Vocal Tenacity @ Watercrest 1st Birthday
Vocal Tenacity performing at Watercrest Mall 1
st birthday
The Horse's Mouth
Thomas More College
News from the Horse's Mouth
 25 April 2016
Newsletter 13
Letter from the Editor

Please find the Scripture for the week here.

 

    Some points of particular interest in the expanded sections below include:
  • Shane Cuthbertson - sends out a plea to parents to help with Golf Day prizes - 5 school days left until the event! (NB no school this Thursday 28th & Friday 29th April).
  • Dave Wiggett - thanks the various bodies, parents, staff and pupils for coming out in support of their children, pupils and peers at the sport held at TMC this past weekend.
  • Barbara Taljard - reminds us that with the busyness of the school term, to remember to nurture your relationships with family, children and colleagues. 

 Golf Day - 6 May - please contact Rae Griesel if you are able to sponsor/donate prizes, please drop them at front Reception.

Editor Picture

Have a great week,
Kim Hooper
Marketing Manager

Dear Family

I am addressing this email to you as our family because according to a definition I found - family means – a group of people who are related to each other. At Thomas More we are all related to the same school and during this time we have all felt a deep relationship with Blake.

Each and every one of you as a member of our family have pulled together during this very tragic time to support us. The support has helped us to keep going, get up in the mornings and to continue to live a life that Blake would have wanted us to. Blake was passionate about his family as we heard at his memorial service – and this is extended to the Thomas More family. He loved his Thomas More home where he felt safe and loved.

We would like to thank you all for prayers, love, kindness and encouragement that we have received. We also want to thank you for the practical things that have helped us to deal with Blake not coming home to all of us. The food, the flowers, the plants and kind monetary contributions towards us developing a special place in our garden so we can talk to him. The help at the memorial service – the time and effort that was given to putting together this amazing tribute.

Antony, Rachel and I are truly blessed to be part of this family and thank each and every one of you for being there for us and for Blake.

Debbie, Antony & Rachel Kerdachi

 

Golf Day

The Thomas More Education Trust

The Thomas More Education Trust is an initiative of Thomas More College and works in partnership with the College. The Trust is registered separately as a non-profit (NPO) and public benefit organisation (PBO) and runs independently of Thomas More College. The Thomas More Education Trust has already seen a number of pupils through Thomas More College and on to tertiary education, as well as a number of teacher interns and assistants.

 

The objectives of the trust are: 

  • Funding of primary, secondary and/or tertiary education of previously disadvantaged South Africans;

  • Funding of South African teacher internships;

  • Creating a financial conduit through which current pupils of Thomas More College may demonstrate their social responsibility and participate in the general educational upliftment of previously disadvantaged South African communities;

  • Providing short-term financial assistance to deserving pupils of Thomas More College.

 

The Thomas More Education Trust offers donors an opportunity to become involved in the upliftment of previously disadvantaged individuals and communities. Donations primarily provide education to previously disadvantaged South African children, but also support Black teacher interns and, in certain selected cases, provide short term financial assistance to existing pupils. The trust is a well-managed, controlled and audited conduit for investment in the future of South Africa through the education of our children.

 

An investment, made by donors to the Trust, entitles businesses to:

  • A tax deduction;

  • BBBEE points in the Socio-Economic Development category.

 

Should you wish to support pupils or teacher interns in need, please contact Claudia Levarelli, the Thomas More Education Trust secretary, on (031) 764 8646 or clevarelli@thomasmore.co.za who will furnish you with all necessary info.

 

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Whole School Events Calendar
 

Scripture for the week

ScriptureJesus said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Last Monday I woke up feeling quite down and as I was sitting outside having a cup of coffee in the darkness (it was 5am) I felt the Lord ‘dropped’ something into my head which cheered me up no end. The previous Saturday it was my youngest daughters 7th birthday and we had around 24 kids at our place and the theme was the Olympics and we had games for them to play, one being bobbing for apples, where you try to grab an apple with your teeth from a bowl of water. Anyway one little girl was battling away and I asked her are you alright and she replied “Mr Easson I’ve got no front teeth!!!” One forgets what seven year olds are going through - losing your milk teeth being one of them.

Looking at children and the amazing capacity they have for life, their energy, their ability to make you laugh, explode with anger, make heart stopping decisions etc. But most of all it is their simple trust in you. Which I believe is what Jesus is saying to us in this passage. Just as a child trusts its parents, we need to trust God. We need to have this faith that a child has but also the hope they fill us with but most of all is the love they produce within us.

Shalom (peace)
God bless
Rev. Martin Easson
Chaplain
measson@thomasmore.co.za

Whole School News

The new long weekend ahead of us has left the organisers of the Thomas More College Golf Day in a tight spot. We are running out of time and only have five school days before the event. All “4-Balls” have been taken, but we are still desperately in need of prizes. Sets of 4 items, however small, will be most welcome. Even small items can be put together to make up hampers. Prizes could include anything from bottles of wine, “six packs”, caps and T shirts, to cooler boxes, placemats, coasters and electronic items. The Golf Day is a Parents' Council initiative to raise funds for facilities at the school. Cultural activities have gone from strength to strength in recent years. The Parents' Council hope to contribute to considerable expansions to the Music School, with alterations to a flat to provide five additional rooms as well as the roofing over of the Music School Courtyard. This can only be possible with your help and at this stage we strongly appeal for donations for the Golf Day prizes.

I trust that the extended long weekend has been well received by most. I do know that while most people are delighted, there will be some inconvenience, but I trust that in the light of the extremely emotional events earlier in the term, the reasons make sense to all.

 Shane

Shane Cuthbertson
Executive Principal
scuthbertson@thomasmore.co.za

High School News

What a wonderful weekend of sport, support and activity we enjoyed hosting Felixton and Maris Stella this past weekend. I also enjoyed the dynamic created by hosting Primary School sports fixtures simultaneously.

The mix of past pupils, parents, non-playing pupils and staff hovering around the fields and courts provided for a joyous celebration of sporting endeavour. I must laud all participants for their outstanding ambassadorship for their respective schools too.

I particularly want to thank the scores of Thomas More pupils who came to support their friends on both Friday and Saturday. A real sense of family is engendered through such support which ripples out into spheres such as mutual respect and servant leadership; this is the antithesis of a “centre-of-the-universe” mentality which frustrates me so. When young folk demonstrate such positive behaviours of their own accord, it generates within me immense pride and hope.

I know you all join me in thanking the entire grounds and support staff teams for their valuable service in rendering the weekend a slick one.

I wish the TMC family a wonderful “long weekend”. May you have the opportunity to do (and enjoy) things that really make you happy. If you are travelling, please do so safely.  

 

David Wiggett
High School Headmaster
dwiggett@thomasmore.co.za

Primary School News

I am delighted at how many of our pupils have got through to further rounds in their sport trials and congratulate those who have already been selected. Well done to the children concerned as well as to their sports coaches.

Our SP pupils were privileged to have Ted Brien (Taya’s grandfather and a past teacher at TMC) and Sandy Carroll visit us to explain the workings of the recorder and to demonstrate the different kinds of recorders and their sounds. We were also entertained to two compositions with our own Mrs Mordecai Jones joining the two aforementioned in a recorder trio. I am sure this inspired many of our pupils to see just where the recorder could take them to…..!

We congratulate Saien Moodley who once again has been selected to represent South Africa for IMAS Maths- this time in Thailand, from 12- 20 August. We are very proud of him and his teachers who have obviously played a role in assisting him to achieve this goal.

Please take note of the worthwhile, (although pricey) parenting courses being offered at St Mary’s (details on the communicator).

With a new and very busy term, including sport matches, cultural practices and performances and exams for our Grade 7s, not to speak of tours, it is not unnatural to feel under pressure, whether at work, or as a teacher or pupil. These are all commitments that loom large for us yet, despite this, we must never forget the most important thing in our lives - our relationships - with our children, spouses/partners and work colleagues. Life would be totally meaningless without them.

Relationships are the real reason we get up every morning - to connect with each other; to discover more about who we are, through them; to serve one another, and to pull in the same direction to achieve goals if you are part of a team, which includes both family and school life, in all its facets.

'Connection' and 'togetherness' are very powerful concepts. They are two fundamental drivers of human nature that bind us. They are what we yearn for, no matter who we are. We all want to be on the inside. We want to be 'seen', for people who are important to us to give us their attention - or enough of it to make us feel like we count.

Connecting effectively on the run requires that you learn how to be really present when you are with someone. It's a skill you can acquire and hone, and one that will serve you well in your personal and professional life. Ask yourself, "How do I make people feel when I connect with them?" If you are able to make them feel like they are the only person in the room for a few minutes, you have hit the spot. If they feel invisible in your company then you have failed dismally. In my hectic life, as no doubt in yours, I sometimes feel I am inadequate in those areas that matter most.

Both at work and at home we must learn the art of connecting on the run - making use of the time we do have rather than saying 'when I have enough time I will...'.Relationships need feeding with multiple moments of connection which can be done through a variety of touch points, from face-to-face to SMS, email and even Skype. The trick is to learn how to be present whether you have 10 minutes with someone or two hours of uninterrupted quality time. Take a good look at your connection and togetherness barometers if you want to create relationships of depth and quality that will sustain you and those you value and love - especially when the pace is hectic!. And, when you really pay attention to people, it's like giving them a good sprinkling of water and fertiliser. Try it with your colleagues, try it with your partner and, most especially, try it with your children. Their response to your ability to effectively connect on the run, filling their emotional cup, is usually immediate and so gratifying.

Wishing you just such quality time over the gift of this long weekend coming up! All the best!
 

Barbara Taljard
Primary School: Headmistress
btaljard@thomasmore.co.za

Academic Achievements

 IMAS

Congratulations to Saien Moodley who has been selected to go through to the IMAS Maths Competition in Thailand.  Well done to all those who tried hard in the second round.

 

Weekly Achievers

1B

Raquel Cairns - for writing interesting rhyming sentences this week.  Well done.

1K

Kate Lang - for trying so hard with her rhyming words and sentence writing this week.  I am proud of you.

1P

Phoebe Bothma - for her positive attitude and warm-hearted nature.

2D

Gabi Bettencourt - for her lovely reading expression and kind manners in the classroom.

2J

Keira Browning - for her cheerful disposition and desire to give of her best in all she does.  Keep it up.

2R

Danielle de Moor - for working so hard on all aspects of her school day.

3B

Grace Brien - for her gentleness and kindness and for her ongoing willingness to serve others.

3P

Charlotte Howat - for her bubbly, contagious, fun loving attitude to her day and always working to the best of her ability.

3R

Emily Morgan - for being so caring and helpful and for always working hard.

4dP

Tyra-Jayde Coetzer - for her diligent approach to her school work and for always giving of her best.

4M

Jake du Buisson - for his positive approach to his school day and for working hard in all subjects.

4F

Lucy Lee - for her enthusiasm and total commitment.

5vL

Alex Lütz - for her cheerful nature, willingness to help and for her positive, diligent approach to her school work.

5P

Torin Wright - for improved organisation and participation more in lessons.

5L

Darian Maclean - for her friendly nature and her enthusiastic approach to her school day.

6B

Julia van Tonder - for her positive attitude and consistent hard work.

6M

Jocelyn McAllister - for her cheerful and helpful nature.

6H

Kade Higgitt - for being selected to go to PADSSA Rugby trials and for greater effort in the classroom.

7M

Mitchell Barrett - for his positive approach to all he does and for being so organised.

7S

Minenhle Dlamini - for her friendly smile and kind nature.

7C

Anna Ahlschlager - for her excellent manners and positive attitude towards school.

Cultural/Outreach

None to announce this week.

 

Sporting Achievements

SP Rugby vs Hillcrest

U10A vs 10A - lost 0 - 15

U10B vs 10B - lost 0 - 35

U11A vs 11A - lost 0 - 21

2nds vs 2nds - lost 5 - 65

 

SP Rugby vs Felixton

U11A vs U11A - won 35 - 0

U13A vs U13A - lost 20 - 0

 

SP KZN Soccer

Congratulations to Hayden Brimelow on being selected for the KZN U13 Soccer team.

 

HS Boys’ Tennis

TMC 1st Team 7 CLL 1st Team 29

 

HS Girls’ Hockey

TMC U14B 1 St. Mary’s U14B 0

TMC U14A 0 St. Mary’s U14A 4

TMC U16B 0 St. Mary’s U16B 1

TMC U16A 4 St. Mary’s U16A 0

TMC 2nds 0 St. Mary’s 2nds 1

TMC 1st Team 0 St. Mary’s 1st Team 6

TMC U14A 1 Felixton U14A 0

TMC 1st Team 2 Felixton 1st Team 0

TMC U14A 1 Maris Stella U14A 0

TMC U16A 3 Maris Stella U16A 0

TMC 2nds 2 Maris Stella 2nds 0

TMC 1st Team 4 Maris Stella 1st Team 4

 

HS Boys’ Hockey

TMC U16B 0 Port Shepstone U16A 1

TMC 2nds 2 Port Shepstone 1st 5

TMC U14A 2 Felixton U14A 0

TMC U16A 3 Felixton U16A 0

TMC 1st Team 1 Felixton 1st Team 0

 

HS Netball

TMC U14B 1 WGHS U14B 8

TMC U14A 13 WGHS U14A 5

TMC U15B 14 WGHS U15B 0

TMC U15A 19 WGHS U15A 8

TMC U16A 6 WGHS U16A 15

TMC 2nds 24 WGHS 2nds 2

TMC 1st Team 15 WGHS 1st Team 21

 

HS Rugby

TMC U14A 26 Hillcrest U14A 19

TMC U15A 31 Hillcrest U15A 32

TMC 2nds 35 Hillcrest 2nds 24

TMC 1st Team 24 Hillcrest 1st Team 25

TMC U14A 48 Felixton U14A 12

TMC U16A 60 Felixton U16A 0

TMC 1st Team 17 Felixton 1st Team 5

 

KZN Schools' Waterpolo Training Squads

Well done to the following girls on being selected as part of the KZN Schools' Waterpolo Training squad:

U13:

Amy Ahlschlager

Ashleigh Heenan

Chelsea Layden

Jordyn Cheary

Minenhla Dlamini

Tyla Christie

U14:

Dale Harper

U15:

Charmonè Roberts

Jenna Blofield

Claire Vosters

Rachel Banfield

U16:

Estrelita Kotzé

Kimberly Lerwick

Michelle Matthew

U19:

Caitlin-Rose Torry

Hannah Banfield

Jenna Sykes

Ashley Harper

Anneke Steyn

 

BMX

Well done to Levi Smith on placing 1st in the U6 Experts Class at Giba Gorge (Club points) race this weekend.  Levi races with the U8 Experts and was hot on the heals of boys who are 2 years his senior. 

 

SP PADSSA Hockey

Congratulations to the following children who have been selected for the PADSSA Hockey Teams:

Jorja Robertson

Buhlali Mhlanzi

Tré Imani Motsohae

Nathan Riddle

Ilé Bothma

Mini Dlamini

Stephanie Tshuma

Hayden Brimelow

Michael Sim

 

SP Upper Highway Netball

Congratulations to Electra Balidis and Minenhle Dlamini for making the Upper Highway Netball team.  We wish you both good luck for 28 April where you take part in the next round.

 

SP Netball vs Gelofte

U10A lost 5 – 2

U10B drew 2 -2

U13B won 9 – 4

U11 A lost 11-1

U11B lost 3-1

U12 A lost 4-8

U12B lost 11-3

U13 A lost 8-12

U13B won

 

SP Netball vs St Henry’s

U10A won 3-0

U11A won 8-1

U12A won 9-2

1st Team won 20- 5

 

SP Netball vs Felixton

U11 B vs Felixton A won 3-1

U11C vs Felixton A lost 4-1

U13B vs Felixton A drew 5-5

U13C vs Felixton A lost 9-1

 

SP Cross Country

Tyla Christie 4th

Brad Ballack 3rd

Ethan McCormick 4th

Dayna Deeble 1st

Well done to everyone who took part at the event.