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Extended Academic Programme

The Extended Academic Programme is a programme designed to reward and extend the brightest academic boys at Michaelhouse. Each year the top five academics in each block (based on their year marks in the previous year) are invited to become EAPS. It is a privilege to be asked to be part of this programme. The EAPS are allowed certain privileges in recognition of their work ethic and ability. These include flexi-prep rules and, providing they are up to date, they are granted permission to miss the occasional class in order to work on something more challenging. During the course of the year, the EAPS go on numerous outings, most of which are designed to enrich and extend them and all of which are enjoyable. The privilege of being an EAP is accompanied by responsibility and each EAP is expected to produce an extraordinary item of work during his year on the programme. This typically takes the form of a project in an area of interest to the boy. The project needs to challenge and extend him beyond the confines of the syllabus. The EAPS are also expected to identify at least one Olympiad to train and prepare for. During the course of the year we also look to involve our EAPS in service projects in less privileged schools. This normally takes the form of tutoring and teaching Maths and English at a primary level.

The 2010 EAPS are as follows:

A Block

Anthony Strathern
David Bradford
Jonathan Purnell
Vincent Nunes
Jake van Koevering

B Block

David Brill
Jack Bassett
Jonty Needham
Nicolas Wiehe Lagesse
Paul Hewat

C Block

Christopher Taylor
Hanko von Schlichting
Mitchell Green
Thomas Burne
Michael Harrison

D Block

Jonathan Goschen
Matthew Potter
Steven Clowes
Sebastian Holzbach
Michael McDonald

EAPS 2010

The EAPS have had an active start to the year. We started the year with a dinner in the Centenary Centre to discuss the planning for the year.

Claire Janisch visited and gave a lunchtime lecture on Biomimicry - a fascinating new science where one incorporates natural design features into the design and manufacture of buildings, aeroplanes and much more!

This year for the first time we have partnered with the Grade 11 EAPS from Hilton College. We were hosted for dinner by Hilton College in late April with boys from both schools presenting excellent talks. Michaelhouse will host a dinner early in the third quarter for the balance of the boys to have the opportunity to present.

EAPS have had the privilege of participating in two exciting outings this year.

Last quarter a David Brill, Michael Venter and Paul Hewat presented their Biogas digester and the methane produced to the WESSA Eco-schools conference in Chatsworth.

The displays were interesting and the lecture on Ancient Sunshine was brought new insights for us all.



This methane flame stole the show and drew huge attention from participating teachers and delegates.

This alternative energy project has been extended. Boys will be involved in determining the feasibility of powering the Science Block entirely with renewable energy.

A highlight for the B, C and D Block EAPS was the excursion to Sandstone Estates near Ficksburg, kindly hosted by Wilf and Lyndie Mole. The programme included lectures and experiential learning of alternative energy, steam power, biological farming, agricultural economics, geography and some history of the Eastern Free State. All this while playing with the most awesome boys toys. There are few places where one can ride on the footplate of a Garrett steam train, in the cab of an enormous combine harvester and in a Sherman tank on the same day! Dads eat your hearts out!

The tour ended with a visit to the largest private military museum in the country; housed in a 19th century sandstone farm house on the Lesotho Border.

It would be difficult to find such a variety of activities and so many enriched learning experiences in one place, particularly at such a beautiful and special venue.

David Brill's driving!

Lecture by UK Steam Expert

Matthew and Jono in the Eland

 

Boys seldom see the sunrise
and very seldom one as
special as this!

They don't come much bigger.