Headmasters End-of-Term Letter

AMDG DECEMBER 2011            HEADMASTER'S END-OF-TERM LETTER

 Dear Parents

I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday season, a joyous Christmas with your families and a prosperous New Year.  Christmas always provides us with the chance to reflect on our lives which are often so fraught with daily occupations and priorities, that we tend to avoid any consideration of life's real values and the message of the Gospels.  So I hope that your family will have time for reflection these holidays, particularly during the Christmas season.

St George's has much to thank God for in 2011, a year that has sped by and one that is notable for many achievements and successes.  We have certainly been blessed by the notable stability in Staff movement.  This last term we welcomed Sr Shayne Wells to the College Clinic in place of Sr June Klasen who resigned; we also welcomed Miss Renée Mostert to reinforce our music and cultural activities.  We are bidding farewell and thanks only to Mr Mark Mulder who has been with us for a year.  Mrs Ros Taylor will rejoin us as a Part-Timer in the Business Studies Department, and Ms Kundisai Mtero has been given the formal title of Director of Choral Music at St George's and will be able to spend more time at St George's next year.

I would like to thank the 340 parents who came to the fourth and final Parents' Assembly of the year on November 22^nd.  The main points on the Agenda to be covered were the financials for 2011 and fee increases for 2012.  The budgeting process for the year of 2011 was remarkably good considering that it was the first time since before the days of hyperinflation that we were able to budget for a whole year and set a fee for a whole year.  (We ended up with an operational deficit of $70 per pupil.)  After correcting the deficit the fee increase for tuition 2012 amounts to 12,8%, moving up to $2,280 per term.  This increase is due to several elements which we are not able to control e.g. Wages 37%, ZESA 31%, Fuel (since October 2010) 30%, Food inflation (since November 2010) 15%, Security 11%, etc.  As the Staff are also personally liable for these increases, and have only had a 5% salary increase since September, 2010, the Board deemed it necessary to provide for an increase for them from January 2012.  An ATS salary survey early on in the year demonstrated that teacher salaries were lagging behind those of other ATS schools.  The Parents' Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of the 2012 increases as a result of the presentation.

SDC Raffle:  I would like to thank the SDC for undertaking its recent raffle.  The end result was that $120,000 was raised towards the proposed IT Centre (and the Board has formally authorised plans to be drawn up for this much needed facility).  The Raffle was not without its controversy - many parents felt that the ticket price was too high.  I know from previous raffles held that there is usually an argument over price and volume.  Some argue for high price and low volume vs low price and high volume.  Your SDC felt that they had offered a reasonable compromise in both.  Again, thanks to the many parents who tried their best to sell tickets.  The winner of the prize for most tickets sold had managed over thirteen books!  I could not help noticing that both the First and Second prizes were won on the second attempt of the draw, as initially the tickets drawn first were from books that had been returned totally unsold.

New Headmaster:  I am sure that you will have read the Board of Governors' recent communiqué informing us that the Board hopes it will be able to inform parents early in the new year who will be appointed.  I look forward to working with whoever may be appointed to this very privileged position and to ensure a smooth and easy transition, for the sake of all at St George's.  (Perhaps St George's can offer advice on transitions to others in this country who seem not to know how to proceed in such matters!)

The other important news in the Board's recent communiqué concerned the Strategic Planning review that will be undertaken in 2012.  I am sure that all stakeholders, including parents, will be asked for opinions and advice, in which case I hope you will respond willingly in the interests of the College.

"Car Park Gossip":  There have been several occasions recently when parents have reported as "facts" situations which were alleged to have occurred, but which actually had no basis in fact whatsoever.  This is of great concern to me and points to a failure in communications:  I do reiterate that as it is impossible to keep everyone informed about all decisions, events and processes at the College, parents are welcome to make enquiries about any important matters they may feel the need to know about.  I would have to say that pupils are not always the most knowledgeable or the most objective of informants.  Parents may also use members of the SDC to make any enquiries on their behalf.  But, please, do not believe the improbable before making a reasonable effort to elicit the truth "from the horse's mouth".  Harare Rumour Mills are grossly overworked!

The Clinic Sister reminds all parents (of day scholars and boarders) that it is important to keep her own medical records updated with their medical information, and particularly with details that may have an impact on their everyday lives at school.  Please ensure that you do this for the health and safety of your child.

It is similarly important that we are updated on any changes of address, particularly e-mail address, phone numbers and family details, so that both mother and/or father can be called upon immediately in case of a sudden or unforeseen emergency.

Term dates:  I am providing you with all the relevant dates for 2012, so that you can avoid making arrangements that will disrupt your son's schooling during the year.

2012

1^st Term:    7.25am Tuesday 10^th January - 1.05pm Thursday 5^th April

                    (Mid-term fixture free weekend: 1.05pm Thursday 16^th February - 7.25am Tuesday 21^st February)

2^nd Term:   7.25am Tuesday 8^th May - 1.05pm Thursday 9^th August

                    (Mid-term fixture free weekend: 1.05pm Thursday 21^st June - 7.25am Tuesday 26^th June)

3^rd Term:   7.25am Tuesday 11^th September - 1.05pm Thursday 6^th December

(Mid-term fixture free weekend: 1.05pm Thursday 18^th October - 7.25am Tuesday 23^rd October
Please be warned however that there may be some Public Exams scheduled during this particular weekend.)

In 2013, the first term is scheduled to commence on 15^th January.

As I have said, by all things measurable 2011 has been a most gratifying and successful year.  One of its components, our achievements across the spectrum of all sports disciplines have not only been successful, they have been exceptionally outstanding.

To the very many people who have contributed to the wellbeing of the College in 2011, Board, Staff, Parents, Pupils, Old Georgians and all friends of the College, I can only express my deepest thanks.  I thank God for the many graces he has bestowed upon us this year.

I wish you everything of the best for the holiday season.

B TIERNAN

HEADMASTER