AvantiAvanti

1 TEAM, 1 DREAMmeet the team

VRA TANNIE BABS

ONNIELOER

HMS LA ROCHELLE TERM 1 2015, ISSUE #1

’n blik op “kroukies” se jeug

New beginningsAs Head Editor of the Avanti for

2015, I am proud to introduce a

new beginning for the Avanti. This

year is not only a new beginning

for the Avanti, it is also a year of

new beginnings for the Grade

8s. They are learning to find their

way in a new school, making new

friends and finding who they are

within themselves as well as the

world. It is a new beginning for the

Grade 9s, because they are not

the babies of the school anymore.

The Grade 10s have a chance to

begin afresh with their chosen

subjects and maybe start focus-

ing more on academics if they

had not done so previously. This

year is a big year for the Grade

11s because it is the year that

counts a lot towards your future.

For the Matrics of 2015 it is the be-

ginning of the end. This is the last

year we will ever be together as a

group, but the first year where we

get to be the oldest in the school.

It is the last year that we will ever

be in La Rochelle and I think, for

that reason, we should make it

one to remember.

This year is especially special to

me because it is the last year I

get to offer up my services to the

Avanti in the writing as well as the

editing process. I am very hon-

oured to be the Head Editor this

year and to be able to bring a

new look and feel to the school’s

newspaper. Along with the amaz-

ing editorial team and Miss Nel, I

know the school newspaper will

be as brilliant as ever and I am

grateful that we get to leave a

part of our legacy with the news-

paper as we improve it and make

it more accessible for not only the

students, but all those associated

with La Rochelle. With this new

format, layout and accessibili-

ty I really feel we will be able to

reach out to more people and be

able to convey new and interest-

ing news on a termly basis.

Along with welcoming the new

Avanti, we say goodbye to a

few things too. We say goodbye

to our termly layout with our old

banner and ring binder and hel-

lo to the new “face lifted ver-

sion.” Goodbye to the printed

copies of the Avanti and hello to

the new electronic, eco-friendly,

very trendy and timeless Avanti.

You can download this from the

school website or the Facebook

page and it is even mobile friend-

ly! So join us on this journey of new

beginnings and click and turn

the page to see what we have in

store for you.

letter from the EDITORErin Rencken

MEET THE

TEAM

Angeline Smith

Megann Ferreira

Jana Hugo

Megan StreetAnnabel Moore

Jordan WillettMart-Marié Serfontein

Kristina van Zyl

ONNIELOER ’n blik op “kroukies” se jeug

’n blik op “kroukies” se jeug

WAT WAS DIE SNAAKSTE OOMBLIK GEDURENDE MENEER SE SKOOL-JARE?

Ons Geskiedenis meneer wat ons

in st. 6 (Gr 8) gehad het in Spring-

bok, was ‘n baie senuweeagtige

persoon. Een oggend tydens ons

Geskiedenisperiode het daar skie-

lik – sonder enige waarskuwing -

drie Mirage vegvliegtuie van die

Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag met oor-

verdowende geraas laag oor ons

skool gevlieg. Alles het geskud

en gebewe en dit het soos oorlog

geklink. Die meneer het so groot

geskrik dat hy onder die tafel

ingeduik het. Ons het ook geskrik,

maar het ons doodgelag toe

ons geskiedenis onderwyser van

onder die tafel vir ons loer. Hy was

baie verleë toe hy later onder die

tafel moes uitklim!

In matriek het ons ‘n baie streng

Biologie-onderwyser gehad. Van

die seuns het besluit om vir hom

‘n poets te bak.. Springbok was

‘n klein dorpie en in daardie dae

het sommige mense nog met

donkiekarretjies dorp toe ge-

kom. Hulle het toe ‘n klein donkie

vulletjie op die donkieplein (‘n

groot stuk grond naby die skool

waar die mense hulle donkies uit-

gespan het ) gaan vang. Hulle

het toe die klein donkie in die Bi-

ologieklas gaan toemaak. Toe

die meneer na pouse terugkom,

het ons soos altyd op die stoep

vir hom gewag om eerste in die

klas te gaan. Met die instapslag

loop hy hom vas teen die vreem-

de dier in sy klas. Hy het ‘n paar

knope gelos en baie vinnig by

die deur uitgeskarrel Ons het

gelê soos ons lag, maar hy was

smoorkwaad. Hy het nie ‘n goeie

humorsin gehad nie.

ELKE KIND KOESTER ’N DROOM IN SY/HAAR HART, WAT WAS MENEER S’N?

My grootste droom was altyd om

‘n loods te word.

Ek was nog baie klein toe ek die

voorreg gehad het om in ‘n vier-

sitplek Cessna 182 – (sien foto) kon

vlieg. Ek het prente van vliegtuie

bymekaargemaak en ook mod-

elvliegtuigies gebou. Om ‘n loods

te word, het ongelukkig nooit vir

my uitgewerk nie.

DIE VRAAG WAAROOR ALMAL WON-DER: DIE EERSTE KEER WAT ME-NEER OP IEMAND VERLIEF GERAAK HET...

Gedurende my Sub A jaar (Gr 1)

het ons in Karasburg in Namibië

gewoon. Hier het ek smoorverlief

Hierdie artikel is vir elke Lar-

rie wat dikwels die behoefte

het om ’n totale lukrake

en irrelevante vraag in

die klaskamer te vra. Die

onderwyser bied die ge-

leentheid om iets (met be-

trekking tot jou skoolwerk)

te vra. Jou hand wil, wil

opskiet...en dan besef jy,

jou nuuskierigheid het ab-

soluut niks met die inhoud

van die werk te doen nie.

Hopelik sal hierdie artikel

van daardie nuuskierigheid

bevredig.

Kristina van Zyl

TER AFSLUITING WONDER ONS WAT OP MENEER SE IPOD SPEEL...

1. Sound of Silence Simon and Garfunkel

2. Touch my Soul Frank Duval

3. I’am your man Leonard Cohen

4. I started a joke Bee Gees

5. You’ve got a way Shania Twain

6. A whiter shade of pale The Shadows

7. The Great Pretender Freddie Mercury

8. Que Sera Sera Pink Martini

9. Light my Fire José Feliciano

10. Cry me a River Michael Buble

geraak om een van die meisies in

my klas. Daar was egter net twee

probleme: (i) Al die ander seuns

het ook van haar gehou en (ii)

sy het ook glad nie eens geweet

van my bewondering vir haar nie,

want ek was geweldig skaam!

Ek sou egter sê dat my eerste

werklike verliefdheid was toe ek

in st.8 (Gr10) gekom het. Ek het

toe begin uitgaan met ‘n meis-

ie in my klas. Sy was baie mooi,

blond en ook baie sportief en het

van ‘n plaas in die Boesmanland

gekom. Sy het my soos ‘n bom

getref en ek was permanent in

die wolke – vir so drie maande tot

sy my gelos het vir ander seun in

‘n hoër standerd. My hele wêreld

het aan skerwe gelê en ek was

‘n absolute wrak. Ek het my doo-

dgehuil en nie geweet die lewe

kan so wreed wees nie . Die liefde

het my hard geklap in st. 8

1. Combine oats, coconut, seeds, spices, water, maple syryp and vanilla in a medium bowl; cover; referigerate overnight.

2. Smash half of the berries with a fork. Layer oat mixture, yoghurt and smashed berries in serving glasses or jam jars if you want to take it somewhere. Top with re-maining whole berries.

Of course, you don’t need to use only berries! You can add what-ever you feel like or what is in sea-son.

OVERNIGHT OATS PARFAIT WITH BERRIES & YOGHURT

Breakfast is the most important meal of

the day and it’s worth getting up 15 minutes earlier to make some-thing nourishing and delicious to savour at home or take to

school.

Emma Cloete

½ cup rolled oats

½ cup coconut flakes

1 tbsp pumpkin seeds

1 tbsp black chia seeds

1½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup water

1 tbsp pure maple syryp

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup halved strawberries

½ cup raspberries

½ cup blueberries

1 cup greek yoghurt

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOURNAMENT?

Megann: The highlight definitely

had to be meeting new friends

and meeting new, interesting

people.

Jordan: My highlight was receiv-

ing feedback from some of the

best coaches and adjudicators in

the country and getting to watch

the senior final in which some of

the previous SA team took part. It

was world class!

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LESSON THE SANSDC 2014 TAUGHT YOU?

Megann: The biggest lessons that

I learnt were definitely along the

lines of perseverance and man-

aging my stress. Also not to under-

estimate people based on how

you perceive them at first glance.

Many of the speakers, whom I

thought would be easy competi-

tion were definitely not.

Jordan: At SANSDC 2014 I learnt

the importance of true friendship

and teamwork. I saw the impact it

had on certain teams when they

did not work together and how

it ultimately cost them debates.

I was lucky enough to have a

team that was like-minded and

worked well together. We were all

focused and as a result, 4 out of

the 5 of us have been selected as

trialists and 3 of us ranking in the

top 10.

WHAT WAS THE LOWLIGHT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE?

Megann: The lowlight, unfortu-

nately had to be the food. I also

had to speak 9 rounds consecu-

tively, which was extremely drain-

ing and tiring.

Jordan: The worst part of the tour-

nament was trying to organize

my meals. As I have a few dietary

requirements, I brought my own,

however, my food ended up be-

ing locked away in a freezer that

nobody had access to when I

needed to eat and so my coach

and I had to drive around Stellen-

bosch searching for a meal.

WHAT WAS THE FUNNIEST MO-MENT?

Megann: The funniest memory is

when we watched our coaches

debate against each other. Their

DEBATING NATIONALS

The South African

National Schools’

Debating Champion-

ships took place from

the 13th to the 18th of

December last year in

Stellenbosch. Two La

Rochelle learners,

Megann Ferreira (gr12)

and Jordan Willett

(gr10) took part. Here

are some things that

stood out for them:

playful banter had me laughing

for almost an hour.

Jordan: Every evening a social

was planned for us and on the

Saturday night it was a lip-sync

battle. One of my coaches went

all out while lip-syncing to Queen’s

Don’t Stop Me Now. I took a vid-

eo and whenever I’m feeling

down I re-watch it for laughs!

SO… WHAT NOW?

Megann: Now, I’m preparing for

SA trials in Johannesburg. The

coaches send me lectures on a

specific subject, like International

Law and then I have to answer a

series of quizzes which are grad-

ed.

Jordan: I have to read training

material and modules in prepara-

tion for training that takes place

in Johannesburg during April. Af-

ter training we have the Junior

SA Trials that are also held in Jo-

hannesburg, in May. At the end

of trials they announce the team

and that team then takes part in

Germany at the Heart of Europe

Debating Tournament.

Jordan Willett

After 4 years of studying and at-

tempting to master a French or

German accent, it is a privilege to

go on an outing in your final year

of school. The weeks leading up

to this day were extremely stress-

ful and as we boarded our bus to

Cape Town there was a collective

sigh of relief. It is always fun miss-

ing a day of school, but missing it

to go on a red bus tour with your

favourite “Frenchies” and Ger-

man students in the mother city is

even better.

Being a tourist

in your own city

is great fun and experiencing it

while only being allowed to speak

German or French humbles you

somewhat. South Africa’s culture

is so diverse and it is wonderful just

sitting back and revelling in it with

your friends.

The day started at the famous

V&A Waterfront, where the tourists

shop and we watch, since every-

thing is about double the price.

At the Waterfront we boarded

the Red Bus and our first stop was

Long Street where the French girls

IN CAPE TOWN FOR THE FRENCH & GERMAN STUDENTS

made their way to the Alliance

Française and the German girls

made their way to the Planetari-

um. At the Alliance Française Leila

Kopff told us more about the DELF

exam we will be taking in May

and we took part in a very enjoy-

able conversational class. At the

Planetarium the themes covered

corresponded with the work cov-

ered in the German class and so

we were able to get a new per-

spective of the topics and broad-

en our vocabulary. Then, both the

German and French girls walked

through the Company Gardens,

our jaws dropping in awe of the

tame squirrels that clamber up

against your leg and doves that

swoop down onto your head,

which for some was a semi-trau-

matic experience. Then, back on

the bus, acting like true tourists we

listened to the recorded tour nar-

rations in either French or German

as the bus took us to Table Moun-

tain through District 6, Woodstock

and Kloof Street. The clouds rolled

majestically over the mountain

that looms over the city bowl: It is

a symbol of comfort and hope for

all that live in her shadow and are

fortunate enough to look up to

her each day. The rest of the day

was taken along with the gushes

of wind that blew strands of hair

into our faces. Our route back

to the Waterfront was the scenic

one along the front of Signal Hill

through Clifton, Bantry Bay and

Sea Point.

Our day drew to

a close and with

heavy hearts we headed home.

Each minute I spend in Cape Town

I fall more and more in love with

it and I think anyone who knows

this city well can agree. Around

each nook and cranny there is

something new to see, something

new to experience and another

story to be told. Merci beaucoup

Cape Town.

À bientôt! Merci Monsieur Botha

et Mademoiselle Wigmore et

danke Schön, Frau Janssen !

a day

“South Africa’s culture is so diverse”

Jana Hugo & Fatima Hendricks

GOUE LARRIE-OOMBLIKKE

A motto that perfectly described the determination and hope we carried within ourselves on our way to the 2015 4M Gala.

Our journey began in earnest in

January with endless morning

and evening training sessions. Fi-

nally, on Tuesday 24 February,

the day had arrived. Starting off

with a delicious and team build-

ing breakfast we were ready for

battle.

Last year we came third, a mere 9

points behind Bloemhof, and this

year we hoped would hold much

promise. Our hopes became rea-

lity as the girls out did themselves

ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM

and swam their hearts out in each

item, many achieving personal

bests and, even despite a very

controversial disqualification, we

managed to come in just 3 points

behind Bloemhof.

Even though a few were disap-

pointed to not have managed to

kick and pull ourselves into sec-

ond place, I could not be any

prouder of each girl in my team.

It was heart-warming to see the

support, motivation and encou-

ragement the girls gave one an-

other and I am certain that next

year the team will continue to

close the gap to victory.

A big thanks to everyone who

came to support us at galas this

season and to my team for ma-

king my last year the best one yet.

Megan Street

Jette Kirsten

Die 4M kan nie bloot as vier Mei-

sieskole Ateletiek beskryf word

nie. Daardie beskrywing versuim

om die skoenlappers wat in jou

maag rond fladder, die aand

voor hierdie groot byeenkoms te

noem Dit is daardie gevoel wat jy

kry wanneer jy die oggend opsta-

an met ’n knop in jou keel en in

jou maag draai ’n mengsel van

opwinding, angs en senuweeag-

tigheid. Die skadu van ‘n groot

dag hang oor jou. Jou voete is

seer. Jou lyf is moeg. Dis 4M.

Weke lank oefen meisies die

kreet in die saal, terwyl hulle met

die sonbesies buite kompeteer.

Dit is die pêreltjies sweet wat op

die atlete se voorkoppe glinster,

soos wat hulle middae prysgee

om te oefen en hulself voor te

berei vir die grootste Atletiekdag

van die jaar. Al die reëlings agter

die skerms deur die onderwysers

en werkers, alles net vir dié een

dag: 4M.

Die toeskouers gewaar die diri-

gente, geklee in wit en die at-

lete… slegs klein geel spikkeltjies

op die veld en baan. Hulle herken

die Larrie-dogters in die blou rok-

kies op die pawiljoen. Die atmos-

feer is ryp vir glorie. Ses ure skree jy

jou longe uit en jou asem drafstap

saam met die atlete soos wat die

spanning toeneem.

In’n oogwink voel alles skielik die

moeite werd. Die oorweldigende

trots wat in elke Larrie se oë dans

verklap dat La Rochelle weer

eens die louere dra.

4m

Shine 2015

WHAT IS SHINE?

SHINE is an 8-week course for

young ladies that encourages us

to shine in who we are. It teach-

es us about our self-worth, it de-

velops our strengths and encour-

ages us to live a life that gives us

meaning.

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

Camille : “ I also attended La Ro-

chelle Girls’ High school, so I have

so much pride in who we are. I

was a peer coach, so it is some-

thing very close to my heart. I

want to see peer coaching reach

new levels. She is a closet fan of

cooking shows.

Odille: Odille is our co-team

member; she has been part of

SHINE since we started reaching

out. Her favourite part of SHINE is

seeing how it radically changes

the way girls perceive themselves

and handle the world around

them. Odille loves astros.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED?

Our hope is that SHINE will not only

be amazing fun, but that it will also

inspire Larries to step out into all

that they can be in confidence.

SHINE is all about family, sharing,

growing together, making friends

and learning together.

Expect cute freebies, friendship

and fun.

HOW CAN SHINE HELP ME?

It can help you to grow in confi-

dence and change the way you

see yourself.

SHINE GIRLS, WITH THE LARRIES.

Peer coaches are gaining a re-

newed passion to be an influence

in the school, drawing Larries to-

gether, enhancing school pride

and togetherness.

SHINE GIRLS FROM THE LARRIE PEER COACHES POINT OF VIEW…

The SHINE course has been no-

thing less than amazing. We have

learnt so many new things about

ourselves and gained much more

confidence in who we are. SHINE

is a safe environment where you

can be open with each other,

help and support one another.

You are sure to do a lot of laugh-

ing, note-taking and friend mak-

ing throughout the SHINE course.

Topics that we have covered and

really enjoyed are:

- I am valuable

- I am one-of-a-kind

- I am wonderfully made

- I have the Power of Choice

- My decisions determine my des-

tination

We are all so excited to show

SHINE to the rest of the Larries as

well. So keep an eye open as we

will be launching it amongst the

Grade 8’s soon! We really encou-

rage you to come and see what

we are about, as we know you

will really enjoy it.

COMING SOON! SIGN UP!

SHINE - by now I’m

sure every Larrie girl

has heard this word at

least once. What is it

actually all about? This

interview will help you

understand what all

of us SHINE girls

are on about…

“The Shine course has been nothing less than amazing.”

Jenna Laughton

HOE KAN JY JOU TROUMAN UIT-KIES? - DEURMEKAAR VROU

Liewe Deurmekaarvrou

‘n Trouman behoort jou laaste

prioriteite te wees- hulle staan ge-

woonlik tou. Bekommer jou liewer

nou oor ‘n beroepskeuse.

Wat moet jy doen as jy ‘n ou na ‘n

dans wil vra, maar elke keer as jy

hom sien praat hy eerder met jou

vreinde? – Gr 10 Larrie

Ignoreer hom; jy verdien beter as

die ongeskikte Adonis. Laat hom

maar swaar dra aan sy geswolle

hoof. Nooi liewer jou beste vriend

dan is jy ten minste seker van ‘n

genotvolle aand!

EK SUKKEL OM MYSELF TE AAN-VAAR, IS MENS OOIT TEVREDE MET HOE JY LYK?

Ouderdom laat ‘n mens geen

keuse nie en laat jou dankbaar vir

jou lelike neus, aankapknieë en

breë heupe – alles in werkende

toestand. Moenie nou teen jou

sogenaamde onvolmaakthede

vaskyk nie; hulle laat jou lag, dans

en liefkoos- gebruik hulle met

dankbaarheid en ander sal wil

lag en dans!

MY FRIENDS ALWAYS SEEM TO BRUSH ME OFF, HOW CAN I KNOW WHO MY TRUE FRIENDS ARE? – DISTRAUGHT LARRIE

True friends are the ones that pick

you up every time that you have

been brushed off by the false

ones.

I ALWAYS SEEM TO BE PROCRAS-TINATING, HOW CAN I MOTIVATE MYSELF TO WORK HARD? – LARRIE IN NEED

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Do you leav your valuables un-

guarded? Time is your most pre-

cious asset – treasure it and use

it wisely because it flies by. Keep

that in mind when you shuffle to

the couch with your choclate

and chips.

I’M A BOLAND ATHLETE THAT CAN’T SEEM TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN MY SCHOOL WORK AND

SPORT. HOW CAN I GET MY PRIORI-TIES STRAIGHT?

Dear Boland athlete

Congratulations! This is an

achievement that very few of us

will ever be able to obtain! Savour

every moment of it, but remember

long after all the applause dies

away, you still need to put food

on the table. Keep that in mind

when you feel overwhelmed by

your school work and you will find

it not so difficult to put your nose

to the grind stone.

AUNTIE BABS, I FEEL DE(FEET)TED. MY HOSTEL ROOMMATE HAS A SUSPICIOUS FOOT FUNGUS. THE STENCH IS UNBEARABLE AND NO AMOUNT OF AIR FRESHENER SEEMS TO TAKE THE SMELL AWAY. PLEASE GIVE US SOME ADVICE. – DE(FEET)TED ROOMMATE

Don’t even try to identify the fun-

gus, identify the shoes and get rid

of them for good!! You need to

be cruel to be kind- help her find

a cure at you nearest chemist.

VRA TANNIE BABS

FOTO van die KWARTAAL

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