August 2016 Newsletter

Dear Parents

The last couple of weeks have been a time of questioning in the schools around our country. This is not a bad thing. At Wynberg, we commit ourselves to educate learners to have an opinion, to be prepared to stand up for what they believe and be counted. We must not then be overly concerned when they do just that.

One overriding experience of this time is that education has continued and every class has been taught. I believe that the Wynberg learners value their education, it is the pathway to becoming useful and success- ful citizens.

For a school, it is not wrong when we are challenged to re-evaluate policies and re-think traditions. It does not mean that everything we hold dear will disappear – we must just know why we do it, and know that it is fair to all. We are fortunate to have the diverse community we have in our learners and parents. We can learn from each other and become more tolerant, more respectful and more aware of our actions and how they can be interpreted.

The Representative Council of Learners has come to the fore and they are discussing current issues in their in their council meetings and debating forcefully as members of the School Governing Body. We sa- lute them for the work that they are doing.

The discussions which will take place under the guidance of facilitators from Smart Choices are an opportu- nity for each person (learners, parents and staff) to represent themselves and their culture and needs – let us embrace this opportunity to make WGHS a leader of the future.

Thank you for your support for Wynberg Girls’ High School – in the words of our school song “we look forward to a future yet untold”.

Warm regards

Shirley Harding Principal

SPORTS RESULTS: SPORTS RESULTS: NETBALL HOCKEY

PGSGU Netball U14B vs.Bloemhof - 13 August 2016 On 19 and 20 August, Wynberg Girls’ High Schools’ net- This week the U14Bs played an intense match against our ball teams participated in the annual PGSGU netball tour- Derby opponents, Bloemhof. While we lacked communi- nament. The tournament took place over a period of two cation in the first half of the game, we made up for it in the days: The U14 and U16A teams played at Rustenburg second half with renewed focus and stamina. Our spirits High School for Girls on Friday and the U19A team played were lifted by parents and fellow hockey players cheering at Herschel Girls’ School on Saturday. This tournament us on throughout the game. The goal was scored by Kelly consisted of six schools who all played against each other Blake to give us a 1-0 win. Most importantly, the girls had in matches of eight and a half minutes. For the full result a lot of fun! listing of this tournament, click here. U14B vs St Cyprian’s - 2 August 2016 U14 Results Our match against St Cyprian’s Girls’ High School was Well done to Wynberg Girls’ U14 Netball team who partici- nail-biting! We were neck to neck throughout the whole pated in a tournament hosted by Sans Souci. Our girls did game until Jordan Louis scored the one and only winning us proud by bringing home gold! Results for the games goal. This was a great way to end our second last match. were as follows: WGHS vs Voortrekker: won 26-0 Third team vs - 30 July WGHS vs : won 18-2 The Wynberg Girls’ third team played against the Mil- WGHS vs Rustenburg: won 7-4 nerton second team on 30 July in a fantastic game of WGHS vs Pinelands: won 22-3 hockey. Both sides were evenly matched and displayed WGHS vs Norman Henshilwood 2: won 18-1 huge efforts to win a goal for their side. Wynberg did not falter in the attack after Milnerton scored the first goal of These results meant that we went into the final against the game, giving them the advantage. The team pulled and what a tight game it was! While together and came back with even more determination. Wynberg was in the lead at the end of the first half with After many shots at goal, Wynberg was finally able to a score of 4-1, Fairbairn College fought back, until there catch the keeper off-guard and scored a fantastic goal. was a one goal difference. At the sound of the final whis- The game ended with a 1-1 draw and reflected our tle, Wynberg were declared the winners with the score teams’ skill and determination. The girls look forward to at 7-6. Well done to our U14 players. We are immensely their next match, ready to earn a rightful victory. proud of you.

NATIONALS FOR KIRSTEN ROODMAN Just a few days ago, we reported on the achievements of Kirsten Roodman. At that stage she was about to participate in the Cross Country Champs in Worcester. We were delighted to hear that she was placed fourth. Well done Kirsten and may you continue to build on your remarkable athletic talent! CROSS COUNTRY - 11 SELECTED FAMILY FITNESS CHALLENGE! FOR ZONAL CHAMPS 5KM FUN RUN

On 2 August Wynberg Girls’ Cross Country team took part in the Zonal championships race at Milnerton High School. The Zonal Champions are the races before Western Prov- ince Champs. Only 20 girls from each age group are able to make it through Zonal rounds to Western Province. The girls who participated included: Sasha Petersen, Kirsten Roodman, Karen Roodman, Sarah-Jane Deary, Camryn Beaton, Qailah Daniels, Mikayla Gray, Beth Goode, Char- lotte Gumunyu, Svenja Schonweiss and Lelethu Mzaza.

This race is a fun flat course. As the season has pro- gressed, Wynberg’s cross country team has grown in numbers each week and many have improved on their times. The results of this race should be announced soon for those girls who are privileged to then participate in Western Province Trials, but we congratulate all who were selected to participate in these trials.

TUNE IN TO OUR LATEST PODCASTS HERE! A FABULOUS NETBALL FAREWELL

On 23 August the Netball girls had their first celebration SABINE ELLIS BRINGS BACK FOUR dinner in the Ballet hall; an event which the Netball team MEDALS! will now hold annually. The girls arrived to a beautifully decorated hall which clearly demonstrated the time, ef- fort and attention to detail put in by their coaches. The evening began with a video by Michaela Pinkham, an U19 player, who presented moments captured throughout her netball career at Wynberg. She also thanked her fellow U19s for so many wonderful memories.

The food was delicious and we were impressed by the culinary skills of our coaches. The highlight of the even- ing was definitely the awards ceremony where amusing prizes such as the “funny faces award” were handed out. The event ended with the U19s welcoming the new U19 team of 2017 with special certificates. Thank you to Ms Williams for putting in so many hours of her time to make this dinner possible. It was a successful and unforgettable evening. In August Sabine Ellis travelled to Bloemfontein to com- pete at the Goju Kai Karate National Championships. We were delighted to hear that she has come home with four medals. She won Silver in Kata; Gold in Unison Kata and `Ms brown teaches students how to collagraph Gold in Bunkai. She also won Gold in the Kata Division when competing against Botswana. We congratulate her on these excellent achievements! PROUD MOMENT FOR YOUNG SANGE SAMPI-MXUNYELWA SCIENTISTS AT WYNBERG DELIGHTS WYNBERG CLASSES

While SangeM is doing her teaching practical at Wynberg Girls’ High, we are taking full advantage of her enormous talent, expertise and knowledge of African Musical instruments. Word has spread quickly that these lessons always involve active participa- tion, and are at once liberating and empowering. We couldn’t resist asking her to be a guest performer at our recently held inter house singing competition – a performance which was enormously appreciated by the school. Every year the Science Department, under the guidance of Mr Peter Bodenstein, Mrs Nazeeba Moerat and Mr Da- vid Machado, encourage students from Wynberg to par- ticipate in the Royal Society’s National School Science Essay competition. Flora Bottoman exhibits at UCT

It was a very proud moment for them, for Wynberg, but particularly for the five prize winners when Professor Tom Scriba attended the school assembly for a prize presenta- tion. We congratulate the following girls who won awards for their essays on these challenging and thought provoking topics:

Meg Anderton was awarded second prize for her re- sponse to the topic: ‘What advances in robotics and Matric Life Sciences Outing to artificial intelligence could impact on youth employ- ment in ?’ Chelsea Terry was awarded first Hospital prize for her essay on the topic: ‘How can South Africa address the challenges of water conservation?’ and Aa’isha Dout was awarded third prize.

Addressing the topic: ‘Given the recent palaeontologi- cal discoveries in South Africa, why is it important for us to study and understand human origins?’’ Chloë van Niekerk was awarded first prize, and will have her work published by the Royal Society and Nicole Chine- ka’s work was awarded a merit prize.

All of these girls are in Grade 12, and we commend them on their very fine achievements. CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST DRAMA PRODUCTION AND DANCE SHOWCASE

Check out the website for stories posted soon! AASHIQAH REGAL AWARDED MATHS COMPETITION REPORT: MOST DIPLOMAS IN THE GUITAR SECTION

On 31 July, the Eisteddfod Prizewinner’s Concert took place at Rustenberg Girls’ Junior School. There, Aashiqah Regal was asked to perform one of the guitar pieces she had played at the Eisteddfod, because she was awarded a prize for being awarded eight diplomas in the guitar section. While Aashiqah modestly acknowledges that although she might have received the most diplomas, she attributes a significant part of her success to the amazing musicians who per- formed with her.

As the Head of Guitar Ensemble, she was asked to collect the diplomas as a representative of the whole Several teams of girls took part in the annual Math compe- group. She says that the Eisteddfod Competition and tition at Wynberg Boys’ High School. With over 50 teams of Concert were both fun and exciting. She received R220 students from all over Cape Town, the night was filled with at the end of the day as a reward for being awarded the exciting energy and friendly competition. Not only were our most diplomas and hopes to inspire other members of WGHS girls competing against the other schools, but were the Guitar Ensemble to strive to do the same! also up against each other.

INTERACT: ONE-TO-ONE The teams consisted of four students from the same grade, with more than one team taking part in each grade. This year’s One-to-One was an unforgettable experi- All teams were given the same level tasks, tests and ac- ence filled with laughter, bonding and happy memo- tivities to complete under certain time constraints. In or- ries. We arrived in high spirits at the Bellville Velo- der to complete the majority of the tasks, the students in drome early on Sunday morning to start setting up each team had to work together, assigning different parts our stalls. Along with the Interactors from Wynberg to each of the different members. It was evident that the Boys’ High School, we set up various games stalls competition was not only about the teams’ math skills, but which included a colouring-in station, icing Marie bis- also the teams’ ability to work as one whole. cuits, miniature bowling, fishing and pin the nose on Olaf. The crowds started filling up the hall and people Halfway through the competition, the students were all from all ages and backgrounds with special needs given a doughnut and a drink, to keep their energy levels attended, together with their partners and carers. It high for the next round of activities. The girls all had a blast was delightful to see so many smiling faces enjoying and came back with some great results. One of the WGHS a morning of play and creativity. Grade 11 teams placed third in the entire competition, and a Grade 10 team placed fourth, receiving the highest score out of all of the Grade 10 teams participating in the compe- tition. The girls look forward to joining more of their peers at next year’s WBHS math competition.

Our blood donors doing their good deed of the day! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW LEADERS FOR 2017:

MATRIC TECH TEAM FAREWELL

Our Grade 12 tech team wish the new techhies good luck for the year ahead!

LOOKING TO A FUTURE YET UNTOLD...