120th Birthday wishes from Headgirls

Helen Cross (née Hutchison), Headgirl 2001

Helen Cross, the Rustenburg headgirl in 2001, has spent her 13 years after matriculating involving herself in greater challenges. She has focused seriously on pursuing tertiary education. Helen studied medicine at the University of Cape Town before heading to Johannesburg for her internship. Subsequently she married and ventured on a threemonth backpacking trip around the world. After returning to South Africa, Helen began work at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town and is currently studying to become a neurologist.

Helen’s 120th birthday wishes for Rustenburg are, “I hope Rustenburg enjoys at least another 120 years as the grand school that it is, enabling many more women to benefit from all it has to offer. I have visited Rustenburg many times after 2001 and it has been lovely to see how the school has developed. I love wandering around the campus and it brings back so many fond memories. Today I perceive Rustenburg girls as balanced, mature young ladies who are motivated, ambitious, and well-educated, although admittedly I might be a little biased!”

Helen has many memories of her years spent at Rustenburg, including, “early morning swim training, galas and other frenzied and colourful house anecdotes, the sound of assembly, the elegant winter uniform and, of course, the cake on Founders’ Day!”

Jodi Allemeier, Headgirl 2002

Jodi Allemeier was Headgirl of Rustenburg in 2002 and, since matriculating, has excelled academically. Jodi has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work, Honours in Public and Development Management, and a Masters degree in Development Finance. At the time of writing Jodi was on the brink of embarking on a new phase in her career, one that involves launching an initiative which aims to embed socio-economic resilience in communities.

Jodi’s 120th birthday wish to Rustenburg is for the school to, “continue to be a strong foundation for female South African leaders. I believe that birthdays are opportunities to celebrate achievement, and to reflect. As an institution, Rustenburg has enjoyed many achievements: countless personal achievements for individuals who make up part of the Rustybug family, as well as institutional achievements in academia, sporting and cultural endeavours. These should be lauded and shared as stories of inspiration that connect women across generations. At the same time, any age-old South African institution has a duty to reflect on its historic and on-going role in the socio-political landscape of the country. As a former Model-C school that benefited under apartheid, what role has Rustenburg played in segregation or inclusion? For an all-girls school, this is as important on issues of race and class as it is with gender.”

Kerusha Padayachee, Headgirl 2006

Since matriculating in 2006, Rustenburg Headgirl of that year, Kerusha Padayachee, has been busy. She attended the University of Cape Town where she earned a degree in Business Science and Finance, and subsequently relocated to Johannesburg where she works for Standard Bank as a Sales Performance and Effectiveness Manager for Transactional Products and Services. This is a demanding position which entails cash and trade deals in and around the whole African continent, specifically within the Corporate Investment banking space.

“My fondest memories of Rustenburg are an amalgamation of events: the gossip catch-up on Monday mornings and the chilly winters from which we were protected by our oversized navy coats. I don’t think I will ever forget my Matric form class, E5, and Mr Skelly who was our form teacher. The banter is something I will always hold dear,” Kerusha recalled.

Kerusha’s 120th birthday wish for Rustenburg is, “The girls should celebrate with famous Rustybug cake, but more importantly with gratitude. The education which Rustenburg provides is both a gift and a blessing. Too often, in the midst of the everyday normality, one forgets the bigger picture and the importance of a school like Rustenburg can have on one’s future. I hope that each day is used for learning, growing, sharing and building strong women. ”

Buhle Ngaba, Headgirl 2008

Buhle Ngaba, Rustenburg Headgirl who matriculated in 2008, fondly recalls especially Erinville Hostel, her home for the five years during which she attended the school. Many of the friends that she made in the boarding house are still her best friends, and she continues to visit Rustenburg hostel regularly. She also likes to keep up-todate with what is happening in the Dramatic Arts department at Rustenburg and has returned to inspire younger actresses to consider careers in theatre.

Since matriculating, Buhle studied Acting and Contemporary performance at Rhodes University, and Performance Process at the University of Leeds in the UK. Buhle has been involved in the Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company, and has performed in various professional productions. Buhle’s 120th birthday wish for the school is, “Continue to be that kind of school which encourages young girls to be the best that they can. I’d like to see the school celebrate by initiating a project which helps others. I think that this would be the most meaningful birthday, by recognising that Rustenburg is indeed privileged, and using the expertise of the school to improve the lives of others. Birthdays are, after all, only special days if they are shared with many people.”

Carolyn Rodger (née Bocock), Headgirl 1965

The birthday wish of Carolyn Rodgers for Rustenburg is that all the girls at the school should know that they are valued for themselves, and not just for their achievements.

The 1965 headgirl has taught English, Latin and History at a wide variety of schools since receiving her BA, majoring in English and Latin, and her teacher’s diploma from UCT. Both Carolyn and her husband, Alistair, have spent 40 years in various places in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. They retired to Cape Town in 2012.

Carolyn fondly remembers the mischief the Matrics got up to in her final days of school, particularly the silent and formal Burying the School Spirit ceremony they held after Miss Thompson banned their traditional mischief making. She reports that the Matrics held a solemn funeral procession around the Main Quad, and that there were pallbearers carrying the top section of the vaulting horse borrowed from the school gym. One Matriculant was selected to lie on top symbolically. “The most remarkable thing about this hijinks was that it was carried out in absolutely silence,” she recalls.

Recently, Carolyn has paid visits to both the Rustenburg High and Junior Schools, and “enjoyed these occasions immensely.”

Angeliki Carvounes, Headgirl 2011

Rustenburg’s Headgirl of 2011, Angeliki Carvouness, is currently in her third year, doing a Bachelor of Business at UCT.

Her fondest memories of Rustenburg are the thrill of being in the debating team, including the intense pressure of the tournaments, the opportunities it opened up and the experiences she shared with her team. She was involved in Interact and remembers thoroughly enjoying History lessons with Mr van Dyk. Angeliki feels that Rustenburg should celebrate its birthday by remembering the achievements of the high school in conjunction with the staff and students that made those possible.

Her wish is that Rustenburg would continue encouraging students to engage in a well-rounded education and that the school is able to provide the opportunities for its students to reach their full potential. She believes Rustenburg girls are perceived to be downto-earth and friendly and that they are open to embracing new challenges. After a recent visit to Rustenburg, she was excited to see the various improvements around the school.

Kathryn de Villiers, Headgirl 2009

Kathryn de Villiers, Headgirl of Rustenburg in 2009, has been very busy over the past few years. Before becoming a law student at Stellenbosch University, Kathryn took a Gap Year to attend a Bible school in England, travel, tutor, continue studying French and complete a course in art.

She is very grateful for the privilege of attending Rustenburg and being able to enter workplaces and universities with the confidence with which the school equips the girls. Kathryn expresses a great appreciation for the input given by the teachers at Rustenburg and misses the relationships formed during her years at the school.

She hopes that Rustenburg will celebrate its birthday with free cake, a tradition of which she has always been a fan. Her special wish is for the school to maintain its focus on the development of Rustybugs into young women of excellence who change the lives of others for the better.

Robyn Allan, Headgirl 2000

Although Robyn Allan matriculated almost fifteen years ago, her memories of her time at school remain very clear and strong. Robyn fondly recalls break times, Home Economics baking classes and being caught out when talking in class, which according to her, seemed to happen frequently! In particular she remembers her prefects’ assembly, in which the prefects were given the opportunity to run the assembly themselves, and the Britney Spears dance which she performed in front of the entire school. “Looking back,” she recalls, “I wonder where the confidence came from. Perhaps the encouraging and supportive environment?” After achieving her BCom Marketing from Stellenbosch University, Robyn spent some time travelling overseas, experiencing life. For the past eight years, she has been involved in the online education company, GetSmarter, and today manages their marketing activities.

Robyn believes Rustenburg girls are regarded as well-rounded individuals with a zest for life and opportunity. She is immensely proud to be a Rustenburg Old Girl. Robyn’s wish is for Rustenburg and those who have been part of shaping its identity to celebrate their success and the impact they have had on lives. As birthdays are a good time for reflection, Robyn suggests that the 120 positive changes and improvements made at the school throughout its time should be acknowledged and celebrated.

Abena Danso, Headgirl 2003

Since matriculating, Abena Danso has studied both in Cape Town and overseas. Abena completed her Bachelor of Law Degree at the University of Cape Town, and in November 2013 was selected to participate in a Masters exchange with the University of Amsterdam. In Amsterdam Abena took classes in international trade law, investment law and financial law and wrote her mini-dissertation on securities regulations. Now, having returned to South Africa, Abena is ready to use the specialist knowledge she has gained in the field of international trade and investments.

Abena has visited Rustenburg several times since matriculating, mostly to visit her sisters, one of whom is still at the school. According to Abena, Rustenburg girls are perceived as grounded and well-rounded girls. Some of her fondest memories of the school are of 12 Club meetings with Mr Murison, rushing to Chippies after school for a quick lunch before holding detention, and being kicked out of the computer room for talking or laughing too loudly. Abena’s birthday wish for the school is for it to continue “with brilliance” as one of South Africa’s leading girls’ schools. She feels that Rustenburg should celebrate by donating 120 hours to being of service to one of the many underprivileged schools in Cape Town.

Jessica Watermeyer, Headgirl 2004

Of all her time spent at Rustenburg, Jessica Watermeyer’s fondest memories are, hands-down, her time spent on the sport fields. Whether for PE, sport games, practices or simply during break while socialising with friends, Jessica thoroughly loved the setting and “the fun times it framed.”

Since matriculating, Jessica has spent a year overseas where she worked as a teacher’s assistant and a sport coach. She later studied at Rhodes University, and today holds a Master of Science and Zoology degree. Jessica works with the African Wildlife Conservation Fund, and lives on a site in the Savé Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe.

Remembering her time at Rustenburg as an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience, Jessica not only wishes that Rustenburg will continue to thrive as a wonderful academic institution, and turn out well-rounded and inspired young ladies, but also that those who have the privilege of being a part of the Rustenburg community will appreciate the opportunity provided to them. When asked if she has returned to her school, Jessica mentioned, “Yes, I have, but life has seen me spend very little time in Cape Town since matriculating so the opportunity has never really presented itself. I think it would be great fun to roam the halls again, see who is still there, what has changed and what has not.”

Kate Vlok, Headgirl 2013

Kate Vlok wishes the school a very happy birthday, mentioning how grateful she is that she had the opportunity to attend a school with the traditional values that Rustenburg has. Kate suggests that Rustenburg should celebrate its 120th birthday with a function involving past and present members of the Rustenburg family, and a large cake with 120 candles.

Thinking back on her time at Rustenburg, Kate fondly recalls her class taking nature walks on the Rondebosch Common with Mr Altern, and stealing some relaxation time in the sun on the ‘forbidden quad’ during Ms Dowdall’s lessons. Kate tells, “I would have to say my Life Sciences class always could brighten up 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 the Matric we had ritual this down to a fine art.”

Kate is currently studying physiotherapy at UCT, and has visited Rustenburg on numerous occasions over the last few months. Speaking from her new perspective as a university student rather than a student of Rustenburg, she says that Rustenburg girls are perceived to be well educated young women who have a good work ethic and are well-equipped for tertiary education.

Petruné Beattie, Headgirl 2012

Petruné Beattie, Headgirl of Rustenburg in 2012, continues to show the compassion and determination that she expressed while at Rustenburg as she studies a BSc in Geomatics at the University of Cape Town with the goal of using spatial information to make a real change in the townships in South Africa.

Looking back, Petruné sees the girls at Rustenburg as well-rounded, principled women who strive for excellence. She misses the latenight chats with her friends in the boarding house and, since, matriculating, has returned a few times to visit her many “little sisters” there.

Petruné thinks that Rustenburg should celebrate by honouring all facets of the school that give it the reputation it has. She hopes that the school commemorates the pupils, teachers, staff and everyone else who plays a role in the experience that Rustenburg provides.

Petruné sends the following birthday wishes to her former high school:, “Happy 120th birthday to a school that has played a significant role in shaping the women that we have become. May it continue to produce courageous women who strive for excellence and value integrity.”