The Weekly Peponi Post 01 December 2020

01 December 2020

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The Weekly Peponi School

Headmaster’s Address John Donne was an English poet and one I have grown to love over the course of the last thirty years.

He was born into a very different world in 1572.

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Musical Taste When it comes to musical taste, what exactly do we mean? And what determines ‘taste’? Many people will have their favourite film, their preferred cuisine, their favourite colour etc.

Page... 5

Recipe from Chef Sylvester Beef and Baby Corn Stir Fry Page... 9

Chameleons of Peponi Page... 8

Extra-Curricular Activities at Peponi School Page... 4

01 December 2020

http://www.peponischool.org

Headmaster’s Address Fall of the Wall Under an undermined and shot-bruised wall A too-bold captain perish'd by the fall, Whose brave misfortune happiest men envied, That had a town for tomb, his bones to hide

John Donne was an English poet and one I have grown to love over the course of the last thirty years. He was born into a very different world in 1572. The English church was still very young and remained in turmoil; the division between the catholic church and the creation of the Anglian and protestant church had occurred and for both sides, depending on the governing forces, death was a common result in following the wrong church.

To say that John Donne lived in a turbulent time is an understatement, when life could be literally cut short for following Christ in the wrong church.

Not only did heads literally roll but people were set fire and burnt at the stake.

Born into a Roman Catholic family Donne would have faced daily persecution. His religion would have at times had to be secret. John Donne had an incredible mind and wrote poetry that reflected his intense passion for life and love, sex and society.He eventually became both an Member of Parliament under a more liberal government and more interestingly an Anglican priest (John Donne converted to the Anglican church around 1610) serving ten years as Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral.

John Donne The following video is a reading of a poem by John Donne:- Death by not

https://youtu.be/1PmEbvZYhlQ

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01 December 2020

I’ve been thinking about walls this week, both real walls, how beautifully they can be made, and those other walls relational and moral, that cut us off from one another and the life God intended. John Donne was uncommonly aware of these divisions, especially our encounter with the sharpest dividing wall of all: death. As a Christian, he placed his faith firmly in the empty tomb of Jesus and the destruction of that ultimate barrier between heaven and earth. He ends one of his poems mocking death for being so proud in its ephemeral achievement. As we journey through this challenging time let us make his strident affirmation our Prayer for the Day:

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Why swellst thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die!

Amen.

Prayers Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you

But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.

As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,

That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

But am betroth'd unto your enemy;

Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,

I, like an usurp'd town to another due,

Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,

Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

Mark Durston Headmaster

3.

Extra-Curricular Activities At Peponi School

We have been delighted to resume our Extra-Curricular activities on Northlands Ranch as pupils from all age groups, in a COVID-safe environment, have been busy on the assault course and mountain-biking.

LVth (Year 10) also completed their President’s Award - Kenya, Duke of Edinburgh (Bronze) Adventurous Journey with a 25 km route being completed over the course of two separate days.

Tel: +(254) 0733 615 139; +(254) 0722 287 248 | Email: info@peponischool.org | Website: www.peponischool.org

01 December 2020

Musical Taste

I prefer Rachmaninov. Or Radiohead. Or Billy Joel. Or Beethoven.

But that’s just me.

When it comes to musical taste, what exactly do we mean?

And what determines ‘taste’? Many people will have their favourite film, their preferred cuisine, their favourite colour etc. And others will not. When asked what their favourite film is they will answer, ‘I’m not really sure…’ and drift off.

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Other modes, however, are not and should be avoided (for example the Lydian mode). This largely stemmed from the theories of Pythagoras about musical intervals. Rock & Roll music, in its prime, was a genre of youth music which was a recurring source of concern for older generations, who worried about juvenile delinquency and social rebellion. Even further back, the tritone (the interval of three consecutive tones or augmented fourth) was labelled diabolus in musica (or the devil’s interval!) which led to it being banned in most music up to the Baroque era.

Does it matter? Everyone has their own configuration of musical taste.

Some will overlap with others, some will not. But something I would urge you to do is to go off-roading a little bit – musically that is. Try listening to something that you’ve never listened to before. Something from this year or something from 200 years ago.

Something that doesn’t come from Europe or the USA. You might be surprised at what you find. You might just be the better for it.

So, does it really matter? Does it make us better or worse for it? Equally, when we listen to a new piece of music, what makes us like it or not? Human nature tends to avoid the unfamiliar. If you are going to the cinema and see the choice of films, you will rarely choose a film with actors you do not know. Yet, it may be a much more worthwhile experience than the Hollywood blockbuster you end up following most other people to! This tunnel vision (which for most of us is quite a natural phenomenon) is one of the reasons why there can be a sense of snobbery about the unfamiliar.

Furthermore, there can also be a dangerous sense of superiority.

What’s your favourite piece of music? Your favourite classical composer? Your favourite singer or band? Your favourite song? Is there ‘good’ music and ‘bad’ music? This question is not new and has been debated and discussed for thousands of years, notably with the Ancient Greeks. Plato, in his book The Republic declares certain patterns of notes (modes) as worthy and good for the soul, the body and the mind (for example the Dorian mode).

James Laight Director of Music

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01 December 2020

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Kiswahili Crossword

By Esther Kuria 9MWM

Michezo (Sports) 12 1

2

8 9

10 3

4

5

6 13

7

14

11

8

6.

01 December 2020

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Across 1.

A game played with a ball, a goal and your feet.

2.

The noisy gadget that referees use to maintain order in the game.

3.

What you yell when you win!

5.

Where tackling people isn’t violence, it’s good play.

A playing field.

Getting tired.

A spherical object that players use in ball games.

Where people run even though no one is chasing them.

Smelly fluid that is produced from your body as you play. (especially from your arm pits) Moving fast in the water.

Another shorter name for number one across.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Down 1.

2.

The game named after a bug.

Across who tells you what to do during training.

4.

6.

The name of a person who plays.

The noise and spirit in the game, the fans.

The game that features a ball, a net and usually height.

One of the two ways to say that someone scored a goal.

Finally, the person on the side with number

8.

12.

14.

Word box Kriketi Kandanda Mchezo wa raga Washabiki Riadha Mpira wa kikapu Filimbi Mchezaji Uwanja Jasho Kuchoka Kuogelea Mpira Kufunga goli/bao Nimeshinda! Soka Kocha

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01 December 2020

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WILD PEPONI

Chameleons of Peponi Examining the foliage around school, the keen observer may be lucky enough to spot one of Peponi’s masters of camouflage - the chameleon. The species shown here is the flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis), though the wider Nairobi area is home to a few other species.

This juvenile (photographed at school) was a mere 5cm long - adults can reach up to 35cm!

Chameleons have a fascinating repertoire of unique abilities. Their eyes can swivel independently of each other, granting them tremendous visual prowess. Some also possess the ability to change colour in order to camouflage themselves, convey emotion or regulate their body temperature.

Unfortunately, there are various and widespread false beliefs about these harmless animals.

Some people believe that they are venomous and / or that they are an ill omen or a bringer of bad luck. These notions are wholly and utterly untrue. Indeed, one should consider them bringers of good fortune since they eat flies and other insects. Having them in the garden will keep the numbers of these potentially disease-carrying organisms in check.

They are unarguably beautiful and amazing creatures and truly worthy of our respect.

01 December 2020

http://www.peponischool.org

Recipe from Chef Sylvester

Chef Sylvester

Beef and Baby Corn Stir Fry Ingredients (Serves Six) 3 tbsp light soy sauce

125 g/4 oz broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets

1tbsp clear honey, warmed

1 medium carrot peeled and cut into matchsticks

450 g/1 lb beef rump steak, trimmed and thinly sliced

125 g/4 oz baby sweetcorn cobs, halved lengthways

6 tbsp groundnut oil 125 g/4 oz shiitake mushrooms, wiped and halved 125 g/4 oz beansprouts, rinsed 2.5 cm/1 inch piece fresh root ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks

Âź head Chinese leaves, shredded 1 tbsp chilli sauce 3 tbsp black bean sauce 1 tbsp dry sherry Freshly cooked noodles, to serve

125 g/4 oz mangetout, halved lengthways

Method Mix together the soy sauce and honey in a shallow dish. Add the sliced beef and turn to coat evenly. Cover with clingfilm and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, turning occasionally.

Heat a wok or large frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat until just smoking. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the bean sprouts and stir-fry for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mushroom mixture to a plate and keep warm.

Drain the beef, reserving the marinade. Reheat the wok, pour in 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat until smoking. Add the beef and stir-fry for 4 minutes or until browned. Transfer to plate and keep warm.

Add the remaining oil to the wok and heat until just smoking. Add the ginger, mangetout, broccoli, carrot and the baby sweetcorn with the shredded Chinese leaves and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Stir-fry the chilli and black bean sauces, the sherry, the reserved marinade and the beef and mushroom mixture. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, then serve immediately with freshly cooked noodles.

Peponi School Scholarships Peponi School welcomes applications for scholarships and exhibitions at 13+ entry. There are a number of awards available in a wide range of pupil activity. The aim is to reward and encourage pupils to excel and to strive for the very best in their endeavours.

Award Categories Academic Specialist All-Rounder Awards.

To apply, visit our website www.peponischool.org

APPLICATION DEADLINE

11th December 2020 For more information, contact our Registrar Hannah Winstanley Tel: +254 (0) 794 586733 | Email: registrar@peponischool.org

Please return to registrar@peponischool.org Deadline – Friday 11th December 2020 Please note – a full Peponi School application form is required before applying for the Peponi School Scholarships.

01 December 2020

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Peponi School on Social Media The Official Peponi School Social Media Accounts

Facebook www.facebook.com/peponischool Twitter www.twitter.com/peponi_school Instagram www.instagram.com/peponi_school

Youtube https://bit.ly/2YUrnl8

Peponi School PO Box 236, Ruiru 00232 +(254) 020 354 6456 +(254) 0733 615 139; +(254) 0722 287 248