The 2025 Chronicle

C BLOCK CULTURAL EXPERIENCE The C Block boys proudly represented the IsiZulu Department at the annual IEB Schools Zulu Cultural Day hosted by Curro Hillcrest. Although they initially felt a bit timid and uncertain as they left the school, any fears were quickly put to rest upon realizing they would be performing among their peers. Once on stage, the boys delivered a captivating short skit, fol lowed by an electrifying Zulu dance that had the crowd cheer ing, fellow learners whistling, and teachers ululating in celebra tion. Their performance was met with overwhelming support and appreciation. After their performance, the boys were treat ed to a delicious traditional Zulu gourmet meal, adding to the day’s rich cultural experience. We extend our sincere thanks to Curro Hillcrest for their warm hospitality and for hosting such a memorable event. We are ex tremely proud of our boys for embracing and showcasing their culture with pride and enthusiasm. A BLOCK ENRICHED BY THEATRE Michaelhouse was abuzz with matric pupils from across IEB schools as we proudly hosted Menzi Mkhwane Creations. Our A Block pupils were fortunate to watch the new setwork play Umhlaba Ofile just days before their preliminary exam inations. The performance offered a powerful recap from a theatrical per spective, allowing the boys to engage with the text in a fresh and dynamic way. Sharing the experience alongside teachers and peers from other schools added further depth and collaboration. We are confident that this exposure will bear fruit in their final examinations, as the play not only reinforced their understand ing but also ignited enthusiasm for literature through the lens of performance.

that celebrates the richness, beauty and academic excellence of the isiZulu language. Beyond testing knowledge of the sub ject, it fosters a love for isiZulu culture, literature and language skills, while promoting critical thinking and high standards of learning. Participation in the Olympiad offers pupils a unique opportunity to benchmark their skills against their peers na tionally and to challenge themselves in a competitive yet ed ucational environment. Our boys demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the promotion of isiZulu, not only within the school but across the wider boys school community. Michaelhouse excelled, positioning itself alongside leading in stitutions. The school is proud to announce an impressive av erage of 92% across its participants, with several boys achiev ing top national positions. It was pleasing to see that of the 93 boys who took part, 22 achieved Diamond status (scoring between 90% and 99%), 27 achieved Gold status (80% to 89%) and the rest achieved Silver. Special recognition goes to Dube Lwandle, Ndlovu Nkanyezi and Mbuyazi Mnotho, who all scored 99%. FAREWELL We bid a heartfelt farewell to Thabani Mchunu, who has served as an intern in our department for the past four years. During this time, Thabani made an outstanding and positive contribution, leaving a lasting impact on both staff and boys. His dedication, warmth and professionalism shone through in every aspect of his work. He was absolutely amazing with the boys, whether in the classroom or through his private tutoring sessions, always going the extra mile to support their growth and success. Northwood is truly fortunate to welcome the calibre of teacher that Thabani represents. His passion for education, his com mitment to excellence, and his genuine care for his students will continue to inspire all who have had the privilege of work ing alongside him. We thank him sincerely for his service, and we wish him every success as he embarks on the next chapter of his teaching journey.

EXCEPTIONAL OLYMPIAD PERFORMANCE The IsiZulu Olympiad is a prestigious national competition