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TERM 4 #11
November 2005
Dear Parents
A National Geographic programme explained the tragedy of an aeroplane flight which could have been avoided had the correct action been taken. It showed me a parallel between that flight and the lives of our children.
Two main reasons were mentioned as causes of the crash. The first was that language difficulties made communication difficult and the meaning of the word “priority” was not interpreted as an “emergency”. It reminded me that teenagers often cannot clearly articulate their feelings and needs. They also tend to use jargon which parents and educators do not “hear”.
The second reason was the fact that they believed that air personnel did not pick up the warning signs of the impending disaster, and that it could have been averted at several points of the journey. Teenagers, too, give out warning signs of their personal “disasters”, some of which do not seem significant in our adult lives, but are mountains in their lives. We need to look for and react to warning signs, however subtle, and use the support structures which families and the school can offer.
Exam times are stressful for our learners, even for those who are high achievers. This is followed by a holiday where the usual hours of ‘school rules’ are replaced with more free time while parents are still at work. I trust that during these times we will all listen with our ears and our hearts to the communication of our girls. Please remember the support structures at the school and contact the class tutors, house coordinators or the school counsellors if there is anything you feel we can do
to be of help to your daughter.
With warm wishes
Shirley Harding
PRINCIPAL
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TESSA FREDERICKS
The Wynberg community was shocked and very sad to hear about the death of Tessa Fredericks in a road accident on 3 November 2005.
Tessa was a very important part of Wynberg and of the 2004 Matric class. She served as Head of Hostel, a Matric leader of Waterloo House, Waterpolo Captain, and was Vice Head of the Technical Team. Tessa was a friendly, fun-loving student who was proud of her school. She was respected and admired by staff and learners, and she will be missed. by our Wynberg family. We send our love and prayers to her family and friends.
LIEFIE VAN ROOYEN
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of a wonderful ex-Wynberg teacher. Ms van Rooyen taught at WGHS and was head of the Afrikaans Department for many, many years, until her retirement, and was much loved by all - staff and students. Her gentle kindness and courtesy were legend, as was her penchant for wearing bright odd socks !
All who remember her at Wynberg join with old girls and ex-teachers in paying tribute to a great humanitarian.
“Say not with sadness that she is no more, but with joy that she was!”
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| LEADERSHIP 2006 INDUCTION
The formal assembly inducting the elected leaders of 2006 took place on Wednesday 5 October.
Mrs Harding explained the leadership structure and explained to the Grade 11’s what is expected of them in 2006 as the next phase of their education expands ahead of them. She reminded them that the junior grades look to all the seniors as role models, and that no one should dismiss this responsibility or treat this authority casually. Proud parents in the gallery looked on, then, as the girls were called up and awarded their badges, pledges and certificates.
A hearty congratulations to all of these girls. Their leadership positions are well deserved. We wish them every success in their term of office!
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LEADERSHIP CAMP
After being formally inducted into their leadership roles at Wynberg, on 5 October 17 enthusiastic school council members set off for Rocklands campsite just outside Simons Town.
The school bus turned into a make-shift concert hall as the girls discovered and shared (a rather unfortunate) passion for karaoke. Soon after arriving, they were told to don sporting apparel, and were led to a rather strange contraption. This team building apparatus was a 10 met. high sort of rope ladder which waved around menacingly between two trees. Two girls at a time were harnessed, helmeted and hustled, eg. told to start climbing. This “Jacob’s Ladder” will not be forgotten! It was a mental and physical challenge, forcing girls to trust and motivate each other, and literally, climb as high as they could. That was just the beginning. The girls were continually challenged in all areas, became focused, and let their ideas flow. Other highlights included riveting rounds of 30 Seconds, swinging on a giant swing between trees, being attacked by an evil Franklin, bonding in the dormitories and of course, the food.
The School Council returned having learnt invaluable lessons, having s innumerable songs, having suffered with stiff limbs, and having been greatly inspired and motivated to keep climbing to the top, even though the harness may be tight.
Tarryn Saunders
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| TRAINING DAY FOR MATRIC LEADERS OF 2006
After already having a few weeks experience of roll-call taking, demerit card checking and the daunting task of trying to keep your tutor group quiet while the messages are being read, the Matric Leaders’ official day of ‘training’ arrived. The sessions were held by Ms Paverd, Ms Alberts, Mrs Harding, Mrs McEwen and Mr Burrell.
Mrs Harding addressed us on the reality that the Matric Leaders are the backbone of the school’s leadership system. Being closest to the ground (in a manner of speaking), they have more influence with the rest of the school, possibly even than the teachers. Without them, the system, for all its modernity, would simply not work.
On the other side of this coin, if they simply do roll call every day for the year, all they will have contributed to the life of the school is an accurate absentee record. They need to expand their role beyond the mere administrative tasks as two years of the new system have shown clearly that the Matric leader sets the tone.
This is the most difficult job of all, and we wish them wisdom and discernment as they each set their own parameters for their sphere of influence in their house.
Good luck and every success to each girl who has stood up for leadership in this way.
Romi Reinecke
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CIRCLE WRITING
‘Between the Lines’ was fortunate enough to have our very own Mrs Kourie as guest speaker. Joined by four Wynberg boys plus their teacher, Mr Broster, we enjoyed a Circle Writing Workshop.
Mrs Kourie leads the session on Circle Writing
In groups of four, each person began to write the first paragraph of a story entitled ‘‘An ending’’. It was then passed to the next person who completed the following paragraph etc. until four paragraphs had been written and each group had completed four stories. Each story was completely different and some rather amusing.
This was an extremely effective and enjoyable workshop which has enabled us to see how much the girls’ and boys’ schools can benefit from each other, especially when it comes to cultural activities.
Kathryn Luyt
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MUSIC ENSEMBLE CONCERT
On Tuesday, 18 October, the Music Department held a picnic concert in the Aileen Currie Hall. This was a lovely opportunity for friends and family to enjoy a picnic supper whilst listening to our various ensembles. Performers at the concert were delighted as the hall and tables filled with delighted friends, family members and lovers of music.
Welcomed by the Head of Culture, Sarah O'Carroll, the evening got off to a rollicking start with the junior Marimba Band. There was a great variety of performances: all the ensembles and the audience were treated to the delightful sounds of the recorder and flute ensembles, the orchestra, and the junior and senior marimba bands. In addition, many vocalists at all different skills levels, including the matric jazz duo, performed. Special mention must made of an experiment undertaken by the Music Department: classes were each given a song to arrange and perform, an experience made all the richer by the minimal input from teachers.
The audience was not only treated to great music, but to good food too. Finger food and tea and coffee were served in a relaxed setting of cafe-type tables. Special thanks are extended to Mrs Stokell for organising the setting up of the hall (which provided the atmosphere), and to Mrs Cartmel for the tasty food. Light hearted, fun-filled and upbeat performances set the tone for the occasion, and all are to be congratulated on providing a superb evening's entertainment. Jo O'Carroll, Deputy Head of School ended the evening by thanking the audience for their support, and the Music Department (of course!) for providing a most relaxing and pleasant evening.
Raelene Adams
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MATRIC ART EXHIBITION
"There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who ... transform a yellow spot into the sun." Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Mrs Harding quoted these words of Picasso at the Matric Art Exhibition and commented that at Wynberg we certainly have those who have transformed a yellow spot into the sun. Her sentiments were echoed in the hearts of all those who were at the exhibition. The stories and poetry behind the works on display revealed the depth of thought that went into creating them.
While the evening belonged to our Matrics, some of the unsung heroes are the teachers who have accompanied them. One such person is Bert van Jaarsveld who spoke very warmly of his 22 students.
Listeners were reminded of the fact that there are few things more important than the encouragement,
compassion and understanding of a very good teacher! Congratulations to all who exhibited !
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| ATHLETICS
The Athletics team competed at an Athletics Competition organised by Rondebosch Boys High on Friday 28 October. Unfortunately, the field events were cancelled due to a lack of entries but the following Wynberg girls did very well in their events:
Amber Cameron was 1st in both the U16 800m & 1500m
Jade Bucklow was 1st in the U17 100m
Sarah Howe was 3rd in the U15 100m
Well done, girls!
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ENVIRONMENT CAMP : HERMANUS
For those who don’t know of it, Wynberg’s Environment Club is an organisation devoted to the experiencing and conserving of South Africa’s wildlife, both flora and fauna. Few South African’s seem to appreciate fully our natural beauty, or fully realise the wonderful locations we have right on our doorstep. Tourists the world over flock to our sunny coast every year to witness its magnificence, while we think we have to go to Greece to see a great beach.
A group of twelve lucky girls visited Hermanus on this year’s second official camp. A set of happy accidents resulted in us staying, not in the scenic (but rather rustic) mountain bungalows of Salmonsdam Reserve, but the ideally situated and fully equipped cottages just outside Hermanus. With a stunning and unfettered view of the mountain and the lagoon, as well as TV’s and all the other comforts of home, we were really living in the lap of luxury, at no extra cost!
We watched the whales dance, ate, swam in the lagoon, ate, spent time on the beach, ate, saw the old harbour and explored the town’s large flea market, ate, had some of Ms Wilding’s famous braaing, and ended with marshmallows under the stars, naturally. Did I tell you we ate a lot? Every one involved had an amazing weekend. These camps are a wonderful way to visit some of our country’s greatest locations, with good friends, and there is nothing that rivals them for complete de-stressing, And did I maybe mention the food?
A whale-sized thank you to Ms Wilding and Ms McCallum for taking us. A more enjoyable weekend is difficult to imagine !
Romi Reinecke
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