May 2016 Newsletter Dear Parents I recently attended the SA national girls’ schools’ conference and there were many topics which were both interesting and beneficial to my work in education. One of the topics entitled “Sink or Surf” spoke to building resilience in our young women. Resilience was described as: • Being task focused and productive whilst experiencing tough times • “Bouncing back” • Emerging stronger and more resourceful An important aspect raised by Rod Warner was the fact that, too many times, parents/caregivers/ grandparents and even teachers try to “save” our young women from the consequences of their actions and try to ensure that they do not experience some of the adversities of life. This ranges from bringing to school the lunch or project forgotten at home, to disempowering these young women by being their voice and not encouraging them to speak to people in authority themselves. Inevitably they will suffer a little - no project means losing a percentage of the marks, but at university not on time means no marks; the tone of voice or time chosen to approach a person to speak to them may be wrong the first time – however, each occasion is a time to learn. Negative experiences are not bad, they are opportunities to learn. The more we practise, the more resilience we build. We need to build resilience to • Deal with overstress and adversity • Live life in alignment with personal values in the face of challenges • Enjoy life - develop and flourish on the journey towards fulfilling your potential He explained the way we deal positively with adversity by moving through the following phases: • Phase 1: Eroding - encountering and assigning meaning to the adversity • Phase 2: Reconciling - coming to terms with the impact and implications • Phase 3: Navigating - moving forward and dealing with the issues • Phase 4: Thriving - experiencing enhanced resourcefulness and strength If we do not move successfully through phase 3 and 4, we become dysfunctional and eventually emotionally unable to deal with any adversity. He encouraged us to embrace the following principles of building resilience: • Connect to your meaning in life • Use your unique strengths • Maintain perspective • Generate positive feelings • Be realistically optimistic • Persevere by being open minded and flexible • Reach out to others This spoke to me, and others at the conference, about the need to allow our girls to experience adversity during their time at school and to help them navigate and successfully learn the life skill of resilience. It will make them stronger and more competent to face the world when they leave us. We owe it to them – we must not prevent them from experiencing some of these negative and, sometimes, very hard situations. We can help them navigate these situations successfully. Warm regards Shirley Harding
ALL GIRLS’ SCHOOLS’ NATIONAL SPORTS AND CULTURAL TOUR
FASHION DESIGNERS IN THE MAKING #HOUSE CHALLENGE
The All Girls’ Schools’ National Tour takes place annually and was hosted this year by Durban Girls’ High School. There were 1020 young women and 250 adults from 23 state schools in attendance and it was the most amazing celebration of girls’ schools. The festival included hockey, netball, squash, tennis, touch rugby, debating, public speaking, chess, vocal ensembles, art and drama. The atmosphere was incredible and, although competition was present, many girls will remember this tour for the sense of camaraderie which was felt and the friendships formed.
Creativity. Awe. Sheer talent! These are but a few words to describe the Cavanagh Fashion Show which took place on 6 May. Houses were challenged to create four garments using recycled materials and present their outfits in a manner which promoted self-love and body positivity. The garments presented at the fashion show were a testament of the hard work and talent the designers of Wynberg have. However, as this was a challenge, there had to be a winner. By the end of the show, the two judges awarded the challenge to Cavanagh, with Apsley coming a close second and Waterloo coming third.
Some highlights were: In the Public Speaking category Stacey Goliath achieved the rating of the Best Impromptu Speaker and Rebekah Nathan was the overall winner at the Festival. Both achieved an average ranking of more than 90% in each of the divisions. In the Drama category, Wynberg Girls’ High School took the prize for Best Stage Craft and Lesley Bredekamp was the winner of Best Actress.
GRACE BRINGS HOME GOLD FROM THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES! A hero’s welcome to Grace Cochrane (Grade 8) who has just returned from the Judo Commonwealth Games. Carrying her family’s name and the flags of her school and country high, she was awarded Gold. We can imagine that there are very few goosebump moments which compete with the experience of receiving a gold medal as a representative of one’s country as the National Anthem is played.
CUPCAKES BY DESIGN! A VISIT FROM GRACE STEVENS
JULIETTE FLIES THE SA FLAG IN DANCE STARS COMPETITION
The consumer studies girls were fortunate enough to receive a visit from Grace Stevens, one of the top cake decorators in Cape Town. After watching Grace share her expert icing skills, the girls then designed their own kiddies cakes, which were unique works of art to say the least.
Juliette Lindup has been selected to represent South Africa at the Dance Stars World Challenge in Croatia from 20 May-7 June. DanceStar is an international competition and festival where all forms of dance are represented with a strong ballet section. It will be a wonderful opportunity for her to grow as a dancer and also gain some valuable life experience. We are holding thumbs.
OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME FOR MICHAELA JACOBS We were delighted to hear that Michaela Jacobs has been given a bursary to participate in the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) from the 1 to 10 July. All entrants receive chamber music coaching with some of the most exciting instrumentalists of the international stage. With the exception of the pianists, these entrants will play in the Festival orchestra with those top performers.
TASHA AINSWORTH AWARDED DIPLOMAS IN BALLET REPERTOIRE COMPETITION
win a bursary
FOR YOUR CHILD SCORE FOR YOUR SCHOOL TO
win R100 000
Tasha Ainsworth recently participated in the Ballet Repertoire Competition, dancing two solos. Those who were able to see the performance described it as “fabulous�. She danced with technical finesse, rhythmical precision and passion. She was awarded Diplomas for each of these performances in the competition. A few days later, Tasha was notified of an independent bursary for the purposes of supporting the costs of her dance tuition. We congratulate her on these wonderful achievements.
EXCITING NEWS FOR TOP MUSICIAN HONG JU!
Congratulations to Hongju Nam who has been accepted as a student by flautist and lecturer Dr Liesl Stoltz. Dr Stoltz currently performs as soloist and chamber musician and teaches at the South African College of Music at UCT. In 2014, taught by Mr Clinton Claasen, Hongju passed her Trinity Grade 8 Piano exams with distinction (90%). This is an extraordinary opportunity for Hongju, for whom the flute is her second instrument.
DIPLOMA FOR COMBINED CONCERT BAND AT THE WINDWORX FESTIVAL
SHARING THE LOVE OF MUSIC AT ROSMEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Our Head of Music, Ms Franke, together with a number of girls are working to develop the musical talent of Rosmead Central Primary School. Because this school has no music teachers, a group of WGHS students undertook to share their skills with the younger musicians. This collaborative effort proved to be uplifting and enjoyable for everyone involved. In this video we see Anelisa Mahlungulu, Rethabile Makoetlane, Alive Somaguda and Stacey Mboyana helping with choir training at Rosmead Central Primary School.
WYNBERG PAST PUPILS CELEBRATE 70TH REUNION
The Windworx Fanfare proved once again to be one of the most exhilarating events of the year. Held at Wynberg Boys’ High School on Saturday, 21 May, the combined concert band was privileged to make their annual appearance at the Fanfare alongside the bands of Belville High School, the Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble, Sans Souci and many others. The band performed some of their favourites including “Salvation is created” by Pavel Chesnokov and Michael Sweeney’s “High Water Mark: The Third Day”. The combined concert band achieved a Diploma once again!
Recently, a number of Wynberg Past Pupils got together for a tea at the Fairmead Court to celebrate their 70th reunion. This marvellous photograph of them was taken by Barbara Geach’s son, Adrian Geach. Back row: Left to right: Lorna Dukas, Toni Gilbert, Barbara Allsop, Dorothy Wilkenden and Pat Holberry Front row:Left to right: Barbara Geach, Ena Carlilse and Jean Chetwin
FIRST TEAM HOCKEY GIRLS GIVE PAARL A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY!
WESTERN PROVINCE GIRLS SCHOOLS’ HOCKEY SELECTIONS
The Wynberg First Hockey Team gave Paarl a run for their money during the derby day that took place on 28 May at Wynberg astroturf. The match was fast-paced, entertaining and Wynberg displayed a good brand of hockey. In the first chukka, scores were still even at 0-0 a piece. Not long after that Katherine Nicholls made a base-line run to set up Aaminah Domingo on the 45 cross, who slotted the ball, using the skills acquired from 4 hours worth of deflection and cross-ball practice during the week! Goal number two came from a set piece free hit outside the Paarl defensive circle, with Katherine Nicholls passing the ball to Kayla Morgan who set Aaminah Domingo up on top D. Aaminah connected a pass into Jamie Southgate, who created an amazing deflection goal past the Paarl goalkeeper. A bit of careless defending resulted in Wynberg gifting Paarl with a penalty corner, off which they scored their first goal. The Wynberg Girls lifted their game and playing consistently clean hockey. The third and final goal was scored when Sasha Sivertsen untangled herself from a messy Paarl tackle and attacked the base line then set up a cross for Maree Peterson to bury in the back of the box. Final score 3-1 to Wynberg.
THE CONCERT BAND EXCELS AT THE CAPE TOWN EISTEDDFOD AND STELLENBOSCH CONCERT
We are immensely proud of the Concert Band (a collaborative band featuring both WBHS and WGHS music students) for obtaining a Diploma in their division at the Cape Town Eisteddfod held at WBHS.
WOGU WISHES THE MATRICS GOOD LUCK FOR THEIR EXAMS
Past Pupils’ Chairperson Scholtz GOODDeirdre LUCK TOand Business Manager Mrs Mills brought a “Good Luck” goodie bag for each Matric in anticipationFROM of the Mid-year exams. It was MATRICS WOGU a welcome package to receive at a time when thoughts about those exams, testimonials and applications for universities, colleges and jobs are foremost in their consciousness.
U14 HOCKEY GIRLS’ WINNING STREAK
On 21 May, the U14A team played an excellent game of hockey to beat Springfield 2-0. The team put together some lovely passes and we had many opportunities to score. However, the Springfield goal keeper played well to deny us an opening goal in the first half. After some wise words from Ms Davids the team went out in the second half with new resolve. A beautiful goal was eventually scored by Caylee Nel from a short corner and towards the end of the match Rachel du Plessis scored a stunning one-time slap into the goals off a very good cross from Laretia Esbach. Defensively the team also played incredibly well and the win can be attributed to an all-out team effort. In their match against Durbanville, the u14Bs won 4-0. The goals were scored by Jordan Louis, Sweva Wiid and Jade Yardin. Jordan scored two of the goals, Sweva scored one goal and Jade scored another goal. With a 1-0 lead in the first half, the girls really picked up their game, scoring another three goals in the second half. We really pulled together as a team and I hope we can see more of this adaptability to change in the games to come. Our U14B Hockey team won (6-0) against Springfield on 21 May. A week later they played an intense match against Paarl Girls’ High School. With a 1-0 lead to Paarl in the first half, the girls had to go on the field and give it their all in the second half. With a passion and hunger to win, there was no way for them to be stopped. They ended up with a 2-1 win, scoring their second goal in the last 18 seconds. This was by far the toughest match we’ve had and we hope to remain unbeaten this whole season!
DIPLOMAS FOR CHOIR AND VOCAL ENSEMBLE AT CT EISTEDDFOD Our girls gave performances which were simply sublime at the Cape Town Eisteddfod on Saturday afternoon. Both the Vocal Ensemble and the Choir were awarded Diplomas. We congratulate Mrs van Bergen, who trains both groups, all of the performers and our accompanists.
WYNBERG GIRLS’ HIGH HOCKEY TEAMS BEAT DF MALAN
On 7 May, Wynberg Girls’ first hockey team took on DF Malan. The game was a must win three-pointer to progress in the league. The girls took the pressure well, and went out with a positive mind-set and overall good vibe. Wynberg dominated the first chukka and rattled DF Malan with our strong start as they struggled to find passes and make effective connections. Good build-up play and line balls resulted in Raniya Khan slotting in an early goal for Wynberg. After more good build-up play from the midfielders, Raniya connected with a cross from the 25 yard area, giving Wynberg a 2-0 lead. DF Malan came back in the second half and were determined to up their game. The Wynberg defence lapsed after we turned possession over to DF Malan and they scored from a counter-attack. This spurred the Wynberg Team to up their game and it wasn’t long before Kayla Morgan positioned herself to tap in a beautiful cross from Jamie Southgate, who had beaten the DF Malan defence along the baseline. In the fourth chukka, Wynberg lost some composure, but managed to keep DF Malan out until the last 3 minutes when a few errors allowed DF to capitalized and score off a short corner. Final result 3-2 for Wynberg and a very pleasing performance against DF Malan. DF Malan results: 1st Team won 3-2 2nd Team drew 0-0 3rd Team lost 1-3 U16A won 2-1 U16B won 1-0 U16C won 1-0 U16D lost 0-3 U14A won 3-1 U14B won 10-0 U14C drew with Sans Souci U14A 0-0