CIRCULAR NO. 19

11 June 2015

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s)

“CHARACTER DEVELOPS AMONG PEOPLE,

ACHIEVEMENT DEVELOPS ON YOUR OWN.”

W.A. de Klerk

My Classical Portrait

(Artist: Angeline Dancig - Grade 11)

1) ACADEMICS

We continue to add our full support and encouragement to all pupils in our school as they proceed through the exam writing process. Seven more exam days remain before the exams are completed and we can then look forward to our mid-year break.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE MATRIC CERTIFICATES

We have received a directive from the Western Cape Education Department that every unclaimed matric certificate that we hold at Fairmont has to be returned to the Education Department by the end of this term. Should you know of a past pupil or be one yourself who has never collected the certificate, to do so urgently. They will be held at the Department in Cape Town for a period of three years only and thereafter will be destroyed.

The 2014 matric certificates will remain at Fairmont until the end of the year. The unclaimed certificates will be returned to the Department where they will also remain for a period of three years and thereafter will be destroyed.

COUNSELLOR'S CORNER

Teen drinking – an alarming reality

Adolescents' alcohol consumption has reached alarming levels. Many teenagers are drinking heavily, and the starting age is becoming ever younger.

Adolescents have always been known to experiment with alcohol, but what we're seeing now is a very different story. The age at which heavy drinking starts, the number of teens involved, the frequency and the quantities consumed are very different to 'when we were young'. Binge-drinking is becoming increasingly common and teen alcoholism is on the rise, as are a number of other alcohol-related side effects.

There is an abundance of out-of-control teen parties where alcohol flows freely, parental supervision is inadequate and behaviour is wild.

Most parties for thirteen-year-olds and up involve alcohol (with or without parents' knowledge). It is smuggled in, delivered to the gate, openly carried in, or quite often even supplied by the hosting parents themselves. Parents say that if they try to ban alcohol from a party, they're told that 'no one will come', that they're forcing their child to commit 'social suicide', and that 'everyone drinks wherever we go; it's the norm'.

A typical scenario we often hear about goes something like this: Your teen persuasively tells you about a party, sleepover or club that 'everyone is going to'. You don't want to to be the only stick-in-the-mud, nor do you want your child to be branded as antisocial, so you make all the necessary arrangements to get him or her (and possibly a friend or two) to the event, and to go back to one of the friends' homes afterwards. Unbeknown to you there is alcohol at the party, and your beloved, along with many mates, overindulges.

They go back to the friend's house, where they proceed to throw up for the rest of the night, sleeping late the next day to recover. As you collect them later that day, you're met with pale faces that are explained away as 'a late night'. The hosting parents, even if they suspect what happened, probably won't mention a word in order to avoid any recriminations. Some children will only get so drunk once, while others turn it into a regular occurrence.

Alcohol – the root of many problems

Some of the realities include the following:

Alcohol is a gateway to the drug scene. Under its influence, joints of 'weed' are tried, and these in turn often lead to other, stronger drugs.

Teens lose their inhibitions and engage in sexual activity they would not otherwise have indulged in.

Alcohol affects decision-making. After even one drink, teens may well make questionable decisions concerning drunk-driving, going home with someone they've only just met, spending money, etc.

Drunk girls are a rape target. Many rapes occur because the girl is too drunk to protect herself, ends up in bad company or makes decisions that lead her to dangerous places.

Aggression increases, leading to confrontations and fights. Stories abound of fights at parties, schools and homes as a result of alcohol-fuelled aggression.

Health-related side effects. Various studies have shown that excessive use of alcohol is physically detrimental, damages brain cells, can jeopardise fertility, reduces bone density, increases the risk of breast cancer and can affect various other areas.

Teen alcoholism is growing. There is no arguing the point: alcohol can be addictive and, when consumed regularly in large quantities, a reliance can be formed and the chances of becoming an alcoholic rise sharply.

Drunken driving claims young lives and forever devastates families.

Parties: quandaries & tips

When they’re off to someone else’s party

In the interests of de-stressing the party issue:

Find out as much as you can about the party, for example, at whose house will the party be? Will the parents be there all the time? (Never allow your child to go to a party if the parents are not there). What boundaries are they implementing?

Don’t be shy about phoning the hosting parents to enquire about any areas of concern.

Let the hosts know if you’re uncomfortable with particular aspects, such as serving alcohol, and ask them not to allow anything that breaks the law.

Always check that you’re comfortable with the driver and that they won’t be drinking.

Feed them before they go. Unless you’re 100 per cent certain that food will be served, and even if you’re assured that they’re not hungry, ensuring that they eat something before going is a good idea, especially if they drink alcohol (as so many do nowadays).

Make sure they have access to a charged phone. Then, if at all worried, they can call.

Make it clear that they cannot under any circumstances leave that party and go to another without getting your express permission.

You (or a trusted parent) should pick them up at the agreed time but they should also know that they can phone you at any stage if they need to leave.

Be awake when your children return home or have them wake you. Engage them in conversation for a while.

Encourage them not to take valuables to the party, and, if they do, to hang onto them at all times. Cellphones are often essential and cameras are great fun, so if these are taken along, it’s worth stressing their vulnerability to being lost or stolen.

Keep reminding them never to leave their drink unattended!

Define your rules and make the consequences of breaking them absolutely clear. And be strong in enforcing any consequences you may have listed.

Instil values in your children from young and discuss what happens to people who don’t adhere to them.

It’s your prerogative to tell your teens they can’t go if what you hear about a particular party makes you totally uncomfortable. First make sure that you’re not being unreasonable or unnecessarily paranoid, but at the end of the day, you’re the parent and your word goes.

When you’re the one hosting the party

Make sure you have a large, preferably undercover area where everyone will fit and clearly state the designated areas.

It’s best to allocate which loo you want them to use. Even with the best of intentions, some guests may overindulge, and this may result in throwing up or missing the loo seat, so in the interests of keeping stress levels down, restrict them to where you’d like them to go.

Control the number of guests. Facebook invites are popular but risky as this can result in hundreds of guests (and many strangers) so it’s worth implementing a policy upfront.

Provide something to eat in spite of what your offspring might be telling you.

Provide plenty of soft drinks. Don’t serve alcohol to underage kids, it’s against the law.

Consult your teen on every decision – and, even if you’re directing operations, make them feel that their input counts and that plans are along the lines they’ve envisaged. Some points are non-negotiable, and you need to list those early on in the process.

Agree what your booze policy will be and how you will enforce it. Some parents man the gate and search every arrival, pouring out any unwelcome contents. Others just float around, surreptitiously sussing out whether alcohol is posing a problem, and deal with it if found.

Do not leave the premises during the party – you are responsible for other people's children.

Relax and look forward to the party – and let your teens see your enthusiasm. Many of them will be in a state of anxiety ahead of the event, hoping that it’ll be declared a great success, and cringing in fear of no one coming. De-stress them with your words and actions, and help them to set the scene for an enjoyable evening.

Treasure the chance to host your teens’ friends in your home. Even though you may not get to meet too many individuals in the throng, your teen can feel proud of hosting everyone on his or her home turf, and you get to know more about their friends.

(With kind permission from www.lifetalk.co.za – please look at this website for more information on teen issues).

MATRIC FOCUS

41 TEACHING DAYS

School Holidays

Public

Holidays Matrics writing exams

April May June (2 Days)

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30

July (10 Days) August (19 Days) September (3 Days)

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30

30 31

October (7 Days) November December

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31

2) REMAINING EXAM DAYS UNTIL END OF TERM

JUNE 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

11

14 15 School Holiday 16 Youth Day 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 SCHOOLS CLOSE

27

EXAMS END 9 - Aptitude tests 10 - Community Serv.

10 - Community Serv. 11 - Job Shadow

11 - Job Shadow

3) IMPORTANT NOTICE : GENERAL CALENDAR : 2ND TERM

Mon, 15 June School holiday

Tue, 16 June Youth Day

Sat, 20 June WP Drill Championships

Wed, 24 June Exams End

Thu, 25 June Gr. 9 Aptitude Assessment

Gr. 10 Community Service

Gr. 11 Job Shadow

Fri, 26 June Schools Close

Gr. 10 Community Service

Gr. 11 Job Shadow

Westering Sport Tour leaves

Sat, 27 June U19 Boys’ Soccer Team depart for East London

4) SPORT RESULTS

HOCKEY

Boys Results vs Bishops Girls’ Results vs Pinelands

U14A Won 1 : 0 U14A Won 10 : 0

U14B Won 2 : 1 U14B Lost 0 : 1

U16A Won 2 : 0 U16A Won 4 : 1

U16B Lost 1 : 4 U16B Won 2 : 0

U16C Lost 0 : 5 U16C Won 2 : 0

1st Team Lost 0 : 4 1st Team Won 1 : 0

2nd Team Lost 0 : 4 2nd Team Won 7 : 0

Devon Keys receives his 50th Cap

Devon Keys received his 50th Cap for Fairmont this past weekend against Bishops.

U16B Girls’ vs Pinelands

Well done Girls on your 2-0 Victory against Pinelands. Keep it up!

5) MADCO FUNDRAISER : BARNYARD - ROCK ROYALTY

As part of our annual fundraising initiative in benefit for the Matric Dance, the Matric Dance Committee has been actively selling tickets for a show at the Barnyard Theatre (Willowbridge) entitled ROCK ROYALTY. We would like to encourage you to buy a ticket to this enjoyable performance taking place on Saturday, 1 August 2015. Tickets are sold at R140-00 per ticket. The doors will open at 18h30 and the show will commence at 20h00.

Feel free to pack a picnic basket, and drinks are only to be purchased at the cash bar.

Thank you to all who support us in our efforts to make the Matric Dance of 2015 a truly memorable event.

ROCK ROYALTY

A Tribute to flamboyant Rock Stars

Get ready for an explosion of electric charge as we pay tribute to the flamboyant and outrageous music legends of our time. Rock Royalty will give you a music experience close to the real thing! Watch and hear this 10-piece cast pay tribute to legends: Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Pink, George Michael, Prince, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Madonna, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lenny Kravitz, Whitney Houston, and many more.

So if you are into danger and excitement on stage – put yourself out on a limb and get down to see the awesome new Barnyard Theatre show: Rock Royalty and you will be rocked till eternity!

Book your ticket by Friday, 26 June 2015.

6) JARYD PAYNE (PAST PUPIL) – MISSING AT SEA

The families of Anthony Murray, Reginald Robertson and Jaryd Payne are raising funds http://www.gofundme.com/t2md9s to locate, properly examine for survivors, secure and bring to port the upturned catamaran hull that has been sighted in the Indian Ocean – most recently on 5 June 2015, 552NM SE from Reunion Island.

Experts advise the families that this is almost certainly Moorings A5130, the Leopard catamaran that was on a delivery trip to Phuket from Cape Town when all contact was lost with the crew on 18 January, at the time of Cyclone Bansi.

The families of Anthony, Reg, and Jaryd have been driving the search for their loved ones for over four months, via a Facebook group and a Tomnod campaign, and with the help of official broadcasts to all ships in the area of drift as designated by the maritime authorities of South Africa and Australia.

This campaign is to raise funds to urgently establish if the three yachtsmen are alive in the hull or if the life-raft was deployed. The funds will also be used to properly bring the yacht to shore for investigation and examination by authorities, as well as for any legal costs that arise, for the families out of this traumatic and ongoing incident.

For updates go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1550511385236726/

Reg Robertson, Anthony Murray and Jaryd Payne’s arrival in Thailand is long overdue. The trio set sail to deliver a catamaran in Thailand and their expected date of arrival was 2

February 2015.

Reg Robertson (59) Anthony Murray (58) Jaryd Payne (20)

7) LIBRARIAN’S CHOICE

THE LAST ROAD TRIP

by GARETH CROCKER

Following the death of a man they barely knew, five friends decide

to make the most of what’s left of their lives. Abandoning the

humdrum routine at their retirement estate, they embark on a

thousand-mile road trip that takes them from the furthest corner of

the Kruger Park to the blazing stars of Sutherland for the biggest

adventure of their lives and one last hurrah together. Along the way,

they rediscover things about themselves that they thought had long

since been lost. Above all, they discover that it’s never too late to start

living.

8) WELL DONE

23rd World Scout Jamboree - Japan 2015

Fairmont is very proud to announce that 7 of our pupils will be attending the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan, from Tuesday, 28 July – Saturday, 8 August 2015.

The Scout Association of Japan (SAJ) has started a new project that is to build new friendships for Scouts through Scouting: “Welcome The World” Project (WTW), that ties up Scouts from all countries with the local Scout groups in Japan.

The 7 learners are:

Michael Middleton (Gr. 12)

Matthew Venter (Gr. 11)

Stephen Cochrane (Gr. 10)

Celine Gravenor (Gr. 10)

Dylan Cloete (Gr. 9)

Daniel Marais (Gr. 8)

Enrico Fernandes (Gr. 8)

Devon Gdanis (Gr. 9)

Devon (a Grade 9 pupil at Fairmont High School) is pictured here with his younger brother, Liam (a Gr. 7 pupil at Durbanville Primary joining the Monty family in 2016), and their father, Peter Gdanis.

All three family members received their Western Province colours for South African JKA KARATE on 25 April 2015.

Devon competed in the U15 age group and received a Gold & Silver Medal. Liam participated in the U14 age group, finishing with a Silver and Bronze medal.

The three members also participated in the South African Championships in Johannesburg from 4 - 6 June 2015. At the championships, Devon was placed second in the U15 age group and received two silver medals; Liam achieved fifth place overall for U13; and Peter was placed in the Top Twenty in the Veterans’ Division.

Congratulations to this very talented family.

Keenan Opperman and Braydon Smits (Gr. 9)

Keenan and Braydon have been selected for the U15 Western Province Cricket Winter Squad to participate in the Winter training programme for 2015.

Well done on your inclusion in the Winter training school, and we wish you well with the team selection later in the year.

9) PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

We wish our families a happy long weekend, and encourage our pupils to make every effort with their studies.

Yours sincerely

Mr R Dingley PRINCIPAL

Disclaimer: Fairmont High School does not necessarily endorse the products/services advertised in this circular.