June 2016 Newsletter Dear Parents Anyone who works or studies at WGHS is definitely aware there is construction on the go. Some teachers and classes have had the worst deal as they have been right next to the jackhammer and diggers with their cacophony of noise. We are hoping that the majority of excessive noise will be completed by the beginning of next term. However, out of the destruction of our beautiful quad will rise an equally beautiful new Wynberg – just different. A Grade 11 English class was asked to observe the first stages of the dismantling of the quad (from the upstairs corridor overlooking the quad) and write a piece entitled “Beginnings”. One of the pieces I read so clearly captured the transformation from old to new and, with her permission, I have included the piece written by India Babb.
Beginnings When centuries of tradition are being torn down, dug up, and scattered across the school grounds, the usual sense of direction and purpose is lost and taken over by the overwhelming sense of chaos. The story has reached its climax: old and wise Tradition comes face to face with the naive Transformation. Whatever is sacred has been uprooted, and whatever is firm and strong has been misplaced. The soil of the land has been upset and disrupted, and all the secrets and ghosts of the past, who have been hidden in the land itself, have been unleashed. They now wander the ground, floating around in the air, lost and confused amongst Transformation’s destruction and tools. Like children’s toys, strips of grass, wood and stone lay scattered around the building site. Like children’s talk and excited shrieks, drills and hammers chatter and gnaw, creating a constant, irritating buzz. Like children’s caretakers, the large trees tower over the mess, and shake their branches “tsk-tsk” at all the little drills and tools. Once playtime is over, a spoonful of sugar and a little bird’s song helps Transformation to really begin its work. Each brick and layer of cement is laid down with the caution and care of a child trying to colour in the lines. The new buildings would bring a new atmosphere, similar to the imagination of that child, who does not yet know the different stereotypes created by humans. The trees, now with new flowers blooming, smile and admire the complete work of Transformation. And finally, in the end, Tradition and Transformation walk side by side in understanding. Transformation has become a little more traditional, and Tradition has been a little more transformed. In the end, they walk together into another beginning. Thank you, India, for sharing your talent. Thank you to parents who have found traffic a little more difficult and to the learners of Wynberg who have adapted to walking a much longer route to reach their classrooms! We wish all our families a wonderful winter break and trust that you will travel safely if leaving Cape Town, and that all will return refreshed for the start of the second half of 2016. Regards Shirley Harding Principal
WYNBERG ART STUDENTS CURATE AN EXHIBITION!
Anndrea Solomons, Tejal Kooverjee and Savannah Wells-Wiegard from Wynberg Girls’ High School were recently invited to curate an exhibition of the Under 18s campaign at the AVA Gallery in Cape Town. u18s only is designed to develop children’s individual tastes for art and to encourage them to start their own art collections. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, older siblings and friendly neighbours are invited to obtain a voucher through the present Thundafund campaign for an under 18 of their choice to make his or her first art purchase at the AVA mezzanine gallery. For the duration of the exhibition the AVA’s mezzanine is accessible strictly to under 18s only.
WELCOME HOME TO A TRIUMPHANT JULIETTE LINDUP
win a bursary
FOR YOUR CHILD SCORE FOR YOUR SCHOOL TO
win R100 000
THE BEST LADIES CHOIR AT THE CAPE TOWN EISTEDDFOD We were thrilled to hear that the Wynberg Girls’ High School Choir has won the WC FOSTER Trophy for the best Choir in the Ladies’ Section and that they have been invited to perform two songs at the Prize Winners’ Concert on 31 July at Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School. We congratulate all involved – it is for several years now that Wynberg has been awarded top positions in the Cape Town Eisteddfod, and we commend all involved for continuing to fly that banner high.
We welcome Juliette home after a whirlwind ballet tour in Croatia. From all descriptions it was a fantastic experience for her and the Debbie Lindup Ballet team as well as the other 300 SA entrants. It was an extravaganza of dance with over 5000 entrants and supporters from all around the world. Juliette did herself, her studio, her school and her country proud! She and Robyn Searle competed in the B league with their classical duet and won a trophy for 2nd place. She also competed in the A league with her Copelia repertoire solo and came 4th ! Juliette also took part in the Cape Town Ballet Eisteddfod and did exceptionally well, receiving diplomas for both her repertoire solos, Copelia and Odalisque. She also received diplomas for her other 3 dances and also won the demi-character, classical solo and classical duet sections. She received a special award for the Best Junior Dancer. We congratulate her on these achievements.
FIRST TEAM BADGES FOR WINTER SPORTS HOCKEY
NETBALL
Chelsea Manoek (captain) Aaminah Domingo Jamie Southgate Sasha Sivertsen Jenna Grey Amber-Rose Bailey Amina Williams Kayla Morgan Katherine Nicholls Maree Petersen Saarah Smith Lutho Sidzumo Sisipho Dingeni Aaliah Dollie Raniya Khan Chelsea van den Berg
Michaela Pinkham (captain) Ashley Timms Lauren Wiemers Zoe Koff Jade de Villiers Masimange Dimbaza Erin Slater Nolitha Macanda Asanda Masoka
SQUASH
CROSS COUNTRY
Demi Steenkamp (captain) Kaylee Marshall Ashlyn Southern Isobel Evans Inge Tripod
Kirsten Roodman (captain) Qailah Daniels Camryn Beaton Sarah-Jane Deary Mikayla Gray Lelethu Mzaza Sasha Petersen Karen Roodman
SPORTS ACHIEVERS CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Camryn Beaton who helped her U14A Western Cape Lifesaving team to win Silver at the National Champs. We wish her luck while she trains for her exams in August to qualify as an official lifesaver. Congratulations to Amy-Joy Masella and Mimo Mguqulwa who took part in the WP Regional soccer trials in Oudshoorn over the long weekend and were selected as part of the Western Cape Squad. This squad will hopefully compete at the SA Schools Sports Champs in Durban at the end of the school holidays. Congratulations to Jessica Petersen who was selected for the WP U15 Netball team to take part in the Interregional trials in Oudshoorn in the July holidays. We wish her the best of luck. We congratulate the following Wynberg girls on their selection to represent WP Squash at the various InterProvincial Tournaments around the country during the June/July holidays: U19A: Demi Steenkamp; U19B: Ashlyn Southern, Isobel Evans and Kaylee Marshall; U16A: Inge Tripod
BEST WISHES
On behalf of Wynberg Girls’ High School we would like to congratulate Ms Opperman on her wedding day which took place on the 18 June 2016. A fond farewell to our Netherlands exchange student Jeltje Heuperman (top left) whose time at Wynberg was very much appreciated.
FOUNDERS' WEEK 14 SEP: PAST PUPILS' COCKTAIL FUNCTION @ 18H00 15 SEP: FLAG RAISING CEREMONY @ 11H30-12H30 U13 VS U14 HOCKEY & NETBALL @ 13H00-14H00 1ST TEAMS VS PAST PUPILS HOCKEY & NETBALL @ 17H30 BRING AND BRAAI THEREAFTER IN THE CLUBHOUSE 16 SEP: FOUNDERS' DAY TEA @ 10H30 FOUNDERS' DAY ASSEMBLY @ 11H30
THE MOST PROMISING DANCER AT CAPE TOWN EISTEDDFOD We were delighted to hear that Tasha Ainsworth won the “Own Choice” section of the Modern Dance Eisteddfod and also won the 17-19 year old group dance section. She was awarded the Francis Harrison bursary for “the most promising dancer at the Eisteddfod.” Here is a photo of her costume for the “Evil Witch” dance, in which she transforms from this into a good person! Tasha is taught by Kristy Brown from The Dance Centre.
LISTEN TO OUR LATEST PODCAST In this week’s podcast from Wynberg Girls’ High School, we pick up on the Drama Girls’ excitement about and and their reflection on the All Girls’ Schools National Festival in Durban. From the announcement of their flight to Durban, to the experience of a first-time flyer, they discuss their experiences of this festival. In discussion are Savannah Steyn, Juliette Austin, Juliet Stromin, Robyn Benjamin and Lesley Bredekamp. Click here to listen.
EXAMS PRACS PRODUCE CREATIVE MAGIC!
F ro m t h e A rt D e p artmen t to the C o n s u mer S tu d ies ’ K itch en
WOGU CAREER CONNECT EVENING
On Tuesday, 21 June Wynberg Old Girls’ Union hosted a CareerConnect evening for the Grades 9, 10 and 11s. The event was a relaxed, interactive opportunity for girls to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the dynamic job market and speak to Old Girls from diverse industries. We thank all the Old Girls who contributed to the success of the event and are confident that the girls left feeling clearer about their future subject choices and career paths.
UPCOMING EVENTS 18 July: Start of Term 3 22 July: Apsley Challenge 25 July: Head of School Speeches 27 July: Head of House Speeches 28 July: Head of House Speeches 29 July: Grade 10 Subject Change Deadline 5 August: Wellesley Challenge, WBHS Cultural Evening 8 August: School Holiday 9 August: National Women’s Day 11 August: Grade 10-12 Eng, Afr and isiXhosa Writing exam 12 August: Grade 12 Life Sciences Outing 13 August: Hockey Derby vs Bloemhof @ Wynberg 17 August: Matric Music Concert 18 August: Dance Showcase 24-26 August: Drama Production “Girls Like That”