Magazine 2017

When a learner boards the Secondary Faculty high-speed train, an unforgettable journey commences. High-speed transport operates significantly faster than traditional rail traffic, using an integrated sys- tem of specialised machinery and dedicated tracks. A lot of effort goes into the modern looking design and aerodynamics of a high-speed train and only the best-trained drivers and technicians operate these trains. A typical journey on the Parklands Secondary train will last six exhilarating years. This was the 2017 journey … The first week of January saw us celebrating the success of the Class of 2016. Apart from the 100% pass rate, the 95% entry to BD Studies, our EGD learners also secured the top spot with the highest aggregate in the Western Cape and two learners made the Top 10 list in French. 18% of them achieved an A aggregate and 40% a B aggregate. What a way to start! From the moment our learners boarded the train on the first day of the academic year, we were running at full speed. The Grade 7s had a particularly good introduction, using QR codes in a treasure hunt to get to know the Sandown Campus. We were privileged to listen to past Head Girl, Caryn Jeenes, inspiring our learners to use their super powers to get through the year more successfully. The first Saturday saw aspiring actors and musicians auditioning for the musical production of Alice in Wonderland. Before taking a little breather from the pace of our journey with all the learners attending adventure camps in their grades, we started the sport season with an Inter-house gala. In February we announced the first set of Class Representatives for the year, an essential cog in our learner leadership model. Learners got to select from over 30 different clubs and societies for which to sign up; the English Department arranged an outing to Maynardville to experience Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in open air and the Grade 11s arranged an entertaining Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile summer sport got well under way and our water polo teams took a detour to Knysna to play in the Chukka Festival. Our gamers took the first step towards qualifying for Mind Sports South Africa’s national competition. We hosted the first of the quarterly WP Blood Clinics as part of our commitment to giving back. March was a very proud month for us when we were awarded Apple Distinguished School status. Our super train raced through a highly successful Careers Expo, the Jazz Band performance at the V&A Band Slam competition and an exciting isiXhosa Week. In the meantime we were represented at the German Young Physicists Tournament where our learners impressed an international audience. The Interacters went on an Outreach tour, making a difference in many disadvantaged communities on the West Coast. March is also the time for our annual Freedom Bell Ceremony where we reiterate our commitment to non-discrimination. The Summer Quarter ended with us celebrating Afrikaans Week, starting off the Winter Sport season with a fun sports day, and an absolute highlight – the Parklands College Festival of Music. The Parklands train does not stop for the school holidays. We hosted a Google Conference in April for educators from around the country and our U/13 rugby team travelled to Gauteng to win the St Stithians Easter Rugby Festival. Team Hyperion Bots represented us at the World Lego event in the USA. As always we celebrated World Book Day in style. Our annual Science Week was another extraordinary experience and a large number of learners participated in the UCT Mathematics Olympiad. The Jazz Band went on tour and entertained audiences wherever they went. CAMPUS LIFE Secondary Faculty in General hel o e lo 88 Parklands College, Twentieth Edition, 2017