Author: stagingnwoodccdevcoza

This morning, Monday 26 of January, our 2015 matrics marked the milestone of becoming a Knight.  Parents were asked to attended the ceremony to bear witness to this event, and fathers or family representatives were invited to pin the Knights badge onto their son’s blazer as school looked on.  The morning’s guest speaker, Stefan Botha, who was also Head Boy in 1998 encouraged the new Knights to embrace the brotherhood and friendships formed in school, and to make this year their own.

The SA Junior Chess Tournament inter provincial team event finished recently.  The results of our boys who played for KZN were as follows:

James Meadows               U20A     Board 4                 Points 4.5/7        Board position 3^rd

Kyran Appannah              U18A     Board 3                  Points 3/7           Board position 5^th

Ukyle Bezuidenhout        U18A     Board 5                  Points 3.5/7        Board position 4^th

Kshanik Dayaram             U16A     Board 8                 Points 5.5/7        Board position 1^st

In terms of team performances, the KZN U16A team won their age group, while the U18A placed 5th and the U20A 6^th in each of theirs.

Congratulations to all the participants!

Dear Northglen News Editor

May I use our local community newspaper to thank my many Durban North teachers at the schools of Chelsea Prep and Northwood through my schooling years:

Dear Mr. Nel and Mrs Neale (former Chelsea Headmistress) (and their staff at both Chelsea campuses) and Mr Paul McAvoy (and his staff at Northwood) and Mr Tony Jordan (former Northwood Headmaster).

As I finish my long schooling career and reflect on the past 13 years, I realize how privileged I have been to attend your schools, and so thank each one of you for all the many opportunities you have given me to grow.

I thank you for the knowledge and many skills you have taught and given me.

I participated in as many activities as I could, and these helped me to grow into the person I am today.

You have prepared me for the next big step as I pursue a new chapter of my life (B. Acc) at Stellenbosch University.

I look forward to 2015, but I will also miss my schooling days here in wonderful Durban North very much.  I made unforgettable memories during my schooling career and will cherish the happy times I spent at school forever.

From sport to culture, to leadership and friendships, I will miss every aspect that your school offered me. I look forward to carrying on the legacy of my schools as an Old Boy and will wear my uniform proudly on Old Boys Days to come.

I bid you one final farewell and thank you for everything.

Nathan van Wyk (Northwood Deputy Head Prefect 2014)

Northwood has consistently produced excellent Matric results, since its establishment as Northlands Boys’ High some 66 years ago, and through the amalgamation with Beachwood Boys’ High to create a single North Durban school 25 years ago.

2014 was no exception, with Northwood’s top Matric students leading the way. Kashir Gopal, our 2014 Dux, performed outstandingly to place third in KZN, the highest-placed learner out of all of the province’s boys’ high schools. Kashir continued the tradition of top performances by Northwood boys, with one of our boys making the top 20 in 2011, and three making the top 20 in 2012 (two of whom were in the top 10).

 The 2014 Matric year was a particularly challenging one, as it was the first year of a new curriculum, and this resulted in lower marks both nationally and provincially. Despite this, seven Northwood boys achieved 7 or more A symbols, the second-highest number of “straight As” among KZN boys’ high schools. Of our successful Matriculants, 93% achieved Bachelor’s or Diploma passes, with nearly 10% of these boys achieving 5 or more A symbols.

Northwood congratulates its 2014 Matrics on their excellent achievements, and looks forward to maintaining our position of academic leadership in 2015.

Northwood held their annual Sardine Run on a rather hot and windy Durban day, where the boys ran a 4km route from Northwood to Virginia Beach and back again. The Northwood spirit was evident with boys sporting their team colours and smiles, with good natured competition being the order of the day.  Ben Carnie was the winner of the David Piper Trophy for coming first in the senior division. Alex Levin was the winner of the T. Rasmussen Trophy for coming first in the junior division, as well as being the overall winner of the event with a time of 25.40 minutes.

The overall house positions were as follows:

1st Crusaders

2nd Bishops

3rd Knights

4th Kings

Tuesday the 25th of November saw our matric students of 2014 saying a final poignant goodbye with the tradition of ringing the school bell to mark their exit from Northwood.  We wish them all the best as they embark on their chosen paths, and look forward to them joining our community of Old Boys.

Friday 21st of November saw John Bruyns House host their annual Christmas Party and Awards Ceremony.  The grade 11 boys were the hosts for the evening, and presented a varied and fun line-up of Christmas skits as well as musical performances from Siswe Mthalane and David Weersma.  Mr Bragin, the Boarding Director, and his team of House Masters presented various awards throughout the evening to those boys who had achieved throughout the year.  After the ceremony was over, the boys congregated in the quad where they gave a rousing rendition of their house call to the appreciation of the invited guests.  The evening showed the spirit and camaraderie of the John Bruyns House boys, and much fun and fellowship was had by all those who attended this festive evening.

Northwood hosted Hilton over the past weekend in a big inter school fixture. The 1st team game started at 12:30, both teams came out firing on all cylinders. The game was exciting from start to finish with both teams laying down great attacking platforms. At the end of the 1st quarter Hilton were ahead 2-1.

The 2nd quarter was entirely in the favour of Hilton as they converted 4 unanswered goals as the younger Northwood team seemed to struggle with the physicality of the game.

Northwood came back hard and turned the tables in the 3rd chukka winning this one 3-1.

Entering the final chukka Northwood trailed 4-7, The men in blue put it all on the line and kept attacking resulting in a penalty to Northwood. A fine save from the Hilton keeper kept the Northwood boys at bay. Hilton were very clinical on the day and took advantage of their opportunities. Hilton ran out the clocks winning the game 9-4. This was a fine result for Hilton.

The 1st team game started at a very fast pace with both schools aiming for points on the scoreboard. Northwood attacked from the start and denied Hilton any scoring chances in the first few minutes. Unfortunately an accident occurred in the first few minutes which saw a Hilton player fracture his wrist. Our best wishes go out to him for a speedy recovery.

After a short delay the game resumed with the high tempo in which it stopped. Northwood boys played like Knights on a battle field with commitment and a zest to win. The team played outstanding basketball.

N. Ntombela was the star player of the game, as he dribbled his way past a packed defence to score time after time. His ball handling skills and vision made cracks in the Hilton’s defence and as our basket score rose. In total he scored 8 baskets. He also made the most number of turn over balls.

Our defense was very impressive with strong and tall players , ie Trollip and Gininda. They won almost every rebound.

Jason Daniels displayed his shooting talent with a 3 pointer and a number of near misses.

All credits must go to the coaching staff and the players.

Scores : 1st quarter : 20   to 6

2nd              :   29 to 11

3rd                 :37 to 19

4th               : 58 to 25