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NEWSLETTER EASTER TERM No 1/2012

Dear Parents

Welcome back to St John‟s and for all new families joining our community – a very special welcome, and our prayer is that your time here will enrich your lives with friendship and joy. Matric and A-Level Results I note with pleasure the excellent Matric and Cambridge A-Level results. We congratulate the boys and girls on their success. I do think it is noteworthy that two of our A-Level candidates have won scholarships to prestigious universities: James Verhagen, who matriculated in 2010 from St John‟s College and achieved three A* (90% and above) for his three subjects is going to Dartmouth, USA, and Francis Steere, who also achieved three distinctions has gained a scholarship to go to Princeton, USA. We congratulate our Matrics and Sixth Formers, as well as all the teachers on these excellent results. Peter Raney and Phetiso Morojele We are all aware of the loss we have experienced during the holidays with the death of Peter Raney and Phetiso Morojele. At the opening of our academic year I drew on a comment of Peter‟s from his Life Orientation mission statement, to inspire the College to make his words their own: My mission is to be the best version of myself; to excel in all aspects of my life; to be successful in sport; to get good academic results and to socially develop into a person who others would look up to. I will strive to be reliable, responsible and accountable.

James Surgey, Head of School, in his words to the College also took Peter‟s phrase, „to be the best version of myself’, as a challenge to the boys of the College. The heartache and grief is real and it seems such a senseless loss of life and huge potential. The good that comes from these occasions is the enormous support that was experienced from the wider St John‟s community. Almost all of Peter‟s matric class attended his funeral at St John‟s a week before school started. Many parents and other boys also came to express their sadness and to offer condolences. We continue to pray for the Raney and Morojele families. The picture chosen for the Easter Rugby Festival programme shows Peter in the front row about to enter a scrum for the 1st Team. This is a lovely tribute to a fine young man, who loved life, loved his school and loved rugby.

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Mrs Rene England We also mourn the loss of Mrs England, who has not only been a wonderful benefactor of St John‟s College, but also a true friend. True to her wishes we have not had a funeral or memorial service for her, but we will celebrate her life at Gaudy Day on Saturday, 30 June 2012. She would have turned 100 during that month and was looking forward to celebrating at lunch with us on Gaudy Day.

Traffic I am conscious that getting your son to school in the morning and fetching him in the afternoon is a massive challenge with serious traffic problems and distraught drivers. If the problem was not as serious as it is, I would jokingly suggest that we are using the congestion as a motivator for weekly boarding. We have however approached the City Council with regard to creating drop-off zones in St John‟s Road, and in St Patrick‟s Road. The boys will then be able to enter the school on foot through pedestrian gates. I shall keep you informed of any progress.

Indoor cricket nets An exciting development that will begin in the next few weeks is the building of an indoor cricket centre between Rice and Mitchell fields. Architecturally, this is an attractive building and will meet the future needs of cricket (see pictures). It will have four bowling lanes, and if a bowling machine is used, will have seven lanes with three of them back-to-back. We are fortunate to have received a generous donation to cover a large portion of the costs. However, if we want to complete the project we will need to raise additional funding. A letter has gone out to all the cricket parents appealing for donations. If you would like to contribute please contact our Master-in-Charge of cricket, Mr Adi Norris, or Mr Robert Long, Deputy Head College, or Mr Patrick Lees, Headmaster of the Prep.

Roedean School and and St John‟s College have over the past ten years been in a partnership in running The Bridge Nursery School. This has been a very successful school, with a good enrolment and which has enriched our community. Mrs Jenny Lobban and her staff are doing well. For strategic reasons Roedean has decided to withdraw from this partnership from the end of this term. The Bridge will, however, continue to operate as before under St John‟s College, and Roedean will continue to welcome any applications from girls currently enrolled at the Bridge. Roedean and St John‟s continue to work together in a number of areas. We share our technology resources, sports facilities and security. This good and healthy relationship will continue into the future.

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Maretlwane Another exciting new initiative for St John‟s is the development of a 100-bed campsite at Maretlwane – a pristine conservancy in the Magaliesberg below Castle Gorge. We have for the past 10 years been involved at Kloofwaters with St Mary‟s, and together we will be relocating this operation to Maretlwane. We are also planning an outdoor school there for the Upper 4s from 2013. This is a very exciting opportunity for boys and girls to enjoy God‟s creation, and to develop an awareness of their responsibility for the environment. It will complement and add value to our present environmental education and character development programmes. We are looking for parents to get involved in the development of Maretlwane and if you are interested please contact Mr Brett Nicolson at nicolson@stjohnscollege.co.za.

Boulder Kloof Castle Gorge

The year ahead In my introduction in the New Parents‟ booklet, I listed what we wanted to achieve at St John‟s. I have just re-read this booklet and found the list to be a good reminder to myself. I would like to share it again with all of you: At the end of five years in the College, we would like your son to be:

Self-confident, with a good self-esteem.

A critical thinker who is able to exercise his mind to think abstractly, conceptually and creatively.

An effective communicator who is able to write and speak well, and able to communicate his ideas with purpose and listen with insight.

A person who is able to co-operate and collaborate together with others; who is able to plan and initiate.

A young man who is able to act justly with compassion, knowing right from wrong.

Spiritually aware, seeking to explore his faith in practice and service, motivated by Lux Vita Caritas. „Beginning with the end in mind‟ is one of the great principles of Steven Covey‟s „Seven Habits of Highly Effective People‟. I look forward to an exciting and challenging year as together we keep these points in mind, and together educate your sons and daughters in their journey to adulthood. Roger Cameron Headmaster

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I E B MATRICULATION 2011

St John‟s College is proud of the excellent results achieved by our Matriculants in the 2011 IEB Examinations. Congratulations to all our Matric pupils! St John‟s pupils once again achieved a 100% Matric pass rate with 92% achieving University Entrance at Degree level.

1 pupil achieved over 90% average 32 pupils achieved over 80% averages 57 pupils achieved over 75% averages

(Level 7 - over 80%) subject achievements by the following pupils :

9 SUBJECTS: Schalk Burger, Asiri Rathugamage, Markus Trengove, Reshard Kolabhai 8 SUBJECTS: Pieter Swart, Rowan Dalton, Sahil Jamnadas, Richard Berry, Scott Hunt 7 SUBJECTS: Dylan Feldner-Busztin, Michael Lucas, Michael Pfeffer, Lloyd van der

Griendt, Johan Prinsloo, George Varughese, Michael Cloete, James Coates Michael Cloete, who wrote 11 subjects, passed all 11 subjects, achieving a full-house, ie over 80% in 7 subjects - a remarkable achievement! Our top academic pupil this year is Asiri Rathugamage. His brother was also our top academic in 2009. Asiri Rathugamage

Four pupils who wrote 9 subjects, achieved excellent results in all 9 subjects. All pupils who wrote 8 subjects, achieved excellent passes in all 8 subjects. 321 Level 7 (80% and over) subject aggregates were achieved in the following subjects: 50 of 111 candidates writing Mathematics (of which 20 achieved over 90%) Schalk Burger

20 of 45 candidates writing Maths Paper 3 31 of 99 candidates writing Physical Science 13 of 22 candidates writing Maths Literacy 15 of 43 candidates writing Advanced Programme Mathematics 39 of 73 candidates writing Geography 38 of 133 candidates writing English Markus Trengove

16 of 75 candidates writing History 21 of 65 candidates writing Life Sciences 6 of 16 candidates writing Dramatic Arts 8 of 18 candidates writing Information Technology 17 of 121 candidates writing Afrikaans 4 of 14 candidates writing French 1 of 7 candidates writing IsiZulu, first additional language Reshard Kolabhai

3 of 20 candidates writing Visual Arts 5 of 7 candidates writing German 11 of 11 candidates writing Trinity Music 38 of 133 candidates writing Life Orientation

The following St John’s College pupils were ranked within the top 5% of IEB candidates as follows:

Over 80% in 6 subjects: Asiri Rathugamage – “Outstanding Achievement” Over 80% in 5 subjects: Reshard Kolabhai and Pieter Swart – “Commendable Achievement”

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The following pupils were ranked within the top 1% of candidates in the following subjects:

Asiri Rathugamage: Mathematics, Physical Science, Trinity Music 8 Richard Berry: Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Science Michael Macklin: English, History, Geography Reshard Kolabhai: English, Trinity Music 7 Rowan Dalton: Geography, Life Sciences James Clacherty: English, Geography Schalk Burger: Afrikaans and Geography Markus Trengove: Afrikaans and English Kai Brummer Drama, Maths Literacy Johan Prinsloo: Afrikaans Pieter Swart: Afrikaans Jarryd Wood: English Dylan Feldner-Busztin: English Ian McBride: Italian Nicolas Jelonek: French

SIXTH FORM RESULTS - 2011

There was a 93% pass rate at AS level and 98% at A-level. 12% of subject passes were at A* (over 90%) and 18% at A (80 – 89%). Eight students achieved in excess of three A’s:

Toba Tobi Thomas Yianni Chanda Kirara Francis James Adewuyi Adewuyi Johannsen Moustakis Mpanda Sato Steere Verhagen

Toba ADEWUYI 2 x A* 1 x A

Tobi ADEWUYI 3 x A*

Thomas JOHANNSEN 1 x A* 2 x A 1 x B

Yianni MOUSTAKIS 2 x A* 1 x A (SJC Matriculant)

Chanda MPUNDU 1 x A* 2 x A

Kirara SATO 3 x A 1 x B

Frances STEERE 2 x A* 1 x A 1 x B

James VERHAGEN 3 x A* (SJC Matriculant)

ACADEMIC AWARDS - COLLEGE

Colours

Schalk Burger Milan Conkic

Matthew Koevort Paul Ontong

The following matric has been awarded his Honours based on his matric results:

Richard Berry

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ACADEMIC AWARDS – SIXTH FORM

Honours

Shuo Cheng Richard McIlraith

Nicholas Redelinghuys

Colours

Thomas Donoghue

CULTURAL AWARDS

Honours – Chess

Jaishil Modi

CHESS

Jaishil Modi has been awarded South African Colours and represented South Africa seven times within five consecutive years (2007 – 2011).

He represented South Africa in Brazil at the end of last year, and is now ranked 42nd in the world in the Under 16 age group.

MUSIC

The following boys recently wrote their Trinity London Theory Grade 6 exams:

David Arnot Jason Strong

Marius Vermaak John Whittle

Jason Smythe Bryan Moore

Kevin Murning

2012 – 1st TEAM SUMMER SPORTS CAPTAINS

BASKETBALL Captain: Niels Kuehnemann Vice Captain: Pele Collins & Mzolisi Dube CHESS Captain: Jonathan Georgiades CRICKET Captain: Wesley Coulentianos Vice Captain: Bradley Dial GOLF Captain: Schalk Burger ROWING Captain: Laurence Nel Vice Captain: Matthew Wolfe

Boatman: Barry McNiece SWIMMING Captain: Charles Verwer Vice Captain: Patrick Tattersall TENNIS Captain: Greg Alexander Vice Captain: William Murray WATERPOLO Captains: Wesley Antonites & Julian Cowper

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WATER POLO 2011 Matrics‟, Lloyd Van Der Griendt and Alex du Plessis were members of the victorious Gauteng U19A team at the S A Schools Inter-Provincial Water Polo Tournament held in Cape Town over December 2011. Wesley Antonites also played for the U19A Gauteng team as a L5 (U17) boy, Alex du Plessis was selected for the South African U19 Team, and voted as the Attacker of the Tournament (best player of the tournament). Dan Trninic, Roarke Olver, Alex Kuttschreuter, Niel Vosloo, Brett Van Staden, Nicholas McLaughlin and Luke Penney were all members of the U16A Gauteng team that won the silver medal in their age group. Devon Henson, Blake Skirving and Jason Chemaly were all members of the U15A Gauteng team that won the silver medal in their age group.

SWIMMING

Inter-House Gala Results – Thursday, 19 January 2012

5 N Nash (2) 11 7 7 1 11 7 7 4 1 323

6 H Hill (4) 7 4 5 8 5 8 10 7 1 280

3 C Clayton (5) 11 5 7 12 6 13 3 0 0 351

2 T Thomson (7) 5 15 14 5 6 2 4 3 4 353

7 A Alston (3) 3 1 8 11 9 3 9 10 2 263

4 CE Clarke (9) 0 15 9 11 8 6 3 4 1 331

8 HD Hodgson (6) 10 3 3 3 1 11 11 10 1 256

1 F Fleming (8) 13 10 7 4 12 7 4 3 0 376

9 R Runge (10) 0 0 0 5 1 2 6 7 4 79

Gareth Baker competed in the CGA (Gauteng) Champs in December and did very well. He swam in the 16 & over (open) category, and made 6 finals. His best position was a 3rd (bronze) in the 400 free. He also got three 4th positions in the 200 fly, 100 fly and 200 IM. Gareth now has three SA Senior National times and has qualified to compete at the SA Senior Nationals/Olympic Trials in April 2012 in Durban, and swim in the Level 3 Nationals in PE in March.

MIDMAR MILE Dylan Bradford, U4 Hill, completed the Midmar Mile on Sunday, 12 February, and is seen here with Ryk Neethling after the race.

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Parents Prayer Group In the Bible, God‟s word to us, we are encouraged, in fact instructed, to bring our prayers to God; not only our requests but our thanks and praises. If we read Paul‟s letters, like the letters to the Ephesians or Philippians, we find wonderful examples of Paul‟s prayers for these communities. And so it is that a group of parents meet weekly on a Thursday at 7:30am till 8:30am in the Community Room to pray for the St Johns Community. We would love you to get involved by either joining us, or even by communicating prayer requests to us so that we can pray more specifically. Everything mentioned and prayed for in a meeting remains strictly confidential. There are prayer request boxes in the College (through the door on the way to the Community Room), Prep (through the door opposite the bag room on the way to the library) and Pre-Prep (outside the secretary‟s office). These are for the boys, parents and staff to please use (or email) to communicate your prayer requests to us, so that we can more effectively pray for specific needs. Your requests may be anonymous (and as I mentioned are kept confidential). God is able and willing to listen to each of our prayers, no matter how great or small. We have many testimonies of how God has touched lives and our lives have certainly been blessed though this ministry. To join us or for more information please contact: Debbie Cloete:

on 011 4473347 / 083 309 6506 or debbieandneilcloete@gmail.com

BIOKINETICS CLINIC

The St John‟s College Biokinetics Clinic has been operational since May last year. The clinic is run by Mr Joe Xaba who is an HPCSA registered Biokineticist. The clinic is open on weekdays from 3 till 6 pm at the Sanatorium. Consultations will be charged at Medical Aid Rates. Written consent will be required from parents before the commencement of treatment. For further information regarding Biokinetics please log on to Biokinetics Association of South Africa website. To make a booking please email or phone Mr Joe Xaba on: Email: xaba@stjohnscollege.co.za Tel: 011 645 3267 Cell: 0718957363

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Dear Parents, Scholars and Coaches

THE SCHOOLS SPORTS CONCUSSION PROGRAMME 2012

The Schools Sports Concussion Programme, initiated after the tragic death of schoolboy rugby players a few years ago, aims to make contact and collision sports safer by preventing the potentially serious consequences of head injury. I am extremely grateful to all coaches, parents and scholars who have co-operated in helping to evolve our protocols. The protocols are based on international guidelines and form

the basis of SA Rugby’s concussion protocols and the Boksmart injury prevention programme (see www.boksmart.com). In addition I am very pleased to announce our continued association with Panado who will help provide educational support. The annual Sports Concussion Programme fee of R300 for 2012 includes: • Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) information cards for the school

• A school link to www.sportsconcussion.co.za

• As many consultations as necessary by a sports doctor after any suspected concussion.

• A free baseline computer brain function test before the season (performed at your school or in one of our laboratories).

• As many follow-up brain function tests as necessary after any concussion. • Return-to-sport guidelines after a concussion. Please note that even if your child has had a previous

baseline test he or she must be retested annually. This ensures that we have accurate, up-to-date information on their brain function.

The purpose of the programme is to return the injured player to sport as soon as is safely possible. As per current international guidelines which emphasise that returning to play is a medical decision, the Schools Sports Concussion Programme is managed by doctors experienced in concussion assessments. At no time should a player be returned to sport following a concussion without being thoroughly assessed by a doctor. We place most emphasis on the repeated examination of the concussed child by a doctor and hence offer as many consultations as required until the clinical criteria are satisfied for return to play. Central to the success of this project is the baseline computer brain function test which provides us with important information against which to compare your child’s post injury scores. Please contact Julia at 084-678 5000 or Karen at 011-883 9000 to arrange for testing. In 2012 we will also be extending our scope of research to examine genetic predisposition to concussion. Please go to www.sportsconcussion.co.za for more concussion information. Yours faithfully

Dr Jon Patricios (011-883 9000 / sportsconcussion@mweb.co.za) www.sportsconcussion.co.za

“Return to play, the safer way!”