September 2014
THE SLAB THE SHANGRI-LA ACADEMY BULLETIN
THE FACES BEHIND THE SLAB By Paige Leih and Claudine Osso
After a lot
of searching, The SLAB team was chosen. The Managing Editors are Paige Leih and Claudine Osso. The journalists and photographers are Pamela Vogdanos, Priscilla Jacobs, Kiara Chinnasamy and Drystan Govender. As soon as they were chosen, the team was put to work. Each member was assigned different tasks and articles to cover. Everyone contributed to the preparation of our first issue and they started preparing articles, conducting interviews and taking photographs.
INSIDE Who Is … ?
2
What is in a name?
3
Aim for the Stars Grade 3’s
4
If you wish to be a part of The SLAB next term, then remember to hand your completed applications in to Mrs Hall by10am on Friday 26 September.
Soup Day
4
SPORTS, SPORTS and more SPORTS
5
STAGE, SCREEN AND THE LIKE
8
Pyjamas? To School?
12
I’M FAMOUS
13
There is also an online version of The SLAB which you can read and enjoy in full colour. Visit an android app store and download the application “ISSUU”. Once you have opened ISSUU, just search for The SLAB and you should find Shangri-La’s premier newspaper.
BRING Out THE BLING
17
Prison break
18
July Winter Ball
19
Tea Time
19
Spring is in the air
20
BOOKWORMS
21
Q&a
25
Reviews
26
Say What?
26
Comic Strips
27
Conundrum Corner
28
Thank you for all the support and we hope that you enjoy reading The SLAB and all the fun activities included in The SLAB.
Who is … Mrs Kruger Mrs Kruger let us interview her to find out a little bit more about her and her childhood. Mrs Kruger has lived in Benoni for the last 32 years. When she was a child she attended I.R. Griffith Primary School and Hyde Park High School in Randburg. She was quite an athlete while at school and was also a fantastic ice skater. She knew she wanted to be a teacher from the age of 6. Here are a few snippets of information that maybe you did not know about Mrs Kruger. What is your opinion of One Direction? Do you like marshmallows? Which direction????? I will eat them if I have to. If you were stranded on an island with two teachers who would they be and why? Miss Stander because she makes me laugh and Mrs Milo because we are old friends.
What are your phobias? The dark.
On average, how many books have you read in your life? About 5000.
If you could have any big cat as a pet What is your favourite movie? which one would it be? Avatar. A lion with a big mane to keep me warm What are your hobbies? during winter. I make stained glass work when I have If you could live on any planet besides time. earth which one would it be? Jupiter.
In The Next Issue
Christmas Gift Ideas What have the choir been up to? Our Glamorous Matric Fare- well
WHO ARE OUR New PREFECTS? Farewell to our Grade 7’s and Matrics of 2014 Exam tips and Study Help
LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW
Readers may submit a short story (no more than 250 words), a drawing or comic strip to Mrs Hall by 24 October 2014. Some of the best stories, drawings and comic strips will be published in the next issue of The SLAB. Give your creativity a boost and enter your work … who knows, yours may be published.
What’s in a name? What an exciting new adventure we are embarking on with creating a school newspaper, but most importantly ‌ what are we going to call it? When Mrs Hall announced that we needed a name for the new Shangri-La newspaper, the suggestions came flooding in. Over 120 names were received. Thank you to everyone who entered their suggestions, but after a long and difficult decision the new name was chosen, The SLAB. It stands for Shangri-La Academy Bulletin. Congratulations to Kirsten Delport in Grade 5 who came up with the awesome name!
THE SLAB
Grade 3 Adventure To The Planetarium Contributed by Mrs Fielding
Finally the day arrived! Excitement was building! We climbed onto the bus set for the planetarium. When we arrived at the campus, we sat on a grandstand eating our lunch. The show started in 45 minutes. It seemed like forever! At last we were sitting in the round building looking up at the dark ceiling.
Then the show began… We learnt about the Moon, Sun, stars and planets. We sang songs about the Solar System and learnt how constellations of stars form different animals like the Scorpion, Lion and the Southern Cross. Can you believe that you can tell the time by looking at the stars? Soon it was over… how disappointing! What a fun and happy day.
Soup Day
under the observation of the little ones. It is then served up and thoroughly enjoyed. After they have eaten their soup they make a recipe book where they draw all the ingredients used to make their delicious soup. Every year there is a huge pot with extra soup which is given to all the teachers to eat it at second break and some teachers even take some home, how lucky!
By Claudine Osso
Soup day has been done every year since 2004, 11 years in total while Mrs O’Regan has been here. It is a fun event for our much loved little Grade R angels. They have their soup day during their winter theme, on everyone’s favourite day, Friday. During the month the Grade R pupils are told a story, Yuck Soup, which is about two aliens that make soup with horrible and weird ingredients. Then they make their own soup, Yum Soup. Each little angel brings ready chopped vegetables that are put in a huge pot and left to cook for the whole morning. After much anticipation, when the soup is finally finished cooking, it is blended
Tennis By Drystan Govender
Winning every match this term, Alistair Dick-Vercammen (Captain), Keegan Hindle, Tyler Hughes, Brandon Delport and Ethan McMean (Reserve), the A Team had an amazing season. After beating Impala, Kruinsig, Aston Manor Primary School, Van Riebeeck Park and Laerskool Edleen, the team went through to the finals and beat Laerskool Edleen to become league winners. Well done! The B Team also had an excellent season after winning three matches and only losing one. The team consists of 4 players, Emma Clifton, Vintino Steenbok, Bradley Rorich and Enrico Murta. They played Van Riebeek Park (win), Edleen (lose), Oosterkruin (win) and Birchleigh (win). The team went through to play off against Kruinsig for 3rd and 4th place. Unfortunately, they came 4th, but well done on a fantastic match. The High School tennis teams also did extremely well this year. The first team placed 2nd in the East Gauteng School Tennis league, the first team consisted of Luke Clifton, Jordan Terblanche, Kyle van Goethem and Versage Yang. The second team, Aidan Clifton, Mark Shoebridge, Jared Redgate and Cuan Davis, placed third. The third team, who came third as well, consisted of Abhishek Ramjatten, Tristan Neto, Tristan Dahl and Sean Manhando. All three teams played Hoerskool Kempton Park, Hoerskool Jeugland, Edenglen High, Edenvale High, Hoerskool Birchleigh and Curro Serengeti. After the league, five players were chosen, according to performance, to go to Sun City for the Private Schools’ Tennis Challenge. These players were Luke Clifton, Kyle van Goethem, Versage Yang, Aiden Clifton and Mark Shoebridge. Congratulations boys, on this outstanding achievement. Look out in the next issue of The SLAB for more on the Tennis Challenge.
Cricket By Drystan Govender
The U/7 cricket team did exceptionally well this season after winning all four of their matches. They played Kempton Park Primary A and B, Aston Manor Primary and Westside Primary. The U/9 cricket played Kruinsig, Impala and Van Riebeeck Park Primary. Unfortunately, they lost all of their matches, but well done to the team as for most of them this was their first year of playing cricket. The U/13 cricket team had a fairly good season after winning Thaba Marula they beat Thembisa by default as the other team forfeited (Mr. Swanepoel said that they were “too scared” to play us). The U/13s played against Edleen Primary and lost by 5 runs, Kempton Park Primary who they won against. They also played Jeugpark, Mooifontein, Norkem Primary and Aston Manor Primary. The High School cricket team played matches against Hoër Tegniese Skool, Birchleigh and Panorama and won against all three. At the time of publication, they still had two more matches to play against Sir Pierre and Johan Jurgens. Good luck with these matches, boys!
Softball By Paige Leih
During the term the U/16s and Opens played a good game of softball. They had some great highlights of home runs, skidding to first base and winning a good few games. The players were relieved to have Mrs Gostmann there to coach them and a very supportive Mrs Belford. On a certain day during the season they had to compete not only the opposing team but the wind too. The wind kept blowing their bases, players and the pitcher around. However, that did not stop the players from winning both the U/16 and Open matches.
The Primary School are having a good run this term. At the time of publication, the girls were unbeatable! Their captain Boikanyo Mahlangu, showed her commitment and leadership by her display on the team last year. She got hit in the face with the ball and her nose started to bleed, but she continued to play with a tissue held to her face! The players continued to show their commitment this term by playing strongly even though they all had the flu. Strong and unbeatable! Keep doing your best!
Senior Primary Sisa Quiz 2014 By Priscilla Jacobs
Earlier this year Shangri-La held an InterHouse Quiz. This was the deciding factor for the pupils as to who would represent our school at the Inter-School Quiz, which was held at St Francis on 30 July.
National Schools’ Quiz Championship By Claudine Osso
WOW! Shangri-La Academy has some extremely brave and intelligent pupils. Gabriella Murta, Nolwazi Majola, Ameer Khan and Jordan Terblanche have been taking part in the National Schools Quiz Championship. They have practised with Mr Hains doing all sorts of things to prepare them for the quiz and, as they say, you can only learn if you have a good teacher. Over time, they have gained confidence in their team, which is not that hard to do considering who is on their team. They have done very well so far and I have no doubt that they will indeed be able to win.
Jordan Goosen, Tayla Erasmus, Brandon Delport and Daniel Gillian were selected for the A team. Nathan Fisher, Priscilla Jacobs, Genevieve Le Roux and Jack Braun were selected for the B team. Instead of sitting on stage with a buzzer, we sat in groups with an answer sheet. A teacher read out questions and gave us twenty seconds to answer. At the end of each round, a prefect collected our sheets. After a couple of brain teasers, audience rounds and ‘a penguin is the only flying mammal’ incident, the winners were announced. In the end St. Francis came 1st and 4th, the B team came 7th, and the A team came 9th. Apart from not winning, we had a great time. Even if we didn’t bring home the trophy this year, there’s always next year! Huge thanks to everyone involved! The finals are in December, so please go and support them. There is a very big reward for the winners so, no pressure guys! Do Shangri-La Academy proud! Good luck and most importantly have fun. We have full faith that you guys will be able take the title for Shangri-la Academy. We will publish more details regarding the finals in the next issue of The SLAB.
The House Plays By Claudine Osso
Sapphires! Emeralds! Rubys! Who knew Shangri-La Academy had pupils who could act so well? Going to the house plays was a night well spent. Firstly, the actors and actresses blew the audience and the back stage. WOW! They can improvise! For those of you who didn’t come, you missed out on one of the funniest shows ever. Best Actor and Actress went to Sapphire with Lonwabo Moloi and Boitumelo Kgope respectively. Best Supporting Actor was Travis McMean (Ruby), Best Supporting Actress was Lebogang Michele (Emerald), Best Cameo Performance went to Rainer Klijnstra (Ruby), Best Use of Sound and Lighting went to Ruby and Best Costumes went to Emerald. Sapphire stole the evening with the remaining awards and took Best Script by Tinyko Mabasa, Best Set Design, Best Script and last, but certainly not least they won Best Play . Secondly, the backstage crew also need a huge thank you because of how hard they worked to make sure everything was ready, from bread throwing, to a casual stroll on the stage (yes we did see you, but well tried). Also a thank you to the judges who gave us some interesting speeches at the end of the show. The evening could have ended in a tie because all of the houses did amazingly well, but well done to the Sapphires. Great job guys!
The Eisteddfod Battle
as the first Eisteddfod items were due as soon as we returned to school in Term 3. Our pupils did our school proud. They represented Shangri-La Academy with By Pamela Vogdanos Our pupils were well dressed, neat and enthusiasm and pride. well prepared. It was wonderful for the Shangri-La pupils to meet new students We are very proud of the results achieved and make new friends. It was a bit of a and honoured that we have such talented struggle for some pupils to study for their and proficient pupils at our school. cycle tests, do homework, participate in Thank you for all your hard work and extra murals and participate in the effort put in and we look forward to more Eisteddfod, yet they all managed. We outstanding results at next year’s should be proud of our pupils as nothing Eisteddfod. is too tough for them. Ashleigh Conry and Megan Hopwood It was mission impossible to participate were interviewed after they completed with, and compete against, Afrikaans their Eisteddfod items. pupils, although Aiden Jones in Grade 6 Q. Which item did you participate in? was the item winner for Afrikaans Poetry. A. Ashley Conroy: Afrikaans Poetry Well done to all the contestants as it was Megan Hopwood: Afrikaans Reading very different compared to the Benoni Eisteddfod that we usually participate in. Q. What did you receive? We wish you good luck for the next A. AC: A+ (Diploma) MH: A (Platinum) Eisteddfod. Q. If you were the judge, is that what As Nelson Mandela once said, “It always you would have given yourself? seems impossible until it is done”. A. AC: Yes MH: No Below is a contribution from the teachers who attended the Eisteddfod with our Q. Was it difficult? pupils, as well as an interview with Ash- A. AC: Yes leigh MH: Yes, especially seeing that we Conry and Megan Hopwood in Grade 5. had to compete against Afrikaans pupils. For the first time in many years, Shangri- Thank you to all the parents and teachers La Academy entered the Kempton Park for preparing our students so well. Eisteddfod. Our pupils and teachers had a steep mountain ahead of them to climb
Here are two of the items from the Kempton Park Eisteddfod. Girls: Grade 8 THE SEA The sea is a hungry dog. Giant and grey. He rolls on the beach all day With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws. Hour upon hour he gnaws The rumbling, tumbling stones, And “Bones, bones, bones, bones!” The giant sea-dog moans, Licking his greasy paws. And when the night-wind roars And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud, He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs, Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs, and howls and hollows long and loud. But on quiet days in May or June, When even the grasses on the dune Play no more their reedy tune, With his head between his paws He lies on the sandy shores, So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores.
Boys: Grade 4 WELKOM IN MY RESTAURANT Kom in en maak jou tuis, ek is die kok in dié kombuis. Die mense ry van heinde en ver vir hierie chef ekstra ordinaire. Vir voorgereg probeer die sop gemaak van slym en eierdop. Eet dan ń stukkie mol vleis met vrot patat en grasgroen rys Weet jy nie wat jy wil bestel? Probeer die vuil frok frikkadel. Geen visvingers, maar wel vis bene, viskneukels en vishakskene. Proe ń skeppie van my spesialiteit: dis sweet-en-skilfer-suurkonfyt. En virrie laaste dis raak almal gou-gou lus. Sluk dit af met Modder wyn: dié groen pil vir ń groot maagpyn.
Cosy Day By Kiara Chinnasamy
Everyone couldn’t wait for the 25th of July 2014, the day that Cosy Day was held. It was a fun and fantastic day, a day out of the ordinary, a day that makes our school so unique. It was awesome to see the whole school making an effort. Everyone looked terrific in different styles and colours of pyjamas. Whether it was a bunny onesie (Coach) or puppy slippers .
Bring out the Bling By Kiara Chinnasamy
On Friday 5 September Casual Day was held. We raised funds for Con Amore School, which is a school for intellectually disabled children in Kempton Park. It was amazing to see our whole school come together to support this wonderful cause. The theme for Casual Day this year was Bring out the Bling. Wow! Shangri-La really did Bring out the Bling. Have a look at some of the photos below of our Shangri-La family who made us so proud in raising R5 320 for Con Amore School this year.
Grade 11 Prison Break By Paige Leih
pride or excellence for a uniform of shame”. Seven prisoners spoke and every prisoner highlighted that it is easy On 21 August, the Grade 11’s visited to make a wrong decision. One bad the Leeuwkop Juvenile Correction decision affects the rest for your life and Centre with Mrs Bond and Mr Meyer for you will live in regret and shame. Life Orientation. Some Grade 11 pupils were interviewed and below are their What, to you, are the two common responses based on their experience at reasons for these people being sent to prison? Leeuwkop. Bernice Rademeyer: Robbery and Was it different than what you murder. The security guard who was leading us around, showed us a man who expected? Nkosi Tshuma: I expected a violent is serving time in jail for 600+ years for environment where the prisoners were the murders and rapes he committed. controlled by wardens and violent How did it make you feel visiting a outbreaks were filled with blood. male correctional facility? Which scared you the most, juvenile Shaundouglas Labuschagne: I think it is better that the genders get separated or maximum security? Robyn Morris: The juvenile section was because if ladies were to be put with the scariest. We walked among young guys then you would have more men with raging hormones and with the problems. Also with the boys being on juvenile section most of them were new their own it deprives them from seeing to crime and were upset with what they ladies so they get punished more. were facing in terms of being caught for the crimes they committed and being Do you think it was a worthwhile experience? charged for them. Boitumelo Kgope: I think it was Has this experience changed your out- absolutely amazeballs. It was a wakeup look on life or your future decisions? call that we needed. It showed us how Emma Obbes: Yes it has. I have learnt to the real world actually is. 5 out of 5 to appreciate my freedom. The theme of Mrs Bond and Mr Meyer for taking us! the tour was “Don’t change a uniform of
July Winter Ball By Paige Leih
On the 25th July the Grade 11’s hosted a July Winter Ball for charity. The Madrick Hall was turned into a magical place of Christmas trees and music. Your ticket required you to bring a wrapped Christmas gift for either the SPCA, Hospice, Window of Hope or The Rape Centre for Girls. A hot meal of lasagne and macaroni and cheese as well as a delicious malva pudding was included with the ticket which gave the night that extra Christmas feeling. It was an even greater turn out than what the Grade 11’s thought it would be
and they managed to rise an extra R3 000 for their Grade 11 fund. When the dance ended everyone left with full stomachs and positive hearts for helping people and animals in need during the cold winter nights.
Mother and Daughter Tea
Vinnicombe accompanying on the piano. Donita and Jessica Dias showed off their dance moves with their freestyle dancing. The highlight of the tea was the Grade 11 Fashion Show. The girls showcased some formal and elegant dresses while the boys used the opportunity to walk around shirtless. The tea was a great success and if you missed it, there is always next year, so make sure you can go.
By Paige Leih
On the 6th of September the Grade 11’s and Mrs Hersey hosted a Mother and Daughter Tea in The Madrick Hall. Each table was hosted by a parent and they were able to decorate their table, which they did wonderfully and very creatively. Unbelievable hampers and prizes were given out! One prize consisted of a plane ride around Johannesburg and the other was a beautiful charcoal sketch of an elephant. The ladies were entertained by Kapano Mashike singing and Shannon
Spring Disco By Kiara Chinnasamy & Pamela Vogdanos
It was the 5th of September and it was a day everyone had been talking excitedly about for a few weeks. As girls put on their dresses and boys gelled their hair, the excitement grew. After all it was the Spring Disco! This dance practically marks the start of spring! The After-Care looked great as it was decorated with colourful flowers. The DJ set up inside, ready to play many of our favourite songs. It was the first Spring Disco for the Grade 4’s and boy did they have fun. Sadly though, it was the last disco for the Grade 7’s. The disco was a great end to Casual Day. Everyone looked great and pulled off great dance moves. Thank you to Miss Stander, Mr Swanepoel and Mrs Rentzke as well as all the Grade 7’s for a wonderful evening. Here are a few photos of some of the coolest, best and wackiest poses and dance moves of the night.
Bookworms On the following 3 pages is a little look inside the classrooms to see what you all have been up to this term.
Q&A All the boys in my class are good at soccer, but I can’t even kick the ball properly. They don’t make fun of me, but I feel so embarrassed. Practise really hard every chance you get. Have a positive attitude and you will get better. If you don’t enjoy soccer, then maybe you should join an activity that you enjoy more.
There is a pupil in my grade who is always calling me names and putting nasty notes in my bag. Please can you help me? Bullying of any sort is totally unacceptable. Make sure you tell your parents about who is bullying you. Also go to a teacher you trust and speak to him or her about it. You don’t have to suffer through any type of bullying alone.
I really want to become a prefect, but I think my chances are slim. What can I do? Make sure that throughout all your years at school you are respectful, hard working and loyal to the school. You should be a good leader, have a positive attitude and help others where you can. Your school work is important too, so make sure your homework is always done and your projects are finished on time. Take part in extra mural activities and have fun while you are at school, but remember to follow the code of conduct.
Reviews By Priscilla Jacobs
The Sims 4: To Buy Or Not To Buy That is the question! After The Sims 3, there is a lot of debate about moving up to The Sims 4, as it has no pools, and no toddlers either, so the kid’s a baby then suddenly, Whoop! It’s getting homework and doesn’t ‘alert’ you every time it needs the bathroom! There are upsides; the graphics are much better, there are more items available, it’s easier to create Sims and the makers claim that the Sims are ‘smarter’ than they were before (because of past experiences I will eat my hat if that’s true) also, the story line makes more sense and the controls are easier to understand by first time “Simmers”. The Sims is really very fun and entertaining, I mean I played the game once and now I own almost twenty Expansion packs!
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Written by John Green; a very successful author who has written multiple books; The Fault in our Stars is definitely one of his best! Sixteen-year old Hazel Grace Lancaster, who is forced by her parents to attend a cancer support group, where she subsequently meets seventeen-year-old Augustus Waters, an ex-basketball player and whose osteosarcoma caused him to lose his leg. Augustus is at the meeting to support their mutual friend, Isaac, who is losing his remaining eye to cancer. Even though at first she doesn’t seem to want a relationship she eventually falls for him anyway, and then… well you’re going to have to find out yourself! If you liked the movie you’ll love the book!
Say What? I you Mom Emma Poulton Thank you Miss Stander for your help with the extra photographs. You Rock! - The SLAB
Private coaching twice a week with Mr. Swanepoel and Mr. Paterson. R50 an hour
Grade 4 and 7 Comic Strips
Conundrum Corner The Spring Day in this picture is very dull. Help all the insects to bring colour to the garden and win a prize. Grade R-3 pupils can enter their pictures into a colouring-in competition by writing their name, surname and grade on the back of their coloured in picture. Pictures can then be handed in to Mrs Hall by Friday 17 October 2014. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 22 October 2014.
Cool Quiz 1. What is the longest river in the world? 2. The flower of a Hydrangea can change colour. Why? 3. Who is our current president? 4. Who is the king of all the Greek Gods? 5. What is the highest mountain in Africa? 6. What political party does Julius Malema belong to? 7. What do you call the first few lines of the Constitution? 8. Is Krypton a solid or a gas? 9. What shortened number does the symbol π stand for? 10. What is another name for a yam? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Nile Acidic Soil Jacob Zuma Zeus Mount Kilimanjaro
6. EFF 7. Preamble 8. Gas 9. 3,14 10. Sweet potato
Help Mr. Pollen find his pot of honey.