80 36% of our matric candidates achieved distinctions – which is phenomenal. A special mention must go to Nicol Pirow and Dominic Koenig who shared the LO prize: both boys achieved 94%. There were 8 other candidates who achieved above 90%. Competition was fierce among the top candidates this year and this helped them all to achieve their potential in the subject. 3 new topic areas were squeezed into the syllabus and the boys responded well. ‘Avoiding Plagiarism: Referencing Correctly’ has now armed the boys with the tools that they need to handle the increasingly high academic standards expected of them. ‘Performance Enhancing Drugs and Steroids’ has taught the boys to achieve their body sculpting goals without risking a positive doping test. The module was rolled out in preparation for the compulsory steroid and banned substances testing which begins at Kearsney next year. ‘Media Bias and Propaganda’ couldn’t have been launched in a more favourable year. With the European debt crisis and the Arab spring as backdrops, the boys delved into Noam Chomsky’s Manufacturing Consent – A Propaganda Model of News and began to explore alternative media, citizen journalism and social media. They are looking at their worlds with more critical eyes lately! The updating of the LO syllabus is still not complete: 4 new modules will be launched during 2012. My thanks are extended to Paula Isaac who runs grade 8 LO and to Kevin Smith who runs grade 9. My thanks also go to all the staff who teach LO with such professionalism, enthusiasm and unflagging effor t. We are providing invaluable life lessons to our boys and they are clearly enjoying our classes. Jason Rottcher LO at Kearsney The year was a most successful one. “Entering into the Maths depar tment at Kearsney is a little like going to boot camp. They make an effor t to develop every student holistically by giving them physical exercise in the form of resistance training. This steadily increases during the year to maximise performance. Those who carry their Maths files will bare testament to this. So it’s been an eventful first year at Kearsney. Their focus is always on the pursuit of excellence – and it never wavers. The depar tment is comprised of senior deputies and ex-heads of depar tment and must be one of the most experienced departments in the school. It shows. The current matric group reached the seemingly impossible target of a 70% distinction average in their trials exam. This success seems to permeate through all the grades. It’s all due to the tireless effor ts of Trish Pike. But the whole department makes a concer ted effor t to help the students that are struggling and you will often find teachers helping students after school to solve those particularly gritty problems. A caring, motivated, dedicated and experienced team: what more can anyone ask for?” Etienne Grundling Mathematics New Maths teacher Etienne Grundling writes of his first year at Kearsney. Media Bias and Propaganda couldn’t have been launched in a more favourable year Their focus is always on the pursuit of excellence – and it never wavers
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