I almost want to write, “welcome back to the 3rd term”, after a week’s holiday, but we still have seven weeks left of term 2.

FREEDOM DAY AND POPE FRANCIS
The Friday’s assembly before our week’s break focussed on Freedom Day and the life of Pope Francis. It is still hard for our boys to comprehend a South Africa at the height of apartheid and the level of institutionalised division, legislated and enforced by the government, controlling so many aspects of our lives along racial lines. They find it difficult to imagine segregated schools, cinemas, parks and residential areas, although as they get older they become more aware of the massive socio-economic disparities in our society as a result of years of systemic oppression of the majority of South Africans.

We  showed them slides of that day of the first universal voting in South Africa, Nelson Mandela voting  for the first time and the winding  long, long queues of voters across the country, millions of them voting for the very first time.

Pope Francis’ death a few days before and the role he had played on the world stage, struck a chord with our celebration of Freedom Day. He called so visibly and openly for freedom from oppression in any form and spoke for the inherent dignity and humanity of every individual everywhere. A critic of the enormous divide between rich and poor across the world, he exhorted the priests of the church to be “shepherds who smell their sheep”.

This was another way to remind our boys of the respect due to every person regardless of circumstances and status and the power they have to be a force for positive change in the lives of others. On a peer basis, many of them make mistakes along the way but school is the place for them to learn how to be as well as how not to be.

SPORT
Boys are excited about fixtures finally having started for all sport this week. I hope that you will also enjoy the winter season and I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines.

All the best

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Decluttering, moving or just no more space on the bookshelf? You can donate unwanted books at the library!
There is a special basket just for book collections that is here all year round. They go to a range of educational and social organisations and fundraising book sales for animal charities. Boys can bring and drop them in the basket at any time. Easy! 

Congratulations to the following boys who were elected as Leaders of their respective Winter Sports:
Standing: Vice captains: Faiq Joseph (Rugby), Matthew Arkcoll (Hockey) Oliver Ferrao (Squash)
Seated: Captains: Jack Lucas (Rugby) Max Wides (Hockey) Landon Corbett (Squash)
We wish them a great season ahead!

Congratulations to the following boys who were awarded scholarships to College for 2026:
Standing: Altaf Dawood and Lukho Kunene (General)
Seated: Jack Greig (English), Ethan Lee Pan (Maths), Chris de Wet and André Kuys (Music)

Congratulations to our hockey boys on their selection to the Western Province teams. Max Wides and Matthew Arkcoll will represent the WP A team in Gauteng and Tariq Eskinazi will play for the B side in Paarl. Both of these tournaments will be held in the upcoming July holidays. We wish them all the best!

On Wednesday the U9 Hockey boys played their first matches at Hartleyvale. Our 5 teams played various matches against Rondebosch, SACS and Western Province Prep School. The players showed great determination, and it was wonderful to see them all having a great time on a beautiful sunny afternoon.