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Inspiring Expression of Creativity Since 1967

I Should Have Bought You FloursBy Kristen van der Westhuizen

As I'm sure many people know, parenting is no joke. This wasproved to the grade 11 students as they had to spend two weeks,with or without a partner, caring for a bag of flour that doubled asa baby.

They had to bath, feed, clean, change, play with and entertain thebaby, sharing the duties between their partners and themselves.When the pressure got too much or one of the partners could notsee to it that the baby was being taken care of, the parents had theoption of giving the child to a babysitter.

The point of the project was to highlight the responsibility thatcomes along with having a baby. Some of the grade 11's realisedhow big a job it was to find time to stick to all of their owncommitments while sharing their time with a baby, while othersjust got irritated with having to carry another item with them.

One of the Grade 11 pupils said: “It was a fun project to begin withbut after the first week, I would say the responsibility of having tolook after the baby really kicked in, and so did the discouragementof teenage pregnancy.”

Most of the girls were in their element while handling their child,being able to name it, carry it around and most of all, co-ordinateits wardrobe. Mind you, the boys weren't too shy in showing theirimpressive 'Daddy skills' either.

While the project might have highlighted aspects of how much ofa challenge it is to have a child, especially in your teenage years, Idon't think it could ever prepare you for the real deal.

I think I speak for all when I say those 2 weeks were more thanenough time to realise that we are nowhere near equipped enoughto take on the challenge that is raising a baby!

ALEXPRESS

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FROM THE EDITING DESK…By Katherine Bertrand

… and just like that, term three is over!

It seems as though every term flies by faster than the last, and2014 is coming to an end, with the exciting promise of 2015lying ahead.

This term has been a challenging, action-packed one, whatwith Décor Week, the Matric Dance, Mole Day, the Grade 11LO baby project, Founder’s Day, Matric Forty Days, and one ofmy personal favourites, Family Day.

After the long-awaited June holidays, one usually dreadsreturning to schoolwork and early mornings with late endings,but thanks to Alex’s wide variety of events, there is alwayssomething to look forward to, and never a dull moment.

At the Toastmasters Graduation dinner on the 17th ofSeptember, the guest speaker (our Senior Deputy Principal, MsBoyes) delivered an insightful speech regarding education, andhow it is perceived by many teenagers and parents in this dayand age. She mentioned that one can be academicallysuccessful but not happy, and similarly, one can be lessacademically successful but happy. Ms Boyes went on toexplain how achieving academically (especially in Grade 11 andMatric) is vital, but ensuring one is content outside ofacademics is equally important. This remained with me forquite some time and I came to realise just how true thesewords are.

There is a time to relax and have fun, and there is also a timeto sit down and work. Knowing when to do which can besomewhat tricky, but not impossible to distinguish.

Good luck to the Matrics for their upcoming finals, and to therest of the Alex family, have a good rest these holidays. Unplugcompletely, to ensure you are ready to ace the Novemberexams.

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By Fathima Seedat

Ruben Rosochacki, in grade 9, is currently filming a movie calledGolgerat: the Legend of Naught. The main character, Golgerat, isgoing to be played by Mr Mitchell and Golgerat’s friend, namedRygon, who is a 400-year-old wizard, will be played by Mr Kleb.

Students can help and participate by collecting cans. The cans willbe used for the armour of the ooms. A total of 1000 cans areneeded, 200 cans for each oom.

The film is going to consist of 8 episodes. The first seven are goingto be 8 minutes each, and the eighth 20 minutes long. The movieis set to come out by the end of this year or the beginning of nextyear. It can be accessed and viewed on You Tube once it has beenuploaded.

Ruben first became interested in film-making after watchingAvatar. He beganmaking filmsthree years agoand intends tobecome a filmdirector.

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BEHIND THE SCENES OF DE�COR WEEKBy Lukhanyiso Skosana

So once again it was that time of the year…..MATRIC DANCEFAREWELL! A time where the Matrics look like Kings andQueens, a time that they have been waiting for since Grade 8,that moment when they walk into a hall that looks like a dream.But what is Décor Week?

The Grade 11’s choose two representatives from each class tobe on the Matric Dance Committee. The Grade 11’s will thencome up with a series of themes for the matric dance and oncethat class has chosen what theme it wants, it is now up to thereps to sell it to Ms Olander-van Aardt. After that she and herpanel of staff committee members will choose the best one andthen the work begins. So we first had to collect materials beforewe were told our theme, things like spray paint, masking tape,different coloured fabrics etc. But keep in mind that we had notbeen told our theme, and everyone was anxious to know whatwe would be creating.

And so finally D-day comes and Ms van Aart says, “Sunset inNigeria” and the grade looks at her as if she is joking, but she isserious and she shows a slide show of African pics and we areall looking at each other like, “Oh no she is actually beingserious”. Everyone claps hands just to make her feel good aboutthe theme she chose, only to find out that she was just kiddingwith us and we were very happy to find out that our theme was“A Night In Paris”. Actually, the word ‘happy’ doesn’t even beginto describe the way we were feeling.

Now it was time to put this all together in only a week! MissionImpossible had just begun and we had no idea what Décor Week

would entail. So during the whole time, we were forming bondswith people we never thought were in our grade, and somediscovered people in our grade that were actually in theirScience class -and they only found out in July…..Yes, I know: sad,right? But nevertheless we had a ball with our backstage beingour home and DJ’s playing tracks like “Turn Down For What!”,“Cara-Cara”, “Wiggle”, ”Good Kisser” and many more.

A couple of Grade 11’s had this to say when they were askedabout their Decor Week Experience:

Matthew Langson - “It was filled with late nights and hard workbut alongside my peers and those I’m glad to have met duringthe week, it has proven to be the most fun-filled week of grade11!”

Megan Snyman – “It was a great experience as we got tointeract with people you wouldn’t normally interact with. Therewere some tough times where your group would disagree onthings but the week as a whole has brought the grade closer toeach other. There were some great times every night, and seeingthe end result of the hall definitely made the sleepless nightsworthwhile.”

Gcinashe Baruza – “RACHET, RACHET, RACHET!!!!!! Oh my gerrrdgrade 11’s are RACHET!!!!! However it was one of the bestexperiences I have ever had. Being with my grade, workingtogether and just making every moment worth remembering. Italso opened my eyes to “NEW” people in our grade and I got tomake friendships that I shall cherish. I couldn’t have asked for abetter group of people to experience this with. SIMPLYAMAZING GRADE 11’S!!!!!!! Wiggle Wiggle!”

Matric dance is the final time that grade 12’s will be together tohave some innocent fun and reminisce about the past 5 yearsbefore examinations begin that will determine their future.

It’s scary to think that some of the people you began high schoolwith won’t be matriculating with you, let alone be at the night ofyour matric dance. Matric dance is a milestone that you eitherlook forward to or you feel anxious about the most because itsymbolises the end of your high school career and reminds youthat adulthood is coming nearer.

A lot of work goes into preparing for this monumental night ofall nights. I would imagine that when the matrics got their reportat the end of grade 11, saying that they’d successfully met therequirements to move on to grade 12, the girls probably startedplanning their dresses, shoes, make-up and maybe even a weight-loss plan. All of these preparations are to ensure that on that nightthey look exquisite.

This year the matric dance was on the 2nd of August 2014 in thePercy Walker Hall. Thank goodness it didn’t rain! The matricsarrived between 6pm and 8pm. Arrivals were outlandish, withlot’s of hubbub from the spectators each time someone arrived.They were welcomed by an Alexan guard of honour, with the staff

By Nqabisa Faku

Matrics Celebrate Magical Dance in Paris

at the door to see them through and the ushers to see them totheir tables.

The ladies and gents looked like young Hollywood celebrities,with their savoir faire and je ne sais quoi virtues coming out toshow that they’re young adults now and they’re no longer babies.But of course that was all forgotten when they hit the dance floor.It was a pity that the dance floor was somewhat undersized, buteveryone made it work and they had fun.

The food was cooked to the satisfaction of the guests - there wereno complaints.

There were speeches on the night from some of the matrics: theytalked about who had left from grade 8 to matric, who dated who,who dumped who, most embarrassing moments ever of somepeople and teachers, and how lovely it has been to have spentfive years with these people that have become family. Before youknew it, it was time to call it a night.

Matric dance is all about the Grade 12s and nobody else so, whenit’s your matric dance, it’s all right to be a bit selfish, butremember to thank the people that made it possible for you tobe where you are and become the wonderful person that you are.

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By Sive Tsatsire

The debut of Alexander Road High School’s talent showcase was abrilliant occasion, ranging from song and dance to general talents.An A for the amazing talent, an A for the amazing prizes and an Afor the astounding support from fellow Alexans .

The finalists were as follows:

Song CategoryHlumelo YawaKhmere Lalla KouverjeeKerry-Lee Jeffrey4th Note

Dance CategoryAmber FreemanOmnipotence

General CategoryMicayla FillisJordan Watkins

The three category winners were:Kerry-Lee JeffreyAmber FreemanMicaela Fillis

The A FACTOR winner for 2014KERRY-LEE JEFFREY

A-Factor Junior House PlaysThe junior house plays are an annual interhouse dramaticextravaganza, with all three houses presenting their hard work,determination and passion on stage. This year`s Junior house playwas one to remember all thanks to the directors and actors. Asuperb effort.

TROPHY WINNERSBEST BACKSTAGE CREW MEMBER

Gareth vd Merwe

BEST NEWCOMER(Stephen Trophy) - Hlumelo Yawa

MOST PROMISING PERFORMER(Spitzer Trophy) - Daniel Hamilton

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS(Rhys Woods Trophy) - Meghan Everard

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR(Parbhoo Trophy) - Siphe Mbusha

BEST ACTRESS BEST ACTOR(Kendall Trophy) (Andrew & Barbara Smith Trophy)Hlumelo Yawa Luca Novello

BEST CREATIVE TEAM(Enver Amien Trophy)

Protea-Gcinashe Baruza and Jay Mgoduka

BEST PLAY(Reed Trophy)

Aloe - “The Birthday”

A Day in the Life of…A Hockey and Soccer PlayerBy Katherine Bertrand

HOCKEY is arguably the most popular winter sport at Alex,with both girls’ and boys’ teams training regularly every week.Hockey is a sport that demands both skill and fitness, and, moreimportantly, good team work. Injuries are common, and can becaused by physical contact, stick contact and ball contact, sohockey players are programmed from a young age to have highpain thresholds. Both our girls’ and boys’ hockey sides are verycompetitive.

SOCCER, a ball game that requires only a soccer ball and ateam of players, is an easily accessible and extremely skilledsport. The soccer boys practise twice a week and areencouraged to attempt new drills. Soccer players have to havea high level of fitness, and physical exercise makes up a big partof the Alex soccer boys’ training. The Alex soccer teams havehad a successful season this year, winning most of theirmatches.

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ALEX-TAGRAM

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By Fathima Seedat

Ms Mtshake- “The most embarrassing thing that I’ve ever done was singing at the A-factor competition knowing that I can’t sing.”

Ms Felix- “Whenever there was a maths competition or maths fair, Dr Emery would leavebottles of coke in the staff room. Every so often she would announce that one or twobottles were missing and ask if anyone knew anything about them. On one such occasionwe (the Afrikaans teachers) decided to hide the cooldrinks. We took lots of bottles soshe would notice immediately and we started searching for one of the teachers’ lockerswhich were left open. The first one we found was Ms Castelyn’s and she had lots of spaceso we stacked in as many as we could and we left it. Dr Emery happened to walk in a fewminutes later with Ms Castelyn. Dr Emery exclaimed “What happened to mycooldrinks?!” and at the same time Ms Castelyn opened her locker and said “It wasn’tme! I didn’t take it!” Dr Emery was so angry at her! We just laughed.”

Ms Loubser- “I told my grade 8 class that I think that Mr Klue is cute and they have neverstopped teasing me about it.”

Mr Kleb- “I once put my finger in a shark’s mouth and it bit me. I thought it was dead.”

Mr Zakumba- “When I was a pupil at Alex there was a Yogi Sip competition and theyasked for volunteers. I volunteered and was walking to the podium and the next thing Iknew I fell face first on the stage. The whole school cracked up! Because of that DrManser gave me R50 and 5 Yogi Sips.”

By Aurora Dyssell

By now, everyone should be aware of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, what you’re probably not aware of is the fact that this‘current’ conflict is not so current at all.

The war for ownership of the Israeli/Palestinian homeland dates back to centuries ago, but has made its comeback in recent years,and is now nastier than ever. And while the past does influence the present, sometimes it’s important to know what’s happening inthe present in order to understand the past.

It’s important to understand that Israel is a self-described Jewishstate which was in fact only created in 1946 by the United Nations,who were under pressure to provide the Jewish people with a‘homeland’ after World War 2. Before that, Israel was known asPalestine and for many years a multicultural population of peoplehad inhabited it – approximately 86% Muslim, 10% Christian and4% Jewish. After 1947 however, 55% of Palestinian land was givento the Jewish State, despite the fact that they had only increasedto 30% of the total population.

Fast forward it to the present day, there are essentially 2 mainissues that are considered to be the cause of this conflict: Firstly,there is the matter of the Israeli Government trying to maintainits ‘ethnically preferential’ state – which basically means that itwants to maintain Jewish domination in Israel. They are achievingthis by refusing to allow Palestinian and other ethnic grouprefugees from returning to their homes.

Secondly, Israel has a constant military occupation in not only theWest Bank, but Gaza as well that is incredibly oppressive, and inthese areas citizens and refugees have very little control over theirlives. The numbers of casualties on both sides has only beenincreasing rapidly, and while we cannot be sure which side is toblame for the mess that is costing thousands of people their lives,we can be sure that this conflict benefits no one (except perhapsAmerica, but only because America benefits from everything).

Finally though, there has been talk of a Palestinian-Israeli PeaceSettlement, which hopefully can be agreed on by both sides,because, as the saying goes, “war does not determine who isright, merely who is left”. Hopefully this will be realised before itis too late- and we can only hope that it isn’t too late.

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Dear MaBrongqoThis is really embarrassing for me to write but I reallyneed to get it off my chest and get some advice.I’m a nice person and I’m always cracking jokes. Youknow, I’m sort of the class clown or whatever. I’vealways been ‘larger than life’ with my body beingliterally larger, but it never had a directly negativeeffect on me.With the internet flooded with fit and toned teensand the ‘gym-craze’ along with diets to “eat wise,drop a size” for the girls and “no pain no gain” for theguys being increasingly popular, I’ve never felt more‘out’.I don’t hang out with my friends as much becausethey’re either gyming or on super strict diets, and Ifeel bad ordering fatty, oily, carbo-loaded foods whenI’m around them.I’m just really down and I’ve lost my sense of humour.I wish I could lose some weight so that I wouldn’t stickout so much, but I just feel so hopeless. Please help?Unhappy Joker

Oh my dear.Weight is a veeery sensitive topic, especially at your age. But it is notworth your tears or stress. You have been built the way you have beenbuilt. You should celebrate your body! Your friends who spend somuch time trying to change or improve their bodies should accept youthe way you truly are, baba! I know it is hard, but why try to fit in whenyou were born to stand out? Even I, as you would say, am “larger thanthe life” and it is very good! And as Miss Motor Mouth Maybelle fromHairspray! would sing “I’m BIG, BLONDE, AND BEAUTIFUUUUL”(except I, personally, am not blonde at the moment but anyway). Look around you, peto. While half of the world is trying to squeezeinto those tiny jeans, the other half is enjoying their “larger than life”bodies! Please sweetie, remember, “we’re all about that bass, ‘bout that bass,no treble!”Sometimes it is a good idea to try eating healthily, or perhaps walkingor jogging instead of relying on other modes of transport, because aswonderful as it is to love and accept your body, you only have one forthis life, and so looking after it is a good idea.

Best of luck and MaBrongqo loves you.