Special congratulations go to Helen

Badasu, Moarabi Kakabalo, Kanono

Lechuti, Thato Moupo, Finito Setl-

hare, Faith Tau and Maatla Tshi-

mologo, (clockwise from top left)

who achieved straight As in all four

subjects in the AS examinations.

Close on their heels, with three A

grades were Thato Gasha, Tshiamo

Kgame, Winnie Motswagae, Unaswi

Mudanga and Setshego Phuti.

Newsletter salutes the group for their

hard work and fine results. The future

looks very bright!

Editor

Top Achieve rs

Achieve Top Grades !

November 2013

Newsletter

TERM 3 2013

P U T T I N G Y O U O N T H E M A P

In June 2012, Maru-a-Pula welcomed

its first group of Top Achievers, spon-

sored by the Ministry of Education, to

join the A-level programme.

Generally known as the Middle Sixth,

this group completed their AS exami-

nations in May/June this year, and the

school was delighted to receive their

results at the close of last term.

The group of eighteen students, as a

whole, deserve congratulations for

achieving an excellent set of results.

Nishrinkala raises P80 000 for Service and Charity On the evening of Sunday 20th October,

theatre goers at Maitisong were treated to a

dazzling performance of Indian Classical

Dance, performed by Form Four students

Nayana Iyer and Rathna Veerni, who have

studied this dance form for twelve and thir-

teen years respectively.

Exquisitely attired in the decorative costumes

and jewellery associated with this dance

form, Nayana and Rathna skilfully performed

seven classical dances and a fusion piece,

which integrated hip hop into the classical

dance style, to the “Liquid Dance” music

from the popular film “Slumdog Millionaire”.

Interspersed in the programme were musical

performances by other MaP students, Oratile

Monkhei, Saigopal Rangaraj, Vamika Sinha

and Neelo Binns. Our own contemporary

dance group performed two popular pieces

and the audience enjoyed a performance

by the school orchestra.

In putting together this original initiative, the

two students were supported by their par-

ents, friends, members of the Indian commu-

nity, and generous donors. They were as-

sisted by Brenda Turnbull, the school’s Direc-

tor of Co-curricular Activities, as well as the

Maitisong staff and Heath Lambert, who

teaches contemporary dance in our SPE

programme. The performance raised an

amazing P70 000 to support our school’s

community service programme and a fur-

ther P10 000 to assist a clinic where the two

girls work as volunteers.

Four of our school service projects were spe-

cifically chosen as beneficiaries of the funds

raised by this spectacular initiative. Our

Naledi and Gabane Feeding projects will

each receive P5 000, whilst P25 000 each

will go to Cheshire Homes and the “I am

Special” school, both places where MaP

students, including Nayana and Rathna, visit

to interact with the students once a week

during term time. The purchases which the

funds will enable will allow the groups to do

that much more to make a difference.

Our most sincere congratulations and

thanks go to Nayana and Rathna, their

families and the friends who assisted them,

and to the generous donors who enabled

them to bring in this wonderful contribution

to the work of our service projects.

Editor

4 As

at AS

Level!

Newslettter journalist, Mallika Senthil, re-

cently caught up with our newest Prince-

ton-in-Africa Fellow, Kwame Gayle, who

is currently attached to Maitisong, but

who will be teaching History and Geog-

raphy next year. She asked him the fol-

lowing questions Where are you from?

I am from Mandeville, Jamaica. It is a

large inland town in central Jamaica,

about two hours drive from Kingston, the

capital city. I went to Macalester Col-

lege in Minnesota, USA, and graduated

in 2011 with a BA in Anthropology and

African Studies. I then taught English in

Japan for two years before coming to Botswana. What is your purpose at MaP?

I am a Princeton-in-Africa Fellow at MaP.

I am currently assisting the Director of

Maitisong and participating in SPEs but I

will be teaching in upcoming terms. I

also do boarding house and library du-

ties. Why did you join the Maitisong com-

munity?

I love the performing arts a lot and

have participated in them from a

young age so, I was requested by

MaP to offer my expertise there until

the new school year begins. How long is your stay?

I am at MaP for one year. What are your interests?

I love to sing, dance and act. I love

travelling, meeting new people and

being exposed to new cultures. My

favourite sports are badminton and

table tennis. What are your first impressions of MaP and its students?

I went to a boarding high school in

Jamaica so, from the start, there

were some similarities in the daily

schedule. I have been very nostalgic

since I've been here. MaP's staff and

students are very friendly and all

seem happy to be a part of this

community. I am intrigued by MaP's

commitment to service to the com-

munity and its co-curricular activities.

I have enjoyed the ones I am doing

this term (Amnesty International,

Gasiko Drama and Makgasa Read-

ing). The students I have met so far

are determined, focused, respectful

and warm-hearted individuals.

Newsletter welcomes Mr. Gayle to

the staff.

Mallika Senthil

Page 2

Newsletter

Our first Jamaican Member of staff! Kwame Gayle

Emmanuel

Munyadzwe

It is with deep sorrow that MaP mourns the loss of former MaP student and employee of

only two months, Emmanuel Munyadzwe, who lost his life in an accident on Saturday, Sep-

tember 28th.

Emmanuel entered Maru-a-Pula in 2000 as a Form 1 student. He wrote his IGCSE examina-

tions in 2004 and finished his A-Levels in 2006. He worked at MaP as a Teacher Aide in 2007

before going on to study at the University of Southampton in the UK. After earning his de-

gree, he returned to Botswana to work for the government. We were delighted when Em-

manuel joined us as an IT Technician in August of this year.

Emmanuel was only 28 at the time of his death. He was greatly loved by his MaP family and

by his former classmates. He was warm, good-humoured, enthusiastic and he had a smile

that was infectious, and he went out of his way to express his appreciation of others.

On hearing of his passing, former MaP teacher, Jeremy Long, sent the following message of

condolence:

“Emmanuel was an amazing young man and an incredible role model. He will be greatly

missed. I have attached a photograph from a visit Emmanuel made to us here at Downe

House a few years ago. He was his usual happy and positive self and this is how we shall

remember him.”

Our most sincere condolences are with Emmanuel’s family in their loss.

Andrew Taylor, Principal

Have you seen a six foot figure

with blond hair and blue eyes,

around school? Well, this enig-

matic figure is Alexander Chur-

chill, the new Teacher Aide from

Hotchkiss.

Due to his passion for sports, Alex was assigned to the P.E. depart-

ment. During the day, he joins the

P.E. teachers on the field for most

periods. He also teaches swim-

ming and is a great “big brother”

to the younger boy boarders.

This enthusiastic sportsman will

remain at MaP until the end of

this term, so if you haven’t

caught a glimpse of Alexander

Churchill, you’d better hurry be-

fore he leaves town to join a pen-

guin rehabilitation programme in

Cape Town next year.

Mallika Senthil

Alex Churchill: Sports TA

Obituary

TERM 3 2013

Cam pus Clean Up

It’s morning, the birds are singing, the sun is highlighting

the natural colours of the vegetation and blessing the stu-

dents with its presence. What used to be litter on the

ground is neatly piled to be disposed of safely. No, this is

not the start of another made up composition; rather it's

the annual Campus Clean Up.

The event took place on Saturday the 21st of September.

It was organised by Ms Palframan and the school horticul-

turist, Mr Monyatsi, together with Ms Brown and Ms

Turnbull, who all felt the campus deserved a general

cleaning since the drying-out bush was exposing old tins

and other items not picked up in previous clean ups. The

pick up was also done to help the fauna, such as porcu-

pines, mongooses and birds, which find their habitat in the

school.

The clean up started at around 8.30am but many of the

boy boarders were up and working at 7.30. After the

clean up , the volunteers were invited to have a snack at

Mr. Taylor's house as a token of appreciation for their hard

work.

Kevin Motsumi (UM6), who supervised one of the clean up

teams, said he enjoyed the chance to work collectively

with lower form students to find fun in cleaning up and

making the school a better place .

Kanono Lechuti

Breast Cancer Awareness

This place needs

cleaning up or

I’m off to the golf

course.

Campus Clean up

Saturday

21 September

Lwa jaaka mosadi!

Page 3

Think Pink, Live Green is a

way of living that aims to

help women reduce

their risk of breast cancer

or the chance of the

disease coming back in

survivors. It's also a way

for women living with the

advanced disease to

make the healthiest

choices possible.

A woman's risk of breast

cancer depends on

many things, including

her genetics, lifestyle

and plain old chance.

One out of every twenty-

nine women in Botswana

today will be diagnosed

with breast cancer at

some point in her life.

There are many risk fac-

tors for breast cancer,

including some that are

out of a woman's control,

such as family history and

genetics. But some as-

pects of a woman's life-

style also affect her risk.

Getting regular exercise,

maintaining a healthy

body weight and avoid-

ing smoking may all

lower the risk of breast

cancer.

October is Breast Cancer

Awareness month world-

wide. Eager to make a

difference, UM6 students

Tshiamo Kgame and

Helen Badasu organised

a series of events includ-

ing two sprayathons, a

pink cupcake sale, a pink

civvies day and a raffle,

to raise funds for the Can-

cer Association of Bot-

swana, who run aware-

ness campaigns and pro-

vide a temporary home

for patients coming to

Gaborone for treatment.

A big thanks to all who

baked, sprayed or sup-

ported this worthy cause!

Helen Badasu

and Editor

I T D ominat ion !

On the 20th of September, six dedicated MaP stu-

dents entered an IT competition in which a total of

nine high schools participated. Competition was

fierce, but our MaP students still managed to win

most of the awards.

The six were Amrit Amar, Tawanda Mulalu, Mayamiko

Goliat, Erik Babu, Snehin Kukreja and Simone

Hadebe, the only girl in the MaP team. They man-

aged to take first place in IT innovation, Database

Design and Online Puzzles. The team were placed

second in the IT quiz and came third in Computer

Assembly. Big thanks go to IT Support Staff member,

Kese Morebodi, who managed the group.

The students won a printer, trophies and certificates.

Speaking about the event, our Head of IT Support,

Clarence Phiri, said this is a perfect opportunity for

students to find and explore their talents, and to

push themselves beyond their own expectations.

Ultimately, he said, it is the students and their

achievements that will define who we are.

Kanono Lechuti

Debating Success

Page 4

Library Month

What were Tinkerbell, Nelson Mandela, Cinder-

ella , Harry Potter and Little Red Riding Hood doing

on stage at Maru-a-Pula? You might wonder!

Actually they were celebrating International Li-

brary Month. In a fun presentation, members of

Mr. Ndlovu’s Form Four Drama class represented

characters from books ranging from fiction to

autobiography. Students who correctly identified

the characters were awarded prizes and one of

our own Newsletter journalists, Helen Badasu, re-

ceived “… the biggest slab of chocolate!”

Other Library Month events included a training

session in using the library computer system, fol-

lowed by a competition and a library knowledge

quiz, won by the staff team, comprising Tlotlego

Gaogakwe, Kwame Gayle and Tebogo George.

In case you don’t know it, the library is one of the

most comfortable places to be on campus. Stu-

dents who had outstanding library fines were

granted an amnesty during Library Month so that

they could get back to reading, so there’s no ex-

cuse for not being in the library!

Editor

Newsletter

On September 12th this year, a group of

Botswana’s Top Achievers studying in the

UK organised a friendly debate tourna-

ment at Legae Academy. MaP was rep-

resented at the contest by a strong quar-

tet under the guidance of Mr Paya.

The tournament was held to introduce a

new style of debating called "Debate

Matters", which, unlike the traditional

World School Debate style of 3-on-3, is a 2

-on-2 face-off. This new style includes

more content, requires more research,

and the judges are experts in the field of

the debated topic. The audience and

opponents are given a chance to ques-

tion the debaters, resulting in a more in-

depth discussion.

One of the participants, Tawanda Mulalu

(Form 4), who received a special mention

as a top speaker, urges those who have

not heard about Debate Matters to "…

give it a try and you will not regret it, es-

pecially if you love reading ".

Kanono Lechuti

Presidential Award

Congratulations to our Deputy Principal, Labbeaus

Peloewetse, who received an award for his service to

sport in Botswana from His Excellency the President of

Botswana, Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, at the

Independence Day Ceremony.

Bana Ba Mets i

Form Four Drama Trip: Sasol School’s Drama Festival

tunity to attend two workshops, where they learnt how to

manipulate their bodies, expressions and feelings. The

group also had the opportunity to watch as many as eight

intriguing shows. After each long and fulfilling day at Wits,

the group would return to the hotel, refresh and head out

for a movie and dinner.

Overall, the students found their stay mind-expanding and

enjoyable, the Wits hosts generous, the other students wel-

coming and their trip informative and helpful for the ap-

proaching exams.

Mallika Senthil

Page 5

TERM 3 2013

Setswana Week 2013 kicked off with a vibrant show which

included dancing by Mogwana and Bana ba Ntogwa.

Sandwiched between the traditional dancing was a

beautifully crafted play written by MaP alumnus and staff

member, Tlotlego Gaogakwe, and directed by MaP

alumna, Jessica Lejowa.

The play was described by Tlotlego Gaogakwe as a re-

imagining of Botswana’s Independence. In this version, a

Kgosi (played by Kanono Lechuti) is battling a British casa-

nova who is destroying the old order in his village. The

Chief challenges the British Commissioner (played by Yash

Shah) and is saved by the bravery of his daughter, Se-

baga, (played by Mabedi Sennanyana), who leads the

country to Independence; an interesting version, narrated

by the voice-over of Mma Hirschfeldt who played the ficti-

tious, current, female President of Botswana!

Humorous performances by Faith Barrows, Phalana Ba-

sonoko, Yame Lenaeng, Kopo Keakitse, Tlolo Lekone and

Tshepang Lenkopane, as well as Teto Mokgachane and

Lefika Otisitswe, delighted the audience. The clever stag-

ing was enhanced by photographs taken by Mr Dean

Chalmers.

Interspersed amongst the audience, members of the KTM

choir set the tone for the play with their beautiful harmo-

nies and often comedic lyrics.

The play was really about the empowerment of women in

Botswana, a message delivered through this allegorical

tale of Sebaga.

Emang basadi!

Editorial Team

On the 2nd of September, a group of fifteen Form 4

Drama students, along with Mr Ndlovu, Mr Paya and Ms

Matthee, embarked on an educational trip to partici-

pate in a the Sasol Schools’ Drama festival in Johannes-

burg, South Africa.

The next morning, they arrived at Wits University, where

they participated in an introductory seminar. Next, they

joined Grade 11 students from another school and

watched a play called “The Line”, which vividly de-

picted the hardships people endure when affected by

xenophobia.

During their two-day stay, each student had the oppor-

Tiisetso is the One!

Congratulations to Form Five

student, Tiisetso Mathole, who

won First Prize for his rap lyrics

in a Drum Magazine poetry

competition. Go Tii!

Editor

Page 6

Newsletter

U19 Sports trip to St. Peter’s

“Saturday the 26th of October was the day of my first derby in High School. In that derby I played tennis.

We played against ISSA and I became good friends with a girl from that school, called Mercy.

That Saturday was really a fun Saturday. I played doubles and MaP won all the Tennis matches but this derby was-n’t about winning or losing, it was about friendship; mak-ing new friends from a different school and playing your favourite sport with them. I’m happy Mr Nkala and the PE department hosted this derby because everyone en-joyed it a lot.” Aarya Fendar 1L “I was playing Girls Football, playing as a striker up front. The first time we were on the field to play, I scored a goal. Hehehe! That goal went in by mistake. I am telling you, it went in slowly! The goalie’s legs were apart so the ball went in between her legs! I was jumping and running like a headless chicken!” Sasha Shapi, 1K “The sport I was playing was Basketball. … I knew it was a friendly match but the whole team, including me, counted the score and it was 40-8 to us. We beat them hard!” Jaspal Channa, 1M

From the 13th to the 15th of September 2013, three MaP

U19 teams, comprising Boys’ Football, Girls’ Football and

Netball, participated in the 10th St Peter’s College Sports

and Culture Festival in Johannesburg. Maru-a-Pula is the

first school from Botswana to have taken part in this tour-

nament.

What a tournament it was! The Netball girls pushed

through eleven gruelling matches and were placed a

respectable 5th, with the support of their coach Mma H.

Girls’ Football, however, played five games and man-

aged three wins under Mr Tsimako, placing them 3rd.

Karabo, Botho, Donna and Goaba all bagged goals.

Form One Sports Derby

The Boys’ Football team showed a great deal of character

as they faced stiff opposition throughout the tournament.

Backed by their coaches, Rashid and Clarence, they were

placed 4th in their pool, which advanced them to the

Plate round of 16. Their strong team spirit earned them sev-

eral wins, with goals from Cyrus, Bryan and Kgosi, but,

sadly, they lost out in the semi-finals.

“Preparation is key. Without it, you will be lost,” Bryan said,

adding that this was the greatest lesson he learned.

Still, a great deal of fun was had; games were lost and

won, and true sportsmanship prevailed.

Helen Badasu

Helping Dukwi During the August-September holidays, a group of MaP’s

“Schulz4UNHCR” students, under the guidance of Princeton-in-Africa

Fellows Mr Siegert and Ms Brigham, spent a week at the Dukwi refu-

gee camp, where they donated paint, which they used to repaint

the dilapidated pre-school classroom, held a bonfire night to get to

know the youth there, engaged in debate, built a house together

with young people from the camp and enjoyed boxing and karate

classes together with their new friends. The students found the experi-

ence incredibly rewarding and enjoyable and Ms Brigham praised

their contribution, which surpassed her expectations and made for a

most successful visit.

Our Interact Service group has, over the past year, raised P3,700 and

more to purchase outdoor toys for the children of Dukwi, and they

have continued to support them this term with cake sales to raise

funds. All MaP students and parents are invited to support these

worthwhile initiatives.

Editor

Private Bag 0045

Gaborone

Botswana

Phone: +267 3912953

Fax: +267 3973338

Email: principal.map@gmail.com

Dr. Zarins came to work in the Music Department at Maru-a

-Pula at the beginning of 2013. She has been a wonderful

teacher and we will miss her greatly when she leaves. The

passion she has taught with has really inspired us to give it

our all, be creative and think out of the box. The work she

put in to make the “Thriller-dance” happen with the Form

3s was amazing. Without her drive and push it would never

have come out as well as it did. MaP will have lost a true

passion, talent and a wonderful teacher when she leaves.

Mira Isaksson

The start of everything is always

the hardest. How does the

MaP community even begin to

say goodbye to inspiring

teacher, Mr Dean Chalmers?

He will be leaving at the end of

this year, eventually planning

to pursue his career in Bulgaria.

Mr Chalmers has been a mem-

ber of staff since 2006 and his

impact has been palpable.

A most organised teacher, he

demands nothing but the

same from students; latecom-

ers can attest to that!

Bye Bye, DC

TERM 3 2013

Dr Zarins

Among the many attributes that define Mr. Nkala, the

ones that predominate are passion and compassion.

Mr Nkala diligently served Maru-a-Pula as Head of PE

and Director of Sports, taking our sports programme to

new heights. He is a selfless, spirited teacher, qualities

which draw many students to him.

Not only was Mr.Nkala a teacher, he was also a father,

and he will continue being a father, friend and mentor

to many of us. He worked tirelessly to make the Physical

Education programme one of the most joyous aspects of

school life, and led sports at MaP to blossom with suc-

cess.

It is truly unfortunate that Mr. Nkala will be leaving us at

the end of this term. The MaP community immensely ap-

preciates his service and wishes him all the best. Fare-

well.

Chabaesele Mokoti

Not only is he a diligent and

effective Maths teacher, he is

also a talented musician, guitar

tutor, renowned author and in-

spiring photographer. He has an

array of photographs around

the school, ranging from grand

school events to the seemingly

insignificant fly in the seminar

room, and his talents have pro-

duced the amazing Yearbook

visuals which all of the MaP

community have loved.

To Sir, with love, goodbye.

Helen Badasu and

Kanono Lechuti Page 7

Farewell, Mr Nkala

Newsletter

Freaky Friday, Freaky Fun!

Newsletter wishes all our IGCSE, AS and A Level students success in their Cambridge

examinations and a well-earned break!

Look out, World! Here comes the class

of 2013

Bye, Bye, Form Fives