Index Dear Parents

The anticipation of having the opportunity and privilege of being part of Hudson Park High School is finally over for me and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hudson Park community for the honour of leading such a prestigious school. The warmth of your welcome and the willingness to assist me has made my transition from independent education that much easier. That is not to say that this path will always be trouble-free, but I feel confident that with your support we can achieve our goals.

On this note I would like to share my philosophy of the role of the various stake-holders in their child’s education. We use the analogy of a three-legged stool, with each leg respectively represented by your child, the school and you as the parent, with your child’s education seated on the stool. We can therefore surmise that should any of the legs be missing, this would place your child’s education in a pre-carious position as a result of its being unbalanced. Education will still take place, but a vital part will be missing.

There are many reasons why parents do not want to get involved with activities at school, especially once their children have reached high school. For one, the roles of parents are not as clear as in primary school, when their children had a single classroom teacher rather than seven. Then there is the matter of the children, who at this age would rather Mom and Dad not appear at school - or anywhere else where a peer might spot them. Mothers are more likely to be back in the workforce once their children hit adolescence, and thus have less free time to give.

While parents and teachers may shrug off diminishing participation as a natural response to adolescents’ growing autonomy, more than three decades of research clearly document the benefits of high school parent involvement. In the report “Program Development in the National Network of Partnership Schools: a Comparison of Elementary, Middle and High Schools,” Johns Hopkins University researchers, Mavis G. Sanders and Beth S. Simon, note that keeping a hand in a child’s education at home and in school leads to higher academic achievement, better school attendance, stronger homework skills, and a greater likelihood of graduating from high school and tertiary education. So what is a parent to do? According to experts, there are many ways to stay involved during your child’s middle and senior school years while remaining sensitive to their feelings and your own.

PTO

Headmaster’s

Message 1

Prize Giving 2

Valedictory 3

Rugby 3

Cricket 4

Water Polo 6

Modern

Pentathlon 7

Music 7

Choir 8

Headmaster’s Newsletter October 2017

Big Bleed 8

Staff Matters 9

Research also shows that family and community involvements foster partnerships among schools, family, community groups, and individuals. These partnerships result in sharing and maximizing resources, and they help children and youth develop healthy behaviours and promote healthy families. Research shows that learners whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to:

Adapt well to school Attend school more regularly Complete homework more consistently Earn higher grades and test scores Graduate and go on to tertiary education Have better social skills Show improved behaviour Have better relationships with their parents Have higher self-esteem

Additionally, linking community activities to the classroom Improves school-related behaviours Positively impacts academic achievement Reduces school disciplinary issues

So my plea to you is to get involved. We are only gifted with the few years remaining during high school to guide and nurture our children. Warm regards Dennis Vorster

At our annual Prize Giving, held on 12 Octo-

ber 2017, the most commendable achievements of our learners in the four pillars of Hudson Park High learners were acknowledged. We were proud to present these boys and girls with their well-deserved awards. Mr Vorster presented a short motivational message while Mr Alers,honoured us by handing out the prizes. The top prize winners in Grade 12 were: Cultural Excellence: Thando Dyasi Service Excellence: Julia Groch/ Ingar Gxolo/ Thando Dyasi The Most All-Round Pupil in Grade 12: Ingar Gxolo The Goodfellowship Trophy: Lisakhanya Tembani Merit Trophy : Thando Dyasi Dux Scholar of 2017: Tevendran Rajagopal We hope to arrange for a larger number of our pupils to attend this most prestigious event and to be part of the celebration of a the prize winners’ achievements.

Prize Giving Mrs Cathy vd Merwe

Academics

The Matrics of 2017 celebrated their final assembly, the Valedictory Ceremony, on 13 October 2017, with mixed feelings. A large proportion of their last five years has been spent at Hudson Park – a home away from home! The Valedictory Ceremony was a combination of elation – school was over – and sadness – school was over! Ms Schenk gave a moving and motivational talk with: ” Ms Schenk, why are you always so happy?” To experience happiness in our lives, we should live with passion, purpose, joy, peace and wisdom. The trials we encounter in our daily lives develop our endurance and strengthen our characters. The speeches of Thando Dyasi and Amy Sharrock reflected the huge benefit derived by the Class of 2017 as a result of being at Hudson Park. They shared good and bad memories and the gratitude they felt towards our school for the encouragement and motivation they had received. The choir sang a beautiful rendition of the Irish Blessing and the Class of 2017 was dismissed for the last time.

The 2017 First XV rugby dinner took place on Wednesday, 18 October. This is an annual celebration of the events which takes place during the season and seeks to recognise the many people who contribute towards the rugby programme at Hudson Park. Head Coach, Lwazi Zangqa, opened the proceedings with a report on the year which was followed by a comprehensive video of highlights, which included many an impressive try scored by the team. The staff, parents and pupils enjoyed an excellent dinner prepared by Mrs Bezuidenhout. Mr Winstanley concluded the evening with a brief address covering the successes of the season which ultimately focused on the values and life skills attained through hard work, to which they team had ultimate-ly committed. Neil Nyemba won the players’ player of the season award, and each of the boys was presented with his jerseys by Mr Vorster as a momento of the year. Special mention must be made of sponsors “Jumbo” who have fortunately also committed to the team for 2018; their support is truly appreciated.

Rugby Mr James Winstanley

Sport

Valedictory Mrs Cathy vd Merwe

Michaelmas Cricket Week

The Hudson Park 1st XI attended the prestigious 58th Michaelmas Cricket Week hosted by Maritzburg College.

Twenty schools participated with Hudson Park being the only co-ed school to be included. Hudson Park made

their tenth consecutive appearance.

RESULTS:

vs Clifton High School (Durban), Clifton 244/7; Hudson Park 240 all out: S Qeshile 75, L Dallas 63—Hudson

Park lost by 4 runs.

vs Westville (Durban), Westville 154 all out: L Dallas 4/18, A Mnyaka 2/17—Hudson Park 144/1: J

Niemand 67 not out, A Rebe 47 not out—match drawn as a result of rain.

vs Northwood (Durban), Northwood 145 all out: L Dallas 3/41, A Everts 3/12, J Niemand 2/21 Hudson

Park 145/4 : J Niemand 79 not out, S Qeshile 29 — Hudson Park won by 6 wickets

vs Kearsney College (T20 match), Kearsney 154/7 : A Everts 2/8, Hudson Park 121 all out : J Bezuiden-

hout 28 not out— Hudson Park lost by 33 runs.

Three Hudsonians, Jason Niemand, Sine Qeshile and Akhona Mnyaka attended the SA U/19 cricket trials in Preto-

ria from the 6-8 October.

The Hudson Park U/14A side played in the Northwood Festival:

vs Thomas Moore, Thomas Moore 71 all out. Chulu Mbekela 3-15, Jarred Hansen 2-10, Hudson 72-4—Hudson Park won by 6 wickets

vs Centurion, Centurion 163-7 after 20 overs. T Tsipa 5-24 in 4 overs— Hudson 79 all out. N Heshula 23— Hudson Park lost by 84 runs.

vs Illembe, Illembe 123-4 after 20 overs— Hudson 89 all out: C Rawlinson - 22 Hudson Park lost by 34 runs. vs Northwood, Northwood 132 all out. R Naidoo 4-19, C Mbekela 3-22—Hudson 96 all out. S Mkona 39

Hudson Park lost by 36 runs. vs Garsfontein, Garsfontein 176-5 after 20 overs: Hudson 78-5 after 20 overs. S Mkona 39* Hudson Park

lost by 98 runs.

Queens College - T20 - First XI

Queens College 76/8: L Dallas 3/7, A Everts 3/5 - Hudson Park 77/5: A Rebe 27— Hudson Park won by 5 wickets U/15A vs Stirling T20: Hudson Park 219/5— B Brandt 109, B Noxele 40;

Stirling 101/5 : T Tsipo 2/16; Hudson Park won by 118 runs

2nd XI vs Stirling T20 : Stirling 123/7 D Kassan 3/17 Hudson Park 127/2: J Plaatjies 53 Hudson Park won by 8 wickets

Stirling High School - 50 overs

1st XI Stirling 88 all out: L Dallas 3/24, A Everts 2/1; B Mauer 2/15 - Hudson Park 90/3: J Niemand 49 - Hudson Park won by 7 wickets 2nd XI Hudson Park 303 /8 J Plaatjies 117 Stirling 173 all out : K Pupeter 5/9 - Hudson Park won by 130 runs

U/15A Hudson Park 317/9: B Nokele 127 not out; E Holster 40; K Cwe-

ba— 38 Stirling 117 all out: M Gwababa 2/11; L Reed 2/19; B Brandt

2/20; P Nontununu— 2/21 Hudson Park won by 200 runs

U/14A Stirling 73 all out H Wood 5/11 Hudson Park 54 all out Hudson Park lost by 19 runs

Cricket Mr dave Alers

Kingswood College

1st XI Hudson Park 168 all out: S Qeshile 52, N Yikha 26 - Kingswood College 62 all out : A Mnyaka 4/7, L Dallas

3/20, B Mauer 2/17—Hudson Park won by 106 runs. In this match, Akhona Mnyaka, who is a SA U/19 and SA

Schools left-arm fast,opening bowler, and the only schoolboy in South Africa to have been signed up for the

National Global T20 series this year, took a hat-trick to finish the match against Kingwood, with all three of his

deliveries clean bowling the Kingswood batsman.

The following 11 Hudsonians made Border Schools’ Cricket sides :

Border U/19 Coke Week : Sine Qeshile (Captain); Jason Niemand (V/Capt); Akhona Mnyaka and Luke Dallas

Border U/17: Nonelela Yikha (V/Capt); Akhanya Rebe and Luvo Ntsekwa

Border U/15: Babalo Nokele (V/Capt); Mzukisi Gwababa, Kyle Zimmerman and Lilitha Reed.

2nd XI Kingswood 300/9 : R Jones 2/38, J Plaatjies 2/38 Hudson Park 70 all out— Hudson Park lost by 230 runs U/15A Kingswood 67 all out : L Reed 3/7, M Gwababa 3/17, Hudson Park 68/3 - Hudson Park won by 7 wickets U/14A Kingswood 276/6: C Mbelekwa 2/44, J Hansen 2/49 - Hudson Park 57 all out - Hudson Park lost by 219 runs

Queens College

The Hudson Park 1st XI played their last match on Saturday, 28 October. They have had a wonderful year;

remaining unbeaten on the Border in 2017, and reaching the National finals in the Standard Bank T20 competi-

tion in Stellenbosch, in March. Two players, Jason Niemand and Akhona Mnyaka, are in the SA U/19 side to play

England next month and our captain, Sine Qeshile, made the SA Schools’ side in December 2016, along with

Mnyaka. The match on Saturday against Queens was a win from behind with the side showing amazing guts and

determination to pull off the victory.

1st XI Queens 180/6 - Hudson Park chasing were in trouble early in the match at 85/8 and then 131/9, but we

went on to win the match with one wicket standing: B. Mauer 43 not out and A Everts 18 not out still at the

crease. Hudson Park won by 1 wicket.

Co-ed Tournament:

The Hudson Park 1st team water polo sides travelled to Port Elizabeth to compete in the national Co-educational water polo tournament hosted by Pearson. The girls 1st team were up against the hosts as the tournament got underway. The occasion proved too challenging for the girls as support for the hosts grew and Pearson won the game comfortably. The boys drew first blood at the tournament by beating fierce rivals York 7-5 in a thriller of a game. Further results saw the girls beating Amamzimtoti and Parklands to claim 2nd place in the pool. The boys also had a difficult time, losing the remaining two games; however, they still managed to finish second in the pool. Both teams entered into the cross pool play-offs with spirits running high, and the girls managed to secure a spot in the Quarter finals by beating Kloof 9-3. The boys started their game promisingly, but in the end Westerford proved too strong for them and the boys lost 1-10.

The girls progressed to the quarterfinals which saw them come up against a tough Westerford team; however, they managed to keep themselves in the fight until just after half time. Westerford eventually came out on top, winning the game 8-3. Both teams then entered into the play-off for positions with Hudson Park Boys eventually finishing 10th out of 20 teams and the Hudson Park Girls being placed 7th out of 16 teams. Both teams fared well considering that they are young and that they will continue to improve in the coming season.

Clarendon Stayers Water Polo Tournament:

Hudson Park 1st team water polo girls participated in the annual Clarendon Stayers’ Water Polo Tourna-ment held at Selborne College from the 13th – 15th of October. The girls’ team experienced a few set-backs prior to the beginning of the tournament, with some key players either having to attend swimming galas or recovering from illness and injury. The results versus some formidable opposition were as follows: vs Clarendon lost 1-12, vs St Stithians lost 1-11, vs an Invitational team won 7-4, vs Pearson (Currently no. 1 in the country) lost 0-13, vs Clarendon 2nds won 9-2 and in the 5th/6th play-off vs Clarendon, we lost 0-11, finishing 6th overall.

Peter Cuff Water Polo Tournament:

Hudson Park once again hosted the annual Peter Cuff U/14 Water polo tourna-ment on the 20th and 21st of October. Nine teams were entered in the boys’ section and eight teams were entered in the girls’ section. At Hudson Park we are fortunate to share a good relationship with our Primary School—this allows us to field two very competitive teams. The boys found themselves in a challeng-ing pool with their last game against Selborne B. It was a “must win” game in order for them to progress to the knock out stages of the tournament. Hudson eventually won 3-1. The boys progressed to the quarterfinals, but, unfortunate-ly, lost to a very strong Pearson team 0-8. In the 5th/6th position play-off against Merrifield, Hudson Park lost 2 –3 and finished in 6th position overall.

The girls’ team fared well with good results: vs Clarendon B winning 5-3, vs KHS winning 10-0 but lost to DSG 1-4 in the pool stages. They then won the quarter-finals after a great display of team work and determination and they beat Pearson 10-1. In the semi-finals they came up against a very strong Stirling team and narrowly lost 2-4. In the 3rd/4th position play-offs the girls won 4-2 vs Clarendon B, placing them 3rd overall. Both teams are congratulated on their sterling performances.

Waterpolo Mr Kyle Kumm

Rhys and Sanchia Poovan were selected to represent South Africa at the World South Africa Laser Run Championships in Cape Town on 14 and 15th October in Cape Town., having won Gold and achieving 7th position respectively, at the SA Champs. At the World Laser Run Championships, Rhys achieved a Bronze in the individu-al elite event, Gold as part of the SA team and Silver in the mixed relay team. This ranks him third in the world U/19, even though he is still under 17. Sanchia achieved a commendable 9th position, considering it was her 2nd SA representation in three weeks. Rhys has also qualified and has been invited to attend the African Continental Youth Olympic Qualifier in Nigeria in December, in preparation for the 2018 Youth Olympics Games in Argentina.

Junior Music Evening

The HPHS junior music evening was held on 17 October and displayed the wonderful talent of the Grade 8 and 9 music learners. Williams House was packed with supporters and the evening was a resounding success. Many of the musicians played very well, especially considering that many of them were performing for the first time. The Music Department looks forward to the contribution our junior musicians will make during their time at HPHS.

ELWO (East London Wind Orchestra)

Hudson Park hosted the East London Wind Orchestra Course from 3-6 October. The course was developed and is run by HPHS music staff members Mr Wesley Wong and Mrs Lisa Wong. It aims to bring musicians from all over East London and surrounding areas together to perform high level musical works in one collaborative wind band.

This year the band consisted of musicians from Hudson Park, Cambridge, Stirling, Selborne, Clarendon, Merrifield, Collegiate, Kimberley Boys’ High, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Free State. The course was a tremendous success and the concert very well supported. We congratulate all the Hudson musicians who were selected for the ELWO course.

Culture

Modern Pentathlon Mrs rene Poovan

Music Mr Wesley Wong

We were recently treated to an evening of song hosted by the Primary School Choir and their Choir Master Mr Nathan Johannisen. Their performance was followed by Mr Eugene Gouws conducting the High School Choir. The calibre of both choirs is exceptional and it raised goose bumps as they performed their repertoire of Traditional, Gregorian and African songs. During a short recess Mrs Barnard, who happens to be Mr Gouw’s mother-in-law, entertained us with her tongue-in-cheek humour and flamboyant gestures. Mr Gouws then took centre stage as he mesmerised us with his vocal talents, singing a number of Italian pieces including a favourite by Luciano Pavarotti. At the end of the evening a gentleman by the name of Romeo Qetsimani, a member of Ladysmith Black Mambaso, approached us with his interest in forming a partnership with our school. Exciting news indeed! Well done to Mr Eugene Gouws and his wonderful choir on an outstanding performance. The choir is fundrais-ing in order to attend the World Choir Games in Pretoria next year.

DETAILS REGARDING THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES From 2000 onwards the biennial World Choir Games have brought together cultures and nations from all over the world to meet and sing together – meanwhile, the event has become the world’s largest international choir competition.

The biggest World Choir Games in the event’s history happened in 2014 in the Latvian capital Riga. A total of 27,000 participants from 73 nations came together to sing and celebrate a feast of choral music.

FUNDRAISING Please contact Kirsty-Lee Dell at kirsty@hedt.co.za if you are able to or would like to contribute in any way towards making this tour possible.

It was heartwarming to see Team Hudson pulling together to fulfil their social responsibility with a bumper turnout. At the Big Bleed, our new Headmaster, Mr Vorster, was the hero of the day being one of the first to volunteer. Mr Berndt, our Bookroom Manager, donated his 150th unit of blood—a magnificent achievement! Learners and Staff of Hudson Park, have once again shown that the Hudson Magic is still alive!

Pastoral Big Bleed Mrs Brenda Friend

Choir

Ms Lorrinda Thomas recently attended the Women's Indoor Hockey Inter-Provincial Tournament held in Durban. She umpired one of the semi-final matches, in which KZN Raiders beat Western Province 3 - 1. She umpired the play-offs, for the 3rd/4th position and was reserve umpire for the finals. Ms Thomas was awarded a new grading for Indoor umpiring - Level 4 - and has been invited to umpire at International level when South Africa plays against Zimbabwe and/or Poland.

James Winstanley, our Director of Rugby, has been selected to attend the level 3 rugby coaching course in Stellenbosch. The course, which is took place last week, received the highest possible international accreditation for rugby coaching. We are proud of his achievements and wish him well.

Mr Charles Howe arrived at Hudson Park in 1999 as a Physical Education, Geography and Biology teacher. In 2004 he became the male Sports Administrator and has held this position for the past fourteen years. He is an Old Hudsonian having attended both Hudson Park High and Primary Schools and received a “Club 13” award. Mr Howe has always worn his heart on his sleeve – a more passionate Hudson supporter one would have difficulty finding! While he was competent as a teacher and Sports Administrator, it was on the sports’ fields of Hudson Park that Mr Howe made his mark. Mr Howe has a deep passion for two sports- cricket in summer and rugby in winter, and it has been in the coaching of these two sports that he has truly found his niche.

Mr Howe coached our First Rugby Team in 2007 and from 2013-2016. 2016 was his finest year, with Eastern Cape victories against Queens College, St Andrews, Kingswood , Marlow, Union and Pearson and a draw against Dale College, together with an unbeaten run against the local co-ed schools on the Border. Outside the 1st XV Mr Howe has successfully coached at U/15A and U/16A levels. Mr Howe has played a large role in the success of Hudson Park cricket over the last fifteen years, where he has coached either the U/14A or U/15A sides with dis-tinction. He leaves Hudson Park at the crest of the success of his present U/15 side which is ranked number one in the country. He also coached and managed the Border U/15 side from 2005-2010.

We will miss Mr Howe’s passion and expertise at Hudson Park and wish him well as he looks for new challenges

at Stirling High School.

Mr Kyle Kumm will be leaving us at the end of 2017 to join Stirling High School. He has been at Hudson Park High School for almost three years as the Director of Waterpolo. Mr Kumm has had much success as a coach and we wish him everything of the best at his new school. Mr Clinton Gravett joined Hudson Park in the middle of 2016. He would like to pursue his career as a professional triathlete and will possibly be relocating to the East to be closer to the competitive envi-ronments that may enhance his own performance. We wish Mr Gravett the best of luck in his pursuit of excellence.

Staff Celebrations

Staff Matters

Staff Departures