62 Life Orientation The Life Orientation department and curriculum continue to develop each year. In 2023, there was a renewed focus on teaching study skills and equipping boys to be better prepared for their examinations. A successful school-wide initiative also took place in conjunction with the Pastoral Care team to address the dangers of vaping. Many engaging conversations were had, and the boys valued their LO lessons as a place to discuss issues relevant to what was happening in their lives. A sincere thank you to the various members of staff who taught LO this year: Mr Bennie Pietersen, Mr Kwanele Ngema, Mr Steven Edwards, Mr André Van Zyl, Mrs Vanessa Govender, Mr Senzo Mtshali, Miss Dineo Fihlela, Mr Yanga Sotshangane (intern), Mr Stephan Joubert (intern), Ms Kerry-Jane Coleman (Counsellor), Rev Kym Bishop (Chaplain). Mr Steven Edwards HOD Life Orientation Engineering Graphics and Design The 2023 IEB NSC Engineering Graphics & Design results were outstanding. • The group achieved an average of 80% • 43% (19) of the boys achieved distinctions • 80% (35) of the boys achieved 70% and above • 4 boys scored in the top 1% of the country: Jordan Boyd 99% Zhouhao Zang 99% Nicholas Butler 98% Jacques Nel 98% The Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD) department enjoyed a good year in 2023. Our Grade 10 intake of 55 boys, producing three classes was very encouraging. The department also grew to three teachers with the arrival of Mr Vivek Sookdavu, who joined us at the beginning of the year. Part of the old workshop was converted into a classroom and a smaller workshop area was created. In an effort to innovate our syllabus, and to create more local awareness, the Nelson Mandela Bridge and Van Staden’s Bridge were included in the Grade 8 case study of Famous Bridges; the South African National Space Agency and Space X were added to the Space Exploration module; stadiums like Moses Mabhida and the FNB were added to the Grade 9 case study of Famous Stadiums and Ponte City was added to the Famous Skyscrapers module. The Grade 12 Practical Assessment Task (PAT) involved designing a science classroom block at a rural school where community service is completed by Kearsney boys. The design had to incorporate energysaving and environmentally friendly features and handicap-friendly bathroom features. An alternate energy source had to be researched and implemented in the design. A successful EGD Expo was held in October where the Grade 12 pupils showcased their projects. Parents and teachers viewed the designs and provided very positive feedback regarding the imagination and creativity of the boys, and their technical drawing abilities. The EGD department has high standards, and we pride ourselves on extending our pupils and exposing them to the latest developments in the subject. AutoCAD continues to be very popular among the pupils and is implemented through the grades. The department also joined the Academic USA tour this year and enjoyed university visits to Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton and Columbia. Dean Moodley HOD Engineering Graphics & Design Academic Tour - USA On Thursday 23 March 2023, 41 excited Engineering Graphics & Design, Dramatic Arts and Mathematics boys as well as 4 enthusiastic staff members, set off on a two-week academic tour of the USA, visiting Boston, New Haven, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. Our journey started with a detour to Turkey, where we were treated to a tour of the city of Istanbul, courtesy of Turkish Airlines. A visit to the iconic Hagia Sofia mosque and a traditional Turkish breakfast were highlights on this short trip. The highlights of our first USA city, Washington DC, included the Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Aviation Museum, National Building Museum, Museum of American History and Technology and the Law Enforcement Museum. The Drama boys spent a day at the Shakespeare Theatre, attending acting class and watching productions. Our travels then took us to Pennsylvania where a most entertaining and informative guide took us on the historical Gettysburg battlefield tour where the group spent a night. A first time visit to Princeton University, provided some valuable insight into student life and academics at this prestigious institution. We then travelled to New York City, where we stayed at the Edison Hotel in Times Square. The boys enjoyed being in New York and were in awe of this amazing city and its labyrinth of subways. Visits to Harlem, Ground Zero/One World Trade Centre, Chinatown, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Wall Street and the NEW York Highline gave the boys a feel for the American experience. The group visited Madison Square Gardens, to watch the New York Knicks play the Miami Heat in an NBA Basketball game, and Barclays Centre, to watch the Brooklyn Nets play the Atlanta Hawks. The group visited the Astor Theatre to watch the Blue Man Group and the Drama boys were treated to the Broadway production, ‘Life of Pi’. The tour then proceeded to Yale University, enroute to Boston. The group was treated to a campus visit and information talk. Our last stop was in Boston. The boys enjoyed a guided tour of the new Engineering faculty at Harvard University, a visit to the Boston Museum of Science & Technology, a visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where they participated in a Robotics Workshop. The boys were treated to an MLB Boston Red Socks baseball game at the iconic Fenway Park. We boarded our plane back to South Africa, on Wednesday 05 April, with heavy hearts and bags, yet with enriched minds and souls. The Space Museum in Washington DC Princeton University
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3MDU5Nw==