RGHS Newsletter 18 May 2012

Rustenburg Times Rustenburg High School for Girls, Camp Ground Road, Rondebosch 7700 Tel: (021) 686-4066 / (021) 686-3683 / (021) 685-4710 Fax: (021) 686-7114;

E-mail: info@rghs.org.za

18 May

Website: www.rghs.org.za

2012

Rustenburg gardens for good

Volume Two Issue Three

Standing left to right: Ruth, Zizi, Linda, Yolanda, Bongiwe, Venelia, Agnes, Florrie Kneeling left to right: Ibrahim, Checkson (Report on page 10)

Leaving school during the day Congratulations Message from the RCL

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National Girls School Festival Debating

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Grade Nine Market Day

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Music Department News

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Sports News

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Art Flash: Grade Eleven Manifestations of a woman

Rustenburg’s Food Garden Compost for sale

Rustenburg: a school of excellence where girls are leading courageously, exploring their unique potential confidently and serving the world compassionately.

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2 Rustenburg Times

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY Parents are reminded that learners should not be taken out of school for appointments (e.g. physiotherapists, dentists). Please book these for the afternoon, over weekends and during holidays.

If such an absence is ABSOLUTELY UNAVOIDABLE please send a letter to the Deputy Principal (Academic), Mrs Schnetler, at least 24 hours IN ADVANCE. We would prefer a letter rather than receiving the request by email or fax. When the learner brings the letter, it is signed and immediately handed back to her, so that she can get the signatures of all the teachers whose lessons she will be missing the following day.

In this way, they are informed of her absence ahead of time and can make arrangements with her regarding the lesson that she will miss, if necessary.

More importantly, the teachers can check that she will not be missing any assessments when she is away.

Girls who need to leave school during the day to attend appointments need to come downstairs and wait for whoever is fetching them.

The office should not be required to intercom various rooms to locate the girl concerned. She knows what time she needs to leave and must act accordingly.

Special congratulations from the Director of the Baxter Theatre

From the RCL:

Amidst the many congratulatory notes and messages which the Dramatic Arts department has received because of the national success of “Bride’s Head, Revisited” came a very special, personal letter from Ms Lara Foot, the Director and CEO of the Baxter Theatre Centre.

“Congratulations on the outstanding achievement with “Bride’s Head, Revisited” at the National Girls Schools’ Festival. It is encouraging to know that good theatre is being nurtured at high school level and that it is of such a high standard at one of our local schools. Please pass on my congratulations to the cast and crew who worked so hard to earn the awards.”

We would just like to say a massive well done to all the girls who participated in the National Girls’ Festival two weeks ago – you did Rustenburg proud! Also, well done on everyone for surprising the teachers last week Thursday, we really appreciate all the co-operation. And of course, thank you to the teachers for all your hard work, for making it exciting to come to school and for making it possible to excel in so many different spheres. Rustenburg would not be the same without you!

"How can you help Interact this term?

Interact will be collecting blankets, wool, cup-a -soup and tin foods throughout the 2nd term. We will be giving the wool to the lovely ladies of Huis Luckhoff as they will be helping us by using the wool to knit blankets.

All of the collected items will be distributed to the under-privileged. Please remember to bring sandwiches every Tuesday so we can help feed those less fortunate than us. All items can be placed in Ms Botha's class.

We encourage everyone to support these worthy drives where they can and help make a difference in someone's life." Thank you.

Samantha Culligan C3

3 Rustenburg Times

National Girls Schools Festival Debating From 27-30 April 2012, the debating team, consisting of Azraa Bux, Nicola Cilliers, Robyn Fester, Tumelo Moloto and Katherine Harris, travelled to Potchefstroom to take part in the National Girls Schools Festival. With such a young team, the aim was to improve their debating skills and speaking styles. The tournament consisted of five debates, followed by the quarterfinals, semi-finals and the final.

In the first debate, Rustenburg proposed the motion: “This house believes that women should embrace reproductive tourism”. This was a prepared motion, but it was felt that more analysis was needed, so the debate was awarded to Durban Girls’ High School.

The second motion was unprepared against Hoer Meisieskool La Rochelle. The motion was “This house regrets the strong social norm in favour of life-long monogamy” and was proposed by Rustenburg. La Rochelle won by one point.

The team was told that, although they had lost, they possessed a lot of potential. This had been the feedback from various adjudicators for the past year and hearing this again resulted in feelings of hopelessness and frustration. The team did all they could, however, to remain positive in order to oppose the motion: “This house would grant amnesty to dictators who willingly step down from power” against Paarl Girls’ High School. The team was commended for their teamwork and won the debate.

With this new-found confidence, Rustenburg opposed the second prepared debate, “This house supports a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict” against Afrikaanse Hoer Meisieskool. This debate was also won by Rustenburg.

The fifth debate was against Pretoria Girls’ High School, with Rustenburg opposing the motion: “This house believes vigilantism is a legitimate means of justice”. This was a blind round, with no feedback was given by the adjudicators.

After these debates, Rustenburg was ranked fourth and went through to the quarterfinals.

The team had to oppose the motion: “This house would ban the payment of bride price” against Kingsridge Girls’ High School. The team was praised for their strategy and progressed to the semi-finals.

The main challenge of the tournament now made its appearance. Four adjudicators called the Rustenburg team together and suggested that the members change their speaker roles in order to excel in the rest of the competition.

This was easier said than done, as they had never spoken these roles previously. Reluctantly, the team decided to trust the better judgement of the adjudicators and apply this theory in the semi-final.

The motion that was debated was “This house would require children’s consent to their parents’ divorce” against Collegiate Girls’ High School. This debate was awarded to Rustenburg, which was a huge feat (as this was not expected) and the team celebrated with icecreams bought by Ms Bekker.

In the Final against Parktown Girls’ High School, Rustenburg proposed the motion: “This house believes that the Arab Spring has failed women.” As proposition, Rustenburg brought forth sound arguments, which were rebutted by Parktown. The panel of four adjudicators was split on the outcome, resulting in the chief adjudicator, Michelle Groenewald, having to make the final decision. The debate was given to Parktown, but the team was proud to come second and has returned with valuable experience and new speaker roles that will definitely influence future debates.

Not only was Rustenburg the runner up in the Final, but the team was also ranked overall second in the tournament and Azraa Bux (first speaker) was ranked the second best speaker of the tournament. It was a truly memorable tournament.

Nicola Cilliers

4 Rustenburg Times

Grade Nine Market Day 2012 The annual Market Day for the Grade 9’s took place on Tuesday 20 March 2012, on the field opposite Erinville House. The weather was perfect and there was a great vibe (thanks in part to AVT for playing some great music), while the learners were browsing and looking for bargains, or tasty treats to eat.

Overall it was a successful day, thanks to some hard work and many hours spent planning by the Grade 9’s, and some help from their parents; a few who dropped off last minute supplies, just before trading began.

We were also joined by a group of girls from Mfuleni High School (our Afri-twin partner school), who came to watch and experience the great entrepreneurial atmosphere.

The following prizes were handed out to the winners in four categories, in assembly on Monday 14 May: Most Profitable Group: Trend (They made a profit of R1 064!)

Samantha Pelteret Santhuri Pillai Annemieke Lourens Melissa Barnard Megan Frost

Most Environmentally Friendly Group: Hot Ice Marianne Schwellnus Renē Zinn Hannah Karodia Buhle-Bemvelo Zimba Elle Mouton Most Original Group: Haunted House Amy Kunz Yonela Katsha Cayleigh Stefano Michelle Ashwin Best Decorations & Outfits: Lady Bug Luxuries Chelsea van Rensburg Orissa Ramassar Katherine Davidson Dominique Nothnagel Thank you to Mrs Lawrence and Mrs Mallon who helped with the judging.

Mr G. Marneweck

5 Rustenburg Times

Music Department News So much has happened since the 20 April Newsletter. We are pleased and proud to report on our successes in a variety of events since the start of this term.

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS FACETS A number of our advanced students auditioned 17 APRIL, SANS SOUCI for the National Youth Orchestra course to be Our Orchestra held in Johannesburg again this year during the (Head: Lynne Donson; Deputy: Yohan Chun) June/July holidays. achieved FIRST PLACE in the Large EnsemWe are proud to announce that bles/Bands Category, with special mention beLynne Donson (cello), ing made of the unified quality of our string secPearl Jung (cello), tion. Well done to Ms Gordon (director) and Anja Mühr (violin) and Mrs Raynham (our string teacher).

Stephanie Lawrenson (violin) The Jazz Combo (Leader: Gladys Kisela) were successful in being selected to attend the achieved SECOND PLACE in the course, with Nina Lawrenson (bassoon) put on Small Ensembles Category. reserve. Well done!

RESULTS

PIANO FESTIVAL 19 APRIL, CHARLIES HOPE Well done to Rouzanna Coxson who received the SECOND PRIZE for her performance of a John Cage piece A Room for prepared piano, and to Caitlin Grüning on achieving THIRD PRIZE for her performance of a work by a South African composer, Alexander Johnson: Jazz Impromptu

MOSTLY BAROQUE CONCERT 24 APRIL, CITY HALL Our Chamber Choir was hard at work at the start of the term preparing for the `Mostly Baroque’ concert at the City Hall with the Cape Town Youth Choir (formerly Pro Cantu) and the Beau Soleil Senior Strings.

Each group performed a short programme of items on their own and the concert concluded with all combining for a performance of 4 movements of Vivaldi’s Gloria, with Lauren Davis taking the alto solo and Lynne Donson the solo cello part in the Domine Deus movement.

BEAU SOLEIL BEST IN SUBJECT MUSIC EXAM CONCERT – 9 MAY, BEAU SOLEIL Well done to Kirsten Buchanan (violin), Megan Denny (trumpet) and Stephanie Lawrenson (violin) who were selected to perform at this concert on the basis of their excellent results for the practical music examination held on 4 May. Well done to the Chamber Choir and to the RGHS members of the Beau Soleil Senior Strings in this highly successful concert.

SENIOR & JUNIOR SPOTLIGHT CONCERTS – 7 & 10 MAY, KEMP HALL Congratulations to the many girls (ALL c126 of our subject pupils plus various pupils who study a practical instrument at RGHS on an extracurricular basis) who performed in these two concerts last week. An excellent standard was maintained and our musicians obtained valuable experience in performing and in ensemble playing, in particular.

6 Rustenburg Times

Music Department News JENKINS: THE ARMED MAN MASS 28 APRIL, DF MALAN HOERSKOOL

COMBINED MESSIAH REHEARSALS

A very successful first combined `Messiah’ Well done to Lynne Donson who played in the rehearsal for the choir and the string players first desk of the cello section in the performance was held at RBHS on Thursday 3 May. A second rehearsal follows on Monday 14 May. The of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace at DF members of the choir will continue to rehearse Malan Hoerskool over the long weekend. during the exam period to prepare for the first Choirs performing included the Cape Town rehearsal with the guest conductor Mr Brandon Welsh Male Voice Choir, Pro Cantu, various Phillips on Monday 18 June. We continue full Alumni and members of the DF Malan school choir. The orchestra comprised various ad hoc steam ahead, as we learn the mighty choruses in this monumental choral work by Handel. professional players, staff and ex students of Beau Soleil and students from UCT.

SAVUYISA PERFORMS AT JABULANI CONCERT 4 MAY, KEMP HALL Both our Junior & Senior Savuyisa Groups performed 2 items each at the Jabulani concert in the Kemp Hall on Friday 4 May. Thank you to their coach, Mr Lolo Sisiwe.

CT MARIMBA FESTIVAL 11 MAY, BAXTER THEATRE Savuyisa Senior qualified to perform at the Cape Town Marimba Festival at the Baxter theatre on Friday 11 May. We played Welcome to Cape Town and our very own arrangement of Coldplay's Viva la Vida.

The evening was a great success and an incredible experience. The Band members (JooYoung Kim, Jamie Masters, Kirsty Schlemmer, Robyn Paterson , Rebecca Norris, Caitlin Grüning, Amy Hand and Stefni Handt) performed a massed item together with 11 other school Bands to conclude the concert that brought the house down!’ [Joo-Young Kim]

MUSIC PARENT/TEACHERS’ MEETING 21 MAY, CHARLIES’ HOPE

We trust that our Music Parents have received the notification regarding the Music Parent/ Teachers’ Meeting at Charlies Hope on Monday 21 May? Slots between 18:00 – 20:00 need to be booked on the lists outside our music rooms.

Please ask your daughters to do this in advance of Monday 21st. Your daughter is not required to attend the Meeting, unless you wish her to accompany you.

MUSIC FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE The co-ordinators of the Music Fundraising committee of parents, Kath Hall and Jeanne Pienaar have been hard at work gathering new members and distributing fundraising letters, which need to be returned to the front office asap. We are please to announce the names of our parents who have been involved over the past years: Mesdames Hall, Monteverdi, Pienaar, Mould, Arendse, Bridgens, Holzberg and Smith and to welcome some new members to the existing committee: Mesdames Vlok, Barratt, Hartland, Newdigate, Mühr, Mdoda, Norris and Meyer.

FORTHCOMING CONCERT: CT BIG BAND JAZZ FESTIVAL SATURDAY 2 JUNE, BAXTER CONCERT HALL Good wishes to Mrs Jepson and the members of our Jazz Band who are preparing for their performance at the CT Big Band Jazz Festival on Saturday 2 June at the Baxter, starting at 19:45.

It’s best to book NOW, to avoid disappointment!

7 Rustenburg Times

May Sports News HOCKEY MATCH RESULTS Thursday 3 May and Saturday 5 May 1st team drew 2-2 vs Elkannah U19A won 8-0 vs Elshaddai U19B won 2-1 vs CBC U16A won 15-0 vs Bosmansdam U16B won 2-0 vs Jan van Riebeeck U16C won 1-0 vs Tygerberg U16D won 2-1 vs CBC U14A won 13-0 vs Bosmansdam U14B won 13-0 vs Elshaddai U14C won 1-0 vs Sans Souci Friday 11 May vs Fairmont U14A drew 1 - 1 U16B lost 0 - 4 Saturday 12 May vs Fairmont 1st team lost 0 - 1 U19A lost 0 - 2 U19B drew 0 - 0 U16A won 1 - 0 U16C won 6 - 1

CRICKET — MEGAN DENNY Congratulations to Megan who was selected to play in an “Invitational XI” (WP U17) team against Wales U17 Development Team, in February.

In March she was asked to participate in the District Matches, from which they have chosen an U19 Winter Cricket Squad. This squad will train from August to September.

From this group, a WP U19 team will be chosen to play at an interprovincial tournament in December. Megan is an up and coming talent to be closely watched!

WP and ZONAL HOCKEY Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected to the various teams: Gretchin Davids (WP U18B) Dani Austin (u18 South Zone) Candice Uys (WP U16A) Haidee Davis (u16 South Zone) Amy McConnell; Tamarah Pike; Kiera Maher; Sasha Sivertsen; Kristen Naidoo; Gabi Morgan (u14 Central Zone)

SQUASH RESULTS

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Friday 4 May Vs Fairbairn U19A won 10 – 6 U19B won 13 – 6 Friday 11 May Vs Herschel U19A won 14- 2 U19B lost 2 - 14

Thursday 10 May Vs Gardens Commercial Drew 0 – 0 Monday 14 May Vs St Cyprians Won 3 - 2

ROAD RUNNING—SARAH DONDE Congratulations to Sarah who ran the Safari Half marathon in Wellington on 1 May. This was her first half marathon. Sarah recorded a time of 1.58.30

DANCING—GABI MORGAN Gabi participated in the Celebration of Dance Eisteddfod. She took part in 4 different events and was awarded 3 Diplomas (90% plus) and 1 Honours (80-90%) and made the finals for all 4 of her performances. The finals took place from 11-13 May. Congratulations to Gabi who won Gold for Group Hip Hop; Gold for Solo Hip Hop and Bronze for Group Modern.

COMRADES MARATHON, 2012 On Sunday 3 June, 2012, Mrs Mallon will run her tenth, consecutive Comrades Marathon, gaining a much-coveted Green Number in the process. The race is 89kms, down to Durban.

8 Rustenburg Times

May Sports News CROSS COUNTRY

WINTER SPORTS CAPTAINS 2012

Wednesday 18 April @ Camps Bay U16 Sarah Donde 3rd , U17 Kristi Lanser 7th U19 Nicky de Villiers 5th

CROSS COUNTRY Captain: Nicky de Villiers Vice-captain: Christine Monteverdi

Wednesday 25 April @ Norman Henshilwood U 16 Sarah Donde 3rd, U17 Kristi Lanser 5th U19 Nicky de Villiers (5th), Robyn Moore (10th), Christine Monteverdi (15th) together with Tara Clampett and Michele Madel, made Rustenburg the top team for Girls U19.

Sadly there were some errors in the U15 results.

Rustenburg was represented by Tamsin Metelerkamp and Kathleen Holcroft.

FOOTBALL Captain: Candice McConney Vice captain: Laylaa Jacobs

Friday 4 May @ SACS U15 Tamsin Metelerkamp (18m10s) 11th U16 Sarah Donde (16m44s) 6th; Isabelle Meyer (24m21sec) 27th ,U17 Kristy Lanser (15m18s) 5th U19 Nikki de Villiers (24m06s) 4th; Amina Vallie (27m48s) 14th

FIGURE SKATING Emma Swart (Grade 8) and Jessica Stanton (Grade 12) both competed at the South African National Figure Skating Championships on 5 – 8 May 2012 in Johannesburg, representing Western Province.

Emma competed in the Novice Synchronized Skating section, and after a serious fall during official practice she was rushed to hospital with a fractured nose. She then returned to the ice arena just in time to compete with her team!

Jessica competed in both the Junior section, as vice-captain of the WP junior team, as well as the Senior Synchronized Skating sections. Not only did Jessica have to skate backto-back practices, but also competed one programme straight after the other i.e. four different programmess with different choreography, music, costumes, etc.

Much dedication and maturity has been shown by these girls and we are immensely proud of them.

IMPORTANT SPORTS DATES TO DIARISE Thursday 14 June U16A and 1st team hockey matches vs teams from Dublin, Ireland Venue: Oude Molen Astro; Start time 17h00 Thursday 21 June Inter-house cross country Term 3 Monday 16 July U16A, u19B and u19A netball matches vs Bradford Grammar School Thursday 19 July 1st team hockey match vs Eastbourne College (RGHS hosting 20 girls) Saturday 4 August Rustenburg vs Rhenish Derby Day (all hockey and netball teams)

Peninsula Girls Schools Games Union (PGSGU) events/tournaments Friday 24 August: Cross country @ St. Cyprians (all age-groups) Saturday 25 August: Inter-schools netball tournament @ Rustenburg (all age-groups) Friday 31 August: U14 PGSGU hockey tournament @ WGHS Astro Saturday 1 September: U19 PGSGU hockey tournament @ WGHS Astro Friday 7 September: U16 PGSGU hockey tournament @ Herschel Astro Saturday 8 September Squash tournament @ WPCC

9 Rustenburg Times

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e Grad en Elev ns o i t a ifest an n a M om w a of

Jamie Masters

Nicola Burger, D1

Tamsin Grove

Robyn Fester

10 Rustenburg Times

News from the Campus Manager, Mr Myles Siebrits GARDENING NEWS The Support Staff gardening team spent many months constructing and preparing the School’s Food Garden, which is situated behind Charlie’s Hope.

During this time, they were given any leftover seed and plant material which they planted and meticulously nurtured at the Workshop and compost area. This, together with the Food Garden, is slowly supplying some wonderful vegetables, fruit and herbs.

A box of food was recently presented to the Erinville Catering Manager, Cathy Bothma, by two of the team members, Ibrahim and Checkson.

These gentlemen also held a growing course for the Cleaning Team, to show them how to produce their own food.

Once they have prepared their individual growing areas, seed will be given to them to plant, together with the School’s own compost and worm tea.

Ibrahim and Checkson will visit the ladies over the weekends to add encouragement and advice.

FOR SALE: RGHS COMPOST, generated on site Buy a compost bag of 40 dm³ (a 25th of a cubic metre) @ R20 per bag (as opposed to purchasing a 30dm³ bag for R40 from any garden centre).

RGHS compost is neither sieved nor sterilized, and is made from Campus organic waste.

It’s good stuff!!

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Process of purchase Pay the Bursar who will issue a receipt.

Walk to the Entrance Gate and request the Access Control Officer to call William on the two-way radio.

Drive round to the Cricket Nets and present the receipt to William, who will then gladly load the required number of bags.

Return the empty bags to the Cricket Nets.