Herzlia HS Magazine 2021

HERZLIA









H I G H S C H O O L

MAGAZINE 2021

This is the first year, for many years - since the 1980s, I

believe - that the High School operated as one unit all the
way from Grade 7 to Grade 12.



While this is an exciting time with enormous potentialities

- it does present, in the current pandemic circumstances,
some challenges; the staff have not yet all met in person

and this makes collegiality and teamwork tricky.



However, in spite of these challenges, we have made
quite remarkable progress; our management team is

united and aligned and we could not have hoped for a

smoother and more seamless union.



Academically our school has an excellent record - as
benchmarked by the matric exams at least - and we have

traditionally achieved very well. This is particularly true
this last year where we have had probably the best matric

exam results in the history of the school.

There are areas we are going to focus on in the near

future - particularly extension which is to find
opportunities working within the curriculum by creating

interdisciplinary synergies which will be available for the
more academically curious and aspirant pupils.




We also have many and various enrichment opportunities
and this is another area we are making a concerted effort

to consolidate and formalise.



We look forward to a less disrupted and unsettled year in
2022 and to finding more opportunities for consolidation

and healthy and directed growth.



Marc Falconer

Introduction
Introduction










Table of Contents
Table of Contents











Editorial
Editorial










Menschlichkeit
Menschlichkeit











Jewish Life & Learning
Jewish Life & Learning

Academics
Academics











Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture










Sport
Sport










Matric Memories
Matric Memories

Marc Falconer’s introduction to the magazine

outlines some of the exciting changes and

difficult realities of this year. The role of the
school magazine is to document those

moments. We reflect on the year that has
passed as a memento: a way to mark and

remember. We also put together the
magazine to celebrate our pupils and

colleagues: their achievements and their
investment in the school and, particularly in

the time of Covid, their difficulties - but
always as attempts to do something

meaningful.



The magazine is organised in sections
according to the pillars of the school. Our

educational foundation rests on five pillars:

Menschlichkeit, Jewish Life & Learning (JLL),
Academics, Sport and Arts & Culture.

Important sections on committee work,
messages from Grade Heads and pupil

photographs are contained in Menschlichkeit
- seen as the pillar that represents people and

relationships, inside the school and within the
wider committee. We have included events

such as the Surf Day as an important
opportunity to reconnect with pupils and

families. In this section, we welcome new staff
members to our community and wish those

that have left, farewell.

We saw it as important to include a of the magazine for Matric memories,
section dedicated specifically to the looking back at their growth in their

Innovation Center with Arts and time at school through a series of
Culture to celebrate their exciting photographs of school life and school

enrichment / extra-mural work. camps - chubby cheeks, close together
While the I-center does not reside and maskless.

in a silo as is evident in the

interdisciplinary projects of the I- Thank you to Tziyona Cohen who
center that appear in the Academics collated these photographs from our
section, it nonetheless has a archives. Our hope is that you read

dedicated space in this magazine. It this magazine mindful of the

seems fitting to provide the Matrics restrictions on school life this year, but
with their own section. While the hopeful as a result of the remarkable

Grade 12s are included in the energy of the school and our pupils.
Menschlichkeid with the rest of the

grades, we offer a space at the back Tanya Steyn & Lauren Palte

Menschlichkeit is the heart of our


school. We are a school



community and we belong to a


wider community. It is so


important that we look after one



another and find opportunities to


grow and develop ourselves.







This section has its focus on



people.

The grade heads have written letters to different opportunities for pupils to find

their grade with photographs from meaning. We have included
grade wide events. community-building activities such as

the school Surf day and Friendship Day.
We have included the work of the

school committees into this section, We welcome new teachers to our
with the important role of service to community, and thank those teachers

the Jewish and wider community that who have left for their contribution to
they play. our school.



The varied nature of the committee

work is testament to the ethos and
philosophy of the school that provides

If resilience is defined as the ability to
Dear Grade 7s adapt to change, then what you have

I have a small admission to make, shown in this past year is incredible
nothing big, just something about resilience, and while it may not be

me that you probably didn’t know. I obvious to you now, in time you may
often wonder just how far I can push look back at this era in your life where
myself physically. It’s no wonder then you attended school in a pandemic,

that I am drawn to certain reality and realise just how resilient it made
shows, like Survivor, where you, just how adaptable and used to

contestants have to survive in the change you have become.
wild and compete against one

another for the ultimate prize of sole But like all good superheroes,
survivor. Did you know I once resilience has a partner, a sidekick, a

entered Survivor SA and got down to wingman of sorts, kind of like Batman
the last 600 contestants (not much and Robin, Sherlock Holmes &
of a claim to fame, I know!).
Watson, or Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid.
The contestants on these shows are

often described as having incredible If you really want to get the full benefit
resilience. But what is resilience and from being resilient, then it must go

if it’s such a good thing to have, how hand-in-hand with inner strength;
does one develop it?
that internal knowing of who you are
and what you stand for.
While surviving on a deserted island Just having resilience alone is like a
with little food and water is certainly rudderless ship out at sea, you might

an enormous physical and mental be able to withstand the surging sea
challenge, I believe resilience can be and mighty waves, but you get tossed

cultivated in many other ways too, around in every direction, powerless
not just through mental or physical to external forces, and ultimately you

extremes.
are left depleted and beaten.

The key to resilience is that while your At times it has been infuriating, scary,

external environment might change, confusing and just about every feeling
your inner environment must remain in between.

strong and steadfast. Even if there’s a
storm around you, having resilience But what I see as we finish the 3rd

means you can keep the storm out. term and head towards the end of
Who you are inside is strengthened year, is a year group that is battle-
and fed and guided by your values, hardened, tough, resilient, closer, and

those things that you believe to be so much more than what you were
important in life. when you first came through those

Junior High doors in January 2021. I’d
I have come to know you over these happily take any one of you with me to

past 9 months and watched you grow compete on Survivor!
in ways you may not even be aware of.

I have watched you overcome the I salute you and look forward to
newness of Junior High, I have seen you watching you grow and become a force
take on new social and academic for good, a resilient year group that

challenges, and of course we have looks out for one another and to whom
endured together the inconvenience of next year’s Grade 7s can look up to.

trying to learn online then offline then
online then offline, back and forwards It has been a pleasure.

like a bouncing ball. Mr Blumenthal













Dear Grade 8 pupils



It has truly been a great honour and pleasure
to take on the role of being your Grade Head
this year. Together with your mentors, I have

thoroughly enjoyed helping you navigate
through your Grade 8 year - traditionally the

“most challenging” of your high school years.



On top of this you have had to cope with the
ongoing disruptions caused by the Covid-19

pandemic.



I have been extremely impressed with the
adaptability, fortitude, tenacity and courage

that you have shown in tackling all aspects of
both your personal as well as your school lives
throughout this year as this pandemic

continues, unabated. I have thoroughly enjoyed
all of our interactions both in the classroom as
well as the more informal settings. I have

cherished every encounter with every one of
you; from the highly competitive Squares
tournaments in the atrium, the mountain biking

rampers,

the crazy ball game crowd near the pool, to the "tea
the crazy ball game crowd near the pool, to the "tea
party crowd" in the hall as well as the computer
party crowd" in the hall as well as the computer
gaming cluster on the wooden benches just outside
gaming cluster on the wooden benches just outside
the main entrance, to mention just a fewI
the main entrance, to mention just a fewI


As you move into your next phase of education - -
As you move into your next phase of education
your Grade 9 year - I wish you everything of the best
your Grade 9 year - I wish you everything of the best
under the very competent guidance of Mr Collins
under the very competent guidance of Mr Collins
who will lead you through the subject choice
who will lead you through the subject choice
process and other aspects that are important to to
process and other aspects that are important
your Grade 9 year.
your Grade 9 year.

Wishing you all the very best.
Wishing you all the very best.
Mr Frank
Mr Frank





To my dear Grade 9s,



Thank you for the opportunity you have given

me as your Grade Head. I have been fortunate
enough to have been your Grade Head for the

past two years. I consider this to have been
both a privilege and a learning experience. It is
not often that grade heads stay with a grade for

two consecutive years, and as I reflect on the
past two years it really has been a most

rewarding experience. It has not been easy:
Covid, lock-downs, the back and forth between
online teaching and in person classes, isolating,

masks, sanitizer and screening have made for a
most challenging two years. It has not been all

bad though. My personal highlight has to have
been the Grade 8 Camp, what seems like a

distant memory now. However, the joy and
excitement experienced at the beautiful,

isolated mountain pool is etched in my memory
as if it were last week.

My only regret is that due to the circumstances in in
My only regret is that due to the circumstances
which we find ourselves, we have not had more
which we find ourselves, we have not had more
opportunities like that. What you have had, and what
opportunities like that. What you have had, and what
you as a grade have embraced, are moments
you as a grade have embraced, are moments to to
exercise compassion, empathy and kindness. As you
exercise compassion, empathy and kindness. As you
make the transition into Senior High, I would like
make the transition into Senior High, I would like to to
leave you with a last bit of advice. Enjoy the journey.
leave you with a last bit of advice. Enjoy the journey.
School should not be seen as a means to an end. It is
School should not be seen as a means to an end. It is
an end in itself. Cherish both the experiences as well as
an end in itself. Cherish both the experiences as well as
the relationships - this is key to both learning and life in
the relationships - this is key to both learning and life in
general. In the words of Tenzing Norgay (First person to
general. In the words of Tenzing Norgay (First person to
climb Mount Everest): To travel, to experience and
climb Mount Everest): To travel, to experience and
learn: that is to live.
learn: that is to live.

Mr Collins
Mr Collins



Dear Grade 10s



The Grade 10 year usually begins with an

orientation programme - walks on the
mountain, cultural activities and opportunities

to establish a cohesive unit as a grade. Even in
the time of Covid, we were hopeful and planned
one out for the start of 2021, only to return to

school in the height of the second wave. As a
result, we met for the first time online, and

what has been remarkable is that albeit
imperfect, the connections and relationships

that we seek through physical activities have
been established even in the disrupted and

often distant masked, boundaried and online
spaces.

It struck us that you
look for connection. You

seek it out. An excellent
example was the Grade

10 initiative to run a
subject choice assembly
for the Grade 9s. It was

an opportunity to share
your experiences and

reach out to another.
This reminds us how
important it is to be

mindful and to be

present in the moment,
in spite of how Covid
and periods online

tempt us to disengage
and disconnect. It has

been a privilege to
watch your growth, to
see your independence

and to have had the
privilege to hold your

hand when needed.
We wish you well for

Grade 11 and look
forward to watching

your continued growth.


Ms Palte and Mr Zive



Dear Grade 11s,

Grade 11 is not an easy year. In many ways, we

expect you to grow up overnight and
understand the importance of achieving the

best results you possibly can so that you can
set yourself up for your tertiary studies and

eventual careers. The academic pressure only
increases as each term passes, with each

subject requiring a significant amount of
attention and effort. On top of all this stress,
many of you feel uncertain as you're not yet

sure what you want to do after school.

And if all that wasn't difficult enough, you had to go through
And if all that wasn't difficult enough, you had to go through
all of this while navigating a global pandemic!
all of this while navigating a global pandemic!

I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for rising
I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for rising
to the challenge and giving only your best while being kind
to the challenge and giving only your best while being kind
and considerate towards others. You have laid a solid
and considerate towards others. You have laid a solid
foundation for your final school year and I wish you all the
foundation for your final school year and I wish you all the
best going forward.
best going forward.

It has been an absolute pleasure looking after you this year
It has been an absolute pleasure looking after you this year
and I look forward to watching you all excel in Matric.
and I look forward to watching you all excel in Matric.

Keep it good and kind.
Keep it good and kind.

Best,
Best,
Mrs Maree
Mrs Maree





Dear matrics
Dear matrics
is an honour to have an influence in mentoring all
It It is an honour to have an influence in mentoring all
of you. Many of you have been in my office-we have
of you. Many of you have been in my office-we have
laughed, we have cried and sometimes we have had
laughed, we have cried and sometimes we have had
socially distanced cups of tea and we have, many
socially distanced cups of tea and we have, many
times, tried to make sense of this very short, very
times, tried to make sense of this very short, very
busy, very challenging year.
busy, very challenging year.

I can honestly say that I don’t know how you have all
I can honestly say that I don’t know how you have all
managed through this very difficult year-you have
managed through this very difficult year-you have
shown resilience, agility, strength and have
shown resilience, agility, strength and have
managed to navigate the year and made it look so
managed to navigate the year and made it look so
easy. Sometimes I forget that this is all abnormal,
easy. Sometimes I forget that this is all abnormal,
and we are living in a completely different time. You
and we are living in a completely different time. You
are an absolutely astounding group of people, and
are an absolutely astounding group of people, and
have given me tremendous hope.
have given me tremendous hope.

One of my personal highlights during the year was
One of my personal highlights during the year was
Chai to Chai. Each of you brought something special
Chai to Chai. Each of you brought something special
to that event, to the children in Grade 1 at the
to that event, to the children in Grade 1 at the
various Herzlia Schools and showed them what
various Herzlia Schools and showed them what
menschlichkeit really means. I am always biased to to
menschlichkeit really means. I am always biased
say that science is my favourite table and that table
say that science is my favourite table and that table
did a sterling job, but I am not sure I will ever quite
did a sterling job, but I am not sure I will ever quite
forget the dance moves that I witnessed in Mrs
forget the dance moves that I witnessed in Mrs
Meskins classroom-complete with glitter.
Meskins classroom-complete with glitter.

The conversations I have had with all of you recently
The conversations I have had with all of you recently
about what you are planning is invigorating for me.
about what you are planning is invigorating for me.
Medical school, gap year, soldier, computer
Medical school,
soldier, computer
gap year,
engineering, performing arts...you are a diverse group.
engineering, performing arts...you are a diverse group.
Each of you has left an impact on the school, certainly
Each of you has left an impact on the school, certainly
me and I am sure your teachers in the classrooms and
me and I am sure your teachers in the classrooms and
mentors. And there will be a gap left for all of us when
mentors. And there will be a gap left for all of us when
you leave. I can only wish you all good luck on your
you leave. I can only wish you all good luck on your
adventure, as well as your upcoming exams.
adventure, as well as your upcoming exams.
Love Mrs Bodington
Love Mrs Bodington

Dear Matrics
Dear Matrics
is with great joy and of course sadness too, that I
It It is with great joy and of course sadness too, that I
say farewell to you. To have played a role in guiding
say farewell to you. To have played a role in guiding
and mentoring you has been an honour and
and mentoring you has been an honour and a a
pleasure.
pleasure.
I am confident that your time at Herzlia has
I am confident that your time at Herzlia has
prepared you to find your place in the world. This is
prepared you to find your place in the world. This is
your hour, this is your time and I wish you all so
your hour, this is your time and I wish you all so
much love and happiness in whatever path of life
much love and happiness in whatever path of life
you choose to travel. I would like to end off with the
you choose to travel. I would like to end off with the
traditional Blessing that we always give to our
traditional Blessing that we always give to our
children.
children.
May G-d bless you and watch over you.
May G-d bless you and watch over you.
Yevarechecha Hashem Yishmercha.
Yevarechecha Hashem Yishmercha.
May G-d cause His countenance to shine to you and
May G-d cause His countenance to shine to you and
favor you.
favor you.
Ya'er Hashem Panav Eilecha V'echuneka
Ya'er Hashem Panav Eilecha V'echuneka
May G-d raise His countenance toward you and
May G-d raise His countenance toward you and
grant you, peace.
grant you, peace.
Yisa Hashem Panav Eielcha Vyasem lecha Shalom
Yisa Hashem Panav Eielcha Vyasem lecha Shalom



With love
With love
Mrs Meskin
Mrs Meskin













The Committees have had to operate under
very difficult circumstances over this past year.

It has been exciting to have the Junior and
Senior high committees come together and we

are looking forward to growth in the future. We
have also had some new committees starting

up this year, such as Ahava and the Investors of
Herzlia. It is wonderful to see students finding

spaces for leadership in our school community.


Kirstin Kukard

During a Friday Prayers Assembly on the 30th of June, the
Herzlia Student Leadership Council for 2021/22 was

announced.



The council consists of:
Benjamin (Benji) Anstey as Head Student
Sabrina Brivik as Deputy Head Student and Outreach

Head
Olivia Diamond as Deputy Head Student and Zionism

Head
Sino Nomkonwana as Secretary

Mila Smith as Social Affairs Head
Jamie McNally as Culture Head

Adi Ayache as JLL Head
Aaron Schwartz as Sports Head
Lilla Fleischmann and Jared Daitsh as Student Wellness

Heads



We are excited and honoured to be in the position to
serve the school community and look forward to an

impactful and engaged year. Additionally, we would like to
share with you our vision statement for our term of office.

This will be the guiding principle that influences the kinds
of events we run and the changes we try to bring to our
school environment, whether that be in our school culture

or school policy.

Our vision: is to create spaces for excited

engagement, embracing diversity and serving to
create pride in our school and wider South African

community.


Increased engagement within our own Jewish

Community, will further the sense of community
within our school and involve more community

organisations and institutions in campus life. We
would also like to interact more with the wider South

African community as we believe that this will help
foster identities as South Africans, and equip students

for a future in this country, or wherever they find
themselves. It is important to have exposure to not
just outreach, but also to South African Culture,

Politics, Interfaith and more so that we can truly feel
part of this country.



Finally, we also see ourselves as a crucial link between

the decision makers of the school, and the interests of
the students, and hope to represent them to the best

of our ability. We look forward to an exciting year to
come.



All the best and stay well
Benji Anstey, and the Student Leadership Council.



This past year has proved Congratulations to Leo

very challenging for Bachmann, Leah Marks, Ella
everyone in Herzlia, which Levy, Liv Marcus, Jade
makes it all the more Gerowitz and Talia Garvin.

amazing that we have such
a huge number of new Understandably it has been

enrollments into the very challenging to arrange
program. Despite lockdowns our second hike, due to

and limited access to gyms, Covid restrictions, however,
outreach programs and we are holding thumbs that

other resources we we will be on Table Mountain
normally used to facilitate for both a Silver and Bronze
completion of the 4 aspects level hike in the first week of

of the award, our members the 4th term. I will also be
have risen to the occasion. selecting seasoned

The highlight of the year so participants to guide the
far was our two day hike at newest applicants on how

Cape Nature Reserve and best to select and record
the participants can be their activities as this can be

justifiably proud of their very daunting when one
efforts. Despite the fact that begins the program.
most of us had not been on I want to congratulate all

such a long hike in recent participants for their
times, they dug deep into dedication and commitment

their reserves and soldered to the Award program and I
on, completing nearly 40km look forward to getting back
over the two days. on the mountain for our

Adventurous journey asap!


Anne Russell.



Over the past year, the Interact committee took

part in several projects such as:
- A stationary, book and folder collection for our

partner school, where we took students' old
folders, books and pens and restored them for

new use!
- Encouraged positivity and tikkun olam on our

committee board with inspirational quotes and
positive recollections of our time on the
committee.

- Assisted in sandwich making in the initiative by
Alexandra Showell

- Raised money through slipper day, and civvies
days.

And more!



Although Covid made this past year particularly
hard, we are glad tand grateful that we were still
able to accomplish things as a committee.



Rachel Rod

Last year saw the growth of a partnership between
Gardens Commercial High School (GCHS) and Herzlia High

School. GCHS operates a feeding scheme for 45 of their
students, mostly funded by some of the teachers and
pupils, who donate towards the scheme by giving of their

time or financially. Last year we assisted by providing soup
in winter and sandwiches in summer.



This year we have provided lunch twice a week for those

pupils in need. An official committee has been formed to
plan and organise the process.



Grade 11 pupil, Alexandra Showell is the Head of the
Committee and has made good progress this year

ensuring its success. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Herzlia
students in their mentor groups, make, package and

deliver 45 sandwiches to Gardens Commercial High
School, feeding those who would otherwise not have a
meal. This committee thanks those who have helped, and

encourages others to join and take action.



Alexandra Showell



The Ahava committee is a new committee that was formed in

2020. At this time of transition and in the midst of a pandemic,
students felt a strong need to bring awareness of emotional

and social wellbeing as well as topical awareness regarding
issues relating to teens to the fore. A survey was sent to Herzlia

students that focused on the following areas:
Would it be helpful having a safe space to talk about your
feelings ?

Would it be supportive to talk about lifestyle changes with
your peers ?

How important is it to belong to a community or something
larger than yourself?

Is communication something you think can be learnt?
Do you want to talk about how we construct identity?

Is it possible to come together and discuss what unites us
rather than what divides us?
Have you found it helpful to talk to a professional about

your feelings?
The Ahava committee’s chosen theme of focus during sexual

assault awareness month was to inform, create awareness and
open discussion related to consent and common forms of

sexual assault. Posters were made and put up around the
school in order to explore this important topic. Many thanks to

Jesse Klaff, Mia Flax, Julia Peters and all those involved.


Jesse Klaff