ANNUAL MAGAZINE - Dominican Convent School

progressive education
SACEE Creative
Writing
Competition
SACEE is an organisation dedicated to
maintaining, promoting and encouraging
education through the medium of English,
and to improving the standards of written and
spoken English in South Africa.
This year, Andiswa Nyathi in Grade 12 achieved second place
in the SACEE Creative Writing Competition, senior prose
category, for the article below.
Modus Operandi
As I contemplated a topic for my essay I began to venture
into the realm of sport science. I sat there, astonished at
how Fernando Torres could miss that crucial shot against
Manchester United, which indeed was a sitter. I suddenly
began reflecting on my personal time-wasting tactics and the
mountainous pile of work waiting for my attention and that’s
when it hit me ... Why am I so lazy? If procrastination were an
art, I’d definitely be a connoisseur.
My lethargic, listless behaviour has led to my intellectual
decadence. Once a laudable academic, I now spend my Tuesday
lunch break writing out Newton’s Law in detention. I have
always found it amusing how I am able to sit opposite a
television screen for hours on end, without a single molecule
of my body tiring. However, I cannot spend 30 minutes of prep
without yawning.
I have always found the schooling process relatively simple.
Teacher dictates everything ad nauseam; a week later we write a
test on the topic Teacher dictated a week prior. Quantum Physics,
huh? Surely with such understanding of this cerebral phenomenon
I ought to be a straight A student – sadly, this is not Galilee; no
miracles here. Like most human beings, I instinctively harbour the
silly notion that my modus operandi is by far the most effective.
Ergo, according to the blueprint hardwired in my medulla, tests
should be studied for the day before writing, as I will be slightly
older. This has a much deeper meaning than an inferior mind can
comprehend, as wisdom comes with age, does it not?
If the unscientific investigation I conducted on Facebook is
anything to go by, I am not alone. In addition, according to a
2008 news24 survey, the spectrum of lazy Neanderthals stretches
far further than my odd FB friends. A whopping 58% of South
Africans do not partake in any form of physical activity. That’s
more than half the nation! I believe the high levels of laziness
have a symbiotic relationship with the scorching heat South
Africans have never become accustomed to.
One should not have a laissez-faire approach to issues as complex
as laziness. Only the South African government could foster a
state conducive to indolence. Judging by the manner in which my
enquiry at the SAPS was undertaken, I now understand why one
would want to be stuck in a security-obsessed community such as
Dainfern. The gentleman I was referred to couldn’t be bothered
with some woman who had allegedly been mugged literally a
kilometre away from the station. Even after informing the police
that the criminal might still be at large, the cops chose to rather
indulge in the local delicacy – sun-dried Mopani worms.
I reckon I’d make a phenomenal policeman. My nonchalant
behaviour paired with my expertise in procrastination would
send me up the ranks faster than the erection of the e-toll systems
on Gauteng highways. If all else fails, I guess a career as a lousy
football pundit would prove sufficient.
Grade 8s
Explore Greek
Myths
Grade 8 learnt about myths and had to read stories and write their
own scripts related to a story read. Stories included Pandora’s Box,
Androcles and the Lion, Theseus and the Minotaur and Medusa.
DCS Joins
iSchoolAfrica
While many South African educators and learners enjoyed their
last days of the school holiday, nine teachers from DCS headed to
iSchool at Apple's headquarters in Sandton for intensive training
in digital content creation. The seminar kicked off an exciting
new era of teaching and learning at DCS, as the school formally
joined iSchoolAfrica.
iSchoolAfrica aims to bring the best available education
technology and practices to schools in South Africa. DCS is
one of 20 schools nationally that will use Apple technology to
create newsworthy video content for broadcast on TV, online
and mobile channels, as well as create digital content for
the classroom. This is only possible through the support of
MINI, which provides the funds for a free mobile lab with
Apple Macbook computers and video cameras.
On the first day of class, iSchool instructor Gera Louw gave
the educators their homework: to create a video to be used
in their classroom, complete with soundtrack, in three days.
Teachers were soon deeply immersed in new software tools that
turned out to be intuitive and fun to use. Two days later, every
member of the class had completed their homework, and were
thinking of ways to put their new knowledge and skills to use in
the classroom.
Press Team
The Arts and Culture Department has been abuzz this year,
both during class and at extra-mural activities. We all have had
Macbooks to use, and recently iPads as well.
In 2012 MINI, through its I-SchoolAfrica project, donated 12
Macbooks, 12 still cameras and a HD video camera to our
school. Since then Visual Art classes have not been the same. The
learners have now been creating animations, music videos, short
human rights films and posters using the equipment.
One of the requirements from iSchool was that the school
had to have a press team, and this challenge was met with
enthusiasm. The school was then introduced to our iSchool
facilitator Gera Louw, who has gone beyond the call of duty to
assist us in working with the Macbooks. The Press Team has
been a regular feature in all school events. New to the team
is now the Print Press team run by Mr Sheldon Reddiar. Due
to the amazing work by the Press Team, MINI has donated 60
iPads to the school. Another leg of the Press Team that has been
formed is our Garageband DJ team. This team will compose
music using the iPads, and this music will be used to spread the
message of HIV/Aids prevention.
We are excited about all that lies ahead, and we would like to say
a special thank-you to Mr Nkomo for all his dedication and
hard work.
To view some of the work done by the Press Team, visit the
following links:
Heritage day
Women’s day
Nelson Mandela Day
YoUTH Day
Karabelo with ShadoW
Magic Wiz Video
HTTP://bit.ly/UxJzeg
HTTP://bit.ly/WGeGle
HTTP://bit.ly/WGfYNc
HTTP://bit.ly/QKVobI
HTTP://bit.ly/PZ49cH
HTTP://bit.ly/magicwiz
Progressive education
Matric Dance Trailer
HTTP://on.fb.me/Vy8gCa
Kholu Kholopane
Press Team Manager
108 Dominican CONVENT SCHOOL 2012
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