01/03/2012
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If you wish to provide feedback regarding any of the items which appear in this week's newsletter, please feel free to email me at head@stbenedicts.co.za
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Dear Boys, Staff and Parents
Running and Rowing our own race
Our rowing community was blessed to have oldboy Ramon di’Clemente as a guest speaker at the pre-Champs pasta evening which was hosted at Basil’s on Wednesday night. Ramon, a South African rower and Olympic medallist – is undoubtedly one of the most successful sportsmen St Benedict’s has produced. I think we were all struck by the simplicity of the message that Ramon shared with our boys – row your own race! It was an appropriate message on the eve of one of the most important of our summer sports weekends.
There is no doubt that we all speed up in the face of competition. We compare ourselves to others and measure our own achievements against the accomplishments of others. When we receive an academic report, we want to know “what was the class average?” We live our lives listening for someone breathing down our necks.
And competition (usually) brings out our best.
However, when our own performance and achievements become dependent on the competition then you're counting on the quality of those that “show up” to determine how well you'll do. Once we count on the competition to bring out our best work, we've surrendered control over our most important asset.
Real achievement comes from racing ahead when no one else sees a path - and holding back when the rush isn't going where you want to go. Self-motivation is and always will be the most important form of motivation. We need to look for our own groove - driving with your eyes on the rear view mirror is exhausting - we cannot maximize our own potential when we are focused (and obsessed) on how poorly/well people around us are doing.
A Reflection for Week 2 of Lent
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that He will not refuse anything He can give.
Father,
by sending your Son into the world
you revealed your love for us.
Through the cross
you revealed to us a love
we did not know possible,
a love that gives
without asking anything in return.
May such love
reassure and encourage us
on our journey
towards our Easter.
Lenten Thoughts
What is God asking me ‘to listen to’ during this Lent?
How can I ‘nourish’ my life better through prayer and the reading of the Word of God?
Which events, what people or circumstances in my life, must I look with ‘eyes made new’?
Malvern Parish - 75th Anniversary Magazine
Copies of the Malvern Parish Magazine commerating the Church's 75th Anniversary can be purchased at R50.00 a copy. A discounted price of R30.00 applies for pensioners.
Magazines may be purchased at Mass this weekend or alternatively contact the parish office on 0116164008.
Security at St Benedict's
All College boys were issued with two security tickets on Wednesday, 22 February 2012: one for Mom's and one for Dad's car. Parents are requested to display these tickets on their car's windscreen (left-hand side) to gain easy, unrestricted access to the school grounds. Once all boys have been issued with these tickets, drivers of cars which do not display the appropriate sticker will be required to sign in at the gate to gain access to the campus.
Families who require more than two tickets to accommodate more than two cars are requested to submit a request in writing to Mr Wilson, our Estate Manager. Please indicate how many tickets you will be requiring, the registration numbers of the vehicles in question and who the designated drivers of the vehicles will be.
Assessment Plans
Term 1 Assessment Plans have been loaded onto the website. Boys and parents may view them at the following link:
Assessment Plans.
Grade 11 Retreat
The Grade 11 boys are away on retreat at Parnassus from Monday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Friday next week. Precise arrangements have been given to boys in writing. Boys are to follow the timetable below for the days on which they are not on retreat:
JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge
St Benedict's has registered to participate in this year’s JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge. Every year, teachers and parents of high school learners and varsity students are encouraged to act as mentors of their respective institutions, while their teams sharpen their financial skills by managing a virtual portfolio worth R1 million on the stock exchange. The JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge continues to be the largest financial literacy initiative of its kind and aims to educate South African youth about investing on the stock exchange and the large role that investment plays in our economy.
Why the JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge is important:
• It encourages learners and students to invest in their potential and future
• It motivates those who have participated in the Investment Challenge before, to “challenge on”; to set higher goals for themselves and strive to better the skills they have developed through this initiative
• It explores and creates interest in the various career opportunities within the financial sector
• Schools from disadvantaged communities and backgrounds have overcome many odds like lack of access to funds and the internet, and have excelled despite their circumstances. Their story serves as an example to others in similar situations
• It provides investment education with the aim of building a society of money and investment savvy, financially free youth
The Investment Challenge runs from March to September, and overall winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony in October.Boys who are interested in being involved should speak to Mrs Dunn, the Head of Accounting.
Summer Sports Dinners
Boys and parents are asked to diarise the following dates for the Summer Sports Dinners:
- Aquatics (Swimming and Waterpolo) Dinner - 12 March
- Cricket Dinner - 13 March
- Basketball Dinner - 19 March
- Rowing Dinner - 20 March
Invitations to the Dinners will be issued during the course of next week.
PLEASE NOTE: The Aquatics and Basketball Dinners were moved to alleviate a clash with the Grade 11 Retreats.
Monday - 5 March 2012
On Monday, 5 March we will hold the final round of Winter trials. Rugby players are expected to be at school from 8:00 to 12:30. Hockey players should be at school as per the times specified below:
07:00 – 09:00 Open trials
09:00 – 11:00 U/14 trials
11:00 – 12:30 U/15 trials
12:30 – 14:00 U/16 trials
Boys only have at school during the time that their trials take place.
Millennium Club
Well done and congratulations to the winners of the first Millennium Club draw for 2012. The draw took place on Tuesday, 28 February 2012. The prizewinners were:
First prize of R5,000 - Mrs Anne Dunn
Second prize of R2,500 - Mrs Kim Symonds
Third prize (attendance) R1,000 - Mrs Karen McAnda
Thank you again to one and all for the wonderful support the Club has received since the start of our Millennium venture at the start of 2011. Should you wish to become a Millennium Club members, please visit the "Beleieve in Bennies" section of our Home site.
Hockey Parents
As you are aware the hockey season is upon us and it is that time of year where we all can make a difference. Mr Jeffrey and Mrs De Castro invite all hockey parents to an all-important Parent Support Group hockey meeting. This meeting will take place as follows:
Where - Hockey Pavilion
When – Monday the 12th of March
Time – 7 pm
Fundraising for St Benedict's Pipe Band
Please join us for an enjoyable and educational Whisky tasting evening in aid of Fundraising for the St Benedict’s Pipe Band. Steve Adams from Wild about Whisky will be presenting some unique Single Malts followed by a wholesome meal catered for by Basil.
The evening will be concluded with an auction of some collectable Single Malts, as well as two inclusive weekends to Critchley Hackle in Dullstroom.
Venue: St Benedict’s College – Top of Basil’s
Date: 9 March 2012
Time: 18h30 for 19h00
Ticket Price: R175 per person – available from Anthony Evans
EvansA@stbenedicts.co.za
Public Speaking
Congratulations to the Grade 11 Prepared Public Speaking team whose speech on "Exploration" was recently awarded a B-symbol. The team consisted of Chairman: Adam Macgregor and Byrone Kennedy, Bruce Crossey and Alessio Lencioni.
The Grade 11 Impromptu team who spoke on the topic of "Brevity is the soul of wit" were awarded an A-symbol. The team consisted of Bradley Latre, Rorisang Moseli, Bryce Nicholls and Lorenzo Grispan.
Rowing Reunion
Rugby Fundraiser - Need a new Car?
The Fury Motor Group in association with their partners GLRU, ITEC Central, Rex Diff and Gearbox and Castrolare are once again privileged to sponsor the Fury Motor Group Community Support Program for 2012. Part of this program provides rugby jerseys, tog bags and other rugby equipment to 40 teams, including both schools and clubs.As part of the sponsorship they are donating a Chevrolet Spark to be raffled by the schools, clubs and community service institutions, in order to raise funds for tours, transport or any other related requirements.
The full proceeds of the sale of any tickets goes to the selling school or institution. The draw for the ten finalists will be held on August 31, 2012. and the draw for the winner will take place in September 2012. In addition there will also be periodic lucky draws for other prizes.This ticket also qualifies the holder for an additional R500.00 cash rebate when buying a vehicle from any of the Fury Motor Group Dealerships in 2012.
Tickets will be available from any rugby player in the College from 1 February 2012. Any questions regarding the raffle please contact Mr Nel -
nelm@stbenedicts.co.za
Interhouse Plays Festival
The Interhouse Play Festival Semi - finals will take place on the 14th & 15th March and the Finals on the 16th March.All boys and parents are most welcome to come along and support these entirelty pupil produced productions.
To view the invitations, please click on the following:
Invitation to the Interhouse Plays Semi Final
Invitation to the Interhouse Plays Final
Sports Results
Cricket
St Benedict’s College 1stXI Independent Schools Cricket Festival Results.
SBC lost by 114 runs to Clifton
SBC beat St Andrew’s (Bloem) by 43 runs
SBC lost by 9 wickets to Bishops
Swimming
Inter High Results
1. Pretoria Boys 388
2. St David’s 374
3. AFFIES 339
4. St Stithian’s 318
5. St Benedict’s 308
6. KES 248
7. Jeppe Boys 215
8. Parktown 176
9. CBC 112
Waterpolo vs Parktown
14B lost 3-8
14A won 10-6
15B won 4-3
15A lost 3-4
16A won 5-3
2nd lost 5-6
1st lost 6-10
Sports Fixtures for the Week Ahead
| Sat, 3 Mar |
Rowing |
08:00 |
SA Rowing Championships at Roodeplaat |
Away |
| Cricket |
09:00 |
15A, 16A vs Parktown at Ravens Park |
Away |
| 1st , 14A vs Parktown |
Away |
| Waterpolo |
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U14 Ken Short Festival at Jeppe Boys |
Away |
| U15 Indigo Festival at Parktown Boys |
Away |
| Sun, 4 Mar |
Rowing |
08:00 |
SA Rowing Championships at Roodeplaat |
Away |
| Waterpolo |
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U14 Ken Short Festival at Jeppe Boys |
Away |
| U15 Indigo Festival at Parktown Boys |
Away |
| Mon, 5 Mar |
Hockey Trials at SBC |
07:00-09:00 |
Opens |
Home |
| 09:00 - 11:00 |
U14's |
Home |
| 11:00 - 12:30 |
U15's |
Home |
| 12:30 - 14:00 |
U16's |
Home |
| Rugby Trials at SBC |
08:00 - 13:00 |
All age groups |
Home |
| Tennis |
15:00 |
D team (Bye) |
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| E team vs St Martin's |
Home |
| F team vs Mondeor |
Home |
| Fri, 9 Mar |
Golf |
15:00 |
A team at Glendower |
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| B team at Glendower |
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| C team at Parkview |
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| Tennis |
15:00 |
A team vs Randpark |
Home |
| B team (Bye) |
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| C team vs St Martin's |
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| Rugby Camps |
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Junior U14 and U15 at St Benedict's |
Home |
| Senior U16 and Opens at Parnassus |
Away |
| Sat, 10 Mar |
Hockey |
08:00 |
Battle of the Saint's Festival U14 at St Stithian's |
Away |
| Battle of the Saint's Festival U15 at St David's |
Away |
| Battle of the Saint's Festival U16 at St Benedict's |
Home |
| Battle of the Saint's Festival 1st team at St John's |
Away |
| Rugby Camps |
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Junior U14 and U15 at St Benedict's |
Home |
| Senior U16 and Opens at Parnassus |
Away |
| Sun, 11 Mar |
Rugby Camps |
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Junior U14 and U15 at St Benedict's |
Home |
| Senior U16 and Opens at Parnassus |
Away |
APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
GIFT SHOE BOX for the elderly of The SA Red Cross Society – Elandsvallei Old age home in Primrose.
Val Fernandes, owner of Desiree Florist, and her son Robert Fernandes are asking you to join them in bringing a smile to the residents of Elandsvallei.
You are asked to gift wrap a shoe box and fill it with the following items and clearly mark it “Man” or “Lady”:
Aqueous Cream, Small pkts tissues, Toilet roll, Toothpaste, Toothbrush,Deodorant/roll on, Soap, Face Cloth, Arnica oil, Disposable razors.
The men’s boxes will need Shaving cream and Aftershave pre. Optional yet needed items:
Calendula cream, Emery boards Talcum powder and Stokies (towelling slippers).Any other item that you would like to include will be greatly appreciated.
PS: NO GLASS OR PERISHABLES
Drop off zone: Desiree Florist, Bedford Village, crn Van Buuren & Nicole Rds, Bedfordview. (The Spar Centre) 011 4504323 – 0834521013 (Val)
We are so proud of .......
Brandon Lane (U16) and Yen Choo (U14) who were selected to represent their respective Central Gauteng Provincial Golf teams that will take part in the SA Interprovincial Golf Championships to be played at State Mines Country Club on the 11th of March.
Kyle Van Rensburg has been selected to represent Central Gauteng Aquatics at the SA Nationals Competition in Durban from 16th to 22nd April 2012 and will also be representing his club at the SA level 3 National Swimming Championships in Port Elizabeth from the 15th to 21st March 2012.
Byrone Bruce for being selected to represent the Easterns Junior Squash team.
To God be the Glory
A C Oosthuysen
Executive Headmaster
