WYNBERG GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

Also available on our website : www.wynghs.co.za

MARCH 2011

a wynberg woman of worth

Head of Culture, Meghan Daniels, attended the Enke Leadership Forum last year. Enke is an education-based, social networking initiative, with a mission to reduce inequality in South Africa by connecting across social divides and equipping and inspiring young people to

take control of their futures and the future of their country. The participants were creating a project that would have a positive impact on their community.

Meghan’s project - Ilizwi Photography Club - is aimed at empowering young people from disadvantaged areas through photography, by allowing them to express their stories and lives through visual images. A spin-off was that through Enke, Meghan and two other students won the opportunity to have their projects workshopped by a group of international MBA students. They flew to Johannesburg and worked with the MBA students who provided ideas and suggestions and, as a result, Meghan’s ideas have been converted into a specific action plan.

Meghan will be working with students from Khayelitsha over a 6 week period and hopes to involve the WGHS photography club in her project. She is very excited because she has just received sponsorship from Nikon, who will be providing the necessary cameras for the students. Wynberg is very proud of Meghan for her drive and initiative, and looks forward to receiving updates from her on this wonderful project.

tasked with

Dear Parents

I have been reading recently around the subject “Making Parents Partners of their School”. A good relationship between school and parent will always be to the advantage of the student.

“High School seems to be a turning point for many parents when it comes to their involvement with their children’s education. Many distance themselves from their children’s education, while others become overly involved, questioning every class choice, grade and extra-curricular activity, or battling with teachers about perceived injustices toward their children.”

There seems to be a fine line between showing enough care, concern and involvement, and over-involvement, where parents do not allow learners to fend for themselves, make mistakes, try again and build the resilience required to survive in the world beyond school.

Schools must note that some parental lack of or over-involvement stems from anxiety – not having enough information to feel comfortable standing alongside a child going through difficulty. The anxiety also stems from the teenagers themselves excluding parents – pushing them away from being involved in their school lives. Parents in this situation sometimes do not know what involvement is appropriate and, therefore, withdraw from everything – attendance at meetings, watching sport or cultural activities, volunteering, etc.

‘A New Generation Of Evidence: The Family Is Critical To Student Achievement’ by researchers Anne Henderson and Nancy Berla concluded that “when parents participate in the education process, their children have higher grades, better attendance, higher test scores, higher self-esteem and require fewer disciplinary interventions.” At high school level, when many parents tend to back off, they found involvement to be even more important.

Madeline Levine, a clinical psychologist, in her book ‘The Price of Privilege’ wrote “Parents who persistently intervene for their child as opposed to supporting their child’s attempts to problem-solve, interfere with the most important task of childhood and adolescence: the development of a sense of self.”

Clearly it is beneficial to parent, child and teacher to create balanced, healthy and productive relationships. Working together, we can assist all Wynberg girls to become their own advocates by teaching them to make sound decisions and to achieve their own academic success.

We invite you to communicate with the school as to how we can enhance these relationships between school, home and community. We all have the same vision – confident, well-educated young women leaving WGHS at the end of matric. Please join us in building a healthy and mutually productive partnership.

Warm regardsShirley Harding

(Extracts taken from Education Update Vol 53: No 2, ASCD)

goodbye, ms serfontein

to promote and enjoyed her involvement with English Alive. Ms Serfontein was also a very enthusiastic and efficient netball and waterpolo team manager. We wish her joy and happiness in her new venture with her husband-to-be and much success in her new place of employment in Johannesburg.

extra-curricular links to the syllabus

The English department is sad to see Ms Serfontein leave Wynberg after a relatively short period with us. S

er enthusiasm and eagerness to try new ideas will be missed. She was always keen

he has made a valuable contribution to the running of the junior English department where h

photography society exhibition

open day / information evenings

A series of open afternoons and evenings was held for prospective 2012 Grade 8's and their parents. Those girls involved in the Road Show and tours around the school pulled out all the stops, as usual, and gave the visitors

debating

Our debating teams got off to a good start this season. They competed in the 1st round of the Rotary Interschools Debating Competition on Monday 28 February, where their juniors debated against Zwaanswyk Academy and won with their opposition to the proposal that “National Lotteries Should be Banned”. The Seniors debated Norman Henshilwood and won their debate in which they also opposed; their topic being: “This house would not provide any government support for non-vocational tertiary funding.” Natalie Winter won best speaker for the juniors and Milandri Naidoo and Sian Fergusen won joint best speaker for the seniors. A great start to the term!

a very good idea of what really happens at Wynberg, and, even more important, the special spirit in which it happens.

2012 termsParents should take note of next year’s dates - particularly the early start for Term one.

TERM OPENS CLOSES

1st 9 Jan (teachers) 23 March

11 Jan (students)

2nd 10 April 22 June

3rd 16 July 28 Sept

4th 8 Oct 7 Dec (students)11 Dec (teachers)

In addition, 30 APRIL & 30 AUGUST have been declared school holidays but not Public holidays.

The talent of the WGHS Photographic Society was displayed at a special exhibition in February. Their task was to explore elements, and capture expressions and gestures. The girls have obviously

practised their photographic skills. Currently they are learning to make stop-motion videos and hope to collaborate with the film society.

applied the theory and

Both teams were again victorious in the 2nd round of the Rotary competition on Tuesday 22 March against Bergvliet. The juniors opposed the banning of arranged marriages and the seniors proposed the banning of the burning of national flags. Natasha Young and Sian Ferguson won Best Speakers respectively. The adjudicator commented that it was the best senior debate he has heard in two years!

JUNIORS

Thaakiyah Wentzel-Ryklief, Natasha Young, Lisa Abrahams

& Natalie Winter

Congratulations to both teams who have clearly set a high standard to live up to.

SENIORS

Nicole Winter, Sian Ferguson, Melandri Naidoo, Laylah Ryklief

THE ATHENA SOCIETY AT THE OPERA

Each year the Wynberg Campus of Schools hosts a careers evening to ensure that our students are exposed to up-to-date information about study and career options. This year, the event was hosted at WGHS, and with over 50 institutions exhibiting in our school halls and a programme of 17 guest speakers giving talks about their various career paths, our learners were spoilt for choice when it came to information about careers.

wynberg honoured by wced

At a ceremony held at Wynberg recently, some schools in the Metro South were honoured by WCED for their excellent Matric 2010 results. Some Wynberg departments earned special praise: English, Afrikaans, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Music.

Members of the South Metropole Management team with Mrs Harding

music ‘picnic’ concert

The second Athena Society event was an exciting trip to the Artscape Opera House to watch Carmen. On the anticipated night, we all dressed in our opera best, looked stunning, and really enjoyed the whole experience. Saarah Coenraad and Laylah Ryklief

On 16 March, the Music Department held its first ‘picnic’ concert. Members of the audience brought their supper along and enjoyed an evening of music entertainment. The jazz band, choir, orchestra and vocal ensemble all performed beautifully and contributed to a wonderful evening. The “person of the match” award, however, (sorry, watching too much sport) was the Vocal Ensemble’s performance of E Morricone's Nella Fantasia: simply wonderful! Congratulations to all the performers, teachers and organisers.

elizabethan banquet

Last year, the Wynberg Jazz Band auditioned for the UCT Jazz Festival, were accepted and played on the first night. This year they have been given a prestigious spot on the final night of the festival - a real feather in their caps! All of the bands which will be playing at the Baxter will be in action at the Waterfront Arena over the next few weeks. Wynberg’s chance was last Sunday, when for an hour they wowed spectators, blowing them away with their superb performance. There were two added bonuses: the guest appearances of 2010 Matrics

We really look forward to their Baxter performance.

Amy Campbell and Jess van der Merwe, who slotted in as if they had never been away, and some of the vocal ensemble who acted as ‘doo-wah’ girls.

uct jazz festival at the baxter

Congratulations to the Grade 11's who, organised a very enjoyable of fine food and elegant entertainment

as an extension of their study of Macbeth, Elizabethan Evening . The evening

In addition, our jazz band has been selected as one of the top ten high schools’ bands, and will therefore, be competing in July on the Grand Arena stage at Grand West. The Jazz Band will perform for 30 minutes with a professional sound and lighting team, and if they are selected as

one of the Top 3 schools, they will perform again with a chance to win R30 000 for our music department. The competition is based largely on the entertainment factor and audience enjoyment, so we will need lots of support from the school at the event!

The Jazz Band at the Waterfront

HOUSE POINTS POSITIONCopenhagen 45 1 Cavanagh 44 TieWaterloo 44 TieKirsten 41 TieApsley 41 TieSilverlea 38 6Constantia 37 7Wellesley 32 8

general knowledge quiz 2

Olivia Rodseth 10 88Kim Schilder 11 88T'nielle Haupt 11 88Yashna Garach 12 86Khadija Brey 11 85Jenna Roll 9 85Raeesa Brey 12 85Sambesiwe Mbatsha 12 84Sinako Bovana 11 83Katrina Lehmann-Grube 11 82Amalia de Abreu 10 81Shannon Ronaldson 11 81Trishabye Essoo 9 81Melissa Kube 12 81Laeeqa Allie 10 81Beth Petersen 8 81Lerato Mokobe 10 80Nuha Lalla 11 80Kelsey Peters 12 80Christine Forbes 12 80Preanka Gounden 11 80Amy Hilario 8 80Kristen van Beek 10 80Ameera Conrad 12 80

NAME GRADE %

showcased their many talents and leadership skills. dressed in suitable attire, ranging from beautiful Elizabethan gowns to the three witches from Macbeth. Entertainment included music, singing, acting and dancing, all facilitated by the two MC’s - Sinako Bovana and Sixolile (Six) Beja. The night ended with the announcement of the best dressed: Helen Slater, Emma Peters and Lauren Footman. Well done to all members of the committees and participants, and a big thank you to Ms Kunze and the very willing mothers who helped with décor, food and photographs.

The hall was decked out in Elizabethan splendour and all learners came

2nd

4th

service pillar

The Service Pillar initiated a Pet food challenge - houses wereencouraged to bring in as many pet food tins as possible.The challenge was won by Kirsten - well done to them. The pet food was donated to DARG, in Hout Bay. Kirsten also won the Inter-house Fundraising Challenge held lastyear. As part of their ‘Big Change for Small Change’ challenge, money tins were issued to every girl in the school and all Wynberg families were encourag-ed to fill them with their small change. Over R44,000 was raised overall: Kirstencollected R14,536 of that total and were rewarded with ice-creams and a civvies day.

On 8 March Interact held their annual car wash. The proceeds will go to-wards our charity for the year, Shelterbox, a company helping those

Interact carwash

Some Kirsten girls enjoying theircasual day and ice-creams.

who have been affected by natural disasters - the ideal charity to support in aid of those currently affected by the tsunamis and earthquakes in Japan.

The car wash was indeed a great success: the weather was amazing and the hard work demonstrated by all the washers was much appreciated. Interact is also currently running a project to benefit Shelterbox: "Buy balloons for your buddy".

Mrs Paverd and Kristin Nieuwenhuys handing over a large pile of pet food to a representative from DARG.

“CANSA Relay for Life”

A 12 hour relay was held at the Vygieskraal stadium in Athlone on World Cancer day, 4 March, and Wynberg girls teamed up to participate. Each team raised R500 towards cancer sufferers and research. Special ‘Luminai bags’ were provided - one could buy and decorate them in honour of someone who has cancer or who has passed away due to it. These were set up around the track, candles were placed inside, and when the sun went down and all lights were switched off, families and individuals were able to pay a tribute to their lost ones. Kristin Nieuwenhuys

HARMONY MATHS AND LIFE SCIENCES OLYMPIADS

There was a very good turn-out of girls writing both of these Olympiads. In the Harmony Maths Olympiad, of the 110 Grades 8-12 who entered, 56 made it through to the second round! Maybe this result has to do with the recently started Maths Enrichment Group which particularly assists students in this area. Life Sciences entrants will have to wait a while longer for their results.

olympiads

Since balloons symbolize birthdays here at Wynberg, we are encouraging girls to support our initiative by buying a bunch of balloons for their friends’ birthdays. All proceeds we make will go to the Shelterbox charity. Jade Marx

The WGHS Indoor Hockey Team outclassed their opponents at the annual PGSGU Indoor Hock ey Tournament. The afternoon started with a 4-0 win over Rustenburg and ended with a 6-1 win over St Cyprians. But it will be the games against Herschel and Springfield that will long be remembered. Kimmy & Quincy , Blondie & Micaela, TK & Nicole, Olivia & Cassie all added to their goal tallies, and let’s not forget Little Zoe in the goals who intimidated the opposition. When you add coach Ryan Pillay, manager Ms Palmer, Mrs Harding and all the other Wynberg support on the sidelines, you have a recipe for success. Well done Wynberg!!!

interschools’ indoor hockey

Back:Belinda Plaatjies,Mr Ryan Pillay, Quanita Bobbs, Kim Mentoor,

Zoe Woodman, Nicole Alexander,

Cassie Taylor, Olivia Rodseth, Ms C Palmer, Mrs S Harding

Front:Tokara Swanepoel,Micaela Diedericks

The Road-running girls - about to hit the road!

road-running

other indoor results

The indoor hockey teams played against Fairmont High School in Durbanville recently and returned with good results. The 1st team won 4-2, the 2nds lost 0-1, the 3rds won a nail-biting match 5-4 and the 4ths won their best match so far, 5-1. In matches against Westerford, the 2nd team won 3-1 with Cara Geere scoring 2 excellent goals. The 1st’s ran out 6-1 winners - Quanita Bobbs and Belinda Plaatjies both scored 2. Congratulations to all these teams.

swimming

Congratulations to Ashleigh Samuels and Sharne Dicks who have qualified to participate in the Regional Age Group Swimming Championships. Ashleigh will take part in the Level 2 National Champs in Cape Town, and Sharne in the Level 3 section in Durban. We wish them both lots of luck.

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shleig

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Congratulations to Delia Rutherfoord-Jones who has been chosen to represent the Claddagh

irish dancing

Irish Dance School at a special dance display later in March. Well done, Delia!

waterpolo: st peter’s tour

Back: L Everts, O Adams, C Knipe, L Footman, S Burnell, C Maile, O Rodseth, C Coetzee, Mr A Footman (coach)

Front: M Gamiet, Ms S de Mink (Manageress), N Zeelie

grade 8 team

interschools tennis

Interschools’ Tennis was held last weekend and Wynberg entered a Senior and a Grade 8 team. Both teams finished 5th overall. The Grade 8's showed great enthusiasm and improved skills during the course of the competition.

Back: Michelle Mitchell & Angela Relay

Front: Amber Persson, Alexa Hall & Kayla

Arnold

synchro

Congratulations to Sunel Groenewald who was selected to represent WP at the Senior and Intermediate National Champs taking place in Port Elizabeth from 11-17 April. This competition also serves as trials for the World Champion-ships to be held in Shanghai later this year, so SA colours are at stake. Good luck, Sunel!

athletics

Congratulations to Lauren Jonathan, for making the Western Province Athletics Team. She won a bronze medal in the 1500m race, and a Gold in the 3000m. very well - she won a Silver Medal as part of the Girls’ U17 relay team.

Kamilla Johnson also did

Lauren, Ms Williams & Kamilla

karate

Congratulations to Yumna Isaac, who competed at the WP Karate Trials. She was successful in 3 events, and was selected for the WP team. Yumna then represent-ed WP at the National Trials last weekend. She needed to place in the top 3 in order to qualify for her South African colours. In the Kata (Fighting Style) Yumna competed against over 30 girls and made it as far as the quarter finals. In Unison Kata: a team Kata - (Yumna was a team leader), the team won 1st place. Yumna will, therefore, receive her SA colours and compete as part of the SA Team.

matric jerseys arrive

dates to diarise

aprilMon 11 Start of Term 2Wed 13 Grade 10 Geography outingThurs 14 Parents’ report discussions 15:30-19:30

UCT Maths competition 18:00-21:00Thurs14-Sat16 Fashion ShowFri 15 Exam Day Grade 10-12 Sat 16 Choir workshopWed 20 Grade 11 Geography outingThurs 21 School closes @ 13:00Fri 22 Good FridayMon 25 Family DayTues 26 School holidayWed 27 Freedom DayThurs 28 WGHS holidayFriday 29 WGHS holiday mayMon 2 Public HolidayTues 3 School re-opensFri 6 Exam Grade 10-12 LiteratureSat 7Wed 11 Music Concert 19:00Thurs 12 Grade 12 Geography outing

WBHS Choir FestivalSat 14 Paarl Girls’ High Hockey & Netball Derby Mon16 -Fri 22 Music exams Wed 18 Muncipal voting: Public HolidayThurs 19 World Knowledge OlympiadMon 23 Grade 10 -12 Exams begin

Oral Day Grade 8Wed 25 Oral Day Grade 9Mon 30 Grade 8 & 9 Exams begin JuneFri 10 Exams EndSat 11 Wacky Wheels Car RallyTues 14 Life Science outingTues 14 ‘Fund a Future’ Alumni Project LaunchWed 15 Grade 12 Life Science outing

Grade 10 History outingFNB Netball vs Rustenburg

Thurs 16 Youth Day : Public HolidayFri 17 School Holiday & Matric DanceTues 21 Campus Music Concert: City HallWed 22 Matric Fashion Show Tea for parentsFri 24 End of Term 2

Mothers’ Day Breakfast

Grade 11

Spirit of Youth

The Gordon Institute of Business Science launched the “Spirit of Youth” programme to get young South Africans to play a meaningful role in issues of Race, Gender and Poverty. Jade Marx and Avashni Naidoo were chosen to represent WGHS. On the first day, the theme was “Where Do You Stand?” and the programme was designed to encourage participants think seriously about leadership. On the final day, in September, the participants will present, “This Is Where I Stand”. Our guest speaker, Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, was the ideal person to speak to the day's theme and she did so excellently. The next programme will continue in May.

Avashni & Jade

softball

The WGHS Softball team played and won their first match of the season - a very exciting game against Sans Souci Girls’ High.

Congratulations to Mrs Tracy van der Westhuizen

Meagan, Carla, Melissa, Mrs vd Westhuizen

(the Bursar!) who was named ‘Player of the Year’ at her Softball Club's awards on Saturday night. She also scored the most home runs during the season. Mrs van der Westhuizen was joined on the winners podium by Wynberg girls: Meagan Eddy (Most Improved Player), Melissa van der Westhuizen (Player with the Most Potential), and Carla Stokes (Player with the Most Perseverence). All of them play for Stealers Softball Club in Plumstead.