FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

FUTURE-FIT Some of the D Block boys in the Future-Fit programme worked closely at times with certain MCPT schools. For example, a career day hosted at Michaelhouse was attended by high school pupils from Jabula. There were presentations on career options, training schools and tertiary institutions that are accessible and relevant to students in the area. Another

group of boys sought to draw students from the schools into some of Michaelhouse’s club and sport experiences, such as the Culinary Society and golf. Service is integral to the ethos of Michaelhouse and we are committed to ensuring continued productive and meaningful service by the boys.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

CLASSROOM UPGRADES General upgrades were done to a few classrooms, with the only major upgrade happening with the IT labs. Music saw their Studio and Band Room refurbished, and many science apparatuses was bought, elevating the practical side of physics and chemistry lessons. BOARDING HOUSES The impressive new Tatham was opened on 7 March, which then triggered the start of work on the curved corridors and dark ambience of Pascoe. This project saw Pascoe receive much more than just a facelift, the House undergoing something of a transformation. The dayroom, for example, with floor to-ceiling glass, now overlooks the Punchbowl astro and is something to behold. It will be a wonderful space for brotherly bonds to be formed. Farfield is next and we look forward to how it turns out. If the previous Houses are anything to go by, it is going to be magnificent. STAFF/GUEST AMENITIES General upgrading of staff houses continued. The main staff room was also refurbished, with new furnishings, flooring and decor. This space is used daily and is being appreciated by staff, with a wonderful atmosphere that encourages them to gather and connect with one another. The ablutions at the hockey astros, the gym and the theatre – among other areas – were revamped, which should support a positive view of Michaelhouse’s standards among its many guests and visitors. SPORTS RELATED The Roy Gathorne Oval clubhouse was redone and modernized, the golfing facility by the athletics track was overhauled and the Indoor Centre’s flooring was redone. Swimming pool heat pumps were replaced, and new pool covers were bought to keep water at acceptable temperatures, especially during the occasional cold spells that occur during the summer season. This ensures that Michaelhouse’s swimmers and water polo players remain competitive and do not lose time in the water. 121

Written by Ms Joni Warburton

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t Michaelhouse the wheels of progress are always turning. With the Wi-Fi and fibre infrastructure securely in place to support the boys’ prescribed devices, and an innovation centre bringing modern learning into the classroom, work continued apace on the school’s physical foundations. Efforts towards achieving a fully sustainable electricity supply have accelerated, alongside the ongoing modernization of the boarding houses, with Tatham and Pascoe being completed in 2024. SOLAR INSTALLATIONS The much-anticipated solar farm was brought online on 29 April, with an additional 180kWp generating capacity. With the added east-west aligned panels behind the workshop and maintenance departments, the majority of Michaelhouse’s electricity generation now comes from a sustainable source during daylight hours. This project to create an array of rooftop solar panels was started at the end of 2022. Even though load-shedding appeared to end in March, the school still strives towards reducing its environmental impact using strong sustainability practices. NEW ASTRO An earlier-than-anticipated upgrade to the Aitkens Astro took place just before the hockey festival in April, owing to a major storm at the start of the year. The top two layers (turf and e-layer) of the playing surface were replaced – an undertaking that had already been planned for the next few years – putting Aitkens on a par with Punchbowl in terms being a world-class hockey facility for the boys. This also added to the school’s appeal as a destination for touring teams and hockey festivals. IT INFRASTRUCTURE The focus in 2024 was on operational expenditure, with basic but necessary equipment being replaced. Audio-visual items such as soundbars and projectors across several departments around the school were upgraded. The computers and monitors in the IT labs were also replaced, and the annual rotation of staff laptops was performed.