Football: The Goat Cup

The inter-form soccer tournament is underway. Called the Mbuzi Cup; mbuzi is Swahili for goat. There isn't actually a cup - the trophy is a goat, a live goat, to be cooked and eaten by the winning form, always remembering to save some for the teachers.
Results so far: IIIA beat IIA 2-0, and IB beat IIA 1-0.
We are grateful to our sponsors in England and USA for the donated footballs. Our new pitch is still a bit rough and thorny so we get through more than one ball per match. We can then mend the punctures ready for the next one.

Cape to Cape

We had an amazing visitor yesterday. Gijs Stevers is cycling (!!!) from the North Cape, ie the Arctic Circle, to the Cape of Good Hope, ie Capetown. On the way he is finding out about the use of sustainable energy in the many countries he passes through. He is also giving workshops in schools and colleges using towers of Lego bricks to represent the different energy sources and guiding students to think about planning for the best use of energy resources in the future. He spoke to the whole school at morning assembly and described his six month journey as far as Dodoma. Some Form III students took part in the workshop and had fun with the Lego while getting to grips with the challenge of responsible use of resources. Then we wished him Safari Njema and he pedalled off towards Iringa to check out the Hydroelectric power station at Mtera. We are wondering what he will say about us on his blog. We can look at www.capetocape2012.com/

A fresh coat

Eltham College students have been hard at work applying a fresh coat of paint in the new classrooms at Kisasa Secondary School.

Graduation

Form IV graduation at KSS today. We enjoyed songs, dancing and lots of entertainment as well as speeches honoring the graduates. Hongera and best wishes to all the graduates!

Field trip

Today the Eltham College students made a field trip to the Kisasa Primary School, for a day of smiles and outdoor games.

Karibu in Kisasa

Eltham College have arrived at Kisasa Secondary School! After a sunny Monday morning welcome, nine students set to work straightaway, meeting teachers and students, teaching English nouns and verbs, organizing debates, and performing "Twelfth Night" along with Kisasa students.

English lesson--nouns, verbs, adjectives

Preparing for lessons

Kisasa Secondary School and Eltham students reading Twelfth N ight

Asante Sana Madame Jenny

School has now closed for 5 weeks, following the government's directive to release teachers to help with the Tanzanian national census. In fact the school will be open for students to prepare for exams and use the library facilities. But it was the last official school day for Jenny Bowie aka "Madame Jenny". In an emotionally charged final assembly she was presented with some goodbye presents, each of which had a special significance relating to her time at Kisasa. For example a beautiful carved giraffe because the giraffe is a "polite" animal like Jenny and because it is tall it can see a long way, perhaps as far as London to Dodoma. Form II performed a farewell song and two students read letters of appreciation, reminding us of all she has achieved - English teaching, drama, the library and its facilities, the trip to Mikumi and more. Meanwhile Jenny and Pippa, as well as "Mr Peter" Swaffield (for another week), will be in school during the census closure to give revision lessons and individual help to all comers. Next term starts on September 10th.

Uhuru Torch pays a visit to Kisasa!

On 22nd July we were lucky enough to receive a visit from the Uhuru Torch, the Tanzanian national torch for freedom. The torch came to offically open the new teachers' house, and to support the development of the school. Kisasa was awash with officials from the municipal and government, along with visitors from the local community, including scouts and members of local youth clubs and the government youth party band. The students greeted the visitors with dancing and singing. During the ceremony two students held the famous torch, along with Pippa, Jenny and Elaine (volunteer teachers from Eltham College). Each year, as the Uhuru Torch tours the country, it carries a message and this year's message was anti-corruption. To support this students displayed posters and cartoons along the anti-corruption theme.

 

Students line the new road to greet the visitors

The police arrive to protect the Uhuru Torch

The band arrive and get everyone dancing

The famous Uhuru Torch in front of the new teachers house

Jenny, Pippa and Elaine take part in the ceremony

Kisasa on Safari!

From the13th-15th July 40 students and 4 teachers went on a trip to Mikumi National Park.

Students and Staff in front of the hippo pool.

A Crocodile (Mamba in Swahili) taken by a brave student

Giraffes (Twiga in Swahili) taken by a student

Students sitting in a very large baobab tree.

Students playing in the VETA College playground after a long day on safari

Security Alert

With all the various improvements made at the school over the past year it was decided that security would also have to be improved. To that end we recently welcomed Musa and Kipara, pictured here with Headmaster Joseph Mbilinyi. Students have been warned to wear their school uniforms if they wish to come into school after hours, unless they fancy a spear through the chest. The Masai are not known for a softy softly approach to their guard duties. But in fact they have quickly become part of the school community with Kipara in particular being one of the biggest fans of the new library. In his off-duty hours he can usually be found leafing through a book, or working on his literacy skills with the help of one of the students or teachers.    Meanwhile, if you're wondering about the building project in the background of the picture, watch this space for further details.

Library opens!

The new library opened just in time for some last minute revision for the end of term exams. There has been a steady stream of customers at the issue desk, subject text books being understandably the most popular. The computers, both large and small, proved a greater attraction for some. We hope to inculcate a love of reading among Kisasa students. So far we have quite a small stock of fiction and general reference so if anyone out there has any books they no longer need we would love to have them.

Safari Story!

At Kisasa we have decided to take 40 students to visit Mikumi National Park. Over 150 students entered a story writing competition to win a place on the trip. Here is an example of one of the winning stories, by Penina Rwegushura Mlokozi from Form IA.

A trip to Mikumi National Park 

Last year Paulina went to Mikumi national park with her friends. She was so happy. She prepared herself very well. She took the camera and sweets with her. When she was still on the bus stand with her friends, she was eager to rush there. When they were still on the road to Mikumi, they saw an elephant crossing the road. Paulina was very happy to see an elephant for the first time The elephant was big. When they reached Mikumi she saw a snake. She was shocked and afraid, but she was happy to see  it.
   They saw many other animals like Zebra, Hyena, Monkey and so except a lion. But Paulina was in need of seeing a lion, because she had heard about it. So she wanted to see it live, and she hoped that she would see it. When they were still on the tour, they saw a man shooting a hippo. But there were the guards near, so they caught him. Then they asked him why he had to do so? But he didn’t answer. Then they asked him again “are you a poacher?” Still no answer. So they took him away. When they went to look at the hippo it was dead, Paulina felt very sorry for it.
   Then they continued their tour. At two pm they stopped the car, rested for a while and ate some food. After they finished eating, they continued their tour. Suddenly the car stopped. When the driver looked at it, it had an engine problem. So they had to wait for a while. When they were still waiting , Paulina got out of the car and under the tree she saw an insect named cockchafer. She was so happy to see it. Then she looked up the tree, she was so surprised to see the bird with different colours.
   The car was ready. So she got in to the car. Then they continued with their tour. At five pm they started returning back, Paulina was sad because she didn’t see a lion. Suddenly she saw a lion running she started smiling and she was very happy. And all her friends were smiling. And they were singing.
     Suddenly the car crushed on the tree. There were twenty students, fifteen of them survived except five students were injured very bad. Paulina survived too. The quickly they rushed the five other students to the hospital. Paulina was very sorry for them including her friend Philotea who had her hand seriously injured. They enjoyed the trip well although there was an accident. Paulina returned home safely and happily.

Now of course we hope for no accidents on our trip to Mikumi next month! Keep an eye out for lots of pictures of our trip.

Football Focus

The boys football team have had a successful season in the Dodoma Municipal Schools League, reaching the finals held in the Jamhuri Stadium on Thursday. They finished in 3rd place behind Merriwa and Makole Secondary Schools.

Thanks to a great idea from Headmaster Joseph Mbilinyi  some new tables have recently popped up in various shady spots around the school. Each table has a bench on either side and as they are made of concrete they should be entirely weather-proof. The concrete was barely dry when students started using them so they are obviously a great hit. There are plans for one or two more. Discussions about work and mutual help play a big part in school life here and these tables will surely make that more enjoyable.

Polling Day

Friday was Election Day. Our Form IV students are increasingly busy studying for the National exams in October (well, that's the theory anyway!) so it is time for the current Head Boy and Girl to step down. Two candidates put themselves forward for each of the two posts. They all had the chance to outline their ideas to the whole school at morning assembly. Then voting slips were produced and the whole school got to vote in a secret(ish) ballot. The results were close, but Mohamed Ramadhani emerged victorious as the new Head Boy and Rehema Mgahe as Head Girl. We wish them, and the other new prefects (to be selected by staff) the best of luck in their new positions of responsibility.

Explosion of Talent at Kisasa!

On Saturday, somewhat belatedly, we held a 'Welcome Form One Day' . We celebrated the new intake with a day of music, dancing, drama, gymnastics and prize giving.  After a welcome from the Headmaster Mr Mbilinyi, visitors enjoyed a tour of various subject exhibitions in classrooms including the laboratory and were impressed by student presentations on chosen topics.

Some VIP guests dress up for the celebrations !

  Everyone then enjoyed the show, especially a Comedy, with Innocent Yohanna as a crazy old man, supported by three other talented Form 2s.  Another highlight of the day was the gymnastics, where boys catapulted themselves across the arena in some death-defying stunts, using a desk and chair in place of a vaulting horse. Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiongo's play 'This Time Tomorrow' was performed by Drama Club directed by Jenny Bowie, a volunteer at Kisasa from London. The audience were impressed by the students' ability to convey the story in English, often their second or third language.

The Character of the 'Stranger'  played by Gaston (Form 2) excites the crowd.

'Wanjiro' played by Secilia (Form 4) and 'Njango' played by Happy (Form 1) in a dramatic scene.

Comedy Show creates some laughs

The ceremony ended with presentations of prizes to last year's Form 4s who achieved Division 1, 2  or 3 in the national exams. There was a big round of applause for Richard Silla who gained the only Division 1, including an almost unachievable A in Chemistry. The party continued throughout the afternoon giving students the opportunity to show off their Kiduku (everyone's favourite style of dance).

Girls doing some great dancing!

Richard Silla who achieved Division 1 receiving his prize

Kisasa Rocks

 We have had some heavy rain recently and a couple of times this week Form II and Form IV have been cut off from the rest of the school by flood waters as the access road turns into a raging torrent.

 A bicycle ferry service provided a temporary solution but for the longer term we decided we needed to build up the road. So the students were asked to bring in rocks and stones.









The initiative is working well as every morning the rocks arrive; some African style on heads, some on bike carriers, some in school bags, some just in the hand. There seems to be a bit of competition to produce the largest rock which will make the road a bit bumpy for wheeled traffic but at least the two halves on the school will stay in contact.

Ping Pong and Ding Dong

 

Afternoon activities have started up again. On Wednesday we got out the table tennis table and Mr Godlove showed us some of his skills.                                                                       Then on Thursday the first debate of the year took place. The combined might of Form IV and Form I took on  Forms II and III to debate the motion that "Boarding School is better than Day School". There were some excellent arguments both for and against, although some speakers had to be reminded that debating is not supposed to degenerate into a stand up row between individuals from the two sides. Monday will see a variety of extra-curricular clubs on offer and we trust proceedings will be a little more harmonious.