Headmaster's Weekly News Archive
|
|
|
|
Dear Parents
Here we are at our first Fixture Free of the year already, nearly four weeks into the year. We have had a “sunshine-filled” week, quite different from all the other weeks this term.
CHANGE OF FAX NUMBER:
Please note the new fax number is now 088-675. Any further changes will be advised accordingly.
SCHOOL SHOP – FEBRUARY 2008 PRICES:
Anoraks - ZW$ 100,000000
Fleece jackets - ZW$ 90,000000
Track-suits - ZW$ 150,000000
School tie - ZW$ 15,000000
Grey stockings - ZW$ 15,000000
Blazer badge - ZW$ 10,000000
Falcon t-shirts - ZW$ 35,000000
House t-shirts - ZW$ 35,000000
Hats – hard (B/W) - ZW$ 50,000000
Cricket caps - ZW$ 20,000000
Cricket shirts - ZW$ 40,000000
Travel bags - ZW$ 25,000000
Rugby jerseys - AW$ 80,000000
Rugby stockings - ZW$ 20,000000
THE SCHOOL SHOP WILL BE OPEN ON TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY BETWEEN 2.00 AND 3.00 P.M.
BUS FARES FOR SECOND FIXTURE FREE WEEKEND:
ONE WAY RETURN
Harare/Victoria Falls $ 75 Million $150 Million
Chegutu/Kadoma $ 50 Million $100 Million
Kwe Kwe $ 38 Million $ 75 Million
Gweru $ 30 Milion $ 60 Million
Masvingo $ 50 Million $100 Million
Botswana $ 30 Million $ 60 Million
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY:
Students following the graphics option (Graphic Products/Communication) in Design and Technology, are encouraged to procure their own instruments, especially if they have chosen the subject for ‘O' and ‘A' Level. Requirements include a good compass and Set Squares both 45º and 30º/60º.
SPORT:
The Inter-house Cross Country was once again a colourful event. At this event all able-bodied boys run the race. It was amazing that there were only a handful of boys who could not run. The positive attitude of all boys was wonderful to witness and the House spirit really came through. I would like to congratulate the two individual winners:
T.T. Pongweni, who set a new record in the juniors and B.N. Saidi who won the seniors.
The overalls results were:
1 st Hervey
2 nd Tredgold
3 rd Founders
4 th Oates
5 th George Grey
6 th Chubb
Other sports' results from last week were:
Waterpolo:
Falcon College came 2 nd in the Arthur Gower Memorial Trophy out of five teams. We lost 3-8 to St. John's , the eventual winners.
I will be on leave for 2 ½ weeks as from Wednesday next week. Martha and I are going south to put our son on the plane back to England for him to pursue his dream of being a professional cricketer. I will also be doing some research in schools in South Africa to make sure we are up to speed in all areas. In my absence, Dave Fleming will be in charge of the College.
This first Fixture Free is often a difficult one in terms of our new boys. They all seem to have settled well and have got into the routine of the College quite quickly. Please do not hesitate to contact us should there be any problems whatsoever.
A parent has contacted me saying that black shoes and veldskoens are available at Mbare Market in Harare should anyone still be battling with these clothing items.
Finally, have a good weekend with your boys – enjoy the time and have a good rest.
“The past has brought infinite blessings and lessons, and has been what was meant to be at the time.
It has given birth to the present in all its beauty, and what will come next is unseen and unknown.
Let us be more than willing to believe that the best is in fact yet to come.”
Danielle Steel
REG QUERL
Dear Parents
This has been a short but busy week during which the highlight was the comprehensive win our Senior and Junior Cross-country teams achieved in an inter-schools' event (see the results below).
CULTURAL:
Billy St. John (Music teacher) and the Septet are in Harare for a Cancer fund-raising event being held tonight. This has been organized by one of our parents, Mitzi Carruthers, and is bound to be a fun evening.
SPORT:
Tennis: We have a few lads playing for Matabeleland in the Tennis inter-provincial tournament at St. George's , through to Saturday.
Our 1 st and A team cricketers will be involved in trial matches against the rest of the Southern Province tomorrow. It will be good to see some Cricket being played again.
The Inter-schools Cross Country was held on Thursday 14 February at Falcon and the results were as follows:
1 st Falcon College Senior and Junior
2 nd Petra High Senior and Junior
3 rd Umzingwane High Senior and Junior
HEADMASTER'S TEA:
The following boys were invited to the Headmaster's tea on Thursday for reasons given below:
G. Fraser Founders Form 1 62 runs against CBC
H. Reimer Founders Form 1 61/65 for initiation test
L.K. Sibanda Founders Form 2 Academic scholarship
T.K. Ndlovu Founders Form 2 Academic scholarship
S. Vaughan Oates Form 4 4 th in senior Cross country
T. Pongweni Oates Form 4 3 rd in senior Cross country
TT Pongweni Oates Form 3 1 st Cross country
BD Chikore Hervey Form 3 Top ten Cross country
FM Sitauze Hervey Form 3 Top ten Cross country
R Hutchings Hervey Form 2 83 runs against CBC
B. Saidi George Grey Form 4 1 st in Senior Cross country
TK Furusa George Grey Form 1 61/65 for initiation test
S Armstrong George Grey Form 1 61/65 initiation test
S Coetzee George Grey Form 1 61/65 initiation test
The Querls managed to get away on their trip to South Africa on Thursday and we wish them well.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries..
Have a good week.
DAVE FLEMING
ACTING HEADMASTER
Dear Parents
It has been a very busy week at the College and promises to be even busier over the weekend. Cricket was played last weekend and with the clear skies we are experiencing at the moment, the two-day games against Peterhouse should wrap up the shortened season well.
As I write, the first schools are arriving for our annual Cultural Weekend, which has become a well respected tradition among schools nationally. It will be the first one without Sue Wigham at the helm, but I have every confidence that Billy St. John will ensure a happy weekend for all the participants.
He and the Septet were very well received in Harare last weekend when they performed musically at a Cancer fund-raising event, organized by one of our parents, Mitzi Carruthers.
FIXTURE FREE WEEKENDS:
A reminder that next weekend is our second Fixture Free, from Friday 10.00 a.m. to Monday 5.30 p.m. Boys who wish to stay here for the weekend may do so.
The Third Fixture Free occurs over Easter and ALL BOYS MUST LEAVE the College for the weekend. Boys may leave after Founders Day on Wednesday 19 March at 4.30 p.m. IF THEIR PARENTS are here to collect them. If not, buses will leave early on Thursday morning. Everyone is to be back by 5.30 p.m. on Monday 24 March.
FEES TOP-UP:
The Board held a Financial Meeting yesterday afternoon and I have been asked to inform parents that they can expect a supplementary fee note next weekend in the region of $3.5 billion.
FAX: PLEASE NOTE OUR 088-675 fax number is down temporarily. This is a Tel-One line fault and they will only be able to repair the line early next week. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
SPORT:
Cricket:
The 1 st XI drew with Milton holding on with 9 wickets down Stevie Macheka took 4 – 31 and Godwill Mamhiyo top scored with 37.
The U16A team narrowly won by 9 runs with Michael Mlambo scoring 58.
The U15A team won convincingly. Viljoen took 6 – 38 and the U14A's also won by about 30 runs.
The following boys were selected to play for Southerns at the Inter-Provincial Tournament in the holidays.:
U19 - J. Randle, T. Connor, S. Macheka, W. Bandura , T. Mupariwa, S. Beevor, C. van Rensburg.
U17 - G. Mamhiyo, T. Enwerem, J. Brown, D. Sibanda, S. Nkala, M. MacIntosh, A. Ndabambi.
U16 - R. Sargeant, T. Pongweni, J. Chitate, A. van Heerden, W. Ullrich, T. Mutembwa, T. Ganjani,
M. Mlambo
U14 - O. Marchussen, D.Peall, M. Dube, T. Madondo, K. Midlane, R Rochat, S. Hammond .
Squash:
Zimbabwe Junior Closed Championships are in Harare over the 2 nd Fixture Free weekend.
Results for the Matland Squash Championships (15/2/2008).
*Top 5 players in each age group made the Matland Team for 2008 *
Under 19 Boys Under 17 Boys
In 3 rd Place - C. Bruford In 4 th Place - J. Stevenson
In 4 th Place - R. de Vries In 5 th Place - M. Ward
In 5 th Place - M. le Roux In 7 th Place - K. Rowe
In 9 th Place - J. Rowe
Under 15 boys Under 13 boys
In 3 rd Place - T. Rowe In 2 nd Place - T. Kersten
In 10 th Place - B. Querl In 3 rd Place - K. Midlane
In 13 th Place - G. Coleman In 4 th Place - O. Marchussen
In 14 th Place - M.D. Ward In 5 th Place - D. Peall
In 16 th Place - O. van Wyk In 6 th Place - D. Strathmore
In 17 th Place - C. Taylor In 7 th Place - F. Dollar
Basketball:
U14 Falcon vs CBC Falcon lost 0-6
U15 Falcon vs Gifford Falcon won 18-9
U16 Falcon vs CBC Falcon won 14-4
Matabeleland Swimming – Zimbabwe National Championships 15 – 19 February:
The following received medals during the Zimbabwe National Championships in Bulawayo over the weekend:
Jordan Brebner - 2 Bronzes
Craig Bydawell - 3 Bronzes
Gio Fargnoli - 3 Silver
Seamus McGovern - 3 Bronzes, 2 Silver, 1 Gold
The Matabeleland Captain (Seamus McGovern) was also awarded the Fisher Trophy, which is the Best Average Award (the points won by the team divided by the number of people in the team).
Seamus McGovern has been selected to tour to Germiston on the 11 to the 15 March 2008 with the Zimbabwe Swimming team.n
Have a good weekend.
DAVE FLEMING
ACTING
HEADMASTER
Dear Parents
Last weekend proved to be a great draw card for a number of visitors who were here either to watch Cricket games between Falcon and Peterhouse, or to participate in the very successful Cultural Weekend. As can be seen from the results below, the Cricket was most entertaining and all the visiting parents seemed to have had a very good social weekend. Many of the Cultural participants had never been here before and were obviously highly impressed with our little oasis. Our special thanks to Billy St. John for his organization of the Cultural Weekend and to the other members of staff and Falcon boys who made the weekend so enjoyable for all our visitors. Also grateful thanks must go to our Cricket coaches who endured a particularly hot weekend in the sun and to Jonathon Makola whose Waterpolo team did well at St. John's over the weekend.
On Wednesday evening a roof wetting ceremony at the new School Office in Bulawayo proved to be a happy occasion for the group of parents who attended. This social evening will almost certainly be repeated on the last Wednesday of each month and our grateful thanks to Peter Ward and his Parents' Committee for organizing the evening and the caterer and his staff for the snacks.
Please note the enclosed letter from the Chairman of the Board, and assist us by following his instructions on payment of the top-up fees. Direct payments and RTGS payments must be followed up with relevant details being forwarded to the Bursar's Office. We apologize to those who received payment reminders and who had, in fact, paid their fees. Confusion is caused by non-forwarding of these deposit details.
There is also attached a questionnaire to try and update our records. Could you please fill out the details and ensure that your son gives the form to his Housemaster on his return.
ICDL SKILLS CARDS:
The cost of these cards will be $210 million with effect from Tuesday 4 March 2008. You may send your son with
$142 500 000 cash or cheques on Monday after the Fixture Free weekend.
BUS FARES FOR 3 RD FIXTURE FREE:
Please note the new fares for the bus trip over third fixture free.
HARARE/VIC. FALLS $300 000 000
KADOMA/CHEGUTU/MASVINGO $200 000 000
KWE KWE $150 000 000
GWERU/PLUMTREE $120 000 000
These are all RETURN fares. A one-way trip would be half the amount.
We are having a lot of difficulties in processing the RTGS and direct deposits for bus fares.
Please will parents note that with immediate effect, the buses can only be paid for by cheques or cash.
SCHOOL SHOP:
The shop will be open on Tuesday 4 th March, between 2 and 3 p.m.
Payment is to be made by cash, or blank cheques, made out to Falcon College Trust, and please note that prices will be increased by approx. 60% over the last price, and stocks are low.
A limited selection of winter clothes will be at the School Office in Bulawayo on Monday morning from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
SPORT:
CRICKET:
The 1 st XI drew a two-day match in which Wisdom Bandura scored a fifty in both innings. Godwill Mamhiyo also reached 50 and Corey van Rensburg took 5 – 9.
The 2 nd and 3 rd XI's both lost at Peterhouse as did the 16B and 15B teams, but the 14Bs won.
The junior A teams also played two days of Cricket. The 16A's lost both matches, but Chitate, Sargeant and Campbell all bowled well. The 15 A's lost badly the first day, but good bowling and an outstanding innings by Michael Mlambo reversed the result on Sunday. The 14 A's had the better of a draw on Saturday and won the 50 over game following. Shaun Hammond had a good all round weekend whilst Dube, Peall and Marchussen also contributed.
BASKETBALL:
The 1 st team beat Kyle College 59-47.
WATERPOLO:
Falcon played the following schools at the Grant Tilley Tournament at St. John's .
Falcon came 3 rd overall.
Vs Peterhouse Falcon won 17-2
Vs Lomagundi Falcon won 18-6
Vs Prince Edward Falcon won 19-2
Vs St. George's Falcon won 4-3
Vs CBC Falcon won 7-3
Vs St. John's Falcon lost 5-7
Interhouse Waterpolo – Senior
1 st Tredgold
2 nd George Grey
3 rd Oates
4 th Hervey
5 th Chubb
6 th Founders
END OF TERM:
There has been much speculation about the timing of the end of term because of the elections. At this moment, the CHISZ Schools are seeking clarification on this issue from the Ministry and as soon as we have any details, we will inform all parents accordingly.
I would like to wish you all an enjoyable Fixture Free weekend with your boys
DAVE FLEMING
ACTING HEADMASTER .
Dear Parents
My grateful thanks to Dave Fleming for holding the reins while I have been in South Africa . While I was kept up to speed via the electronic media, it was wonderful to have him around and on the ground.
I went to four schools while in South Africa – all very different.
My first stop was Eric Louw in Musina, a school with which I am really keen to make sporting and cultural connections as they are vastly closer than Harare . I also spoke to the Chief Immigration Officer on both the Zimbabwe and South African sides, about crossing for a single day with a bus load of boys.
I also visited Witteburg in the Free State , Lichtenberg High School and Hudson Park in East London . It was interesting to note that Hudson Park spent 3 million Rand on having CCTV cameras in every classroom and area of the school in order to monitor discipline issues in the school.
I have to say that having the boys stand up as I came through the gate, to greet Martha and myself, was a great relief as it most certainly never happened in any of the schools I visited.
SPORTS RESULTS:
Squash – In the Zimbabwe Junior Squash Closed Championship, played in Harare , J and K Rowe were 14th and 15 th respectively in the U19 age group. T. Rowe made it into the Zimbabwe U13 team to tour South Africa, by finishing 6 th .
Athletics – At the Cluster Inter-schools' Athletics, Falcon won the meeting. In 4 th place, Esikhoveni 83, 3 rd Mvuthu 120, 2nd Mzingwani 244 and Falcon 1 st 390 points.
This weekend we have the Interhouse Relays' Athletics and the Primary Schools' Cricket Festival. We look forward to seeing you at these events.
TERM DATES:
Please do not make arrangements for taking boys out of school until we know what the situation is. As soon as we are aware of the situation, we will inform you. There are many rumours flying around at the moment, but as far as we are concerned, we will continue as our calendar suggests and close on Tuesday 8 April.
REG QUERL
Dear Parents
Our term has now ended rather prematurely which is disappointing. So many pupils have spent the term working very hard to achieve certain goals, be they academic or sporting; for them not to be able to attain them is a real shame.
We will not be doing reports, but you will get a second Mark Order which should give you a good indication of how your son is getting along.
We have also had to move the Form One Consultation Day and will put it in next term's calendar.
Sadly, this week, I have had to ask two boys in Tredgold to leave the College. They were on a final warning and simply chose to ignore that warning It is never easy asking boys to leave, but it has to be understood that we cannot keep issuing warnings and not have them heeded.
SPORT:
The Athletics' team took part in a regional cluster meeting held here at Falcon last Friday. They did very well indeed with the majority of our athletes qualifying for the Provincial Meeting. We do not know, however, when that will take place.
Our Hockey team will be playing in Potchefstroom these holidays, our Basketball boys will be playing in Durban and the Soccer team in Mafeking . We wish them all great success.
The Rugby team will take part in the Cottco Festival in the last week of the school holidays.
Tennis – Falcon 1 st team beat Convent 7-1 and Falcon 2 nd team beat Petra 3-0.
Cricket Scorers' exams: Several boys this last weekend passed the D grade scorers' exams held at the College. They were: C Nyazika, T Njanike and A Tambanewako.
Golf:
The Inter-schools' Golf competition was held at Marondera over the weekend, with teams participating from:
St. John's , Peterhouse, St. George's , Prince Edward, C.B.C., Hillcrest, Falcon.
The Falcon ‘A' team of Meredith, Gait, Smith, Dube, were WINNERS of their Stableford Division and third in the overall medal competition.
H. Vaughan was tied second in the overall Medal competition and WINNER of the Stableford division.
The ‘B' team was fifth in the Stableford division.
A fine effort from the lads.
ACADEMICS:
ICDL Exams –
Several boys sat and passed the powerpoint module of the ICDL exams. They were BL Mtetwa, T Chida, TM Jongwe, BJ Langley, MP Moyo, LK Sibanda and R Mudzimu.
Ndebele
The following boys got distinctions in their Ndebele Proficiency exams:
B Chikore, T Moyo, M Nare, S Sibanda and T Sibanda.
NEXT TERM:
The following dates have been set down so far. The full calendar will not be ready until the end of the holidays.
Sunday 27 April 2008 - 12.30 College opens
Thursday 1 st May 2008 - May Day – Boys stay at School
Monday 26 May - Africa Day – Boys stay at School.
Friday 6 – Monday 9 June - First Fixture Free weekend.
Wed. 25 June – Tuesday 1 July - Second Fixture Free weekend.
Friday 18 July – Monday 21 July- Third Fixture Free
Tuesday 5 August - Forms 4 – 6 Consultation Day 8.00 a.m. 10.00 a.m. Term ends.
CULTURE:
Our Music teacher, Mr. St. John, and the Septet, performed at a Chisipite fund raiser in Harare over the weekend. They also performed at the opening of a restaurant in Harare and by all accounts, were once again showered with great accolades.
OPEN DAY:
We had our annual Open Day last Thursday with an extremely good turnout, with nearly 200 people at the College. The day went well and many folk expressed a huge interest in the College going forward. Some very positive feedback came from Old Boys who now have sons wanting to come to the College.
PARENTS' COMMITTEE MEETING:
A meeting was held this week and planning for the “Tour de Falcon” was on the agenda. It is a good reminder for those keen to ride to dust down the old bike and get in some training!
THE E-MAIL SYSTEM:
The computers now seem to be back up and functional, which is a great relief. If there is anyone who has not had a reply to an e-mail sent, it may be because of our system being down. Please do resend those e-mails and we will get back to you.
We are looking for an Econet Contract Line “0912”- if anyone has one available, I would be pleased to hear from you.
By the time you receive this, we would have had our full Board Meeting, followed by Founders' Day. I will report on these next term.
I leave you with this thought:
“Goals are essential”
I really believe that without them, we rather flounder, like the cliché “the ship without a rudder”.
We might go a long way, but we might end up in circles too.
This is why I believe that goals are absolutely essential!
‘Don Sutton'
All that remains is for me to thank you all for your support once again this term. It is vital that we get that. We will work hard these holidays at getting our cell communication system back up and functional. Exam candidates need to start focusing on their revision and working on weak areas.
Have a peaceful and restful time with your sons.
REG QUERL