St. Catherine’s School – Newsletter

 

  

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL

25 January 2012

 

Dear Parents

 

NEWSLETTER 02 / 2012

 

Upcoming Events

 

 

JANUARY

 

FEBRUARY

 

26  Afrikaans Cycle Test

02  Mathematics Cycle Test

27  New Families’ Picnic

09  History Cycle Test

28  High School Open Day

13 UPT Meeting 18h00, Staffroom

     Grade 6 Retreat

 

New Families Picnic

 

All Grade 000, 00, R and 1 pupils and their families are invited to the picnic on Friday evening from 17h00 – 19h00, regardless of whether they are new to St. Catherine’s or not.  All other new pupils from Grade 2 – 7 are also invited.  Please bring your own chairs / blankets as well as your food and drinks.  Come and enjoy a casual get-together with other parents and teachers.  Bring the whole family!                                                                                     

 

High School Open Day

 

This Open Day is aimed specifically at pupils entering Grade 8 next year.  Please pass the word to all friends and family members who may be looking for a school next year for their Grade 7 children.  Mrs Henry and Mrs Rodrigues will also be here if anyone wants to ask questions about the Primary School.

 

Grade 7 Fund Raiser

 

The Grade 7 pupils always raise funds throughout the year to donate a present to the school at the end of their Primary School career.  Gifts in the past have been the fountain in the quad, the air conditioning in the library and last year a new digital camera.  This year the Grade 7’s are kicking off the campaign with “Valentine Goodies”.  They have a large variety of items that will be on sale on the 8th, 9th and 10th February at break.  Prices range from R5.00 to R50.00 with something to suit all tastes and pockets.  Please support the Grade 7’s.

 

 

 

 

Thank You

 

A very BIG “thank you” to Mr Etafia who donated a full soccer kit to the school.  This includes shirts, shorts, socks, shin guards, goalie outfit and gloves.  We really appreciate your generosity.  Our Open Team will look really super this year.

 

General

 

 

 

 

 

 

I look forward to a super year, and to meeting all the new families on Friday.  God bless.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

V.A. JOHNSON

PRINCIPAL

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL

 

11 January 2012 

 

Dear Parents

 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new learners, and say “welcome back” to all those returning from the December holidays. May 2012 be a blessed one for all our families.

 

During 2011 we introduced the Code of Conduct for learners which helped develop an understanding that there are consequences for unacceptable behaviour. One of the consequences of a disciplined environment is that it increases productivity. In 2012 our focus is going to be expecting excellence rather than mediocrity from the learners both academically and extra-murally. Self-confidence, a good work ethic and perseverance are essential skills for all learners to acquire before leaving school and entering the next phase of their lives.

 

 

2011 MATRIC RESULTS

Our Grade 12 learners did very well in their final examinations at the end of last year. They achieved a 100% pass rate , with 16 of the 30 learners qualifying to study a Bachelor’s Degree at University and 12 learners qualifying to study a Diploma. Two learners obtained a Higher Certificate pass. We were disappointed with the lower percentage of Degree passes in 2011 but are taking steps to ensure that this does not happen again.

 

In terms of distinctions, the matrics of 2011 achieved 24 subject distinctions (above 80%) and 39 Bs (above 70%).  The following learners achieved distinctions:

 

 

Miguel de Carvalho            Mathematics Paper 3

Samkelisiwe Dlamini          Life Orientation

John Greaves                    Life Orientation

Dean Hutchings                 Mathematical Literacy

Bukwase Lekeba                Life Orientation

Naledi Manama                 Life Orientation

Bryan Mashego                  Life Orientation

Christina Maytham            Life Orientation                  Mathematics

Zinhle Motsepa                  Life Orientation                  isiZulu

Kedirile Motsepe               Life Orientation                  isiZulu

Siphamandla Phenyane       Life Orientation                  isiZulu

Rita  Rodrigues                 Mathematical Literacy

Karleigh Swanepoel            Life Orientation                  Mathematics Paper 3

Tumi Thwala                    Life Orientation                  Mathematical Literacy

Makotso Tibane                 Mathematical Literacy

Casey van der Merwe         Life Orientation                  Mathematical Literacy

Andrea Yates                    Life Orientation

 

Our top learners were:

          1st      Christina Maytham   with an average of 77%

          2nd      Casey van der Merwe with an average of 75%

          3rd      Karleigh Swanepoel   with an average of 69%

 

Congratulations to all the educators whose dedication and hard work are responsible for these outstanding results. We are convinced that the current Grade 12 learners will take up the challenge and improve on these excellent results.

 

ACADEMIC ISSUES

Learners who have not yet ordered textbooks will have to either purchase them directly from Mrs Johnson , our text book supplier, or source them elsewhere. Pages from textbooks will not be allowed to be photocopied at school. Not having a text book will not be a valid excuse for not completing homework. Parents are welcome to contact Mr Mynhardt (Grade 10 – 12) or Mrs Schouten (Grades 8 & 9) to discuss their child’s academic performance or any other concerns that they may have.

 

Learners complete assessment tasks throughout the academic year which constitute their portfolio mark. These assessment tasks include tests, projects, presentations etc as well as their Mini exams and Mid-year exams.  In Grades 8 and 9 the portfolio mark counts 40% of their final promotion mark while in Grades 10 to 12 the portfolio mark counts 25% of the promotion mark. The awards issued at Valedictory and the Awards Ceremonies held in October, are based on the portfolio marks. An Assessment Plan for Term One will be
issued to learners early next week.

 

EXAMINATION DATES

Please diarise the following updated examination dates:

         Mini-exams             21st to 25th May

         Mid year exams        16th to 27th July

         Final exams             13th – 28th November

 

ACADEMIC REPORTS:

We will be issuing reports on the following dates this year:

         Term One reports will be issued at Parents’ evening on the 3rd April from 16:30 – 18:30.

         Mini-exam report will be issued to learners on the 5 June. A special parents’ evening for Grade 12s and their parents will be held on this day.

         Term Two reports will be issued at Parents’ evening on the 7th August from 16:30 – 18:30

         Reports reflecting the Portfolio marks will be issued to learners on the 17th October after the Awards Ceremonies.

         Promotion reports will be issued to the learners on the 5th December between 8:00 and 9:00.

 

PROMOTION CRITERIA

The following promotion criteria will apply in 2012:

GRADE 8 – 9 (10 SUBJECTS)

SUBJECT PASS MARKS         English ≥50%    All others ≥40%


PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS:
1.   Pass ALL subjects
2.   Achieve a minimum of 50% in English and  TWO other subjects
3.   Achieve a minimum of 40% in the remaining subjects.

GRADE 10 – 12        PASS WITH DIPLOMA ENDORSEMENT

SUBJECT PASS MARK All subjects  ≥  40%


PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS:
All subjects must be passed (i.e. ≥40%)

GRADE 10 – 12        PASS WITH DEGREE ENDORSEMENT

SUBJECT PASS MARK           All subjects  ≥  40%

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS:
1.    4 designated subjects (excludes LO, CAT and Design) ≥50%
2.   All other subjects ≥ 40%

This means that everyone who passes in terms of the above criteria will be eligible to apply to study a minimum of a post matric diploma course.

EXTRA CURRRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The following Extra Curricular activities will be offered at St Catherine’s this year:

 

SPORTING ACTIVITIES:

         Swimming,               Soccer                           Cricket                    Netball        

         Tennis                     Athletics                        Cross Country / Jogging

 

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:

         Public Speaking,        Image Team (Photography)                             Choir  Drama Evening

         Spring Ball                Mr & Ms St Catherine’s     Valentine’s Social

 

SERVICE ACTIVITIES:

         Community Outreach Programme

 

SPIRITUAL ACTIVIES:

         Bible Interact (Bible Study)

 

Our first sporting event of the year is the Interhouse Gala, which will take place next week Friday, 20th January,

from 10h00 to 14h00. Please take note that there will be swimming practice next week Monday and Wednesday

afternoon.                                                                                 

 

EXTRA LESSONS

Extra lessons are available free of charge for learners who have difficulty with their academic work. These are arranged per subject and learners must contact their subject teacher if they require extra lessons. Extra lessons will be compulsory for learners who fail an assessment task.

 

LEARNERS’APPEARANCE

·                     Learners must conduct themselves in a manner that brings credit to the school at all times and are expected to wear their uniform with pride. 

·                     Non-uniformed items will be confiscated and donated to those in need.  We are going to take a tougher line on learners who are not correctly dressed – including for life orientation and extra mural activities.

·                     While it is so hot blazers need not be worn except for TUESDAYS when we have assemblies. Please note that learners may NOT wear long sleeve jerseys without a blazer.

·                     Learners may wear either summer or winter uniforms during April and September depending on the weather conditions. Winter uniform must be worn from 1 May to 31 August each year.

·                     Boys must be clean-shaven at all times. Those who are unshaven will be required to shave at school and stay for detention that afternoon.

·                     Please ensure that your son’s hair does not touch the eyebrows, tops of the ears, or the shirt collar when hanging straight or pulled down. If necessary, parents will be requested to collect their sons from school in order to have their hair cut.

·                     Girls’ hair must not touch the eyebrows when hanging straight or pulled down; hair must be clipped back and not tucked behind the ears; hair longer than the lower edge of the collar must be tied up using plain black, brown, blue or white accessories. Plaits or braids must lie flat against the head. 

 

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LEARNERS

Learners will be receiving the revised Code of Conduct which will be implemented for 2012. Please ensure that you read the document thoroughly so that you and your child become aware of the consequences that can be imposed for unacceptable behaviour.  The declaration form will have to be signed by both parents and learners and then returned to school.

 

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parents are invited to the information evening to be held  on Thursday 19 January at 18:30. This is an opportunity to meet the teachers, raise concerns and gather the information relevant for this stage of your child’s education. The following items are on the agenda:

         1.       Welcome and feedback                                                         Mrs Crosby

         2.       Code of conduct issues                                                         Mrs Crosby

         3.       Academic issues                                                               Mr Mynhardt   

         4.       Extra mural issues                                                               Ms Beukes

         5.       Introduction of teachers                                                        Ms Beukes

 

You will have the opportunity to discuss any queries which you may have with the teachers concerned.

 

School fees

Monthly fee payments must be made by the 7th day of each and every month including April and August, even though we are on holiday.  Learners whose fees are in arrears will be suspended from class until the outstanding account has been settled.

 

The Board of Governors agreed to the following fees for 2011:

 

Annual fees

Monthly fees

Grades 8 & 9

R38 500-00

R3 850-00

Payable over TEN months with the last payment due on the 7 November 2012

Grades 10 & 11

R41 500-00

R4 150-00

Payable over TEN months with the last payment due on the 7 November 2012

Grade 12 (includes IEB exam fees)

R45 540-00

R4 650-00

Payable over NINE months with the last payment due on the 7 October 2012

        

The following discounts are applicable to siblings: 2nd child (10%), 3rd & subsequent children (25%)

 

Fees paid in full before the 31 January 2012 are subject to a 5% discount. 

 

Monthly payments may be made in the form of:

         Cash, 

         Cheques made out to St Catherine’s Dominican Convent,

         Direct deposit into our account (Please remember to include your child’s name as a reference) or

         Debit order.

 

The school’s banking details are as follows:

          First National Bank   Germiston Branch     Code   251042

          Account number       51120344745

 

Many parents and learners were unsure of how the school fees are spent. It is important for everyone to understand that we receive no money from the Government or any other organisation and all costs incurred by the school have to be paid out of school fees. Approximately 78% of school fees are used to cover the staff salaries.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Mrs J. Crosby

Principal