FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

BOYS SERVICE PROGRAMME

painting and moving enclosures for the Raptor Centre. B Block boys served, and then at a later date further service opportunities were offered over a weekend for all Houses. FRIDAY AFTERNOON SANDWICH MAKING AND LUNCH PACKING FOR SIMI WORKSHOPS In support of the SIMI workshops the boys made and packed lunches on a Friday afternoon as required. This occurred throughout the year. BALGOWAN CONSERVANCY TRAIL RUN: MARSHALS AND ASSISTANCE Three Balgowan trail runs occurred this year and boys marshalled and supported these on all occasions. BALGOWAN RESERVE Boys were provided with gloves and tools and embarked on an effort to remove alien plants on the reserve. They also assisted with composting in the first and second quarters. In 2025 boys will resume work on the reserve, targeting alien plants as well as the rehabilitation of certain identified areas (using funds left over from Arbour Day fundraising in 2024). MANDELA DAY On the first Sunday of the third quarter, each House prepared an enormous potjie pot of soup, with the food distributed to our partner schools on the Monday morning, along with bread and surplus vegetables. Dry goods were also packaged and delivered. Senior boys also attended a clinic with Sportstec on how to use sport and sports-based methods and values to encourage leadership in young people in our communities. ARBOUR DAY Significant fundraising occurred (more than R20 000, of which West raised R13 000) and fruit trees were bought and planted by the boys on service visits at eight partner schools. In 2025 we will continue to assist with composting at the schools, as well as with their vegetable gardens and grounds, planting further trees, etc. WOMEN’S DAY The boys leading the BraveHer campaign (a significant and successful campaign providing sanitary wear to young women) hosted a Women’s Day event and invited girls from the MCPT schools for fine fare, packed goodie bags and motivational speakers. SUNFIELD HOME Regular service to Sunfield Home continued throughout 2024. The visits ensure interactions with the residents of the home, with the boys playing games such as soccer, pool and table tennis with them.

Written by Mrs Peta Roberts

T

he Michaelhouse boys’ service programme this year has been busy, rewarding and fulfilling – with many opportunities to serve nearby communities through House projects and other initiatives. This year there were also many inaugural events and projects which saw boys’ service extend into environmental activities.

AWARDS

Honours: Brunton Bigalke, Tshiamo Boikhutso, Makabongwe Mace, Nhlohlori Shikhati, Stefano Benassi, Remofilwe Khoale Colours: Mojalefa Lekoana, Ross Borley, Sithe Nkompela HOUSE PROJECTS Each House is paired with a Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust (MCPT) school or home, and during each quarter a group of boys from each House volunteers to engage in scheduled service visits to assist with various tasks and activities identified by the principals of the schools. The boys have shown sincere enthusiasm and commitment in their service to the schools. There were approximately four or five visits a week by different Houses to their respective partner schools. The service activities included assisting with homework, maths revision, reading, comprehension skills, rugby practice, cricket skills and games of soccer with the focus on positional play and tactics. During the fourth quarter, fruit trees were planted at various schools for Arbour Day.

We are grateful for the opportunities provided for us to work with the MCPT schools and to be involved in service projects.

OTHER PROJECTS In addition to the House projects, this year we provided further, different opportunities for the boys to be of service.

PETER BROWN MEMORIAL AWARD

The 2024 award went to Brunton Bigalke (C Block) for his project Brun10 Play it Forward. This project involved the refurbishment of sports equipment, namely cricket bats, hockey sticks and tennis racquets. Brunton refurbished the equipment himself and not only donated it but was involved in weekly sports practices and clinics at Nottingham Road Primary School. Donations were also made to a hockey club (Inanda and surrounding areas) and to Westridge tennis club (Durban). The project will be continued by boys in West in 2025. PARALLEL SERVICE PROJECT ALONGSIDE CONFIRMATION CAMP: RAPTOR CENTRE This project was to assist in planting trees, clearing alien plants,

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