1THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

P R I N C I PA L’ S N E W S L E T T E R L E G E N D S E D I T I O N O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

Education for LifeWhat a statement and what a responsibility! Educating boys for life means identifying those aspects we can influence that will serve as a foundation for their learning to prepare them to operate with confidence in a world where the only constant is constant change.

CHRISTIAN VALUES – we believe that there are some absolutes in life and that Biblical principles give boys a moral compass necessary for good decision making throughout life.

A GLOBAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE – by offering the Cambridge curriculum – designed by the number-one ranked university in the world – we are able to place boys in a competitive space with millions of others across the globe. The same Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, etc. which is taught and examined in Singapore, for instance, is taught in the classrooms of St Charles College. Our boys have opportunity to challenge themselves against the highest international standards.

SINGAPORE MATHEMATICS – Why Singapore? In the most recent World Economic Forum release, South African schools’ Mathematics and Science were ranked 143 out of 144. Singapore

LIVING WORDS

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways

acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6

is ranked number 1. South Africa has therefore much to learn from a country like Singapore whose economy is now benefiting from its prioritisation of Mathematics and Science; they recognise the importance of enabling students to get into higher education – and out of it at the other end as competent graduates. Not only are our boys following exactly the same syllabus as their peers in Singapore, but we have strengthened the foundation in our Preparatory School as well with the Singapore Mathematics programme up to Grade 3. The positive feedback means we will be extending this foundation in the years ahead.

LEVELS OF PRESSURE – We hear from outside sources that we work our boys too hard. In response we reply that there is nothing wrong with hard work. There is no use in pretending that the world is not a place of pressure. We need to prepare boys to succeed by teaching them how to handle pressure that is equivalent to the real world expectations they will meet. We do not believe that the children in South Africa are less intelligent or incapable, and our hope for them is that they will be well equipped to hold their own on the global economic stage. At the very least, this is the core of an Education for Life. Mr Allen van Blerk • Principal

St Charles College Top-10 Cambridge results – 2012Back: Vivek Bhagwan, Graeme Hammond, Sean Anderson, Frank Küsel, Pranava Naidoo, Liam Carey and Nicholas Twycross;

Front: Menyotaoghene Mowoe, Daniel Van Breda and David Mashoko.New records were set in Mathematics (17 distinctions), Chemistry (10 distinctions) and Physics (10 distinctions) when the A-Levels boys of 2012

received their examination results from the University of Cambridge mid-August. Top student, Frank Küsel, achieved an incredible six distinctions and an inspiring average of 90.8%. Sean Anderson scored 100% for Mathematics.

2 THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

SCC Ad 2139 b .5p Maritzburg Sun CTP FP.indd 1 2012/10/16 3:23 PM

Varsity College partnerswith the University of the Free State

“For someone who is looking to

spread their wings in a totally new

environment, Varsity College is a place

that will help you fly. There is a Career

Centre where you can find part-time

work or there is always a chance to

take part in the sport and even help

the local community through VC

cares.”

Vincent Potgieter • Head Boy, 2011

Varsity College has expanded its partnerships in Higher Education to offer

degrees through the University of the Free State.

3THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

That’s one small step for Scrummies and two giant leaps for St Charles College . . .

Twenty years on and the new entrance gates have finally arrived – sometimes you just have to be patient.

SPACE TO THINK, SPACE TO GROW AND SPACE TO LEARN in the new Pre-Primary facility which opened in January. Only

a few small steps from the previous Scrummies venue to the new, but the move symbolises much of what happens in both the

Pre-Primary and throughout St Charles College – space for boys to give full expression to their potential and abilities.

“One step at a time, we were told when we were small and very bold.

But O how hard our fear to hide when our steps were small and the spaces so wide.”

4 THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

9 October 2012 Sir,I’m unable to remain silent any longer. I wish to report to you the behaviour of one of your pupils, namely, Devon Hesse. This incident occurred on Sunday 7 October at the Kasane Airport in Botswana.

I was returning from a fishing trip on the Zambezi river with the above Devon, his younger brother, his father and Mr Cameron McKenzie from the Park Lane Spar, who also had his son with him. As we disembarked from shuttle-bus, which had delivered us to the Kasane Airport, an elderly gentleman who was travelling with us collapsed in a heap in the parking lot in the intense heat, at split open the back of his head.

The rest of our party including the driver of the said shuttle-bus and the Air Botswana staff could not find it within themselves to assist this gentleman in his unhappy circumstance. I did my best to comfort the elderly gentleman who was semi-conscious and looked up to find young Devon Hesse on his knees asking how he could be of help. Devon followed every instruction I gave him regarding the help required by the elderly man, and I wish to commend him for showing empathy, concern, a willingness to assist, the determination in securing the paper towels to staunch the bleeding, and the carrying of the elderly man to the comfort of a bench outside the airport building. He showed great determination in securing a wheelchair which was necessary to help the injured man onto the plane despite the thoroughly uncooperative attitude of the Air Botswana staff.

It was a joy and a relief to find someone this young demonstrating the commitment and leadership necessary in this emergency. We are so often disappointed with the behaviour of the youth, however, in this circumstance, I have nothing but admiration for this young man. I believe this is a very good reflection on his up-bringing and the environment in which he has been educated. Well done!

The happy outcome was the fact that the elderly gentleman was able to make the flight and return home to his family.

Yours sincerelyMark Bird

Legends in the making . . .

THE YEAR 2012 SAW THE ST CHARLES BOYS at St Alban’s, Pretoria, for

our annual rugby fixture. A tough and competitive game was expected and

the boys knew that they had to be at their best to overcome what was always

game opposition. The 3rd XV were due to play at 08:30 and it was amongst

plumes of vaporising breath that we began our warm up. Cheers from the

main field signified the 4th team’s narrow 6-3 victory over their opponents

and the scene was set for the 3rd team’s match.

The next 50 minutes bore witness to pitched battle of seesawing fortunes.

By the time the last move of the game was called, St Charles found

themselves 10-15 down but inside the opposition 22 with possession. Against

specific coach’s orders, and to his horror, Chris Jones, at fly half, stabbed

a kick through the St Alban’s backline defence. Luis Buque, clearly privy to

a somewhat risky plan, steamed down the right-hand touchline, collected

the ball and dived over the line to score the equaliser. The draw had been

secured and no one at this point expected anything more. The scene was set,

however, for the creation of a legend. Taking the ball to the point where the

10m line intersects with the touchline, Matthew Dukes calmly set his place

kick and began his pre-kick routine. I had convinced myself that the draw

was enough, that no one could manage a 45m kick from such an acute angle

and under so much pressure. These thoughts, it seemed, did not extend to

Matthew. With calm assuredness Matthew put boot to ball and, from the

minute it left his foot there was no doubt that he would bisect the uprights.

And so, victory! And so, a legend! There are few sporting moments that have

the ability to stay with one forever, and if we get to experience such an event,

we are truly favoured. Yet, if we get to coach a moment such as that 3rd team

victory over St Alban’s, we are reminded that there is nothing greater in this

life than the euphoria of shared success. At the final whistle there were not

fifteen boys on that field; there was just one team and one School.

Jonathan Beaumont • Coach.

Devon Hesse

Amazing kick from Matthew Dukes

First XI hockeySt Charles College 2 – 2 Maritzburg College

Lizwi Duma was recently called up to participate in the U20 basketball squad

which will participate in the Zone 6 games in Zambia. Lizwi captained the first

team in 2012.

Basketball Hockey

St Charles College Tennis teams dominated

the Midlands Leagues coming top in the

U19A and B sections. The U15 teams came

2nd in the A Section and first in the B Section.

Tennis triumphant

SCC hero in Botswana

5THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

Legends in the making . . .

TWO FIRST XI CRICKETERS achieved monumental feats.

Losing the toss at Grey College’s cricket festival in Bloemfontein,

on a searingly hot day during our bi-annual trek to the Free State

capital in January this year, and being asked to bowl first against

Woodridge was not quite what our boys were hoping for – but all

turned out well thanks to a master class of fast bowling from skipper

Matthew Ford. They say that five wickets is worth a century in

batting terms but skipper Ford, battling injury, ran in with incredible

courage to bowl seven of the hapless Woodridge batsman. Taking

seven wickets is a remarkable feat but to achieve this on a batter-

friendly pitch in the searing heat is pretty special, topped by bowling

all seven makes it fairly unique as well.

The Independent Schools’ Festival at St Alban’s produces some

very good cricket but none more so than opening batsman, Dean

Sublime cricketing performance by senior boys

Matthew Ford Dean Robinson

Robinson’s, efforts for the Saints. The opening match is a two-day,

double-innings affair. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first was

a good start for St Charles. After a very tentative first over opener

Dean Robinson entered a journey of self-discovery as he proceeded

to stay on the field for every ball of the next 250 odd overs which

were bowled. His first over gave no indication of a unique and very

rare occurrence about to happen as Dean piled on the runs over

after over reaching 132 not out when St Charles finally declared

their first innings closed. Fielding the entire St Alban’s knock was

a pretty tiring affair and their innings closed after 80 overs. Dean

then donned his batting kit to open the second innings and there

he stayed until the end of the game finishing on 136-not-out for a

match aggregate on 268 not out. One must agree that this amazing

effort needs to be recorded in the folklore of St Charles College

cricket. Dave Karlsen • Head Coach

THE PREP FIRST XI CRICKET TEAM enjoyed a remarkable first

term locally and also on tour to the Eastern Cape. Some fantastic

batting performances contributed to strong team performances.

Cameron Brown made good use of his experience gained at the

National U13 Week in December to notch up 524 first-term runs, his

best efforts being 129* against Merchiston and 127* against WHPS

from Pretoria.

Top 10 Prep Batting Performances of 2012 so far…

Cameron Brown 129* 1st XI Merchiston

Cameron Brown 127* 1st XI WHPS

Jason Login 100* U11A Clifton NR

Cameron Brown 90 1st XI Thomas More

Jason Login 72* U11A Highbury

Sizwe Majola 70* 5th XI Clifton NR

Cameron Brown 69 1st XI Clifton Durban

Jason Login 67* U11A Cordwalles

Nathan van Blerk 65 U12A Egerton 1st XI

Romano Green 65 4th XI Virginia

Superb rugby season for the Preparatory School

WATER DOES NOT BOIL AT 99˚C. It boils at 100˚C. The difference

is small but the change is significant. The Prep first XV rugby

mirrored this theme by making small changes and experienced a

significant change in fortunes during the 2012 rugby season. It was

a season highlighted with first-time wins against Cordwalles, Pelham

and Clifton Nottingham Road. The team added Johannesburg’s St

Stithian’s and The Ridge to their list of scalps as well as most other

local opposition.

We were proud to have Prep speedster, Chris Hope-Johnstone,

included in the Craven Week KwaZulu-Natal U13 team in

Bloemfontein. Rowan Irons • Head of Prep Sport

Preparatory School excels

The Preparatory School is proud to have seven provincial “A” team representatives. Abhik Sewsunker, Liam Levin and Guy Morgan are in the Inland U12A team and Nivaal Rahim, Liam Green, Bradley Sherwood and Nikhil Gopal will represent the Inland U13A team.

Seven Provincial representatives

Preparatory School cricket

6 THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

Tradition

FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, the Matric

class has indicated that their top request

for improvement to the College was for

new entrance gates. For the uninitiated,

this process has taken almost 20 years

because of a dispute over a small patch

of tarred road in the middle of the

intersection which, until recently, did

not belong to us. So it was really fitting

that on 26 July 2012, we celebrated the

College’s 137th anniversary of Founder’s

Day with a new tradition – the Founder’s

Day Dash. Prompted by the Cambridge

Dash, featured in Chariots of Fire, the

Dash gives boys the chance to have their

name recorded for posterity as the one

who completed the race fastest.

The Matric group of 2012 has donated

a drinking fountain to commemorate the

start of this new tradition, and each year’s

winner with his time will be recorded on

brass panels on the side of the fountain.

The race is from the new gates

around the first traffic circle and back

(approximately 540m). This year’s

inaugural winning time was set in a close

finish by Mason O’Connor stopping the

clock at 1:16.97.

Founder’s Day Dash

Mason O’Connor leads Blake Mingay in the Founder’s Day Dash

A research initiative started in 2011 by the House Heads has finally led us to the point where not only has the fourth House of St Charles College, O’Meara (green), being reinstated after a 20 year absence, but banners bearing the crests of each House were also finalised and are

now hanging in the new library. The other Houses are Conway (red), Delalle (yellow) and Smith (blue).

THE WARCRY LEADER’S BLAZER – St

Charles College has 137 years of interesting

history. We went back in time to acknowledge

the fact that we were once a Marist Brothers

school and although we have been a non-

denominational Christian College since 1979,

we still maintain sporting ties with several of

the Saints schools. The responsibility of the

boy to whom the blazer is awarded each year

is to lead the College into “battle” against

the opposition on match days.

Warcry leader, Mbolela Nyosi, ready for battle

The four proud Houses of St Charles College

7THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

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Talented musician, Shane Peel, performing at the Annual St Charles College Talent Show, obtained 93% for AS Level Art and Design

IN THE JULY VACATION the first team football played in the KwaZulu-

Natal Inter-Schools’ Festival. Of the 8 matches that we played we won

5, lost 2 and drew 1. Notwithstanding the importance of winning,

the highlight of the Festival was that the St Charles College team was

awarded the trophy for fair play and best sportsmanship. The leaders

of the team, David Krone and Junaid Camp, received this trophy on

behalf of the team. In an era when the fundamental values on which

professional sport were founded are being undermined it was pleasing

to see the young men of our College remain true to the values we

aspire to, and to represent their School with honour and distinction.

Wayne Naidoo – First XI football coach

Fair Play Trophy for football

James Rae scoops a double English

Cambridge Brilliance Award.

First in both AS Level English Language and AS Level Literature in English,

James is the firstSt Charles College boy to earn two First-in-South-

Africa Awards.

OLD BOY, EDWIN BATH (2007), WRITES:

‘Close on five years have passed since the days of frequenting a

once gateless entrance to St Charles College. Much has changed

since the Class of 2007 ruled the College – a new Matric boarders’

block, a new gym, new locker-rooms, and not to mention a much

shorter migration to English and Art with newly added high school

classrooms allowing “Gardens” to be converted to the much

needed new Scrummies component for the College. As St Charles

College has progressed from strength to strength so too have many

of its Old Boys: here, briefly, are the movements and achievements

of the Class of 2007.

The College can be extremely proud of its Class of 2007. Of the

66 Saints who left the College in 2007, 57 have gone onto acquire

tertiary education qualifications and soon South Africa will have:

• 4 Doctors (Ahmed Jooma, Marc Smit Dux, Rushil Nundlall

and Charles Ojur)

• 5 LLB Graduates (Gareth Mauck with Masters, Chris Hart

with BCom, Andrew Pattinson with BCom, Bruce Hughes,

James Farina)

• 3Engineers (Oliver Aardnesgaard – Civil, Claudio Buque –

Electrical, Brett Moolenschot – Mechanical)

• 1Actuary (Craig Fowler)

• 44otherqualifiedgraduates.

Clearly a number of 2007 Saints’ Old Boys are ready to take their

position amongst South Africa’s leaders of tomorrow, and I believe

we can all proudly say that St Charles College had a large part in

nurturing our individual potentials, preparing us and placing us at

the forefront of our bright futures.’

Edwin Macrae Bath • Matric 2007

Five years on . . .

AN EXCITING NEW PLATFORM will soon be launched for you as

parents and associates, past and present, to stay connected with

the St Charles College community . As a Friend of the College or

as one of our valued Old Boys, we trust that you are committed to

supporting excellence and making a difference - not only to the

College and our city, but to South Africa as a whole. Together we

will work hard to enable boys who would not ordinarily have access

to a global learning experience in an independent School, to come

to St Charles College.

Those who support our values and the delivery of education

to South African children that meets the highest International

standards are already Friends of the College. If you would like to

be involved and know that you can make a difference, contact us

and let us know what you are thinking and we will see that you are

included in future initiatives.

Junaid Camp and David Krone

Grade 8 Biology project models were on display at the College. Their educational

value does not stop there – as they are then donated to needy schools with which St

Charles College has a mentoring relationship.

8 THE Saint LEGENDS EDITION • October 2012

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Jolivet Legacy Award layout CTP 2012 09 11.indd 1 2012/10/16 3:51 PM

St Charles College, Harwin Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaPrivate Bag X07, Scottsville, 3209 South Africa

Telephone: +27 (0)33 386 8235 | Facsimile: +27 (0)33 386 1702eMail: scc@scc.co.za | Web site: www.scc.co.za

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