1

Merrifield’s Very Own Bi-Weekly Newspaper 4 September 2017

From the Executive Head, Dr Guy Hartley

It has been a very special last two weeks as we have celebrated our twentieth year in earnest. Thank

you to our entire community for supporting the various activities. It has been a very memorable time in

our history.

The “Unstoppable” production was a major highlight of the year, which showcased the school in a very

moving and uplifting way. Our students and staff displayed their immense store of talent that is clearly

abundant at Merrifield.

The major derby day vs St George’s, the Founders’ Day Assembly, the Alumni Reunion and the Music

Picnic and Country Fair were all well-attended, very successful and festive occasions.

It has been a busy time and once more, a big thank you to everyone who has played a role – big or

small – in contributing towards a significant period in our twenty years of existence.

There is no doubt in my mind that something exciting and distinctive in education continues to happen

at Merrifield as we seek to create a really nurturing, innovative and dynamic ethos at the school. It is a

force that is gathering momentum and is indeed infectious and “Unstoppable”!

GROWTH: Merrifield has grown and developed immensely in the past 20 years and last week the

school celebrated 20 years of excellence with a Founders’ Day assembly, a Music Picnic and Country

Fair and an Alumni Reunion. A hockey match is scheduled for tonight between alumni and current

students, parents and friends of the school. More pictures on pages 4 and 5.

2

Well done to the entire cast and crew of Unstoppable, the Guild theatre production that celebrated Merrifield

on its 20th anniversary.

The production played to packed houses on 22, 23 and 24 August and told the story of Lily, an inquisitive grade

one student on the first day of school, who grows up in front of the audience’s eyes. The show showcased

Merrifield’s cultural diversity with dancing, singing, acting, marimba bands and musical instruments.

An “Unstoppable!” Success!

3

Congratulations to the Merrifield College and Sakhikamva High

School students who came first in the South African Model Unit-

ed Nations Provincial competition that took place at the Eastern

Cape Provincial Legislature in Bhisho last weekend. The team

represented Germany and the topic covered was colonialism

and reparations. They competed against around 30 teams. From

left to right, well done to Ntipha Masikhonzane (Sakhikamva),

Mali Aphelele (Sakhikamva) and Khian Denison (Merrifield) and

good luck as they go ahead to the National competition in Cape

Town in October. Absent from the picture is Heather Sandison

(Merrifield).

The Merrifield Intermediate phase recently held their internal

public speaking competition. Shaelyn Hartley was the winner of the

Grade 4-5 section, and Daniel van Rensburg the winner of the

Grade 6-7 section. Well spoken!

Well done to the following prep students who

received a double gold in the East London

Primary schools Eisteddfod which is currently

on show at Belgravia Art Centre. They are

Rofhiwa Mosehana, Mayibongwe Pasiya,

Fyodor Olivier, Cora Tarr, Tessa Waterson,

Blake Snyman, Lethu Ngcwabe and Shannon

Rose. Absent from the picture is Daniel Trow.

The Grade 9s doing chemistry magic, turning black

copper oxide into beautiful blue copper sulphate crystals

with the help of sulphuric acid.

4

Founders’ Day Assembly

Mr Tony Law

Merrifield College

former headmaster

Warren Canning—Class of 2007 Alumni

Photographs: Tracey Mangold and Peter King * More photos are available on the Merrifield College Facebook page

5

Music Picnic and Country Fair

Photographs: Tracey Mangold and Peter King * More photos are available on the Merrifield College Facebook page

6

GOKARTS

12 August: Heath Vallance attended the 4th round of Border Karting Championships. Heath has been racing 50cc go-karts for this year and made his debut in the 60cc karts. He placed 2nd for the day in 50cc and got a solid 6th place in the 60cc race. With two events left for the year Heath is currently lying 2nd for the year. The next race is being held on 9 September.

DERBY DAY 2 September: 1st Boys Soccer vs Mthatha, Merrified lost 2-3. 1st Girls Hockey vs Mthatha, Merrifield won 11-0. U16 Netball vs Beaconhurst, Merrifield lost 19-7; 1st Girls vs Beaconhurst, Merrifield lost 23-11.

TENNIS Merrifield College came third in the annual Sun City Private Schools Tennis Tournament that took place last week. The team consisted Samuel Townes, Dylan Smith, Peter Townes, Alex Murray and Keelan Hartley. Results: Merrifield beat St Alban’s 7-0; lost to Michaelhouse 3-4; lost to St John’s 3-4; beat St Dunston’s 6-1; lost to St David’s 2-5; beat KES 5-2.

LILYFONTEIN ADVENTURE RACE 2 September: Two teams from Merrifield prep took part in the race, with the Grade 5 team coming 6th and the Grade 4 team coming 13th out of 24 teams.

HOCKEY 31 August: U11 Girls hockey beat Lilyfontein 3-1.

30 August: U9 Girls Hockey at Stutterheim. A Team: Merrifield vs: Stutt A, Merrifield lost 2-0; vs George Randell: Merrifield won 3-2; vs Stutt B, Merrifield won 5-1; vs Kingsridge B, Merrifield won 4-1.

B Team: vs Kingsridge A, Merrifield lost 4-0; vs George Randell, Merrifield lost 2-0; vs Crewe A, the teams drew; vs Stutt B: the teams drew.

30 August: U11 girls beat George Randall 2-0; U13 girls beat Pfefferville 10-0

29 August: Our U9 Boys played in their last school’s festival at Stirling. These boys have grown from strength to strength and the A side have proven to be a challenging side for their opponents. Much fun has been had and a love for hockey is the best outcome. Keep your eye on these Mighty U9s in seasons to come! Results: U9A: vs Hudson B, Merrifield won 3-2; vs Stirling B, Merrifield won 4-2; vs Stutt A, Merrifield won 2-1; vs Selborne A, the teams drew 1-1. U9B: vs Selborne C, Merrifield won 4-0; vs AW Barnes A, Merrifield lost 3-0; vs Buffalo Flats A, Merri-field lost 4-1.

29 August: U11 boys lost 1-0 to Kidds beach and lost 2-1 to Lilyfontein. U13 boys lost 1-0 to Stirling.

SQUASH 28 August: Prep squash vs Stirling, Merrifield lost 5-3.

SOCCER 28 August: U9 soccer lost 2-0 to President Primary.

DEBATING Merrifield's junior and senior debating teams participated in the Eastern Cape Provincial trials. The junior team was ranked 3. Calum Jones has ranked the top junior speaker in the province and was chosen to represent the Eastern Cape at Nationals later in the year

7

8

Happy birthday to the following Merrifield students and staff, from 2 September and 15 September:

Students: Rico Moolman, Tyson Ott, Ayakha Ngcwangu, Tia Mostert, Liam Scheeld, Amele Majiza,

Siyazingca Makatala, Cabe Morrison, Albara Asholi, Scott Barrow, Erin Farley, Ngcali Jafta, Hlonela

Mrwetyana, Kelly Perks, Keegan Hempel. Bradley Wicks, Isinamva Mayekiso, Blake Snyman, Tiara Keen,

Reyn Gouverneur, Skylar Ganda, Ilitha Fani and Damian Jackelman.

Staff: Nonkuthalo Ndamane, Jonno Neethling, Kim Johnson and Siyabonga Magubane.

The annual hockey match between Merrifield Alumni and current students and parents was a fun event

with a great turnout. Pictured here are Merrifield alumni, from left, David Canning, Michael Cowie,

Matthew Simms, Oliver Hansen, Jonathan Tyzack and Dayton Hartley.