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1 NEWSLETTER EASTER TERM No 2/2013 Dear Parents As I write this on Tuesday, 16 April, I am very conscious that this is the last day for the 56 Lower 4 boys who have attended, and now completed, the first St John’s College Wilderness School at Maretlwane. They, with the 8 staff members who have been with them, have spent 32 days living in the Magaliesberg. They have had an extraordinary experience: they have cooked for themselves, using a superb cookbook compiled especially for the Wilderness School; they have done their own washing; they have learned to live together in groups of eight, and they have made many new friendships. They have laughed and cried, have studied the stars; created wonderful art pieces; written letters home which have made their parents very proud of them; and received letters back from their parents. They have had a 3-day hike, and a 24-hour solitaire. Duncan Smale fell off his bike and broke his arm, but otherwise they return home with no serious injuries. It has been lonely at times, and they have missed home and their families. They have learnt that you can survive without TV, cell phones, e-mails, Facebook, twitter etc., and they return healthy and strong. I do thank for their hard work, Mr Alex Junod, Wilderness School Director and his staff, as well as Mr Dave Campbell from St John’s, who has facilitated and organised the process from our side. I am also conscious that as I write, there are about 60 boys completing their 5-day adventure for the Gold President’s Award in Umfolozi, Golden Gate and Pilansberg, and another 35 boys on rugby tour in Namibia. These opportunities embody the richness of a wonderful curriculum that extends well beyond the confines of the classroom. Back at home, in the last few weeks of this term, there have been a number of events and activities that I would like to highlight. We have enjoyed a magnificently organised Rugby Festival, and I do thank all the parents, teachers and boys for their involvement, in particular Mr Richard Irvine and his organising committee. We have enjoyed an outstanding school production called Forever Young, which was work-shopped by the boys, and portrayed the challenges and anxieties about growing up into adulthood. There were memorable scenes which made me reflect on my own youth, and at the same time delight in the honesty of young men and women speaking from the heart. It was magnificent. Last week we held our annual Inter-house Music Festival, and I can only say that it was a privilege to see so many talented boys enjoying themselves singing and making music - the mass choir items where every boy in the House sings, is particularly special. The Music department also hosted Supper and Song, which is a showcase of outstanding music, choirs, ensembles, quartets, jazz bands and rock bands. The supper and song this year showcased 300 boys from the Pre Prep to the College making wonderful music. This for me is an annual treat, where the audience is charmed by the efforts of the little pre- prep boys and bowled over by the talents of the older musicians. Just prior to Easter, all the College boys went on excursions for 3 days. The Matrics had a work experience; the Lower 5s were involved in Life Sciences, Geography, Afrikaans and IsiZulu all these excursions were way from school, in various parts of the country. The Upper 4s went on Face-to-Face with Faith camp in Natal, where they were challenged to examine their faith. This is the first step in leading some boys to confirmation later in the year. The Removes were involved in Art, Music and Drama workshops, while the Lower 4s had historical tours in and around Johannesburg. It is difficult to imagine a school in South Africa with a richer curriculum, or one which provides boys with so many opportunities to participate and grow into good men. Thank you to all the staff who make these opportunities happen, to the parents who support them, and the boys who show their commitment, loyalty and hard work through their participation.
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Easter Term Newsletter 02

Feb 11, 2017

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Page 1: Easter Term Newsletter 02

1

NEWSLETTER EASTER TERM No 2/2013

Dear Parents As I write this on Tuesday, 16 April, I am very conscious that this is the last day for the 56 Lower 4 boys who have attended, and now completed, the first St John’s College Wilderness School at Maretlwane. They, with the 8 staff members who have been with them, have spent 32 days living in the Magaliesberg. They have had an extraordinary experience: they have cooked for themselves, using a superb cookbook compiled especially for the Wilderness School; they have done their own washing; they have learned to live together in groups of eight, and they have made many new friendships. They have laughed and cried, have studied the stars; created wonderful art pieces; written letters home which have made their parents very proud of them; and received letters back from their parents. They have had a 3-day hike, and a 24-hour solitaire. Duncan Smale fell off his bike and broke his arm, but otherwise they return home with no serious injuries. It has been lonely at times, and they have missed home and their families. They have learnt that you can survive without TV, cell phones, e-mails, Facebook, twitter etc., and they return healthy and strong. I do thank for their hard work, Mr Alex Junod, Wilderness School Director and his staff, as well as Mr Dave Campbell from St John’s, who has facilitated and organised the process from our side. I am also conscious that as I write, there are about 60 boys completing their 5-day adventure for the Gold President’s Award in Umfolozi, Golden Gate and Pilansberg, and another 35 boys on rugby tour in Namibia. These opportunities embody the richness of a wonderful curriculum that extends well beyond the confines of the classroom. Back at home, in the last few weeks of this term, there have been a number of events and activities that I would like to highlight. We have enjoyed a magnificently organised Rugby Festival, and I do thank all the parents, teachers and boys for their involvement, in particular Mr Richard Irvine and his organising committee. We have enjoyed an outstanding school production called Forever Young, which was work-shopped by the boys, and portrayed the challenges and anxieties about growing up into adulthood. There were memorable scenes which made me reflect on my own youth, and at the same time delight in the honesty of young men and women speaking from the heart. It was magnificent. Last week we held our annual Inter-house Music Festival, and I can only say that it was a privilege to see so many talented boys enjoying themselves singing and making music - the mass choir items where every boy in the House sings, is particularly special. The Music department also hosted Supper and Song, which is a showcase of outstanding music, choirs, ensembles, quartets, jazz bands and rock bands. The supper and song this year showcased 300 boys from the Pre Prep to the College making wonderful music. This for me is an annual treat, where the audience is charmed by the efforts of the little pre-prep boys and bowled over by the talents of the older musicians. Just prior to Easter, all the College boys went on excursions for 3 days. The Matrics had a work experience; the Lower 5s were involved in Life Sciences, Geography, Afrikaans and IsiZulu – all these excursions were way from school, in various parts of the country. The Upper 4s went on Face-to-Face with Faith camp in Natal, where they were challenged to examine their faith. This is the first step in leading some boys to confirmation later in the year. The Removes were involved in Art, Music and Drama workshops, while the Lower 4s had historical tours in and around Johannesburg. It is difficult to imagine a school in South Africa with a richer curriculum, or one which provides boys with so many opportunities to participate and grow into good men. Thank you to all the staff who make these opportunities happen, to the parents who support them, and the boys who show their commitment, loyalty and hard work through their participation.

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At the end of each term I have the opportunity to read, comment on and sign 700 reports. All the teachers and Housemasters have contributed their insights and comments, and there is a wealth of personal information about the academic progress of your son/s. I would like you to read your son’s report carefully, and to assist him to put into practice the recommendations made. At the heart of St John’s College is an academic programme, which aims to shape your son’s thinking by assisting him to think in a disciplined way, creatively, conceptually and independently. Our aim is to meet the injunction in the school prayer, which is that your son should be ‘rightly trained in mind’. What he will carry with him when the memories of rugby or squash, school plays and field trips are part of his past, is a well-trained mind, and this is perhaps the greatest gift that we strive to give to each St John’s boy. I do wish everyone, boys, staff, and parents a restful break, and I look forward to an exciting and enjoyable Trinity Term. Farewell to Staff - We say farewell to five members of staff: Mr Alistair Dry Mr Dry leaves us to take up the position as Headmaster at Bishop Bavin School, and we wish him God’s richest blessing in this new exciting venture. He has served St John’s well over the past 9 years as Business Manager. Our finances and our operations are in good shape, with policies and procedures in place to manage the School into the future. St John’s is a large and complex organisation, and the support staff, under Alistair’s leadership, have done their job well. Finances, facilities, catering, grounds, security and a host of other functions have all reported to Mr Dry. His team have supported the academic staff to ensure that the educational programme operates at its best. He has done this in a pleasant and helpful way, and has always been approachable and supportive. Thank you, Alistair. Enock Kamangira Mr Kamangira, when he said farewell to the boys, received a standing ovation, because he is not only a good teacher of IT, and Master-in-Charge of basketball, but also a kind man who cares for the boys in his charge. Mr Kamangira is a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He has decided to take a break from teaching after some personal tragedies, and we wish him all the best as he returns to Zimbabwe. Ms Ilse Myburgh Ms Myburgh is a superb pianist and accompanist, who served St John’s for 11 years. I have often been in awe of her talent, and many young men have benefitted from her expertise. Ilse has also played in chapel for the boarders every Sunday evening, and we thank her for this. We also thank her, in her capacity as Head of the Piano Department, for its growth. We wish her all the best as she moves to beautiful Cape Town. Ms Karin Bezuidenhout Ms Bezuidenhout has been in the Art Department for a year, and leaves us to move to Germany to join her sister, and to study art therapy. We thank her for her contribution and her friendship. Mrs Patsy Beauclerk We bade farewell to Mrs Beauclerk on 2 April at a function in the Community Room. Mrs Byrne, Director of the 6th Form thanked her for 18 years of service and friendship as Runge house Secretary, and wished her a happy retirement. Sadly, Patsy passed away after suffering a heart attack a week later. It was a great shock to all of us. Patsy served Runge House, and the boys and girls of the 6

th Form in so many wonderful ways. She

loved them and cared for them, often being the vital communicator between them and their families in other parts of the world. She, together with Mrs Byrne, formed a wonderful team that enabled Runge to function so well. Roger Cameron Headmaster

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CULTURAL AWARDS - EASTER TERM 2013

MUSIC COLOURS

Vincent Pansegrouw Christopher Huntley

Wesley Fletcher Robin Lavers Chris Bellew

Benedict Didcott-Marr Aashish Diayar Hamish Mollett

Stephen de Souza Michael Davies

ART

HALF-COLOURS

Aashish Diayar Ryan Mackell

Lyndon Crouch Daniel Erasmus

MUSIC

HALF-COLOURS

Aaron Krishna Simbai Kanjere

Jake Alfred Carl Beekhuizen

Ryan Mackell Kaleem Ahmid

Nicholas Karvelas Sibonelo Magagula

Jordan Sunnasy Andre Venter

Matthew Davies Andrew Fletcher

Logan Geldenhuys Tamlin Love

Zach Bowditch Stephan Maycock

Jesse Stevens Daniel Arnot

Khensani Ngwenya Steven Hunt

DRAMA PERFORMANCE AND BACKSTAGE AWARDS

BASED ON PARTICIPATION AND PERFORMANCE IN PHYZZFEST, ‘GROBS 2013’, ‘LITTLE WOMEN’ [PRODUCED BY ST MARY’S] AND ‘FOREVER YOUNG’:

DRAMA PERFORMANCE

RE-AWARD HONOURS

S’bonakaliso M G Nene

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HONOURS

Nicholas McLaughlin James Sulter

Lubabalo Kahla James Barton-Bridges

RE-AWARD COLOURS

Jonty Fletcher

COLOURS

Gianluca Agostinetto Philani Qwabe

Christopher Huntley Daniel France

Chelsea Kneale Travis Hornsby

Brett Van Staden Luke Auret

Ashley Seymour

HALF-COLOURS

Khanya Moyo Cynthia Mbuthia Roy Muasaya

Francis Nuwagaba Oliver Vincent

Matthew Henderson Matthew Lane Buhle Blose

James Gooch Eric McLaughlin

Ahmed Jada Simbai Kanjere Tino Mudiwa

Matthew Rosin Tamlin Love

Jesse Stevens

MERIT CERTIFICATE

Carla Schulze Gninizwi Mamba Nandipha Sihlali David Ramushu

Alexander Korsten Ezra Fleisch

Matthew Davies Llewellyn Craddock

Roderick Punadi Alistair Seymour Hector Bartlett Thulani Dlamini Morena Motsiri

Nicholas Peterson Matthew Peterson

Daniel Arnot Kiran Govinda

Phil Baloyi

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Angus Paterson Jason Batzofin

Brandon Mackenzie Stefan Massyn

Bradley Havemann Afrika Ndlovu Merlin Love

Daniel Stevens Tristan Leech Tumi Manana

DRAMA BACKSTAGE

HALF-COLOURS

Matthew Irvine Chris Mackie

Muaaz Suliman

MERIT CERTIFICATE

Brandon Gower-Winter Bobur Ergashev Michael Norman Rhys Newton-Hill

Pi Day

On Pi Day a competition was held to see who could remember the most digits of Pi. The winner in each maths class received a prize of a T-shirt. The overall school winners were:

Third place - Johann Muller (Lower V) - 114 Second place - Seonhye Yang (Lower VI) - 164 First place - Zachary Bowditch (Upper IV) - 204

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE MUSEUM

Not many people know that the College Museum houses many treasures, some priceless and extremely rare. There is the usual collection of curiosities pertaining to a school museum, e.g. ancient stationery used in the school offices and classrooms, old laboratory equipment, school programs, school blazers, cadet paraphernalia, old sanatorium equipment, and well used sporting equipment, etc.

However, during the late 1920s the Trustees of the British Museum made an award to St John’s College. Consequently the College Museum became a repository of priceless Greco-Roman artefacts, as well as Egyptian tomb figures, some dating back 3000 yrs. The College Museum also received a clay pot circa 2000-1900 B.C. It was discovered in Ur, the capital of the Mesopotamian Civilisation dating back to the period of Abraham. The famous Leonard Woolley had authenticated this pot in 1931.

The College also holds a large collection of South African Stone-age and Iron-age artefacts as well as very early

examples of Zulu bead art and wooden and woven implements. Recently the curator had the honour of consulting with Professor Revil Mason (OJ), the expert on Africa Iron-Age. Professor Mason authenticated and dated all the Stone-age and Iron-age artefacts in the Museum.

The College Museum is well worth a visit. Please contact Mrs. J Millward at [email protected] to arrange a viewing a viewing.

Bronze Age Greek Head

Greek

Amphora

Late Stone Age

Hand Axe

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Public Speaking – 2013

We’ve had a very busy term of public speaking events. We started off early with the Senior Impromptu Competition in January. The field was disappointingly small, but the quality of impromptu speaking was excellent. The event was won by Daniel Erasmus (UIV). Daniel will receive the coveted Chilvers Cup at speech night later in the year.

Following closely on this was the Junior Impromptu Speaking Competition, an event which traditionally attracts lots of Remove boys eager to show their mettle at their new school. Unfortunately many of them did not enter citing pressure of work and other commitments on the evening of the competition. I think this is a very sad lost opportunity to participate in one of the best events on the speaking calendar. I hope that these good speakers – whom we would like to identity, will be better organised next year and enter timeously. Juniors are reminded that the competition for the Junior Public Speaking Cup will take place early in the Michaelmas Term. I hope we have a better turnout.

February and March are busy months on the public speaking programme. The South African Guild of Speech and Drama hold their annual festival of public speaking as usual and we entered 2 teams in each age group as well as a trophy team and an individual speaker. This commitment amounts to 44 boys who have to write and practise speeches for a public performance. All the teams acquitted themselves very well: James Sulter was awarded an A+ for his individual speech but sadly missed the cut for the finals. The Trophy team of Gianluca Agostinetto, Luke Quinn and Naeem Vallee were awarded an A. All the other teams fared equally well their symbols ranging from A+ to B+. I’d like to thank all of them for their willingness and bravery to enter. Their reward is that they acquire a very important life skill and have fun whilst doing so.

In the last week of the Easter term, James Sulter won the O’Dowd medal for prepared speaking for senior boys. His beautiful speech, entitled “A living Fire” was well received. I’d like to thank the senior boys for their participation over 5 years. They and their very supportive parents are the back bone to this activity. St Jon’s has a very proud tradition of excellence in public speaking – and they have done us proud. The overall standard of the speaking by the 10 boys who entered was outstanding. Mr Untiedt adjudicates our events and he is impressed by the standard of the top boys but disappointed by the small numbers of boys who enter. Wendy Young HOD: English

Inter-House Music - 2013 Congratulations to the following houses: Runge – Overall winner Runge - Best Vocal mass ensemble Nash (Stephen Maycock) - best individual performer Clarke – Best Instrumental ensemble Clarke – Best small vocal ensemble

Three houses were penalized for going over time: Clarke (-1%), Thomson (-3%), Nash (-5%)

The final order: 1. Runge – 85.76% 2. Clarke – 80.21%

3. Hodgson – 77.86% 4. Clayton – 76.43% 5. Alston – 74% 6. Thomson – 73.79% 7. Nash – 72.71% 8. Fleming – 70.57% 9 Hill – 64.71%

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Summer Sports Colours Awards - March 2013 Basketball: The team played 10 games. Won 6 & lost 4

New Awards: Team Blazer: Sean Bayley Molemo Ponoane Lefa Motloung Colours: Eddie Langa Rufaro Warinda

Kevin Mondlane Thulani Maphasa

Cricket: The team played 37 matches, Won 18, drew 10 & Lost 9 New Awards: Team Blazer: Tiaan Oberholzer Lorenzo Maselli Oliver Gnodde Dean Maxton Colours: Martyn Strydom Cameron Cunningham-Scott Ndumiso Mvelase Jake Alfred

Golf:

Special Mention - Jonathan Whitehouse – L4

Will represent Central Gauteng U 17 in three upcoming events Is ranked number 1 in the SA U 15 Ranking and should represent SA by the end of the year Has played in the SA Amateur Open, Strokeplay and Matchplay events. Was chosen to play in the World Under 19 tournament (not provincial or national)

He qualifies for Colours but according to the policy as stated previously he will be awarded with a Team Blazer on his first day in Upper 4 and with Colours on his first day in LV

New Awards: Team Blazer: Bevan Rabie

Colours: Andrew Williamson Aaron Krishna

Rowing: New Awards: Team Blazer: Kiran Govinda Siyabonga Mkhize

Colours: Chris Hale Honours: Michael Davies Ayrton Da Silva Joe Savenye-Terblanche Daniel Hafner Sean Verheul Nicholas Papas

Jason McNeil

Swimming: New Awards: Team Blazer: Jeremy Prior Thomas Kirk Ross Rugheimer Michael Siebert Jason Ramsay Andre Venter Nicholas McLaughlin Hugh Ledlie Matthew Irvine

Colours: Nicholas Martin Luke Penny Guy Stucke Jason Chemaly Chase Peers Brett Van Staden Christopher Strong

Honours: Dan Trninic Roarke Olver Neil Vosloo Ian Van Der Nest

Tennis: New Awards: Team Blazer: Nicholas Raal Nicholas Zille

Colours: Stephen Mark

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Water Polo: Team results: Played 75 games this season. Won 64, Drew 3 & Lost 9

New Awards: Team Blazer: Christopher Strong

Colours: Brett Van Staden Ian Van Der Nest

Honours: Devon Henson

BOYS NEWS

Interact

Kyllian Pather has been elected as Interact President for 2013.

Athletics Gareth Harvett participated in the Provincial Secondary Schools Athletics meeting over the first weekend of March. He qualified for the S A Schools Championships held in East London from 20-24 March 2013.

He has had a good season so far, achieving personal best times in the 1500 m - 4.02 minutes, and for the 800 m - 1.55 minutes.

Gareth did very well at the SA Champs, finishing 4th overall in the 1500 m. He ran 3:59 in his heat, only one of four athletes in both heats to break 4 minutes, and ran a 3:58 in the final.

Squash

Bradley Dial and Tyrone Dial both won the Gauteng Squash Championships, U19 and U16 respectively.

Swimming

Mitchel Sinclair (RE A) competed for his province, CGA (Central Gauteng Aquatics), at the Open Water National Championships held in Grabouw, Cape Town over the weekend of 2 March 2013. He took part in the highly competitive 3 km event (14 to 18 year category) and managed to beat his seeding time by 1½ minutes finishing in a really good time of 42 min 18 sec. This placed him 32 overall.

Mitchel also competed in the Midmar Mile on Sunday, 10 February 2013 and finished in an excellent time of 22min 41 sec which placed him 69th overall out of 1317 swimmers!

Tennis Gauteng Central Provincial Tennis

The following boys have been selected for Gauteng Central Provincial Tennis:

U-19 Stephen Mark - UV - Thomson Nicholas Zille - UIV - Hodgson

Congratulations to the following first team tennis players who are unbeaten in their league:

1. Michael Copeland 2. Stephen Mark 3. Nicholas Zille 4. Hugh Morgan 5. Matthew Stewart 6. Nicholas Raal

Mitchell Sinclair

U-15 Michael Copeland - LIV - Hodgson Hugh Morgan - RE - Fleming

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The team’s results are as follows:

Opponents: Score: St Benedict’s 63: 36 Waterstone College 60: 39 Rand Park 55: 44 Northcliff 57: 42 Helpmekaar 54: 45 KES 52: 47

Clay Target Shooting

Gareth Booker competed in the Pan Africa Sporting and Compak competitions over a period of four days against 64 foreign competitors, and 120 South Africans.

He is the 2013 Junior African Champion for Sporting, 2nd overall in the Pan Africa Sporting Competition, and was placed 3rd in the Junior African Cup Compak competition.

Rowing

Congratulations to the following boys on their outstanding performance at the SA Junior Rowing Championships held on Sunday 3 March:

Mike Davies Chris Hale was replaced by Mike Davies with three weeks left of the season due to chronic bronchitis. Aryton Da Silva Daniel Hafner Mike Papas Andrew Morgan Sean Verheul Grant Dodds Nicky Papas Joe Savenye-Terblanche Jason McNeil

Well done and congratulations to the following boys on their selection for the SASRU development squad:

Riaghan Davies-Webb Daniel Carter Graeme Betty James Mitchell

The squad will be touring and competing at the Ghent International Regatta in Belgium in the first week of May. This will expose the boys to an international regatta that will comprise top club and international crews.

Well done to Ayrton Da Silva on being selected for the U 17 sculling section of the SASRU Development Squad that will be touring and competing in the Ghent International Regatta in the first week of May.

Chess

Neil Viviers has been selected to participate in the SA Closed Junior Chess Championship. It is a tournament where the top junior players in the country play-out for possible inclusion in the SA National Junior Chess Team.

Back Left to right: Nicholas Raal, Nicholas Zille, Stephen Mark (Captain), Michael Copeland Front Left to right: Matthew Stewart, Hugh Morgan

First Tennis team: Unbeaten!

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Mind Sports Despite the fact that the Gauteng Championships happened over Easter, and many players could not make it, The St John’s Mind Sports Club put up an eSports team at the Gauteng Provincial Mind Sports Championships and emerged as the top school at the tournament. The team of Christopher Maree, Johan Muller, Stephen Havenga, George Stanchev and Matthew Adams came third in the DotA 2 tournament – a spectacular result, which sees St John’s qualify for the Nationals in December. We were also the top school, but because we had won premier medals, we were not given high school gold under a rule which values premier medals above high school medals. This term St John’s has been running its own eSports leagues. The current champions are: Ryan Leong in DotA, Matthew Davies in CounterStrike and Rowan Batzofin for Warcraft. Last month St John’s co-hosted an eSports Festival with Roedean in which scholars from around Johannesburg got a chance to meet and play against Silviu Lazar, a top Rumanian player, and South

Africa’s own Robert Botha ahead of their historic test match.

Climbing

Matthew Robinson climbed in the SA National bouldering league in Cape Town on Saturday 30 March, As part of the Gauteng team. He finished 3rd in the U/15 category. He has been invited to compete in the SA National Lead Climbing qualifiers, to select the SA National Team to go to the World Lead Climbing Championships in Canada later in the year.

Scuba Diving Club

The club has grown tremendously in the last year. We now have over 100 qualified scuba divers at St Johns College. The following boys and girls recently completed their diving qualifications: Padi open water scuba divers: Nick Cowen, Matthew Irvine, Li-Zen Pan, Matthew Bradford, Chase Peers, Guy Stucke, Tyler Froes, Lebohang Mota, Matthew Dooley, Tristan Klement, Robert Hardham, Aarmin Wessels, Alex Brady, Connor Dooley, Kabir Prema, Kgotso Makhalimele, Paul Rosenberg, Siobhan Reddy, Romy Kousioinis, Aidan Bellingan. Paddi advanced scuba divers: Andrew Bolton, Kurt Glashagen, Richard Louis, Stephanie Quest, Ricardo Ougildi, Dean Maxton. Rescue divers: Jonathan Rogerson and Christopher Thurling. Jonathan also completed an underwater navigation speciality course. The diving club has been great fun for the students involved and we have been on trips to Sodwana Bay and Ponta de Ouro as well as a trip to the Philippines.

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Artsfest

On Thursday May 30, St John’s will hold its seventh College artsfest, a day filled with what we hope will be stimulating new experiences.

The usual timetable will be put aside to accommodate about 40 interactive workshops and a number of theatrical performances. Your son or daughter will attend two workshops of his/her choice, and one of the performances. Workshop choices range from drama, music, art and craft to dance, film-making, advertising, taekwon-do and even fly-tying. In addition we hope to have quad music and performance art. The full programme will be e-mailed to you soon for your interest.

As rich a spread as this is expensive to put together, and we trust that you will not mind a levy of R90 being added to your son’s/ daughter’s account. We believe that this is real value for money, and will increase awareness and creativity in new and exciting ways. If there is any difficulty, please contact the relevant Housemaster or tutor.

Parents and students are reminded that this is a full school day. However, since so many boys and girls will be involved in physical activity, we suggest that dress for the day be a school tracksuit. Starting and finishing times, as well as afternoon activities and sport, will be as usual.

Music Department: Piano section

This letter serves to give more information with regard to the recent developments in the Music Department, and more specifically, in the piano section. Our current Head of Piano, Ilse Myburgh, has resigned and will be leaving St John’s at the end of Easter term. We thank Ilse for the 12 years at St John’s College in this position. She started when there were only 52 pianists in the entire school from Pre-Prep to College, and currently this has developed to 220. We thank her for her dedication, especially in the Pre-Prep. Charlotte Oosthuizen will also be leaving us, and we are currently in the process of interviewing suitable candidates to take over her workload. We undertake to find suitable teachers for all pupils and will be in contact with parents and pupils to finalise the lesson arrangements before the end of this term. The section has been restructured as follows: Mr Cameron Upchurch, presently chapel organist, will become the Head of Keyboard from Trinity term.

We are pleased to announce that Mr Jean-Pierre Calitz has been appointed as full time piano teacher and accompanist. Mr Calitz read for his B Mus (Performance) at the University of the Free State, completed a Master in Piano Performance at the Western Michigan University, Canada, before completing a Teachers and Performers licentiate in Piano from UNISA. He will commence work at St John’s College at the beginning of Trinity term. Ben Oosthuizen

St John’s Bands Rock Centurion

Two contemporary bands from St John’s College represented the school at a band showcase held at Southdowns College in Centurion on Saturday the 16th of March. Various school bands and performers showcased their talents as part of a two-hour performance. First up for St John’s was the jazz and blues based band “Rock Fusion” under the direction of Oscar Dlamini. The band entertained the crowd with two instrumental pieces and was also the only instrumental band of the day, which made their performance memorable. Next up was St John’s College own rock band “New Era” under the direction of Jan Lategan. The band instantaneously had the crowd on their feet with their interpretation of the Bruno Mars hit “Locked out of

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heaven”. They played another three songs with roaring response from the audience. The crowd especially enjoyed their original composition called “All alone”. All and all it was a very enjoyable day filled with seeing other bands, making new friends and performers showcasing their talents. Make sure you get the chance to support one of our very own bands at an event near you!

OJ NEWS Luke Kuttschreuter Luke (OJ 2008 – Thomson) has been chosen as the winner of the Adcock Ingram Pharmaceuticals Award for the overall top student in Medicine fourth year MBChB at the University of Cape Town.

Statue of Asclepius,

the Greek god of medicine,