Issue no. 9

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And so it begins...

By Khanyisile Mokwena and Rhi Smith

"To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering." - Friedrich Nietzsche.

That is just what the Grade 8s did at their orientation, suffer. Being thrown into a new

environment with multitudes of people you do not know is quite the nerve-wracking thing that really shakes a person up, but that is exactly what the Grade 8s had to do as they began their high school journey.

When interviewing the Grade 8s, the most commonly used word was "…humbling".

Having walked into high school with excitement and optimism for beginning a new journey, thinking they would become a part of this large community and be on the same level as the higher grades, the Grade 8's were sadly mistaken.

Orientation is an old tradition used to “let the fresh meat know where they stand”.

At the bottom of the food chain!

For a whole week our Grade 7s of 2022, were put under strict command with grueling activities and humiliating interactions with their matrics; it is safe to say that this week was one they will remember. Not just from the things they did, or the things they learned, but also the friendships they made along the way. There were familiar faces meeting again but also some new faces to bring along on the journey. A truly great friendship was formed between a Grade 8 and the exec who took him/her

under their wing. There were words of encouragement and protection from the exec buddy, shielding them from being a target. Talk about the lion and the lamb.

The lowest point in orientation had to be…the mud crawl. A small muddy pit of suffering. To make it all more difficult, there was some form of barrier above the pit which made snaking their way through the only option. Getting down and dirty with the earth and immersing yourself in the nitty gritty was necessary. Another low moment was when a ‘white liquid’ was poured onto their hair.

There truly was never a point where they could feel alone because around them they

could always find another Grade 8 in the same state, even maybe just a bit

worse.

With these Grade 8s having to work together and endure the same pain as each other, they had unique experiences, but they all have the same memories.

The lowest points always lead to high points though. The most memorable

experience in the orientation, the Sleepover, provided some good moments.

“I liked the night walk, it felt like just a walk,” said one of the grade 8 scholars. “A

breath of fresh air, a slower pace where you don't have to worry about the next activity or the next time you have to get up and run, just a peaceful calm walk, followed by a lovely braai.” All was peaceful, that is, until the Execs raided the snacks!

Finally, the week was over and the Grade 8s had been officially inducted into this new journey they had embarked on. They will see future Grade 8s go through the familiar orientation. When asked if these orientations should be a continued tradition each and every scholar interviewed responded with an enthusiastic “yes”.

“Yes! Because it surely humbled us, I feel like the point was to make us feel like we aren't all that special” said Grade 8 scholar, Lylah.

Do not fret Grade 8s you will get your time in the spotlight in a couple of years. We

asked the Grade 8s of 2023 what they would do differently when the time comes and

they become the Execs in 2027, and future Grade 8s be wary! These Execs will

prepare much worse for you!

Grade 8s as you prepare your journey through High School, we wish you the best. Good luck to our class of 2027!

The ties that bind.

By Rhi Smith

“Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them

inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed.” — Michelle Obama

On Friday, the 10th of February 2023, the Grade 8s tie ceremony was held in the chapel on the Penryn campus during the assembly period. It was a beautiful ceremony to observe from an outside perspective, feeling the strong bonds and viewing the next great generation ready to succeed on their journey. This tradition is only a few years old and our Grade 8s, after wearing their blazers alone, with no tie, finally have the missing piece of the puzzle. They worked hard to get to where they are, and we can all say they truly earned this. They came all this way, but they did not do it alone. They had not only fellow Grade 8s alongside them, but also the 2023 matrics. A deeper bond has grown between them and will continue to grow until the end of this year.

The Grade 8s, at the beginning of the ceremony were asked to stand, and as they did the matrics were called to descend to their buddies to help them take a new step in their journey. Each matric paired with their buddy and began the ceremony; the Grade 8s handed their

ties to their matric, and the matric helped them fasten it.

“Encourage, lift, and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to

one will be felt by us all. For we are connected, one and all.” ― Deborah Day

It was certainly a tear-jerking moment. After the ties were fitted, they parted with a hug and plenty of wide smiles. Our now prim, proper, and grown-up Grade 8s stood, with a new responsibility and maturity within them and it was their time to shine. They were blessed by our Reverend as he shared encouraging words and a beautiful prayer. Each Grade 8 got their own special candle, a symbol of their growth along their continuing journey. With the candles in their hands and their bright futures ahead of them, each candle was lit using the strong flame of the blessed chapel candle, passed along by their peers. “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” played in the background as each Grade 8 stood proudly, now finally inducted into their college career and their future at Penryn. This candle will be with them until their matric year, when they will blow out their candles at their valediction ceremony as they leave Penryn and start their new journey, with hope brighter and stronger than the flame of their candles.

Shine bright and strong as your flame will not die out; you are our past, present and future hope. Grade 8s never underestimate your potential and use it to the fullest!

Deft Debating

By Nikita Mathebula and Yondela Jezile

Have you ever wondered how and why our debaters got into debating?

To answer that question and other questions we gathered Penryn's senior debating team to share their views and opinions on the topic.

The team captain Owethu got into debating by making the round square debating team then she decided to continue with debating. Anna was invited to the team by Mr Chambale as he thought Anna would make a good debater. Unam joined the team after much thought about how it would affect applying to university. Lomhla joined the team to get out of her comfort zone and Nomndeni teamed up with them after Owethu had asked her to join.

Our debaters find the passion in the intellectual sport from things ranging from a love of arguing to a passion for the sport. The debaters often find that their skills come in handy when it comes to academics making it easier to get into the top 10. Debating is a very exciting sport that gives an adrenaline rush and makes the debater learn new experiences.

Unam's highest achievement in debating is obtaining South African half colours. Owethu's highest achievement is ranking 8th in the central European international debate competition. Anna's highest achievement is winning the central European international debate competition with her team. Nomndeni's highest achievement is receiving honours for all her accumulated achievements and Lomhla's highest achievement in debating is getting two consecutive bronzes at a national level.

Fun facts about our debaters:

In all of Owethu's years of debating she has quit a total of 7 times. Unam is the rudest debater on the team. Anna's favourite topics are economically related. Nomndeni, like many other debaters, changes personas almost at the flick of a switch when the adjudicator says they will call them in for the result. Lomhla froze in her first debate and spoke for under a minute.

We wish our debaters everything of the best for the future!

To know or to eat...that is the question!

When it rains, it pours!

By Khanyisile Mokwena

From days filled with a brightly shining sun to now having to deal with heavy rain, we can safely say that the weather has been quite bipolar.

At times when we have to go from class to class, the rain simply begins to pour relentlessly but as soon as we are in the safety of the classroom, the weather calms and the rain only pitter patters quietly.

Recently, the entirety of Nelspruit has

been overwhelmed by the intense and sudden weather change. Just a few weeks ago, we were all suffering in the summer sun, with one constant weather condition.

All of that has changed.

But can we really say we didn't see it coming?

Can we really say that there were no warning signs?

Could 2023 be another year of 'La Niña' with heavy rain?

Or is all of this temporary as we prepare for another year of 'El Niño'? Meteorologists predict that South Africa will be going through another drought in 2023.

Don’t even get me started on Cyclone Freddie! How will we be affected and how many people will lose their lives and homes?

You may not be affected directly by this weather right now, but what about tomorrow?

Will you keep yourself updated or be caught off-guard by the weather? The decision is yours to make, choose wisely.

High Jump Hero!

By Noxolo Mashaba

The Penryn family never disappoints and our scholars soar higher all the time. No matter the grade, whether they are junior or senior, the achievements come flooding in with no stop.

Our grade 8 scholar, Jason Masango, did exceptionally well in his high jump event at the third District Round. He achieved the great result of ending in third place for his age group. He went out there with dedication and determination and of course, Penryn Pride, and did he not soar high on his eagle’s wings? We are proud, as the Penryn family, to have such talent among us.

In an interview, Jason expressed his feelings and said he was excited. “I was very happy when I saw that I came number 3 for my age group. I actually did not think I would make it this far from the first round but of course, with prayer and belief in myself, and family support, I have made it this far. I feel so lucky and over the moon for my achievement and now I just have to work harder to make it through to the top”, he said.

We wish him all the best for the future.

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