Old Boys' Events

London

Thursday, 2 September 2010 - watch this space for further details.  Please spread the word to all the Marist Old Boys.

Mike Greeff (Chief Executive)will be in the London area, if you would like to meet with him personally to hear more about the school, the Old Boys and the Foundation, please let me know so I can make the necessary arrangements.

Thanks

Regards

Cheryl King

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cape Town

Dear Parents and Visitors,

I would like to wish you all a warm welcome.  The St David’s Marist Inanda Parent Teachers Association currently consists of 16 members comprising teachers, parents, the St David’s Foundation and the Marist Old Boys.  It is with enthusiasm and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to our school that we meet monthly.

The purpose of the PTA is to devise, plan and coordinate events that allow the entire St David’s community to have fun together but also to raise funds for the school.  We are deeply appreciative of the generosity shown by the school body.  This generosity has allowed us to contribute towards school needs – both large and small.  As you are aware, there have been a number of development projects over the past years and it is with pride that the PTA, on behalf of you, has been able to make contributions towards these initiatives…we have not contributed towards the costs of the initiatives, such as the Chapel of Mary and Champagnat Hall, but we have contributed toward the acoustics in the hall and the audio-visual equipment in the Chapel.  I would like to think that we have also made the classrooms less Victorian, and in fact, we have helped catapult them into the 21^st century!!

There are two other endeavours that the PTA manages – the Tuck Shop and the Swop Shop, although we do have to thank Shelley, Helen and Jon Jon.  Without them these two shops will not be as smoothly run.  The Swop Shop accumulates a lot of clothing during the year, a fair percent of which is not bought.  As and when needed, some of these articles are bought back and given to various charities.

What are the types of events that the PTA organises?  Most famously, every November we have Nightfever.  Like no other, this event brings together the entire family, young and old, for an evening of togetherness.  Given the numbers, we are joined by many families from other schools in the area.  This is a massive undertaking, and it is with relief and pride that close this function every year.  We also have Socials for Grade 6 & 7 boys and girls.  This has become increasingly competitive as a number of other schools have taken up on the Social, and with only so many appropriate Fridays, we are stretched every year.  The Spelling Bee and the Swim-along have become an integral part of the school calendar.  There are a host of other activities, but I would like to end this though off by mentioning the MySchool card.  It costs you nothing when using this card, but it contributes a significant amount of money towards the school.  Thank you for those who frequently use your card – we have come out tops in the region for the past two years!!

I wish to close off this note by making an appeal to you all to offer your services to the PTA – it is a friendly group (we are all working parents) and a good camaraderie is built up between all members, past and present.

Thank you

Sean A. Mc Lean

PTA Chairman

My School Card (click here)

My School Card

Dear Parents

We are delighted to note that many parents have responded to the MySchool initiative. If you are still not an owner of one of these wonderful money spinners, please read on!

The MySchool initiative is an easy way to  raise money for our school through the swipe of a card. Each time you swipe the card, 0.5% of the value of your spend is donated to the school of your choice.

If you do not have a card, for yourself or for any member of your family, grandma’s, cousins etc. please complete the attached application – one for each new card and return this to the school and we will ensure that you get your card.

We would also respectfully ask that you make St David’s your beneficiary school as this enables us to raise funds for infrastructure development for the benefit of all the boys in the school.

Should you have a card linked to another  beneficiary school and wish to change this to St David’s, please reply to this email and we will do what it takes to get that changed.

If you are already making money for St David’s by swiping that card, we thank you most sincerely!

Any queries concerning this initiative can be directed to Mrs J West at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kind regards

St Davids PTA   

ST DAVID’S MARIST OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

 The Marist Old Boys’ Association (MOBS) set out three years ago to re-ignite the community of Marist Old Boys, including the diaspora of alumni scattered across the country and across the world.  In addition to establishing a strong Committee, currently under the able Chairmanship of Paul Vidas (Class of 1989), we have managed to create a number of successful annual events since in this time that serve our goal.

 The Matric Rite of Passage was introduced in 2007 and 2009 saw the (third) group of Matrics ‘initiated’ into the fellowship of the Old Boys’ Association.  This event provides the Old Boys with the opportunity to welcome our newest Old Boys into the fold, highlight to them the importance of staying connected to and contributing back into the Marist family.

The various events organised over the annual reunion weekend held in (date) were well attended.  The Friday morning Old Boys’ assembly allows the men to meet some of the current student body and once again submerge themselves in the Marist ethos.  This was followed by an afternoon of golf and socializing.  The Saturday evening saw our visitors and their wives attend the dinner, with the theme of ‘Western’ a great deal of fun was had by all.  Saturday included sport and support for the Rugby and Hockey 1^st team games.  Alumni then attended Sunday morning Mass, which was a fitting end to a wonderful week-end.

The Old Boys’ get-togethers have gained significant momentum:  Mike Greeff hosted a successful event in London.  This particular chapter has grown in numbers and strength and there are a number of events being planned for 2010.  Events were also held in Johannesburg and Grahamstown, primarily for our student groups and in Cape Town for students from UCT and Stellenbosch and our Old Boys in this region.

The inaugural PTA/Old Boys’ Golf Day was a wonderful collaboration between these two associations and was enjoyed by all those who were involved.  The funds raised benefit, through various avenues, the St David’s Marist community. 

The MOBs also assisted in staffing at various school events during 2009, including running the Beer Tent at the Twenty20 Cricket Festival, an event well supported by the old Boys; acting as chaperones for the Grade 6 & 7 social and assisting with security at Night Fever.

The Foundation office continues to handle the administrative aspects of the Marist Old Boys’ Association and the database continues to grow.  This office also manages the Old Boys’ bursary .

The Committee thanks its members and the school community for their ongoing support and we look forward to an eventful and successful 2010.