The announcement of the International Tour group last Friday brought

mixed reactions. Fifty-two boys were elated and their collective cheers,

whoops and whistles bore testimony to that. The boys not selected were

understandably distraught.

INSIDE:

CLASS MOMS 2018

BEING MENTALLY STRONG OPEN WEEKEND 2018

Follow me to page 2

02/02/2018 I TERM 1 I NEWSLETTER

ISSUE

71

2

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 MENTALLY STRONG…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

As a result of this, my assembly on Monday drew on Abraham Lincoln, and the many disappointments and tragedies he

faced in his life. I hoped to set before the boys that we rise above set-backs and challenges, keep focused on our dreams

and continue working hard to make them a reality. In order to do that though, however, our boys need to have sufficient

mental strength. Building mental muscle isn’t easy, but when boys struggle, when they face their fears and

disappointments and when they are held accountable for their actions, they build a resilience that helps them reach their

greatest potential.

So:

We teach them not to adopt a victim mentality and instead to adopt ways in which they can take positive action,

despite their disappointment.

We teach them to focus on what they have to offer the world, not what they think the world owes them.

We have high expectations of the boys, whilst understanding that asking too much of them can backfire.

We teach them to take responsibility for their choices proactively.

In today’s fast-paced world it’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day, hustle-and-bustle of a busy school day,

rehearsals, prep and sports practices. The boys’ hectic schedules can sometimes cause them and us to lose sight of

what’s really important in life. Mentally strong boys know their own and the school’s values and they ensure that they

and everyone in the school live according to them.

It was tough for me to watch some of the boys struggle with hurt feelings last week, but we all know that life deals us

harsh lessons. By providing the support they need in coping with disappointment, we help them gain confidence in their

ability to deal with the next hardship that comes their way.

New Parents’ Weekend:

We look forward this weekend to welcoming our new parents back onto campus. The three weeks since your son first

arrived here have sped by and we have a busy weekend planned, that will allow you to meet the teachers to hear about

your son’s academic and musical progress and how he has adapted to boarding school life. You will, of course, also get to

hear the boys sing, the real reason they are here.

You will also be aware, of course, that the boys receive their ties back and become fully-fledged Drakies and that they are

able to go out and, if so desired, to stay overnight with you on Friday and Saturday.

3

For sure, there are going to be boys who will be pleased to see mum and dad again and I am certain the sentiments will be

reciprocated!

Wagondrift Triathlon:

We have a group of boys and staff heading off to Wagondrift Dam on Sunday, as we fly the flag high at the Wagondrift

Triathlon. Excitement is building among the participants but equally so among the gaggle of supporters and spectators going

along. A day at the water’s edge, with a cold beverage and braai tongs in hand, is just the tonic needed in putting a hard

week’s work to rest. We look forward to seeing great parental support as we cheer on the boys.

Till next time,

Greg Brooks

Executive Head

The concert choir performing during the opening of our new dining hall

4

NEWS FROM THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

HOW TO LEAD A BOY TO A LITERARY FOUNTAIN AND MAKE HIM ‘DRINK’

If I had a devalued South African Rondt for every time I have ever heard a boy groan, “I don’t like reading,

ma’am!” I would be able to fund a dubious bank account in Dubai! Loads of studies exist which support what

we all know as teachers and parents of boys: most of your sons simply do not engage in reading with

enthusiasm. Most of you with daughters have probably experienced a happier commitment to books.

Apparently it is about brain development. Testosterone is known to accelerate right brain growth and so boys

are more into being active, pursuing sports and only skimming what they read.

How do we parents and teachers stimulate the left brains of restless boys, and get them to engage in reading as

deeply as their female counterparts?

Boys require older male role models who read. Don’t underestimate the power of example. Boys have

a tendency to disregard reading as “girly’. That is laid squarely at the door of Dads or other adult Lads,

who have influence in the raising of your sons.

Schools should promote reading days and I am determined to introduce a DEAR Day this year. Drop

Everything And Read! A call to arms where every single person in the school will down tools and read

for 20 minutes. From the ground up. Yep, and I don’t mean sheet music for the Music Dept. (I don’t

think I will need to arm-wrestle The Boss on this one – he is all about promoting academic achievement.

Plus, coffee bribes are a back-up plan!) Watch this space for a DEAR MOM/DAD attachment as a

forthcoming attraction.

Male authors could be invited into schools. Any parents have a contact? I would love the boys to talk to

someone who not only reads, but writes and is published!

Fathers/Male role models who want to talk to a class to promote a book they have read and enjoyed.

Come on all you Dads and Lads…volunteer to help make school cool for your sons. Come in and talk

about your favourite book or a current book which has grasped your attention.

Sporting Books. Yes, alas, books on footie stars or other celebrity sports personalities are always a win

with the boys. Buy them, donate them to the library and let’s get the boys flipping the pages.

Block off dedicated reading time in school and at home. A half hour during the course of the day or

evening where silence reigns and a child is able to dive head first into the book they have chosen. No

technology. No temptations. Just do it! Don’t fret too much about the ease of reading material – you

need only start to worry if your boy is still reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid in high school. And if the Dads

are stuck here too…well…I have the contact details of a good therapist. But seriously, reading has to be

scaffolded to build stamina. Start easy and progress to more difficult material. You could even read the

same article in a magazine or newspaper and have a family chat about it. Discuss the meanings of

words and their impact on the reader.

The above suggestions are just a few which will unlock the reader in your child. They take commitment, but

as you see, nothing is on the level of rocket science. Sadly, commitment and time are the greatest

stumbling blocks to building reading stamina and a desire to read. Can it be done? Absolutely. Will it be

done? Ah, now there is the question and only you have the answer to it.

5

UNASHAMED BEGGING: Please consider donating a book which has been a hit with your son or yourself to

the library. It is the gift which keeps on giving. You have no idea how much more reading is being done in

the light of the curtailed exposure to technology. It would make your parenting hearts happy, just as it

warms the old cobbles of mine.

I try to get the Gr 9s to move into the world of adult literature. Books like I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes have

instant appeal. And if anyone has a copy of Eagle in the Sky by Wilbur Smith, I am sure it will be of interest

to them.

Pam Couzyn

HOD English

Matthew Beuster Kevin Smith

Grade 8s selecting reading material in

the library

6

NEWS FROM THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT

DRAKIE PARENTS IN PRAYER

Drakie parents are invited to join the, “Drakie Parents in Prayer”.

Parents send prayer requests for their boys who may be unwell, in trouble or just in need of prayer.

The management and staff of DBCS are constantly in our prayers.

We share scripture and topics that encourage parents to keep the prayer group active and relevant.

Please contact Ntombi Sibanda by emailing her at Ntombi.Sibanda@engen.co.za, for more details.

Ntombi Sibanda

Drakie Parent

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Parents of the Drakensberg Boys Choir School are invited to apply to become a Class Representative for 2018.

The Class Representatives form an integral link between the school, DPA and the Parent Community.

We need one Class Representative per grade.

If you are interested please email me at, bespag@dbchoir.com.

Belinda Espag

Marketing Manager

Fin Dalrymple and Caleb

Coffey

7

Drakie New Boy Specials:

87L International Touring Bag R3 750.00 (Normal Retail R5 499.00) 32L Backpack R1 500.00 (Normal Retail R1 999.00) 25L Backpack R1 350.00 (Normal Retail R1 699.00)

8

9

10

CLASS CAPTAINS - TERM 1

Brian Brits

Zipho Mpofu

GRADE 4/5 GRADE 6

GRADE 6

GRADE 9

GRADE 8

Ntokozo Dlamini Kabo Madi

Kigen Chepkonga

GRADE 7

Polane Moloi

11

SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN

I am happy to report that there is no news today. Bothersome noses, throats and abdomens fail to rate as

newsworthy, and there has been a dearth of thrilling mishaps.

Not to say that I’ve been sitting here twiddling my thumbs. Social visitors usually occupy my two available chairs and

the examination bed. A stream of boys for prescription medication troop in and out lending a sense of constant

motion and the walk-ins still line up at the door. Conversations are inevitably robust (loud) and the mood festive. The

most frequent refrain shrieked professionally at the lively crowd (hooligans) at the door is “You don’t look very sick to

me!” This excellent exercise stretches my alto vocal range to an A5. It seldom has the desired effect of sending them

all scattering though.

The fellows waiting their turn are generally a motley bunch comprising both frequent flyers and intermittent

socialites seeking the camaraderie of other awaiting-torture patients. There may or may not be a couple of genuine

ailments amongst them.

The frequent flyers often attend out of habit – twice a day, every day – even in the absence of illness or injury. The

phenomenon is more commonly seen in New Boys, but evidence suggests a link to certain personality types in older

chaps. I suspect that the Y chromosome may also play a role, particularly if the condition persists into adulthood. The

afflicted New Boys tend to be indulged – the other guys less so.

Perhaps one of my research projects for the year can focus on the frequent-flyers. A cure would be most useful and I

shall start experimenting immediately. With several unpleasant treatment options up my sleeve and some brilliant

new ideas swirling around my cerebral cortex, I foresee an early breakthrough. I can already taste fame and fortune

as my peers at schools all over the country laud me. “At last – the antidote for a serious San habit!” will echo through

Sanatoriums throughout South Africa, if not the world.

I will be published in illustrious journals and my reputation as a scientist will finally be assured. Consider that I have an

entire file full of untested hypotheses, plus plenty more ideas where those came from. We’re talking global impact

stuff here – all for the benefit of countless future generations! Heck, why not try for galactic impact! Imagine what I

could do for all those little aliens!

I must remember to take my medication tomorrow. I must remember to take my medication tomorrow. I must

remember to take my medication tomorrow.

Sister Lianne

12

13

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Benjamin Samasuwo

5 February

Tiaan Esterhuizen

11 February

DATE EVENT TIME

2-4 February New Boys Parent Weekend

4 February Wagondrift Challenge 1000m

Chapel

18:00-19:00

10 -11 February Midmar Mile

10 February Academics 08:30-12:30

11 February Chapel 18:00-19:00

Calendar 2 February -11 February 2018

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL

PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: administration@dbchoir.com | www.dbchoir.com

INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NOT FOR GAIN - NPO 002-106

+