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12 February 2021 | #05
COLLEGE
ST ANDREW’S
NEWSLETTER
Dispatches from faraway places
9 February 2021 – Dispatches from faraway places (vol XV): Today I
travelled to Cape Town to interview the Western Cape cohort of new boys In this Edition
for 2022 as part of the admissions process. It is always a joy to meet the
next generation of young Andreans, and this week has certainly been no Single Focus Day
exception. I arrived in Cape Town after lunch, and to get the aeroplane air Open Mic
out of my system I took to the hills, starting at Constantia Nek and working
my way up to the reservoir at the top of the mountain. Grade 8 History Careers
College becomes SAT Test
It is a sublimely beautiful day, and although I have never managed to Centre
understand the geography of Cape Town, the views from up here are
breathtaking (maybe that was the climb), whatever it is that I am looking All the sporting action from the
upon. Beautiful greens, majestic hills, white ribbon of beach, and an previous week
azure sea all combine to feed the soul. Swimming is not allowed in the
reservoir, so I won’t, and I sit here on the dam wall writing this edition of
the newsletter with a gentle breeze cooling my skin. aspire to excellence in honour of God’s blessings. God
Life doesn’t really get better than this. The view from did not create us to be mediocre.
up here is exhilaratingly perched as I am high on a dam
wall which is itself perched up in the mountains. And excellence is not only found in what society
would deem the ‘great’ things. Indeed, that is another
It is hard to believe that this morning I was standing misconception, for excellence is a humble friend,
at assembly on Lower. Lower is looking as beautiful as and we will never achieve excellence in the ‘great’
ever and the morning was still, clear, calm, and sunny things without seeking it everywhere. Martin Luther
(a most unusual combination for Gtown!) We hold our King Jnr puts it beautifully: ‘If a man is called to be
assemblies outdoors these days on account of Covid, a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as
and I am really enjoying the atmosphere of Lower. We Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music,
were treated to a string ensemble rendition of kwela or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets
and took time to reflect on ‘excellence’. so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause
to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job
It is a powerful concept, excellence. It is often confused well.’
with its noisy, attention-seeking relative, success.
One should be wary of success, as it is often judged Just being able to ‘do school’ at the moment is, of course,
against relative measures, and can lead to that worst a blessing in itself. But we must at the same time not
type of complacency - where we become idle through be satisfied with merely ‘doing’. For our eyes are set on
declaring success against a mediocre measure. In an higher aspirations, and as difficult as the climb may be,
average world, it is easy to find a pond small enough my day today has taught me this – there is no greater
to make its fish look big. Excellence, on the other hand view than the view from the top.
(as Aristotle describes it) ‘is absolute – the result of high
intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it God bless
represents the wise choice of many alternatives‘.
Alan Thompson
Excellence is about approaching every single task with a.thompson@sacschool.com
care, diligence, and rigour. By recognizing the gifts,
resources, and talents that God has given us, and using
them in their fullness with passion and enthusiasm, we
On strings, from left, Sauvan Sewsunker, Mr Nhlanhla Xipu
Mr Kwazi Mkula and Ben Terry
2 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021
Grade 10 Biophilic SFD to Kenton
The Grade 10s Design & Technology class enjoyed a change enjoyed the classroom for the day and took a quick swim
of scenery, making a trip to Middle Beach in Kenton-on-Sea before heading back to campus shores. Watch this space for
for their single focus day. Their task was to explore biophilic* the final products.
in architecture. After the initial conceptualizing of ideas,
they had to show their developments three-dimensionally * Biophilic design is a concept used within the building
by creating three maquettes using sand sculpturing industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural
techniques. environment through the use of direct nature, indirect
nature, and space and place conditions.
The aim of this medium is to stimulate and develop the
three-dimensional thought process in our learners. With Mrs Mareli Human
much space for social distancing and fresh air, the learners
i n g le
S D ay
s
Focu
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
3
Grade 11 Noom Field Trip i n g le
S D ay
s
Focu
How does Design fit into business? The Grade 11 Design class were tasked to investigate this question
through a collection of terms relating to business practice. We return to Noom annually as this unique
coffee shop resembles and apply the given terms with great success. The learners could interact with
owner and interior designer, Cindy Gravante on the success of Design in business and all it entails. Of
course it would not be worth the trip without a sweet deal at the coffee bar.
Mrs Mareli Human
Parent-Teacher Meetings By Zoom
Parent-Teacher meetings will be held on Thursday 25 February 2021 from 08h00 to
11h00. These will all be held on Zoom.
We will inform all parents in the following week when the booking system will be open
for these meetings with your son’s teachers, and how to go about booking a meeting.
4 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021
Grade 8 History
Our Grade 8s across both schools have begun their History careers at St Andrew’s College and DSG by exploring some of
the history of our two schools. They have been tasked with a research project in which they are required to put together
a presentation on the history of St Andrew’s College or DSG, including some more specific snippets about their Houses as
well as sporting and cultural activities.
We are encouraging our boys and girls to go beyond the textual and material resources that are available to them and
engage with some of our school community about the history of our schools.
Mr Ben Whitfield
i n g le
S D ay
s
Focu
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
5
Open Mic How we wish we could resume our Open Mic Nights live and in person. The energetic atmosphere, encouragement and comradery can never be replaced by an online event. But unfortunately this is the best we can do in these difficult times, due to the popularity of the event and the massive crowds that it draws. The first online Open Mic of the year was held live on social media platforms on Thursday 28 January 2021. The event consisted of wonderful performances from Tristan Gwavu, Shae Openshaw, Ethan John and Angela Volschenk. All the performers can be commended for taking the time out of their busy online schooling schedule to record and submit their performances. I would like to reiterate that the purpose of the Open Mic Events has always been to provide performers, experienced or not, with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a relaxed, non-judgmental and supportive environment. Whether this experience will be for the sake of improving their future performances or just to enjoy the experience for fun, all performers of all ages and abilities are welcomed and praised for their courage. Mr Jayson Flanagan 6 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021
SAT Test Centre
We are delighted to announce that St Andrew’s College sessions that we will be offering are on 13 March, 8 May and
has recently been approved as a registered SAT test centre. 5 June 2021. We are also planning to offer further SAT test
This makes us the first SAT test centre in the Eastern Cape, dates later in the year: most likely on 28 August, 2 October,
joining centres in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban, and
Johannesburg.
The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is an important
standardised test widely used for college admissions in the
United States. It is administered by the College Board and
is used to measure a student’s readiness for college and
as a common data point that can be used by colleges to
compare applicants. Over 2 million high school graduates in
the United States and around the world take the SAT every
year. and 6 November 2021.
The SAT is made up of two sections: Mathematics and Students wishing to write here will need to register for
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. There is also an their SATs through the College Board website (https://
optional Essay section which some colleges may require. collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register) and
Students may write the SAT as many times as they like, choose St Andrew’s College as their test centre. Note that
although it is unusual to do so more than twice. registrations for the March SAT tests close soon!
Tests are written on Saturday mornings. The first test Mr Graham Creese
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
7
Launch of the Parent Portal App
Thank you to those parents for their feedback on the Parent Portal. In case you missed it, we have launched our
new Parent Portal App. It is available on the App Store (iPhones) or Google Play (Androids): Ed Admin (Adana)
Parent Portal (image below)
The activation code is 970074
This portal is used across our family of 3 schools and we are busy working
with the developers to load the information and tweak the settings to suit
us best.
Please note the following:
• Push notifications will appear on the notifications tab.
• The calendar will be updated regularly. We suggest changing the setting
to: Year. The other options include your child’s daily timetable.
• School reports will be loaded to view.
• Please update your details in the My Profile section
• Photo gallery link can be found in Documentation (photos are currently
been updated)
We appreciate your feedback and happy to assist with any questions along
the way.
8 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021
Chapel Organ
David Smit and Carl Love of Smit Pipe Organ Builders were recently on campus busy where they turned the Chapel organ
180 degrees before giving it a service.
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
9
SPORT
Records in the swimming pool
Dear All across border (The Travelers) vs the locals (Homeboys)
while the junior teams play against DSG teams.
We are more confident that we will resume inter-schools
sport soon. All our summer sports clubs have rearranged CRICKET
fixtures lined-up from next weekend onwards. This On Saturday, the North XI won the toss, elected to bat
weekend sees our sportsmen participating in internal first and posted 241 in 59 overs. A fluent partnership by
games. Brad Storrer (86) and Cameron Holmes (84) threatened
to stifle the South XI’s spirits. They, however, put in a
BASKETBALL superb effort to pick up ten wickets. Ross Mullins 4/44
The XTREME Basketball series concluded last Saturday and Zach Micklewright 3/46 were the pick of the South
with the knock-out matches played in both the Senior XI bowlers. While Dylan Marx was at the crease, the
and Junior sections. The courts’ atmosphere was as run chase looked promising, but Dylan’s dismissal for a
good as it could be with players showing off brilliant well-played 47 led to a flurry of late afternoon wickets.
individual skills and spectacular team moves that
provided some entertainment to the spectators who The next task was for the South XI to hold onto a draw,
attended. which Ross Mullins and Chris Birrell did with a clear
strategy filled with grit and bravery. Together they
There was very little to separate the junior teams as all closed out the game to an intense draw at 18h30 vs
matches were closely contested with games won by the pace of Tom Vermaak and a polished spell of spin,
small margins. The Bulls were the overall winners of the 3/47 by Malcolm Macgregor. “Thanks very much to
Juniors section. The story was different in the Sseniors the players for a quality day of cricket” comments Mr
where Faris Turay led his charges in playing entertaining Bradfield.
attacking Basketball and some ruthless zone defence
as the Bulls went on to demolish their opposition by ROWING
big margins. Well done to all the players. Basketball, as The Rowing Club was out in force on the Kowie River
a sport, was the overall winner! over the weekend, the first chance at a competition on
the water in the form of an internal club regatta. Boys
This weekend, the U16 and Senior teams will be split in were able to choose some of their own combinations
10 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021and be placed in evenly matched crews for some involved in Co-ed Water Polo Games today and
‘knock-out’ sprint racing over 500 metres. This proved tomorrow (Saturday). More than 150 College and DSG
to be a valuable exercise for the junior boys in honing players are expected to participate throughout the
the discipline and focus needed to race well. Among the weekend.
senior boys, it was great to see a lot of very close racing We have received the go-ahead from SwimSA to
between squad members, a sign which bodes well for schedule water-polo matches. Discussions on hosting
the squad’s overall competitiveness as and when we the SAC Shield from 18 to 22 March 2021 under COVID
can line up against rival schools once again! Well done restrictions are underway.
to all the boys for their commitment and progress so
far in what has been a very different rowing season! We are incredibly fortunate that we are able to take
part in various sports activities (under strict Covid
SWIMMING regulations). College head boy Malibongwe Mkosi,
Congratulations to Joss Hempel and Oliva Lange who said this after his side’s loss in the internal XTREME
both broke Martin Wolmorans record in the 400m Finals Basketball final: “Guys, we have lost this game, but, we
held last Monday. The junior 400m was won by Adam have thoroughly enjoyed playing each other.”
Nurse in a Standards time, 2nd Place was Nick Franklin.
Some of our elite swimmers will attend the 3rd A league We are grateful that we have trusted systems in place,
gala on 19 and 20 February in Port Elizabeth. We wish which allow us to participate in sport with calculated
Oliva Lange, Ethan John, Adam Nurse and Joss Hempel risks. Special thanks to the San Sisters, the College First
all the best in their preparations. Aid Club and Coaches for ensuring that we play all
I am very excited to announce the Captain and Vice- these games in a safe environment.
Captains for Swimming 2021. Congratulations to Ethan
John who will Captain the Swimming team and Joss Patrick Gumunyu
Hempel and Oliva Lange, the Vice Captains. Director of Sports
p.gumunyu@sacschool.com
WATER POLO
The St Andrew’s College and DSG players will be
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
11Rowing 12 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021
XTREME Basketball
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
13College Premier League 14 NEC ASPERA TERRENT 12 FEBRUARY 2021
Water Polo
12 FEBRUARY 2021 NEC ASPERA TERRENT
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