Month: November 2016

The 1860 Heritage Centre in Derby Street recently opened to the public, with Northwood Art teacher of 16 years, Selvan Naidoo as the curator. Selvan has spent the past two years conceptualising, designing, sourcing artifacts and memorabilia, and researching archival information for this vital resource on the history of marginalised people in South Africa. Of particular importance to him is the permanent exhibition:  The Story of Indenture 1860 – 1911.
“We are hoping the 1860 Heritage Centre becomes a haven of interest not only for locals, but tourists, and not only for Indians but for people of all walks of life.
“We want to highlight the Indian indentured contribution to the country. The centre will cater for those who want to learn about their past and their family history, and will appeal to others interested in getting an understanding of the Indian arrival in South Africa and the progress made over the years.”

We congratulate Mr Naidoo on this wonderful achievement.

Northwood is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Shaun Baker as our new Director of Hockey as we bid farewell to Mr Matthew Fairweather at the end of the year.

Shaun has had a notable playing and coaching career that began at Maritzburg College and has extended to playing in the Durban Premier League and for the Raiders Team, with several IPT gold medals to boast. His coaching career took off in Durban after success with numerous KZN teams that range from u16 girls, u18 boys, u21 ladies and Mynahs ladies teams. In 2009 he made the decision to further his playing and coaching career in the UK. He was offered a contract from Fareham HC where he played 5 seasons of intense hockey in the national league of England. He played and coached the team in the 2013/2014 seasons and retained national league status. After his experience at Fareham he made the move to a more established hockey club, Bath Bucs. In his 1^st season at the Bucs they won the league and in the 2^nd season finished runners up. He was also fortunate enough to play and coach in Brisbane and the Gold Coast for a season in their respective premier leagues. On Shaun’s return from Australia he began working as Head of Hockey at Bryanston School, Dorset. He has taken the school from a 2^nd tier hockey school, to a school who regularly competes in national tournaments across all age groups. Some of his notable moments include his u14 and u16 teams winning the County Cup for the 1^st time in the school’s history, as well as in 2015 having all three age groups qualify for the West Final’s tournament – another first for the school.

“I am truly looking forward to starting at Northwood in my new role as Director of Hockey. I have no doubt that with my experience in coaching in South Africa, England and Australia, in the top leagues in those respective countries, that I have the capability and passion to take Northwood hockey to new heights. I have had a successful and diverse playing career in some outstanding teams.”

Playing career:

• 2003 – 2009 KZN Raiders (indoor and outdoor)
• 2009 – 2014 Fareham HC United Kingdom
  • National League team
  • Captain 2012 onwards
  • Player/coach 2013/14
• 2012 Bulimia Bulls HC (Australia)
  • Brisbane Premier League team
  • Won the Brisbane League
• 2012 Gold Coast Roosters HC (Australia)
  • Top Goal Scorer in Gold Coast
  • Runners up in Gold Coast Premier League
  • Assistant coach
• 2014 – 2016 Bath Bucs
• National League team
  • National League Champs 2014/15 and runners-up 2015/16
  • Captain

Coaching career:

• 2006 – 2009 KZN u21 Ladies
• 2009 – 2012 Southampton University Head Coach
  • 2010 and 2011 unbeaten seasons and double promotion to British Universities Premier Division
  • 2012 West Champions and retained premier league status
• 2009 – 2011 Portsmouth University Men’s 1st XI Head Coach
• 2012 – Gold Coast Roosters HC
• 2012 – 2016 Head of Hockey at Bryanston School
  • Regularly County Champs or runners-up and regional qualifiers at u14, u16 and u18 (not been done in all age groups in the history of the school
• 2013 – 2014 Fareham HC Head Coach

There was great excitement at Northwood this morning as we launched our third cultural tour to Europe. The tour starts in Vienna where we spend 2 nights and then on to Salzburg for a night. We then travel on to Munich for the most fabulous 3 days, Munich never disappoints. Neuschwanstein Castle and an alpine lake, Eibsee with a cableway to the summit. We leave Munich on a more somber note, taking a tour through Dachau, the first Concentration Camp opened in Germany. We bid farewell to Europe and head on to Manchester and a short drive to Liverpool.  Day 8 in Liverpool will certainly prove to be the highlight of the tour, where we may just have to visit the home of Liverpool F.C. On to London for Day 9 – 12 with all the famous sites and attractions such as St Pauls, Buckingham Palace and a first for us, a visit to Watford and the Harry Potter Experience. Ending our London experience with Camden Town, Carnaby Street, High Street Kensington, Changing the Guard, Soho etc.

A maximum of 40 boys can go on the tour along with 4 experienced staff members. There will be a meeting within the next couple of weeks at the school for interested boys and their parents. At the meeting we will go into more detail and we will give you the opportunity to ask many questions. In the meantime, should you be interested in sending your son on the tour or just finding out more and possibly attending the meeting, please send Mrs van Niekerk an email jvniekerk@nwood.co.za

Please click on the link below to view the full itinerary:

[prettyfilelink size=”” src=”http://www.northwoodschool.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Itinerary.pdf” type=”pdf”]itinerary[/prettyfilelink]

Be sure not to miss out on this fantastic opportunity.