2009

The focus this year has been on developing Scrabble, especially among juniors. The Cultural Rotation Programme for grade 8s every Thursday during Cultural Period includes Scrabble, coached by Ms Richter, Mr Pillay and, on occasion, by seniors.
It is hoped that in this way, all grade 8 learners, and over a period of time, all learners at Parktown, will have had some exposure to the wonderful world of Scrabble.

The Scrabble Club is also in the process of introducing learners to Scrabble on computer as the programme ‘Quackle’ can now be accessed on certain computers and interactive smartboards at school, and this brings an exciting new dimension to Scrabble at Parktown. Enthusiasts can now lock horns against each other, or individually or in groups against the computer programme, without having to connect to the internet.

For traditionalists like Mr Pillay and Ms Richter, though, there is still the option of the personal element in sitting down to a game, poring over a conventional board, complete with tiles and racks. Since the aforementioned programme has a built-in tutor system, it is possible to hone your skills on computer and then challenge and outfox an opponent in the flesh. For more on Scrabble in South Africa (which includes a schools’ section) the site www.scrabblesa.org has fascinating information and upcoming events.

2008

The resurgence of Scrabble at Parktown is a constant source of intrigue to many onlookers. Those who may have been previously just acquainted with the family and social dimensions of the game are bewildered by its competitive elements: strategic letter and word placement on premium squares for maximum scores, quick calculations to determine highest possible scores and to keep running totals, identifying the high scoring opportunities in a game and exploiting them before an opponent does, outwitting and outfoxing opponents by creating diversions such as leaving a moderately high scoring spot open so that a bonus word (also referred to as a bingo – using all seven tiles at one go and earning an additional 50 points to the score) could be played elsewhere, being conscious of correct spelling so as not to be penalised and, finally, tile tracking (keeping track of the tiles played so as to anticipate what’s left in the bag – much like counting cards at blackjack). A highlight on the Scrabble calendar this year was Farhaad Moolla’s winning of an inter-school’s Scrabble tournament. A junior, playing in his first tournament, Farhaad overhauled a few seniors on the way to his victory.Scrabble continues to offer the boys a welcome recreational retreat, simultaneously honing their word, mathematical and strategic skills. It is hoped that through games such as Scrabble, our youngsters would rekindle and rediscover the love of reading, with a heightened awareness of the power and marvel of words.

2007

Scrabble has been reintroduced this year and has been enthusiastically received by our boys. Juniors are able to play during the Cultural period while the seniors play during breaks and after school. Boys are beginning to appreciate the many spin-offs of scrabble – word acquisition, spelling, calculation, analytical skills, strategy etc. and on top of all that - it’s fun and entertaining. We often lead very stressful lives and need a balance, and scrabble, like chess, offers a wonderful opportunity to de-stress and enjoy at leisure. The highlight thus far must certainly be Dylan Bosman’s winning the junior section (grades 8, 9 and 10) of the Gauteng School’s Scrabble Championship (2007).

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