Maritzburg College School Magazine Maritzburg College Magazine 2016 electronic | Page 72

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Peer Tutors
Peer tutors at Maritzburg College are significantly at the forefront of
informal extra academic coaching. This service is run through the House
system where each House has an Academic Leader in charge of volunteer
tutors within that house, for all subjects. While our tutors are obviously not
trained teachers, the service they offer voluntarily is of enormous assistance
to struggling pupils. They are available for one-on-one tutoring that fills the
gap between teaching in class and official extra lessons.
Our boys have again done an excellent job in 2016 and deserve to be
congratulated. They are chosen for their academic ability in a particular
subject, coupled with empathy and patience. This is a bridging service
which has proved very popular with boys requiring some assistance on
site. Peer tutors came under the banner of Pastoral Care from 2016.
Maritzburg College provides an annual tea for our selfless tutors as a vote
of thanks to them for their altruism.
Photography Club 2016
Under the leadership of Z Pelzer the club managed to capture major
functions and sporting games during the year. A number of talks were
arranged to help the boys better understand the technical aspect of
the camera and how to take better pictures and this advice was well
demonstrated in their work. The boys were afforded the opportunity
to showcase their own work in several competitions and this was well
supported.
I thank these boys who sacrificed hours to provide a remarkable
service to the school: M Marshall, M Diaz, O Majoro, R Bennett,
L Foster, K Tullis, M Abel and Z Pelzer.
Mrs K Woods
Mrs R Wulfsohn
Speakers’ Circle
Back row: R de Wet, M Manisunker, C Poree, B Bolleurs, A Hudson, K Walsh, K Lovell-Greene, B Pieterse, R Williamson, S Nyker, R Stander, M Diaz
Middle row: J Godfrey, S Little, O Majoro, J Robinson, A Little, M Meugens, l Mvuna, O Shelembe, J van der Linde, S Pillay, C Stone, S Mntungwa
Front row: R Murdoch-Oates, C Mpanza, T Dladla, B Dennyschen, R Turnbull, Mrs E Leroy, R Hodgson (captain),
C Hope, F Manke, D Charters, T Drummond
Absent: M Godfrey
Speakers’ Circle has embraced a new and enthusiastic group of dedicated
and accomplished Fifth Formers who have taken public speaking to greater
heights than ever before. They have wasted no time in working through
their projects, and have produced many thought-provoking and heartfelt
speeches to date. It is wonderful to have such a natural group of speakers
who have a flair for speaking.
Special mention needs to be made of some of the Sixth Formers, who,
despite their full plates, have continued to pull out all the stops in continuously
producing interesting projects – R Hodgson (the honourable Chairman)
always sets a pleasing example of someone who delivers his speeches in a
composed and dignified manner, and fulfils the various roles with aplomb. R
Murdoch-Oats has also become a lot more vocal on the speaking front and
often leaves the group speechless and moved by his eloquence, and lastly,
M King has brought his own quirky style of public speaking to the table.
His abstract and animated approach leaves the audience in stitches and
wondering what his content has to do with the wider world, until masterfully,
he wraps it up (in all senses of the word) with his clever conclusions.
A fine-tuned committee is essential in the smooth running of the meetings and
the committee, as mentioned below, have proved reliable in this regard. The
Office Bearers were: Chairman - R Hodgson, Vice-chairman - R Turnbull and
Secretary - B Denysschen.
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The Speakers’ Circle is a programme that aims to develop the boys’
confidence and style of speaking when addressing groups of people.
Progress in Speakers’ Circle is achieved by working through nine different
projects over the course of two years. These projects focus on a variety
of facets of public speaking. Those boys who complete all nine projects
receive a certificate. Not only do they learn the art of communication, but
emphasis is also placed on social etiquette and graces expected in formal
environments. Public speaking is an essential life skill and the boys are
encouraged to realise its value and the potential in participating in such an
esteemed society.
In June, the Speakers’ Circle bade a sad farewell to Mr Brandon Swart. A
Toastmaster himself, Mr Swart added his expertise to the public speaking
programme and was instrumental in developing fine speakers over the
many years during which he was involved in this code. He will be greatly
missed by both his colleagues and the boys.
Mrs Liz Leroy, who took over the reins from Mr Swart, also leaves Speakers’
Circle at the end of the year. However, it is a great pleasure to welcome
back to Maritzburg College, Mrs Kim Lindie (nee Swinstead), who will
be running Speakers’ Circle in the new school year. She is wished every
success for the future.
Mrs E Leroy