Edenglen High School

Cultural Report 2011

Shakespeare says that "all the world's a stage and men and women only players". What he means is that everything we do is part of the elaborate performance of our lives. I remember a certain group of Grade 8 actors sitting in this very hall four years ago and I remember something I said to those wide-eyed juniors. I had just cast them in my first junior play and they were so terribly proud to be a part of something that seemed so huge to them. I remember saying that being a part of that cast, any cast - that team, any team - is the most important thing that they could do at high school. Being involved, leaving a legacy that everyone can be proud of makes this experience worth it and enjoyable.

This year the Cultural portfolio has been filled with fun, surprises and challenges. We launched into action with the Christmas Soiree' in December last year. It was a spectacular event even after the several panic attacks and near heart failure. The stage was decked out with lights of every colour and the gifts under the trees really felt like Christmas. The highlight was the short play by the newly elected top ten where some serious acting talent was discovered.

And then almost as soon as school began we leapt into the South African Guild Public Speaking Competitions. A special mention must go to the Grade 11 teams who were simply superb this year and won a well deserved A at the Willowmoore festival. Also Ryan Van Der Merwe competed in the Guild's Best Individual speaker competition and received 89% for his prepared and unprepared sections. In addition Roberto Quieroz and Elizabeth Kganyago also took part at Individual level at Willowmoore and made Edenglen proud with their A symbols.

The Interhouse play festival was next on our agenda and we were proud to re-introduce Senior Interhouse plays this year. Also, we were very privileged to have Ms Sarah-Ann Doherty to adjudicate the plays. Her objective eye placed Smuts as the winning Junior Interhouse play with a play directed by Skye Gibson and Churchill as the winning Senior play with the Jerry Spregen Show, written and directed by Duduetsang Resane. But we must say that all the plays were impressive and we were so proud of actors, directors and crew!

Immediately after the Interhouse Plays we were thrust into the EADS Festival. For this competition, we put on the one act play 'Teen Angel'. The cast had fun and the audiene was entertained. Most importantly our Backstage crew won Best Backstage Crew of the festival! We are so proud of you guys!

Debating happens all through the year and this year we again held Edenglen's name up high. Ryan Van Der Merwe, Jacques Van Loggerenberg and Elizabeth Kganyago all received good district ratings. The junior debaters also made us proud and competed in ...... rounds.

The choir is the pride and joy of Edenglen and has grown in talent, ability and even numbers in the last year. They have competed in two external interschool choir competitions and recorded a song. The highlight has to be the opportunity that the choir had to sing with the Drakensberg Boys choir at Reddam house Academy. Congratulations again to Mrs Tembon, Mr Sibanda and the choir.

Another activity that is sure to take off next year is dancing! Under the passionate leadership of Mrs Cloud, dancers are now receiving professional and excellent training in all styles of dance. The choreography in this year's Major production was amazing and the Elite Dance Team performed at external events and the dances were received well.

And finally, to end off a busy and event-filled year we staged Aladdin - the pantomime! We had some enormous expectations from last year's show but we are pleased to report that we far exceeded even our own expectations. The show was a huge success and was sold out on all three nights. The evil Abanazer was defeated and Aladdin won his princess after all. This show was an unforgettable experience with Roberto as Aladdin, Gladman as Swankey, Annelisa Morrison as Princess Emerald, Liam Mott as the Genie and Dudu Resane as Abanazer. Friendships and bonds were built that will never be broken. working on Aladdin has meant the world to all of us.

To all of you who have been so actively and positively involved in the Cultural Portfolio this year: THANK YOU! The truth is that this Portfolio would be nowhere without you! To all the teacher who were involved this year: THANK YOU. We need you and we have learned so much from you. Please continue to enrich the lives of the learners at Edenglen.

Ms M. Pugin
Head of Culture 2011

Senior Choir 2011

It has been an eventful year for the senior choir of Edenglen High school. Memorable performances have been recognised both in school and outside.

The performances at school include the following: The Valentine Soiree, the Afrikaans Evening, the Hindu Cultural Evening, the Grade 8 Open Day, the school assembly, the Honours Night, the Valediction Night and the most recent Christmas Soiree. These performances gave the Choir valuable experience to tackle the outside world of music.

These young talented learners got the opportunity to perform in the High School choirs’ competition in Springs. They shared the stage with the renowned Drakengsburg Boys Choir amongst other choirs at Reddam House College. They were selected in the top 12 choirs in Gauteng where they had the opportunity to record 2 songs at the SABC studio and to do a live performance at the O.R. Tambo International Airport. This was aimed at showcasing South African Festive songs.

It has been a successful year for the Edenglen High School Choir and we look forward to an equally wonderful year in 2012.