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Dear parents/students,

The past couple of days have seen a welcome

change in the weather. However, last week on the

field it was 37 degrees on several days. Please

ensure that your son/daughter is prepared for this

with plenty of water and sun block for those with

sensitive skin on those hot days.

We received our new pick-up truck last week which

is a welcome relief. Our old pick-up was very tired!

Here it is, making friends with our minibus!

Thanks must go in advance for everyone who is

helping out, or taking part in, the 24hr Swimathon

this Friday/Saturday. The PTA and kitchens have

been organising the food this week. It should be a

great event; just no lightening please!

Last week was particularly bad for power on the

SAIntS site. We were without power all of Monday

and Tuesday and a significant part of Wednesday

and Friday. We continue to power up the generator

to keep things operational, but we are concerned

that the pattern appears to be a worsening supply

week by week. We shall keep you updated about

this.

This week was International Anti-Bullying Week and

SAIntS joined in with a series of events. We voted in

28 'Power for Good' Ambassadors for the week

whose role is to spread positivity and kindness

around the school. Students have sold lanyards with

positive messages such as 'awesome', 'kind' and

'generous' to give to their friends this week. We

held a whole school assembly with a focus on Anti-

Bullying and tutors were given activities to do with

their tutor groups.

Our students returned on Saturday from a sporting

trip to Bishop Mackenzie International School and

came back with 2nd Place in the swimming and

plenty of commendations/awards for our excellent

Junior Football team. Mr Parker has written a report

near the end of this newsletter.

K P Smith, Head Teacher

Interactive School calendar link below.

http://saints.project4.webfactional.com/events/

Calendar Dates - November

18th - 19th 24 Hour Swimathon

21st - 26th Senior Public Speaking

21st 1pm-4:30 Yr 11 Geog field trip Group 1

22nd 1pm-4:30 Yr 11 Geog field trip Group 2

24th 5pm-7pm Year 10 Parents' Evening

25th pm Afternoon Gala Time Trials

25th/26th PE Fixture (BMIS Vs SAIntS)

28th - 2nd Junior Public Speaking

December

3rd Fashion show

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The following students are to be congratulated on

officially completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s

Award this term. They will receive their certificate

and badge in due course, and will be warmly invited

to the school D of E Awards Ceremony to be held at

the end of the academic year. Mr Dodd

Newsletter #22

November 18th 2016

Muhammed G 11 DPE Silver

Dalitso M 11 DPE Bronze

Grace K leaver DPE Silver

Natasha N 11C DPE Bronze

Zoreen G 11C DPE Bronze

Christos S 12S DPE Bronze

Sadaf D 11S DPE Bronze

Luca C 11N DPE Bronze

Malika G 11N DPE Bronze

Kaavya S 11C DPE Bronze

Aliyah K 12 DPE Bronze

Jack T 12 DPE Silver

SAIntS Library Book Fair

SAIntS Library was pleased to host Anglia Books

(email angliabooks@webmail.mw) on Monday 7th to

Wednesday 9th November. The mini-book fair

comprised teen-friendly fiction, some historical

tomes about Malawi from DD Phiri, and the

acclaimed Heinemann ”African Writers” series of

texts. Students browsed these books on the library’s

khonde. Here you see some of our students

practising their Things Fall Apart poses.

SAIntS library continues to enjoy generous book

contributions from parents and friends of the

school. If you’re running out of shelf space for

novels and reference books, why not let students

benefit? Your donation will be labelled as a gift from

you and will be perused by the next generation of

SAIntS students. Contact Mr Simon Oulton

(soulton@saints.mw) for further details.

Year 12s help Year 11s prepare for their mock

IGCSEs

Last week many Year 11 students benefitted from

the expert advice of their Year 12 peers to help

improve their study skills in preparation for the

upcoming mock IGCSEs. The exams, which start on

28 November and continue until 13 January, are an

important stepping stone on the path to exam

success.

At a “drop-in clinic” run by Mr Izzett, over a quarter

of the year group gained from the Sixth Formers’

one-to-one expertise. Of course, Year 12s took their

IGCSE exams only a few months ago so they are

ideally placed to advise this year’s cohort on the

best study skills, revision strategies and tips for

overcoming exam stress. Many students walked

away with individually tailored study timetables and

a clear plan of action for the hard weeks of revision

ahead.

Well done to all the Year 11s who attended and a

big thank you to the many Year 12s who gave up an

afternoon to help our future Sixth Formers!

Mr Izzett

Head of Years 10 & 11

Geography fieldtrip to the Mulunguzi River in Zomba

On the 26th of October, the Year 12 Geography group accompanied by Mr. Puteke, Mr. Colliver and Ms Chitalo travelled to the Zomba Plateau on a field trip.

On reaching our destination (the Mulunguzi River), we discussed our objective to determine the applicability of the Bradshaw Model to the Mulunguzi River in terms of channel depth, width, velocity and discharge.

We learnt how to use various geographical instruments such as a flow meter (to measure velocity) and techniques such as sampling along a transect line. We needed to work as a team helping each other in climbing or walking carefully through the water. Many people got wet, but dried off quickly in the hot October sun. The walk through the forest by the river's bank was beautiful and we were lucky enough to spot a Crowned Eagle, an extraordinary sighting. We saw horses near the Trout farm, (nickamed the 'Ghost horses' by Loretta and TK as they apparently don't show up in pictures). By 12.00 pm we had finished our investigation at the first six sites, all of which yielded different results. We broke for lunch at the magnificent Williams Falls, where we swam and stood under the powerful waterfall, which of course only the students were brave enough to do. We completed our final two investigation sites after

lunch. The source of the river was incredible with a carpet of floating vegetation growing over marsh land, much like a giant water trampoline. Most of us sank through the marsh covering the source. We stopped for refreshments at the KuChawe Sunbird hotel where we discussed our results and shared data that had been collected throughout the morning. We also managed to play a quick game of chess with the giant chessboard and pieces. We began the bus trip back around 4 pm, feeling very tired, but still singing songs and joking. We returned as the sun was setting at school around 5.30 pm, our adventure had come to an end. We look forward to the next trip. Thank you to Mr. Colliver and Mr. Puteke for organising the trip and thank you to Femia for joining us; it was definitely a trip to remember. Kamilah B

Music Department News - Christmas Concert 2016! This year's Christmas Concert will be on Wednesday, 7th December in the School Hall at 7pm. An eclectic range of music will be on offer, ranging from congregational carols to jazz-inspired renditions of festive songs. Year 7 will be on stage to help us usher in the Christmas holidays. We are also thrilled that Year 12 and 13 pupils from the English Department will be performing a selection of their own poetry and drama compositions to highlight the theme of gratitude. Likewise, there will be presentations from our Head Boy, Zaithwa G, and Head Girl, Palesa N, during the concert. Admission is free with a retiring collection going towards charity.

We in the Music Department very much hope you will be able to join us! With all good wishes, B Moss Subject Leader for Whole School Music

SCUBA Dooba Do!

With an understated splutter, we were off! In the

heat of the afternoon the bus felt like a microwave

on wheels, but nothing could dampen our spirits

because we were on our way to Eco Lodge, Cape

Maclear, and five days of sun, sand and SCUBA

diving.

Day 1: Friday

We arrived at dusk, driving down the dusty dirt road

to Eco’s in a golden haze. We were met at dinner by

David and Adi, who introduced themselves as our

two SCUBA instructors and trip co-ordinators. They

outlined the plan for the next few days, and we

ended the day full of good food and excitement,

edged with slight nervousness but eager to begin.

Day 2: Saturday

The next morning, we were up bright and early and

after a noisy breakfast headed to the Dive Centre, to

be divided into two groups that would alternate

activities; one group in the water to develop the

practical skills of diving, the other group hitting the

books and doing some diving theory.

My group began with the theory, and watched

somewhat enviously as the others donned wetsuits

and masks, shouldering the heavy tanks and heading

down to the beach, flippers in hand. We dove into

our books, studying BCD setup, hand signals,

emergency ascents and the dangers of high altitude

diving. After a few hours, we took a break from our

studies and went for a swim, then switched with the

other group to do our Confined Water training. As

we prepped, we were all bursting with anticipation

and the atmosphere of excitement was palpable. For

a few minutes, we floated effortlessly on the surface

– thanks to our BCDs (Buoyancy Control Device) –

then, before we knew it, David had given the signal

to descend and we were underwater!

I looked around, amazed and filled with a serene joy.

Air flowed into my lungs steadily, and there was a

wonderful stillness and silence around me. Looking

around, everyone seemed to be moving in slow

motion, floating above the lake bed. That half-hour

underwater, doing exercises and putting to use our

newly learnt hand signals, passed so quickly and

soon, too soon, we were breaking the surface of the

water again. After lunch, we continued to study

theory as the other group finished the second part

of their Confined Water training. We followed them,

and as evening fell and the sun set behind Thumbi

Island we sat together on the beach, elated. Later in

the evening we went over to Funky Cichlid’s, and

chatting and board games ensued. Sleep came easy,

and we were up early the next day for the sunrise.

Day 3: Sunday

The day ran the same: one group studying as

another worked on their Confined Water diving,

although one group went off to do their first Open

Water dive at Otter Point. While they were gone, we

blitzed our studies and took some time off to be

tourists at Cape Maclear, visiting the HEEED garden

(one of Eco Lodge’s community projects), Mgoza

Lodge for ice cold strawberry smoothies and

shopping for the mandatory bracelet/necklace curio.

We retreated from the heat of the afternoon into

the shade, which acted as a tranquilizer by sending

us all into a doze. The other group returned late in

the afternoon and we all headed together to Otter

Point. Cue sunset rock jumps and some epic slow-

motion videos. Post Otter Point, we headed off to

Gecko’s for a pizza night and more games.

Day 4: Monday

Up early again for the sunrise, I greeted this day

with excitement, for it was the day that we were to

do our first Open Water dive. After we loaded up

the boat, and a brief stop to collect tanks from the

Cape Maclear National Park office (ESCOM had not

been consistent at Eco’s and an air compressor is a

powerful thing), we were at Otter Point. We

dropped in backwards off the side of the boat,

checked that our buddy was with us, and then down

we went. It was another world, of dark greens and

blues, shifting beams of light glancing off the fish

that darted this way and that all around us. All I

could hear was my own steady breathing, visible in

the gilded bubbles that rose to the surface from our

regulators in great columns. Algae covered rocks

emerged from the aquamarine around us, and the

lake bed was lunar, a moonscape of sand drifts and

craters. It didn’t take long for us to complete our

exercises, and then we were free, Adi leading us

around the area. Again, although everything was

slower, time passed so quickly, and after an all too

brief thirty minutes we were heading back up.

By the end of the afternoon, both groups had

completed their second Open Water dive, and one

group had done their third. We also received our

results for the theory test, which we all passed,

breathing a collective sigh of relief. That evening we

went on a sunset boat cruise, and then played

volleyball on the beach. Later on after dinner, we

headed down to the beach for a bonfire. Mr

O’Donnell’s guitar proved invaluable, and we sang

songs and talked for hours. Some of us fell asleep by

the fire, struck by the weary, warm exhaustion of 4

days of good, solid activity.

Day 5: Tuesday

We were heading back in the afternoon and still had

three dives to do between the two groups, so we

were up and heading out by 8 o’clock. On the third

dive, we went down to 18 metres – the depth limit

for the Open Water qualification. Down there, there

was still enough light filtering down for us to see

each other, and the two catfish that we stumbled

across. We were up and out and back in again

quickly, and our fourth and final dive was as good as

any other we had been on, though tinged with

sadness. We headed back victorious, and qualified

Open Water divers.

After a few photos, we were packed back on to the

bus, a weary, grinning group of newly qualified

SCUBA teenagers. The bus journey back was muted,

as we had all been mellowed out by the whole

experience. There was an atmosphere of

companionship, of bonds formed through the

enjoyment of the shared experiences of 5 days

together. This report, in the interest of brevity and

conciseness, cannot contain all the conversations,

the jokes, the banter, the everyday things that made

the trip extraordinary. All of us stepped off that bus

closer than we had been before, and returned home

to our families, happy.

Tom B – 6HGr (Soche)

BMIS Sports Fixture (11th-12th November 2016)

Last weekend the SAIntS Swimming team, under 13

Football team and under 13 Netball team travelled

to Bishop Mackenzie in Lilongwe to compete. The

trip began in an eventful way when the second bus

had to stop to replace a burst tyre.

Fortunately the bus containing the Swimming team

arrived unscathed and the night gala proceeded as

planned.

Swimming

SAIntS competed with courage and commitment

and finished second (marginally) to BMIS. There

were a number of winning individual and team

performances and the SAIntS support was fantastic

throughout.

The following swimmers won their races:

Biko B: (Individual medley, 50m Butterfly, 50m

Backstroke, 50m Freestyle)

Constantinos Y: (50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke,

50m Freestyle)

Nathan T: (50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke)

Ammara P: (50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke, 50m

Freestyle)

Nate B: (50m Breaststroke)

Annika M: (50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke)

Jason N: (4 x 25m Medley Relay) Nate B Bo D Nathan T

Biko B: (4 x 25m Medley Relay, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay) Liam G Constantinos Y Michael S

Ammara P: (4 x 25m Medley Relay, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay) Aila D Kamillah B Joanne F Biko B also finished the evening as the strongest overall senior boy.

Football and Netball

The following morning came the turn of the year 7 and 8 Footballers and Netballers. Four teams competed in each competition and SAIntS finished second in both behind Kamuzu Academy.

The Football team played with real passion and spirit and won games 5-1 and 4-0 before narrowly losing to KA by one goal to nil. The boys produced 3 of the 5 joint-top goal-scorers (Mikael, Alistair and Clement), as well as the player of the tournament (Jacob W).

The Netball squad was comprised of 11 under 13

girls who were enthusiastic and full of energy.

SAIntS won the first match against BMIS with ease (9

-0), followed by a 19 to nil victory against Good

Shepherd. Rania, Zoe and Layal were outstanding in

these first two matches.

The Last match against Kamuzu Academy was a

turning point for SAIntS as KA won by 12 baskets to

nil; co-ordination and passing accuracy dropped off

and tiredness may have contributed to the result.

Return Journey Following the Football and Netball competitions the buses were due to leave for Blantyre at 12:30pm but due to a headlight issue, one of the buses was unable to depart. The students waited patiently in the heat before we decided to let the first bus leave and find a solution for the remaining students and staff. We eventually arrived home 4 hours later than planned courtesy of a very helpful parent and a public coach. It was a valuable, albeit exhausting trip for all involved. Mr Parker (PE)

Are you a UK Passport Holder?

If you would like to be added to a list of UK

Nationals held by me in my role as a Blantyre

Warden, then please complete this online form:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GKKCYCQ

K.P. Smith

#Anti-bullying Week

By Namrata Z 13C

SAIntS has embraced anti-bullying week this week

through the pledge ‘POWER FOR GOOD’ by electing

an ambassador from each form group. The

ambassadors are figures that the younger students

can look up to and turn to through strenuous

situations and times they may be facing. SAIntS also

spread positive vibes through selling ‘POWER FOR

GOOD’ chains with encouraging words on them such

as ‘KIND’ and ‘UNIQUE’, which students have been

exchanging with each other, showing one another

the appreciation they deserve.

The funds raised from the sales, MK 165,000, are

going to be donated

to the Kachere

Rehab Centre (MAP)

to further spread the

kind, positive vibes

SAIntS has been

embracing this

week.

In addition to this, each form group has created

their own anti-bullying pledge which they will now

constantly be aware of. The whole school assembly

this week has increased awareness in our students

of the kinds of bullying that may occur around them

so that they can stop it if they find themselves

around it. Another campaign the school has been

following is the ‘REPORT IT, DON’T SUPPORT IT’ that

educates students to refrain from enabling bullying

Ambassadors Staff wearing their ‘Power for Good’ chains

by reporting it at first glance rather than turning a

blind eye.

This week we have leant that, however small it may

be, bullying exists and through togetherness and

mutual support it can be put to an end.

SAIntS says NO to bullying!

Year 11 Mock Examinations

Some of our Y11s begin their mock examinations

with language speaking and listening tests on

Monday 21st of November. Some Practical exams are

also beginning on the afternoon of that day.

The first section of exam leave for eligible students,

who have returned the parent permission slip to Mr

Izzett, begins on 1 December and lasts until

Thursday 8 December.

Exam leave will recommence after the Xmas break

on Tuesday 10 January until Friday 13 January when

the last examinations take place. During this period,

students do not have to attend school unless they

have an exam. On days when they do have an exam,

students should arrive at school a minimum of 25

minutes before the start of the paper to allow

enough time to sign in to school, be arranged into

group order, be correctly seated and the papers be

given out.

Please note that all students must be in school on

the last day of term, Friday 9 December.

Thank you, Mr T Izzett, Head of Years 10/11