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Volume 3, Issue 3
21 September 1999
| From the
Principal's DeskDear Parents
Congratulations to all our girls, their parents and staff who have this term provided a
bumper of drama, sport, music and other cultural activities and academic meetings. We hope
you will celebrate Wynberg with us while reading this newsletter and that you will be
proud of the part your family has played.
There has been much written recently in the press about the new financial allocation to
schools by the Western Cape Education Department. We have been placed in the group
receiving the least funding from the province. This allocation has been made on the basis
of the general socio-economic level of the community attending the school and on the
facilities (classrooms, sanitation, running water, electricity, etc.) available. We are
indeed fortunate to have a school with excellent facilities, provided in part, and
superbly maintained by the school fees paid by past and present parents who remain
committed to paying regularly. Entering this new phase of financial management, we trust
that we will continue to rely on the support of parents who want to provide an excellent
standard of education and superb facilities for our wonderful girls.
Term Four is a term where pupils need to put aside some
of the more exciting extras offered at Wynberg and set their minds towards their academic
progress. Although continuous evaluation contributes up to 50% of a pupil’s final
mark in a subject, the final examination still plays an important part in determining a
pupil’s progress to the next grade. We ask parents to help us settle the girls by
insisting on routines of homework, study and exam preparation. We do not have a formal
parent-teacher discussion afternoon in the fourth term, but do encourage you to contact
the school if you are concerned about your daughter’s progress.
Best wishes to our girls and families for a short
rest before the last lap!
Regards
Shirley Harding
|
Nautical
Rhythms
Congratulations and thanks are due to Mrs Carol Shapiro-Dodds and Mrs Lorraine Bryant
for an outstanding evening’s entertainment. The WGHS Nautical Rhythms –
Dance and Fashion show was a great success and would not have been possible without their
hard work and dedication. Mrs Shapiro-Dodds was responsible for the choreography and
together with her son, Blaine Dodds they ran a "beautiful, slick, glamorous,
glitzy" fashion and dance show, complete with professional sound and lighting.
Mrs Bryant was invaluable, organising the clothing for the show, something that she did
almost single-handedly.
The theme of the show was a boat cruise. Some of the Grade Eleven pupils decorated the
gym hall and turned it into a customs and passport control station with a duty free shop.
Ralph Bowers and the Art Club pupils were responsible for the gangplank and the painting
of the wing flats and we are also very grateful to Mr Seymour whose company manufactured
the bow of the ship.
One of the highlights of the show was the staff dance. Who is ever going to forget Mr
Lauff and those high kicks! The Grades Eight, Nine and Eleven pupils as well as the Xhosa
Society performed the other dances.
Such a production can only result from much hard
work and dedication, so thank you to everyone who was involved for a wonderful show.
Bingo Bash - Fun for the Family
On Friday, 10 September the Parents’ Association held a
Bingo evening in the school hall. This was very well attended and lots of money was
raised. Many thanks to all the families who supported the event by donating cakes, prizes
and attending the evening.
We will definitely be holding another Bingo evening in the future together with beers
and pizza, so if you missed this one – be sure to attend the next one. |
Lisa van de Vyver
"Face your fears and live your dreams"
These were the words which Lisa shared with her fellow
matriculants in the yearbook of 1997.
It was with deep sadness and great shock that we heard
that Lisa was tragically killed in a car accident in Hout Bay at the end of August. She is
remembered with fond affection by her teachers at Wynberg as a quiet and gentle person,
always cheerful and ever trusting.
Our deepest condolences are extended to her close
friends and family. |
Academic
Departments
1999 Gebruiksafrikaans – Olimpiade
Vanjaar is ons weer trots op al ons leerlinge wat aan die Gebruiksafrikaans-olimpiade
deelgeneem het. Al 38 leerlinge het geslaag. Ons wens veral Deborah Dixon en Alisse
Carslake geluk. Hulle is onderskeidelik geplaas in die groepe wat 12de geëindig het.
Author of Shades, Marguerite Poland, addresses Wynberg Students
We were privileged to have been addressed by the author of the novel which has been set
for our matriculants and Grade Ten students. This wonderful novel has been set as one of
the choices for the years 1997-1999. An outstanding speaker and gifted writer, Dr Poland
gave an inspiring lecture on her novel - on the stories behind some of the characters -
and on the process of writing a novel. At the end of her lecture she invited questions and
autographed copies of the novel for some members of her very large audience of Wynberg
Girls, Westerford students and Springfield Convent. The praise she received from many of
the students who have already studied the novel was great: overheard were comments such as
"…That letter (written by one of the characters the novel) was inspired"
and "What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?" Other comments
frequently heard were "It's the best book I have ever read" and "it
was inspirational" and "I will not sell this book" Finally she
was told most earnestly by one of our students that her daughters "are extremely
lucky to have a mother like you.."
|
Creative and innovative school production
|
Wynberg's Romeo and
Juliet outstrips the professionals |
Penny Glover, director of the
production,
is seen here with her Juliet, Robyn Barry
Months of hard
work came to fruition on 4, 5 and 6 August when Wynberg Girls’ High School and
Wynberg Boys’ High School presented this year’s major production. Romeo and
Juliet was directed by Ms Glover and played to almost full houses on all three nights.
The response and accolades received were wonderful. Every person, from Juliet to the
backstage boy who swept the stage, pulled out all the stops to make the show a huge
success. The set was innovative and simple and the cast used their space well. The
costumes too were simply and creatively put together and everyone looked great.
As it was the girls’ turn to host the production, and many of the roles in Romeo
and Juliet are for males, we did a little adjusting and it has to be said that Tamara
Gondwe made a sensational "Holy Sister" and added spice to the part of the
Friar. Nicole Henderson and Kate Leslie who played Mercutio and Benvolio were very
convincing in their "male" roles. Sue Balfour, as the nurse, brought the house
down on all three nights and Robyn Barry’s interpretation of Juliet was sensitive and
beautiful. The girls and boys management of Shakespearean verse was highly commendable and
many people said they found it better and more understandable than they have seen and
heard in the professional theatre.
Friendships were formed that will last a long
time, and the final night was charged with much emotion. It really was an amazing
experience for everyone involved and the cast and crew were complimented on the slick and
professional production. |
Our Grade Eights
can spell! Wynberg is proud of the
following Grade Eight pupils who were awarded High Honours Certificates in the Grade Eight
Interschools’ Spelling Competition organised annually by the South African Council
for English Education (SACEE).
Twenty schools participated this year in the English First
Language category.
Ielhaam Abdullah; Wendy-Anne Clark;
Haniefa Dalvie; Zulfah Davids; Muneera Deaney; Kirsten Evans; Michelle Genricks; Megan
Giljam; Penny Hsu; Roxanne Irwin; Nihaal Kamedien; Tara-Lee Morton; Charis Oliver; Gillian
Simcock; Holly Tamlin; Michelle van der Westhuizen; Lauren Watters; Chanel Weiss.
Cape Youth Dance Company
Two of our Grade Eleven students, Sandi Glen and
Keaton Oddy are members of the Cape Youth Dance Company - a company consisting of the top
dancers in the Western Cape.
During the June-July holidays, they participated
in the annual Grahamstown Arts Festival with this company. There for six days, they
performed two shows a day.
Reflections of the Century
Cynthia de Wet, Head of the English
Department at Wynberg Girls' High is in the process of putting together a millennium
publication containing the poetry and prose of past pupils and extracts from the speeches
of past principals. The publication will be called Reflections of the Century.
Should you wish to order this publication
please phone, fax, mail or e-mail us at the school and give us your contact details. Could
you also let us know when it was that you matriculated, and if you have married and
changed your name, could you give us your maiden name?
We look forward to hearing from you, and hope
that with us you will enjoy reflecting on the changes that have taken palce this
century as they were perceived and experienced by your old school. |
| "Getting
a little paint on your hands"
The Art Club has gained momentum this term, allowing those pupils who do not take Art
as a subject to put their creative skills to use. Club members had ample opportunity to
get paint on their hands this term. Amongst the projects presented to them were the
painting of the props and banner for the Fashion and Dance show, Nautical Rhythms.
They produced the splendid banners for the Bingo evening, Romeo and Juliet and Founders'
Day. It was most unfortunate that some of their hard work disappeared when the twister
hit our Mother City.
Our thanks is extended to all the girls who have assisted with the sets and advertising
required for these productions. Special mention must be made of Danielle Theron and
Lorraine MacDonald for running the club energetically and tirelessly this term.
Outings
The matriculants had the opportunity to go to the Irma Stern Museum to view this
renowned artist’s private collection. Recent works by sculptor Jane Alexander were
also displayed. The Art Club also expanded their horizons by going to the National Gallery
and the Holocaust centre this term.
Matric Final Art Moderation
1999 will be a memorable year simply because we have had the largest matric class than
ever before. We welcome the patents and all those with an interest in the Arts to come and
view their hard work on 5 October.
PHWOAAR!
Does Wynberg have Young Designers, or what?
The Grade Ten and Eleven pupils were presented with a wonderful opportunity to have
their innovative designs modelled by our cast from Nautical Rhythms. Their
creativity and imaginative capacity to work with recycled materials were splendidly
displayed by our catwalkers, and they were wonderfully received by audiences attending the Nautical Rhythms Fashion and Dance Show.
Move over Donna Rovan, here we come! |
The
Music Department
The Music Department has survived a very busy term – but only just. Our
matriculants, especially had to live through a few extremely stressful weeks: having
barely recovered from their preliminary exams, they had to perform at the matric concert
the following week. This event was well attended by family members and friends and our
girls both looked wonderful and performed splendidly. Soon afterwards they played their
final practical exams, all bearing up well under the strain and the finger-numbing cold.
We wish them well for the theoretical components of the music exams. For tow of our
matriculants there was still a final performance: on 14 September, Alisse and Renee
Carslake represented our school at a concert of the Grade Twelves that took place in The
Nassau Centre. We commend our musical twins most heartily.
Another important event on our music calendar was the third term concert. A varied
programme, including small ensembles, solo items and two choirs was well received by the
audience.
Some of our enterprising musicians had to face the Royal Schools examiner for the
yearly extra-mural examinations. We are grateful to report that there were no debilitating
attacks of nerves among our pupils.
Finally, we would like to thank members of the orchestra and choirs who were willing to
sacrifice breaks and attend extended practices to prepare for the demanding Founders' Day
programme. This short holiday is well deserved by all.
Wynberg Girls’ High
is one of the top hundred schools in the country
Once again, Wynberg Girls has been rated by the Panel of Judges selected by The
Sunday Times as one of the top hundred schools in the country. Amongst the criteria
looked for by the panel were academic performance, extra-curricular involvement the extent
to which the school prepares the students for a changing South Africa.
It is certainly recognised that this sort of ranking of schools seems to promote
competition rather than co-operation between the schools; we also see that it might not be
achieving all that it sets out to do for precisely this reason. Despite these
reservations, we feel that it nevertheless is useful for a school to submit to an external
set of criteria perceived by a significant grouping to be important to see just how well
we measure up. |
| Capstone Camp This year the annual Capstone Camp was held from 10 – 12
September at the YMCA Campsite in Hout Bay. Forty-two campers attended from both the
boys’ and the girls’ school. The theme or main focus of the camp was "Are
you M.A.D.?" (Making A Difference) where we learnt that before we make a difference
in other people’s lives, God has to make a difference in our lives…and God did
make that difference! Everyone came back changed and ready to change others. Overall this
was a very successful camp.
A few of those attending the Capstone Camp
Mountain Club
Holidays are on the horizon, and so is the Oorlogskloof Trail. Descriptions such as
"last water", "you crawl through a rock tunnel at the back of the
Driefontein waterfall" and "a chimney has to be negotiated with the
assistance of two ropes" have us keyed up for an exciting experience.
The intrepids – Katherine Bunney, Megan Magnussen, Tammy Baudains, Melanie
Stewart, Shelly van Dyk, Aaliyah Ameer, Catherine Hutton-Squire, Samantha van Oudtshoorn
and Sally Grobler - are hard in training.
The trail offers overnight stops with tents and mattresses for the not-so-intrepid
adults, Mrs McCallum, Mrs Wilding and Mrs Lucille Krige who has completed the train
several times. It is Spring and we will be in Namaqualand in the flower season. Roll on
the 23 September.
|
Interact News This has been yet another busy term for our Interactors. We
have taken on three projects this term, and have raised an astonishing R3409.68 in the Blisters
for Bread walk for the Peninsula School Feeding Fund. This was a massive effort with
every Interactor contributing in some way and proving that Wynberg girls have the
well-being of others at heart. Special mention should go to three pupils who together
raised R1000.00 of this amount: Megan Swan, Rochelle Coetzee (our President) and Pranisha
Maharaj.
Interact has also co-ordinated a small change collection in aid of Nazareth House.
Whilst the counting has yet to be finalised, on quantity alone special mention should go
to three classes who have truly made a concerted effort to raise funds: 9AB; 8ED and 8HI
Interact and the MSA (Muslim Students’ Association) combined their efforts this
term to give some young children from three children’s Homes in the Wynberg area an
afternoon of games, sport, dancing and party food. At the end of the afternoon many of our
young guests did not want to leave, and we have vowed to do this again soon.
Some of the Interactors are seen here
with our Adopt-a-Child project |
| SPORTS REPORTS NETBALL REPORT
All twelve Netball teams entered in this year’s league enjoyed a most successful
season. The teams performed exceptionally well at the Interschools Netball tournaments
winning all the trophies. U14, U16 and U19’s won their sections and we received a
trophy for the most goals scored. We are very proud of Keeyan Dick, who was selected for
the WP U15 team and Kerry Stuart, Meg Goedhals, Kimberley Rood and Petra de Abrea who were
selected for the Transnet Squad. Seven teams were unbeaten in their respective leagues.
Our Netball teams bring home the
trophies
INTERHOUSE
NETBALL
Interhouse Netball was well supported and over 110 pupils enjoyed the afternoon.
The results were
| First |
Copenhagen and Wellesley |
26 points |
| Second |
Waterloo |
23 points |
| Third |
Apsley |
21 points |
The U 14A played
in the final champions in Bellville and were narrowly beaten by Stellenberg by eleven
goals to eight.
Congratulations to all players and coaches. Your time
effort, enthusiasm and dedication achieved outstanding results.
Participants in the Interschools Events |
INTERHOUSE
HOCKEYSome
entertaining times were had by all at the Interhouse Hockey played recently on the Wynberg
fields. The results are recorded here.
SENIORS
Apsley-Copenhagen 1-1
Waterloo -Wellesley 1-1
Apsley-Waterloo
1-0
Copenhagen-Wellesley 2-0
Apsley-Wellesley
3-0
Waterloo-Copenhagen 2-0
JUNIORS
Apsley-Copenhagen 0-3
Waterloo-Wellesley 0-1
Apsley-Waterloo
2-0
Copenhagen-Wellesley 2-2
Apsley-Wellesley
2-0
Waterloo-Copenhagen 0-3
| SENIORS |
Points |
Goals
for |
Goals
Against |
Position |
| Apsley |
5 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
| Copenhagen |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Waterloo |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Wellesley |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
| JUNIORS |
Points |
Goals for |
Goals
Against |
Position |
| Apsley |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
| Copenhagen |
5 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
| Waterloo |
0 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
| Wellesley |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
| SAILING Once again it is the time of the Muira Interschools. This is
an Interschools' yacht racing event in which Wynberg has been competing for many years. In
the past, the regatta has proved to be nothing short of eventful with our girls braving
rough seas, strong winds stubborn whales and tough competition.
This year the event was held at Royal Cape Yacht Club at Table Bay last weekend. With
sunburnt noses, smiling faces and frequent outbursts of joyous laughter, the school spirit
could be heard across the fleet as our girls lost themselves in earnest song and the
business of sailing.
This year it seems that the intrepid sailors' prayers for fair winds and fine weather
were heard, as wonderful weather prevailed throughout the weekend. The girls all sailed
exceptionally well and through hard work managed to surprise the boys' school in obtaining
a first position in one of the four races.
Our grateful thanks are extended to the new sailors who braved the waters for the first
time and literally learnt the ropes in a period of ten minutes before their first race.
Thanks must also go to Mr Trompe for the use of his boat and to Mrs Jaaback for her
support and the greatly appreciated cookies at the end of a tough day!
The following girls competed:
Nicola King; Natalie Burls; Kimberly Neil;
Ashleigh Greene; Michelle Collins; Carol Profit; Tamlyn Meyer; Natalie Davies; Sally-Ann
Alison; Kelly Thomson.
§ |
SQUASH The second half of the season has come to an end and
our teams have done us proud. The first team was moved into the Boys’ Superleague
Section. The competition was stiff, but they gave of their best at all times and are to be
commended on achieving second place in their league.
At the Top School’s competition in Pietermaritzburg our team represented
Western Province and came a credited sixth overall. The teams finished off the season in
full force, the A Team winning the knockout tournament to determine the leading school in
the girls’ league and coming second in the Interschools’ Tournament. Well done
to all of those, who have made it such a successful season.
§
Back row: Arendene Fourie, Taryn
Bright, Tricia Main
Front row: Belinda White, Natalie
Baker, Chantelle von Buddenbrock |
| LIPTON
CUP
by Saskia Kemp
This year I was asked to sail for an all girls team in the Lipton Challenge Cup.
Every year, yacht clubs choose a team of their best sailors to represent their particular
club in the event. Every team sails on an L26 (a 26-ft yacht) and so it is a very
competitive event.
I sail mostly at the Royal Cape Yacht Club and this year Royal Cape sent five
Development Teams to the regatta. As each club can only send one team across, I was asked
to represent Port Owen Yacht Club with an all-girls team. We were determined from the
outset to do our best for them.
We went to the regatta not expecting a brilliant placing, as we had only sailed
together as a crew for two weeks before the regatta. We also knew that we were sailing
against some of South Africa's best sailors. While we didn't come in the top fifteen, we
were surprised, as were many others, at how well we sailed.
On the first day, we had a marvellous day and ended up beating the other all-women crew
and two other boats crewed by men. Every day we became more skilled and by the third day
we were beating five yachts. Unfortunately on the second last day, the wind was quite
strong, and as we were 70kg underweight, the boat was almost flattened and we simply
didn't have the strength to hold it anymore. We decided to return to shore and then went
out on a rubber duck to watch the racing.
Of course this brought our placing down by two boats, which disappointed us. On the
last day, the wind was just as strong, but we decided to try our best to sail the race. We
went out there with very few sails up, and started it. We were doing quite well when
something terrible happened: one of the stanchions which support the mast snapped off and
thus the mast was in danger of falling. Once again, we reluctantly retired from the race.
Despite our disappointment, we recognised that even though we hadn't won the race, we
had sailed well and given of our best. More than this, we learnt a great deal and showed
the guys that we could sail!
It was a wonderful experience, and many more hours are already being put in every
weekend to enable us to do a lot better at the Lipton next year. |
Saskia and her all girls crew in the
Lipton Challenge
WATERLOO
HOUSE REPORT
It has been a very busy term with many of our boarders involved in the fashion shows, Romeo
and Juliet and Xhosa Society Concert. Our matriculants started the term by
transforming themselves into glamorous beauties for the matric dance. The Grade Elevens
gave the matriculants 'time out' during their mock exams and took over the running of the
hostel as well as frantically preparing for the end of year hostel party.
Louise Rafferty and Katherine Morson, our new 'Gap' Students, arrived this term. We
hope that they will enjoy their stay in Waterloo House. I'd like to thank all the staff at
Waterloo House for their continued hard work and support. They all work tirelessly and
always have the girls' best interest at heart.
We would like to wish the matriculants well in their final preparation for the matric
final exams and thank them for their love, friendship and loyalty this year.
Dates to diarize:
- 7 October: End of year party
- 8 October: Induction Dinner
- 22 October: Leave-Out Weekend
- 12 November: Leave-Out Weekend
Enjoy the holiday!
Mrs Swart
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