prep newsletter no 9 2011

8/4/2019 Prep Newsletter No 9 2011

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23 September 2011

St Johns Preparatory SchoolSt Johns Preparatory SchoolHoughton Tel: 011 645 3100/ 087 550473 Newsletter Number 9

27/09 Housemasters Assembly

Hair & Uniform Inspection

D.A.R.E (UIII)

Chatterbox

29/09 Sports Quiz

30/09 Assessments in Maths LII - UIII

Public Speaking: Finalists Selected

04/10 Parent Information Evening:

Sex Education

07/10 T20 Cricket Festival

Assessments in isiZulu LII - UIII

Dads & Lads Camp Departs

Swimming Gala

11/10 Housemasters Assembly

Hair & Uniform Inspection

Inter-Schools Quiz

13/10 SACS U13 Polo Tournament

ABRSM Practical Music Exams

14/10 DigiAct.Com Day UIII

Assessments in History LIII & UIII

Assessments in English LII - UII

Swimming Gala

Reminders from theDiary

From the HeadmasterWelcome back! I trust you all had a wonderfulAugust break and have returned feelingrefreshed and able to enjoy this wonderfulSpring weather.

Last week, Roger Cameron, Helen Popplewelland I attended the Anglican Schools and thenthe SAHISA Conferences in Cape Town. This isalways a fantastic opportunity for Heads of Independent Schools to get together and learn,exchanging ideas and experiences. It was also aparticularly special time for Helen Popplewell, asit will be her last one before retiring next year.Helen was honoured by SAHISA for all the

wonderful work, dedication and love that shehas given, both as a fellow head and teacher.

At both conferences, we were privileged to havelistened to many worthwhile addresses, some of

which I mention below, to share the importantmessages that I have taken home.

Max Price - the Vice-Chancellor of UCT - for thefirst time admitted in public that for students

who write the IEB examination, it was moredifficult to get into university. If they had to

write the government NSC exam, they wouldachieve on average 7% better results. However,he was very supportive of the IEB and said thatIEB students pass rate once at university wasfar higher than those who wrote the NSC.

Westley Field this Australian visitor talkedabout the future of schooling and whether ourschools are reliable and up to date. Technologytoday obviously plays a big part and he

questioned whether we, as teachers andparents, were literate enough to cope with the youth of today who are literally born literate

He also talked about classroomdesign and collaborate learning (orblended learning as he calls it)

where space plays such a key role ineducating children. I feel that weneed to take note of this andimplement some of his ideas in allfuture building plans at St Johns.


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Page 2 St Johns Preparatory School

John Hunt - the creative founding partner of TBWA/Hunt/Lascaris - spoke abouthis book The Art of the Idea. He asked the question as to whether we are teaching ourchildren just to learn or whether we are teaching them to think. He talked about howpeople give off energy, about people who are good listeners and about how logic can sooften stunt ideas. He feels we need to be wary of people who bring too much

information, rather than insight, and that we need to learn to trust our instinctsotherwise they will go away. However, ideas are useless unless they happen, so the waythey travel is so important. But with everything we do, there has to be humour, andoften humour is seen as a punishable offence, but a room without humour will gonowhere. We have to be childlike, not childish!

James Anderson - the Managing Director of Mindful by Design - explained the 16 Habits of Mind by Art Costa. These were extremely interesting and thought provoking,for example:

As teachers and parents, we often make judgments before we even know or teachthe children.

We must measure what children have got and then improve it. Fixed mindset people say I can or I cannot ; growth mindset people say I cant

yet! If you want to teach talented students, you must teach them to be talented you

are not born with talent, but you grow talent. Basically, he is saying that it is not so much about the car that you drive, but

how you drive it!

Mark Molenaar and Sarah Britten gave a presentation on mobile teens and producedsome incredible statistics, such as in the last 4 weeks, 82% of teens between the ages of 12 and 19 in South Africa used the internet on their mobile phones, whereas only 31%of them did so globally. They also talked about the use of social networking and theeffects BBM (Blackberry Messaging) had on the London Riots.

Professor Tim Noakes the renowned sports scientist - gave an entertaining talk onthe importance of sport in the lives of our youth and Pieter Dirk Uys wrapped up theconference with a hilarious talk with a very humbling message.

We were then given the theme for next years conference in Durban Moving from Success to Significance and it made me think about St Johns and where we are now inthis equation. I have no doubt in my mind that St Johns is a successful school. Weachieve outstanding results and produce fine young men. However, how are we as aschool and community taking this success and making it significant in the lives of others and in our country? Maybe this is something we really need to think about.

I hope our Muslim parents had a wonderful Eid recently and wish our Jewish parents a

Happy Rosh Hashanah next week. Happy Belated Arbor and Spring(bok) day and havea good week.

Patrick Lees

Headmaster


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Boys and their emotions

Boys are happier when they have solid emotional resources and access to all of thevaried and intricate parts of themselves. How can parents teach boys to have a richemotional life, deep connections to others, and still be full members in the society of men?

To build emotional literacy in your son, he needs to begin learning emotionalvocabulary. From the time your son is an infant, speak to him with a rich and variedemotional vocabulary. Babies are not born with words for their feelings; they must be

taught. You can say, "You look sad" or "You must feel disappointed" without rescuing orcoddling your son. You can also talk about your own feelings without making your sonresponsible for them. When you can say, "I felt scared; did you?" to your boy, you givehim permission to feel and to express his own emotions.

Be sure to listen to your son. Then listen some more . This is a point I cannot stressenough, and something I, as a parent, need to do more with my children. One of thebest ways to encourage expression is simply to listen without judgment. Show empathy ;don't rush to offer solutions. Give your son time to explore his emotions. Remember,

you don't have to agree with your son's feelings to listen, nor do you have to acceptinappropriate behaviour. Listening well is the first step to creating connection andsolving problems together.

You must be sure to model connection and empathy for your son. Mothers andfathers can demonstrate by their own actions what real love and connection look like.When your son lives with respect, love, and empathy, he will find it easier to practisethose skills himself.

In addition to listening and teaching your son an emotional vocabulary, make room for your son to be himself. Avoid telling your son what he should or should not feel; givehim room to explore his strengths and weaknesses in a safe environment. When your

son doesn't need to fear shame or rejection, he can express his emotions, needs, anddreams openly.

Because boys are sometimes prone to anger and aggression , it is wise to model beingcalm and respectful when dealing with problems . This may be somewhat difficult forus at times! Take a cool-off if you must, but avoid yelling and anger, and remember thatemotions are not mysterious forces that threaten to overwhelm us; they are part of whatmakes us most human. When you can teach your boy to understand and express hisfeelings respectfully and clearly, you are helping him take a giant step toward truemanhood.


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It is usually very hard, even for most adults, to understand, for example, thedifference between frustration and anger, deception and hate. We have to help ourchildren, especially our boys, to be reflective : stop, think, understand, measure thedifferent alternatives and their consequence and then act.

Just imagine how many hours of painful and pointless arguments between futurehusbands and wives could be avoided if we could help them now - when they are stillchildren - to become emotionally literate and to master their communication skills withtheir parents, friends and siblings.

I set this challenge to myself first and foremost. I think it is important that we dochallenge ourselves as parents, as we strive to leave our legacy in, and through, ourchildren.

http://life.familyeducation.com

Kind regards

Craig Verdal-Austin2 nd Master0116453116

[email protected]

Welcome Home!

This coming Sunday, 25 September, is Back-to-Church Sunday around the world (well, except USA

who did it last week). The idea is to invite everyone who used to attend church to reconnect. Some may

have been away for a number of weeks withsituations tying them up; others may have been awayfor years, or even decades. No matter how long allare invited back. If you are one of the people whohavent been to church for a while, and have beenmeaning to go back, or if you know someone like that,then use this Sunday to go.

So, if you have an old, or interesting looking, orconveniently situated, or popular, or whatever church

go and return/visit this Sunday. I am sure everychurch would welcome you.If theres no church seeming to call you, thenconsider yourself invited to join us at the St JohnsParish; in the Crypt Chapel, 09h00.


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Making a difference

Over the course of the last term, a significant amount of money was collected in ourchapel collections and other charity appeals. We are delighted to announce that wehave a total of R10 000 to donate to TLC (The Love of Christ) Babies Home, south of

Johannesburg. In consultation with Pippa Jarvis at TLC, we have decided that themoney would be best used to contribute towards the schooling of these two TLCchildren next year.

Thabang Murphy

Pippa has this to say about these two special children: Thabang works hard at school.He has had a difficult life (he only came to TLC at 4 years old) and so he doesn't always get the best marks but he tries hard. He loves sports and plays soccer really well. He will be doing Grade 6 next year.

Murphy is going to Grade 4 next year. She is a quiet little girl who loves to share in a joke. She works very hard and we are very proud of her as she has overcome many challenges to get where she is. She was born very early (24 weeks) and the doctors all said she would probably never be able to learn the things kids learn in school, but she works extra hard on her homework every day and is doing very well.

If you would like more information about TLC, you can visit their website at this link:

http://www.tlc.org.za/TLC-DW/index.html

Thank you to all of you who continue to contribute towards this worthy cause! Special

thanks also to Patrick Lees, Karen Maitland, Sandy Peters and Brigitte Taylor for theirenthusiasm and ongoing support.

Margot Long

[email protected]


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From the Eagles study...Study tip #1

This is the time of year when parents (and hopefully their sons) thoughts start turningto exams. As adults, we have the wisdom of hindsight that tells us it is best to startgetting organised early, and to start planning how we are going to study. However, 12-to 14-year-old boys have no such desire! There are just TOO many other more excitingthings to do sport, reading, visiting friends, TV, computer games... the list goes on.Basically, ANYthing is better than sitting down to study. As a result, this time of year isalso one of conflict.

To try and avoid that, this column will suggest tips to parents and to boys on how bestto manage exam time. All of the tips will also apply to assessment and test writing, andto project management. Obviously each boy will have his own unique way of learning,but the tips on organisation and steps to thinking will apply to all.

Take what you need from the tips be it everything or just one strategy andencourage your son to try it. Rather try now and figure out what will work and what

wont, than try closer to the time and become confused. Good thinking and studyhabits are skills that can be used throughout life.

The first tip is geared towards getting your son to start thinking about his thinking.Knowing how he learns is possibly 80% of the task. Understanding how he thinks savesa great deal of time when deciding how he is going to tackle studying anything.

The following tip asks the boy to ask himself certain questions at each stage of a task. If

he can answer each one truthfully, he will learn a great deal. Use the poster on the nextpage to print out and stick up.

Thinking about your Thinking:

What is it? Is it English, Geography, Maths...? Each subject requires different ways of learning.

What must I do? Read the instructions! Know what the question words mean describe is different to explain . Perhaps you need to break the task down intosmaller, more manageable steps. For example, the question may have two parts.

How can I do it? This is where the individual differences come in. Each of you

will have a unique approach of doing what is needed. Know how you think! Did it work? Refection is a very important tool for learning. We often make

mistakes, but if we can say why we made them, and how we can make themright, we will learn so much more.

How can I improve on it? This is a really wonderful thinking strategy! This stepis often skipped because once something is done, it is generally forgotten about!Encourage this step as often as you can.

We would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions from you, the parents.

Education is a journey, and it is far better (and more fun) to travel in a team than on your own.Caroline Rimmer

[email protected]


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Thinking about my Thinking

What is it?

What must I do?

How can I do it?

Did it work?

How can I improve on it?


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From the Eagles study...Study tip #2

Getting organised is probably the biggest hurdle many of us face when starting aproject, task (no matter how big or small) or when getting down to study. Even asadults, this is the step that makes us procrastinate to the point of panic. However, oncethe first step has been taken, the task just seems to flow! And so it is with your sons...

Study Tip #2 shows you how to use a calendar to get started. And there are certainrules that need to be followed until such time as your son can set up his own calendar,giving an accurate display of the bigger picture.

These months need to be displayed where you and your son can see them every day. If you do not haveaccess to monthly planners, we can email you copies of September November 2011(contact Grace Arthur for copies [email protected] ).

DONT AGONISE - ORGANISE!

Caroline Rimmer

Three months of the year must be displayed at any one time. This gives a keen sense of

what is to come, and what needs to be tackled first. All public holidays / school holidays must be coloured in. ALLacademic requirements must be written in RED . This makes them stand out. For

example, fill in due dates for projects and speeches; assessment dates; exam dates. All sport and extra mural commitments must be added a different colour for each

sport / extra mural activity. Birthdays can be added (and decorated if he wants to!) as well as any other dates you and

the family are involved in. It is a work in progress activities and deadlines can be added at any stage.


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iCareIn todays society we have all heard of the iPod, the iPad, and theiPhone. At St Johns Prep, we have just introduced what is known asthe iCare box. The iCare box is situated in the Library Bag Room andserves as a means for the boys to make their concerns known. ThePastoral Care Team is hoping that the boys will make use of thisinitiative to highlight anything that they CARE about at St Johns Prep.

The aim is to provide the boys with an alternative avenue to voice whatever may be on their minds and extends beyond the reporting of just peer difficulties (such as bullying). All notes placed in the box willbe treated confidentially and action taken wherever possible.

We ask that you encourage your son to make use of the iCare box so that we can makehis day all that he hopes it can be.

Hugo MeirimClinical PsychologistHead of Pastoral Care

[email protected]

The money collected from the boys for Roald Dahl Day was used to pay for aperformance of Hooked on Books which was put on at Parktown Public School last

Thursday. The response from the Parktown Public children was overwhelming and we were thrilled that Exclusive Books donated five copies of each book that was featured inthe show, to the school. Thank you all for your help in promoting reading!

iCare

Hooked on Books at Parktown Public


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4CTea


16th September

For hard work and good mannersDavid Green Tian Badenhorst

Shaye Hutchings

Fantastic attitude in rugby

Phillip Mparutsa

Rescued a pony in distress

Daniel and Liam Fowlis

Taking care of a visiting pupil

Warwick Didloff

Good Work

Ben MacQueen

Nicholas Moschides

Matthew Wong

Big Improvement in Overall Average

Greg Basslian Matthew McLean

Caleb Buchel Tiago Neto

Gili Canca


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Cricket

JOHANNESBURG NORTH EAST CRICKET

The following boys are to be congratulated on their selection to represent JohannesburgNorth East Cricket at the Area festival to be held from 30 September 2 October 2012at St Benedicts / Bedfordview Country Club.

U12: Nicholas Ives, Timothy McKernan. U13: Fayadh Haffefee, Lodewijk Volkersz,Calum Harding. Well done, boys!

Aiden Quinn swam in the Central Gauteng Aquatics championships on Sunday, 31st of July. He swam breaststroke and freestyle, winning both his races. Well done, Aiden!

Karate

Swimming

Tariq Seedat received Red 1 belt in Karatethis term. Well done, Tariq!


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Tennis

The St Johns Prep 1st Tennis Team travelled to Sun city with the College Team duringthe August holidays. There we played five other schools. We enjoyed it so much. We

won a few and lost a few games but all in all we played really well. Of course we didntonly play tennis - I mean, it was Sun City! We spent our spare time at the Valley of theWaves going on all the rides and bodysurfing the massive man made 3 - 4 metre high

wave! I would like to thank Mr Emant and Mrs Thomas for all the time and effort theygave to make our tennis tour a memorable one.

By Ross Bentley UIIIJ

Ross Bentley Jason Batzofin

Luke Chilvers

Kevin Frew

Colin Kinghorn Mr Emant and Mrs Thomas


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Hockey

On Saturday 8 September 2011, Harry Myburgh(UII) and Andrew de Lange (LII) played for theWanderers U13 team in the Southern GautengChampion of Champions field hockey tournamentat the Randburg Astro Hockey Stadium. The U13boys hockey team finished second, with the team

winning silver medals. Well done, boys!

Golf

Bradley Dunbar took part in the Glacier Junior Golf Series hosted by Thomas Aiken on18 September. He was placed second. Well done, Bradley!


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Golf

Kian Rose, U1D, was selected to play at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship heldat Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. This is the largest and most

prestigious event in the world for players 12 and under. This three-day tournamentattracts over 1200 participants from across the United States and more than 30countries abroad. Players, ages 6 to 12, qualify for the World Championship throughWorld Championship Qualifiers, Local Tours, European and Regional Championships,and performance in previous World Championships. Kian was placed 15th in the WorldChampionship out of 140 boys. Well done, Kian!

Kian Rose, Jaan Niehaus, Jack Montgomery and Jack Lees all took part in a leaguefestival played at Leeukop Golf Course on 19th September. Well done, boys!

A league golf day held at Dainfern 13th September

Bradley Dunbar, Ethan Roets, Cameron Roets and Ethan Peters. Well done, boys!



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The Lower IIZ boys wrote their Autumn similies on dried oak leaves.

An old leaf parachutes down like a relaxed paratroop Kirby Golding

A magnificent leaf flies down like a wonderful starling Milan Prioreschi

A stiff leaf sways like down like a baby cradle Evan Peters

A dizzy leaf twirls down like a violent current Jack Stewart

A swaying leaf descends like a waltzing prince Daniel Fowlis

Lower II


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Im Hungry

There once was a fat man called Ben

Who had not three meal but ten

One day while eating mutton he burst his coat button and said

I must go to the gym

but then

he went to the gym at half past four

but he slipped on the treadmill and hit his head on the door

when he awoke he forgot whom he was

he though he was a fit Olympian which he would not love

so he trained and he trained and got fit fit fit fit

and after a while he was able to sit when his parents saw him they were so proud

and as they danced he said to himself out loud

Im hungry whens dinner?

By Max Milella LIIT

Lower II


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UIII Solar Powered Boat Project

The boys had to design and make their own boats powered by solar panels mounted onthe decks. There were 15 teams of boys who took part.

Final Race Placings:1. Hydromaniacs

2. Golden Horizon

3. Solar Fish

Best Portfolio: Monster Boats Extreme and Riptide

Best Stand: Monster Boats Extreme

Best Presentation: AHOD, Ripple Effect, Hydromaniacs and Golden Horizon

Best Looking Boat: SlipstreamBest Overall Project: Monster Boats Extreme and Ripple Effect

Best Stand: Monster Boats Extreme


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Roald Dahl DayOn Friday, 16th of September, teachers and boys dressed up to celebrate Roald Dahlsbirthday. Boys dressed in yellow, his favourite colour, wore their clothes back to front

and some even dressed as characters from their favourite books...


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Notices

The Extreme Explorers Team is organising aschool hike on the Suikerboschfontein Trail,near Carolina, Mpumalanga.

Dates: 21-23 October 2011(half term)

This hike is open to Grade 5-7s , and there isspace for a few Dads to join us. There are only16 places available, on a first-come-first-served

basis.

The hike is moderate to difficult, so if you want to come, you must be fit andready for a challenge! If you complete the hike, you will receive your 3-day hikeaward and you will be a step closer to qualifying for your Extreme Explorercolours.

So collect the application form from Mrs Taylors office without delay, ordownload the form from Communicator.


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Notices



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Notices


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St Johns Preparatory SchoolPage 23

Notices

Art club and extra classesFrom the beginning of next term, Mr Poco is starting an Art Club (for LIII and UIII boys) and extra art classes for juniorboys. Senior boys are encouraged to join the Art Club on Tuesdays from 14h00 -15h00 or Thursdays from 15h00-16h00. Juniors may arrange extra art lessons with Mr Poco at alternative times and on alternative days.

We hope to see the senior boys joining the Art Club to create various exciting art works with mediums they do notnormally use in class, such as print making, photography, oil painting and many more. This will be a fantastic opportunityfor any boy who wishes to develop his art skills.

For further information e-mail Bruno Poco on [email protected]

ItalianLanguageLessons

Small age appropriate classes and individual tuitionoffered outside school hours at St Johns.Experienced mother-tongue graduate teacher usingcommunicative method of conversation, maintainingcultural ties for solid IEB foundation.

Contact Lisabetta on 082 682 2859 or

[email protected]

EXTRA ZULULESSONS

Lower III and Upper III boys.

Every Thursday 13h45

Upper III Mrs Mashele

All Welcome

Hair Dee-LiteSalon is closed from 7th - 17th August

Open for your back to school cuts on18th August

Call Dee on

082 462 6813 011 648 6367 7 Elm Street (Opposite Rice Field)

Open Tuesday to Friday

08h00 - 17h00

Saturday 08h00 - 13h00

EXTRA MATHSLESSONS

Lower III & Upper III boys in Mrs Jean Clarencesclassroom

Every Thursday 13h45 All Welcome

Extra Math LessonsIndividual tuition offered

Mrs M Hauptfleisch

Call 011 442 1854

083 256 7714


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Every day is Father's Day when you are here to hold.

Once you were a baby, now you're nine years old.I saw you take your first few steps; I've watched you slip and fall.

I saw your tears and all your hurts; you had me kiss them all.I taught you how to colour and how to tie your shoes.

You'll always be my little boy and that's why I love you.I tucked you in your bed each night and read your books to you.

I would say "just one tonight" then we would read two.When the book was over and I'd turn out the light, you would say "I love you daddy" each and every night.Now that you are bigger, you are so much like me.

We laugh, we cry, we talk a lot; there is no place I'd rather be.We'll grow up together and I'll be there for you, because

I will always love you and you'll love your daddy too.

prep newsletter no 9 2011

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