Mini-Olympiade 2016

It was with much excitement that a team of 37 pupils and 5 staff left the DSD early on Friday 4 March… it’s destination, the annual Mini Sport Olympiade at Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg.  Here Team DSD would compete in a swimming gala, in soccer and also in mini cricket against the Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg and Michaelis Schule from Vryheid.

First up was the gala, and the DSD swimmers once again proved to be the strongest team as they not only won the overall gala but also broke 7 records along the way.  5 of these were broken by Melanie Cooke (under 12 girls) while Kirk Wilson (under 9 boys) broke the other 2.  The Victor and Victrix Ludorum awards are made to the top grade 7 swimmers and we are proud of Mika Kreuzer who was the 2016 Victor Ludorum.

After a lovely lunch, attention turned to the soccer fields where we competed as senior and junior teams (boys and girls) against the same opposition.  Soccer is a popular sport at the DSD and the skills and enthusiasm shown by our pupils was very encouraging. We were very proud to be crowned the top overall soccer school!

Friday night saw the pupils play games and complete various activities on the floodlit sports field at Hermannsburg.  This was under the guidance of the Hermannsburg grade 11 pupils and some of their Life Orientation teachers. The children enjoyed these and by 9pm, official bedtime, all were exhausted and very much ready for bed! During this time, the many parents who had made the trip enjoyed a braai at the thatched lapa next to the sportsfield.

Saturday’s programme centred on Mini cricket, a new activity at the Mini Olympiade.  Previously we had played softball/ rounders.  Our pupils needed some time to get used to a new game but learnt quickly and thoroughly enjoyed the new challenge.  Here we were placed 2nd overall.  A short game of Softball was organised for the parents and coaches to allow the organisers to collate all results before the Olympiade concluded with an official prize giving and a delicious lunch before we made our way back to Durban.

As always, this was a lovely weekend. Our children competed enthusiastically and successfully and the many parents who made the drive provided wonderful support and encouragement.  Once again, the Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg hosted a lovely event and we can’t wait for next year’s Mini Olympiade!

KZN Philharmonic Orchestra Besuch

On Monday, the 7 March, our school was treated to a magnificent performance by members of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. They opened their concert with the triumphant theme music from “Star Wars”, enthralling KiGa kids, pupils and teachers alike.

Our concert hosts, Timmi and Nom, then eloquently introduced us to all the different sections of the orchestra, briefly mentioning each instrument and letting us hear their individual sounds. They also humorously demonstrated the importance of the conductor, without whom the musical wheels come off, even for the KZNPO!

Timmi and Nom then invited us on a musical adventure, showing us how music can paint tranquil pictures of sunsets and flowing rivers, and tell stories of ecstasy and tragedy. One of the highlights for many was Timmi’s imaginary sword fight set to the exciting music from “The Pirates of the Caribbean”.

Timmi’s Sword Fight

Accompanied by our talented guests, the DSD proudly belted out the South African anthem, almost raising the roof of the Aula. The KZNPO then sent us on our merry way to the tune of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song.  We left the school hall with a spring in our step, a song in our heart and a dream of one day playing in an orchestra.