30/03/2012
Dear Parents, Staff and boys,
St Benedict’s is a member of Rape Wise. The insert below presents the most poignant points raised in the March 2012 edition of the “Parenteen and Educator Forum”. These thoughts are shared with you for interest and reference.
Dear Members,
Age Restrictions
In today's technologically connected world, parents face unprecedented challenges in monitoring and protecting their children from harmful influences; film, television, and its associated social media networks like Facebook - but one such influence that's often overlooked is video games.
There's a pervasive belief, held by many that video games are for kids - simple forms of entertainment that serve as easy babysitters and little more - but nothing could be further from the truth. According to the entertainment Software Association, average game player is 37 years old and has been playing games for 12 years. Unsurprisingly, more and more video games cater to adults - and shouldn’t be seen, let alone played by children.
Grand Theft Auto games, for example, allow players to steal cars, commit murder and pick up prostitutes. It's not aimed at, or meant for children at all. You wouldn't let them watch a movie with the sort of graphic content - so why let them play such games? Parents need to become more cognizant of the age restrictions that are placed on video games.
Here in South Africa, video games are rated by the Film and Publications Board, and its law that pertinent age restrictions are clearly visible. These ratings are designed to provide information about video and computer game content, so consumers can make informed purchase decisions - so use them! Make informed choices, buy age appropriate games for your children and don't let them become monsters we see on today's violent video games.
THE WEEK AHEAD
| Today |
30 March |
Grade 4 outing to the Fire Station |
| Tuesday |
03 April |
Term 2 reports issued |
| Wednesday |
04 April |
Easter raffle as arranged by Grade 7 Leaders and Captains
End of Term Mass at 10:30
School closes at 12:00 for the end of Term I
|
| Thursday |
05 April |
to 01 May - SCHOOL HOLIDAYS |
TERM 1 REPORTS
All boys will be issued a full report on Tuesday next week. Please read through the report and refer to the information brochure. Formal parent / teacher interviews will be arranged in May and an opportunity will be created for parents to discuss the report with the respective teachers.
END OF TERM MASS
The End of Term Mass takes place Wednesday, 4 April at 10:30 in the College Hall. Parents are most welcome to attend.
COMMENCEMENT OF TERM 2
Term 2 commences on Wednesday, 02 May and we close for term 2 on Wednesday, 08 August. Half term will run from 30 June to 08 July (inclusive).
Please note that boys must return to school in their winter uniforms.
FAMILY WELLNESS EVENING – 03 May
You are reminded of the Family Wellness Evening to be held at St. Benedict’s on Thursday, 3 May 2012 in the College Auditorium. The focus of the programme will include, amongst others, the topic of “How our choices contribute to our wellness.” The presenter will be Mrs. Margaret Janeke the well-known author of “Bound”. She was on Carte Blanche in 2010.The evening commences at 19:00 in the College Auditorium and promises to be both enlightening and informative and of special interest to Grade 7 boys and their parents.
Please diarise the following important dates for term 2:
| 03 May |
Family Wellness evening |
| 09 May |
Paired reading meeting for Grade 4L and 4S |
| 16 May |
Mother's Day Mass |
| 17 May |
Ascension Thursday - SCHOOL HOLIDAY |
| 18 May |
Junior Prep and Prep School holiday |
| 22 May |
PRA meeting for all class reps |
| 11 June |
to 14 June School Play |
| 25 June |
to 29 June Prep assessment week |
| 13 July |
St Benedict's Day celebrations |
| 14 July |
Fun day and Pipe Band gathering at St Benedict''s |
| 02 August |
Evensong |
| 08 August |
Term II ends |
DRUM KIT FOR SALE
Second hand drum kit for sale: R2500. Excellent condition.
Contact: Mrs. de Wet .
deWetL@stbenedicts.co.za
SPORT AND TOURS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
A number of sports tours are taking place in the holidays, these include, the 1
st rugby team playing at the St John’s Easter rugby festival, the rugby tour to the Lowveld and the first ever soccer tour. We wish all boys and their coaches safe travelling and a successful and enjoyable experience.
STAFFING
We wish to thank Mrs. Naidu most sincerely for being part of the Prep School staff this past term and for the meaningful contribution that she has made to our school and the Grade 6 boys in particular. Mrs Surtees will be returning to school next term after her period of maternity leave.
Dr Oerson, the newly appointed Senior Deputy Headmaster will commence duty in the second term. We look forward to welcoming Dr Oerson to our staff and that contribution that he will make to our school.
CONGRATULATIONS
To the following boys on being selected as the next set of monitors for Term II - Kyle Subrumuny; Gareth Davidson; Christopher De Ponte; Terence Walsh; Joshua Green; Jordan Thomas; Kiano Kleiner; Douglas Grossett; Fang Zhong; Kyle Spinola; Devlyn Kotze; Mitchell Rabey; Jed Fourie; Jarid Kolver; Joshua Rodrigues; David Proudfoot; Ross Holland.
To ARON VISSER (7E) for making all his finals and achieving three 4th places at SA Level 3 National Swimming Championships Well done Aron!
To MICHELE BERTONE for being selected to represent his club at SA level 1 regional swimming championships. Well done Michele!
To LUKE CODERWEL on being chosen for Provincial Colours to participate in Gauteng Lifesaving Competitions at Nationals in Kwa-Zulu Natal from the 25th - 28th April. Well done Luke on this fine achievement.
LOST AND FOUND
Alessandro Volo's St Benedict's kit bag went missing from outside the Grade 6 quad on Thursday last week. It is was his St Benedict's tracksuit top, Adidas shin pads, Adidas soccer boots and socks. Everything is marked from kit bag to boots. Please hand them in to Mrs Stoltz if found.
LIBRARY BOOKS
All library books need to be returned to the library before the holidays. A stock take of all the books has to be undertaken.
LENTEN BOXES
Please return all your lenten boxes before the end of term. Thank you once again for your support of the Bishop's Lenten Appeal.
SUPPORTER SHIRTS
Please could we appeal to all those parents who received a letter regarding the supporters shirts to please send in any outstanding money by Monday as the supplier has to be paid before the end of term.
GRADE 7 FUNDRAISING
Thank you to everyone who has already placed an order for Mother's Day gifts and has returned their raffle sheets.
Mother's Day Gifts
Pre-orders of gifts will be taken until 4 April. Additional order forms are available from reception. The following gifts may be ordered:
"Special Mum" ceramic bear R25 ; Picture Frame R30; Wind chimes R40; Jenna Clifford bookmark R100; Jenny Clifford salt spoon R100;
Mother's Day Raffle
The tickets cost R15 each and you stand a chance of winning fantastic prizes. There are 22 spaces on the raffle sheet and if 20 are sold the 21st and 22nd tickets are free. Just a reminder that the raffle sheets are to be handed in to your class teacher by 4th April 2012 and the raffle will resume in the second term. The draw will take place on the 11 May 2012. The boy who sells the most sheets will win a R300 gift voucher. These are the wonderful prizes that can be won :
1st prize - Diamond earings valued at R10 000; 2nd prize - a 2 night get-away for 2 at Sindisa Guest Lodge; 3rd prize - High tea for 4 at the Michaelangelo Hotel; 4th prize - Nine West handbag ; 5th prize - Gondal Tupperware Hamper.
St Benedict's Sports Cushions
These are on sale at reception - one cushion R70 ; two cushions R120.
MERITS OF THE WEEK
| Grade 4S |
Christopher WIlmot |
For his positive, enthusiastic and conscientious approach to his schoolwork. |
| Grade 4M |
Alexandros Michaelides |
For working so hard and diligently in every lesson. |
| Grade 4C |
Jarod Bowes |
For his lovely manners and working so diligently. |
| Grade 4L |
Ramiro De Freitas |
For working extremely hard and writing an excellent History cycle. |
| Grade 5K |
Dylan Bowes |
For quietly and diligently getting on with his work. |
| Grade 5W |
Andy Li |
For consistent good work in English and History. |
| Grade 5G |
Daniel Kilian |
For being a brilliant class monitor. |
| Grade 5Z |
Timmy Lay |
For outstanding manners throughout the term. Well done Timmy! |
| Bissict |
Treston Chen |
For good progress this term and for being a kind friend. |
| Grade 6V |
Tshiamo Moloto |
For being trustworthy and having a good sense of humour. |
| Grade 6M |
Wian de Groot |
For being trustworthy and having a good sense of humour. |
| Grade 6E |
Tshepiso Mhishi |
For outstanding manners and being such a pleasant boy. |
| Grade 6S |
Justin Kum |
For an improved attitude in class. Keep it up. |
| Grade 7P |
Jed Fourie |
For a brilliant term I report. Well done! |
| Grade 7M |
Dante Mitri |
For an outstanding LO cycle test. |
| Grade 7R |
Joshua Tarry |
For consistent perseverance in all learning areas. |
| Grade 7E |
Vyncent Lowery |
For a wonderful term. Keep up the great work. |
SPORTS NEWSLETTER
Newsletter 02 - 04 April 2012.pdf
Best wishes for the week ahead
G Edwards
Headmaster
