76 Most widely accepted subjects, and History is cer tainly one of them, attract some people who simply like the information and modes of thought involved. But audiences less spontaneously drawn to the subject and more doubtful about why to bother need to know what the purpose is. Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve useful purposes, History is in fact very useful. But the products of historical study are less tangible than those that stem from some other disciplines. Peter N. Stearns Despite the fact that we have aggressively fought to establish the ‘usefulness’ of History as a viable subject option, the number of boys choosing to take the subject in grade 10 has dropped. This is one of the focuses for the department: to establish why and to address any shor tcomings. However, in comparison to most boys’ schools our numbers (roughly 40% of the grade) are still very strong. Tracey van den Aardweg joined the depar tment in a full time capacity and Guy Mitchell joined as the first History intern. Craig Legge spent most of the year prac teaching and brought an interesting dimension to the dynamics of the department with his enthusiasm and corporate world perspective. The Class of 2010 did well to achieve the results expected of them in the IEB examinations with 5 boys achieving distinctions. In the first term 40 grade 10 boys accompanied Tracey and Guy on yet another eventful trip to Shakaland. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the Zulu cultural program: the sampling of traditional Zulu beer ; learning about the traditional Zulu homestead and the ar t of warfare as practised by Shaka in the 19th century; visiting a traditional sangoma and partaking in stick fighting and spear throwing. The evening’s highlight was the traditional Zulu dancing in the great hut of the Chief. All 6 grade 9 classes visited the Durban Holocaust centre in the 3rd term. The centre has recently undergone a make-over and a thoroughly edifying workshop on victims and perpetrators brought the reality of the holocaust home to the boys. We continued to hold the popular History team quiz which culminated in a spectacular final in October. 12 schools from all over the province entered this enjoyable and enter taining event. The final took on an interactive flavour with the generous History Any subject needs justification: its advocates must explain why it is worth attention. The Class of 2010 did well to achieve the results expected of them This page is sponsored by: Calitz Crockart & Associates: Attorneys, notaries and conveyancers. 3rd Floor, Silver Oaks, 14/36 Silverton Road, Musgrave. Tel 031 202 3100 email: calcro@calitzcrockart.co.za
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