COLLEGE NEWS Aurum International College of Education

Centre number: ZA075

Gauteng education Department Registration number: 400433

(011) 326 0440

083 243 3449/ 084 200 1193

“Thank you very much for

everything. I am thankful

that my kids got to come to

the school, they were very

happy. I still regret that I

didn't get to know the

school earlier. It is my in-

tention to continue my rela-

tionship with the school at

another level”

Dr Danisa E Baloyi

In This Issue

Results October/November

2014 : pages 2 & 3

From the principal’s office

Pages 4&5

Staffing 2015 : Page 6 & 7

LRC : Page 8

PTLC : Page 9

Dates to diarize : Page 10

Alumni News

Aurum International College January 2015

Congratulations to Muchenja

Namumba on her gold medal and

her graduation with a BSc Com-

puter Science at the university of

Cape Town. We are So proud of

you!

Muchenja Namumba Thanks

so much Catherine Bauthi-

er you are the sweetest and

most brilliant Maths lecturer I

have ever had. You taught me

to love Maths and I could have

not become a computer sci-

ence graduate without your

help. Thank you for the foun-

dation you gave me.

We would also like to congrat-

ulate Otshepeng Komane,

Alias Owen Kay on the launch

of his Milestone Album on the

17th of July 2014

Ofentse Komane: A for Math-ematics, A for English, B for chemistry, B for Physics

Jordan Busch: A for French, B for Mathematics, English, Physics and Chemistry

Deanna Lasania : A Level Maths A*,

A Level Biology A, A Level Geogra-

phy A,, AS Level Physics A, A Level

Business B...

2014 Results

Aimi Lasania : A Level Mathematics: A, A Level

Physics A, A level Biology B, A Level Business

Studies B, A Level Geography B ...

Michelle Pearl Boyce: AS English, B, AS

Afrikaans A Part-time

Danielle Kullmann: : A Level Physics

A, A Level Maths B, A Level Biology C,

IGCSE Chemistry A, English B

Also congratulations to...

Michelle Pearl Boyce: AS English, B, AS

Panashe Maningi, AS

Economics A

Daina Jackson : AS Mathematics

A Part-time

Nganji

Nyaruhirura

B IGCSE

French

Ismael Omar:

BIGCSE Mathemat-

ics B

Dylan Ketcher :

IGCSE computing B

Ammaarah Asvat:

AS Afrikaans B

Louange Gatoto:

IGCSE French A*

Eugene

Lukasa :AS French

B

Akhanani Jayiya IGCSE

Mathematics B

Adrian Fortuin

AS English B

Tiago Campbell AS English, B, AS Afri-

kaans B, AS Maths B, , AS Physics B

Mutanwa

Mufamadi AS

Business

Studies B

Nomsa Ncube AS

Business Studies B

Benjamin Twite

IGCSE French A*

Catherine Bauthier

Principal and Director of Studies

A new year and a fresh start - it is always enticing, challenging and exciting! 2015 is full of promise and the

Cambridge results are a truly pleasant way to start the year.

I have no doubt that if you’re reading this letter you have perused the results as spelled out on the previ-

ous pages. It was my absolute pleasure to dispatch results to those beautiful, beaming and truly deserving

young people- of whom you as parents/guardians and we as educators really deserve to be proud. While

we did not get 100% pass rate in all the subjects - we did proudly achieve the following:

As many of you are aware there were a few subject areas that did not meet the high standards

that we have grown accustomed to at Aurum. You will have noticed however that we are striv-

ing to improve and that there have been changes in staffing, discipline and organization.

When considering the results we need to remember that on average less than 5% of students

achieve distinctions worldwide and that those with B’s are generally in the top 25%. I will send

out the standards for October/November 2014 examinations as soon as they are available.

Many of the students who were disappointed were those who did not work timeously and those

who chose to write against the recommendations of the college.

My biggest plea to parents/guardians and students is to gift themselves with the time that it

takes to succeed. There are less than twelve weeks till the May/June exam session. Students

who need to improve their marks by less than 10% are encouraged to write Cambridge exams

then. It is not possible however to complete a one year course in a mere12 weeks. The prob-

lem is that students attempting this rush through the work with little if any exam preparation.

They only get their results in August and if they have not passed which is a possibility - consid-

ering the short period of time they have given themselves to prepare - they only have Septem-

ber to rush through the syllabus again in an attempt to pass in October. This is really not con-

ducive to any real learning.

Learners studying towards their A Levels living in the UK do not ’have a life’. They go to school

in the dark, come home in the dark, work late into the night and do that six days a week. De-

spite this they handle their syllabi over two years. We cannot compete with the best in the

world and expect to rely on our inert ability with very little time or effort.

I want to believe that we are a team We are going to work together as parents/guardians and

teachers to encourage, nurture and provide an environment conducive to focus and dedication

for the learners. They in turn will refrain from indulging in activities that have a negative effect

on their ability to learn and study. They will put in the hours, effort and dedication to succeed in

their studies. With enough sleep, a balanced diet and a healthy mix of work and play they will

be set to attain their potential. They need to use their ‘little minutes’. As I keep reminding them

-just three sets of twenty minutes make an hour. So much can be done in that time -yet it is so

easily wasted.

Thank you for entrusting us with your precious children. We promise to give them nothing but

the best. Please remember that I am always willing to listen to positive criticism.

Congratulations to the learners of 2014 - We look forward to even better results in 2015!

At Aurum we pride ourselves on our really stable staff.

1. We are please to welcome back Missile to head the physics which he will continue

to do with Steve as he has done since January 2013. We look forward to more

awards like Danielle Kullmann’s top physics student in Southern Africa.

2. There are no changes in the maths department which will still be headed by

Cathy, working closely with Steve and Missile and assisted by Lou. Cathy has

been teaching Cambridge maths since 1997 and leading Aurum International

since its inception in 2006.

3. We are really blessed to still have Adinda heading the biology Adinda has been

with us since 2006 and has immeasurable experience. We hope to benefit from

her wealth of knowledge for many years to come. Robyn has decided to take a

break to spend time with her children and Cathy has agreed to handle the IGCSE

and Foundation Biology. Until further notice. She has attended numerous CIE

courses in the subject, and taught it from 2006 till 2012 with exceptional results.

4. Fortunately Nick is still at the helm of the chemistry. There is no need to remind

you of his track record– we all remember Madeeha’s Laher’s top student in

Southern Africa award for chemistry. Nick is now taking over the foundation chem-

istry which will be great for ease of movement into IGCSE. We’d find it really hard

to find a chemistry teacher in the world who is willing to spend as much extra time

on his students as Nick is. Nick has been with us since 2010.

5. Star remains at the head of the commercial subjects. She remains a leader in her

field .With her guidance Mutanwa Mufamadi attained the best business student in

Southern Africa award. Star has been with us since 2007. She is also the CIE ex-

aminations officer.

6. Andre is going to continue with the Afrikaans which we’re thrilled about as he also

boasts 100% pass rate at AS Level. In 2013 he also attained 100% pass rate in

IGCSE.

7. Denise returns to teach the Drama. She is a big favourite with the students .We

cannot wait to be treated to the fruits of her labour at the cultural evening– which

she has been doing with such flare since 2010.

8. We are so thrilled to have to Mr Ariel Wertlen

Spilkin back - this time as a permanent staff member.

Ariel taught for us briefly in 2013, he also taught the

part-time English last year with salutary results. It is

really special when past students come back to the

college as teachers. Ariel will be the head of humani-

ties teaching English, English Literature, Social Sci-

ence and History. As a student at Aurum he achieved

the top Cambridge student award for A Level History. Students used to

tease that Ariel was a walking encyclopaedia– and history was always his

passion.. He will also be assisting students with their Art. He will not be work-

ing alone, he will be closely assisted by Lou who attended the Cambridge

training last year and Lisa. We wait in anticipation of his debating extra-

mural… Ariel was a debater of note and provided the Aurum family with

many hours of enriching entertainment as he spoke his opponents into a stu-

por. We also look forward to Sajeeli returning later in the year from maternity

leave.

9. We are really excited to introduce you to Dr Bernard

Nieuwoudt who will be heading the computer Science. We

had approached Bernard in the hope of acquiring his ser-

vices several times in the past At last he is here and we

have no doubt that he will be a great asset to the college.

Teaching is his passion and computers are his forte so our

computing students are in great hands– as is our comput-

er laboratory which he clearly explained is an asset of the

college and all of its students and staff. Bernard comes

from EOH and brings with him immense knowledge and innovative ideas.

Claire felt that she would be happier in a South African examination environ-

ment and we wish her nothing but the best.

With our highly dedicated and qualified team we are equipped to provide our

learners with the very best in education thus ensuring that they are in a posi-

tion to achieve their goals in south Africa and/or the world.

It was decided that the A level students would all be given a chance as

prefects for the month of February. .

The staff and learners will then have a chance to assess their leader-

ship qualities and then when the voting takes place on the 2nd of March

there would have been time for

1. The new students to have become known to those returning and

thus to stand a chance of being elected as prefects/learner repre-

sentative.

2. Learners and staff to make an informed choice of learner leadership

in the college.

Our provisional ‘prefect/learner representative body is as follows:

1.Asvat, Ammaarah 10. Muchindu, Kilmer

2.Brooks, Dagan 11. Musa, Soumaya

3.Busch, Jordan 12. Omar, Ismael

4.Butler, Nicholas 13. Sanyangare, Tendai

5.Butumbi, Eugene 14. Selepe, Sarah

6.Cosma, Joseph 15. Simatele, Buya Nangoma, Stella

7.Komane Ofentse 16. Tshabalala, Zizipho

8. Morley, Daniella 17. Xaba, Nhlanganiso

9. Mpumlwana, Vangile 18. Xue Ling Li, Sherry

Voting for prefects from the above list as well as for LRC representatives at every level

will take place at lunch time on the 27th February in the foyer.

In the last quarter of last year we held a really positive inaugural meet-

ing of the PLSC. That meeting did not include learners - but it was de-

cided that they would be included at future meetings where appropriate

as it was generally felt that they had a valuable role to play.

The following committees were suggested/provisionally appointed:

1. Disciplinary Committee: Dr Mufamadi, Mrs Ketcher, Ms Omar,

Andre, Mr Mazhindu, Cathy and Star

2. Old Parktonian's’ Liaison Committee and Sports committee: Mr

Stemmet, Mr Fortuin, Mr Ketcher and Steve.

3. Motivational speakers and Enrichment: Denise Goosen and

Mrs Ketcher

4. SAP Liaison Committee: Mr Stemmet, Andre

We are hoping for the committees to meet on the 13th of February at

19h00.

If there are/were any other committees or if I have made any omissions

or errors with the above I apologize and ask you please to email Andre

with the corrections.

Also if anybody would like to commit to assisting the college on any

committee please contact Andre via email. We would love some help

with fund raising, marketing and advertising.

Thank you so much for all the positivity and support that you as a parent

body have given the school.

The next meeting of the PTSC will be on the Thursday 19th February to

allow time for the committees to meet before and to report back to the

meeting.

We as a staff are looking forward to meeting with you all again!

Contact Us

Give us a call for more infor-

mation

011 326 0440 OR

084 200 1193

083 243 3449

Email us at:

admin@aurumcollege.co.za

Or the principal Cathy Bauthier

at

cathy@aurumcollege.co.za

Visit us on the web at web at

Www.aurumcollege.co.za

Dates to diarize:

1. Thursday 12th February: committee meetings

2. Friday 13h February: Cambridge Entries for those writing

May/June exams with payment to the office by 12h00 Noon.

3. Thursday 19th February: Meeting of PTLC in the college foyer

at 19h00.

4. Thursday 26th February: Parents evening at the college from

18h00 till 19h30. Please make every effort to attend. This is a

meeting of parents/guardians, learners and teachers and all par-

ties are crucial to its success.

5. Friday 27th February: Voting for student leaders

6. Friday 27th February: Afrikaans tour departs.

7. Friday 27th February: Last day of first quarter.

8. Monday 2nd March: Afrikaans tour returns.

9. Monday 2nd March till Friday 6th March: Study break.

10. Friday 6th March: Student Social 18h00– 21h00

11. Monday 9th March: Start of second quarter.