HEADMASTER'S REPORT

HEADMASTER'S'lREPOlRT

The first week of 200I saw Mr Bill Price, an erudite and eloquent speaker, address a number of groups at the school. Arguably his most thought-provoking address \vas the one he gave to parents and teachers one evening, entitled "The Future Focused Learner".

It I as a result of hISvlsit that the four Wynberg schools are undergoing a survey of parents to ascertain the e>.-pectationsof our parenl bodies Is Wynberg oflenng value for money? Are we meellng lhe needs of young people as they tackle the challenge of the 21 t Century? Is our communit teachers, parents, puptls-taking ownership of the direction in which the school is moving?

So far, earl indJcations of the intervie\ with parents show that the want their children lo be safe, happy, have fnends, have clear set boundaries and to have fun. The want adults to nOllce when their children arc sad, lonely, bored and friendless. Some wa down the track, the \ anI their sons and daughters to learn maths and histo!), but it is a long way do\\n the agenda

In one of m newsletters this ear I QUOled AAslolle, who stated thaI, "Teachers who educate children deserve more honour than parents who merely gIve them birth. For the latIer provided mere life, while the fonner ensured a good life." Teachers of Wynberg play a significant role in realising the expectations of parents, and I salute our teachers for their skills, commitment and enthusiasm-thereby ensuring the maxim of Bill Price, "You teachers must be pioneers of the future, not prisoners of the past."

No one year is ever like any other-and it is pleasing to note that the changes thal are happenmg at Wynberg are building on the foundations and strengths laid by those who have gone before. Sometimes in education we feel overwhelmed by the far-reaching nature and pace of change. However, il is not only in South Africa but in education all around the world where standards, morals and values--previously taken as a given-are being challenged. Perhaps that well-known bumper sticker says it all: "Change is inevitable-cxcept m vending machines!"

Hopefully the readers of this ruullIal magazine will sense that the school is a highly compIe enuly striving lOgive opportwlilies over a broad spectrum of activity. Even though we arc a big school of over 800 oung men, the discerning reader of these pages will be able to glean some of the jo s, laughter, fun, struggles and challenges which make up a school year.

I am happy with the academic standards of W)1lbcrg Bo s' High School. These are obvious not only from the matric results, but from the perfonnances of our pupils in a myriad of interschool competitaons, OlympIads and quizzes One of our aims must be to prepare our OWlgmen for tertiary education. Consequently, it was iIluntinating to receive a prinlout from UCT during the year and to nole the progress of the 250 W mberg men currently reading for degrees al UCT. This indicates thal our long-term academic future is bright and that the majorit of our pupils espouse the values thal are needed in the 21st Century mnovallve thll1kmg, enthusiasm. hard work ruld corrunatmenl

Quality teaching and quality learning are the rocks on which the daily activities of Wynberg are

built. However, we must never wlderestimate the impact of the hidden curriculum which is reflected in the other three pillars of Wynberg life. Many key skills emerge from our cultural, sporting and service activities. Committed teachers have ensured that the name of Wynberg has been taken to all comers of Cape Town and, in many instances, South Africa. We are proud of what so many of our young men have achieved.

The development of well-rounded and balanced lIIdividuals is the major aim of our Four Pillars. TIle lesson of commitment, dedication to a goal, teamwork and healthy living are all essential mgredients in our hidden curriculum. Il matters little in what area a W ~lberg pupil is engaged, as long as he is interacting with his feUo\ SOUtIl Africans and learning the social skills which will stand him in good stead later on in life.

The new prefect system has now run its course for a full year. Its real efTect has been felt in the various subconunittees where tIlase elected have been able to show lIlitiative, commitment and perseverance, What valuable lessons they have been privileged to experience! A number of camps for Grades 9-11 have been held during the year where the concentration has been on personal development and interpersonal skills. I have been deeply ~pressed b the qualities shown by so many of our young men, They are the future of South Africa and when they leave our Memorial Gates for the last t~e, I have absolutely no doubt that many of them will make a significant ~pact on South Afncan life.

Dr Helen Robinson, author of the recently published book on the suburb of W)'1Iberg, entitled her work "Wynberg-A Wonderful Place", This, of course, applies to the school as \\ell. What a wonderful place it is! I thank all those who contributed to the success of 2001-Goveming Body, Teachers, Support StafT. Parents, Old Boys, Friends and Pupils.

Thank you to all for adding value to this Wonderful Place!

K CRichardson Headmaster

STAFF NOTES

This year Wynberg benefited from the contributions of a number of part-time stan~ many of whom are wcll knO\\1l hecause of ha ing taught full-time at ome stage.

Newcomers in a full-time capacit were: • Johan Laten who came to us from Hottentot

Hollands Hlgh School; he drive in daily from the

Strand and is the Head of Afrikaans Second

Language. • Joml Knight \ hose previous school was . t

Suthians College in Randburg; he teaches Maths ruld is tile Master-in-Charge of Cricket. • Derek Faulds came from Milnerton High School: he teaches Business Economics and Accounting ruld has taken over as Master-in-Charge of

Athletics. • Big improvements were made in the computer room \\;th the arrival of Mariana Badiali from

Tokai Library, and (riles Duncan .. illI old boy of

W)nberg Wynberg stafT experienced a baby boom WIth the following teachers recording births in the frunily' • Eric ruld ChristeUe Lefson-Annika. • Lydia and Gaf)' Wilson-Benjamin. • Srunantha and Jeremy Petersen-Jesslca. • Derek ruld Shelly Faulds-Georgia • David and Lynn Schenck- Timoth and Matthew

Congratulations. also. to' • Joy and Roger Goodwin on the birth of their first grandchild, Nicholas.

. haun Hudson-Bennett became engaged during the course of the ear to Heidi vrul Buren and their wedding takes place in January. Kallie Pretonus married Sandy Burton in July and we wish them a long and happ life together.

Members of the Wynberg family were distressed to lerun of the serious accident experienced b Johan .Plug' Louw, in which his motorbike collided \Vlth a car. Plug was away for SIX monlhs recovering from

the accident, and getting used to the metal implant replacement of one shoulder. lie is still experiencing some immobility and pain but retumed to take care of Grade 10 bo s. Randall Arendorf took over his Metalwork classes in his absence.

, heila Williamson had a spinal fusion operation at the end of November. We wish her a speedy, complete recovery.

The school was sad to say goodbye during the course of the year to: • Alan Wells, Mathematics teacher, hostel master of

Silverhurst and hockey coach, who left for

London • Eben Viljoen, Head of ACcowlting, who also moved to London with his wife and baby daughter. • Maria Leaver, Iibmry assistant for many years.

Tht: following stafT members leave at lhe end of the vear

Nicola JonJan and James Buchanan, both of whom started teachuIg at Wynberg in 1990. Miss Jordan sa s that her first impression of Wynberg \ as the extreme smartness and pohleness of the boys. ThIs mitia] impression soon tumed to shock when she turned rowld in her tirst class and saw one of the boys pulLlIlg up his pants aller 'moonulg' her. When she reported the incident to male members of stalT, Mr Rushby include<L and they laughed at her, shc realIsed that shc'd let herself in for a tough job! Hut she stuck it out and coped extremely well for all ol" Il years and during that time her contribution to the life of the school has been enonnous.

She has been an e cellent Art teacher and Wynberg art pupils have produced extremd good matric results thanks to h!..,.teaching skills. . he ran F,rst Aid at sports events for four years and was chairperson of the StalT Association. Her involvement in the cultural aspect of the school began with the painting of backdrops for school productions, a time-consuming activity that has made a.huge diITerence to the stage. She introduced new cultural events like the junior one-act plays for Grades 8 and 9 and interclass public speaking and singing, the aim being to get as many boys as possible involved. She ran the Cultural Committee for five years and last year took up a Head of Department post, making Cullure a strong and active pillar of the school.

In her pastoral rolt:, Miss Jordan has been a class teacher for three years and has elDoyed hikes, braais and breakfasts with the boys ijl her classes.

Some of the memories she will alwa s have of Wynberg are: • The successful Arts and Music Evening, held for the first time this year. • Worklllg with tht: prefecls ,Uld helplllg to introduce the new prefect s slem. • The moming on the beach at the Prefects' Camp. Next year she will take up a position as art teacher at Cedar House where she will focus on paintulg and photograph. She is excited about the prospect of teachUlg smaller groups and working in the beautiful. historical builduIg ol"her new school. Her final message:

I '/I miss the camaraderie of Wyllbe~. alld the mamIers of tire real f!.entlemen amollf!.st the boys. lVynbe~ will always be a pari of me alld you '11 still filld !lie watchinf!. plays alld supporling nlf!.by as ever. I wish my replacemellt, (jareth

Davies. well. (iood II/ck 10 rhe matric arl class of 1001. to the III'W prefects alld lo Mr wtl'lI alld rill' ('ullUml ( 'ommittel' of 1001. ThaIIk yoll lO

Mr RichardsolI alld to Wynbe'1(for f!.ivillf!.me Ihe opportlllliry alld the .rcope lo come 1/1' with illllOV(l{iolls alld lOpili ideas illro practice.

James Buchanan rirst heard of hIS appomtmcllt to Wynberg when hl! was still in the ann. He remembers being allocated the Standard RA class and his tirS! period with them was III H2l. When he len to fetch someUling they locked him out and pretended they couldn't hear hIm knocking and Shoutulg to come back ill That year he had the same class for three periods a day ruld still stuck with them until the end of matric.

Mr HuchrulUll has taught Hiolog since his flTh'l. year, ruld Grade 9 Maths as we.ll as Hible EducatIOn al various stages. I le was in chargt.: of Chri tirul lJnion for three years ruld also took bo s on hikes as part of the Mountain Club.

When he first arrived, he oITered to become involved in athletics, but al his first meeting he naivel asked the question, "00 we just watch boys run arowld the field?" Mr Pretorius looked al him am] said, "I think we should find you another sport." ThaI sport happened to be water polo which he has coached for mml years.

He \ as head of General Science, then when Biolog and. cience splil, he hecarne hcad of Junior BIOlogy and then was head of Senior Hiolog for Iwo years. He becrune Orade Il grade head and was (irade 12 head this 'ear. a position he regarded as "a tremendous responsibility and an honour". He enjoyed working with this group and has put a great deal of energy mld care inlo guiding them in their final year of school. lIe expresses frustration with the inability of some pupils who do nol lake ownership of their lives mld spum advice. especially when given with their best interests at heart. This is an aspeCI he fOWld very disheartening. Fond memories ofWyllberg include: • The [lfst class of which he was class leacher. with

Charl Badenhorst as class captain. • The books given to him by this class at the end of their matrit year, in which everyone lell a message expressing apprecialion for him. • nle illteraction in the Biology Department where colleagues are regarded as people and not just as tcachers. • The end-of-tenn Sorry Awards in the slafT room and the idle banter on the benches under the pin oaks dw-ing break. Next year he will also be teaching at Cedar House. He looks forward to the post as he will be exposed to new challenges and will have to leave thc comfort zone of Wynberg. His final message: I wOllld wall I everyolIe lO di.~cover lhat ~elllli/le JI/lfilmelll ill life is f{ail1ed Ihrol/~h givillg, alld that life is basically all abolII relatlOlls/IlPS,

Graham Robertson began his Wynherg career in 2000 and he has made 311 enonnous COnLnbUllOnto the school in those two short years. Ile emne a'i llead of Department and had the task of IInprovlllg the profile of Service, a task \ hich he has achieved with great diligence and cnthu iasm. He has taughl Maths and Science. cncouraging bo s to rcach their full polcnlial particularly in external ex'POs and competItIons. In sport, he has been in charge of telUus mld coached hockey When asked what he would remember with aITection aboUI Wynberg, he listed tile following: - river rafting ....ith tile stalT. - stalT productions and pupil productions. - letters of thmlks from parents, pupils and stalT for speCIfic Jobs done. - overwhelming response to appeals for

Mozambique flood VIctims mld street clllldren project. - White Rhino TraIl with a group of pupils - tremendous leadership by gold prefects, Grant

J3JTIesand Matthew Hogart .

Next year, Mr Robertson will Lake up a position al Bishops with particular emphasis on using computers in the classroom. He leaves this final message:

J've had a mOSI el/joyable and challel/gillf{ (Wo years al Wynhe'1{. J lookforward lo sl'eillf!. how

SenJice will f{row. lf J cal/Id wish for olie thill[!.II would be Ihal each Wyllberg boy WOl/Id believe ill himself alld do his very besl ill L'\Iery aspecl of his life.