Concipio 2023

ConCipio

310 Jaargang XVII

PRG Rock Band Rocks out in Cape Town

Philippe Andro

The PRG Rock Band made waves earlier this year when they performed in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront Band Slam competition. Having taken place on the 27th of March, the competition boasted a talented selection of high school bands from all around Cape Town who joined to compete with their varied repertoires. The PRG Rock Band performed a repertoire of Pop and Rock classics, that made for a sunset performance that would live long in the memory.

The PRG Rock Band consists of seven talented members. On the guitar, we have the exceptional players of Eben Halford and James Jansen — two guitarists who know the neck of their guitar like the back of their hands.

Furthermore, on the bass, we have the beat-loving players of James Palteglou and Daniel van Heerden. On the drums, we have the adaptable Nicholas Jacobs, a drummer of talent and precision. On the trumpet, we have the passionate Kayden Philips. And finally, the band’s lead vocalist is the calm and smooth-sounding Philippe Andro. They opened up their repertoire with their funky-rework of the unforgettable Bee Gees song, “Stayin Alive”. They followed this up with a catchy jazz performance of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. Next, most famously featured in the hit film classic Pulp Fiction, they performed the memorable Misirlou. Subsequently, they performed the rock-infused Jump by Van Halen and the funky Superstition by Stevie Wonder. They concluded their performance with another original

reworking of the iconic Come Together by The Beetles, and finally with the now iconic and memorable Uptown Funk by superstar Bruno Mars.

Their evening came to a close, with the applause and cheers of the listeners and judges in the audience still ringing in their ears, Paul Roos was congratulated for their exceptional song arrangements, artistic ability and originality. The PRG Rock Band narrowly missed out on heading to highly-contested finals, but they expressed the excellence, respect and humility that Paul Roos Gymnasium strives to exude. The entire event was a magnificent exhibition of music and culture, and Paul Roos Gymnasium still stood tall among a group of the most musically brilliant high schools that Cape Town has to offer.

Uitgawe/Issue

PRG BeKOOR: Culture Brought to Life

Philippe Andro

This May, Paul Roos Gymnasium continued its annual tradition of hosting the delightful BeKOOR Culture Evening: an exhibition of the incredible choir talent that all of Stellenbosch and its surrounding areas have to offer. Full of graceful, powerful and heartfelt performances – with just a hint of Jazz in between – the event hosted an array of Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa performances, which made for a proud display of South Africa’s diverse cultural talent. The Bloemhof Accelerando Choir opened the evening on an impressive note. Consisting of 79 members, the choir was conducted by the experienced Marijke Roos. The choir accentuates that its choral music is driven by its adoration for music and being able to share it with those around them.

The choir began the evening on a high note, as they performed a repertoire including Ekundungo, Praise His holy name, In the bleak midwinter and My Soul’s been anchored in the Lord.

The Bridge House choir, consisting of 17 members, followed. This choir was only recently established and is conducted by Heloïse Richter. Their impressive repertoire included: MLK, Say Something, Adiemus and Manosimane.

Hoërskool Stellenbosch’s choir was next to perform. Consisting of 85 members, the choir strives to educate each of its singers to understand their unique role within a larger ensemble, one that greatly encourages authentic individuality and expression through their music. Conducted by Jared Hanekom, the choir performed a memorable repertoire which included: Laudate, Hashivenu,

Ukuthula and No Room, No Room.

A sudden change of pace emerged during the event’s interval, when the PRG Senior Rock Band made a surprise appearance. They performed a wealthy repertoire of Jazz, Pop and Rock songs, which kept the musical energy high. Following the interval was the Rhenish Girls’ High Choir. Consisting of 96 members, the all-girls choir believes that the positive spirit and camaraderie between its members are the key ingredients to their choral endeavours. Conducted by Petra Jerling, the choir performed an eloquent repertoire which included: Luisterliedjie , Rackety Brackety and Prayer of St Francis of Assisi. The event crescendoed with the Paul Roos Gymnasium Choir’s performance. Thanks to the inspired appointment of Mr Stephan Bezuidenhout and Mr Cezarre Strydom, the PRG choir has gained a strong reputation as one of the strongest high school choirs that the Western Cape has to offer. Consisting of 97 members, they harnessed their brotherhood, pride and excellence to accentuate the presence and impact of their performance. They performed a spectacular repertoire of U is Die Bron, Uit Hierdie Ligte Herfs, Sea Fever and Thuma Mina.

The Paul Roos Gymnasium choir concluded a magical evening of cultural delight. Thanks to the incredible help of the organisers, the choirs and the conductors, the event was a marvellous success. It will be surely missed until its much anticipated reappearance next year.

PRG Toneel

Ian Lubbe

Paul Roos spog vanjaar met twee nuwe toneelstukke waarmee hulle die skool by verskeie kunstefeeste gaan verteenwoordig. Die toneelspan is reeds hard aan die werk om BROERS en VAL(DEUR) teen die derde kwartaal op die planke te kry. Meneer Opperman behartig BROERS se regie, terwyl me-

neer Nelson by VAL(DEUR) die leiding neem. Kom kyk gerus na dié twee stukke by die PRG Toneelaand.

VAL(DEUR) se sinopsis: Oor die generasies word name oorgedra — die vraag bly staan: Is dit ’n goeie of ’n slegte ding? ’n Groep vriende werk aan ’n taak en ontdek geheime van hul herkoms. Maar, iets het by die valdeur gebeur. Hoe

sal hierdie insident die intrige beïnvloed? Wie is Niël Burgert van Dijk werklik, oftewel, wie wil hy wees?

BROERS se sinopsis: ’n Ongeluk keer ’n oudste broer se wêreld om. Groot besluite moet geneem word, maar die verskeie invloede help nie juis die saak nie. Aanvaar, verander of onttrek? Dit bly egter Gideon se grootste vraag.

GREY Highlights

Paul Roos European Exchange Programme 2023

Christiaan Cronjé

I’ve read somewhere that travel is the only thing you spend money on that will make you richer. After all, it is widely believed that the more you explore the world around you, the better it is for your general knowledge. So, when the school decided to bring the Paul Roos European Exchange Programme back to life, 23 learners jumped at the opportunity to apply, as it was an invaluable opportunity for many of us to venture out into the world on our own and experience foreign cultures first-hand.

The exchange programme is a travel programme that allows students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to travel abroad, be hosted by families and experience life in Europe. In return, they have to host the same school at a later stage. It is a great programme as while living with your host family, you will get to experience their customs, and live as a family member.

Earlier this year, learners from Gabriel von Seidl Academy in Germany visited Paul Roos Gymnasium. In March and April, it was our turn to travel abroad for three weeks and visit three of Paul Roos’s partner schools in Germany, France and also the Netherlands. We were accompanied by the Rector, Mr van Staden, and two Paul Roos teachers, Mrl Deetlefs and Mrs Horn.

The first stop on our itinerary was the beautiful city of Prague in the Czech Republic, where we went on a few excursions, but were also allowed to roam the city freely, figure out the public transport system, get lost, but most of all, experience life and the city with our friends. From there, the group travelled to Germany, to the picturesque town of Bad Tölz, near Munich, where we were accommodated by host families. Although everyone’s experience differed, all of us

had a wonderful opportunity to experience the culture of a new country, not only as a traveller but as part of a family. A highlight in Germany was the excursion to the Allianz-Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich, where we were given a VIP tour.

Our next stop was France. There we also stayed with host families and visited Marq Institution in Lille, close to the border to Belgium. We attended a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the South African War Museum in Delville Wood and visited the grave of an old Paul Rooser en route. In France, there were many things we found very interesting, such as the delicious pastries, their amazing sense of style and even kissing people on the cheek when greeting them. Excursions to the beautiful town of Brugge in Belgium made France a stay we will never forget.

Our last stop was Almelo in the Netherlands, where we were hosted by St Canisius Gymnasium. The whole group could not be ac-

commodated by host families and ten of us stayed at a scouting hall. We enjoyed the interaction with the Dutch students and laughed at all the similarities between Afrikaans and Dutch. A highlight of the stay was a visit to Amsterdam and a boat trip on the canals as well as a visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum. As a group, we had great fun with heaps of fun and laughter but the most valuable part of the tour was the exposure to new cultures. This exposure enhanced our interest in global issues and gave us all new perspectives on the world. Experiencing new and unique environments helps one gain new skills that may prove to be valuable later in life, and best of all, you end up making new friends for life. If you ever have the opportunity to go on the Paul Roos Exchange Tour, please, grab it with both hands as this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world” - Gustave Flaubert.

In Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Jo van Rooyen

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the epic conclusion to the beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) trilogy, takes audiences on an unforgettable ride through the cosmos. Directed by James Gunn and produced by Kevin Feige, this sci-fi/adventure film delivers a captivating and emotionally resonant experience that leaves fans both satisfied and longing for more.

Clocking in at two hours and thirty minutes, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wastes no time in immersing viewers in its vibrant universe. From the very first scene, the film grips you with its stunning visuals, innovative action sequences, and a wellcrafted narrative that balances heart, humour, and adventure. One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to deepen the characters we’ve

grown to love over the course of the trilogy. Peter Quill, portrayed by the charismatic Chris Pratt, faces his most challenging journey yet as he copes with the loss of Gamora. Pratt delivers a heartfelt and nuanced performance, showcasing both the vulnerability and resilience of his character. The rest of the Guardians, including Zoe Saldana’s Gamora, Dave Bautista’s Drax, Karen Gillan’s Nebula, and Bradley Cooper’s Rocket, each have their moment to shine, further cementing their status as a lovable and dysfunctional family. The screenplay, penned by James Gunn himself, is a testament to his talent as a writer. It expertly weaves together humour, emotion, and genuine character development. While the film delves into darker territory, it never loses sight of the heart and humour that have defined the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. The witty banter, clever pop culture references, and infectious soundtrack are all present, injecting the film with an undeniable energy that keeps the audience engaged throughout.

Visually, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a treat for the eyes. The dazzling special effects, intricate set designs, and vibrant colours create a visually stunning backdrop for the story. The cosmic landscapes, alien creatures, and intricate space battles are brought to life with a level of detail and creativity that is truly awe-inspiring. The immersive sound mix further enhances the film’s visual spectacle, which encompasses the audience in a rich and dynamic audio experience.

As the final instalment in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, this film manages to tie up loose ends and offer a satisfying conclusion to the overarching story. It brings together themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption, delivering a galactic group hug that may tug at the heartstrings a little too tightly. The emotional resonance of the film is further heightened by a poignant and memorable score, composed by Tyler Bates, that perfectly complements the narrative beats. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has its fair share of intense sequences and action-packed moments, it ultimately shines brightest in its ability to evoke genuine emotions. It explores the depths of love, loss, and the importance of chosen family, leaving a lasting impact on its audience. The film’s ability to seamlessly blend heart, humour, and spectacle seamlessly cements its status as a fitting and entertaining conclusion to the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. In summary, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a stellar conclusion to the beloved MCU trilogy. With its engaging characters, thrilling action, emotional depth, and signature humour, the film offers an entertaining and satisfying experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. James Gunn’s masterful direction and the exceptional performances from the talented cast make this a must-watch for any superhero or sci-fi enthusiast. Prepare to be transported to a galaxy far, far away and bid farewell to this ragtag family in an epic and unforgettable cinematic journey.

Another term passes and with it, we draw halfway through the year. Now, only two terms remain for us to achieve and accomplish that which we sought to do at the start of the year. If you have not yet managed to do what you have wanted to do, now is the

time to turn it around.

For us, Matrics, the end is near. With every passing day, the manifestation of exiting the Golden Gate looms nearer, and soon we will all face the reality of our journey at Paul Roos coming to an end.

2023 became the first year after the dreaded pandemic to completely relinquish the previously imposed safety mandates and measures, and with that Paul Roos has returned in full force. Our 1st hockey team has overcome just about any hindrance that they have had to face – decimating tournament leaderboards and leaving behind clean sheets. The rugby 1st team

Redaksielys:

Hoofredakteur: David Chemaly

Adjunkredakteur: Jo van Rooyen

beat Grey High on Markötter, and thrashed Paarl Boys’ High on their own turf. Now, all that remains is the encroaching Grey Bloem derby, where an uproar awaits us should we manage what we have been unable to achieve since 2006: beating Grey on their own turf.

Although the upcoming holiday might not feel nearly as long as it needs to be, take all it has to offer, so that when the Maroon Machine returns in Term 3, we are in full force and ready to take on Grey.

The year is edging to a close, but there is still much to do. So, study hard, train hard, and let’s beat Grey.

Tegniese Redakteur: Markus Nel

Spotprenttekenaar: Theodore Moss

Verslaggewers: Nicolaas Snjiman, Willem Visagie, Ian Lubbe, Zac Theron, Phillipe Andro, Hanco van Rooyen, Francios Dercksen, Christiaan Cronjé, Steffan Thielen, Hano Basson www.facebook.com/paulroosgymnasium

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-

David Chemaly

Lyle Williams

Die lewe is net wat jy daarvan maak.

Matrikulant van 2023, jy kom aan die einde van jou hoërskoolloopbaan, maar dit is egter die begin van iets nuuts. Vyf jaar terug het elke matrikulant by hierdie instelling ingestap met sokkies op en koppe af. Vandat jy jou das ontvang het, loop jy fier en trots met maroen bloed wat pomp. Soos al die ander Old boys is dit egter nou jou beurt vir ’n laaste ervaring. Jou tyd by Paul Roos raak minder. Die September-eksamen is om die draai en die eindeksamen kruip nader. Grey wag in Bloemfontein. Neem deel en los jou merk! Probeer jou bes en maak ’ n naam vir jouself!

Onthou dat daar twee sleutels na sukses is: jou denkwyse en selfdissipline. Die lewe is maar net ’n kopspeletjie en sonder daardie twee sleutels sal jy dit nie baas raak nie. Gebruik hierdie boodskap as motivering vir die laaste pylvak van jou hoërskoolloopbaan. Behou jou goeie waardes en onthou dat jy in die toekoms altyd jou alma mater sal verteenwoordig.

1. When you know the Bomaye is coming next.

2. Die Af in Afrikaans

3. When the teacher says take out the homework.

4. Koshuis Date Prep

5. My Geliefde

6. English FAL periods

3.

4.

2.

5.

6. 1.

Die Werkswêreld in 2033

Hanko van Rooyen

In ’n wêreld wat voortdurend verander, is die toekoms minder voorspelbaar as ooit … Dit is veral vandag uiters belangrik om die regte besluit met betrekking tot jou beroepsrigting te neem. Vir Paul Roosers (veral Graad 11’s en 12’s) is hierdie onderwerp baie relevant.

Terwyl ons besig is om ons voete in die 21ste eeu te vind, ontwikkel die arbeidsmark teen ’n ongekende tempo. Tegnologiese vooruitgang, demografiese verskuiwings en globale uitdagings transformeer die werkslandskap wat geleenthede én uitdagings bied. As jy, soos baie van ons, nog nie besluit het watter studierigting jy wil aanpak nie, is

deeglike navorsing belangrik. Nadat ek gaan ondersoek instel het, het volgende beroepsvelde vir my uitgestaan:

Kunsmatige Intelligensie (AI) Spesialiste: Die vraag na AI-spesialiste sal verseker styg. Die ontwikkeling en implimentering van AI sal innovering in verskeie velde tot gevolg hê.

Volhoubare Energie-ingenieurs: Die aanvraag na volhoubare energie-ingenieurs sal toeneem as gevolg van die wêreld se groeiende kommer oor omgewingsvolhoubaarheid.

Gesondheidsorgspesialiste: Daar word verwag dat die gesondheidsorgsektor aansienlike groei sal ervaar as gevolg

van veroudering van bevolkings en die toenemende voorkoms van chroniese siektes.

Robotika-ingenieurs: Die opkoms van outomatisering en robotika vereis ingenieurs in dié betrokke veld.

Datawetenskaplikes:

Aangesien die wêreld steeds ’n groot volume data genereer, kan die behoefte aan bekwame datawetenskaplikes net vergoot.

Die toekomstige arbeidsmark sal sonder twyfel opwindende geleenthede vir individue met die regte vaardighede verskaf. Soos nuwe tegnologie ontwikkel, sal nuwe werksgeleenthede volg. Diegene wat die ontwikkelende eise van die toekoms kan hanteer, sal goed geposisioneer wees om in hulle gekose veld te floreer.

Taking the Road Less Travelled: Embracing the Gap Year

Izak de Wet

“Wat gaan jy volgende jaar studeer?” As jy ’n matrikulant is, hoor jy hierdie vraag waarskynlik gereeld.

Indien jy reeds presies weet wat jy ná skool wil studeer, behoort dit nie ’n moeilike vraag te wees om te beantwoord nie. Maar vir heelwat van ons is dit nie ’n uit-

gemaakte saak nie. Baie mense voel dat hulle direk na skool moet gaan studeer omdat “almal tog gaan studeer” of omdat hulle nie “iets wil misloop nie”. Maar is dit slim om te gaan studeer as jy nog nie 100% seker is wat jy vir die res van jou lewe wil doen nie? Is dit nie meer sinvol om dan ’n oorbruggingsjaar, oftewel gap year, te vat sodat jy kan

uitvind nie?

Ek onthou nog hoe ek gevoel het toe ek in graad 9 vakke moes kies. Dit was opwindend, maar terselfdertyd vreesaanjaend. En nou moet, net twee jaar later, ’n besluit oor ’n studierigting neem wat moontlik my hele toekoms gaan beïnvloed. Moet dit die norm wees om direk na skool te aan studeer?

Dit kan werklik voordelig wees om ’n oorbruggingsjaar te vat, selfs al voel sommige mense dat dit tydmors is. Is dit regtig tydmors as jy ’n jaar gebruik om jouself te leer ken en lewensuitkyk te verander? Dit klink eerder vir my asof jy jou tyd goed aangewend het.

Weeg ál jou opsies op voor jy besluit.

Is losing with honour a secret victory?

Willem Visagie

On the second of December 2012, Ivan Fernandez Anya, a Spanish athlete, competed in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarra. He was running in second place with a gap between him and the leader, Abel Mutai, a Kenyan runner. When entering the final straight of the race the Kenyan mistakenly stopped ten metres before the finish, thinking he was already over the line. Ivan saw this and rather than running past and taking an easy victory, he stopped to guide the Kenyan to the finish line so that the rightful winner, Abel, could take the victory.

Is it really important to try and win at all costs, or is losing with honour a secret victory?

We live in a world that glorifies victory, but it is crucial to remind ourselves that winning is not the sole determi-

nant of success or fulfilment. While striving for victory is commendable, it is equally important to go out there and take part with a good heart and integrity, regardless of the outcome. When we focus solely on winning, we risk overlooking the invaluable lessons that come from participation. Engaging in any activity, be it sports, arts or academics, provides opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and self-discovery. It is through participation that we learn perseverance, discipline, teamwork, and resilience, traits that extend beyond the boundaries of competition and contribute to our overall growth as individuals.

Valuing participation over mere victory nurtures a healthier perspective on success. Success is not solely defined by the number of victories we accumulate, but rather by the meaningful connections we forge, the memories we create, and the personal satisfaction we derive. By shifting our focus

from a narrow outcome-oriented mindset to a broader appreciation of the journey, we cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling approach to life and we become better people!

“I didn’t deserve to win. I did what I had to do. He was the rightful winner” said the 24-year-old Fernandez Anaya. Sure, if the Spanish athlete had passed the Kenyan, it wouldn’t have been considered cheating, yet Ivan chose to lose with honour.

I think we should all try to do our best to achieve greatness, to excel at what we do and to try to win. But we must be careful not to cross the line of winning and cheating, we must remember to enjoy what we are doing and, most importantly, to show good sportsmanship and be willing to lose with honour. So next time when you are on the rugby field, out on the track or the tennis court, do your best and strive for success, but ALWAYS prioritise good values!

Nuwe duikslagreëls: Goed of sleg?

Hano Basson

Die Rugby Voetbalunie of Rugby Football Union (RFU) van Engeland het aangekondig dat die wettige hoogte van ’n duikslag in professionele, amateur- en skolerugby vanaf 1 Julie 2023 sal verander om rugby vir alle spelers op die veld “veiliger” te maak. Die hele rugbygemeenskap het die aankondiging nie ligtelik opgevat nie, en baie mense het hulle opinie daarop gelewer. Die nuwe reël behels dat alle duikslae onder die persoon met die bal se middellyf gemaak moet word. Volgens die RFU is hul doel met die reëlverandering om die blootstelling aan kopbotsings asook die risiko van harsingskudding vir beide die baldraer en die speler wat hom duik, te verminder. Nadat die reëlverandering aangekondig is, het sosiale media ontplof en talle mense het hul ongelukkigheid uitgespreek. Party mense beskryf dit selfs as “die dood van rugby” wat rugbyliefhebbers vir seker nie wil hoor

nie. Daar is selfs groot onsekerheid of die nuwe reëls werklik die sport veiliger gaan maak. Meer kop-tot-kniekontak gaan plaasvind wat kan lei tot meer harsingskuddingsgevalle en nekbeserings. The Eggchasers, ’n aanlyn podsendingplatform, het in hulle nuutste podsending (podcast) gesê dat die RFU deur die aanpassing van die reël twee verskillende sporte geskep het. Huidige en voormalige profes- sionele rugbyspelers, soos Nick Easter, het ook aanlyn uiting aan hul frustrasies gegee.

Nick het getweet dat meer beserings, harsingskuddingsgevalle en hofsake gaan kom indien die reël amptelik geïmplementeer gaan word.

Ek hoop dat die reël nie skolerugby in Suid Afrika enigsins sal beïnvloed nie. Daar is min goed wat beter is as om te sien hoe een van jou skool se spelers ’n speler in die opposisie se wind totaal en al wegduik. Die sport, waarvoor ons almal so lief is, sal heel waarskynlik baie vervelig word indien die reël hier geïmplementeer word.

Finansiële beleggings

Francois Dercksen

Het jy finansiële beleggings?

Oorweeg dit sterk!

Die skep van ’n finansiële plan is uiters belangrik vir enige persoon wat finansiële sukses wil beleef. Maar hoe begin mens met só ’n plan? Beleggings is ’n uitstekende beginpunt.

Beleggings het, selfs vir skoolleerders, verskeie voordele. Dit is voor die hand liggend dat jy geld kan maak uit aandele, maar die voordele is nie beperk tot wins nie. Beleggings leer leerders finansiële verantwoordelikheid. Deur moeilike besluite te maak en die resultate daarvan dop te hou, ontwikkel belangrike vaardighede wat baie nut vir die toekoms inhou. Vir leerders wat ’n toekoms in die wêreld van besigheid oorweeg, kan beleggings goeie blootstelling en ervaring bied

ten opsigte van besighede, industrieë en ekonomieë. Goeie gewoontes, soos dissipline, geduld en ’n langtermyn uitkyk wat lewenslank voordelig is, word ook gevestig. Beleggings bied toegang tot kapitaalgroei met samegestelde rente, en soos Albert Einstein gesê het: “Saamgestelde rente is die agste wonder van die wêreld. As jy dit verstaan, verdien jy dit; indien nie, betaal jy dit.” Hoe vroeër jy met ’n spaarplan begin, hoe beter. Wanneer jy in die toekoms fondse vir noodsaaklikhede benodig soos ’n voertuig, universiteitsgelde of ’n huis, sal fondse in beleggings beskikbaar wees en jou help om hierdie belangrike items te kan bekostig.

Daar is verskeie maniere om jou geld te belê; ’n deposito of spaarrekening in die bank is die mees algemeen. Die bank is ’n eenvoudige en

betroubare manier om jou geld teen ’n rentekoers te belê en dit bied ook ander voordele soos bankdienste. Is jy egter tevrede met die bank se relatiewe lae rentekoers? As inflasie in ag geneem word, sal die bank se rente nooit ’n werklike wins genereer nie. Dus moet ander beleggingsopsies oorweeg word om werklike kapitaalgroei te verseker. Waar begin ’n mens met jou beleggingsplan? Aandele is ’n goeie beginpunt aangesien daar ’n breë mark met diverse geleenthede is en jy enige bedrag as aanvangskapitaal kan gebruik. Alhoewel aandele die potensiaal het om groter wins as bankrentekoerse te lewer, kan dit ongelukkig ook tot groot verliese lei. Daar is dus ’n mate van risiko, maar risikovlakke wissel afhangend van die tipe aandele waarin jy belê. Sekere langtermyngroei-aandele sal ’n meer betroubare wins lewer, maar teen ’n laer persentasie groei oor tyd. Die teenoorgestelde geld vir risiko-aandele soos kriptogeldeenhede (“Crypto”) wat oornag kan verdubbel of halveer. “Crypto” is uiterse hoërisikobeleggings. Moderne aandeelhandelsplatforms, soos EasyEquities, maak dit maklik en eenvoudig genoeg dat enige iemand kan begin belê.

’n Goeie en gediversifiseerde beleggingsportefeulje is noodsaaklik vir finansiële sukses. ’n Grondige kennis van beleggingsopsies en die werking daarvan is onontbeerlik. Almal behoort ’n aandeel in die wêreld van beleggings te hê. PRG-leerders het die geleentheid om vir ’n JSE-aandelekompetisie in te skryf, maar sal dit nie ook nuttig wees om beleggingskennis deel van die basiese onderrigplan te maak nie? Sal dit nie sinvol wees om in LOR hiervan te leer nie? Wat as ons by oudleerders wat suksesvolle sakemanne geword het, leer? Die geleenthede is legio; jy moet dit net aangryp en jou eerste belegging maak.

Understanding Manhood

Steffan Thielen

There are interesting phenomena revealed every day through our seemingly uneventful lives. Even as kids play on a playground they are unwittingly engaging with the intricate realities and laws that govern our universe. A seesaw, especially, reveals one physical concept that has led to our society’s identity crises. When one end of the seesaw is pulled back, potential energy accumulates, akin to a coiled spring, eager to be released. The higher it is pulled, the greater the potential energy it harbours.

As inanimate as it may seem, the seesaw serves as a metaphor for the balance between good and bad men in society. Just as the seesaw’s extremes disrupt the balance, men who pushed the boundaries of masculinity too far, upset the equilibrium. Their relentless pursuit of harshness and dominance accumulated immense potential energy, unsettling the delicate harmony that once existed. Like the release of the seesaw, the consequences reverberate throughout society. The tipping point of this teeter-totter, was the events of the Second World War, the last straw for men, just before they would have destroyed the planet. Unfortunately, this led to a catastrophic ricochet, propelling the pendulum to the opposite extreme. The once-assertive masculine identity crumbled, giving way to weakness and passivity. Brace yourselves for an exploration of the intricate forces at play as we delve into the consequences of masculinity pushed to its breaking point.

Manhood is such a powerful phenomenon and that is why a society

can either fall or prosper depending on the quality of the manhood it sustains. Firstly, according to the Youngman Foundation, extreme violence is largely a male phenomenon. Women are not likely to start gang fights or wars. Males do these things. A major line between bad and good men is their relationship to violence. A good man knows his proper place and will only resort to violence to protect others from bad people.This means the community is safer because good men control and demonstrate their male strength in prosocial ways. And while some men have misused their relationship to violence in the past, the solution is not ridding them of their innate

characteristics. That would be like caging a lion because it ate too many antelope, and then expecting it to purr like a kitten. It is reckless and is pushing the seesaw to the other extreme and will result in an even bigger catastrophic social ricochet than the current one. We must uncover the delicate equilibrium between the untamed vigour of the assertive and the nurturing essence of the life-affirming. Our society will crumble if we don’t embrace true masculinity and encourage life-giving Manhood. We have the ability to revive men before we collapse due to the passivity of the current generation, or we encounter the devastating consequences of ignorantly caging the wild lion in the next.

Logic or Pure Parrotry

David Chemaly

Each year, from the age of seven, you take formal assessments with varying degrees of difficulty in a wide range of ways. Listening comprehensions, essays, orals, and formal exams are but a few ways in which your supposed understanding is tested. During certain years, these can be exceptionally important – such as the ever-nearing end-of-year exams for us matrics. The supposed purpose of these examinations is to test your understanding of a subject. The theory goes that, if you are able to perform optimally in these tests, then you understand the content, and may even consider pursuing a career therein. The problem, however, is in the rigid structure.

A system of schooling has been in place for over two millennia, but the way that people have learned has remained stubbornly simple. You memorise and excel. If exams are supposed to test your understanding of a subject, then why is it that they take into account how many hours

you have spent memorising obscure definitions and phrases? When information is so readily available, why is it not enough to only understand what it is being taught?

The average person living in the 21st century has access to more information than any library in the past could ever hope to offer. Now, you can even choose between using traditional search engines (such as Google) or chatbots (such as ChatGPT) to answer your questions. Yet, school systems insist on learners memorising definitions that can easily be found with a quick search.

I believe exams and tests should still be offered, but that they should be altered so as to provide accurate preparation for the future. Exams should be open book, as it would replicate students using available information later in their lives, whilst still testing that they understand what is being asked. One should not need to memorise anything before being able to do well in school, it should be sufficient to understand all that a subject is, not memorising every intricacy thereof.

PRG Hockey: 1st Half of Season in Review

Hano Basson

Hockey has become one of the fastest-growing sports in South Africa, and proof of that can be seen at the schoolboy level. Paul Roos has become one of the hockey giants in SA over the past few years. With the school having approximately 18 teams across all age groups, it is certain that any boy will grow as a hockey player in this school. As the first half of the season comes to an end, the PRG hockey players have achieved much already.

PRG started the season by sending 9 different teams to 10 pre-season tournaments across the country. The u14A, u16A and u19A sides travelled to Pretoria, Durban and Johannesburg respectively to participate in the Founders’ Tournament. The offi-

cial season kicked off with PRG welcoming our rivals, Grey PE, to Stellenbosch. All the teams showcased their talents resulting in PRG winning 10 out of the 16 games, with the u19 age group most notably winning all their games. The following week PRG travelled to Bishops, and returned another remarkable set of results, with no team being on the losing end.

From 27-30 April, our u19A and u16A sides travelled to Gqeberha to take part in the Hibbert Shield Cup respectively. The u16A’s had a tough tournament and finished in 4th place. The 1st side, though, made history. They started their campaign by beating Woodridge, Westville and Garsfontein in the group stages. In the quarter-finals, they came up against DHS and fought hard to win 3-2, and then

beat Selbourne College 4-0 in the semi-finals. They faced off against SACS in the final. The team showed incredible fighting spirit, and scored the winning goal in the dying seconds, beating SACS 3-2, to win the tournament.

PRG faced off with Paarl Gym, Rondebosch and Paarl Boys as of late, and also produced excellent results. The u19A, u19B, u14B and u14D teams have only been on the winning side thus far!

The school has recently been given the green light to proceed with our very own Astro project. This will see us play on our brand-new Astro in the near future. Good luck to the 42 players participating in provincial tournaments, and good luck to all PRG players and coaches for the second half of the season.