Peponi Post - April 2021 Edition

Trinity Term - April 2021

From back left (standing): Kiaran Bartlema, Amani Mulira, Aaeed Fazal, Savan Thakar, Reyan Vora, Leon Ngetu, Nyamu Karani, Mathew Kinyua, Thulani Muya, Mwai Githinji, Tsungai Chiromo, Timothy Muthomi, Dean Bayebe, Pranav Sumaria, Hakeem Mohamed, Veer Chauhan, Nathan Kariuki, Sean Koome, Roger Mugera, Brian Kuria.

Middle from left(standing): Khushil Magdani, Anya Shah, Rahul Shah, Maansi Shah, Meer Gudka, Nikola Stancelova, Tracey Madut, Rayana Oyando, Riani Shah, Eesha Kukadia, Rhea Shah, Sarah Wairimu, Mercy Kimani, Simran Raikundalia, Kisakye Kajubi, Njeri Wachira, Ashley Kogo, Candy Ndayizeye, Natalya Mburia, Gaana Bukumunhe.

From Left (Seated): Rahul Verma, Trevor Sakwa, Dilan Shah, Sohail Ahmed, Savannah Tawk, Khushi Bid, Anthony Njuguna, Diya Srivastava, Jahzara Mulira, Carla Byarugaba, Kigen Koech, Triza Stokes, Kristy Musau, Aseel Osman, Shay Shah, Anastasia Danilkina, Muhammad Qadir, Natalie Kanyi.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021

Trinity Term - April 2021

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Upper V Prize Giving Speech By: Sean Koome - Head of School

I am glad to have you all here today, gathered to celebrate your achievements throughout the school year. Many of you would have strived to do your best all year round to be part of this ceremony and to stand on this stage and receive a prize, I believe that represents the true spirit of your year group and the school in general.

This past year has been unprecedented and this ceremony is a testament to that but, regardless, we all know that taking part in activities is a key element of school life whether it be in team sports, school events or academically. It is of utmost importance and is what makes us push ourselves to achieve our full potential.

I am very impressed with the achievements of everyone here today, but I am especially proud of those of you whose efforts will be rewarded and commemorated with an award. On this day we will highlight the major achievements of the year and hope to do justice to all of them. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that each and every one of you will succeed in your forthcoming exams and will continue to be very successful there on after.

Fortunately or unfortunately, that time of year where we as the Upper sixth say goodbye has come and the path has been paved for you to take your place near the top of the school body. As we leave the gates of Peponi, it will be up to each and every one of you in front of me, here today, to step up and be your brother's keeper, to ensure the quality of the Peponi community does not lack well into the future. Maintain the high standards and never settle for less.

Your next years here will not be easy. You will stumble and fall in the beginning but all that matters is how you help each get back up and recover. A Level is where you will mature the most and become more of yourself than you've ever been before. It will teach you independence, maturity and, most importantly, how to be more like me.

I want you to be better than me, than us. To exceed what we have already achieved as the leaving class. We have strived for perfection but we have not been perfect and never have been perfect, learn from our mistakes, and make them your strengths.

You are the of future Peponi School, continue to dream, dream and allow yourself to envision a you choose to be.

Thank you

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Trinity Term - April 2021

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New School Counsellor “A person's mind is so powerful.

We can invent, create, experience, and destroy things with thoughts alone.” Anonymous We are delighted to welcome Ms. Michellle Wanjiku as our newly-appointed, full-time School Counsellor. She joins us this term having had a wealth of experience in schools, businesses and hospitals as a Counselling Psychologist and lead in Emotional Welfare. Her passion for care of the young adult is clearly evident through work in youth organisations such as Lapid Leaders Africa, counselling and coaching in high schools through Akili Dada and in crisis situations such as the Garissa University attack.

Her research interests are in establishing ways to help young people develop a sense of self efficacy and emotional strength, and she has nurtured such development in a number of wide-ranging environments. Here at Peponi, she will be a most visible presence in School life, from our newly-opened Sedge House to the timetabled PSHE programme; from the Boarding Houses to the extra-curricular - fostering the individual’s inherent abilities, knowledge and resilience.

"I am looking forward immensely to providing a space in Peponi School’s community where I can empower and provide tools to parents, pupils and teachers which enhance their mental productivity and emotional well being - both the individual, and the community as a whole.”

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Trinity Term - April 2021

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Report on the 2021 Princeton Science Project for Shell Diploma espite the disruption of physical schooling by the COVID-19 pandemic and the constraints imposed by the school’s COVID-19 protocol, Science Faculty ran a 10-week Science Project for the Shell Diploma from 21st January to 26th March 2021. This is the second year we are running the Project, also known as the Princeton Science Project. Through this Project, pupils can earn up to 200 points towards their Shell Diploma.

There are five broad topics for investigation in each Science subject. Pupils choose a topic in one of the Science subjects and work with their supervisors (subject teachers) to develop a unique research topic. They then carry out a detailed investigation under guidance and supervision of their teachers.

I am pleased to announce the successful completion of the 2021 Princeton Science Project and would like to congratulate the pupils and their supervisors for a job well done.

The key skills tested are: Writing a suitable research question Writing a prediction (hypothesis) Explaining the prediction using theory Carrying out a risk assessment of the materials and apparatus Designing the methods Recording of qualitative and quantitative data Deciding on a suitable graphical presentation of the results Interpreting the results Making conclusions Suggesting improvements

Pasha Haria- How different types of exercise increase the heart rate.

Reeyan Shah- How the speed of a motor depends on the voltage supplied.

Carla Rusagara- How many Basketball hoops out of ten someone can score according to their height.

Ruchi Raja- How age affects the heart rate using the Harvard Step Test.

Samskara Shah- Comparing vitamin C content in pineapples at different stages of ripening.

Netania Mwaura- Investigating variation in nose size among Shell pupils.

Saiyana Pandya- Comparing pigments in pink and red Hibiscus flowers Abhay Mohan- Investigating the way that the pH level of a fruit correlates to its taste

There was an interesting range of investigations as can be seen from the samples below: Grace Muema-Measuring the correlation between height and weight of Shell pupils.

Diva Shah-Investigating the pH of different berries using Universal Indicator and a Turmeric Indicator.

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The following pupils received the Science Faculty Commendation for outstanding research and report writing skills Saloni Rane Piers Batuka Reeyan Shah Prinay Galaiya Yuvraj Suri

Investigating pH of different berries- Diva Shah

Measuring heart rate- Ruchi Raja

Investigating effect of voltage on speed of a motor- Reeyan Shah

Chromatography of flower pigments-Brianna Muwaga

Dr. Eliud Mulanda

Head of Faculty (Science) & Biology Teacher

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Trinity Term - April 2021

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Instruments From Around the World Steel Pans The steel pan (or steel drum) is a musical instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago. Steel pan musicians are called pannists.

The modern pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from industrial oil drums. The drums are cut into different sizes to create the different range of pitches (melody, harmony, bass etc.)

Cajon A cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front or rear faces with the hands, fingers, or sometimes implements such as brushes, mallets, or sticks.

Taiko Drum Taiko are a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments. In Japanese, the term refers to any kind of drum, but outside Japan, it is used specifically to refer to any of the various Japanese drums called wadaiko and to the form of ensemble taiko drumming more specifically called kumi-daiko.

Shakuhachi The shakuhachi is a Japanese and ancient Chinese end-blown flute that is made of bamboo. It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 7th century and reached its peak in the Edo period.

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Kora The kora is a string instrument used extensively in West Africa. A kora typically has 21 strings, which are played by plucking with the fingers. It combines features of the lute and harp.

James Laight

Director of Music

Trinity Term - April 2021

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IGCSE and Inter House Drama By: Amy Mackay - Teacher of Drama & English

GCSE Drama

House Drama

The creativity and adaptability shown by pupils this year has been exceptional. Whilst these skills are ones always required to complete a GCSE Drama course, the restrictions and events of this year have meant that more than ever pupils have had to draw on these skills. Pupils both in the Lower and Upper Fifth, rose to the challenge of working in groups to create, rehearse and perform performance pieces for their coursework, regardless of whether they were physically in school or not. The results have been outstanding, securing exceptional high coursework marks. Well done everyone!

The House Drama event was a definite highlight in the department this academic year. It was a pleasure to be able to include pupils performances both live in school and via zoom.

Pupils across all year groups rehearsed together to support one another in the preparation of monologues that were performed in front of the whole school. Pupils also held the roles of lighting and sound technicians at the event, to provide a full theatrical experience for the audience.

Particular credit should be given to Shell pupils, who bravely took on the challenge despite having only been physically at Peponi for a matter of weeks.

Although it was Jipe who were victorious, there were some very close marks and all Houses and participants should be very proud of what was an undoubtedly a successful event.

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Welcome to Sedge House INTRODUCING BOARDING IN YEARS 7 TO 9

Among other highlights at Peponi School, we have seen the initial development of Sedge House.

From September this year, we will be accepting Year 7 and 8 boarders at our Peponi School site.

This will allow pupils to access the Peponi education at a younger age, from both further afield in Kenya and from other East African countries.

One of our Junior Houses is being completely refurbished and modernised between now and September. We have already furnished two show rooms and a Common Room area but still to come are extensions, new washroom facilities and a total facelift for the House.

Year 7 and 8 will have their own wing of accommodation. This will consist of twin bedrooms, complete with study beds, wifi access and comfortable seating. New washrooms and welcoming common rooms with sofas, a kitchenette, televisions and games will make for a real home from home. Boys will be on the ground floor and girls on the first floor with resident House staff and Sisters on hand to make sure all pupils are happy, healthy and well supervised.

On the other wing will be the Year 9 accommodation. This will have single rooms for full or weekly boarders and double or triple rooms for our day pupils. Refurnished to a similar high standard, this will ensure Sedge House offers unrivalled accommodation within Kenyan Schools.

All boarders will have access to a full and varied evening and weekend programme of activities.

From archery to assault courses, shooting to kayaking; our location on Northlands Ranch ensures our boarders will have a truly first class and fully-rounded education at Peponi.

The full Sedge House prospectus is on our website but when possible do enquire at reception and we will be delighted to show you round.

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Trinity Term - April 2021

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Silver Expedition Report Location:- Kakuzi After the successful completion of the Bronze Award Adventurous Journey, the Peponi Upper V pupils were able to undertake their Silver Award Adventurous Journey in-spite of the prevailing conditions. The expedition began on Wednesday 10th March 2021, with pupils spending the night on the Peponi Campus grounds and continued on for three more days to end on Saturday 13th March 2021.

The expedition took place at Kakuzi Ltd farm, a private estate north-east of Thika, located 50kms from Peponi School. It was the first time in the history of Peponi School expeditions that involved, pupils being transported from School to the estate on a daily basis due to the covid-19 protocols.

The Upper V pupils had just completed their Mock Examinations and were keen to get out and let out some steam. Prior to the expedition, the pupils had undertaken navigation and map reading classes, as well as, menu planning and physical exercise in lieu of preparing for the three day challenging expedition.

The Upper V pupils were accompanied by Peponi School staff and two independent assessors. Strict Covid-19 regulations and protocols were observed throughout the expedition. The pupils covered a total distance of 60km over the three-day period. Day 2 of the expedition was especially challenging, due to the rugged terrain and hot weather conditions experienced during the day. The overnights were in Peponi School and the pupils camped within the school grounds. Each pupil had their own tent and food was provided by the Peponi School catering department.

It was very encouraging and rewarding, to see the Upper V pupils work together under challenging and harsh conditions over the duration of the expedition to successfully complete their adventurous journey. The Upper V year group had the largest transition of pupils from bronze level to Silver level with 50 pupils completing the adventurous Journey section. We hope that the pupils who did not manage to attend the expedition may sign up and undertake the Trinity term Silver Expedition planned for later in the term. More details will follow.

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Trinity Term - April 2021

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List of pupils who attended the Silver Adventurous Journey include: Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Siana Thethy Terry Salani Inaaya Khawaja Ethan Kinuthia Ethan Nyandwe Elijah Baingana Charlton Kahinga Julian Colville Jeremiah Atandi Nziza Sebunya

Zenze Olouch Tana Simkin Dia Khimasia Ronav Vora Heeray Shah Jiya Shah Palvi Shah Vince Schrier

Millie Raffman Jay Shah Vrisan Patel Jaanvi Shah Deron Kajubi Natasha Njorge Ngina Kenyatta Janav Shah

Naiya Gosrani Louise Nesbitt Aarna Malde Jiya Rughani Muthoni Githinji Joy Njoroge Emile Niyikuri Celina Patel Kayleigh Fernandes

Miranda Kansime Viraj Shah Ella Ndubai Prisha Haria Anaya Jessa Diana Ngatia Faith Kaunda James Luusa

Comments about the Expedition from our pupils: ‘As group leader, I was tasked to help everyone with their specific roles as well as make sure that they were doing them. I also made sure that no member lagged behind, and that we all kept hydrated and motivated.’ Siana Thethy

‘On the journey, we were able to work out, with the bearings we collected and the map, the adequate path to follow. The members in the group were involved in the decisions we made with regard to navigation, adding valuable input.’ Tana Simkin

‘We got lost and could not find our way to the next check point. Most of the people in my group had given up, but I asked them to have a little more faith.

That is what we did and soon enough, we made it to the check point.’ Nziza Sebunya

‘My favorite part was eating lunch at the top of the hill we climbed on the second day, as the view was beautiful.’ -Adikinyi Oluoch-Olunya

‘With careful planning beforehand, we were able to overcome any navigation challenge that came our way.’ Terry Salani ‘As the motivator of group 2, I had to ensure that everyone kept their spirits up and continued to walk. I made sure no one gave up and made it all the way to the end. I made my group sing songs and tell stories as we walked.’ Vince Schrier

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‘My favorite part of the trip was getting to embrace the wilderness throughout the three days and getting to know my group members better.’ Palvi Shah ‘Along each of our routes, I was constantly taking photos and even collected some feathers making sure that most of the pretty plants we saw were accounted for. I was in good spirits throughout the trip and had lots of energy.’ Muthoni Githinji ‘As group leader of the warriors, I am happy and proud to say that we worked together as a team, and we made it through together up until the end. We faced many challenges, especially blisters and knee injuries and this made it a bit difficult for us sometimes, but we continued together and didn’t leave anybody behind.’

Millie Raffman

Eric Kanyiri

11 Extra-Curricular

Trinity Term - April 2021

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From the Learning Support Department The examination season is with us once again. The Learning Support Department, wishes all candidates the very best in their exams. As part of our preparation, the department offers various access arrangements to eligible pupils. Access arrangements are pre-exam arrangements that ensure that eligible pupils are not disadvantaged during their examinations due to various learning / medical needs. These arrangements include offering Extra Time, Reader, Scribe, Modified Papers among other arrangements.

There are strict regulations that govern eligibility for Access Arrangements. In all cases, pupils must be assessed formally by the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and an application made to the examination board before access arrangements can be offered. If for any reason you feel that a pupil requires access arrangements in their exams, you should contact the SENCo. It is important to note that Exam Access Arrangements do not affect in any way the pupil’s application to university or institutions of higher learning.

Thank you.

Fredrick Matu

Head of Faculty (Crane), SEND 12

Trinity Term - April 2021

www.peponischool.org

Upper Vth Prize Giving Beneath the warmth of the Kenyan sun on Friday, Peponi School’s UVth had their 2021 Prize Giving Assembly.

COVID restrictions allow us to only meet in individual year-group cohorts, so all members of the UVth, together with their tutors, Housemasters/mistresses and SLT, gathered outside in the Circus to recognise and reward their efforts and achievements over the course of this most challenging years.

The much anticipated subject prizes were awarded by Ms Sylvia Meruh to the deserving recipients, including the Headmaster’s Prizes to Neha Shah (Jipe) and Samar Ahmed (Elementaita). Mr Karl Cook presented the President’s Award Certificates and the Charter Award prizes including the Mandela Essay to Samar Ahmed (Elementaita) and the Gaudi Project to Naiya Gosrani (Jipe). Julian Colville (Magadi) and Dia Khimasia (Jipe) won the two Games prizes.

Also presented were this year’s two inaugural awards: the meritorious Kwame Appiah Award for academic effort over the course of the Vth Form won by Ronav Vora (Chala) and the Coleman Plate, in honour of ex-member of staff Geraldine Coleman’s many loyal years of service at Peponi School and, in particular, for her invaluable contributions to outdoor pursuits and the President’s Award; its first winner was Ngina Kenyatta (Elementaita).

Congratulations to the whole year-group on achieving so much in all areas of school life over the course of the year as we wish them the very best of luck in their IGCSE’s.

Karl Cook

Director of Boarding and Extra-Curricular

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Trinity Term - April 2021

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Upper Vth- Prize Winners 2020-21 Subject Prizes Naiya Gosrani

English

Inaaya Khawaja

Biology

Millie Raffman

English Literature

Jay Shah

Chemistry

Zenzele Oluoch-Olunya

Drama

Maanav Shah

Physics

Maanav Shah

Mathematics

Marvel Nwafubo

French

Jiya Rughani

German

Tana Simkin

Business Studies

Tanaya Patel

Spanish

Ronav Vora

Geography

Apollo Maiyani

Swahili

Joy Africa Njoroge

History

Deron Kajubi

Religious Studies

Janvi Shah

Art

Ella Ndubai

Photography

Dia Khimasia

ICT/IT

Palvi Shah

Physical Education

Others Julian Colville

Boys’ Games

Dia Khimasia

Girls’ Games

Headmaster's Prizes

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Samaar Ahmed

English, Biology, Physics, Geography, History

Neha Shah

English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish

Trinity Term - April 2021

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Charter Awards Mandela Essay:

Gaudi Project:

3rd Louise Nesbit

3rd Inaaya Khawaja

2nd Dia Khimasia

2nd Deron Kajubi

1st Samar Ahmed

1st Naiya Gosrani

Kwame Appiah Award for Academic Effort and Performance (Collections/Commendations/Merits and Mocks) 3rd Samar Ahmed

Coleman Plate (Outstanding contribution to Outdoor Pursuits) 3rd Millie Raffman 2nd Faith Kaunda 1st Ngina Kenyatta (Top boy) Carlton Kahinga (6th overall)

2nd Neha Shah 1st Ronav Vora

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Recipe from Chef Silvester

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Roasted Pepper & Tomato Salad 3 red (bell) peppers

45ml/3 tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

6 large plum tomatoes

30ml/2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2.5ml/ ½ tsp dried red chilli flakes

Salt and ground black pepper

1 red onion, finely sliced

Black and green olives and extra chopped flat

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

leaf parsley, to garnish

Grated(shredded) rind and juice of 1 lemon

Method Preheat the oven to 2200C/4250F/Gas 7. Place the peppers on a baking sheet and roast, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the skins are almost blackened. Add the tomatoes to the baking sheet and bake for a further 5 minutes.

Place the peppers in a strong polythene bag, close the top loosely, trapping in the steam. Set aside, with the tomatoes, until cool enough to handle.

Carefully remove the skins from the peppers. Remove the core and seeds, then chop the peppers and tomatoes roughly and place in a mixing bowl.

Add the chilli flakes, onion, garlic and lemon rind and juice. Sprinkle over the parsley.

Mix and transfer to a serving dish.

Sprinkle with a little salt and black pepper, drizzle over the olive oil and scatter the olives and extra parsley over the top. Serve at room temperature.

Upper VI Leavers

Marking the end of school lessons for their year-group, the Upper VIth Leavers gathered together for photographs on the Headmaster’s lawn on Friday.

The UVIth have been superb ambassadors for Peponi School during their time here and it was fitting for us to capture their whole year-group before they were entertained in the Headmaster’s garden for a Leavers’ lunch.

We wish them the very best for their future endeavours and, of course, the very best of luck in their A level examinations.

Trinity Term - April 2021

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Peponi School on Social Media The Official Peponi School Social Media Accounts

Facebook www.facebook.com/peponischool Twitter www.twitter.com/peponi_school Instagram www.instagram.com/peponi_school

Youtube https://bit.ly/2YUrnl8

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Peponi School P.O. Box 236, Ruiru 00232 +(254) 020 354 6456 +(254) 0733 615 193; +(254) 0722 287 248