Term 1, 2018 From the Head of School’s Desk - epworth.co.za · Margaréte Zietsman represented the KZN district team at the Athletics hampionships. Athletics hloe Dundas-Starr was

Term 1, 2018

From the Head of School’s Desk

The first term of 2018 has been filled with numerous activities – academic, cultural and sport – culminating in our Easter

Service in the Chapel on Friday morning. Thank you to our Chaplain, Rebecca Schultz, for a very special and significant

message and to the parents, as well as, members of the Board and Trust, who were able to attend. The involvement of

our choirs under the direction of David Orr and Simon Bester and the many girls who were part of the service

contributed to a strong feeling of faith and community.

Much has been written about the idea of community, how it is influenced, developed and defined. Schools generally are

identified as communities, each with its own make-up and sense of belonging. These are some definitions for

community: “people associated with one another – who share common values about the education of children”, “the

condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common”, “trust, respect, mutual obligation and concern

for others’ welfare…” and from Joanna Nesbit [2015]: “When parent groups and schools work together to build a strong

sense of community, everyone benefits. Parents feel welcome and are more likely to take a more active role in their

child’s education. Teachers feel appreciated. And research shows that kids attending schools with a strong community

are more likely to be academically motivated. It’s not always easy, but it’s worthwhile.”

The Epworth community has a strong history embedded in our Methodist ethos, purposefully intended in our Vision and

Mission and practised in our values that resonate in our motto of Faith, Compassion and Courage.

Our recently held Open Day for prospective pupils and their families was a great success and allowed our visitors to

engage with staff and girls while visiting the campus. Our Head Girl, Georgiana Askew, addressed the audience and I

would like to share her speech with you:

Choosing your high school is without a doubt one of the most daunting choices you will ever have to make, but I hope

that after today your minds will be put at ease. This afternoon, you are going to leave in one of two ways: either you will

leave our campus with your mind completely made up, feeling more confident in your choice of Epworth as your high

school - or perhaps confused. And be assured – that’s also alright.

I have often been asked: what is it like to be an Epworth girl? Being an Epworth girl is something truly special and

honestly no one will ever know the true feeling until you get the chance to experience it. However, I’m going to try my

very best to paint a picture of what it’s like to be one of us, the girls in gingham.

There is the most amazing feeling that our girls get as they drive through the gates of Epworth. This feeling is one of such

love, support and care. Epworth is a home away from home not only for the boarders but also for the day girls.

We form a special sisterhood that binds the hearts and souls of Epworth girls, keeping us close to one another as we

“To free the potential in individuals to become relevant, resilient and ethical leaders who

contribute to our ever-changing world”.

Ms Laura Bekker

Georgiana pictured with Grade 10 pupil, Sophie Harel, at the Relay Gala.

grow through and up the grades into our adult lives beyond this campus. In my opinion, Epworth is not the amazing

school it is because of the academics, or our sport or our cultural enrichment but rather because of the girls that make up

the Epworth community and family. The happy souls and smiley faces are things that make Epworth different from any

other school. I honestly believe in the happiness of girls and I can assure you, our prospective parents, that the Epworth

community provides this happiness.

We, as Epworth girls, are lucky enough to have such loving and supportive systems in place here at school including our

exceptional Chaplain, teachers and mentors who are always willing to go the extra mile.

An Epworth girl keeps faith in God, herself and others. She chooses the courageous option and treats others (and herself)

with love, respect and compassion. She is fuelled by fellowship, passion and self-discipline. She is willing to give of her

best at all times and to contribute positively to the social and natural environment. She lives by her motto ‘Fida Humana

Fortis’: Faith, Compassion and Courage, which complement her values of integrity and honesty.

Knowing that you are loved, cared for, respected, appreciated and encouraged is something that makes being an

Epworth girl so special and something you should long to be.

I hope that after today you will leave with your minds put at ease and that you will be feeling more confident. Don’t panic

if you are still unsure, though, because the right school is waiting for you and you girls will know which school is best for

you. Look for a school like ours, which values the individual girl and gives her space to become her best version of herself -

then trust your instinct when you find it.

To the parents, I wish you all the very best for the year ahead as you begin to make decisions with your daughter about

high school. To the girls, take this opportunity to fly and succeed because a new and exciting adventure awaits you and

your families.

I am sure you are as proud of what Georgie represents as I am. To all the pupils and their families, have a blessed Easter

and a well-deserved holiday.

Inter-House Gala

Overall winners:

Rhodes

Spirit Cup winners:

Somerset

Recognising eco-action Epworth is the proud recipient of an Eco-Schools’ International Flag Decade Award for its commitment to eco-action

over the past 15 years. Shraya Moodley and Lisa Bertling-Roodt represented the school at the official awards ceremony

where they received the award. The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) commended Epworth on

its impressive record and said, “After all these years as part of the Eco-Schools’ family, it is incredible to see that your

school continues to grow from strength to strength.”

Epworth Mudman

MYTH: debating takes away from my academics FACT: debating teaches time management and organisational skills – by Senior level, debaters can write an eight-minute speech (without knowing the topic beforehand) in under 45 minutes, which automatically means that answering skills in almost every subject are enhanced (an ongoing learning process) MYTH: debating takes away time with my friends FACT: debating forms strong bonds within a team with NEW friends, as well as meeting debaters from other schools – all with similar interests MYTH: debating is for nerds! FACT: debaters are jocks – public speaking under pressure, arguing a topic you may not believe in, facing Matric boys on the opposition, and with large crowds watching you – surely a rugby match is easier than that? MYTH: debating is scary! FACT: debating may be daunting at first, but the general knowledge about the world and the perspectives that it teaches, makes all other scary things pale into insignificance! MYTH: debating won’t help my life FACT: debating starts at school and then you can compete regionally, provincially, nationally and overseas. Schools and tertiary institutions are recognising this activity more and more

Debating myths vs facts

Team spirit at its best

This year, it was Epworth’s turn to host the Senior Girls’ Gala which is an annual highlight on the swimming calendar.

Held at the UKZN pool, the event was fiercely contested with St John’s emerging the victors and Epworth coming third.

The camaraderie amongst the Epworth swimmers and the support and spirit exhibited by the rest of the school was the

highpoint of the day. Epworth really did themselves proud, in and out of the pool.

Matric Dance invites delivered Hollywood style

Pi Day activities

Pi hat contest

Out and about

Grade 12’s visit the Caversham Press

The Grade 12 Art class participated in a

three-day printmaking workshop at

Caversham Press in the Midlands. They were

exposed to different techniques, including

Drypoint, Etching, Water Colour, Chincolle

and Monotype Silk Screening. Malcolm

Christian, arguably the best printmaker in

the country, conducted the workshop.

Cancer Night Relay

A group of pupils and

staff dressed up and

supported the annual

Cancer Night Relay,

which took place at the

Carbineers Club in

Pietermaritzburg.

Epworth was delighted to welcome East Coast Radio (ECR) personality Darren Maule on Tuesday, March 20th to address

our high school on the first of the educational road shows he plans to take around the province (at no cost to schools).

Consummate performer, entertaining raconteur and doting dad to a nine-year-old daughter, Maule delivered an

important message to our girls in between pausing for photo opps amidst gales of laughter.

“Education is everything,” Maule reiterated more than once. He is passionate about empowering young people;

encouraging them to be excited about their schooling; about asking questions – the most important of which is why?

Maule urged our pupils to use their commitment and hard work at school to develop diverse skills and interests. He

reminded our community that we need to do more than simply what we are good at; our girls must embrace every

opportunity to learn as much as possible – because the careers of the future have not yet been envisaged in the

present. “Be brave! Say yes!” said Maule, since it is through taking risks, without forgetting to use words wisely and

being kind to each other, that our pupils will step into their futures.

“Epworth has a wonderful energy,” said Maule warmly, trying to capture that indefinable quality that is uniquely ours.

Darren Maule: a delight with a mic!

Sports achievements

Epworth paddlers claimed the top three spots in the

junior girls’ category at this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Amy Peckett and Caitlin Mackenzie dominated through-

out the race and finished ahead of their teammates

Tracey Oellermann and Cara Waud. Epworth’s Casey

Robertson and Anna Hauff finished third. Fourteen

Epworth pupils successfully completed the race.

The swimming

team won the

annual

Champions’

Gala

A large group

of pupils

successfully

completed the

Midmar Mile.

Canoeing Swimming

Nine Epworth pupils were recently selected for the KZN Midlands Action Netball teams for 2018 (from left): Grace Watson, Gemma Phipps, Asanda Sithole, Amy

Hutton, Micaela Viljoen, Kusaziba Gulubane, Nothando Sithebe, Nesisa Mthembu, Tannah Duncan.

Action Netball

Grade 8 pupils, Nicolette Challenor (left) and Tannah Duncan competed in the KwaZulu-Natal Biathlon

Championships, which combines swimming and running, at Kings Park. Both girls were chosen to represent KZN at

the South African Biathlon Championships.

Epworth’s diving team (from left): Amy Johnson, Hannah Kelling, Robin van Heerden, Kayleigh Schmidt and Margaréte Zietsman tied with St Anne’s for first place in the KZN Inter-Schools’ Diving Competition

Biathlon

Diving

Sports achievements continued

Epworth’s first hockey team won the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament for the PMB Central region. They beat St John’s in the final in an eight-second penalty

shootout. They will compete in the finals of the provincial tournament in August.

Hockey (from left): Anke Roux, Lisa Mckenzie, Chloe Morton and Emily Cobbold were selected for KZN B tennis teams in

their respective age groups.

Tennis

Margaréte

Zietsman

represented the

KZN district team

at the Athletics

Championships.

Athletics

Chloe Dundas-Starr was selected for

the SA 13-15 age group synchronised

swimming team which will

participate in the Mediterranean Cup

in July in Spain.

Synchronised Swimming

Six pupils were selected for the uMgungundlovu district

swimming team (top, from left): Ashleigh Green, Lauren

Knobel, Georgiana Askew (bottom, from left): Tannah

Duncan, Cara Message, Kate Wood.

Swimming

Amy Johnson is

the first pupil at

Epworth to receive

a Gold President’s

Award.

President’s Award

Cultural highlights to diarise

Epworth High School Inter-School Music Evening

Thursday 19 April at 18:30

Epworth Chapel

The second term features a vibrant mix of cultural activities that will showcase our pupils’ creative talents in the

areas of music, dance and drama. First up is the Inter-School Music Evening followed closely by a Christopher

Duigan Music Revival Concert, incorporating Epworth pupils, in the Epworth Chapel. The High School dramatic

production Sisters and the annual Funk dance extravaganza are both scheduled to take place in May at the

Hexagon Theatre. The term ends with a celebratory 120th choral production in the Chapel.

Music for an Autumn Evening with Christopher Duigan (piano), Myfanwy Price (oboe)

& Aristide du Plessis (cello)

Friday 20 April at 19:00

Epworth Chapel

Tickets: R80 (adults) and R50 (scholars)

Funk Friday 11 – Thursday 17 May (time to be confirmed)

Hexagon Theatre

Ticket prices and bookings to be confirmed

Sisters Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 May at 18:30; Saturday 5 May

at 15:00

Hexagon Theatre

Tickets: R75 (adults) and R60 (pupils)

Please click here for further information about any of these events

Epworthian news

Jordan and Cana Peek (2013 and 2016) dominated the

women’s race at this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon and

were crowned 2018 Dusi champions.

Dr Zolelwa Sifumba (2008) visited the Grade 11 Life

Sciences classes and spoke about her life related to

becoming a doctor and how she coped with being

multidrug resistant to Tuberculosis. She is pictured

with Grade 11 pupils Minenhle Masango and

Yama Qangule.

At the end of last year, the class of 2017 donated

their school shoes to the children at a rural school in

the Injasuthi valley of the Drakensberg. “I would like

to offer sincere thanks to all the girls who so

generously thought of the needs of others at this

exciting time of their lives. These little gestures can

make a very big difference in the lives of children who

cannot afford simple things like school shoes,” said

one of the community supporters.

Pictured are some of the High School pupils who have

mothers, grandmothers, and/or great-grandmothers

who attended Epworth.

Epworthian Day 2018: 5 May

Please click here to view the invitation

Please click here to view the programme for the day