Term 2 #14 24 May 2019

To the Andrean Community

One of the lesser known ‘beautiful spaces’ at College is a large frangipani tree that grows alongside the north eastern buttress of the Chapel. It is a most beautiful tree, basking in the morning sun, protected by the strong Chapel walls - that when the cold winds blow it is able to stand firm, not in its own strength, but in the shelter that the Chapel provides.

It is old enough that its roots are deeply planted, that when rains are generous it is able to drink deeply, but in dry times the deep water will sustain it. On the surface it always faces the new morning sun with optimism. Below the surface its roots prepare for the reality that with good days come bad, and it knows to always enjoy the former but to do so in the knowledge that those days of growth will prepare it for the long days of challenge. Inherent in understanding that is the knowledge that, as inevitable as the tough times are, they are transient, for we are made to grow and flourish.

College

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St Andrew’s College

“What is a farm but a mute gospel?”.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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God Bless

Alan Thompsona.thompson@sacschool.com

The flowers of a frangipani have a beautiful ‘tropical island’ simplicity to them. No fancy stigmas and stamens here, just a simple, well textured flower that beams its beauty and somehow understands its most exquisite aroma. Here is a deep understanding of self-worth, not the over-compensating ostentatious brash confidence that is born of low self-esteem.

While this part of the school is beautiful in its own way, simply as a beautiful space, it is all the more beautiful because it is an example of, and symbolic of, a flourishing space.

When I speak of flourishing, as I often do, this is what I mean – the ability to grow as humans, through good times and through bad, finding individual meaning through relationships, courage, leisure, creativity, love, and connections. And as the frangipani flourishes in the morning sun, so we, by eschewing our biological pre-disposition to focus on the negative, can flourish by building positive emotions, deep engagement, and by finding meaning.

And, apart from all the ‘stuff’ of school (we must, after all, achieve grades, maintain traditions, and do all of the good things that make up an average school day), a school will truly flourish when it is able to keep the sparkle in a child’s eye, that he is able to know his strengths, find his passions, and, in himself, be deeply rooted and flourish.

WEEK AT A GLANCEFriday 24 May:10h00 - Golf vs Selborne (A)10h30 - Hockey vs Selborne (A)17h00 - Debating League (Auditorium)

Saturday 25 MayHockey vs Selborne College (A)Rugby vs Selborne College (A)

Sunday 26 May08h30 - Tennis: Warwick Bailey Cup09h00 - Grade 8 Espin to Table Farm

Monday 27MayWellness Week 16h10 - Tennis: Senior House Matches18h00 - Astronomer’s Club 19h00 - Plato Society

Tuesday 28 May15h15 - Tennis: Junior House Matches

Visit: https://my.sacschool.com for full calendar

Mr Gcinumzi Haduse from University of Cape Town visited College recently to do a presentation to the St Andrew’s College and DSG Grade 11s and 12s. It was not only informative, but extremely entertaining and he managed to keep the large group of interested students on the edge of their seats. It was a great presentation and our students learned a great deal in a short space of time. We thank Mr Haduse for his effort.

University of Cape Town visit

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CEMA AwardsMerit for MUN Debating:

Daniel Bradfield

Robert Kirkpatrick

James Mackenzie

Africa Matshingana

Rowan Rosenberg

Jonathan Shema

Justin Stoddart

Michael Velloza

Colours for MUN Debating:

James Mackenzie

Michael Velloza

ACADEMICS

Proficiency TieCongratulations to Chris Poole who has attained his Proficiency Tie.

Sarah Baartman Chess

Michael Velloza and James Mackenzie

On the 8th of May five pupils took part in the local Makana Municipality Chess tournament hosted at Victoria Girls High School. A full day of chess resulted in Ayakha Mahashe and Daniel McAlpin being selected to  join a team sent to compete in the Sarah Baartman District Trials. This tournament took place on Saturday at Humansdorp Secondary School where participants from more than seven different Municipalities and schools sat down to shake hands and  open play. 

Both players managed to come away with two victories out of five rounds. The day was a great learning experience for top players in the St Andrew’s Chess Club.

Andrew Stuart-Watson

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Session convener Susan Bennett (University of Calgary), Lauren Schwartz (United Herzlia Schools) and Andrew Renard (SAC)

Espin

Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa Triennial Conference, Fugard Theatre, Cape TownDelegates from 17 International and 5 South African universities attended this conference, which considered the topic, “Shakespeare and Social Justice: Scholarship and Performance in an Unequal World”. St Andrew’s College and DSG teachers, Mrs Louella Sullivan and Mr Andrew Renard were fortunate enough to join the conference.

The undoubted highlights were an address by respected actor John Kani, in which he spoke of his experiences of acting in Shakespeare’s plays and his performance afterwards in Kunene and the King alongside Sir Antony Sher.

In all, 32 papers were presented over six sessions at the conference. Andrew Renard, in collaboration with Lauren Schwartz of the United Herzlia Schools, presented the paper, ‘Social Justice and Qualities of Mercy’ in which they considered how Shakespeare created the opportunities to consider concepts of ‘othering’, forgiveness and restorative justice. Their study focussed on the plays The Merchant of Venice and Measure for Measure with strong emphasis on the difference between the justice meted out on Shylock in the former play and Angelo in the latter.

As the only school teachers invited to present a paper, they more than managed to hold their own amongst the academics. At the end of the session, the convener Susan Bennett’s first question was whether she could ‘borrow’ some of their presentation to use with her students in Calgary.

With the introduction of A Level studies in English Literature and Language, the importance of staff attending conferences of this nature cannot be underestimated and hopefully the knowledge gained will help our pupils in preparation for these challenging examinations.

Grade 8 Study SkillsGwen Johnson has been presenting short course skills to Grade 8 boys since the beginning of Term 2. The workshops cover: Organisational - recap on calendar and use of daily planner to strategically organise for tests and exams; Exam Preparation - summaries, mind-maps and how to answer questions.

Armstrong

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Matric Parents - Supplementary ExamsMatric parents and boys please note that currently the position is that the IEB will not conduct a supplementary examination in 2020.

Matric ParentsThe Matric Revision Camp will take place from 8am on Sunday 1 September to 3 September. Most boys arrive on the evening of Saturday, 31 August, to be in time for their sessions on Sunday morning, so please bear this in mind when booking flights.

Matric Parents: IEB Matric ExamsThe IEB has had to make three changes to the year-end Final IEB Matric Exam Timetable. Please see the revised Matric Timetable on the Parent Portal.

The following subjects have been affected:

• French SAL, Mandarin SAL (changed from Thursday 24 October to Friday 25 October (afternoon session)• Dramatic Arts moved from Tuesday 5 November (afternoon) to Friday 25 October (morning)• Visual Arts moved from Friday 25 October (morning) to Wednesday 6 November (morning)

Please update your records accordingly.

Grade 9 Parents: Subject choices for Grade 10, 2020Grade 9 parents and boys are invited to attend the Grade 10 (2020) Subject Choice Information Evening at 16h00 on Thursday 13 June in the Lilla Strong Hall. Please take this into consideration when booking flights.

2018 Matric ParentsThe Andrean magazine and Matric Certificates are ready for collection for 2018 Matric boys. Please arrange for your son (or yourself ) to collect these from Sino Bili in the Administration Building. Current pupils were given Andrean magazines (one per family) earlier this year before the holidays.

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Youth Music Festival 2019The annual St Andrew’s College / DSG Youth Music Festival got off to an excellent start on Monday with two superb events. The choir festival was at 16h30 and included eight choirs from DSG Junior, Kingswood, Victoria Primary, St Andrew’s Prep, DSG Senior and St Andrew’s College. There were some startlingly charming and competent performances which bode very well for the future of choral singing in our city.

In the morning, the auditorium of the David Wynne Music School was filled with pupils, parents and teachers all listening to young soloists of varying playing levels and instruments. If the bursts of enthusiastic applause were anything to go by, they had a lot of fun! The same thing happened on the Tuesday morning with another round of talented young musicians from nine different institutions sharing the joy of performing the language of music to each other. Special mention must be made of the Bedford Country School that brought so many enthusiastic musicians.

Tuesday evening featured an Ensemble Concert at 7pm. This event featured nine different ensembles from eight different schools. Particularly impressive were the Graeme College Leopard’s Voices and the St Andrew’s College / DSG String Quartet.

Wednesday afternoon was the Junior Orchestra Concert which was a wonderful 45 minutes of polished music-making from musicians-in-the-making! Two marimba bands, a xylophone group, an orchestra and a wind band. In the evening the senior orchestras took to the stage. The Graeme College Steel Pan Bands set a wonderful party atmosphere and the AMP Big Band picked up the groove and ran with it. A really novel approach was taken by the Keiskamma Music Academy Orchestra that played music that rolled Charlie Haden’s Liberation Orchestra sound, Piazolla’s Tangos and African Music into one refreshing whole. There was also a polished performance from the St Andrew’s College / DSG Wind Orchestra.

Mike SkipperDirector of Music

CULTURAL

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The Class of 2019 arrived at Clapham Jubilee Dining Hall with a modern and clean-cut look this year to enjoy the Matric Dance. The Industrial theme, using metal trussing, filament lighting, metal cogs and beautiful table settings set the tone for what was a memorable evening. Delicious food and good company was enjoyed by all as the Matrics and their partners celebrated together under the lights and the dance floor was alive with the latest dance moves. Thanks to Judy Hoefnagels, Capitol Catering and everyone else that was involved in the planning and success of the evening.

Matric Dance 2019

SOME SIGNIFICANT DATES FOR 2019 Dates pertinent to Matrics are in BOLD

TRINITY TERM Saturday 18 May 19h00 Matric Dance (Clapham Jubilee Hall) Monday 20 May Youth Music Festival to 23 May Friday 31 May 16h00 Matric Review Parade (Lower)

Flight Booking Deadline for Half Term Wednesday 12 June

09h00 Matric Life Orientation CAT Part B to 11h00 (compulsory) 14h00 Hockey vs Kingswood (Kingswood)

Thursday 13 June 09h00 Matric Drama External Integrated Task Part B (compulsory) 16h00 Grade 9 Subject Choice Information Evening 16h00 Grade 10 Cambridge A Level Information Evening (DSG Library)

19h00 K-Week Music Concert (Kingswood Chapel) Friday 14 June 08h30 Parent-Teacher Meetings @ Clapham Jubilee Hall

*Note: this meeting replaces the Parent-Teacher meeting at Half Term 11h30 Youth Day Celebrations (Lower Field) 14h00 Gr 10 Cambridge A Level Information Repeat (SAC Auditorium) Saturday 15 June Kingswood Derby (Kingswood) Thursday 27 June National Arts Festival to 7 July Monday 15 July Matric Trial Exams to Monday 5 August Thursday 18 July Grade 10 – 11 Exams to Monday 5 August Friday 26 July Flight booking deadline for End of Term Monday 29 July Grade 9 Exams to Monday 5 August Tuesday 30 July Grade 8 Exams to Monday 5 August Tuesday 6 August Applications for Cambridge A Levels Stream (Grade 11 in 2020) close

Matric Revision Camp Booking Deadline Wednesday 7 August 17h00 Final Assembly (compulsory attendance) Thursday 8 August Travel Day

MICHAELMAS TERM Sunday 1 September Matric Revision Camp to 3 September Wednesday 4 September Michaelmas Term Commences Monday 16 September John Axe Arts Week (to Friday 20 September) Wednesday 18 September 09h00 Matric Life Sciences P3 (compulsory) Friday 4 October 14h00 Inter-House Athletics Relays (Lower Field) Monday 7 October Balloon Week commences to Thursday 10 October Tuesday 8 October 10h00 Parent-Teacher Meetings to 13h00 @ Centenary Hall Wednesday 9 October 14h00 Speech Day followed by Retreat Ceremony on Lower Field Thursday 10 October 07h45 Inter-House Athletics Lower (followed by Half Term) Wednesday 23 October Matric Final Exams to 29 November Wednesday 13 November John Jones Fish River Journey departs Tuesday 3 December John Jones Fish River Journey returns

17h00 Final Assembly (compulsory attendance) Wednesday 4 December Travel Day

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SPORTDear All

Last Friday afternoon produced some really good weather and ideal conditions for quality hockey on Webster Field. The afternoon started well with the U14A side securing a hard-fought win on Webster, followed by a solid win by the U16A side. The 1st XI game was an exciting affair. The game turned out to be closely contested with Cambridge showing lots of flair on attack and the College strikers really taking their chances in the circle. The final score of 3-2 to College was a fair reflection of the game which in itself was a really good spectacle of quality schoolboy hockey. All the College hockey sides managed to come away with wins, which does not happen often or easily against Cambridge.

Saturday turned out to be another glorious Autumn day and conditions were perfect for rugby. The effects of the flu epidemic were particularly evident at the junior level where many of the boys were missing. The U14 sides put up a brave performance but were just not good enough on the day. The U15s did really well to step up and win their matches, whilst the U16s also won close-fought encounters. The Open division were quite extraordinary on the day. Even though 10 boys were missing from the 1st XV due to their participation in EP trials that day, and even though there were one or two more that were out with flu from that team, all the boys that were given the opportunity to play up the ranks grabbed their chances with both hands. It could be said that Cambridge were somewhat below par on the day but the reality is that the College teams played some wonderful rugby, scored many scintillating tries and generally outplayed their opposition. Cambridge were never allowed to get into their stride and the old adage that “you play as well as your opposition allow” was true on the day. Our 3rd XV played the Mary Waters High School 1st XV on Lower and it turned out to be a really

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interesting tussle. The College boys eventually took charge of the game and ran out comfortable winners against their game opponents. This weekend will be a very different kettle of fish for the Rugby Club as they take on Selborne College in East London.

The weekend starts with a number of hockey teams going through and playing this afternoon, culminating with the 1st XI encounter at 18h45 on the Selborne Astroturf. The balance of the hockey matches will take place on Saturday morning. These are always amongst the toughest matches of the season and we would hope to carry the confidence from good performances last week, into these encounters. The Rugby Club will get their day underway at 08h30 on Saturday and will be up against it all day, with the 1st XV game kicking off at 14h30. In the face of typically big and strong opposition it will require a brave and committed effort from all our boys to compete, but compete we can, “Ons skrik vir niks!”

Assembly on Tuesday morning saw another special College moment when Martin Wolmarans was awarded Honours for Swimming, based on his many outstanding achievements through the years. To have achieved all that Martin has achieved whilst training and competing from Grahamstown is no mean feat. The award is a testament to his talent and the dedication, time and effort that he has put into his swimming and the wonderful heights that he has attained. We congratulate Martin and look forward to his continued success. Mention must also be made of his dedicated swimming coach, Sheena Price, who has coached Martin since he showed potential in the water as a prep school boy. She can be proud of all that he has achieved.

The various EP Schools announcements were made this week, with the following boys being selected to represent the province at the various inter-provincial hockey and rugby tournaments.

William Stewart and Matthew Pope were selected to the EP U16A Hockey side, David Redfern, Jurie Norval, Aidan Jarvis and Mumbi Kayula to the EP U16B team, Hilton Lindhorts and Joe Bennie to the EP U14A side and Mark Termorshuizen to EP U14B side. 2nds

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On the rugby front, Bame and Basi Malesu, Chris Poole and Matthew Hillary have been chosen for the EP U18A Craven Week side and Sinjin Broad, Busang Mmile, Buhle Matshaya and Guy Rushmere for the EP U18A Academy side. We congratulate all these boys and wish them all the best for their respective tournaments.

I am sure that there will be a good turn-out in East London this weekend and we are grateful for any support that you can give. Both the 1st XV and 1st XI games will be live-streamed by Bigskyproductions for those of you that are unable to be at the games. Have a great weekend!

Kind regards

Pete AndrewDirector of Sport

St Andrew’s 3rds vs Mary Waters 1sts

U15A

U16A

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Martin Wolmarans: Honours For SwimmingMartin Wolmarans started training with our Professional Swimming Coach, Mrs Sheena Price, in 2012 at the age of 10, whilst attending St Andrew’s Prep. A few months later, he began competing in club galas. He arrived at St Andrew’s College as a Grade 8 in 2016 and from that point onwards he devoted himself single-mindedly to competitive swimming.By the end of his first term at College, Martin had won the Junior River Mile and broken numerous Interhouse Gala and School Records. He also represented the Eastern Provincial Clubs and won numerous medals at all of these meets. By Grade 9, he had set five new School Records for various events and distances.

Martin gained his Eastern Province Colours for open water swimming in 2017 and in 2018, he qualified to swim at the Senior Level where he swam against all of South Africa’s top Open swimmers.

Martin has swum at South African National age group level for the past two years, making his presence felt in many of the finals of the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, demonstrating his versatility as a swimmer.

He swam his first Eastern Province record in the 50m freestyle at the Junior Nationals of 2018, breaking South African Olympian Christopher Reid’s previous record. He also won a bronze medal in the final of this event at the Senior Nationals, swimming in the Youth division of this competition.

Martin began this year by being named the Eastern Province’s Swimmer of the Month after his performance at the Nelson Mandela Championship Gala in January where he won various gold medals and swam several National Qualifying times.

At the Stellenbosch Grand Prix gala in February, he swam his first Senior Qualifying times and set an Eastern Province Boys-16 50m freestyle record earning a second-place finish in the final of this event. Martin was the youngest swimmer in the final and his placing at this gala established him as the fastest 16-year-old in South Africa.

After competing in the South African Junior Nationals in March, Martin went on to swim at the Senior Nationals in April of this year, breaking his newly minted Eastern Province 50m freestyle record.

With this time, he qualified to swim in the Senior Final where he was placed 7th overall in the country in the Open category, regaining his spot as South Africa’s fastest 16-year-old 50m freestyle swimmer and setting a new Eastern Province Men’s Open record. He also added four new School Records for his other events.

At this competition, Martin was the only schoolboy to be selected to swim in three relays for his provincial team. His exceptional performance in the last leg of the 4x100m Men’s freestyle secured the bronze medal for his Eastern Cape team.

As a result of these outstanding performances, Martin has been selected to represent the Eastern Cape at the upcoming Mare Nostrum gala in Monaco in June.

Martin presently holds 12 School records, 12 Interhouse Gala records and three Eastern Province records for the 50m freestyle in the Boys 15 years, 16 years and Open categories.He has also received nearly 20 individual scholarship offers to swim and study in the USA.It is fitting then that Martin’s achievements up to this point be recognised by the award of Honours for Swimming.