ISSUE 32/2009
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The secret to success is to do the common things uncommonly well. (John D. Rockefeller Jr.)
COUNCIL REPORT BACK following parent meeting held on 17 September 2009
Council is pleased to report that as at end September, the College is exceeding the budgeted surplus and is well on track to a profitable year-end. Our bank loan has been approved, which will finalise the purchase of land from Mondi.
In comparison to this time last year, we have more enrolments and we are therefore projecting an even better financial year in 2010.
This, in combination with our strong balance sheet, ensures that we are financially very healthy, notwithstanding the tough economic conditions facing the country and the financial misstep that we managed through earlier in the year.
We are most fortunate to have retained the services of George Flook, a qualified chartered accountant, who together with the external auditors, has improved our internal systems and procedures to ensure we not only remain sound and profitable, but that we conform to business best practice.
2009 has been an excellent year for the College in academics, sport and culture where our achievements have ranked amongst the best in the province.
Together with our exceptional children, talented and dedicated staff, and committed parent body we are poised for an even better 2010.
ESTE - JOU DORING! FIRST IN SOUTH AFRICA!
Just when we thought we had enjoyed our best Olympiad results ever, we received news that one of our Grade 8 learners, Este Louw, had come 1st in the country in the Junior Afrikaanse Olimpiade: Eerst Adisionele Taal. What an awesome achievement! Well done Este - we are incredibly proud of you!
HIGH SCHOOL PRIZE GIVING 2009
The following is an extract from the St. Albans Weekly Newsletter from their Headmaster, Tom Hamilton, who was the Guest Speaker last Monday evening at the annual High School Prize Giving.
HEAD’S LETTER TO PARENTS: 28 October 2009
On SA Express to Richards Bay!
On 13 February, I received an invitation from Ken Krige, Headmaster of Felixton College in Zululand, to be the guest speaker at their prize-giving this year. I accepted without hesitation. The date was significant.
As is the way, the event came around faster than seemed possible all those months ago. On Monday, Rentia and I had one of the most awfully memorable journeys of our lives. It involved cancelled air tickets with SA Express, ground delays, power outages and generators being called to power up vacuum cleaners on the airport apron. It worked both ways too, return ticket style!
Arriving direct from the airport a bare ten minutes before the appointed hour of six o’clock on Monday evening, the guest of honour and his wife were changing into their ‘good clothes’ in the Headmaster’s Study even as the academic procession waited patiently at the entrance to the school hall. Although the glass door to the study limited privacy, it served the useful purpose of giving sufficient reflection for hair to be combed. “Do I look OK?” “You’re fine!”
Gaudemus Igitur dutifully and perfectly sung by the Felixton College Choir, I was soon ensconced in my seat on the front row of the stage party. As I sat and began to feel the humidity, I looked out on the rows of parents to my right: it was easy to spot the uneasy formality of the Zululand farmers who had put on a tie for the occasion. There were many more who sensibly wore golf shirts and shorts. As is the norm in such parts, the ladies had aimed at an altogether higher level of elegance!
To my left were lines of Felixton College boys and girls, looking neat and tidy in their uniforms. There was diversity in evidence, all manner of young people represented in this fledgling school. Zululand might be a conservative place, but it is a place that is changing and it is a place where I sensed that Felixton is making a difference.
As I cast my eyes further, I saw the boards at the back of the hall. The one to my right was for past Chairs and, at the top of the list was the name J Nottingham. Jeremy Nottingham, founding Chairman of Felixton from 1994 to 1998 and a member of our own Class of 1969. Prior to moving to Zululand, Jeremy had been a Member of our own Council for many years. He was the man who organized the excellent and memorable Homecoming Reunion of our Class of 1969, held here just a few weeks ago. A servant leader and an Albanian of whom we can be proud.
To my left was a Heads Board and there at the top was the name PD Daffon. Paul Daffon, an innovative geography teacher, passionate rugby and swimming coach and superb housemaster in MacRobert over the course of a thirteen year career here at St Alban’s College. Felixton is the school that Paul built and to which he gave his energy and passion for the first five years of its life and the last five years of his own.
Paul was a very good friend of mine, maybe the best friend I have had in my adult life. I was delighted that we had made it through the trials of our journey so that we could honour him, his legacy and his memory. I don’t think that it was simple coincidence that the place appeared so very familiar to us. The hospitality of the parents and staff reminded me of our own school; the warmth of the boys and girls was overwhelming. When the prizewinners came up to receive their certificates or trophies later, many had the confidence to make a real connection through a thoughtful few words.
It would appear to me that Paul brought many of the best aspects of St Alban’s with him when he took up the task of establishing that new school back in 1997. Isn’t it remarkable how places tend to be given their character by the people who form them? When a new school (or organisation) is founded, it is natural and right that the founders bring with them aspects of where they come from. Maybe that is why I felt so much at home at Felixton College – it carries a bit of our St Alban’s DNA! Chatting with Ken Krige on Tuesday morning, I sensed that Paul’s legacy is in good hands.
Paul and I travelled together on three continents, I was the best man at his wedding to Sue and I offered the eulogy at his funeral: I wonder if it was just coincidence that Ken Krige’s invitation arrived on 13 February 2009, the eighth anniversary of Paul 's untimely and sudden death? I don’t think so. Cheers, mate!
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION UPDATE
Our hardworking PA has embarked on its' most challenging project to date - the construction of a "clubhouse" on the new fields.
A plan has been drawn; the proposed site levelled and the foundations have been laid out and dug!! The next phase is to "pour" the foundations and lay the slab.
The intention is for the school community to "do" as much of the work as is possible in order to reduce costs - already many hours of expertise have been donated as well as materials and cash.
The foundations will be poured THIS Saturday 7 November starting at 06h30. We are appealing to parents and/or pupils to come along and help with some manual labour. If you are available, please can you confirm with Barry Lane on 0833868346 by Friday 6 November.
In due course, a pamphlet will be published setting out how all of us can get involved....in the meantime, why don't you go and take a look at the progress - TOGETHER we can do it!
CHRISTMAS GIVING
The end of the year is approaching at a speed, and to show our appreciation once again to the ground, cleaning and maintenance staff, we are asking each child to bring at least one non-perishable grocery item to school. These items will be collected and distributed in hampers to the staff at the end of the year.
Your contribution will be much appreciated. All items can be handed to the Tutor teachers by 11 November 2009.
GRADE 2 CAKE SALE
Well done to the Grade 2 class who collected R899-00 at their recent cake sale. Thank you to the parents for their support!
SPORT REPORT
Cricket results:
U11A vs Umhlali
Umhlali won the toss and batted first. Our boys bowled and fielded very well to dismiss Umhlali for 119 in 27 overs, their lowest total this season. Best bowlers were Bradley McNally 4/16 and Jordan Graven 2/21.
We batted on a deteriorating pitch and were dismissed for 58 in 28 overs. With 2 of our batsmen run out with direct hits and another caught one-handed, we were always going to struggle to rach their score.
U11B vs Umhlali
Umhlali batted first and scored 177/4 in their 40 overs. Best bowler was Matthew Leslie (2/24). Felixton College was dismissed for 55 in 17 overs. Thanks to Gordon Leslie for helping out at short notice.
Junior 1st Boys
This team travelled down to Umhlali last Saturday to play against what must be one of the strongest Primary School teams on the North Coast. The boys bowled and fielded their hearts out on what was a very hot and windy day. They managed to restrict Umhlali to 282 for 3. AD Krige took a superb catch behind the wickets and Ruben Kok had a direct hit to run out one of the batsmen. They then faced some great seam bowling and were bowled out for 48. David Barry batted for almost an hour – trying to salvage the innings – but was unfortunately stomped for 11. Best bowler was Langa Masuku 1/38 in 7 overs, and best batsman was David Barry who made 11 runs, including 1 ‘four’, off 34 balls in 58 minutes.
WEEKLY DIARY : TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER – MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2009
Tuesday 3 November
Cricket vs Richardia- Boys and Girls 1st Junior Open (A) 14:00
U7, U8 Cricket Festival at Grantleigh - CANCELLED
Wednesday 4 November
Inter Prep Relay Gala at St. Catherine’s 14:30
U7, U8 Cricket vs Richardia - CANCELLED
Thursday 5 November
Junior School and High School Super Sport Challenge at St. Catherine’s
Grade 7 Formal Dinner 18:00
Friday 6 November
Junior Open Boys Day/Night Cricket Festival at Felixton College 13:00
KICCSSA Golf – South Coast (Port Shepstone)
Saturday 7 November
Cricket vs Eshowe High School – U19A, U15A (H(, U15B and Open Girls (A) 09:00
Sunday 8 November
-
Monday 9 November
Dates meeting – 14:30 (Planning for 2010)
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