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TERM 4 #10
September 2005
Dear Parents
Our newspapers recently have reminded us of the tragedies of child kidnapping and abduction. This has led me to the question:
”How often, as parents, do we know where our children are all the time?”
Is it possible that they could go missing and we would not
even know the last place they were, in order to start searching?
Teenagers, fiercely independent, believe that they are able to cope and are not vulnerable. However, as we have sadly recently seen,
it is not always the little children who go missing. Parents are very much encouraged to check on the places their children go to
during the weekends. Also to follow up with a phone call to check parental presence and make sure that the girls are not merely
meeting at one house in order to go somewhere else which you would not approve of. The only way we can play our part in protecting
our children is to be constantly vigilant during these few years they are entrusted to our care.
The school plays its part by having security gates with a camera (which is recorded) at the gates and by releasing students only to
their custodial parents. Please always alert us if your daughter needs any special care in this respect. Roll calls are held twice a
day and parents are requested to fetch their daughters from the front office if they are leaving early. We also encourage parents to
fetch girls at the rain shelter inside the grounds if they are collecting them after the main rush, not immediately after school. The rain
shelter is safer, is also monitored by cameras, and we can send staff immediately should something suspicious be noted.
Our children are precious – let’s work together to protect them in all areas of their lives.
Best wishes
Shirley Harding
PRINCIPAL
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PILLAR AWARDS: Term 3
The recipient of the Demeter trophy for Service is Tarryn Terry. Tarryn and friends raised funds for a motorised wheelchair for Chaeli
Mycroft, The Chaeli Campaign - now a Non-Profit Organisation -promotes and provides for the mobility and educational needs of
disabled children. Tarryn is involved in promoting the organisation and often does radio interviews. She has overcome her fear of
public speaking and done various presentations at schools and businesses. Tarryn is also the first Grade 8 recipient of the Service
Trophy! Well done, Tarryn !
The recipient of the Athena Trophy for Academics is Romi Reinecke: she has maintained a high academic record over the past
2 years: 73,5% for the World Knowledge Olympiad, and 95% in the SACEE language challenge. She has been published in “English
Alive 2005” and at the book launch she read her piece entitled “Journey of a Lifetime”. Congratulations, Romi !
The Discobolus Trophy for Sport goes to Carolyn Jones, someone who has been an asset to the school from the moment she arrived. No matter what sport
Carolyn picked up, she excelled at it. Not only did she make the first team of every sport she played, but she also achieved
provincial colours in a number of them. Carolyn’s sportsman-ship, dedication and motivation have led to her success and the success of the
teams she has lead. She is a most worthy recipient of the Discobolos award and Wynberg will be the poorer when she leaves next
year.
This term, the Orpheus trophy for Culture goes to Sheree Lang. Besides developing systems which forged links between the 18
cultural societies within the school, she also worked hard to ensure that those contributing to the cultural wealth of the school
received honour and recognition for their efforts. An accomplished public speaker and debater herself, Sheree has spent many hours
training the junior debaters, so that they are now the top debating teams in the Rotary League. She has also been an outstanding
editor of the ‘Wynpress’.
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FOUNDERS’ DAY
Class of ‘81 Eve Capper, Veronica Bennett, Paula Capper, Jacqui Flint, Colleen St Clair-Laing and Linda Ansley enjoy reminiscing and catching up.
Sarah Manners, Gemma Burchill & Jacqui Burt
Rebecca Blundell, Jenna Diamond, Tamlyn Wightman & Jenna Cunliffe
Lisa Price & Deidre van der Lith
The WGHS hockey and netball teams taking on the Old Girls
(and beating them!).
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INFORMAL VALEDICTORY
We had watched it for four years, eagerly standing on the side lines, braving a barrage of water balloons and rice and confetti, pointing
eagerly: “Look! There’s Winnie the Pooh! And there – that’s Marilyn Monroe…and, and my favourite: Darth Vader!”. Finally, for the
Matrics of 2005, our time had arrived. Our last celebration. The day when famous movie stars, Disney characters and other weird and
wonderfuls link arms and march the yellow brick road – our official walk of fame.
This year, the matrics braved the chilly weather and early morning conditions (disorientation, puffy eyes, possible bad mood),
slapped on make-up, and arrived at school in time for the 7 ‘o clock Valedictory breakfast. This entailed more oohing and aahing,
hysterical laughing and photographing than actual eating, but even so, was very enjoyable. Then the moment arrived. The Walk.
This meant everyone squashed themselves and their outfits through the doors of the gym hall and marched out into the cold air, up
Cavan Road, left up Aliwal Road, finally reaching the school gates. These were flung open and the motley crew of Matrics strode
courageously forth to the delight of the rest of the school. Surveying the scene, one saw 138 girls, barely recognisable in the guises
of the ever-popular princesses (WGHS is, after all, an all-girls school); a farmyard collection of cows, rabbits and pigs; Cruella deVille
and her Dalmatian; the occasional Grim Reaper; wandering gypsies; pirates; a 1970’s punk; Austin Powers; a bride; and strangely
enough…a pair of pumpkins.
The ‘walk of fame’ arrived at its end far more quickly than we remembered, and then the matrics stepped through the doors of the hall,
walked up the aisles and took their places on the stage – their fantastical outfits transforming it into a celebration of colour !
This year, the Matrics stayed true to the tradition of using the valedictory celebration as an opportunity to thank teachers. Each
award had a mythological Greek theme and they were handed out to teachers amid much highly appreciative clapping, whooping and
tears. The award ceremony was promptly followed by singing – lots of it. First the Matrics sang their own emotionally charged song to
the school, reciprocated by the Grade 11’s who reduced the Matrics to tears, on the one hand happy to leave and step into the other
kind of world, on the other saddened by the realisation of the end of memory-making in a place which has been the backdrop for 5
long years. Then the teachers sang their own light-hearted version of “When I’m 64”, changing the rather solemn atmosphere in the
hall. The festivities ended as the Matrics danced one last time to Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best”,and left as the school cheered.
Emma Bryce
CONGRATULATIONS !
It’s Hip to be Hopping !
Congratulations to Natasha Kay and Alex Kosterman who represented South Africa at the World Hip Hop Champs in Bremen, Germany. Their formation came 19th overall (in the world!). They received full SA colours plus their Inter-national licence which enables them to compete anywhere in the world. Well done !
SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD
Congratulations to several first-time home-owners amongst the WGHS staff. Ms J Paverd, Mr A Hunter, Ms B Selfe and Ms
Mpambo-Sibukwana, all bravely took the plunge into the icy sea of bonds and mortgages! We wish them low interest rates and
friendly neighbours!
Ms Mpambo celebrating outside her new house.
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BANDANA DAY @ WGHS
Once again the Wynberg girls and staff came out in full support of the Sunflower Fund.
Vibrant pink, yellow, green and blue bandanas
were worn with pride to show our solidarity with the Sunflower fund and its efforts.
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| GRADE 12 PRIZE-GIVING
The Matric prize-giving ceremony is a prestigious occasion which honours academic achievers in various subjects and, very importantly, also recognises those who have achieved in areas of service, culture, and sport. For the Matrics, this event is the last
official awards ceremony at WGHS in which they take part.
The Grade 12’s, suitably spruced up after the exuberant informal Valedictory celebrations, took their places in the hall, and waited for
teachers to arrive to the traditionally sung ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’. Dr. Shortall, Chairman of the Governing Body,
extended a warm welcome and focused on the hard work and achievement of each of the Matrics.
Following this, the RCL Chair -Sethu Makananda,
and Academic, Service, Culture and Sport pillar leaders of 2005 -Anja Hendricks, Michelle Fourie, Sheree Lang and Carolyn Jones -
each gave a short and informative report on the progress made in their pillar during the year 2005.
Finally the handing out of academic certificates got under way, concluded by the recognition of the top 3 academic achievers:
Christine Friest in third place, Cathy Gill,second, and Shan Zhao – who received an astounding thirteen awards - the Dux pupil of 2005!
The most exciting part of the ceremony was the special awards ceremony mainly because no one knows that they are going to
receive one! So the anticipation is high as these awards are handed out and each serves to recognise the wide range of talents among
Wynberg students. Perhaps most importantly, these awards acknowledge that ultimate importance does not always lie with
academic achievement.
Special mention must be made of Illse Davids, who received the Golden Lion Award, Wynberg’s most prestigious award, for her
outstanding achievement in hockey and for her embodiment of the school motto - Honour before Honours. Special mention too, of
Shan Zhao and Cathy Gill who received Wynberg’s top bursaries as reward for their outstanding efforts.
Congratulations to the Matrics of 2005 for all that they have contributed and for all that they have achieved.
Emma Bryce
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FORMAL VALEDICTORY SERVICE
The Formal Valedictory service which recognizes the end of school days for matrics, was approached with an air of apprehension due
to the realisation of the tears and goodbyes that would inevitably follow. Once the Matrics were seated, Mrs. McEwen welcomed
parents, siblings and students to the Valedictory service. This was followed by Ms. Bernstein who invited the Matrics to travel with
her on a trip down memory lane. She delivered a speech spoken from the heart, of the trials and tribulations, fun and games, laughter
and tears, all part of the Grade 12’s high school years. Ms. Bernstein concluded with the words: “Never, ever look back and say ‘I
should have’”. Good advice, indeed.
Kelly Croxford, Head of School, then thanked the staff, parents and the Matrics of 2005 for the part played by all. This was followed by
the handing in of badges by the School Council of 2005. One by one, they solemnly symbolically ended their period of leadership at
WGHS.The Matrics then sang their goodbye song – appropriately called “Breakaway” - to their parents and teachers. Many a
tear-streaked parent gazed at their daughter, not quite certain whether to feel proud and happy, or sad and reflective. A short speech
made by Mrs. Harding, was followed by the final (for the Matrics) singing of the school song. And finally the reality sunk in that there
would be no more singing of this particular song, no further leading out of the hall, no more breaks in the sun - it was over! The Matrics
led out of the hall, into a torrent of tears and hugging and goodbyes!
To repeat one of the verses from the goodbye song that the Matrics sang to the school:
“Want to feel the warm breeze
sleep under a palm tree
feel the rush of the ocean”.
WGHS has been a grounding for five years, and has been an invaluable part of each of us, and there is so much beyond this
experience. There are trees to climb, things to build, places to discover. There are colours we have never seen and things that we
have not yet experienced, and all of it is waiting to be found.
To the Matrics of 2005: This life is your canvass. Leave no colour unused.
Emma Bryce
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| ARGENTINA HOCKEY TOUR
Wednesday 21 September 2005 was D-day for the Wynberg Girls’ 1st hockey team - made even more special because it was
National Bandana Day and the hockey team was proudly kitted in their new tracksuits plus their yellow bandanas. Parents and family
members came to say their last goodbyes and a few final words from Mrs Harding concluded the departure. One could feel the
excitement in the atmosphere as the hockey team boarded the plane. After a long 8 ½ hour flight to Buenos Aires we checked into
our rooms and then spent the evening walking down the famous Florida Street.
It was an extremely hot day for our first match against St. Philip but Wynberg’s positive energy and will to win helped us to win
2-1.After the match we went on a city tour of Buenos Aires and saw some wonderful sights such as the Pink Palace. We also went to
La Boca, which is famous for the soccer stadium and for the brightly coloured houses along the road.
We played St. Philip again the next day and this game was very tough but the end result, 2-2, was a good one. We then had a very
educational boat tour along the Tigre River. Next morning, we all met early as we were off to Mar del Plata - a 6 hour drive but
worthwhile as we got to see the beach! Unfortunately we lost 2-1 but Wynberg’s sportsmanship was noticed by all.
Then back to Buenos Aires for a night and we were off again to Rosario, which is another 5 hours away. Along the way we stopped for
lunch at La CinaCina for some traditional Argentinean food, blood sausage! While there, we were entertained by a wonderful dance
performance and horse show, At Rosario we were introduced to our host families and the next morning, we played against the Jockey
Club - our toughest competition. Wynberg played hard and never gave up but the final score was 0-3: three well-deserved goals led the
Jockey Club to victory.
We were back on the road again but this time on our way to St.Brendans - our last host family and last match of the tour. Wynberg’s
determination and good passes helped us win 6-0. Everyone played well and it was a very emotional match as it was the Matrics’ last
game. After this convincing win, we were all ready to go home to Cape Town.
Our last night in Buenos Aires was spent shopping and then we all met for a team supper. Emotions were high as words of thanks
were exchanged. As a team we would like to thank Ms Bernstein and Ms Selfe for all their hard work that went into organizing this
amazing tour. We all had a lot of fun and learned so much being there.
Muchas gracias, Ms Bernstein and Ms Selfe!
Stacey Gedult
The quicka sticka hockey Chicas from WGHS !
Back: L Badenhorst, N Mullins, C Jones, R Anderson,
SL Gedult, E Muller, RL Malan, Ms A Bernstein
Next: I Coulter, A Casper, K Croxford, M Greeff, K Anderson,
M Paterson, C Manuel
Front: M Fisher |
MONTROSE BURSARY AWARDS
Congratulations to Lauren Bird and Candice Bennett, recipients of Montrose Bursaries for 2006. They are seen here with Claire
Payne, Principal of Montrose College, and Ms Jenny Paverd, Life Skills /Guidance teacher at WGHS.
Shan Zhau, winner of the Annie Rees Bursary, and Dux student 2005.
Illse Davids, winner of the Golden Lion award.
Cathy Gill, 2nd in Grade 12 and winner of the Pfeiffer-Ruperti Bursary.
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