FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Parents, Old Boys, Staff Members, former Staff, Friends and Boys,
OPENING & NAMING CEREMONY OF THE NEW FRONT ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL
3 MARCH 2010
Headmaster’s Speech
Good morning boys and guests. I am accompanied on the stage by Andrew Parsons, Chairman of the School Governing Body and Ron Tamboer, Chairman of the DPHS Educational Trust to offer a very happy greeting and friendly welcome from the school to our distinguished guests, Sam Abrahams, an old boy of the school and Chairman of The Daitz Foundation, and Trustees of the Foundation, Alan Benn, Brian Moshal, David Levin, Arnold Zulman, Steven Saunders and Dr John Volmink.
Welcome to all our other invited guests seated in our handsome new gallery. Thank you all for attending this historic event on the occasion of the school’s centenary year marking the completion of phase three of the school plan and the official opening of the new front of school, administration centre, staff room and the naming of the Learning Support Centres and Information Technology and Media Centre. To be acknowledged so munificently by The Victor Daitz Foundation, this greatly respected charitable Trust and enjoy the privilege of bearing the name of Victor Daitz, a remarkable Durban man who in his epitaph is described as ‘a man of insight, wisdom, knowledge and charity’ is one of the proudest moments of our Centenary Year. The school takes strong cognizance of the recognition by The Daitz Foundation given to the critical role of learning support, remedial and language bridging classes which on a weekly basis currently address the special needs of 105 boys throughout the grades with three specialist teachers. The learning hub of the school, the Media and Information Technology centre, is another critically important role player in the success of a boy’s progress at DPHS and we welcome the support of The Daitz Foundation in this vitally enriching area of learning.
The school will never be able to thank The Daitz Foundation enough for their munificent support. We understand and accept that their generosity comes with a social responsibility to extend the advantages DPHS enjoys to schools, teachers and learners less fortunate than ourselves The school will continue to offer assistance to schools, teachers and learners from Durban and as far a field as Manguzi on the northern borders of KZN by way of outreach programmes and learner and teacher workshops.
I use this opportunity to thank our Architects, John Smillie, Paul Figueira and Brendan Kerr for the modernly refreshing and aesthetically pleasing design of the new building and the friendly, open and welcoming spaces they were able to incorporate. They are commended on their very professional and attentive service to the school and this project. Our building contractor Mannie Gouveia gave the project his personal and individual attention and with his team led by Rachad Abrahams were exemplary in getting the job done efficiently, cost effectively and with little disturbance to the school. I also extend the schools grateful thanks to our QS Ian Hayes-Hill for keeping costs within budget and every one of the subcontractors who added to the smooth and relatively trouble free completion of this project. The new entrance, school façade and administration area attracts praise and admiration and provides a strong signal of excellence and the promise of an exciting future for DPHS beyond the school’s centenary. The stimulating new office spaces, boardroom and staffroom have greatly enhanced the working environment and set the tone for delivery service to the boys, parents and the community.
In closing I wish to address a special word of gratitude and appreciation to Brian Moshal, Daitz Trustee and DPHS old boy for his devoted attention to all elements of this project and his sincere interest in education and service to the school.
The school will remain ever grateful to The Daitz Foundation for their generosity and on the occasion of the School’s Centenary the extraordinary support and encouragement they have provided.
Programme:
- As a special welcome to our guests and tribute to the The Daitz Foundation I call on the school 100 voice centenary choir, our Centurions accompanied by a piper, Gordon Capper to sing ‘Oh Prep so Precious’
- Call on Sam Abrahams, Chairman of The Daitz Foundation to address the assembly and officially declare the new buildings open.
- School song.
- Trustees requested to follow me where Sam Abrahams will unveil the plaque commemorating the opening of the new building and the naming of the Victor Daitz Learning support Centres and Information Technology and Media Centre. Guests seated in the gallery are to follow the Deputy Head Hank Pike to the unveiling.
- One boy from each grade will attend the unveiling whilst those seated in the hall watch on the big screen. After the unveiling the Guest party will return to the hall for Three cheers for The Victor Daitz Foundation and the School Cry.
Thereafter, a tour of the school for guests ending with tea and refreshments in the newly renovated Victor Daitz Media Centre.
CENTENARY DINNER PROGRAMME
Tables still available for our Centenary Dinner. We would like to invite you to book your table for our Old Boys and Friends of Prep Dinner which will take place on 12 March
- 17h30
- Arrival
- School tour and viewing of displays in the Maurice Wilkinson Hall
- Memorabilia available on Sale
- 18h45
- 19h00
- Welcome
- Toast to the School
- Centurion Voices
- Gumboot Dancers
- 19h30
- 20h00
- Headmaster’s Address
- Main Course
- Entertainment – by Aaron McIlroy
- Thank You
- Dessert
Tables of 8 or 10 available
Bank Details for Internet transfers:
DPHS Educational Trust
First National Bank
62021723566
220526
Ref: 2010 Dinner and Name
Contact Person: Leonie van der Westhuizen: leonie@dphs.co.za
CRICKET FESTIVAL –
Photographs can be viewed on http://memoriesofafrica.shutterfly.com
RICHARD NEAVE
Headmaster
|
CONGRATULATIONS
D & D Boys A Gala
Our A team won this gala for the 12th time and our B team came 9th in this gala
Latest KZN Achievements
The following Prep boys have made the various age group KZN Baseball sides to play in the SA Inter Regional tournament in April: Massimo Conversano, Michael Paul, Todd Petterson, Troy Steyn, Luke Chisholm, Joshua Day-Perkins, Luke Dodds
Swimming
The following Prep boys have been selected to the KZN Swimming Team to participate in the Inter Provincial Tournament in Cape Town on 05 and 06 March.
Luke Chisholm, Cole Poovan, Jonathan Bennett, Michael Paul, Nikhil Mehta, Awonke Ngwane.
Cameron Whittington participated in the KZN Nippers at uShaka Beach and won a silver and a bronze medal.
Karl Steen took part for motor-cross racing during the weekend in Bloemfontein and came 4th in the country (U9 age group)
Joshua Bennett swam in the Kloof Mini-lympics on Sunday 28 February and received 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals.
|
RECEPTION UNIT NEWS
We were delighted to welcome back our Old Boys of 2009 on Monday. They all looked so smart and grown up in their Grade 1 uniform and we cannot believe that it is only a little over a year ago that they walked through our doors for the first time as little five year olds.
The boys loved wearing their Centenary Uniform to school last week and were very excited to join the Main Campus pupils for the Centenary Assembly today. We were so proud of how well they behaved.
A reminder about the School Readiness Evening tonight at 19h00, hosted by the Reception Unit staff. Ingrid Kuhn, an Occupational Therapist and Heidi Allan, an Audiologist, will be our speakers. This will take place in the Functions Room at Main Campus and tea and coffee will be served afterwards. Heather Maxwell from Compendium Toys will also be having a display.
|
