1 - Midstream College

HIGH SCHOOL
FROM THE HEADMASTER’S OFFICE
SS CC HH OO OO LL MM AA TT TT EE RR SS
There is nothing wrong with change, if it is
in the right direction.
Winston Churchill #
Be the change you want to see in the
world.
Mahatma Gandhi ##
2012 is part of history and the bulk of 2013 lies ahead of us. My wish for each learner, parent and teacher is to
embrace the changes that are part of 2013. Apply your energy in the right direction to change the world, to
make it a better place for each and every one of us. I want to welcome each new parent, learner and teacher. I
hope you will enjoy the Midstream culture and ethos and that your relationship with the College will be a long
and happy one.
We can’t wait to welcome the new wannaby grade 8s in our midst next Thursday. I believe that, under the
guidance of our prefects, they will make an impression and will help to change the Midstream world even
further. I would also like to thank each parent that attended our very successful parent social on Tuesday
evening and I hope I will see every grade 8 parent at their inauguration next Thursday evening.
The performance of our learners at the inter-house swimming gala and athletics meeting bodes well for the
rest of the sporting year. Anyone present during the athletics on Tuesday will agree that the spirit, as well as
the athletics, has moved up a notch. We are looking forward to the mass meeting against Stoffberg today and
hope all athletes will embrace the opportunity to participate again. My challenge to each learner for 2013 –
Carpe Diem (seize the moment) and be the change you want to see in the College and in the world.
# Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, (1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British politician, best known for his
leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime
leaders of the 20th century, he served as Prime Minister twice (1940–45 and 1951–55).
## Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 - 30 January 1948), commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the
preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led
India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.
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CIRCULAR 1/2013
25 JANUARY 2013
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HIGH SCHOOL RECEPTION & COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL
The high school reception (Ms Sherona de Villiers) is located in the general reception (opposite the Primary
School’s reception). All parents visiting the College, Dr Carel Kriek or any staff member need to report to her
first. Thank you for your cooperation in streamlining our front desk.
Once again we would like to share our channels of communication with you. We urge you to please use them
when you contact the school.
Admissions - Ms Claudette Alberts (Admission Secretary) (calberts@midstreamcollege.co.za)
General school enquiries - Ms Sherona de Villiers (General reception)
(sdevilliers@midstreamcollege.co.za)
Academic enquiries - the relevant teacher and/or Subject Manager and/or Mr Leonard Swart (Head of
Academics) (lswart@midstreamcollege.co.za)
Sport enquiries - the relevant organiser / coach and/or Mr Hans van Vreden (Head of Sport)
(hvanvreden@midstreamcollege.co.za)
Cultural enquiries - the relevant organiser and/or Mr Ferdi Niemand (Head of Culture)
(feniemand@midstreamcollege.co.za)
Any enquiries relating to your child’s behaviour, detention, illness and/or absenteeism should be taken up with
the relevant Grade Heads:
Grade 8 Mr Henry Verster (hverster@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Ms Cheryl Grant (cgrant@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Grade 9 Mr John Acres (jacres@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Ms Madelaine Matthys (mmatthys@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Grade 10 Mr Wimpie Jansen van Rensburg (wvanrensburg@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Ms Reneè van Wyk (rvanwyk@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Grade 11 Mr Ian Müller (imuller@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Ms Heléne Meyer (hmeyer@midstreamcollege.co.za)
Grade 12 Mr Billy Palk (bpalk@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Ms Michelle Clark (mclark@midstreamcollege.co.za )
Although the school has an open door policy, you are requested to follow the correct channels of
communication and contact the relevant/direct head of an activity. Consult your child’s diary in this regard. The
diary contains information on the school management, year programme, tests, examinations and other
activities. If you feel that the matter has not been dealt with sufficiently, you are then welcome to contact the
headmaster.
GRADE 8 LEARNERS
Our grade 8 learners have adapted well in the first few days. The grade heads, Mr Henry Verster and Ms Cheryl
Grant, together with the Midstream Council are currently busy with their orientation programme. Parents are
welcome to contact them for any information. We would like to remind our grade 8 parents of the
inauguration function in the auditorium on Thursday, 31 January at 18:30.
GRADE CAMPS
The various grade groups will be going on camps from 27 February - 2 March. These camps are compulsory as
the aims of the camps are not only socialising and getting to know each other better, but are also adventure
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elated. We will make provision at the different venues for those learners with special dietary requirements. I
would like to reassure our parents of our commitment in making sure that each and every child will be looked
after in the best possible way. You will receive a contact number of a staff member attending your child’s camp
in order for you to make contact with the staff at the camp if necessary.
The grade groups will attend the following camps:
Grade 8: Hartbeeshoek (Brits area: Departing at 08:30 on Wednesday, 27 February and will be back at
the College on Friday, 1 March at 13:30.)
Grade 9: Konka (Roughly 30km south of Rustenburg: Departing at 08:30 on Wednesday, 27 February
and will be back at the College on Friday, 1 March at 13:30.)
Grade 10: Elandskloof (Dullstroom, Mpumalanga: Departing at 08:30 on Wednesday, 27 February and
will be back at the College on Saturday, 2 March at 13:00.)
Grade 11: Induna (Sabie: Departing at 08:30 on Wednesday, 27 February and will be back at the
College on Saturday, 2 March at 15:00.)
Grade 12: Madidaba (Cullinan: Departing at 07:30 on Thursday, 28 February and will be back at the
College on Saturday, 2 March at 13:00.)
We need to book and pay the different venues and transport companies no later than 8 February 2013. The
fees for the different camps will only be placed on your bill at the end of February 2013. You are therefore
urged to make contact with Mr Ferdi Niemand if your child will not be able to attend the camp. If you fail to
contact Mr Niemand before 8 February you will be eligible for the full payment of the camp fee. Please take
note that the camps form part of our curriculum and are compulsory. Learners that cannot attend the camp
will have to attend school during this period.
The costs involved in the different camps are as follows:
Gr 8 R800
Gr 9 R800
Gr 10 R1 450
Gr 11 R1 500
Gr 12 R700
If you have any questions with regards to the camps you are welcome to contact Mr Niemand at
feniemand@midstreamcollege.co.za.
MATRIC RESULTS
AA CC AA DD EE MM II CC SS
We are very proud of our matric class of 2012. The 116 matrics had a 100% pass rate and achieved 160
distinctions. 82,8% qualified for Bachelor’s Degree studies (full university admission).
The top achievers were (number of distinctions in brackets): Hugo Greyvenstein (9), Elize Loxley-Ford (8),
George Barnard, Van Wyk Pretorius and Anna-Marie Verhoef (7), Hannah du Toit, Kobus le Roux and Kobie van
Schalkwyk (6), Giverny Henry (5), Amy Bezuidenhout, Sylvester Cruz, David Meadon, Masego Modibane and SP
van der Merwe (4), and Hanno Bisschoff, André Calitz, Lize Graupner, Lindelie Kruger, Catherine Laing, Michael
Relling and Zoë van der Vyver (3). A further 10 learners achieved two As and another 34 one each.
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Individual achievements that deserve mention are: Hugo Greyvenstein (Mathematics and Mathematics Paper
3), Naledi Seabi (Mathematical Literacy), Kobie van Schalkwyk and Anna-Marie Verhoef (Afrikaans Eerste
Addisionele Taal) achieved in the top 1% of all IEB candidates in individual subjects. Hugo also managed to
achieve 100% in Mathematics Paper 3!
Hugo Greyvenstein Elize Loxley-Ford George Barnard Van Wyk Pretorius Anna-Marie Verhoef
NEW STAFF MEMBERS
We would like to welcome the following new staff members to Midstream College: (f.l.t.r.) Ms Marike Eloff –
Afrikaans; Ms Corena Kruger – Geography; Ms Cindy Hawley – Tourism; Ms Heilie-Marie Kruger – Afrikaans; Ms
Jaun-Mari Moraal – Mathematics; Mr Rudolf de Lange – Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy; Ms Sue-Ann
Vorster – Mathematics; Mr Konrad Munnik – Physical Sciences and Ms Shenagh-Lee Swanepoel – English.
CORE SKILLS TESTS
All grade 9 learners wrote these tests last year and we have received the results. The IEB average was 62,0%
and Midstream’s 67,2%. The following learners are our top achievers:
Johan Barnard 90% Taskeen de Sai 84%
Charl du Toit 87% Monique Jooste 84%
Ben Kruger 87% Wiehan van Zyl 84%
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TEXTBOOKS AND STATIONERY
Learners whose stationery and text books have been ordered on time have received most of them. In some
cases, text books are not yet available. You will be notified via SMS when they are available. Any problems can
be taken up directly with the suppliers, MC Bookshop. Their contact details are: Telephone: 083 446 6499, email:
midstreambooks@gmail.co.za .
REVUE
The 2013 revue auditions will take place in the hall on Thursday, 31 January from 14:30-18:00. For further
information please contact Ms L’Mri Lamprecht (organiser) at llamprecht@midstreamcollege.co.za.
CHOIR
Our choir auditions and practices will commence in the auditorium on Monday, 4 February at 16:00. For further
information please contact Ms Heléne Meyer (organiser) at hmeyer@midstreamcollege.co.za.
DRAMA@MIDSTREAM
The drama auditions will take place in F10 on Thursday, 7 March from 14:30-18:00. For further information
please contact Ms Jacolien Lüneburg (organiser) at jluneburg@midstreamcollege.co.za.
ARS LOQUENDI
Ars Loquendi is a public speaking course offered to learners in grade 11 and 12. The course offers learners the
opportunity to develop their prepared as well as impromptu speaking skills. The Ars Loquendi course for senior
learners commences on Thursday, 7 February at 16:00. For more information you can contact Ms Gerrida
Rörich (organiser) at grorich@midstreamcollege.co.za.
ORATORS
The ATKV and the Afrikaans Internal Orators’ competitions will both take place on Wednesday, 30 January at
18:00. Learners are welcome to enter for both competitions. For more information you can contact Ms Sharon
de Bod (organiser) at sadebod@midstreamcollege.co.za.
INTERNAL ORATORS
CC UU LL TT UU RR EE
Midstream College hosted its seventh annual internal English orator’s competition. A word of thanks to each
learner who participated – you can be very proud of yourself.
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The results of the internal English orators’ competition were as follows:
Juniors (Impromptu) Seniors (Impromptu)
3 rd Nolwazi Chonco & Taskeen de Sai Khensani Mashaba
2 nd Aroma Theron Nonhlanhla Silomo
Winner Rynier Brandt Marinette Pretorius
SS PP OO RR TT
2013 started at a furious pace with a very successful inter-house athletics and swimming gala. We request that
parents support our learners in participating and attending the practices regularly. The sport fixture list and
practice times are available on the school’s website.
The first athletics meeting takes place at home today with a meeting against Hoërskool Stoffberg. Parents must
please take note that due to the away athletics meetings, the school will close at 12:30 on the following
Fridays: Friday, 1 February (Die Wilgers), Friday, 8 February (Boksburg Athletics Stadium), Friday, 15 February
(Hartbeespoort). The inter-high athletics meeting will take place on Tuesday, 26 February at Pilditch Stadium
and will start at 09:00.
The first gala, tennis league match, as well as cricket matches started this week and we would like to wish all
the learners an enjoyable sporting year. The u/14 cricket team started the season on a high note with a
comfortable ten wickets victory over Sutherland High. Our senior girls tennis team unfortunately narrowly lost
their first A1-league match against Affies. With the learners’ positive attitude, the parents’ support and the
staff’s enthusiasm, we have no doubt that we can meet the challenges in 2013. Do not hesitate to discuss any
sporting related query or problem with us.
The following organisers can be contacted for any information regarding sport:
Athletics - Ms Mia Aucamp
Swimming - Mr John Acres
Tennis - Ms Sandra Gerber
Cricket - Mr Wimpie Jansen van Rensburg
Equestrian - Ms Christine Almeida
We would like to congratulate Kyle Gerber who participated in the Gauteng East tennis tournament during the
holidays. He came second in the singles and won the doubles (u/18). He also participated in the Gauteng
Central tennis tournament during the holiday where he won both the singles and the doubles (u/18).
Congratulations to Carlo Swart who won the doubles (u/16) of the Gauteng Central tennis tournament.
Brendan Swart came third in the u/14 singles at the same tournament.
Lee and Zani Barnard participated in the Zonal African Cup Qualifications event in Windhoek and played each
other in the finals and also won the doubles. We would like to congratulate Zani and Lee as they have been
selected to represent South Africa at the African Junior Championships in Kenya .
Congratulations to Bruce McCarthy who was selected for the Blue Bulls HPC squad.
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LOCKERS
There are still a few small, medium and large lockers available. Locker rent for 2013 is as follows: Small - No
charge # ; Medium - R250; Large - R350; Extra Large - R450 and Extra Wide - R500.
The small lockers # are ideal for keeping wallets, cell phones, calculators and other small items. They can even
take a few text books. We urge learners to make use of this promotion in order to safeguard their assets.
Lockers are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and your account will be debited with the relevant
amount. Locker forms must be handed in to Dr Steyn de Bod.
2012 PRIZE-GIVING PHOTOS
Learners have until Monday, 28 January to order last year’s prize-giving photos. The package costs R75-00,
which must be paid in cash to Mr Swart.
CARS AND MOTORBIKES
Kindly note that only learners who have valid drivers’ licences for the above are allowed to park in the official
high school parking area in front of the main high school entrance. Cars and motorbikes must also be correctly
registered and licenced. Your co-operation in this regard is appreciated. You can contact Mr. Leonard Swart at
lswart@midstreamcollege.co.za.
PARENT FUNCTION & INVOLVEMENT
We would like to extend a special word of thanks to all the parents, learners and teachers who attended our
first social of 2013. It was really great to see everyone again and to meet our new parents. We would like to
thank our Parent Committee for their hard work and effort in organising the evening. If you are interested in
joining the committee you can contact Henriëtte Minnie (h.minnie13@gmail.com).
E-MAIL & WEB PAGE
You are welcome to visit the school’s website at www.midstreamcollege.co.za. All circulars, as well as other
important information, are available there. We are in the process of revamping our website, any parents with
relevant experience who would like to assist us, please contact dr. Uys (duys@midstreamcollege.co.za).
NEXT CIRCULAR
GG EE NN EE RR AA LL
The next circular will be published on Friday, 8 February 2013.
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