The Weekly Peponi Post 24 November 2020

24 November 2020

http://www.peponischool.org

The Weekly Peponi School

Headmaster’s Address Stage musicals in the fifties and sixties had a pattern of wowing theatre audiences, then following up with a recording of favourite and memorable songs – adding to the franchise of the musical.

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Peponi’s Insect Life We are fortunate to have a variety of amazing creatures here at Peponi, but in my opinion one of the most interesting is the African giant mantis (Sphodromantis sp.).

Recipe from Chef Sylvester Curried Red Cabbage Slaw Page... 10

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Message from the Head Girl Page... 9

Peponi School Sport Page... 5

Peponi School

Peponi School Information Webinar Saturday, 28th November 2020 10am (EAT) Peponi School is one of the leading international schools in Kenya that offers day, weekly and full boarding options. To learn more about Peponi, join us at the webinar by using the link below: www.peponischool.org/school/explore/informationwebinar

Mark Durston Headmaster

Sylvia Meruh Director of Teaching & Learning

Karl Cook Director of Boarding & Extra-Curricular

Marc-Antony Eysele Director of Sport

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

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24 November 2020

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Headmaster’s Address

Stage musicals in the fifties and sixties had a pattern of wowing theatre audiences, then following up with a recording of favourite and memorable songs – adding to the franchise of the musical. Fifty years ago a special pairing reversed the formula by releasing the album first. They had to test the water before their main character could walk on water – or at least take to the stage.

Andrew Lloyd Weber

Tim Rice

Andrew Lloyd Weber initially studied at Magdalen College, Oxford but soon gave his place up and went to the Royal Academy of Music – and followed his passion. Tim Rice avoided university and went straight into the world of work and then on to EMI music studios and quickly found a place writing lyrics. The young Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice came together in the very early nineteen seventies and wrote the musical Jesus Christ Superstar and released the recorded album to help generate the funding and the interest to finally stage the idea.

Jesus Christ Superstar was first released in 1970 and then went to the stage on Broadway, New York in 1971. The story is loosely based on the Gospels’ accounts of the last week of Jesus’s, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. It depicts political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot, the follower who betrayed Christ to the authorities, and Jesus himself that are not present in the Bible.

Tim Rice wanted to explore a more sympathetic view of Judas, but some Christians felt the story was only theirs to tell and deemed it controversial.

The pair’s ingenuity paid off, and they won over many of their detractors. By 1980 (ten years after its inception, the musical had taken more than $237 million worldwide – and laid the foundation for the successful careers of both writers – making both millionaires and in the case of Lloyd Weber – a billionaire.

Please listen carefully to the following musical clip from the 2012 production of the musical at the O2 arena in London. This particular production had a hugely successful run in Australia before arriving in London. In this clip, Judas is explaining why he is dissatisfied with Jesus and his handling of his followers. It gives you a brief insight into the initial controversy of the script and the role of Judas against Jesus. https://youtu.be/5lTwmK__TDo

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24 November 2020

The following musical extract is the final scene of the play. The scene opens with a beaten and exhausted Christ – who is then slowly raised on the beam of his cross – the crown of thorns being forced onto his head – and the rather cruel and demonized King Herod watching triumphantly at the start. As Jesus hangs waiting to die, the spirit of Judas returns and questions why Jesus chose to arrive in the manner and time that he did, and if it was all part of a divine plan. The divine plan we now know – it is Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection that forms the very basis of faith for all Christians.

The music is spectacular – the production magnificent and the acting and singing by Tim Hitchins as Judas is possibly the best I have heard in this role. The scene can be testing but I hope you equally enjoy it. https://youtu.be/xX9fLQjqIZA

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In the current climate the world for artists, sportsmen and women or freelancers can be very difficult. Covid has prevented the opening of any venue for large gatherings and therefore stopped the main source of revenue for all those involved in those industries. Plato, a Greek Philosopher in the 4 century BC said: ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’. Limitations force a new form of problem solving. Lloyd Weber and Rice could never have staged Jesus Christ Superstar without raising the money required for such a production, so they had to go against convention and sell the record before producing the production on stage. They used their creative skills to recreate conditions in their favour.

Jesus Christ himself told stories that challenged the dominant narratives of his day. He made himself incredibly unpopular amongst the community and society in which he lived. He didn’t accept the normal way of doing things. As we know he helped us became more compassionate towards outsiders and the demonized. A lesson that I truly wish that the leaders of the world would have learnt and, despite their constant rhetoric of the Christian faith, they seem very distant from the true meanings of Jesus’s statements. When we are faced in adversity, different times and a new challenges, let us look at them positively and make good in what we can achieve.

Prayers God of justice, help us tell stories about Jesus that open and do not close our imaginations. Grant us fresh creativity to engage with new forms of community. Lead us in this current climate not just to survive but to thrive, and let us follow you onto the water and find we can walk without sinking.

Mark Durston Headmaster

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Peponi School Sport Mr. Cook - Director of Boarding and Extra-Curricular

It’s fantastic to see our pupils bringing the sports fields alive again!

Our professional coaches are loving being back at work creating skills and drills for a variety of sports, within Covid-safe year group bubbles. Facilities and equipment have been fully sanitised and supervised, and are available to all our pupils – day, weekly and full boarders including evenings and at the weekends.

The tennis courts and the football pitches have seen pupils of all ages developing their shots; the cricket nets have seen the Bola® machine at work with boys and girls perfecting their strokes. There is also the weights room and gym where there have been conditioning classes and free weight sessions on every day, and the squash courts, basketball court and the rounders’ pitch have all been busy with pupils pushing themselves for the next point.

And after pupils have had their fill of exercise, they find themselves enjoying their lessons and relaxation even more!

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

24 November 2020

http://www.peponischool.org

News What is the news?

News is factual information about current events.

This may be provided through print media, electronic media, or through the testimony of observers and witnesses to events.

Is news important?

Yes, and this is why.

Consuming news creates a community of globally aware, news literate people. This equips us with the knowledge and confidence to voice personal opinions as well as enhancing our understanding of the society in which we live. To a pupil, news helps one to make connections in different curriculum subjects and thus reinforce their understanding of topical issues and dilemmas.

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie voted best Women's Prize for Fiction winner.

Without regular access to news, most people would be unaware of the various events taking place, both locally and globally, that have an impact on their lives.

Take a look at some news around us.

Covid: Who will have the Pfizer vaccine first and when can I get it?

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts

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24 November 2020

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Barack Obama: One election won't stop US 'truth decay' https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us Scientists are worried about the impact of Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes flooding.

A submerged safari lodge under rising water due to months of unusually heavy rains in Lake Baringo, Kenya, Aug. 26, 2020. https://qz.com/africa/1918674/scientist s-worried-by-flooding-in-kenya-rift-va lley-lakes/ How artificial intelligence may be making you buy things. https://www.bbc.com/news/technologyhttps://www.classical-music.com/news/musicians-to-release-downloadable-musicaladvent-calendar-to-support-freelancers-during-lockdown/ Musicians to release downloadable musical advent calendar to support freelancers during lockdown.

Other references: https://schools.firstnews.co.uk/about/benefits-of-news-reading Take time to consume news, take time to be an active citizen.

Hellen Kanyiri School Librarian

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24 November 2020

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WILD PEPONI

Peponi’s Insect Life Now that the short rains have started, insects and other arthropods (invertebrates with jointed legs) have started to make their appearance across the region in large numbers. The boarders will no doubt have seen and heard insects such as beetles and moths crashing into outside lights and against windows in the evenings at school.

We are fortunate to have a variety of amazing creatures here at Peponi, but in my opinion one of the most interesting is the African giant mantis (Sphodromantis sp.). These impressive green insects can grow to around 8cm in length though they can be hard to spot, camouflaged against the greenery.

Despite their fearsome appearance, mantises are not venomous or dangerous to us in any way.

Indeed, they make excellent ‘pest control’ agents in the garden, eating and therefore keeping down the populations of flies. They are definitely worth our respect and admiration.

Robin Backhouse Teacher of Biology

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24 November 2020

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Shay Shah

Message from the Head Girl Carla Byarugaba Warm greetings to the Peponi Family and welcome back to physical school!

This has been a long anticipated moment for many of us and finally, we’re here. I would like to extend a special message of gratitude to everyone that has been involved in ensuring a smooth transition into school during the age of COVID-19; this would not have been possible without the continued dedication of both parents and faculty members. I am incredibly proud of the school body for their caution and devotion to following the policies that have been put in place to protect us all.

Even though some of us have decided to continue virtually, we recognise your efforts during this time and look forward to the day we are reunited. It will not be a short or easy journey to return to “regular” school life but there is no community I feel that can handle this pandemic as well as ours.

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24 November 2020

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Recipe from Chef Sylvester

Curried Red Cabbage Slaw A variation on a Jewish favourite, this spicy coleslaw is excellent for adding flavor and colour to a cold meal. Quick and easy to make, it is a useful dish for a last-minute gathering

Ingredients (Serves Six) ½ a head of red cabbage thinly sliced

Method Combined the cabbage, pepper and onion in a large bowl.

1 red pepper thinly sliced ½ a red onion thinly sliced or chopped

In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves and pour over the veggies. Cool.

4 tablespoons red wine or cider vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ cup plain yogurt (optional) ½ cup mayonnaise or ¾ cup if you aren’t using the yogurt

Mix the yogurt and/or mayonnaise, curry powder, salt and pepper and mix into the salad.

Leave to sit for a few hours and drain off excess liquid before serving.

¼-½ teaspoon curry powder (the strength of different curry powders vary, so if the curry powder is very strong, use less) Salt and ground black pepper

Chef Sylvester

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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.

24 November 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