St Mary's Matters

Volume 11, Issue 11, 4 November 2011

If she believes in herself… she will fly.

From the Head’s Desk

Dear St Mary’s Community The quality of singing in the Senior School, The last event was the Massed Choirs of and the improvement being made in this each House. Every girl participating! The well known Mac Davis song “O Lord, regard was clearly apparent. The Vocal Colour and movement and joy blended into it’s hard to be humble” should be Ensembles, unaccompanied, a festivity of togetherness. compulsory in my study as this remarkable choreographed and arranged by the girls, year slowly draws to a close. were all astonishing in their quality. How to “…the ability to allow individual talent to shine warmed my heart.” On the evening of the 27th, the Senior distinguish between these acts must have been a difficult task for the judges. School held its Inter-House Music competition. This was led by the Grade The Instrumental Ensembles showed other While waiting for the results, the houses let 11s who have only just “taken over.” talents. The improvement in the rip with exuberant war cries, culminating as every house event does, with a The first thing that struck me was that the instrumental music, the confidence of the combined war cry led by the matrics who step up from last year’s event was quite participants, and the ability to allow were there. An evening of wonderful inter- remarkable. The technical side was individual talent to shine warmed my heart. house rivalry exhibited the unique spirit superbly planned and practised, and made Many of the girls had also been in the that is St Mary’s DSG. an enormous difference. Choral Ensembles. Where do our girls get the energy, creativity and time from? In many respects this event was the first Then, the discipline of our girls was under the new leadership regime outstanding. When House spirit was called This was followed by the Choreography announced at Prizegiving. If this is what upon, it was there in abundance. When which again gave different girls the chance 2012 has in store, I can’t wait for it to start. appropriate silence during performance to shine. Watching different styles of dance Yes, it is hard to be humble when you was needed, it was there. Our girls were flow in and off stage, seeing girls dominate simply can’t see how any other school can simply responding to the requirements of the space by sheer presence, and to be better! the evening. I was so proud of them. witness the incredible work that goes into these dance routines was humbling. I will Fr A Paterson never forget the St George bow tie shuffle! Head of School

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St Mary's Matters. Volume 11. Issue 11

Junior School Happenings

As we draw towards the end of another The Grade 0 Concert The time is going by very quickly but we year in the Junior School, it is good to do certainly are still having fun and learning in some reflecting. There is a definite bustle around Grade 0 Grade 0 and we will enter the festive at the moment as costumes are tried on, season with a wonderful concert. Every girl in the school is very precious, but and we rehearse for our Nativity Play. I wonder if they all really know just how Once again, we are amazed at how quickly Mrs. M Hussein loved they are by their family. Are we the girls have learned their words and how Grade 0 Teacher intentional about sincerely telling our beautiful the songs are sounding. We daughters this often? cannot wait to show off our little girls and by the response from parents we are Every girl in the school has worked hard expecting a packed hall on Friday evening. and given of their best in all areas. Do we affirm their successes, or focus on what We also host various guests at our dress they have not achieved? rehearsal but the most anticipated guests for Grade 0 girls are the WHPS boys and Motheong who will stay to play after the DSG Holiday Club I am always aware of just how much each nd girl undertakes each year, and how much concert on Wednesday 2 November. I they achieve, often beyond expectation. am sure all the children will have great fun Come & have lots of fun! Let us all remember that learning and playing together. growing in knowledge is a lifelong When: Mon 5 December– Fri 9 process, and that we need to set realistic It is now very noticeable that the Grade 0 December goals and expectations, to ensure regular girls have grown up and as we watched the success. Success is what breeds new girls for 2012 at chapel for our New Time: 8:00 – 4:00 motivation and inspires us to greater Girls’ Tea it was quite evident that the heights. year’s work with our girls has certainly paid Where: Aftercare Centre off. We had some very bouncy new little Mrs B Craig girls and looking over at the current Who: Grade 0 upward Principal: Junior School Grade 0 we saw them sitting very still and paying attention to what was happening! Contact: Excerpt from the Grade 0 Concert Well done girls. Unita Conradie 0844418711 Carol Viljoen 0829705662 A few of the girls think it would be rather nice just to stay in Grade 0 instead of moving to Grade One next year. If only it were that simple!

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St Mary's Matters. Volume 11. Issue 11

Counselling Centre

Building Self-Confidence • Be an active participant (An abstract from the Self-Empowerment Life Skills Series Don’t be afraid that others will judge you when you written by Prof. John Higgins) contribute to a group discussion. People are actually

much more accommodating than we imagine. Make a Self-confidence is a quality that can be learned and built on. It is achievable, but there is no instant solution. There are a point of contributing at least once in every group number of things that can be done to improve self-confidence, discussion. and you can help your daughters by discussing and reminding • Be physically fit – it will help you to look and feel better. them of the following: • Become a person of quality • Be aware of your appearance • Develop a sense of humour When you don’t look good, it changes the way you • Be strong, but not rude carry yourself and interact with other people • Be bold, but do not bully • Add skip to your steps • Be humble, but not timid Walk energetically and purposefully, like a person who • Be proud, but not arrogant knows where she is heading in life. People with • Be a person of integrity confidence walk with pep in their steps. • Make people your friends, not your enemies. • Positive body language • Practise mind-management Stand up straight, keep your head up, make eye Manage your self-talk. Believe in yourself and remind contact and hold your head high. You will make a good yourself of your good qualities. impression and will immediately feel more alert and

empowered. • Build on your success record “It's not who you are that holds you Don’t dwell on your failures and weaknesses. Focus on back, it's who you think you're not.” and remember your successes and unique skills. Author Unknown

• Praise other people Marthé Pienaar When you think negatively about yourself, you tend to Educational Psychologist focus on the weaknesses of others. Break the cycle of negativity. Get into the habit of praising others.

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St Mary's Matters. Volume 11. Issue 11

From the Library

Recommended reads of the month – Books that provide a window into other worlds

Hooray for Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa with her twin brothers, Double and Trouble. She loves to sing and is chosen to sing for the president. (For Grades 2-3)

Spilled Water by Sally Grindley

Lu Si-Yan lives in a village in China. She finds out what it means to be a girl when hardship strikes her family and she is sold into slavery by her uncle. This is the story of how she refuses to spend her life in servitude and has the courage to make her own way in the world. (For Grades 5-8)

Prison Runner by Deborah Ellis

Diego lives in a Bolivian prison with his mother and sister, looking after them and earning money when he can. An error of judgment finds him in the heart of the jungle with men who are drug producers. (For Grades 8-10)

Double Take by Melody Carlson

New York socialite, Madison, wants to run away from the pressures she is under. She meets up with Anna Fisher an Amish girl who is looking for something different to the life she is leading. The two girls swop identities for a week. They each learn something about themselves by seeing life from the other’s point of view. (For Grade 8-12)

Finding Alice by Melody Carlson

17-year-old Alice is diagnosed with schizophrenia. She listens to the voices in her head that tell her to trust no-one. This book gives real insight into the mind of the schizophrenic. (For Grades 8-12)

Every [woman] who knows how to read has it in [her] power to magnify [herself], to multiply the ways in which [she] exists,

to make [her] life full, significant and interesting

Aldous Huxley

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St Mary's Matters. Volume 11. Issue 11

Sport & Recreation Centre

SQUASH JUNIOR SWIMMING 3rd St Paulus B 2nd A Congratulations go to our Junior Squash The junior school swimmers have been 1st Tyger Valley A A-team and their coach Mr Renier Cronje, busy with relay galas. The 1st gala took who made history when they won the place on 14 October, and the results first-ever Northern Girls only were: A-team at Cornwall Hill A-League. The team consisted of 6th Cornwall Hill C 33 Danielle Dreyer, Bronwyn Thomas, A-Team at St Mary's DSG 5th Die Poort A 59 Danika Fouche, Mosima Phaswana and 7th Rietondale Primary 57 4th Cornwall Hill B 72 Sascha Steyn. In the past our teams had 6th Doxa Deo 76 3rd CBC A 78 to participate against boys’ teams or 5th Menlopark 96 2nd Hennoppark A 116 mixed teams. 4th St Paulus 118 1st St Mary's DSG/WHPS A 147 3rd Hennopspark 144 During the mid-term break, Danielle 2nd Cornwall Hill 148 B-Team at Chinese School Dreyer competed in the NJSA Northern 1st St Mary's DSG/WHPS 181 8th Robert Hicks A 77 Gauteng Squash tournament. She 7th Pretoria Chinese A 81 competed in the Girls u/12; u/13 and u/14 B-Team at Cornwall Hill 6th Loreto A 92 combined section and came first in this 9th Brooklyn Primary A 31 5th Brooklyn Primary A 93 section. Well done Danielle! 8th St Mary's DSG D 40 4th Skuilkrans A 155 7th Cornwall Hill C 56 3rd A 163 Amy Mentz participated in the National 6th Cornwall Hill B 62 2nd Southdowns A 206 U13 Squash Ranking Tournament held at 5th Chinese School 68 1st St Mary's DSG/WHPS B 209 TUKS and she is now ranked amongst the 4th St Paulus C 77 top 10 squash players in her age group in 3rd Skuilkrans A 80 C-Team at Rietondale Primary SA. Well done Amy! 2nd St Mary's DSG/WHPS B 97 5th Rietondale Primary A 23 1st Southdowns A 105 4th Irene Primary A 30 3rd St Mary's DSG/WHPS C 58 C-Team at Loreto School 2nd Doxa Deo Xanadu A 94 6th Loreto A 1st Tyger Valley A 143 5th Rietondale B 4th St Mary's DSG/WHPS C

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St Mary's Matters. Volume 11. Issue 11

The Foundation Phase girls took part in a St Mary's DSG will compete again on 4 NEW TENNIS COACH FOR 2012 mass gala on 26 October. They December at Vanderbijlpark. This is the competed in 25m races against Tyger final leg of the tri-series which will We are very happy to announce that Valley College, Pretoria Chinese School determine the overall winning school of Mr Gerrie Dippenaar, professional tennis and Doxa Deo. For many of our girls it the series. St Mary's DSG is currently coach, has accepted his appointment as the was their 1st gala, but this did not deter leading, but we will need as many girls, new tennis coach as from January 2012. them as they swam beautifully. Well done parents and staff as possible to compete Some of his outstanding achievements are: • Only tennis coach in to have to all the girls who participated. to secure the title. Please enter at coached 2 world no. 1 Jnr. players. bsgmultisport.co.za - Surina de Beer – U.S. Open TRIATHLON Champion 1994 and 1996

st nd - Wesley Whitehouse – Jnr. After winning the 1 and 2 legs of the TENNIS Wimbledon Champion 1997 BSG/Energade Triathlon Series, the St • Travelled with S.A. Junior Teams to US Mary’s DSG team was eager to compete Our Mini-Tennis players participated Open, Wimbledon, French Open, more. The third leg took place in against Irene Primary, Glenstantia Australian Open and Orange Bowl Potchefstroom, and a group of girls and Primary and Hamilton Primary. These tournaments since 1994. staff left very early on Sunday morning 16 matches were to give the players an • Head Coach at the SATPC (South African October. This clearly did not bother the introduction to tennis in a fun environment Tennis Performance Centre) 2003 – 2005. team, as they once again took the title and the emphasis was not on winning. • Coach of the Gauteng North Junior Tennis and the winning cheque for the school Congratulations to our girls on their team that won the SA Inter-Provincial with the most entries. A group of girls standard of play as well as on their great title, 2003. also went to Midmar Dam with Miss Kriel sportsmanship. • Coach of the South African under 16 and Mrs van der Merwe this past Team 2003 weekend. The group had a wonderful BIATHLON • Coach of South African Universities Team time and raced really well. Well done to On Saturday, 29 October 2011, Amy to the World Students Games 2005 in Hannah Newman who won the 9-11 year Mentz represented Gauteng North at U15 Turkey race. level and came first, and Ashley Coetzee • Coach of South African Universities Team came first in the U11 age group. Well to the All African Students Games 2006 done girls! • Coached: Jeff Coetzee, Rick de Voest, Isak van der Merwe, Hoërskool Waterkloof – winners Super 16 competition, Zani and Lee Barnard current ranked nr 1 and 2 in SA in U12 age group, Gerhard Gruindelingh – SA Schools team, • Selected by SATF to attend the World BSG/Energade Triathlon Team Junior School Biathlon Wide Coaches Workshop in Egypt

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St Mary's Matters. Volume 11. Issue 11

The PA Says...

Notice is hereby given that the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the St Mary's DSG Parents Association will be held in the Auditorium on 14 November 2011 at 19:00.

Two positions on the PA Committee have become vacant. The positions are for Treasurer and Functions Coordinator.

We require nominations for new members to hold office for a period of two years. The PA is anxious to ensure that representation on the PA reflects the cultural diversity of the school.

Please complete the attached nomination form and forward to the Secretary of the Committee by no later than Friday, 11 November 2011. Nominations will also be accepted at the meeting.

Please see attached document (Last page).

The Old Girls’ Association

Thank you to all the parents, staff and girls that contributed to the successful running of the Second-hand Bookshop for International Day. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Books that were left over from the bookshop were donated to a Farm School and Irene Homes

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Nomination form for PA Committee

I, ______

(daughter(s) in grade(s) ______), hereby nominate ______

(daughter(s) in grade(s) ______), to serve on the PA committee for the period November 2011 to November 2012.

Proposer’s signature ______

Nominee’s acceptance ______

Date______

Completed forms can be emailed to the PA Secretary [email protected] or faxed to (012) 394 2532.