RGHS Magazine 2017

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Leaders Matric Academic Sport Inter-house Events Service, Societies & Events

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Former Principals From Left: Ms Bleby 1894 - 1911; Ms Donaldson-Wright 1912 - 1916; Ms Kemp 1916 - 1936; Ms Hazell 1937 - 1951; Ms Thomson 1952 - 1979; Ms McIntyre 1980 - 1991; Ms van Blerk 1991 - 1999; Dr Fullard 1999 - 2006; Ms Bekker 2007 - 2015

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From The School Governing Body 6 LEADERS

Chairman: Mr Alan Winde Deputy: Ms Wendy Newton-Wheeler Principal: Mr Michael Gates Treasurer: Mr Leon Moser Secretariat: Mr Graeme Broster (co-opted) Parents: Mr Russell Edwards, Mr Rudi Gouws, Ms Dominique Malherbe, Mr Steven Schaefer, Ms Lauren Wheeler Elected Educator Representatives: Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale (January – July), Ms Olivia Herrendoerfer (August December), Ms Susan Schnetler Erinville Boarding House Representative: Ms Wendy Newton-Wheeler (co-opted) Non-educator Representative: Ms Pam van Dyk Student Representatives: Lerato Ntsime, Nokukhanya Zondi Co-opted: Ms Gillian Blackshaw

It has been a great honour to serve as Governing Body Chairman of this wonderful school for the past year.

Last year’s Matric results were a true reflection of the school’s ethos of excellence, which has created an environment where learners are able to place themselves as top performers in South Africa.

At the 2016 National Senior Certificate Awards Ceremony at Leeuwenhof, Rustenburg Girls’ High School was named the top public school in the category: Excellence in Academic Performance (Western Cape).

Our task as the School Governing Body, on behalf of the parents, is to make sure that Rustenburg retains its position as one of the best girls schools in Africa, and that it continues to be well-run and managed, whilst simultaneously envisioning and enabling a pathway for its girls to be empowered and empowering in the everchanging face of the world.

The fourth Industrial Revolution, a planet threatened by climate-change, many inequalities and gini coefficient imbalances, and many more challenges are actually opportunities waiting for the school’s young minds to embrace and solve.

I wish to thank Mr Michael Gates for the enthusiasm and visionary outlook he has brought to the school, as

well as the parents, teachers and learners who serve on the School Governing Body, and the team of teachers and staff who collectively make this school one that we can be so proud of. Our many achievements, beyond the academic score card, from the Performing Arts on stage to the sport fields, to the community and recycling projects, are a credit to the dedication and hard work of every girl attending this school.

In my experience as an enabler of the Western Cape economy, I still see far too few female participants in the ICT and Technology sectors, as well as in leadership and entrepreneurial roles in business. In the years to come, I would like to see Rustenburg embracing these challenges by having more interaction with tertiary education institutions and business leadership, to better understand the demands of the future, and enabling the School to lead the way in tailoring and facilitating education for the future.

In supporting Mr Gates’s vision of expanding the school’s footprint through e-learning channels, we will certainly be taking up this challenge.

From the Principal Mr Michael Gates: BMedSc (Hons), MEd

2017 was the year of light for me. One of the major reasons for returning to South Africa after 16 years in the UK was the South African sunlight and open blue sky.

Our Astro Turf lights have eventually been turned on! After months of waiting and negotiating, our Internet connection is now operating at the speed of light, allowing more teaching and learning opportunities from Cyberspace. Our National Senior Certificate results are light years ahead of others! We took first place in South Africa in 2016 as the top public school.

Albert Einstein said, “We all know that light travels faster than sound. That’s why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.” This is so true of the information which we gain from the Internet. I trust that, as we teach the girls responsibility online, parents will take charge of their daughters’ cyber activity to protect them from the aforementioned people so aptly identified by Einstein.

It has been a great privilege to have met four of the previous Principals of Rustenburg Girls’ High School: Ms Josephine McIntyre, Ms Mary van Blerk, Dr Elizabeth Fullard and Ms Laura Bekker. It is so important to realise where we have been as a school to plan where we will be moving in the future.

It was a sad moment when Ms McIntyre passed away earlier this year, coincidentally in the same week that the tree which was planted in the Centenary Quad in memory of her deceased husband also died. This was a cathartic lightbulb moment, realising that there is so much that connects us together, far beyond our understanding. This reinforces the theme of light; a tree uses light for the fundamental need of producing oxygen.

It is these simple laws of nature and physics, things like gravity and photosynthesis, which provide evidence that structure and discipline

create a safe framework within which greatness is achieved. It was therefore significant that this year saw the revamping of the Code of Conduct in collaboration with all members of the community. In their exit questionnaire a number of our Matric girls mentioned the importance of this structure. It helped them feel safe and contained in their learning. It is my belief that good firm boundaries allow people to feel enclosed and provide an excellent space in which to have good fun, laugh at our own folly and learn from mistakes so that we can pick ourselves up and move on with pride.

As usual for a school there have been staff movements. I’d like to pay tribute to ladies such as Ms Anita Pretorius, Ms Lorraine Gardiner and Ms Ingrid Weideman who have given many years of their lives in growing your daughters, not only in their subjects, but also in life experiences outside the classroom. I am grateful for their contribution to our great school and wish each of them all the best in their future adventures.

Ms Avril Keller-Booysen gave many years of valued service to the Rustenburg Old Girls’ Union and this year passed the torch onto Ms Ruth Romburgh, in an Acting capacity, as ROGU enters a new era. We hope to have more contact and visits from past pupils and look forward to hearing how their foundations have taken them onto greatness.

May our school’s fast travelling light be true to what we learn and teach to all.

LEADERS

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if someone remembers to turn on the light,” advises Albus Dumbledore in JK Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter.

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From the Deputy Principal ACADEMIC Ms Susan Schnetler: BSocSc, Hons (BA), HDE (PG) Sec

Each year we set academic targets and have to consider how we can improve on the previous year’s results.

This is often a challenge, as our teachers and students already give so much and achieve at an exceptionally high level.

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It will always be difficult to improve on a stellar performance in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations and the Class of 2016 exceeded any expectations. Their outstanding achievements placed Rustenburg first in South Africa in the Department of Basic Education’s “National Education Excellence Awards” in the category “Top Performing Public School”. We moved up from our third place in the inaugural awards last year - an accomplishment which was always going to be difficult to beat.

LEADERS

Last year’s Matric group maintained our 100% pass rate, with 148 Bachelor passes and one Diploma pass. 57% of our girls achieved four or more subject distinctions, contributing to a total of 582 subject distinctions. The quality and depth of the results is illustrated by the remarkable subject averages: seven of 70% or more and 14 of 80% plus. This was definitely our best to date. The 2016 results are also unique in that a record number of fifteen girls passed with aggregates of at least 90%. The average aggregate for the grade was 79.58%. A number of our girls were also placed in the top 10 in individual subjects in the province. They were Sohyeon Bang, Hannah Clayton, Pasqualle Hefer, Sakeenah Jaffer, Cara Lothaller, Danielle Lund, Gabriel Morgan, Leesha Melvill, Nausheenah Parker, Jordan Philander, Lauren Pienaar, Tessa Stephenson, Emma Swart and Walda van der Merwe.

Our top candidate, Hannah Clayton, did herself proud with an excellent 97.5% aggregate and seven subject distinctions, which were all above 95% and included an admirable 100% for Mathematics. This placed Hannah third in the country in both Mathematics and in her overall position, while she was in joint first place for Mathematics and in second position overall in the Western Cape. Lauren Pienaar also featured as one of the top 20 candidates in the province, with a commendable aggregate of 96.17% and eight subject distinctions, all of which were over 90%. She achieved a laudable 99% for Mathematics and, with her mark of 100%, was the top learner in Dramatic Arts in the Western Cape.

What was most pleasing was the sense of accomplishment and absolute joy experienced by so many of our girls when they received their NSC results and saw significant improvements in their marks, having achieved personal bests in many of their subjects.

Each group of girls that moves through our school brings a unique feel, spirit and character, with a wide diversity of individuals who add to the sense of who we are as a school. It is imperative that we do not lose the distinctiveness of each year group in our quest to give of our best at whatever we do.

The differences of each grade and in the individual girls themselves needs to be nurtured, while maintaining secure boundaries within which to develop their potential. If each student can leave us knowing that she has immense potential, having discovered her personal talents and strengths, and equipped with the tools to succeed, then we have achieved what we set out to do.

I believe that the school has to be adjusting constantly, both to accommodate the new generation of girls who join us in Grade 8 each year and to remain relevant to the changing world around us. Yet, in all of this, we need to strive to hang on to the values and traditions that are worth maintaining and that serve all the girls at Rustenburg, helping each one to find her place in a school that is very different and much larger than it was a few years ago. The growth in school numbers brings with it certain challenges, but also many opportunities to rethink the way things are done, as well as some of the practices that have been part of Rustenburg for so long that we no longer question or reconsider them.

This is particularly relevant in the present climate, as we actively and consciously strive to make Rustenburg a place where all feel welcome and comfortable.

Those who are best placed to assist the school to evolve and remain relevant are the girls themselves. For this reason, we survey our girls to get a sense of where they are at, what they like about Rustenburg and what they would like to change. It is important that every girl becomes part of the change that they would like to see. We rely on them to engage with us in moving the school forward in ways that will improve their learning experience, while maintaining the structure and procedures that will ensure that optimal learning takes place.

So, from the very top-down, authoritarian and autocratic approach of decades past, Rustenburg has developed, and continues to move, towards a position of collaboration between staff and students. We will always have to work at what we do and how we do it.

We must continue to work hard together to make our school a place where girls feel that they have a voice and that their individual contribution is valued. Rustenburg is more than an academic institution.

It is a vibrant learning environment where creative and courageous participation is encouraged.

From the Deputy Principal PASTORAL Ms Gillian Blackshaw: BA (MBK), HDE (PG) Sec

2017 is the first year we have had six form classes in each grade. In order to support a larger and busier school a decision was made to expand the school management.

In doing this we have reviewed job descriptions, advertised new positions and made some exciting changes for 2018.

These developments prompted me to look back over my six years as Deputy at Rustenburg. Upon reflection I am pleased to see many positive changes that have been implemented, while still maintaining Rustenburg’s outstanding reputation. The NSC results are still exceptional and we still offer a wide variety of sporting and cultural extra-curricular activities in which the girls excel. The pupils who leave Rustenburg are still confident young women ready to make their mark in the world.

Although Rustenburg has a well-established leadership development programme there have been some valuable changes and additions to the programme over the last few years. The Matric Mentor system was established and has been successfully implemented by Ms Helene Swanson. The President’s Award and World Challenge programmes have been introduced and managed by Ms Brigid Ryan. Voting procedures for the various leadership positions have been reviewed and standardised.

The Grade 8 and 10 Leadership workshops have been tweaked and improved based on learner feedback. The Grade 9 camp was introduced in 2012 and is now an integral part of their year. Mia Lazarus, Zoë Dennis, Danielle Van Breda and Isabella Little wrote the following about this year’s camp: “Camp was an experience we will remember for the rest of our lives. It was a fun-filled two days where we learnt useful skills and built valuable friendships that we never expected to build. With unforgettable memories in our dorms, long walks in the baking hot sun, and a variety of delicious food, we realised on the bus ride home that this highlight of Grade 9 made us stronger individuals and a closer-knit grade.”

Although there have been a number of changes, the main learner leadership bodies are still the Prefect body and Representative Council of Learners. Rustenburg girls are still empowered to elect their own leaders through a democratic process where they are encouraged to choose their leaders carefully. These bodies make an invaluable and powerful contribution to the running of the school.

The Grade 11 Leadership camp is still extremely successful and has been an annual highlight. Savannah Althoff-Thomson wrote the following about her experience at this year’s camp: “I never expected to make any new friends in Grade 11. It seemed too late, but as inevitable as it seemed, it happened on the Grade 11 Leadership camp, and it wasn’t one friend, it was three. The camp

Extra-Mural Programme The extra-mural programme is extremely busy at Rustenburg. There are many team and social sports, societies and service groups, as well as a variety of music groups, from which girls can choose. One of the more notable additions over the last few years has been the introduction of the South African representative badge. This badge is awarded to learners who have represented South Africa in any activity, whether it is a school sport, non-school sport or an academic representation. We are proud of our girls who achieve on a national level and bring prestige to our school.

The main changes within the Sport Department were the introduction of the Sport Policy in 2012, compulsory sport for Gr 8s and 9s in 2013, the completion of the Astro in 2014 and the accompanying lights in 2017.

The Champions Cup was introduced in 2015, an U16 hockey and netball tournament, as well as a number of new social sports including Fast 5s and aerobics.

Changes in the Music Department have been the introduction of the picnic concert, combined concerts with Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School, including a combined Carol Service, lunchtime ensemble concerts, the introduction of Jazz as a stream for Grade 10 subject music and a number of music ensembles have been changed and introduced.

There has been a process of review and consolidation in the Societies and Service groups after an audit was initiated by Mr Adrian Skelly. New societies have formed while others have run their course. The most noteworthy recent additions have been the Busty Bugs Society (breast cancer awareness) and the Pride Campaign. Both were initiated by courageous girls who wanted to bring awareness to causes close to their hearts.

In my opinion, change is essential for growth. For others change is daunting. Some thrive in a changing environment. Others struggle to look forward and tend to prefer to remember how things used to be. I think the challenge lies in embracing change while holding onto the continuity and ethos of an institution. I hope that we manage to find this balance at Rustenburg so that we continue to thrive.

9 LEADERS

Learner Leadership Programme

was unlike anything I had expected. We made rafts out of cardboard and raced them, we learnt to dance, and accepted a host of other challenges. This camp was an unforgettable experience and I know we will take the skills we have learned into life.”

Rustenburg Staff Principal Mr Michael Gates: BMedSc (Hons), MEd

Deputy Principal: Academic Ms Susan Schnetler: BSocSc, Hons (BA), HDE (PG) Sec

Deputy Principal: Pastoral Ms Gillian Blackshaw: BA (MBK), HDE (PG) Sec

Heads of Department Ms Bridget Cameron: BSc, MEd, HDE (PG) Sec Ms Renée Fourie: MA, HDE (PG) Sec Ms Brigid Ryan: BA (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec Mr Adrian Skelly: BA, HDE (PG) Sec

Faculty Heads

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Arts: Mr Adrian Skelly: BA, HDE (PG) Sec Business and Life Skills: Ms Linda Mallon: BA, HDE Languages: Ms Helene Swanson: BA, HOD Sciences and Mathematics: Ms Bridget Cameron: BSc, MEd, HDE (PG) Sec

LEADERS

Grade Heads Grade 12: Ms Lorraine Gardiner: BSc, HDE Grade 11: Mr William Haggard: BA (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec Grade 10: Ms Anita Marshall: B Home Economics (Ed) Grade 9: Mr Graham Reggiori: BSc, HDE (PG) Sec Grade 8: Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale: BA, PGCE (till June) Ms Susan Viljoen: BSc (Hons), PGCE (from July)

Subject Heads: Accounting & EMS: Ms Zuleigah Galer: BEd (Hons) (Education), HDE (Comm) Afrikaans: Ms Helene Swanson: BA, HOD Consumer Studies and Technology: Ms Anita Marshall: B Home Economics (Ed) Design and Visual Arts: Ms Jackie Chambers: BA Fine Arts (Hons), HDE Dramatic Arts: Mr Adrian Skelly: BA, HDE (PG) Sec English: Ms Denise Campbell: BA, HDE (PG) Sec French: Mme Dominique Williams: MA, HDE (PG) Sec Geography: Ms Brigid Ryan: BA (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec German: Ms Renée Fourie: MA, HDE (PG) Sec History: Mr Cedric van Dyk: BA (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec ICDL: Ms Janine Myers: BTech (IT), HDE (Comm) Sec, FDE (Comp) Sec isiXhosa: Ms Mavis Mase: BA (Hons) HDE Life Orientation: Ms Perdita Norval: BA (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec Life Sciences: Ms Zargielay Rabeh: BSc, BEd (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec, ABET Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy: Mr Paul van Koersveld: BSc; PGCE Music: Mr Jaco Goosen: MMus, UTLM Natural and Physical Sciences: Mr Graham Reggiori: BSc, HDE (PG) Sec

Academic Staff Ms Juanita Atkinson: BMus (Ed) (Hons) Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron: BEd (Psych) (Hons)

Ms Jane Behne: BSc, HDE Mr Bernard Biermann: B.A., PGCE Ms Floriane Blanc-Marquis: M.A. Ms Tessa Brown: BA, PGCE Mr Murray Buitendag: BMus (Jazz Performance).

Ms Norma Caesar: BA (Hons), MEd, HDE Ms Philippa Colly: BSc, PGCE Ms Nicky Cooper: BA Ms Lindsay de Klerk: BA, PGCE Ms Rebecca Goble: BSc, PGCE Mr James Hendricks: M.A., PGCE Ms Olivia Herrendoerfer: BMus (Ed), PGCE Ms Lynette Jacobs: BA Human Ecology (Educational Course) Ms Marieta Langenhoven: BA (Hons), HDE Ms Louise Lawrence: BSc, HDE (Sec) Ms Hilana Marais: B Tech (Fine Art) Mr Gian Marneweck: BCom, PGCE Mr Wihan Neethling: BA (Hons), PGCE Ms Megan Paton: BSocSc, PGCE, MEd Ms Anita Pretorius: BA, HDE Ms Tarin Scharneck: BEd (Arts) Ms Liffey Speller: BA Fine Arts (Hons), PGCE Ms Kyla Thompson: BSc, PGCE Ms Jan Thorne: BMus (Ed) Ms Erika van As: M.A., HDE Ms Ingrid Weideman: BA, HDE, ADRM

Part-time Educators Mr Grant Adams: amaAmbush accreditation Ms Claire de Kock: BMus Ms Tracey Henry: BSc HDE, BA (Hons) (Psychology) Mr Robert Jeffery: MMus, BMus, ATCL Ms Maria Raynham: MMus, LMV, UTLM Ms Carla Stokes (3rd year BMus student) Mr David West: BMus, LTCL, AMus TCL, ATCL

Learnerships Ms Julie Campbell Ms Kelly Crowster Ms Nokutula Dyonase Ms Karyn Gideon Ms Luna van Leeuwen Ms Kayla Voskuil

Ms Dee Penny Ms Morag Rijs Ms Christine Steenekamp Ms Jackie Weston Ms Geila Wills Ms Lynne Young

Bugs’ Boutique School Shop Ms Lydia Mostert Ms Linda Simmons

Tuckshop and Catering Ms Michelle Haylett Ms Linda Mantshi

Erinville Superintendent Ms Pam van Dyk

Erinville Staff Ms Aziza Abrahams Ms Michele Bakker Ms Jaline Brown Ms Karin Evans Ms Susan Mentoor Ms Mary Mufford Ms Elaine Nyhila Ms Sheila Stoffels Ms Elizabeth Theunissen Ms Nomawethu Tshona Ms Melanie van Blerk Ms Sarah Verster Ms Ashleigh Womack Ms Lisa Williams

Campus Manager Mr Myles Siebrits

Campus Supervisor Mr Stephen Nicholas

Operations Manager

Campus Staff

Mr Graeme Broster: BSc (Hons), HDE (PG) Sec

Mr Ibrahim Allie Ms Klara Constable Mr Lluwellen Giebelaar Mr Ali Ibrahim Mr Gregory Isaacs Ms Ruth Kabinda Ms Veronica Kabinda Ms Neliswa Mjiqiza Ms Bongiswa Mketo Ms Gcobisa Mlozane Mr Edward Mudiwa Mr Adrian Munnik Mr Tawanda Muyambo Mr Kudakwashe Mwaedza Ms Agnes Ndyambo Ms Nokuzola Ngxabani Ms Mandisa Nkumanda Ms Bongiwe Pikini Ms Nomazizi Sapepa Mr Emmanuel Vureya

Head of Sport Ms Renée Scott: BA (Phys Ed) HDE

Media Centre Ms Marilyn Peters

IT and Computer Centre Mr Francis Vogts: Dip. IT Ms Janine Myers: BTech (IT), HDE (Comm) Sec, FDE (Comp) Sec Mr Alister Penny

Administrative Staff Ms Nolundi Blayi Ms René Forbes Ms Pat Hanger Ms Lynda Niddrie

LEADERS

Back row, from left: Ms Jackie Chambers, Mr James Hendricks, Mr Gian Marneweck, Mr Murray Buitendag, Mr Jaco Goosen, Mr Paul van Koersveld, Mr Wihan Neethling, Ms Tessa Brown, Mr William Haggard, Ms Stella Rossouw, Mr Graham Reggiori Third row, from left: Ms Lorraine Gardiner, Ms Louise Lawrence, Ms Ingrid Weideman, Ms Floriane Blanc-Marquis, Mr Cedric van Dyk, Ms Nicky Cooper, Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale, Ms Kyla Thompson, Ms Rebecca Goble, Ms Tracey Henry Second row, from left: Ms Mavis Mase, Ms Marieta Langenhoven, Ms Susan Viljoen, Ms Denise Campbell, Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron, Ms Erika van As, Ms Anita Marshall, Ms Jane Behne, Ms Philippa Colly, Ms Perdita Norval, Ms Lynette Jacobs First row, from left: Ms Tarin Scharneck, Ms Norma Caesar, Ms Lindsay de Klerk, Ms Liffey Speller, Ms Janine Myers, Ms Olivia Herrendoerfer, Ms Maileen Jamey, Ms Anita Pretorius, Ms Zargielay Rabeh, Ms Jan Thorne Front row, from left: Ms Dominique Williams, Ms Linda Mallon, Ms Reneé Fourie, Mr Adrian Skelly, Ms Susan Schnetler, Mr Michael Gates, Ms Gillian Blackshaw, Ms Brigid Ryan, Ms Bridget Cameron, Ms Helene Swanson, Ms Zuleigah Galer

Academic Staff

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Administrative Staff

Second row, from left: Ms Michelle Haylett, Ms Linda Simmons, Ms Marilyn Peters, Ms Jackie Weston First row, from left: Ms Morag Rijs, Ms Christine Steenekamp, Mr Alister Penny, Mr Wihan Neethling, Ms Lynda Niddrie, Ms Luna van Leeuwen, Ms Dee Penny, Ms Pat Hanger Front row, from left: Ms Nolundi Blayi, Ms René Forbes, Mr Graeme Broster, Mr Michael Gates, Ms Geila Wills, Ms Renée Scott, Ms Lynne Young Absent: Mr Francis Vogts, Ms Lydia Mostert

12 LEADERS

Campus Staff

Second row, from left: Ms Neliswa Mjiqiza, Ms Nokuzola Ngxabani, Mr Emmunuel Vureya, Mr Ibrahim Allie, Mr Kudakwashe Mwaedza, Ms Linda Mantshi, Ms Bongiswa Mketo First row, from left: Ms Claire Constable, Ms Ruth Kabinda, Ms Veronique Kabinda, Mr Llewellyn Giebelaar, Mr Edward Mudiwa, Ms Luna van Leeuwen, Ms Gloria Mlozana, Ms Mandisa Nkumanda Front row, from left: Ms Bongiwe Pikini, Ms Nomazizi Sapepa, Mr Myles Siebrits, Mr Michael Gates, Mr Stephen Nicholas, Mr Adrian Munnik, Ms Agnes Ndyambo Absent: Mr Ali Ibrahim, Mr Tawanda Muyambo

Erinville Staff

First row, from left: Ms Aziza Abrahams, Ms Elizabeth Theunissen, Ms Elaine Nyhila, Ms Lisa Williams, Ms Jaline Brown Front row, from left: Ms Susan Mentoor, Ms Melanie van Blerk, Ms Pam van Dyk, Mr Michael Gates, Ms Karin Evans, Ms Michele Bakker, Mr Gregory Isaacs Absent: Ms Sheila Stoffels

From the Headgirl Headgirl: Jenna Frost Deputy Head of Seniors: Nokukhanya Zondi Deputy Head of Juniors: Tasmyn Baxter School Prefects: Rafiqua Anwar, Cynthia Augustine, Cassidy Bhoopchand, Neeta Chavda, Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Brittany du Preez, Alex Jeaven, Emily Malherbe, Aaliyah Meredith, Imke Mühr, Zoë Naudé, Lerato Ntsime, Taskeen Parker, Bianca Rijkmans, Holly Rowe, Lauren Schaefer, Eugenia Twumasi, Sarah Virgin.

It has been an incredible honour and privilege to serve as Headgirl over the past year. I am so grateful to have experienced this humbling opportunity to serve my school alongside such a passionate and dedicated prefect body.

I cannot express how much I appreciate the support of all the prefects and how thankful I am for the skills I have gained as a result of this role.

Our vision was to build on the ethos of school spirit and unity that was established by previous prefect bodies. We aimed to create a pleasant school environment through developing friendships within the school and expressing appreciation for our peers while leading with integrity. We strove to be an approachable prefect body with the intention of revitalising traditional school events through promoting enthusiastic school spirit.

The first prefect event of the year was the Grade 8 Orientation Day which the prefects organised to introduce the Grade 8s to Rustenburg and to offer them the chance to interact with their new classmates. A few weeks later in Term 1, we supervised the Grade 8 Gala alongside the hardworking house captains. This was followed by an afternoon of fun games and activities that we organised to encourage unity and friendshipbuilding amongst the Grade 8 learners. In order to further inspire grade bonding we arranged grade evenings for the Grade 8 and Grade 9 students. These evenings consisted of treasure hunts, ice-breakers and lots of snacks! To fulfil our vision of school spirit and unity we also organised events, such as the Inter-house Riff-Off Competition in Term 2.

We were given a Thursday assembly, every few weeks, which we used to show funny videos and hold dance-off competitions with the school. This was intended to relieve some of the pressure experienced by the girls and to serve as a break from everyday school life.

Another focus of our prefect body was to make the Matrics’ last year of high school special and unforgettable. One of the ways in which we did this was through our Valentine’s Day initiative. We printed templates of funny Valentine’s Day - inspired quotes and pictures which we then gave to all the Matrics, who pinned them to their blazers as a light-hearted way

Prefects

Back row, from left: Alex Jeaven, Emily Malherbe, Lerato Ntsime, Zoë Naudé, Aaliyah Meredith, Taskeen Parker, Lauren Schaefer, Rafiqua Anwar Second row, from left: Sarah Virgin, Eugenia Twumasi, Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Imke Mühr, Cassidy Bhoopchand, Neeta Chavda, Holly Rowe, Brittany du Preez Front row, from left: Bianca Rijkmans, Tasmyn Baxter (Deputy Head of Juniors), Mr Michael Gates, Jenna Frost (Headgirl), Ms Gillian Blackshaw, Nokukhanya Zondi (Deputy Head of Seniors), Cynthia Augustine

We organised a High School Musical - themed matric evening as an opportunity to bond as a grade and to laugh over the memories we had made together throughout the last five years. The prefect body also organised our 40 Days with the aim of uniting our grade. We kicked off our celebrations with singing and cheering in the main quad. The prefects hired a popcorn machine and jumping castle to make the day memorable and we spent our break together singing along to throwback songs in the hall.

One of our final highlights of the year was the Matric Dance Fashion Show which the prefects organised to show the rest of the school how stunning all the Matrics looked at their dance.

I firmly believe that service is the foundation of leadership and the prefects inspired me with their selfless service to the school throughout the year. They ushered at various Rustenburg events, sacrificed their breaks and early mornings to do daily duties and visited form classes to build relationships with younger girls.

This year has been challenging but extremely rewarding. Life-long memories were made and the friendships built within the prefect body and the grade will be forever cherished. My experiences as Headgirl have shaped my character and I am so grateful to have been blessed with this opportunity.

13 LEADERS

Our prefect journey started in Term 3 of 2016 when we spent a weekend together at a camp in Simon’s Town. This was the perfect opportunity get to know ourselves - and one another - better through identifying our personality types and leadership strengths. The wide variety of different personalities within the prefect body produced a range of innovative ideas which we utilised in establishing our mission statement for the year.

to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We continued with the Travelling Speaker initiative, introduced in 2015, and played music in the matric quad as a means to create a positive and laid-back atmosphere.

From the

Representative Council of Learners Chairperson: Nokukhanya Zondi Deputy Chairperson: Lerato Ntsime Grade 12 Representative: Eugenia Twumasi Grade 11 Representatives: Azraa Rawoot, Bethany Rumble, Yusra Sablay, Zahra Mohamed Grade 10 Representatives: Amy Harold, Kãtia da Silva Valente, Katlyn Watt Grade 9 Representatives: Hlonelwa Zimba, Jade Dreyer, Jenna Dugmore Grade 8 Representatives: Jaime McGowan, Yakira Davidson, Tinika Navsaria

Mission:

To unify the Rustenburg community by encouraging communication and by serving, supporting and inspiring learners to become an active front in all spheres.

Vision: To preserve the legacy of a positive environment by developing leadership potential and creating an improved sense of well-being in the Rustenburg community.

The RCL is a student body comprised of at least three representatives from each of the five grades who are elected by their peers. The primary role of the body is to represent the students of the school and to form a link between the learners, the staff and the School Governing Body.

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This year, the RCL consisted of sixteen diverse young ladies who were passionate and motivated to serve their Rustenburg peers. Our main goal has been to provide our peers with a platform to voice their opinions, but also to involve them in the implementation of their suggestions.

Each RCL representative was given two classes to represent and to communicate with regularly throughout the year. At these sessions suggestions were discussed. It allowed time to share ideas about how to improve Rustenburg. It was also an opportunity to provide the classes with consistent feedback about progress and decisions made.

The RCL was granted the opportunity to have several RCL-led assemblies throughout the year. We believe that this reassured our peers that the RCL is a relevant body which is active within the school. It can be trusted with their suggestions and concerns. This year we wanted all the girls to feel a part of the RCL. Therefore, at these assemblies, we gave the girls who had excelled in extra-curricular activities or who had represented Rustenburg within the larger community the opportunity to prepare a presentation in which they could share their achievements and experiences. This afforded us the opportunity to congratulate these girls on their achievements, and also strengthened our sisterly bond.

provide innovative solutions which they would want to see implemented within the school.

The RCL collaborated with the Busty Bugs and with the group of Rustenburg girls who went to a school in Transkei during the midyear holidays. We co-ordinated the collection of new and gently-worn bras for women in need. Some of these bras were donated to the Think Yellow Project, the organisation which initiated this drive, and the remainder to the students at Isilomzi SSS in the Transkei.

We continued to host the RCL hot chocolate and pancake de-stressor mornings in Term 2 and Term 4 to allow the girls to release exam pressure and nerves. As usual these were well supported and enjoyed.

For Mandela Day, the RCL collaborated with the Cape Town Red Hat Renegades and constructed sleeping bags from recycled newspapers and heavy duty plastic bags. These were for the homeless during our cold, wet and unforgiving Cape Town winter. The girls made these sleeping bags at the end of Term 2 and enjoyed this therapeutic and rewarding activity.

In August, the four Grade 11 representatives attended an RCL workshop hosted by the Western Cape Department of Education at Sans Souci Girls’ High school to prepare them for their leadership responsibilities next year. During one session the delegates shared some of the projects RCLs from around the province implemented. From this they learnt about some of the harsh realities facing teenagers in South Africa.

Thank you to the RCL of 2017. Your contribution and service to the Rustenburg community is greatly appreciated. You have shown dedication and commitment to your peers. As John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and do more and become more, you are a leader.” You have inspired your peers to share ideas, to learn more about each other, to serve one another and to reach our full potential.

This year we introduced a new system of using Suggestion Solution Forms to encourage our peers not only to give their suggestions, but also to

The Grade 11 RCL members attended a WCED conference: Bethany Rumble, Yusra Sablay, Azraa Rawoot and Zahrah Mohamed.

Representative Council of Learners

Back row, from left: Bethany Rumble, Zahra Mohamed, Jamie McGowan, Tinika Navsaria Second row, from left: Jenna Dugmore, Yakira Davidson, Kā tia da Silva Valente, Kaitlyn Watt, Jade Dreyer, Hlonelwa Zimba Front row, from left: Azraa Rawoot, Eugenia Twumasi, Nokukhanya Zondi (Chairperson), Ms Brigid Ryan, Lerato Ntsime (Deputy), Amy Harold, Yusra Sablay

The Mandela Day workshop was initiated by the RCL for the whole school to make sleeping bags for the homeless.

From the Superintendent of Erinville Ms Pam van Dyk

2017 proved to be a busy year. It is difficult to believe that the year is drawing to a close. We had a great deal of fun in Term 1 welcoming and getting to know our new girls. The new girls and Grade 12s enjoyed a supper at the Spur together and then, later in the week, a Treasure Hunt followed by a traditional Erinville midnight feast. We all enjoyed the traditional New Pots Concert. We crowned Alexis Fry Ms Erinville 2017. organisational skills as they sorted out the costumes and entertainment for the night, arranged a seating plan and made invitations. On the night they also had to manage the programme, serve as waitrons, and clean up afterwards.

The highlight of Term 2 was our annual Cabaret. The theme this year was Rockinville. The Hostel Committee worked tirelessly to decorate the hall, the hostel kitchen did our catering, and the Grade 11s were our diner waitrons. The parents gave generously in support of our silent auction. We raised over R30 000 and had tremendous fun.

I was so proud of the Erinville Grade 11s on 16 September. This was when the staff and I were ushered into the Thomson Hall and subsequently transported to the world of “Arabian Nights” for the evening. Everything ran smoothly with wonderful food and service, excellent entertainment and beautiful décor. It was hard to believe that the whole evening had been put together by a small group of Grade 11 pupils without much adult assistance.

In June, Erinville girls enjoyed hosting boarders from Rondebosch Boys’ High School. We served hot chocolate and marshmallows, dimmed the Common Room lights, and the girls chose the music. It was a memorable evening.

After Ms Celeste Erasmus from Even Greater Counselling gave a talk to our Grade 10s about Stress Management, we decided to employ her in Term 3, using some of our fundraising money, to visit the hostel on Thursday afternoons and offer counselling sessions to boarders. This has been well received by the girls and well utilised.

Gus the Bus has been busy this year taking our indoor hockey girls to practices, our weekend boarders on outings, and doing emergency runs midweek to the Creamery and to Woolworths.

Our Matrics looked beautiful in their formal ball gowns. They were so grown up and ready for the last term finals ahead and then on to spread their wings. I know that for many of them it is difficult to say goodbye and to move on from the place that has become “home” and their friends who have become sisters. The Matrics led Erinville House this year with enthusiasm and kindness. These are both ingredients needed to make a happy hostel. I am proud of each one of them and grateful for their leadership. I would like say a special thank you to Cassidy Bhoopchand and Emma McCrindle for leading the team of hostel prefects and the house so ably.

The highlight of the Erinville calendar is the Fancy Dress evening. This is the final “rite of passage” for an Erinville girl. It is a night specially dedicated to honouring and saying farewell to the hostel Matrics.

It is so important to us that this hostel is a special place where the girls feel at home and feel free to be themselves. It is important that we always err on the side of kindness and that, whilst there are rules to keep everyone safe and happy, these do not fit so tightly that they make girls feel restricted and imprisoned.

The Grade 11s worked all year to make this a magical evening. Through raising funds, planning a suitable menu and sourcing items for the Matrics’ goody bags, they learned to work as a team. They had to display strong

The relaxed, happy atmosphere at Erinville is a tribute to the lovely girls who live here and the caring staff who work here. It is a privilege to lead them.

15 LEADERS

Ms Sarah Verster (a Mathematics teacher from Rondebosch Boys’ High School) was welcomed as our new Boarder Mistress. She, Ms Noma Tshona and Ms Michele Bakker took over 60 girls on a beach outing to Clifton one Saturday morning.

From the Headgirl of Erinville Headgirl of Erinville: Cassidy Bhoopchand Deputy Headgirl of Erinville: Emma McCrindle Erinville Prefects: Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Brittany du Preez, Amber Keet, Caitlin Myburgh, Courtney Petersen

The year 2017 has come to an end and, after four amazing years in the Erinville Boarding House, it is my time to bid farewell. I started at Erinville in Grade 9 and ever since, I have grown to love my house mothers, kitchen staff and fellow hostel sisters.

16

It is an Erinville tradition for the Matrics of each year to receive Grade 8 mentees whom we help to adapt to the boarding school environment.

At the beginning of this year we had a Grade 8 induction which included a Getting to Know You Supper at the Spur, a Treasure Hunt at school followed by a midnight feast with traditional Erinville midi rolls. It was fun to get to know the new girls as they displayed their talents at the New Pots Concert. Other activities included an exciting adventure to the beach and the hostel pageant, Ms Erinville.

LEADERS

It was a pleasure to be a part of Erinville, which has played a huge role in my life and my development. In Erinville I have not only made friends, but soul-sisters. The bonds I have made are unbreakable and will last a lifetime. To say goodbye to these magnificent Erinville girls leaves me bereft. All the moments I have had with the girls in Erinville will now only live on in my heart as memories. I am grateful to have experienced such precious moments.

Fancy Dress, our annual farewell ceremony to the Matrics, was one such moment. The Grade 11s diligently worked to raise money throughout the year to host this prestigious event. The night was one-of-a-kind. A sincere thank you goes to the Grade 11s for organising such an impressive event and making the evening so special.

It is peculiar to think that a person might have a second mother, but this is what happens at Erinville. Special Erinville moms include Ms Pam van Dyk, Ms Karin Evans, Ms Michele Bakker, Ms Sarah Verster, Ms Noma Tshona and our weekend mistresses, Ms Mary Mufford and Ms Ashleigh Womack (both past Erinville girls themselves).

One of the questions people ask about the hostel is, “How is the food?�

I am happy to report that we have an excellent menu drawn up by our Catering Manager, Ms Melanie van Blerk. She makes sure we have a variety of dishes and caters for varied likes and dislikes as well as those with special dietary needs. It has been wonderful to have delicious sandwiches at first break, plenty of fresh fruit, lovely salads on offer at lunch time and fresh vegetables with our supper. The all-time favourite, however, is our afternoon tea which is a home-baked treat. Each Erinville girl has her favourite and looks forward to it when it appears at tea time.

My experience at Erinville has taught me how to stand on my own two feet. I have learned to be independent, responsible and resilient. I have also learned to live in a community of diverse people. I have grown in tolerance and patience and learned about flexibility and compromise. I am grateful for these life lessons and for the past four years I have shared with the Erinville community. I will treasure these memories forever.

The House Mothers at Erinville lived up to their title. They were motherly, showed compassion and were an emotional support system to the girls.

Erinville Prefects

First row, from left: Courtney Petersen, Caitlin Myburgh, Brittany du Preez Front row, from left: Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Cassidy Bhoopchand (Headgirl of Erinville), Ms Pam van Dyk, Emma McCrindle, Amber Keet

Life in Erinville Boarding House They glowed with happiness in Erinville Boarding House

17 LEADERS

18

Staff Retirements

LEADERS

Ms Gardiner retires “One of my favourite memories of school,” wrote Headgirl Kate Vlok for the magazine in 2014, “is how Life Sciences would brighten a day.

When we felt that the workload was too much and we couldn’t possibly learn anything more, we would gather outside Ms Gardiner’s room and walk in singing the CSI theme song. Of course, Ms Gardiner would be so impressed that she would allow us to watch CSI. By the end of Matric we had this ritual down to a fine art.”

Ms Gardiner majored in the field of Biochemistry. Having set the bar high in her own education, she inspired and motivated Rustenburg girls also to strive for success. Ms Gardiner’s assessments were always submitted before deadlines. Great care was taken to provide colleagues with neat assessments, rich with educational benefit. She was meticulous, especially when it came to proof-reading. Ms Gardiner loved to read articles about current events pertaining to Life Sciences. This created an academically stimulating environment within the department.

Ms Gardiner was also described as “a gentle, kind and forgiving person.”

These attributes made it easy for her to work with people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Many of Ms Gardiner’s learners sang high praise about her holistic approach to their growth during school years.

Such qualities made Ms Gardiner a strong Head of Grade 12. Matric pupils, in particular, responded well to her caring yet firm leadership style.

Ms Gardiner was involved outside of the classroom too, such as in tennis and social sport in summer. Ms Gardiner was also the teacher-in-charge of visiting student teachers from universities and other institutions. This required inter-personal and organisational skills. She was a mentor to young educators about to begin their careers in the profession.

Perhaps most synonymous with Ms Gardiner’s name however, is the Habitat for Humanity Society. This philanthropic group serves a community far greater than the one at Rustenburg. Through her encouragement, Habitat for Humanity has built a number of homes in disadvantaged communities throughout Cape Town. It is said, “Home is where the Heart is.” A home will always be the place for which you feel the deepest affection, no matter where you are. Ms Gardiner made Rustenburg tremendously warm, a home, for many schoolgirls. I wish Ms Gardiner a well-deserved and restful retirement in the sanctity of her private space, her own home.

Ms Zargielay Rabeh

Ms Pretorius retires Om al die nuanses van mev. Anita Pretorius se persoonlikheid, haar impak op my en ander en haar bydrae tydens die elf jaar wat sy verbonde was aan die Afrikaans-Departement van Rustenburg Girls’ High in woorde vas te vat is ’n groot uitdaging.

Wat uitdagings betref, is mev. Pretorius die beste leermeester. Sy beskou die lewe en alles wat oor haar pad kom, as uitdagings en sy pak alles met groot geesdrif aan wat nie maklik gedemp kan word nie.

Ek het in 2007 kennis met haar gemaak toe ek as vakhoof by Rustenburg Girls’ High aangestel is. Ek het haar leer ken as iemand wat nie net oor ’n omvangryke vakkennis van Afrikaans beskik en 42 jaar se ervaring in die onderrig van Afrikaans het nie, maar ook as iemand met lewenservaring by wie ek so baie kon leer. Mev. Pretorius is ’n sterk, belese vrou met integriteit en lojaliteit. Al het sy haar deel van lief en leed in die lewe gehad, het sy woema en ’n lus vir die lewe wat nie geblus kan word nie.

In haar eie woorde, verwys mev. Pretorius na haarself as die “battle axe”. ’n “Battle axe” word in Afrikaans vertaal as ’n kwaai vrou of ’n ou draak. Maar sy is baie meer as net ’n kwaai vrou. Ek verkies om haar as ’n strydbyl te beskryf – iemand wat nie sal skroom om te baklei vir reg en geregtigheid nie en wat dikwels die stryd sal aanpak namens ander, leerders ingesluit, wat nie altyd die moed en durf het om dit self te doen nie. En so het Rustenburg Girls’ High dan hulle eie Fiela gehad aartsmoeder en mentor wat baie wysheid in pag het en na die belange van ander mense omsien. Mev. Pretorius het hierdie talente gebruik om die skool te dien, waar sy dan ook vir drie jaar ons Beheerliggaamverteenwoordiger was.

Mev. Pretorius se vaardigheid om as bemiddelaar op te tree en om skikkings te bewerkstellig het baie kere na vore gekom as kwessies en probleme opgeduik het. Haar vermoë om op ’n objektiewe, slim en taktvolle manier sake te hanteer was van groot waarde by vergaderings waar sy leerders se belange op die hart gedra het.

Maar net so vlymskerp soos ‘n strydbyl is haar sin vir humor en haar verstand. Niemand in die Afrikaans-Departement kon kers vashou by haar as dit kom by ’n flink en skerp brein nie! Die tye toe ek pouses saam met haar en ander op die bankie voor die koshuis gesit het, was vol spitsvondighede van haar kant wat almal weer laat asem skep het vir die res van die skooldag. ’n Mens kon gereeld die meisies in mev. Pretorius se klas hoor skater vir haar sêgoed.

Rustenburg Girls’ High neem baie swaar afskeid van mev. Pretorius. Dit sal moeilik wees om die groot leemte wat sy laat, weer te vul met iemand van haar kaliber. Ons wens haar voorspoed toe vir haar volgende avontuur op haar lewensreis.

Ms Helene Swanson

19 LEADERS

From the Head of Grade 12 E1: Ms Nicky Cooper E2: Ms Lorraine Gardiner E3: Ms Stella Rossouw and Mr Bernard Biermann E4: Ms Zargielay Rabeh E5: Ms Louise Lawrence E6: Ms Lindsay de Klerk

This year’s Matrics are a well-rounded, balanced group of girls, who have excelled in various spheres.

It has been a very busy year academically, but numerous Matrics have still managed to intersperse their academic duties with cultural and physical achievements of different kinds. Fortunately, they have also remembered to have fun while attaining their goals, as can be seen by the photos below. It is time for this group of young ladies to embrace the world and fly as they leave school behind and move forward towards their dreams and passions.

20 M AT R I C

The traditional Matric breakfast was enjoyed by all.

Emily Malherbe, Juliet Wilson and Semónn Steyn dressed in yellow for Marchand at the Inter-house Gala.

Pi Day was celebrated by the Matrics on the Kemp Hall Quad.

Lisa Harris and Nuhaa Francis dressed up for Jenna Doveton, Semónn Steyn, Celine Truter Innes House at the gala. and Victoria Leach dressed up for the 40 Days celebration.

Nokukhanya Zondi (Chairperson of the RCL) and Cassidy Bhoopchand (Headgirl of Erinville) dressed as Slytherin for Cambridge House and Jenna Frost (Headgirl) as Pink Candy for Bleby House, also at the gala.

The Cheerleaders and House Captains made sure to get the school spirit going before the A-League Gala.

Jasmine Wyatt-Minter performed at many events at Rustenburg this year where she was a real crowd-pleaser with her outstanding voice. Jasmine released her debut single, Gain, in 2016, and has since performed on many stages (Kirstenbosch, the Baxter Theatre, Café Roux) and at many festivals, including the Cape Town International Jazz Feztival and the Cape Town Folk ‘n Acoustic Music Festival. Jasmine has also performed alongside Prime Circle, Sonik Citizen, Opposite the Other, Gavin Edwards, Majozi, Chris Werge and Brynn.

She will be releasing new music in a new style next year, and we can’t wait to see where the future takes her.

Matric Academic Awards Accounting: Kauthar Parker Afrikaans First Additional Language: Katrin van der Merwe Afrikaans Progress Cup: Britney Price Marietjie le Roux Cup for Excellence in Afrikaans: Nina Beckurts Certificate for Overall Academic Improvement: Ylva Hultkrantz

isiXhosa First Additional Language: Nokukhanya Zondi Life Orientation: Nina Beckurts Life-Sciences (practical): Kauthar Parker Life Sciences (overall): Bianca Rijkmans Mathematics: Bianca Rijkmans and Nureen Mahmood Mathematical Literacy: Tasmyn Baxter and Ylva Hultkrantz

Consumer Studies: Leigh Natus Consumer Studies (Culinary Skills): Kelly Jones and Raeesa Kazi

Advanced Programme Mathematics: Stephanie Keyser Melissa Wood Cup (for excellence in Dance): Bianca Rijkmans

Dramatic Arts: Alex Jeaven

Music: Stephanie Keyser

English Home Language (Naureen Parkes Memorial Prize): Jenna Frost

Physical Sciences: Chemistry: Samar Abrahams

English Literature (Adèle Cloete Memorial Prize): Jenna Frost

Physical Sciences: Physics: Kirsten Laaks

French: Best Speaker (mother tongue): Coralee Shrosbree

Pricewaterhouse Coopers Book Award (for Accounting and Mathematics): Kauthar Parker and Nureen Mahmood

French: Best Speaker (non-mother tongue): Nokukhanya Zondi

Mathematical Literacy: Tasmyn Baxter and Ylva Hultkrantz

Helga van Heerden Cup (for Excellence in French): Shafeeqah Modack

Visual Arts: Daniella Attfield Visual Arts (Photography): Hannah Lukic

Geography: Natasha van Greunen Geography Mapwork Prize: Sarah Virgin

Overall Academic Improvement: Ylva Hultkrantz

Geography Research Prize: Chloë Mallows and Cara Whittal

Grade 12 Academic Half Colours

German Second Additional Language: mother-tongue speaker: Nina Beckurts

Saara Adam, Nicola Baalbergen, Tasmyn Baxter, Julia Bosman, Kayla Budge (re-award), Neeta Chavda (re-award), Younsun Choi, Adrienne Clynick, Insaaf Dhansay (re-award), Nabeelah Gangraker (re-award), Holly Hawthorne, Amber Keet (re-award), Faatimah Leonard (re-award), Chloë Mallows (re-award), Emma McCrindle (re-award), Yusra Moosa, Jenna Mühlberg (re-award) Imke Mühr (re-award), Nishtha Naidoo, Olivia Page-Macdonald (re-award), Nureen Rawoot (re-award), Hannah Rens, Sabrina Roberts,

German Second Additional Language: non-mother-tongue speaker: Saskia van der Merwe History: Jenna Frost Sybil McGregor History Prize (for Research): Lydia Hardie

Grade 12 Academic Full Colours Samar Abrahams, Chloë Allison, Daniella Attfield (re-award), Cynthia Augustine (reaward), Nina Beckurts (re-award), Jennifer Darley Waddilove (re-award), Brittany du Preez (re-award), Jenna Frost (re-award), Lydia Hardie (re-award), Wi-aam Jassiem (re-award), Stephanie Keyser (re-award), Kirsten Laaks (re-award), Caitlin Lange, Da Eun Lee, Nureen Mahmood (re-award), Emily Malherbe (reaward), Leigh Natus (re-award), Kauthar Parker (re-award), Taskeen Parker (re-award), Evashna Pillay (re-award), Alexa Rabeling (re-award), Bianca Rijkmans (re-award), Katherine Sharp (re-award), Alexandra Smith (re-award), Megan Tromp (re-award), Saskia van der Merwe (reaward), Natasha van Greunen (re-award), Sarah Virgin (re-award), Nokukhanya Zondi (re-award)

Sustained Academic Achievement Daniella Attfield, Nina Beckurts, Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Brittany du Preez, Jenna Frost, Lydia Hardie, Stephanie Keyser, Nureen Mahmood, Leigh Natus, Kauthar Parker, Taskeen Parker, Alexa Rabeling, Bianca Rijkmans, Katherine Sharp, Alexandra Smith, Megan Tromp, Saskia van der Merwe, Natasha van Greunen, Sarah Virgin, Nokukhanya Zondi

Top Academic Positions in Grade 12 Fifth Position: Fourth Position: Third Position: Second Position:

Jenna Frost Sarah Virgin Nina Beckurts Kauthar Parker

Marchand Dux Trophy for Outstanding Academic Achievement: Bianca Rijkmans

21 M AT R I C

Design: Holly Hawthorne

Lauren Schaefer, Lauren Searle (re-award), Claire Slootmans (re-award), Mishka Sooful, Jessica Stow (re-award), Safeera Takay (re-award), Eugenia Twumasi, Cara Whittal (re-award), Jasmine Wyatt-Minter

Matric Special Prizes Alston le Roux Drama Cup (Best Actress at Rustenburg) Alex Jeaven

The Siebrits Eco Action award (for environmental awareness) Sarah Virgin and Syan O’Connell-Richards

Amy Steyl Award (for Visual Arts and/or Design) Daniella Attfield

Centenary Cup (for all-round excellence in service to the school over 5 years) Jenna Frost

Chris Murison Cup (for Achievement in Mathematics Competitions) Younsun Choi

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Dr Moll Honour Prize

M AT R I C

(presented to the girl who has best upheld the traditions of Rustenburg) Jenna Frost

EMV Smit Cup (for personal achievement) Da Eun Lee

Karin Wiese Trophy (awarded to someone who, in the opinion of her peers, has overcome great difficulty with dignity) Nokukanya Zondi

Excellence in Leadership

Miller Cranko Award (for service to the community) Jennifer Darley Waddilove

Nikki de Kock Cup (for service to Mathematics) Taskeen Parker

Preiss Floating Trophy (for special service to Erinville House) Cassidy Bhoopchand

Taskeen Parker

Ivan Kilian book prize (for commitment, loyalty and dedication to Music) Da Eun Lee

Janet Kirk trophy (for service and dedication to the Orchestra) Imke Mühr and Stephanie Keyser

Kopsch Award (for loyalty and enthusiasm in Debating) Jade Smith

Lucia Jacobs Trophy

Rosemary Davis prize (for Jazz Performance) Imke Mühr

Rosenberg Award (for Dedication to Dramatic Arts): Katherine Sharp and Jasmine Wyatt-Minter

Senior de Wet Prize (for excellence in English and Afrikaans) Katrin van der Merwe

Spirit of Rustenburg Award

(for organisational skills and initiative) Lerato Ntsime and Taskeen Parker

(for the individual who inspired and made a considerable contribution to school spirit and Rustenburg pride) Cassidy Bhoopchand

Marchand Dux Trophy

The Dernier/Sole prize

(for outstanding academic achievement) Bianca Rijkmans

(for outstanding progress in Piano) Stephanie Keyser

E1

E2

Back row, from left: Julia Stokell, Semónn Steyn, Megan Lodder, Zoë Nicol, Yusraa Moosa, Dominique Wagner, Haseena Moolla Third row, from left: Brittany du Preez, Courtney Petersen, Alexandra Smith, Lauren-Leigh van Niekerk, Nina D’Andrea, Kaylagh McMurdo, Victoria Leach Second row, from left: Ms Lorraine Gardiner, Zoë Ackerman, Alex Jeaven, Saarah Abdullah, Emily Malherbe, Claire Slootmans, Rafiqua Anwar, Kauthar Parker Front row, from left: Tatenda Dandara, Saara Adam, Zarah Edries, Lisa Harris, Jenna Doveton, Razaan Phillips, Cynthia Augustine

23 M AT R I C

Back row, from left: Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Daniella Attfield, Mia van Aardt, Neeta Chavda Third row, from left: Francesca Palmieri, Hannah Connelly, Nabeelah Gangraker, Adrienne Clynick, Casey Wheeler, Coralie Shrosbree, Laila Salie Second row, from left: Ms Nicky Cooper, Rachel Amy Couperthwaite, Syan Jayde O’Connell-Richards, Taskeen Parker, Saskia van der Merwe, Caitlin Starke, Chloë Mallows Front row, from left: Zimkhitha Kasana, Bronwyn Kode, Angela Chepkosgey Mibey, Jessica Stow, Rachel Meloyer, Zoë Dolph, Nosipho Abrams Absent: Wi-aam Jassiem, Jesica Knapp, Nokukhanya Zondi

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E3

M AT R I C

Back row, from left: Kelly van Vlaanderen, Hannah Rens, Imke Mühr, Chelsea Burnell, Kirsten Mc Kenzie, Chloë Allison Third row, from left: Julia Bosman, Bianca Meagan Hill, Eugenia Twumasi, Annika Noad, Holly Rowe, Caitrin O’ Sullivan, Tasmyn Baxter Second row, from left: Ms Stella Rossouw, Julie Albertyn, Azraa Essack, Hannah Lukić, Micaela Solomon, Sarah Dudley, Bianca Rijkmans Front row, from left: Raeesa Samsodien, Hannah Le Roux, Nishtha Naidoo, Insaaf Dhansay, Michaela Flanders, Adrienne Golden, Alexa Rabeling Absent: Chelsea Prodehl, Gabrielle Adams

E4

Back row, from left: Juliet Wilson, Megan Tromp, Caitlin Myburgh, Kelly Jones, Sabrina Roberts, Brittany Gouws, Jenna Frost, Nina Stodel Third row, from left: Caitlin Lange, Jasmine Wyatt-Minter, Tatum Hutanu-Cockcroft, Michellene September, Kelly De Lucchi, Talia Novella, Talia Mdlungu Second row, from left: Ms Zargielay Rabeh, Nureen Mahmood, Katrin van der Merwe, Nicola Baalbergen, Nuhaa Francis, Rosannah Galbraith, Camryn Simpson, Alyssa Janson Front row, from left: Leigh Natus, Cara Whittal, Caitlin Bannatyne, Hester Howard, Lydia Hardie, Kristeen Swanepoel, Samar Abrahams Absent: Britney Price

E5

E6

Back row, from left: Wen–Ching Chang, Jade Smith, Eden Paarwater, Jenna Mühlberg, Nina Beckurts, Olivia Page-Macdonald, Zoë Naudé, Katherine Sharp Third row, from left: Sarah Virgin, Amber Mc Hugh, Buhle Mcengwa, Ylva Hultkrantz, Rachel Kenyon, Jane Abrahams, Daniela Schutte Second row, from left: Ms Lindsay de Klerk, Mishka Sooful, Lisa Edmonds, Mia Bloom, Stephanie Keyser, Celine Truter, Brittany Reid, Séanne van Horsten Front row, from left: Safeera Takay, Jamie van Niekerk, Evashna Pillay, Kezia Madell, Da Eun Lee, Younsun Choi, Nihaad Raja

25 M AT R I C

Back row, from left: Amber Keet, Caylan Bromley, Alexis Panton, Cassidy Bhoopchand, Natasha van Greunen, Lauren Searle Third row, from left: Ashleigh Louther, Lerato Ntsime, Saiyuree Sewchuran, Holly Hawthorne, Yumnah Toefy, Aaliyah Meredith, Tristan Jones Second row, from left: Ms Louise Lawrence, Amber Jacobs, Kayla Budge, Leila Diesel, Emily Speirs, Ashleigh Wild, Kirsten Laaks, Raeesa Kazi Front row, from left: Almaas Behardien, Faatimah Leonard, Nureen Rawoot, Sarah Breitenbach, Lauren Schaefer, Emma McCrindle, Jayshal Gajjar Absent: Aasiya Badroodien, Caitlin October

Matric Dance Teachers-in-charge: Ms Helene Swanson and Mademoiselle Floriane Blanc-Marquis Grade 11 Committee: Bianca Cilliers, Paige Eitner-Vosloo, Maxine Harrison, Fozia Hendricks, Emily Hobson, Tyla Humby, Aasiyah Khan, Imaan Khan, Ashleigh Madell, Andrea Walsh, Beth Woodroffe

26 M AT R I C

27 M AT R I C

28

M AT R I C

29 M AT R I C

Rustenburg Junior to Rustenburg High

30

Back row, from left: Jasmine Wyatt-Minter, Megan Tromp, Olivia Page-Macdonald, Lauren Searle, Kelly Jones, Hannah Rens, Neeta Chavda, Sarah Dudley, Camryn Simpson Second row, from left: Kezia Madell, Razaan Phillips, Emily Malherbe, Leila Diesel, ChloĂŤ Allison, Nicola Baalbergen, Rosannah Galbraith, Nureen Mahmood Front row, from left: Leigh Natus, ChloĂŤ Mallows, Cara Whittal, Mr Michael Gates, Nureen Rawoot, Bronwyn Kode, Safeera Takay

M AT R I C

31 M AT R I C

From the Head of Grade 11 Mr William Haggard D1: Ms Liffey Speller and Ms Hilana Marais D2: Mr James Hendricks D3: Ms Jackie Chambers D4: Mr William Haggard D5: Ms Ingrid Weideman D6: Ms Anita Pretorius

The Grade 11 year has been one that has stimulated growth, both individually and inter-personally. The year commenced with a successful parent meeting and continued through with the annual Grade 11 Leadership camp at the end of Term 1.

From the outset, the girls established within themselves a sense of individuality within a group-learning context. To this end, I congratulate those who have become prefects and also those who have assumed various other leadership positions. I have no doubt that they will lead the school proficiently. Not only have our Grade 11 girls participated freely in a wide range of school undertakings and excelled academically, there are a number of learners who, have accomplished in a number of activities that are not officially offered by the school. We commend and celebrate these girls too.

32 ACADEMIC

A comprehensive Leadership Camp Witzenburg secured lasting friendships.

at

One of the tasks involved raft-building from cardboard.

The girls learnt that learning to trust one another is an integral part of leadership.

Cathrine Alt (front right) performed as a member of the Maria Vianello School of Dance.

Michaela Hill participated at the South African Ice Skating Nationals.

Nikita Roberts saluted her Ranger-guider after receiving her Chief’s Challenge Award, the highest award for a Girl Guide.

Bridgette Bauer (pictured on her horse “Eagle’s World Cup”) participated at the SANESA Regionals in Stellenbosch as a member of the Cape Metropole team. She was invited to compete for Western Province at the National Championships in Johannesburg.

Michaela Thomas (third from the right) was part of the Synchronised Figure Skating team which came first at Nationals.

Rebecca Behne participated at the Lifesaving Nationals at Camps Bay.

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Siobhan Bottomley also participated at the Lifesaving Nationals.

Kayleigh Beattie took part in the South African National Equestrian Schools’ Association (SANESA) competition and show. This included jumping, dressage, equitation and prix-caprilli. She made the Western Province Team and captained this team at the regional competition in August 2017.

Anne Williams, pictured left, executed a spectacular jump in a ballet performance.

From the Head of Grade 10 Ms Anita Marshall C1: Mr Paul van Koersveld C2: Ms Philippa Colly C3: Ms Marieta Langenhoven C4: Ms Anita Marshall C5: Ms Lynette Jacobs C6: Mr Gian Marneweck

2017 was the year in which the Grade 10 class at Rustenburg Girls’ High School embraced the change from the GET phase to the FET phase.

Instead of calling the FET phase the Further Education and Training phase we should call it the Fabulous Evolution of Champions in Training. That is what Grade 10 is all about: finding your strengths and embracing your weaknesses and making it work for you. Many have learnt that if they take control of their own conduct they are in control of their own destiny. This has been a year of fun and growth.

Some Grade 10 stars in the news

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Morgan Prins rowed for Peninsula Girls’ Rowing Club. She and her teammates participated at the South African National Club Championships on the Buffalo River in East London and raced a distance of 2000m. Khayla Langner was part of a group that danced a character piece called Shade at the Cape Town Eisteddfod and received a diploma. Jade Lawson was one of the Assistant Referees for the curtain raiser between the Western Province U13 Craven Week Team and the Western Province U13 Academy Team before the Super Rugby Quarter Final between the Stormers and the Chiefs. Avantika Naidoo asked her family and friends to donate towards the purchase of Subz Pants and Pads, a reusable sanitary product that could positively change the lives of young woman, rather than buy her a birthday present. Amy Rice was selected to represent the Western Cape at the 2017 National Gym Games for level 6 WAG. She was a member of the Western Cape Team.

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The C6 form class took a selfie with Mr Marneweck.

Ms Brigid Ryan and eight Grade 10s went on the World The Borneo team pictured at the top of Challenge trip to Borneo.

Mount Kinabalu.

Rebecca Mortley, Nicole Smith and Helen Brooke posed in front of the fishing docks.

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Geography students worked on their outing booklets at Saunders Beach.

The annual Grade 10 Geography outing around the peninsula took place in March. The Grade 10s enjoyed some free time at Hout Bay.

The Grade 10s sketched Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.

It was the Grade 10 s’ first year of Consumer Studies.

Shannyn van Niekerk baked for fun.

The Outward Bound trip was a tough, but worthwhile experience.

The Outward Bound camp provided an opportunity for the girls to learn how to abseil.

The girls mentally prepared themselves to abseil.

The Outward Bound girls assisted at a preschool.

From the Head of Grade 9 Mr Graham Reggiori B1: Ms Tarin Scharneck B2: Ms Floriane Blanc-Marquis B3: Ms Erica van As B4: Ms Norma Caesar B5: Mr Graham Reggiori B6: Ms Zuleigah Galer and Ms Megan Paton

2017 was a year in which the Grade 9 group displayed unity and celebrated their differences. The annual Grade 9 Leadership Camp was a tremendous success.

The girls enthusiastically participated in the camp activities. The camp was an opportunity for learners to develop a sense of self-worth, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility for themselves and for others. Mia Lazarus remembered, “Being away from home was strange but the new friendships I developed, the generous portions of food, baking in the sun and swimming in the lagoon whilst trying to become leaders, made the camp more homely.�

Academically, the Grade 9s are progressing well and many excelled in the annual Rustenburg Natural Sciences Expo. They have now discovered their academic strengths and consequently the Subject Choice Meeting in July was a success. Over and above their excellence displayed on the sports field and in the cultural spheres of the school, they excelled in their participation in activities outside of school. There is no doubt, by looking at the development and achievement of this grade, that the future at Rustenburg is very bright.

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The Grade 9s enthusiastically took part in a number of activities at the Grade 9 Leadership Camp.

Some girls tackled the obstacle course at the Habonim Campsite near Hermanus.

A group of Grade 9s relaxed at the Onrus Lagoon.

Teamwork is an essential part of everyday life. Our Grade 9 girls struggled initially to make the best decision for the team.

The brainteaser was one of the most talked-about activities on camp.

Grade 9 girls enjoyed down time during break.

The Grade 9s showed off their soccer skills during Physical Education.

The Grade 9 learners concentrated intensely during assessments.

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Mr Reggiori chatted to Christina Semmelink about the importance of trees during the Arbor Day tree planting ceremony.

Hannah Elvidge competed at the South African Championships for biathle and triathle in July in George. She placed fourth and fifth in these respective events.

Camilla Freddy won the gold medal for Rhythmic Gymnastics at the Western Cape Championships in September, in the category of U15, level 9. Pre-Olympic training starts after reaching level 10.

Aman Abrahams and her team competed in the Scout Sailing competition, Seamanship, which took place in Simon’s Town in September. The team won the Sailing Trophy, the Navigation Trophy, the Spare Time Activities and Cooking Trophies.

Some Grade 9 learners rehearsed their choreographed routines at the Dance Workshop. These exciting opportunities for kinesthetic learning are facilitated by, Ms Roxy Levy, and are offered to all girls who need to offer a further Creative Arts subject because they study one of the foreign languages.

From the Head of Grade 8 Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale (Term 1 and Term 2), Ms Susan Viljoen (Term 3 and Term 4) A1: Ms Helene Swanson A2: Ms Rebecca Goble A3: Ms Denise Campbell A4: Ms Kyla Thompson A5: Ms Susan Viljoen A6: Ms Tessa Brown

The Grade 8 year is an exciting year for making new friends from different schools and backgrounds, joining societies, taking part in different sporting codes, becoming involved in community work and learning new skills in a range of academic subjects.

Yet moving from a smaller junior school environment to Rustenburg Girls’ High School can also be a daunting experience for many girls. This year’s Grade 8s made the transition with relative ease under the guidance of Ms Capstick-Dale. Sadly we had to say goodbye to Ms Capstick-Dale at the end of Term 2 as she embarked on a journey to teach in the United States of America. She served as the very capable head of Grade 8 for four years.

Throughout her teaching career at Rustenburg she touched the lives of many students, and all the emotional goodbyes were testament to the fact that she will be dearly missed. Ms Viljoen took over in Term 3.

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Three talented young Grade 8 actresses (Yakira Davidson, Sarah Irwin and Shona Morkel) were selected from all those who auditioned to join the cast of this year’s drama production, Dirty Laundry. They did well to equip themselves within a considerable older and more robust ensemble, many of whom had performed together on the Kemp Hall stage before. While the Grade 8 Dirty Little Secrets confessed to being doggedly dirty and thoroughly tired by the end of the run, all agreed that the experience had been the absolute highlight of their first year at high school and that they would do it again in a heartbeat.

The annual Natural Sciences outing to Cape Point took place at the end of March. The Grade 8s enjoyed a hike along the beach where they learned about different ecosystems.

During the April holidays a group of Grade 8s from Rustenburg and Rondebosch went on the annual Bundi Breede River Camp. Here they are seen preparing to hone their rock-climbing skills.

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The Grade 8 learners of Cambridge cheered for their swimmers at their first gala.

Emma Starke and Holly van Hoogstraten put out some fires during their fire extinguisher training with the help of the Campus Staff.

The Grade 8s won the Grey Water Challenge. Each grade and the staff was allocated a patch of lawn to water using grey water brought from home. A tree was planted in honour of the Grade 8s of 2017.

Ylara Esau Salie made Rustenburg proud when she represented Western Province at the South African National Figure Skating Championships in Durban.

Zarah Nijzink-Laurie won a gold medal at this year’s annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

Jemma Pyper took part in the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava, Slovakia. She played in the junior and senior ensembles for the West Coast Youth Orchestra. She is seen here with her mom, Ms Sjaneen Pyper.

From the Faculty of the Arts Mr Adrian Skelly: BA, HDE (PG) Sec

Picasso said, poetically in Spanish so this can only be a loose translation, “Tomorrow can never be a Sunday.”

These words might seem incongruous to someone who has a linear way of thinking. To the bright sparks who belong to the Faculty of the Arts however, Picasso’s statement serves as a launching pad for inventiveness and ingenuity.

Tomorrow can never be a Sunday if we are bound by time zones and the inconsistency of days across the globe.

Sunday will only come if we prescribe to the Gregorian Calendar which was introduced in 1582. Were there Sundays before 1852? Contemporary Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Iran do not use the Gregorian Calendar. Sunday is the Lord’s Day in Western Christianity, but our world is diverse and includes believers of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, traditional Chinese religions and more.

There are multi-fold interpretations. The one which resonates most powerfully and personally is that Picasso might also have been referring to how, for truly creative people, there is never a day of rest. There is never a day when imagination can be turned off as easily as flicking the switch of a light.

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Alston le Roux Drama Cup Alex Jeaven was the recipient of the 2017 Alston le Roux Drama Cup, for the “the greatest contribution to the development, promotion and service to the theatrical genre at Rustenburg.” Alex holds Full Colours (re-award) for Drama. In HAIR RAISING (2014), Alex played the goofy Red Head. In A Murder is Announced (2015), she tackled the demanding role of the vixen, Emily Simmons. A year later she played one of Shakespeare’s tragic heroines, Juliet, in Bedlam (2016). This year Alex was one of the leads in Dirty Laundry. She was the Enchanted Wardrobe Mistress of a haunted theatre. Alex awed the panel of external adjudicators which visited to assess her original theme programme practical work in September. They were unanimous in their decision that Alex absolutely belongs on the stage.

Matric Dance Studies Through studying Dance, I have gained confidence and performance skills. This subject has helped me become more aware of and in tune with my body, through learning anatomy and injury prevention. Being able to put this information into practice in each Dance class has made the theory relevant. The choreography task was a challenge to stretch my creativity. It also helped to improve my leadership skills by managing a group of dancers. Dance has given me a medium in which to express myself without words, and has provided me with an emotional outlet during this stressful year. I have had to experiment with improvisation techniques which have pushed me beyond my comfort zone. By studying both international and local Dance works, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the way in which famous choreographers use dance to make a political, social and emotional statement.

Bianca Rijkmans (Grade 12) The Very Real Story of Someone Else The brief that we received was to select an autobiography that held relevance to our own lives. Choosing “The Autistic Brain” (Temple Grandin) was something to which I gave serious consideration to. Although I am not personally affected with autism, I live with a sibling who is on the spectrum.

Understanding emotions, through the voice of someone who has lived with the diagnosis for most of her life, was insightful and rewarding.

Performing this piece allowed me to both push my own boundaries, while enlightening my audience who unfamiliar with these struggles.

Nicole Smith (Grade 10) The Very Real Story of Someone Else I chose Melina Mercouri (Maria Amalia Mercouri) as my Theatre Realism character because I felt I related to her. She was a Greek woman who was born into a very large family, was loud and possessed an opinion.

She was extremely passionate about drama (I am too!) and she really knew how to put on a performance. Melina acted throughout her entire life and loved every moment. She was a force to be reckoned with.

Myra Parolis (Grade 10)

Saiyuree Sewchuran (Grade 12), a Visual Arts and Design learner, won the CTCA Young Creatives 2017 Competition after submitting three photographic works, and subsequently received a bursary for study in 2018.

Maia Duffus and Claire Ordman (both in Grade 10) bonded with Rustenburg Junior School after drawing imaginary animals as part of their Design process for their Term 3 practical project.

Ruth Bezuidenhout (Grade 9) and Jamie Fagan (Grade 8) showcased work created by Grade 12 Design pupils.

Photographer Josie Borain addressed girls at the Annual Art and Design Seminar.

Arabella Bennett, Director of Bennett Contemporary, was the guest speaker at the Art and Design Celebration of Creativity.

Designer Heath Nash was an invited guest speaker at the Annual Art and Design Seminar.

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These talented pupils were the GET prize winners of the MCED Visual Arts Provincial Competition. Back row, from left: Zahraa Solomons (gold), Chloe Adams (silver), Anna Nagel (gold), Carla Kellerman (bronze), Hannah-Jane Lamberg (gold), Sabreen Mohamed (gold). Front row, from left: Robyn Cluver (silver), Hannah Olarogun (gold), Monique Hefer (gold).

Absent: Isabella Gray (silver).

Victoria King, Iman O’Brien, Olivia Steyn and the Grade 10 History class searched for the most youth-friendly exhibit at the Iziko Slave Lodge.

Jennifer Darley-Waddilove, Jenna Frost, Leigh Natus and Julia Bosman placed joint 10th out of 45 schools at this year’s SAIIA (South African Institute for International Affairs) Quiz held at Bishops.

The annual Sixties lesson in History focussed on the 1969 Woodstock Peace Concert and brought out the best in the 12 B hippies.

Judging from the applause, the penultimate item, “Golden” (written by Ruth B) was one of the most popular items on the Women’s Day Assembly programme. Shown here are Talia Mdlungu and Chelsea Burnell.

Taylor Hall (Grade 11) shared a light-hearted moment with some of the Pittsburgh University students who visited the History class on 25 May.

“I loved assembly today! It was appropriately serious and heartfelt at the start. The Grade 9 girls sent powerful messages about violations against women. The hints of entertainment in the skit were most enjoyable, yet still demonstrated the long journey of women’s struggle for basic human rights. Well done,” wrote Ms Zuleigher Galer after the Grade 9 Human Rights Day Assembly.

Holocaust survivor, Miriam Lichterman, at the Cape Town Holocaust Centre was surrounded

by Grade 11 French, German and History learners after sharing her experiences of hope at a time of discrimination, persecution and extermination under Nazi rule. Grade 11 History learner, Ruby Wilson, captured the impact of the experience when she said, “I had not felt History like this before.”

Awarded all the writing prizes in the White Rose Project at the Holocaust Centre were: Lydia Hardie (first), Zimkhitha Kasana (second), Gabrielle Adams (third) and Jenna Frost (fourth). Shown here are winners Zimkhitha Kasana, Jenna Frost, Lydia Hardie with Jennifer Darley Waddilove.

Music Collaboration Concert It was one of those years again; a year for SACS (hosting), Rustenburg and Rondebosch to showcase their Music Departments by putting on another Music Collaboration.

By combining the talent of the three departments, an almost full symphony orchestra, concert band, and 200-strong choir was showcased. This impressive culmination of voice and instrument set the stage for a memorable event.

The concert took place over two nights in August at the Hugo Lambrecht Auditorium in Parow. With the City Hall being out of bounds, we had to explore other venue possibilities. The auditorium’s acoustics are of international standard. It was an incredible experience to perform there.

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The evening featured several works such as Pachabel’s Canon, (for concert band), a Gospel arrangement of Händel’s famous Hallelujah chorus, the last movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, as well as Ndikhokhele Bawo, a traditional a capella Xhosa work which featured Rustenburg’s Asemi Ntsokolo as soloist. Asemi’s rendition of the solo part was particularly moving and she received a standing ovation on both evenings.

The main attraction of the evening, however, was the performance of South African composer, Peter Louis van Dijk’s, ambitious San Gloria, a work for chamber orchestra, body percussion and chorus. This work incorporates the traditional Latin text with the elements of clapping, sounds and themes of the San. Introducing a work that has never

been performed by these collaboration concerts allowed for a fresh approach, and the interesting use of the San mouth sounds was an element that was thoroughly enjoyed by the performers.

The guest conductor for the performances was Stellenbosch-based Louis van der Watt. Van der Watt is a senior lecturer in Strings at the University of Stellenbosch, and guest conductor of the US Symphony Orchestra, as well as the conductor of the Canticum Novum Students’ Choir.

Under his baton these groups have performed more than 20 different works for choir and orchestra. Van der Watt’s expertise and insight into the San Gloria was invaluable and his energy on stage was enjoyed by all involved. The playing and singing was of a very high standard and one had to constantly remind oneself that it was high school pupils performing these works.

Embarking on a collaboration concert such as this involved much energy, time and planning. Both learners and students had to be fully committed and sacrifice much of their time. Rehearsals for the choir and orchestra, besides their weekly practices at school, would be until late in the evening. Often extra rehearsals had to be organised to ensure that the final product was successful. It therefore goes without saying that immense gratitude goes out to everyone who was involved in this project.

Music Awards Dernier/Sole Prize Stephanie Keyser, a Grade 12 subject music pupil, was the recipient of the 2017 Dernier/Sole Prize for Outstanding Progress in Piano. She holds Full Colours for Music, having achieved distinctions for the Grade 8 TCL piano examination and 92% in subject music in June 2017. Stephanie often accompanies the School Song at school events and embraces different techniques and styles in piano performance with aplomb.

Rosemary Davis Prize Imke Mühr was the recipient of the Rosemary Davis Prize for Excellence in Jazz Performance in 2017. Imke holds Full Colours for Music and has made a valuable contribution to the success of the Jazz Band and Jazz Combo over the last five years. She holds the portfolio of Head of Jazz Band and Jazz Combo. Imke has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Brass and Jazz department at the school and was selected as second trombonist for the Standard Bank National Schools’ Jazz Big Band – she is only the third instrumentalist to be selected for this prestigious group in the history of Rustenburg. Imke is a natural jazz performer and is pursuing jazz studies in trombone at the College of Music in 2018.

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Janet Kirk Trophy The Janet Kirk Cup for Service and Dedication to the Orchestra was jointly awarded to Stephanie Keyser and Imke Mühr in 2017. Stephanie, the principal violinist, has been a committed member of the Orchestra for the last five years and has recently been re-selected for the South African National Youth Orchestra. She holds the portfolio of Head of Orchestra, a position she has applied with dedication and excellence. Stephanie obtained her ABRSM Grade 8 violin examination with distinction. Imke, originally a violinist and later a trombonist in the orchestra, was elected the Deputy Head of Orchestra for 2017, having been a member since her Grade 8 year. She achieved Merit for her Grade 8 TCL violin examination, as well as Honours in the Cape Town Eisteddfod. Both girls have been members of several other music ensembles at Rustenburg.

Ivan Killian Book Prize The Ivan Killian Book Prize for Commitment, Dedication and Service to Music was awarded to Da Eun Lee. Da Eun was a dedicated and loyal member of the Orchestra, General Choir, and Flute ensemble throughout her years at high school. She achieved a merit for her Grade 6 TCL flute examination and distinction for the Grade 5 ABRSM theory examination. Da Eun was also the first flautist for the San Gloria collaborative performances with Rondebosch and SACS this year – a position which she served with excellence. She achieved all of this while having to undergo two cochlear implants and has shown much perseverance over the last five years. Da Eun is a true inspiration to the other girls in the Music Department.

Lisa Hellenberg Music Bursary Kim-Joy Damon and Tenille Cannon were the holders of the Lisa Hellenberg Music Busary for 2017. Kim-Joy, a pianist and cellist, achieved a merit for the Grade 6 TCL examination in piano last year and performed her Grade 7 TCL examination in October this year. She was awarded a Silver Medal at the recent Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfod Prize-giving Ceremony for her performance in the Piano Recital category. Tenille, a saxophonist, achieved Distinction for her Grade 4 TCL saxophone examination last year and performed her Grade 5 TCL examination in October this year. Both girls have been very active in the musical life of the school. Kim-Joy is a member of the Orchestra and Chamber Choir. Tenille was a member of the Jazz Band, General Choir and Savuyisa. Both girls served on the Music Society.

Music Scholarships Stephanie Keyser, a violinist, and Imke Mühr, a violinist and trombonist, were each awarded a music scholarship in 2013 at Rustenburg for the duration of their high school years. As Grade 12 subject Music pupils, they both hold Full Colours for Music and served as members of several ensembles. Both girls have played an active role in the musical life of Rustenburg throughout their five years at high school.

Music Colours The Rustenburg Music Awards Assembly was held on 29 September. The guest speaker, Mr Trevino Isaacs, is the co-founder of the Mitchells Plain Music Academy and also plays an integral role in the establishment of the West Coast Music Academy. His message to the students was very inspiring. The following girls were awarded Half Colours: Bianca Cilliers, Ameryn Peters, Jessica Mchlaclan and Mia Salonen. The following girls were awarded Full Colours: Jiyoon Jeon, Kaitlin Downie, Imke Mühr and Stephanie Keyser.

Take Note Music Concert “When words fail, music speaks” (Shakespeare) On 27 September the Music Department hosted the Take Note Concert.

This was an opportunity to showcase the departments’ ensembles and various music groups. The programme included the General and Chamber Choirs, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Wind Band, Blue Quaver (female rock band) and a number of ensembles. The audience was welcomed with energetic performances by the Junior Marimba Band in the Fountain Quad against the backdrop of the spring sunset.

The concert opened with an invitation by the charming master of ceremonies, Nokukhanya Zondi. The General Choir enhanced this invitation with “Be our Guest,” while the gentle sounds of the accordion in the background added to flavour. Thami Giyose and Yakira Davidson added a graceful touch to the rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” whilst being accompanied on piano and violin.

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The mood of the concert was set and continued to build up to a climax with the help of a few little surprises and journeys to faraway places: through singing, instrumental playing and a diversity of styles. A performance of “A Night at the Opera” by the Wind Band was delivered with several dynamic contrasts. This group maintained the rhythmical challenges of this piece.

Creating an atmosphere of traditional folk music: the guitar, recorder and string ensembles collectively performed stylistically different pieces.

These groups allowed the audience to experience the various sounds of guitars, recorders and strings within different contexts, from the slightly upbeat bossa nova and swing performance by the Recorder Ensemble to strong folk dance off-beats by the Guitar and String Ensembles.

Surprises and moments of “je-ne-se quas” added to the build-up of the concert. The lights dimmed, the Orchestra took its cue and “voila,” the Orchestra introduced the Nutcracker Suite and Bianca Rijkmans took to

the stage. This was a breath-taking culmination that had the audience in awe. The orchestra followed it up with a very energetic rendition of High School Musical. The audience, especially, the young-at-heart joined in by singing some of the lyrics and “pep rally” cheering at the innovative touch of the whistles.

The Chamber Choir told the story of The Rose with incredible tenderness.

For a moment, the Kemp Hall was transformed into a Broadway spectacular as various songs from West Side Story, Les Miserables and The Sound of Music were performed and accompanied by some spectacular choreography. The audience experienced a tearful moment with Imke Mühr’s rendition of On my own.

Towards the end of the concert, the energy seemed to accelerate as ‘Blue Quaver’ had the audience leave their seats and hit the dance floor. Their smooth performance of Treasure by Bruno Mars, left one in awe that these girls are only high school students.

The Jazz Band performed two pieces that allowed the audience to experience the various sounds of jazz music. Tip-top ensemble playing, good improvisation solos and immaculate soloists marked their performance as slick and highly professional.

The performances throughout the evening were of a high standard.

The response and appreciation of the audience was overwhelmingly positive. This evening was an absolute highlight for the Music Department and a fitting final concert for our Matrics. The addition of subtle décor in the Kemp Hall and the foyer enhanced the atmosphere. The success of this concert made all the rehearsals throughout the year worthwhile.

Jazz Band

Orchestra

Fourth row, from left: Katherine Worthington-Smith, Kaitlin Downie, Andrea Walsh, Caroline Schreiber, Tanya van der Merwe, Hannah Olarogun Third row, from left: Natasha Roomes, Carla Mae Daniels, Mia Salonen, Georgia New, Saar-rah Latiff, Jessica McLachlan, Megan de Villiers, Mia Barashenkov Second row, from left: Sanga Lee, Bethany Rumble, Ameryn Peters, Gina Wright, Erin Poulter, Jiyoon Jeon, Younsung Kim, Erica Whittal, Sarah Philander First row, from left: Tenille Cannon, Jenna Davids, Nureen Mahmood, Jenna Frost, Nina Beckurts, Da Eun Lee, Jade Lawson, Tumelo Nkgudi Front row, from left: Lara Stulting, Katrin van der Merwe, Jameelah Jardine, Stephanie Keyser, Ms Olivia Herrendoëfer, Imke Mühr, Mikaela van Otterlo, Bronwyn Elizabeth Kode, Kim-Joy Damon Absent: Nokukhanya Zondi

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First row, from left: Jiyoon Jeon, Georgia New, Kaitlin Downie, Caroline Schreiber, Gina Wright, Jade Lawson Front row, from left: Ayla Macedo, Daniella Freitas, Imke Mühr, Mr Murray Buitendag, Tenille Cannon, Tumelo Nkgudi, Taylor Hall Absent: Caitlin October

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String Ensemble

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Third row, from left: Hannah Olarogun, Shannon McGaughey, Iman Cattle, Kaitlin Downie Second row, from left: Erica Whittal, Jiyoon Jeon, Saar-rah Latiff, Jemma Hallett, Mia Barashenkov, Younsung Kim, Leigh Toet First row, from left: Kim-Joy Damon, Haneen Pohplonker, Ainslee Zoe Khamal, Sanga Lee, Bethany Rumble, Sarah Philander, Thaakirah Majiet, Jameelah Jardine Front row, from left: Lara Stulting, Stephanie Keyser, Katrin van der Merwe, Ms Maria Raynham, Nureen Mahmood, Imke MĂźhr, Mikaela van Otterlo Absent: Megan Carolessen, ChloĂŤ Sampson

Wind Band

Third row, from left: Olivia Key, Sarah Tough, Saige King, Andrea Walsh, Marnie McGowan, Katherine Worthington - Smith Second row, from left: Natasha Roomes, Carla Mae Daniels, Aman Abrahams, Mikayla Shaw, Megan Barnard, Georgia New, Mia Salonen, Gina Wright, Kristen de Villiers First row, from left: Rachel Noyce, Jordan Davids, Linomtha Damane, Ameryn Peters,Kate Birch, Amy Cornelius, Caelin Murray, Robyn Rainier-Pope Front row, from left: Tumelo Nkudi, Yennie Chung, Jade Lawson, Tanya van der Merwe, Mr Murray Buitendag, Jessica McLachlan, Jenna Davids, Bronwyn Kode, Angelique Murray Absent: Caitlin October, Rebecca Vosloo

Chamber Choir

General Choir

Back row, from left: Nada Nyakaza, Victoria King, Marnie McGowan, Katia Devoti, Ashleigh Smith, Alicia Howe, Martha Ruider, Erin Marsberg, Bianca Cilliers, Natasha Espag, Amukele Ngubane, Kim Lothaller, Sifumene Naka Fourth row, from left: Morepholosi Somo, Megan Barnard, Katherine Worthington-Smith, Paige Rutherford, Chi Ng, Talitha Wyne, Mushira Obaray, Caroline Schreiber, Lungelo Mashaba, Adwoa Danso, Fozia Hendricks, Baheya Dramat, Michaela de Vries, Chloë Sampson, Isabella Bosman, Mary MacMillan Third row, from left: Leah Mann, Zara Nijzink-Laurie, Kate Birch, Kia Arendse, Michaela Acquah, Emma Catherine Smith, Carla Daniels, Kim Reinecke, Emma Johannessen, Hlonelwa Zimba, Ilhaam Khalfe, Gia Barbosa, Julia Gomes, Da Eun Lee Second row, from left: Samira Anwar, Hope Hadebe, Zipho Tom, Caitlin Gronow, Jameelah Jardine, Shazia Solomons, Thami Giyose, Yakira Davidson, Erin Poulter, Camilla Freddy, Saar-rah Chilwan, Emily Burston, Rania Mokallik First row, from left: Lathitha Njozela, Maxine Dos Reis, Ronia Anderson, Shuhayma Jaber, Mikaela van Otterlo, Carla Kellerman, Tinika Navsaria, Tenille, Cannon, Alexandra Muller, Sarah Philander, Ayla Macedo, Avantika Naidoo Front row, from left: Clare Roberts, Ye Chung, Kelly De Lucchi, Saiyuree Sewchuran, Adrienne Golden, Mr Jaco Goosen, Cassidy Bhoopchand, Ms Maileen Jamey, Stephanie Keyser, Lerato Ntsime, Maxine Meyer, Uminathi William, Emma Kühn Absent: Caitlin October

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Fourth row, from left: Emma Allkin, Erin Wingfield, Kaitlyn Botha, Geena Dolzin, Katherine Worthington-Smith, Chloë Sampson, Hannah Olarungen Third row, from left: Chloë Swartz, Abbey Hatton, Alice von Zeil, Mikayla Shaw, Carmen Wilson-Harris, Lara Cattermole, Erin Savage, Jemma Hallett, Michaela Acquah , Kate Birch Second row, from left: Jameelah Jardine, Linomtha Damane, Lutholuhle Mkupa, Yewon Choi, Thameenah Dhansay, Jiyoon Jeon, Asemi Ntsokolo, Erica Whittal, Younsung Kim First row, from left: Uminathi William, Ainslee Khamal, Kim-Joy Damon, Ameryn Peters, Emma McCrindle, Brittany du Preez, Sarah Philander, Kathia Oppelt, Tumelo Nkgudi, Ashleigh Madell Front row, from left: Cara Whittal, Mishka Sooful, Nina Beckhurts, Mr Jaco Goosen, Katrin van der Merwe, Ms Jan Thorne, Imke Mühr, Talia Mdlungu, Alexa Rabeling

Jazz Combo

First row, from left: Jiyoon Jeon, Taylor Hall Front row, from left: Ayla Macedo, Imke Mühr, Mr Murray Buitendag, Tumelo Nkgudi, Daniella Freitas Absent: Caitlin October

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Percussion Ensemble

First row, from left: Mr David West Front row, from left: Kaitlyn Botha, Kimlyn Smart, Bronwyn Kode, Carla Daniels

Savuyisa Junior

First row, from left: Olwethu Mthembu, Kate Birch, Hannah Schaefer, Alexandra Austin, Carla Kellerman Front row, from left: Ashleigh Madell, Kathia Oppelt, Erin Wingfield, Bronwyn Kode, Tumelo Nkgudi

Savuyisa Senior

First row, from left: Tenille Cannon, Asemi Ntsokolo, Mikayla Shaw, Linomtha Damane Front row, from left: Keely Londt, Chloë Mallows, Saiyuree Sewchuran, Nicola Baalbergen, Victoria King

From the Music Department Mr Jaco Goosen: MMus, UTLM

It was with great enthusiasm that I took over as Head of the Music Department in 2017. I saw it as a privilege to be associated with an institution that is regarded in such high esteem, but also a challenge because change is inevitable.

As a department, we discussed, brainstormed and formulated an exciting vision that highlighted the growth of our ensemble programme, the expansion of our brass, lower strings, and percussion branches, the introduction of the Jazz stream, incorporating Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School in our music events, and exploring the possibilities of various tours.

2017 started off on a positive note by celebrating the success of the Grade 12 Music Class of 2016 in their NSC music examinations. The class received an average of 89.8% with Hannah Clayton being first, and Lauren Pienaar fourth for Music in the province.

The annual Subject Music outing to a rehearsal with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra took place in February. They presented a vibrant programme

by Russian composers Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Stravinsky. Our Music Workshop evening for our subject music pupils consisted of a drum circle

by Beat It, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the girls and the teachers.

We celebrated the anniversaries of Gershwin, Ravel, Granados, Milhaud, Joplin, Kodaly and South African composers at our eighth Piano Festival, with Tertia Downie as our guest speaker, assisted by Bridget and Petri Salonen on the interesting music of Ravel, Milhaud, and South African composer Peter Louis van Dijk. Congratulations to Jiyoon Jeon who was awarded a special prize at the event for her interpretation of a Granados

Our ensemble programme continues to grow. Ensembles were involved in several internal and external events. We introduced several new projects this year such as the Picnic Concert, combined Musical Showcase with Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School, Lunchtime Ensemble concerts, the Take Note Prestige Evening, and the Combined Festival of Praise evening. The Orchestra participated in the FACETS Senior School Bands competition, receiving 88% and winning the first prize. Stephanie Keyser and Kaitlin Downie were selected for the National Youth Orchestra, and Imke Mühr became only our third instrumentalist to be selected for the Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band as second trombonist.

Rustenburg was well represented at the annual Cape Town and Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfod. Kaitlin Downie, Kim Younsung (violins) and Jiyoon Jeon (harpsichord) were part of an ensemble that received a Gold medal. Kim-Joy Damon (piano recital) and Bianca Cilliers, together with Mishka Sooful (recorder duet), were awarded silver medals.

The Music Awards Ceremony took place on the last day of Term 3. Our guest speaker was Trevino Isaacs, co-founder of the Mitchells Plain Music Academy. He shared his inspirational music journey with the school and was well received.

The Music Department is already looking forward to 2018 as we have some exciting projects planned for next year, such as the introduction of the Jazz stream in Grade 10. Let me end off with my favourite quote by Shakespeare, “If music be the food of life, play on.” This is exactly what we intend to do!

49 ACADEMIC

We welcomed Ms Carla Stokes as part-time clarinet teacher, and Mr Murray Buitendag as full-time Brass and Jazz teacher. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Ms Maileen Jamey who decided to take up a teaching position at Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School. Even though we knew that her presence would be missed, we supported her decision.

Her post was filled by Ms Juanita Atkinson, former Head of Music at Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory School. All the new teachers have been wonderful additions.

Spanish Dance.The Judith Dernier Piano Prize was awarded to Victoria Fokkens of Westerford.

Dirty Laundry A naïve Actress found herself on a vast, bare stage. She thought she was late for an audition, but couldn’t be sure. The shadowy space of the theatre loomed large and threatened to engulf her, until the arrival of an enchanted Wardrobe Mistress who insisted on fitting the Actress for roles she might have played.

The forgotten theatre costumes were inhabited by Dirty Little Secrets.

These were ghostly personifications which were evoked by discarded clothes of past productions, of stories which once resounded through the auditorium. With each garment that the Wardrobe Mistress dispensed, the Dirty Little Secrets magically transported the Actress through fantasy and illusion. The spirits of the haunted clothes imparted lessons which left her bewildered, but intrigued by the power of theatre.

The world of the stage pulled the Actress between comedy and tragedy, between pathos and farce. Ultimately, the Actress discovered that some stains are so deeply engrained that they cannot come out in the wash. Clothes continue to talk long after their wearers have stopped the conversation. There is always life behind the seams!

50

Cast

Actress: Jade Dreyer (Grade 9) Wardrobe Mistress: Alex Jeaven (Grade 12) Dirty Little Secrets: Darian Cloete (Grade 10), Yakira Davidson (Grade 8), Natasha Espag (Grade 11), Sarah Irwin (Grade 8), Victoria King (Grade 10), Zahra Mohamed (Grade 12), Shona Morkel (Grade 8), Georgia New (Grade 9), Myra Parolis (Grade 10), Gabriella Sancho (Grade 10), Katherine Sharp (Grade 12), Nicole Smith (Grade 10), Lauren Solomon (Grade 11), Megan Sorour (Grade 9), Elizabeth Stevenson (Grade 11), Kimberley Wain (Grade 11), Oliver Wakeford (Grade 10, Rondebosch Boys’), Thomas White ( Grade 10, Rondebosch Boys’)

ACADEMIC

Matric Dramatic Arts Theme Programmes

51 ACADEMIC

CAST: Walking on Sunshine

Chloe Allison, Greg Cohen (Rondebosch Boys’), Razaan Phillips, Jade Smith

CAST: Once upon a Time

Mia Bloom, Chelsea Burnell, Ylva Hultkrantz, Alex Jeaven, Katherine Sharp, Jasmine Wyatt-Minter The two Matric Dramatic Arts theme programmes were written, created, designed and rehearsed specifically for assessment. In fact they were two years in the making with creative ideas being pooled loosely since 2016 already. Theme programmes are not conventional ‘shows,’ rather they meet the criteria prescribed nationally for all Matric learners who undertake a study of Dramatic Arts as an academic subject. Grade 12

Drama pupils need to show their versatility and range of talent within three distinct genres (acting styles). These three spotlight moments need to be integrated through Workshop Theatre and linked through a broad concept. The official subject performance assessment requirements are as follows: MONOLOGUE: compulsory SCENE: compulsory THIRD OPTION: (Physical Theatre, Poetry, Choral Verse) The performers grew and developed alongside their different characters, forging strong emotional connections with each role, which took time and immense sensitivity to refine. For the actresses (and the department’s first Matric actor!), this proved to be a highlight and was a fitting end to their five years collaborating creatively in the Drama Studio.

JUNIOR ARTWORK

First row, from left: Erin Griffiths (Grade 8), Hayley Wood (Grade 8), Imaan Majal (Grade 8) Second row, from left: Isabella Gruber (Grade 8), Isabella Lategan (Grade 8), Isabella Lethbridge (Grade 8) Third row, from left: Kayla Joubert (Grade 8), Keona Missing (Grade 8), Kerri Muller (Grade 8) Fourth row, from left: Megan Carolessen (Grade 8), Nuha Grimwood (Grade 8), Rachel Noyce (Grade 8)

52 ACADEMIC

JUNIOR ARTWORK

First row, from left: Angela Briton (Grade 9), Anna Nagel (Grade 9) Second row, from left: Chloe Adams (Grade 9), Claudia Viera (Grade 9) Third row, from left: Emily Rice (Grade 9), Gabriella van Vuuren (Grade 9) Fourth row, from left: Isabella Little (Grade 9), Jade Dreyer (Grade 9) Fifth row, from left: Lauren Winde (Grade 9), Layla Allie (Grade 9) Sixth row, from left: Madison Beley (Grade 9), Nikita Daya (Grade 9)

53 ACADEMIC

SENIOR DESIGN

First row, from left: Aaliyah Meredith (Grade 12), Amber Jacobs (Grade 12), Kaden Rieper (Grade 10) Second row, from left: Kayla Budge (Grade 12), Lauren Gerieke (Grade 10), Maia Duffus (Grade 10) Third row, from left: Micaela Soloman Gr 12 (2), Saiyuree Sewchuran (Grade 12), Saiyuree Sewchuran (Grade 12) Fourth row, from left: Sophie Hertantyo (Grade 10), Syan O’ Connell (Grade 12), Tyler de Villiers (Grade 10)

54 ACADEMIC

SENIOR DESIGN

First row, from left: Aaliyah Meredith (Grade 12) Chloe Adams (Grade 9) Hannah-Jane Lamberg (Grade 9) Second row, from left: Holly Hawthorne (Grade 12) Jamie McGown (Grade 8) Jenna Doveton (Grade 12) Third row, from left: Kathleen Heiberg (Grade 11) Kayla Budge (Grade 12) Nina d’Andrea (Grade 12) Fourth row, from left: Saarah Salie (Grade 11) Sabreen Mohamed (Grade 9) Syan O’Connell (Grade 12)

55 ACADEMIC

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHY

First row, from left: Bethany Rumble (Grade 10), Bethany Rumble (Grade 10), Bethany Rumble (Grade 10) Second row, from left: Bethany Rumble (Grade 10), Bethany Rumble (Grade 10), Bethany Rumble (Grade 10) Third row, from left: Brittany Gouws (Grade 12), Iman Cassiem (Grade 10), Khayla Langner (Grade 10) Fourth row, from left: Myra Parolis (Grade 10), Nicole Smith (Grade 10), Saiyuree Sewchuran (Grade 12)

56 ACADEMIC

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHY

First row, from left: Adrienne Clynick (Grade 12) Second row, from left: Dominique Wagner (Grade 12) Jaime Gillett (Grade 10) Jasmine Wyatt-Minter (Grade 12) Third row, from left: Karima Dalmau (Grade 10) Khayla Langner (Grade 10) Lauren Searle (Grade 12) Fourth row, from left: Myra Parolis (Grade 10) Neeta Chavda (Grade 12) Talia Novella (Grade 12)

57 ACADEMIC

SENIOR VISUAL ARTS

First row, from left: Sarah Breitenbach (Grade 12) Second row, from left: Alice Bonnes (Grade 11), Bridget Bauer (Grade 11), Daniella Attfield (Grade 12) Third row, from left: Jayshal Gajjar (Grade 12), Julia Bosman (Grade 12), Paige Eitner-Vosloo (Grade 11) Fourth row, from left: Rosannah Galbraith (Grade 12), Sabrina Roberts (Grade 12), Zoe Nichol (Grade 12)

58 ACADEMIC

SENIOR VISUAL ARTS

First row, from left: Aasiyah Khan (Grade 11) Alice Bonnes (Grade 11) Caitlin Powrie (Grade 11) Second row, from left: Daniella Attfield (Grade 12) Third row, from left: Daniella Attfield (Grade 12) Hannah Uren (Grade 11) Keren Moyo (Grade 11) Fourth row, from left: Paige Eitner-Vosloo (Grade 11) Ruby Wilson (Grade 11) Talia Kocerhan (Grade 11)

59 ACADEMIC

VISUAL DIARIES

First row, from left: Cynthia Augustine (Grade 12), Daniella Attfield (Grade 12), Daniella Attfield (Grade 12) Second row, from left: Holly Hawthorne (Grade 12), Julia Bosman (Grade 12), Julia Stokell (Grade 12) Third row, from left: Rosannah Galbraith (Grade 12), Rosannah Galbraith (Grade 12), Sabrina-Belle Roberts (Grade 12) Fourth row, from left: Sarah Breitenbach (Grade 12), Sarah Breitenbach (Grade 12), Zoe Nicol (Grade 12)

60 ACADEMIC

From the Faculty of Business and Life Skills Ms Linda Pam van Dyk BA, HDE Mallon:

One of the fundamental tenets of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that “Education that helps young people to develop life skills has transformative potential.”

The Business and Life Skills Faculty endeavours to foster this principle by equipping learners with the relevant skills for a changing world. It is our belief, that we are contributing to the “business” of life.

61 ACADEMIC

Matric Accounting students, Courtney Petersen and Lauren Schaefer, were hard at work in preparation for their upcoming Preliminary Examinations.

Matric Accounting students, Casey Wheeler and Katrin van der Merwe, bear cheerful testimony to the fact that working with numbers can indeed be fun.

Mr Terence O’Connor from the Western Cape Education Department was our special guest at the annual Grade 9 Market Day held in March, and was very impressed with what he experienced. He is seen here with Ms Zuleigah Galer, Mr Gian Marneweck and Mr Michael Gates and the Grade 10 and 11 Accounting learners who assisted on the day.

The Grade 10 Accounting learners went to the beautiful Elgin Valley to learn more about Cost and Management Accounting. Their tour guide was Rustenburg Old Girl, Ms Norma Bridgman. Here, they are posing for a picture at Elgin Ridge, a wine farm that uses organic farming methods.

The American Angels used a brightlydecorated and strategically-arranged table to entice prospective customers to buy from them, thus fulfilling one of the fundamental strategies of entrepreneurship.

Learning how to work with money is an essential skill, and one with which all Grade 9 learners are equipped during the course of the year. To make money, one has to sell: this can only happen if one gets the customer’s attention by standing out from the crowd, especially if one’s product is “Made with Love.”

Dressed for success was the Sugar Rush group, consisting of Hanaa’ Hendricks, Mikaela van Otterlo, Jenna Dugmore and Emma de-Beger

Rustenburg learners are indeed privileged to have access to numerous computing applications, and are encouraged to use these across their choices of subject. Geena Polzin (Grade 10) used Online Collaboration to work on a group Geography project.

This application allows learners to do group work from anywhere, using the internet to communicate and share ideas.

Kayla Conradie (Grade 10) shared what she has learnt about Cloud Computing with her class. This application stores programs, files and documents using the Internet, again making access to information that much easier.

In Term 3 of their final year, the Grade 12 Consumer Studies learners completed their final internal practical assessment, under strict examination conditions. They have no idea what they will have to prepare until the day of the practical. Yumnah Toefy and Zoë Naude prepared Zesty Lemon Meringue Pies and a Rough Puff Bourekos with cheese filling. The latter dish, also known as a Middle Eastern Hand Pie, is popular throughout the Middle East.

Consumer Studies practicals require the learners to be calm and efficient over a period of four hours. Zoë Ackerman (Grade 12) met this requirement while preparing Mini Orange Cheese Cakes and Ostrich Meatballs in a creamy tomato sauce, served on a bed of spaghetti.

Grade 12 learners Megan Lodder and Nicola Baalbergen prepared Butter Chicken, served on a bed of rice, as their main course, and Sponge Cake Entremets with white chocolate, fresh fruit and a cream filling for their dessert dish.

At the forefront of this table of delights are dishes prepared by Grade 12 learners Hester Howard, Eden Paarwater and Rachel Couperthwaite.

They each prepared Chicken Kebabs and a Paris-Brest, the latter consisting of choux pastry filled with caramel Chantilly cream.

One of the aims of the national curriculum is to produce learners that are able to use technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others. Learners are taught the design process to develop solutions to problems, needs or wants. Grade 8 learners are pictured building a life saver’s beach tower using recycled materials.

The beach towers required the use of crossbracing and triangulation. Part of the design process is learning to work safely using the appropriate tools such as glue guns and craft knives.

62 ACADEMIC

Dr Michael Whitfield, a molecular biologist, addressed Grade 12 learners who plan to study for their MBChB at Stellenbosch University in 2018. He is pictured with Nuhaa Francis, Evashna Pillay, Nureen Rawoot, Wi-aam Jassiem, Neeta Chavda and Nokukhanya Zondi.

Members of the band Opposite the Other are pictured here with Grade 11 learners Daniella de Freitas, Morgan Rossouw and Siobhan Bottomley.

This local band entertained the school in an end-of-term programme.

These programmes are designed to educate and stimulate beyond the curriculum, thus forming a vital part of the broader aims of this school.

63 The Grade 8 and 9 girls are seen in action during a Physical Education lesson. This is a compulsory component of Life Orientation and includes topics such as dancing, swimming, team sport and recreational activities.

Each girl is encouraged to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle through participating in some form of physical activity, and Physical Education lessons aim to give the girls that platform during a normal school week.

Physical Education is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to get to know one another on a different level. It allows for a break from the classroom, where the girls can run around and engage in competitive games or relaxation activities.

Grade 12 learners Casey Wheeler, Adrienne Clynick, and Cara Whittal are pictured with Professor Jennifer Whittal, past pupil and lecturer in Geomatics at UCT, at a lunch-time talk for prospective students.

ACADEMIC

The Grade 8s embarked on a six-week Health, Social and Environmental responsibility course in Term 3 where they learned how to plant and care for their own vegetables from our very own Campus Staff member, Mr Ali Ibrahim. The course also included a sustainability tour around our campus to learn more about Rustenburg’s energy and water consumption and how the school is contributing to a greener environment.

from the Faculty of Languages Ms Helene Swanson: BA, HOD

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world” (Ludwig Wittgenstein).

Proficiency in languages not only broadens our social and cultural horizons but also empowers us. Emphasising the importance of multilingualism, Rustenburg offers a number of languages from which the girls have the opportunity to choose.

64 ACADEMIC

Mr Biermann’s Grade 8 Afrikaans class in action during a role play in an oral lesson: Ylara Esau Salie, Helen Meyers, Katherine Worthington-Smith, Carla Kellerman.

The Grade 11s had fun at the Woordfees in Stellenbosch earlier this year where they enjoyed the production of Fiela se Kind, the prescribed Afrikaans drama for Grade 12 in 2018.

Afrikaans author Marita Van Der Vyver, visited our school to promote her latest youth novel, Al wat ek weet, and to motivate learners to read more widely and to write.

The pride and joy of the Afrikaans Department were the top achievers who scored above 80% in the Afrikaans Olympiad: Sarah Virgin (Grade 12), Rebecca Behne (Grade 11), Amber Jacobs (Grade 12) and Alida van der Merwe (Grade 10), with Ms Langenhoven.

So rol en eet ons pannekoeke in die pannekoek-kompetisie op Afrikaansdag.

The top participants in the Afrikaans Spelathon held in August at Wynberg Boys’ High School were Nika Hofmeyr (Grade 9), Faaria Mullah (Grade 9), Ana van Straten (Grade 10) and Alida van der Merwe (Grade 10). They tackled the challenge to learn approximately 700 words with enthusiasm. Faaria was placed first and later placed second in the National Competition.

English Department Learnership I joined Rustenburg Girls’ High School in March this year in an English and History learnership position. A learnership is a year-long work-based learning programme, in which a teacher-intraining becomes involved in all aspects of school life in order to gain valuable practical teaching experience. In my case, I worked at the school while doing my Postgraduate Certificate of Education through UNISA’s distance learning programme.

I come from a family of teachers, so education is in my genes. In 2016, after working as a journalist for a few years, I went to teach English in South Korea and realised just how much I love teaching. I decided to study to become a teacher in South Africa, and was then lucky enough to be offered the learnership at Rustenburg.

The requirements of the learnership were that I teach Support English lessons to small classes of Grade 8s and 9s, while also teaching as much as possible in the English and History departments.

Additionally, I spent much time observing high quality teaching across many subjects.

I have had an incredible experience at Rustenburg this year. I believe strongly that learnerships are an excellent way to grow new teachers, and provide valuable training in the many different competencies required to be a top quality teacher. Rustenburg provides a very nurturing environment for this. After resigning myself to the fact that I would have to leave this wonderful school, I was absolutely thrilled to be offered a full-time English teaching post at Rustenburg for 2018. I am excited to become a permanent member of the Rustenburg community!

Ms Julie Campbell

65

The Rustenburg Battle of the Books team received a trophy, vouchers and books after winning the tough inter-schools literary contest in May.

Grade 11 English students performed scenes from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

Nika Hofmeyr (Grade 9) presented her Film Study oral on Dead Poets’ Society.

Morepholosi Somo and her Grade 8 classmates concentrated on conjunctions in English language.

Fun social media accounts were created for different characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Grade 10s.

The Grade 10 English classes created character analysis posters on Lord of the Flies.

ACADEMIC

Rebecca Behne (Grade 11), Jenna Frost (Grade 12) and Bronwyn Kruger (Grade 11) were placed in the top 100 (out of 8000 participants) in the English Olympiad. Mr William Haggard was instrumental in helping the girls prepare for the competition.

The annual French dinner is a highlight for the Grade 12 learners. Twelve courses of delicious French cuisine, including Madame‘s “Escargots à l’ail,” were served. This was a fitting closure and “au revoir” to five years of French.

Twenty Grade 9 learners participated in a week of intensive French sponsored by the French Embassy in South Africa during the July holidays. A different take on the language was enjoyed by all, under the supervision of Mademoiselle.

Grade 10s enjoyed role-playing in French.

Grade 11 learners used the smart board to visualise a French film linked to their prescribed setwork book.

Lara Stulting (far right) placed an order in a German restaurant as part of the Grade 9 oral presentation.

Nazneen Allie (Grade 9) served breakfast in the German restaurant.

Grade 10s, Tegan Makovini and Shuhayma Jaber, edited their German group video about “Shopping for clothes.”

Grade 10s filmed their German presentation, “Shopping for clothes.”

Participants in the German Olympiad in Grade 10 received their excellent results.

Seen here are Sharna Naidoo, Tai-li Lee, Frau Fourie, Bianca Cilliers, Bronwyn Kruger and Ardine van Zyl.

Lathitha Njozela (Grade 10) wore traditional attire while reading a text from the Bible during the isiXhosa Assembly.

The Jabulani Choir performed a medley of traditional isiXhosa songs.

66 ACADEMIC

oral

Creative Writing: ENGLISH The smell of black tea hit my nose as the leaves collected in my mug’s strainer. I surveyed the greying man opposite me through the steam.

I remembered he was old-fashioned. The last time I saw him, he had had black hair. He also hadn’t betrayed us yet.

Look at me and fear this woman, who bravely bears the scars of her battles! I am a tiger, living among a sea of humans.

“Wow, she must be really strong.”

A smile creeps slowly along my lips, and I feel my previous anxiety be replaced with a feeling of pride. This is a tiger, who strolls the street.

Fear me.

“Hello, father.”

Sabrina Roberts (Grade 12)

Alexa Rabeling (Grade 12)

How I got my Name

The Markings of a Tiger I am a tiger. My arms are graceful and lithe, my legs long and sinuous.

Fear me, as I prowl down this cold, bustling street, and show me those anxious faces while circling me as I pass.

From the curve of my eyelids to the strong arch of my neck, spiralling stripes swoop across my skin, as dark as ink. Fear the gaze of my tigereyes, which are also the defiant eyes of my mother and grandmother.

Bright, luminous green, they are like brilliant emeralds with a sharp, black pupil. They stare at those cowering humans I pass, daring them to comment: “Do you think it is a disease?”

No, it is a blessing! These are the markings of confidence and power.

See how my head is held high, and how my bare arms swing at my sides. See how the black marks drip down my skin to my very hands. I am dangerous. I am beautiful.

“Shame. I feel sorry for her.”

I halt. Somehow, it is those words which slice through the frozen air of the street and pierce my ears with perfect clarity. Pity? I have been looking forward all this time, glaring at the people I pass, but now my gaze slowly drifts downwards.

My hands are not claws. They are a sickly snow-white, blotched and stained by splotches of ugly brown. My bare arms, which I have shown so proudly, are miscoloured and gross. I feel now the sharp tip of those comments dig into my own flesh like a dagger, and I feel a deep, aching despair in my heart.

“It must be so difficult for her.”

I force my stiff legs to continue through puddles and force my head to lift, but all my eyes can see is the quickly-moving looks of people as their own eyes dart away from my face. All I can hear are their hushed voices and the sound of their steps echoing on the sidewalk behind me. They fear me, but this time, I wish that this is not the case.

I must ignore them, as I have always done, but, at the moment, all I can do is suffer in these markings silently, just as my mother and grandmother have done. I have done this before, and I will have to suffer their scrutiny for the rest of my life. I take a deep breath and taste the sweetness of recent rain in the air. Somewhere inside of myself, I feel a strength building again.

Of course the hours spent in boredom were worth it, he believed, as he took a seat in front of one of the tellers. She smiled and greeted him, but there was no relief in her dusty jade eyes as she did so. It seemed to be a slow day for all.

“But worth it,” he reminded himself as she brought forth the registration documents, as he produced the birth certificate from a folder.

His mother had been right when she proclaimed he would have a girl. She had seen the flowers bursting from their buds and known, as if the unborn babe had sent a sign, had whispered, “I’m coming,” and nature itself was celebrating that life.

However, his mother had not been able to help in the child’s naming process. It seemed their family had only made it harder with every suggestion. All too common, all too unique, all too hard to pronounce, all too wrong in a seemingly hopeless attempt to be right.

Until they found one, or two, actually.

“Qiarra Devana,” he printed on the form.

Both names were indigenous to a homeland of spice and colour and the second handed down for the first time from her grandmother. The first one they had spent hours searching for until the meaning, “Well loved, noble woman,” caught their attention. For that child, while only a few days old, was loved beyond measure.

The woman looked over the documents, and, despite knowing what he had written, he strained to see as well, and expected appreciation.

“Queara?” the woman said, with bunched brows. Her wrinkles strained her skin as it contorted into confusion. “Are you sure?”

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was a traditional name, spelt: Q, I, A, R, R, A, but the Q was being pronounced as a K. In all their debating over it, he had never thought someone could pronounce it incorrectly. Doubt filled him and the beautiful name seemed tarnished.

Thus he changed the name, and replaced the Q with a common K. He wondered what his wife would think of it when he returned home later that day.

Kiarra Ephraim (Grade 11)

67 ACADEMIC

“Did you see her face?”

He had chosen well, he decided, as he stepped up to the teller at the cramped, humid Home Affairs office. He had spotted a single air conditioner near the tellers when he arrived, sought out a spot closer to it and then slowly drifted away again, upon realising that, despite the cool, it pushed the scent of stale air and sweat towards his nose.

Creative Writing: Afrikaans

As ek deur die venster kyk...

Die plons van reëndruppels wat teen die glasvenster afrol, maak die stilte oorverdowend. Die koue van hierdie mure in die donker kamer verander my siel in ys. Ek wieg heen en weer in my dwangbuis. Alles is hierdie samelewing se skuld.

Ek sien hartbreek en teleurstelling. Ek wil stik in my woede as ek sien hoe mense rondsit en kyk na die wreedheid van hierdie wêreld. Hierdie ramspoed krap my om omdat ek niks kan doen nie. Hulpeloos ...

Creative Writing: IsiXhosa

Intlonipho 68 ACADEMIC

Esi sincoko siza kuthetha ngentlonipho nangendlela ethe yatshintsha ngayo kule mihla.Izizathu ezenze ukuba itshintshe nazo ziza kuqwalaselwa kwesi sincoko.

Mandulo kusadliwa ngendebe endala intlonipho kwaNtu yayisisiseko sempilo yabantu bonke abaNtsundu. Abakholwayo nabangakholwayo babebona ngeliso elinye xa kuthethwa ngentlonipho. Njengoko amaxesha etshintsha nentlonipho iye yatshintsha.Unobangela wokuqala ngokutshintsha kwentlonipho uqale kutshintsho lwezoqoqosho.Ootata bamakhaya banyanzelwa zezoqoqosho ukuba bayishiye imizi yabo baye kusebenzela iintsapho zabo, beshiya ngemva umama ekhulisa abantwana yedwa.

Ngelinye ixesha utata angawufumani nomsebenzi ongcono,loo nto yenze ukuba angakwazi kuthumela imali kusapho. Ekugqibeleni nomama aphele elandela nabantwana besiya kuloo ndawo asebenza kuyo umyeni wakhe.Lonke olu tshintsho kwintlalo yakwaNtu lutshintshe nendlela yokuziphatha kwabantwana.Le nto yenze ukuba abantwana bangabinaso isisekelo esiluqilimba ngentlonipho.

Akukho ndawo bayibona kuyo le nto ngoba baye badibana neentlanga ezohlukileyo. Kudala abantu babehlala kwiindawo ezahlukeneyo ingulowo ekwazi ukuxinzelela kwizinto ezilixabiso kwinkcubeko yabo, Kanti abantu xa bexubene bayalibala ukugcina izinto ezilixabiso kubo baze bathathe izinto ezenziwa kwezinye iinkcubeko. Yiloo nto ke eyenzekileyo kwintlonipho.

Intlonipho yayiqala ekhaya, ize iphumele phandle. Abantu babefundiswa ngentlonipho ukuqala ekubuliseni. Umntu xa ekubulisa kwaNtu wayengakwenzeli nceba kodwa le nto yayiphuma kumazantsi entliziyo ezele luthando nentlonipho.Umntu wayebulisa agqithe ukuba akakwazi.Le nto wayengayenzi kabuhlungu.Kule mihla kunzima kwaloo nto yokubulisa.Nalowo uyenzayo abantu bamthele nqa ukuba zintloni zantoni ezi azenzayo zokubulisa abantu angabaziyo.

Kwizithuthi zikawonke-wonke abaphangeli bakhwela nabantwana bezikolo yonke le mihla,kusasa nasemva kwemini. Uyakufika abantwana behleli phantsi abantu abadala bemi ngeenyawo bejinga phezu kwabantwana. Abanye bade balikhuphe besithi sihlawule imali efanayo. Kanti mandulo phaya ukuhlonipha yayiligugu.

Umntu omncinci ngeminyaka kunomnye wayephakama esitulweni xa kungena umntu omdala engaxelelwanga.Le nto yayisenzeka kuyo nayiphi indawo enabantu.

Amukele Ngubane (Grade 11)

Ek ruik die besoedelde lug en die verganklikheid van die lewe. Ek ruik die dodelike sondes van stropers wat diere jag. Ek ruik die vrees van kinders wat nie weet wat om van die toekoms te verwag nie, want hulle is stoksielalleen. Volwassenes is te besig om hul eie behoeftes eerste te stel en die reuk van die rose sterf af.

Ek hoor die krete om hulp. Ek hoor mense pleit vir ’n veilige plek om vrede te voel, want die oorlog in hulle koppe maak hulle waansinnig.

Die geraas van die stadslewe skree harder as die rustige water wat wieg in die maanlig.

Ek proe afkeur en woede. Die bitterheid van die samelewing talm op my tong. Die vrug van die aarde het alle smaak verloor.

Ek voel alleen en verlore. Ek voel in my eie gedagtes vasgevang. Die lug is vol groot, swart stofwolke wat die son nie laat skyn nie.

Hier sit ek, my gevoelens afgestomp, my benewelde brein sien nie die tralies raak nie. Ek is die vrug van hierdie wêreld en hulle noem mý mal? As ek deur die venster kyk ...

Michaela Flanders (Grade 12)

Creative Writing: German

Meine Kindheitserinnerungen [nach dem Gedicht Rote Dächer von Arno Holz.]

Im Schloss gingen wir durch viele langweilige Zimmer. Es gab alte Möbel und dunkle Teppiche. Es gab auch ein Klavier. Es war sehr groß – viel größer als ich – und dunkelbraun mit goldenen Ecken. Ich wollte so gern auf dem Klavier spielen, aber das durfte ich leider nicht.

Im Schloss war es sehr leise. Ich konnte Schritthallen hören. Es roch muffig und feucht, aber trotzdem fühlte ich mich wie eine deutsche Prinzessin im Mittelalter. … Ich erinnere mich wie groß das Schloss war und wie hoch ich schauen musste, die Fahne zu sehen. (92) Nina Beckurts (Grade 12) Die Sonne hat auf dem blauen Wasser geschienen und es hat wie Juwelen gefunkelt. Mein Schwarz-und-weißer Hund ist um das Schwimmbad gelaufen. Die Bäume haben sich im Wind nach links und rechts bewegt. Als ich wieder unter dem Wasser geschwommen bin, ist die Welt größer geworden. Die roten Backsteine sind immer grüner geworden und die grünen Bäume sind blauer geworden.Die Sonne war nicht so hell. Ich konnte direkt zu ihr hinaufschauen. Sie war freundlicher, als ich unter dem Wasser war. Die Welt ist anders, wenn ich unter Wasser bin. …

Meine gute Erinnerung bleibt bei mir und sie macht Schwimmbäder meine roten Dächer.

Alexa Rabeling (Grade 12)

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Morgens habe ich Kinder gehört und ich habe sie im Schnee spielen gesehen. Ich habe auch die Schneepflüge gehört. Im Frühstückszimmer habe ich Speck und Kaffee gerochen.

Draußen habe ich die frische und eiskalte Luft eingeatmet. Ich habe den eiskalten Schnee befühlt, während wir die Ostereier gesucht haben. Als ich im Bett war, habe ich heiße Schokolade getrunkten und kalte Ostereier gegessen und ich kann mich sehr gut an den Geschamck erinnern. … rote Dächer erinnern Arno Holz an seine Kindheit und an glückliche und ruhige Zeiten. Kleine Ostereier und er Geruch von heißer Schokolade erinnern mich an meine Kindheit und meinen österreichischen Urlaub mit meinen Eltern.

Je pense que bien qu’il y ait des parents qui ne sont pas assez attachés à leurs enfants pour essayer de faire de leur mieux dans les circonstances dans lesquelles ils se trouvent il y a aussi beaucoup de parents qui ont pour leurs enfants un amour sans conditions et ils veulent leur donner une très bonne vie quoiqu’il arrive.

Megan Tromp (Grade 12)

Alexandra Smith (Grade 12)

Es gibt viele Dinge, die mich an meine erste Flugreise nach Deutschland erinneren. Wenn ich Cappucino trinke, denke ich daran, weil meine Familie und ich vor dem Flug Cappucinos getrunken haben. Wenn ich frisches Brot rieche, kann ich mich erinnern, dass ich am Münchner Flughafen frische Brezen gegessen haben. … Die Erinnerung, die ich am besten finde, ist die Erinnerung an den Flug. Ich kann mich an den Klang von dem Düsentriebwerk des Flugzeuges erinnern. Es hat so laut gegrollt. … Ich werde nie die Sicht der Alpen vergessen. Ich kann mich erinnern, dass ich am Fenster gesessen habe. Darum konnte ich die Alpen durch mein Fenster sehen. Sie waren unglaublich schön.

Ich kann mich auch noch an dem Blick von München aus der Luft erinnern. Ich bin sehr aufgeregt gewesen.

Les parents parfaits n’existent pas. Tout le monde se trompent quelque fois, Il est impossible d’être parfait mais si vos parents vous conseillent et vous préparent pour une vie dans la société ils auront fait leur travail.

Le plus important est que les parents aient un amour inconditionnel pour leurs enfants et ainsi ils voudront le meilleur pour leurs enfants dans toutes les circonstances.

Bianca Rijkmans (Grade 12) Nos parents essaient d’être le meilleur exemple pour nous quand bien même ils feraient des erreurs, ils le font parce qu’ils nous aiment et ils s’assurent que nous ayons les compétences et le potentiel pour réussir dans le futur.

Saskia Van der Merwe (Grade 12) Nokukhanya Zondi (Grade 12)

Creative Writing: French ‘Les parents font ce qu’ils peuvent selon les circonstances dans lesquelles ils se trouvent.’

‘Parents do their best in the circumstances they find themselves.’

La plupart des parents veulent que leurs enfants réussissent dans la vie .Ils paient la meilleure éducation qu’ils peuvent selon leurs moyens. Ils nous soutiennent dans ce que l’’on fait comme le sport, la musique ou les arts. Des parents vont même jusqu’à déménager à l’étranger pour donner à leurs enfants une meilleure vie.

Tous les parents ne font pas toujours ce qu’ils peuvent selon les situations dans lesquelles ils se trouvent. Certains parents ne sauront jamais ce qui est le meilleur pour leurs enfants.

Lydia Hardie (Grade 12) Certains parents ne s’occupent pas correctement des enfants même s’ils sont dans de bonnes circonstances. Par exemple, même si les parents ont tout pour subvenir aux besoins matériels de leurs enfants ils les négligent au point de vue émotionnel.

Kelly Jones (Grade 12)

From the Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics Ms Bridget Cameron: BSc, MEd, HDE (PG) Sec

There are many issues in the world today that need scientists.

Rustenburg has a strong tradition of excellence in the scientific subjects, with many of our girls going on to study in the Health Sciences, Engineering and Environmental fields. As always, the members of this Faculty have been busy during the year.

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Mr Gates received his first Pi Day pie from Caitlin Powrie (Grade 11).

Younsun Choi (Grade12) and Jiyoon Jeon (Grade 10) both won gold awards in the UCT Mathematics competition. Yousun also took part in the final round of the SA Mathematics Olympiad while Jiyoon took part in the SA Mathematics Competition.

Grade 11s, Nicola Henry, Tumelo Nkgudi and Maxine Dos Reis, coloured the digits of pi which were stuck on the lockers outside the Mathematics classrooms.

Rustenburg girls performed well in the South African Mathematics Olympiad and the UCT Mathematics competition. Maryam Badsha (Grade 9), Isabella Lethbridge (Grade 8), Leigh Toet (Grade 9), Carla Kellerman (Grade 8), and Rachel Noyce (Grade 8) also represented Rustenburg at the South African Mathematics Team Competition.

Ms Cameron’s Grade 11 class helped each other to solve Mathematics problems. At the back: Ashleigh Madell, Alyssah Bosch, Mikayla Shaw, Caitlin Powrie, Nicola Henry, Siphosihle Zola Tumelo Nkgudi, Maxine dos Reis. In the front: Ruby Wilson, Sabrina Maker, Deaviah Moodley and Hannah Uren.

Grade 11 Mathematics learners, Morgan Rossouw and Andrea Walsh, solved a Geometry problem on the white board at the back of Ms Behne’s classroom.

On 23 February Ms Susan Viljoen and Aman Abrahams, Aaminah Leonard and Gemma Watermeyer (all Grade 9) were invited to join Living Maths at the premiere of the movie “Hidden Figures,” hosted by the US Ambassador. Gemma said, “It was a very inspirational movie about three coloured women working at NASA who had to work extremely hard to prove that race and gender have no role in defining your capabilities.”

Pi Day was celebrated on 14 March. All the girls were allowed to eat round things during their Mathematics lessons while discovering the wonders of pi. Ms Cameron and Ms Lawrence wore their pi t-shirts.

Lauren Pienaar and Hannah Clayton were the top learners from Rustenburg from the class of 2016. Lauren achieved 99% for Mathematics, 94% for Life Sciences and 91% for Physical Sciences. Hannah came third in Mathematics in South Africa and joint first in the Western Cape with 100%. She also achieved 98% for Physical Sciences and 95% for AP Mathematics (IEB).

Grade 8s, Erin Coull and Gia Barbosa, enjoyed eating round food on Pi Day.

The lockers in the Mathematics corridor were decorated with the digits of pi.

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The Grade 11 Geography learners had a lovely day at the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

They walked through the fynbos, down to the pristine Dias Beach where they studied (and climbed) the stacks that have been carved out by the ocean and are now being reattached by wind action.

Meg Wilson, Elizabeth Stevenson, Paige EitnerVosloo, Ayla Figuera and Emily Hobson were hard at work on the Grade 11 Geography fieldtrip.

Grade 11 Geography learners on Dias Beach, Cape Point.

Grade 10 “geographical twins” on Hout Bay beach. From left to right: Isabelle and Julia Vainio and Paula and Jaime Taylor.

Grade 11 Geography learners enjoyed their hike at Cape Point.

Andrea Walsh (Grade 11) performed a test during a Chemistry lesson. Chemistry is 50% of the senior Physical Sciences curriculum.

Learners study chemistry principles and are required to perform practical activities to consolidate their knowledge of these principles.

Ms Tracey Henry demonstrated the elephant toothpaste experiment to visiting learners during Open Day.

Electrostatics is an important component of the Physical Sciences Curriculum. Learners study this topic from Grade 8 all the way to Grade 12. The new Science laboratories provide the ideal space for learners to experience the content first hand. Here Ms Susan Viljoen demonstrated how a Van de Graaff generator builds up static electricity.

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The Grade 10 Geography students went on a day trip around the Peninsula where they studied the rock structure and the way in which it has affected the landscape and man’s use of the environment. They started at Signal Hill and continued, via the contact zone at Saunders Rocks and Clifton, to Camps Bay and Hout Bay.

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Every year, UCT Medical Campus hosts a Genetics Open Day to expose learners to possible careers in genetics. Six Grade 11 Life Sciences learners, Kiarra Ephraim, Olachi Emeruem, Fatima Kerven, Chloe Parker, Gina Wright and Noa Anthony, are pictured testing a sample of DNA for a genetic disease, Sickle Cell Anaemia.

This year’s Grade 11 Life Sciences outing consisted of a visit to the Two Oceans’ Aquarium. Laura Jacobs is seen here playing in the touch pools where they received information about the various species that were present. Siobhan Bottomley and Lila Ross have completed the Young Biologist Course at the aquarium and they were very involved with sharing information with their classmates.

The Grade 11 Mathematical Literacy class investigated scale and proportion using Checkers’ Mini Shop items and their real-life counterparts. They investigated the scales used to reduce the reallife objects in the Checkers’ Mini shop. It was clear that the mini products were all in a similar height range to be able to fit into uniform packaging. They then compared the ratios between the widths and heights of each product and its mini, and discussed the potential reasons for differences in these proportions. It was discovered that it is difficult to be completely accurate when measuring by hand, which can produce slight differences in scale. They also observed that the scale would be inconsistent if they did not measure exactly the same product compared to its mini in terms of weight or quantity. As a result, the class discussed how packaging of the same product in different quantities might not have the same dimensional proportions in order to accommodate a certain volume optimally.

A practical but fun lesson for the Grade 10 Mathematical Literacy class was heading down to the school vegetable garden to measure perimeter and length in reality. Armed with metre sticks and tape measures, the girls worked in groups to investigate the best methods and tools for accurate measurement of non-regular shapes. In order to measure straight lengths, they needed to work together to manoeuvre the tools over, under and around the plants (and each other). In order to check and compare the accuracy of their final calculations, estimation proved to be a useful skill when taking these difficulties into account.

Ms Brown, Emma Sacco and Anne Williams (Grade 11) joined the rest of the class in enjoying some of the edible Checkers items as a reward for their hard work.

Iman Shaik and Jessie Cragg displayed their project proudly. They received a gold award at the Grade 9 Science Expo.

The Rustenburg Physical and Natural Sciences department held their second annual Science Expo in 2017. The presentations were of an outstanding quality. Zara Nijzink-Laurie (Grade 8) went on to the Eskom Expo provincial round where she received a gold award for the best junior science project.

Chloe Sampson, Yakira Davidson, Nicola Prinsloo, Nicole Bransby, Ayesha Abrahams and Erin Coull learned how to operate electric circuits in a Grade 8 Natural Science lesson.

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From the Head of Sport Ms Renée Scott: BA (Phys Ed) HDE

There is a wide variety of Sport offered at Rustenburg which means there is something for everyone. We continue to offer all the usual team sports to many girls because we have fantastic facilities that cater for these.

An added bonus of the Sport Department is that we offer codes for which South Africa has a team representing our country: Cricket, Soccer and Touch Rugby. Who better than our own Rustenburg girls to participate in these and possibly feed into these South African teams in the future?

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2017 has been another busy year with many new opportunities and challenges. We continue to be very competitive. We have been fortunate to secure coaching staff of a very high calibre and this has definitely added to our successes, which included our best PGSGU results ever. We won a PGSGU trophy in Netball, Hockey and for the first time in 20 years, we also won the Inter-schools Cross Country trophy.

The number of tournaments which we have entered has also increased and this has exposed the players to more and better competition. The tournaments and tours that have been enjoyed this year have generated a welcome increase in team spirit amongst our sport girls. Owing to the fact that we have such excellent facilities, Rustenburg proudly hosts many of the PGSGU Tournaments. This year we hosted the Inter-schools Cross Country event for both the Junior and Senior Schools as well as all four netball tournaments. We also hosted a number of touring teams from the United Kingdom, playing hockey matches against Felsted and both netball and hockey against Malvern College.

The highlight of 2017 was most definitely the 1st Hockey Team tour to Holland that took place during the September holidays. We visited Holland and Belgium, played seven matches and attended three

Gary Kirsten visits Rustenburg

Kirsten entertained the sports parents’ audience with his presentation entitled “Parenting Influence in School Sport.” He shared some useful tips and advice for us to put into practice from the side of the sports fields.

clinics. The girls really enjoyed having the opportunity to experience a different culture, meeting like-minded teenagers on the other side of the world, and enjoying their independence while doing what they love most, playing hockey. During the course of 2017 there were many fundraisers that were organised by the parents of our touring team to assist with expenses for the tour. The fundraisers generated excellent team spirit and were also very enjoyable. The fundraisers included a fashion show, the sale of a recipe book which included local recipes from the hockey players, a golf day, ongoing tuckshop sales, an U16 Netball and Hockey tournament and a Fast 5s tournament under the new Astro Turf lights.

The switching on of our Astro Turf lights in September was witnessed by many. Preceding the ceremony, the U14A Netball and Hockey teams played the U16A Teams. These matches were followed by the parents playing the U19B Netball and Hockey Teams. The final Netball match was between a Past Pupils Team and the U19A Team. The final Hockey match was also between a Past Pupils Team and the U19A Team. At half time, Mr Gates addressed the players, spectators and invited guests and waved his magic ‘hockey stick’ to switch on the lights. This long-awaited feature will allow all hockey teams to practise on campus from 2018.

National Girls’ Schools’ Festival The National All Girls’ Schools’ Festival (NGSF) annually brings together hundreds of girls from all walks of life to celebrate and compete alongside each other. The Festival, that was first hosted by Rustenburg and Wynberg Girls’ in 1999, turned 18 this year.

This year the bar was raised by Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool in Pretoria.

From the fantastic Opening Ceremony (with guest artists Freshlyground entertaining the girls in the Aula Auditorium at the University of Pretoria) to the wide variety of well-organised sporting competitions and cultural workshops throughout the weekend, the Festival afforded our students

the opportunity to gain valuable experience and make new friends. The theme this year was Beyond# which urged everyone to go beyond just the experience and make real connections with others. All leftover food (that was delicious and filling) was donated and distributed to shelters and it was estimated that the Festival fed over 1000 people during the course of the weekend.

Rustenburg was represented by our Netball, Debating, Tennis and Golf teams. The tour was successfully managed and lead by our Head of Sport, Ms Renée Scott.

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All the RGHS representatives on their return from the NGSF.

An opportunity for different codes to integrate – our golfers and debaters.

The girls enjoyed plenty of downtime at the restaurant on the school campus.

Our Tennis Team was also able to form a part of the NGSF touring team this year.

2017 will be remembered as the year that put golf on the All Girls’ Festival map. For the very first time girl golfers were invited to participate and gain experience playing different golf courses and testing their skills. Tyla Humby (Grade 11) and Megan Tromp (Grade 12) represented Rustenburg against four other girls’ schools. Their manager was Ms René Forbes.

Back row, from left: Daniella Solkow (Swimming), Georgia Dugmore (Indoor Hockey, Hockey), Jamie van Schoor (Water Polo), Georgia Hill (Hockey, Water Polo), Hannah Schaefer (Hockey, Water Polo), Mia Lazarus( Water Polo) Fifth row, from left: Danielle van Breda (Netball), Ruby Wares (Water Polo), Michaela Hill (Synchronised Figure Skating), Caroline Schreiber (Hockey), Isabella Little (Netball), Alida van der Merwe (Cricket), Michaela Thomas (Synchronised Figure Skating), Gemma Watermeyer (Indoor Hockey), Sarah Murashiki (Netball) Fouth row, from left: Kayleigh Beattie (Horse Riding), Holly van Hoogstraten (Indoor Hockey, Hockey), Sarah Firth (Hockey), Nika Hofmeyr (Indoor Hockey, Hockey), Jordyn Campbell (Squash), Kayla Currie-Gamwo (Underwater Hockey), Amber Jossie (Touch Rugby), Josie Malherbe (Indoor Hockey, Hockey), Hannah Elvidge (Biathlon, Triathle, Biathle), Sharna Naidoo (Hockey) Third row, from left: Nishaat Hendricks (Touch Rugby), Robyn Rainier-Pope (Indoor Hockey), Ashleigh Noyce (Indoor Hockey, Hockey) Jacqueline Sissons (Hockey), Courtney Wheeler (Hockey), Azrah Dick (Indoor Hockey, Hockey), Erin Hartzenberg (Swimming), Bridgette Bauer (Horse Riding), Iman Cassiem (Touch Rugby) Second row, from left: Azraa Rawoot (Touch Rugby), Caitlin October (Surfing), Bianca Hill (Synchronized Ice Skating), Semónn Steyn (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Ms Zaandrè Barrett-Theron (Touch Rugby), Kelly van Vlaanderen (Hockey), Natasha van Gruenen (Surfing), Britney Price (Touch Rugby), Razaan Phillips (Touch Rugby), Rachel Noyce (Indoor Hockey) Front row, from left: Jessica Knapp (Water Polo), Brittany Gouws (Indoor Hockey, Hockey), Tristan Jones (Water Polo), Ms Renèe Scott, Aaliyah Meredith (Water Polo), Ms Nolundi Blayi, Caylan Bromley (Cross Country, Triathlon), Casey Wheeler (Hockey), Zoë Naude (Touch Rugby, Rugby) Absent: Hannah Hillman (Life Saving), Saskia van der Merwe (Cross Country Mountain Biking), Shana Daniels (Indoor Hockey), Ylara Esau Salie (Figure Skating), Tyla Humby (Golf)

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Western Province Sport Representatives

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Sport Colours and Awards The Rustenburg Sport Awards Assembly was held on 10 October. We were privileged to have Vanes-Mari du Toit as our guest speaker. She was a National Netball payer, who shared some advice with our girls about what makes people successful in life, whether it is on the sports field or in their daily lives. In attendance we also had 2016 Rio Olympian, Dominique Scott who assisted with the handing out of trophies.

CRICKET

SWIMMING

Half Colours: Alida van der Merwe

Most promising senior swimmer: Daniella Solkow Most promising junior swimmer: Hannah Elvidge Barbara Marais Trophy, for the swimmer who has shown hard work and team spirit: Erin Hartzenberg Full Colours: Daniella Solkow, Erin Hartzenberg, Hannah Elvidge Half Colours: Caylan Bromley, Hannah Faure

CROSS COUNTRY Most Promising Runner: Talitha Delpierre Best Senior Runner: Caylan Bromley Best Junior Runner: Hannah Elvidge Half Colours: Caylan Bromley, Eden Paarwater

Tracey Hall Trophy, to the most outstanding U14 player: Holly van Hoogstraten Most outstanding U16 Hockey Player: Georgia Hill and Ashleigh Noyce Pietersen Hockey Trophy, to the player who displayed outstanding and consistent enthusiasm, reliability, loyalty and good sportsmanship: Kelly van Vlaanderen Lianne do Rego goalkeeping trophy: Caroline Schreiber Most Improved Hockey Player: Francesca Palmieri Hockey Player of the Year: Casey Wheeler Full Colours: Brittany Gouws, Caroline Schreiber, Casey Wheeler, Courtney Wheeler, Jacqueline Sissons Half Colours: Ashleigh Noyce, Georgia Hill, Georgia Dugmore, Kelly van Vlaanderen, Sarah Firth, Sharna Naidoo

INDOOR HOCKEY Indoor Hockey Player of the Year: Casey Wheeler Full Colours: Georgia Dugmore Half Colours: Ashleigh Noyce, Courtney Wheeler

NETBALL Most promising junior netball player: Sarah Murashiki Baguley trophy, for the most improved player: Amber Jossie Shooter with the best goal average: Ayla Figueira Netball Player of the Year: Eugenia Twumasi

SQUASH Francois Botha Trophy, for the most enthusiasm for the game and has encouraged greater interest in the game at Rustenburg: Aaliyah Meredith Best Squash Player: Jordyn Campbell Half Colours: Jordyn Campbell

TENNIS Best Senior Tennis Player: Emily Malherbe Best Junior Tennis Player: Holly-May Nowers

TOUCH RUGBY The player who has excelled, shown enthusiasm, loyalty and good sportsmanship in the game at Rustenburg: Zoë Naude Full Colours: Amber Jossie, Zoë Naude Half Colours: Britney Price, Razaan Phillips

WATERPOLO Laura Barrett trophy, to the most passionate waterpolo player: Aaliyah Meredith Lisa Stirrat trophy, to the most improved waterpolo player: Tristan Jones Full Colours: Aaliyah Meredith, Jessica Knapp, Tristan Jones

SPORT SPECIAL AWARDS NICOLA BARRETT CUP Shared in 2017 Aaliyah Meredith received the 2017 Nicola Barrett Cup for all round sporting excellence, showing team loyalty and good sportsmanship.

Aaliyah played in and captained the school’s 1st Water Polo Team and 1st Squash Team. She also represented the U19 WP B Water Polo Team and played in the U18 WP Currie Cup Team.

Tristan Jones received the 2017 Nicola Barrett Cup for all round sporting excellence, showing team loyalty and good sportsmanship. Tristan played in and was vice -captain of the school’s 1st Waterpolo Team and 1st Netball Team She also represented the U19 WP B Water Polo Team and played in the U18 WP Currie Cup Team.

RUSTENBURG TEAM OF THE YEAR The Rustenburg Team of the Year Trophy was awarded to the 1st Netball Team for winning the 2017 Western Province Cape Town High Schools 1st League.

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HOCKEY

Cross Country Teacher-in-charge: Ms Jane Behne Coach: Ms Renée Scott and Ms Vivienne Williams Captain: Eden Paarwater Vice-captain: Kristeen Swanepoel

Rustenburg had a very successful cross country season. We were placed first in the U14 and U19 Team events in the league race results.

Thirteen of our girls were invited to run at the Zonal competition held in Bellville which resulted in Caylan Bromley and Megan Phillipson being selected to the Metro Schools Team. They participated at the Western Cape Championships held in George where Caylan placed eighth and Megan 16th in their respective age groups.

Cross Country Team

Back row, from left: Tai-Li Lee, Lara Rule, Hannah-Grace Elvidge, Chloë Sampson, Tobe Emeruem, Kate Lodwick, Olivia Key, Thameenah Daniels, Megan Phillipson, Zoe Sithole Second row, from left: Bianca Ravell, Jemma Cusens, Ardine van Zyl, Isabella Lethbridge, Talitha Delpierre, Jamie McGown, Rachel Noyce, Laya Gersowsky Front row, from left: Rebecca Behne, Ms Jane Behne, Eden Paarwater, Ms Renèe Scott, Kristeen Swanepoel, Ms Vivienne Williams, Caylan Bromley

Rustenburg hosted the annual PGSGU Inter-schools event in September. The route was a 2km x 2km route and showcased our beautiful campus. Adidas came on board and sponsored prizes for all the age-groups. Rustenburg won the U14, U15 and U17 age-groups and went on to secure the overall title. It was a superb team effort proving that hard work really does pay off.

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The team at the first race of the season held at Rondebosch Boys’ High School.

Rachel Noyce, Isabella Lethbridge and Talitha Delpierre after their league race at Norman Henshilwood High School.

Laya Gersowsky, Hannah Elvidge and Megan Phillipson at the finish of the league race at Wynberg Boys’ High School.

Kate Lodwick, Rebecca Behne, Rebecca Vosloo and Olivia Key at the start of their final league race at Milnerton High School.

The start of the U14 and U15 girls’ race at the Zonal Championships held at Milnerton High School.

Caylan and Megan all set to represent the Metro Schools Cross Country Team.

The start of the U17 and U19 PGSGU race, the final race of the day.

Captains Kristeen and Eden proudly displayed the PGSGU winner’s trophy at the end of a long afternoon of racing.

The winning PGSGU Team. It was the first time in 20 years that Rustenburg had won the trophy.

Hockey Teacher-in-charge: Ms Tessa Brown Coach: Ms Andi Bernstein Captain: Casey Wheeler Vice-captain: Kelly van Vlaanderen

The 1st Team had a successful season this year, ranking second overall in the U19 Grand Challenge league. They won nine and drew one of their 11 league matches.

They played against some skilled teams in several tournaments, finishing fourth in the Spar tournament, fifth in the Fairmont tournament, sixth in the U18 Cape Town Hockey Festival, and fourth in the PGSGU tournament after drawing three out of four matches.

1st Hockey Team

Back row, from left: Justine Crook-Mansour, Georgia Dugmore, Hannah Schaefer, Rebecca Mc Connell, Caroline Schreiber Second row, from left: Jacqueline Sissons, Ashleigh Noyce, Sharna Naidoo, Sarah Firth, Courtney Wheeler, Rebecca Hill Front row, from left: Francesca Palmieri, Kelly van Vlaanderen (Vice-captain), Ms Renèe Scott, Casey Wheeler (Captain), Ms Tessa Brown, Brittany Gouws, Juliet Wilson Absent: Ms Andrea Bernstein (Coach)

The following girls received provincial colours this year: Josie Malherbe and Holly van Hoogstraten (U14 South Zone), Azra Dick (U14 Western Cape), Georgia Hill, Nika Hofmeyr and Hannah Schaefer (U16 South Zone), Ashleigh Noyce (U16A WP), Georgia Dugmore, Sarah Firth, Sharna Naidoo and Kelly Van Vlaanderen (U18 South Zone), Jacqueline Sissons and Caroline Schreiber (U18B WP) and Brittany Gouws, Casey Wheeler and Courtney Wheeler (U18A WP).

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Every match began with the team standing together, encouraging one another to play together, play hard and have fun.

Kelly Van Vlaanderen proved solid in defence during the quarter-final of the Cape Town Festival.

A mutual love of the game shone from the girls’ faces after a great match against Diocesan School for Girls from Grahamstown.

The U16A Team played excellent hockey this season and won eight of their 11 league matches, placed second in the Champions Cup tournament and won the PGSGU tournament.

The team had to bid farewell to their dedicated matrics after an excellent season, who had served with great passion and energy.

Casey Wheeler had an outstanding season and was selected for the South African U18B side at the National U18 Inter-provincial tournament. Casey, together with Brittany Gouws have also been accepted into the Aspire Atlantic’s Field Hockey programme.

U16A Captains Rebecca Bysshe and Georgia Hill proudly displayed the PGSGU trophy.

The U14A Team went from strength to strength in their first season at high school. They won five and drew three out of their 13 league matches and placed third in the PGSGU tournament.

Indoor Hockey Teacher-in-charge: Ms Kyla Thompson Coach: Ms Andi Bernstein Captain: Casey Wheeler

The 2016/2017 season was a hard-fought one with the 1st Indoor Hockey Team winning five out of their seven games.

They finished third in the league and placed second in the PGSGU tournament held at Herschel. These results reflect the passion and commitment of this talented group of girls under the expert guidance of Coach Andi. Special mention must be made of Brittany Gouws and Courtney Wheeler who each scored an incredible eight goals this season. The 2nd Team was made up mostly of junior players and were less fortunate with their results, however, the whole team showed great determination and measurable improvement each week.

1st Indoor Hockey Team

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First row, from left: Sharna Naidoo, Caroline Schreiber, Georgia Dugmore, Sarah Firth, Jacqueline Sissons Front row, from left: Cara Whittal, Ms Kyla Thompson, Casey Wheeler, Ms Andi Bernstein, Brittany Gouws Absent: Courtney Wheeler

The following girls represented various PSI Indoor Hockey teams: December 2016: Shana Daniels, Georgia Dugmore, Brittany Gouws, Nika Hofmeyr, Ashleigh Noyce, Kayleigh Rogerson and Gemma Watermeyer.

March 2017: Azrah Dick, Holly van Hoogstraten, Josie Malherbe, Rachel Noyce and Robyn Ranier-Pope.

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The 1st Team narrowly lost to Westerford in the league. They turned this result around and beat them in a practice match leading up to the PGSGU tournament.

The victorious 1st Team after one of their matches during the PGSGU tournament.

A fierce short corner defence during the PGSGU tournament. Caroline Schreiber, our incredible goalkeeper took charge of a solid back line.

Ms Thompson and Brittany gave big grins at the PGSGU tournament.

The 2nd Team involved in a solid short corner attack at our training venue at Westerford.

A much-improved 2nd Team after their final match against Fairmont.

Netball Teacher-in-charge: Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron Coach: Ms Vanes-Mari du Toit Captain: Eugenia Twumasi Vice-captain: Tristan Jones

It was a positive season for the girls of Rustenburg. The season kicked off with the 1st Team competing in the annual National Girls’ Schools’ Festival in April in Pretoria where they finished in 14th position.

1st Netball Team

Back row, from left: Amber Jossie, Kayla Johnson, Ayla Figueira, Alida van der Merwe, Meg Wilson, Chloé Kruger Front row, from left: Sarah Murashiki, Ms Vanes-Mari du Toit (Coach), Eugenia Twumasi (Captain), Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron, Tristan Jones (Vice-captain)

Their performance and attitude towards the game promised a very good season as the team returned motivated and eager. We also welcomed a new coach, former South African Netball player, Ms Vanes-Mari du Toit, who not only brought her enthusiasm, but her love for the game and international experience. The girls responded well to their new coach and finished in first position in the league. The team progressed to the Cape Town High Schools’ Netball district finals in September where they beat Durbanville B 13 – 5 to be crowned champions of the Western Province First League.

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The National Girls’ Schools’ Festival Team.

We are proud of the following U15 girls who represented the Western Cape at the Inter District Tournament in Wellington in July: Sarah Murashiki, Isabella Little and Danielle van Breda.

Danielle captained the U16A team that won the PGSGU Tournament.

Amber Jossie on court during one of the pool matches at the National Girls’ Schools’ Festival.

Amber, Kayla Johnson, Sarah and Danielle looked relieved after the last match of the tournament.

Eugenia in action during the final match at the Cape Town District Netball Finals. Eugenia captained the team and lead by example on and off the court.

All smiles as the team celebrated their victory over Durbanville B.

The team had to say goodbye to this year’s matrics: Sarah Virgin, Tristan Jones and Eugenia.

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Special mention must be made of the U16A Team who won the PGSGU Tournament. The U14A Team finished second and the U19A Team finished fourth in their respective age categories.

Social Sport Many girls participated in the various social sports that were offered at Rustenburg this year. These sports included: Swimming, Learn-to-Swim, Running Club, Walking Club, Cricket, Fast 5s, Aerobics and Soccer.

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Swimming is an essential life skill. All learners that cannot swim are encouraged to sign up for the Learn-to-Swim programme. The Sports office and Life Orientation department worked closely together and identified and encouraged learners to join Learn-to-Swim.

Some learners arrived fearful of the water but soon grew in confidence due to the guidance and coaching received from our qualified Learn-to-Swim coaches. Many swimmers progressed from the floating noodle to the kick board in a matter of weeks and were soon swimming on their own.

Social swimming was very popular and was open to anyone with a love for swimming.

The sessions were fun and challenging. The coaches focused on stroke correction and improving the overall fitness of the girls.

The aerobics girls jumped around, stretched, kicked and punched the air during the social aerobics classes led by Ms Susan Viljoen.

The Soccer Team kitted out for their match against Rhenish.

Eight weeks of intense Fast Five hockey games coached by Ms Viljoen. Many skills were learnt and new friendships formed.

The Rustenburg Cricket Squad was coached and encouraged by Mr James Hendricks.

The girls played soccer under the majestic Table Mountain.

A fun afternoon was had by all when the Matrics played the Staff in the annual Netball match.

SWIMMING Teacher-in-charge: Ms Renée Scott Coach: Ms Renée Scott Captain: Caylan Bromley Vice-captain: Saskia van der Merwe

1st Swimming Team

Swimming at Rustenburg continues to thrive. The swimming team was very well supported by the cheerleaders and this added to the excitement and sense of achievement for all our swimmers.

Back row, from left: Katherine Worthington-Smith, Daniella Solkow, Sarah Tough, Rebecca Behne, Hannah Faure, Megan Ray, Jenna Currie, Robyn Van Zijl Second row, from left: Amy Worthington, Shannon Canter, Erin le Roux, Olivia Key, Nicole Rix, Tanya van der Merwe, Tatum van Rensburg First row, from left: Holly van Hoogstraten, Rebecca Vosloo, Hannah Elvidge, Emma Johannessen, Sage Canter, Erin Hartzenberg, Megan du Plessis, Hannah Hillman Front row, from left: Adrienne Clynick, Kaylagh McMurdo, Caylan Bromley, Ms Renée Scott, Saskia van der Merwe, Hannah Connelly, Kristeen Swanepoel

We placed second overall at the annual PGSGU gala and third at the very popular A-league gala. Many of our swimmers competed in the Open water Cape Mile event as well as participated in the swim leg of the ITU Triathlon event. Four of our swimmers, Hannah Faure, Hannah Elvidge, Erin Hartzenberg and Daniella Solkow qualified for and participated at the South African National Junior Championships. The latter three also qualified and swam at the South African National Youth and Senior Championships.

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Erin represented South Africa at the CANA Zone IV Championships in Bulawayo.

Daniella represented South Africa at the Maccabi Games.

Ms Scott with captains Saskia and Caylan before the A-league gala.

A huge amount of fun was shared at training sessions as well as at the weekly galas.

After the A-league gala the relief from the swimmers was evident.

Sage Canter won her individual breaststroke race at the PGSGU gala.

Top age group swimmers at the Inter-house gala: Hannah Faure, Hannah Elvidge and Rebecca Behne.

Our U14 team were very successful this year and placed second at the PGSGU gala. From left to right: Katherine Worthington-Smith, Robyn van Zijl, Amy Worthington, Sage Canter and Hannah Hillman.

The A league gala hosted by Rondebosch Boys’ High School was a great success. Our swimmers and supporters came out and delivered their best.

Squash Teacher-in-charge: Ms Louise Lawrence Coach: Mr André Naude Captain: Aaliyah Meredith Vice-captain: Sabrina Roberts

The A and B Teams both had quite a few new players who, although unaccustomed to competitive league squash, brought much enthusiasm to the group.

1st Squash Team

Back row, from left: Cameron Alexander, Sabrina Roberts (Vice-captain) Front row, from left: Nicole Bransby, André Naude (Coach), Aaliyah Meredith (Captain), Ms Louise Lawrence, Jordyn Campbell

The new players improved tremendously under the guidance of Mr Naude. The A Team played in a mixed league with the Boys’ Schools and was very competitive. Our stellar number one, Jordyn Campbell, who continues to shine on the provincial and national stage, helped to anchor the team and all the girls showed much improvement in their competitive play. The B Team, made up of mostly Grade 8s, played in the Girls U19A League. Although most of these players were novices, their spirit and enthusiasm stayed strong which bodes well for the future.

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Jordyn won the U15 girls section of the South African Open and the African Junior Open Tournaments this year. She is seeded nine in South Africa in the U16 age-category.

Nicole Bransby, Jordyn, Aaliyah, Cameron Alexander and Stephanie Du represented Rustenburg at the PGSGU tournament and placed third.

Jordyn played well to beat the Wynberg number one at the PGSGU tournament.

The team for the Western Province Top Schools Knockout Tournament.

Aaliyah Meredith in action against a Springfield player at the PGSGU tournament.

Stephanie Du in action at the PGSGU tournament.

TENNIS Teacher-in-charge: Ms Marieta Langenhoven Coach: Mr Larsen Stehr Captain: Emily Malherbe Vice-captain: Justine Crook-Mansour

The 2016/2017 season was a great success. Rustenburg entered six teams into the league.

We were fortunate to receive good coaching from Coach Larsen from the Sinnet Tennis Academy.

He brought positive energy to every practice. These sessions created a sense of team spirit amongst the players with girls from different grades interacting with each other.

1st Tennis Team

First row, from left: Ms Marieta Langenhoven, Alida van der Merwe Front row, from left: Holly-May Nowers, Emily Malherbe, Justine CrookMansour

Three senior doubles teams and two junior teams represented Rustenburg at the annual PGSGU tournament. This year it was hosted by St Cyprians but was held at Rustenburg where we showcased our beautiful, newlyresurfaced courts. Emily Malherbe and Justine Crook-Mansour (Couple 1) placed second and Rustenburg placed third overall. We were extremely proud of the way in which our teams represented Rustenburg.

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The Rustenburg Team after playing all morning at the annual PGSGU tournament.

The Junior Team relaxed between matches at the PGSGU tournament.

From left to right: Megan Phillipson, Holly-May Nowers, Nicola Miller and Gemma Watermeyer.

Doubles partners Megan and Holly-May.

Concentration was evident as Holly-May prepared to return a shot.

Captain Emily and Vice-captain Justine made a formidable partnership on the court.

Gemma returned a shot with confidence.

Touch Rugby Teacher-in-charge: Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron Coach: Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron Captain: Zoë Naudé Vice-captain: Britney Price

1st TOUCH RUGBY Team

First row, from left: Imán Cassiem, Razaan Phillips, Brittany du Preez, Amber Jossie, Azraa Rawoot, Nishaat Hendricks Front row, from left: Angela Mibey, Zoë Naude, Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron, Jenna Frost, Sarah Virgin

Touch Rugby remains a popular sport at Rustenburg and we once again fielded four teams.

The Western Province Touch Rugby Girls’ Schools’ League was hosted by Rustenburg on Friday afternoons.

The 1st Touch Rugby Team was once again unbeaten in this league and were also runners up in the Century City Schools’ Tournament.

The following girls represented Western Province at the Junior Interprovincial Tournament in October 2016: Imán Cassiem, Nishaat Hendricks, Jade Lawson and Skye Williams (U15), Amber Jossie, Angela Mibey, Zoë Naudé, Razaan Phillips, Britney Price, Azraa Rawoot and Sarah Virgin (U17).

Special mention must be made of Zoë and Amber who represented the Western Province Ladies Team at the Senior Interprovincial tournament in March this year as well as Razaan and Britney who played for the Western Province Mixed side.

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Zoë is known to have quick feet on the field and often left her opponents behind when she took off for the try line.

Alexandra de Meuter was the most improved player this season. She was an eager and quick player in the 2nd Team.

The 1st Team beat Voortrekker High School 13-0.

The 1st Team celebrated their unbeaten record in the schools’ league.

Razaan and Amber in Voortrekker High School.

Sarah in action against Norman Henshilwood High School. Rustenburg won the game 14-0.

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The Western Province Touch Rugby Girls’ Schools’ League was very exciting as 11 teams participated this year.

Water Polo Teacher-in-charge: Mr Gian Marneweck Coach: Mr Devon Card Captain: Aaliyah Meredith Vice-captain: Jessica Knapp

1st WATERPOLO Team

First row, from left: Sarah Sims, Kim Lothaller, Caitlin Myburgh, Kayla Henry, Julia Osler, Holly Rowe Front row, from left: Séanne van Horsten, Mr Gian Marneweck, Aaliyah Meredith, Mr Devon Card, Tristan Jones

Rustenburg Water Polo has progressed in leaps and bounds this season. We were lucky to have South African Men’s Water Polo player, Devon Card, as our Head Coach.

Mr André Williams, Ms Rebecca Goble and Ms Tamarah Pike completed the coaching team. The season ended on a high note when both the 1st Team and the U16 Team made it through to the semi-finals of the Knockout Tournament.

The following girls represented various Western Province teams in December 2016: Jessica Knapp (U19A and U18A Currie Cup), Tristan Jones and Aaliyah Meredith (U19B and U18B Currie Cup), Georgia Hill, Hannah Schaefer, Jamie van Schoor and Ruby Wares (U15B) and Mia Lazarus (U14B).

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The Somerset College Tournament was the start to a very successful season for the 1st Team.

The 1st Team’s final match at the Alex Girls’ Water Polo Tournament – a focussed team talk between chukkas with Coach Devon and Ms Goble.

Rustenburg hosted league matches against Rhenish at our training venue, Groote Schuur High School.

The U16A Team prepared for battle at the Alex Girls’ Water Polo Tournament.

Some U16 players eagerly awaited their turn to play in the match.

Winning smiles! The 1st Team beat Alexander Road 3-0.

The 1st Team and U16A Team on the tour bus, headed for a welldeserved evening out after playing many matches over the course of three days.

The 1st and U16A Touring Teams, together with Coach Devon. Both teams took part in the Alex Girls’ Water Polo Tournament in Port Elizabeth in February.

International Holland Hockey Tour On 25 September 18 hockey players; two staff members and our first team hockey coach assembled at Cape Town International airport to embark on a 10-day tour of Holland and Belgium.

On arrival at Schiphol airport on 26 September we were transported to the Stayokay Hostel in Utrecht. The following morning we climbed the Domtoren, enjoyed lunch downtown and in the afternoon, we enjoyed a canoe trip through the canals. We travelled to the Duurstede region where we played our first match against Dorsteti Ma1. The girls played excellent hockey and we came away winning this match 3-2. We were treated to a post-match dinner in the clubhouse and the girls made friends with like-minded teenagers from the club.

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We checked out of the Stayokay and travelled by coach to Den Bosch for sightseeing. We played our second match against Weert Ma2 and won this match 1-0 by scoring in the final few seconds of the match.

Once again we ate at the club and the girls were hosted by families of the players. This proved to be an excellent way for the girls to connect and make more contacts with Dutch families.

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The following morning the girls attended their first of three clinics hosted by the Weert Club Coach. We travelled into Belgium and booked into the Century Hotel in Antwerp. We played our third match of the tour against a very strong team Royal Antwerp club team. The girls played excellent hockey, and although we were only down 0-1 until the last 5 minutes, our opposition then really stepped up a gear and scored 3 more goals to win 0-4.

We enjoyed a guided tour of Belgium’s finest chocolate shops and much shopping and tasting of chocolate was done. In the afternoon we travelled by train to Bruges for some more sightseeing.

On Sunday 1 October we travelled to Kampong Hockey Club in Utrecht where we watched a Hoofdklasse Men’s match and a Hoofdklasse Women’s match. The girls met many of their hockey idols,

took photographs with them and experienced a true Holland Hockey experience. That afternoon we travelled to Zaltbommel and met up with our hosts from the Bommelerwaard Hockey Club for two nights. This was a real highlight of the tour as we were so very warmly received.

We spent Monday morning in Rotterdam and played two matches that evening against Bommerlerwaard Ma1 and Ma2 and won both of these matches.

We travelled to Bloemendaal Hockey Club by coach and stopped off at Kinderdijk to see the dykes on our way. At Bloemendaal we played against a school team from Kennemer Lyceum and drew 1-1. On our way to Amsterdam we visited the windmills at Skaanse Schans and bought last-minute gifts galore. In Amsterdam we booked into the Stayokay alongside Vondelpark for our last two nights of the tour. Our last match was played that evening against Almere Hockey Club. By this stage the exhaustion had settled in and we played a defensive type game against stronger opposition. Our opposition scored 3 great field goals without reply. Once again we ate dinner at the club and enjoyed Dutch hospitality.

Our last Hockey Clinic took place at the Athena Hockey Club. We travelled by public transport. Our last dinner was enjoyed at the Bar B restaurant in the centre of Amsterdam. The girls got to enjoy each other’s company, reminisce about all that had taken place, discuss gifts bought and made last minute plans of places that needed to be visited the following day before we flew home.

This tour was a huge success. The girls all grew more tolerant, more understanding, more accepting, more reasonable and realised that they were very privileged to have experienced a different culture with their school mates.

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Inter-house Events Teacher-in-charge: Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron Coach: Ms Zaandré Barrett-Theron Captain: Zoë Naudé Vice-captain: Britney Price

The inter-house events are always exciting and generate much spirit within the school. 2017 began with the Inter-house Gala in February, where the very high standard of swimming meant that there four records were broken.

Daniella Salkow (Grade 10) broke her own U16 100m individual medley record (1:11.41) as well as the U16 50m freestyle record, in a new time of 28:38. The third record broken was in the U16 4 x 50m freestyle relay.

Previously set by Marchand (2012), Bleby won it this year in 2:06.50. The final record was broken in the Inter-grade relay (8 x 25m) by our Grade 10 swimmers, in a time of 1:53.44.

The overall results were just as impressive. Robyn von Zeil placed third overall in the U14 event, with Hannah Hillman and Amy Worthington tying for first place. Daniella Solkow, Erin Hartzenberg and Hannah Faure came first, second and third respectively in the U16 event, and Caylan Bromley came first in the U19 event, with Rebecca Behne coming second, and Adrienne Clynick and Saskia van der Merwe tying for third position.

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Bleby were the overall winners of the gala, and Cambridge won the coveted Spirit Cup, dressing as members of the Harry Potter house of Slytherin.

On the same day, the Inter-house Forum Discussions took place. The Juniors showed off their discursive skills in the Thomson Hall, where Michiel Vos narrowly beat Cambridge by one point. It was indeed a fine effort from the Michiel Vos team, which consisted of Kristina Semmelink, Lara Rule, Emily Burroughs (who also won Best Chairperson), Hannah Elvidge and Megan Barnard (who was also awarded Second Best Speaker).

Sarah Irwin of Cambridge won Best Speaker.

Marchand took home the trophy for the Seniors. The team also won Best Chairperson (Alexa Rabeling) and Best Speaker (Emma Sacco). The other team members, Ashleigh Madell, Dominique Wagner and Lydia Hardie, held their own in the discussion and contributed to Marchand’s win. Megan Tromp (Cambridge) also won Best Speaker, and Second Best Speaker was awarded to Jamie Fraser (Bleby).

award for this play. Along with the awards for Best Script, Best Response to the Brief and Best Overall Production, Michiel Vos also won Best Actress – Jasmine Minter shared this award with Cambridge actress Courtney Petersen. Cambridge also took home the award for Best Producer (Michaela Flanders and Kezia Madell) and Best Supporting Actress (Cassidy Bhoopchand). Bleby won the award for the Best Production Design for their very pink set.

Towards the end of Term 2, the prefects organised the Inter-house Riff Off. A relatively new event, each house was tasked with performing a song of their choice. This year, the theme was the 1990s. Cambridge were the clear winners with their rendition of “Everybody” by the Backstreet Boys, as they showed the most spirit. The competition gave the girls the chance to unwind before the school holidays.

In June, the girls were given a chance to show off their winter sport skills in the Inter-house Hockey and Netball, and the Inter-house Cross Country.

A Staff versus Matric match opened the Inter-house Netball tournament.

The Staff Team won the match 10-7. Overall, Michiel Vos narrowly beat Bleby. In the Inter-house Hockey tournament, however, Marchand was the clear winner. The Inter-house Cross Country race took place later that week, and a number of runners from Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School were also invited to take part. The Grade 9s performed the best, with four girls in the top 10: Hannah Elvidge (first), Megan Phillipson (second), Laya Gersowsky (third) and Kayla Henry (10th). The Grade 8s also performed well with Rachel Noyce placing fourth, Isabella Lethbridge placing seventh, and Talitha Delpierre placing eighth. Emily Hobson and Rebecca Behne in Grade 11 placed fifth and sixth respectively, and Caylan Bromley in Grade 12 placed ninth.

Overall, the inter-house events and activities were a huge success. This is largely owing to the level of participation and tremendous spirit of the girls, which makes each event memorable.

In March, the Inter-house Drama Competition was held. The theme was “A Day/Night in the…” The scriptwriters, producers, directors and cast of all the houses worked extremely hard to produce well-rehearsed, polished plays. Although all the houses displayed great talent, the overall winners were Michiel Vos. Their play, “A Day in the Bathroom”, was set in a public restroom and dealt with a myriad of issues. Directors Chloe Allison and Gabrielle Adams deservedly won the Best Director

House Captains & Vice-captains

Back row, from left: Zimkhitha Kasana (Cambridge Vice-captain), Ms Zaandrè Barrett-Theron, Hannah Lukic (Bleby Vice-captain), Ms Rebecca Goble, Chloë Allison (Michiel Vos Vice-captain), Ms Tessa Brown, Julia Stokell (Marchand Vice-captain), Ms Susan Viljoen, Talia Novella (Innes Vice-captain) Front row, from left: Razaan Phillips (Bleby Captain), Kezia Madell (Cambridge Captain) Ms Nolundi Blayi, Kirsten McKenzie (Michiel Vos Captain), Mr Gian Marneweck, Francesca Palmieri (Marchand Captain), Camryn Simpson (Innes Captain),

Cambridge wins the Spirit Cup 91 I N T E R- H O U S E

On 3 February the annual Inter-house Gala took place, showcasing not only our best swimmers, but also the tremendous spirit which our school has. Each house took the opportunity to dress according to a theme, from Bleby’s “Sweet Shop” to Innes’s “Supergirls” theme. The house that took home the coveted Spirit Cup was, however, Cambridge, who dressed up as members of the Slytherin House from Harry Potter. House Captains Kezia Madell and Zimkhitha Kasana ensured that their house not only had the most original theme, but displayed the best spirit throughout the day with their cheering and support of their swimmers.

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Audio-Visual Team

Back row, from left: Second row, from left: Younsun Choi, Hanaan Khan, Maxene Hollis, Farheen Parker, Claire Ordman Front row, from left: Naima Dutton, Megan Lodder (Head), Mr Francis Vogts, Nabeelah Gangraker (Deputy), Jordan Byrne Absent: Maryam Badsha, Robyn Gernetsky

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Blood Donor Committee and First Aid

Second row, from left: Alexis Panton, Cassidy Bhoopchand, Megan Lodder First row, from left: Angela Mibey (Blood Donor Committee), Alexandra Smith, Jenna Frost, Mia van Aardt, Jane Abrahams (Blood Donor Committee), Nina D’ Andrea (Blood Donor Committee) Front row, from left: Lauren Schaefer, Talia Mdulungu, Claire Slootmans, Ms Dominque Williams, Kristen Laaks, Evashna Pillay, Samar Abrahams Absent: Britney Price, Nokukhanya Zondi

Bon Appetit

Back row, from left: Jenna Mühlberg, Kirsten McKenzie, Chelsea Burnell, Megan Lodder, Amber Keet Third row, from left: Talia Novella, Semónn Steyn, Zoë Naudé, Chelsea Prodehl, Yumnah Toefy, Leila Diesel, Kayla Budge Second row, from left: Zimkhitha Kasana, Alyssa Janson, Hester Howard, Amber Mc Hugh, Raeesa Kazi, Jessica Stow, Zoë Ackerman, Insaaf Dhansay Front row, from left: Raeesa Samsodien, Nihaad Raja, Ms Linda Mallon, Lerato Ntsime (Head), Ms Anita Marshall, Alexis Panton (Deputy), Leigh Natus Absent: Lauren van Niekerk

The Bugs’ Boutique

Back row, from left: Chloe Kruger, Kim Lothaller, Savannah Meyer, Georgia Dugmore, Michaela Feldon, Maxine Harrison, Annie Williams Front row, from left: Courtney Wheeler, Georgia Smith, Jessica Stow (Head), Sharna Naidoo, Paige Either-Vosloo Absent: Alex van Niekerk, Ilhaam Khalfe, Jodie Stoffberg, Fozia Hendricks

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Cheerleaders

First row, from left: Camryn Johnson, Anne Williams, Asemi Ntsokolo, Jasmine WyattMinter, Lutholuhle Mkupa, Abigayle Cohen Front row, from left: Kirsten McKenzie, Hannah Rens, Ms Nolundi Blayi, Caitlin Myburgh, Sarah Breitenbach

Computer Monitresses

Second row, from left: Kezia Madell, Evashna Pillay, Rafiqua Anwar, Cynthia Augustine, Saara Adam First row, from left: Lauren-Leigh van Niekerk, Taskeen Parker, Aaliyah Meredith, Mikayla Shaw, Ylva Hultkranz, SĂŠanne van Horsten Front row, from left: Safeera Takay, Leigh Natus, Yusraa Moosa, Ms Janine Myers, Nuhaa Francis, Tatenda Dandara, Insaaf Dhansay

From the MEDIA CENTRE Teacher-in-charge: Ms Marilyn Peters Head Monitress: Bianca Rijkmans Deputy Head Monitress: Faatimah Leonard Secretary: Evashna Pillay Social Secretary: Haseena Moola Display: Daniella Attfield Media Monitresses: Tatenda Dandara, Lydia Hardie, Raeesa Kazi, Kauthar Parker, Sabrina Roberts, Daniela Schutte, Caitlin Starke, Sun Choi, Bronwyn Kode, Thameena Dhansay, Helen Brooke, Fatima Kerven, Katie Watt, Lila Ross, Nuha Hoosen, Joycelyn Ng, Isabelle Vainio,Tanya van der Merwe New Media Monitresses: Aaminah Leonard, Amaarah Adams, Clare Roberts, Courtney Martin, Erin Savage, Nabeela Jaffer, Robyn Gernetzky, Sadia Diba, Shannon McGuaghey, Tai-Li Lee, Zahra Parker Shhh….

“I’ve long believed that one of the most precious resources libraries offer their patrons is simple quiet,” wrote Laura Miller, author of The Magician’s Book: A Skeptic’s Adventures in Narnia. She continued, “but there is no reason why a library cannot have both: places for group study, places for children to express themselves (appropriately of course), as well as places for quiet study.”

Quoting Pew Internet Research survey results, she added:

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“The two services that patrons regard as most essential in a library are ‘librarians to help people find information’ and ‘borrowing books,’ each rated as very important by 80% of respondents. Next comes ‘free access to computers and the Internet,’ rated very important by 77% of those surveyed. No surprises there! The percentage of people who consider quiet spaces to be a very important element in any public library is 76, only one percentage point less than the value given to computer and Internet access! Refuge from this cacophonous world is getting harder and harder to come by. Let’s hope librarians are listening to all the patrons asking them not to take it away.”

“If 2016 taught us anything, it’s that information literacy is a critical ingredient in informed democracies. In the era of fake news, biased media, and dubious websites, information literacy has come to the forefront of essential 21st century skills. The ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and responsibly has never been more important.

Things like online bullying/trolling and fake news have complicated an already polarised and contentious political landscape.”

2017 kicked off with us hosting the iconic Shaun Tomson (former South African World Champion Surfer) who was launching his inspiring book The Code: “What you will, you will become” and “Always think twice.” He was very well received by all the girls, and particularly by our new principal: an aspiring surfer!

Amongst other achievements during the year has been the selection and training of 11 additional monitresses, after the overwhelming retirement of 13 much-beloved Matrics in late August. A wonderful Farewell and Welcome Evening Pizza Party made the bittersweet event a memory to savour. Bianca and her very able committee (Faatimah, Evashna, Haseena and Daniella) inducted their successors: Thameena, Helen, Fatima, Katie and Lila. The new committee has a daunting act to follow, but appear to be qualified for the task. The enthusiasm, spirit and efficient service from this team of dedicated volunteers cannot be too highly prized (or priced) by our entire school. The Library is, after all, the essential hub of any educational institution. Harold Howe once said, “What a school thinks about its Library is a measure of what it thinks about education.”

In conclusion, recent surveys conducted about the role of libraries and librarians show that people have shifted to the mind-set of lifelong learners, but struggle to find the most trustworthy information, and express a clear hope that librarians can help them. These words from Neil Gaiman seem appropriate therefore, “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.”

Our enduring creed is Learn to Discern and we take heart that within our walls we are contributing to the collective effect for which all libraries strive.

Shaun Tomson (former South African World Champion Surfer) launched his inspiring book The Code.

Bianca and Interact members distributed the RGHS bumper collection of Easter eggs at Vrygrond.

Community visits to Vrygrond Library have been ongoing and our sponsored annual December holiday camp took 60 children under librarian Ms Jane Sylvester’s supervision to Die Apostels Battery camp on Table Mountain. It was, as always, an exciting, fun and significant event in their lives. In April Bianca and Interact members distributed many Easter eggs donated by generous Rustybugs to the children of Vrygrond.

Peer Tutoring

Back row, from left: Ms Perdita Norval, Yusra Sablay, Imaan Khan, Amina Dhansay, Han Manjra, Razeena Rawoot Front row, from left: Neeta Chavda, Nabeelah Gangraker (Deputy), Nureen Rawoot (Head), Taskeen Parker, Haneen Pohplonker

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Back row, from left: Taskeen Parker, Tasmyn Baxter, Siobhán Bottomley, Alyssa Bosch, Rachel Couperthwaite Second row, from left: Katia Devoti, Brittany Gouws, Paige Jooste, Savannah AlthoffThomson, Adrienne Clynick, Semónn Steyn Front row, from left: Cynthia Augustine (Deputy), Syan O’Connell Richards, Neeta Chavda (Head), Ms Nicky Cooper, Alexandra Smith (Deputy), Georgia Smith, Sabrina Thorndike Absent: Holly Rowe, Lauren Searle, Saiyuree Sewchuran

Tuckshop Monitresses

Back row, from left: Francesca Palmieri, Yumnah Toefy, Nabeelah Gangraker, Geena Polzin, Sarah Breitenbach, Caitlin Henderson, Katia Devoti, Casey Wheeler, Hannah-Grace Elvidge Second row, from left: Angela Briton, Rafiqua Anwar, Jamie van Niekerk, Ashleigh Wild, Josie Knutsen, Michaela Flanders, Laila Salie, Nishtha Naidoo, Front row, from left: Nosipho Abrams, Wi-aam Jassiem, Ms Linda Mantshi, Nokukhanya Zondi (Head), Ms Michelle Haylett, Raeesa Samsodien, Zimkhitha Kasana Absent: Alexandra De Meuter, Imaan Khan, Séanne van Horsten (Deputy), Mikaela Van Otterlo, Anna van Straten, Julia Vainio

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Photographic Team

Afrikaans Vereniging Onderwyseres: Mev. Anita Pretorius Hoof: Taskeen Parker

Gr.9’s in aksie in Hoofmeisie tydens Afrikaansdag

Die Afrikaans-vereniging skrik vir niks nie! Al is dit nou140 boereworsrolletjies!

Kou, Bronwyn, kou. Alexis besluit nog of sy daarvan hou.

Onderwysers smul aan heerlike Afrikaanse lekkernye tydens die Piekniek van die Jaar.

Die braaimeesters: Hier braai mnr. Biermann en mnr. Neethling die smullekker boerewors.

Daar kom die Alabama … of liewer lekker vrolike Afrikaanse leerders … !

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The Bug Teachers-in-charge: Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale (Term 1 and Term 2), Ms Megan Paton (Term 3 and Term 4) Editor: Justine Crook-Mansour Graphics Head: Aasiyah Khan

The whole Bug gang: Back row, from left to right: Noa Anthony, Lauren Gericke, Aleya Dugmore, Aasiyah Khan (Graphics Editor), Lila Ross, Justine Crook (Editor). Middle row, from left to right: Lily Rabie, Brigitte Moser, Tai-Li Lee, Rachel Abrahams. Front row, from left to right: Kate Powrie, Nuha Hoosen, Thameena Dhansay. Absent: Chloë Swartz

The committee geared up to sell the Term 2 edition of The Bug magazine.

Busty Bugs Teacher-in-charge: Ms Brigid Ryan Head: Cassidy Bhoopchand The Busty Bugs is a society that aims to bring about breast cancer awareness and raise funds for Pink Drive, whose vision is to save the lives of breast cancer victims by promoting the early detection of breast cancer in men and women.

This year Busty Bugs functioned with sub-committees to ensure the smooth running of the group. The Fundraising Department planned bake sales and a bra-off competition, where classes decorated templates of bras. Busty Bugs also sold breast cancer awareness ribbons for Pink Drive and hosted a successful Spur waitressing evening. The Public Relations and Awareness Department of Busty Bugs held a tie-dye workshop and was responsible for decorating the school corridors with cancer awareness posters during October.

The Busty Bugs also went out to support the local community wherever possible. Pink Drive invited us to promote their campaign at events such as the Pick n Pay Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon.

Busty Bugs has not only made an impact within the Rustenburg community but has touched the lives of many others. Without our passionate and dedicated members none of this would be possible and we thank those who have supported the Busty Bugs throughout this year. We look forward to seeing Busty Bugs grow within our school.

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Teacher-in-charge: Ms Denise Campbell Head: Eugenia Twumasi

Salwa Essack (Grade 9) and Aarzoo Bray (Grade 9) attended the Cultural Society Dinner.

Aarzoo Bray (Grade 9) helped Rustenburg Headgirl Jenna Frost (Grade 12) to get ready.

Grade 11 student Thameena Dhansay dressed up for the Cultural Society Dinner.

Grade 11 learners Husna Owadally, Fatima Kerven, Lamees Crawley and Kiarra Ephraim dressed in a variety of colours for the dinner.

Matric students Julia Stokell, Eugenia Twumasi, Cassidy Boopchand, Cynthia Augustine, Samar Abrahams and Evashna Pillay looked beautiful at the Bollywood-themed dinner.

Matric students Tatenda Dandara, Julia Bosman and Saara Adam enjoyed the Cultural Society Dinner.

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Cultural Society

Earth Children

In Term 1 the Earth Children and Eco Leaders spearheaded a Grey Water Competition, designed to encourage awareness around water saving. Each grade was responsible for watering their patch of lawn using only grey water brought from home.

The Healthy Bake Sale raised funds for animal shelters and encouraged a healthy and conscientious diet as consumers at the school.

Teacher-in-charge: Ms Jackie Chambers Head: Sarah Virgin

Fifteen members of the Earth Children Society and friends were confronted with the low water levels of the De Villiers dam on a hike up Constantia Nek on 4 March.

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Enthusiastic Earth Children volunteered at the Earth Hour Adventure in support of the WWF at Kirstenbosch on 25 March.

Earth Children teamed up with Living Lab to analyse the water in the Liesbeek River.

Debating

Aviella Abrahams (Grade 9) was selected to represent the Western Cape Junior Debaters at the National Schools’ Debating Championships in December.

The debaters enjoyed an appetising AFFIES’ breakfast before a full day of debating. They did well this year by winning three of their six debates. Left to right: Aviella Abrahams (Grade 9), Mikayla Shaw (Grade 11), Katia da Silva Valente (Grade 10), Jade Smith (Grade 12) and Kristina Semmelink (Grade 9).

Farmer Angus McIntosh showed Ms Jackie Chambers’s daughter the friendly chickens during an educational organic farming tour of Spier Farm on 21 April.

Rustenburg hosted the Western Cape Eco-Schools Awards Ceremony, where our school was awarded an International Green Flag for working towards a healthy environment and whole-school environmental development. The picture shows Eco Leaders Zahra Parker (Grade 10) and Mikaela van Otterlo (Grade 9) in front of their Eco Brick and Operation Smile Bottle top demonstration.

Teacher-in-charge: Mr Cedric van Dyk Head: Mikayla Shaw

Our coaches, Tamsin Metelerkamp (Juniors) and Jordan Pfotenhauer (Seniors) worked hard at developing both teams and reaped their rewards in the last three debates of the season. Both teams finished with 3 wins out of 5 debates. The Juniors (Grade 9s, Aviella Abrahams, Shelby van der Watt and Kristina Semmelink) won through to the quarter-finals of the competition, but lost out to a strong Reddam team.

The Senior team finally had a taste of victory when they won the annual Facets debating competition at Sans Souci. Mikayla Shaw was judged the best speaker of the competition.

The Seniors (Shelby van der Watt, Grade 9, Mikayla Shaw (Captain) and Katia da Silva Valente) qualified to participate in the Western Cape Schools Debating Championships held at UCT in August. Although they did not make it to the semi-finals, they gave a good account of themselves in winning three of their five debates.

Megan Tromp, Grade 12, Jamie Fraser, Grade 10, Alexa Rabeling (Chairperson), Grade 12, Emma Sacco, Grade 11 and Mikayla Shaw, Grade 11, spoke exceptionally well to take third place in this year’s closely contested competition.

Habitat for Humanity Teacher-in-charge: Ms Lorraine Gardiner Head: Megan Tromp

The annual Habitat for Humanity 25-hour Cyclathon, was held at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront from 17h00 on Friday 27 January until 18h00 the following day.

It was organised by the BRIC committee which is made up of learners from Rustenburg, Bishops, Westerford High School, Herschel Girls’ High School and Rondebosch Boys’ High School. These schools work together every year to organise the huge fund-raising event that is the Cyclathon.

The Rustenburg girls took turns to cycle on stationary bicycles. The Committee and Sub-Committee sold raffle tickets and had hourly draws of prizes donated by various companies. Various local Cape Town bands entertained the crowd until late in the night. Our own Jasmine Wyatt-Minter (Grade 12) was a very popular performer during the evening. Habitat managed to raise an amount in excess of R80 000.

The money raised during the Cyclathon was used to build a house for underprivileged people in Mfuleni.

For a week in February 10 Rustenburg girls from different grades were bused to Mfuleni. There they met with members of Habitat for Humanity and walked to the site where a house was to be built. On arriving, the girls saw a sandy spot demarcated by the foundations of a house. The girls worked with the builders to start the construction of a new house. Our girls mixed cement, carried cement bricks and tiles and later scrubbed small pieces of cement from the walls. This was very hard work, but the girls kept their sense of humour in the hot, dusty conditions and worked like Trojans.

By the end of the week a house had been constructed and the girls felt a sense of pride and joy knowing that they had been partly responsible for providing a family with a new, fully-functional home. The photos show the Rustenburg Matrics hard at work in Mfuleni.

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Helen Keller Teacher-in-charge: Ms Louise Lawrence Head: Holly Rowe

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Alexander De Meuter (Grade 9) visited Ms Daphne Lily at Huis Lückhoff.

The girls had tea with all the “grannies” in the dining room at Huis Lückhoff.

Caitlin Lange (Grade 12) chatted to Ms Dawn Denobrega at the special tea.

Dayna Powell (Grade 8), Carla Kellerman (Grade 8) and Ms Louise Lawrence visited Mr Raymond and Ms Eileen Steffen at Helen Keller.

Laura Jacobs (Grade 11), Yusra Sablay (Grade 11) and Ms Merle Simpson at the special tea the Helen Keller Organisation hosted to thank the girls for their visits.

Jenna Pentz (Grade 8), Ms Louise Lawrence and Nozithelo Falala (Grade 11) visited Mr Hartmut and Mrs Heide-Marie Hayn in their cottage at Helen Keller.

Ignition Teacher-in-charge: Ms Tessa Brown Head: Angela Mibey

A special series this year was led by the girls from the Fuel Team, a church gap-year programme, in which the girls learnt about the book of Ephesians and spent time going deeper in discussion during small-group time.

The Jabulani Choir kept the residents of Helen Keller entertained.

The Grade 8 dorm rose early to watch the sun rise over the ocean on the last morning of camp.

At the annual movie evening, in Ms Brown’s classroom, the girls snuggled up with popcorn and hot chocolate to watch God’s Not Dead 2.

Camp is a wonderful time for friendships to grow. Anne Williams (Grade 12), Jenna Frost (Grade 12) and Julia Stokell (Grade 12) enjoyed bonding and having fun together.

The annual camp at Rocklands was one of the best yet, together with over 100 high school pupils from Rondebosch Boys’, SACS, Bishops, Wynberg Boys’ and Wynberg Girls’.

The theme was Elemental, which explored the substance of the Christian faith.

Interact Teacher-in-charge: Ms Philippa Colly Head: Jennifer Darley Waddilove

This Mandela Day Interact once again put in our 67 minutes, along with the whole school, by making sandwiches in the main quad. The school donated bread and spreads and then volunteers from each form class came down to help make sandwiches. While music played, everyone got their hands messy making sandwiches and packing them to be delivered. We had the most donations of ingredients ever and ended up making 221 loaves of sandwiches. Our original beneficiary was Blossom Street Primary School, because they could not possibly eat so many sandwiches, we donated The Valley Primary School as well. Both schools were grateful. Many of their learners often go the whole school day without food.

The Mother-Daughter Tea is Interact’s biggest fundraising event.

This year the Interact girls went all out turning the Kemp Hall into a magical Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Our beneficiary was Operation Smile. Sakeenah Kerbelker, the marketing manager for Operation Smile, Rustenburg Old Girl and one of the founding members of the event, was our guest speaker. Her speech about her personal experiences with children helped by the organisation was unbelievably touching. Performances by Simply Blue and Rustenburg’s own Jasmine Wyatt-Minter (Grade 12) kept the guests entertained while they drank tea, ate delicious food, won magnificent prizes and explored their goodie bags. We donated a record amount of almost R25 000 to Operation Smile which will fund five cleft palate surgeries.

This year for the first time Interact hosted an Easter egg hunt. A joint collection of Easter eggs was done with the Media Centre who donated their half of the eggs to Vrygrond. Interact used their half of the eggs to host an Easter egg hunt for junior primary school students from Klipfontein Primary School. Dressed as the Easter Bunny’s helpers, the Interact members hid hundreds of eggs in the grassy area next to the Erinville parking lot. After a special voice message from the Paashaas (the Easter Bunny), the children went on a massive hunt and collected all the eggs which were then packaged into gift bags brimming with eggs for each learner.

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At the end of every year Interact hosts a Christmas party where every society in the school sets up a stall. For our 2016 party we once again hosted Klipfontein Primary. The mood was festive with Christmas decorations everywhere. The kids played games and ate food and even had a visit from Father Christmas (Mr Siebrits) who had every child sit on his lap as he gave them a present to which the whole school had contributed. It was a fun afternoon and the children left exhausted and beaming. From left to right: Katrin van der Merwe, Jennifer Darley Waddilove and Holly Rowe.

International Visits and Visitors

Teachers-in-charge: Ms Renée Fourie and Ms Lynette Jacobs

Once again Rustenburg girls benefitted from international exchanges via Rotary International or the FSA Youth Exchange with Germany.

In December 2016 Bronwyn Kruger left for Germany to stay with Hannah Gramlich in Rülzheim. She experienced the magic of a white Christmas and small town festivities over New Year. In June/July 2017 Hannah came to Cape Town to share in Bronwyn’s life and visited classes.

Nina Beckurts spent July 2015 in Miesbach, situated 50km from Munich, and was visited in April this year by her host brother, Kilian Roehrer. He (and the girls) enjoyed a one-week visit to Rustenburg during this time.

Also visiting, this time from the south of Austria on Rotary Exchange, was Mira Deutsch. She was the host sister of Katia Devoti, who is looking forward to visiting her in Austria in December 2017.

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In July 2017 Maxine Harrison took off on the German exchange to the town of Moers in Nordrhein-Westfalen, where she visited Wiebke Baas and her family, went to school and explored life along the Rhein River.

Maxine will host an exchange student in return in 2018. She says “The experience made me feel more independent. It was an incredible experience.”

Jabulani

And finally, a report from Erin Marsburg (Rotary Exchange): ”The experience of having an exchange student truly is like nothing I have ever experienced before. You have someone you have never met before come and become a part of the most intimate parts of your life. They follow you everywhere and I always felt that I had to look out for her. My exchange, Alessandra Valsecchi, is from Italy and I was so privileged to have been able to spend the most amazing six weeks with her. She now feels like the sister I never had but always wanted. She came to Rustenburg for a few days and absolutely loved seeing the differences in our schooling systems, mainly that we wear a uniform and are a girls-only school. I have loved the experience so much and will cherish the memories forever. I cannot wait to go to Italy this December and experience the way that she lives, a true Italian lifestyle.”

Being an exchange student is life-altering in terms of cultural and personal growth. We encourage all Rustenburg girls to consider participating in an international exchange.

Teacher-in-charge: Ms Mavis Mase Head: Buhle Mcengwa

Asemi Ntsokolo (Grade 10) gave the opening speech for the annual isiXhosa Assembly.

The Jabulani Society Choir performed songs at the annual Jabulani Evening.

Amukele Ngubane (Grade 11) and Siphosihle Zola (Grade 11) gave a presentation about the influence Sophiatown had on music.

Herschel’s acapella group performed a medley of songs at the Annual Jabulani Cultural Evening.

The Jabulani Society’s dance girls choreographed and performed a hip-hop routine at the annual Jabulani Evening.

Music Society The Music Society committee was actively involved in the Rustenburg Music concerts and other evening events in 2017. This year we hosted, together with Retro, our third successful Open Mic event in Term 2.

This was a showcase of the raw talent that Rustenburg has. Learners from Grade 8 to 12 were especially encouraged to perform their original compositions. We had guest judges from the School of Rock in

Teacher-in-charge: Ms Olivia Herrendoerfer Head: Imke Mühr

Claremont who kindly sponsored a R2000 gift voucher to the winner. We ended Term 3 with our second Movie Evening in Charlie’s Hope. This was an opportunity for our junior music learners to socialise with our seniors, and for our Matrics to have a fun evening before final examinations began.

Teacher-in-charge: Ms Zargielay Rabeh Head: Nuhaa Francis

The MSA started the year off with a Fun Day on 25 March.

Over 100 children from various orphanages in the Cape were invited to spend the morning with pupils from Rondebosch Boys’, Wynberg Girls’ and Sans Souci.

Later we held our Inter-schools thikr at Rondebosch Boys’. This was aimed at providing girls and boys with a night of spirituality before the mid-year examinations. It was a successful evening with many delicious snacks.

The MSA Iftaar was held on 15 June. This event was planned by the Grade 11 committee members. Many hours were put into the planning of the Iftaar and, alhamdullilah, it is safe to say that all the effort paid off.

Pupils from various schools enjoyed Nasheed performances, delicious food and dessert.

Nuhaa Francis (Grade 12), Rafiqua Anwar (Grade 12) and Ms Zargielay Rabeh hosted the MSA Fun Day.

A young guest enjoyed himself at the MSA Fun Day.

On 27 August, our MSA was invited to attend a symposium hosted by MSA Schools of the Cape. The morning was enlightening and much knowledge was gained. A further enjoyable experience was had on the MSA Fun Night on 15 September, where the girls had a chance to unwind after a busy Term 3.

Alhamdullilah, we had a very successful year with a great team.

Inshallah, next year we look forward to a similar standard being upheld as we welcome three new Grade 9 members and say goodbye to the three dedicated Grade 12 members who have left their mark on the MSA. Shukran Jazeelan. It has been a wonderful year.

The MSA Fun Day is such a tender occasion for all involved. Rustenburg’s MSA girls found it immensely rewarding to be able to give back and support the community. .

Pass-the-parcel is a game which never seems to get old! Here guests at the MSA Fun Day enjoy the festivities in the sunshine.

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Muslim Students’ Association

Rustenburg Old Girls’ Union Long Service to Rustenburg

Each year at Founders’ Day the principal acknowledges those staff members who have offered long service to the school. This year, certificates of appreciation were awarded to those who have been at the school for 10 years: Ms Anita Marshall, Ms Lynda Niddrie, Ms Tarin Scharneck and Ms Helene Swanson. Ms Brigid Ryan has served Rustenburg faithfully for the last 30 years.

Principal passes away

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Ms Josephine McIntyre started at Rustenburg in 1970 in the English Department. As Head of English, she was organised, committed and inspiring to her colleagues. One of her fellow English teachers, Judith Gordon (nee Stewart-Watson), remembers with fondness Ms McIntyre’s instructions at the Inter-house Play festivals, “Mrs McIntyre always insisted that the first comment made was a positive one. She taught her staff to act wisely.” Ms Gordon also remembers the parties the English Department used to host for all the staff, usually at Ms McIntyre’s home in Kreupelbosch.

Ms McIntyre became principal in 1979 and ran the school with dedication for 12 years. She was involved in all school activities, even participating in staff-versus-students hockey matches. When the need arose for her to intervene in the boarding house, she moved in there with her husband.

Ms Marian Lennox, who was the Deputy Headmistress during this time, remembers Ms McIntyre for the high standards she set, “She knew her focus for the school and had the necessary leadership qualities. She understood the girls and was easy to talk to. Despite her self-confident demeanour and air of authority, she had a very human side and the girls could relate to her.” The school flourished under her leadership.

ROGU President retires

The School would like extend a most sincere thank you to Averil Keller-Booysen, on her retirement, for her dedication and commitment to Rustenburg Old Girls’ Union (ROGU). Averil has been associated with ROGU for 32 years, first as an ordinary member, and then elected as a committee member, later becoming the Honorary Secretary, Vice-President and serving as President for many years. Averil was a prefect in Std 5 (Grade 7) at the Junior School and a prefect in her matric year (1974) and became involved in ROGU shortly after leaving school. She went on to study teaching at the Cape Town College of Education and later studied towards her Diploma in Specialised Education (remedial). After teaching at the Junior School for a few years, she moved into remedial teaching. Former Principal, Dr Elizabeth Fullard, commented: “Over the years, Ms Averil Keller-Booysen has always stayed connected to Rustenburg and attended almost every formal event at the school. Her commitment and presence will be missed.

Retro Retro Committee members at this year’s Societies’ Day: Jane Abrahams, Eugenia Twumasi, Neeta Chavda (Head), Talia Mdlungu and Savannah AlthoffThomson.

Teacher-in-charge: Mr Cedric van Dyk Head: Neeta Chavda

The Retro highlight was definitely the Youth Day Assembly. Neeta Chavda opened the assembly with the topic: Youth and Politics in South Africa.

Jabulani performed at the Youth Day assembly.

Adwoa Danso (Grade 11) led the band in a bouncy rendition of John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change.”

President’s Award: Gold and Silver Levels

Back row: Lauren Schaefer, Alexandra Smith, Holly Rowe, Stephanie Keyser, Emily Hobson Front row, from left: Saiyuree Sewchuran, Cassidy Bhoopchand, Ms Brigid Ryan, Jenna Frost, Megan Lodder

12 Club Teacher-in-charge: Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale

Every year, 12 girls from Grade 12 are chosen to join 12 Club. Each of these girls presents a topic that they’re passionate about and then hosts a discussion about it with the group.

Happiness was the next topic of discussion. Jennifer Darley Waddilove asked us what we perceive happiness to be and showed us the scientific and psychological definitions of, and studies on, happiness. We discussed the importance of happiness and how it influences the way we live.

Astrophysics was the next topic of discussion led by Neeta Chavda. We talked about the cosmos and were shown scientific theories for how the universe began, how black holes are formed and many others. Whilst some concepts were difficult to grasp, learning about our universe was fascinating and the discussion was riveting.

The next topic was Cryogenics as presented by Caitlin Starke. We looked at the theory and motivation behind cryogenics and discussed our feelings on the idea. We questioned the idea of humans achieving immortality and the effect cryogenics would have on our future.

Julia Bosman spoke next about Hilary Clinton: her past and how it has affected her present. Whilst the discussion started off looking at Clinton’s past and how it affected her presidential campaign in 2016, we ended up looking at women in politics.

The next topic addressed was Pop Culture by Tatenda Dandara. We looked at different pop cultures across the world (focusing on Western and Korean cultures) and discussed their differences and similarities.

Feminism was then presented by Cara Whittal. We discussed our thoughts on the feminist movement and how we, as feminists, interact. We looked at how feminism is portrayed in the media and how the definition of a feminist is not always understood by both those who call themselves feminists and those who are against feminism.

Jenna Frost chose Psychology, focusing on certain psychological studies such as the Stanford Prison Experiment. While looking at the results of these experiments, we looked at the human capacity for cruelty and asked ourselves if all humans are inherently evil.

12 Club was closed by Nicola Baalbergen who chose Quantum Physics as her topic. We questioned our own existence as individuals and discussed mind-blowing theories such as Schrodinger’s Cat and multiple dimensions.

Gabrielle Adams (Grade 12)

Nina Beckurts chose Ethics and Morals as her topic. We were first shown the differences between the two concepts and went on to look at certain examples, deciding if each one was an ethical or a moral issue.

The next topic was Counter Cultures as presented by Bianca Hill. We looked at various counter cultures that have emerged over the years (such as the Skinhead, Grunge and Goth cultures) and were shown a window into a world that was previously shrouded in mystery. We looked at the social, political and economic motivations for the formation of these cultures and how they are portrayed today.

Gabrielle Adams presented Religion as her topic. We looked at monotheistic and polytheistic religions and their similarities and differences. The talk also served to inform us of the role religion plays in our lives and how we are often ignorant and cautious about religions and customs that are not our own.

12 Club

Back row, from left: Neeta Chavda, Jennifer Darley Waddilove, Nina Beckurts, Jenna Frost, Dominique Wagner Front row, from left: Cara Whittal, Caitlin Starke, Julia Bosman, Gabrielle Adams, Bianca Hill, Nicola Baalbergen, Tatenda Dandara Absent: Ms Sarah Capstick-Dale

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The first topic discussed was Cultural Appropriation. After Dominique Wagner defined it, she asked for our opinions on the matter. We were shown various examples and launched into a discussion that was both eye-opening and, at times, controversial.

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World Challenge Teacher-in-charge: Ms Brigid Ryan 2017 Challengers: Nicole Smith, Rebecca Mortley, Iman Osman, Jordan Erasmus, Stephanie Du, Aerin McCallum, Chloe Swartz, Helen Brooke

This year Borneo was chosen as the destination for Rustenburg’s sixth World Challenge Expedition. One of the challengers, Nicole Smith, shared her experience.

I have no idea what attracted or encouraged me to attend the meeting to find out more about the World Challenge trip that was offered to Grade 10 learners. It may have been the trip abroad, independent of my parents; the promise of an exotic destination; or being given the chance to experience an opportunity afforded to very few teenagers.

The early weeks were about costs, forms and financing. I was initially disheartened to know that none of my close friends would be joining, but the more we got together as a group, the more I realised that I would be making new friends.

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Departure day arrived and we set off with huge backpacks, walking poles, bandanas and ‘trekking’ clothes. After three flights, eight exhausted teenagers arrived in Kota Kinabalu. We were in a foreign country with no electronic equipment, no family support structure, no familiar foods and the outcome entirely of our own organising: the hardest part was to smile for a group photo to assure our parents that we were safe and happy.

Luckily, we all acclimatised quickly and cheered up as we headed off on our adventures in this beautiful country of pineapples, cocoa palms and pygmy squirrels.

The exciting activities included snorkelling around the islands off Kota Kinabalu, swimming at the beautiful Sepilok Jungle Resort, shopping at the local markets and visiting the spectacular orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries. The difficult activities were those that were physical, as they were tough to complete in the humid climate. What was more difficult, however, was having to take responsibility for ourselves and our needs as a group.

The highlight for me was our work in a small, remote village called Kamong Kiau. We lived at the local church and worked with the local community. We helped to build a drain system and upgrade the amenities, and played with the young children in our free time. My greatest accomplishment was when we summited Mount Kinabalu at a height of 4095m, a height four times that of Table Mountain.

It was 16 days of an unbelievable experience. I was given a chance to push my own boundaries and conquer fears. I learnt about and experienced different cultural groups, and I discovered a part of myself: I learnt to accept who I am.

Nicole Smith (Grade 10)

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girls’ high school 2017

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#brightidea #lightbulbmoment #enlightenment