NEC ASPERA TERRENT

St Andrew’s College Newsletter
Friday 23 January 2015
Term 1 #2
To The Andrean Community
This week’s assembly was the annual “Academic Assembly”
- a time devoted to the recognition of the academic achievers
of 2014. It was a wonderful assembly, with a large number of
academic merit, colours, and honours awards.
Historian in Residence
Although the academic life of the school is but one component
of many that make for the rich Andrean experience, it is our
fundamental core business. To empower our boys to gain
the best possible advantage from their matric year has to be
a key priority, that they are fully equipped to compete for a
place in the faculty of their choice at the University of their
choice.
I was pleased to be part of the ceremony and congratulate all
of the boys whose efforts were rewarded there.
Of course, we cannot all achieve straight A’s – it would be a
pretty meaningless existence if we could – and for some of
us the challenge is instead to be able to reflect upon having
done everything to push our own personal best one notch
higher.
There is a freedom to the start of an academic year. The road
ahead is as yet undetermined. The journey dictated only by
the decisions that we are about to take which, decision by
decision, form habit. Habit always has consequence, and
good habits breed success. Talent alone can’t do it. Behind
every true success - be it an A or achieving a C when last
term was a D – is a healthy dose of good old fashioned hard
work.
Front left to right: Mrs Shelley Stretton, Mr Gary Frayne, Professor Chris
Danziger, Mrs Shelly Roodt, Mrs Margie McLeod, Mrs Gwynneth Thompson
and Mr William Donkin.
In an already academically focused week we were honoured
to welcome Historian in Residence, Professor Chris
Danziger. Prof Danziger gave some thoroughly stimulating
lectures which even a scientist such as myself could relate
to.
What struck me most, though, was the fact that this highly
accomplished, world renowned academic, while an authority
in his discipline was simultaneously thoroughly good
company, absolutely humble, with a wide range of interests
in the cultural and sporting arenas.
Ulindelwe Ratsibe, James Stoddart, Matthew Shaw, Martin Simango, James
Scott, John Baines, Rahul Gopal, Brandon Starr, Timothy Mountford, Myles
Brown, Adam Godlonton and Stuart Hobson are current Grade 12 pupils who
achieved Honours awards in 2014
Proof, if ever it were needed, that academic achievement is
an intrinsic part of a ‘whole’ education, and not something
that one focuses on at the cost of involvement elsewhere.
Although technically not an “Andrean” as such, Prof
Danziger epitomises the Andrean ethos and reminds us that
Great schools become great because of great people doing
great things.
NEC ASPERA TERRENT
St Andrew’s College Newsletter 23 January 2015
True inspiration comes from people. It is their commitment to giving generously of their expertise and talents in all areas of
school life that is central to the success of our School.
Alan Thompson
HEADMASTER
Prefect Induction Service
An induction service for the new House and
Portfolio prefects was held in our iconic Chapel
on Sunday. The boys were inducted into their
leadership positions by the Headmaster, Mr
Alan Thompson. In November last year, the
Head of School, David Harvey, Deputy Head of
School, Anthony Dakin as well as the Head and
Deputy Heads of each House were inducted for
their 2015 leadership roles.
2015 Prefects
Annual Newboys Walk
Having been at school for just over a week, the new boys of 2015 have been exposed to a variety of events put in place
to cement their transition into becoming new Andreans at College. Over the weekend, the boys got their first taste of the
broader Grahamstown surrounds as they spent the day on Sunday undertaking the “Annual Newboy Walk” from the mouth
of the Kariega River to the Kasouga River estuary. The walk allowed for the boys to bond with, and get to know not only
each other, but also some of their prefect body. Exposure to the outdoors is an integral part of the curriculum and this walk
was just a taste of what the boys will experience during their time at College.
As part of the walk, the Environmental Awareness prefect, Sebastian Foster organised collection bags and the boys picked
up any litter and washed up debris from the beach. Prizes were awarded to the boys who collected the most. This was a
very good initiative.
NEC ASPERA TERRENT
St Andrew’s College Newsletter 23 January 2015
Community Engagement activities
Community Engagement activities have begun with a bang, with a number of familiar and new activities underway. The
Teach a Tiger to Swim programme begins again this Sunday. This programme offers boys a chance to change another
person’s life by helping them become safe and confident in the water. Service at the SPCA also began this week.
The President’s Award Committee and the Community Engagement Committee, under the chairmanship of Jon-Henri
Clayton have already met and I am delighted to report that a robust and imaginative leadership training programme is
bearing fruit, with each sub-committee working really well. We continue to foster relationships across town, and hope to
see authentic engagement with partners through collaborations with Rhodes University’s Allan Gray Centre for Leadership
Ethics, private citizens and civic organisations.
Tim Barnard
Community Engagement Officer
Grade 8 Induction – The beginnings of a new tradition
Over the last two days the Grade 8s have
experienced a new rite of passage which sees
the start of a new tradition for the incoming Grade
8s of every year. In 2014, this rite of passage
was introduced to St Andrew’s College Matric
Leavers, who were led from the Centenary Hall
through a tunnel made up of staff and boys
weaving their way through the historic College
campus to the Antony Clark Andrean Resource
Centre (ARC) where each boy signed his name
in a leather-bound register to mark their time at
St Andrew’s College.
After its overwhelming success, it was decided
that a similar ceremony for the 2015 Grade 8
boys would be introduced upon their entry to
College to symbolise the start of their Andrean
journey. Rick Melville (OA 1976), together with
the help of his brother, Rob Melville (OA 1973),
Marguerite Poland (Honorary OA) and Gunther
Marx (Vice Principal – Student Affairs) put
together an insightful and moving presentation
on what it means to be a “Honourble Andrean”.
Grade 8 boys look on as Timothy Simpson signs the register marking the start of his Andrean
journey
The Grade 8s attended this presentation
after which they too signed their names in
the leather-bound register. After this induction
ceremony into St Andrew’s College, marked
by the register, the boys left the ARC and were
greeted by teachers and prefects, no longer
as new boys but rather as new Andreans.
When these boys leave in 2019 they will once
again sign the register signifying their full circle
journey into the next phase of their Andrean
journey as Old Andreans.
Grade 8 pupil Hamadzi Haruperi is congratulated by the Head of School, David Harvey as he
starts his journey at College
NEC ASPERA TERRENT
St Andrew’s College Newsletter 23 January 2015
Sir Henry Strakosch Memorial Scholarships
Sir Henry Strakosch donated money to College to encourage and reward excellence in Science and Maths. Once a year,
the headmaster allocates a Strakosch Scholarship to each of two Grade 11 and two Grade 12 boys. Congratulations to the
following boys who have been awarded this prestigious scholarship.
Grade 12 pupils James Scott and Timothy Mountford
Grade 11 pupils Nicholas Kroon and Kai Mason
Sport
The campus has been abuzz with the start of the summer sports programme since the boys arrived last week. For the most
part it has been a case of sorting out teams, identifying talent and preparing for fixtures. It is always a difficult time for both
players and coaches as we try to manage expectations. The youngsters coming into Grade 8 have often come from smaller
prep schools where they have been big fish in a small pond and it can be a big reality check when they find that they are
amongst a larger group of equally skilful players. It is also difficult bleeding the youngsters from last year into the senior age
groups where the need to provide opportunities to all concerned needs to be balanced against giving everyone a fair trial.
I ask for your understanding and support both in terms of helping your sons deal with these expectations and in terms of
trusting in the integrity of the coaches to make decisions that are in the best interests of the boys and the school.
This past weekend there were a host of trials taking place in the various sports whilst the 2nd XI
cricketers took on the Sidbury Country Club in the Central Albany League. They put in a very good
performance in bowling Sidbury out for 125 on a difficult wicket with Craig Stow taking 4/11 and
Tom Lane 2/6. College knocked off the runs with just one wicket down, Tom Lane scoring 63no and
Murray Koster 32no. John Maree took part in the Inter-Provincial Gala in Bloemfontein where he
picked up three bronze medals in the 50m and 100m backstroke and the 200m medley relay, as well
as a silver in the 4 x 50m freestyle relay. A very good performance against tough opposition.
The 1st XI cricketers took on Graeme College on Wednesday afternoon in the first of the CSA T20
matches and were able to secure a convincing victory. A good bowling performance saw Graeme
College being bowled out for 84, with Simon Taylor taking 3/15 and Tom Lane knocking off the runs
with 52no, to win the game by 9 wickets. This will take the team through to the next round of this
national competition.
John Maree was awarded
three bronze medals at
the Inter-Provincial Gala
in Bloemfontein
This weekend sees the 1st Team water polo players heading off to the Port Rex Tournament in East London, our senior
and junior tennis teams taking on Selborne College, our basketballers playing Nombulelo High School at home, the Rowing
Club hosting the East Cape Indoor Rowing Championships and our cricketers taking on Muir College and other opposition.
There is a great energy around campus and the school is very much up and running. This augurs well for the year. It always
amazes me as to just how much there is going on and what a wonderful spread of opportunities there are on offer to our
boys. We look forward to your support and involvement.
Pete Andrew
Director of Sport
Weekly Sport Fixtures can be found on the website and on D6:
http://www.sacschool.com/241/weekly-fixtures-&-team-lists.html
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