The 2025 Chronicle

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

meaningful learning opportunities. Her teaching around sus tainable food production has had a lasting impact on the boys. Further exposure came through attending the KZN Bonsmara sale hosted by Baszohn Cattle Co in Mooi River, where boys engaged directly with the cattle, working through selection and screening processes. Several boys were even involved in bid ding and purchasing animals, adding a valuable commercial dimension to their learning. Student involvement and leadership have continued to grow, with boys showing initiative and pride in their work despite the challenge of balancing busy school schedules. Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Nothard, the staff and all support ers of the society. Looking ahead to 2026, we aim to build on this strong foundation and further develop a dynamic, hands on agricultural programme.

Master in Charge: Mr Graeme Lucas-Bull

The Agricultural Society enjoyed a produc tive and encouraging year, continuing to fulfil its purpose of connecting boys with practical farming experience while fostering respon sibility, curiosity and stewardship of the land. A major highlight was the boys’ involvement with the Nguni herd at Michaelhouse. They gained hands-on experience in es sential practices such as dehorning, vaccinating and assisting in the construction of camps within the reserve. This is valu able exposure to real-world cattle management. The society also benefited greatly from its involvement in the Michaelhouse greenhouse project under the guidance of Mrs Nothard, whose passion for cattle, the land and organic gardening has created

BIRDING SOCIETY

The excitement in the bus was tangible and filled with anticipa tion, as we were all aware of the excitement this sighting had caused among South African birding enthusiasts. The star of the day? The elusive White-throated Bee-eater – a rare vagrant that had only been recorded in South Africa six times before. According to Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa , the last confirmed sighting of this species in the country was at Mkuze Game Reserve in 1999. Typically found no further south than the Democratic Republic of Congo, the unexpect

Master in Charge: Mr Ed Jeffery

A RARE BIRDING ADVENTURE: MICHAELHOUSE BIRDING SOCIETY’S EXCITING DISCOVERY

On a cold and rainy Thursday afternoon in February, the Michaelhouse Birding Society set off on an exhilarating mission to spot a

truly extraordinary bird.

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