"If the world hates you, you should realise that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you do not belong to the world and I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word that I spoke to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you’. John 15:18-20

Every year independent school Chaplains meet to pray, discuss current issues of the day concerning schools and have fellowship together. It is a privilege to meet together as there are only approx. 60 of us in the country but all the top schools have at least one. Often we feel a bit out there on a limb, like a missionary out in the field. What I find amazing is, year after year, we are all once again in the same boat. We all seem to be facing the same concerns and worries about current issues facing schools countrywide.

When we gather together for prayer and ministry we realise that we are servants of the most High God who loves, sustains and protects us and the schools we serve. And that for me carries such a huge blessing upon my life and hopefully yours. For our schools were founded by Christian men and women, often over a century ago and they would be amazed how much our schools have prospered and grown, but here lies the rub that Jesus was the central reason why these schools came into existence and are still here today. With the world forever pressing in with new philosophies of life the Christian message of these schools is often the first thing under threat. But then again Jesus reminds us that because we serve Him we will face difficult times but He tells us not to worry for He has overcome the world. So take heart, God has a plan for you and I He’s not worried, neither should we.

The Country Fair was once again a magnificent event. After one of the wettest weeks in years , the months of planning were rewarded and we were blessed with a gorgeous day on Saturday. This event requires a huge commitment from parents, staff and pupils and totally demonstrated the unity and dedication of the Thomas More community. Although it is a big fund raiser, this is also our biggest marketing event and we certainly showed what Thomas More College can do. I am immensely grateful to all those who made this possible. We owe a big "Thank You" to our Counry Fair Committee Chairman Chris Holton and Parents' Council Secretary Rae Griesel (who is the driving force) and the talented planning team who began their meetings last year. You did us proud!

Esor Construction informed me on Saturday that Pioneer Road should be tarred this week. There was however quite a bit of rain last night so hopefully this does not cause too much delay.

The next ten days will be disrupted by Election Day and two school holidays. We have only been back to school for two weeks and it is essential that we maintain focus. This is an important academic term particularly for the matrics. Events like Country Fair are certainly a lot of fun but we must get back to routine and hard work. 

 

“Relationships are the glue that holds team members together.” (John Maxwell)

Our Country Fair’s compelling success is as a result of the multitude of excellent relationships that abound in our Thomas More family. I have never before witnessed a school fair on such a grand scale before. Not only is the spectacle of the day impressive, but the slick, seamless manner in which it runs speaks volumes of the incredible planning, logistical detail and complete selflessness and commitment of those involved in its organisation.

It is what I call a total-family effort. Guided and spearheaded by our Parents’ Council, the success of the day depends on us all – parents, staff, pupils and friends of Thomas More College. Such willingness by so many to add value to the day can only come from a place of love and belonging. And so, 7 months into my tenure at TMC, my initial impression of this place holds firm: a welcoming place which values the significance of the individual. It is a space in which the individual is encouraged to grow. It is a place which engenders trust-based relationships. And when these relationships are punctuated by goodliness and Godliness, mountains can be moved.

I want to thank every member of the Thomas More family who, irrespective of the nature of responsibility they carried for Saturday’s success, played their part. I felt an overwhelming pride (yet again!) and gratitude for being counted in our number.

I want to congratulate a few of our kiddies on some recent achievements:

Jemma Daniel participated in the KZN Dressage Championships this weekend. She won the Jnr Novice Freestyle category, the Jnr Novice Championship section and was awarded the Novice Victor Ludorum. Well done, Jemma!

Faran Steenkamp was placed in the top 100 in the Junior Maths Olympiad. As such, he participated in the 3^rd Round last Wednesday. We eagerly await his final placing. This is an outstanding achievement. We are very proud of you indeed, Faran.

Kellen Daniels returned last week from Prague where she participated in the Scholar’s Cup. She had a most successful experience. She received Silver Medals for the Scholar’s Bowl, the Individual Essay, the Individual Scholar’s Quiz, Collaborative Writing and for her team finishing 16^th in the world. Her team was also awarded two Gold Medals for the Team Scholar’s Challenge and for being the top-ranked team from Africa. As the highest placed team from our continent, Kellen’s team has been invited to participate in the Final Champion Round at Yale University in November. Congratulations on this incredible achievement, Kellen!

At the recent International Aids Day Conference hosted in Durban on Sunday 17 July, Tiyana Ramchunder was invited by Councillor Nicole Graham to be one of the three KZN High School representatives to engage in the Young Women’s Dialogue with UN Secretary General Baan Ki Moon and our Vice President, Cyril Ramaphosa. What a singular honour, Tiyana.

The Senior Marimba Band participated in the Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in Johannesburg this weekend. They had a very successful weekend. Nicholas Leisegang’s composition (“Rapid Eye Movement”) won us the Youth Composition category. We also won the accolade of the “most impressive ending” of the entire festival. Finally, we placed third in both the Battle of the Bands and Strictly Classical Categories for High School Large Ensemble sections. So impressed were the judges with our band that we were asked to perform Nicholas’ piece again at the final Prize Giving Ceremony. My thanks are extended to Mrs Logan and these kiddies for their incredible commitment to their craft and for doing TMC so proud this weekend.

I wish you all a wonderful week ahead. May it inspire you. 

 

A warm welcome back to Mrs McCreedy after her accouchement leave- it is good to have you back in your extended family. A huge thank you also to Mrs Caroline Jooste who filled in so ably for her. We appreciated having her with us and know we can call on her to help us in the future.

Well done to all those who received academic merit, progress and effort certificates at Wednesday’s award ceremony last week as well as to those who did well in their spelling, general knowledge and Mathletics. I was also very proud of our Senior Recorder group on their performance and achievements. To those who did not receive acknowledgement, set yourself goals, persevere, remain focused and work hard. Thanks to those parents who attended- it is appreciated.

Thank you for supporting our Country Fair. We value each and every contribution both in kind with donations and to those who gave up precious time to work on the stalls. We were also truly blessed and thank God for the fine weather we experienced on Saturday! As usual, there was much enthusiasm among the children, and it was great to see them have fun and enjoy themselves. Well done to Country Fair convener, Chris Holton, Parents’ Council chairman, TC Chetty, Rae Griesel, the Parents’ Council members and their teams for all the hard work over an extended period of time. Thank you very much to all staff, parents and pupils in all phases for your assistance and support. Your loyalty and commitment for our school is valued, and once again exemplifies our ethos. I felt very proud to be a part of Thomas More. All in all it was a delightful day!

We hope you also refuel your energy over the coming long weekend, starting Friday for the PS as the staff are on the Proudly Primary conference which happens once every three years- so no school for the Primary children. Monday 8 August is a school holiday and Tuesday 9 August - Women’s Day. To all the women in our community, we salute you for the multiple roles you play and the glue you are in keeping society together, for your warmth, courage, conviction and determination in moulding young lives positively and/or making a difference. Women’s month (not just day) is a reminder to fill your cup so that you can continue to fill the cups of others in your life because, when your cup is empty, you have nothing to give. Have a fabulous Women's Day.

Wishing you all the best for the short week ahead. (Wednesday 3 August is Election Day, as well as the Primary School being closed on Friday 5 August to accommodate the Proudly Primary teachers conference). 

 

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

What a wonderful Country Fair that was put together with enthusiasm, foresight and huge effort !

In reminiscing about this event, it took me back to the days when our announcer’s “box” was situated in the large jacaranda tree on a wooden platform outside the amphitheatre at the Habberton Hall. We climbed the small planks nailed into the tree to take our turn at being the announcer. My reminiscing also brought home the fact that although this was my 22^nd Country Fair, the same “buzz”, and excitement amongst the children especially, prevailed throughout the day. This event is concrete testimony to the outstanding, ongoing support and effort of our committed parent body. Thank you!

Wishing you some time of relaxation with the coming public holidays.

Tenchi Selki Te-Ate: “It is in the dynamic interplay between Head, Heart and Hands, that we discover, Truth, Wisdom and Wellbeing.”

 

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Weekly Achievers

Mathletics

Dylan Stephens, Keira Browning and Joshua Fitzpatrick have all achieved a GOLD medal in Mathletics.

Poetry Slam

Congratulations to Skye Embleton and Daniel Shewell for receiving the top prize in the Found Poem category of the Poetry Slam held at Maris Stella last week. Alex de Swart is also to be congratulated for receiving first prize in the Original Poem category.

Ballet

Well done to Tholoana Lebenya, Amy Boyd, Amelie Gildenhuys, Alexandria Angus, Gabrielle Alexander, Grace Buchan, Leah Randall, Katelynn Scott and Faith Lerena who all did well in their Pre-Primary Cecchetti Ballet Exams, we are so proud of you girls.

Well done to Rachel Beyers, Emihle Nonxuba, Emily Masson, Raquel Cairns, Lauren Bigalke, Tayla Summerford, Grace McHardy, and Jane Bester who all did well in their Primary Cecchetti Ballet Exams, we are so proud of you girls.

Irish Dancing

Congratulations to Danielle de Moor who passed her Grade 1 exam for Irish dancing. Well done!!

SP Cross Country

Well done to the runners who took part in the Cross Country Kwasanti/Ndengezi Ward Trials on Friday:

U11 Ethan McCormick 1st

U11 Ezra Haug 5th

U10 Dayna Deeble 3rd

U13 Brad Ballack 5th

U13 Julia Butler 5th

U13 Danielle Rockey 7^th

SP Girls' Hockey vs Crawford La Lucia

U10 A won 10-0

U10 B won 12-1

U11 A drew 1-1

U11 B won 4-1

2^nd XI won 6-0

1^st XI won 1-0

Equestrian

Congratulations to Emma Croucamp who received a gold rosette for jumping 30cm on her horse Merry Legs, as well as a certificate for pole on the ground.