49 Innovation was a key word within the isiZulu department in 2019. We were fortunate enough to be moved into the new classrooms in the newly built Centenary Wing. These classrooms are home to a host of state-of-the-art equipment, and this meant that, as a department, we needed to pay careful attention to revising our teaching methods. We have already begun digitising our material and this has resulted in fresh and colourful work for the boys. This assists us in offering the correct level of support for the learners with barriers to learning who benefit from different approaches to teaching. The teachers paid careful attention to modernising the new classrooms when decorating them, while maintaining the integrity and ethos of the isiZulu department and the African culture. The learners have a great deal of pride towards their new learning environment and this has translated into creative group discussions, debates and role-playing. Their renewed vigour for isiZulu as a subject has been a privilege to watch. As with anything in life, the department has faced several challenges, one of the most significant being the increased interest in isiZulu as a subject option. As the number of learners taking isiZulu increases, the teachers have had to adapt their teaching to cater for a variety of challenges. These include boys taking the subject for the first time, boys who are not first language isiZulu speakers and even boys whose heritage lies in the isiZulu culture, but who prefer to speak English as their home language. For this reason, careful attention has been given to ensuring more foundational work is covered in grades 8 and 9 and we look forward to seeing the results of this strategy when junior boys reach Matric. Kearsney has a reputation for doing exceptionally well at the annual isiZulu evenings, which are hosted at different schools each year. This year proved no different, and the boys who attended the 2019 event, hosted by St Henry’s Marist College, outperformed most of the schools and were crowned the top entertainers of the evening. They presented themselves as true Kearsney College ambassadors and can be proud of their performances. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both of my colleagues, Mr Manzini Zungu and Mr Senzo Mtshali (intern), for their support and dedication to the requirements within the isiZulu department. Their efforts were a tremendous help and contributed significantly to our growth. Mr Bongi Ndaba HOD isiZulu ISIZULU 2019 has been a busy and successful year in Life Orientation. We had a full schedule of guest speakers over the course of the year, who presented to the boys about topics that will help to equip them for life. The guest speakers always provide highlights in the Life Orientation curriculum for the boys. Life Orientation aims to prepare boys for life, but it must not be forgotten that the boys need to receive direction on how to be successful at school as well. The Grade 8 boys began the year by participating in a resilience programme. This is tailored to help the Grade 8s to cope with the increased demands of high school, and to settle into life as a Kearsney boy. The boys benefited greatly from the programme. Another highlight for the Grade 8s is the completing of a module on etiquette, which culminated in the Formal Dinner. This was a fun evening where the boys were able to showcase, in a formal dinner setting, some of what they had learnt during the course. This year the Grade 9 students attended a presentation by one of the school biokineticists about steroids and supplements–a topic of great interest and relevance to students their age. One of the most important and thorough workshops conducted each year is on sexual health and sexuality, presented by Dr Eli. These workshops have been tailored for each grade, according to their age groups and have been presented at the College for many years. Our Grade 12 results for 2019 were excellent. Of our 126 boys in Grade 12, 51 boys received distinctions. This is a fantastic distinction rate of 40% for 2019. Congratulations to the boys for their efforts. Across all five grades the boys produced a high standard of work and can be proud of their work. Thank you to the staff, boys, and parents involved in Life Orientation for making 2019 another successful year. Mr Dylan Pe rrett HOD Life Orientation LIFE ORIENTATION We had a full schedule of guest speakers over the course of the year, who presented to the boys about topics that will help to equip them for life. Academic Review With grateful thanks to Direction Determining Destiny - strengths-based career guidance for subject and tertiary choices (Grades 9-12). Email bookings@directiondd.co.za
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