Dear Parents
The following is a summary of an article by Diane Wolf which I read in the Argus a while ago.
10 WAYS TO HELP YOUR TEENAGER GROW INTO A RESPONSIBLE ADULT.
1. Don't rescue. They must take responsibility for having the correct books, bringing their gym togs, etc.
2. Gradually work yourself out of a job. Erma Bombeck said parenting was about becoming redundant. Gradually allow your teenager to make the transition to adulthood.
3. Let them experience the consequences of their own action whenever possible (and if not dangerous).
4. Give one word reminders. The word “garbage” is more effective than a 5 minute lecture!
5. Trust them in the little things and let them grow.
6. Keep your sense of humour.
7. Give them regular responsibilities.
8. Pick your battles wisely. The teenage years are an emotional minefield. Decide which are the big issues you have to tackle.
9. Insist on excellence. Teach your teen the standard you expect for a task.
10. Always give unconditional love.
We all have a tough task. May we be given the strength to do what is best for our young people.
Regards
Shirley Harding
PRINCIPAL |
STUDENT LEADERS 2006
The school is very proud to announce some of the new student leaders for 2006.
HEADS OF SCHOOL (below left)
Joanne O’Carroll, Deputy Head, and Robyn Anderson, Head of School. ()
HEADS OF PILLARS (Above right)
Sarah O'Carroll (Culture), Kirstin Eloff (Academic), Kirsten Anderson (Sport) and Robyn Mann
(Service)
MATRIC RCL MEMBERS
Tracey Mason (Vice Chairperson), Tarryn Saunders and Kebone Moloko (Chairperson)
Wynberg is very proud of all of these girls and wishes them well for 2006.
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TO BE CONGRATULATED . . .
Kate James took part in the SA Optimist Regatta in April, and because she did very well she was selected to represent SA at the International Optimist African Champs held in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, in August.
Jenna Pelser and Phoebe Riviera participated in the Western Province Sport Aerobics and Fitness Champs in May, and have been chosen to represent WP in Pretoria in August.
Razeena Davids has been selected to captain South Africa’s Junior Synchronized Ice-skating team which will be competing in the Junior world champs next year.
Emma Manners-Wood and Jenna Thomson have just returned from Athens where they have been competing with the SA U16 Synchro team in the Comen Cup competition.
Well done, girls ! Wynberg is extremely proud of all of you !
Representative Council of Learners 2006 (see photo)
Back: Nicole Comminellis Grade 9, Loren Benjamin Grade 9, Caryn Welby-Solomon Grade 11, Carlyn Thebus Grade 9, Thea Small Grade 10, Maxine Jones Grade 11, Khanya Sigwela Grade 11, Cally Galloway Grade 10, Tarryn Saunders Grade 12.
Front: Nandi Ganda Grade 10 (Secretary), Kebone Moloko Grade 12 (Chairperson), Tracey Mason Grade 12 (Deputy Chairperson).
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INTERACT INDUCTION
Wynberg Girls’ High held their Interact Induction ceremony on16 August . As always it was a mixture of sad and happy feelings as we said goodbye to the old committee and welcomed the new.
The evening started with Jessica Cross reading a poem that was relevant to service and giving to others. Our guest speaker,
Mrs Harding, then spoke about the importance of service within the school and larger community. Her speech was very encouraging and made us realize that even though a lot of service is behind-the-scenes work, it is still important.
Then it was time to hand over the badges and formally induct the new committee. Thank you’s were said to Ms. Paverd for her support and encouragement, and to the Matrics for their effective leadership. We will miss their unique qualities and completely different sense of humour.
Interact has and will always be about service, especially service to others. During the past year, we have striven, as our slogan says, to ‘be the miracle’.
Our new committee plans to continue this service to the community and hold Wynberg’s name high, and to continue to ‘be the miracle.’
Tessa Hitler
2005/06 COMMITTEE (see photo)
Back: Additional Members:
Amy Thorndike,
Sarusha Pillay, Bronwen Smith,
Laura Heathfield & Sarah-Jane Opperman, and Ms J Paved
Front: Ghadija Hayat (Treasurer),
Tessa Hittler (President), Robyn Mann (Secretary), Jessica Cross (Deputy President). |
SERVICE LEADERS
2006
Computer Monitors Head: Sam Kafundo
Deputy: Elizabeth Phiri
Enviro Club Head: Caitlin Manners-Wood
First Aid Head: Sarusha Pillay
Deputy: Kate Makin
Interact Head: Tessa Hittler
Deputy: Jessica Cross
Library Head: Trish-Lyn Riley
N.O.C. Head: Erin Thomas
Peer Guides Head: Danielle du Plessis
Technical Team Head: Bryony Leach
Deputy: Kirsten Helleman
Web Committee Head: Tarryn Saunders
Deputy: Kirstin Eloff
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ENGLISH ALIVE
In August WGHS was delighted to be informed by English Alive that three learners (or recent ex-learners) from our school would have work published in English Alive 2005. SACEE invited these learners and their parents to the launch of English Alive 2005 where we were entertained by a guest speaker, Helen Moffatt, a writer and cricket historian.
Wynberg Girls’ High congratulates each of the following:
Rebecca Blundell for A Teenager’s Guide to Dealing with her Mother;
Lindsey Nevin for Violets Can’t Be Roses; and Romi Reinecke for Journey of a
Lifetime.
Especially pleasing was that the editor, Sarah Johnson, regards Romi’s piece as “One of the most excellent pieces in English Alive 2005”.
Congratulations, girls, and thank you for continuing to keep the Wynberg literary flag flying !
[All of these pieces can also be read in the 2004 school magazine.]
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| THANK YOU, WYNBERG
The huge pile of clothes donated by the school went to St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hout Bay, the Happy Valley Home in Fish Hoek, and The Haven in Simonstown. They have been distributed to people in need.
The books were given to the Shelley Street Community Centre in Salt River for their reading room and the pencils went to St James’ Church in Kenilworth for their educational programmes.
The many toys donated will be distributed by Interact at hospitals and at their Christmas party. WGHS was also thanked for the huge pile of sweets which were donated to Camp Quality, a Rotary project.
Wynberg Girls’ High has also been thanked for participating in the Lavender Hills sports and Recreation Projects during the June holiday. Wynberg also donated a large quantity of sports equipment to this project and are now going to be a drop off point for further donations to the Lavender Hills Project.
All of these organisations sent huge thanks to those of you who contributed and to the school as a whole.
Ms J Paverd
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Cultural Day with Tenterden
The Cultural Pillar at Wynberg is aware of the fact that many children within our wider community do not have access to the cultural opportunities that we do. With this in mind, we hosted a fun day for children from Tenterden Place of Safety. The aim of this event was to share our Cultural resources with those less advantaged and to share the spirit of Culture.
The Cultural Council acted as tour guides, super-vising their groups of children for the afternoon and escorting them to the various activities, ensuring that the children were busy constantly.
Several highlights occurred during the course of the afternoon. 20 bright, energetic children from Tenterden were treated to a wonderful afternoon. They learnt how to play a song on the marimbas and watched our senior marimba band perform. With Between the Lines they told stories and sang, and at Debating the children voiced their opinions on issues such as animal abuse and rights-based issues. Throughout the afternoon communication flowed easily from Afrikaans to English and back again, providing - we hope - a reassuring and supportive environment.
Sheree Lang
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FOUNDERS DAY
FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
All past pupils of Wynberg Girls’ High are cordially invited to attend a cocktail party in their honour on Thursday 15 September. It will be held in the tuckshop at 18h00. This is wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends so please pass the message on to as many past pupils as you can. We would love to see you whether you left in 1924 or 2004.Please RSVP to school office for catering purposes: 021-7974163 or
rleroux@wynghs.co.za
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BAXTER CONCERT 2005
Sixty instruments playing together make an impressive sound. The Wynberg Campus of Schools’ Baxter Concert provided not just a huge sound, but an evening of fine music and dance - all of which was greatly enjoyed by the audience and those who participated. The concert is an initiative begun last year by the schools. The sequel this year was just as successful, and it will hopefully continue to be an annual event in the school calender.
All four schools were able to showcase the music produced within their own departments. In addition, WGHS was able to present some of our Dance Department and Xhosa Society's hard work. During the evening the audience were able to hear the choirs, orchestras and other ensemble groups of all four schools. They were also able to hear the combined effort of the mass band, which consisted of members from all the schools’ orchestras. Despite only having three practices together, the band’s performance ensured that the concert ended on a high note with an impressive medley of jazz classics.
The quality of the music produced by all the schools was astounding and the participants went away feeling encouraged and motivated for the rest of the year.
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