FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

Students visiting Michaelhouse were treated to tea and lunch, either in the dining room or in the form of packed lunches prepared by Michaelhouse boys. The students thoroughly enjoy their visits to Michaelhouse, and it has been wonderful to be able to share our incomparable campus with those in our community. Each of the 204 Grade 12 students was given a SIMI Revision PAD and a SIMI Cheet* Sheet set. ( *Because it’s never okay to cheat! ) We received significant positive anecdotal feedback from teachers and students alike. As always, the levels of engagement in the Saturday sessions were high. We commend the learners for their positive attitude, and we encourage them to keep working hard in order that they can make us all proud. We thank the teachers for accompanying their learners in order that they too can grow themselves in the craft of teaching mathematics. Ayanda Gwamanda joined the Michaelhouse Community

Partnership Trust on a learnership in March. Ayanda has been invaluable as an administrator, taking care of all the logistics of catering, transport, etc, and assisting with the Saturday sessions. We are extremely grateful to Ayanda for her contribution and are pleased that she will be with us next year. SIMI is extremely grateful to the Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust for administrative support and for providing good governance. We are completely indebted to the donors whose generosity makes our work possible. These are, without exception, members of the wider Michaelhouse community. We continue to look for ways to increase our effectiveness and to grow our reach. We have some exciting initiatives in place for 2025 and we look forward to reporting on them in next year’s Chronicle . especially those with ADHD or other neurodivergent needs. Despite the swirl of activity, the Makan Centre served as a hub of learning and curiosity. Each major event served as a milestone in this year’s journey. During the year, Mrs Ross penned a series of Media Centre newsletters. Each edition offered timely updates on fresh books, resources and upcoming events. Staff and boys discovered new reading suggestions, creative clubs and collaborative projects. The newsletters also spotlighted the latest innovations in the Makan Maker-Lab, hinting at future possibilities. This steady flow of information helped everyone stay connected to the evolving heartbeat of the Media Centre. In March the Media Centre celebrated National Library Week under the theme Libraries Foster Social Cohesion . Boys, staff and local friends gathered in the library’s corners, discussing how stories unite people from all backgrounds. The tradition of Library Week dates back to the 1950s, when libraries sought to highlight their crucial role in communities. At Michaelhouse, that spirit shone through interactive talks and reflection on how reading can bridge generational gaps. A special story time soon followed, bringing together older pupils and Play Den kids. Reading aloud fostered friendships as wide-eyed children discovered new tales, while older readers gained confidence in public speaking. This gathering proved that one good story can spark wonder across different ages. Many realized that something as simple as sharing a book can knit people closer than they thought possible. An entertaining twist arrived with the Celebrate Your Freedom! chocolate bar vote. Aligned with national elections, this light-hearted contest taught the importance of casting a ballot. Boys and staff picked their favourite bar from a list of ten. Bar One claimed top spot, winning by a comfortable margin. Three voters received chocolate hampers, showing that civic engagement can be sweet. This event reminded everyone that each voice matters.

MEDIA CENTRE

Head of Department: Mr Jed Coventry (Knowledge Manager and Media Centre Co-ordinator)

Staff: Mrs Melissa Ross (Librarian) , Mrs Keren Shunmoogum (Administrator)

“The trouble with ignorance is that it feels just like expertise … The skills you need to produce a right answer are exactly the skills you need to recognize what a right answer is.” – David Dunning hese words capture the Dunning-Kruger effect: lacking skill can lead to a confident but misguided sense of mastery. This dynamic surfaced many times in the Makan Centre’s efforts this year. Boys and staff alike faced steep learning curves. Some assumed that tasks were simple, only to realize the hidden layers beneath. That tension of “unaware unawareness” informed much of what happened in our space. Michaelhouse itself is a busy place. The Chronicle does not reveal every facet of life here. There are hundreds of Teams notifications, emails and scheduling conflicts each day. Sports coaches vie for the same time slots as performing arts. There are marimba players who excel at top-tier sports. Staff members include snake catchers, beekeepers, fly fishermen, CrossFitters, conspiracists, theologians, scholars and star athletes. Each day sees new events, from epic sports matches to stirring chapel services, from sudden drama productions to choir tours. Amid all this, boys juggle reading periods, mood-tracking questionnaires and an assortment of apps. Old Boys return to share stories, giving back wisdom gained in business or adventure. AI is creeping into classrooms, raising significant questions about the future of education. The Makan Centre sits at the heart of this swirl, brimming with gadgets and ideas that few have the time or expertise to fully unlock. At times it feels like controlled chaos, and that approach caused friction. Next year, more structured guidelines will balance creativity with respect for those who crave calm, T

During the second term, the ongoing #10Books10Genres challenge invited boys to read beyond their comfort zones.

78