Term 1, 2018 From the Head of School’s Desk - epworth.co.za · Margaréte Zietsman represented...
Transcript of Term 1, 2018 From the Head of School’s Desk - epworth.co.za · Margaréte Zietsman represented...
Term 1, 2018
From the Head of School’s Desk
The first term of 2018 has been filled with numerous activities – academic, cultural and sport – culminating in our Easter
Service in the Chapel on Friday morning. Thank you to our Chaplain, Rebecca Schultz, for a very special and significant
message and to the parents, as well as, members of the Board and Trust, who were able to attend. The involvement of
our choirs under the direction of David Orr and Simon Bester and the many girls who were part of the service
contributed to a strong feeling of faith and community.
Much has been written about the idea of community, how it is influenced, developed and defined. Schools generally are
identified as communities, each with its own make-up and sense of belonging. These are some definitions for
community: “people associated with one another – who share common values about the education of children”, “the
condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common”, “trust, respect, mutual obligation and concern
for others’ welfare…” and from Joanna Nesbit [2015]: “When parent groups and schools work together to build a strong
sense of community, everyone benefits. Parents feel welcome and are more likely to take a more active role in their
child’s education. Teachers feel appreciated. And research shows that kids attending schools with a strong community
are more likely to be academically motivated. It’s not always easy, but it’s worthwhile.”
The Epworth community has a strong history embedded in our Methodist ethos, purposefully intended in our Vision and
Mission and practised in our values that resonate in our motto of Faith, Compassion and Courage.
Our recently held Open Day for prospective pupils and their families was a great success and allowed our visitors to
engage with staff and girls while visiting the campus. Our Head Girl, Georgiana Askew, addressed the audience and I
would like to share her speech with you:
Choosing your high school is without a doubt one of the most daunting choices you will ever have to make, but I hope
that after today your minds will be put at ease. This afternoon, you are going to leave in one of two ways: either you will
leave our campus with your mind completely made up, feeling more confident in your choice of Epworth as your high
school - or perhaps confused. And be assured – that’s also alright.
I have often been asked: what is it like to be an Epworth girl? Being an Epworth girl is something truly special and
honestly no one will ever know the true feeling until you get the chance to experience it. However, I’m going to try my
very best to paint a picture of what it’s like to be one of us, the girls in gingham.
There is the most amazing feeling that our girls get as they drive through the gates of Epworth. This feeling is one of such
love, support and care. Epworth is a home away from home not only for the boarders but also for the day girls.
We form a special sisterhood that binds the hearts and souls of Epworth girls, keeping us close to one another as we
“To free the potential in individuals to become relevant, resilient and ethical leaders who
contribute to our ever-changing world”.
Ms Laura Bekker
Georgiana pictured with Grade 10 pupil, Sophie Harel, at the Relay Gala.
grow through and up the grades into our adult lives beyond this campus. In my opinion, Epworth is not the amazing
school it is because of the academics, or our sport or our cultural enrichment but rather because of the girls that make up
the Epworth community and family. The happy souls and smiley faces are things that make Epworth different from any
other school. I honestly believe in the happiness of girls and I can assure you, our prospective parents, that the Epworth
community provides this happiness.
We, as Epworth girls, are lucky enough to have such loving and supportive systems in place here at school including our
exceptional Chaplain, teachers and mentors who are always willing to go the extra mile.
An Epworth girl keeps faith in God, herself and others. She chooses the courageous option and treats others (and herself)
with love, respect and compassion. She is fuelled by fellowship, passion and self-discipline. She is willing to give of her
best at all times and to contribute positively to the social and natural environment. She lives by her motto ‘Fida Humana
Fortis’: Faith, Compassion and Courage, which complement her values of integrity and honesty.
Knowing that you are loved, cared for, respected, appreciated and encouraged is something that makes being an
Epworth girl so special and something you should long to be.
I hope that after today you will leave with your minds put at ease and that you will be feeling more confident. Don’t panic
if you are still unsure, though, because the right school is waiting for you and you girls will know which school is best for
you. Look for a school like ours, which values the individual girl and gives her space to become her best version of herself -
then trust your instinct when you find it.
To the parents, I wish you all the very best for the year ahead as you begin to make decisions with your daughter about
high school. To the girls, take this opportunity to fly and succeed because a new and exciting adventure awaits you and
your families.
I am sure you are as proud of what Georgie represents as I am. To all the pupils and their families, have a blessed Easter
and a well-deserved holiday.
Inter-House Gala
Overall winners:
Rhodes
Spirit Cup winners:
Somerset
Recognising eco-action Epworth is the proud recipient of an Eco-Schools’ International Flag Decade Award for its commitment to eco-action
over the past 15 years. Shraya Moodley and Lisa Bertling-Roodt represented the school at the official awards ceremony
where they received the award. The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) commended Epworth on
its impressive record and said, “After all these years as part of the Eco-Schools’ family, it is incredible to see that your
school continues to grow from strength to strength.”
Epworth Mudman
MYTH: debating takes away from my academics FACT: debating teaches time management and organisational skills – by Senior level, debaters can write an eight-minute speech (without knowing the topic beforehand) in under 45 minutes, which automatically means that answering skills in almost every subject are enhanced (an ongoing learning process) MYTH: debating takes away time with my friends FACT: debating forms strong bonds within a team with NEW friends, as well as meeting debaters from other schools – all with similar interests MYTH: debating is for nerds! FACT: debaters are jocks – public speaking under pressure, arguing a topic you may not believe in, facing Matric boys on the opposition, and with large crowds watching you – surely a rugby match is easier than that? MYTH: debating is scary! FACT: debating may be daunting at first, but the general knowledge about the world and the perspectives that it teaches, makes all other scary things pale into insignificance! MYTH: debating won’t help my life FACT: debating starts at school and then you can compete regionally, provincially, nationally and overseas. Schools and tertiary institutions are recognising this activity more and more
Debating myths vs facts
Team spirit at its best
This year, it was Epworth’s turn to host the Senior Girls’ Gala which is an annual highlight on the swimming calendar.
Held at the UKZN pool, the event was fiercely contested with St John’s emerging the victors and Epworth coming third.
The camaraderie amongst the Epworth swimmers and the support and spirit exhibited by the rest of the school was the
highpoint of the day. Epworth really did themselves proud, in and out of the pool.
Matric Dance invites delivered Hollywood style
Pi Day activities
Pi hat contest
Out and about
Grade 12’s visit the Caversham Press
The Grade 12 Art class participated in a
three-day printmaking workshop at
Caversham Press in the Midlands. They were
exposed to different techniques, including
Drypoint, Etching, Water Colour, Chincolle
and Monotype Silk Screening. Malcolm
Christian, arguably the best printmaker in
the country, conducted the workshop.
Cancer Night Relay
A group of pupils and
staff dressed up and
supported the annual
Cancer Night Relay,
which took place at the
Carbineers Club in
Pietermaritzburg.
Epworth was delighted to welcome East Coast Radio (ECR) personality Darren Maule on Tuesday, March 20th to address
our high school on the first of the educational road shows he plans to take around the province (at no cost to schools).
Consummate performer, entertaining raconteur and doting dad to a nine-year-old daughter, Maule delivered an
important message to our girls in between pausing for photo opps amidst gales of laughter.
“Education is everything,” Maule reiterated more than once. He is passionate about empowering young people;
encouraging them to be excited about their schooling; about asking questions – the most important of which is why?
Maule urged our pupils to use their commitment and hard work at school to develop diverse skills and interests. He
reminded our community that we need to do more than simply what we are good at; our girls must embrace every
opportunity to learn as much as possible – because the careers of the future have not yet been envisaged in the
present. “Be brave! Say yes!” said Maule, since it is through taking risks, without forgetting to use words wisely and
being kind to each other, that our pupils will step into their futures.
“Epworth has a wonderful energy,” said Maule warmly, trying to capture that indefinable quality that is uniquely ours.
Darren Maule: a delight with a mic!
Sports achievements
Epworth paddlers claimed the top three spots in the
junior girls’ category at this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon.
Amy Peckett and Caitlin Mackenzie dominated through-
out the race and finished ahead of their teammates
Tracey Oellermann and Cara Waud. Epworth’s Casey
Robertson and Anna Hauff finished third. Fourteen
Epworth pupils successfully completed the race.
The swimming
team won the
annual
Champions’
Gala
A large group
of pupils
successfully
completed the
Midmar Mile.
Canoeing Swimming
Nine Epworth pupils were recently selected for the KZN Midlands Action Netball teams for 2018 (from left): Grace Watson, Gemma Phipps, Asanda Sithole, Amy
Hutton, Micaela Viljoen, Kusaziba Gulubane, Nothando Sithebe, Nesisa Mthembu, Tannah Duncan.
Action Netball
Grade 8 pupils, Nicolette Challenor (left) and Tannah Duncan competed in the KwaZulu-Natal Biathlon
Championships, which combines swimming and running, at Kings Park. Both girls were chosen to represent KZN at
the South African Biathlon Championships.
Epworth’s diving team (from left): Amy Johnson, Hannah Kelling, Robin van Heerden, Kayleigh Schmidt and Margaréte Zietsman tied with St Anne’s for first place in the KZN Inter-Schools’ Diving Competition
Biathlon
Diving
Sports achievements continued
Epworth’s first hockey team won the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament for the PMB Central region. They beat St John’s in the final in an eight-second penalty
shootout. They will compete in the finals of the provincial tournament in August.
Hockey (from left): Anke Roux, Lisa Mckenzie, Chloe Morton and Emily Cobbold were selected for KZN B tennis teams in
their respective age groups.
Tennis
Margaréte
Zietsman
represented the
KZN district team
at the Athletics
Championships.
Athletics
Chloe Dundas-Starr was selected for
the SA 13-15 age group synchronised
swimming team which will
participate in the Mediterranean Cup
in July in Spain.
Synchronised Swimming
Six pupils were selected for the uMgungundlovu district
swimming team (top, from left): Ashleigh Green, Lauren
Knobel, Georgiana Askew (bottom, from left): Tannah
Duncan, Cara Message, Kate Wood.
Swimming
Amy Johnson is
the first pupil at
Epworth to receive
a Gold President’s
Award.
President’s Award
Cultural highlights to diarise
Epworth High School Inter-School Music Evening
Thursday 19 April at 18:30
Epworth Chapel
The second term features a vibrant mix of cultural activities that will showcase our pupils’ creative talents in the
areas of music, dance and drama. First up is the Inter-School Music Evening followed closely by a Christopher
Duigan Music Revival Concert, incorporating Epworth pupils, in the Epworth Chapel. The High School dramatic
production Sisters and the annual Funk dance extravaganza are both scheduled to take place in May at the
Hexagon Theatre. The term ends with a celebratory 120th choral production in the Chapel.
Music for an Autumn Evening with Christopher Duigan (piano), Myfanwy Price (oboe)
& Aristide du Plessis (cello)
Friday 20 April at 19:00
Epworth Chapel
Tickets: R80 (adults) and R50 (scholars)
Funk Friday 11 – Thursday 17 May (time to be confirmed)
Hexagon Theatre
Ticket prices and bookings to be confirmed
Sisters Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 May at 18:30; Saturday 5 May
at 15:00
Hexagon Theatre
Tickets: R75 (adults) and R60 (pupils)
Please click here for further information about any of these events
Epworthian news
Jordan and Cana Peek (2013 and 2016) dominated the
women’s race at this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon and
were crowned 2018 Dusi champions.
Dr Zolelwa Sifumba (2008) visited the Grade 11 Life
Sciences classes and spoke about her life related to
becoming a doctor and how she coped with being
multidrug resistant to Tuberculosis. She is pictured
with Grade 11 pupils Minenhle Masango and
Yama Qangule.
At the end of last year, the class of 2017 donated
their school shoes to the children at a rural school in
the Injasuthi valley of the Drakensberg. “I would like
to offer sincere thanks to all the girls who so
generously thought of the needs of others at this
exciting time of their lives. These little gestures can
make a very big difference in the lives of children who
cannot afford simple things like school shoes,” said
one of the community supporters.
Pictured are some of the High School pupils who have
mothers, grandmothers, and/or great-grandmothers
who attended Epworth.
Epworthian Day 2018: 5 May
Please click here to view the invitation
Please click here to view the programme for the day