21 February 2014, Volume 12 #1

Our Vision: At VGHS we support and respect one another in a safe and happy environment. Our broad spectrum of activities and

facilities enriches all, as we strive for excellence.

WHAT’S NEW?

NEW STAFF

VG is very pleased to welcome a

range of new faces to the teaching staff.

Veronica Bickell – Intern teacher

Olwethu Bunu – Intern Teacher

Megan Hartley – Music Department

Sandy Nichols – Maths and Natural

Sciences Departments

Peter-John Urban – History, Drama,

Social Sciences, English and Creative Arts

Departments

Roxi Vieira – Intern Teacher

We wish them well over the course of

the year, and know that they have chosen

to work at a fantastic school!

OUR PARENTS

PTA JELLY BEAN JAR

As part of the fundraising that the

PTA does over the course of the school

year there is a “Guess the Number of Jelly

Beans in the Jar” competition that is

currently running. For only R2.00 anyone

can buy a ticket and guess the total

number of beans. Tickets can be bought

from Ms Cherry until 20th

March.

THE RAINBOW RUN The main fundraiser this term is VG’s

own take on the popular “colour runs”

that have been held over SA.

Date: Sunday 16th

March

Time: 11:00 – 13:00

Venue: VG/VP campus

Cost: R20 per person (6 paint colours

included)

Wear white and leave bright!

OUR GIRLS

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL of

LEARNERS 2014 These girls are elected by their register

class to serve on the RCL for 2014. The

grade 8 classes only vote at the end of

Term 1 to give all girls a chance to fully

integrate into high school life.

Captain: Phinda Gqweta

Vice-Captain: Siphamandla Cingo

12T: Sandisiwe Magadla

12R: Zizipho Nonkula

12G: Afezikile Moko

12D: Zenande Ncetani

11T: Lihle Jojo

11R: Nonty Nkone

11G: Likhaya Moko

11D: Lutho Mancotywa

10T: Danielle Walker

10R: Lauren James

10G: Toni Butterworth

10D: Jordan Fischer

9T: Ndimthandile Mfiki

9R: Janet Okoh

9G: Sesethu Mqomboti

9D: Zizipho Kutu

TERM 1 CLASS CAPTAINS 8D Captain: Ntombekhaya Fundani

Vice-captain: Lelethu Mcotsho

8G Captain:Sanele Phillips

Vice-captain: Tyla Fourie

8R Captain:Busisiwe Nojoko

Vice-captain: Linnique Denston

8T Captain:Anda Maphanqa

Vice-captain: Zibusisio Mabizela

9D Captain: Mihle Cobotwana

Vice-Captain: Avuyile April

9G Captain: Kayla Klingenberg

Vice-Captain: Melisa Alexander

9R Captain: Khayisa Marangxa

COMING UP...

21/02 Project Day Leave-out 14:30 Sound of Music – Rehearsal RUME Riebeek College Hockey Festival 22/02 Cacadu Athletics Humansdorp Riebeek College Hockey Festival 23/02 Leave-out 26/02 Sound of Music Rehearsals 17:00 Film Society Evening 27/02 17:15 Finance Committee Meeting

28/02 14:15-15:15 Young Academics Lecture Series

Vice-Captain: Anovuyo Marambana

9T Captain: Anda Magida

Vice-Captain: Uviwe Songca

10D Captain: Zhane Ndlovu

Vice-Captain: Chloe Finlay

10G Captain: Yolanda Niwa

Vice-Captain: Georgina du Toit

10R Captain: Simanye Madolo

Vice-Captain: Amy Grewar

10T Captain: Ntumi Siyepu

Vice-Captain: Milagre Lang

11D Captain: Bulali Ngesi

Vice-Captain: Caryn Potgieter

11G Captain: Khanyisa Gwata

Vice-Captain: Sheugnet Hill

11R Captain: Siyolisa Sazona

Vice-Captain: Mvelo Mcuba

11T Captain: Ayabulela Ngcebetsha

Vice-Captain: Wanda Nyikila

12D Captain: Asivile Mpopshe

Vice-Captain: Zenande Ncetani

12G Captain: Philisa Nomgca

Vice-Captain: Sihle Njwambe

12R Captain: Michaela Fester

Vice-Captain: Nelisiwe Peyi

12T Captain: Elethu Nogumla

Vice-Captain: Deborah Mushwana

Well done to all girls who have been

elected to serve this term.

ACADEMIC ACTION

ACADEMICS: GRADE 9S

Ms Hayes

We would like to give early

warning to the parents of our grade 9

learners that there is a compulsory

Subject Choice Meeting for parents and

girls at the end of Term 3. It is vital that

parents attend this meeting in order to

fully participate in this very important

decision that your daughter will need to

make at that time. While it may seem

very early in the year to be writing to you

about this; it is really important that your

daughter begins to think about her future

subjects NOW. Not least of all because

many of our subjects are limited by grade

9 marks in their feeder subjects.

So for example, if your daughter

wishes to do Physical Sciences, she must

achieve at least 60% for Maths in grade

9. Class size, of course, is also a limiting

factor. Last year, for instance, there was

much competition for spaces in the Life

Sciences classes. So... please start talking

to your daughter as soon as possible

about her dreams and aspirations. If

there is a subject she is desperate to do,

the best thing she can do is to work as

hard as she possibly can NOW to get the

best marks she possibly can in the feeder

subjects to ensure that she will not be

disappointed at the end of the year. Girls

are welcome to ask me specifics about

feeder subjects and which subjects are

historically the most difficult to get

into. Please remember that, at the end of

the year, promises to try harder NEXT year

will fall on deaf ears. There’s a reason that

the expression “there’s no time like the

present” is so well know.

CAREER COUNSELLING AND ADVICE Girls that would like advice regarding

subject choice, careers, university

entrance requirements and bursary

application forms can make an

appointment to meet with Mr Mitchell to

discuss their options.

YOUNG ACADEMICS LECTURE SERIES Mr Stoloff

On February 28, The Young Academics

Lecture series for term 1 will take place.

This is an opportunity for our girls who are

interested in Science to listen to Biological

Scientists explain their work. We are very

lucky to have Dr Olaf Weyl (from the South

African Institute of Biodiversity) coming to

speak about his work on eels and invasive

fish species, and Kennedy Zimba , an MSc

student from Zambia, working on parasitic

control of citrus pests. A sign up list will

be put up shortly. The talks start at 14: 15

and end at 15:15.

RHODES AND SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE for AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY BIOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

Mr Stoloff

Girls who are interested in this

wonderful opportunity, and who are

currently achieving 70% in Life Sciences,

have been given application forms to take

home over Leave-out. The main objective

of this programme is to enhance the

quality of pupils at high school level, but

also to boost excellence within tertiary

education, in order to form responsible,

motivated, internationally competitive

scientists by instilling enthusiasm and

awareness for Science in young

learners. Please read the selection criteria

below before returning the application

form. Take note that competition for a

spot is fierce as only the best candidates

are selected, and Graeme College and

Ntsika Senior Secondary School are also

likely to participate in 2014!

• Successful applicants should be

achieving a minimum of 70% in Life

Science (based on the results of the

most recent examinations or averaged

CASS marks up to the time of

application). Any application should

also be strongly supported by the

pupil’s teacher.

• Only Grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils are

entitled to this programme. Grade 12

pupils are allowed to work in a

laboratory only until (and including)

the July holidays.

• Due to logistic problems, only pupils

that live in Grahamstown (or that can

find their own accommodation in

Grahamstown during vacation – VG

hostels are not available) will be

eligible for this programme.

• The lecturer that provides you with

some work will ask you to write a short

scientific report that will help

improving “scientific writing” skills and

that will be handed out to your teacher

as a proof of participation to the

internship.

• You may attach a motivation letter if

you/your teacher need more space.

In order to qualify for a letter of

attendance from Rhodes University or

SAIAB, you need to work a MINIMUM of

30 hours during at least TWO holiday

breaks – no excuses or exceptions will be

made!

The application forms must be

returned to Mr Stoloff by Tuesday, 04

March.

CULTURAL AFFAIRS

DEBATING Ms Watson

The debating society has started

off well this term with a debate against

Graeme College, the motion was “this

house would legalise the selling of human

organs” and the competition was very

tough. The Junior debators triumphed,

but the Seniors girls lost narrowly to the

GC boys. Sinomtha Quinisile and

Siyavuya Titi participated in the

Department of Education’s Municipal

Debate on 3rd

February in both the English

and IsiXhosa categories. The topic for the

debate was “the Importance of

Education.” Both girls were placed first in

their categories and went on to the

District level debates on 10th

February. At

the District debate the topic was “The

importance of Education After School”

where Sinomtha was declared the overall

winner. In the coming week there are

scheduled debates against St Andrews

College with some very exciting topics.

HIKING AND CAMPING CLUB V. Jackson

Bushman’s River Canoe Trip was held

over the weekend of the 8th

February with

six intrepid girls and three teachers

braving the heat, mozzies and aching

Fort Beaufort, Adelaide, Mthatha. ??????????

muscles to canoe from the Kenton Marina

13 kilometres up the river to the cabin.

The six hour trip was exhausting, but well

worth the scenery and wildlife that we

encountered, as well as spending time

with different people from VG. A big

thank you to Ms Dekker, Ms Woudstra and

Mr Hazell for organising and

accompanying us, we really did appreciate

it - even if there was no shower!

Ready to set off

We made it!

The view from the river cabin

FIRST AID There will be a blood drive at VG on

13th March 2014. Donors must be:

� Between the ages of 16-65 years’

old.

� Weigh more than 50kg.

� Have eaten a good meal before

donating.

� Lead a sexually safe lifestyle.

� Have healthy iron levels.

A reminder to all the girls that wish to

obtain their level 3 St John’s Ambulance

Certificate, the course will be from Friday

14 to Sunday 16 March 2014.

GREEN TEAM Mr Stoloff

The Green Team is raising

awareness about frog biodiversity. The

team will present an informative talk at

the Thursday 27 February assembly. This

will also be a Civvies Day with the

following theme: The Princess and the

Frog. ‘Couples’ (a princess and partner

frog) can come to school dressed to this

theme on the day. Please remember that

civvies can only be worn if the theme and

the 3B rules are adhered to! There will be

no charge for wearing civvies on this day.

SPORT MATTERS

INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS AND GAMES

DAY S. Shahzad

On the 7th

of February 2014 we had our

annual Games day. After a week of rain,

the weather was in our favour. The girls

came with high spirits and showed their

enthusiasm by dressing brightly in their

house colours. The theme for this year was

‘One Wicket Cricket.’ After competing

within their houses, the best team from

each house was chosen to participate in

the semi-finals. The finals involved a play

off between Ruthville and Graeme, which

Graeme House convincingly won!

The positions for Games Day are as

follows:

1st

place Graeme

2nd

place Ruthville

3rd

place Thursford and Dorset

There was no award for the Spirit Cup

this year, as all the houses displayed great

enthusiasm. A special mention was made

to Thursford House for showing great

energy throughout the very hot day.

The final athletics results for

InterHouse Athletics are as follows:

u/14 Victrix – Linnique Denston

u/16 Victrix – Jemma Ginn

u/19 Victrix – Lauren Tyson

The Co-curricular committee leading the

school spirit session

Final house positions are as follows:

Position House Points

1st

Ruthville 299

2nd

Dorset 258

3rd

Thursford 244

4th

Graeme 229

Congratulations to all the trophy

winners and well done to all the

competitors.

u/14 High jump action

Lunch break line dance

TOP 8 TENNIS TOUR

J. Killian

The first weekend of the term saw the Top

8 Tennis girls travelling to Port Elizabeth

for their tennis weekend. On the Friday

evening the team watched the Cheverolet

Warriors play against the Dolphins in an

exciting T20 game, which ended on a

closely run tie. On the Saturday the girls

played some stiff matches against Pearson

High School, although the squad did not

win their games, they played with great

spirit and were incredible sportswomen.

Thank you to Ms Smuts for organising the

trip, and to Mr Still for driving and cooking

for us.

The Top 8 Tennis Players

SPAR LADIES MILE SWIM L. Goodes

On 16th

February six intrepid

team swimmers participated in the 90th

Annual Spar River Mile Swim. This event

was formerly swum in the Red House

River, but due to increased pollution it has

been relocated to the Sundays River.

There were a total of 341 women from 8

to 65 years in age who participated in this

year’s event, so it was no mean feat for

our team swimmers to complete the swim.

This year the wind was blowing

downstream, so the water was very

choppy, that coupled with the heat and

many contestants made for a tough race.

Well done to Leticia du Preez, Jordan

Fischer, Emma and Liza Goodes, Abby Vos

and Danielle Walker on their successful

swim! A big thank you to the parents who

travelled down for the day, to Ms V for

driving the bus, and to Sandy van der

Waal for coaching and guiding the girls

safely up the river during the race; your

involvement is always appreciated.

In our Spar Mile Shirts before the swim

Back on dry land with our medals

SUMMER LEAGUE NETBALL Ms Farquhar

The Summer League netball has been

in full swing with lots of sweaty netball

action. The finals will be played on Sunday

9th

March at 16:00. Supporters are

welcome to attend!

HOSTEL ACTION

ELEANOR BROWN ACTIVITIES

Ms Mitchell

So far this year at EB we have enjoyed

a talent show and an overnight trip to

Chappies Cushion Resort.

At our talent show the girls danced,

modeled and sang. Asaphila Jack was the

overall winner, well done! Thanks must go

to Ms January for organizing the event and

to our stooges for being the judges.

The Grade 8s were treated to an

overnight trip to Chappies Cushion, a

wildlife nature reserve en route to Port

Alfred. The girls were told to bring

swimming costumes and wear proper

walking shoes, because we were going on a

long walk to see zebras and buck. The Grade

8s also packed as if we were going away for

a week and not just for one night!

On arrival we went for a swim and

organized our cooking groups. Some girls

really struggled to make their food and

ended up eating very late! With all the heat

the girls were keen to have another swim

before collapsing into bed. At dawn the

cockerel may have crowed but we all

ignored it and went back to sleep until Sam

arrived, our instructor and then we all had

to jump out of bed and get ready for the

activities that lay ahead of us.

Instructor Sam did ice breaking activities

with us. It was lots of jumping about and

telling us about yourself. At 10am we went

to do the assault course where we were put

into teams and each member of the two

different teams had to help each other

around the course. This was very

strenuous, but really worth it!

That afternoon we were taken for a

nature walk. The guide told Mrs Mitchell it

would only take half an hour, but an hour

later he remarked that it depended on the

speed of the group; and our boarders

clearly are not used to physical activity our

group took nearly two hours! A big thank

you must go Ms and Mr Mitchell for

organizing such a great outing, and a thank

you from Ms Mitchell to the grade 8s for

being so well behaved.

At Mather Pike, Renfrew House and

Denise Long the boarders have enjoyed

weekend activities of walks and swimming

with the stooges as their outings only

happen later in the year.

FOUNDERS’ WEEKEND

Diarise this important weekend – 7th

and

8th

March 2014! This is the celebration of

VG and Graeme College’s birthday

weekends and the programme is jammed

packed. Over this weekend the VG girls will

put on their major production “The Sound

of Music,” participate in Inter-house

Singing, celebrate with service to the school

and a special Assembly.

Girls must arrive at school on Friday 7th

in full VG sport’s uniform, but must bring

their full summer school uniform,

including blazers with them. Grade 12

learners are expected to attend all

relevant Saturday 8th

March events, as

well as the choir who will sing at the

Memorial service. Full programmes will be

handed to all girls after Leave-Out

Weekend.

Any parents who are old girls, or are in

contact with old girls, that would like to

play sport against current VG girls are

asked to contact the office and leave their

names.

The Sound of Music performances:

Thursday 6th

March - 18:30

Friday 7th

March - 18:30

Friday 14th

March - 18:30

Tickets are R40 per adult and R20

for concessions; and can be booked at the

school offices with Ms Strauss. Book early

to avoid disappointment!

IN CONCLUSION

A WORD FROM OUR SCHOOL CAPTAIN

P. Gqweta

The term started busily with

welcoming the Grade 8 Smurfs and other

new girls to our VG family. Grade 12s

have had to start their duties, and find

their feet in their leadership positions

while trying to lead a balanced life. Other

grades have had to adjust to new subjects

and new assessment rules. We had a

successful Interhouse Games Day where

we embraced the true VG Spirit of getting

involved and having fun. So far, we have

had lovely presentations in Assembly that

reflect our excellence on the sports field,

in the classroom, and in making the most

of opportunities.

A WORD FROM THE PRINCIPAL Welcome to 2014! I really hope that

the new school year is everything you

hope it will be.