ENGLISH:
St Andrew's College and the Diocesan School for Girls enjoy a unique relationship. Although they are two separate schools, classes from Grade 10 to 12 are combined and so the pupils enjoy the benefit of co-educational classes. This is especially beneficial in English as all our pupils are exposed to gender diversity when it comes to discussing literature and language. The English Department functions as a unit and we are proud of the achievements of all our pupils.
The main aims of the Department are:
- to equip pupils with the ability to write and speak confidently;
- to instil a love of literature and the English language;
- to encourage critical thinking skills;
- to prepare candidates for the IEB examinations.
Staff
Head of Department:
Mr Andrew Renard BA HDE BEd(Hons) (Rhodes)
Learning Area Co-ordinator:
Ms Ann Smailes BA(Hons) HDE (Rhodes)
Teachers:
Mrs Shirley Gardyne BA, HDE (UND)
Mrs Anne Irwin BA, UED (UNP) HDE (SA)BEd(Hons) (Rhodes)
Ms Clare McIntyre BA (Wits, Unisa) (Hons) (Unisa) HED (Potch)
Mr David Molony BA LLB (UNP) PGCE (Rhodes)
Mrs Pepe Morton BA(Hons) M.Ed (Rhodes) T.T.H.D III (J.C.E); TEFL
Mrs Denise Strydom BA (UFS) HDE (UPE)
Ms Amy Taylor BA PGCE (Rhodes)
Ms Frith van der Merwe BA HDE (Wits)
Results
In the 2008 IEB final examination our candidates achieved a 100% pass rate. 29 candidates achieved an A symbol. More than half of the Grade 12 pupils achieved above 70%.
Shirley Gardyne, David Molony, Andrew Renard and Frith van der Merwe are sub-examiners for the IEB Grade 12 examinations. The knowledge gained at these sessions is invaluable in ensuring that our Grade 12s are well prepared for their final examinations.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Debating
Clare McIntyre and David Molony are in charge of the College Debating Teams. In 2007 the College team was named as Best New Delegation at the inaugural Eton College International Model United Nations Debating Tournament and Michael Andersen was judged the best speaker. In 2008 the team was placed 3rd in the St Andrew's School (Dublin) MUN Tournament. The team will compete in both these tournaments this year.
Public Speaking
A Speakers' Course is offered to Grade 11 pupils every term.
Drama Productions
The school regularly stages dramatic productions, including prescribed texts. David Molony directed Shakespeare's Othello in 2008.
Competitions
De Beers English Olympiad
Pupils from both schools enter the Olympiad and we have enjoyed some success over the years. In 2006 Catherine Hodgson finished in 5th place in this prestigious competition. Last year 2 DSG girls were placed in the top 100.
English Alive
Pupils regularly contribute material to English Alive.
Holland Spoken English Competition
This is an annual public speaking competition for junior and senior girls.
Poetry Competition
Boys and girls are encouraged to submit a portfolio of their own poetry for this competition. Many of these poems are published in Symbol, an in-house anthology.
The National Festival of the Arts
Grahamstown is home to The Festival, part of which runs during term time. All our pupils have the opportunity to attend productions and participate in the buzz that takes over Grahamstown during July. Our hope is that our pupils will become lifelong supporters of the Arts.
Research
Andrew Renard is currently engaged in research for the International Boys School Coalition and will be presenting a workshop and a paper at the IBSC Conference in New Zealand in July.
Publications
Both Andrew Renard and Ann Smailes are contributing authors to the Oxford University Press text book series English for Success. Their involvement in this series, which unpacks the new syllabus, has ensured that the department has remained abreast of the changes in education in South Africa. Andrew Renard has also compiled 7 anthologies of poetry, drama and short stories for the South African Council of English Education and is the chief-examiner of the SACEE De Beers English Olympiad. Shirley Gardyne has published two books for Heinemann and Anne Irwin has published short stories and articles.
