But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and it is those things that make a person unclean. Matthew 15:18

The Bible mentions the human heart almost 300 times. What it says is that the heart is that spiritual part of us where our emotions and desires are. As God made us in His image He too Has emotions and desires. He can be said to have a “heart.” We have a heart because God does. King David was a man “after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22).

However, the human heart, in its natural condition, is evil and deceitful: Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Because of sin our mind, emotions and desires have been polluted and mostly we are unaware of how deep this effects our lives. We may not understand our own hearts, but God does. He “knows the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:21) Jesus points out the fallen condition of our hearts in the above scripture.” The problem lies within us, we all have a heart condition and we need a transplant. God can and will give us a new heart but only if we listen to Him. So the heart is the very centre of our being, and the Bible emphasises the need for us to guard it: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

With the construction project now in full swing, the first week back at school certainly provided some traffic challenges. Everyone now seems to be familiar with the deviations and traffic has settled down. Thursdays and Fridays at “pick-up” times are going to present the biggest challenge. When necessary we will open the Insala Road gate but this cannot be a permanent solution as we have limited rights to use this road. Thankfully the Pioneer Road upgrade project is drawing to a close and we really can feel the benefit of the extra lanes leading to and from the school

The long awaited Country Fair is now upon us. This has taken many months of preparation. I would like to thank the Parents’ Council and the Country Fair Committee for the inordinate amount of work that has gone into the planning. May I wish convenor Gareth Curtis, Rae Griesel and the whole team all of the best for Saturday. While this is an obvious fundraising event, it is even more important as a marketing event. This is undoubtedly the best event of its kind in Durban and it really does show what this school community can do as a team.

 

What an eventful week we enjoyed in the high school. Our Marimba Band returned late this Sunday night from Johannesburg after yet another outstanding set of performances at the International Festival. My thanks is extended to Mrs Logan for her many hours of coaching and cajoling, as well as to Mr Dove who accompanied them on their tour.

Our Current Affairs Youth Council held their inaugural Youth Week last week. Most courageously led by Emily Barnes, they presented the school with some challenging, yet pertinent discussion topics in assemblies. The week culminated on Saturday when they hosted our first TomX Conference in the Habberton Hall. Leaders from neighbouring schools were invited. The guest speakers all addressed our theme of “The South Africa we want”. I must laud our young people for this initiative. The topics and discussions wrenched our children from their comfort zones to think much deeper about our country and some of the challenges we face, most of which will hopefully be solved by this generation. This was a brave initiative; I am incredibly proud of our Youth Council!

We welcomed our 7 visiting pupils from South Korea this Sunday. They will spend a fortnight with us at TMC. I know they will feel our South African hospitality and generosity of spirit, whilst our children will benefit immensely from sharing experiences and world views with them.

We have also enjoyed a brisk start to the third term’s extra mural programme. My thanks to Miss Venter, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Conradie and Mrs Logan for the wide array of activities available to our children. May they know how blessed they are and never fall foul of taking the dynamic space that is TMC foregranted.

 

Our pupils continued their association with Somerset College when they played very exciting and evenly matched hockey and netball against them at school on Wednesday afternoon. Thank you to all staff involved and those who hosted children- much appreciated!

I felt so proud of our children at the Inter-house field and track events on Friday and Saturday. Their behaviour in general was praiseworthy and their support for and encouragement of one another, good sportsmanship and enthusiasm filled me with delight. It was also wonderful to see such an excellent turnout of parents to support the youngsters, something the children really value and prize – and to see the stiff competition between the grades for the tug-of-war. Well done to the Grade 5 parents who were the overall winners! In addition, we were also truly blessed with the most wonderful weather making the 2017 athletics especially memorable. With these ideal conditions, and the stamina, fitness and body strength built up during the cross country season, it is small wonder that records were broken – well done to Ethan McCormack! There is something very special about having your name recorded for posterity as the record holder – or at least for a while before it is broken! Some of the races were dead heats, pushing our athletes to excellence. Well done to our Junior and Senior Victor and Victrix Ludorums! The competition was stiff and the titles well deserved. Dalberg House is to be commended on their good sportsmanship, which won them the coveted Spirit Trophy and Hurley on winning the House trophies for the most points on both days, with Dalberg in second place and Savory in third! Thank you to Mr Cuthbertson, our Executive Principal, who handed out the trophies as we wanted to pay him tribute for his loyal support of our sports days over many years! Once again a big thank you to all staff for the roles you played, especially to our Sport HOD, Mr Jason Brimelow, sport-co-ordinator, Mr Craig Hartley, and the athletics code head, Mr Mark Moolman.

A quick reminder: Grocery items for Country Fair (and tombola item if not already brought) - due tomorrow- Civvies Day

Raffle sheets due in Wednesday- some super prizes to be won! Plus two free tickets for every full sheet sold!

Merit assembly- this Wednesday from 07:30 - ±08:15. Parents welcome to attend

Country Fair Saturday 5 August - a compulsory school day. Thanks for your support.

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead.  

 

Weekly Achievers 

Kindly sponsored by Wetrock Adventures - visit www.wetrockadventuresco.za for further info. 

Please send us photographs of your children enjoying their Weekly Achiever vouchers at Wetrock to tmc@thomasmore.co.za.

None awarded in the 1st week of term.

Beyond Maths

Congratulations to the following children who have been selected to go through to the final round of 'Beyond Maths Primary School Challenge' at Glenwood Prep on Tuesday 8 August:

Grade 4/5 level 1:  Lindo Ndokweni, Jemma Ramalakan, Bethany Steenkamp, Ethan Roome.

Grade 6/7 level 2:  Jack Bamber, Ethan Cook, James Daniel, Blaine Dunbar, Emily Gelder, Conall Steenkamp, Julia van Tonder, Shannon Wilhelm.

Dance Sport

Congratulations to Kailin Wiggett, Thando Dlamuka, Hannah Sida and Phoebe Blair who represented KZN in the U16 Girls’ side at the Dance Sport provincial tournament held in Winklespruit during the holidays. The team came first in their formation group dancing; Thando and Kailin placed second and third respectively in the solo performances; and Kailin also came second in her duo performance. The KZN team placed first overall. Kailin, Thando and Hannah have been selected for the "All Star" side. We are very proud of these girls.

Poetry Slam

Congratulations to Skye Embleton who was awarded first place in the “Found Work” category at the Maris Stella Poetry Slam last week. This is the second year running that Skye has won the section.

HS Senior Marimbas

Congratulations to the High School senior marimba band on their fantastic achievements at the International Marimba and Steelpan competition that took place last weekend in Gauteng. They were placed third in their 'Strictly Classical' category with a Mendelssohn medley; and received second prize in their 'In The Mix' category with "Don't Stop Me Now". They performed exceptionally well and we are very proud of them.

HS Boys’ Indoor Hockey

U14A vs Kearsney – Lost 2-5

U16A vs WBHS – Lost 0-10

1^st Team vs Northwood 2nds – Won 2-1

1^st Team vs WBHS – Lost 0-4

HS Boys’ Hockey

U16B vs Loughborough Grammar School 2^nd Team – Drew 2-2

U16A vs Loughborough Grammar School 1^st Team – Lost 1-3

HS Girls’ Soccer

U14A vs St. Henry’s – Won 4-0

U16A vs St. Henry’s – Drew 1-1

2nds vs St. Henry’s – Lost 3-4

1^st Team vs St. Henry’s – Won 2-0

HS Boys’ Soccer

U14B vs St. Henry’s – Lost 1-2

U14A vs St. Henry’s – Won 1-0

U16B vs St. Henry’s – Won 4-0

U16A vs St. Henry’s – Won 3-0

2nds vs St. Henry’s – Won 1-0

1^st Team vs St. Henry’s – Lost 0-2

HS Girls’ Softball

U16A vs Parkhill – Lost 4-5

1^st Team vs St. Henry’s – Won 13-4

SP Hockey

1^st XI boys vs Somerset College drew 0-0

1^st XI girls vs Somerset College lost 0-2

Trail Running

Congratulations to Jono Daniel, Gr 6, who came 3rd in his first 5km trail run,during the holidays, where he competed against children and adults at the tough Phezulu trail run. Well done Jono.

SP Tennis

Congratulations to Ashtyn Cason who played in 2 tennis tournaments during the school holidays.  The Coca-Cola and KZN TSA Tournaments.  Children from all over South Africa competed.  Ashtyn played in the U12 girls with most of her opposition being ranked the top 10 in the country.  Ashtyn finished 7th overall in the Coca-Cola and 10th overall in the TSA.  Ashtyn also made it into the U12 girls' Doubles Semi-Final!  Ashtyn must be congratulated for being invited by the KZN Tennis Association to attend a KZN Tennis Training camp on 12th and 13th August.  Well done Ashtyn, and we look forward to following your progress in tennis as you climb the ranks!