The 2025 Chronicle

A CELEBRATION OF HOMEGROWN TALENT

The standout individual achievement of the year belonged to Zhengfei Li, whose performances extended well beyond the school environment. After provincial victories and selection for the Gauteng Under 16A team, he achieved a top-six finish at the SA Junior Closed Championships with six points from nine. In April he represented South Africa at the FIDE World Cadet and Youth Championships in Rhodes, placing 20th in Rapid and 13th in Blitz competitions. These results, combined with earlier triumphs, marked one of the most successful seasons for any Michaelhouse chess player in recent memory. Zhengfei Li also participated in the 16th Africa Youth Chess Championship, held 6-14 December in Harare, Zimbabwe, and achieved an excellent result by placing second in the U16 Open category. Celebrating a year of achievement at the Cultural Awards Din

Each year the House Challenge stands as one of the most anticipated cultural show cases on the school calendar, and 2025 was no exception. Centred on the theme Homegrown , this vibrant festival of cre ativity brought together boys from every Block, all contributing their unique strengths in artistic, intellectual and expressive pursuits. Spanning a wide range of disciplines – from the visual and performing arts to debate, literature and strategic thinking – the House Challenge once again highlighted the breadth of talent thriving within Michaelhouse. The Visual Art category invited participants into a world of imag ination and craftsmanship, offering opportunities to explore drawing, photography and sculpture. The Music competition, always a fierce battle, resonated across campus throughout the week. There was a rich variety of per formance opportunities, including solo singing, instrumental showcases, small ensemble items, large House productions and even original compositions. Debating offered a platform for persuasive thinkers to engage with contemporary issues and sharpen their public speaking skills. Junior and senior teams alike stepped on to the podium to present well structured arguments, collaborate strategically and experience the exhilarating rhythm of competitive discourse. Language Arts competitions invited boys to express themselves across a diverse array of linguistic and literary experiences. With opportunities in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu and French, partici pants presented impromptu and prepared speeches and interpre tive readings, all tied to the overarching theme. This category also embraced creative expression through slam poetry, and literary engagement through the Spud Book Challenge for E Block boys. Rounding out the festival was Chess, in which junior and senior teams competed across multiple rounds, each match adding to the excitement and showcasing the quiet intensity unique to this timeless game.Together, these varied competitions formed a rich and dynamic celebration of the talent of Michaelhouse.

ner, the following special awards were made: • Junior Player of the Year: Massimo Buadi • Excellence in Chess: Zhengfei Li • Senior Player of the Year: Daniel French • Leadership in Chess: Daniel French

The season concluded with a strong sense of growth, identity and pride. The boys represented the school with determination and maturity, and the foundations laid in 2025 promise contin ued development in the years ahead.

HOUSE CHALLENGE

Written by Dr Carika de Swardt

HOUSE CHALLENGE RESULTS

3RD

2ND

1ST

CULTURE CUP OVERALL RESULTS

MACKENZIE

RALFE

FOUNDERS

CATEGORY A: VISUAL ART

Matthew Ebsworth (Pascoe) Riley van Schoor (Pascoe) José Serwanga (Pascoe) Tristan Aitkenson (Mackenzie)

Jordan Matthee (Mackenzie)

Mitch Guy (Tatham)

Junior Drawing Senior Drawing

Henry Walters (Tatham)

Harry Witherspoon (East) Harry Steyn (Tatham)

Cole Hooker (East)

Junior Photography Senior Photography

Gabriel Isabwa (Pascoe) Caleb Goosen (Ralfe)

Seth Harie (Farfield)

Harry Strachan (East)

Moletsane Likate (Pascoe)

Junior Sculpture

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