15/02/2012
Dear Parents, Staff and Boys
22 FEBRUARY – ASH WEDNESDAY – THE BEGINNING OF LENT
Wednesday, 22 February is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this forty day liturgical period of prayer and fasting.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God and to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth.
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.
http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/ashwed.php
THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
| Saturday |
18 February |
Mom's breakfast
Cricket fixtures as advised |
| Tuesday |
21 February |
Shrove Tuesday |
| Wednesday |
22 February |
ASH Wednesday |
| Thursday |
23 February |
School closes at 12:00 for half term |
| Friday to Monday |
24 - 27 February |
HALF TERM |
| Tuesday |
28 February |
Staff retreat - No school for boys |
| Wednesday |
29 February |
Term 1 recommences |
OUTREACH - SACRED HEART HOMEWORK CENTRE
This week we were able to present a large donation of stationery, books, games and other necessities to the Sacred Heart Homework Centre in Dikatole. The centre provides daily homework supervision and meals for over 100 children from the informal settlement, and through this support programme a marked improvement in school achievment has been realised. We would like to express our thanks to the Grade 3 boys and parents of 2011 who made this generous donation possible through various fundraising initiatives which have not only enhanced our own school facilities but also provided support for outreach projects.
LITTLE EDEN FETE - LITTLE ITALY
Little Eden in Edenvale is one of St Benedict's long standing outreach projects. Annually they have a wonderful fete which this year is to be held on SATURDAY 3rd MARCH. The St Benedict's community assists by running the cake stall at the fete. Please could you help by donating a cake which can be dropped off at reception on Friday 2nd March. Alternatively a monetary donation can be left at reception clearly marked LITTLE EDEN CAKE STALL - ATTENTION MRS MOWATT.
MOMS’ BREAKFAST
A very big thank you to the many moms who will be attending the breakfast tomorrow. We’re in for a fantastic morning and we look forward to sharing this wonderful event with you. A special word of thanks and gratitude are extended to the many generous sponsors and contributors to this event as well as to Mrs Levenson, the organiser and co-ordinator of this event. We are most grateful to you for the many hours of planning and preparation that you have given to this event. The breakfast commences at 08:00 until 11:00 and the venue is The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. The following are directions: Pass Woolworths in Liksfield Drive on your right. Go through traffic lights at Civin Drive into Club St. Travel straight along Club St. Huddle Park Golf course will be on your right. Go over the next traffic lights with Engen on our right and King David School on your left. First right after traffic light is Gemmil Street. Turn right into Gemmil, then right into Meyer. Go through the boom. First road turn left. Follow road to golf course which will be on your left.
SHROVE TUESDAY
It's that time of year again where we get to enjoy a pancake or two. Please remember to send your R5 to your son's teacher by Monday 20th at the latest and he will receive 2 pancakes on the day. Thank you also, to the many moms who have volunteered to assist us in the making of pancakes.
ASH WEDNESDAY
As we commence the season of Lent, the arrangements for ASH Wednesday are as follows:
Grade R, 1 and 2 boys will receive ashes at school in the early part of the day. Please note that due to the renovations in the library (which affect the usage of the hall), there will not be an ASH Wednesday service this year.
The Grade 3 boys will join the Prep School at Mass at 10:30 in the College hall. As always, parents are most welcome to attend.
LENTEN APPEAL: PURPLE PROMISE RIBBONS
The outreach boys will be selling Purple Promise Ribbons for lent. These ribbons are a daily reminder of our Lenten promises and can be worn on our blazers. They are available from each class teacher for a minimum donation of R2 and will be available from Ash Wednesday 22 February. All proceeds will go towards the Bishop’ Lenten Appeal.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR GRADE 3 BOYS ON WEDNESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY
Further to the above, please note the following sport arrangements for this day.
- Grade 3 boys will still have their sport period on Wednesday. It will run from 08:20-09:50 at the Prep School.
- The athletics team run offs will take place during this time and it is compulsory for all boys to participate in the athletics run offs.
- At 09:50 the Grade 3 boys will have break at the Prep School.
- Please prepare a packed lunch with extra juice as there will not be any tuck shop purchases for Grade 3 boys on this day.
- After break the boys will prepare for Mass which will commence at 10:30.
ADVANCE SPORTS NOTICES FOR GRADE 3 BOYS
Inter- house swimming gala
The Grade 3 boys will join the Prep School at the inter-house gala in the indoor pool at St Benedict’s on 7 March. The gala commences at 10:10 and will be completed by around 12:30. The school day will end at 13:30 as usual.
Inter-house athletics meeting
The Grade 3 boys will join the Prep School at the inter house athletics meeting at Germiston Stadium on 8 March. Although house teams will be selected, all boys will participate and score points for their respective house. The Grade 3 boys will be transported to and from Germiston stadium on this day.
Full details of both events will be provided in the newsletter on 2 March.
THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARY
Please note that school closes at 12:00 on Thursday, 23 February for half term. Please note that there are no afternoon activities on this day.
HALF TERM: A reminder that although half term ends on Monday, 27 February, the staff will be on retreat on Tuesday, 28 February.
There will be no school for boys on Tuesday, 28 February.
UPGRADE TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL
Construction is underway to upgrade and beautify the front entrance of the school. We believe that this will greatly improve the aesthetics of the school environment. Please be patient while construction is underway.
CONDOLENCES
We express our condolences to Miss Capazorio at the passing of her father this past week end and offer our prayerful support for her and the family at this time. Miss Capazorio is expected back at school on Monday.
BADEN POWELL DAY
Lord Robert Baden Powell was the founder of the Boy Scout movement over 100 years ago. Since then, tens of thousands of boys have benefitted from his philosophy, the development of leaders by leading. Each year, this worldwide movement celebrates BP day on 22 February. As such, all Cubs and Scouts, regardless of their troop affiliation may wear their uniforms to school on Wednesday, 22 February. We wish all Cubs and Scouts a good day and a rewarding year of scouting ahead.
KARATE
Please note that there will be NO KARATE on Thursday 23 February due to school closing early.
GRADE 3 MONITORS
Our next set of Grade 3 monitors are:
| Grade 3I |
Joshua Torocsik |
| Grade 3J |
Vinicius Pinto |
| Grade 3K |
Luke Kojetin |
| Grade 3L |
Connor Joubert |
STAR OF THE WEEK
| Grade 1A |
Jason Strydom |
For his diligent approach to his tasks. |
| Grade 1B |
Reece Gordon |
For building Kathy and Mark sentences with enthusiasm. |
| Grade 1C |
Rivaldo Feldman |
For building a meaningful, exciting sentence with his sight words. |
| Grade 1D |
Kagiso Phage |
For a diligent approach to all his tasks. |
| Grade 2E |
Alessio Carelle |
For excellent results in his spelling tests. |
| Grade 2F |
Nicholas Mostert |
For quick and accurate Maths work. |
| Grade 2G |
Nicholas Macdonald |
For working diligently in all areas. |
| Grade 2H |
Kael Stainbank |
For lovely expressive reading. |
| Grade 3I |
Aidan Gvender |
For excellent work in Maths. |
| Grade 3J |
Kevin Zhang |
For excellent and neat work in Maths. |
| Grade 3K |
Jason Dallas |
For kindness and good behaviour. |
| Grade 3L |
Christopher Viljoen |
For striving to achieve excellent Maths results. |
GRADE R NEWS
Our theme of 'Families' continues. If your son has not done his Show & Tell he will do it on Thursday 23rd February. Please practise visual memory skills with your son. Some of the boys are battling to sequence 3 blocks successfully. They are generally doing much better with the auditory stimulus. We are moving on to sequencing 4 blocks with one double colour.
GRADE 3 SPORTS NEWSLETTER
Newsletter 18 - 23 February 2012.pdf
Please note that there will not be a newsletter next week. We wish all boys and their families a happy and safe half term.
With best wishes,
G. Edwards
Headmaster
