Magazine 2017

GOT GAME? Through sport, learners learn about teamwork and how important it is to commit and not let their team down. Sport also teaches learners the capabilities of their bodies, to have a positive self-image and to have greater self-confidence. The clichéd metaphors about being “team players,” about “playing the game,” “playing by the rules,” “good sportsman- ship,” even “knowing the score,” all testify to the value of sports participation in learning to flourish in our society. And that is exactly what education is all about: to provide the tools for success in our culture and the means to participate fully in the world. Our vision for sport is to establish Parklands College as a College of sporting excellence - a place of learning that strives to promote top sporting opportunities and facilities for sportsmen and sportswomen participating in both individual and team activities. The aim is to achieve at the highest level and to become known as a College that is able to compete with schools acknowledged for their sporting excellence. We are very proud of the improved commitment and enthusiasm shown across the board by our learners and we look forward to continuing with dedication and passion as we achieve our goals. FESTIVALS AND TOURNAMENTS The College participated in various sporting festivals and tournaments hosted by our different sporting codes this year. Our Senior Water Polo boys and girls participated in the unique Oakhill Open Water Chukka festival with both the boys and girls 1st Teams recording some excellent results against schools from all over the country. Our 1st Team Girls Hockey played in the West Coast Hockey festival at Milnerton High School, as well as the Easter Hockey Festival during the Easter Holidays at Fairmont High School. The team played against stronger schools from all around the country and fared well, with all the girls improving in leaps and bounds. Our U/15 and U/16 rugby players attended a High Performance Rugby Academy Camp, near Malmesbury, where all the boys had opportunities to be coached by some of South Africa’s top coaches and walked away having learnt valuable lessons. The annual West Coast Sports Festival was held at Melkbos High School, with our U/16 Vipers Rugby Team and our 1st Netball Team participating. We are very proud of our 1st Netball Team for winning all their matches and the U/16 Vipers beating Edgemead in a very exciting rugby match - scoring the winning try in the dying minutes of the match, demonstrating the wonderful “never give up” attitude our teams are adopting. Parklands College was once again invited to participate at the Table View annual U/14 Sports Festival, where our U/14 rugby boys and our junior hockey girls participated. Both our rugby and hockey sides played extremely well, with the highlight of the day being our rugby boys beating the hosts, Table View, in an exciting match, winning 22 - 10. On Saturday, 6 May, Parklands College hosted seven neighbouring schools at our annual U/19A Netball Festival. The weather was perfect for a day of fun and friendly competition. Each school played 8 matches in a “round-robin” programme, with the four teams with the highest scores qualifying to play in the semi-finals. Parklands’ First Team, the Pumas, dressed in their beautiful new dresses designed by Ms Cass and Mrs Bloem, played exceptionally well, and made it through to the final round. At Parklands College we believe that participation in sport is about more than just fun, - it helps to build character; it teaches leadership; one learns to persevere, to concentrate in order to be rewarded. These qualities carry across all disciplines in life, including academics at school. 112 Parklands College, Twentieth Edition, 2017