Magazine 2018

Parklands College Sphero Ball - Around Secondary Faculty Campus If visuals are more up your ally, the studio with its 2 Sony NXCAM HXR-NX5E cameras, 3 Redhead fill lights, 2 softbox lights and Green Screen will impress. Learners and staff use the cameras to record footage for various applications in the life of the College such as events, projects, subject practicals and promos. This footage is then edited in Final Cut Pro on the iMac in the film studio. When the film studio is used as the filming location, audio can be recorded separately from the video footage via a multi-core connection between the live room and the control room. This is connected to the iMac via the Avid Mbox and recorded into Logic Pro X. The learners can listen to their projects with the JBL monitoring system through the Avid Mbox. Exiting Fleming via the Commerce Department where we offer all options, namely Accounting, Economics and Business Studies, the riveting journey continues further South. On the way to Newton Block the silver lettering on the blue wall spelling out “Our blood runs blue” reminds us of College spirit. Fleming houses all the languages we teach namely English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and French, as well as the Social Sciences. The biggest surprise awaits in the Hospitality Department. The Connoisseur Kitchen has 24 workstations and is equipped with modern accessories from where the most exquisite dishes, many made from vegetables and herbs out of our own garden, are served in the restaurant by our fully trained chefs and waitrons. On the most western point of the campus, and in perfect view from the Admin block, sits Curie Hall with Curie Quad in front of the main entrance. Curie Quad has its own stage for outdoor performances with the Freedom Bell hanging over the water fountain as a backdrop. A plaque reminds the reader of the College’s commitment to non- discrimination. On a clear day learners would be sitting around eating lunch while watching talented musicians perform on stage. Entering the Curie Hall foyer will bring the sphero to a halt, moving around 360 degrees and turning the view upwards in order to appreciate the magnificence of this space. An impressive chandelier dominates the double story view while massive commemorative posters tell the story of past musical productions. The hall itself with its 800 seater potential, high quality acoustics and professional sound and lighting facilities will be breathtaking in itself. On a Friday this venue will be filled with the Parklands family gathered for the weekly assembly, where achievements are celebrated and talent showcased. Upstairs on the way to the Mozart Music Centre, the sphero will pass the bright 130 seater Minor Hall and photographs of past Matric groups and past Head Prefects since 1998. As the device controlling the sphero tilts to send it East in the direction of the Admin block again, the sounds of drums, a guitar, a flute, a saxophone, a trumpet, a piano, a violin, a cello, marimbas or a learner singing, may be heard. Professionally trained musicians will be preparing some learners for performances, Eisteddfods, Trinity and Rockschool exams and assisting others who simply enjoy playing an instrument. No one can leave that venue without a happy smile. Before heading out to the sports field, a quick visit to the Recreation Room, the tuckshop and the hidden outside amphitheatre to the north of Curie Hall will be rewarding. The tuckshop operates on a biometric fingerprinting system so that no cash is needed and learners may purchase drinks, snacks and even hot meals to enjoy in the spacious Recreation Room with its colourful furniture, TV screens broadcasting DSTV channels and a stunning mural of Table Mountain. Once outside the sphero can pick up speed in a northern direction while tilting left and right to appreciate the luxury of space on this campus. Five tennis /netball courts, five multi-purpose sports fields with two clay cricket pitches and a set of cricket nets can be observed in the process. The final stop will be the WG Grace pavilion, but on the way there the sphero will get its first taste of water and showing off in the Olympic size waterpolo and swimming pool. Water sports form part of our physical education curriculum, but are also played competitively. At the WG Grace Pavilion, the full-time sports staff will be joined by a host of specialised coaches for the different sporting codes. Upstairs in the pavilion the sphero can pause and take a moment to look around, appreciating the magnificent Sandown Campus and a perfect view of Table Mountain. By now the sphero will be running out of power and will need to be returned to the dock for charging. A comprehensive tour of this campus takes time and energy, but the exposure to this innovative learning environment makes it all worthwhile. 101. parklands.co.za