In This Issue

Falcon Weekly News

Week 1  Third Term 2006

Work Starts at the New ICT Centre

Progress at the Davenport Gymnasium

Tredgold Form 1 Dorm Complete

Holiday Sports Tours

Soccer team brings CHISZ Trophy Home

Tennis Tour to South Africa a challenging experience 

Zimbabwe Schools Hockey Tour to South Africa.  

A Unique experience for 4 Falcon Boys

During the holidays four Falcon College students, Baveer Doolabh, Grant Reid, Craig Shaw and Thomas Randell attended the annual Global Young Leaders Conference in the United States of America.  The first 6 days of the Conference were in Washington and the last 6 in New York. Altogether there were 360 students from over 100 countries. Baveer Doolabh summarizes his experiences below......

When I received my letter of invitation I did not know what to expect.  Of course I had heard stories from students who have attended previous sessions, but they were not enough to give a real idea of what was to happen when you get to America.

The 360 students who participated in this session were split up and designated into 16 groups.  Each of these group represented a different country.  For example, I was put into Turkey.  We had to stay in these groups for the duration of the 12 days.

Part of global diplomacy...Baveer Doolabh poses for photographs with fellow Young Global Leaders. 

We represented our country as if we were the government of that country.  In all simulations, we had to think about how each resolution affected our country and our relationships with other countries.  This was a really great way to learn more about these countries and the functioning of the United Nations and its Security Council.

In-between all our diplomatic activities, we were able to visit many awe-inspiring sites.  These included The Lincoln Memorial, the World war II Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, The Times Square, The Empire State Building, to name but just a few. 

As earlier mentioned, there were 360 students from over 100 countries. As a result, the cross-cultural education was amazing.  The Chinese Embassy hosted a diplomatic reception for the participating young leaders - the socializing and sharing of ideas at this gathering was of tremendous benefit to us all.

The overall experience was unique and mind boggling!  I felt as if I was living in a perfect world.  In just 12 days, such strong friendships were nurtured that a lot of participants were brought to tears at the closing ceremony.  I had learned so much and gained from this unique experience.

Right: Thomas Randell, Craig Shaw and Baveer Doolabh relaxing after a diplomatic session.

Work Starts at the New Computer Laboratory (ICT Centre) - Foundation Dug Up

Work is now in progress at the new Computer Laboratory (ICT Centre) behind the Dugmore Memorial Library. The site area has been pegged and the foundation has already been dug. 

The scenery behind the Dugmore memorial Library is changing and will never be the same again!


Left: Site of new double-storey Computer Lab (ICT Centre) just after being pegged.

A few days later............

Right: The Foundation has been dug up, deep enough to support two storeys.

Progress at the New Gymnasium Site
Significant progress has been made at the new Davenport Gymnasium despite difficulties encountered in sourcing materials like door frames and window frames required for the gym.  The brickwork is mostly at knee level. Door frames and window frames have been delivered and in about two weeks time the building should reach first floor.

Left: The brickwork at the site is now at knee-height.

Right: The front facade, which will look similar to the front facade at the Dugmore Memorial Library is taking shape.

Upgrading of Tredgold Form 1 Dorm Now Complete. Constructors move to George Grey House.
The refurbishing and modernization of the Tredgold Form 1 dormitory was completed just in time for the boys to move in on the first day of the term. 

Inside the "new-look" Tredgold Form 1 Dorm
The Dorm is looking immaculate and young Joel Chitate, broom in hand, obviously wants to keep it that way.

The construction workers have moved to George Grey where the Form 1 Dorm there is to receive a similar facelift. The upgrading and refurbishing of  George Grey, Chubb, Hervey and Founders Form 1 dormitories is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the first term 2007.

Team Brings the CHISZ Soccer Tournament Trophy home after an outstanding performance.

Mr Thomas Khumalo took the soccer team to Kyle College, Masvingo, for the annual CHISZ Schools soccer tournament held on 4th and 5th August. 

Falcon won all the First Round matches; beating Petra, Hillcrest and Watershed 2-0, 3-0 and 2-1 respectively. The Falcon team topped their group and qualified for the semi-finals.

Falcon kept on the winning formula and thrashed the International School of South Africa 4-1 to qualify for the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Falcon beat Gateway 1-0 and maintained their unbeaten record in the finals where they beat hosts Kyle College 2-0 to become the 2006 CHISZ Schools champions. Apart from the trophy the Falcon team were awarded $30 000 in cash.

Nqobile Mpala was the top goal scorer of the tournament and he received $5 000 while Nkululeko Ncube received $5 000 for being the best defender.

Melusi Sibanda, Nkululeko Ncube and Nqobile Mpala were selected for the 2006 CHISZ team and received certificates in recognition.

The team with the winning formula 

Falcon College can be proud to have won the tournament a record three times.

Tennis Tour to South Africa - Stiff Competition encountered 
Adam Joelson filed this report....

 The tour took off on 30^th July. Unfortunately, we had to depart without one of our key players Asalph Nyathi who had suffered a concussion during a rugby match.

 We arrived in Johannesburg safely and checked in at Kempton Conference Center. Sadly though hardly 10 minutes after our arrival as we were trying  to settle down we could hear gunshots about 100metres away from the center, a move that unsettled as all.

 We departed for Durban early in the morning of the 31^st of July  .The rest of the journey was good and we arrived safely in Pietemaritzburg.

 The boys played their hearts out, though they found the competition very tough.. They all played as a team and represented Falcon College with pride.

 We played Hilton College first and lost 12 –1.We then played Kearsney College who showed us why they are the dominant side in tennis in the region and we lost 13-2 to them.  The boys proved to be a much  improved side in the encounter against St Charles College, which was our next stopover.  Although we lost 8–4 this was the best performance by the team.

 Our last encounter was at Michealhouse. We lost 9-2 in this encounter.

Zimbabwe U17 Hockey Tour to Pretoria, South Africa

During the first week of the holiday Mr. Fidelis Majuba accompanied the Zimbabwe U17 Hockey team to Pretoria.  He filed this report.

The Zimbabwe school boys hockey association sent three teams to South Africa to take  part in an annual hockey tournament which was held in South Africa from the 7^th August to the 11^th August 2006. Seven boys from Falcon College were amongst the touring party, namely Matthew Bint in U18A side, Takudzwa Gonese, Daniel Landman in the U19 side and Gareth Bint, Peter Trethowan, Jack Randle and Rob De Vries. Falcon First team coach Mr. Fidelis Majuba was the coach of the U19 side. The teams did well in the tournament with the Under18A and the U19 sides finishing second and third respectively. Once again the Falcon bus was used to transport the teams to South Africa, Anele Dube and Tired Ndebele had the unenviable task of driving the bus to and from Pretoria.