Following their participation in the National Science Olympiad in September this year, Gareth Obery and Ross Lewis (both Grade 9 pupils at Hilton College) have been selected as members of the South African Team to participate in the 8th International Junior Science Olympiad. The event will be held in Durban during the period 1 ' 10 December 2011. About 300 students from close to 50 countries will compete in the International Junior Science Olympiad.

Pictured on the left are Gareth Obery and Ross Lewis

Thank you Hilton College for sharing all your news!

BrainTrain in Hilton, had a busy third term. On top of exams and school work, we had to prepare for the Sunday Tribune Garden and Leisure Show.

A HUGE thank you to Shirley Dalton, who orchestrated the BrainTrain Stand! We are pleased to say that we won a silver medal in the category: Feature Garden - Schools! Well done everybody, thank you so much for all your hard work! Please visit the BrainTrain Facebook page to view pictures.

Pictured on the left are some of the Seedlings Montessori Pre-scholars singing their ode to the Hilton Daisy.

They are from left to right: Roxy Richmond, Klara Steenkamp, Oliver Cornelius, Milan Michaux, Anna Prentice & Thomas Prentice, Isobel Armstrong, Harry Vickery, Louise Hay & her little brother, Matthew

With the help of a Seedlings Montessori parent on the eco-committee, Karen Zunckel, a visit was arranged for Seedlings Montessori Pre-school and Hilton Pre-Primary Grade Rs to see our very beautiful and endangered Hilton Daisy at Queen Elizabeth Park.

It was with much excitement and anticipation that the children arrived on Friday 14th October to look for the flowers. The Hilton Daisy (Gerbera aurantiaca) is a beautifully vivid red flower that gets its name from the village of Hilton where it is endemic. The children discovered them amongst a great many more wild flowers at the Queen Elizabeth Park site and were so delighted to see the 'real thing' as they had only seen photographs before.

As preparation for the visit the children had been introduced to a set of discussion cards using photographs of the daisy, its seeds, the brown hairy monkey beetles that help pollinate it and pictures of the flowers in the wild. They had learnt a special song about the Hilton Daisy as young children internalise information more readily if it is introduced in different ways. They had spoken about what it means if something is endangered and how important it is for us to be aware and help protect such things. There was a little series of vases of flowers on the nature shelf with labels above them saying 'We can pick these flowers

'Finally! With Lipomassage mechanotransduction, you can reduce localized fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Naturally. Painlessly.

Tess Le Roux, a grade 11 pupil from Grace College, participated in a horse riding competition in Johannesburg recently.  She came third overall in the Welcome Stakes and fourth overall in the Speed and Precision competition.  Each event comprised of 97 competitors, made up of Juniors and Adults, and Tess was the top Junior competitor for both events.  Grace College is extremely proud of Tess' achievements and wishes her many more years of happy riding.

Enjoy Flowers through the Church & Open Garden at Church of Ascension in Hilton.

When:
Saturday 15th October, 10h00 ' 17h00
& Sunday 16 October 2011, 11h30 - 17h00

Where:
Church of Ascension, Hilton
We invite you to join us for a very special event'

Our Flowers through the Church & Open Garden'

This is our opportunity to share with you, the beautiful buildings and gardens in which we are privileged to worship every week.

Why not take a few minutes from your busy schedules to stroll through our beautiful old church buildings, enjoying artistic flower arrangements,  each designed and created around a passage from scripture, with organ music accompaniment by Church organist, Robin Walton.

You can also enjoy the tranquil and peaceful beauty of the gardens around the Church, including our Remembrance Garden.

Lastly, sit down and enjoy some of the delicious light refreshments in the tea garden. Entrance to the Church and Garden is free,  with secure parking off Brindy Road.

Donations to Church of Ascension Funds are gratefully welcomed.

For more information, please contact
Roma Pridmore (033) 3434838

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI), completed the judging of the 2011 International World Dressage Challenge and notified our South African Equestrian Federation of the final results, last Friday.

Kirsten and Highlander finished 3rd overall in our World Grouping, in the Medium Section!  

The FEI have placed South Africa in a group of countries which include Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.  Instead of bringing horses to one country and one venue for the competition, international judges travel to each country and judge competitors competing the same dressage tests.  The alleviates the logistical challenges of the movement of horses around the world, as well as the cost, organisation, etc.  This year the judges were Peter Holler from Germany (President of the Ground Jury)  and Jacques van Daele from Belguim.  There are 5 different levels of dressage competed in the FEI World Dressage Challenge, namely (in order of difficulty) - Prix St George, Advanced, Medium, Elementary and Preliminary.

This is a fantastic result, as Kirsten being only 15, could have competed with the juniors on ponies in the lower Elementary or Preliminary Sections, or elect to ride alongside the adults, on horses in the Medium Sections and above.  She elected to compete with the adults, which the FEI allow so long as your 16th birthday falls within that year.  Kirsten is 16 in December, making her the youngest competitor amongst the Seniors in SA and possibly even in our group of countries.  This is no 'top' age limit to the Seniors and women compete alongside the men.

News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.

Baobab Antiquity Trading, a vintage and antique furniture and d??cor shop, opened in August at the Hilton Quarry Centre. The store is owned by sisters Michelle Haldane and Brigette Johnson. Michelle is responsible for the sourcing of the stock, and lives in England with her husband Bryan, who has been in the antique restoration trade for the last 15 years. Brigette is an artist and exhibition designer at a local museum, and is responsible for the running of the shop.

'For many years we have talked about opening a shop, but it wasn't until our last visit to South Africa that we saw that there was a growing demand for French and antique furniture. So, we took the leap and our dream has now become a reality.  Our shop is in the most beautiful location, filled with the most beautiful things and the response has been more than we could have hoped for. says Michelle.

Apart from being eco-friendly, furniture made in the past was made to last lifetimes, and with craftsmanship and timber that is hard to find today. We focus very heavily on up-cycling, ensuring that items are restored to their natural beauty or given a new lease on life.  All homes could do with a little vintage!  Something that was once loved and treasured with a story to tell, that can now become part of your story.
 
'Baobab is all about beautiful things.  A lady came into the shop, gave a big sigh and said that our shop was good for the soul! That's what we are about ' sourcing beautiful pieces of furniture and wholesome d??cor for your home. In the words of British craftsman and designer William Morris - Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful

Today a kilometre of the indigenous Celtis Africana trees were planted alongside Cedara road, from the Rotunda in towards Hilton. This Tree Planting Initiative was suggested to HiltonVillage.co.za by Andrew Morphew of Avidity Real Estate, the exciting idea of making Hilton more beautiful was shared amongst clients of HiltonVillage.co.za and pledges quickly came in to buy and plant 100 white stinkwoods. These trees will present an increasingly beautiful welcome to all Hilton visitors and residents entering from the Cedara on-ramp.

We are grateful to Avidity Real Estate, Pam Golding Properties especially Gwyneth, Maureen and Rogan, Harcourts Hilton, Green Door Environmental, Tasha's Fantastic Fudge, Carey at RE/MAX, Hilton Clothing, Lindsay's, Ronnoco Nursery and Nicolson's Country Cafe for buying trees as well as to Mondi Group who will be ensuring water is trucked in weekly for the trees.

Alex March from Nkosi Indigenous Nursery did a marvellous job in completing the planting, his prices are unbeatable and he follows through with service as promised.

Going forward our plan is to repeat this type of project each September in honour of Spring and Arbor week, it is a way to give back to Hilton, the community and an investment in the future.

Pictured above are Alex Beadle and Andrew Morphew from Avidity Real Estate with Andrew Line of Harcourts Hilton and Carey Wylde-Hughes from RE/MAX.

James Bezuidenhout (a Grade 9 pupil at Hilton College) has recently been representing the South African Paralympics Team in Brazil.  The South African Team finished 4th with all the South American Teams as well as USA and UK Teams participating.  James swam personal bests in the following events; 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

James was placed 7th in the 100m freestyle, 4th in the 400m freestyle and set a new SA Men's record, and was placed 3rd (bronze medal) in the 100m backstroke and set a new SA Men's Open record.  This is an outstanding achievement and he now has a chance of representing his country at next year's Paralympics which take place in London.

Pictured above on the left is James Bezuidenhout

News submitted by Hilton College

Dr. David Klatzow presented the annual Basil Crews Memorial Science Lecture on Friday 14 October 2011. He is an independent forensic scientist and has worked on a number of high profile cases in South Africa over the years. He recently released his book Steeped in Blood. The title of his talk was "Forensic Science... How to Bungle a Murder Investigation."

He also recently launched his book Steeped In Blood:

The following is copied from the Exclusive Books webpage review:
Bloody crimes of passion, political assassinations, sinister poisonings, investment fraud and mass mining disasters ... Dr David Klatzow has seen it all. During his extraordinary twenty-six-year career as South Africa's foremost independent forensic scientist, he has investigated countless high-profile and notorious cases.

Steeped in Blood provides gripping accounts of dozens of these matters, including the infamous deaths of Brett Kebble and Inge Lotz, the Helderberg aeroplane crash and the frustrating investigations of the brutal apartheid years. From the Gugulethu Seven and Trojan Horse massacres to the assassination of David Webster, Klatzow's investigations reveal his fierce determination to unveil the truth in spite of overwhelming state obstructions, police bungling and cover-ups. Unfazed by controversy and unwilling to accept no for an answer, Klatzow's tenacity, fearlessness and forensic know-how are used to brilliant effect in these fascinating cases.

This book exposes a demanding and sinister world where the rewards are equalled only by the frustrations, and where the truth is always elusive. But the truth is out there, and David Klatzow will find it.

The talk was attended by Hilton College boys, staff and members of the public. Dr. Klatzow focused on two recent high profile cases in South Africa with particular focus on the mistakes made by police officers on the scene of the crime. By all accounts the talk was well received by all, with requests from many boys to have Dr. Klatzow return to the school again soon.

Pictured above from left are Tracey MacKenzie (HOD Life Sciences), David Klatzkow, Trevor van Niekerk (HOD Physical Science)

Article supplied by Hilton College

Debbie Coombes and Angie Muggleton are two dedicated mums and enthusiastic teachers, putting all their years of experience into opening a Pre-School in Hilton.  Hilltops Pre-School will be operating from behind the Rotunda and will be open for registration by the end of October 2011.  The school motto 'Freshly Grown Kids.

Laddsworth Primary School is very proud of their Grade 3 teacher Jenny Ireland who inspires young and old to follow their passion. At the age of 5 Jenny fell into an empty swimming pool and her mom promptly decided to take her daughter for swimming coaching. The coach recognised Jenny's natural swimming ability as she took to the water enthusiastically.

Jenny soon joined her school swim team at St Mary's DSG in Pretoria, and in her high school years swam for Northern Transvaal, during this time Jenny was named team captain, an unexpected honour as the only English speaking girl in the team. At Teachers Training College Jenny spent two years swimming for the Witwatersrand University team.

After starting her family Jenny took a break from swimming until her youngest son was eight and she took him for coaching with Dean Price. The lure of the water was huge and Jenny was quickly back in the water, loving it! Mrs Price suggested Jenny join the Gauteng Masters and train for the Midmar Mile which she has swum annually since 1995.

During the last 16 years Jenny has swum provincially to achieve her National grades, in 2000 she entered the World Championships in Munich and in the same year Jenny earned her SA Colours, which she has managed to achieve each year since then. This is a mighty feat as the FINA time is taken from the top ten percent of the best times achieved per age group per annum, as set by the world swimming body. This annual challenge keeps Jenny, who confesses to be horribly competitive, in the water.
The annual highlight of Jenny's swimming career is participating in the Nationals where her best event is the 400m medley swim.

Jenny says, 'Swimming is such a great sport as people aged 100 plus are swimming competitively. The focus of Masters is on Fun and Friendship, so all shapes, sizes, abilities and ages are welcomed.

Five Hilton College boys have been selected for the various KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Water Polo Teams.  They will compete at the various interprovincial tournaments in the December holidays.

Matt MacKenzie (u14),
Chris Saunders (u16),
Clayton Prowse, Badger Unger and Taylor Rees (u19)

Pictured on the left are Matt MacKenzie, Clayton Prowse, Taylor Rees, Badger Unger and Chris Saunders.

Supplied by Hilton College.

Daniel Meyer who matriculated in 2010 from Hilton College has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to CALTECH (California Institute of Technology).  CALTECH was recently rated the number one university in the world (this was published recently in the Sunday Times and Harvard has been knocked from the no 1 spot for the first time in many years). 

Of the 36 000 worldwide applicants for first year, Daniel is one of the 220 first years who have been accepted.  Daniel has enrolled with double majors in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Economics.  According the International department of CALTECH Daniel will also be the first undergraduate student to enrol from South Africa. 

This is a wonderful achievement and we congratulate Daniel and wish him well for the future.

News supplied by Hilton College.

Congratulations to the following Hilton College pupils who have excelled in the National Science and Life Sciences Olympiad.  Sam Bookbinder in Grade 12 achieved tie 5th in the Olympiad which is outstanding.  All the other boys were placed in the top 100.
 
Pictured on the left are Rupert Leslie, Jonni Booth, Mohammed Shah, Sam Bookbinder, Loyiso Balfour, Geoff Morley, John Peverelle and Francois Kassier.

Howick Hospice is Celebrating Life with Flowers on Friday the 7th October 2011 from 09h00 till noon at 7 Mansfield Road in Howick. Join them for a sensory feast of flowers, poetry and art in support of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. There is a Tea Garden and Charity Shop on site. You are welcome to call 033 330 5257 for more information.

The newly planted Celtis Africana along Cedara road received their first water allocation on Friday thanks to the Mondi team pictured below.

Measuring out the 20 litres which each tree needs weekly, are from left Nosiphi Mnyandli, Thembelani Mkosana, Jabulile Ngcobo and Mkhonzeni Mtolo.

Thank you Mondi!