Headmaster's Newsletters

3 March 2008

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

Dear Parents

This last week has been extremely busy for both staff and boys. The Mark Order for Term One drew to a close, our swimmers participated in two galas, our rowers went to Gauteng to participate in the South African Schools Championships, Basketball played Kearsney, U14A Waterpolo participated in a festival at Jeppe Boys and Tennis and Cricket played against Maritzburg College. In between all of this the boys had some lessons as well!

This level of participation (note there was also a French dinner, a Grease rehearsal, the Olympic Choir continues with its preparations, Squash played Glenwood and the Form 3's went to Durban on an Art trip) is one of the contributing factors that makes Hilton such a dynamic environment. It is fantastic to see the school bubble with such activity and it is a joy to see the enthusiasm with which all these activities are tackled.

The summer sport season concludes this week with our fixtures against Michaelhouse. Details of these fixtures will be circulated during the week by Mr Perrett - please watch your email for this.

Over the weekend of 23/24 February we granted many of our boys a rugby leave to attend one of the Sharks' games. Unfortunately some incidents occurred at King's Park that have made me review these kinds of leaves. Whilst I look into this, I have taken the decision to suspend all rugby leaves. I will need to satisfy myself that the educational value of these leaves far outweighs the negatives that have come to light. The fact that the King's Park pubs are selling alcohol to underage youths and that there is an abundance of alcohol available to our boys in the car park afterwards, are two contributing factors to this decision. We will need to review these leaves and look into ways of ensuring that all our boys are safe, and are returned to us having only watched a rugby game!

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Johannesburg function tomorrow night, at the Inanda Club. Please contact Ann Rake should you wish to attend.

Kind regards

Dave Lovatt
Headmaster