Take-Note-14-October

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ISSUE
29
INSIDE:
Welcome Back!
CONCERT AWARDS
INTERNATIONAL TOUR
TO HOLLAND
Welcome back to the last quarter of the year. It is amazing how
time has passed and the next eight weeks are going to be
unbelievably busy, but very gratifying to all concerned.
EVERYONE GETS TO BE A
TEENAGER
Follow me to page 2

MESSAGE FROM THE
EXECUTIVE HEAD
Welcome Back! …continued from page 1
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I
On the staff front, Mr Geoff Thompson retires and Ms Charlotte Botha has decided to further her doctorate studies in the USA
would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event
next year. Both staff members have been invaluable in their own way, and we will certainly miss their presence in 2017.
itself. We
This has created the opportunity to make some changes next year. Mr Kenny Kabak replaces Charlotte as assistant conductor.
Kenny comes from the USA with a Master’s degree in choral conducting from the university of Missouri, loads of experience for
someone so young and a passion for choral music. Kenny joins us on a one-year contract which we know will have great benefit
for our choir and school.
Theresa Mbatha is joining us as conductor of the New Boys choir. She is an experienced opera singer and will join Mrs Krüger in
their daunting quest in training our nearly forty new recruits of 2017. I am very excited with this new addition to the staff.
Keegan Bentley (Academic), Greg Bath and Karabo Sekonyela (Music) will make up our intern complement for 2017. We look
forward to them joining us in January next year. I will inform the school community about the English and isiZulu candidates
shortly.
While talking about 2017, our expected big intake of about forty new boys is no small thanks to the recruitment team, staff and
boys who are true ambassadors for the school and choral music throughout the country and abroad. They truly welcome and
encourage the growth of music and peace throughout. We trust that our prospective Dragons will carry on the worthy traditions
of our fine school.
Thank you to the staff team who went overseas for a very successful tour to Holland. I know it was thoroughly enjoyed by the
boys and staff alike. Taking such a tour is an enormous task and responsibility and I would like to thank Steven Wellbeloved for his
superb organizational skills and Chef, Mrs Krüger, Mrs Louw and Mr Botha for outstanding concerts. Well done.
Some of us head out into the mountains (Grades 7/8) this weekend, while others help the local choirs with workshops and the
like. While we are all enjoying the mountains, I trust that you will have a wonderful weekend.
Andrew Stead
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NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
CONCERT AWARDS – INTERNATIONAL TOUR AND 12 OCTOBER
New Boy of the Week (and Tour):
Sihle Manonyane
Chorister of the Week (and Tour):
Lengana Mashaphu
Chorister of the Week:
Sipho Mkhize (voice group leader Tenors)
and Connor Lessle (voice group leader
Sopranos)
Commendable performances on stage (and Tour):
Julio Mamabolo
Nathaniel Stoffels
Allistair Wadsworth
Jonathan Jenkings
Sipho Mkhize
Neo Ramalitse
Lengana Mashaphu
Khumo Pege
Obakhe Delubom
Semiyea Tassaw
Most valuable contributions on stage (and Tour):
Gustav Klingbiel
Kyle Keegan
Sebastian Chowles
Nivin Pillay
Thando Myeza
Ryan Smith
Liam Muller
Lefa Motshele
Voice Group of the concert: Tenors
Voice Group of the tour: Sopranos
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INTERNATIONAL TOUR – HOLLAND 2016
On Tuesday 6 October, fifty-six Drakies and five staff members arrived back in sunny South Africa after a wondrous,
inspiring (and exhausting) fourteen-day concert tour of Holland. We gave concerts in packed concert halls, world-class
theatres and heavenly cathedrals, all to extremely appreciative and engaging Dutch audiences. Our hosts took us on
culinary adventures of cheese, bread, deli meats, stroopwafels, bitterballen, kroketten, hagelslag on bread, Indonesian
chicken drenched in peanut sauce – and some more bread and cheese. A truly memorable time was had by all. We made
many new friends and our deepest gratitude go to Hans Peeters and the Tabor Werenfredus school community in Hoorn –
you left handprints on our hearts. May we soon be able to return the favour here in our majestic mountains.
For more detailed accounts and photos of our adventures in Holland, please visit our Facebook page.
Groetjes en tot gauw,
Junine Krüger
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CONGRATULATIONS ON RECEIVING
CONCERT STATUS!
Removing their school ties….
…then the “momentous” moment receiving their jabots.
Back row (left to right): Allistair Wadsworth, Gabriel Drew, Zipho Xundu, Sipho Mkhize, Siya Tshabalala, Sebastian Chowles,
Jonathan Jenkings and Johan Piek
Front row (left to right): Seth Brown, Daniel Riceman, Katlego Phetla, Siphesihle Maphumulo, Qhawe Mafika, Caleb Saks, Brian
Zulu, Francois Snyman
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NEWS FROM THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
EVERYONE GETS TO BE A TEENAGER
“People spend their childhood learning to be like their parents and their adolescents, learning who they are and how they
are different from their parents.” (Dr. Miriam Kaufmann)
This is an article intended for the DBCS parents and our young Drakie choristers – the purpose is to highlight the adolescent
zone that many of our young men are in and that others will inevitably visit someday soon. Everyone gets to be a teenager
- for some, this can be hectic, for others, a breeze. Adolescents are often faced with challenging social and emotional
changes, all developmentally normal but often disconcerting for those of us who have forgotten. These ‘symptoms’ may
explain why that little even-tempered angel no longer wishes to ‘chill’ with his parents, but rather posts numerous selfies
on Instagram, seems obsessed with electronic games and tends to frequently over-react.
Adolescents need to search for an identity – they embark on a quest to find out who they are and where they
fit in. Ever wondered why teens (and some adults) take all those selfies? Doctor Apter, a psychology lecturer at
Cambridge University, says taking selfies is all about people trying to figure out who they are and project this
to other people, essentially self-definition.
Teens seek independence and crave responsibility. As the pre-frontal cortex (thinking cap and judgement
centre of the brain) develops, they tend to want to exercise these new thinking skills and often seem to be
argumentative. Questions, such as ‘why don’t you trust me?’ or ‘when are you ever going to let go?’, are used.
A preference for friends over family dominates, as the adolescent seeks acceptance from peers and craves
independence.
They are on a mission for new experiences and feel invincible (‘bulletproof’) – teens are known to seek out
adrenalin-boosting adventures and engage in risk-taking behaviour. For most parents, this is the most alarming
trait, as the possibility of consequences is often ignored during this time of experimentation. Perhaps it is the
adrenalin fix that they are after, when obsessed with an electronic game, possibly less harmful than chemical
options. Competitive activities, such as sport, are healthier alternatives, but not as readily available.
An individual set of values and morals develops, as adolescents begin to think more about ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.
There becomes a tendency to question ‘things’ that were once taken for granted.
A growing sense of self and self-esteem prevails, but a tendency to be more self-conscious is also evident.
Self-esteem is generally affected by appearance, or by how teenagers think they look. Wanting to be ‘buff’
epitomises teenage boys. Teenage boys generally prefer to fit in, rather than stand out, unless this is owing to
being muscle-bound.
Sexual identity is explored - dating and ‘hooking up’ is prevalent and cyber-relationships become the norm. To
adults, technology means convenience and entertainment. For teenagers, technology means life - most of
them spend every waking hour hooked up to it in some form or another. It is how many learn, how most
communicate and how they relax.
Moods seem unpredictable and there appears to be a greater sensitivity to others’ emotions and actions,
often misreading facial expressions or body language. Teenagers display strong feelings and intense emotions,
often leading to conflict with peers and family.
There is not much that we can do to prevent this inevitable development but, I think parents can be supportive rolemodels,
show an interest and listen to what is said, both verbally and silently.
Sharon Dixon
Do not miss next week’s Take Note, prize giving results and photos to be included.
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FINAL EXAMINATIONS
Date
Tuesday
Subject
Life Orientation
18 Oct
Tuesday
25 Oct
Tuesday
1 Nov
Tuesday
8 Nov
Wed
9 Nov
Thursday
Afrikaans Creative Writing
English Creative Writing
Mathematics P1
Music Appreciation
Congratulations to Matthew Robinson and Alex Brits – these
boys have been awarded Silver Certificates for their
performance in the final round of the SA Mathematics
Challenge.
10 Nov Aural Training Theory
Friday
11 Nov
Saturday
12 Nov
Monday
14 Nov
Tuesday
15 Nov
Wednesday
16 Nov
Thursday
17 Nov
Friday
18 Nov
EMS (7 - 9)
Technology (7 - 9) / PE Practical (4 - 6)
Mathematics P2
Creative Arts
English
Social Sciences (4 - 6)
History
Afrikaans
Natural Science & Technology (4 - 6)
Physical Science (7 - 9)
CELEBRATIN WOMAN’S DAY AT DBCS
Aural Training Practical
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NEWS FROM THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT
RETURNING BACK FOR THE LAST TERM
Always happy to see each other again.
Drakie mothers there to support each other.
Ready to face the next term!
Thank you Drakie parents for always being
there for us.
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Welcome back! Motshwane Pege, Kimon Pienaar, Nathan Julius, Mr Jaco Dippenaar (Choirmaster), Nthato
Padi, Jacob Chidawaya and Daryl Kwaramba from Hilton College. At Drakies we cherish welcoming old boys
and staff members back even if it is just for a visit.
Siphesihle Sigwebela in action
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SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN
With the commencement of the fourth term, my big challenge has been to mute the endless sounds of “Onward
Christian Soldiers” that I hear. It has been playing at considerable volume on an involuntary loop in the recesses
of my cerebellum since the boys returned. As earworms go, I suppose it could be worse though – the tune is
rather catchy and the lyrics are rousing stuff.
The noise in my head (remember, everyone is different) has distracted me a little from other pressing matters.
My quest for the perfect Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) placebo continues. With some reluctance, I have made a
small compromise in the meeting of baseline characteristics. Actually, I have long thought that those scientific
types are way too anal about detail anyway.
While the placebo will certainly meet other stringent standards, it will no longer be of entirely inert make-up.
However, to mitigate any nasty innuendo regarding ethical and scientific integrity, substances that share
compounds with ACV will be excluded from the study. Unfortunately, this puts battery acid off the menu so it’s
back to the drawing board for me!
Sister Lianne
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Luke Jansen van Vuuren
15 October
Max Tanesse
17 October
Kamohelo Motlhasedi
18 October
CHRISTMAS IN THE BERG 2016
It is with great excitement that we launch our Christmas in the Berg 2016 concert programme. This year we have an exciting
line-up of concerts, performed exclusively by the Drakensberg Boys Choir.
Tickets for the concerts go on sale to parents and families of the boys on Tuesday 25 October after which we will open them
to the public on Friday 28 October. There will be a promotional code available to parents which will entitle you to a 10%
discount on your bookings – this code will only be valid from 25 to 31 October 2016.
Please remember to book your tickets early and don’t rely on tickets being available at the festival, as the concerts tend to
sell out quickly.
We are also excited to inform you that the catering at the festival will be provided by three trendy Food Trucks called ‘Naked
Bones’, ‘Maddison Bakery’ and ‘Love Coffee’. All three of our Food Trucks are established and renowned for their tasty
meals that they prepare at festivals and events around the country.
We look forward to welcoming you all at Christmas in the Berg and celebrating the festive season with you.
Steven Wellbeloved
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Happy Birthday!
DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR
Calendar 14 October - 23 October 2016
DATE EVENT TIME
14 October Grade 9 Outing
Durban Holocaust Centre, Durban
14 – 15 October Legacy Project Focus Groups
14 – 16 October Outward Bound Grade 7 and 8
16 October Chapel
SCA
10:00 – 11:00
18:30 – 19:30
17 – 18 October IMC Round 2
17 October Prefects Tea 10:20 – 10:40
18 October Life Orientation Exam 10:40 – 11:40
19 October Wednesday Concert 15:30 – 17:30
20 October Assembly 10:40 – 11:00
20 October UNISA Theory Exam (Grade 3 and 5) 14:30 – 17:00
21 October UNISA Theory Exam (Grade 4) 14:30 – 17:00
22 October Academics
Entrepreneurs Day
23 October Chapel
SCA
08:30 – 12:30
13:00 – 15:00
10:00 – 11:00
18:30 – 19:30
PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: administration@dbchoir.com | www.dbchoir.com
INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NOT FOR GAIN - NPO 002-106