The 2023 Chronicle

ACCOUNTING

Head of Department: Mr Christopher Felix Staff: Mr Richard McMichael Intern: Mr Siphiwe Mazibuko

participating in the marking processes. He has been pivotal in providing extra learning support to our C Block boys throughout the year. Mr Mazibuko completed his degree and successfully concludes his internship at Michaelhouse. We wish him well on achieving this significant milestone and thank him for his dedicated service. It is important for me to reflect and look back at the performance of last year’s matric class. I am happy to report the following: the class of 2022 achieved an average of 64% and an impressive 73% of the class achieved A, B or C symbols for Accounting. We congratulate them as we eagerly anticipate the class of 2023 building on this success. A number of C and B Block boys participated in the Proverto Accounting Olympiad and gained some valuable exposure. It is definitely the plan to continue with this for the foreseeable future as this is valuable enrichment for the boys. We are keen to see what 2024 holds for the department as excitement is growing amongst the boys. I am confident that we can further enrich the education of our boys and make their experience a meaningful one. We will look to enhance their experience of Accounting through excursions, talks and interactive in-house debates. It is my vision to provide the boys with the best opportunity to fulfil their potential in life beyond the realm of Accounting, and to instil my teaching philosophy, “Excellence through discipline, hard work and balance.” We are committed to continuing this enriching experience in the years to come as it equips our Michaelhouse men with vital skills for their future endeavours.

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s the new Head of Department of Accounting, I am excited to transform the teaching of Accounting and make it tangible so that our boys have the basic foundation and skill set to afford them excellent decision-making skills in their personal finances and world of work beyond Michaelhouse. Part of our aim is to nurture a conducive environment for teaching and learning where teachers and learners can thrive together. Our aim is to provide the E and D Block boys with a thorough introduction to Accounting, introducing the fundamentals and basic processes. At C and B Block level the boys delve into the reporting and drafting of financial statements as well as basic analysis using key components, such as profitability, liquidity, solvency, risk management and return on investment. In A Block the boys focus primarily on some of the processes followed by companies. This includes, but is definitely not limited to, the movement of shares, dividends and taxes. We believe this is not just important in Accounting but will come in handy as boys explore their own business ventures. I enjoyed excellent support from Mr Richard McMichael with his wealth of knowledge. To ensure a seamless transition Mr McMichael took charge of the D and A Block courses, setting all assessments and facilitating the teaching and learning processes. I took charge of the E, C and B Block syllabus and ensured all administration took place effectively and efficiently. Mr Siphiwe Mazibuko has been very involved in lesson observations, teaching and preparing lessons and successfully

“Shaping the future leaders of the Accounting profession.”

COMPUTER STUDIES

Head of Department: Mr Dominic Gruijters Staff: Mr Ian Crawford, Mr Michael Kimber, Ms Aimee Nell, Mr Simphiwe Xulu

and will be teaching Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology. The number of boys opting to take Computer Applications Technology has grown steadily throughout the past few years. This subject is offered to a wide variety of boys with varying academic ability. In recent years the subject has become popular as an additional eighth subject for top achievers. They have excelled in this subject, often obtaining first place in the Block and coming ahead of their counterparts who take the subject as one of their core seven subjects. Computer Applications Technology also remains available to those candidates who have IEB concessions for First Additional Language. These boys take the subject in lieu of Afrikaans or isiZulu and the class sizes have increased as more international students are obtaining the relevant concessions. This offering

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he Computer Studies Department continued to thrive during 2023 in the growth of both boys and staff. The department continues to offer Information Technology and Computer Applications Technology to the A, B and C Blocks. In addition, we offer innovative and relevant curricula to the E and D Blocks. This year we welcomed Ms Aimee Nell as a full-time staff member. Ms Nell has a teaching qualification specialising in technology-assisted learning in high schools. She joins us from a short stint at Grace College but has experience in holistic boys’ education, having taught at Jeppe High School for Boys. She has a passion for teaching technology to young learners

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