shine at
the Academic Learners from grade 7Mass to grade 12 can be seen practising CPR skills below:
At the Academic Mass held on Thursday 28 January, the marimba ensemble provided an energetic repertoire to welcome the learners, teachers and guests to the service. The string and woodwind ensemble provided an excellent rendition of Pachabel’s Canon in D Major as the matrics of 2016 led in the grade one’s of 2016. Hymns were sung with gusto lead by Mr Purchase and Biko Mabusa on drums.
Whole school singing at the Academic Mass 28 January
Jazz band in preparation for the St Mary’s Battle of the Bands
______________________
[Above: New learners in interesting disguises]
SACRED HEART COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS
THE PULSE
Issue 2
Music department news
By Wayne Purchase [deputy principal
and music teacher]
Sacred Heart College’s music ensembles shine at the Academic Mass The Academic Mass held on Thursday 28 January provided the various ensembles an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents. Learners, teachers and guest were treated to an energetic repertoire of songs performed by the marimba bands while entering the McCartin Centre. The string and woodwind ensemble performed a stirring rendition of Pachebel’s Canon in D Major for the entrance of the matriculants of 2016 and the new grade one learners of 2016. Hymns were sung with gusto lead by myself, Louis Maritz (junior school music teacher) and Biko Mabuse (a grade 8 learner) on percussion.
enjoying the John Legend anthem, Dare to Dream and a jazz version of Exsultate.
Sporting news Junior High gala makes a splash By Tariro Banganayi [grade 9] Every year the grade 9’s are given the opportunity of planning and hosting the Junior High swimming gala. Each grade 9 learner is given a specific responsibility on the day of the gala, for example: while some students are announcers, others are place judges and others are house-reps. As this was a swimming gala, there was a lot of competition, and there would be no competition without Sacred Heart’s four wonderful houses; Valerian, Geddes, Benedict, and O’Leary. The grade 9s decorated the stands by the pool in the four house colours: red, blue, green and yellow. The event was very successful and the grade 7’s and 8’s claimed to have loads of fun. Thank you to our teachers for allowing us to create a fun, musical, competitive and safe atmosphere for the learners of Sacred Heart College to do their best. The grade 9’s thought it was a thoroughly wonderful experience and would love the opportunity to be involved again.
[Above: The whole school singing a hymn at the Academic Mass 28 January]
Jazz band in preparation for the St Mary’s Battle of the Bands The jazz band have had a productive three weeks of rehearsals in preparation for the St Mary’s Battle of the Bands. Auditions take place on Wednesday 3 February at St Mary’s school in Waverley. Finalists are chosen from this phase and invited to perform at the final round to be hosted on Wednesday 17 February. We wish the jazz band all success in their endeavours. One Heart Choir There are still places available for learners to join the re-launched Sacred Heart College choir. Please contact me at waynep@sacredheart.co.za for further information. The choir has been working on new repertoire and have been particularly
SACRED HEART COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS
THE PULSE
Issue 2
Inter-house swimming gala
Showcase of talent
By Cindy Niken [acting HOD: sport]
Mother Earth
This year’s inter-house swimming gala took place on Thursday 28 January and, due to weather restrictions, was continued on Monday 01 February. On both days, the pool was abuzz with spirit, cheer and energy from learners and staff alike. We are incredibly proud of each swimmer’s achievements, and very impressed with the enthusiasm and high level of participation. After some fierce competition, and some entertaining war-cries, the final results were as follows:
Spirit Trophy winners – Benedict house Winning House Cup – Geddes house
On behalf of the sports department, we would like to thank all the staff and learners who made the gala the success that it was.
[Above: Luke Johnson, Kamila Makan and Cassidy Wood from Geddes holding the winning House Cup]
By Didintle Mogodi [grade 9 learner 2015]
The rivers flow, delicately crossing into the braids falling from her head Mother Earth, her voice is soft in gentle wind, but booms in the thunderstorms She is our home, we find shelter in the curves of her mountains Her heart beats as the waves crash on the shores The disease, human nature, wraps its roads around her molten heart Buildings of all shapes and sizes mushroom on her skin Her hair is matted with the rubbish Her lungs fill with chemicals as the sky turns grey Mother Earth, near death from this incurable disease Her skin cracks and flakes, material destruction is all we see She howls hurricanes out in pain, but we refuse to listen As she approached the end, a bitter taste remains Her beauty, bright and effortless, flutters away in clipped wings She is scarred forever from the liquid fire that pours from boils and cysts She is quiet now, she has accepted her morbid fate But when her time comes, she will remember us... the humans... the killers [Below: the houses in action at the inter-house swimming gala on 28 January]
[Left: Benedict house captains, Luke Botha and Chandre van der Merwe holding the Spirit Trophy]
SACRED HEART COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS