Month: November 2012

After months of serious reading Northwood’s Olympic Reading challenge came to nail-biting close as they boys rose to the challenge to be Northwood’s champion reader.  Sean Wakeford, and old boy from 1986 and the generous benefactor of a Kindle as the first prize, came to officiate at the prize giving where the students had anxiously gathered to hear the final results.

Brett Van Dort (Grade 11) was the overall winner, reading over a staggering 7500 pages in the Heavyweight category (a book of more than 450 pages), as well as completing all the other categories, with extra books added in for good measure and valuable extra points! Mayuran Chettiar (Grade 10) was a close second, with Leelan Govender (Grade 9) in Third Place. A deserving mention goes out to Quentin Ward Grade 8, Wade Buckthorp Grade 9, Akil Ganda Ranchard  Grade 10 and Tristan Jones Grade 11 for being their overall Grade winners.  Bevan Naidoo Grade 8 won the Most Enthusiastic reading prize.

A big thank you goes out to The Bierfassl, Kensington Spar, Bargain Books, Book & Books, Exclusive Books, Maytex Surf Shop, Pan MacMillan Publishers, Thompson’s Hair Salon, Wimpy Glenashely and The Wavehouse for supporting this reading initiative and for the wonderful selection of prizes donated.

We look forward to continuing with this competition in the years to come.

Congratulations to Ryan Stanley for his outstanding achievement for being placed 3rd  in the country in the National Life Science Olympiad.

This OLYMPIAD is the only officially recognised SCIENCE OLYMPIAD for Grades 4 to 11, and is recognised at Provincial, National, DoE and DST levels, as approved by cabinet in their Collaboration agreement and Plan for the Cabinet’s Youth into Science Strategy.

Participants in competitions of this nature are credited/recognised by tertiary institutions and bursars, with winners qualifying for additional points and fee discounts. Olympiad participants are generally viewed favourably by companies because of the recognition of their talents.

Excerpt from the South African Science Olympiad website. www.scienceolympiad.co.za

Northwood had over 10 boys ride the 40km race, and we are proud to say all the boys finished in under an hour.

The challenge of the 106km race was taken up by 3 staff members and one of the boys. The race was successfully completed by all our riders.

We would like to thank all the boys and their parents for their commitment and dedication to our early morning training sessions. A special thank you to our sponsor , Sun Cell Watch, for making our amazing cycling kit possible

In 2013, our main focus will be the Inter-Schools Series. By entering these events the boys could be eligible for KZN colours for Mountain Biking. We are excited about this new sport at Northwood and are looking forward to this sport growing from strength to strength.

Congratulations to Thomas Affleck who was awarded his KwaZulu – Natal Practical Shooting Association colours.  This is an excellent achievement as Thomas is the youngest member to ever be awarded these colours in the history of the Association.  We look forward to seeing more of this promising young marksman in the near future!

For over 25 years Northwood has lent their support to the South African National Blood Service, and continues to host their mobile donor clinics in the school library on the 2nd Wednesday of  each term.

Although blood donation is strictly voluntary, and only students over the age of 16 may donate; Northwood encourages learners to support this live-saving and vital community initiative.

Should you wish to donate blood, or become a donor you can visit The South African National Blood Service at their clinic in Kensington Square, Adelaide Tambo Drive.  Tel:  (031) 5646070

 

On Monday, 12^th November, the boarders of Bruyns House , held their end of year Dinner and prize-giving. Enjoying a sumptuous three course meal and good company, a lovely time was had by all.

Mr Krause, the superintendent of the Boarding House, thanked all who attended, especially Mr Jordan for his support throughout the years. Mr Jordan praised the boys on their achievements in the classroom and on the Sports field and mentioned that the boarders continued to play a vital role in the general life of the school.

The following boys received awards:

 

Certificates for Academic Achievement (Average of 70% and above):

Nyeleti Sithole

Nkanyiso Ntombela

Tatenda Goqwana

Brandon Lippiatt

Minenhle Mchunu

Bandile Mabaso.

 

Most Academic Achievement for 2012:

Dale Van Der Merwe.

 

Best Academic Achievement 2012:

Minenhle Mchunu

 

Junior of the year:

Ntsika Dlamini

 

Senior of the year:

Bandile Mabaso and Dale Van Der Merwe.

 

Head Boarder for 2013:

Bandile Mabaso.

 

Deputy Head Boarder 2013:

Godfrey Nkabinde.

ON Saturday 10 November after the fixture against Thomas More we had our end of year function. The juniors played a combined team of Dads, brothers and coaches and the seniors played the Old Boys. Fun was had by all – results not really the order of the day. The Dads did however get to realise that water polo is NOT an easy game to play

At 8 AM on Friday 8^th November, the Northwood School assembled in front of the Memorial plaque in the main quad to pay tribute to Old Boys who have passed away in service to our country, and in tribute to the fallen during times of war.

Mr. Jordan spoke on the causes of wars and consequences of war, and went on to mention some of our Old Boys and the circumstances in which they passed away. In describing the manner of their passing, he illustrated that servicemen die in a variety of ways, but always in service to their countries. He concluded by reading out the School Roll of Honour.

Mr. Scott played the “Last Post”, and after a short pause, he played “Reveille.” 2013’s Head Boy Matthew De Sousa lowered the raised  flag, and together with Old Boys representative Mr. McGlashan and Mr. Jordan, laid wreaths at the foot of the memorial plaque. With that, the ceremony came to an end, and pupils went to their venues to start their end of year exams.

On Friday 2^nd November, the staff and the husbands, wives and partners turned out at the school Jubilee Room to celebrate Tony Jordan’s 60th birthday. The catering lived up to its usual excellent standard, and our Principal was in an especially jovial and relaxed frame of mind. Mark Rich emcee’d the festivities; short speeches were made by old associates, Johnny McGlashan, George Hook and Logan Stanley, all of whom related amusing tales of their friendship with Tony.

Events took a turn for the worse when The Wandering Mulberries took to the floor to sing. The group, comprising Mark Krause, Logan Stanley, Pete Blake, Gavin “Axeman” Robertson and Rob Lyle, mangled the lyrics to the Travelling Wilbury’s “End of the line,” and concluded by massacring another tune, “Tony the Pink.” Sensing that they would not be invited to “Idols” any time soon, they retired to a quiet corner and disbanded, to the relief of all.

Tony’s address was a nostalgic review of his career, the friendships he has made at school, and the hilarious mishaps that happen to teachers from time to time. He was generously applauded and the party went on for some time thereafter; altogether, a most pleasant and heart-warming occasion.

Northwood Top 2011 Matriculant Ben Meadows