Biology and Life Sciences

Teachers: Mr. B. Small, Mr. R. Chrighton and Mrs. K. Naidoo.

2007 saw the last year of Biology since next years matrics will be writing Life Sciences; there will once again be a large shift. With the loss of Mr. Miller at the end of last year, Mr. Small had huge shoes to fill as he took over the Biology lab. Mr. R. Chrighton and Mrs. K. Naidoo helped out tremendously.

The year began with two classes for each grade of Life Sciences and Biology. Mr. Chrighton and Mr. Small shared the Grade 11s and the matrics to give them the best opportunity to learn and Mrs. Naidoo and Mr. Small each took a grade 10 class as there were enough applicants to fill the two classes. Unfortunately, as teaching pressures increased with the loss of some staff, Mr. Chrighton had to hand the grade 11s over to Mr. Small so that he could help with Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the second half of the year. Mrs. Naidoo left at the end of the third term to teach overseas and Mr. Small then took over her grade 10 classes as well. These changes led to there being a lot of pressure on the boys, but they pushed through regardless, and still continued to perform.

The new FET program for grade 11 was tackled confidently and a high standard of work was maintained. When the provincial papers came, the boys were more than prepared and did very well. The matrics were a very hardworking and mature group, and we are expecting great results from them.

All in all it was a good year for the Life Sciences department and we expect the subject to go from strength to strength.

Mrs. M. Potgieter
Subject Head