Easter Term Newsletter 01 - St John's College

NEWSLETTER
EASTER TERM No 1/2009
Dear Parents
The incident at Parktown Boys High and the subsequent media coverage challenges
us to examine our own practices at St John’s College.
The whole debate around initiation needs to be examined in the light of our
understanding of what it means to be human, and our aspirations for the kinds of
men we want our sons to grow into.
As a Christian school we believe that we are created in the image of God and that in
some way we are able to reflect God’s infinite goodness. We aspire to be men of courage and
strength who seek truth, beauty and goodness. As men of integrity and compassion, we have a God
given responsibility to protect the weak and the vulnerable. Consequently, any form of physical,
emotional or verbal abuse of another is unacceptable at St John’s. Any such practices, which may
have been ‘disguised’ as initiation into the College, into the boarding house or into a sporting team,
are repugnant to us.
The Constitution of our country protects the rights of individuals from this kind of abuse and as
citizens of the country we must uphold the Constitution in our practice at St John’s.
However, it is important at the same time to acknowledge the importance of rites of passage into
manhood. Many religions have ceremonies to mark these rites of passage, for example the bar
mitzvah in the Jewish tradition. In the secular tradition, 18 th birthdays are important as they mark the
legal age to vote, drink and acquire a driver’s licence: all symbolic of the attainment of adulthood. In
the African tradition, the rites and ceremonies of initiation are still practised and considered important
by many. At St John’s, entrance to the College is an important passage, marking the beginning of the
change from boyhood to manhood. This entrance to College includes the Remove Camp, the
induction ceremony in chapel and the new boys’ test.
St John’s College condemns any form of initiation which consists of being beaten by established
members of the team or by senior members of the House. Any such practice, if done, occurs without
any authority from the College and without any adult presence. If you speak to the boys they will
argue that it binds them together as a team; that it is an important rite of passage and that no one is
forced to participate. Neither the practice nor the arguments are acceptable and adult staff and
parents cannot afford to turn a blind eye.
The prestige of joining an elite team, a great boarding house, or a superb school does warrant a rite
of passage which both acknowledges the readiness of the boy to enter this community and test his
resolve. It may not, however, be physically, emotionally, or verbally abusive. It must be a pattern of
events that is managed and supervised by mature and wise adults and needs to consist of:
• A period of teaching and learning the tradition
• A challenge to attain the standard required
• A ceremony to admit to membership
• A discipline that guards the tradition and promotes excellence
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What has often been a destructive process needs to find a new expression in a creative and formative
tradition which upholds human rights, our Christian vision of manhood, and is maintained and
monitored by the authority structures of the school.
Those boys who persist in the old style of physical beating and abusing of others must be subject to
strict disciplinary processes. It is imperative that we change deep rooted and misguided
understandings of initiation.
St John’s College will not tolerate physical, emotional or verbal abuse in the name of initiation, and
together as parents, teachers and senior boys we will actively ensure that these practices do not
happen.
We as a school have a published policy on harassment, intimidation and bullying and a Pupil Code of
Conduct which governs St John’s boys’ behaviour. (These are available on our website
www.stjohnscollege.co.za).
Our school prayer asks for God’s help to: “send forth young men rightly trained in body, mind and
character”. In other words young men of courage and strength, who stand for justice and
righteousness; who act with kindness and compassion and who actively serve others by protecting
the weak and vulnerable.
We will be facilitating a discussion about these issues with the boys to guide them in making wise
decisions.
Roger Cameron
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
I congratulate the Matric boys of 2008 on their outstanding results. This is a reflection of a lot of hard
work by the boys and their teachers. It builds on a tradition of academic excellence at St John’s and
is very encouraging for all of us.
What is important for us is to realize that ultimately the test of the quality of St John’s education does
not lie in our success at Matric, but rather in our success at university. I can say unequivocally that
after matriculation our boys proceed to university where they are well equipped to cope with the
academic demands, many of whom are awarded prestigious scholarships due to their excellent
results.
Garikai Nyaruwata – Head of School 2004 was awarded in December 2008 a
Rhodes scholarship to study at Oxford University. We congratulate him and wish him
all the best as he takes up this opportunity in September this year.
Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, Rhodes and UJ all send St John’s reports of students from St
John’s who are doing well. It is always encouraging read of their success.
______________________________________________________________
I E B MATRICULATION 2008
St John’s College is proud of the excellent results achieved by our Matriculants in the 2008 IEB
Examinations. Congratulations to all our Matric pupils!
St John’s pupils once again achieved a 100% Matric pass rate with 97% achieving
University Entrance at Degree level.
3 pupils achieved over 90% averages
Lorne Hallendorff
Morné Visser
St Elmo Wilken
37 pupils achieved over 80% averages
63 pupils achieved over 75% averages
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TWO PUPILS WERE PLACED IN THE TOP 5% OF THE IEB EXAMINATIONS IN 6 OR MORE
SUBJECTS, ACHIEVING A RATING OF 7 FOR LIFE ORIENTATION (Morné Visser and St
Elmo Wilken)
THREE PUPILS WERE PLACED IN THE TOP 5% OF THE IEB EXAMINATIONS IN 5 OR
MORE SUBJECTS, ACHIEVING A RATING OF 7 FOR LIFE ORIENTATION (Lorne
Hallendorff, Kyle Hanck and Richard Whitaker)
FULL-HOUSE SUBJECT ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE FOLLOWING PUPILS (LEVEL 7 - OVER 80%):
DEBATING
10 SUBJECTS: KYLE HANCK
9 SUBJECTS: ERROL LAI KING
MORNÉ VISSER
RICHARD WHITAKER
ST ELMO WILKEN
CRAIG LAI KING
8 SUBJECTS: LORNE HALLENDORFF
ALEXANDER KARVELAS
VAUGHN HO
MUHAMMAD LAHER
ANDREAS PFEFFER
7 SUBJECTS: LUKE KUTTSCHREUTER
ROWAN POKLEWSKI-KOZIELL
ROBERT REED
MICHAEL ALBERTI
ACADEMIC COLOURS AWARDS
Upper V - 2008
Marc de Vos
Jamil Randera
Upper V - 2009
David Hunt
Danilo Querios
James Williams
CULTURAL COLOURS AWARD
Art
James Michaelis
Marc de Vos (OJ 2008) concluded five years of impressive school debating by being placed third in
the speaker ranking in the National Schools’ Debating Championships held in December last year.
He was again a member of the Gauteng A team, which won the senior tournament for the fourth
consecutive year. We look forward to hearing of further successes as he moves on to university
debating.
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Michael Macklin debated for the junior shadow team, and received a commendation.
Andy Petersen was selected for the senior shadow team but unfortunately did not get the chance to
debate, since there was an even number of teams.
SPORTS NEWS
Golfing News
Photo courtesy of Golf Digest
Water Polo
Captain of Tennis – 2009
Alexander Welihockyj
The U/18 Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) was held at the end of
last year in Durban, at the Royal Durban Country Club. The
tournament format was 36 hole of matchplay (18 holes of
foursomes and 18 holes of singles) for five days against twelve
different provincial teams from around South Africa.
Graham van der Merwe (left) was part of the Central Gauteng
side, consisting of 8 players, and were favourites coming into the
Tournament. They remained undefeated for the first four days, but
were beaten by the eventual winners, Boland, on the fifth day,
coming second overall.
Graham played superbly, winning 9 of the 12 foursome games with
his partner, and 10½ out of 12 single games. He was the star of the
Central Gauteng team, with 10 wins and a half at No 5 in the order.
The next IPT will be held at the end of the year in Bloemfontein, and
we hope to see more St John’s Boys representing the Province.
At the SA Inter–Provincial Schools Water Polo Tournament in East London (7-10 December 2008)
the following boys have achieved excellent results:
U19A section:
Jonathan Hock (Matric 2008) was voted “Best defender of the tournament” and together with Andrew
Jones (U5) was selected for the “Team of the tournament”.
U16A section:
Nicholas Hock (L5), Chad Henson (L5) and Michael Irvine (L5) with the Gauteng U16A team won the
U16 tournament beating KZN U16A in the final.
U14 section:
Wesley Antonites (L4), Jarryd Stephenson (L4) and Julian Cowper (L4) and Charles Verwer (L4) with
the U14 A team narrowly lost to Western Province U14A Team in the final.
U13 section:
Roarke Olver (Rem), Niel Vosloo (Rem), Dan Trninic (Rem) and Devon Henson (U3) with the U13
team lost to KZN in the final after beating them and all other U13 Teams in the round robin. Devon
Henson was voted “Player of the tournament”.
ANDY PETERSEN L5 ALSTON – Book Launch invitation
With reference to St Johns, Andy’s acknowledgement page in the book makes explicit and grateful acknowledgement to St Johns and to
its teachers. He mentions the English and Drama teachers by name, which I think that they will appreciate!
Excerpt from an e-mail received from Mr Robin Petersen
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Support Staff Computer Training
School driver, Patrick Gumede, learns ICT skills watched by his son Muzi. Charlotte, Sixth Form
student, in the background.
Every Saturday morning in February and March two of our computer
labs are filled with support staff eager to gain IT skills. The two
trainers are Mrs Linda Bradfield from the Pre-Prep and Mr Aubrey
Buthelezi from the College print-room. We are running this course
for six weeks and it will finish with a presentation of attendance
certificates by our Headmaster, Mr Cameron. For those who
completed the course last year, computer course certificates hang
on the walls of homes as evidence of their achievement, and they
are now able to apply for office jobs. The participants are assisted
by keen Sixth Formers who earn community service hours for their involvement. The Sixth Formers
assist the two trainers, and have the satisfaction that they are making a difference in people’s lives.
Photographs taken by Sixth Formers Aldo Oluoch-Olunya and Timothy Rukundo can be seen on a
website created by Charlotte Savage and Jenny Armstrong: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sjcsupport
Even small donations of cash and old working computers will help to keep this project going.
Donations can be handed to Mrs Pat Schaerer at College Reception
Eco-Youth Forum, Kobe, Japan
After the Eco-Youth Forum, Kobe, Japan May 2008 Two boys Jeff Long and Schalk Burger (both now
in UIV) gave presentations at a youth conference on the environment in Kobe, Japan, last year. They
were accompanied on the trip by Mr Keith Arlow, Geography teacher. The boys were required to
report back on after-conference environmental activities. Jeff produced a PowerPoint slideshow on
the Plight of the Black Eagle of Roodekrans, and has been involved in various initiatives to educate
the youth of South Africa in environmental issues. Schalk created a movie which shows the huge
effort he has made with regard to South African environmental concerns since Kobe. These
presentations can both be viewed on the website http://www.jearn.jp/eng/index.html.
JEARN is the Japanese branch of iEARN, the international education and resource network
www.iearn.org.
There are presentations from the youth of 12 countries on the JEARN website. Well done to Jeff and
Schalk for all their hard work. We are delighted that their presentations have been published on an
international website.
Schalk explains Schalk and Jeff in front of their SA stand Giving the presentation from South Africa
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Dear Parent
THE PHAROS MEDICAL PLAN
SPORTS CONCUSSION PROGRAMME
The Pharos Sports Concussion Programme, now in its 4 th year, aims to make contact and collision
sports safer by preventing the potentially serious consequences of head injury. I am pleased to
announce that the programme has received international recognition and we have been invited to
present our model as a template for concussion management at the 3 rd International Conference on
Sports Concussion in Zurich at the end of October 2009. In addition, the South African Rugby Union
through its BokSmart Injury Prevention Programme will use the Pharos Programme protocols.
In 2009 we hope to add to the programme and improve further for the year participants will:
• Have a baseline computer brain function test before the season (performed at the school or in
one of our laboratories).
• Receive information on how to recognise and treat concussion, including fieldside information
cards for your team.
• Receive a free consultation by a sports doctor after any suspected concussion.
• Receive as many brain function tests as necessary after any concussion.
• Receive return-to-play guidelines after a concussion.
• Have access to a network of brain specialists including neurologists and neuropsychologists.
Due to a generous sponsorship from Pharos Medical Plan the package has been offered at
R250 per pupil. Testing will take place at St John’s College on Wednesday 25 February and
Wednesday 4 March in room B16 from 14:00 to 17:00 (or you can contact Chris Wood at 082
879 3983 or chrischippy@live to arrange private testing).The cost of the test will be charged to
your school account.
Yours faithfully
Dr Jon Patricios (011-4428233 / 082-5746918) sportsconcussion@mweb.co.za
www.sportsconcussion.co.za
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Dear Parents
Work has already begun to ensure that the fourteenth annual Easter Rugby Festival, in association with
First National Bank, is once again a success. A great week-end of school rugby is planned, with fun and
entertainment for the entire family. We have once again had a wonderful response from M-Net
Supersport with regard to televising the Festival.
We call on the entire St John’s community to get involved in this year’s Festival which takes place during
term time over the Easter week-end from 9 to 13 April 2009. We encourage you to avoid the Easter
week-end traffic and join us on Burger Field to watch the most exciting schoolboy rugby.
Days of play are: Thursday 9 April Saturday 11 April Monday 13 April
Once available, the fixture list will be available on our website: www.stjohnscollege.co.za
The 12 sides taking part in the 2009 Festival are:
Affies Hoër Seunskool FNB Invitation XV Glenwood High School
Golden Lions Helpmekaar Kollege Jeppe Boys’ High School
Maritzburg College Monument Hoërskool Outeniqua Hoërskool
Paarl Boys’ High School Paul Roos Gimnasium St John’s College
Teams from the following Preparatory schools will play three games each morning:
Clifton, Cordwalles, Cornwall-Hill, Leeuwenhof Akademie, Pridwin, The Ridge, St Benedicts, St Stithians,
Soweto Rugby Club, St John’s
Funds raised from each year’s Festival have traditionally been utilised for various projects and activities
throughout the school. These contributions have benefited the entire school from Pre-Prep through to
College. Outlined below are some of the contributions made from the 2008 Easter Rugby Festival funds:
Bursaries R 76 638 Sports development R 40 000
Pre-Prep sports equipment R 4 815 Fitness training equipment R 37 190
Rugby development R 4 080 Tennis courts R 33 333
One of the highlights and the largest contributory factor which ensures the success of our annual Rugby
Festivals is the involvement of the greater St John’s community, year after year. Volunteers have
always enjoyed their participation in this festive occasion, where many new friendships are formed whilst
working together for a common cause. We rely on the assistance of parents and teachers in the Food,
Beverage and Finance tents as well as the entrance gates.
We therefore appeal to you to diarise this fabulous event and offer your assistance with a few hours of
your time over the Easter week-end. Shifts can be planned to suit you, placing spouses or friends on
the same shifts. Please contact the following committee member if you are able to assist:
Shirley van der Griendt: (011) 486-0976 or 083 675-8457
We look forward to hearing from you and sharing this fun time together!
Toni Williams
Marketing Director
NB: Please note that we now have credit card facilities and Tuckshop cards will also be accepted.
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Seeing the beauty and goodness in front of us
We don’t have to go far to find the treasure we are seeking. There is beauty and goodness
right where we are. And only when we can see the beauty and goodness that are close by,
can we recognise beauty and goodness on our travels far and wide. There are trees and
flowers to enjoy, paintings and sculptures to admire; most of all there are people who smile,
play and show kindness and gentleness. They are all around us, to be recognised as free gifts
to receive in gratitude.
Our temptation is to collect all the beauty and goodness surrounding us as helpful information
we can use for our projects. But then we cannot enjoy them, and we soon find that we need a
vacation to restore ourselves. Let’s try to see the beauty and goodness in front of us before
we go elsewhere to look for them.
Parish of St John, Houghton
Sunday Services
Sunday Eucharist in the Crypt Chapel – 9.00 am
(Sunday School and Youth Group meet at the same time)
ALSO
- On the 1 st Sunday each month:
Youth Service – 7.00 pm
Priest in Charge:
Bishop Duncan Buchanan - Ph: (011) 782-9201
Associate Priest:
The Revd Jeremy Jacobs - Ph: (011) 614-0303
Church Wardens:
Steve Beck - Ph: (011) 786-6250
Rob Rudling - Ph: (011) 880-2551
All are welcome
Bread for the Journey
Henry J M Nouwen
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