Housemaster News

Dear White House Parents

I am so pleased and very chuffed that we have raised the amount required to proceed with the artificial lawn for the quad with the final R30 000 being donated by the school which I am so grateful for. This would not have happened if we had not had such a good response from some very generous parents which helped in the motivation to the school for the final amount as it clearly showed we had your backing. I have had a number of quotes and I am meeting with the representative from the selected company on Monday to work out final details. Hopefully, we can get the lawn done this year before the boys depart, but definitely for the start of 2012!


Our  Student Representative Forum Representatives for 2012, voted by their grades, are;

Grade 12 - Jean Truter

Grade 11- Nokukule Sikongo

Grade 10 - Matthew Boynton

Grade 9 - Siya Qwamgana

All the new curtains in all the dorms have been installed and they look stunning, especially in comparison with the old ones.  The new fire alarms are in the process of being installed and should be in at the end of the week-hopefully. We really have had an enormous amount done this year in the House and I am so pleased for the support from the school in this regard.

With the grade 10s starting exams on Monday and the grade 11s the following week, it is crucial that the boys get down to some serious revision over the weekends. Please try and set up the right environment for this to happen. In the House, we have set up a weekend study programme starting tonight with full prep!

Can I please ask the long distance boarders to get their travel arrangements to Kathy as soon as possible? Please also note that the grade 9s only get back from their camps on Thursday the 8^th in the late afternoon so hopefully no one will have booked earlier flights. Also the grade 10s return on the 7^th, but this is also late so please do not book flights for them before Thursday the 8^th.  It is compulsory for boys to go on camp!

I am on duty this weekend so please do not hesitate to get hold of me if need be.

Take care and have a good weekend.

Angus

Dear White House Parents

From Left - Jean Truter (Vice Head of House)  Jason Morris (Head of House)   Seb Remmelzwaal  (Head of  College)

I have some very special and proud news ......we have a Head Boy in White House. Congratulations to Seb Remmelzwaal who was announced as the Head Boy for 2012 at prize-giving this morning.  Judging by the two very impressive speeches he delivered last night to wish the matrics well and this morning at prize-giving, he is going to be brilliant. We are all very very proud of him.

This obviously means that Jason Morris now moves up to Head of House and Jean Truter takes up the role of Assistant Head of House. I am more than confident that  Jean and Jason are a very good match as they will compliment each other’s skills very well.  Obviously, Seb will also be on tap for advice when it matters.  There are so many very good leaders amongst the grade 11s that making the choice was never going to be easy. I look forward enormously to working with our new leaders who start their campaign immediately. 

Last night we had our Matric Farewell Dinner which was loads of fun and fine tribute to the matrics who have  had a successful year and can be very proud of what they have achieved. Once the photos come through, I will present a full reflection on the night and the matrics of 2011.

We have new carpets in all the passages which looks so much better and with the painting recently done the House is looking ‘lekker’ again. The school has really come to the party this year in terms of maintenance and upgrades in the House. THANK YOU and I know Mr Westwood has made made it his mission to keep the boarding houses looking spic and span! Next on the job list are smoke detectors which will be going up in the next few weeks.  Apparently, these are so sensitive that even if a person smokes in the vicinity it will set off the alarm! Obviously they will be installed in all dorms and studies.

The Quad Artificial Lawn Appeal has  been successful to an extent. We have raised R38000-00 which is well short of target, but  only about 20% of the parents have contributed. I will meet next week on Tuesday with the House Committee to discuss the way forward.

Tomorrow night we are hosting a social in the House and this is being run by Daniel Pinn and Tim Wells.  It is to try and raise funds for children from Dwarsrivier Primary School in the Cedarberg  to come to Cape Town next weekend. We will be hosting about  5 children in White House. Let’s hope they make lots of money.

Well that is all from me this week. I am on duty from Saturday through to Sunday.

Take care
Angus

Housemaster News

Francois Louw
 (WH 2003)
Springbok World Cup Squad

Hi All

I am on duty this weekend so please contact me on 0833915669.

The matric exams are now petering out and I have heard a lot of banter about suits, dates and the after-party slowly taking prominence. I am always amazed that another matric dance is upon us already. I am also always interested that the after party is often more of a focus for the boys than the actual matric dance, and we spend so much money on the matric dance.  I suppose this is just the nature of most boys at this age.  Despite this, I love the dance! I am busy typing away while watching the World Cup match between Australia and the USA. JJ Gagiano and Daniel Vickerman are playing against each other; both are Bishops boys. I was so pleased also to see Francois Louw (White House old boy) playing as well for the Springboks against Namibia yesterday. Surely, this must be some kind of record for one school to have a representative playing in one WC for three different nations.  Something  special to be proud of for any Bishops boy.

This week the senior and juniors participated in the inter-house soccer. Both teams did very well, but it was the juniors who achieved glory in the end. The seniors played all the soccer in the semi-finals against Founders, but lost two nil. We played traditional skilful soccer where Founders simply blasted the ball up the middle and waited for us to make mistakes on defence. Simple tactics which worked for them.  It sounds ridiculous, but I think we were too good for our own good – sounds like a Peter deVilliersism!

Happy Victorious Junior Soccer Team

The following report was written was sent to me by Llewellyn Shanjengange (8):

“ The juniors made the final against Gray which we won. Ilyass Petersen scored the first goal with a brilliant shot. The second goal came from Makumba Chiti, who looked to struggling throughout the match with his stretch shorts. He broke the line and finished in off with great class. Jonathan Sheefeni scored the third to make sure White house won. Stefan Baartman scored the fourth with a header from another well 

aimed Taku  Mtombeni cross. Stefan got his second to finish off the 5-0 demolition of                                      Gray. So far the juniors have won the basketball, rugby and now the  soccer! “

Jason Morris (Grade 11) whom I mentioned in a previous post for making the Western Province final 7 aside trials has been selected into the team. Well done to Jason, who also had a great season for the 1^st XV.  He will certainly be a player to watch next year.

Grade 11s Deep in conference! 

I was away with the grade 11s on their leadership camp last week. I know they learned a lot and will be better leaders for it. They are a strong group and this was certainly apparent at the camp where the White House lads featured a great deal in all areas. I know that the Grade 11s will report on the camp specifically so I will leave it to them to report on.

New Curtains

Old Curtains

Imagine synthetic grass which will not only look good
 but be so much more functional - no more mud patches!

We are busy getting samples for new curtains to replace the old ones. I think you will agree that the new one’s will look splendid in comparison to the old ones. 

We have had a good response to the Quad Lawn Appeal. However, I would like to make another appeal to those who have not contributed yet to do so as I know the boys are very excited about the proposed synthetic lawn. I know they will get hours and hours of use on it. As I have said, it will get them outside and off their computers. The long distance lads will also benefit a huge amount from this. .http://whitehouseinfo.blogspot.com/2011/09/quad-lawn-appeal.html

DON"T FORGET

NATIONAL BRAAI DAY IS TOMORROW

(Julle Souties let maar goed op, hoor!)

Jan Braai is on the mission to get all South Africans around the fire on 24th September for National

Braai Day otherwise known as Heritage Day. Here’s Jan’s advice on how to keep the fire burning,

amongst other nuggets of braai-side wisdom.

1. Nothing beats a real wood fire.

2. 'Gas' is Afrikaans for a guest at your braai, not something you braai with.

3. Braaing is the only fat-negative way of cooking food. Even when you steam food the fat in it

stays behind. When you braai the fat drips out.

4. Try not to braai with indigenous wood. Alien vegetation like Rooikrantz and Blackwattle

drink lots of ground water and besides it feels good burning Australian invaders.

5. Braaing is a direct form of energy use, from the coals, to your meat. With conventional

electricity there is a lot of spillage between the power plant, power lines, electricity box,

wires, stove and pan. If you love the earth, braai.

6. Have enough ice at your braai to put in Klipdrift Brandy & Coke, to keep beer cold, and to

treat burn wounds with.

7. Smoke goes in the direction of pretty people, so send them to the kitchen to go and make

Salad...... for their own good that is.

8. Animals eat grass, leaves and vegetables all their lives and convert it to meat. Eating meat

is like eating vitamin pills.

9. A cow must only be killed once. Don’t braai you steak until the flavour is dead too.

10. A braaibroodjie is your chance in life to have your bread buttered on both sides.

Take care and have a great weekend.

Angus

Housemaster News 13th September

Hi

Please have a look at the dorm blogs, which after some serious cajoling from the Housemaster seem to be up to date. If your son is on the blog team, please give them a rocket if they do not put in their regular blog.

Newboy 7s Team "No.1"
Ennio Hamutenya missing due to injury

Senior A Finalists - "Pride" Drummond on the right
decided to try his hand at rugby after the previous
evenings disappointments on the hockey field.

After our last success on the basketball court last week, we decided that it was possibly charitable to let other House's take some of the silver ware on offer. Our senior hockey side lost most of their games, but considering that three grade 8s played in the side, it is clear we do not have too much senior talent in this arena. James Drummond (SA Schools) could only do so much on his own especially when much of his time was spent vocally deliberating umpiring calls!  In last Saturday's 7 aside rugby inter-house matches, we managed to make three finals in the u14, u19B and u19A sections. Three out of four finals is very decent. Our u15s played their best, but did not manage to make the finals. Both the senior teams played really well, but were beaten by speed for the most. They fought gallantly and scored some super tries along the way. They certainly gave of their best, but were ultimately beaten by better opposition on the day. However, it was left to the upstart u14 lads to do take some glory in winning their final against a strong School House side. They won comfortably mainly due to some extraordinary sidestepping skills from Ilyass Petersen, who at time had the crowd mesmerized, and also Cornel Smit's powerhouse running. The side did exceptionally well when one considers that two of their stars, Ennio Hamutenya and Sebastian Hanekom, had to miss the final due to injury - thankfully not too serious!  It was also wonderful to see that every 'Newboy' played at some stage! Three sides in the finals and one winner is not too bad for a little House! Once again, the boys themselves decided on tradition and stayed in as a House for Friday night and as a result we had by far the greatest support....again. Well done lads.

Jason Morris (Grade11) has been called up to the final Western Province 7s Trials - not surprisingly! We wish him luck.

The Grade 11s have been away for the last couple of days doing their work shadowing and I will be away with them until Friday on their leadership camp in Simonstown at Rocklands. It really is a special camp and I know the boys are looking forward to it. They have some stunning presentations to look forward to.

Next week we have the Soccer House matches which I know the boys thoroughly enjoy.

More House maintenance to be done this year. We are going to be replacing many of the old carpets, as much as budget can manage, install heat and smoke detectors, put in new curtains in all the dorms and complete the painting that is required. Shew...it never ends.

You can understand why we need to look for extra financial assistance for added extras like the quad synthetic grass which I know will add huge amounts of healthy fun and entertainment, and get the boys off their laptops!!! Please see my last post in this regard. Click on the link below.
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6811432520294586360#editor/target=post;postID=6522937937982845256

I know most have been glued to their tellies watching the world cup. Those who watched the Springboks will have chewed their nails to the cuticles, if they were like me. Exhausting stuff.  Those who love New Zealand, here is an opinion sent to me by a friend living in New Zealand........make of it as you will. Next time you watch- watch them carefully!


 The Dominion Post


"If New Zealand go out of a consecutive World Cup because of another dodgy refereeing decision, they will have no one to blame but themselves. The All Blacks no longer even bother to bend the laws. They set out to deliberately cheat.
For only one piffling syllable, CHEAT is an awfully big word. "Who are you calling a cheat?" demands the card-playing gunslinger, just before the mandatory murder and the five aces sliding from the sleeve.
The All Blacks cheat in spades. Half of their tries in the Tri- Nations have been set up by blatant cheating.
Go back to the first South Africa game just before Wyatt Crockett scored in the corner. It is hard to believe that Richie McCaw could be four yards offside and get away with it, but there he is holding back the South African lock.
In the first game against Australia they are at it again. Piri Weepu set up the first try by going through a hole created by Ali Williams holding Quade Cooper to the ground.
In the buildup to the second try Ma'a Nonu sets a screen (much as they might do in basketball) for Kieran Read.
Every week Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board head of referees, sends out a directive to the coaches about issues that have arisen from the weekend games. At this point O'Brien warned coaches about all the holding back and obstruction that was going on. He might as well have told the All Blacks to stop doing the haka for all the notice they took.
New Zealand were at it again on Saturday. There were just three incidents in the leadup to their first try, but the second try was exceptional. As Nonu was running through another black hole, a prone David Pocock was waving his arms in frustration. McCaw and Keven Mealamu had held him pinned to the ground for 14 seconds.
Even by the very high standards of the All Blacks, 14 seconds must have constituted a personal best. Does McCaw have an invisibility cloak that only television cameras can penetrate? Even Robbie Deans called him "a bloody menace" and that's when he was coach of the Crusaders.
Perhaps the funniest moment in Saturday's game was when the commentator opined that Brad Thorn had been "unfortunate" to bump into Williams. The ref was gullible enough to award an accidental offside.
Accidental? Don't make me laugh. The next time the All Blacks play a big game, watch what they do around the breakdown. They deliberately splinter off into offside positions to block the defence. It's about as accidental as the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.
O'Brien told me while he was in Italy for the Junior World Cup that no World Cup has yet been decided by a bad refereeing decision.
A couple of weeks later, Paddy was overtaken by events. The refereeing of the final of that Junior World Cup was one of the most unfortunate performances I have ever seen and certainly determined the outcome. I suspect this coming World Cup is an injustice waiting to happen, but don't blame the refs, blame the players and coaches.
One of the joys of that Junior World Cup, as O'Brien observed, was that the players haven't learned (fully) yet to cheat. O'Brien also knows that one of the biggest challenges senior rugby
faces going forwards is to stop the culture of cheating.
Is the batsman who knows he nicked the ball and refuses to walk a cheat? Is the footballer who dives in the penalty area a cheat? Is the rugby player who holds back an opponent a cheat? You bet they are. People call it "the professional foul".
No, it's just cheating.
Yes, I know other teams cheat, although none of them are as accomplished at it as New Zealand.
On Saturday Will Genia was the first to take up a blocking position on the All Blacks side of a ruck and was called back by the ref. Genia threw up his arms in apology – as if.
The former Australian coach Bob Dwyer, like most of the planet, believes that New Zealand lead the world cheating averages. He said: "Richie would be guilty six times of obstruction in every game. I think we have to keep criticising the New Zealanders and making people aware of what are illegal tactics."
In that context, I don't want to hear a single New Zealander whinge about a bad decision during the World Cup. The moment you set out to deceive refs is the moment you lose your right of appeal.
If you live by the sword, be prepared to die by the sword, and the cheating All Blacks wield the biggest claymore of the lot."
* Mark Reason is one of England's most experienced sports columnists. A long-time senior writer for The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in Britain, he migrated to New Zealand and now calls this country home.


That's it for this week. 

Take great care

Angus