Edition 123 December 2012
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www.meanderchronicle.co.za The Official School Page GRACE COLLEGE 2013 HEADS OF SCHOOL wildlands young artist of the year
Edition 123 December 2012
Literary Lines
By Lesley Thomson. Cell: 072 649 6032. T/f: 033 330 4308. books@lazylizardbooks.co.za www.lazylizardbooks.co.za
POP A BOOK INTO THE STOCKING
The Wildlands Young Artist of the Year prizegiving was held at the Mandela Capture Site in the Midlands on Tuesday 20 November. This competition was available to all schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The winner was James Cook of Thomas More College, 2nd prize went to Ndomiso Dube of Alexandra High and Chris Ellis of Hilton College was awarded 3rd prize. Seen here with the prizewinners was artist and judge Zoe Mair and CEO of Wildlands Conservation Trust, Dr Andrew Venter. Pic: supplied
Grace College held their annual Final Prize Giving on Monday, 3 December 2012. The Heads of the School for 2013 were announced and we congratulate the following pupils on their election: Nicholas Merton (head boy), Dylan Molyneux (deputy head boy), Courtney Sharp (deputy head girl) and Chiara Ilett (head girl). “ We trust that your year of serving our School will be a great one.” Pictured from left to right: Mr. Sean Moore (Headmaster), Nicholas Merton (head boy), Dylan Molyneux (deputy head boy), Courtney Sharp (deputy head girl) and Chiara Ilett (head girl).
Title: “United in different directions” by James Cooke he sculpture tells the of Thomas More in Kloof, KZN
college boys earn scholarships
Earlier this term, three Maritzburg College learners were awarded scholarships to the tuition value of R20 000 each for the 2013 academic year through the University of KwaZulu-Natal, UKZN. We are pleased to report that a further two Maritzburg College learners have been awarded scholarships to the tuition value of R20 000 from UKZN. The selection is based on academic excellence in at least six academic subjects excluding Life Orientation, Mathematics Literacy and Mathematics Paper 3. Vijay Ramballie of the Student Recruitment and Schools Liaison team for Corporate Relations at UKZN presented the scholarship vouchers to the recipients at Maritzburg College. PHOTO: Left to right: Mr Keith Guise-Brown (Acting Headmaster of Maritzburg College), Matthew Nixon, Siyanda Zondi and Vijay Ramballie.
twc helps singakwenza
Seen holding a few of the Teaching Aids created are left to right : Frances Martin, Kuhle Ngubo, Jessica Bompas, Thanushri Padayachi
Gbyardeners ' notes Chris Koch 0827877473 info@midlandsgardencentre.co.za
DWe’ve had very little sun this summer but in our business we NEVER complain ear Fellow Gardeners
about the rain because I have been through a few droughts in my life.
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story of our country’s transition from apartheid to our present day democracy. When looked at in layers, the hands at the base represent the oppression that took place during apartheid. The hands are compressed and they look trodden on. The middle layer represents the struggle for freedom: the hands are strained and violent. The hands towards the top of the sculpture represent freedom and democracy. The hands in the sculpture are old at the bottom and get progressively younger as they get closer to the top. This shows how the older Africans were discriminated against and how their fight for freedom created the democratic country that the youth of today are currently enjoying. I aim to cause the viewers to abandon their complacent way of viewing the new South Africa. When they look deeper they will see there is more than meets the eye. When a light is shone on the sculpture it creates the shadow of a black and white man leaning against each other but looking in opposite directions. This shows that the different groups of people are now united as South Africans; however, we could improve our future by looking in the same direction.
Dear Alistair, I feel like I may be a bit of a paranoid parent but with almost weekly stories in the media of individuals sexually abusing children and/or teenagers I want to make sure that my two young children never suffer this fate. They are both under five years of age. What can I tell them to ensure that they never fall victim to sexual predators?
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irstly, I don’t think that your concern is at all paranoid. On the contrary, I think that you are being very wise in asking this question. The answer is not about a once-off chat with your children, however. Rather, the safety of your children requires that you chat with them about their bodies and uncomfortable situations on a regular basis. I believe that for young children, such as yours, it is very useful to introduce them early on to the concept of “good touch, bad touch” and to have similar such conversations as and when opportunities arise. This allows them to have both the words and the confidence to talk to you if they experience a bad touch. If someone with ill intent should approach one of your children you want them to be prepared, to know that they can say “no”, and that they should immediately come and talk to you about it. The truth is that if you do not talk to your two children about it first, then you leave them open to sexual abuse and/or manipulation by a perpetrator. To start with, you need to define the terms “good touch” and “bad touch” for your children. Ask them to tell you what sort of touches they enjoy; good touches are touches that you like, touches that you feel comfortable with and that make you happy, like a hug from mum (or dad) and the other people that you love. You might say something like “bad touches are touches that make you feel uncomfortable or sad. They are touches you don’t want. Sometimes people try to touch you in your private parts or ask you to touch their private body parts. These are bad touches.” As you can tell, you will also need to discuss what parts of the body are private. You can ask whether they know what parts of their bodies are private, and ensure that they understand that no-one is allowed to touch you in a private area unless it is to keep you clean or healthy (as when being examined by a doctor, for example). Always make sure that your children know exactly what they should do if someone tries to touch them and who they must tell. Children as young as four years old can begin to understand the concept of good touch, bad touch, and much younger children can understand that parts of their bodies are private. And like other important discussions, this one may be rather awkward for you at first. Google “Good Touch, Bad Touch” for some helpful hints and resources and some examples to go through with your children.
Left: Singakwenza’s Early Childhood Development Programme focuses on teaching children through play and utilizing recyclable materials to ensure sustainable resources in economically disadvantaged communities of KwaZulu Natal. The Grade 5 learners from The Wykeham Collegiate have made teaching aids that cover themes like: Transport, Farm Animals, Weather, Body Parts, Numbers and Colours (to name a few) for a small facility called Mickey Mouse Day Care Centre in Mpophomeni, which falls under the auspices of the Singakwenza Programme. They also collected toys for this Day Care Centre. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating teaching materials. Julie Hay, founder and Director at Singakwenza, is acknowledged for all her help.
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There are a variety of colour available from your local nurseries to give instant colour. We have available Dark pink Gaura, Pink Gaura, White Gaura, Daisy bushes, Daylillies, Perennial Petunia, Osteospernum, Salvia, Geraniums, etc. In the shady areas plant New Guinea Impatiens, they come in a vast range of colours. As a border you can plant the old favourite Lobelia which also comes in different colours from white to lilac to very dark blue. If you want a real Christmas tree you have to buy early to avoid being disappointed. The most important thing to remember when buying your tree is that they are outdoor plants, so do not rush to put your tree indoors for too long. Another important fact is that they need to be watered daily, also spray the tree on a daily basis with a soft spray of water. Keep the tree in a shady place before you move it indoors. The chances are good, if you follow these tips that your tree will survive and you may not need to buy another Christmas tree the following year. In the event of you going away this festive season, please ask someone to water your garden and pot plants regularly. There is nothing worse than to come back home to find your plants all shrivelled up or dead. With Christmas approaching, try to give a living gift this season; it has more value than most of the junk that we import from the East. Most garden centres will have beautiful red Poinsettias in stock, a must for your Christmas table. Also remember that there are so many lonely people in our society; please be kind and considerate because there is always someone less fortunate then ourselves. Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year. God Bless. Chris, Lesley, Jacky and Albert Midlands Garden Centres Group Phone: 033 267 5025
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ne of the nice things about the Festive Season is choosing gifts for those you love and friends, showing appreciation to people that have helped or inspired you during the year, thanking work colleagues – and even spoiling yourself! There are so many wonderful books available to choose from for all ages and interests. People say the Kindle is taking over, maybe with certain people, especially those that travel a great deal, but the big international publishers still believe in books, and are publishing so many wonderful ones. We are fortunate in the Midlands to have many talented authors, and it is always a great pleasure to read and review their books. MY DARGLE, by Brian Griffin was launched at Tanglewood, that lovely historical hotel in the Dargle, immediately followed by a book signing at The Lazy Lizard in Howick as recently as the 1st December. Judging by the pre-publication interest shown, MY DARGLE, which tells of the people who pioneered the Dargle, and the many people who live there, it is going to be a very popular choice for a Christmas gift. Ina Peek, of Howick, with her book ONLY GOD CAN: From Desolation to Restoration, tells of her journey battling breast cancer. This is a book that will inspire and comfort many people, especially those who have to experience the same traumas or who know friends that are. Ian Player, with the help of the indomitable Jenne Rennie, has published the third in his Wilderness series. Following on from Reflections of a Wilderness, and Along a Wilderness Path, the latest PEOPLE AND WILDERNESS, is bound to be a great success. All three books are available - packed together they make a nice and affordable gift, or they can be bought singularly. Some really informative and pictorially attractive guide books have hit the shelves for the holiday season. DIVING AND SPEARFISHING IN SOUTH AFRICA, CAMP AND CARAVAN, the latest NATIONAL PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES by Chris and Mathilde Stuart, THE OUTDOOR SURVIVAL BIBLE and MTB TRIALS naming just a few. The Lazy Lizard is raffling a copy of the new release RIDING THE DRAGON’S SPINE: Beit Bridge to Cape Town by David Bristow and Steve Thomas in aid of funds for FREEME WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE in Howick. Valued at R220.00 this book tells of the “ultimate” mountain bike tour across South Africa. We wish you all a truly peaceful, happy and blessed Festive Season and look forward to joining you for an exciting year in 2013! Lesley Thomson
W h i t e Mulberry, Morus alba, often called Silkworm M u l b e r r y, is native to China and has a long and exciting history. This deciduous tree can grow to over 20 m in cultivation, with glossy light green leaves that are fed to silkworms, and wood used to make musical instruments and cabinets. The small, greenish flowers hang on short, hanging catkins that transform into a berry-like fruit varying in colour, from white, lavender or reddish black. The tree made possible the first trade route to link the West with the mysterious East, with the “Silk Road,” 8000km of a meandering collection of tracks that brought the most luxurious and expensive of commodities to Europe, silk. The Chinese custom, noe than 4 000 years ago, was to plant the white mulberry tree, and start harvesting the leaves after it was 5 years old, to feed to silkworms. After 35 days the silkworm would spin its cocoon, from which the silk ‘thread’ was taken. Silk as well as tea, paper, spices and ceramics was traded in Europe, bringing back grapes, glass, incense and lucerne. Over time the secret of making silk, and the plant needed to nourish the worms, were smuggled into Persia and Greece, where the island of Sicily became the hub of silk making The Chinese had also discovered the medicinal benefits of the mulberry tree. In “The Compendium of Materia Medica” (late 1500’s) leaves were recommended for the treatment of coughs, yellow phlegm, obesity and diabetes. Ancient Indian Ayurvedic texts also recommended leaf tea for treating colds and promoting sweating. The Roman poet Horace praised the fruit as a secret to long life. Containing calcium, vitamins A, B1, B2 and amino acids white mulberry is considered to be antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic, and ophthalmic. Its leaves are usually used in treatments of colds, sore throats, flu, eye infections and nosebleeds. Recent researches in Japan showed that leaves contain substances that inhibit intestinal enzymes from passing sugar into the bloodstream and could inhibit the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol, and reduce the concentration of the arterial plaque. The stem is beneficial in cases of rheumatic pains, spasms and high blood pressure. A tincture made from the bark relieves toothache and the fruit is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, diabetes, dizziness, tinnitus and hypertension. It is also a mild laxative and can be applied in cases of constipation. Jams, jellies and syrups are also made with the fruit, so when next you need to feed a shoebox aving my parents happy and safe at full of worms, just Christmas is the real gift! That’s why think of the other we chose Amberglen Care Centre. wonderful benefits of l al u yo this tree and the long g in h is W is th s es journey it has made to n pi ap h d love, joy an as season get to your garden. Christm Wishing you a great Festive Season, Until next year, Call our Care Centre Manager, Claire Robertson on 033 239 4150 Yours in herbs, Diane to find out how you can get your elderly Aldworth.
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parents the compassion and care that they deserve. Amberglen Care Centre forms part of the Amberglen Retirement Village, Howick. The Garden Centres in the Country Rosetta and Winterton 033 267 5025 and 036 488 1167
Christmas Trees Available From 16Th Dec. MERRY CHRISTMAS And A HAPPY nEW YEAR.
Thank you for your valued support. From Chris, Lesley, Jacky and Albert @ Midlands Garden Centre
Rosetta - 033 2675025 Winterton – 036 4881161 We are Proud of our Garden Centre & Personal Service to Customers.
Support local! It is the right thing to do!
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