WYNBERG GIRLS’
NEWSLETTER
HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
Also available on our website : www.wynghs.co.za
Dear Parents
MAY 2014
EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENT!
Several months ago, Fairlady magazine asked us to participate in a survey they were undertaking. Of the 25,000 government schools in South Africa, they used the Department of Basic Education's list of the top 100 schools that received the highest Bachelor Pass rates (eligible to attend university) in the matric 2013 results and asked all these schools to complete their survey. The results of the survey were published in the June edition of the magazine and we are pleased to be named in this alphabetic list of top schools. These schools were then ranked according to various criteria (I have recorded some of our survey responses in italics after each criterion): Academics (30% of score) - the Bachelor pass rate (95.6%), the Diploma pass rate (3.3%), the number of matrics who received four or more subject A's (42), the number of Grade 11's who progressed to matric (176 of 178), and the number of Grade 10's who received an A for Mathematics (25 of 177) Number of subjects offered at Matric level (10% of score) - 15 subjects Extramurals and Support (15% of score) – especially: Sport portfolios (aerobics, athletics, cross country, diving, hockey, indoor hockey, hockey 5's, karate, netball, road running, squash, swimming, synchronised swimming, tennis, walking, waterpolo), Cultural portfolios (Afritwin, art, Capstone, chess, choir, culinary arts, current affairs, dance, debating, drama, environment, film, marketing film crew, MSA, mountain/hiking, photography, public speaking, Ubuntu, music ensembles vocal, baroque, brass, flute, marimba, saxophone, string, guitar, clarinet), Outreach portfolios (weekly academic outreach with Zimasa school, sandwiches and fruit for Capricorn Primary; termly collection of bread tags for wheelchairs; annual collections of dog food, used clothing, books; Wynberg individual learners winners of the prestigious Amy Biehl Youth Spirit award in 2010/11/12, winners of the Rotoract Shield for community service 2012 & 2013, Interact, Grade 10 community service, Cansa Relay for Life) Leadership programmes (Grade 11 camp, learner leadership programme, grade 10 seminars, class captain and charity reps training, School Council seminar) Counselling (2 clinical social workers, academic counsellor, peer counsellors), and tutoring (several subject clinics, peer tutoring and academic support. Facilities (15% of score) School fees (15% of score) The teacher learner ratio (15% of score) Number of learners (943) / number of full-time educators (51) Well done to the Wynberg girls for achieving a place on this list and for what they do in so many different areas of the school. I am very proud of them and of the teachers who give so much to achieve this level of excellence. It is interesting and exciting to note that 17 of the top 25 government schools are girls' only schools. I trust that this information supports your decision to send your daughter to Wynberg. We certainly hope that she is taking advantage of the many opportunities available to her! Warm regards Shirley Harding
On the evening of 23 April, the University of Stellenbosch honoured those Western Cape schools with an exemplary achievement, based on the 2013 Matric results. We are very proud that Wynberg Girls’ High is one of these schools! Mrs Shirley Harding received a certificate on behalf of Wynberg from Professor Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
WELCOME TO WYNBERG A warm Wynberg welcome to Mrs Shaheema Marlie who has come to teach CAT to Mrs Furstenburg’s classes while she is away. We are very grateful to her as she is a busy mom to Siddeeqah (Grade 12) and Nuraan (Grade 9) and still a permanent member of AmIT Consulting.
WOOL FOR WONDERS Calling all knitting enthusiasts! The . Wynberg Old Girls' Union, in conjunction with the Cape Community Newspapers, have started their annual Wool for Wonders Campaign where baby jerseys & beanies are knitted and provided to charities. Completed garments should be delivered to reception by 1 September. Patterns will be published in the Constantiaberg Bulletin and are available from the school or on the school website (www.wynghs.co.za). Donations and/or sponsorship of wool are welcomed. Should you wish to donate to this worthy cause please email Hilary Mills: hmills@wynghs.co.za or phone 021 764 2200.
DEBATING
WINDWORX FANFARE Windworx Fanfare took place at WBHS on Saturday 17 May. It is an annual showcasing of wind bands from around the peninsula. The Windworx Fanfare is not a competition or an eisteddfod but an opportunity for musicians to share their talents. Performances are commented on by adjudicators who give positive and negative critique. The combined Wynberg Girls' and Boys' High Concert Band performed beautifully under the baton of Mr. Catzavelos, their dedicated maestro. The evening ended with thunderous applause for a performance by the mass band of 250 musicians.
The Junior and Senior debating teams were faced with serious opposition at Bergvliet High School on Monday 5 May. Unfortunately neither team was successful but both received excellent adjudication. In the final round of the Rotary Debating League, both teams debated against Reddam. The junior team, Megan Ingram, Aashiqah Regal and Aqilah Regal, narrowly lost after putting up a Natashia Young, Thandeka Chakanyuka, Jordan King, good fight. The seniors Colin Besaans (coach), Thaakiyah Ryklief & Lisa Abrahams proposed the motion This house would legalize all recreational drugs. Thaakiyah Ryklief, Jordan King and Lisa Abrahams presented a well-structured argument but could not persuade the adjudicators to agree with them.
CAPE TOWN EISTEDDFOD SUCCESSES!
ELEVATE EDUCATION Workshop 2: With the June exams just around the corner, the Grade 11s met for the second of three Elevate Education workshops. The first dealt with how to study; this one focused on time management. The presenter, Shaun, returned, and with him, the entertaining stories and witty jokes we’d come to expect. Despite all the jokes, the workshop was very informative: girls learned how to balance what they love with doing schoolwork, how to make successful study timetables and how to stop procrastinating! Elevate Education dealt with every problem students face and by the end, we all felt much more confident about the coming exams.
On Saturday 10 May, the combined Concert Band played three pieces in the Cape Town Eisteddfod. The performance was very successful and they were awarded a Diploma. The Flute ensemble also participated on Saturday and was also awarded a Diploma! Well done, Wynberg!
STELLENBOSCH BAND EXTRAVAGANZA The WGHS/WBHS Concert band performed on Friday 9 May at the Stellenbosch Band Extravaganza in the Endler Hall - a wonderful night of excellent musical entertainment. Among the other performers were the Stellenbosch University Wind Band, Hugo Lampretchs’ Wind Band and Harmonic Brass – a phenomenal brass quintet all the way from Munich! Both the girls and the boys thoroughly enjoyed playing in the concert as well as listening to the other bands.
49 members - an all-time high - attended the Current Affairs Society this week. Many issues were discussed, amongst them the São Paulo water crisis. Citizens face a critical water shortage as water has been rationed because their reservoirs have fallen to record lows this as the World Cup prepares to kick off! While the water company blames drought, critics say the crisis was avoidable. At the other end of the scale, we discussed the implications of Antarctica’s melting twice as fast as it was four years ago, and the consequent rise in sea levels.
photo: Tania Robbertze
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Back: M Langeveld, N Eddy, A Dreyer, A Solomons, C Stokes, E Nel, C Joseph Front: S MacDonald, X Lardner-Burke, M Anderton, M Harrison
Adjudicator, Carey McIntosh, Penny Glover & Jessica Mesham, best actress
INTERHOUSE DRAMA Carey McIntosh with, from left, best supporting actors: Amy Hilario & Hannah Fuller; best directors: Sara Phiri & Diane Munro; best house play: Sara Bell and Jordan King.
JUNIOR CITY COUNCIL Asanda Masoka, Delucia Daniels, Hong-Ju Nam and Lara Harris have been given the opportunity to represent WGHS in the Junior City Council (JCC). This is a two-year term of office that develops youth leadership and potential, and focuses on the betterment of the community. There are 91 high schools from all over Cape Town involved. At the meetings which have taken place, the four girls have familiarised themselves with the other members and proceedings. Asanda and Lara were selected as Junior Chairs of two of the city’s sub councils. They are tasked with meeting senior council members to plan strategies to meet the needs of the community. The girls realise this is an opportunity to network with similar-minded people and are excited to be able to work hard for the improvement of South Africa.
Hong-Ju Nam, Asanda Masoka, Delucia Daniels & Lara Harris
PIN HOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Normally this is a very difficult project to get right but Emily Danielz has put in a great deal of time and energy and consulted the experts and has achieved what most others have not managed in the past - she has constructed a functioning pin-hole camera. The photo on the left is a ‘selfie’ which Emily took with her camera.
MINQUIZ
On 15 May, Cayleigh Brown, Azrah Ismail and Anjali Kooverjee took part in the annual Minquiz. Minquiz, running since 1988, is regarded as SA's premier annual national Science competition for Grade Cayleigh, Azrah & Anjali 12s. It aims to encourage interest in science, engineering and technology, especially in minerals and metallurgy, and to promote an awareness of the importance of minerals and metallurgy to South Africa.
On 14 May, the Grade 8’s were privileged to have Hayley McLellan, leader of the “Re-think the Bag” organisation, speak to us. Hayley works at the Two Oceans Aquarium at the Waterfront and is passionate about saving animals and protecting the environment. She believes that using bags made of material such as cotton instead of plastic, we can help our environment. She explained how plastic bags smell like food so animals mistake them for food and eat them. We saw videos of animals suffocating after eating the plastic. Seals and dolphins get stuck in plastic after swimming through it thinking it is a toy. Animals are very curious creatures and if they see a foreign object they want to investigate it. A human would use their hands but animals use their mouths instead. The worst is that plastic takes millions of years to decompose. We really enjoyed the presentation and learnt a lot from what she had said. She encouraged us to pledge not to use plastic bags any more, to help the environment. So the next time you shop, don’t use a plastic bag, use material bags instead. Saarah Abrahams & Helena Veysey
NO ABDUCTIONS! WHAT IF IT WERE ME! On Friday 16 May, South Africans joined the worldwide condemnation of the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria, and Wynberg Girls’ High School was no exception. After a minute’s silence was observed, Wynberg girls held banners expressing both their concern and their horror at the abductions.
CAPSTONE BONFIRE
SERVICE PILLAR
In order to enjoy greater fellowship with other Christians at WGHS and WBHS, Capstone hosted a bonfire. Guest speaker, Mike Day, shared his story around the fire about how he came to feel empowered through Christ.
Newspaper sleeping bags are made every year in order to provide homeless people with some protection from the Cape’s notorious winter storms and cold weather. On 6 May, a committed group of Matric learners who were keen to learn a new skill and to make a difference in their community, made 9 such sleeping bags which will be distributed in the immediate Wynberg area.
SISANDA FOUNDATION FUN DAY
Everyone was highly motivated by his testimony and enjoyed further group discussions during the evening. Towards the end of the evening, everyone wrote down on a piece of paper anything that they wanted to cast off in their life, including things that made them feel powerless, frustrated and shackled. The paper was thrown into the bonfire. Feeling much lighter in spirit, participants spent the rest of the evening roasting marshmallows, worshipping and having fun.
WOGU FOREST WALK On Saturday 10 May, the Wynberg Old Girls’ Union hosted a walk in Newlands Forest for any women and girls linked to the school. It was a cool wintry afternoon and we walked for an hour, enjoying the natural beauty and a chance to catch up on each other’s news.
On Saturday, 17 May, WGH & WBH learners spent the morning with 24 children from Capricorn Primary School at the Claremont Congregational Church. Exciting games were followed by a talent show! The ideas from the children were truly impressive, as were their performances. Certificates and prizes were awarded to all who participated. Pizza and juice were enjoyed outside in the sun. A big thank you to Sisanda for their excellent organisation, and Mrs Roux for giving us this rewarding opportunity of making a difference in some children’s lives. This was outreach in the true sense of the word.
CLOTHING COLLECTION Eco for Africa textile recycling is an organisation that sources unwanted clothing and shoes and supplies it to budding township entrepreneurs, many of whom were previously unemployed. Apsley Cavanagh Constantia Copenhagen Kirsten Silverlea Waterloo Wellesley Back: B Draper, S Homan, Eco for Africa representative, N Barnett, M Guthrie, S Grever Front: Y Parker, T Ryklief, T Warrin, L Abrahams, J Joshua
Mikayla Gray, Diedre Schultz, Catherine Gray, Nikki Carberry, Hilary Mills
BLUE ROUTE FLASHMOBS It was an open secret that WGHS would be doing something pretty spectacular at the Blue Route Mall on Saturday 17 May. Firstly the Grade 12 dancers caught the crowd’s attention with their escalator warm-up and routine. Next, the Vocal Ensemble performed their medley of songs followed by the Jazz Band. It was clear that Blue Route Mall shoppers enjoyed this excellent Wynberg entertainment! GRADE 12 DANCERS
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
JAZZ BAND
Flora Bottoman; Nandi Basson; Nhadia Gustavo; Taylor Kirkby
WATERLOO HOUSE HOSTEL We have many groups/committees in the hostel. Each group has a hostel Mom or Boarder Mistress as a mentor and a group of hostel girls volunteering their talents and time, and each group works for the good of the hostel. The Wolking group came about because of a poster at the time of Madiba’s death saying: “Madiba, we will carry on walking!”. The word “wolking” is a combination of walking our journey in Madiba’s footsteps and working each day for 67 seconds to better someone’s life by word and deed. On Wednesday night, the Wolking group, wrapped in duvets and with a delicious mug of hot chocolate, met around a warm fire to listen to the story of Fuzzies and participate in Fuzzy Flora Bottoman, Nandi Basson, Nhadia Gustavo Week. The concept of Fuzzies is like that of a & Taylor Kirkby enjoying their meeting. Secret Santa: one chooses a name out of the hat and undertakes to do “something wonderful” for that person every day for a week. The person being ‘fuzzied’ does not know who is ‘fuzzying’ her. A week later, all is revealed and we each give our person a beautiful, warm, fuzzy pompom. The Wolking group is just one of many in the hostel Sudila Kasango, we are proud of those who give of their time so willingly to make hostel life active, Sibongile Mtegha, &Rebecca Francklin involved and interesting.
GIRLS’ SCHOOLS’ SPORTS & CULTURAL FESTIVAL Wynberg once again took part in the All Girls’ Schools’ Festival – this year hosted by Collegiate in Port Elizabeth. Wynberg included hockey, netball, vocal ensemble, chess, public speaking, tennis and squash teams. There were 20 schools and more than 900 girls participating. The long and tiring bus trip was soon forgotten at the opening ceremony where learners were treated to several performances from well-known national dancers and bands. Collegiate was celebrating its 140th anniversary (yes, it’s older than WGHS!), and various speakers gave us wonderful pointers about managing our school lives and achieving our dreams. Each of the sport’s teams played matches from morning until late afternoon and the cultural groups were also hard at work, rehearsing and competing all day.
A feature of the festival was the wonderful sportsmanship shown in every discipline, no matter what the result! The All Girls’ Festival was a thoroughly enjoyable and valuable experience: each of the participants left with new goals and challenges and the tools to achieve them.
MATCHES: 10 May
HOCKEY
1st Team: Drew 2-2 with St Cyprians. During the first 10 minutes of the game Wynberg had numerous chances to score but it was St Cyps who, against the run of play, were awarded a short corner from which they scored. Within minutes they broke through again and scored their second goal. Valeshka Harku made several brilliant saves to keep Wynberg in the match and finally, Berzilee Pipes deflected the ball into the back of the net. Late in the second half, Jamie Southgate scored a cracker of a goal off a rebound from the keeper. Players of the match were Valeshka Harkhu and Cara Geere. 2nd Team: lost 0-2 to St Cyprians. The girls fought hard in the first half and dominated the second but lost 2-0. 3rd Team: Wynberg won 4-1 against Milnerton. Goals were scored by Logan Coutts and Stacy Samuel, each scoring two. It was a great game filled with great hockey and funny moments, including Kelly Vermaak running onto the hockey field without her stick. Well done girls, keep up the great work . U16A Team: Wynberg won 1-0 against St Cyprians. The U16A team dominated the match for long periods of time and scored through Demi Steenkamp. This was a strong performance. Player of the match was Nikiwe Mlumbi. U16B Team: Wynberg won 2-0 against Milnerton U16As. Although we had a lot more possession than the opposition, we had to fight hard to win. Goals were scored by Saarah Smith and Amy Arendse. Player of the match was Anne Hall for her excellent early crosses from the right. U16C Team: Wynberg won 4-0 against Milnerton U16Bs. Three goals were scored in the first half of the game, two by Kagiso Jantjies and one by Paula Buchanan. WGHS dominated possession and Paula scored again during the second half, aided by Kagiso Jantjies and Emily Symmonds. The team played a structured game, relying on skills learnt in coaching. U16D Team: Drew 0-0 with Milnerton. Wynberg played a mixed group of U14, U16 and U19 Milnerton hockey players. The girls played a great game, with a great improvement in their teamwork and communication. Thank you to Logan Patel and Jess Botha for refereeing. U14A Team: Wynberg won 3-0 against St Cyprians. Wynberg scored in the first half through Kayla Morgan. They dominated in the second half scoring 2 more goals through Jenna Grey. It was a good match played in a good spirit! Player of the match was Keightley Walsh. U14B Team: Wynberg lost 0-1 to Milnerton U14As. The U14Bs show plenty of enthusiasm - they just need some more focus! U14C Team: Wynberg lost 0-1 to Westerford. The U14Cs played a great game against Westerford even though they lost 1-0. Player of the match was Lauren van Tonder who ran hard throughout the match.
MATCHES: 17 May 1st Team: Wynberg lost 0-1 to Rustenburg. Rustenburg scored early in the game, and when Wynberg did switch on, they just could not take advantage of their many chances - 7 short corners for and none against! The midfield are to be commended on their solid build up and creation of scoring opportunities. Chelsea Manoek was player of the match for pulling off big tackles and creating a number of exciting counterattacks. 2nd Team: Wynberg drew 1-1 with Rustenburg. Teamwork and passing have improved. Tamsyn Gaynor, who scored the goal, and Vikky Erfort, our amazing goalie, were the players of the match. U16A Team: Wynberg won 2-0 against Settlers. Demi Steenkamp scored first from a short corner which went wrong - funny how this sometimes happens! Settlers had a few opportunities to level the score but Wynberg’s defense held strong. With 10 minutes left, Wynberg put together a beautiful set of passes down the right and Dani Graney scored. U16B Team: Wynberg lost 0-9 to Rustenburg U16A’s. Unfortunately we were not really a match for their A team. The U16Bs never gave up, though, and although they defended for most of the match, they did have one or two chances to score. Saarah Smith was player of the match. U16C Team: Wynberg lost 0-6 to Rustenburg. U16D Team: Wynberg lost 1-4. The U16Ds played a tough game against a stronger opponent. The girls played well throughout the game and stayed positive despite losing 4-1. The goal was scored by Jess Stephens. U14B Team: Wynberg lost 2-1 to Rustenburg. Jamie-Lee Crowie scored Wynberg’s goal. U14C Team: Wynberg lost 0-1 to Westerford. MATCHES: 23 & 24 May 2nd Team: Drew 1-1 with Bellville. Wynberg dominated the first half and Sarah Richter scored our goal in the first 15 minutes but Bellville’s superior fitness enabled them to equalise. The team will be working on fitness more regularly to avoid tiredness in the second half of the game. Players of the match were Sarah and Vicky Erfort.
U16A Team: Wynberg won 2-1 against Bellville. The cold, stormy weather did not stop Wynberg, and although they conceded the first goal, they soon equalized when Jaymee Henderson scored. In the second half, after a well constructed build-up, Zoe Koff converted. Wynberg played with a great spirit and unity and fought hard to come back to win. Well done to Logan Patel, player of the match. U16B Team: Wynberg won 5-0 against Curro. The girls played very well considering the howling gale! Goals were scored by Jessica Botha, Jenna Featherstone, Farah Jacobs and two by Megan Gierdien. U16C Team: Drew 0-0 with Bellville U16B’s. The U16C's held their own against a strong U16B Bellville team. The fact that no goals were scored against them is testament to Wynberg’s determination and strong defending. U14B Team: Wynberg won 1-0 against Bellville. Demi Fester was player of the match. U14 C Team: Wynberg won 5-0 against JG Meiring. A scrappy first half produced 1 Wynberg goal - 4 more were added in the second half when the team played together and passed well.
SAILING
NETBALL Congratulations to our Western Cape and Western Province Netball stars! Firstly, super well done to Yeukai Chamba who made the Western Cape team, for the second year in a row! Congratulations too, to Jenna Grey (U14), Zoe Koff & Vuya Puzi (U16) and Asanda Masoka (U17) who were all awarded their WP colours. Finally well done to all the Wynberg coaches and in particular to Mrs Sakeena Williams for these excellent results.
Yeukai Chamba, Jenna Grey, Zoe Koff, Asanda Masoka & Vuya Puzi MATCHES: 22 May against FISH HOEK. U16A Team: Wynberg lost 15-6. Although the game looked promising for Wynberg, Fish Hoek caught up and eventually went ahead. The best defender was Erin Slater and the best Attacker, Zoe Koff. U16B Team: Wynberg won 12-8. Although the first half score had Fish Hoek leading 8-6, Wynberg came back in the second, winning the game 12-8. The best defender was Tayab Harrison, the best attacker Carrie Scheller, and the best shooter, Lulethu Mthana. U16C Team: Wynberg lost 5-8. The first half was extremely tight and the score was 4-4 at half time. Then Fish Hoek’s defence went into top gear and Wynberg only scored 1 more goal. Wynberg’s best attacker was captain, Lara Harris, the best defender was Olwethu Lusaseni, and the best shooter was Natasha Claasen. U14A Team: Wynberg won 14-7. Wynberg played at an incredible pace, with very accurate passing, and lead 7-5 at half time. Wynberg kept their composure in the second half and restricted Fish Hoek to only 2 more goals while they scored another 7! The best attacker was Lupiwe Poswa, the best defender was Lwazi Mpofu-Mketwa, and the best shooter was Tyla-Rae Hogan. U14B Team: Wynberg lost 2-4 Wynberg started nervously and both teams’ defence players worked overtime in the first half. In the 2nd half, Wynberg allowed silly mistakes to get the better of them, but played well right to the last whistle. The best defender was Jade De Villiers, the best attacker was Sarah Van Zyl, and the best shooter was Ashley Timms. U14C Team: Wynberg won 8-2. Although both teams played strongly, Wynberg’s confident attitude saw them winning in the end. The best shooter was Sibo Mtegha, the best attacker was Carin Ryklief, and the best defender was Tasneem du Toit.
Congratulations to Sarah-Jane Deary who represented South Africa at the African Sailing Championships held in Algeria. Although Sarah-Jane is only 13, she competed in the U16 section and came 3rd overall!! Well done!
SANESA
Abigail Kempster on Lane Detroit Express Abi did Wynberg proud in the SANESA qualifier held in Stellenbosh. Her results in the various classes were as follows: Abi came 1st in Show Jumping & Working Riding, 3rd in Working Hunter & Dressage, and 4th in Equitation. This beautiful photo was taken by Claire Henderson.
CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNERS ENJOY GROOT CONSTANTIA