CIRCULAR NO. 41
7 December 2016
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s)
“WHEN THE POWER OF LOVE
OVERCOMES THE LOVE OF POWER,
THE WORLD WILL KNOW PEACE.”
By Jimi Hendrix
Our Hillcrest field at 11h00 today
1)
ACADEMICS
The academic year for our pupils has come to an end with the completion of the matric exams
and the exams for the rest of the school. Schools closed on Wednesday for the learners, and
today for the staff. Reports not handed to the learners or collected from Reception have been
posted to the home addresses.
38 of our staff were selected to mark matric examination papers. The matric results will be
available from school at 12h00 on Thursday, 5 January 2017. Matrics who come to school to
receive their results will also be given their testimonials and a copy of the 2016 year book if all
their textbooks have been returned. See section on “Textbooks”.
The rest of the school will receive their yearbooks in the first week of school, 2017. Thank you
to the editor, Mrs Visser, and to everyone else who provided articles and photographs.
We wish all our matrics well as we wait in anticipation for their results.
On Wednesday this week, we dedicated a new plaque at our Memorial Stone to pay tribute to
all the pupils and staff who have passed away during their time of being at Fairmont.
This ceremony was followed by the Final Assembly of 2016.
2)
FROM THE DESK OF THE OUTGOING PRINCIPAL
The following highlights some of the most gratifying achievements of our 2016 year.
The year-end matric results of 2015 were the finest results from the school in its 39 year history.
The highlights included:

100% pass rate

The highest overall average over 5 years.

The highest number of distinctions (%) over 5 years

406 Subject distinctions

The highest number of subject B’s and C’s over 5 years (%)

Top candidate Josie Burness: Aggregate 93.7%

Top English candidate in the country: Josie Burness 99%

Top Life Sciences candidate in the Western Cape: Kayla Heinrich

36 A-aggregates; up 5.4% from 2014

13 candidates scored straight 7 distinctions

1 candidate scored straight 8 distinctions

8th candidate position in the WP in Business Studies

3rd candidate position in Italian

8th candidate position in Life Orientation
To add to this list of achievements, Minister Debbie Schafer presented an award, in the first term
of this year, to the school for excellence in Mathematics and English in the Systemic tests of
2015.
The school also received an academic acknowledgement award from the University of
Stellenbosch, in the first term of this year. The citation read, “Acknowledgement for Fairmont’s
consistency over a five year period in delivering exceptional academic talent for admission into
undergraduate programmes.”
We had very good representation in the various Olympiads this year, 50 participants in the Maths
Olympiad, and 6 entrants into the Science Olympiad where a number of silver medals were
awarded.
In the English Olympiad we achieved the honour of being placed in the top 15 candidates in the
country for two consecutive years with Cayley Jones of Grade 12 being placed 13th in the South
African competition this year.
Exceptional submissions of art-work at a number of exhibitions of our young artists’ have brought
accolades to the school and many of these astonishing works appear in a number of our
publications.
We are also proud of the three talented music pupils, Jacqueline Choi, Celine Gravenor and
Gemma Crous who reached the finals of the Johann Vos Music competition.
All in all we added seven new academic certificate awards to our collection on the front wall of
the hall foyer including:
District awards for

Excellence in education

Excellence in English Home language

Excellence in category 100% pass rate
Minister’s awards for

Academic excellence to set criteria

Excellence in the Mathematics and English Systemic testing of 2015

The University of Stellenbosch exceptional academic talent award and the

Mathematics Olympiad 10 year participation award.
To compliment these fine academic performances, 2016 has presented some exceptional
sporting achievements from all our sporting codes.
Cricket has advanced at all levels resulting from a keen and determined coaching and
strategizing effort from all involved. Brayden Smits was selected to represent the Western
Province Cricket Association at the inter-provincial tournament in Welkom and Aaron Smit was
selected for the WP U15A cricket team. This is a marvelous achievement for both of them.
With the completion of our aquatic centre at the beginning of this year, a new era has been
heralded for aquatics at Fairmont. This amazing facility has set the stage for the introduction of
water polo at the school and the advancement of swimming and associated athlons.
The presence of a resident swimming club and a senior league water polo club will serve to
reinforce and assist the growth of aquatics at school. The introduction of polo at Fairmont has
been a long awaited goal and we will watch with keen anticipation as this sport develops.
Notable swimming performances this year have been achieved by Kelly Vroon who represented
WP at the SA youth championships. She will be taking part in the Biathle World Championships
in Sarasota USA, later this month. Her biggest achievement to date she claims is her third place
last year, at the Biathle World Championship in Batumi, Georgia.
Our grade 8 swimmer Dylan Wright has also experienced an amazing season this year. After
breaking the WP boys U13, 1500m freestyle record last year, he won the SA Open Water
Championships in the boys’ 3 km event. He also participated in the SA National Championships
where he gathered 3 gold medals, 5 silvers and 3 bronze medals. He holds three WP records
in the 1500m freestyle, the 400m freestyle and the 200m butterfly.
In athletics and cross country, Samuel van der Merwe has a significant list of successes:
Gold in the U19 North Zone Championships, he represented WP in the SA 10km run, 9 records
broken in the interschools’ meeting and he was 1st amongst 13 000 runners in the junior division
of the Cape Town 12 km run.
Two other athletes, Ethan Noble and Pierre de Wit did the school proud, with Pierre claiming
the highly prized WP gold medal in javelin and Ethan’s list of achievements including 2nd place
in the 100m, first in the relay team at the SA School’s athletics championships and his selection
to the WP senior athletics team.
It is worthy at this point of mentioning past pupil Richard Murray’s first position at the ITU World
Duathlon Championship this year.
Rugby has produced the best performances in the history of the sport at Fairmont. Nine players
were invited to the WP trials with Basjan Swanepoel and Mark Fairhurst making it through to the
4th round.
But by far the rugby highlights of the year were the wins against Cambridge College and
Selbourne College in East London during the July tour to East London.
Also of significance was the achievement by both the U19 and U16 teams being placed first in
the North District league. To cap it all, Fairmont now finds itself in the top 100 rankings of rugby
playing schools in South Africa.
For some time there was the intention of recognising Mr Elgie’s major input into hockey at
Fairmont. The time became fitting to recognise his significant contributions over many years,
during the Easter Hockey Festival in April this year. A naming ceremony took place on the Astro
to celebrate this moment of history at the school.
The establishment of the Brian Elgie Astro Hockey Turf back in 2009 has definitely realized its
goals of elevating the profile of hockey at Fairmont to one of the best hockey playing schools in
South Africa.
This is confirmed by the success experienced this year. Some of the highlights of the season
have been; the U14 and U16 girls’ participation in the Kwagga tournament in George where the
U14 girls came home without losing a game. This included a draw with Herschel and a win
against Rustenburg, a total of 111 hockey games played at the largest annual co-ed hockey
tournament in the country, the Fairmont Easter hockey Tournament.
It is anticipated that 48 teams will participate in this tournament during the Easter of 2017.
A total of 29 players represented WP Zonal and WP teams this year. Tegan Crament, Julia
Masureik, Brigeet Benadie and Gabriela Jordaan were selected for the senior WP school teams
with Ryan Byrne, Samuel Peters, Liam Ward, Daniel Burton, Keenan Opperman and Braydon
Smits representing WP Senior School teams. Julia Masureik and Samuel Peters were selected
to represent SA Schools.
Mr Elgie will be retiring at the end of this year and the current status of our hockey at Fairmont
is a fitting tribute to the immense groundwork set by Mr Elgie in the earlier years. The Brian Elgie
Astro will be a long lasting memory of his work and his hockey legacy at the school.
Our netball girls have given their best this year. It was a pleasure to watch them perform on tour
in East London this year. Well done to Sabrina Beeka on her selection to the WP netball team.
Although we lost a number of our top golfers last year, our golf at Fairmont remains strong. Our
team won the High Schools’ qualifying tournament by 4 shots. The individual winner at the
tournament was Ian Botha on 74, beating the reigning boys’ champion on a count out. Ian also
finished 2nd in the U19 SA Club championships in Mossell Bay.
Our grade 8 golfer Kaylah Williams was selected for the WP Amateur Ladies A team. She placed
2nd in the Boland Amateur Champs placing her well on the golfing map.
A highlight for soccer this year was the girls’ soccer tour to Spain and the U16 and U19 boys’
tour to Port Elizabeth. Four boys and 6 girls made the WP Zonal Squad and Shannon Mills was
selected to the Western Cape team. Our soccer girls remain unbeaten for the past 8 years.
In chess, Hishaam and Jihad Essop represented WP at the SA Junior Chess Championships
where they won gold medals and a 1st place trophy. Houston Yu was also selected to play in the
U15 WP Schools’ Team where he was placed 3rd and 6th in the SA Schools’ chess tournament.
Perhaps the cherry on the top of our sporting achievements this year was the major win by our
drummies in the President’s league of the National Majorette Championships where they were
crowned Campion of Champions. Fairmont is extremely proud of this achievement. We also
acknowledge Celine Lucas’ selection to the SA National Majorette Team.
Well done to all our sport codes from equestrian, basketball, badminton, softball, table tennis,
squash, e-gaming and those already mentioned you have all done our school proud.
In introducing the iPad in 2011 Steve Jobs quoted that “It is in Apples DNA that technology alone
is not enough – its technology married with art and culture, married with the humanities, that
yields us the results that make our hearts sing”. Fairmont without art and culture would not be
enough – culture is very much a part of our school that makes our hearts’ sing.
To this end, culture at Fairmont has enjoyed significant support. At our recent Cultural Awards
evening, 21 societies were represented where members of these societies received over 300
achievement and participation certificates. In the course of this year we have enjoyed the one
act plays, the classical concert featuring our fabulous school choir, our orchestral musicians,
performances of the Broties, the classical concert hosted by Tygerberg High School, musical
items from our talented pupils, performances of our marimba band, music and dance at our
founders day celebrations and grade assemblies, participation in the Hugo Lampbrecht
orchestral performances, the Stellenbosch Choral Eisteddfod and participation in the Greyton
Classical Music Festival.
This year’s highly acclaimed annual production: Out of the Kitbag was a dramatic production set
against the backdrop of the USA, Britain and Germany during the difficult years of World War 2.
We witnessed the beautiful voices of our pupils who shared the melodies and lyrics of the time
together with the dancing and acting abilities of our talented performers.
We are truly blessed to have such talent and participation in culture, art and societies at our
school.
On the travel front, at the end of last year, we hosted the first incoming tour of an exchange
programme with Stenhus School in Denmark. A reciprocal tour from Fairmont took place in the
earlier part of this year and we received a second group from Denmark in October 2016. A
second Fairmont group to travel to Denmark has been earmarked for 2017 and I hope that this
exchange will continue for many years to come.
In delivering this report, I am ever mindful that all these activities and achievements we enjoy at
Fairmont are made possible from the resources provided by our parents, the talent of our pupils
and the immense input from our staff. We are fortunate to have the calibre of staff both in the
academic and extra-curricular spheres of the school who offer their expertise in the functioning
of our school programmes. It is worth boasting that we have 36 members of staff who are
markers of the National Senior Certificate examination and I am aware that the department
places much trust in their experience to carry this out. We also have four members of staff who
are WP and SA schools’ executive members in rugby and hockey.
Today we said farewell to three long standing teachers:
Mr Brian Elgie who has a teaching career spanning 53 years of which 16 years have been in
service to Fairmont.
Mrs Christine Weerts, 52 years teaching experience of which there have been 34 years’
dedicated service to Fairmont and
Mr Horsthemke who has faithfully served the school both in the classroom and in the sport’s
office for the past 38 years.
A number of non-teaching personnel left Fairmont today and their photographs appear in this
circular.
We thank all those leaving for their indelible and lasting service and the legacies they leave
behind. We know that through their love for and participation in the school they have enriched
and touched the lives of many generations of children.
Earlier this year we made two important appointments at Fairmont. The first appointment was
Mr François Janse van Rensburg who joined us in August as our new deputy. Mr Janse van
Rensburg has quickly and eagerly made his mark at the school and we look forward to his
meaningful contributions in the years to come.
The second appointee to the school is Mr Leon Erasmus, to whom, at the end of this year I will
be transferring the baton. Mr Erasmus is an experienced principal from one of Durban’s oldest
and prestigious schools and I feel that he is a most capable, experienced and a principled man
to lead this school.
Today, as I look around Fairmont, I am filled with a feeling of admiration for our school and a
pending personal void or chasm that I will need to surmount in saying farewell. To have been
associated with many of the parents present here tonight I thank you for the interactions over
the years and I would like you to know that the credit goes to you for producing such beautiful
children.
I thank you for sending your children to Fairmont which in turn has directly or indirectly enriched
my life. I don’t know if there is any other profession that can offer the rewards in any way than
by having the privilege to work with young people. Children and yes teenagers are truly a gift
from God, and I have certainly been blessed to have been associated with so many for so many
years.
This has been a good year for our school; Academics, Sport, Culture and Societies. A year of
spirited participation. A year of good progress and involvement.
I would like to congratulate all our achievers this year for the contributions they have made at
Fairmont and for the awards they have received.
We thank the Fairmont staff for all they do to make Fairmont the school it is.
Thank you to the Moms’ and the Dads’ prayer group for their ongoing prayers and support for
all of us at school.
To the Parent Forum thank you for being such a positive, supportive and hard working group of
parents. Thank you for the fun and hard work that has been spent on Saturdays assembling the
many new benches and time spent in the gardens around our school.
To the Acting District Director Mr Allen Meyer, Circuit Manager Mrs Deborah Horne and all the
personnel at the District North Office, thank you for your support and encouragement.
To our maintenance staff and secretaries, thank you for all you do for the school.
To the Senior Management Team, thank you for the expertise you have brought to our meetings
and your support and hard work.
Thank you to Mrs Vermeulen, Mr Horsthemke, Mr De Penterious and Mr Cronje and all involved
in sport, culture and societies for the grand effort you have made.
To Mr Mark Brunsdon, chairperson of the School Governing Body and the Governors of
Fairmont thank you for your effort and input into our school.
Thank you to my executive management team; Mrs Esmeraldo, Mr Dill, Mr Janse van Rensburg
and Mrs Lourens for all your hard work and dedication to Fairmont. I truly appreciate all you
have done for me and our school.
Finally, to my family, thank you for your on-going care, encouragement and support for me and
Fairmont. To my wife Marian, I know that the parting of ways with the school is as emotional for
you as it is for me and I need to at this juncture, to thank you for your genuine affinity to the
young people of Fairmont.
Ladies and gentlemen I thank you for nearly 14 years at Fairmont and God bless.
The following staff left Fairmont today:
Mr R Dingley
Mr U Horsthemke
Mrs C Weerts
Mrs R Schoeman
Mrs A Jacobs
Mrs L de Clercq
Mr B Elgie
Mrs S Johnstone
Mrs H Homewood
Ms B Claassen
Mrs A Uys
3)
Ms L Brown
Farewell…
Mr R Dingley
Mr U Horsthemke
Mr B Elgie
Mrs C Weerts
Mrs R Schoeman
Mrs S Johnston
Mrs A Jacobs
Mrs L de Clercq
Mrs H Homewood
Mrs B Classen
Mrs L Brown
Mrs E Nortier
Mrs A Uys
Principal
Sport coordinator
Teacher
Teacher
Counsellor
Admin. Assistant
Admin. HR
Procurement
Librarian
Teacher
Psychologist
Admin. Printing
Teacher
Mrs E Nortier
Retired
Retired
Retired
Retired
Resigned
Retired
Retired
Retired
Retired
Resigned
Private practitioner
Retired
Contract completed
NEW STAFF
Mr L Erasmus - Principal
Mrs S Bezuidenhout
Life / Natural Sciences
Mr K de Wet
Physical Sciences
Mr G Kavhura
Physical Sciences
4)
Ms L Kotze
Afrikaans
Ms L Keenan
CAT
Ms R Talbot
Life / Nat. Sci.
Ms T Glanger
Library /
Textbooks
Mrs K Naidoo
Human
Resources
Ms T Esau
Admin: Front
Office Asst.
Ms B Lambrechts Ms L Marnitz
Life / Nat. Sci.
Admin: Printing
Mr J Erasmus
Sport
Co-Ordinator
Mr N Roux
Estate
Manager
MATERNITY LEAVE
Mrs April and Mrs Taylor will be taking maternity leave for the 1st Term.
5)
TEXTBOOKS
All learners were meant to return school issued textbooks on the day they wrote the relevant
examination.
Fortunately, most of our 1,350 learners have handed in all their textbooks. We would like to
thank those parents and learners for their co-operation.
Those learners with books still outstanding, we urgently appeal to you to kindly return these
items by the end of next week. There is a lot of work in packing a textbook pack for each learner
to receive in the first week of school in 2017. Your immediate attention to this matter will be
greatly appreciated.
Learners WILL NOT be issued with new textbooks in 2017 unless ALL textbooks issued in 2016
have been returned.
6)
SCHOOL FEES 2017
Final approved school fees for 2017:
Monthly School Fees for ten months
R2,480-00 per month (Feb to Nov)
TOTAL: Annual School Fees
R24,800-00 per annum
Prepayment subject to discounts before 31 December 2016 – 5%
R22,078-00
Parents wishing to take the 5% discount on fees by paying on or before 31 December 2016
should make an electronic transfer into the school account:
Account Name
Account Number
Branch Code
Reference
:
:
:
:
Fairmont High School
407 223 5037
63 23 56 – ABSA Santyger
Learners’ Name or Account Number
Please fax confirmation of payment to the school on: 086 299 1675.
7)
SCHOOL TIMETABLE 2017
8)
PLANNING DATES UNTIL JULY 2017
Parents wishing to plan their leave time in advance, should be aware of the holiday periods:
in March / April, and the June / July 2017 holidays.
A calendar for the first 6 months of 2017 shows the holidays and public holidays over the
Easter period and the rest of the months until July 2017.
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
2
9
16
23
30
Mo
3
10
17
24
31
Tu
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
Su
1
8
15
22
29
6
13
20
27
Mo
7
14
21
28
Tu
We
1
8
15
22
Th
2
9
16
23
Fr
3
10
17
24
Sa
4
11
18
25
6
13
20
27
Mo
7
14
21
28
Tu
We
1
8
15
22
29
We
Th
2
9
16
23
30
Th
Fr
3
10
17
24
31
Fr
3
10
17
24
Mo
1
8
15
22
29
Mo
4
11
18
25
Tu
2
9
16
23
30
Tu
5
12
19
26
We
3
10
17
24
31
We
6
13
20
27
Th
4
11
18
25
7
14
21
28
Fr
5
12
19
26
5
12
19
26
Mo
6
13
20
27
Tu
7
14
21
28
We
Th
1
8
15
22
29
Th
Fr
2
9
16
23
30
Fr
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
DATE
TITLE
01 January 2017
New Year’s Day
20 March 2017
School Holiday
Su
5
12
19
26
21 March 2017
Human Rights Day
14 April 2017
Good Friday
17 April 2017
Family Day
Sa
4
11
18
25
Su
5
12
19
26
27 April 2017
Freedom Day
28 April 2017
School Holiday
01 May 2017
Workers' Day
Sa
1
8
15
22
29
Sa
6
13
20
27
Su
2
9
16
23
30
Su
7
14
21
28
16 June 2017
Youth Day
09 August 2017
National Women's Day
24 September 2017
Heritage Day
16 December 2017
Day of Reconciliation
25 December 2017
Christmas Day
26 December 2017
Day of Goodwill
Sa
3
10
17
24
Su
4
11
18
25
Sa
1
8
15
22
29
Su
2
9
16
23
30
SCHOOL TERMS
1st Term
11 Jan - 31 Mar
2nd Term
18 Apr - 30 Jun
3rd Term
24 Jul - 29 Sep
4th Term
09 Oct - 06 Dec
The formal school year for all new pupils will commence on Tuesday, 10 January, other pupils
on Wednesday, 11 January, and for staff on Monday, 9 January 2017. The Senior Management
Team and administrative staff will be at school from Friday, 6 January 2017.
Our Year Planner and Test Calendar for 2017 have been placed on the Fairmont website.
We ask that you please arrange your holidays and personal leave periods around these dates.
9)
SUBJECT CHANGES
Grade 12’s:
No subject changes are allowed in Grade 12.
Grade 11’s:
may apply for TWO subject changes.
The closing date for applications to be returned to the Head of Academics is
Friday, 31 March 2017. No late applications after this date will be accepted.
Application forms are available from Mrs Lourens and these must be returned to her, together
with a letter of motivation from the parent requesting this change.
For further information regarding subject changes, please contact Mrs Lourens on 021 976
1147.
10) SECONDHAND UNIFORMS
We are in desperate need of secondhand uniforms.
If you were in matric, leaving the school or have secondhand clothing and shoes you would
like to donate, please hand the items in at Reception or to Mrs Sparks at the school
clothing shop.
11) ATTENDING TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS
Please be aware of the Year Calendar and the Assessment Calendar that are available on the
school’s website. Parents are informed that (unless they are ill) pupils must attend all tests and
exams during 2017.
We request that parents do not make any form of appointment for learner’s licences, driver’s
licences or non-emergency medical appointments during the test times. Please plan ahead so
that there are no requests for pupils to leave early to go on holiday during a test or exam session.
All marks accumulated from tests and exams are vital for the School Based Assessment
Programme.
12) “MY SCHOOL” CARD
Please don’t forget to use your MySchool card as I am sure that there will be a lot of shopping
happening over the holiday period.
13) SCHOOL SHOP
SCHOOL SHOP ITEMS
We stock all sport items, second-hand clothing, hair accessories, other school items and
stationery items. Please go onto our web page for further information and list of items from the
shop.
The school uniform can be bought from:
School & Leisure
Shop 13
Willowbridge North
021 914 0495
Please visit our website: www.fairmont.co.za and view the items on sale at the school
shop.
ENQUIRIES
Contact Mrs Sparks on 021 975 2356 / [email protected]
The clothing shop is situated near the astro.
COVERING OF EXERCISE BOOKS
Books may be covered with any suitable paper (brown or colour). We kindly request that you do
not label any books until the new term starts. Instructions will be supplied by the various subject
teachers as to what is required.
SHOP TIMES
Monday to Friday: * 07h30 – 08h30
* First and Second break
* An hour after school each day (Friday ½ hour after school)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHOOL SHOP WILL ALSO BE OPEN ON:
Thursday, 8th & Friday, 9th December 2016 08h00 - 12h00
Monday, 9th & Tuesday, 10th January 2017 08h00 - 12h00
Saturday, 14th January 2017 09h00 - 11h30
PAYMENTS
Items from the school shop can be paid for by cash, cheque, card or by EFT (please bring proof
of payment when you collect your items from the school shop).
14) MAJOR EVENTS FOR 1ST TERM 2017
Please consult the General Calendar (attached to this email) for all important dates and events
happening at Fairmont High School.
15) LOCKERS
During the first week of school next term, there will be an announcement of the date when
lockers will be available for renting.
The prices for lockers for 2017 are:
Top Lockers
R120.00
Bottom Lockers
R100.00
Small Lockers
R80.00
Of these amounts, R40.00 will be a deposit which will be returned to the learner provided the
locker has been cleared out and emptied on time and cleaned properly at the end of 2017. A
date will be given to the learners to ensure that this is done timeously.
16) PRACTICES & MATCHES : 1ST TERM 2017
17) VISIT
FROM
A
MEMBER OF ‘81
MATRIC
CLASS
Past pupil, Karyn Stellbrink (nee Devine) of the Matric
Class of ’81 recently donated her Matric Jacket to the
school. Karyn was one of the first pupils from the
opening year of 1977, to exit Fairmont, after five
years, from Grade 8 in 1977 to matric in 1981.
Karyn had the jacket framed and it now takes its
position in the school lobby. This is a very kind
gesture from Karyn who lives with her South African
husband, Jürgen, in Thailand.
18) KIRSTEN COLLINS (MATRIC 2009)
Former Fairmont pupil Kirsten Collins (Matric 2009) is
now Dr. Collins - she participated in her oath taking as a
veterinarian at Onderstepoort on the 25th of November.
She will undertake her community service in
Phuthaditjhaba (formerly Witsieshoek or QwaQwa) in
2017 and is also getting married, in April 2017, to a fellow
veterinarian. Well done Kirsten – a very productive 2016!
19) LAST WEEK OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2016 SPENT AT SCHOOL
20) MUSIC EVENING TO WRAP UP 2016’S MUSIC DEPARTMENT
21) 2017 CRICKET SEASON
Plans are already afoot for the 2017 cricket season!
Please note that the selection trials for next year’s teams will take place in the first week of
school.

U15 team trials
Wednesday, 11 January 2017

U19 team trials
Thursday, 12 January 2017
Please could players meet at the upper nets on the rugby field at 2.50pm. Don’t forget to bring
your kit.
Practice for the juniors will start on Monday, 16 January and for the seniors on Tuesday,
17 January 2017.
22) LITTLE FIGHTERS CANCER TRUST
23) FAIRMONT HIGH MAJORETTES
24) UNCLE PAUL’S CHRISTMAS PARTY AT GROOT CONSTANTIA
Two of our Grade 8 learners for 2017, Brandyn Wilson as Noddy and Rowan Pretorius as
Raggedy Ann, give back to the community by volunteering every year as characters at the Uncle
Paul’s Christmas Party held at Groot Constantia.
Uncle Paul’s Christmas Party has been an annual event since 1956 and is run by the Rotary
Club of Wynberg, raising funds for the less fortunate members living in the Western Cape.
25) WON LIFE – VOLUNTEER LITERACY CENTRE
Won Life runs a Literacy Programme for a selection of foundation phase children at
Trevor Manuel Primary in Fisantekraal. The programme offers English Literacy support to
the children who are on it, focusing on reading, writing and verbal communication skills. This is
particularly vital for the Xhosa-speaking children on the programme as their language of
instruction switches from Xhosa to English when they reach Grade 4.
Our Literacy Centre is at a very exciting growth stage and we are keen to invite new
volunteers to join this very exciting programme that is having significant impact on the
lives of children in Fisantekraal. It is our hope that your school would be interested in
connecting parents to this volunteering opportunity.
Our programme relies upon our vibrant and dynamic volunteer team. Each volunteer is
asked to attend a regular session slot and is paired with no more than 2 children at a time. It is
wonderful to see how the children benefit from this regular contact with a person who is willing
to give them their undivided attention for an hour. During the course of the year, we see our
children grow in their academic ability, but also in their confidence and in their love for learning.
Volunteers do not need to have any particular skills other than to
be able to read, write and speak in English. For each volunteer
who joins the team, we arrange a Volunteer Orientation session in
which volunteers are fully-equipped to use the learning material that
we work with. Thereafter, volunteers can begin to teach at their
regular session slot. Sessions run Monday to Friday during school
hours.
26) WELL DONE
Hishaam Essop Gr 12
Hishaam was awarded Best Senior Male School’s Chess Player 2016 at the Western Province
Award Ceremony, held at Aristea Primary on 22 November 2016.
Samuel van der Merwe Gr 12
Samuel is a young man on his way to great
things! This past weekend he ran a PB of
30:23 at the WP 10km Championships, which
ensured him the Gold medal for first junior, as
well as a Bronze for third senior! He is an
example and proof that hard work and
dedication to the sport does pay off.
Samuel grew up in a small neighborhood
called Richwood, then later moved to Bellville
as he started school. He went to Welgemoed
Primary
School
and
Fairmont
High
School. He has just finished matric and plans
to study Exercise Science and learn more
about diet and drugs in sport. He would also
love to coach young athletes in primary or high
schools.
Samuel only started running seriously when
he was 15 years old, but running was always
part of his life as a kid. He played soccer for
ten years, since he was five years old.
When he was ten years old, he didn't have transport to school anymore so he had to walk or run
3km to school and back every day, then run back in the afternoon for sport practice, which was
usually tennis, cricket or rugby.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays he had to run 6 km to Parow for soccer practice. ''I never saw it
as training though, just something I had to do. When I got to Grade 8 I still wasn't anything
special; I didn't even make the Northern Zone team. I think that year I came 25th at the WP
cross country champs. Then, when I was 15, I had to race this guy called 'Ratz' - he was my
role model at the time. Watching him run was amazing and I thought to myself: "I also want to
be able to do that!". So I stopped soccer and since 15 years old I started to run seriously, but I
never knew it would take me 3/4 years to catch up to him, but NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE
TORTOISE !"
Although good running genes does not run in the family (according to him), Samuel's family is
very supportive and has taught him to work hard at his goals. "Knowing my parents, I can say
running talent DOES NOT EXIST. I have not inherited good running genes; no talent
whatsoever. I have inherited an UNBELIEVABLE
WORK ETHIC from my parents. They both work very
very hard and when they are not working, they find work
to do. Both my parents leave the house before 6am,
five days a week, never taking sick leave, only to return
home 11 to 12 hours later. When they get home, my
mom cooks and my dad does the washing and dishes.
On weekends my mom works again and dad cleans the
house. My dad is never easy on me, he never
pressurises me into anything but, if he comes to watch
me run and I run poorly, he will tell me: "Samuel, you've
wasted my time." So he teaches me that whatever I do,
make sure I do it well. They always motivate me to work
hard and do well.”
Samuel's running highlights include his Silver medal at
SA's in 2014 - it was a big surprise. ''But for me, my
biggest achievement, especially this year, is my
dedication to training, sacrificing friends, not going to
bed late and not going out…. especially in matric. It’s
very difficult to resist, but that's why I improved so
quickly this year.''
His future goal is to run professionally and to be a
personal trainer. ''But Gods’ plans might be something different."
Samuel's PB's:

800m - 2:01

1500m - 4:01

3000m - 8:45

5000m - 14:45

10km - 30:23

15km - 46:45
More about Samuel:
Birthday:
6 April 1998
Nicknames:
Sam, Sammy, Buffalo
Favourite colour:
Light blue
Favourite food:
Fruit, because I can eat it every day
Favourite drink:
Coffee, water, fruit juice and fanta pineapple
Favourite movie:
To many to choose one
Favourite TV show:
Barcleys Premier League
Guilty pleasure:
Junk Food
Hobbies:
Soccer and spending time with friends
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Winter or summer?
Spring
Track, road, trail or
cross country?
That's tough, probably road
Vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate
Day or night?
Early Morning
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
What do you always have
in your fridge?
Empty Spaces
What running essentials
can't you live without?
Nike Pegasus Training shoes, Sunglasses and Headphones
What international race would
you still love to do?
London marathon! That would be a dream.
Favourite training session:
Anything easy but I always enjoy doing weights in the gym.
Favourite place to run:
Always love running races in Greenpoint and Seapoint
What do you love most
about running?
I don't have to depend on anyone. It’s all up to me. What
you put in, you get out, no one else can take the blame
Favourite running distance?
On the track its 1500m, on the road its 15km.
What do you like to eat the day
before and morning of a race?
Day before nothing special, pasta or rice, sometimes cereal
and I just have a coffee the morning before a race.
If you could have dinner with
any athlete(s), who would it be?
Eliud Kipchoge, He's phenomenal, I think I would cry if I met
him.
Most inspirational athlete(s)
that you have met?
Myself of course
If you could learn to do some
thing, what would it be?
To learn how to be patient"
Advice to upcoming young
athletes? "
Do what you love and work hard at it; don't waste your time."
Best advice ever received?
Very simple: WORK HARD and NEVER COMPLAIN, just get
the work done."
Quote you live by:
WORK HARD, Love yourself and always be GRATEFUL for
what you have.
Thank you Samuel for sharing this with us! You are a true inspiration, and I can't wait to see
what the future holds for you!
27) FROM THE PRINCIPAL
In this final circular for 2016, I wish to thank our pupils, parents and staff for all they did this year
to make 2016 a ‘bumper’ year for Fairmont.
Finally I wish all our Fairmont families a happy festive season, and we look forward to 2017
being a great year for our school.
Yours sincerely
Mr R Dingley
PRINCIPAL
Disclaimerh Fairmont High School does not necessarily endorse the products/services advertised in this circular.