Kingswood Turns 118

Another big thing that happened this past week, minus SciFest, was Kingswoods birthday. It was on March 14^th. The school turned 118 years old. All the primary students get toured around the school and told the history behind the builds, fields, and people. Unfortunately I didn't get to go on the tour because I was working with the first graders. I believe the seniors are tested over the history before they graduate. The chapel service was different than usual. The primary students walked into the chapel with red, black and gold balloons (Kingswood colors) singing happy birthday. They laid their balloons at the altar and then listened to a former Kingswoodian talk about his days as a students and the changes and progress that has happened over the years. He talked a lot about taking pride in the school, dressing presentable and having good manners because they represent Kingswood.

Friday night there was a big dinner at the school in the dining hall. All the boarders, seventh graders and primary teachers came to eat the traditional Kingswood meal....Steak, french fries and a fried egg! Odd combination, but it was good. They had the tables all set up so fancy with flowers and candles. They served the teachers wine, which was a big culture shock to me, would never happen in the states. Once everyone was served one of the students got up said the blessing in English. Two other students got up after, one repeated the blessing in Xhosa and the other in Afrikaans. Then we all sang happy birthday again. After dinner I went to the Wyvern with some of the teachers to hangout. A wyvern is a type of dragon, the school mascot. The Wyvern is like a club house/country club that serves the purpose for gatherings, dinners, meetings or just hangout place at the bar. Lots of parents go to the Wyvern on the weekend to watch the cricket matches outside, a tennis match from the balcony or just to socialize. Its a really nice set up.

On Saturday I went to the opening of the High Performance Center on the school campus. Its a huge gymnasium that will be used for cricket, rugby, squash, aerobics, gym class, etc. Over 700 people came to this event; students, parents, teachers, previous Kingswoodians, and council members. It was very official. They had a big entrance were the bishop of the Methodist church knocked three times said a prayer and then the official people entered and sat on stage. It was a long ceremony with all that every had to say and the blessing of the building by the bishop and reverend. They also served everyone champagne for a toast to the new building. After the ceremony their was a cricket match of the old Kingwoodians, who use to play when they were students. We watched a little of the game, but didn't stay long because the weather turned really cold. Its moving into the winter season. Amy tried to explain the rules of the cricket game to me. I think I got the just of it.