Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Special congratulations go to Helen
Badasu, Moarabi Kakabalo, Kanono
Lechuti, Thato Moupo, Finito Setl-
hare, Faith Tau and Maatla Tshi-
mologo, (clockwise from top left)
who achieved straight As in all four
subjects in the AS examinations.
Close on their heels, with three A
grades were Thato Gasha, Tshiamo
Kgame, Winnie Motswagae, Unaswi
Mudanga and Setshego Phuti.
Newsletter salutes the group for their
hard work and fine results. The future
looks very bright!
Editor
Top Achieve rs
Achieve Top Grades !
November 2013
Newsletter
TERM 3 2013
P U T T I N G Y O U O N T H E M A P
In June 2012, Maru-a-Pula welcomed
its first group of Top Achievers, spon-
sored by the Ministry of Education, to
join the A-level programme.
Generally known as the Middle Sixth,
this group completed their AS exami-
nations in May/June this year, and the
school was delighted to receive their
results at the close of last term.
The group of eighteen students, as a
whole, deserve congratulations for
achieving an excellent set of results.
Nishrinkala raises P80 000 for Service and Charity On the evening of Sunday 20th October,
theatre goers at Maitisong were treated to a
dazzling performance of Indian Classical
Dance, performed by Form Four students
Nayana Iyer and Rathna Veerni, who have
studied this dance form for twelve and thir-
teen years respectively.
Exquisitely attired in the decorative costumes
and jewellery associated with this dance
form, Nayana and Rathna skilfully performed
seven classical dances and a fusion piece,
which integrated hip hop into the classical
dance style, to the “Liquid Dance” music
from the popular film “Slumdog Millionaire”.
Interspersed in the programme were musical
performances by other MaP students, Oratile
Monkhei, Saigopal Rangaraj, Vamika Sinha
and Neelo Binns. Our own contemporary
dance group performed two popular pieces
and the audience enjoyed a performance
by the school orchestra.
In putting together this original initiative, the
two students were supported by their par-
ents, friends, members of the Indian commu-
nity, and generous donors. They were as-
sisted by Brenda Turnbull, the school’s Direc-
tor of Co-curricular Activities, as well as the
Maitisong staff and Heath Lambert, who
teaches contemporary dance in our SPE
programme. The performance raised an
amazing P70 000 to support our school’s
community service programme and a fur-
ther P10 000 to assist a clinic where the two
girls work as volunteers.
Four of our school service projects were spe-
cifically chosen as beneficiaries of the funds
raised by this spectacular initiative. Our
Naledi and Gabane Feeding projects will
each receive P5 000, whilst P25 000 each
will go to Cheshire Homes and the “I am
Special” school, both places where MaP
students, including Nayana and Rathna, visit
to interact with the students once a week
during term time. The purchases which the
funds will enable will allow the groups to do
that much more to make a difference.
Our most sincere congratulations and
thanks go to Nayana and Rathna, their
families and the friends who assisted them,
and to the generous donors who enabled
them to bring in this wonderful contribution
to the work of our service projects.
Editor
4 As
at AS
Level!
Newslettter journalist, Mallika Senthil, re-
cently caught up with our newest Prince-
ton-in-Africa Fellow, Kwame Gayle, who
is currently attached to Maitisong, but
who will be teaching History and Geog-
raphy next year. She asked him the fol-
lowing questions Where are you from?
I am from Mandeville, Jamaica. It is a
large inland town in central Jamaica,
about two hours drive from Kingston, the
capital city. I went to Macalester Col-
lege in Minnesota, USA, and graduated
in 2011 with a BA in Anthropology and
African Studies. I then taught English in
Japan for two years before coming to Botswana. What is your purpose at MaP?
I am a Princeton-in-Africa Fellow at MaP.
I am currently assisting the Director of
Maitisong and participating in SPEs but I
will be teaching in upcoming terms. I
also do boarding house and library du-
ties. Why did you join the Maitisong com-
munity?
I love the performing arts a lot and
have participated in them from a
young age so, I was requested by
MaP to offer my expertise there until
the new school year begins. How long is your stay?
I am at MaP for one year. What are your interests?
I love to sing, dance and act. I love
travelling, meeting new people and
being exposed to new cultures. My
favourite sports are badminton and
table tennis. What are your first impressions of MaP and its students?
I went to a boarding high school in
Jamaica so, from the start, there
were some similarities in the daily
schedule. I have been very nostalgic
since I've been here. MaP's staff and
students are very friendly and all
seem happy to be a part of this
community. I am intrigued by MaP's
commitment to service to the com-
munity and its co-curricular activities.
I have enjoyed the ones I am doing
this term (Amnesty International,
Gasiko Drama and Makgasa Read-
ing). The students I have met so far
are determined, focused, respectful
and warm-hearted individuals.
Newsletter welcomes Mr. Gayle to
the staff.
Mallika Senthil
Page 2
Newsletter
Our first Jamaican Member of staff! Kwame Gayle
Emmanuel
Munyadzwe
It is with deep sorrow that MaP mourns the loss of former MaP student and employee of
only two months, Emmanuel Munyadzwe, who lost his life in an accident on Saturday, Sep-
tember 28th.
Emmanuel entered Maru-a-Pula in 2000 as a Form 1 student. He wrote his IGCSE examina-
tions in 2004 and finished his A-Levels in 2006. He worked at MaP as a Teacher Aide in 2007
before going on to study at the University of Southampton in the UK. After earning his de-
gree, he returned to Botswana to work for the government. We were delighted when Em-
manuel joined us as an IT Technician in August of this year.
Emmanuel was only 28 at the time of his death. He was greatly loved by his MaP family and
by his former classmates. He was warm, good-humoured, enthusiastic and he had a smile
that was infectious, and he went out of his way to express his appreciation of others.
On hearing of his passing, former MaP teacher, Jeremy Long, sent the following message of
condolence:
“Emmanuel was an amazing young man and an incredible role model. He will be greatly
missed. I have attached a photograph from a visit Emmanuel made to us here at Downe
House a few years ago. He was his usual happy and positive self and this is how we shall
remember him.”
Our most sincere condolences are with Emmanuel’s family in their loss.
Andrew Taylor, Principal
Have you seen a six foot figure
with blond hair and blue eyes,
around school? Well, this enig-
matic figure is Alexander Chur-
chill, the new Teacher Aide from
Hotchkiss.
Due to his passion for sports, Alex was assigned to the P.E. depart-
ment. During the day, he joins the
P.E. teachers on the field for most
periods. He also teaches swim-
ming and is a great “big brother”
to the younger boy boarders.
This enthusiastic sportsman will
remain at MaP until the end of
this term, so if you haven’t
caught a glimpse of Alexander
Churchill, you’d better hurry be-
fore he leaves town to join a pen-
guin rehabilitation programme in
Cape Town next year.
Mallika Senthil
Alex Churchill: Sports TA
Obituary
TERM 3 2013
Cam pus Clean Up
It’s morning, the birds are singing, the sun is highlighting
the natural colours of the vegetation and blessing the stu-
dents with its presence. What used to be litter on the
ground is neatly piled to be disposed of safely. No, this is
not the start of another made up composition; rather it's
the annual Campus Clean Up.
The event took place on Saturday the 21st of September.
It was organised by Ms Palframan and the school horticul-
turist, Mr Monyatsi, together with Ms Brown and Ms
Turnbull, who all felt the campus deserved a general
cleaning since the drying-out bush was exposing old tins
and other items not picked up in previous clean ups. The
pick up was also done to help the fauna, such as porcu-
pines, mongooses and birds, which find their habitat in the
school.
The clean up started at around 8.30am but many of the
boy boarders were up and working at 7.30. After the
clean up , the volunteers were invited to have a snack at
Mr. Taylor's house as a token of appreciation for their hard
work.
Kevin Motsumi (UM6), who supervised one of the clean up
teams, said he enjoyed the chance to work collectively
with lower form students to find fun in cleaning up and
making the school a better place .
Kanono Lechuti
Breast Cancer Awareness
This place needs
cleaning up or
I’m off to the golf
course.
Campus Clean up
Saturday
21 September
Lwa jaaka mosadi!
Page 3
Think Pink, Live Green is a
way of living that aims to
help women reduce
their risk of breast cancer
or the chance of the
disease coming back in
survivors. It's also a way
for women living with the
advanced disease to
make the healthiest
choices possible.
A woman's risk of breast
cancer depends on
many things, including
her genetics, lifestyle
and plain old chance.
One out of every twenty-
nine women in Botswana
today will be diagnosed
with breast cancer at
some point in her life.
There are many risk fac-
tors for breast cancer,
including some that are
out of a woman's control,
such as family history and
genetics. But some as-
pects of a woman's life-
style also affect her risk.
Getting regular exercise,
maintaining a healthy
body weight and avoid-
ing smoking may all
lower the risk of breast
cancer.
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness month world-
wide. Eager to make a
difference, UM6 students
Tshiamo Kgame and
Helen Badasu organised
a series of events includ-
ing two sprayathons, a
pink cupcake sale, a pink
civvies day and a raffle,
to raise funds for the Can-
cer Association of Bot-
swana, who run aware-
ness campaigns and pro-
vide a temporary home
for patients coming to
Gaborone for treatment.
A big thanks to all who
baked, sprayed or sup-
ported this worthy cause!
Helen Badasu
and Editor
I T D ominat ion !
On the 20th of September, six dedicated MaP stu-
dents entered an IT competition in which a total of
nine high schools participated. Competition was
fierce, but our MaP students still managed to win
most of the awards.
The six were Amrit Amar, Tawanda Mulalu, Mayamiko
Goliat, Erik Babu, Snehin Kukreja and Simone
Hadebe, the only girl in the MaP team. They man-
aged to take first place in IT innovation, Database
Design and Online Puzzles. The team were placed
second in the IT quiz and came third in Computer
Assembly. Big thanks go to IT Support Staff member,
Kese Morebodi, who managed the group.
The students won a printer, trophies and certificates.
Speaking about the event, our Head of IT Support,
Clarence Phiri, said this is a perfect opportunity for
students to find and explore their talents, and to
push themselves beyond their own expectations.
Ultimately, he said, it is the students and their
achievements that will define who we are.
Kanono Lechuti
Debating Success
Page 4
Library Month
What were Tinkerbell, Nelson Mandela, Cinder-
ella , Harry Potter and Little Red Riding Hood doing
on stage at Maru-a-Pula? You might wonder!
Actually they were celebrating International Li-
brary Month. In a fun presentation, members of
Mr. Ndlovu’s Form Four Drama class represented
characters from books ranging from fiction to
autobiography. Students who correctly identified
the characters were awarded prizes and one of
our own Newsletter journalists, Helen Badasu, re-
ceived “… the biggest slab of chocolate!”
Other Library Month events included a training
session in using the library computer system, fol-
lowed by a competition and a library knowledge
quiz, won by the staff team, comprising Tlotlego
Gaogakwe, Kwame Gayle and Tebogo George.
In case you don’t know it, the library is one of the
most comfortable places to be on campus. Stu-
dents who had outstanding library fines were
granted an amnesty during Library Month so that
they could get back to reading, so there’s no ex-
cuse for not being in the library!
Editor
Newsletter
On September 12th this year, a group of
Botswana’s Top Achievers studying in the
UK organised a friendly debate tourna-
ment at Legae Academy. MaP was rep-
resented at the contest by a strong quar-
tet under the guidance of Mr Paya.
The tournament was held to introduce a
new style of debating called "Debate
Matters", which, unlike the traditional
World School Debate style of 3-on-3, is a 2
-on-2 face-off. This new style includes
more content, requires more research,
and the judges are experts in the field of
the debated topic. The audience and
opponents are given a chance to ques-
tion the debaters, resulting in a more in-
depth discussion.
One of the participants, Tawanda Mulalu
(Form 4), who received a special mention
as a top speaker, urges those who have
not heard about Debate Matters to "…
give it a try and you will not regret it, es-
pecially if you love reading ".
Kanono Lechuti
Presidential Award
Congratulations to our Deputy Principal, Labbeaus
Peloewetse, who received an award for his service to
sport in Botswana from His Excellency the President of
Botswana, Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, at the
Independence Day Ceremony.
Bana Ba Mets i
Form Four Drama Trip: Sasol School’s Drama Festival
tunity to attend two workshops, where they learnt how to
manipulate their bodies, expressions and feelings. The
group also had the opportunity to watch as many as eight
intriguing shows. After each long and fulfilling day at Wits,
the group would return to the hotel, refresh and head out
for a movie and dinner.
Overall, the students found their stay mind-expanding and
enjoyable, the Wits hosts generous, the other students wel-
coming and their trip informative and helpful for the ap-
proaching exams.
Mallika Senthil
Page 5
TERM 3 2013
Setswana Week 2013 kicked off with a vibrant show which
included dancing by Mogwana and Bana ba Ntogwa.
Sandwiched between the traditional dancing was a
beautifully crafted play written by MaP alumnus and staff
member, Tlotlego Gaogakwe, and directed by MaP
alumna, Jessica Lejowa.
The play was described by Tlotlego Gaogakwe as a re-
imagining of Botswana’s Independence. In this version, a
Kgosi (played by Kanono Lechuti) is battling a British casa-
nova who is destroying the old order in his village. The
Chief challenges the British Commissioner (played by Yash
Shah) and is saved by the bravery of his daughter, Se-
baga, (played by Mabedi Sennanyana), who leads the
country to Independence; an interesting version, narrated
by the voice-over of Mma Hirschfeldt who played the ficti-
tious, current, female President of Botswana!
Humorous performances by Faith Barrows, Phalana Ba-
sonoko, Yame Lenaeng, Kopo Keakitse, Tlolo Lekone and
Tshepang Lenkopane, as well as Teto Mokgachane and
Lefika Otisitswe, delighted the audience. The clever stag-
ing was enhanced by photographs taken by Mr Dean
Chalmers.
Interspersed amongst the audience, members of the KTM
choir set the tone for the play with their beautiful harmo-
nies and often comedic lyrics.
The play was really about the empowerment of women in
Botswana, a message delivered through this allegorical
tale of Sebaga.
Emang basadi!
Editorial Team
On the 2nd of September, a group of fifteen Form 4
Drama students, along with Mr Ndlovu, Mr Paya and Ms
Matthee, embarked on an educational trip to partici-
pate in a the Sasol Schools’ Drama festival in Johannes-
burg, South Africa.
The next morning, they arrived at Wits University, where
they participated in an introductory seminar. Next, they
joined Grade 11 students from another school and
watched a play called “The Line”, which vividly de-
picted the hardships people endure when affected by
xenophobia.
During their two-day stay, each student had the oppor-
Tiisetso is the One!
Congratulations to Form Five
student, Tiisetso Mathole, who
won First Prize for his rap lyrics
in a Drum Magazine poetry
competition. Go Tii!
Editor
Page 6
Newsletter
U19 Sports trip to St. Peter’s
“Saturday the 26th of October was the day of my first derby in High School. In that derby I played tennis.
We played against ISSA and I became good friends with a girl from that school, called Mercy.
That Saturday was really a fun Saturday. I played doubles and MaP won all the Tennis matches but this derby was-n’t about winning or losing, it was about friendship; mak-ing new friends from a different school and playing your favourite sport with them. I’m happy Mr Nkala and the PE department hosted this derby because everyone en-joyed it a lot.” Aarya Fendar 1L “I was playing Girls Football, playing as a striker up front. The first time we were on the field to play, I scored a goal. Hehehe! That goal went in by mistake. I am telling you, it went in slowly! The goalie’s legs were apart so the ball went in between her legs! I was jumping and running like a headless chicken!” Sasha Shapi, 1K “The sport I was playing was Basketball. … I knew it was a friendly match but the whole team, including me, counted the score and it was 40-8 to us. We beat them hard!” Jaspal Channa, 1M
From the 13th to the 15th of September 2013, three MaP
U19 teams, comprising Boys’ Football, Girls’ Football and
Netball, participated in the 10th St Peter’s College Sports
and Culture Festival in Johannesburg. Maru-a-Pula is the
first school from Botswana to have taken part in this tour-
nament.
What a tournament it was! The Netball girls pushed
through eleven gruelling matches and were placed a
respectable 5th, with the support of their coach Mma H.
Girls’ Football, however, played five games and man-
aged three wins under Mr Tsimako, placing them 3rd.
Karabo, Botho, Donna and Goaba all bagged goals.
Form One Sports Derby
The Boys’ Football team showed a great deal of character
as they faced stiff opposition throughout the tournament.
Backed by their coaches, Rashid and Clarence, they were
placed 4th in their pool, which advanced them to the
Plate round of 16. Their strong team spirit earned them sev-
eral wins, with goals from Cyrus, Bryan and Kgosi, but,
sadly, they lost out in the semi-finals.
“Preparation is key. Without it, you will be lost,” Bryan said,
adding that this was the greatest lesson he learned.
Still, a great deal of fun was had; games were lost and
won, and true sportsmanship prevailed.
Helen Badasu
Helping Dukwi During the August-September holidays, a group of MaP’s
“Schulz4UNHCR” students, under the guidance of Princeton-in-Africa
Fellows Mr Siegert and Ms Brigham, spent a week at the Dukwi refu-
gee camp, where they donated paint, which they used to repaint
the dilapidated pre-school classroom, held a bonfire night to get to
know the youth there, engaged in debate, built a house together
with young people from the camp and enjoyed boxing and karate
classes together with their new friends. The students found the experi-
ence incredibly rewarding and enjoyable and Ms Brigham praised
their contribution, which surpassed her expectations and made for a
most successful visit.
Our Interact Service group has, over the past year, raised P3,700 and
more to purchase outdoor toys for the children of Dukwi, and they
have continued to support them this term with cake sales to raise
funds. All MaP students and parents are invited to support these
worthwhile initiatives.
Editor
Private Bag 0045
Gaborone
Botswana
Phone: +267 3912953
Fax: +267 3973338
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Zarins came to work in the Music Department at Maru-a
-Pula at the beginning of 2013. She has been a wonderful
teacher and we will miss her greatly when she leaves. The
passion she has taught with has really inspired us to give it
our all, be creative and think out of the box. The work she
put in to make the “Thriller-dance” happen with the Form
3s was amazing. Without her drive and push it would never
have come out as well as it did. MaP will have lost a true
passion, talent and a wonderful teacher when she leaves.
Mira Isaksson
The start of everything is always
the hardest. How does the
MaP community even begin to
say goodbye to inspiring
teacher, Mr Dean Chalmers?
He will be leaving at the end of
this year, eventually planning
to pursue his career in Bulgaria.
Mr Chalmers has been a mem-
ber of staff since 2006 and his
impact has been palpable.
A most organised teacher, he
demands nothing but the
same from students; latecom-
ers can attest to that!
Bye Bye, DC
TERM 3 2013
Dr Zarins
Among the many attributes that define Mr. Nkala, the
ones that predominate are passion and compassion.
Mr Nkala diligently served Maru-a-Pula as Head of PE
and Director of Sports, taking our sports programme to
new heights. He is a selfless, spirited teacher, qualities
which draw many students to him.
Not only was Mr.Nkala a teacher, he was also a father,
and he will continue being a father, friend and mentor
to many of us. He worked tirelessly to make the Physical
Education programme one of the most joyous aspects of
school life, and led sports at MaP to blossom with suc-
cess.
It is truly unfortunate that Mr. Nkala will be leaving us at
the end of this term. The MaP community immensely ap-
preciates his service and wishes him all the best. Fare-
well.
Chabaesele Mokoti
Not only is he a diligent and
effective Maths teacher, he is
also a talented musician, guitar
tutor, renowned author and in-
spiring photographer. He has an
array of photographs around
the school, ranging from grand
school events to the seemingly
insignificant fly in the seminar
room, and his talents have pro-
duced the amazing Yearbook
visuals which all of the MaP
community have loved.
To Sir, with love, goodbye.
Helen Badasu and
Kanono Lechuti Page 7
Farewell, Mr Nkala
Newsletter
Freaky Friday, Freaky Fun!
Newsletter wishes all our IGCSE, AS and A Level students success in their Cambridge
examinations and a well-earned break!
Look out, World! Here comes the class
of 2013
Bye, Bye, Form Fives