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Merrifield’s Very Own Bi-Weekly Newspaper 29 April 2016

From the Executive Head, Dr Guy Hartley

The East London community has recently been hard hit by some tragic car

accidents involving not only adults, but students as well. Our heartfelt

condolences go out to Selborne College and the families of the boys who are

no longer with us. At Merrifield we also received devastating news two weeks

ago when we learnt about the passing of one of our parents in another road

incident. He leaves behind a spouse and two children, who can be assured of

our deepest sympathies and closest support in such overwhelmingly difficult

times.

We learnt recently, too, of the sad passing of our first Headmaster at

Merrifield, Mr Dave Bawden. As the founding head, Mr Bawden was

instrumental in expanding and developing the school from its inception into a

highly-respected educational institution that has made its mark in primary and

secondary schooling in the BCM region. He certainly can be very proud of the

legacy he played such a prominent role in creating. We are reminded that life

is fragile and comes to an end at some point or other of which time we can

never be entirely certain. As a school community, we would only wish a long

and full life for all of our students, staff and parents. We can be thankful that

Mr Dave Bawden had that rich and productive life, which we would surely

long for all of us to experience and enjoy.

BOOK BEAUTIES: Prep school students dressed up last Friday to celebrate World Book Day. For more

photographs, taken by Tracey Mangold, see page 3.

Watch Merrifield

Promo Video

Take a look at Merrifield's

brand new promotional film,

produced by the school's

marketing and PR department

with Intengu. The video is on

the school’s website,

www.merrifieldschool.co.za.

Please share with friends. This is

the link to the film on You Tube,

or it can be found via google.

Enjoy! https://

www.youtube.com/watch?

v=GZ67N8-eaFo .

And if you haven’t already,

please “like” the Merrifield

College Facebook page.

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Grade 10 Camp to Hobbiton in Hogsback: 14—16 April

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22 April

Slayde Herman (3P): For her kind and gentle nature towards her friends and always giving of her best in class.

Sarah Dhoda (2L): For her positive, hard working attitude and her cheerful approach to school.

Somila Dyantyi (1H): For being such a kind and caring friend and always trying hard at school.

World Book Day—22 April

Merrifield students are always ready to lend a hand. On the left, students are pictured with the St Bernard’s

Hospice copper collection, and on the right Mrs Bosse and students are pictured with Carol Upton, a representative

of the Charlize Theron Foundation which collects books for distribution to needy schools in the area.

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NETBALL

26 April: U11 Netball vs Abbotsford, Merrifield won 2-0. U13 Merrifield vs Abbotsford, Merrifield won 16-1.

SQUASH

24 April: Rankings achieved by Merrifield pupils at the recent Border Squash ranking tournament:

U11 Boys: 15 Alexis Beau; 16 Matthew Wood; 21 Daniel van Rensburg.

U13 Boys: 24 Mangena Mayekiso.

U13 Girls: 13 Aliziwe Madasa.

U14 Boys: 8 Sam Puttergill.

U14 Girls: 4 Yeyethu Madasa; 6 Buhle Nojoko; 8 Sive Pakade.

U16 Boys: 4 Peter Townes; 13 Michael Williams-Jones.

U19 Boys: 3 Joshua Puttergill.

DANCE

25 April: Danica Stockigt, Grade 11, was chosen to represent the Jo Jackson Dance Co at the

IDO Dance Competition in Durban over the weekend. She participated in the following

categories: Solo, Duo, Small group and Formation.

23 April: Paige Collins attended the IDO Hip Hop National Challenge in Durban. She placed

2nd for her solo and for her duet, receiving two silver medals.

TENNIS 22 April: Girls prep tennis, Merrifield vs Nahoon. Merrifield won 6-0. 23 April: 1st Boys Tennis vs Hudson; Merrifield won 6-0.

BIATHLE Congratulations to Anke de Ridder and Rachel Webb for making the Border Biathle team in their respective age categories.

HOCKEY Well done to Keelan Hartley, Grade 7, for being chosen for the U13A Border Hockey team.

22 April: Boys U13 A hockey drew 0-0 with Hudson U13A.

23 April: U14 Girls vs Stirling U14A, the teams drew 0-0; 1st Boys vs Stirling 1st; Merrifield lost 3–1; 1st Girls vs Stir-ling 2nd; Merrifield won 1–0.

SQUASH 18 April: U13 Squash, Merrifield vs Dale. Merrifield won all 4 matches, congratulations.

23 April: 1st Boys Squash vs Selborne A; Merrifield lost 1 – 25. 2nd Boys vs Port Rex B, Merrifield won 21-0.

SOCCER

23 April: U19 Soccer vs Abbotsford; Merrifield lost 3–0.

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MerriMums Paint Night—26 April

Pre-Primary Campout—26 April

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Happy birthday to the following Merrifield staff and students,

from 16 April to 29 April:

Students: Lilly Becker, Lindelwa Mkumla, Tasmiyyah Moola, Afika Xundu,

Grace Whiteley, Milani Mbetshu, Paige Holmes, Kutloano Jonas, Anke

De Ridder, Yonga Mangcu, Oliver Hansen, Nalu Mtengwane, Ashley Taylor,

Azobear Asholi, Anastasios Kapsalis, Emma Hayward, Michaela Joubert,

Jonathan Mosehana, Brix Bleibinger and Devon Fielden.

Staff: Tracey Mangold, Nomveliso Maneli and Cathy Schwartz.

Tracey Atkinson, Class of 2008, visited Merrifield earlier this

week. Here she is pictured with three of her former teachers:

her Grade 7 teacher, Mrs Bridget Fielding, her Grade 1

teacher, Mrs Gill Howard, and her Grade 6 teacher

Miss Debbie Lacey.

Merrifield Preparatory School and College is very sad to hear of the passing of Mr Dave Bawden. Our first headmaster, Mr Bawden, was approached by a group of East London parents to head up a new independent school in East London. Mr Bawden was educated in Zimbabwe and started his teaching career in Bulawayo. He came to us from Cordwalles in Kwazulu-Natal. Mr Bawden was a keen and talented sportsman. He represented Zimbabwe in both cricket and rugby. Living in East London he was an active member of Round Table, played squash league and loved his golf. Mr Bawden opened the doors of Merrifield in 1996 on a farm that had been purchased by the trust with 36 students ranging in age from 4 to 10 years old. Mr Bawden was instrumental in marketing and growing the school and as the founder headmaster he can be so proud of the legacy that he created. It is with fond memories that we bid farewell to a true gentleman, friend and pioneer of Merrifield. Condolences to Caroline and the family on his sad passing.

Farewell, Mr Bawden