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Merrifield’s Very Own Newspaper 20 October 2017

From the Executive Head, Dr Guy Hartley

The College experienced a memorable opening week to the term with its prizegiving and Valedictory ceremony

taking place last Wednesday and Friday respectively. Our Matric class of 2017 have officially “left us” as they

embark on their final, external, IEB examinations. We wish them all the very best in the exams, which they can

certainly face with a great deal of confidence on the basis of solid and dedicated teaching, as well as the stu-

dents’ own personal determination and diligence throughout the year.

For me, a highlight of last week was the presentation by our guest speaker, Mr Tony Lankester – CEO of the Na-

tional Arts Festival in Grahamstown – at the College Prizegiving. Mr Lankester spoke about the exponential tech-

nological changes taking place in our modern world that are shaping our careers, lifestyles and daily habits in all

sorts of new ways and at such a rapid rate. Developments in design thinking, robotics, neuroscience, artificial

intelligence, advanced automation and virtual reality are all vital twenty first century concepts that are already

impacting widely on society. They are not passing fads but already are having immense implications for the im-

mediate present and future.

At Merrifield, we recognise the importance of developing twenty first century abilities, particularly in terms of

nurturing creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem-solving, which have been identified as essential

skills for our nation’s future workforce. The iPad program, running from Grades 5 – 12 next year, has taken us a

long way down the road of 21st century skills. Next year, Mrs Bosse as our designated innovation specialist, will

be taking iCreate classes in Grades 1-6, for which a dedicated classroom is presently being constructed. iCreate

is an acronym for innovation, creativity, research, engineering, arts, technology and entrepreneurship. Mrs

Bosse will be engaging the students, as co-creators and collaborative problem-solvers, in diverse practical activi-

ties such as model building (using Lego and junior engineering materials), coding, healthy brain activities, ro-

botics, problem design and the like. This is an exciting area of the curriculum opening up that is sure to serve our

students well in preparation for the 21st century world.

BEST WISHES: Good luck to our Matric Class of 2017 as they started writing their final IEB exams this week.

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“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” - Bobby Unser

Every year the college prizegiving is an opportunity to recognise and cele-

brate excellence among the student body. This year’s Matric Class of 2017

must be commended for their outstanding achievements across sporting,

cultural and academic spheres.

Grade 12 Awards

General Knowledge Senior Winner: Rory Thomas

Top Achiever in Mathematical Literacy: Cole Miles

Top Achiever in Mathematics: Anelisa Rwexu

Top Achiever in History: Emily King

Top Achiever in Business Studies: Anelisa Rwexu

Top Achiever in isiXhosa: Sive Selanto

Top Achiever in Visual Arts: Angela Waterson

Top Achiever in Accounting: Jenna Jones

Top Achiever in Afrikaans: Jenna Jones

Top Achiever in English: Emily King

Top Achiever in Geography: James Gibson

Top Achiever in Life Orientation: Jenna Jones

Top Achiever in Life Sciences: Jenna Jones

Top Achiever in Physical Sciences: Jenna Jones

Third in Grade 12: Michaela Liesching

Second in Grade 12: Yhovaan Mansingh

First in Grade 12: Jenna Jones

Special Awards

Hawkes trophy for the winning house: Orion

Kate Arthur Trophy for Achievement in Art: Emily

King and Hannah Rosenstrauch

Gower Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to

Music at Merrifield: Dominique Plaatjes

The Lazola Nyamakazi Trophy for the best Drama

student of the year: Farah Narkedien Fleitas and

Leah Schewitz

Tony and Ursula Law Science Shield:

Angus Waterson

Nikita Robb Trophy for College Sportswoman of

the Year: Angela Waterson and Jade Underwood

Pollock Trophy for College Sportsman of the Year: David Simms and Peter Townes

The Eric and Mary Merrifield Centenary Trophy Award for Good Citizenship: Jenna Jones

Cecilia Smulovitz Trophy for Steadfastness and Determination: Joshua Stephenson

Zaheera Limbaba Trophy and Medal for Dux Scholar: Jenna Jones

Student Council Plate and Medal for Fellowship: Leah Schewitz

Jacqui Russell Astra Petentes Trophy for “True Merrifield Spirit”: Dominique Plaatjes

College Prizegiving

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“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we

bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Merrifield College Valedictory Assembly, which took place this year on Friday, 13 October, was, as always, a

meaningful occasion where the experience of the Matric Class was celebrated. Tears flowed as teachers were

saluted for the impact they have had on individual lives, and guest speaker Dr Tracey Feltham-King addressed

the gathering as a whole, urging one and all to live their best lives going forward.

It is not easy saying goodbye to Merrifield, and those who are left behind will remember with fondness a Class of

2017 that was a great credit to this institution.

Valedictory

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Grade R Concert – Jack and the Beanstalk

Thank you to Rowe Studios for

the beautiful photographs.

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The Grade 4s got to see model trains in action as

part of an Art outing.

The MerriMaths Mix took place this week in the lapa, and

was a great experience for Grade 4 students from local

schools to compete against and with each other.

The Prep Awards Assembly took place this morning. A full list of awards will be published in the next Merrinews.

Congratulations to students who excelled this year in academics, sports, arts and culture.

The Grade 3s enjoyed bringing their furry friends to school

for Pet Day last term.

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SRC 2018 Announced

The leadership for Merrifield College for 2018 has been

announced. They are, from left, SRC co-chairs Leah

Schewitz and Jordan Ramoo, with SRC deputy co-chairs

Jeffin Thomas and Farah Narkedien Fleitas.

Congratulations!!

2018 SRC Camp

The 2017 Student Representative Council Camp

was an amazing getaway that resulted in stronger

bonds and plans for the upcoming year. The

weekend started off with team building activities

on the beach that later turned into spirit cheer

sessions. Although we never slept much, we found

ourselves closer than ever before. (The 30 Seconds

board game really does bring out the real you!)

The next day was filled with planning. Dr Hartley

visited us to share his wisdom and knowledge

about our amazing school. We all enjoyed the

fantastic bonding we had and I must say we truly

came together as a team. We are in full force for

2018 under the guidance of Mr Van Harmelan and

we are excited for what’s to come. Be ready! -

Jordan Ramoo

Heritage Day

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Interhouse Athletics

Prep Overall Winners:

Boys 7: Athenkosi Tungata

Girls 7: Jessica Davies

Boys 8: Adam Brown

Girls 8: Rebekah du Preez

Boys 9: Tyler Giese Scott and Skylar Ganda

Girls 9: Tiara Keen

Best Foundation Phase Boy Athlete: Adam

Brown

Best Foundation Phase Girl Athlete: Rebekah

du Preez

Boys 10: Blake Synman and Sipho Majiza

Girls 10: Madison Goliath

Boys 11: Mtha Mboniswa

Girls 11: Rachel Webb

Boys 12: Calvin Richardson

Girls 12: Jenna Wheatley and Tannah Whiteley

Boys 13: Yanda Sikuza

Girls 13: Nishreya Naidoo

Victor Ludorum: Mtha Mboniswa

Victrix Ludorum: Nishreya Naidoo

College Overall Winners:

Boys 14: Corbyn Keen

Girls 12: Neve Hayman

Boys 15: Joshua Emslie

Girls 15: Camille Beau

Boys 16: Luke Hanner

Girls 16: Jade Underwood

Boys 17: Stuart Campbell

Girls 17: Frances Craddock

Boys 19: Joshua Puttergill

Girls 19: Angela Waterson

Victor Ludorum: Luke Hanner

Victrix Ludorum: Angela Waterson

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Congratulations to Jordan Ketteringham and Luke Hanner

who have been selected for the Border U16A Waterpolo

side, and to Joel Hanner for his selection to the U19 team.

They will compete at the SA Schools

Tournament in Port Elizabeth from 8

to 12 December 2017.

Well done to Zoe Steyn, far left, for winning

the U14 section of the SA Champs recently, and

to Lhea Johnston, far right, who came third.

Merrifield surfers are dominating the waves!

Special thanks to Dhaneshnee Pillay for

sponsoring these beautiful tennis dresses for

our Prep Tennis players.

Merrifield Prep Horse riders did the school proud with a third place at Interschool’s this year.

We were also very happy to achieve a first place in Turn Out and Dressage. Our team this year

included Samiha Dhoda, Nicara Diedericks, Kristen Kaiser, Demi Nel and Chloe Pagel.

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Toys, bikes, sports gear, electr. gadgets, household items, clothing...

Merrifield BUY & SELL

WHEN: The next Bazaar will be at the end of November

WHERE: Lapa or outside PLC kitchen

TIME: 13h00—15h00

CLAUDIA BLEIBINGER: 083 541 5726 (There is a

WhatsApp group)

Our new recycling container is up and running! We

ask that everyone is mindful of putting the correct

recycling into the correct bins. No general waste is

to be left at the new centre.

A reminder that we are collecting plastic bottle

tops separately in the bins at the water tower.

For sale: Mini

Shweshwe

Christmas

stockings,

R70 each.

Contact Nicole

Simms on

0824522063

General Notice… Yearbook 2017

This year’s Merrifield Yearbook will be published at

the end of term. Each family at the school receives a

free copy. If you would like an extra copy, these are

available at a cost of R100 per book.

Payment must be made by Thursday, 24 November,

to Finance, with the name of the student and their

grade clearly stated.

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Happy birthday to the following

staff and students, from

1 October to 3 November:

Students:

Mnqobi Dlambewu, Taoni

Mansingh, Emerson Nel,

Lemone Seekoe, Benjamin

Brent, Jenna Wheatley, Kiashna

Singh, Mumbi Kayula, Ann-

Sophie Kaiser, Leandro Da Silva,

Danica Stockigt, Jayden Heiberg,

Cora Tarr, Milani Dyantyi,

Somila Dyantyi, Keryn Marais,

Alexa Molema, Rofhiwa

Mosehana, Zoe Puttergill,

Avuyile Tsama, Hlelo Gcanga,

Holly Mager, Reilly Mare,

Azasakhe Peter, Kieran Pillay,

Adrian Mills, Onesimo Fodo,

Caden Hanger, Zainab Kahloon,

Alexander Schewitz, Milisa

Baleni, Jacques Cilliers, Kyle

Eberhardt, Bridget Kemp, Inati

Ngcobo, Angus Waterson, Liya

Tywakadi, Jorja-Lee Bind,

Thuse-Omhle Ntsebeza, Ayla

Tolu, Alulwandle Kwetana,

Imaan Badat, Gary Osner,

Mohammad Shabih, Zivelile

Mashaba, Asonwabise Peter,

Georgie Waechter and Isabella

Whittington.

Staff: Katherine Caswell,

Yoliswa Makeleni, Toni Dalbock,

Nandipha Poni, Kim Harris, Gina

Lustgarten, Sally van der Walt

and Tammy Hofart.