Maritzburg College is proud to host the 27th annual conference of the South African Society for History Teaching on 27 - 28 September 2013

 

 

Introduction

The conference organisers are delighted to announce that Prof Jonathan Jansen (pictured), the much-admired Rector of the University of the Free State, has agreed to deliver the conference's keynote address on Saturday, 28 September, on "Why the first year university students dread talking about the past - and what schools can do about it."

 

About the conference

The South African Society for History Teaching (SASHT) is the official mouthpiece of history teachers in South Africa, especially those at secondary schools and tertiary institutions. It is anticipated that about 150 - 200 teachers and lecturers will attend the conference, many from beyond KwaZulu-Natal.

Conference theme: Teaching and Learning History in a 21st Century African Classroom

The sub-themes of the conference are:

• Disseminating research by historians in GET, FET and HET History curricula
• Disseminating indigenous knowledge/local history/regional History in the classroom for a better understanding/complementing of curriculum themes
• Bridging teaching, curriculum and examination constraints
• Ways of overcoming the generational disconnect
• Modern media: threats and opportunities
• Keeping History alive and relevant in a 21^st century classroom

 

Overview

The year 2013 marks the 150th celebration of Maritzburg College (right), KwaZulu-Natal's oldest boys' school. In a busy year, the school is hosting numerous sports and cultural festivals, tournaments and other events, and it is especially proud to host the 27th annual conference of the SASHT as part of those festivities.

 

 

Programme

The organisers have received over 30 excellent abstracts for papers and workshops, and have been able to put together a stimulating, interesting and varied schedule. The provisional schedule (as at 16 August), subject to final changes, is as follows:

 

 

 

 

Conference registration

Lecturers and teachers of History, researchers, and any other academics from the GET, FET and HET levels are invited to register for the 2013 SASHT conference, which (as indicated in the table below) this year will offer various registration options, to cater for the needs of locally-based delegates (Standard / Day Visitor), attendees who have outside accommodation (Out-of-Town Premium), as well as delegates who would prefer an all-in-one package that would enable them to make use of the school's own reasonably-priced, clean and safe accommodation (Stayover).

 

Conference options and costs

 

About the host school, Maritzburg College

Founded in 1863, Maritzburg College is a state (ex-Model C) all-boys high school for 1 180 pupils, of whom nearly 400 are boarders. Situated on the same 25-hectare estate in Pietermaritzburg that it has occupied since 1888, it has over the last 150 years established itself as a leading South African high school. Amongst its former scholars it can count numerous senators, generals and admirals, 10 judges, arguably South Africa's pre-eminent English author (Alan Paton, who also taught at the school), 23 Rhodes Scholars and 235 international sportsmen.

 

Facilities

The school offers a wide array of facilities suitable for a conference such as this one, including the historic Victoria Hall, which was completed in 1899 and used by the British Army as a military hospital during the first 10 months of the South African War; the Olivier Cultural Centre, which was the main venue for the successful 2012 International Boys Schools' Coalition Conference attended by over 250 delegates; renovated classrooms that each have internet and projector facilities; its new Leadership Development Centre; and a popular Old Boys' Club for any of the conference's more social needs.

 

Down-time / tour of historic Pietermaritzburg

As can be seen above, some of the registration options include an invitation to the welcome braai to be held in the early evening of Thursday 26 September, on the eve of the conference, which commences on the following morning. Delegates are encouraged to elect a registration option that will allow them to attend this socialising/networking opportunity, in a relaxed environment overlooking the school's main sports-field, Goldstone's. On the last day of the conference, well-known local historian and SASHT stalwart, Simon Haw, will lead a guided, bussed tour themed "Pietermaritzburg: trekker dorp, outpost of empire and struggle centre" , at an extra cost of R100 per person.

 

 

January 1900: Sick and wounded British soldiers recuperating outside the school's Victoria Hall, which will be the primary venue of the 2013 SASHT conference.

A number of other options are available to attendees during their down-time in the KZN Midlands. For example -

• Karkloof Canopy Tours: This is a very popular tourist destination on the Midlands Meander, on the Karkloof Road beyond Howick, about 40 km from Maritzburg College. Breeze along the treetops of the Karkloof Forest on a zip-line 100m above ground! Go to http://www.karkloofcanopytour.co.za/
• The popular Liberty Midlands Mall is only about 10 km away and offers shops, restaurants and movies.
• Maritzburg College Museum: Lastly, for the more inquisitive, the school's newly-opened museum (see photo right, as opened by past Headmaster Mr DR Jury) - the beginnings of which, incidentally, featured in a workshop presented at the 2010 SASHT conference in Clarens - will be open on both days of the conference. Entrance is free and visitors are welcome.

 

 

Accommodation in Pietermaritzburg

Herewith please find information about some of the many B&Bs at which to stay in Pietermaritzburg.

 

 

Exclusions

The registration fees detailed above exclude the following -

• travelling fees to and from Pietermaritzburg
• airport transfers
• accommodation unless specified above, in which case all such arrangements must be done by yourself
• conference tour
• additional items (such as the Karkloof Canopy Tour)

 

Payment of conference fees

Registration payments must be done as soon as possible in order to make use of the Early Bird rates. All payments are to be made into the following Maritzburg College bank account:

 

 

In all cases, kindly e-mail or fax your completed registration form with proof of payment to Maritzburg College, as per the instructions on the conference registration form itself.

 

Getting to Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg is easily accessible by car, bus and air, and the city's Oribi Airport is only a five-minute drive away from Maritzburg College. Should you require any assistance in getting to the conference, we recommend that you use Ms Donna Calmeyer of Travel Counsellors, whom the school regularly uses for their own requirements. Please see her advert overleaf.

 

 

Annual Sasht Conference

Maritzburg College, Pietermaritzburg, 27-28 September 2013

Please fax or e-mail this form to Mr Matthew Marwick (fax: +27-33-394 2908, marwickm@mcollege.co.za) and Prof ES van Eeden (Fax 016 910 3449, elize. vanEeden@nwu.ac.za).

Personal Details (of which the ones marked with a * will appear in the official conference programme)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please specify any special meal requirements that you might have (if any):

The relevant bank details are as follows: