Red Black White
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MCF #RED BLACK WHITE Directing potential since 1863 7 September 2018 23-2018 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 Agile Learner”, presented by Melanie Greyling. Author of The Agile Learner, James Anderson, presented an excellent day-long seminar in May 2018 which was attended by some of our staff. The gist of the seminar was finding practical ways of moving leaners along what he called the Mindset Continuum. Importantly, this looks at how to engage students in the processes and behaviours that achieve growth and the development of new talents. A Growth Mindset is the understanding that we can change our most basic characteristics such as our talents and abilities. But achieving that growth requires more than simply the right mindset, it requires the right actions. Growth mindset should not be and is not the “flavour of the month”, it is the foundation of our education. During the seminar, Melanie found herself questioning everything that she had previously defaulted to when standing in front of a class of young men, as she learned to: • Go beyond social media hype to a deep understanding of Mindsets • Stop treating the symptoms of a Fixed Mindset, and learn how to address the underlying causes • Examine the subtle but powerful influence a teacher’s Mindset has on students • Learn how to translate a Growth Mindset into ACTUAL growth • Learn why not all sorts of practice work, and how to encourage Virtuous Practice • Help students grow by showing them how to engage in Effective Effort Melanie said that her classroom habits have been altered, and since the seminar her focus is In this Issue… on giving the boys that she teaches the “recipe” to a From the Headmaster’s Desk 1 good work ethic. In other Academic Achievements 2 words, she has adopted a College Culture 3 step-by-step, paint by Sporting Spotlights 4 numbers approach to MCOBA & MCF 5 supplement the very Campus Roundup 6 vague “you need to work harder” approach. Through the extensive use of mind maps and seeing measurable improvement in attitude to learning, she has found renewed passion for her teaching career. Chris Luman, Headmaster HONESTY * INTEGRITY * COURAGE * SELF-DISCIPLINE *COMMITMENT * RESPECT Page 1 Academic Achievements Focus on…Maths Literacy The second term has passed by in a blur and many This Third Term is very important for the Grade12/Form 6 learners were surprised by the standards of the Common Examinations set by the Education Department. This does Learners as they prepare for Trial Examinations and finalise give learners an idea of what their ability levels are and what all aspects of their PATs and SBA components and then forge they should expect from any external examination, while ahead towards the Final Examinations starting in October. helping them prepare for final examinations if they have any We wish them the best of luck as they write exams and problems. The resources located on our school Moodle will prepare for their Finals. assist in advancing understanding of the different sections found in the curriculum. The second term also saw a very successful Grade 9/Form 3 Subject Choice Evening, where many subject areas marketed their curriculum to parents and learners. Parents New tools to learn Mathematics interacted with the Subject Heads and educators to help the Form 3 learners best decide what subjects to choose in Form 4. There was some interest in Mathematical Literacy by learners who have not yet decided what career path to follow, and wanted to know about entrance requirements for different fields of study. Below is one comparison made between Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy from the presentation: MATHEMATICS MATHEMATICAL LITERACY Mathematics focuses on the Mathematical Literacy focuses discipline of Mathematics, on the role of mathematics in incorporating abstract and the real world using relevant hypothetical thinking. examples in day to day life. Applications are most The contexts chosen are important, not necessarily in employment based being real life contexts. Content is current and relevant. also emphasized. Content is expanded on as The contexts become more the learner’s progress advanced as the learners annually. progress annually. Mathematics is designed for Maths Literacy is designed for those who wish to pursue learners wanting to pursue careers in the natural tertiary qualifications in the sciences or engineering. social and life sciences, e.g. law, marketing, advertising etc, or entrepreneurs who wish to start their own businesses These provide further information for those learners who are still undecided: http://jobstarter.co.za/inform/article/833b1e7e- Form 3G recently did an investigation into the properties of straight line graphs in their maths class. They used the a44f-11e6-9726-13bd21fe4182 interactive Geogebra App on their iPad and worked http://jobstarter.co.za/inform/article/7ae67b0f- together in their groups to discover these properties a451-11e6-9726-631ccbf6416f http://www.careerplanet.co.za/tools_for_school/ maths-or-maths-literacy- HONESTY * INTEGRITY * COURAGE * SELF-DISCIPLINE *COMMITMENT * RESPECT Page 2 College Culture Leadership at Maritzburg College 10 x Nominated Form 3 boys (1 from each day house) 10 x Nominated From 2 boys (1 from each day house) After being elected as prefects at the end of 2007, the Areas of discussion include Academics, Culture, pupil current multi-skilled College staff members Mr S Ngema and well-being, Boarding Establishment, Sport and Facilities. In Mr MJ Smit were voted in as the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, 2018, the RCL has grown to include the Form 2 learners. This which meant that they had been elected onto the School allows for a more inclusive RCL Body and offers the youngest Governing Body (SGB), as was the system back then. Mr Smit members of our school the chance to learn many skills and said can still remember sitting with Mr Ngema in their first lessons, and to contribute to the effective running of SGB meeting. Maritzburg College. The RCL has enjoyed a successful 2018, bringing many pertinent issues to light and assisting in the “There were many grey-haired individuals in the room problem solving of these challenges by offering various and we were rather awestruck by the level of leadership that solutions and ideas. If learners are interested in becoming surrounded us. Our “deer-in-the-headlights” facial expressions must have been obvious for all to see, and yet RCL members, they can be nominated through their house the SGB members were gracious and taught us well. Industry members in 2019. They can then be voted for and, hopefully, leaders, lawyers, the top-brass of the teaching staff and be elected as an RCL member. brilliant parents, the SGB of Maritzburg College was, and still is, fill of highly successful and influential members of Gospel Choir Evening… society,” he said. Seen through the fresh eyes of impressionable 18-year olds, being a part of the SGB was a daunting task and they did not yet realise the enormous opportunity that was in front of them to learn about effective governance from top leaders. It is from this same opportunity, and from this premise, that Mr Smit talks about the RCL of Maritzburg College. Among the many activities that learners engage in at Maritzburg College, the RCL is yet another area of involvement. It is an integral part of the school system and an official requirement of running a school. The RCL is a sub- committee of the SGB and, through democratically run processes, the RCL offers nominated learners an opportunity to voice the issues and concerns of their peers. Through the The Maritzburg College annual Gospel Choir Evening RCL, learners are given the opportunity to think critically hosted 8 various schools and was held on August 31 August about the management and governance of the school and in the Alan Paton Hall. Also performing was 10-year Asembo engage in discussion with different stakeholders. These Mkhize. issues are then referred to management, or the SGB, The evening was opened by the teachers’ choir, which feedback is given and decisions are made. Each year in the was RCL unique and fascinating issues are always raised. Boys outstanding who are a part of the RCL will grow their perspectives and set the regarding the running of organisations and improve their atmosphere communication skills as they discuss and debate. for the Importantly, the RCL members work together with other evening. leaders in the school and will form important relationships Participating within the school. schools were The RCL is structured as follows: Maritzburg Chairman College, Vice-chairman Dundee High School, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, Secretary Alexandra High School, Carter High School, The Wykeham Head Boy Collegiate, Haythorne High School and Linpark High School. Boarder Deputy All the schools were phenomenal on the evening, and Portfolios (Academic, Sport and Culture) showed the effort, dedication and commitment that the Heads of Day Houses conductors and their choristers had put in for the evening. 10 x Nominated Form 6 boys (1 from each day house) The Maritzburg College Gospel Choir did a great job and also 10 x Nominated Form 5 boys (1 from each day house) collaborated with the GHS Gospel Choir. 10 x Nominated Form 4 boys (1 from each day house) HONESTY * INTEGRITY * COURAGE * SELF-DISCIPLINE *COMMITMENT * RESPECT Page 3 Sporting Spotlight Focus on…Sports Rugby 7’s This weekend saw Maritzburg College host the Nashua 7’s tournament at Woodburn. All of the top tier schools in KwaZulu-Natal sent in their U17 and u15 teams to take part in what was a great day of school boy sport.