Nature of the Activity

There are two categories in which our school participates:  the English Speech and the Afrikaans Stilpoēsie.

 

The participants each receive a prescribed poem in the categories they have entered for.  The real hard work begins after the learner has memorised the poem.  The learner now ha only his/her voice to use as a tool to present the poem.  As everyone is aware, a poem is really a concentrated story.  The learner must now present the poem in such a fashion as to allow the story to unfold and come to life especially for those listeners who do not have the poem in front of them.

 

The reward lies in the wonderful sense of achievement our learners experience when taking part in this activity as well as the beautiful certificate they receive.  The certificates range from a Prestige Award, a Gold Certificate for A symbols, a Silver Certificate for B symbols and a Bronze certificate for C symbols.

 

Our Motto

The learners of Nigel High have always associated themselves with the motto of the SPRINGS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: “Not to gain a prize, or to defeat a rival – but to pace one another on the road to excellence”, supported by our school’s own “TO THE HIGHEST” motto and battle-cry.

 

Our Goals

• To give our drama orientated learners the opportunity to express themselves

• To help learners to gain self confidence

• To expose our learners to a variety of the best poetry available

• To give our learners the opportunity to socialise with the learners of other schools because of this shared interest

• To show off our learners.  Especially in the Afrikaans section!

 

Calendar for the activity

Our activity starts in the third term when the organizers send us all the relevant information.  The learners then register by paying the required fee.  The entries are sent back to the organizers so that they can then compile a timetable.  The EISTEDDFOD FESTIVAL takes place during August and September each year.  We receive all our information the date and venue early in the third term.

 

This year (2012) the English Speech takes place from 18 August – 1 September 2012.  The Afrikaans Stilpoēsie will take place at Strubenvale Primary School.  The coaching of the English Speech is done by Mrs I Maponga and Afrikaans by Mrs L Esterhuysen.

 

Achievements

During the past years Nigel High School has gained an excellent reputation in this category.  Since 1999 we have received more than 10 Prestige Awards and countless Gold Certificates that by far outweigh the Silver and Bronze Certificates that were also obtained.  In 2012 we had 12 participants in the English Section and two in the Afrikaans section.

 

Thus far only the Grade 9 English Speech has taken place on the 18th August 2012.  Lucky Manana, Nomcebo Mtshali, Nomvuyo Lubambo and Phumelele Mabizela from Grade 9 participated.  Unfortunately Nomcebo could not attend, but Phumelele (A), Lucky (A+) and Nomvuyo (A+) did us proud with the Gold Certificates they obtained.

 

Seven Grade 8’s, (Gugu Manana, Katleho Morare, Lerato Skhosana, Mbali Motsepe, Nomande Fase, Ntebogeng Makhotla and Nthabeleng Senooane) participated on Wednesday 29 August 2012.  Basetsana Mabalane from Grade 10 took part on Thursday, 30th August 2012.  Ntebogeng and Nthabeleng also participated in the Afrikaans Stilpoēsie on the 14th September 2012.

 

Forecast

There will always be learners who would want to participate in the Eisteddfod and I envision this activity at Nigel High School to carry on far into the future.

 

I am also convinced that we can go back to our “Golden Age” (2005 – 2009) when we had up to 35 learners per year who committed themselves to excellence.

 

Nigel High is proud of each and every one who has ever participated in this wonderful activity.