INSIDE:

AWARDS

NEWS FROM TUNGAY HOUSE

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07/09/2018 I TERM 3 I NEWSLETTER

ISSUE

94

I often watch in amazement at the ability of the boys to get their stuff

together when touring and to ensure that it is all packed on the bus.

Looking after your belongings must be pretty challenging for a young boy,

which explains why the occasional gumboot gets left behind in a dressing

room, or a jabot doesn’t make it into a suitcase.

BOYS AND THEIR CHORES

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I

would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event

itself. We

GOODBYE TO STEVEN AND MELANIE…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE HEAD

MESSAGE FROM OUR

EXECUTIVE HEAD

BOYS AND THEIR CHORES… (Continued from page 1)

It is, I suppose, the boarding school equivalent of household chores, except that kids who stay at home, get to clean

the dishes, feed the dog and take out the rubbish. Or do they?

We believe that doing “chores” here is good for the boys and, fortunately, all the evidence I can find supports the

argument. In fact, The New York Times recently ran an article on it, extracts of which I thought I’d share with you…

Chores are good for children, they contest. Being part of the routine work of assisting around the house, (or in various

chores associated with being a Drakie) helps the child develop an awareness of the needs of others whilst, at the same

time, they contribute to the emotional well-being of the child. When a child is included in chores and contributing to

family or group wellness, they are less likely to feel adrift. After all, everyone wants to feel needed.

So, when our boys set up the auditorium, put out juice on a Wednesday, pack a bus or sell concert programmes, they

feel a larger sense of obligation and connectedness to the school and their peers, and that connection helps them to

weather life’s stressful moments. In other words, it helps them to be happier. Their help (even when it is occasionally

less than gracious) helps us, their teachers, be happier too - and that is important!

Then I chanced upon a passage in Madeline Levine’s book, The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material

Advantage are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids. She writes, “Sensing their children’s

vulnerabilities, parents find themselves protecting their offspring from either challenge or disappointment. Fearful

that their kids will not be sturdy enough to withstand even the most mundane requirements of completing

homework, straightening their rooms, or even showing up for dinner, discipline becomes lax, often non-existent.

While demands for outstanding academic or extra-curricular performance are very high, expectations about family

responsibilities are amazingly low.”

In a survey of over 1 000 American parents, The New York Times reports that, 75% of them believe that regular chores

make a child more responsible, but that only 56% of them are actually requiring their children to do chores! Instead,

parents spend far too much time doing the chores for their children. In addition, they also do most of the child’s

homework for them too and are inclined to intervene when a child has trouble completing even a mundane task.

One of the results thrown up by all the research done, is that parents place higher regard on the child’s achievement

and happiness than on concern for others.

So, when we set boys to work on school-based chores, we are actually trying to raise a generation of future adults who

can balance a caring role in their families and communities with whatever lifetime achievement goals they choose.

Chores teach that balance. They’re not just chores — they’re life skills.

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Responses to our Dads ‘n’ Lads weekend have been most encouraging and we look to have in excess of a dozen dads,

armed to the teeth with drills, paint brushes, step ladders – and, of course, their sons, - descending upon us the weekend

before school re-opens after the holiday.

There is still space for dads who have not yet confirmed their attendance on that weekend. It figures that the more help

we get, the quicker the various tasks will be completed. So, if you are an undecided dad, please access the Google form in

a back copy of the In Tune (or see next week’s edition) and join us for what promises to be a great weekend.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please note that if you are applying to take your son out of school early for whatever reason, or if he will be returning late

after a holiday or mid-term break, kindly advise my PA, Fiona, by e-mail.

Confusion is caused when ‘absentee’ notes go to all and sundry and there is no central clearing house for the information.

She will then distribute the information to all departments - Academic, Music and Boarding - and thus ensure that my staff

know whether a boy is legitimately away from school or not.

Kindly send notes of this nature to fkinghorn@dbchoir.com

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Last Word:

If a man says he will fix it, he will.

There is no need to remind him every 3 months!

Till next time,

Greg Brooks

Executive Head

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CONCERT STATUS

Congratulations to Lunga Mazibuko on receiving his Concert Status!

To his mentor Angelo Mekonnen, congratulations on a job well done.

The Drakies doing what they do best, entertaining

Lunga Mazibuko and his mentor Angelo Mekonnen Lunga Mazibuko surrounded by members of his family

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WEDNESDAY CONCERT AWARDS

COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCE

Kevin Smith Francois Snyman Albert Sibanda Seth Brown

Jonathan Frattaroli Sashin Rathinasamy Zipho Mpofu Sihle Sigwebela

Dylan Palm Nkazimulo Mabaso Ntando Mbele Matthew Robinson

Damien Butt

Armand Kriel

Kevin Jordaan

Alex Brits Luke Janse van Vuuren

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CHORISTER OF THE WEEK OUTSTANDING SOLOIST

Geo Kirsten Bandile Nzuza

NEW BOY OF THE WEEK

Lunga Mazibuko

VOICE GROUP OF THE WEEK:

TENORS

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NEW BOYS: GOOD PROGRESS WITH TESTS

Aidan McArthur Stefan Pretorius

Olerato Pega Ethan Seagreen Luthando Nyandeni

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Congratulation to the following Drakies for being recognised for their excellent work ethic regarding academics

Back (L to R): Luthando Nyandeni; Connor McKenzie; Douglas Yazbek; Blessings Chiluba; Luke Torres; Polane Moloi; Matthew Beuster

Front (L to R): Siphesihle Sigwebela ; Dalitso Phiri; Angelo Mekonnen; Ayanda Ninela; Christian Snyman ; Michael de Goede; Kabo Madi

Absent from photo: Kieran Griffin; Daniel Riceman

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NEWS FROM THE BOARDING DEPARTMENT

TUNGAY HOUSE

A few Sundays ago the boys asked if they could go and swim at Dragon Peaks. It turned out that almost the entire

school wanted to go! Unfortunately this was not possible without a negative impact on the resort’s guests.

After lunch, a large group of boys made their merry way down to Russell’s Pool. Eighteen boys crammed into a

small natural pond on a very low flowing river meant there was a lot of noise and splashing. The boys eventually

spread themselves up and down the river and enjoyed jumping into the pool rather than huddling in it.

We eventually made our way up to the pool at Jelly Babies before returning to school for a nice hot shower.

A great afternoon was had by all.

Keith and Merle Branch

Drakies having fun over weekends

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Ndalo Gumede

10 September

Dalitso Phiri

12 September

Bupe Chiluba

14 September

Luan Wakeford

14 September

Michael de Goede

13 September

Xander Erasmus

15 September

Sonnie Grobbelaar

11 September

DATE EVENT TIME

7-8 September Open Weekend

10 September Trinity Practical Exams

12 September Wednesday Concert 15:30

15 September Expo Ballito Junction

15 September Concert at Ashton College 18:30

16 September Hilton Arts Festival

Calendar 7 September to 16 September 2018

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL

PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: administration@dbchoir.com | www.dbchoir.com

INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NOT FOR GAIN - NPO 002-106

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