The Chronicle 2022

has paved the way for the subject to grow as many learners are considering taking it when they make subject choices in C Block. There is no doubt that one of the main draw cards for this subject is the culture behind it which is something that every learner is passionate about. Over the past two years, we have moved from having one class in each Block to two. As of 2023, we will have two classes from E to A Block. This is a huge achievement for us and the school as it has been our vision to grow. The support from our Deputy Head of Academics has been evident in how we have been fast-tracked to grow. Apart from E Block learners taking conversational, it has also been rolled out to all staff and has been well received. Lessons learned during covid have not been forgotten. We have fully integrated traditional and online teaching, making use of Teams. The whole syllabus for each block is available on Teams. Learners have the advantage of accessing their material anytime, where ever they are. This has helped when it comes to support for our learners with the subject. We continue to have extra lessons on a daily basis after school. This has been helpful to our learners in ensuring that they are better prepared for all assessments. This year, we welcomed Mr Sanele Zikhali on a full-time basis and he has made a meaningful contribution to the department. Due to the number of boys taking isiZulu growing, a part-time e welcomed Cheron McConnell into the Life Sciences Department this year and have benefitted from her fresh ideas and extensive resource base. She joined us from St Stithians as an experienced Life Sciences teacher. The online learning process which we transitioned to during the COVID pandemic transformed the way we now operate. This year the move across to Microsoft Teams along with the roll-out of laptops to the E Block, enabled us to optimise our teaching methodology. Boys who have spent time away from school have been able to keep up with lessons, activities and assessments with relative ease. The vastly improved Wifi coverage, thanks to the IT team lead by Gavin Erasmus, has been a vital part of this process. The practical component of Life Sciences remains a key component to the subject. This year the C Block boys went on an excursion to the African Raptor Centre. Experiential learning, in this case linked to the ecology component of the C Block curriculum, is an important part of the learning process. The D Block boys dissected foetal pigs which consolidated the sections they covered on various human systems. The C Block boys were also introduced to practical assessments while the A and B Block boys continued with regular evening practical examinations in preparation for the final IEB practical paper which this year’s A Block wrote in September. W Head of Department: Mr Paul Snyman Staff: Mr Righardt Kotze, Mr Gerry Noel, Ms Cheron McConnel and Ms Zanele Ndlovu (Laboratory Assistant)

teacher was needed to assist in the department. Mr Rodney Zondi joined us from Howick High School. His main responsibility was to teach junior classes and he did a sterling job in this regard. Unfortunately, Mr Zondi will be moving on in 2023 as he is seeking full-time employment. We wish him the very best in his new journey. With myself promoted to Housemaster of East the school went on a search for a new Head Of Department. We had over 100 applicants for the position which is a good indication for the school. After a rigorous process of interviews, It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mrs Xolisile Mzinyane who joins us from Treverton High School in the Midlands. She is a seasoned educator who also serves as a senior maker for IEB. She will be heading the department from the beginning of 2023. This year we were unable to go on outings due to many places closing their doors and being unable to recover from covid. We are looking at opportunities that will showcase the culture and the way of life of the Zulu people. Outings are educational and an important aspect of this subject. I am hopeful that in 2023 we will be able to take our learners on outings. We are proud of the class of 2022 for their IEB result. We will continue to ensure that learners are intrinsically motivated to get A symbols in this subject. In conclusion, we are proud and the impact we are making in our boys’ lives and we would not be where we are without the support of parents and the school. The Sciences Block remains a world-class facility. Phase two of the project to install acoustics panels in the teaching venues was carried out earlier this year. Laboratories two and three were fitted with sound absorbent panelling which has improved the acoustics in these teaching spaces. The 2021 Grade 12 Life Sciences group gave an excellent account of themselves in the IEB examinations. Their final B Block results in 2020 reflected that this group had the potential to excel. Their trial examinations results were above the average seen in previous years. In the final IEB examinations they attained a 73% average. The substantial upward shift in tail-end results, only three results below 60%, was most pleasing. Seventy seven percent of the boys achieved A or B symbols which is the highest proportion seen in the past ten years. Their portfolio marks were again reflective of the final results. There were no failures. We continue to place emphasis on the skills assessed in Paper II; developing a fluent, succinct, well-planned argument in essay questions and adopting an analytical approach to case study questions remain focus areas. Foundational skills in this regard continue to be emphasized at C and B Block levels. Our 2022 Grade 12 School Based Assessments (SBAs) reflect that the present A Block boys have been well prepared for the final IEB examinations and, as Michaelhouse boys often do, we trust they will reach full potential in the final examinations. We eagerly await their results and wish them well as they leave our department and school.

LIFE SCIENCES

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