HOLA Try something new: Click and listen to Sybil
Welcome to ‘24
Hola MaHigh-School Volume 13, Issue 1 January 2024
Contents Features 11 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-29 34-37 38-41 46-49
Jan
Grade 10-12: What is it Grade 10 - welcome to a new life Grade 11 - enjoy life a little Grade 12 - last hurdle District support - how does it work Where are they now? Masiziba Online schooling - here to stay TVETs - a real option after matric Career as a paramedic - Hot! Trump in hot water - again!
Science
42-43 Tetris defeated - it happened 50-53 Sail on ships instead of oil
nuary 2024 Every Time 06-07 54-55 56-57 58-59 62
Editor’s Letter The violin - universal It is movie time February - not just ... Next issue
The ‘stuff’ 02-03 08-09 10 60-61
Year Calendar Contributors Holler at us We need writers
welcom to new an First of all: welcome to all our grade 10s. This is the new you and remember: you are now officially volunteers for grade 10-12. Nearly adult also means you have the responsibility for your own life. Welcome back to grade 11 and 12. You know the drill - i know you do. This first edition is crammed with llifestyle stuff. what is it all about. And how to cope. We also have a continuation of our series ‘Where are they now’. Masiziba has finished her Master’s. She is officially MSc! read on she is a role model if I ever knew one. Online schooling is reality. It is here to stay.
That is why w cons.
Next step is t There are thin tion is a big o
We have plen time: Trump might get ba tion.
Amazingly, h election.
... and all the interesting an Good read!
Hola is here to give you a break from a We are also serious, but it is now call
Editor’s letter
me back nd jaded
we have a look at the pros and
to choose a programme. ngs to look out for. Accreditaone. Look out!
nty of international things this is in hot water - again. He anned from standing for elec-
he has a chance of winning the
rest that may make your day nd fun.
all the school stuff. led edutainment.
Sybil Otterstrom Editor and CEO
Want to be a contributor? Wanting to write like a pro?
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You CAN! look firther and see how you can become one.
are the
Contributors
... and it is a good feeling to entertain and inform.
Masiziba Hadebe is doing her Master’s in Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State (UFS). She is driven to make a change and is a passionate volunteer for community projects. She loves reading and writing about science, agriculture and anything in between. She believes you can wear a smile whatever the weather! My name is Lerato Pitso. I am from Maseru, Lesotho. I am a Sociology and Criminology student at UFS and Miss Supranational Lesotho 2023. When I’m not a model and a student, I write about my philosophies on life as well as expressing my feelings on paper. I hope that my views will aid in the social development of the next person. And we are honoured to also have industry-views from: Edith Wynne-Trollip: - Curriculum Support and advise, Overberg District Nadia Hearn - Founder of Get-Published Ashalia Maharajh: - Founder & Director, Sivuka Consulting (Pty) Ltd Thozamile Mvumvu: - CFE Programme Manager, False Bay TVET Daniel Roos - Account Executive, Transform Marketing
Artvilla Dakamela, 22, another wizard from the literature world, he is an Accounting student at the University of the Free State. He has written for the Initiative for Creative African Narratives (iCAN) amongst others. He currently resides in Durban KZN - and is a very enthusiastic reader and writer.
My name is Molatelo Kate Kgatla, I’m 24 years old. I was born and raised in Lenyenye. I’m a grade 2 teacher at Vunza Teddy Bear Learning Academy, an author of a book titled her jouney as a young mother. I became a mother at 17. It influenced me to write about my personal journey to try and help someone that could be going through the same. I love writing and I love my 7 year old daughter and life. Lesly Malose Mahapa is a singer/writer/poet. He started writing at the age of 14 and has since been on a journey to pursue his music and writing career. Lesly is currently working with an indie group ‘MozSouth’ based in Ivory park, Midrand. Lesly is also a brand ambassador for a local clothing line “Boi Boi apparel”
HOLLER AT US
Hola MaHighSchool
Editor & Publisher Sybil Otterstrom sybil@romele.co.za Advertising sales Next level Management services cc 011 614 5046 076 360 1792 sybil@next-level.co.za Publishing Romele Publications cc 32 Eleanor street Troyeville 2094 011 614 5046/076 360 1792
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Enquiries Romele Publications cc 32 Eleanor Street Troyeville 2094 Production and Art Direction Ivan Otterstrom ivan@romele.co.za
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Grade 10-12 The finish Grade 10-12 – what is it Remember, you have volunteered for grade 10-12. You could have ended in grade 9. Now it is up to you. First of all, grade 10 is different. No doubt about it. You are now nearly adult and the expectations are that you behave like one. Grade 10 is the chance to show your time management. The will be a lot more to do and time will be of essence. It is not as much about the actual curriculum as it is about settling in. grade 11 and 12 will be knocking soon enough. Grade 11 is more than just a year to pass by so we can get to the last leg of this schooling. Grade 11 is the chance to learn new things. To try and determine your interests in things after grade 12. Trust me, there will be no time really in grade 12 to relax. Grade 11 is not relaxing, but the pressure is ‘low’. And now grade 12. That is it in many ways. Everybody will push exam tips and exam this and exam that your way. Of course it is good and needs to be taken serious. However, grade 12 is more than just that month of exam. Try also to enjoy life! … and go finish that exam in style
Congratu to a Grad
ulations all de 12
Grade 10 Grade 10 is much more than just being overwhelmed with a new life. Yes, it can be daunting especially if it is starting in a new place. It is also a time to realise that adulthood is getting very close. Goal setting in grade 10 is vitally important and should even be considered in grade 9. Why is that? Simple – the subjects chosen can determine where you will be going after matric. According to University of Pretoria: “Learners often do not ensure that their Grade 10 subject choices are aligned with the requirements of the degree programmes they are interested in applying for”. This is a serious concern. It is hard to change tack in high school. Make sure you got it right first time. It is further emphasized from Careerprep: • General admission requirements for your qualification of choice (University, TVET or anything else) • Specific subjects as required by the course you want to apply to • Specific minimum performance in these subjects (remember, meeting this minimum requirement still does not guarantee a place in the course – the higher you score, the better your chances are!) • Specific average score as calculated by the institution and faculty you are applying to
Suddenly grade 10 looks different! Where do we find all these requirements? Typically online per institution, but there is also help on general search. What is important is that you start even in grade 9. Open Day programmes may also help in this. Go to as much as possible before Matric (if they allow you in).
And if I want to change subjects? There is a policy on this and this is the summary I have from Jeppe High-School (which is aligned to the policy): A learner may change a maximum of two subjects in Grade 10, subject to the approval of the principal of the school. The closing date for subject changes is to be determined by the School Assessment Co-ordinator, but must be completed by no later than one week after the second term reports have been issued. It is still possible to change two subjects in grade 11 (very strict rules will apply) and none in grade 12. Choose wisely!
Grade 11 Grade 11 can be claimed to be the most important one when in highschool. Sometimes we tend to use it as something to get through so we can get onto grade 12. But is it true? I found something interesting here and here. I quote: “While Grade 12 is the time when you actually apply to university and write your applications for scholarships, the information from Grade 11 (your marks and activities) is often what’s used -- at least in part -- to make admission and scholarship decisions. Grade 11 is the most important year to prepare for university admission and scholarships. And it all has to do with when you apply for university and scholarships. If you are applying for scholarships etc. it is important to showcase your willingness to work on non-curriculum things. Get involved! Grade 11 is not high-pressure and it is possible to be active in other fields. “The best way to maximize your impact (and to
put your best foot forward on an admission and scholarship application) is to take on a leadership role of some kind. In Grade 11, a leadership role might be as a co-leader of something. Being a co-leader is a great way to start because you can share the responsibilities of leadership with another person, learn what’s involved, and prep yourself for another leadership role in the future” And working during summer holidays: “Working part-time may be necessary. Good news: students who work during high school are often looked upon favourably by scholarship committees! Try to find a job that carries some longterm benefits, such as those that provide transferable skills or potential relevant work experience, e.g. swim instructor, camp counsellor, etc. But any type of job usually develops some kinds of skills, such as customer service and handling cash, so all jobs can be an asset on a scholarship application”. The most important thing is as well: doing well in grade 11 typically will mean you do well in grade 12. Creating a habit of ‘doing well’ is just as important as anything. Use grade 11 to know more about what you would like to do after matric. There is time in grade 11, not in grade 12. Test yourself. It is last chance before the pressure is on!
This is my very own personal opinion about grade 12. It might be controversial but it could just be of help. First of all: your entire schooling experience is not now concentrated into a few hours of exam in grade 12. You have not been at it for 12 years just for this moment of glory or disaster. There is more to life than sitting at the desk in the school hall and battling through the exam. Whenever I google grade 12 (and its many offshoots) it comes up with exam preparation and exam papers and exam tips and all kind of things. If I google grade 11 or 10 it comes up with things to (also) do, like have a life. But nor for grade 12. Do we not live in grade 12? Is this it? You have to pass the exam. That is clear. But there is more to it. If we look at may see that some themselves. Maybe and not so much So we need to do could be some-
school subjects that are ‘easy’ we of these have an appeal all by we are destined to do more in art into becoming the next Einstein. enough in math, but our interest where else. And that is not a crime!
Grade 12 is intense, but it does offer the chance to realistically look at what to do after matric. Use the exam preparation to gauge yourself. Where are your strengths and what are your interests? If I am interested in performing arts I would need to look at NSA. National School of Arts that is. So get on with practicing and get on with looking at life after the dreaded exam. The horrible truth is that matric does not teach you a vocation. It only proves that you can sit down and study a subject. A lot of potential employers look beyond the marks (as important as they are) and look at your attitudes and interests and what else you have been doing during school. In essence: it might be very impressive that you’ve been a volunteer for something and that speaks about your character. That cannot be seen in the marks! … but just pass that exam!
District Support - 2024 Results of the previous year are analyzed, and individual learner performance is profiled. Schools are identified where support is most needed. Novice teachers and teachers who might be new in teaching a subject are identified and a needs analysis support plan is designed for individual teachers and identified schools. Support per subject is designed to afford learners the best possible opportunity to be successful in each subject. Subjects analyze the levels of learner performance and learners are supported accordingly e.g. a learner performing at a level just below the minimum pass requirements will be supported with the core content knowledge to assist the learner to at least meet the basic requirements of an exam paper. Learners in the average section would be supported with more than
only core content but information that would assist them to achieve at least a result between 40 and 60 percent in an exam depending on the competency of the learner. Highflyers would be supported with much more than the average content for them to achieve at a much higher level. These learners would in any case do much more independently. Teacher performance also has an impact on learner performance and for that reason having the appropriate teacher in a certain subject to teach a class or subject becomes vital. Qualified, competent and skilled teachers make a huge difference in ensuring success in any classroom set-up. Teachers are also encouraged to support other teachers in their areas be it in person or virtually. Schools are encouraged to share best practices and novice teachers are teamed up with experienced mentors in their subjects be at their own school or a neighbouring school. Support services ensures that support from safe schools, social workers, educational psychologists, and the nutrition team covers as best they can social challenges that might hamper the success of learners. Extra classes, Extra lessons, Back to Basics Progamme (BOT) and the Just in Time Programme (JIT) where teachers are supported and guided by Subject Advisors and Senior Education Specialists, per Topic per section in subjects such as languages and mathematics is done in all Districts in the Western Cape. Differentiated support and guidance to targeted schools and teachers are important because schools are on different levels and support must be accordingly. Same with learners, they are targeted and supported according to their need in terms of their performance in their previous assessments.
Edith Wynne-Trollip (writing in her personal capacity) Curriculum Support and Advise Overberg Education District
Where is she? - Masiziba Hadebe It’s been a while since I wrote an article, and even as I pen this, I realise that 2023 changed my life. I achieved multiple things—not ones that you can point to materially but internally. If you have been following my Hola journey, you would know how much I thought I had my life figured out. Well, the answer has not been simple. I didn’t end up where I thought I would be. Even though that sounds like a train smash, what if I told you, it wasn’t? In fact, things turned out to be greater than I expected. So, really, where am I? There are a few changes that have happened. I tapped into my creative writing recently; all stories are available on Tapas under Masi. I remember the moment I started creative writing. My first story was about the Kingdom of Blidzi. I never finished it but returned and wrote Turning Tables as a commemoration after I had an aha moment. It is aha moments that make you realise who you are and these moments usually stem from within yourself. That’s when I decided to put everything else that was part of my creative writing on the platform, mostly stories that I had written earlier and expanded on. So why is this important to mention? This is part of the internal work I have been doing: discovering and leaning into what sets my heart on fire, and that is creative writing. It
makes me light a fire inside me that has warmth, and I want that warmth to spread, not only for me but for others. I also joined the world of banking. This is something I knew was bound to happen, but I never thought it would bring me so much exposure. I enjoy it, even though sometimes I find myself in rooms wondering why on earth I am here. This is a world that has intentionally made me acknowledge that I know less, and by allowing me to do that, I can tap into more. What’s more interesting is that it’s not just any type of banking; it’s agricultural banking, where agriculture is at the core. Here, I felt like a sponge, taking in as much as I could. It has allowed me to rethink agriculture, understand it better, and, more importantly, the people in it. This has also required a lot of internal work. I also completed my Masters in Agricultural Economics. This was a journey. I also had to go deep. To push myself even though I couldn’t see the boundary. The piece of paper does not only show that I managed to cross the line, but it is also proof of my tenacity and perseverance and that, with the right people by your side, you can accomplish your wildest dreams.
Masiziba Hadebe
Online schooling – here to stay The world is moving into being online on everything. We have seen several online schooling environments coming online, especially during Covid. But what is the status of it all right now? I found this. The latest is that it seems that there are several online providers who are accredited at Umalusi. This is important as the Umalusi certificate is the equivalent to the usual ‘brick-and-mortar’ school, being state school or private school. IEB (private schools) apparently accredit online schools and it is the IEB accreditation with Umalusi that guarantees adherence to the NSC standards. This is as much as I understand of it all. I believe 2024 will clarify a lot of the uncertainty around this entire accreditation. There is a caveat here. Accreditation is really only crucial if the online schooling is regarded as ‘instead of’ a physical school (accredited of
course). This will mean that a student will never see the inside of a building but can finish from grade 1 to 12 at home on a PC. Is this realistic? Is this the future – in South Africa? Maybe we see a different world emerging. Could we see a dual world where the traditional school is still there but where parents enhance the learning with online classes? Maybe this is where the world is going? and where South Africa is going. I found an interesting article here. It is a US example but I think it is also applicable to us. The obvious advantages are that distance to quality education is not a problem. Timing is of importance. This is where the class is not ‘live’ but offers the student the convenience of doing classes in their own time. There are a lot more advantages, so please look at the article. The clear disadvantages are of course access to the right technology. If we look at SA, we need to see this in the context of the cost of data. This is not inexpensive in SA. There are other considerations but the most critical one is cost. This is not for free. The providers are in business. This opens the discussion about affordability: who can afford these online fees and will it further separate the well-to-do and the not so affluent? That is something we as a society must address – somehow.
What to look for This is all from the Mail & Guardian article here Accreditation: again, this is a crucial element. It is also worth looking at international accreditation, although the first step is South African accreditation. Curriculum: does it look exciting? It has to be interactive and there must be live sessions. This is a must in today’s environment. It poses a few challenges as an interactive class session might involve a lot of students, more than what can really be accommodated. That will detract from the experience. School work has to be assessed, so there must be somebody behind the scenes to evaluate both progress and outcome. Without this element it will not be according to world trends. And then the biggie: how to find the most suitable. Google and read reviews on facebook etc. it is important to know what others have experienced. Cost is a hectic factor. What is the cost? What is the cost structure? How is it paid? In Rands or in dollars? It is important to know when signing up. And read the small print!
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CAREER Knowing yourself and your capabilities
Choo se Subj your ects
Care Plan er ning
eer Car ice o ch
For you to pursue your career choice.
You need to pass your Nationa l Senior Certi ficate!
The Eastern Ca pe Department of Education enco urages learners to choose suitable career path, by collecting inform ation that will he lp them pursue their career / field of study.
“it is in your hands “ - Nelson Rolihl
ahla Mandela
Sondlo & Knopp Advertising
Examples i found:
When looking for online schooling, I googled it. And I found plenty of options. This is all from here. Without recommending anyone in particular, I looked at the following: Brainline is considered one of South Africa’s most prominent online high school education providers. It has been offering online learning for over 30 years and officially became a fully online school in 2017. The school offers grade R – 12 in the CAPS curriculum, making use of live classes, webinars and recorded lessons that learners can access again on their profiles. Their exams are assessed by the IEB and you receive progress reports of your child after every assessment period. Last year, Brainline introduced the Brainline Cloud School where learners receive daily online classes presented by qualified teachers in new and exciting ways. The lessons are also recorded and made available online. The Cloud School even has a mentorship programme for learners identified at risk of failing. St Stithians Online High School is perfect if you’re looking to enroll your child in a school with an inter-
nationally accredited curriculum. They’ll receive daily live online classes from expert international curriculum teachers who engage with learners in discussion forums, provide regular feedback on assignments and assessments, and are always available during office hours for one-on-one or small group support sessions. Your child will also have access to mentors and school counsellors who will support them in their academic and personal life and help them stay on track with their studies. The Pearson Edexcel accredited online high school offers International GCSE, International AS Level and International A Level qualifications that are recognised by over 500 of the top universities in the world. Teneo aims to always make their online learning interactive, structured, and fun for their learners. Their course material is aligned with the CAPS curriculum and is offered to grade 4 – 12 learners in both English and Afrikaans. The online high school offers live virtual classes hosted by teachers who are specialists in their subjects. It also has an array of online study material, a cutting-edge learning management system, and a tutoring platform available to all Teneo’s learners. Teneo is registered with SACAI, which means your child will write the NSC exams at the end of grade 12.
New Exhibitions
We added two new exhibitions to our collection on the floor. The 4IR and Mirror Maze exhibitions
4IR Exhibition The 4IR exhibition currently hosts the Humanoids (two small ones and the big one called Pepper), Virtual reality Station, Augmented Reality and the interactive displays integrated with of a number of TV screens. This concept is through the touch screen located at the entrance to the center. Interactive display section has been created where visitors are encouraged to use traditional touch screens to immerse themselves in games and content around Science Technology Engineering and Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
Children are provided with the opportunity to play games to train their analytical ability, improve their ability to solve puzzles and chal-
lenges. They are also challenged to explore more traditional content style, such as exploration of subjects including how Artificial Intelligence works, Machine Learning, how data transfers over networks etc. Science Exploration While traditional science teaching has complex challenges around logistics, safety and costs. VR has none of these limitations. Experiments are done as often as needed with no physical costs of materials or safety concerns. Students can learn about physics and chemistry, life science etc. in a safe environment. Within VR learning occurs without any distract but with full immersion. Learning and understanding mathematics becomes easier and more fun inside of VR due to the nature of games and how they are designed. This is designed to make learning and exploration real fun especially for little ones. Wide learning opportunities exist through this exhibition, children have many prospects to learn on, e.g. google earth exploration experience. With Google Earth VR, children can travel to almost any place in the world. They can fly all over the world and explore any city, any monument and landmark anywhere in the world.The exhibition has two different types of humanoids the small one (called Sanbot Max and the Bigger one called Pepper). The Sanbot Max robot was designed to be implemented into numerous kinds of business scenarios, providing customers and staff members with intelligent and efficient services. Pepper is a semi-humanoid robot, which means that a human has to control it. It is designed with the ability to read emotions. Pepper recognizes faces and basic human emotion.
Drones and Mirror Maze Drones Pilots at the Clubhouse Did you know that the Clubhouse has three certified drone pilots? They also have 10 DJI Tell drones that they will used for their drone course. They are currently putting together content for the said course. In addition, the Clubhouse offers programmes such as Teach Fundamentals of drones, real-life applications of drones: namely surveillance using object identification and tracking to videography for commercials and other media use. This includes python programming that covers drone automation.
Mirror Maze Exhibit A mirror is an object that reflects an image. Light that bounces off a mirror will show an image of whatever is in front of it, when focused through the lens of the eye or a camera. Mirrors reverse the direction of the image in an equal yet opposite angle from which the light shines upon it. This allows the viewer to see themselves or objects behind them, or even objects that are at an angle from them but out of their field of view, such as around a corner. Natural mirrors prehistoric times, water, but people turing mirrors out rials for thousands metals, and glass. metals like silver often used due to applied as a thin cause of its natuhard surface.
have existed since such as the surface of have been manufacof a variety of mateof years, like stone, In modern mirrors, or aluminum are their high reflectivity, coating on glass berally smooth and very
A maze is a path or collection of paths, typically from an entrance to a goal. The word is used to refer both to branching tour puzzles through which the solver must find a route, and to simpler non-branching patterns that lead unambiguously through a convoluted layout to a goal. The pathways and walls in a maze are typically fixed, but puzzles in which the walls and paths can change during the game are also categorised as mazes or tour puzzles Mirror Maze The mirror maze itself is a pattern, combining several characteristics of geometric patterns: repetition, symmetry and tessellation using repeated equilateral triangles. These triangles fit together without any gaps or overlaps, creating a tessellation. Mirrored surfaces all around reflect the pattern so that it repeats and appears infinite.
Fostering Future Leaders, The Centre For Entrepreneurship rapid Incubator (CFERI) at Falsebay TVET College Inspires High School Students to Explore Entrepreneurship. Navigating the path from high school to college can be both thrilling and filled with choices. As you contemplate your academic journey, consider the doors that lead not just to classrooms but also to innovative realms of entrepreneurship. Falsebay TVET College, through its Center for Entrepreneurship (CFERI), is breaking new grounds in empowering students with dynamic opportunities to cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit. At the core of CFERI our objective lies a dedication to motivating community small and medium enterprises (SME’s)/informal traders and enabling students pursuing tertiary education and high school to envision the boundless business possibilities sparked by their curiosity. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (CFERI) serves as the nexus where students engage in creative collaboration, embrace the
concept of failing forward, and equip themselves with the essential tools and skills necessary to emerge as business leaders of tomorrow. The Centre functions as both an idea incubator with an interdisciplinary technology lab, a minifactory for incubating businesses with an intention to scale. Falsebay College students taking part in our entrepreneurship grooming programmes and in our entrepreneurship yearly competitions are actively linked with key players in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, MTN Enactus, National Business Initiative (NBI), and numerous others. These organisations have previously successfully assisted students to launch and expand businesses. Falsebay College’s Centre for Entrepreneurship is encouraging tomorrow’s innovators. CFERI at Falsebay College recognises that each student is unique, with passions and dreams waiting to be unleashed. That is why the Centre offers a range of tailored programs designed to resonate with the diverse interests, of the students. Whether the students is fascinated by technology, sustainability, or creative arts, CFERI has tailor made entrepreneurship short courses that seamlessly blend academic knowledge with hands-on entrepreneurial experiences.
Hands on learning for real world success What distinguishes CFERI is its track record of aiding small business owners in conceptualising and growing their ventures over the past eight years, coupled with a steadfast commitment to experiential learning. High school students engaging in CFERI programmes will embark on real world projects, connect with industry experts, and even get the chance to initiate their entrepreneurial ventures. This hands on approach equips students with practical skills, fostering a mindset that transforms ideas into impactful enterprises. Mentorship from industry pioneers CFERI believes in the power of mentorship. After undergoing the training, students with existing businesses will not only be learners, but they will become apprentices to seasoned professionals who have successfully navigated the entrepreneurial businesses landscape. These mentors share their experiences, offer guidance, and provide invaluable insights that go beyond the theory. It is not just about learning, it is about building lasting connections with partners in the entrepreneurship ecosystem that can shape a future filled with great possibilities. Innovation hub where Ideas take flight The college understands that innovation requires the right environment.
CFERI’s innovation hubs serve as incubators, providing cutting edge technology (3-d printing, drone accelerator to mention but a few), expert guidance, and access to funding opportunities. The hub is a vibrant space where creativity flourishes, and students can turn their ideas into reality. From developing prototypes to market research, the innovation hubs is the launchpad for entrepreneurial dreams for students and community small businesses. A launchpad to success The Falsebay College CFERI invites high school students to embark on a transformative journey of entrepreneurship. It is more than just learning it is about fostering a mindset that thrives on creativity, resilience, and the courage to innovate. As you explore your academic options, consider the entrepreneurship offerings at CFERI as a beacon for a future where your ideas have the power to shape industries and create a positive change. Venture into entrepreneurship from your high school days, and let Falsebay College CFERI guide you on a path that transcends boundaries, unlocking the doors to a world where your innovative spirit can truly flourish. Ask your school to invite us, your high school years can be the beginning of a remarkable adventure into entrepreneurship, and Falsebay College CFERI is ready to be your partner on this exciting ride: https:// falsebaycollege.co.za/business-and-industry/cferi/ . Fill in the form here: https://forms.office.com/r/TruJ3Ndivy Thozamile Thomas Mvumvu Thomas.Mvumvu@falsebay.org.za CFE Programme Manager False Bay TVET College Thozamile is writing in his personal capacity
Paramedic – a tough job Ever thought of becoming a paramedic? Do we really know what a paramedic is doing? This might be one of the toughest jobs ever in the entire handling of medical cases. They are typically the first on the scene when something has happened. We all know this of course. The ambulance is first to arrive, but then what happens? Wiki says: “A paramedic is a healthcare professional trained in the medical model, whose main role has historically been to respond to emergency calls for medical help outside of a hospital. Paramedics work as part of the emergency medical services (EMS), most often in ambulances. They also have roles in emergency medicine, primary care, transfer medicine and remote/offshore medicine.
“The primary role of a paramedic is to stabilize people with life-threatening injuries and transport these patients to a higher level of care (typically an emergency department)” If we now look at it, the paramedics must make judgement calls on what to do and do the best – in their opinion. That is why their training is rather extensive. Responding to people nearly drowning, road accidents, people having been in a house fire, broken bones, poisoning and so on will all require a huge amount of knowledge about each and every single emergency type. Without qualified paramedics a lot more people would succumb to their injuries. Paramedics ensure that immediate care is carried out and that patients are transported to hospital where other experts can take over. … but it is the first responders that will save lives! And those are the paramedics. Is it dangerous? Well, attending to an apartment block collapse can be dangerous (debris falling), but we also see things like hazardous materials having caused the accident (poison) that will need to be handled and understood. Infectious diseases are also on the cards. So yes, it is not without dangers! It is now a lot more than just the ambulance. We see paramedics on offshore oil platforms, doing helicopter rescue and emergency response, part of police SWAT teams and attending major gatherings, be it music events, school sports days and much more. Being a paramedic will also mean seeing a lot more than just being in an office. Could it be you?
This is from www.arrivealive.mobi/information-on-how-to-become-a-paramedic Many young South Africans wish to become paramedics, however many do not know what the requirements, different training options are and how to access them. Most people also don’t know that there are several different qualifications available and several different levels of care which paramedics operate at. These are currently the different levels of care which paramedics in South African can perform: Basic Life Support (short course) These practitioners provide Basic Medical Care interventions to patients in Emergencies. This will include CPR, stopping of bleeding, helping women in labour and other non-invasive procedures. Intermediate Life Support (short course) These practitioners provide Intermediate Medical Intervention including IV therapy (drips) Bronchodilators, Defibrillation (shock)& chest decompression etc. Emergency care technician: Two years of formal training. Advanced Life Support Paramedic This category of staff is pre-hospital Advanced Life Support providers.
This includes; Advanced Airway Management, IV Drug Therapy up schedule 7 drugs, advanced midwifery, Advanced Resuscitation, Aviation Medicine, Marine Medicine. All courses are all NQF recognised and can smoothly progress from one course to the other. These are: • ECA - Emergency Care Assistant. This will be a one-year course. • Diploma in Emergency Medical Care. This will be a two-year course, or only one year if the ECO has been completed. • Bachelor of health sciences- this is a four-year course provided at universities. It is level NQF8 and equips the paramedic with all the necessary skills to practice as advanced life support. Entry Requirements: The applicant with a national senior certificate with a higher certificate endorsement must have the following subjects and ratings: Either 1 or 2 or 3: 1. The applicant with a Senior Certificate (Prior to 2009) must have at least a minimum of an E symbol on Higher Grade or a D symbol on Standard Grade for all of the following subjects: • English • Mathematics • Biology and/or Physical Science 2. National Senior Certificate and must have an achievement rating of at least a Rate Code 3 (40%-49%) for each of the following subjects: • English • Mathematics • Life Sciences and / or Physical Sciences 3. National Certificate (Vocational), must have achieved a minimum pass of 60% for all of the following subjects: • English • Mathematics • Life Sciences and / or Physical Sciences
It has happened! A video game has been defeated! No more ‘level up’, no more anything. Game finished. Just like in ‘Spy Kids’. It is over, Sylvester. Tetris is something I think we have all tried at some time. Some find it boring, some will get addicted. After all, it is a very simple game and the graphics is not as new games. According to the article the attraction is that it is so simple. It is just get on with it. And then it happened! I quote: “To date, over 200 official variants of Tetris has been released on at least 70 systems, a world record according to Guinness World Records. The Electronic Arts developed mobile version released in 2006 has been sold 100 million times, making it the third best-selling video game of all time,
But hey, the Tetris Company? Wiki says: “The Tetris Company, Inc. (TTC) is the manager and licensor for the Tetris brand to third parties. It is based in Nevada and is owned by Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers. The company is the exclusive licensee of Tetris Holding LLC, the company that owns Tetris rights worldwide.” “Tetris was created in 1985 by Pajitnov. As the initial versions of the game spread through the Eastern Bloc, interest in licensing it for western commercial release drew much attention. One of the main licensees of the game was Bullet-Proof Software, owned by Henk Rogers. The Tetris Company was established in 1996 by Pajitnov and Rogers to manage the worldwide licensing of the property. The Tetris Company licenses the Tetris trademark (which includes Tetris trade dress elements, such as the distinct brightly colored blocks and the vertically rectangular play field) to video game development companies and maintains a set of guidelines that each licensed game must meet.”
… and there is a Tetris community as well. Look it up and get hooked!
What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
What does NSFAS do? Supports access to and success in, higher education and training for students from poor and working-class families who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost of studies at a public university or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college. • Provides financial aid to eligible students who are studying or plan to study at any of the 50 TVET colleges or the 26 public universities in South Africa • Identifies students who qualify for the bursary • Provides bursaries to students
Who qualifies for NSFAS funding? • All South African citizens • All SASSA grant recipients • Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum • Persons with disabilities with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per annum • Students who started studying at a university before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum
What does the NSFAS bursary cover?
• Registration • Tuition • Book allowance • Accommodation allowance • Transport allowance • Food allowance • Personal care allowance
Does the NSFAS bursary offer any additional support for students with disabilities? Yes, NSFAS further supports funded students with disabilities through an additional allowance that covers: • Medical assessments • Assistive devices • Human support to cover for the cost of a caregiver, guide dog, scribe or tutor.
How, where and when can one apply for NSFAS? The 2021 application season will be communicated through media, social media and the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za. Applications are submitted online through the NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za
To apply for NSFAS funding students must have a registered myNSFAS account. If you plan to study in 2021 and require support from NSFAS, you may open your myNSFAS account now to keep updated with the latest funding information.
Connect with us using the following channels: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
myNSFAS
myNSFAS
NSFAS Connect: www.nsfas.org.za and log into your myNSFAS account NSFAS Connect gives you access to quick facts and frequently asked questions. Applicants and students can also submit and track a query for further assistance.
Trump is still at it. Amazing, but he has a following who believes all his rather outlandish claims that he is still the president. 2023 was not a good year for trump on many fronts, and it seems it is going to get far worse. There are plenty of landmines around, but let us try to look at the most significant ones. Not being a candidate at all! Two states have now declared that trump cannot appear on the ballot paper. Colorado and Maine have both determined that trump’s actions on 6 January amount to insurrection. The states courts cite the 14th amendment that insurrectionists cannot stand for election. Trump has appealed the Colorado verdict to the Supreme court. That means the fireworks can begin. It puts the Supreme court in a bend. True that trump named three new judges on the Supreme court but it does not mean they are beholden to him. Their loyalty should be to the US constitution. That is to be tested (again).
The right to abortion that was in place (Roe vs Wade) got set aside by the current Supreme Court. The argument was that this is a state issue, not a federal issue, meaning the individual states should legislate on this. It looks bizarre if they now use the opposite argument to allow Trump to be on the ballot paper in all states, despite some states having outlawed him. The question will then be: what is then the role of state legislature and state laws? The more horrifying aspect is if the supreme court gets a reputation for being partisan (which is at the tipping point right now after Roe vs. Wade). There is a push for more states also considering such a ban on trump. From a legal perspective, this is going to be murky. View on the civil war This is a new one: Trump is claiming that there was no need for the civil war. Abraham Lincoln should have negotiated this. Negotiated slavery? That is now also up in the air. Lincoln is the absolute ‘hero’ within the Republican party. Trump now attacking Lincoln might show that he believes he is bigger than Lincoln. That might not go down well at all. Sucking up to the southern states might be a strategy but it will put some other (Northern) states off.
Money makes the world go around Here is another horror. Trump is up on several charges of fraud and tax evasion. The civil case in New York will be closing during January. The judge has already ruled that fraud was committed by Trump, his sons and the trump organization. Final verdict can be expected within a month. The NY state attorney has asked the courts to fine Trump $370 million. The amount previously sought was ‘only’ $250 million, but based on new evidence, the state raised the amount sought. This is not good news as the judge has already declared that fraud was committed. And another one is looming: Trump never put his business interests into a ‘blind trust’ while president. In essence, he still did business as normal. The question is of course: did he then
use his executive powers to obtain business advantages? In reality: did he take bribes? New evidence is now coming up that Chinese government entities (through certain Chinese banks) spent millions benefitting trump’s properties. It is apparently lease agreements within the Trump set of properties where the involved banks have not been sanctioned in any way as other Chinese banks were when Trump tried to clamp down on Chinese investments. The nomination The most critical part of it all is the GOP nomination of a candidate (GOP is the republican party. GOP stands for Good ol’ party.) True to form the Trump supporters are getting very loud and very extreme in their support. However, has the majority of republicans had enough of empty rhetoric and crazy right-wingers? De Santis (governor of Florida) is the most likely candidate (for now) to win the nomination. But even he is reluctant to come out swinging at trump. That, however, has not stopped others and that may start to show how much support Trump really has (among the base). The final GOP nomination is due in July with presidential elections in November. Time is running out for a concerted ‘Not Trump’ campaign – if anyone will dare to go that far. The election itself Of course the big one is: if the election is going to be a rematch between Biden and Trump, will the US population vote for Trump? Is it going to be a ‘Not Biden’ vote?
Ships powered by wind – like sailing ships – could have a future. I found an interesting article here. Of course sailing ships have been around for thousands of years. But there was a reason why they died out with the advent of the marine diesel. Speed and reliability had a lot to do with it. Have these two factors then changed? The answer is: it is complicated. The newest attempt is the Oceanbird. It is huge and will be used for car transports, moving 7,000 cars in one jump. It is nearly as fast as a traditional car transporter so the comparison is reasonable favorable. It will feature five 80 meter tall masts and the sail positioning is optimized via some clever software. Yes, the factors have changed a bit, but there is still one simple thing: if there is no wind out in the ocean, there is a problem. The good thing is: sailing where
there is a constant breeze is possible and that will mean crossing the Atlantic in fine style after all. We may ask: is it important to consider other means of propulsion? Sea transport accounts for 2% of all carbon pollution. This is a major source of global warming and is one of the things we can indeed do something about. The typical marine diesel runs on heavy oil – bunker oil – and that is a big problem in itself. That we will look at on the following pages. If wind powered ships have a come-back, are there other initiatives as well? There are plenty of new things going on. A lot of it is focused on economy. Using wind power (no ‘cost’) can reduced the fuel bill dramatically. Even if it is not a 100% reduction, the goal might be anything from 20% to 60%. That does mean a lot of money. Maybe we need to see the latest initiatives not as much as a total conversion to wind power, but a massive reduction in pollution and cost of transport. It will be wind-assisted ships rather than wind-powered ships. That might just be a start and the best we can hope for. This one – Pyxis Ocean could just set the bar.
We all know that oil is one of the fossil fuels we need to avoid. But oil is not just oil. There are many ‘oils’ around. This is where sea transport comes in. 90 of all goods in the world are transported across oceans or at least as sea transport in one way or the other. Heavy-duty marine diesel engines are not necessarily to blame. It is the fuel that they use: heavy fuel oil (HFO) or bunker oil. It is all about money as well. When raw oil is being processed, the lighter oil is skimmed off first (more expensive oils). These are used in cosmetics and high-grade lubricants and things. Then other oil products are skimmed off until we get to the very remnants. This is something thick and excessively dirty oil. HFO is contaminated with several different compounds including aromatics, sulfur, and nitrogen, making emissions upon combustion more polluting compared to other fuel oils (Wiki). This is what we feed the marine diesels.
HFO needs to be mixed with other oils and heated up just to get it to flow (otherwise it is like marmalade). Burning this ‘marmalade’ is the reason why sea transport is more polluting than anything else. However, it is ‘cheap’ compared to other fuel oils and that is why marine diesels have been developed to be able to burn this. If ships were to burn cleaner oil products, the cost of sea transport would go up and with the amount of sea transport we use it will put additional pressure on global pricing on nearly everything. Marine diesels can be adjusted to use other oil sources, but it limits the problem rather than removing the problem. If we look at the impact, we must look at oil spills which have contaminated the coast lines in numerous accidents. We have all seen the pics of sea animals and birds coated in oil. But there is more to it: the emission of the burnt products contain a high proportion of sulfur and that causes acid rain, killing the environment. Other pollution agents are also released into the environment. Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) has been touted as an alternative and may be the easiest way forward. LNG does not contain all the pollution agents we see in HFO’s. … but maybe sailing ships are the way forward?
The violin There are plenty of music instruments around. Some are more popular than others, but the one that will forever creep up is the violin. It is used in classical music, in rock music, well, in any setting really. The sound is distinct and easily recognised. And the violin is really not that old, which makes it unique. How does it work? Rather easy really. It typically has four strings and the body of the violin is hollow to give the distinct sound. It is typically operated with a bow but even that is not necessary. As it is small, it can easily be transported. As the sound is high-pitched, it can be heard at a distance. The violin really came into its own in the 16th century but somehow, its usage spread and inspired both Indian (here) and Iranian music tradition very rapidly. We hear it in classical Chinese music as well. I have not as of yet found any reasonable explanation for its popularity
across continents. Maybe its size has got something to do with it? Let us fast forward to where we now hear the violin. Let us start in the 1920’s with the jazz scene. Early users count Joe Venutti and Eddie Lang. Listen here. It is a note of love, like in Romeo and Juliet – here. And who has not cried watching Titanic – and what would the Irish dance have been without the violin. The violin also entered into American folk music. There it became a tradition and what would it really be without the ‘fiddle’. Here. … and welcome to the real ‘redneck country here Let us finish with some new interpretations. Vanessa May has made classic music popular because of --- the violin. New and old here And the last: cyberpunk! Here
It’s mov
We are into 2024 - and th Look at these titl All courtesy of Flicks Madame Web Cassandra Webb is a New York City paramedic who starts to show signs of clairvoyance. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she must protect three young women from a mysterious adversary who wants them dead.. Screening: 14 February 2024
vie time!
here are plenty of new flicks les and get excited
Dune: part two This is epic film history. Dune is one of the classics. Part two is coming and here is the plot: Paul Atreides continues his journey, united with Chani and the Fremen, as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, and endeavors to prevent a terrible future that only he can predict Screening: 1 March, 2024
February – the shortest month. The one that got added to get the modern calendar to work. I love Japan and here are two of the highlights of February (all from Wiki) Kitano Tenman-gū This is a shrine in the honor of Sugawara no Michizane, a bureaucrat, scholar and poet .The shrine was first built in 947. Emperor Murakami drew up a list of shrines to be supported and Kitano’s was on the list in 991. The grounds of the shrine are filled with Michizane’s favorite tree, the red and white plum blossom. The Plum Blossom Festival is held on February 25, coinciding with the monthly market. An open-air tea ceremony is hosted by geiko and apprentice maiko from the nearby Kamishichiken district, where tea and wagashi are served to 3,000. The plum festival has been held on the same day every year for about 900 years to mark the death of Michizane.
Japanese language is not just one Since 2007, 18 February has been acclaimed as ‘Dialect Day’ in Japan. It is centered on the Ryukyuan languages which, together with the Hachijō language make up the Japonic language family. These languages are the indigenous languages of the Ryukyu Islands, the southernmost part of the Japanese archipelago. Although Japanese is spoken in the Ryukyu Islands, the Ryukyu and Japanese languages are not mutually intelligible. It is not known how many speakers of these languages remain, but language shift toward the use of Standard Japanese and dialects like Okinawan Japanese has resulted in these languages becoming endangered; UNESCO labels four of the languages “definitely endangered” and two others “severely endangered” These languages are not really similar and even the writing is not the same either. It is a little known fact, even in Japan, and that is shy there now is a Dialect Day in Japan. That there are other languages outside of Standard Japanese has triggered the moves to preserve these languages. It is not known how many other languages or dialects speakers there are but it is a fact that in certain regions ‘other languages’ are first language. It poses unique problems in a mono-cultural society of course, and that is where the Dialect Day is meant to highlight the challenges.
We need writers! Hola MaHigh-School is YOUR magazine. That is why we would love to see students writing for students about student life and everything of importance to a student in any grade10-12 across the country. What is required? That is easy: You have to be in grade 10-12 somewhere Impeccable in your preferred language-and that might not be English. We try to be more than just English. Passionate about your topic of choice - no dull articles here. Do you get anything out of it? Well, not money, sorrry. BUT if we publish your articles you will have: Your bio in a commercial magazine A photo of yourself You can put it all on your CV you can use us as a reference
Is it important? YES it is. Look what Rofhiwa said: My name is Rofhiwa and I love to write. I have used my skills to express my thoughts on international dealings of the world which have been published in Hola MaHigh-School. It has paid off, not only is my work printed for young people in the country to read, but it also contributed to me gettng a bursary from CNBC-Africa to do my post-graduate studies. Would be a lot harder to get by if I didn’t have a platform like Hola MaHigh-School.
What me on
to do?
ivan@ ro name mele.co.za : Cell n u m b e E-ma r i ... and l address we wi ll talk !
Next Time... The theme for next time will be climate change and science. We really have to look after our global ‘home’. There is no Planet B. We only have this one. There must be something dramatic we can do time is running out. We will also be warming up to Open Day. That is not just grade 12. Get prepared! A lot is happening in space. That we will look at. And I hope we will have more on ‘Where are they now’. Our writers are getting into life. But we also need new writers. Could it be you? Maybe we can find some conspiracies again as well. Those are just so fun. Until next time!
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