In this Issue

Falcon Weekly News

Week 1 First Term 2006

From the Headmaster's Desk - Message for 2006

The Nkala boys, all ex-Falcon boys accompanied their last brother to the College.

The Dubai  7-aside Tour - A unique & Culturally-enriching experience 
 - Reg Querl & Orlando Fernandes accompanied the boys.

Detailed Report on the Dubai Tour.

Taita Falcon, hatched in captivity, comes of Age.

Zimbabwe age-group cricket tours Namibia 
Richard Harrison accompanied the Zimbabwe age-group cricket tour to Namibia as the U14 Manager. 
He reports back on the tour.

Link to Archived Newsletters

What of Falcon College in 2006 ? - From the Headmaster's Desk

Firstly, an analogy that's well overdue:

WE ARE 'FALCONS'

Falcons are not the Kings, but the Emperors of the sky.  They are the Rolls Royce of Raptors - right at the top of the food chain - that's us.
What's more of Falcons - THEY ARE FAST MOVING - 280 km per hour in a stoop.
They have an amazing efficiency - 98% of the time that they set out to hunt, they are successful. 
They are really nice to live with - easy going and loving, but ruthless in the hunt.
They 'don't waste time' - they use their energy when it really counts.
They look good and keep themselves looking good - I've never seen a scruffy Falcon.
They don't get into scraps on the ground where they could break feathers and lose their dignity.
They work hard when they have to and rest in shady, beautiful places.
Finally, they protect their young ferociously, are wonderful tutors of their trade, but then expect the young to move on and become independent.
So that's our logo, that's our name - quite a bit to live up to in so many areas.  I would like everyone to think of these things next time they have negative thoughts - we need to be a Falcon - after all, we wear the shirt.

Link to the full text of the Headmaster's Message: What of Falcon in 2006?.

The Nkala brothers escort the youngest brother to Falcon
The six Nkala brothers, all ex-Falcon boys in the  80's and 90's, escorted their youngest brother, Sobukhosi, to Falcon College on the opening day.  Sobukhosi is going into Form 1 and, of course, into George Grey House. The thumbnail shows the brothers proudly standing outside their former house, George Grey.  In strict adherence to the Falcon protocol, Sobukhosi could not be pictured with his "seniors" as he has not yet earned his colours.

Deelan comes to Falcon
One of the first boys to arrive at Falcon to drop off his luggage was young Deelan Doolabh, coming into Form 1. Our cameraman caught him at the College offices on Friday morning, accompanied by his brother Beevan who is going into lower sixth form.   On the right is Deelan, a few days later.

Dubai 7-aside Rugby Tour - A unique and culturally enriching experience.
Falcon College participated in the 7-aside Rugby tournament in Dubai from 28 November to 8 December 2005. The touring party comprised 22 students, parents, the Headmaster, Reg Querl and Mr. Orlando Fernandes. 
 
This was more than a rugby tour. Boys were taken from the plush and busy rugby fields to the modern bustling city of Dubai, went on desert drives, fishing expeditions, camel rides and were introduced to the fascinations of belly dancing.

[Follow this link for a Detailed Report: on the Dubai Tour]

 On the right....thumbnail of students who were on the Dubai tour.

Are these the new Arab Sheiks?  No! The thumbnail shows Barry Stewart and Ben Grobler taking a break off the rugby fields to show off their Arab attire.

Dubai city is modern with magnificent and imaginative architectural designs. On the right is the 321 m high, ultra-luxurious Burj al Arab hotel which dominates the Dubai coastline. The hotel is built on a man-made island. Although our boys did not stay there, its "billowing sail" design (among other eye-catching modern structures in the city) will no doubt linger on in the minds of the boys for a long time to come.

Taita Falcon comes of age - The Miracle of Life

The Taita Falcon, hatched in captivity here at Falcon about 10 weeks ago has now come of age and has now reached full maturity.  The Taita Falcon is very friendly towards humans and likes to perch on any willing hand.  

The Taita perches itself comfortably on the webmaster's hand as if to say "What a wonderful world!"

The Falconry Club has every reason to be proud of this Falcon as it is one of a rare species and the first to be hatched in captivity since the two Taitas Ron Hartley reared a long time ago.

Flashback!......................

The Taita chick just after it had been hatched,
about 10 weeks ago.

Falcon Boys return from a Tour of National duty in Namibia
Zimbabwe Cricket sent 3-age group sides to play matches in Namibia at the beginning of the holidays and 8 falcon boys were chosen for those sides.  Richard Harrison accompanied the tour having been selected to manage the U14 age group. 
He reports on the tour.