The Grade 7 class relaxing in the pool at Wacky Woods.  A report on the Wacky Woods camp follows below.

FOSTERING THE CORRECT SPIRIT OF PLAY AMONGST OUR CHILDREN

Participation in sports is regarded as an important part of the curriculum at St Francis College. We want to give our children every opportunity to develop their sports abilities and to feel confident to compete in any environment.

This ‘confidence to compete’ is encouraged by positive reinforcement from coaches, parents and peers. As adults, this concept of ‘positive reinforcement’ is obvious and easily practiced. However, it is something which children need to be taught and encouraged to do. Children need to be taught about encouraging their friends with positive comments; they need to be taught to include their friends in games, rather than excluding them; they must be taught to encourage participation in sports events, rather than saying things which cause a friend to not want to participate.

As coaches and parents, we need to be aware of the interactions between children in relation to games and participation. Any child wants to feel included and any comments aimed at excluding a child will be hurtful. We should be listening to the tone and intention of the verbal interactions between the children. The language used should be polite and wholesome; swearing and insults cannot be tolerated. Games should be played in the correct spirit; tripping and pushing has no place.

Some of our children are better at sports than others. As adults we need to be teaching our children who have better sports abilities that they should be encouraging their friends who might not be as good at sports. There should only be positive comments of encouragement; not teasing or belittling. No one should be excluded from informal games. Our children need to be taught to include their friends and encourage their participation. Our children are, after all, on the same team – the St Francis College team.

I have asked our sports coach, Mr Fortuin, to include strategies in his sessions aimed at achieving the principles which I have referred to above. I know that any teacher will use every opportunity to do the same. I call on the whole St Francis College family to be sensitive to this issue, to be vigilant when children are playing and to gently correct when actions or behaviours by our children are seen and heard to be unkind or hurtful.

Condolences

It was with sadness that the St Francis College family learnt of the passing of Cynthia Hoffman, mother of Di Harcus and grandmother of Nathan Harcus, who is currently in grade 7. Di will be relieving Lucy Kotze when Lucy goes on maternity leave. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Di and her family.

REPORT BACK ON ACTIVITIES

Inter-house gala

The second half of the term got started with the inter-house gala which took place on Tuesday 26 February at Liquid Lines. There was loads of excitement and great swimming from all the participants. The winning house at the end of the day was Yellow Tail House.

Kouga Schools Gala

On 5 March, the Kouga Schools Gala took place at Stulting Primary. As defending champions, the St Francis College team knew what needed to be done. Every event was hotly contested and the St Francis College swimmers made many trips to the podium. In the end St Francis College was victorious, winning the trophy for the fourth time. Wow! We are so proud of our swimmers.

Wacky Woods Camp - Grade 4-7

An excited class of grade 7’s departed for camp on Wednesday afternoon, 13 March. After setting up camp, the group headed for the swimming pool as it was a very hot and humid day. The swimming pool has been designed in the form of three tiered rock pools which makes swimming so much more interesting. Cadence had a hair-raising experience when she encountered a scorpion in the bathroom basin. One should always expect the unexpected at camp. After a delicious supper of spaghetti bolognaise, there was some team bonding and some discussions about the characteristics of a group leader. The class was then divided into pairs; these pairs would lead the teams when the other grades arrived the next day.

On Thursday morning the group set off on what should have been a short hike. There is a marked trail which loops up and around the hill behind the camp site. The trail proved a little difficult to follow and Abigail and Sine took a wrong turn and went off in the wrong direction. It took an hour to get them back to camp. Another memorable experience.  

The grades 4, 5 and 6 classes arrived after lunch on Thursday afternoon and parents assisted with setting up the tents before departing. The children were divided into groups and they started rotating through the five planned activities which were swimming, making stokbrood, pudding challenge; skits and making funky newspaper clothing. Once everyone had completed the activities it was time for supper which was gourmet burgers. The skits would have been performed after supper but a thunderstorm interrupted all activities and everyone had to take shelter in their tents. Another camp surprise.

After breakfast on Friday, the whole group went up to the swimming pool where there is a lapa. The skits were performed under the shelter of the lapa as there was still a bit of light rain falling. The skits were entertaining and demonstrated the children’s creativity. After the skits everyone enjoyed swimming in the pool again. While the children were swimming some of the teachers slipped away to hide easter eggs for the easter egg hunt. After returning from the pool the children took turns in their groups to hunt for easter eggs. Each child was allowed to find three treats. With camp time running out, the children enjoyed some free time, playing cricket and soccer or playing on the swings. It was then time to pack up the tents and get ready to go home. A great time was enjoyed by all. It is amazing how much was squeezed into two days. Thank you to all the teachers who attended camp and “roughed It” for the sake of the children. 

Nursery School News (Mrs. Lonsdale)

Just before half term we had an outing to the Cove for all the nursery school children. We were blessed with wonderful weather and all the children and parents had a great day playing in the sea, making sand castles and collecting wonderful hermit crabs. This is always a very successful outing and something we all look forward to every year.

With just four weeks to go until the end of the first term, the teachers have reports to do and to finish off all the projects we have assigned for this term.

So far we have had a wonderful term and the children have enjoyed their mornings at nursery school learning through play.

I would like to thank all the parents who brought dog and cat food for Thoughtful Thursday and all the help we have been given by the parents this term we look forward to another wonderful term.

Hugs to all
Teacher Jane

Keep safe
Teacher Jane

Sport News (Mr. Fortuin)

Cricket

U11

Due to swimming galas on playing days no further fixtures were played by our U11’s. We tried rescheduling matches but without any luck. I want to ensure more game time for our passionate young cricketers in the last term by arranging matches against  traditional cricket schools.

U13

We managed to play 4 matches with a combined team consisting of u13 and u11’s.

Two matches were won and two were lost

Game 1 Won against VCS by 67 runs

• Alexander Moolman 48 runs

Game 2 Lost against JBay Primary by 29 runs.           

• Alexander Moolman 4 overs 5 wickets 15 runs.
• Rylan Jarvis 2 overs 2 wickets 7 runs.

Game 3 Lost against Greenwood Bay by 30 runs.

• Rylan Jarvis 3 overs 5 wickets 8 runs including a hat trick (3wickets in a row)

Game 4 Win against Stulting by 15 runs.

• Sipho Mofu 36 runs
• Jaylon Geswindt 31 runs not out. 4 overs 3 Wickets 25 runs.
• Gian Moolman 15 runs.
• Alexander Moolman 4 overs 2 wickets 9 runs.

Our boys have shown real courage this season playing against bigger opposition and not giving an inch. Their behaviour on the field was phenomenal. They are all fighters, never gave up and I’m really proud of what they achieved. Winning or losing, in the end all that mattered was that they had fun and develop their skills.

Tennis

Tennis has taken a hit with most of last year’s players being grade 7’s however this is not stopping us from competing in the local Sarah Baartman Tennis league which consists of Kouga schools. We strive to give our scholars every opportunity to develop in any number of sports. Our tennis players are all still young and inexperienced at the moment but this will change in the years to come as we will definitely focus on developing tennis at our school.  The  teams will grow from strength to strength year on year with the Seals Tennis Academy in our backyard and with the most amazing teachers that care so much for the development of each and every scholar which is understandable as the kids are simply amazing. Thank you to all the teachers involved with the coaching.

Needs

Our school has the following costly needs; if anyone can assist in anyway whatsoever it would be highly appreciated.

• Cement Square with wall for tennis set and ball skills.
• Bowling Machine

These needs will do wonders for the development of our youngsters.

With the school holidays approaching I want to wish you all a Happy and safe Easter.

Peace, Love and Joy to All.

Coach Ralton

Swimming News (Mrs. Marais)

News from the pool

It has been a term packed with galas and we are very proud of each and every one of our swimmers for representing our school so well. It was heart-warming to hear positive comments from other participating schools about our performance both in and out the pool. Well done and thank you.

Here are some results from the past two months:

We had four swimmers represent us at the PEA Age group gala on 15^th February. Hayley Holmes, Emma Darke, Callum Niven and Ethan Darke. The competition was tough, and Hayley took home three 2^nd place ribbons while Emma claimed a 1^st place and Ethan one 1^st and two 2^nd place ribbons. Next, our teams headed off to Grahamstown for the Independent Schools Gala at Kingswood College on the 19^th of February. Our teams consisted of Ethan Darke, Noah Tovell, Gabriel Pearton, Noah Pearton, Micaella White, Kate Joubert, Ryan Marais, Troy Kennedy, Rylan Jarvis, Christopher Cownie, Gian Moolman, Rory Dace, Cadence Marais, Emily Cownie, Alexander Moolman and Kyle Drysdale. We competed against large schools such as Woodridge, St Georges College, Kingswood College, DSG and St Andrews Prep.

Independent Schools Gala results:

Ethan Darke: 2^nd (Free), 3^rd (Breast) and 3^rd (Back)

Noah Tovell: 3^rd (Free), 2^nd (Breast) and 1^st (Back)

Micaella White: 2^nd (Free)

Ryan Marais: 1^st (Free), 2^nd (Breast) 3^rd (Back)

Gian Moolman: 1^st (free), 3^rd (Breast), 1^st (Back)

Rory Dace: 3^rd (Free), 2^nd (Breast), 3^rd (back), 2^nd (Fly)

Alexander Moolman: 3^rd (Free), 2^nd (Breast), 2^nd (Fly)

Relay teams:

Freestyle Relay

u/9 Ethan Darke, Noah Tovell, Noah Pearton and Gabriel Pearton – 1^st

u/10 Ryan Marais, Troy Kennedy, Kate Joubert and Micaella White – 1^st

u/11 Gian Moolman, Rory Dace, Rylan Jarvis and Christopher Cownie – 2^nd

Medley Relay

u/9 - 2^nd

u/10 – 3^rd

u/11 – 1^st

Breaststroke

u/9 – 1^st

u/10 – 2^nd

Backstroke Relay

u/9 – 2^nd

u/11 – 2^nd

Our annual Interhouse gala was held at Liquid Lines. All pupils, grade 3-7 took part and some from grade 1 and 2 were invited to enter as well. It was a fun filled day with many races taking place and at the end of the day, there could be only one winner. Yellowtails were on top form and claimed the trophy.

Our tour to Greenwood Bay College was great fun as always, and after cricket and soccer matches on Friday, we hit the pool on Saturday morning to take them on. We had 12 swimmers take part in the event and though we took home many podium positions, GBC took the day.

The annual Stulting Inter Schools gala, held at Nico Malan, was a great success. Here are some results:

Girls

Hayley Holmes8 & under: 2^nd (Back), 2^nd (Free)

Emma Darke 8 & under: 1^st (Breast), 3^rd (Free)

Chloe Cownie8 & under: 1^st (Fly), 2^nd (Breast)

Micaella White 9y/o: 2^nd (fly), 1^st (Back), 1^st (Breast) New Record, 1^st (Free)

Kate Joubert 9y/o: 3^rd (Back), 2^nd (Breast), 2^nd (Free)

Cadence Marais Open: 2^nd (Fly), 2^nd (Back), 3^rd (Breast), 2^nd (Free)

Boys

Ethan Darke 8 & under: 1^st (Back) New Record, 1^st (Breast), 1^st (Free) New Record

Daniel Drysdale 8 & under: 2^nd (Back),

Noah Tovell 9y/o: 1^st (Back), 1^st (Breast), 1^st (Free),

Gabriel Pearton 9y/o: 2^nd (Breast), 2^nd (Free),

Rory Dace 10y/o: 2^nd (Fly), 2^nd (Back), 2^nd (Breast), 2^nd (Free)

Ryan Marais 10y/o: 3^rd (Back), 3^rd (Breast), 3^rd (Free),

Gian Moolman 11y/o: 1^st (fly), 1^st (Back), 2^nd (Breast), 1^st (Free)

Alexander Moolman Open: 3^rd (Back), 2^nd (Breast), 2^nd (Free)

Congratulations to Alexander and Gian Moolman on receiving an invitation to take part in the Nelson Mandela Bay Aquatics Top 8 Championship Gala, held on the 9^th of March. We are very proud of you and look forward to hearing the official result soon.

In closing, we would like to thank Maria and Haydn Holmes for all they do for our swimmers. Your hard work and commitment in helping our swimmers be the best they can be is truly appreciated. Lastly, to all our swimmers, who when called, said “YES”. Thank you, we could not take part in all these events without you and your commitment to the sport and school is valued beyond words. See you all in the pool in term 3 for more gala fun.

Dates for Term 1 2019

Thursday 21 March - Public Holiday school closed 
Friday 22 March - Baker day grade 2
Tuesday 26 March - Splash In Gala (Grade 0 - 2)
Friday 29 March - Baker day grade 1
Thursday 4 April - Recycling
Friday 5 April - Baker day grade 00
Friday 5 April - Talent Show (Grade 00-7)
Friday 12^th April – Term 1 ends 

Term 1 2019 Extra Mural Timetable

Monday

1:15 to 2:00                         Grade 1 to 2 Girls     Tennis                     

1:15 to 2:00                         Grade 1 to 2 Boys     Cricket                   

2:00 to 3:00                         Grade 3 to 7 Girls     Tennis                     

2:00 to 3:00                         Grade 3 to 7 Boys     Cricket                   

Tuesday

1:30 to 2:30                         Grade 0 – 2 Swimming    

2:30 to 3:30                         Grade 3 – 7 Swimming      

Wednesday

1:15 to 1:45                         Grade 0 Ball Skills                            

1:15 to 2:00                         Grade 1 and 2 Ball skills                           

2:30 to 3:00                         Grade 0 and 1 Water sport         Liquid Lines (optional)  

2:00 to 2:45                         Grade 2 to 7 choir (optional)     

2:00 to 2:45                         Grade 3 to 7 chess (optional)       

3:00 to 4:00                         Grade 2 to 7 Water sport            Liquid Lines (optional)

Children from Grade 2 – 7 may audition for the choir

Children from Grade 3 – 7 must either participate in the choir or in chess practices  

Thursday

1:15 to 2:00                         Grade 1 to 2 Boys Cricket              

1:15 to 2:00                         Grade 1 to 2 Girls Netball                       

2:00 to 3:00                         Grade 3 to 7 Cricket/ Netball     

2:00 to 3:00                         SFC Tennis League (CSF)