The wild conduct often seen in our youth is attributed to, not only the raging hormones, but also a lack of the cognitive controls needed for mature (and reasonable) behaviour. Steinberg says that the parts of the brain responsible for sensation seeking are turned on in big ways around the time of puberty; but the parts for exercising judgment are still maturing throughout the course of adolescence. The result of this time gap is something like turning on the engine of a car without a skilled driver at the wheel!

One experiment studied risk-assessment judgment in a driver-simulation game, giving both adults and teens the decision whether to beat the yellow traffic light or not. Particularly interesting and relevant to us all is the finding that, while adults and teens make safe choices when alone, when together with their peers, teens are more likely to take greater risks.

Perhaps this can serve as a reminder at this holiday time to be aware of where our daughters are, who they are with and what they are doing. Our teenagers’ risk-taking behaviour, as shown so clearly in our media recently, is devastatingly dangerous. 

We hope you will all have a wonderful holiday and for those taking a winter break away from home, we wish you safe traveling.

Warm regards
Shirley Harding

Yumna Moosa is in the Mathematical limelight again after placing third in the Grade 11 division of the UCT Maths Olympiad and earning a Gold Award. 

In addition, Yumna was invited to participate in the Canadian Mathematics Challenge which is held in many countries and earned a certificate of distinction. She was placed in the top 25% of all entrants in this challenge. That’s in the world, folks!

WGHS ON WINGS

While most of us will be wintering in the cold Cape, many Wynberg teachers will be winging their way overseas ! We wish all of them - Mrs Inglesby, Mrs Alberts, Mrs Human, Mrs Cope, Mrs Glass, Mrs McCallum, Ms Selfe, Mrs Gotsman, Ms Bernstein and Mr Lauff - a wonderful holiday !

DOLLS FOR AIDS BABIES

Using invigilation time productively, various teachers knitted little dolls for Aids children in hospital. Ms Thomson really took this project to heart and knitted up a whole family!

INTER-HOUSE PLAYS 

The Grade 11 house play directors must produce a 15 minute programme incorporating as many of the performing arts as they wish, called Metamorphosis. The best prepared plays will be presented on the final day of term and adjudicated by Ms Victoria Bartlett, which will provide a nice variation on the regular one-act house plays. 

Four Wynberg girls attended and were treated to a fascinating talk which covered topics such as how the Hubble space telescope is kept in its orbit, how images are gathered and pieced together on the computers, the hazards of cosmic rays and mini-meteorites of space junk for the functioning of the telescope, how the elements we have on our planet originated in fusion reactions in stars, and why different stars emit different colours.The images taken by the telescope of galaxies “looking back in time” were absolutely breathtaking and left one marvelling at the wonders of the universe.

Mr Pete Bodenstein

17de GEBRUIKSAFRIKAANS-OLIMPIADE

Hierde jaar het daar weer ‘n hele klomp leerders aan die 17de Gebruiksafrikaans-Olimpiade deelgeneem. Die Hoër Meisieskool Wynberg het weer onder die eerste 100 skole gekom. Daar het 353 skole aan die kompetisie deelgeneem.

Ons is trots op Lauren Losper en Yumna Moosa wat onderskeidelik 78.5% en 76.9% behaal het. Baie geluk ook aan al die ander leerders wat geslaag het. Hopelik sal nog meer leerders aangespoor word om volgende jaar deel te neem. 

Mev. A. Cope

The annual Xhosa Society camp took place over the weekend of 14-16 April 2004. This year we visited ‘The Wind Stone Youth 
and Adventure Centre’ which is situated on the unspoilt west coast near Vredenberg.

As we departed from school on Friday afternoon, the girls were in high spirits, chanting pleasant tunes as we embarked on our journey. On arrival, we received a warm welcome from the friendly campsite owners. Enthusiasm and excitement erupted as the girls unpacked and settled into their rooms. We were integrated into four equal groups with whom we would complete certain tasks and do activities in order to get to know one another on a more social level. 

Saturday morning began quite early. After break-fast, we had free time during which some explored the campsite, some went  for a swim in the heated pool, others went on the trampolines, and the rest got into groups and played volleyball. Later, we  visited the West Coast Fossil Park and learnt about fascinating ancient environments and animal life. We saw how the  environmental changes had taken place through time. We also sifted through the ancient debris for fossils.

After lunch we watched an impressive horse show: the highlight was getting Ms Mpambo onto a horse for the first time! In the evening, we had a traditional Saturday night braai, a favourite at every camp.Then it was time for the groups to present their anthems. Although all the groups were very good, there had to be one winner: the ‘Dynamite D D D’s, who won the BIG chocolates. However, the rest of us did get chocolates too - which explains where all the energy to stay awake the whole night came from. Sunday was very relaxed as we packed and got ready to head home. On the way back, we stopped and spent time at beautiful Langebaan beach. The camp was a great success. The girls had lots of fun while learning about ‘ubuntu’ (humanity) from Ms Mpambo, our school mother. We are very thankful to her for sacrificing her time and energy for us. Thanks also goes to Mrs Mgudlwa,Ms Mazangazanga and Uncle Jeff for assisting us with the camp!

Sethu Makananda

The music department has had a busy second term. Concerts included the Campus music concert, the evening concert where our music pupils played some of their exam pieces, and the lunchtime concert where pupils playing in external exams were given a chance to play in front of an audience. The marimbas made us proud at the West Lake Golf club and the orchestra, flute ensemble and WGHS band enjoyed playing for the Wynberg Rotary Club.

Well done to learners who successfully passed the external Royal Schools, Unisa and Trinity exams and all Eisteddfod 
entrants. They all achieved excellent results. We thank all the learners, parents and teachers for their support and commitment into making this a successful term.

MATRIC MUSIC CONCERT 

The 2004 Matric music students will be performing their 
exam pieces next term, on 29 July at 19:00. This is your chance to hear these extremely talented musicians. More details next term.

Although an exam term is often a stressful one at Waterloo House, we have still managed to have some really good times this term. Some of these have included shopping trips, cosy evenings with videos and pizza, attending the ballet performance of Giselle, and the school leaders sleep-over in the Common Room with the hostel matrics.

Our grateful thanks are extended to Mrs Stokell, who continues to spend time after work on a Tuesday with the girls who belong to her Embroidery club. This is not only a place where the boarders can acquire new skills but also where they can enjoy the lovely homely atmosphere created by Mrs Stokell.

We have, unfortunately, had to say a fond farewell to our Head Matron, Ann Grotjohn, who is retiring at the end of this term. A  special dinner was recently held in her honour, where both staff and girls paid tribute to Mrs Grotjohn, who has served Waterloo House for the past 15 years.

We also have to say goodbye to our two Australian GAP boarder mistresses, Rebecca Gallman and Sarah de Man, who will continue their travels elsewhere next term. We would like to thank them for the many ways in which they have contributed to hostel and school life during their stay.

Mrs D.Cheney

This year, although the Cape Town Eisteddfod took place during the exams, this was no problem for the WGHS drama girls who  pulled out all the stops and produced fantastic work! The adjudicator, Mr Chris Fourie, lecturer at Stellenbosch University, continually commented on the professionalism and the high standard of work presented by our girls.

Grade 8: 
Two groups entered for unprepared creative adverts, both were awarded Honours.
Sarah Child was awarded a Diploma for solo dramatic extract.
Lisa McDougal achieved Merit for prose and Honours for solo poetry.

Grade 9: 
The group entered the creative poetry section and were awarded Merit.
Olivia MCarthy and Kirsty Van Niekerk achieved a Diploma for their group dramatic extract, and both achieved a Diploma for  their solo dramatic extracts.

Grade 11: 
The group entered the senior group experiment section. Their experiment was called “Other People's Lives” and was an interesting look at gossip and our fascination with others' lives. They were awarded a well-deserved Diploma.
Samantha Guiness achieved Honours for her solo poetry.
Romy Shortall was awarded a Diploma for her solo dramatic extract and a Diploma for her solo poetry. For this outstanding  piece of work, the adjudicator's report simply stated "A masterpiece!”

Grade 12: 
This amazing group have, for the last 5 years, consistently produced exceptional work. They put together a group experiment which was called “Reflections” for which they were awarded a High Diploma. The adjudicator said he wished more  schools and drama students and lecturers had seen the work. This group have been awarded the trophy for the best senior  group experiment at the Eisteddfod. In addition, the learners from this group entered two groups into the senior creative 
advert section. Both were awarded a Diploma. 
Ellie Shortall was awarded a Diploma for her prose.
Tarn de Villiers was awarded a Diploma for her solo dramatic extract.
Tara Notcutt was awarded Honours for her solo dramatic extract.
Aimee Valentine and Ondine Corewijn were awarded a Diploma for their group dramatic extract.

Penny Glover

YOUTH LEADERSHIP 

Would you like to improve your communication and leadership skills? If so, why not enrol for an 8 week course run during 
terms 3 & 4 ! 

For Whom: Grade 10 & 11 learners
When: Tuesday – 19:00 to 20:30 
Where: Ballet Hall 
Cost: R20.00 
Starts: Wednesday 3 August
Enrol: Hand an envelope with R20 and your name on it to Mrs McCallum during the first week 

Five matches were played this term and Alana Heynes won three of her games. The others in the team (Megan Carter,  Trish-Lynn Reilly and Nicole Myburgh) put in hours of steady concentration, but couldn't quite topple their oppositions' kings!  Join us on Fridays in the Lifeskills Room for coaching or to join this club.

Donna Miles

TAKE A GIRL CHILD TO WORK

On the 27 May, Grade 11’s from all across South Africa were being sent off to different companies as part of the “Cell C Take  A Girl Child To Work Day”. This year fourteen of our Grade 11 girls went to Associate Magazines in the city for an in-depth  look at journalism, design and photography.

We set off early on Thursday morning not knowing what to expect, and as the bus made the long trip into Town, we all  wondered about this exciting event. No sooner had we arrived than we were swept up to the boardroom for our meeting with  the queen of magazines, Ms Jane Raphaely. For most of us this was an unforgettable and inspirational experience. She spoke  about the vital lessons of womanhood, such as the importance of being true to yourself and not abdicating your standards and  morals to suit someone else. 

We were then separated into two groups, one group for O, and the other for Marie Claire. As Associate Magazines houses six of the top selling magazines in South Africa, we were lucky to have this opportunity to spend time with the best of the best. After spending over an hour at these magazines, we stepped into the room where at least one of our dreams would come true - the make-up room ! 

There we were made up and had our individual photographs taken. Much screaming and many flashes later, the Associate Magazines part of our day ended. 

We then went to Paarl to see how magazines are printed and bound. Later, after reluctantly returning to school, we  remembered the day with smiles. We will probably not look at magazines in the same way again and I have a feeling that a few career dreams have changed. We would like to thank Ms Paverd and Jaco-Louis Gronewald for making this experience possible.

Amber Jacobs

We are sooooo proud of her and will be watching for her on TV !

SQUASH

Our four squash teams have played extremely well this term, with visible improvement each week. We participated in the Action Squash and the Top Schools’ tournaments this term and have certainly made our mark. Well done to Tracy Genricks and Stephanie Salvage for being selected to the WP U16 B team: Tracy #1 and Stephanie #2. 

Jennifer du Plessis

WORLD MASTERS SWIMMING CHAMPS 

Gail Bristow, better known at WGHS for her Geography skills, recently participated in the World Masters Swimming  Championships in Italy. She was part of the South African team of 32 swimmers. 

They joined over 8000 swimmers from 64 countries at this fast-growing event. South Africans broke four world records and brought home 12 gold medals. And didn’t Mrs Bristow do us proud !!! She came 4th in the 50m butterfly in a new South African record time, and within the top 10 in her other races : 50m freestyle, 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke. [There were over one hundred competitors in each event.] Yet another famous Wynbergian making a splash !

INTERHOUSE HOCKEY

NETBALL

We would like to congratulate Jeanne van Rensburg who made the U19 WP Jongspan Netball team. All of the best for the tour  to Clanwilliam, Jeanne, we know you will keep the Wynberg name high !

INTERHOUSE NETBALL

After a morning of running, jumping, shooting, defending, laughing and crying, Apsley proved victorious. The Green team  convincingly beat all others to claim the honour of being Interhouse Netball Champions! 

Final results:

The Junior team, comprised of the rational Raelene Adams (winner of two best speaker awards), the eloquent Nandhi Ganda (winner of one best speaker), and the passionate Nonkululeka Guma, came second in their pool. The school's powerful senior team - Sheree Lang, Anja Hendricks and Christine Friest - lost just one of their six debates, and also finished second in their pool. Join this hard-thinking society next term or put your views across every Wednesday during Topic of the Week at break in Room 6.

Ms Donna Miles

DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .

Megan Hittler, Tamsin Brits and Nikki van Zyl will be taking part in the fringe section of the Arts Festival in Grahamstown in the holidays. The dance production is called “Shades” and will be performed at the City Hall. Hope some of you are there to 
see them !

Michelle Greeff has just been selected into the WP junior Golf team. She has a handicap of 20 and could challenge many  WGHS fathers ! The team will be playing in the South African Championships in Krugersdorp in July. Watch out Ernie! 

Mrs Shapiro-Dodds’ son, Thomas, has been invited by the International Tennis Federation to attend a Junior Tennis camp in Rotterdam, Holland, during the holidays. The purpose of the camp is to get Thomas’ tennis up to international tournament  standards. Go Thomas ! Next stop Wimbledon !


MAGAZINES, PLEASE!

Ms du Plessis is still on the hunt for old magazines - anything which girls could use in Art project work. Please bring whatever  you have to school.

HELP NEEDED !

EXPO JUDGES NEEDED

More judges are urgently required to assist in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

Please contact Mrs Daphne Jaaback at 4623413 if you or anyone you know has any scientific expertise and is interested in encouraging learners with their research projects. The dates for Expo are September 1 and 2 for juniors and Sept 2 and 3 for  seniors. Judges are required from 17:00 - 21:00 on the first day and then from 08:00 to 12:30 on the following day. Judges work in teams and supper and lunch will be provided on each day.