RED BLACK Whiteissue, Any More Than Gender Directing Potential Since 1863 Violence Is a Woman’S Issue

MCF The “boy crisis” is not just a boy #RED BLACK WHITEissue, any more than gender Directing potential since 1863 violence is a woman’s issue. We as parents, 22 August 2018 teachers22-2018 and coaches at From the Headmaster’s Desk Dear Parents and Guardians In the next of our series of articles that highlight some of the presentations given at the recent staff development day, we look at the “The Boy Crisis”, presented by our Deputy Head: Academics, Jeanette Finnie. The idea of a crisis that is affecting our boys was put forward by Warren Farrell and John Gray in a book of the same name. In his book, Warren Farrell says “the problem is that Americans care more about saving whales than saving males”. The question we need to ask ourselves, is why do we need to “save males” and what is this crisis? The “boy crisis” is a: • Crisis of education – globally, boys are 50% less likely than girls to meet basic proficiency in reading, maths and science; by 2020, men’s enrolment at university will be down by 16% on enrolment 50 years ago; young men now only account for 40% of recent university graduates. • Crisis of mental health – ADHD is on the rise in boys; as boys mature into young men, their suicide rates go from equal to girls to six times that of young women; boys experience feelings of hopelessness and act out on this in a variety of different ways. • Crisis of fathering – boys are growing up often with less involved fathers or absent fathers; many schools find it difficult to find male role-models as teachers, particularly at the primary school level. • Crisis of purpose – historically, the boy’s purpose was to be a warrior, a leader or a sole breadwinner. Researchers now suggest that boys are experiencing a “purpose void”. Girls’ sense of purpose has expanded as they tackle jobs in all spheres of the job market, and often take on the role of “breadwinner”, but boys’ sense of purpose has not. Maritzburg College must take heed of Many young men experience a “failure to launch” syndrome, where they are the signs that are apparent in the lives unable to launch themselves into a life independent of their parents, and unwilling to of our boys, and find ways to respond take on the responsibility of adulthood. In Canada, 50% of young men in their to these. As parents and guardians, twenties still live in the parental home, either unemployed or under-employed. Some please support the work that we are writers believe that there is a “celebration of anti-intellectualism” in many boys’ doing in this regard. schools, where boys believe that what it means to be a man is often at odds with succeeding academically at school. Boys’ schools need to work hard towards making Chris Luman, academic engagement a sign of manhood. Headmaster Ultimately, what we all aspire to, is for the men, fathers and boys in our lives to be happy, emotionally resilient individuals who are able to take up their place in society alongside women, seizing the responsibilities of adulthood. Schools need to In this Issue… teach boys to identify their emotions and to learn to express these emotions through From the Headmaster’s Desk 1 communication with others. We need to encourage and applaud practical skills and Academic Achievements 2 vocational education, rather than assuming that the only careers worthy of respect College Culture 3 are those that involve a degree. The co-curricular programme is vital in boys’ schools Sporting Spotlights 4 especially, to develop a sense of belonging as well as responsibility and commitment. These skills are all required in successful adulthood. Boys’ schools should provide as MCOBA & MCF 5 many varied opportunities for boys to lead as possible, as leadership is immensely Campus Roundup 6 empowering for boys and it teaches accountability. HONESTY * INTEGRITY * COURAGE * SELF-DISCIPLINE *COMMITMENT * RESPECT Page 1 Academic Achievements Focus feature on…Afrikaans The Afrikaans department has had a very busy but fruitful term. Our matric learners have been well prepared for the external oral moderation, and structured tests as well as trial examinations were set. Form 6 pupils are in their final week before trial exams start and an intense amount of work is being put towards the preparations of these trial examinations. On Monday, August 20, Maritzburg College hosted the annual National Senior Certificate Grade 12 oral moderation. A selection of 47 learners from 11 neighbouring schools and Maritzburg College attended this event to validate the accuracy of oral mark allocations by Afrikaans educators at schools in this district of KwaZulu-Natal. Mrs De Wet had been appointed as the external oral moderator for this district and executed the moderation along with Mr Dan van The tour will take place in the final week of the third term Wyk, the Afrikaans subject advisor. Maritzburg College – a traditionally quiet week for many boys – and is open to learners performed well and did us proud. any boy in Forms 2 and 5 at the school. Adults are also invited Maritzburg College also provides learners who are to join the tour as this has been successful in the past. The efficient in Afrikaans the opportunity to enter the Junior or tour already has 30 bookings, including parents as well as Old the Senior Afrikaans Olympiads for First Additional Language. Boys. The final cost of the 3-day tour is R1 400 per learner & These external exams are set by the Afrikaanse Taal- en R1 550 per adult, and space is limited. This cost is inclusive of Kultuurvereniging and are of a high standard. Learners’ skills transport and accommodation, six meals (2 breakfasts, 2 and knowledge in Afrikaans comprehension, grammar and packed lunches and 2 suppers), but excludes personal & literature are tested. The Senior Afrikaans Olympiad was medical insurance, activities not specifically stated in the written at the end of May and the Junior exams will be written itinerary, drinks, gratuities, and meals not specifically stated on Tuesday 4 September. The school supports this annual in the itinerary. Accommodation is at Mpati (formerly event as learners have achieved excellently in the past, Vulindlela) Bush Camp, situated about 7km from Dundee. producing a Kwa-Zulu Natal provincial winner in 2016. The tour guide will be Mr Simon Haw, the acclaimed . battlefields maestro and official historian of College. To see the full itinerary or to secure your booking, please contact Mr Marwick on [email protected]. The Geography welcomes a new teacher second cut-off date for additional RSVPs is Wednesday 5 We extend a warm welcome to September 2018. All payments need to have been paid to Mr Adam Usher, a welcome addition College by Friday 7 September. to the Geography department. Mr Usher studied his degree through UNISA and majored in Geography and English. He previously taught at Focus on…The Media Centre St Charles College for 9 years before Diversity Display making the move to College at the College has adopted the school-wide goal of promoting beginning of the 3rd term 2018. Mr transformation and social awareness of issues amongst staff Usher said that the move has been and pupils. The Media Centre has included this policy in its made easy, as the College staff have book selections for decades, having a broad selection of been most welcoming and friendly. We are extremely happy books including a focus on women, focus on Black African to have him here and wish him all the best, and hope he has history, novels with Black and homosexual protagonists, and a a lengthy and happy stay at Maritzburg College. selection of dyslexia friendly books. Visit us to find out more. Tour of KZN Battlefields Library Monitors Tea A 2018 battlefields tour has been introduced by the On Monday 27 August, the Media Centre held its annual Maritzburg College history department to give College Library Monitors' Tea. A lovely time was had by all, but the schoolboys the chance to visit and explore some of KwaZulu- importance of this event was to thank our sixth form Natal’s most compelling battlefields and skirmish sites – monitors who have given 5 years’ service to the Maritzburg including famous Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Spioenkop, College community. Tokens of our appreciation were Talana, the site of the death of the Prince Imperial, Blood presented to the sixth formers by Mrs Finnie. River (Ngcome), Elandslaagte, the Siege of Ladysmith and the Churchill capture site. HONESTY * INTEGRITY * COURAGE * SELF-DISCIPLINE *COMMITMENT * RESPECT Page 2 College Culture Leadership at Maritzburg College Fire of Love - big success As part of the pupil development programme, which From 22 – 24 August, starts with the Form 2 camp, every grade is exposed to Maritzburg College leadership opportunities through their camps and performed their first discussions, which ultimately culminates in a selection of collaborative cultural show approximately 30-35 Prefects and 50 House Leaders. The - The Fire of Love. The selection process for Prefects and House Leaders is about to Afrikaans, Hindu and Zulu run its course and is an extremely thorough and transparent societies joined talents and process. Form 3 to form 6 and staff are involved in the first participated together in the round of voting. The 5th form, staff and prefects are involved Afrikaans-driven play in the second round of voting. A group of 118 boys from form which focused on learning 5 were selected to attend the three-day leadership course about different cultures from which 42 boys were afforded interviews. The senior and traditions. prefect voting will take place next term.

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