The Chronicle 2022

The 2022 committee members and some of their peers gave their first speeches in the society as far back as April 2021 with the theme for the evening: Midnight Resolutions . Even though meetings have an overarching theme, it is purposefully kept quite broad so it merely gives context but does not dictate the message of a speech. We have created an environment in which people are prepared to speak from incredibly varying personal standpoints, unimpeded by judgement. The 2022 year group, under the new chairmanship of Reuben Baldry, took office in February 2022 when some of the new members were initiated into the society with their icebreakers – an initial speech in which members introduce themselves to the society. Once a member has delivered an icebreaker he is then allowed to present at the next meeting in any role of which there are a variety. While prepared speeches are popular, we have seen increasing interest in the more niche roles as such Sergeant at Arms and Grammarian, not to mention impromptu speeches. Adopting roles such as these provides a glimpse into a much more spontaneous and stimulating realm of public speaking in which one must be able to speak off the cuff. From there we enjoyed two meetings each quarter with some hilarious speeches and some serious ones in which the boys revealed a maturity of thought and insight into many of our current socio-political issues. While we do stick to a relatively rigid layout in our evenings, the meeting during the June examinations was simply themed Off the Cuff and saw almost

everyone have a chance to present an impromptu speech and then nominate the next boy to speak. First to third-place awards went that evening to Lwando Ntuli, Daniel Kaabwe and Matthew De Villiers. We have best speaker prizes awarded at each meeting in the Prepared, Impromptu, Evaluation, and Icebreaker categories. This system allows the boys to vote for whom they believe should go home with the prize and kindles good-natured competitiveness. As always, at the parents and sons evening, held on 9 September, the matric boys surprised their parents with polished and highly amusing speeches. We had naturally been enjoying their talents for months, but some parents were astounded at their boys’ confidence and eloquence. The best speakers on that night were Sikhumbuzo Mabuza, Xihluke Marhule and David Nienaber. In addition, two annual trophies were awarded to Joshua Hadley Grave and Lwando Ntuli (jointly) for Most Improved Speaker while Reuben Baldry received the Jack Crutchley trophy for Excellence In Public Speaking. Reuben had already notched up Honours for debating and public speaking earlier in the year and had been selected for a third year to attend the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships. With the matric group preparing for their IEB examinations, the chairmanship was handed over to Theo Apteker who has subsequently hosted two meetings of the new (2023) Toastmasters Society. And thus the circle begins again with a sense of pride and a determination to carry this society to even greater heights.

WORDSMITHS SOCIETY

Staff in Charge: Dr Bernice Borain, Mr Simeon Goddard Chairmen: Xihluke Marhule, Letlotlo Sekatle he Wordsmiths Society bade farewell to Dr Bernice Borain, an influential force behind the success of this society who was much cherished by the boys. Leadership of the society was taken up by Mr Simeon Goddard at the end of the first quarter. The society has continued with bi-quarterly meetings, during which a variety of writing exercises are undertaken, games are played and gripping arguments are enjoyed. The society’s T

members formed the backbone of the Slam Poetry competition during this year’s Cultural Week, which will doubtlessly become a much anticipated fixture following its tremendous reception by the school. On the social front, a highlight of the year was when members of the society attended an inter schools meeting, Night of the Writer at Girls’ High School on 4 August, giving members an opportunity to share their writing with their peers from other schools. Chairmanship for 2023 is taken up by Daniel Kaabwe, as the society bids farewell to the dedicated and passionate leadership of Xihluke and Letlotlo.

81