INSIDE:

GRADE 6 MATHS AND

TECHNOLOGY PROJECT

CELEBRATING HERITAGE

DAY AT DBCS

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28/09/2018 I TERM 3 I NEWSLETTER

ISSUE

97

As I reflect on my first term at Drakies there is much to admire and be

grateful for. I am very privileged to be part of an internationally acclaimed

institution that has shaped the lives of many boys in its 51 year history.

AN ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I

would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event

itself. We

GOODBYE TO STEVEN AND MELANIE…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE HEAD

MESSAGE FROM OUR

DEPUTY HEAD: ACADEMICS

AN ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE … (Continued from page 1)

I have made some interesting observations from an academic perspective. While the significant challenge for our boys to

maintain high standards in both music and academics may be perceived by some as a little extreme, I believe that the benefits

of meeting those expectations far outweigh the pressure of enduring the busy schedule. The rigour of any pursuit is at the

core of any worthwhile growth and development. On a very practical level, our boys have a school day that is a lot more

varied than most conventional schools. Music Appreciation, Theory and Aural Training bring a very different dimension to the

programme, and then choir practices are also included as part of our schedule. The human psyche is such that success in one

area of passion and gifting has a positive spin-off in other areas. That is very evident here at Drakies. We see boys gain

confidence as performers which translates into greater self-belief when facing some of the academic demands. Boys who

embrace the spirit and ethos of Drakies leave with a skills-set that few other schools are able to produce.

The Term 3 reports will be e-mailed within 24 hours. Please direct any queries you may have to me via e-mail

(dcato@dbchoir.com) and I will respond as soon as the new term commences on 8 October. Term 4 will, as always, be a very

demanding one. Exams start as early as four weeks into the term for Grades 7 and 9 as these boys will be writing external

assessments which we intend to use as a benchmarking exercise. Whole-school exams will start a week after that. In the

meantime the music schedule will be no less arduous.

Enjoy the holiday with your boys. It is a short break, which I know will be appreciated by our boys who have given their best

throughout this term.

Regards

DAVE CATO

Deputy Head: Academics

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GRADE 6 MATHS AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECT

The Grade 6s were tasked with designing different parts of a city. They were asked to use renewable energies in their design and build their own 3D blocks to make the structure. We spent the whole term completing this project and it contributed positively to the classroom dynamic. Much fun was had by all.

The following are short explanations by each group outlining their part in the city project.

Roads and Activities

The team: Tiaan Esterhuizen, Sabelo Skosana, Caleb Coffey, Ntando Ngcobo, James Jooste and Matthew Tucker.

We have brick roads so that we could save the ozone layer by not using tar roads. We have a hydro-electric water system to produce electricity for the outdoor movie theatre. We made the transport to and from each place by using a solar-powered vehicle.

Our part of the project was an important part of the city as a whole because our roads connected all parts of the city and made it convenient to get from place to place.

Stadium

The team: Daniel van Jaarsveld, Tshiamo Boikhutso , Vuyo Mcanyana, Mohau Tladi, Zipho Mpofu and Seth Brown.

Materials: We used a cake board for our base and hexagons as shops to sell team products, food and drinks and cubes for the seats inside the stadium. We also used green cardboard paper for the pitch with Tippex for the lines of the field, and a glue stick with cardboard for a windmill. We used a glue gun to stick the blocks together.

What we could have done better: we could have worked more as a team by co-operating more as a group and listening to each other’s ideas. Some people also felt left out because we were too focused on what we wanted. We also could have been more careful with our blocks which would have made it look better in the presentation.

How do we work as a team? We worked well as a team by listening to each other’s ideas and sticking to what we had to do. We also tried to incorporate everyone’s ideas.

How and why we designed the stadium the way we did? We designed it in a way which would provide space for parking and an open area to get fresh air, and also because our entrance is next to the airport.

How well did your project contribute to the city? We contributed to the city because we are the centre of attention and we made the city a worldwide entertainment centre.

Who did what? Zipho Mpofu and Mohau Tladi did the glueing. Seth Brown and Vuyo Mcanyana did the cutting. Vuyo Mcanyana, Tshiamo Boikhutso and Daniel van Jaarsveld did the designing of the city to make it look magnificent.

Skyscraper

Our project used materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, solar panel, gas (in the light bulbs) and light bulbs.

How and why we designed the building? We designed the building by thinking of classical historical buildings such as the pyramids. We then started thinking about how we were going to build the pyramid. We designed the building with a strong cardboard base onto which we pasted cardboard cubes. After that, we cut strong cardboard and pasted it onto the cubes. Then we added more blocks, reducing their numbers to produce a pyramid shape.

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At the end we put a clock tower onto of the building. The last step of the project, we inserted the solar panel battery and light.

We put a lot of effort into this project. Some people were tired and we must admit we had difficulties. The project concept is that of a game reserve/hotel. The pictures outside the building show what you can do in the building.

My team mainly worked together except for a few times. Lunga Mazibuko, Tristan Hellberg and Xander Erasmus were the block producers. Olwethu Nkonyane, Bupe Chiluba and Walter de Bruin built the building and decorated it. All of us were involved in the design.

Our project contributed to the city because our building houses all the residents of the town and there is a need to have housing in a town.

Our Airport - OIA

Why we chose an airport? We chose to do an airport because airports will bring along people to our city. It had lots of potential to use renewable resources.

Did we work together while making it? We did work together most of the time but we did also had difficulties. However, we came together and made an amazing airport.

What was our design like? Our design was practical and simple; we tried not to make it cliché.

What materials did we use? Cardboard, cardboard paper, paper glue, permanent marker, scissors, pencils and paper.

How we made the airport? We got paper nets and used glue to stick them. We then dismantled previous projects and used the blocks from there. Then we cut the nets out and used the glue to make the blocks which we then stuck together to create the building. We then made the runways and airplanes.

Who did what?

Aidan McArthur- the quantity surveyor

Reece Olsen- a builder and designer

Karabo Machepha - co-designer

Kigen Chepkonga - designer

Finlay Dalrymple - the block builder

How does the airport contribute to the city? People from overseas need to be able to travel from wherever they come from.

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Planning and building a city

It took loads of planning, negotiating and

team work

GRIFFIN HOUSE – BOARDERS OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Jesse Barth and Sihle Sigwebela

– joint winners of Boarder of the Month

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CELEBRATING HERITAGE DAY AT DBCS

Some of the Drakie staff members dressed in their traditional outfits

Drakie staff members entertaining the boys with

traditional dance moves

Drakies enjoying a traditional Zulu meal

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Sabelo Skosana

28 September

Matthew Tucker

6 October

Katlego Phetla

10 October

Ms Verna Ayliffe

14 October

DATE EVENT TIME

23- 28 September Recording Week

28 September Concert DPA at Rosebank Union Church

28 September-7

October

School Holidays

29 September Buses depart

6 – 7 October Dads and Lads maintenance weekend

8 October Term 4 Starts

9 October Deloitte & Touche Conference

10 October Wednesday Concert 15:30-17:30

10 October Dinner Drak Sun – World Choir Games 17:30

11 October Group Photos

12 October Legacy Project: Showcase

13 October Academic Saturday 08:30

14 October Cayley Lodge Waterpark outing (TBC)

14 October Chapel 18:15

Calendar 28 September to 14 October 2018

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL

PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: administratio n@dbchoir.com | www.dbchoir.com

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