72 Loren Macallister came and went; the Olympiad came and went; streamed classes went; split lines came; trials and finals came and went. I’m tempted to leave it at that – but when did I ever not like to say a lot? Congratulations to Murray Polkinghorne for placing in the top 100 of the Olympiad again this year. This makes it 3/3 for Murray and he now has so many free years tuition at Rhodes he could do a degree. We will miss Murray’s creativity next year and are planning to re-examine how we prepare for the Olympiad in 2012 The staff adjusted to the split lines and mixed ability classes with enormous panache and I thank them for being so willing to embrace new ideas. My thanks also go to the boys for just getting on with the job and not fussing over it – they left that to Maths where it serves a better purpose. It is clear that the changes are having positive effects as the matrics smashed through the targeted 67% average. The group got 24 distinctions and a 69% average after trials which bodes well for finals. The new reading programme at grade 8 level was a challenge and had the unforeseen spinoff of creating competition to see who could read the most books the fastest. That’s boys for you: a competition in everything. But this one is going to have huge positive results if it continues. The rotating-multiple-setwork approach will be rolled out in grades 9 and 11 in 2012 and we are all spinning a bit with the load – exciting to say the least. Matt Saville joined us in a full-time capacity during the year and we are pleased to see him finally settled at Kearsney. Guy Mitchelli stepped into his par t-time position so it looks as though ex-Kearsney boys who wish to teach have a home in the English depar tment: bring it on boys; we always need brilliant English teachers. The two essays included this year are of the best I have ever received. It’s a popular myth among the boys that you can’t get 100% for an English essay – these two did just that! Enjoy reading them. Vaughan Carlisle BEAUTY BEYOND BELIEF Rowan Page The sun is not glimmering on the edge of the horizon, spilling its rays like blood seeping through the cloud littered sky. The sky is not blue and there is no gentle breeze washing over us. This is not a fairy tale, this is the real world and this is real life where things are not perfect. There is no gentle breeze plumping up her hair, no rays of the setting sun glistening on her skin, yet her beauty is beyond belief. She tilts her head to look up at me and her silky smooth hair drips down, barely eclipsing her shoulders. It is a fair English Yo! The year was a busy one. Nathan Pilbrough grade 12 This page is sponsored by: Anton, Caroline, Christopher and Jeremy de Beer
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