WYNBERG GIRLS’
NEWSLETTER Also available on our website : www.wynghs.co.za
Dear Parents Another year of school has drawn to an end. For some learners (and parents) it was their first year of high school; for others it was the start of leadership and their final phase of high school. For all of us, it was a busy year with many wonderful events and celebra ons, but also, it was a year of sadness as learners lost loved ones and we all lost our very special learner and friend, Kirsten Schultz. We con nue to remember these learners and their families in our thoughts and prayers; one of the light arrangements on the St Luke's Hospice Christmas tree has been sponsored by the learners and families of WGHS in remembrance of Kirsten. I am enormously proud of the achievements of our girls this year, from their academic successes to our fantas c music choirs and ensembles and their excep onal eisteddfod results, the stronger performances of our sports teams and the individual provincial colours earned – the list is long and you will have read about these many celebra ons in the newsle ers during the year. I trust that each family will set aside some me to reflect on their daughter's par cipa on and successes in various fields this year. We know that not everyone is talented in every area, but we can certainly celebrate that a daughter/learner has achieved her poten al in those areas of interest available at our school. Within the school, we have been renova ng steadily – pain ng con nues, all classrooms now have tables and chairs instead of old style desks, blinds will be installed in classrooms during the holidays to exclude the glare on the whiteboards, the wi-fi network is complete and a fibre line will be connected during February next year. In addi on, a car park was built behind the school on the Cavan Road side. During the holidays, there will be some adjustment to some of the internal kerbs and direc onal road markings, the Cavan Road Gate will be upgraded and early next year we will be able to create the vehicle drive-through from Aliwal Road to Cavan Road (or back to Aliwal Road) which we hope will alleviate some of the traffic problems. The School Governing Body has had a Strategic Planning session and the staff will start with a session at the beginning of next year, a er which, we look forward to sharing ideas with parents for their input and discussion. My thanks go to all the parents who have supported their daughters, the staff and the school during 2014. We are extremely grateful to you. However, before 2015 dawns, I wish you all a wonderful holiday and fes ve season. Take care when you travel and return to us safely – relaxed and ready for a busy and spectacular year at Wynberg. Warm regards Shirley Harding "We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for poten al." - Ellen Goodman
HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2014
JILL FREED RETIRES Mrs Freed has decided to hang up her boots, to put the chalk back in the box, and to spend her days sleeping late and po ering in her garden! Since she arrived at WGHS in 1991, she has been a dedicated member of staff who has always put the school first. She is known for her generosity of spirit and will share all she has even if it means that she will be the one le in need. Her caring extended not only to her learners, who were given the best in her excellent teaching, but also to members of the staff to whom she was always offering support, her coffee and her salt! This care was most apparent in her role as Head of Wellesley House - she will be missed by all. And then there is her infec ous sense of humour which adds such brightness to the lives she touches. When we revisit the number of years Mrs Freed has given to educa ng young people and the quality of educa on she has provided, we realise there is no gi or cer ficate that could reward what she has given to Wynberg Girls' High School. Thank you, Mrs Freed, we salute you!
FAREWELL, MS CROXFORD It has been such a pleasure to have had Ms Kelly Croxford (WGHS Head of School in 2005) on the Wynberg staff for the past 2 years as a Teacher Intern. What a privilege it has been to see her mature into the confident, competent woman she is today. The teaching profession definitely gained an asset with her decision to leave the world of biokine cs and join the world of educa on and WGHS has really benefi ed we gained a gem of a teacher, hockey coach and team member. Kelly has impacted on the lives of so many staff members and Wynberg girls, with her unique sense of humour, caring nature and willingness to get stuck into every task that has come her way. We will miss the support, enthusiasm and passion of working closely with someone who believes in our school and its poten al. We wish her the greatest success in all her future adventures in the teaching world. We do believe she will eventually find her way back to her Wynberg home, but for now, thank you for everything you have given to Wynberg during your me here! #wynbergpride
TOP ACADEMIC ACHIEVERS: DECEMBER 2014 Grade 11 1 Nicole Wentzel 2 Ashleigh Thompson 3 Tamar Kendon 4 Michelle Mitchell 5 Tamsyn Gaynor 6 Zayaan Stegmann 7 Natalie Winter 8 Ashleigh Dreyer 9 Kayla Arnold 10 Caitlin Hurry 11 Veronique Reagon 12 Clara Stassen 13 Carla Mathyse 14 MichĂŠ Daniels 15 Roxanne Douglas 16 Lynn-Leigh Plaatjies 17 Anastasia Solomons 18 Michelle Langeveld 19 Raadhiyah Jacobs 20 Cara White-Phillips Grade 9 1 Parina Naidoo 2 Katherine Nicholls 3 Isobel Evans 4 Jessica Stephens 5 Afroze Chiktay 6 Juliet Stromin 7 Jennifer Ely 8 Yusra Booley 9 Stacey Goliath 10 Amy Arendse 11 Tayob Harrison 12 Tyla Dickenson 13 Delucia Daniels 14 Caitlin Wilsnagh 15 Zay-Yan Buggas 16 Jordan Pi 17 India Babb 18 Aqeelah Allie 19 Blaize McKinnon 20 Shannon Pren ce
92.71% 87.00% 83.14%
Nicole Wentzel, Ashleigh Thompson, Tamar Kendon
A’isha Dout, Razaana Manuel, Meg Anderton
90.20% 89.70% 87.80%
Parina Naidoo, Katherine Nicholls, Isobel Evans
Na-Eela Coleman, Laila Manie, Caris Gertzen
PRIZE-GIVING AWARDS
Lara Harris Class of 1952 Honour Plate To a pupil who, by action, word or deed, has upheld the school motto "Honour Before Honours".
Jenna
Jennifer-Claire Ely Borrill Trophy General Knowledge
Hong Ju Nam Mozart Cup Most Deserving Junior Music Pupil Alyssa Siepen R Adams Trophy Most Original and Creative Art Work Sinae Collins Nan Melville Cup Best Actress Stefanie Simon Gilda Green Trophy Sustained excellence in Drama Jenna Marinus De Villiers Shield Inspiring and Inspirational Work in Drama
Grade 10 1 Aa'isha Dout 85.86% 2 Razaana Manuel 84.00% 3 Meg Anderton 81.86% 4 Tasha Ainsworth 5 Nicole Chineka 6 Sarah Hardie 7 Chloe van Niekerk 8 Dana Arries 9 Shreya Naidu 10 Lara Harris 11 Rebekah Nathan 12 Monique Harrison 13 Leigh Botha 14 Lauren Wiemers 15 Chelsea Terry 16 Kirs e Schwerd eger 17 Tinita Flint 18 Thandeka Chakanyuka 19 Zolisa Kapa 20 Azraa Ma hews Grade 8 1 Na-Eela Coleman 2 Laila Manie 3 Caris Gertzen 4 Aneesa Rawat 5 Saarah Abrahams 6 Maree Petersen 7 Kiran Naicker 8 Naima Bester 9 Malikah Gaibi 10 Abby Anderton 11 Ishwarya Ramklass 12 Jessica Aus n 13 Juliet Killick 14 Jesse Vosloo 15 Jamie Hull 16 Zintle Mdleleni 17 Jade de Villiers 18 Aqilah Regal 19 Jane Imrie 20 Mikayla Schilder
90.67% 83.60% 83.56%
Katherine Nicholls Main Trophy Best Junior All-Rounder
Hong Ju
Sinae
Alyssa
Stefanie
Demi Steenkamp Jill Cubie Cup All-round Achievement in Sport
Ashlyn Southern 1961 Matric Junior Copenhagen Trophy Sportsmanship
PRIZE-GIVING AWARDS ACADEMIC AWARDS
Brittney
Beth
Emma
Maryam Erin Sasha Demi Valeshka Jamie
Kayla Chelsea
Isobel
Jade Samantha
Brittany
Naima
Maree
Lauren
Revana
Erin
Yusra
Beth Petersen 1961 Matric Trophy Service and Commitment in Cultural Activities Yusra Booley Louw Cup Good Fellowship - Grade 9 Brittney Smith Bryce Trophy Service and Commitment to School and Community Revana Moodley Ellen and Sara Goldstone Cup Achievement under difficult circumstances Emma Martin & Samantha Martin Gerald Lea Cup Enthusiastic Participation in Extra-murals
Abby
SPECIAL AWARDS
Dana
Kristin
Sarah
Kaylee
Zarah
Jenna
Afroze
Aa’isha
Nicole
Maryam Adams Hind Trophy Most Outstanding Swimmer Erin Lamoral Waterpolo Trophy Most Outstanding Player Sasha Sivertsen Cavalier Indoor Cup Best Indoor Hockey Player Demi Steenkamp Thelland Squash Trophy Player of the Year Valeshka Harkhu Ryan Pillay Trophy Hockey Player of the Year Dana Arries Tennis Player of the Year Lauren Jonathan Cross-Country Athlete of the Year Naima Bester Hind Trophy Best U14 Swimmer Brittany Gutuza Hind Trophy Best U6 Swimmer Kayla Morgan Best Junior Netball Player Erin Slater Best U16 Netball Player Maree Petersen Best Grade 8 Hockey Player Jamie Southgate & Chelsea Manoek 1989 Auxiliaries Cup Best U16 Hockey Player Lauren Wiemers Anderson Trophy Most Enthusiastic Waterpolo Player Isobel Evans Belinda White Trophy Most Improved Squash Player Jade de Villiers Zandberg Trophy Most Improved Junior Netball Player
Lauren
Natalie
SPORTS AWARDS
Caris
Nicole Wentzel Brey Trophy Excellence in Mathematics Lotz Trophy Excellence in the Sciences Daphne Jaaback Trophy All-round Excellence in Physical Science Afroze Chiktay Roux-Louw Cup Excellence in the Sciences Nicole Wentzel & Natalie Winter English Creative Writing - Grade 11 Aa'isha Dout English Creative Writing - Grade 10 Zarah Sedick English Creative Writing - Grade 9 Jenna September English Creative Writing - Grade 8 Aa'isha Dout, Sarah Hardie, Kaylee Marshall Duffell-Canham Trophy Highest Mark in the English Language Paper in Grade 10 Caris Gertzen Bluff Trophy Highest Mark in the English Language Paper Grade 8 Kristin Niekerk Premio Gattopardo Excellence and Enthusiasm in Italian Abby Anderton Le Coctier Grade 8 Learner Who shows Promise and Ability in French
END OF TERM SPORTS
MUSIC CONCERT On 5 November, the Music Department held a solo piano and flute concert for the first me. The concert was organised by Ms Franke in order to give her students a prac ce run for their prac cal music exams the following week. They could perform one of their exam pieces. Performances were over a range of grade levels, from girls who had only started music this year, to girls who are preparing for their Grade 8 external exams. Many of the students felt that the concert had really mo vated them to perfect their pieces and had given them a good indica on of what they s ll needed to work on before their exams. It is hoped that solo concerts become a more regular occurrence next year.
TRIPLET’S FINAL PERFORMANCE The WGHS music group, Triplet, played their final performance as Wynberg girls at the NG Kerk Wynberg on 16 November at a special pre-Christmas service. When Dominee Nel thanked them he pointed out that the church had founded Wynberg Girls' High School (then called the Ladies' Seminary) back in the 1800s, so it was a poignant moment for Triplet to go back to their ‘roots’. They played a beau ful rendi on of Ave Maria and Flower Duet from the French opera Lakme. They are pictured here with their very proud and happy Moms.
Mrs Stokes, Carla Stokes, Elsa Nel, Mrs Nel, Lauren McDonald & Mrs McDonald
GRADE 11 ART PRAC If yyou did a double-take da thinking the other day, w you were seeing the s famous (dead) ar st K Frieda Kahlo, it was K actually Kelsey Neethling char ge ng in character for pr exam. Mrs her Art prac look on in Pelser looks amaz amazement, or is it amusemen amusement! Front: Kayley Wagner, Mikayla Visser, Kelsey Neethling, Caitlyn Cairns, Alyssa Siepen Back: Emilia Gaisie, Simone Bailey, Alex Steyn, Danielle Page, Hannah Fuller, Bronwyn Collins, Adrienne Knight, Ellen Schwerdtfger
On Saturday 1 November, the Mountain Club travelled out to Be y's Bay to hike the Oudebosch Trail in the Kogelberg Reserve. This is an upspoilt wilderness with patches of indigenous forest, fynbos with rich plant diversity and beau ful flowers, and magnificent views of the surrounding mountain slopes and ocean. The walk starts at the Palmiet River office and goes over the mountains to end in the Harold Porter Botanical Garden. Our group consisted of WGHS teachers and learners, past pupils of WGHS and WBHS and exchange students.
MOUNTAIN CLUB
We all agreed that it was a fantas c day spent in good company in one of the most beau ful spots imaginable! A car-wash was held recently to raise funds for the Dignity Dreams project which Wynberg supports.
DIGNITY DREAMS
Shannon Reilly, Yusrah Soeker, Jayaan Benjamin, Leah Hendricks, Hannah Adams, Lelethu Mzaza, Chelsea Jackson, Gcina Aroshi, Olwethu Lusaseni, Bianca le Roux, Paige Seale, Chloe Coetzee, Bianca Cox, Caitlin Thompson, Kristen Pullen, Natasha Claasen, Samantha Elkington
HOSTEL CHRISTMAS BRAAI We now know that end of term is here. Not because we are not wri ng exams, not because we are packing up our rooms and cleaning and clearing a years' clu er. We know it is the end of the year because we have had our Christmas Braai. We have danced, sung, eaten, cried and are now ready to go on holiday, see our family and come back to a whole new Hostel adventure next year, knowing that we will be supported and held by each other.
SUNSET CONCERT
In February this year, the Wynberg Jazz Band won the Spirit Award at the Bandslam compe on at the Waterfront. The prize was a stage provided by the Coca Cola Gig Rig for our young musicians to perform on. On 4 December, our Jazz Band plus the Wynberg Boys' Jazz Band took to the stage to create an evening of musical memories. Anecnote, a South African a capella group, and singer and saxophonist, Ma hew O'Connell, ended o the show with more incredible music. Despite the cold wind, it was an evening enjoyed by all. A huge thank you to the bands and guest ar sts who performed, as well as to everyone who came to watch the show - your support and spirit are appreciated!
MATRICS DONATE THEIR SHOES In what has become a lovely Wynberg tradi on, started by Rayne Callaghan and the Class of 2012, when the Matrics ďŹ nish wri ng their very last paper, they donate their school shoes to students elsewhere who need them.
TENNIS The 1st team recorded a good 4-2 win in matches over the Herschel 2nd team. It was good to see the girls playing steady tennis and keeping their unforced error count down. They also scored a 4-2 victory over St Cyprians 2nd team. In very windy and blustery condi ons, the girls fought hard to emerge victorious. Special men on must go to Katherine Nicholls who played at number 1 in the absence of Dana Arries and won her ghtly contested singles match. Also to Savannah Wiegand who fought back from 5-0 down to win the pro-set 8-7. Wynberg's 2nd team played against Westerford on 11 November. Everyone showed great sportsmanship and the matches were very exci ng to watch. Wynberg won all their matches and are now (like the 1st team) undefeated. Playing for Wynberg on this occasion were Erin Harris, Carin Donson, Kayleigh Henderson and Dana Arries. Congratula ons to both tennis teams for doing so well this season.
1ST TENNIS TEAM Back: Mr A Hunter (Coach) Dana Arries, Savannah Wiegand, Katherine Nicholls, Isobel Evans
WATERPOLO vs REDDAM
DIVING On Friday 7 November, Wynberg hosted a diving compe on against Springfield at home. The girls all dived very well showing good improvement. Although Springfield's Emily Pollack and Jenna Douglas won the senior and junior compe ons respec vely, our Wynberg Divers managed 2nd and 3rd place in each of the compe ons. In the senior sec on Gabi Liversage came 2nd and Pia Sillifant 3rd. In the junior sec on Sam Mar n was placed 2nd and Emma Mar n 3rd. Abigail Lawrence and Sarah Phiri also contributed to the overall results so the combina on of all our divers allowed us to pip Springfield and win by 4 points! Congratula ons to all the divers on an excellent team effort.
The 2nd team played against a strong Reddam side and unfortunately allowed them to score more goals than they would have liked. There was a fun atmosphere and they played in good spirit! The U16B team also played a tough match - they played well but lost to the be er team. The U16As fought hard and stood their ground but nevertheless lost to a super-strong, well-drilled Reddam team who deserved their win. EAZY-D DRIVING ACADEMY Learners and Driving Lessons 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Contact Ezad - 0836190179 Taz - 0839620068 David - 0725376551 Email - tassamie@gmail.com www.eazyd.co.a
EVENTING Chelsea Tille and Abigail Kempster both competed at the Western Cape Showing Championships and both had excellent results: Chelsea on Blazing Badger came 2nd in Show Riding, 1st in Show Hack, 1st in Show Hunter, and 3rd in Working Riding. Chelsea was also the 2014 Reserve Junior Novice Showing Champion. Abigail on Lane Detroit Express came 3rd in Show Riding, 2nd in Show Hunter, 2nd in Working Riding, and 1st in Working Hunter. Abi was also the 2014 Reserve Junior Novice Working Champion. Congratula ons to both girls. Abigail & Lane Detroit Express
SWIMMING Our Swimming team took part in the 3rd informal gala for the season at Bishops on 30 October. It was a chilly day but the girls braved the cool water and swam some of their best mes of the season. Many of our U19's had donated blood at school earlier in the day, so were not able to par cipate which meant the rest of the team had to really pull together to cover all the events. Special men on is made of Olivia Walker in Grade 8 who swam with the U19s with great spirit.
Photo: Deon Lewis
Chelsea & Blazing Badger
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