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Michaelmas 2019
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The Headmaster’s Address Speech delivered to the School on 9th September 2019 few days ago – on the 30th August to be precise – the Muslim members of our community marked the Islamic New Year. It is now the year 1441.
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Although Islam as a faith traces its roots to the patriarch Abraham, the Islamic calendar started in 622 AD with a significant event in Muslim history called the Hijrah, meaning Migration. It was the year the prophet and his small band of followers, having endured a decade of oppression in Mecca, decided to migrate, individually and in small groups, to the oasis of Yathrib, 320km north, where they had been pledged sanctuary. The decision to leave their homes and possessions, and risk their lives to cross the desert, taking very little with them, has marked the start of the calendar for Muslims, and has also been an inspiration to successive generations. Migration, which was necessary to save the nascent faith, became an act of faith. In a world where borders define and constrain us, Islam was protected and flourished on the premise of movement beyond those borders.
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These days we’re more aware than ever of the way borders divide us, allowing some in and keeping many out. We could learn much from our forebears who welcomed strangers as brothers, and together created a community of faith, marking the beginning of a new era and a new calendar It seems to me that the constant discussion about migration and migrants has more to do with preserving something within a country’s borders and keeping that something to one self. Both the United States and Europe’s politics seems to be dominated by migration discussion – with little if any discussion about the reasons why migrants might be moving. In the aftermath of the nightmare in the Bahamas, the tragic war in Syria, or the poverty suffered in central American states – it is clearly obvious – that like Muhammad – migration was essential – the difference now is that those suffering are met with much less understanding and compassion.
When the early Muslims sought sanctuary with strangers, they were welcomed with open arms. It was said that the residents of Yathrib shared their belongings equally with the asylum seekers, each resident choosing a ‘brother’ from amongst the migrants. And when the prophet finally arrived in Yathrib, the residents welcomed him with poetry and song and renamed their oasis Medina, the city of the prophet.
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The Headmaster’s Address Cont... Speech delivered to the School on 22nd October 2019
Can our moral imaginations occupy that space NOW, so that our sense of finite future can inform “I shall drink to the Pope – if you please, still to Conscience and transform the present? They say a prophet first, and to the Pope afterwards.” is not a crystal ball gazer, but an individual who paints a challenging picture of the future in the hese are perhaps the most well-known words hope of recasting the present anew, of changing of one of the Church’s newest saints, John course. Henry Newman, canonised last week by Pope When you leave here today, think about your Francis. To be canonised means to be made a everyday actions, your words, your thoughts, saint. are they something you will be proud of later? I challenge all of the older adults here to look back John Henry Newman was an English theologian that their lives and ask the same question. When I and poet born in 1801 and died at the age of 89 in do the exercise, I am left quite challenged by some 1890. He became a very powerful figure in the mid memories of things I could have done better. I nineteenth century. As a could have been more member of the Anglican caring, more thoughtful Church he became a Conscience is the voice of God and in some cases, I feel powerful reformer – in the nature and heart of man. ashamed of the hurt that keen for the Church of my thoughtlessness has England to regain some caused. I do wish that my of the traditions of the Catholic Church that it sense of the future, in what is now the past, could had lost during the reformation. Although he was have shaped what I did then. successful as part of what was called the Oxford Father in heaven: give us the gift of honest Movement of the Eighteen Fifties he soon made self-scrutiny and the grace and wisdom to avoid the move to transfer his faith to the Catholic self-deception. Strip us of our selfish ways so that Church. This would have been very unpopular we may listen attentively to your voice: your voice at the time but it is what his conscience told him talking to us through others, but also when we are was right. alone, your still small voice of calm.
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Newman said that “conscience is the voice of God in the nature and heart of man.” Most of us are nowhere near as bright and insightful as the supremely intelligent and gifted Newman, but our experience of conscience is often characterized by a lurking sense of unease, a tension between an act that we’re just about to perform and something different, what we know we should do. We often ignore that voice and conscience then speaks ever louder. But imagine if we cast the dice differently, and look not at individual actions, but at a whole life. Imagine if we had, magically, a recording of the whole of our existence and we could speed forth to the ten seconds before we close our eyes for the last time, and looking back, which of us would not have a sense of regret? Of actions not taken, forgiveness’s not sought, and peace still unmade.
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Mental Health Challenges to Child Protection and Safeguarding
he protection of children and young people from all forms of maltreatment is a fundamental right guaranteed by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, its full realisation continues to be elusive as many emerging factors compromise effective safeguarding. Research findings from the World Health Organisation (WHO) identify mental health conditions as a significant inhibitor to effective care. In its 2018 report, WHO reveals that “half of the mental health conditions start by 14 years of age, but most cases remain undetected and therefore, untreated�.
smartphone overuse to sleep deprivation. This, in turn, leads to anxiety, stress and even depression; major manifestations of mental health problems.
Acknowledging that teenage is a time for tremendous physical growth and identity formation, it is understandable that a broad range of emotional disorders associated with adolescence emerge during this age. Consequently, young people may experience intense irritability, frustration or anger. This, at least in part, makes them particularly prone to social exclusion, discrimination and even educational difficulties. This highlights the need for them to be offered support Whilst most young ...evidence now clearly links in cultivating the skills people have good mental necessary for managing health, many continue smartphone overuse to sleep to experience multiple deprivation. This, in turn, leads to their emotions, including anger management, physical, emotional and anxiety, stress and even depression; practical problem-solving, social challenges which major manifestations of mental interpersonal and social make them susceptible to skills. The consequent mental health problems. health problems. empowerment will prepare In the interest of them adequately to interact with peers, parents promoting their well-being, it is vital that they have and staff in the spirit of mutual respect; not protection from negative experiences and adverse confrontation and conflict. risk factors which may negatively impact their potential to thrive. Schools and families have a role This article takes cognisance of the fact that to play in equipping them with the knowledge, children spend most of their time with staff in skills and attitudes which will enable them to school, and with parents and carers at home. In navigate an ever challenging social terrain. light of which, the article seeks to raise awareness of the challenges posed by mental health problems Technological advancements and innovation have to adequate protection and safeguarding of seen the emergence of smartphones which act children and young people. Consequently, the as portal supplies of vast quantities of digital appeal is to all of us to make our little individual content. In spite of their usefulness in accessing contributions, as partners in promoting the welleducational resources, they provide platforms being of these young people. Such efforts will help for hosting social media which can be significant foster conducive and supportive environments distractors from academic pursuits. Smartphones at home, at school and in the wider community have become an increasingly integral part of young where they can thrive. For instance, developing people’s lives. healthy sleeping patterns by reducing contact time To a vast majority, these devices have become with their beloved smartphones and other handindispensable. Many would not know how to held devices, will place them in a stronger position productively use their time and deploy their energy to take control and cultivate the requisite skills to if access to these devices was denied. I have be leveraged in shaping their futures. observed, with interest, the desperation in their Collins Kaunda faces when a phone is confiscated for one reason Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or the other. Available evidence now clearly links Ckaunda@peponischool.org
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Honours & Awards
Humanities Faculty The listed pupils who produced excellent research pieces were awarded commendation certificates: In History For exemplary essays on the History of Slavery and Slave Trade: 1. Ryan Gontier Shell 2. Chloe Miringu Shell In Sociology • For excellent essay writing on the comparison of the perspectives of religion: Michelle Mapelu UVI In Geography • An excellent Case Study on the ‘Impacts of Urban Sprawl.’ 1. Ronav Vora UV 2. Aarna Malde UV • An excellent research on the Causes of High Natural Population Increase in Ghana. Fatma Jeilan Shell • A good research on the Trading Strategy of China. Vaishali Shah UVI • An excellent research on the Trading Strategy of China. Claire Otieno UVI • An excellent research on the Trading Strategy of China. Maria Blunsum UVI English Faculty The English department is delighted to award commendations to the following Pupils, for excellent essays on Atmosphere in Act 2 of the play Macbeth: 1. Sioni Doshi
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2. Pascha Hulsmann UV 3. Niah Shah
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Special mention goes to Natalya Mburia LVI for outstanding debating skills during Inter-House senior debate.
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MFL Faculty The German department is delighted to award Crystal Ndolo a commendation certificate on an excellent essay on Symbolism in ‘Der Besuch der alten Dame’ Science Faculty The faculty resolved to award commendations to pupils who attained three A*s in Science subjects at IGCSE and are continuing at Peponi, as well as those who attained in any science subject at AS and are continuing in A2. Citation: Science Faculty Commendation for attaining three A*s in IGCSE Science Subjects. LVI 1. Carla Byarugaba 2. Meer Gudka 3. Nyamu Karani 4. Sean Koome 5. Simran Raikundalia 6. Anya Shah 7. Dilan Shah 8. Maansi Shah 9. Rhea Shah 10. Riani Shah 11. Shay Shah 12. Savannah Tawk 13. Reyan Vora Citation: Science Faculty Commendation for attaining two A grades in Science Subjects in the 2019 AS Examination. UVI 1. Aahuti Hindocha AS Biology & Chemistry 2. Aman Vora AS Chemistry & Physics Citation: Science Faculty Commendation for attaining an A grade in a Science Subject in the 2019 AS Examination 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Esha Galaiya Mihir Pattni Fawaz Adan Aniket Shah Ankit Patel Max Rombouts
AS Chemistry AS Chemistry AS Physics AS Physics AS Physics AS Physics
Honours & Awards Assembly Speeches The following pupils were awarded commendations for presenting excellent Monday Assembly Speeches: 1. Eijaaz Karim UVI ‘The Ethics of Gene Editing’ 2.
John Schrier UVI ‘Society’s Pressure on Men’
3. Errol King Jr. UVI ‘The Ethics of modern Technology and Artificial Intelligence’
Shell Convocation 2019 Special mention goes to the following pupils who were Outstanding during the Shell Convocation at Malewa- Gilgil: 1. Joy Karanja 2. Saahir Dewany 3. Charles Smith 4. Tara Vora 5. Ryan Gontier 6. Senthwale Muya 7. Chloe Miringu 8. Alexa Kinyua 9. Maansi Ruparel 10. Daniel T Davis
President’s Award The PA office is delighted that following pupils have completed the:
18. Imran Muyingo
Silver Level
19. Imaan Khawaja
1. Maria Blunsum
Bronze Level
20. Joy Karago
2. Saheel Shah
21. Tasheni Mbao
3. Rahul Shah
22. Priya Jasani
4. Pranav Sumaria
1. Luciah Kibunyi 2. Matikudza Chiromo 3. Saheel Shah 4. Aaeed Fazal 5. Tara Mann 6. Beatrice Shako 7. Savan Thakar 8. Shay Shah 9. Reyan Vora 10. Rhea Shah 11. Riani Shah 12. Rahul Shah 13. Philip Ndegwa 14. Pranav Sumaria 15. Elena Kontos 16. Esha Galaiya 17. Maansi Shah
23. John Schrier 24. Imani Ager 25. Crystal Ndolo 26. Vaishali Shah 27. Ankit Patel 28. Neha Shah 29. Henna Upadhyay 30. Akshee Hirani 31. Anaay Vora 32. Shrey Haria 33. Aman Vora 34. Jordan Mtui 35. Max Romboults
The starting point of all achievement is desire. Napoleon Hill
36. Isabella Tilstone 37. Kabir Suri
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Lower VI Team Building
The strength of the team is each member. The strength of each member is the team. Phil Jackson
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Shell Induction Weekend
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n the 24th August 2019 the new Year 9 (Shell) pupils arrived at Peponi School to start a new chapter of their lives. Many of us, if not all of us were very excited to see our old friends after a very long summer holiday, but we were mostly excited to make new friends too. Once we arrived at Peponi, we each headed towards our boarding Houses to setup our dorms and layout our bedding. While we were in dorms we met the people that we would be sharing a dorm with. It was all very exciting. After we finished that we met up with our old friends and we decided that we should start bonding with the people that we didn’t know. Many of us made new friends that we knew would last a long time but some of us had difficulty trying to do the same. At 10:00 am we all headed to the library with our parents (although some of us got lost) to listen to the heads of schools, house captains and the headmaster speak about the inquiries and what peponi school will teach you and why it will teach you the most important rules of your life. The next task was to find the house captain of your house and collect a Peponi badge from them. After that task was completed we were separated into our different tutor groups and we set off to try and make friends with the people in your class. Once that period was completed we then went and ate a good lunch which would hopefully give us energy for the next activity after lunch. After we ate lunch we were permitted to exit the cafeteria and get dressed into our sports kit as we had a very technical and practical task coming up next. At 2:00 pm we got on a bus a drove down to the Northlands entry and we were divided into two groups. The first group got to do an obstacle course and the second group was ride BMX bikes on a dirt track. The group that were doing the obstacle course got shown around the course and soon enough they were able to do it on their own. The biking group got split up even more as they were not enough bikes for everyone and
therefore only some pupils would ride at a time. After each group did that they swapped over and unfortunately when that happened it started drizzling and from there it exchanged to rain. Although it was raining, this didn’t stop us from enjoying it and being challenged. With the rain hitting us it made the activities more difficult but it was worth it. By the time we all got back to school, we were all freezing cold and ready to enjoy a nice, warm shower. We all raced to the showers because we wanted to be comfortable and definately clean! After we all had showered and were ready, we were instructed to head to the swimming pool if you wanted to swim but since no one wanted to swim we sat by the pool and were briefed about all the trips in year 9 and for the school by Eric. After that we were lead to dinner at the rotunda and it turned out to be a barbecue. The next activity was supposed to be a movie all together but it didn’t work so we watched separate movies in the girls and boys dorms. A couple of us didn’t want to watch the movie so we were given permission to listen to music on our phones. Bedtime was around 9:45 – 10:00 and a lot of us knocked out as soon as we were in bed because it was a pretty exhausting and exciting day. On day 2, we woke up at 6:45 – 7:00. This day was more of an educational day where we would learn the basics of transferring into high school and learning about teamwork. After we woke up some of us went for showers but others didn’t because we were headed to Karura Forest! We ate a stuffing and definitely delicious breakfast and got our equipment such as water bottles and hats and boarded the bus at around 8:30. Once we arrived at Karura Forest, we were greeted by our instructors and challenge leaders for the day and we were split into groups of around 5-6 people. Each group was provided with a map and an activity score list. At each station there was an activity where you had to score a certain amount of points. The outcome of this activity as a whole was to get you to know the new
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Shell Induction Weekend people in your year group and to work as a team. It wasn’t supposed to be taken too seriously but it was supposed to be fun. A couple of us got lost as for my group ended up in Kiambu County. We were all given at least an hour to complete as many tasks as possible in that specific amount of time. After all the groups had arrived at the base pint we were provided with snacks to give us a boost of energy. After we ate our snacks the results were announced. And finally we loaded the bus and set off back to school. Once we got to school we were told that we should shower and change back into our uniform as would be given a speech by the headmaster and because we would have an online test to check our abilities for each subject. Once we were all cleaned up and fresh we went to eat a fabulous lunch. After lunch was finished and we were allowed to leave, we headed back to dorms to grab our pencil cases and notebooks for the rest of the day. We additionally were split into groups again but his time there were only three groups. Each group entered the computer lab to setup their school email account and their school profile to access their saved work. While we were still in the computer lab we were assigned to take a small online test to test our abilities for each subject. This was so that the teachers knew which sets or groups to put you in. At about 11:30 we were sent to the headmaster to take in a speech about the school and its policies. After this we were allowed to go for lunch. Once we finished lunch, the people who weren’t boarding that night were allowed to pack their stuff up and place them in the common room/ kitchen of the house that they are in, for the people who were boarding, they were allowed to unpack their items as they were most likely boarding for the whole week. At 4:00 the day scholars were picked up by their parents and received a gate pass and has then left the premises of the school. The weekly boarders
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had been given some prep to do in their prep time and then went and had dinner in the cafeteria. All in all the weekend was very enjoyable because their very many activities that kept everyone occupied and because we met a lot of new people that are now some of our closest friends. Additionally we learnWt a lot on during this weekend and now we know our way around school so that we will not get lost. The main point is that all of us enjoyed it and it was a success and it will be good to continue it in the future. The Shell induction weekend was a fun and interesting opportunity to get to know the new year’s teachers and school. In addition to team Building, we had time to relax chat and start to merge as a year group. Our trip to Karura Forest encouraged further chances to make new friends and form new friend groups. As a whole it was a great weekend. Rani Sumaria and Carlo Blunsum Shell
Education is our passport to the future. For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare it today. Malcolm X
Inter-House Art Competition- Theme: Paper Art Magadi House
Winners of 2019- Elementaita House
Chala House
Jipe House
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Shell Convocation 2019- Malewa Gilgil Camping it self has ups and downs but it is your friends and the people you are with they makes the experience better. Maansi Ruparel
Surround yourself with positive energy and achieve a lot more. Sophia Vallack
Sometimes it is the little things, voices and people that can impact the biggest change. Gabriella Stolarow
If you want to change the world, take a look at yourself and make sure that change is good and that it starts with you. Isaiah Kimkung.
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Shell Convocation 2019- Malewa Gilgil Teamwork is the key to success. For it is when you are a team, you prosper and achieve more for no one walks alone. Cheryl Joy
Don’t be pushed by the fears in your mind, Be led by the dreams in your heart. Alexa Kinyua
Fear is a war that can be ended. Joshua D’Souza
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Upper VI Biology Trip- Ol Pejeta
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pper Six Biology Class Trip to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The Upper Six Biology class set off at 8.30 am on Friday 20th September, for a four-day Biodiversity and Conservation trip to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Nanyuki. This has become an annual event at Peponi School and will continue in the foreseeable future. We returned to school at 3.45 pm on Monday 23rd September 2019. The primary objective of the trip was to support the Biodiversity, Classification and Conservation components of the A level Biology specification. Pupils got a first-hand experience of the practical aspects and challenges of conservation work. We arrived at the Conservancy at 12.30 pm, checked into our camp and got ready for our first activity which was visits to nearby farms to study human-wildlife conflict. This took the whole of Friday afternoon, with a return to camp at 5.00 pm. On the morning of Saturday 21st September, we
visited the Rescued Chimpanzee Sanctuary and then had an Ecological Monitoring talk at the Conservancy’s Control office before heading to the Hippo point. We then spent a greater part of the afternoon at the Endangered Species Enclosure followed with a game drive. On Sunday, we spent the morning doing a Data Collection Excursion activity which involved counting the number of individuals of certain species of herbivores along selected game drive routes. We then proceeded to the Wildlife Migration Corridors to study how movement of animals into and out of the Conservancy is monitored using manual and technological means. On Monday 23rd September 2019, we spent the morning at the Anti-Poaching Unit, before departing for school at 12.30 pm. Dr. E. Mulanda Head of Faculty (Science) & Biology Teacher
Time to take notes
Ranger Jeremy Kimathi with Najin, one of the two Northern White rhinos left on planet earth.
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Baraka, the blind Black rhino
Upper VI Biology Trip- Ol Pejeta What some of pupils had to say about the trip:
Shania Van Sandijk
Meeting the local farmers first-hand, instead of reading or hearing stories in a class really put into perspective the struggles both the farmers and Ol Pejeta face in tackling human-wildlife conflict. Personally, the visit to the White Rhino Sanctuary was the most depressing. It was sad to meet Najin and Fatu knowing you are less than 50 meters away from the last two Northern White rhinos on earth and that if the current effort to get baby rhinos through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is not successful, the next generation won’t grow up seeing such majestic creatures. This showed how important and crucial the work in Ol Pejeta is and how many people are waiting on the success of the IVF.
The trip to Ol Pejeta is so far the most interesting trip for me while at Peponi. The visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary was the most interesting part. We got a chance to interact with the care givers and learnt a lot on the status of the Chimpanzee species, the threats facing the species and the demand of care giving. We also got to hear some background stories of some of the Chimpanzees in the Sanctuary, such as Poco who can stand and walk upright as a result of being locked in a cage for nine years in the home from which he was rescued. The small size of the cage only allowed him to stand.The visit to the Northern White Rhino Sanctuary was both intriguing and saddening. The fact that the world’s last two Northern White rhinos are both females and have deformities that inhibit them from reproducing puts the sub-species in great danger of extinction.The trip exposed me to the reality of the struggles the conservation staff go through every day to keep these endangered species safe.
Simon Kavutse
Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s mission is to conserve wildlife and to provide a sanctuary to endangered species and rescued Chimpanzees. In my four days there, I saw the staff of Ol Pejeta do exactly that. On our first day there, we visited nearby farms that were prone to human-wildlife conflicts. The first farm we visited had been attacked by hippos just days before we arrived, and we were given first-hand exposure to the nature and effects of these conflicts. On our final day, we visited the anti-poaching unit where we were shown what goes on inside the control room, how the ranger system works and the information technology that ensures the protection of wildlife. We were also shown how their trained dogs can track poachers and ammunition.
Shweta Halai
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Sixth Form Speeches
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echnology is a fascinating and dynamic feature million users was used in targeted advertisements for of today’s modern world. Society is more political candidates including but not limited to the interconnected than ever. We share everything. From current US president Donald Trump, raised serious a light hearted but usually unfunny joke on the family questions about how safe our data is online, our WhatsApp group to your most personal thoughts browsing habits, online shopping trends and preferred on your twitter account. Social media is at the centre products. Data specifically tailored by an individual of life today. Social networking site Facebook was to influence the algorithm of their social media feed founded in 2004 as a place for Harvard students to can prove invaluable to both business owners and socialize and connect online. While watching the advertising agencies for obvious revenue generating movie The Social Network, I actually discovered that reasons. I recently experienced a series of rather Mark Zuckerberg, the questionable events while founder of Facebook scrolling through my initially created a site Instagram feed. Prior to The ability of our mobile phone called Facemash. this I had a conversation Facemash was a applications to listen in to our most with a friend about our website where users of 6th Form trip to private of conversations and use end would see photos of coast and I subsequently Artificial Intelligence to interpret received an advert about two female Harvard students alongside flights to Mombasa. them to use for advertising each other and vote Strange coincidence I algorithms raised serious questions... thought to myself as on who was more attractive. The site was I brushed it off and shut down a few days continued scrolling wide later by the university and Zuckerberg faced expulsion eyed through Kylie Jenner’s recent magazine cover. from Harvard for his involvement. The idea that such strange and somewhat misogynistic behaviour Then it occurred again, I had just had another heated ended up leading to the formation of a company debate with some friends on whether or not apple’s that today is worth about $150 billion bewildered airpods are better than Samsung’s galaxy buds, once me. Furthermore, it led me to a more unsettling and again I opened Instagram, something which, as you open ended question. How ethical is social media and can tell, I do far too frequently, and was greeted by an modern technology? advertisement for a pair of Chinese replica airpods. I cannot repeat the three word phrase I reacted with Computer technology has come a long way from the but I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. I came Antikythera mechanism found in ancient Greece 150 to the immediate conclusion that my conversations years prior to the birth of Christ. To today Steve Jobs’ were being run through audio recognition software to MacBook. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries pick out key words to use in targeted advertisements. computers were used almost exclusively for complex I investigated this further and found out this is a mathematical problems. The late 20th and early 21st common occurrence amongst most major tech firms century brought with it a digital revolution. New such as amazon, google and Facebook to name a few. ways to communicate, share and even buy. Alongside these dramatic changes came various problems The ability of our mobile phone applications to which brought into question the ethics of modern listen in to our most private of conversations and technology. The 2018 Facebook-Cambridge Analytica use Artificial Intelligence to interpret them to use data scandal, in which the Facebook data of 90 for advertising algorithms raised serious questions
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amongst many people especially myself. I questioned how ethical this practice was and its legality. I believe that Artificial intelligence, AI, and its practical use in the modern world must be strongly regulated as we can easily fall into a slippery slope of questionable applications of AI from being able to carry out unmanned drone strikes that may kill innocent people in the Middle East currently to South African tech billionaire Elon Musk and his company Neuralink effectively playing God and possessing the ability to implant microchips in the brains of individuals to improve thinking speed and aid paraplegic people in gaining use of their limbs. While the later may not be currently happening yet, Neuralink has stated that it has an aspirational implementation date of sometime in 2020. A future with unregulated and unethical use of AI is an imminent and dangerous one. Throughout his life, Mark Zuckerberg has been no stranger to scandal and controversy. He was actually accused of stealing the idea of Facebook from fellow Harvard classmates the Winklevoss Twins. He was sued by them and had to pay a settlement. It was, however, his behaviour during the inquiry which intrigued me. He was able to access the email accounts of the lawyers and journalists investigating him by using passwords he stored from their failed Facebook logins. This struck me as extremely unethical and abuse of the power he had as owner of Facebook. Furthermore, it intrigued me because I know that if I was in his position I would honestly have done something similar and a few months ago, I was. I had recently been at a party with some friends and whilst somewhat inebriated we took some photos. I was not pleased with the photos due to my questionable level of intoxication and would rather they didn’t end up on Snapchat or Twitter when my birthday next came round. I formulated a plan to delete them. Armed with the knowledge and reasoning that most people use the same password for all their accounts I decided to ask the friend who possessed said photos to borrow his laptop. He handed over the laptop and told me the password. I then attempted to log in to his snapchat account and to no great surprise, I managed to log in and delete said photos. As clever or intuitive as this plan may have been, it was a gross invasion of my friend’s privacy and while it may not be directly related to Artificial intelligence, it is still extremely unethical use of technology for personal gain.
and offers external benefits to those associated with them. 3-Dimensional printing is a relatively new technology which makes use of computer blueprints to create a model of an item. Not too long after its invention by Chuck Hall did people realise that they could print real working guns without any trace and no serial number. All it takes is the correct CAD files and within a few hours you can have a fully functional lethal weapon. One of the great things about the internet is that there are not really any official laws, users have the freedom to express themselves, however, with something as sensitive as the ability to create your own gun with a computer, a printer and an internet connection. A strong point in the argument to police the internet can be made. Admittedly, this is a topic which I could speak on for a very long time. Starting with the ability to 3D print a working firearm to social networking site Instagram hiding the number of likes a post receives to decrease the societal importance placed on them. There is no doubt that modern technology has changed the world and as someone who intends to read computer science in university I have taken a great interest in it. AI currently has the ability to dynamically transform today’s world. Its uses range from carrying out complex medical operations which humans are not capable of. To unlocking your mobile phone. When used appropriately Artificial intelligence is an exceptional tool however, I have been able to conclude that if not heavily regulated, both AI and to a lesser extent, social media have the potential to be an imminent threat to modern society as we know it. Errol King Jr. Upper VI
It has emerged a common trend amongst us humans to find new and innovative ways of using the technology available. In almost all cases this is good
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Sixth Form Speeches
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all comes back to the point that men find it hard to express their feelings. They often cannot even verbalize the words “I am depressed”. And to add on, depressive symptoms in the boys have increased from 4 Per cent to 5.7 per cent shown by the research conducted by the US department of health and human services. And this all goes back to my main point that when boys are raised in an environment where society hinders their ability to conceptualise their emotions, the result of this when they are older can be fatal. A rigid construct of how “real” men are supposed to behave leaves many feeling trapped, and new research carried out suggests so. A rigid construct of how “real” While most support gender This may not be the case the young men in everywhere but it is the men are supposed to behave leaves equality, the UK, US and Mexico standard especially in a are reported feeling pushed place such as the country many feeling trapped .... to live in the “Man Box”. we live in. Now to quote They feel pressure to act what Michael Ian black tough, hide weakness and “look good”. This can stated “boys are seen as incapable of experiencing a have damaging effects on their health and wellbeing, full range of emotions (or prefer if they didn’t) and so as well as their relationships with each other, and we tend to not speak to them about emotions nearly with women and children. Alongside online surveys as much” and this leads to the misconception that conducted for this international study, focus groups “emotions are girly” and “boys don’t cry” creating were convened with men between the ages of 18 and many generations of men with devastatingly poor 30 in London and the north of England, representing emotional diversity, awareness and literacy, and the diverse backgrounds, and the men that were spoken blame should not be put completely on men but also to were keenly aware of the influences from family, on society as a whole. peers, teachers and media that encouraged them to conform to certain models of masculinity. There seems to be a rigid standard of what a man or One of them stated “there is pressure everywhere masculinity should be. Whereas in the last 50 years or to tell you what a man should be”. “Another added so womanhood has been redefined and that’s inspiring, you have to be a man who’s got a nice house, who’s now the same needs to happen for men. We shouldn’t got a nice car, who’s got a family with kids, who’s got have to put a standard for men as there is no standard a good job”. At the same time many felt that these for women. Therefore we have to make it acceptable images were difficult to live up to and remote from for men to express what they are feeling without their experiences. And this confirms the importance having the thought that they will be judged. And so we of listening to men’s own perspective on their lives having to make a difference in how we raise our young and demonstrates that they need support in resisting boys, for them to be raised in an environment where pressures to conform to the expectations and in they can feel comfortable to express their feelings. But realising their full potential. instead, we tend to form these boys into what the The truth is that men do get emotional they just don’t standard man should be, without acknowledging that show it, but as we all know society will never revoke the standard can and does lead to mental issues, a big judgment. one being depression. Six million men in America alone suffer from John Schreir depression. A high percentage of these men have Upper VI trouble admitting that they are depressed, as this ocieties pressure on men. Now you probably don’t think that there is any pressure. Men put on a front and not many people see through this. Well, whether you believe it or not, it does affect our societies today. Now let me start you off with a fact; boys who face adversity are 11 times more likely to be engaged in violence, compared to the 4 times among girls, and by adversity I’m not talking about sexual preferences or their choice of gender, I’m talking about the actions and the way males portray themselves, as men, by societies standard, are supposed to act tough and not show emotion, they are supposed to protect and support their families, country and so on.
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Inter-House Athletics
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Inter-House Athletics
“You have to train your mind like you train your body.� Bruce Jenner (track and field)
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2019
October/November MICHAELMAS Week 9B
Monday 21 Term Restarts Lower VI Parent-Teacher Meeting 4:00pm -6:00pm
Week 10A
28 ABRSM Practical Examinations KAIISSO Fixtures Meeting at Rosslyn Academy 9:00am
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Week 11B
U17 Boys Football vs Strathmore School (H) 3:30pm
Tuesday 22
Wednesday 23
U17 Boys’ Football vs Rosslyn (H)
Lisle Shaw Memorial Golf Tournament, Royal Club 7:00am 4:15pm Heads’ of Year Ope n Girls’ Meeting 1:40pm Basketball vs Rosslyn Open Girls’ (H) Basketball vs Premier 4:15pm Academy (H) 2:30pm 1st XI Boys’ Football vs Rosslyn(A) 4:00pm Peponi Mixed Tennis vs Rosslyn(A) 4:00pm Common Room Meeting Lower V (Year 10) 4:30pm
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Heads’ of Faculty Meeting 1:40pm Colts Rounders A vs Braeside (H) 3:00pm Colts Basketball vs Hillcrest (H) 3 :00pm Colts Tennis vs Hillcrest (H) 3:00pm Colts Boys Football vs ISK (A) 4:00pm Colts Girls Basketball vs ISK (A) 4:00pm Peponi O pen Mixed Tennis vs ISK (A) 4:00pm
Inter-House Senior Debate, 2nd Round 5:20pm 1st XI Boys Football vs Swedish School (H) 3:30pm
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Colts Rounders B vs Nairobi Academy (A) 3:00pm Colts Girls’ Basketball vs Rosslyn (A) 4:00pm Colts Boys’ Football vs Rosslyn (A) 4:00pm
Heads’ of Year Meeting 1:40pm Senior Boys’ Inter House Football 2:30pm Senior Girls’ Inter House Basketball 2:30pm Common Room Meeting - Shell (Year 9) 4:30pm
Thursday 24
Friday
Saturday 25
Upper VI Geography Fieldtrip to Watamu Departs Colts XI Boys’ Cricket vs Oshwal (H) 1:00pm
Peponi Relay & Hurdles 8:00am KAIISSO Cross Country Championship at Peponi 8:00am KSF Nairobi Age Group Swimming Championships at Makini 9:00am
Colts Girls’ Rounder B vs Oshwal (H) 3:00pm Lower V (Year 10) Parent-Teacher Meeting 4:30pm -6:30pm
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1 November
Housemasters’ Meeting 4:30pm
7 Joint Peponi Schools’ Concert, Peponi House 6:30pm
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8 Maasai Mara Sociology Trip Departs Colts XI Boys’ Cricket Team to St.Andrew’s Turi 8:15am
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Sunday 27 KSF Nairobi Age Group Swimming Championships at Makini 9:00am Play Rehearsal Upper VI Geography Fieldtrip to Watamu Return
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Inter-School Rhino Cup Debate, 2nd Round U14 Track and Field Athletics at ISK 8.00am Peponi Super 8’s U19 Cricket Tournament 9:00am BGE Super 8’s Athletics KAIISSO Region 1 Swimming Gala at Peponi. 10:00am Upper V (Year 11) Convocation Ends
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Nairobi Orchestra Concerts KAIISSO Tournaments; U19 Boys Football Tournament at Nairobi School 9:00am U17 Boys Football Tournament at RVA 9:00am U15 Boys Cricket Tournament at Turi 9:00am U19 Girls Basketball Tournament at Hillcrest 9:00am U15 Girls Rounders Tournament at Greensteds & Imani 9:00am Co-ed Tennis Tournaments at RVA 9:00am
Nairobi Orchestra Concerts Maasai Mara Joint Art & Sociology Trip Returns
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Tuesday
Week 14A
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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Remembrance Day Assembly Upper V(Year 11) Biology trip to Brookside Dairies 10:30am 3rd Collections Subject Grades/ Comments Entered 5:15pm
Upper V(Year 11) Biology trip to Brookside Dairies 10:30am Heads’ of Faculty Meeting 1:40pm Junior Boys’ Inter House Football 2:30pm Junior Girls’ Inter House Basketball 2:30pm
Senior Boys’ Inter House Cricket 2:30pm Senior Girls’ Inter House Rounders 2:30pm 3rd Collections Tutor Report for all Years Entered 5:15pm
Junior Boys’ Inter House Cricket 2:30pm Junior Inter House Rounders 2:30pm Housemasters’ Meeting 4:30pm
Open Girls Rounders team to St. Andrew’s Turi 11:00am 3rd Collections Tutor Reports for all Years Emailed to Parents 3rd School Council Meeting 5:00pm
KAIISSO Tournaments; U19 Girls Rounders Tournament at Turi 8:30am U19 Boys’ Cricket Tournament at Peponi 9:00am U15 Boys’ Football Tournament at BGE 9:00am U15 Girls Basketball Premiership at Brookhouse 9.00am
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Braeburn Kasarani Athletics Meet
Nairobi Academy Inter-School MFL Verse Speaking Competition 8:30am Martin Bentley U15 & U17 Football Tournament
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Heads’ of Year Meeting 1:40pm
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Heads’ of Faculty Meeting 1:40pm
End of Term Examinations for Shell (Year 9) & Lower V (Year 10) Starts Common Room Meeting - Upper V (Year 11) 4:30pm
Inter-School Rhino Cup Debate, Finals
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December Week 15B
Wednesday
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Week 13B
Week 12A
Monday
November
2019
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Formal Testing for Upper V (Year 11) & VI Form
End of Term Examinations for Shell (Year 9) & Lower V (Year 10) Ends Formal Testing for Upper V (Year 11) & VI Form
Special Timetable (Examinations/ Collections Review) Heads’ of Year Meeting 1:40pm End of Term
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11
9 4th Collections/ End of Term Examinations Tutor Report Entered 5:15pm
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Concert
LCM Theory Examinations 9:00am KSF Nairobi Open Swimming Championships, Makini 8:30am Peponi Parents, Alumni, Students and Teachers Sports Fest 9:00am
Housemasters’ Meeting 4:30pm Upper V (Year 11) Parents Evening ‘A Level & Beyond’ 7:00pm
Christmas Dinner
7:30pm
12 4th Collections/ End of Term Examinations Tutor Report Emailed to Parents
6 Term Ends 10:00am Shell (Year 9) ParentTeacher Meetings 10:00am Examination Results for Shell (Year 9) & Lower V (Year 10) Entered 12:30pm 4th Collections Subject Grades/ Comments for Upper V (Year 11) & VI Form Entered 12:30pm
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7 Nairobi Music Society Concerts at All Saints Cathedral
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Sunday 17
24 Play Rehearsalls Basketball Premiership at Brookhouse
1 December KSF Nairobi Open Swimming Championships, Makini 8:30am
8 Nairobi Music Society Concerts at All Saints Cathedral
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Communication Please visit our new website: www.peponischool.org. Please follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/peponi_school Please follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peponischool/ Please follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peponischool/
Calendar Dates MICHAELMAS 2019 Boarders Return: Monday, 26th August Term Begins: Tuesday, 27th August Half Term: Begins, Friday, 11th October Boarders Return: Sunday, 20th October Term Restarts: Monday, 21st October Term Ends: Friday, 6th December
HILARY 2020 Boarders Return: Sunday, 5th January Term Begins: Monday, 6th January Half Term: Begins, Friday, 7th February Boarders Return: Sunday, 16th February Term Restarts: Monday, 17th February Term Ends: Friday, 20nd March
Contacts
Should you need to contact the School, please email both the Head of Year and your child’s Housemaster/mistress, using the following addresses: For all academic matters please contact the: Head of Sixth Form Mr David Kimani For all Sixth Form matters ho6@peponischool.org Head of Fifth Form Mrs Claire Nightingale For all Fifth Form matters HoY10&11@peponischool.org Head of Year Ms Mercy Wambugu For all pupils in Shell HoY9@peponischool.org
Chala House chalahouse@peponischool.org 0722 434 863 Elementaita House elementaitahouse@peponischool.org 0735 270 575 Jipe House jipehouse@peponischool.org 0733 690 395 Magadi House magadihouse@peponischool.org 0701 210 840 Senior Girls Boarding House seniorgirls@peponischool.org Senior Boys Boarding House seniorboys@peponischool.org In the event that you need to contact the school urgently, please call the main office.
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