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ISSUE 34
A SAD BUT HAPPY TIME
INSIDE:
The school is very busy preparing for Noёl, CIB and understandably 2017 - most elements are in place, thanks to a great staff team effort. The first term calendar for 2017 has been finalised. NOёL TOURS 2016
AND CIB
BICEPS AND BODY IMAGE
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event itself. We
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE HEAD
We look forward to welcoming forty-three new boys who will join the team of incredible young men who have an exciting 2017 ahead of them. Sadly, we also bid farewell to our Grade 9 group and two very special permanent members of our team in the near future. This is always a happy/sad time of year for many of us.
I am glad to report that the bookings for the CIB festival are going very well and we have received overwhelming support for the shows. Currently 70% of all the tickets have been sold and we are hoping to have a bumper Christmas weekend. I have had requests for an additional Sunday concert owing to its over subscription, but realistically the boys will just not be able to do this! Also, owing to health and safety matters pertaining to the auditorium, we cannot add any additional seats.
The boys are having their annual Christmas Dinner tonight (Friday 18). This is always well received and loads of fun. The staff act as waiters and deliver a five-star meal. This, as always, is a lovely celebration to mark the end of exams and gets everyone in the mood for a much needed Christmas holiday.
Have a great, and hopefully wet, weekend.
Kind regards
Andrew Stead
A SAD BUT HAPPY TIME
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE HEAD.
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NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Commendable performances on stage:
All boys who performed on Wednesday
Voice Group of the concert: Sopranos
Chorister of the Week:
Sakhiwo Tshabalala
New boy of the week:
Jesse Barth
CONCERT AWARDS – 16 NOVEMBER
Most Valuable contribution to the
performance:
Lengana Mashaphu
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NEWS FROM THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
BICEPS AND BODY IMAGE
The American Psychological Association reports that many men display an unhealthy body dissatisfaction which is closely associated with depression, eating disorders, the use of performance-enhancing substances and a low self-esteem. Muscle belittlement - the belief that one is less muscular than one is - often features.
The trend in boys and men is to want for the shape rather than worry about weight. The desire for a V-shape, with large biceps, chest and shoulders seems to be the ideal. ‘Underweight’ has different connotations for men and women - the former viewing this as a negative. The obsession with muscle-fat ratios, six-packs and being too skinny is on the rise - it is just as difficult to be Ken, as it is to be Barbie!
One can argue that an inherent low self-esteem triggers body dissatisfaction, or that body dissatisfaction triggers a low self-esteem. Opinions are divided on this matter – I believe that both are valid, depending on the individual (I do not have a psychology background).
It is normal to be conscious of one’s body and want to look great and lead a healthy lifestyle, but when this quest becomes and obsession, it can lead to anxiety and stress. An unhealthy body image can result in eating disorders, mood swings and depression. A survey in Australia, of 48 000 youngsters, picked up that only one-third of teenage boys were happy with their bodies – having a poor body image therefore seems to be common!
What can we (young and old) all do?
FOCUS ON INNER QUALITIES, RATHER THAN OUTER – Acknowledge a person’s non-physical attributes more
than their appearance. I believe this requires a mindset change, as many of us are quick to pay compliments
when someone looks great … perhaps try to pay as many, if not more, for when someone does great. Give
credit for positive actions, when someone acts on sound values – build up the person by focusing on what
they have control over, not what they don’t. We cannot all be beautiful, buff ‘brainiacs’, but we can all be
diligent, accountable, responsible, dutiful and charitable.
AIM FOR HEALTHY EATING AS A NORM, RATHER THAN EMBARKING ON CRASH DIETS – A healthy eating plan
should never become an obsession, where one feels guilty about eating certain foods. A culture of
‘moderation’ can be successfully implemented in this sphere. Encourage youngsters to enjoy the good stuff
and the bad.
EXERCISE BECAUSE YOU ENJOY IT AND IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD – There are positive and negative reasons
to exercise. It is the motivation behind the exercise that is what one should reflect on. If the catalyst for the
exercise is fitness, improving mood and overall health, this can be beneficial. However, if the driving force is
to lose or gain weight, improve tone and enhance attractiveness, this could enhance or decrease body
dissatisfaction, ultimately affecting self-esteem in either direction.
Society, aided by the media, punt ‘beautiful bodies’, many airbrushed to perfection – we need to stay grounded and appreciate that this is an unrealistic perfection.
Sources: www.raisingchildren.net.au; The Journal of Psychology: 2002 136(6) pp 581-596; www.insightbulletin.com
Sharon Dixon
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STUDENTS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
BROTHERS IN CHRIST
The Drakensberg Boys Choir School is founded on Christian principles and our boys are offered numerous opportunities to develop their relationship with God.
It is in this light that the SCA - known as BROTHERS IN CHRIST - was birthed. The group meets on a Sunday evening, at 18h30, for an hour. Damien Bosch and Mark Robertson, leaders from the local church, conduct these meetings - into which they put much effort and preparation.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated gentlemen.
The boys enjoy the fellowship and their engagement in animated discussions around God’s Word; or a topic of their choice. They also watch interesting DVD’s, which ignite further chats and serve as food for thought, for their young minds.
Damien and Mark have established an excellent rapport with our boys - this facilitates discussions which the boys feel free and happy to contribute to.
It is our earnest desire to see the boys develop into well-balanced young men, as they receive a holistic education that caters for all aspects of their growth, including the spiritual, which is often omitted, to our detriment.
Proverbs 22.6: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Rosanna Pillay
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SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN
Today, we have a rare health report to share with readers. Exam fever and Noёl contagion are taking their toll on the DBCS community. Complaints of fatigue and stress are common and the incidence of mood-disorders has spiked sharply. The latter may or may not be characterised by gloomy demeanor, unexpected outbursts and unpredictable behaviour. Demographics play a role, with symptoms being particularly prevalent in the staff population as compared with the other pack of inhabitants. Fortunately, the prognosis is generally good.
Now for other news. After extensive consultation with myself, I have made a decision to participate more fully in the cultural aspects of our organisation. To this end, I have elected to start singing.
Miss Botha politely declined her appointment as my vocal coach so it’s a journey of self-study. Yesterday I started at the very beginning with the do-re-mi’s and so far so good. Then I tackled intervals that are different to intermissions, although I did those too. I have perfected the perfects but the minors are a major challenge. The diminished and demented ones are also proving problematic and I’m still waiting for something to be augmented. Perhaps a trip to the plastic surgeon is involved. I can’t wait to move onto triads tomorrow. Gosh – who knew that music theory was so thrilling!
On that happy note, I bid you so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen and adieu.
Sister Lianne
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NEWS FROM THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT
THANK YOU TO THE KEMPSTON GROUP FOR VISITING DBCS THIS PAST WEEK
The Kempston Group sponsors a boy at the DBCS on an annual basis. Support like these ensure that we can provide opportunities to those who might not have been able to attend the DBCS.
Photo from left to right: Vanessa Walters (Kempston Marketing), Andrew Stead (DBCS Executive Head) and Troy Simpkins (Kempston Logistics)
Lengana Mashapu Sakhiwo Tshabalala
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NOёL TOURS 2016 AND CIB
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10
11
12
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Luc Delaporte
23 November
Brenden du Plessis
22 November
Caleb Saks
24 November
Siphesihle Shembe
25 November
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Calendar 18 November – 27 November 2016
DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR
DATE EVENT TIME
18 November Aural Training Practical Exam
Staff Briefing
Boys Christmas Party
10:20-10:40
18:30-20:00
19 November Choir
Kleinloog Wedding
08:30-12:30
13:00-17:00
20 November Chapel
SCA
10:00-11:00
18:30-19:30
21 November Noёl Prep
Staff Briefing
Prefects Tea
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
07:20-07:30
10:20-10:40
19:00
22 November Noёl Prep
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
23 November Noёl Prep
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
Wednesday Concert
15:30-17:30
24 November Noёl Prep
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
Assembly
10:40-11:00
25 November Noёl Prep
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
Staff Briefing
10:20-10:40
26 November Noёl Prep
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
Staff Christmas Function
18:00-22:00
27 November Noёl Prep
Noёl Evening Rehearsal
Happy Birthday!
PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU -NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: [email protected] | www.dbchoir.com
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