Dear Parents

As another year draws to a close, we celebrate with the girls their achievements during the year. Wynberg’s name has again been held high in many areas of sport, drama, academics and cultural activities. These achievements reflect the hard work and commitment of both learners and educators. My thanks go to the staff of Wynberg Girls’ High School, who have given many extra hours to ensure that your daughter has been given these opportunities to excel in a variety of different fields. We sadly say farewell to Mrs Stiegman, (Admin), Mrs Groenewald (Music) and Mr Grobbelaar (Mathematics) and wish them well in all that life holds for them. We welcome Mrs Nel to the Maths department and Mrs Barwise (part-time) in the Music department.

Technology room which brings to Wynberg sanders, screwdrivers, soldering irons and a multitude of extremely interesting implements!

We are at the start of a long holiday, which, I am sure, fills some parents with trepidation! Our concern, as is yours, is that our girls return to us safely next year. Teenagers are unfortunately at that stage of life when peer pressure is enormous and there is great temptation to engage in activities the rational mind would usually decline. We, as parents need to work together, to check vigilantly that our daughters are in fact where they have said they will be, and not be reluctant to enforce the values and rules of the home.

Our grateful thanks are extended to the many parents who have supported the school in many ways – the School Governing Body, the Parents’ Association, those who help in the Library and Tuckshop, and those who supply the wonderful flower arrangements and the many who have helped at various functions. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort you have given us.

The staff and I wish you a wonderful rest during this holiday. We trust that your family will enjoy a good time together in whatever festivities you will celebrate. For those who will travel, we wish you a safe and pleasant journey, and look forward to seeing you all next year.

God bless
Regards 

By the time you receive this letter, your daughters will have completed their Senior Certificate Examinations. This year, it is expected that the results will be made known to you on 28 December and you and your daughters will be able to obtain the results from the school at approximately 14:00 on that day. We will publish their results on our website at www.wynghs.co.za and establish a link to the National Matric website (http://www.matric.co.za ) so that any girls who may be travelling will be able to see their results for themselves. Pupils should note however that in order to access information on their examination results, they will have to enter both their examination number and their identity number.

They chose the theme of MTV and presented to the school the best informal valedictory seen for years. One of the highlights of the concert had to be the extraordinary video which some noble Matriculants must have taken hours to put together. Scenes from the sleepover, Athletics Day and some of their more extraordinary lessons were just some of the entertaining and endearing scenes we enjoyed. The Matrics of the year 2000 have left us with a challenge: to match or beat their inspiring concert.

The latter part of the morning of Tuesday 10 was generally a sad day around Wynberg, as we mourned the loss of 200 pupils to the world. The day had come for the Matrics of 2000 to bid farewell to twelve years of school and its routines.

Ms Prinsloo, our Deputy Principal, gave an entertaining farewell speech. She reminisced over the past five years shared with the Grade Twelves and their escapades, remarking finally that any girl who mentioned that she had been in Tracey and Frankie's year would be sure to be remembered!

Head Girl for 2000, Sue Balfour, also shared some wise words with her fellow Matrics, but emphasised the future and its promises, rather than the past and its memories. The Prefects for 2001 were then inducted by the Prefects of 2000 and were officially handed their "upside-down" badges.

ART DEPARTMENT

In the last newsletter, parents and interested persons were invited to the Matric 2000 Art Exhibition held at the school on Friday, 6 October.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

This term, the activities of the Music Department centered on choir performances, outings, impromptu concerts and a pleasurable exam-come-concert.

The Chamber Choir had a rather busy term, performing at the Senior Prize Giving as well as at the Valedictory Ceremony. It is always with mixed feelings that the choir sings on this occasion, since it also marks the final performance of our stalwart (Matric) Choir Members.

On 9 October, a group of anxious Grade Nines wrote their Grade 5 Royal Schools Theory examination. This year they have surpassed themselves by achieving an astonishing result: for the first time every candidate across the board received Honours, with marks ranging from 84-94%. We commend Nicola Aspeling, Jessica Bacon, Wendy-Anne Clark, Elizabeth de Jager, Penny Hsu and Emma Makin for making history. (PS Mrs Groenwald is no longer apologising for being a slave driver!)

As part of the staff enrichment programme, the music staff took some senior students to a lunch hour concert presented by the UCT College of Music. Our pupils were gratified to note that senior students performing in public have to contend with problems very similar to their own. Yes, it is not easy to sing and play in tune, correctly and with expression!

Organising an ensemble concert for subject pupils requires careful consideration: who to pair with whom and on which instrument. But eventually, this group of young musicians managed to convince the audience that examinations are less terrifying and more enjoyable, when performances take place in public and when shared with a fellow sufferer.

An initiative introduced this term was the Music Department's short "lunch-hour" concert. Students presented a varied programme of light and classical music, to which the rest of the school was invited. It was very well received by the small audience of pupils and teachers, and the response has certainly encouraged us to make this a more frequent event. Hopefully, those who missed out on this occasion will make a beeline for the hall next time such an excellent opportunity arises.

The final event of the year was the annual Carol Service, hosted this year by the Wynberg Boys’ High School on their oval cricket field. The combined mass choirs of the four Wynberg Schools, the individual choir items as well as the performance of guest choirs all contributed to the goodwill with which we have ended this year.

DAUGHTERS IN DANGER OF STARVING !!
APPEAL TO PARENTS TO OFFER ASSISTANCE
IN THE TUCKSHOP.

Die jaar het die leerders weer eens gewys waartoe hulle in staat is en ons skool het 25ste onder die top 50 skole in die land vir die 13de Gebruiksafrikaans-Olimpiade 2000 geëindig.

Drie en dertig leerders het ingeskryf. Bronwyn Barnardo en Shakira Ramgoolam het onderskeidelik in die groepe 11de en 13de in die land geëindig. Agtien leerders het 'n B-simbool behaal. Ons is met reg trots op ons leerders se prestasie.

Hierdie kwartaal het die lede van dié departement 'n interessante middag in die rekenaarkamer deurgebring om hulle rekenaarvaardighede te verskerp.

In verband met die beplanning vir die nuwe Uitkomsgebaseerde kursus vir Graad 8 2001 het mev. Cope en mej. Peterson met twee lede van die Afrikaans Departement van Die Hoërskool San Souci saamgewerk. Ons hoop om in die toekoms meer aktiwiteite met San Souci te deel.

Mev A Cope

STAFF

She was called upon to conduct the choir at former principal, Ms Joan Urie’s Memorial Service. A moment which Boudine found deeply moving was the singing of the school song, since Ms Urie had written the words of the song herself. She has prepared the Choir for numerous performances –perhaps one of the most challenging and ambitious being the programme presented by the Choir at the Nassau Choir Festival, with flautists and a youthful male cellist enhancing and supporting the voices of the girls.

We wish her well in her retirement. We are absolutely sure that she will continue to be extremely busy. Apart from the range of skills mentioned above, and the variety of roles she has adopted in the school, we are conscious that she is an avid reader, a scholar and a keen gardener. We therefore have no doubt that she will have little difficulty in filling up her retirement days.

After nearly eleven years at Wynberg, Tessa Stieger, our school secretary, leaves us at the end of this term. The front office is the centre of most activities in the school and during this time she has been typist, PRO, mother, medical officer, broadcaster and much more.

Who will forget the familiar voice saying ‘Will the following girls please come to the office’ or ‘Detention is in Room C’! The highlight of her years at Wynberg was the surprise that greeted her on her 60^th birthday – balloons and cards on the desk and a number of staff members hiding under it to jump up and wish her on her special day! A lady with a ready smile and a wonderful sense of humour, she will be a great loss to us.

Go well, Tessa – may life be good to you and your family. We will miss you.

S Harding

STAFF CASUAL DAYS

PREFECTS

Janet Borrill, Megan Britz, Toni Crawley, Tessa Durham, Halima Hayat, Anita Ho, Portia Kambi, Leanne Marle, Lucindi-Jane Ohlhoff, Lauren Reid, Deidre van der Lith, Monique Willis, Belinda White

HOUSE CAPTAINS

MATRIC STUDENTS RECOVER FULLY

EXPANDING LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

MATRIC COMMITTEES, 2001

This year our Grade Elevens were invited to explore ways of extending their leadership skills by volunteering to facilitate Matric-related events. Those students who believe that they are creative, organised, responsible and dedicated were invited to apply for the positions by submitting a CV and letter of application to Ms Lawrence by the end of October. We congratulate the following girls who have been appointed to serve the school on the following Matric Committees:

MATRIC CLOTHING COMMITTEE

This group is responsible for co-ordinating Matric badges, and designing the informal top and Matric jersey.

MATRIC BUDDY SYSTEM COMMITTEE

This committee is responsible for creating healthy relationships between Grade Eight pupils and the Matrics

MATRIC DANCE FASHION SHOW COMMITTEE

Girls serving on this committee will organise a one-hour fashion show to be held shortly after the Matric dance and during the school day. They will also organise the Matric gift to the school to be presented at the last assembly of the Matric year.

MATRIC PAST PUPILS AND ARCHIVES COMMITTEE

These students will collect information for the archives on any Wynberg Girls' High School student, past or present, during the course of the year. They will be responsible for the promotion of membership of the Old Girls' Union and will become involved in the organisation of the Founders' Day celebrations

MATRIC SPIRIT BUILDER AND VALEDICTORY CONCERT COMMITTEE

This grouping will be responsible for organising a suitable spirit-builder to be held in the second term that is likely to appeal to all of the Matrics. They will organise the informal Valedictory Concert and early morning breakfast for Matrics and Staff.

MATRIC YEARBOOK

These girls will produce a yearbook in which photographs and memos of the classes, individuals, highlights and memorable events of the year will be recorded.

MATRIC DANCE COMMITTEE

These girls will take responsibility for the organisation of the Matric Dance – the venue, food, entertainment, photography, video, seating arrangements, souvenir glasses and general fundraising

MATRIC SLEEPOVER AND 40-DAYS COMMITTEE

These students will arrange the sleepover in Wellington Quad, the braai and the evening's entertainment. They will also organise the activities of the Matric Class to celebrate the last 40 days before Valedictory.

On Friday, 13 October and Saturday, 14 October, the fifteen new prefects attended a training seminar. The two days were filled with various team-building exercises. These included balancing a number of nails on one nail head (which was attempted with great shouts of laughter) and exercises aimed at allowing us to get to know each other better.

Progressing to more serious matters, Mrs Prinsloo informed us about agendas and meetings, once Ms Jordan had spoken to us about teamwork. To the delight of all, refreshments were provided and we then moved on to discussing the hierarchy within the school.

Mrs McEwen gave us a personality test, the results of which were provided the following day when we arrived at 8:00 on the Saturday (Who says prefects don't make sacrifices?) Everyone was still half-asleep, as we’d had our first informal social event the night before - pitching tents and camping in Toni's back yard! The results of the test were interesting, as they highlighted everyone's individual roles within a group, with only Tricia (head-girl) and Tamsin (deputy) emerging as chairpersons. It also provided a few laughs when Deidre and Lauren were said to be the "plants", or the "geniuses and intellectuals" within the group.

The course proved to be a great success with all leaving with a new confidence and understanding about the role which they will be playing within the school. Our heartfelt thanks is extended to Mrs Harding, Mrs McEwen and Mrs Prinsloo for co-ordinating it.

Interact has been involved in many different projects throughout the year ranging from tea gardens and street collections to food drives. The committee has also decided to tackle two new projects.

Wynberg Girls’ High is excited about the prospect of sending a hockey side to Australia during the April holidays in 2002. A parent fundraising committee has been formed and the following dates have been confirmed for fundraising events next year.

• Sunday, 18 February – an Action Cricket Tournament at the Tokai Arena. Sixteen teams will participate in an all-day fun event. Medals will be given to the winning teams in each category.
• An IMAX premier during March – Date to be confirmed early next year.
• A golf day at Westlake Golf Club – Friday, 1 June. Cost for a 4-ball is R100 per head and hole sponsorship is R500 per hole. Anyone wishing to participate or sponsor a hole may contact Mr Clark at 447 2236 or 083 261 0675.
• A Fun Cycle on Sunday, 4 November. Details to follow.

Other events include a sports braai with the Western Province Rugby Team; a Jazz Evening and a Spring Ball during September.

On 11 November, the Parents’ Association invited members of the school community to join them on a memorable steam train ride from Monument Station in Cape Town to Franschhoek. There along the river in Franschhoek, we would braai or picnic together.

However, our ever-practical engine drivers provided a novel way of getting the engine to go forward: heroically, determinedly and with admirable humour, they ran ahead of the engine in order to put sand on the tracks. This provided the wheels with the traction needed! How we applauded their gallant efforts!

It was indeed fortunate that this was a vintage train, and that the speed at which we were travelling was an equally vintage one: because, at one stage, we had to awaken a gentleman, from his sleep on the tracks. He had clearly had an excellent party the night before. Amidst hoots of laughter and knowing grins, he stumbled off into the bushes, and we moved on to our picnic spot. Parents, children and teachers swam in the river, and relaxed and ate under the trees. For the younger children particularly, it was a day that will most certainly be remembered.

ENVIRONMENT CLUB CAMP

It was a hot summer’s day in October when eleven Wynberg girls along with Mrs Wilding, Ms Bernstein and Ms Damstra headed for the hills just past the popular holiday area of Hermanus. The three-hour drive went by very fast, with constant laughter and talk. However, we were all very relieved to reach the secluded huts and dam, set in the mountainous valley which they call Salmonsdam Nature Reserve. The surrounding area was breathtaking and the quietness of the outdoors left us feeling relaxed and content. It was certainly a weekend of fun and games – some even proved brave enough to swim in the icy dam water. Others delighted in ball games and conversations around the campfire. We also went on a lovely half-day hike and saw intriguing plants and magical waterfalls.

On our return journey, we spent several hours in Hermanus, where we scrambled up rocks and over barnacles in order to catch a glimpse of the Southern Right Whales in the bay. We were rewarded by seeing the whales very close up, as they splashed about not far from the rocks. Many of us were very sad to return home after a wonderful weekend. It is one that will always remain memorable for a very long time.

Shelly van Dyk
and Mel Stewart

BOLAND 90 INTERCLUB HIKING CHALLENGE 2000 – 27-30 SEPTEMBER

The Boland 90 is a hiking competition, where participants have to complete 30 km a day for three days. Besides its being physically challenging, this competition requires a high degree of mental fitness. The four Wynberg girls, who made up "The Bergies" as we dubbed ourselves, were Katherine Bunney, Tammy Baudains, Shelly van Dyk and Michaela Nevin.

Starting at Silvermine and ending at the top of Table Mountain was a hike which we did not find easy, but we all finished with ± 28 km behind us, and not a few nagging doubts about our ability to complete a full 90km.

On 27 September we arrived at the Nuweberg Forestry Station which was going to be our home for the next three days. We set up our tents, went to register and after that, attended the opening ceremony and encountered one of our rival scholar teams – the 2^nd Bergvliet Scouts. Did we have a surprise in store for them! On Day One there were thirty-eight teams – three of which were scholar teams. A new task had been included: navigating through a forest! This proved to be harder than we had anticipated... very soon we were quite lost! After some fast and needless to say skilful thinking, we found our way out leaving the Scouts trailing behind!

The highlight of Day Two was getting to our lunch stop, and seeing Mr Bodenstein there. He had brought us some energy-boosting sweets, which we desperately needed. Another memory of Day Two, was the size of the final hill we had to climb. It was absolute torture walking up there, but with mutual support and encouragement, we made it and headed for home. However this was not without a prolonged visit to the medical tent where we received treatment for blistered feet and damaged knees.

At the starting line on Day Three, there was only one thing on our minds. We wanted to finish!

By 16:00 we had crossed the finish line. Despite all the pain and strain of the experience, we were delighted to hear that we had finished second in our category, and had achieved 121 out of a possible 132 points, and were placed ninth overall.

It was a truly unforgettable experience. We learnt the meaning of teamwork, and became close friends, striving to encourage and guide one another. We also met many new people, who shared with us our most joyous and painful times, but most of all we developed a sincere respect for nature.

I sailed the Spring Regatta this year on an L26 with an all-women crew. Spring Regatta is a very popular annual regatta sailed in Simons Town, and this year there were sixty entries.

Day one began with nice wet weather and strong winds, which surprisingly we enjoyed the most. We sailed one race and came 1^st out of the L26 class and 1^st overall in Division Two. There was supposed to be a second race, but it was cancelled because of the howling winds! We were not too unhappy to return to the yacht club and enjoy a warm shower!

On the second day, we sailed two races and again beat all the men, winning both races overall. The wind again was quite strong and so we enjoyed a very exciting sail. At the Prize Giving for that day’s racing, we received meal vouchers to the value of R600.00, which we all enjoyed at the Baysider restaurant in Simonstown. (Remarkably, we found that we suddenly had so many more friends!)

The race organisers decided that we had to sail a long distance race on the last day. It took about four hours to complete, in very wet and cold conditions. We decided to give the guys a chance and only came 2^nd in this race and enjoyed another meal voucher to the value of R220.00.

After three days and four races we came 1^st overall. We were not delighted by this, since we felt that it was about time that the girls showed the guys how to do it.

Saskia Kemp.

SAILING

Abbey Smith, the youngest member of the sailing team, reports on the Theewaters Weekend:

"On Saturday, 4 November, Wynberg Girls Sailing Team arrived at Theewaterskloof Sailing Club. We were greeted with a 30° C heat wave and no wind!

We erected three tents: one for us to sleep in, one for Mrs Jaaback and one for our bags and for changing! At 13:00 the skippers briefing was held, and it was then decided which boat each team would have. By this time a nice breeze had come through. The six girls teams were scheduled to race first, and then the six boys teams.

The regatta organisers provided meat, rolls and salad. The meat eventually went onto the fire at about 20:00 and we organised some of the boys to do our braaing- there are moments when it pays not to be independent and capable! Alas, when they had almost finished cooking it, they turned the meat, dropping some of it into the fire the rest onto the ground. (Then again, there are times when it pays to allow others to see that one is capable and competent.)

I am relieved to report that most of the food was retrieved and gratefully (if not hastily) eaten.

That night, everyone (except Abbey who decided to sleep under the stars) crammed into the 4-man tent. We were later joined by some other people who had nowhere else to go and ended up with eight people in our tent!

WATERPOLO REPORT

The Waterpolo players made a good start to the new season with a number of young players gaining useful experience.

The U15 team is made up solely of Grade Eights who are playing Waterpolo for the first time. Two U15 players, Tawny Reynolds and Sharon Marle, in fact made it to the squad from which the U14 WP team was selected – this, in their first season of Waterpolo bodes very well for Wynberg’s future!

The Senior Team includes a number of Grade Nines, and this should provide good experience and continuity for the next two to three years.

Well done to all the players, especially to Kate Leslie and Leigh-Anne Jansen van Rensburg, who were selected for the WP A Girls’ Team to play in the Eastern Cape in December. A big thanks too to Kate and Leigh-Anne for their coaching assistance and enthusiasm.

On 26 October, eleven Wynberg girls participated at an Invitation Meet in Wellington. We won five medals

3 Bronze

2 Gold

Well done to all the girls who participated. Thanks is extended to Ms Thomson for taking the girls.

We have had such an exciting year as a department, but it seems it is nothing in comparison to what is in store for 2001. It is our turn to produce the combined high schools’ major production. We are going BIG with The Wiz - a funky and jazzed up version of The Wizard of Oz. Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls. Auditions will be held in the first two weeks of the first term. The show will be on the 7, 8 and 9 of August and judging by the talent that we have, it should be a fabulous production!!

Planning is underway for the introduction of the new Outcomes Based Education syllabus, which is to be introduced for Grade Eights in 2001. Arts and Culture is an important part of this syllabus and is grouped together with Dance, Music and Art. The Drama Department is delighted to be involved, as we feel that Drama is an integral part of development and education. Through Drama, many life skills are learnt, as well as an ability to communicate effectively. It teaches us empathy and develops confidence – all very important skills in our rapidly changing society.

For those girls who are really interested in Drama, extra drama lessons will continue to be offered at Wynberg Girls’ High in 2001. These lessons are aimed at developing good acting skills and involve mime, movement, improvisation, voice and acting classes.

These are offered at an extra, but affordable, fee. Learners who take these lessons are encouraged to participate in the Cape Town Eisteddfod, The Guild and/or London exams and other interschools and studio events.

COLOURS AWARDS

Because the Drama Department has grown to such an extent, we decided to have a special Drama Assembly on Wednesday, 8 November. All girls who had been involved in Drama sat up on the stage and received the applause they deserved. Exam and Eistedfodd certificates were handed out and the Grade Elevens were awarded their colours. We have elected two Grade Elevens as representatives and organisers of drama events. We congratulate Kate Gerhardt and Tarryn Lawrence on their election and look forward to seeing them take the Drama Department to new and exacting levels.

I am delighted to report that two very successful programmes were completed this year with forty-five girls graduating. All the participants improved their communication skills, which increased their self-confidence and ultimately their communication skills.

Public speaking is acknowledged as being a major fear for most people. But by the end of the eight-session course, the girls were all able to speak with confidence and enthusiasm. In addition, they have learnt how to think on their feet and to select committees and run meetings. Apart from this, everyone had a great deal of fun!

Mrs McEwen kindly attended both of the Graduation Ceremonies, and we are very appreciative of her attendance. Communication is a very important skill and I hope that even more girls will participate in 2001

J Mc Callum

WHAT YOUR CHILREN HAVE LEARNT …

Did you know that Il Duce is the Duke of Wellington, and that we install sequinned robots to speed up traffic during rush hour? Our Music students believe that Beethoven lived though three periods – the Baroque, the Classical and Romantic and this despite the fact that he was deaf and blind! Mozart’s father on the other hand worked him to the bone so much so that he was sickly and poor!

Our Geography students believe that the light industry is the Electricity Department, and when the Light Industry is not seeing to power failures, they are responsible for the making of light bulbs!

This term began on an exciting note with two important occasions in the first two weeks. Our first function was our Prefect Induction Dinner, where we honoured our out-going prefects and Matrics and congratulated those girls who had been chosen to serve on the hostel prefect body next year.

The following week, we sat on cushions next to the "Great Wall of China" eating a delicious meal with chopsticks. Special thanks must go to the Grade Elevens who spent several hours planning, fundraising and decorating the dining room for their farewell to our hostel Matrics of 2000.

A prefect seminar run by Miss Jordan was held, in which the new prefects had to define their roles and plan their portfolios for the coming year.

Another event causing a "stir" was the arrival of the lounge suite for our dining and common rooms. Our common room has also been recently painted and our girls are enjoying the homely atmosphere this has created.

Another successful occasion was the Grade Eleven evening with the hostel boys from Rondebosch High. All who attended enjoyed the Volleyball match, braai and conversation by the pool. We are looking forward to the end-of-exam celebration supper that we shall be having at their hostel during the last week of term.

Our outings this term have been planned to take advantage of the glorious summer weather. Some of these have included trips to Clifton beach and the Supertubes in Muizenberg.

In closing, I would like to wish our departing Matrics the best of luck for their future and thank all those who contributed towards the success and happy atmosphere in Waterloo House.

CHRISTMAS AT VICTORIA HOSPITAL

In conjunction with the Union of Jewish Women, and the Wynberg and Kirstenbosch Rotary Clubs, Interact intends becoming involved with Victoria Hospital for one year. This involvement offers opportunities to our girls to contribute to the Hospital in endless ways: there will be opportunities to work in the wards; they would be invited to assist with any administrative work; they might become involved with various fundraising drives and it might involve physical work in improving the facilities. We also are hoping to start a Video and Story library for the children and will become involved in developing a "comfort room" – a safe place for those who are suffering bereavement, and for rape survivors.

It was an extraordinary afternoon for all of us. Our joy was deepened after this party when we were allowed to go through to the baby’s ward – we held them, loved them and changed their nappies for them.