From the Head of School’s Desk

Term 1 2020, edition 2

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Charles Dickens

How will we as South African citizens manage the circumstances we find ourselves in - a pandemic caused by COVID-19

and a national state of emergency? We are experiencing an overload of information globally and locally, from experts in

the field to the “man on the street”. What must we believe, what advice should we follow, what is best for my family,

what is best for my business, what is best for the school? Consider how we respond to traffic ordinances and speed

restrictions on highways and byways or drinking and driving regulations. Our statistics do not paint a very positive

picture. The present circumstance, however, is global and insidious and affects each citizen, community, business and

institution. From all accounts, how we manage social distancing will be the crux to keeping the pandemic from reaching

the tipping point of a nationwide shutdown. The latter will be the most challenging outcome for our country.

As Head of Epworth, I want you to know that management is continually monitoring the news and you will receive

updates when we have more definitive information from government. You will have received information via the d6

regarding academic work. Mrs Munro, as Head of Academics, has also communicated the use of the Edana app which

will give you access to reports for this term (this portal is for parents’ use and needs to be managed by parents). This

past week, pupils in Grades 8 to 12 have been taught using Microsoft Teams and a number of teachers have delivered

virtual lessons.

As whole school management, we want to assure you that we are approaching school matters sensibly and proactively.

We have been part of various meetings with heads and representatives from other local schools to discuss common

issues and concerns. We have also taken cognisance of medical advice from experts to support decisions we need to

make.

I can definitely say that when schools open in Term 2, it will not be “business as usual”. There are going to be changes to

the school schedule and to the school calendar. As whole school management, we have taken the decision to cancel all

competitive and contact sport until half-term. Pupils will be participating in non-contact sport and fitness programmes

provided by the Sports department and coaches. Other co-curricular activities will need to be considered on merit

depending on the number of pupils involved in the activity and the nature of the activity.

All precautionary health measures will be taken in both the Prep and High School and in Boarding. The San will operate

as normal with added hygiene precautions and we have identified a venue away from the main school building for

isolation purposes, should this become necessary. In the Prep School the sick room will be monitored and managed by a

nurse.

Next term, the Prep School will follow a different time schedule to accommodate the fitness and activities programme:

Grades RRR-RR will finish at normal time (12:30)

Grades R, 1, 2 will end at 2pm

Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 will end at 3pm

Aftercare will run as normal from 12:30pm in the Pre-Primary

Aftercare will run as normal from 2pm for the rest of the Prep School

In the High School the 15:00 to 16:00 time slot will be an academic learning space and any sport/fitness programmes will

take place between 16:00 and 17:00.

We are looking at the calendar for Term 2 and the amended version will be published at the appropriate time.

Thank you for your continued support at this time. May we remain united as a school of faith, compassion and courage.

May we continue to be kind and nurturing to each other and all who are in need. May your time with your family be

filled with God’s love and peace.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”.

I’d like to share the following prayer from our Chaplain, Mrs Rebecca Schultz:

Pandemic

What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath — the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love —

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

Lynn Ungar

Laura Bekker

Epworth Dustbuster

On the afternoon of 21 February, the campus was abuzz as children and adults of all ages participated in Epworth’s

first Dustbuster event, which forms part of the new aQuellé Dustbuster Series. The under 11s were treated to a

creatively designed Dustmites’ course which included obstacles, a sprinkler system and a route through the Pre-

Primary School foyer. Competitive athletes and social joggers enjoyed the community fun run/walk of 5 km or 10

km, which took place on the roads around the school property. A big thank you must go to the numerous sponsors

that supported the event and contributed to its overall success.

Epworth Chaplain, Rebecca Schultz,

conducted a thought-provoking Ash

Wednesday chapel service that focused on

“less is more”. The pupils were encour-

aged to reflect on simplifying in four areas

of their lives: our stuff, our schedule, our

expectations and our negative thoughts.

Observing Ash Wednesday

Celebrating Mardi Gras Celebrating Mardi Gras

For the first time ever, the High School

celebrated Mardi Gras (French for "Fat

Tuesday") or Shrove Tuesday, which marks

the start of the Christian Lent season leading

up to Easter. Pancake relays, karaoke, fancy

dress outfits and boules playing formed part

of the celebration activities.

Taking up the #Spekboom Challenge

Earth Active pupils have joined the #Spekboom Challenge, an initiative encouraging all South Africans to raise

awareness about climate change. They recently displayed environmental awareness posters and handed out

Spekboom cuttings, with instructions attached, to all parents and staff. They highlighted the importance of

reducing our carbon footprint by planting indigenous plants, such as Spekboom, that are effective at converting

carbon dioxide into oxygen.

“The oompa loompas” from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory visited the Grade 12s to present them with their

Golden Tickets, aka matric dance invitations.

Special delivery of matric dance invites

Shakespeare Day

Shakespeare Day,

honouring the great

English poet, playwright

and actor, was

celebrated in style with

pupils and staff dressing

as their favourite

Shakespearean

character.

Arts festival provides an opportunity for Epworth dancers

As part of Pietermaritzburg’s ReRouting Arts Festival, Epworth dancers participated in a dance workshop with one of

KZN’s most recognised choreographers, Musa Hlatshwayo and his company, Mhayise Productions. They were joined

by pupils from Sukuma High School.

Guest speakers on campus

Writer in residence

Epworthian (2002) Jen Thorpe recently returned to her

alma mater as a writer in residence. For a week, she

interacted with the Grade 11s and the Advanced

Programme English pupils. Jen is a published writer and

researcher who has worked in the field of women’s

rights and gender equality since 2009.

Experiments in momentum

The Grade 12 Physical Sciences pupils enjoyed an outing

to the Durban ice rink to conduct experiments on a

frictionless surface to prove the scientific principle of

Conservation of Momentum.

Psychologist and

author, Paul Bushell,

presented an

engaging talk on

“The importance of

EQ in a constantly

changing world”.

Ms Fundi

Nzimande, a

gender activist

and transfor-

mation facilita-

tor, addressed

the pupils in an

IDEAS session.

Dusi triumph

Seven Epworth pupils successfully completed the three-day Dusi Canoe Marathon. In the girls’ U18 event, Epworth’s

Georgina Howard and Saskia Hockly from Danville Park Girls’ High School came first, followed closely by the Epworth

duo of Shannon-Ann Parker-Dennison and Frances Forsyth. Fellow teammates, Lizanne Conradie and Abbigale van

Rooyen were the fifth girls’ U18 boat home.

Hockey winners

For the third consecutive year, Epworth’s first hockey team clinched the PMB Central Region SPAR Hockey Tournament.

They won all seven of their games, defeating GHS 1-0 in the finals.

Netball action

The first and U16 A netball teams participated in the Spur Netball Tournament hosted by Ferrum High School in

Newcastle. Both teams advanced to the play-off stages in which the first team came third and the U16s placed fourth.

Amber Edwards was selected as the U16 Player of the Tournament.

Faye Crawford competed for the KZN A

team at the SA National Debating Cham-

pionships. She was fourth senior overall

and was selected for the SA A team.

Melissa Martens recently

qualified to participate at the SA

Level 3 regional swimming

competition in Newcastle.

Maya Attfield-Fuchs achieved Ugu

district colours for surfing and was

recognised as the top seed in her

age division in 2019.

Achievements

Follow us on social media

Swimming success

Epworth exhibited great team spirit and determination at the Senior Girls’ Relay Gala at UKZN. They won the senior

butterfly relay and the U19 freestyle relay, and placed fourth overall.