WYNBERG GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

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

JANUARY 2009

Welcome to this very special year in the life of the Wynberg Girls’ Schools. The 125th anniversary of our school is a milestone: a point at which to pause, take stock, look back along the road one has traveled, and set course for the road ahead.

The scene about one reflects a well-maintained, well-resourced school with a broad educational focus, encompassing 4 foundation pillars on which our school is built – Academic, Culture, Service and Sport. Academically we have recently celebrated the 17th year of 100% pass rate in the matric examinations and again earned our place as one of the Top Ten schools in the Western Cape. Service to the community remains a focus for our learners, in a society suffering from poverty, HIV/Aids and the impact of the global economic crisis. Our school gives amazing opportunities for sport and culture through professional coaches and facilities which give our girls the platform to develop talents in these areas.

Looking back along the road already travelled reflects the rich history of women making their mark, from the day the school was founded, with twenty-seven pupils, in the middle of a wooded area and nicknamed “The School in the Bush”. The WGHS road was forged by deeply committed headmistresses whose vision, belief in the value of women and their pursuit of excellence has, together with many fine

educators past and present, culminated in the school we are privileged to enjoy today.

Many opportunities will be given during this celebration year to celebrate and remember what has happened along this road. Suffice to say that one is astounded and extremely proud of the depth of tradition, commitment to welfare work, academic, sporting and cultural excellence, past pupils who have succeeded in their field – business, the arts, sciences, technology, and others. But, most of all, one will feel the deep sense of family and belonging and a meaningful value system which is evident in each Wynberg girl along the path.

A milestone is a point at which, after reflection, one sets the course ahead: the beginning of a fundraising drive to provide a sports centre for the current and future Wynberg girls. However, the course we set must have a deeper level. In somewhat difficult times in education, the Wynberg Girls’ Schools will continue to offer a meaningful all-round South African education which will equip our young women to take their place in a demanding, yet exciting democratic society. We will continue to extend their minds beyond the confines of the classroom to embrace global challenges and meet these with confidence.

We will always continue to do what works and change what need to be changed to keep our school modern in approach, yet traditional in values. There is always work to be done and we will not be satisfied with mediocrity, nor will we be complacent with merely being good. Great and excellent is the only choice for Wynberg Girls’ High School in this 125th year anniversary and the years beyond.

This is an edited version of the speech madeby Mrs Harding at the launch of Wynberg’s125th year of educational excellence.

CONGRATULATIONS MATRICS AND MATRIC TEACHERS OF 2008!

Educators had been concerned about last years' exam results as this was the first matric class to write the National Senior Certificate based on the New Curriculum, which prompted many to forecast an increased failure rate. It is therefore with great pride that Wynberg Girls' High can announce that we have, again, achieved a 100% pass rate. Principal, Shirley Harding, said “Wynberg is proud of the achievements of the 2008 matriculants and we are certain that they have all the necessary qualities and skills to make a significant impact in South Africa”.

Our 2008 matric class is the 17th consecutive class to achieve 100% pass rate and Wynberg Girls' High has again been named one of the "Top Ten Schools in the Western Cape". This award is based on four criteria: consistency in the number of grade 12

candidates over a period of 3 years (at least 95% of previous years); an overall pass rate of 100% in 2008; the number of subject distinctions; an endorsement rate for Bachelor's degree of at least 60%

This year, 94% of the 167 candidates obtained an admission to Bachelor Degree rating, and 5 or 6 subject distinctions each were achieved by Hannah Atkins, Megan Bennett, Philippa Bodenstein, Susan Cameron-Dow, Caitlin Firth and Claire Steward.

Those who were amongst the top ten candidates in individual subjects included Chanda Ponce -5th in the Province in Dance Studies, Khulisa Sojola - 3rd in Maths Literacy and Bianca Philogene - 7th in Visual Arts.

ORIENTATION - in the words of the Grade 8’s:

On the first three days of the term, we Grade 8's had a week of orientation after being put into our houses, classes and tutor groups. We got to know our grade through participating in activities such as the Amazing Race, Chocolannaire, Swimming, an Obstacle Course and the Interhouse Soccer. I think that it was planned very well as we got to know our way around the school without ever feeling out of place. We were respected and we were never humiliated or discriminated against. There was also a formal assembly where we were officially welcomed into the school. I really enjoyed orientation and I hope that many grade 8's to come share our enthusiasm. Amalia de Abreu

THE GRADE 8’s BEGIN THE AMAZING WYNBERG RACE

The 2009 Grade 8’s entered into the spirit of things as they were welcomed by the School Council on a beautiful day, perfect for a pool party! During the day they were told which house they would be in for the next five years, and which colour would become their new favourite. Then they got to know their new extended family while having fun: musical chairs, dressing up the matric leaders, some competitive water games and just chilling. Matric leaders took their tutor groups on a little sneak preview of the school, pre-first day rush, carefully pointing out things such very important things as the “sacred grass”.

I really enjoyed the orientation week. It was a load of fun and it helped us to get to know new people and to work as a group. I enjoyed the swimming a lot. The best activity for me was The Amazing Race. We did many activities such as the Singing Competition, Soccer, the Chocolannaire, the obstacle course and the Watermelon Challenge. I think that this school should keep the orientation programme for all future Grade 8's. It makes you feel welcome at the school. There was a lot of information given to you and I doubt I'll remember everything, but I surely understand how things work now. I really thank the school for implementing orientation week as I really enjoyed it. Raeesah Bray

MRS CECELIA RICHARDSON

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Mrs Cecelia Richardson. We first met Mrs Richardson through her late husband, John, one of our A-levels chemistry teachers. Cecelia was a matron at Waterloo Hostel for a number of years and was known for her kindness and warmth.

computer studies and

Wynberg sends love to her children and grand-childen. She will be missed.

She always had the girls' interests at heart and would move heaven and earth to help one. She was a 'no-nonsense' person and appreciated honesty and integrity. Mrs Richardson was much more than a 'stand-in' mom to the boarders: she taught them how to sew and mend, she ensured their rooms were neat and tidy, and was emphatic about their appearance when going to school. She was a lady through and through - a well-mannered, considerate woman with high standards.

HATCHES & MATCHES

There were two Wynberg weddings these holidays. Mrs Harding’s son, Robbie, married ex-Wynberg girl, Kelly Thomson, and Mrs Theunissen’s youngest daughter, Melissa, deputy headgirl in 2005, married her sweetheart, .

There were also two new Wynberg babies! Mrs Jenny Paverd gave birth to Jessica and Mrs Theunissen was ecstatic over her new grandson, Nathan. Huge hugs and congratulations to them all !!

Jaime

NEW TEACHERS Back: Louise Keegan (Maths), Nicole Reynolds (Life Sciences

& Technology), Jade Sharp (Maths)Seated: Elke Hill (Geography), Jasper Saayman (Music), Angela

Beaty (American exchange teacher),Tiny James (Xhosa&History)

A WYNBERG WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEACHERS

WELCOME TO OUR NEW GAPS, FROM AUSTRALIA

Mrs Shapiro with new GAPS, Jess May and Michelle Carratt

UNISA ROLL OF HONOUR

We congratulate Christine Forbes, Ye Ji Jung, and Elaine Petersen, whose

names have been added to the Unisa Roll of Honour because they achieved 90% or higher in their Unisa Theory of Music Grade 4 exam.

Esther Shipuata,

WYNBERG CONGRATULATES

SWIMMING

Caitlin Gardner participated in the Western Province Provincial Swimming Champs in December and achieved the following results in the 14-15 age group: 1st Place: (Gold) in the 50m, 200m, and100m Backstroke, the 200m and 100m Freestyle; 2nd (Silver) in the 400m Free Style and the 400m Individual Medley; and 3rd (Bronze) in the 200m Individual Medley. Caitlin also won a relay gold medal.

Jessica Deary and Vicky Stock who took part inJunior Nationals in December off Mossel Bay. Jessica came 7th in a fleet of 16 Laser 4.7s . She was 2nd girl in her fleet. Vicky came 11th in a fleet of 19 Dabchicks. She was 1st girl in her fleet. Then, after Christmas, the Sonnet Nationals were held in Zeekoevlei.Vicky sailed with James Ballantyne

the Sailing

and came 5th in a fleet of 23, Jessica sailed with Michael Clark and came 7th, and Cachia Behrens sailed with Perry Harrison-Hyde and came 12th.

DRAMA COLOURS

HALF-COLOURS GRADE 12 Katherine CasonAnais CavannaZanele MakubaloKelly PetersenHumera RawatCaitlin RossleeChristine RozemaNikki SteenkamerAmy WilliamsGRADE 11Simone AbrahamsShani de BeerJulia GreenRebecca JacobsVictoria StockJaimee van Niekerk

ACADEMIC COLOURS

FULL COLOURS GRADE 12 Loren Benjamin Lauren GrangerTheresia RublerAtiqah SadienJenna ThompsonGRADE 11Andrea de GoedeAneeka DomingoSian MurrayRehana OdendaalClare RodsethChiara SchiavaNicola Suttle

FULL COLOURS Siân Goodson-Coutts

HALF COLOURSSphokazi Bangiso Chanel de Koning Aneeka Domingo Julia Green Rebecca Jacobs Carey McIntoshSiân Murray Melissa Owies Jane SutherlandTessa Symmonds Claire Thompson

SAILING

URGENTLY NEEDED . . .PLEASE!

Donations of magazines, fabric off-cuts, buttons etc. To be given to Mrs du Plessis in the Arts and Culture room or handed in at the front office.