Quarter 1 Newsletter 2020

3 the last 4 months building a robot to take part in the competition. The aim of the competition is to design and build a robot that can build a skyscraper. Alliances are allocated points in different aspects of the challenge. In addition to winning the alliance award, the Parklands College Hyperion Bots also won the Motivate Award for the Team that is an ambassador for First programs and successful in recruitment of new teams, mentors, coaches and volunteers. Well done to the team: Keagan Strydom (Captain), Kieran Redpath, Sedira Mamdoo and Hayden Visser. CULTURE DRAMA The FET Drama learners spent the first quarter in rehearsals three times a week for their performance at the 10th Shakespeare Schools Festival held for the first time at the Fugard Theatre. Their performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set in a game lodge, had a distinctly African flavour and was very well received by the audience. The opportunity to perform in a professional environment is a highlight of the FET Drama phase for many of the learners and they rose to the occasion with aplomb. The production will be restaged for the school at a later stage this year. DANCE The Dance Department has been preparing for the Cape Town Eisteddfod and we look forward to showcasing the dancers various items in the upcoming months. The Grade 12 Choreography examination was held in the last week of the Quarter and was an outstanding success. Well done to Bianca Botha and Nora Meviane for their innovative item “ Primal Wounds” MUSIC There has been something for everyone this quarter. We started off with amusical bang hosting a two day Summer Music Boot Camp and all of our ensembles where we collaborated, enjoyed team-building, masterclasses and performances by an incredible vocal group. Our learners were also given a message of encouragement by our two past learners, Nicol Steyn and Mitch Matyana. Our Jazz Band performed to a highly appreciative Riverglade community audience. Our Parklands College Music Festival was a spectacular example of the power of music. We had a terrific response with approximately 190 learners from various schools and music institutions around the peninsula sharing their love for music-making. We were mentored by Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s conductor, Brandon Phillips and the vibrant Zolani Mahola. We thank the many role-players for their work of love in creating such a successful event. Our quarter culminated in 2 impressive lunchtime concerts showing off the hardwork and talents of our musicians in the extra mural music programme. VISUAL ART AND DESIGN The Visual Art and Design department has kicked off the year with great enthusiasm! A grand outing to the Zeitz Museum of Modern Art in Cape Town provided a plethora of inspiration to our learners. The injection of inspiration has resulted in our studio spaces being populated with oil paintings, larger than life drawings, furniture design, sustainable design solutions and more. The new spaces in the Innovation Centre offer new possibilities to our young creatives. Three-dimensional printing, virtual reality, animation and wood working tools are a few of the options at their disposal. DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING The Public Speakers tested their improvisation skills performing a slew of impromptu speeches before being given the task of preparing a short 5 minute speech on a topic of their own choice. The speeches were performed and we hope to showcase a few of them next quarter during break. We will also be hosting SALA next quarter. The Debaters have met every week and have learnt the various skills involved in debating. They have had the opportunity to prepare for motions and practice a bit with regards to the upcoming debates. Next quarter they will be participating in Rotary debating and, if it still takes place, UCT debates. Thank you to all the members of staff in the Culture Department. Catherine Dodders Head of Culture SERVICE At our first Service Assembly of the year Courtney van Wyk, our Deputy Head Girl, and Mwenda Phiri, our Deputy Head Boy, delivered the address. They both served as Vice - Presidents and Presidents of the Interact Committees in 2018/2019. Courtney : Service has been a huge part of my life. Ever since I joined Interact, my life has changed. By doing service, I learnt what my passion and purpose in life is, which is helping others in need. It has also opened up so many opportunities where I have learnt a lot about myself and have grown my leadership skills. There’s a quote I would love sharing which is as follows, “Be the change you want to see in this world” by Ghandi. Mwenda : Service has played a big role in my life. From Grade 7 I've been involved in multiple service clubs and areas in the college and I immediately realised that it was not something that was a burden but something that I had a passion for and I could see that it would take me places. Since then I've been Interact's Vice - President and President, I've started my own initiative; collaborated with other clubs and so much more. I've met so many people who have contributed to my legacy and I'm proud to have been able to contribute to theirs. Quote by Mary Anne Radmacher: “As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” Without service I wouldn't be in the position I am now, but that does not mean that I will stop serving, because it is part of my DNA and I am so proud that we now have a Service Portfolio as part of the Prefect Body, because that means that Service is part of the DNA of the College. Our different Service Societies reported on their endeavours and gave us a taste of what is to come. GREEN SOLUTIONS As a team we have learned about various animals which are in danger. We looked into ways to reach a greener future for our planet - such as implementing strategies like reusing, reducing and recycling. We are concerned about our environment and one way we have been trying to make a change is by organising as many beach cleanups as we can. We also contributed to many eco-friendly projects, such as collecting bread clips to recycle single-use plastic. - Danhe Lansburg and Julia Fiander LAB ASSISTANTS We have done interesting Scientific Investigations such as to report and analyse our studies on Inertia, which is an object's resistance to any change in its own motion such as direction. We researched and created our own Scientific Reports as well as set up our own pendulum to determine “g”. We have been taught to pay attention to detail, organisation and time management, improve our communication and team working skills as well as independence. Our plans for the year are as follows: This term we have been focusing mostly on Physical Sciences. Quarter 2 and 3 will be Chemistry and Quarter 4 will be Life Sciences entwined with Physical Sciences. At the end of your Lab Assistants journey, you are awarded with a certificate stating that you can use it in your future studies if you decide to take the Science route. If you have any enquiries about the club please speak to either myself or Mr Stishi who is the teacher in charge. We will be happy to see you discovering the mysteries of our world in our club. - Anna Rozhkov - Chairperson