An Inspired Education EDITION 2 6 │ 22 AUGUST 2018 EDITION 26 │ 22 A UGUST 2018 WEEKLY SCRIPTURE This week in the Foundation Phase the children will learn ab out God being the Light of the W orld. This got me thinking of how the Bible also makes mention of us being the light. The following devotion has been adapted from Proverbs 31 Ministries (written by Holly Gerth) and holds a powerful message. God bless. "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine Sometimes in life you may find yourself being like a light bulb that says, "I have to find a way to shine!" This light bulb may go to a self -help meeting to learn more about its inner capacity for light. It may read books about how to get brighter. Each morning the light bulb may even get up and recite positive affirmations: "I am a light bulb. I believe in myself. I will shine!" But yet, nothing happens. Eventually the light bulb becomes weary and discouraged. It begins to doubt who it is and what it can do. It almost burns out completely. However, what if one day the light bulb was carefully placed in a fixture? Light would burst forth and fill the room. The light bulb would then finally understand. The key was not to try harder but to plug into the source. Trying to shine on our own can be exhausting. Instead, we're simply called to be closely connected to God and remain in Him. When we do, His light pours forth through us in powerful, brilliant ways that change the world. The ways we shine might not make the news, but they make even more of a difference than we can see. Lord, thank You for being the light within us so we can shine brightly for the world around us. When it seems darkness is crowding in, use us to make a difference. We ask that You will help us share Your love, joy and peace. You are the hope we need and the One light that will never burn out, be overcome or fade away. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Colette Jagles [email protected] NEWS FROM THE EDITOR NEWS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL HEADMASTER H i l l cr e s t / Waterfall bu s (mornings only ) – we have some space available on this m or n i n g’ s only bus. Please refer I had the singularly wonderful opportunity to the resources tab of the communicator or the website to attend the Grade 6 and 7 production of for the application form. Into the Woods in the Habberton Hall on Friday evening. As we were last year after K i m H oope r watching our Primary School’s tribute to Marketing Co - ordinator: Communications Michael Jackson, my wife and I left Fr i d a y [email protected] evening’s performance feeling energised and good about ourselves. In that moment, the world just felt right. Thomas More College │ [email protected] │ www.thomasmore.co.za 1 An Inspired Education EDITION 2 6 │ 22 AUGUST 2018 As one does, I mulled over and reflected on the performances, the mechanics, the complexity, the NEWS FROM THE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADMISTRESS musicality, the choreography and the staging of I n t o t h e W o o d s in some depth over the course of the weekend. My We are very proud of our TMC team of athletes realisation which I wish to share here today is simple: we who took part in the Zonal Christian Schools balance incredible contradictions here at Thomas More athletics meeting last Thursday and won the College. Allow me to elaborate, briefly… overall school trophy, beating the former trophy holders who have held the trophy for Mrs Roberta Ram a s a m y a n d five consecutive years. We congratu lat e her production team had to them and their coaches. Kaelah Balarin flew assemble and produce a our TMC flag high, being awarded the Victrix very tricky play with an Ludorum award. Those with incredibly intricate music qualifying times, s c o r e . Into the Woods w a s , heights and simply put, a complex distances will piece of theatre. Yet, our proceed to the next cast of Grade 6s and 7s round next Friday performed with a level of and Saturday at comfort (certai nly to the King’s Park - t i mes eye of this audience to be advised. member) way beyond that which I would expect from 11 - 1 3 I was humbled once y e a r - olds. On the other side of the same coin, I again by our Grade perceived unabashed enjoyment and fun emanating from the 6 and 7 Senior performers throughout, despite the obvious challenges Primary musical, i n h e r e n t in the piece. Our Grade 6s and 7s and their staff “Into the Woods ”, were somehow able to produce an excellent piece of theatre which was a whilst enjoying themselves immensely. Often, so much resounding pressure is placed on children to produce “excellence” that success and we rob them of the fun. Similarly , because these mass - thoroughly participation productions are often fun - focused, the enjoyed not only performances are forgiven for lacking rigour and depth. by those who Somehow, quite miraculously, Mrs Ram a samy and the entire attended, but by production team managed to the contradiction of achieving all the children rigour and enjoyment seamlessly. who participated. ALL staff went way For me, this is one of the most special things that I continue beyond the call of to witness during my tenure here at Thomas More College: duty in the best managing the contradict ions. As I shared with our high interests of each school children in assembly today, I am regularly amazed at and every child and how the high school children and staff know that part of our our school. The “magic” is the relationships that pervade our business of production was no t teaching and learning. There is an informal f ormality to only challenging but these relationships, and somehow it just works. ambitious in terms of choreography and musicality. The script was superbly directed and produced by Perhaps it is a gen tle reminder that if children feel loved our own Mrs Roberta Ramasamy, supported by Mr Sherwin and valued, they are not overwhelmed by opportunities to Ganasen on the musical front and Mrs Lizane Watson, our extend themselves. In fact, they embrace them. And so, always smiling choreo grapher mom, for teaching the dance Supper and Song (Wednesday 22 August, 18:00) promises moves to the pupils, all of whom were supported most ably by to be yet another showcase of the diverse talent we have in Mr Gary Balarin with all the logistics. Our Senior Primary our school. I hope to see many of you there as we enjoy the Grade 6 and 7 cast were further supported by their parents collective efforts of these young people to share their and staff, and the daunting musical score by our Thomas More giftedness with us all. Community Orchestra who gave up many hours of time over w eek - ends, public holidays and even work time to be there for I wish you all a blessed week ahead. our children and teachers! Dave Wiggett I am not sure that you are aware how truly fortunate our HS Headmaster children are! They have been off ered the best possible help [email protected] with live theatre in terms of script collaboration, music, sound, lighting, pyrotechnics, videography, props etc. in a 2 Thomas More College │ [email protected] │ www.thomasmore.co.za An Inspired Education EDITION 2 6 │ 22 AUGUST 2018 nurturing and loving environment. We also have teachers who 1R T y lah B o w er – for her hard working nature and go way beyond what is expected of them in their l ine of duty for never giving up even when tasks are because they want the best for the children and our school! challenging – you make me so proud. 1S Evan Moodliar – for his friendly outgoing nature The script is particularly well chosen in this 25 th year of our and the eagerness that he has shown to be part Primary School’s existence and speaks of choice making, of his new TMC family. repercussions, tolerance, perseverance and good overcoming 2D Jacques Oets – for showing improved effort with ev il - all vital life skills. My sincere congratulation and thanks his classwork and developing greater self - c o nt r o l to all of our Grade 6 and 7 pupils for all their efforts and within the classroom. commitment. It has been rewarding to see them involved and 2R Mana Nhlanhla – for the beautiful stories she has to uncover some acting and singing talent we did not know written during this term. Keep this up. existed, as well as to see them grow in confidence and 2K Awande Chonco – for trying hard to stay focused maturity. I know that the life skills learnt in taking part in a and complete his work, as well as his valuable production of this magnitude will long be remembered when contributions to class discussions.