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Induction of the leaders of Wynberg Girls' High of 2004 - a break with the past.

The Valedictory Service held on 8 October marked not only the end of the teaching year for the Matrics of 2003, the prefects of 2003 handed in their prefects' badges for the last time. For the first time there were no new prefects to whom to hand them: abandoning old systems of leadership and embracing the needs of both our modern society and democracy, Wynberg Girls' High has worked towards designing their own system of leadership to suit the particular needs of the school. It is one which is designed to drive and inspire, to serve, to discipline and to represent. Those girls who have accepted these positions know that they are accountable to their fellow learners, their school and their community.

On Friday 10 October, the leaders of Wynberg Girls' High for the year 2004 were inducted at a formal ceremony to which a number parents were invited. On this extremely prestigious occasion, each of the leaders was presented with a scroll which confirmed her appointment in the position, and reminded her of her commitment to the school in doing so. In this system of leadership there are two councils: the Representative Council of Learners and the School Council, membership of which can overlap, and which work together for the good of the school.

       

Staff and parents present at the Induction Ceremony

Mr Burrell introduced formally the Representative Council of Learners of 2004 (Grades 9-12 as they will be then) to the school, and called upon them, as democratically elected leaders of the student body, to foster good relations amongst all of the members of the school community. Their role is to represent the student body's needs to both the staff and the governing body. Further than this, they together with members of staff germane to the particular case form part of an internal disciplinary body for the assessment of inappropriate conduct from members of their grade.

The RCL and the Executive Members of the RCL

From the year 2004, the school council will be made up of the Head of the School (Rebecca Blundell) and her two deputies (Ondine Corewijn and Abbey Smith) the Heads of the four pillars of the educational focus of Wynberg: Academic (Jessica Groenewald), Culture (Kerryn Lancaster), Service (Ellie Shortall) and Sport (Jenna Cunliffe) and the three Grade Twelve RCL representatives: Andrea Meyer (Chairperson) Insaaf Abrahams (Deputy) and Nikita van der Berg.

The School Council

Next to receive their scrolls were the heads of the four pillars, followed by the heads of the eight houses. The re-introduction of eight houses (Silverlea, Cavanagh, Kirsten, Constantia, Apsley, Wellington, Wellesley and Copenhagen) are Wynberg's way of responding to the needs of a school which is increasing in size, and upon which there are increasing demands.  The heads of the eight houses announced at this ceremony were Ashleigh Smith, Jade Hunter, Jessica Riverra, Sharon Marle, Kerryn Roach, Precious Garnett, Erin le Roux and Kate Jennings.

      

The Heads of our eight houses are inducted

While their responsibilities are far reaching, a significant part of it is aimed at preventing the kind of anonymity which many students experience in a large school. This is especially the case when so many achieve so much in all areas of education - whether culturally, academically or on the sportsfields. 

Last to be inducted formally were the Head of School and her two deputies.

Over the course of the next few days, many of these girls will undergo leadership training in which they learn to work together to establish their vision as a team for the school and for the purposes of their own development as young women.

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This page was last updated on 25 October 2003 06:05