Issue no. 20

4 December 2019

General News STAFF FAREWELLS We say farewell to Mrs Shay who is leaving to further her studies while doing work for, DG Murray Trust, a non-profit organization looking to research and fund teacher support networks. We thank her for her contribution to Parktown over the 4 years she has been with us and wish her everything of the best for the completion of her post-graduate studies and other endeavours. I have no doubt she will return to the teaching profession in the future.

SGB BY- ELECTION We will be holding a SGB By-Election on Tuesday, 21 January to replace two SGB members whose daughters are matriculating. Should you wish to stand for election, please collect a nomination form from the Reception Office as soon as school returns. We do need a quorum of parents at this important meeting and we encourage all parents to attend and exercise your right to vote. The official notice has been sent home today with the reports. We extend a huge thank you to Mrs Macamo and Mr Jones for everything they did for the school over their time on the SGB.

OBITUARY It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Nokulunga Mnguni, Matric Class of 2018, on

21 November. Nokulunga (Lulu) was a young woman of enormous potential, courage and integrity and was studying a BSC at WITS. She fell ill during her exams and passed away very suddenly.

We remember Lulu as someone who stood up for her strong moral values and who was a champion for other girls in the school. She was intelligent and this together with her confidence and innate perceptiveness made her a strong natural leader. She won the Anthea Cereseto Emerging Leader Award at the Grade 12 Valediction in 2018. Our sincere condolences go out to her family, friends and the Matric Class of 2018. She will be missed. We will be holding a memorial service for Nokulunga at the school on Friday, 24 January 2020, at 15:00 should you wish to attend.

AWARDS ASSEMBLY At the Awards Assembly held today, 4 December, the following learners received awards: SPORT HONORS Vhutshilo Muambadzi Touch Rugby full colours and National Representation

FULL COLOURS Aaliyah Cassim Academic Enrichment Veeddeya Dheda Academic Enrichment Relive Nkole Academic Enrichment Micaela Smith Academic Enrichment Oluchi Nehiweze Marimbas Elmarie Fourie Soccer Ayanda Mnyembane Soccer Liya Sarfudin Soccer Neo Mandewo Traditional Dance Vhutshilo Muambadzi Touch Rugby HALF COLOURS Ammaarah Badsha Academic Enrichment Akeela Ahmad Academic Enrichment Marilyn Bau Academic Enrichment Shristhi Bickram Academic Enrichment Anna Conradie Academic Enrichment Amahle Mhlongo Academic Enrichment Katleho Ntlhakana Academic Enrichment Oratilwe Tladi Academic Enrichment Joanna Ciolkosz Canoeing

Khathutshelo Mamanyuha Contemporary Dance Gabriella Hoskins Debating Atiyyah Moolla Debating Micaela Smith Debating Zahra Sader Debating Sibahle Madlala Traditional Choir Mahlatse Chipu First Aid Dineo Mapheelle Traditional Choir Zayaan Paruk First Aid Biokarabelo Mokiba Traditional Dance Katlego Chamane Hip Hop Nkanyiso Dhlamini Traditional Dance Masego Twala Hip Hop Erin Helling Water Polo Siphosihle Mbongo Hip Hop Izabella Sparrow Water Polo Jessica van der Merwe Hip Hop Maxene Rich Water Polo Munnira Katongole MUN Skyla Bennie Water Polo Fatima Zahraa Bham Photography Rosalie James Soccer Tashriq Elmedany Soccer Mu’isha De Sousa Soccer Sophia Schöer Soccer Nqobile Ntshalintshali Soccer

TLT COURSE 2020 Parktown High School for Girls and Tomorrow's Leaders in Training (TLT) are excited to announce a partnership in 2020. TLT’s leadership skills empowerment program comes highly recommended by the school as well as other schools where the course has already been implemented. The following documents have been uploaded on our school d6: 1. TLT Grade Curriculum Overview (one per grade from 8 – 11) 2. Endorsements - Letter of recommendation from Mrs T. Megom (Principal)

Please click the link below to see Letter of Recommendation from Mrs T. Megom – Principal, Parktown High School for Girls

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wDVjKtiO_SlN9Py3cD49Yo2QIynWIG2x Please click link below to register your daughters interest for 2020 and TLT will contact you directly with more information. https://forms.gle/Pb5Xnkoyb4PL499E7 Please click link below to see video on The Heart and Vision of The TLT Program

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POVZeOAHKGM Please feel free to Call/WhatsApp TLT on +27 67 285 3753 or email TLT at info@tltprogram.co.za for further information. Please note that there is a cost involved should you wish for your daughter/ward to participate in this course.

EXTRAMURAL TIMETABLE 2020 The Term 1 Extramural Timetable has been uploaded on our school d6 (under Resources –

Extramurals) and on the website (under Downloads).

MATRIC RESULTS 2019 Please note that we have had confirmation that the Matric Results will be out on Wednesday, 8 January 2020. The school will be open between 8:00 – 11:00 for learners to collect their results.

Dates to Diarise

SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2020 Pease note the Gauteng school calendar for 2020. Please do not book holidays during school terms. We write examinations/tests until the end of every term. Attendance is expected from 15 January for every school day up to and including 2 December.

Duration No of weeks No of days No of Public

Holidays No of actual school days

(13) 15 Jan - 20 Mar 10 48 (50) 0 48 (50)

31 Mar - 12 Jun 11 54 4 50

7 Jul - 18 Sept 11 54 1 53

29 Sep - 2 (4) Dec 10 47 (49) 0 47 (49)

42 203 (207) 5 198 (202)

04/12 Issue Grade 8 – 11 Reports 04/12 Term 4 ends (learners) 06/12 Term 4 ends (staff) 13/01 Staff back at school 15/01 Term 1 begins (learners back) 18/01 Photography Workshop 21/01 SGB By-Election 22/01 PA Meeting 24/01 Memorial Service (N. Mnguni – Matric Class 2018) 27/01 Matric Information Evening 28/01 SGB Meeting 30/01 Academic Awards

PUBLIC AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

1 January New Year's Day 9 August National Women’s Day

21 March Human Rights Day 10 August Public Holiday

10 April Good Friday 24 September Heritage Day

13 April Family Day 16 December Day of Reconciliation

27 April Freedom Day 25 December Christmas Day

1 May Workers’ Day 26 December Day of Goodwill

16 June Youth Day

ANNUAL SCHOOL MAGAZINE Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Metcalfe and all contributors on a professional 2019 edition. The front cover photograph of the school building with Headmistress, Mrs Megom, during assembly was taken by Mrs Metcalfe and on the back cover are the classroom door decorations that the History Department created as part of their Africa Day celecrations.

The magazine is such a good representation of everything the school, the girls and the staff have accomplished over the course of the year and is a momento we should all be very proud of. Enjoy the read.

MATRICS DONATE THEIR SHOES On Wednesday, 26 November, our Matric Class of 2019 wrote their final examination paper, English. And as is Parktown tradition, and has been for many years, the Matrics left behind their school shoes as they exited the hall for the last time.

The shoes have been donated to the "Footloose" Shoe Collection run by the St Vincent de Paul Society. This is a non-profit social service organisation dedicated to serving people in need. These

donations are distributed to children in need in Soweto, many of whom often do not go to school because they do not have shoes to wear.

Thank you, Class of 2019!

Academic News PHYSICAL SCIENCE POSTERS Report by Science Teacher, Mrs Field Grade 10 Physical Science learners made posters describing a strong material as part of the annual

competition hosted by the Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials. The learners were treated to a fun chemistry demo at the prize giving function on 17 October at the Wits Club. We are invited to submit four posters for the competition. This year Karabo Ntlhakana won 3rd Place overall winning R5000 for the school and vouchers for herself. The other posters won special awards for presenting new and exciting materials and for exceptional presentation. If only we were allowed to enter more posters - the girls certainly produce beautiful work!

Grade 10s holding their award-winning posters

GRADE 8 CROSS-STITCHING PROJECT This term the grade 8 learners were tasked with practical activities such as basic first aid, sewing 3 buttons onto a piece of material and designing and making a cross-stitch piece that would reflect their heritage. Each learner received material and thread to complete this task. At first it seemed like a very stressful and hurtful task, poking fingers multiple times. Girls were seen stitching in the corridor, during breaks and taking any opportunity to finish those last few stitches. In the end the learners surprised their Life Orientation teachers with their creative and fantastic Proudly South African, as well as other heritages, designs. Well done to all the grade 8 learners who embraced this task. Each class selected their top 3. These were then voted for to place the top 5 in the grade. Tied in 1st place: Jasmine Watson 8J, Jenna-Lea Wood 8G Tied in 2nd place: Holly Gordon 8E, Kate Titterton 8D 3rd place: Sophie Duffy 8A

Cultural News A message from our Head of Culture, Miss Rorke… We wish to congratulate all girls on a successful year! We hope you had fun trying out for new Cultural activities and have found a place or two where you feel you belong. With so much excitement and passion through each term, we are now at the end of the year, ready and waiting for what 2020 has to offer. We are very proud of all the cultural activities and encourage the same energy in the coming years. The new captains are excited to drive their activities and share their passion with you all. Take these holidays to reflect on what activity you were involved in and think about what you would like to do next year. You can make your plans real by taking action. Next year is a new year filled with new possibilities. Be brave and try something new. Have a safe and happy holiday. Looking forward to the new year, new faces and new opportunities.

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one

can go.” T.S. Eliot

Sport News CONGRATULATIONS Gadija Essop participated in the 9th Karate World Championship which was hosted in Japan where she competed against 31 other countries. Gadija competed in 3 events: The unison kata, the individual 16-17 kata and the individual 16-17 kumite. Congratulations to Gadija and her team for winning the gold medal for 1st place in the U17 unison kata category. This is a fantastic achievement, keep up the great work.

Gadija Essop

Congratulations to Caitlin King and her younger sister Ashleigh (who will be joining us next year in Grade 8) who have been selected for the U17 and the U14 Western Gauteng Action Netball Team respectively. We wish you both everything of the best for the Inter-Provincial Tournament in 2020. Keep up the hard work ladies; this is a fantastic achievement.

Above: Caitlin King Congratulations to Izabella Sparrow and Sebefikile Mthembu for being selected for the U19 Eastern Gauteng Water Polo Team and Skyla Bennie and Erin Helling for being selected as non-traveling reserves. Congratulations to all these girls; we wish them luck for the Inter-Provincial Tournament which will be held in December at St Stithian’s College.

Izabella Sparrow, Skyla Bennie, Sebefikile Mthembu, Erin Helling

A message from our Director of Sport, Miss van Eyk… It is with pride that we look back on the Parktown 2019 Sporting year. It has truly been a successful one across the board with immense growth and programmes that have been put into place that are paying off and producing results. The coaches, staff and of course the players have learnt the meaning of hard work and it has truly paid off. It has been an absolute pleasure having Miss Whyte as part of the team, having joined us in January 2019; she has been such an asset to Parkown Sport. It is with excitement that we look forward to 2020 after a good rest in December. We will be starting sport in the first week back as we have very little time before gala’s and matches start in January. The D6 Communicator has been populated with calendar sports dates as well as the extra-mural timetable. Please keep in mind that the extra-mural timetable is subject to change to accommodate clashes as well as coaches. This will be updated onto the D6 as well as the school website as soon as any changes are made. The swimming girls have their first gala on the second day back to school. There will be swimming training in the week before to avoid any injuries going into a gala so soon and trying to prepare as much as possible after the long break. Please see the details regarding swimming training below. Any new Grade 8’s that would like to join the swimming team are welcome and encouraged to attend these sessions as well.

Monday 6 January 2020 Swimming 09:00 – 10:30

Tuesday 7January 2020 Water Polo 09:00 – 11:00

Wednesday 8 January 2020 Swimming 09:00 – 10:30 Water Polo 10:30 – 11:30

Friday 10 January 2020 Swimming 09:00 – 10:30

Monday 13 January 2020 Swimming 09:00 – 10:30

Service News

GUILD COTTAGE CHRISTMAS PARTY Our Parktown learners gave the girls at Guild Cottage a Christmas party on Saturday, 30 November. It was a fun and festive morning filled with crafts and games such as face painting, cupcake decorating, ‘Minute to Win It’ and there was even a huge Christmas Star Piñata to smash! Parktown provided lunch, pudding and party packs. Thank you to our fabulous Orchestra which provided entertainment too.

Congratulations WORLD KNOWLEDGE OLYMPIAD We are very proud of Shristhi Bickram (Grade 8) who was placed 6th in the Country! There were just under 12 200 registered participants this year from 265 schools all over South Africa. There were 9000 High School learners and 1700 of them were Grade 8s. Well done Shristhi!

Old Girls News Congratulations to Old Girl Alwande Khumalo (Class of 2016 and Head of Dryads) who will be serving for the year 2020, as the chairperson for Amnesty International, Wits Branch and who has been recognized as an international advocate for both AISA and AI. Alwande has just completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Witwatersrand. She completed a BA (GEN) - triple majoring in International Relations (IR), Political Sciences and History. She will be specializing in security studies (with a specific focus on counter-terrorism studies and transnational and organized crime). Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom focused on human rights. The organization claims it has more than seven million members and supporters around the world. The stated mission of the organization is to campaign for "a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments."

Congratulations to Jennifer Fitchett (Class of 2007), who was recently promoted to Associate Professor by the Wits Faculty of Science, presided by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Advancement. This makes Jennifer one of very few females in the professoriate of Geography at Wits, the youngest female associate professor in the school, and possibly in the faculty.

Parents’ Association News

THE SCHOOL ACCEPTS OUTSIDE ADVERTISEMENTS. WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICES OFFERED

The Digital Law Company is thrilled to announce that due to high demand, South Africa’s leading social media law expert, speaker and author, Emma Sadleir, is giving another public talk in Joburg. The talk will take place on Tuesday, 21st January 2020 at Kingsmead College, Johannesburg at 18h00. The talk will touch on everything you need to know about social media and smartphones including:

Cyberbullying

Sexting and pornography

Online safety and practising good digital citizenship

Legal consequences of using social media including defamation, privacy, hate speech, crimen injuria, sexual offences and intellectual property

Online reputation management

Privacy in the digital age

Screen time and its effects on the developing brain

Addiction and the psychological impact of using social media

Practical tips for managing your children and their devices

To make bookings – please visit our bookings page. All adults and kids over the age of 12 welcome! We would be grateful if you could promote this talk to your own parents and have attached a flyer to share on your Facebook page. Please note that there is a discount code available for teachers if they book an adult ticket. Kindly share our booking link when you do so: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/92780-selfies-sexts-and-smartphones-

parenting-the-screenager-jhb/#/ For any inquiries on the talk or discount codes, please contact Carla on info@thedigitallawco.com