The first fixture free is upon us and it feels like hardly more than a couple of weeks have gone by since the opening of term.

MEASLES:
Sadly, "the Measles" has struck. We have had up to 30 boys inflicted with measles, some more severely than others, as is always the case. Our Sanatorium sisters have worked very hard, but feel that it is now under control and there is no need to panic. We hope that after the fixture free weekend, it will be over. We have isolated boys as they have developed the symptoms. We have NOT been quarantined and/or isolated. We did cancel certain sports' fixtures this week to try and minimize exposure to other schools. The Ministry of Health has visited the School and is happy with how we have handled the cases. There are some rumours circulating - please do give people the correct information.

The Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the World Health Organisation, has raised sufficient funding to immunize all children below 15. They will give us the vaccine and our San sisters will administer it - the vaccine has no side effects and will not affect a child who may be incubating the disease.

Falcon would like to immunize our whole community and so intends importing its own vaccine to cover all people on the campus. The vaccine is inexpensive and will cost approximately $2,50 per ten people.

I would encourage all of Falcon to participate in this vaccination process. This will mean your child will not miss any schooling and/or activities and will keep us free of the measles outbreak. As we have said before, there are no side effects and it does not matter if your son has previously been vaccinated.

Your son has been given a copy of the tear-off slip. Please ensure that he returns it on Monday.

ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT:
FEES - Parents are reminded that fees are due and payable by the 31st May 2010. They MUST be settled by Monday, when you return your sons to the College. This is a requirement for your son in order for him to have access to the College and his House.

Bank Notes NOT accepted by Falcon:
1. £20 note bearing Sir Edward Elgar on the Reverse.
2. NO R200 notes will be accepted.

NATIONAL U19 RUGBY TRIALS:
These are being staged at Lomagundi College over Friday afternoon and Saturday, 28th - 29th May. I know the boys would appreciate any supporters who may be in the area.

HALF TERM BREAK - Wednesday 16th to Tuesday 22nd June 5.00 p.m.

Our half term break is a little longer than usual and we hope that you will all enjoy this break.
At the end of this term, we will be closing school on Thursday 5th August, and NOT Tuesday as we usually do, to make up the time for this longer half term break. Please do not ask for your sons to leave early. It is very disruptive and it makes life extremely difficult for the teaching and administration staff, trying to get accounts and reports to you.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS' RUGBY FESTIVAL:
This event is gathering momentum - it is not too late to get a Corporate Tent for you and your friends, available on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th June. It really is going to be a fun occasion and we would love to see as many of you here as possible. We are also looking for help from a few of our pupils to run the score boards and do the ball boy duties. They will get a shirt and there are other perks that come with the job. If local boys wish to commit themselves, it would be much appreciated.

OVER-ZEALOUS PUNISHMENT:
I have once again had cause to talk to prefects and people in authority on the above issue. We are addressing this and educating boys in authority how important it is not just to punish, but to offer advice and help and turn negatives into positives, yet at the same time maintaining our discipline code. This is a process that will take time - we are determined to get it right.

"The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting"

R.W. QUERL