Newsletter 01/2023

Dear Parents

We have made our way through the first three weeks of the year and find ourselves in fine fettle. Our pupils and teachers have sunk their teeth into their respective syllabi, the sports programme is in full swing, and the culture departments in both the Junior School and High School have begun their quests of fine tuning (pun intended) their skills for performances later in the year.

A few flash cards:Dear Parents
Staff news

• Although we communicated the sad the news of Mr Benade’s passing during the December holiday break, I take this opportunity to once again remember him and his family. We continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
• Mrs Barbara Nortman (nee Owen) got married at the end of last year. We wish her, and her husband, Marius, many years of happiness.
• We also welcome into our fold:
• Mrs Cayla Harel (High School Business Studies);
• Mr Marius Beukes (Junior School Sport Co-ordinator);
• Mrs Eldaret Taylor (Headmaster’s Secretary);
• Mr Tristan van der Spuy (Junior Primary Sport Admin);
• Mr Freedom Buthelezi (College Cricket Professional – High School + Junior School).
• Mr Charl van den Berg has been appointed as the High School Engineering Graphics and Design teacher. He is an enthusiastic, vastly experienced educator and we look forward to his contribution to the College, both in the classroom and on the sports fields.

Strategic Planning

Using the parent, pupil and teacher surveys conducted last year as the point of departure, members of the College Council and College staff (representing Roots, Junior School and High School) engaged in a wonderfully open and constructive strategic planning session on Saturday 21 January.

The session was facilitated by Mr Dave Wilkinson (ex-Headmaster of Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape, St Anne’s Diocesan College in KZN, Elkanah House High School in the Western Cape, and recently retired ISASA Regional Director – KZN) who channelled the discussion and deliberation towards a vision which will be consolidated into both a short term plan and longer term blue print for the future sustainability and development of Felixton College.

A formal summary of the plan will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course and further input from parents, through surveys and other appropriate means, will be appreciated.

Junior School building project

The Junior School building project is well on its way to meeting the deadline of us moving into OUR NEW JUNIOR SCHOOL by the end of April. It is fascinating to watch the super structure take on its form and we hope to begin looking at classroom interiors and aesthetics in just over a month from now.

On a personal note, the pupils and teachers continue to amaze me with the way in which they navigate the in-house logistics with consummate professionalism, unbridled enthusiasm, and most of all, patience.

Grade 12 IEB NSC 2022 results

Our Grade 12 IEB results delivered by our 2022 cohort were received with much joy and pride. In short, our Grade 12s once again excelled, achieving a 100% pass rate, with 97% of our Matrics obtaining results that allow them access to tertiary studies.

Our top achiever for 2022 was Abigail Rottcher, who obtained distinctions in all 7 of her subjects and an overall average of 90%. Abigail was also recognised as being in the top 1%, nationally, for Life Orientation and Computer Applications Technology.

While we are very pleased with our Matric results, I take this opportunity to remind our parents, pupils, and teachers, that marks to not determine who our children are, nor do they determine a child’s worth or intelligence. We also do not ‘chase marks’ because of perceived success and prestige.

At Felixton College, our focus is to enrich the lives of youngsters who pass through our care, by unlocking their potential and placing them in the position to pursue their dreams, have options in terms of where they could go after school, and make important decisions that are rooted in a value system that exudes diligence, integrity, and respect.

I wish all of our Felixton College families a wonderfully successful 2023, filled with love, peace, and joy.

Kind Regards
Wayne Rademan