The 2025 Chronicle

ISIZULU

it was a joy to watch it grow. The introduction of Conversation al Zulu for every boy in E Block has ignited a spark, fostering both a love for the language and a deeper appreciation of the culture. Encouragingly, more boys are now choosing IsiZulu as their first additional language, a testament to the positive im pact of this initiative. One particularly inspiring story comes from Molemo Moloi in E Block. Already fluent in English, SeSotho and Afrikaans, Molemo initially felt no need to learn another language. Yet he expressed gratitude for Conversational Zulu, sharing how it had enabled him to converse with people in shops during weekend outings and to communicate with our kitchen staff in their own language, even asking for more food in IsiZulu. He further remarked that he hoped to continue with the subject in D Block, given the meaningful impact it had had on his daily life. This is a powerful reminder that language learning is not only about academic achievement but also about connection, respect and community. We continued to uphold IEB policies and subject guidelines by attending regular quarterly meetings and workshops. Staff de velopment remains a priority, and these engagements enable us to better support our pupils while ensuring we remain on a par with the country’s top-performing schools. A key strength this year was our emphasis on team teach ing. By dividing up sections and allowing teachers with spe cialized expertise – whether in poetry analysis, literature review or language – to introduce those areas, we enriched the learning experience for our boys. This collaborative ap proach also created opportunities for extra academic sup port, as boys know they can seek guidance from multiple teachers in the department. The impact has been clear; our averages across different Blocks have improved, reflecting both the dedication of our staff and the willingness of our pupils to embrace this support ive, dynamic learning environment.

Head of Department: Mrs Xolisile Mzinyane Staff: Mr Linda Shezi (E, D, C Block) , Mr Sanele Zikhali (D, C, B, A Block) Interns: Mr Thabani Mchunu

AWARDS Subject Prize: Boitumelo Motsepe Most Improved: Andreas Papadopoulos Diligence and most improved: Khwezi Dube, Simon Bailes 2025 began in a spirit of celebration, echo ing the outstanding achievements of the class of 2024. Inspired by this success, A Block embraced the year with de termination and a willingness to go the extra mile. With clear goals and a drive to become the best versions of themselves, our pupils made it easier for the teachers to guide, equip and nurture them. Already, the fruits of this shared commitment are beginning to show, promising another year of excellence and growth. It was inspiring to witness two of our boys ranked among the top 1% nationally in 2024. Their success set a powerful bench mark for this year’s A Block, motivating the entire cohort to go the extra mile and strive for even greater representation at the top. This drive not only elevated individual performance but also supported teachers, as boys consistently pushed beyond expectations to improve subject averages. The A Block boys showed remarkable dedication, working tire lessly on both their portfolio pieces and oral portfolios. Their commitment reflected a culture of excellence, resilience and ambition – qualities that promise continued success and growth for the class and the school as a whole. We are fortunate to have a strong and stable department, and