WYNBERG GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

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

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2010

miracles do happen

The fact that Elizabeth Sweatman has started coming back to school on Wednesday afternoons is a sign that she is recovering and that miracles do happen. Many people have followed her progress with great concern since her shocking accident in Tokai Road in July. She had been awarded an achievers' badge only hours before. Elizabeth is now at

Elizabeth is welcomed back by her friends

home and attends therapy three times a week. Elizabeth remains an achiever and a survivor. We are proud of her and we are thankful for her continuing recovery.

jessica bothma

elizabeth sweatman

Dear Parents

2010, a year of great promise and excitement, now draws to an end. For some the year revolved around the excitement and sure success of the Soccer World Cup, while others predicted unimaginable disasters.However, as we have discovered, the World Cup was not the only event that happened during the year! Wynberg Girls’ High has again been frenetically busy in all pillars and we have so much for which to be grateful. We have had magnificent successes in every pillar and we trust that each young woman of Wynberg can reflect on the year, take something positive from it, and feel a sense of achievement for what she has accomplished.

Sometimes, we do also have to accept that we have not succeeded in everything we have wanted to achieve which is why, in 2011, we will be positive and start earlier to achieve our important goals. I recently read a motivational writing on Optimism by Lou Tice of the Pacific Institute and thought it a wonderful foundation on which to build 2011.

Why is it that optimists seem to be so much happier than pessimists?

There is something really wonderful about optimists. They’re fun to be around, aren’t they? No matter how bad their situation, optimists can always find something to enjoy – usually simple things like the taste of a good cup of coffee, the smell of the air on a fine spring day, the sound of a wind chime tinkling in the breeze.Now it’s important to understand that optimism is not saying everything is getting better every day in every way. Nor is it saying that the worst is behind us, or seeing sweetness and light, when what’s happening is evil and ugly. But optimists know that for all its faults, the world is also filled with good things to be savoured and enjoyed. These positive people know that our experience in life is largely determined by where we choose to focus our attention and how we choose to respond to what happens to us. Optimists understand that happiness is not so much a matter of what we have and what’s going on around us, as it is a choice we make. The wonders and beauty of life are all around you, right now, right where you are. All that is required is for you to be attentive and open to them - make a conscious choice to see and hear and experience them.

So I ask you, do you choose to be happy today? It is up to you.

I am so grateful to the parents who have supported WGHS this year. Thank you to the School Governors, the House fundraising committee members, those who worked in the tuckshop, the library, the clothing shop, provided flowers and prayed for our school. We are a family and you are special parts of it.

I wish you all a time of rest and enjoyment during the end-of-year holiday. For those who celebrate religious days, may you be blessed in these times of rejoicing. For those who travel, please be safe and bring your daughters back to their “other” family at the beginning of 2011, positive and optimistic about the goals we will achieve next year.

Warm regardsShirley HardingPRINCIPAL

Christmas came early for Jessica Bothma, a deaf student in Grade 9 when, on 3 December, she and her classmates were surprised by KFM's “On the Ground” Team. KFM, through a sponsor-ship by YOU, DRUM and Huisgenoot magazine,

That unbelievable moment!

is donating R25 000 towards the purchase of a long awaited new Hearing Aid and FM system for Jessica. Read the full story on page 2.

Emotions take over!

Sara Terry, world-renowned documentary photographer, visited Wynberg recently. Apart from the quality of her photographs and film work, Ms Terry challenged us to see the world differently – to choose to see and reflect courage, determination, reconciliation rather

visual treat with sara terry

than violence and horror. She told us about her ‘Project’, aimed at encouraging all photographers, everywhere, to document the after-effects of war – the reconciliation, the forgiveness and picking up of the pieces, the rebuilding of society - instead of continuing to glamorize it. Wynberg photographers were inspired!

Aftermath

a levels english

The A Levels English girls about to write their final exam.

Senior Citizen Concert and Tea party

On the 10 November, the Wynberg Service and Culture Pillars hosted their annual concert and tea party for about 90 Cape Town senior citizens. The theme was a “Mad-Hatters Tea party” and all the waiters, waitresses and performers dressed appropriately. The visitors enjoyed tea and cake while the Choir and Drama

Back: Yashna Garach, Ameera Conrad, Zola MbindaMiddle: Tarryn Higgs, Emma-Jayne Fairlie, Tessa Suttle, Leslene Wiseman, Jody Treu, Jaimie de Klerk, Miengah

Abrahams, (behind her) Andrea Abrahams, Christine ForbesFront: Ange Uwase, Melissa Kube, Alexandra Hendricks, Kristin Niewenhuys, Nadine Staggie, Arifa Kamroodien,

Tyla Jade Spike, Kauthar Abrahams, Elaine Petersen

Jessica’s story conintued:

In September this year, the WGHS Grade 9 students were given a Technology assignment to research ways of including learners with various disabilities into a main-stream school. Jessica told her class about the challenges of having only 30% hearing, particularly as her current hearing aid was broken. Jessica’s class, encouraged by teacher, Ms Opperman, was inspired to help her and created a group called “Amplify the Whispers”. Their aim was to raise funds for a new hearing aid, thus restoring Jessica's ability to hear. The group emailed and posted letters to various newspapers and radio stations appealing to them for support. Now, thanks to her selfless classmates, Wynberg Girls' High School and especially to KFM for organising the sponsorship, Jessica has a fresh start and a brighter future. See! Miracles DO happen!

Jessica, classmates, Mrs Harding, Ms Opperman and the good

news team from KFM.

music concert

The Music Department organised a concert at break to enter-tain the girls and give them a taste of different styles of music. Performing were Erin Wilsnagh on the violin, Stacey Walker on the tenor saxophone, Ye-Eun Jung on the flute and Rayne Callaghan singing. The final notes of Rayne's melodious voice brought the successful, well-attended concert to an end.

girls entertained them. The Wynberg Boys’ High Jazz band and their talented Saxophonists were also there, and our marimbas, orchestra and vocal ensemble added to the atmosphere. An occasion like this is much more than just a concert - it gives us a chance to honour our senior citizens. Kristin Nieuwenhuys

drama colours

FULL COLOURSGrade 12

Carey McIntosh Jane Sutherland

Zipho Woji Sphokazi Bangiso

Sian Murray Julia Green

Nicola Suttle Carissa Cupido

Grade 11Ameera Conrad

HALF COLOURSGrade 12

Tessa SuttleZola Mbinda

Grade 10Tayla van BlerckKertrice MatisaTarryn Beattie

Alison Pitout Robyn MarsdenKarla Nauhaus Rebecca JacobsCathy Munro Tarryn Swier

Tessa SymmondsCourtney Benjamin

Shelby Lotz Chanel de Koning

Catherine WeimannGrade 11

Congratulations tothese girls who havebeen awaded theirDrama Colours.

prize-giving: grades 8 - 11

Azrah Ismail 1st, Thaakiyah Wentzel-

Ryklief 2nd, Simone Borgstrom 3rd

GRADE 11 GRADE 10

GRADE 9 GRADE 8

Tessa Suttle 1st, Christine Forbes 2nd, Elaine Petersen 3rd

Quanita BobbsIlse Davids Trophy

Most Outstanding SportswomanHester Baartman Trophy

Most Outstanding Senior Hockey PlayerMymoenah Gamiet

Ilse Davids TrophyMost Outstanding Sportswoman

Most Outstanding Waterpolo PlayerOlivia Rodseth

1961 Matric Junior Copenhagen TrophySportsmanship - Junior

Carly KatzefBelinda White Trophy

Most Improved Squash PlayerPaige Radford

Zandberg TrophyMost Improved Junior Netball Player

Christin SandsBest Junior Netball Player

Landela GoxoThe best U16 Netball Player

Adria BurrowsFlint-Cresswell Trophy

Best Open Netball PlayerKim Mentor

Best Indoor Hockey PlayerRyan Pillay Trophy

Hockey Player of the YearCara Geere

Best Grade 8 Hockey PlayerLizl Everts

1989 Auxiliaries Cup Best U16 Hockey Player

Carly AlexanderThe Constantia Trophy

Most Improved Hockey PlayerAstin le Roux

Ashleigh Samuels

Akeeda Kader

Lauren Footman

Hind Trophy: Best U14 Swimmer

Hind Trophy: Best U16 Swimmer

Synchronised Swimming

McCue Floating TrophyMost Improved Indoor Hockey Player

Saarah Coenraad 1st, Khadija Brey 2nd, Nikita Hadskins 3rd

Kate Bell 1st, Lauren Gildenhuys 2nd,

Lauren Mitchell 3rd

special prizes

academic

Lauren GildenhuysEnglish Creative Writing - Grade 9

Roux-Louw CupExcellence in the Sciences Junior

Borrill TrophyGeneral Knowledge - Junior

Tessa SuttleEnglish Creative Writing - Grade 11

Lotz TrophyExcellence in the Sciences Senior

Khadija BreyDuffell-Canham Trophy

Highest English Language mark Grade 10Vos Prize: Senior General Knowledge

Lisa AbrahamsBluff Trophy

Highest English Language mark Grade 8Kate Bell

Roux-Louw CupExcellence in the Sciences Junior

Saarah CoenraadEnglish Creative Writing - Grade 10

Christine ForbesDaphne Jaaback Trophy

All-round Excellence in Physical ScienceClaudia HarrisonPremio Gattopardo

Excellence & Enthusiasm in Italian Language in Grades 8 and 9

Laura MartinEnglish Creative Writing - Grade 8

Elaine Petersen Daphne Jaaback Trophy

All-round Excellence in Physical Science

Kim CorneliusMozart Cup

Most Deserving Junior Music PupilYe-Eun Jung

Trofeo FlautistaMost deserving flautist

Meghan DanielsR Adams TrophyMost Original &

Creative Art Work Tessa Suttle

McIntosh TrophyExcellence in DanceTayla van BlerckNan Melville Cup

Best ActressAmeera Conrad

Gilda Green TrophySustained excellence in Drama

culture

sportservice

Kiara RamklassBryce Trophy

Service & Commitment to school & community

Meghan Daniels1961 Matric Trophy

Service & Commitment in cultural activities

Rayne CallaghanAndrea Meyer Trophy

The most valuable contribution to the RCL

Kate BellLouw Cup

Good Fellowship Grade 9Anna JacobsMain Trophy

Best All-Rounder Grade 9Nikiwe Xhakwe

Ellen and Sara Goldstone CupAchievement under

difficult circumstancesSaskia SchroderGerald Lea Cup

Enthusiastic Participation in Extra-murals

On Wednesday 3 November, the Grade 9 Italian girls had the privilege of seeing how real Italian pasta is made. Signora Villa from Sardinia transformed flour and eggs into tagliatelle right before our eyes. We assisted her in making the pasta and we were able to converse with her in Italian. It was a great experience for all of us, but the most memorable part was definitely getting to taste it afterwards! Claudia Harrison

On the 4 November, the Grade 8 Italian class visited a gelateria, also known as an ice-cream parlour (called Ice-Dream), in Hout Bay. We eventually chose, ordered and bought our ice-creams from the friendly lady behind the counter – all in Italian, of course. We thoroughly enjoyed our two big scoops of delicious ice-cream and returned to school quite sure that this is something Italians do best! Thank you so much to Mr Burrell, Mr Bodenstein and Chiara Schiava for making this fun outing a success.Azrah Ismail and Anjali Kooverjee

cavanagh’s day at the races

On Saturday 27 November WGHS hosted a Day at the Races fundraising event at Kenilworth Racecourse. As part of the event Wynberg offered a three course buffet luncheon for adults in the Peninsula Room. Guests were given the opportunity to pop balloons containing fantastic prizes as well as take part in the exciting racing activities. Our school Jazz and Marimba bands entertained visitors while they set up picnics and enjoyed a relaxing and fun-filled afternoon at the races. Thank you to our event sponsors for their generous support, to Cavanagh house and all involved for arranging a very successful event.

italian classes eat, dream and are merry!

a toy story Wynberg girls have hearts of gold! When they heard that the orphange in Genadendal / Greyton had lost their Christmas sponsors, they rushed to fill the gap. Ms Orpen organised a list and girls chose a

name, bought a present, wrapped it and handed it over to Jennie Martin, the Greyton Red Cross co-ordinator, on Wed-nesday. There was a mound of presents, and the three children who accompanied Jennie Martin had eyes as round as saucers! There are plans afoot for next year: an ID photo project and a container urgently in need of painting. Hop-fully the Cultural and

well done, girls!

Mrs Jennie Martin, Mrs Harding, Ms Orpen, some of the children and helpers from the

orphanage, and all the girls who have made sure that the Greyton kids have a Christmas to celebrate.

Greyton

Service Pillars will be joining forces on this one next year.

dance studies goes onlineWhen Mrs Harding challenged teachers to use technology more creatively in their classrooms, Dance Studies teacher, Carol Shapiro, immediately had her girls create a Dance blog. She also had her Grade 11 students tackle their final theory exam paper online. This is the first time this has been done and they felt exhilarated! They were able to view dance clippings

khadija in the news again!Ashley Kay-Harts, Ms Shapiro, Chelsea Endley & Tessa Suttle

on YouTube and make comparisons between various ballets. They were then able, amongst other things, to make a critical analysis of a particular choreographer's approach. What a leap into the 21st century world of technology.

The Tuckshop Mums celebrate the end of a busy year!

Congratulations to Maths brain, Khadija Brey, who was joint 2nd in the Grade 10 and 11 section of Pretoria University’s Mathematics competition. This won her R1000 and considerably added to the Maths aura which surrounds her at Wynberg. She will also be attending a Maths Camp at Stellenbosch University.

Aspend 6 days writing Maths tests and attending lectures. This is either your idea of heaven or hell - for Khadija and the others who attend, it is an honour, as one either has to come in the top 10 in the SA Maths Olympiad or do very well in the Talent Search to be invited. The purpose of the camp is to find the best mathematical minds in South Africa. The top 15 – 20 learners will be invited to another camp in April at the University of Pretoria. The top 6 learners at that camp will then represent South Africa at the International Mathematics Olympiad and another four will represent South Africa at the Pan African Maths Olympiad. So, Khadija, we wish you lots of luck - although luck probably has nothing to do with it - and lots of fun, and hope that you are one of the top few to win their SA colours next year.

bout 40 students from around the country are invited to

During the September holidays, Amy Mackintosh and Avashni Naidoo attended the Two Oceans Aquarium Young Biologist course sponsored by De Beers Marine. The aquarium used a multi-sensory approach to their teaching methods so when they were teaching about lobsters/sand sharks, live specimens were given to the students (in their habitats) to study. Highlights were dissecting a squid and a kelp holdfast, a 'rooftop' tour of the kelp forest, a 3-hour mountain hike, snorkelling, exploring the rock pools, a potjie-kos competition, humorous conservation skits, blind-folded night-walks, and forging unforgettable bonds, as well as learning new skills and getting a fresh look at ecology.Avashni Naidoo & Amy Mackintosh

Young biologists @ aquarium

soccer, sports & fun in the sun!

screaming - what every schoolgirldoes best!

carol service

The campus Carol Service, Junior this year, was held on the 5 December in St Georges’ Cathedral. The service was very well supported and parents and family members filled the seats and aisles of the cathedral. Most were pleasantly surprised by the size of the combined orchestra - 130 students from the four schools playing a great variety of instruments, under the guidance of the Peter Catzsovolous from Boys’ High. The choirs from each school performed individually, and the WGHS choir and vocal ensemble stole the show. Bible readings were done by Tessa Suttle and Megan Daniels. For the grand finale, the combined choirs, conducted by Mrs van Bergen, sang Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’. What an amazing performance from all the schools and what a wonderful way to start Christmas.

organised by Wynberg Boys'

muslim students association

The Al-Noor Orphanage in Woodstock cares for 35 orphans, girls and boys. The MSA at Rustenburg has made the orphanage their 2011 project and hosted a Fun Day for the children. Amongst other schools, the MSA’s of Wynberg Girls and Boys were asked to help. Each school contributed in some way: there were activities such as soccer and face painting, and a dance to the song Waka Waka, by some of the girls.

Thus far numerous toys and seeds for their garden - herbs, vegetables, flowers - have been donated. They would welcome more. Arifa Kamroodien

Arifa Kamroodien &two of the children

On the 2 December, 31 Grade 10 WGHS learners volunteered to pack 'Buckets of Love' to feed a family for Christmas. Plastic buckets were packed with pre-selected basic staple foods and a few luxuries, enough to feed a family of four. These buckets are distributed throughout the Western Cape, to families identified by Social Welfare Organizations. The weather was hot, the enthusiasm was high, and in total the girls packed 550 buckets in 2 hours. Great!

buckets of love

Three classes took part in a spur of the moment act of kind-ness - to fill Santa Shoe Boxes for needy girls. Grades 10B, 8W and 8E responded generously and had great fun collecting the various items. We shall help a few girls this year, but we aim to help many more next year.

Mrs A Kourie, Jill Vermaak, Teneal Webb, Kate Shaw, & Thaakiyah Wentzel-Ryklief with their boxes.

santa shoe boxes

Turning empty buckets into full ones - full of presents and full of love!

WGHS supports the 16 Days of Activism against the abuse of women and children. We believe that we should work to-wards making the world a safe and just place for women and children, and we lend support to the international campaign of Activism. In order to show solidarity with this campaign, all staff dressed in black and white on Friday.

thOn Wednesday the 10 of November 2010, WGHS played a Softball match against Westridge High School in the heart of Softball territory. After 3 frames our ladies were victorious. The final score was 8 – 7. Well done to each and every member of the softball team.

SOFTBALL

Congratulations to Ashleigh Samuels, who has been included in the SASCOC Zone 6 Swimming Squad to

Congratulations to Cara Geere, Olivia Rodseth (U15), Kim Mentor and Quanita Bobbs (U18), who have been selected for the Seals A Team, and to Zahra Dollie, selected for the Sharks Team.

indoor hockey

Wynberg is very proud of these waterpolo players who have been chosen to represent Western Province. We wish them the best of luck for their tournament in December.

waterpolo

Good luck to Ms Edwards who is participating in the South African, Bostwanan, Irish and Italian badminton tournaments in Pretoria, Lobatse, Dublin and Rome over the next 3 weeks.

badminton swimming

compete in Swaziland in December.

wghs supports campaign against abuse

Congratulations to Quanita Bobbs who has received the U18 Player of the Year Award from the South African Hockey Association. This joins the Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award she received from the Western Cape Sports Council in May. She has recently attended the National Women’s Hockey Camp organised by the National Coach.

quanita bobbs

Mymoenah Gamiet U19A, Lizl Everts U16A, Olivia Adams

& Natalie Zeelie U15A

Cara Geere, Olivia Rodseth & Kim Mentor

Wynberg girls took part, recently competition. The girls dived well and came 3rd overall. Tessa Suttle came 3rd in the U18 category.

in a diving

diving

Teneal Webb, Tessa Suttle,

Sasha Duncan, Amy Morris & Kristy Duncan

Ms Damon & Ms de Mink, looking good!

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boarders christmas

party

The Grade 9, 10 and 11 drama girls organised and performed at the annual Drama Evening, in order to showcase their year’s work, The evening was a huge success: parents thoroughly enjoyed it and the atmosphere was, as Ms Glover would say “absolutely fabulous!”