ΣAHETI ALUMNI CONNECT...– Ζήτω το ΣΑΧΕΤΙ 1. Gianna Gargassoulas; daughter of Nic &...

A publ icat ion produced by The SAHETI Alumni Off ice

This being the first newsletter for 2014, let me begin by wishing you all a blessed and successful year.

It has been a busy start to the year, and I am sure you have felt it too.

Firstly, I would like to officially welcome the matric class of 2013 to our association. We are exceptionally proud of the class of 2013 who achieved remarkable results with a record breaking number of distinctions. We applaud each and every one of them on their outstanding achievements, and wish them well as they venture out into the world to follow their dreams.

We started the year by extending a warm Hellenic welcome to our new Executive head, Mr Warwick Taylor. Καλωσορίσατε and welcome to the SAHETI family – we wish him every success as he builds on the sound foundations of SAHETI’s 40 year history. As past pupils of the school, we are committed to supporting and partnering with him in ensuring that academic and sporting excellence, and cultural enrichment underpinned by the Greek language, history, culture, and the spirit of Hellenism, continues to be embedded in everything that is SAHETI.

The Alumni participation in the SAHETI Sevens Rugby and Netball Festival continues to grow year on year. In the spirit of strengthening relations amongst other Alumni associations, the Old Johannian Association from St Johns were invited as guests to participate in a social game of touch rugby – I was especially proud that our old boys achieved a comprehensive victory. The highly competitive old girls went onto to play a serious game of netball. Thank you to all the players and to all the Alumni supporters and fans who made the event a success.

As the school’s first term comes to a close and we take time to reflect and prepare for the holy week of Easter, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and Happy Easter. May this Easter be a wonderful time spent with your friends and family.

I look forward to catching up with many of you at the upcoming events planned for this year.

Best regards,

Gary TtappousChairman, The eAHETI Alumni Association

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eAHETI Alumni Association Newsletter Term 1 - 2014

From the Desk of the ChairmanTHE eAHETI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Contact DetailsThe SAHETI Alumni Office:Switchboard: 0861 SAHETITel: 011 479 3794Email: [email protected]: www.saheti.co.zahttp://www.facebook.com/SahetiSchoolAlumni

• SAHETI Career Expo - 29 May 2014

• SAHETI AGM - 4 June 2014

SAVE THE DATE


2014 flag bearers at 25 March celebrations

Σ AHET I ALUMN I CONNECT

A publ icat ion produced by The SAHETI Alumni Off ice page 2

Message from the Executive Headmaster

WARWICK TAYLOR


Dear SAHETI Alumni,

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” (Aristotle).

I am sure that some of you may recall aspects of your schooling as being bitter, but that much of it will have involved a mixture of both bitterness and sweetness. When reminiscing about schooldays, I am sure that many will have a feeling of nostalgia as you recall the many sweet moments and wonderful relationships that were forged. The fun, silly and out of the ordinary actions of people, will also remain embedded forever in your memories. Ultimately, the benefits and privilege of being educated at SAHETI have hopefully provided the foundation for a very sweet life of further academics and excellence.

What makes SAHETI unique? It has to be the Greek ethos rooted in the hearts and minds of our present students, the Alumni and broader community. This can, however, only thrive on a tradition of top academics and an education that is able to provide excellence across a broad holistic educational foundation.

The school motto, “know thyself” identifies a real treasure and mission for each of us in our lives. This motto describes

the journey of a person’s life and a quest that we never fully realize. Within all of our lives, lies the need to live beyond ourselves. Getting to “know thyself” will draw on some of those deep desires of extending compassion, kindness and generosity towards others.

You may think that the school has set up the foundation office with its Alumni to raise money. The answer is probably yes, but beyond our needs is the willingness to engage in serving the community of Alumni as you are still part of who we are. We pride ourselves in your achievements and successes.

You are fortunate to be part of a small community that still regularly meet, and in many ways remain connected. SAHETI is about community and as a school we aim to serve the community and Hellenic ethos to the best of our ability. Thank you for your continued support of the school and for your willingness to give of your time and effort to ensure its continued success.

Kind regards

Warwick TaylorExecutive Headmaster

Matthew, Jessica, Warwick and Brigitte Taylor


MATRIC CLASS of 2013

TOP ACHIEVERS



On March 25th 2014, the commemoration of the Greek National Day of the 25th March 1821 was celebrated at SAHETI. A day of double celebration and joy, religious and national, as on this day we honour the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary as well as the uprising of the enslaved Greeks against the Ottoman Empire to regain their freedom.

As part of the school celebration, 350 learners from Pre-Primary through to High School, of Greek and non-Greek descent, proudly presented to our guests - officials, parents and learners - Greek traditional dances, dramatizations of myths and poems, songs and talked about the universal message of 1821 and the teachings derived from the sacred struggle of the Greeks of that era. It makes us proud that among these learners are the new generation of Alumni - the children of Alumni who are now parents of the school.

Although honouring Greek National Days at SAHETI is a tradition, there is another equally important reason for hosting such celebration. It is SAHETI’s responsibility to promote Hellenism, the Greek ethos and culture. These historic events are an integral part of the Greek educational syllabus at SAHETI. Through this medium, learners are given the opportunity to get acquainted with our past, comprehend historic events and their significance, come in contact with Greek traditions, appreciate our cultural heritage and enjoy some special moments. At the same time, through co-

existing with children and teachers from different cultural and religious backgrounds, they get to know the differences between religions and cultures and learn to understand and respect others. The participation of learners in these celebrations helps them develop their sense of belonging and feel they belong to the SAHETI family.

The spirit of Hellenism is here to stay! Children from different ethnic groups participate and co-exist as members of the same team giving them the opportunity to find interests, enjoy themselves and stimulate their creativity and imagination. Encouraging them to know thyself!

If you have images of your children participating in school events please email them to [email protected].

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Ζήτω η Ελλάδα– Ζήτω το ΣΑΧΕΤΙ

1. Gianna Gargassoulas; daughter of Nic & Koula (Panayotakis) Gargassoulas 2. Demitra Thomadakis, daughter of George & Cleo (Klapsides) Thomadakis 3. Dimitri Pouroullis; son of Tania Patrikios 4. Fotini Georgiades, daughter of Evangelia (Thomadakis) Georgiades 5. Angelena Dairopoulos; daughter of Rosemarie (Patricios) Dairopoulos 6. Kimon Statheros, son of Michael Statheros


1 2 3

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5

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SAHETI hosts a biennial career expo where SAHETI learners, and learners from high schools in the area, use this opportunity to explore career opportunities and the world of work. Representatives from local and international tertiary institutions exhibit their offering and further exposes learners to fields which may be new considerations for them.

To date, the Alumni have been exceptional in responding to this request and we hope to encourage increased Alumni participation. This year, SAHETI would like to expand the offering and provide insight into at least fifteen specific careers/professions which include the following:

• Architect • Arts: Journalism, Producer / Director, Acting, Fashion Design, Multimedia deigner and Graphic design • Aviation • Business and Finance related occupations e.g. Chartered Accountant, Financial Manager and Investment Manager. • Engineering related occupations: e.g. Aeronautical Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer and Electrical Engineer. • Information Technology (IT) • Investigative: Forensic Investigator and Forensic Psychologist. • Law related occupations: Lawyer, Advocate, Magistrate and Legal Secretary. • Medical related occupations: Medical Doctor, Physiotherapy, Biokineticist, Dentist, Pharmacist, Psychologist and Vet.

If you are willing to offer your expertise to deliver a short presentation on your field of expertise, please contact the SAHETI Alumni office on [email protected] by no later than Friday 25 April 2014. The event will take place on Thursday 29 May 2014.

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SAHETI

CAREER

Support the

programme


What is MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet?

MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet is one of South Africa’s biggest fundraising programmes and allows you to make a difference, just by shopping. Every time you swipe your card at any of our 12 national or numerous local partners they’ll make a donation, on your behalf, to the school or cause you choose at absolutely no cost to you!

Where can I swipe my MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card?

Supporters can use their cards at a range of national, regional and local retail partners on the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet system. Some of the national partners include Woolworths, Engen QuickShops, Waltons, SupaQuick, kalahari.com, Jack’s Paint, Toys R Us, Reggie’s, Altech Netstar and many more.

Benefits of being a cardholder

There are 12 national partners and over 2000 partner stores where you can use your card across the country. Cardholders can take advantage of exclusive discounts and special offers. For example, you are automatically part of WRewards from Woolworths (which includes 10% or more off on up to 200 items in their stores and other benefits), and you get exclusive discounts on vehicle recovery from Altech Netstar. You will receive a monthly email statement showing exactly how much your beneficiary has raised.

How does SAHETI benefit from your support?

With SAHETI as your beneficiary, every time you swipe your card at one of the participating retailers, a portion of your purchase is given to SAHETI at no cost to you! Simply swipe your card at the tillpoint before you make your purchase and the rest is taken care of. SAHETI will receive up to 1% of the value of your purchase and that will be used to fund various school and PTA projects.

How can you help as our valued Alumni?

• Step 1 - If you haven’t got a MySchool card yet, go to www.myschool.co.za and fill in the online application form. • Step 2 - Please make sure you choose SAHETI High School, SAHETI Primary School or SAHETI Pre-primary School as your beneficiary. • Step 3 - When you receive your card, use it whenever you shop at one of the retailers listed below (For a full list of national partners please go to the MySchool website). • Step 4 - Swipe the card before you purchase and you receive your discounts and special offers. SAHETI will get the donation from the retailer.

If you have a MySchool card already, select SAHETI as your beneficiary and start swiping!

Encourage grandparents, uncles, aunts and any other family members to enrol on the programme. Just remember to choose SAHETI as the beneficiary!

Thank you for your support!For more info contact [email protected].

Expo


YEARS ON, ALUMNI CONTINUE TO DISPLAY THEIR LOVE FOR SPORT

SAHETI’s Rugby Sevens and Netball Festival always attracts a strong Alumni following. Alumni attend the event either to support their own children on the sports field or to participate in the old boys’ touch rugby or old girls’ netball game. For a third consecutive year, as part of the 21st annual Rugby and Netball festival, the Alumni games took place on the same sporting fields these past pupils once competed on.

The old boys invited the St John’s Old Johannian Association to participate in an exhibition game of touch rugby. Although the game was of a social nature, both sides were committed to outsmarting the opposition. Our old boys’ overwhelmed the crowds as they were victorious to win the game by 4 tries to 2. In keeping with tradition, a new design was introduced for the old boys’ t-shirt. The old boys’ shirt which depicts the Greek flag, is a continuation of the legacy of the SAHETI first team rugby jersey with the exception of the colour.

The netball game comprised of a combined old girls’ team, under the leadership of Koula (Panayotakis) Gargassoulas (2000) and competed against the 2013 first netball team. In true competitive spirit, the old girls’ took the game very seriously and the game ended in favour of the combined old girls’ team.

A highlight of the day was the SAHETI Alumni hospitality tent. The gazebo was a hub of excitement as the Alumni went through old photos of the the rugby and netball teams on display. In true Hellenic spirit eats and drinks were plentiful and the event ended on a high note.

A big thank you to Nick Catrakilis (2000) and Stratis Fotakis (2000) and their players, for supporting this great initiative and for helping to organize the teams. To Koula and her team, Eleni Christodoulou (2013) together with Sophia Sotiropoulos (captain of the 2013 netball team) and their players, thank you for your enthusiasm and passion. To the St John’s old boys’, thank you for taking up the challenge.

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Rugby & Netball

Back: Koula (Panayotakis) Gargassoulas, Tammy Vorster, Nikita & Daniella Brocco, Vicky (Kanaris) Massia, Tina Collaro, Karina (Karamitsos) Kinsey • Middle: Emilia (Kokkoris) Arnerius, Maria Markides, Paulette (Yiallouris) Comninos, T. YiannoulakisFront: Eleni Christodoulou, Joana Botes, Chrystyna Nicolaides, Lia Lentzakis, Sophia Sotiropoulos

T. Yiannoulakis (Head of Str. Relationships), Sophia Sotiropoulos, Eleni Bizos

Future alumna Anita Nicolaides, with mommy Cristina (Panayotakis) Nicolaides

Featured on the left is Warwick Taylor together with the St John’s old boys’ team and Gary Ttappous

Back: Gary Ttappous, Ivor Crabbia, Michele Grech-Cumbo, Warwick Taylor, Stratis Fotakis, George Nicolaides

Front left: Costa Callipolitis Front right: George Constantinou


7s

SAHETI Alumni Connect


Reunionnews

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Heidi (Greenberg) Brauer, Warren Thomson Ian Katsivalis, Michael Statheros, Dimitri Tzitzivacos

Helen (Yiannoulis) Moustakis, Jane (McGhee) Kohler



SAHETI ‘81 - ’83 Meet

In 1983 I matriculated at SAHETI, the 3rd matric group at the school and a part of a group of kids who were blessed to be pioneers. For years after I finished my schooling, I would drive past SAHETI with a sense of longing, with a smile and with a warm heart.

I started at the school in Standard 4, the first Jewish child at the school ever (Intermediate Greek student and Greek Classical wannabee dancer), and the students in my year and the two years above me were closer than close. We loved our schooldays so much that we spent our holidays together at Holiday School, evenings and weekends we were at school for rehearsals for our epic productions and in our free time we were at each others’ homes, movies at Bedford Centre, socials at the Cyprus club, and just generally in each others’ pockets.

Then we grew up and made our own lives and families and careers and many of us lost touch. And 31 years later, social media, which I have used extensively in my business life but less so in my personal life, brought a bunch of us together. Karen (Wurfl) Becker - Class of 1982 and now living in Australia - and I connected on Facebook and we agreed to meet up after all these years during her visit to SA in March. She asked if I was in contact with any of our school friends and suggested maybe I would invite them to join us.

Truth is, I had only kept touch with one or two of our crew, but I thought that maybe social media could help us out. So I opened a feather pillow on Facebook and the feathers floated further than we imagined, and next thing we had almost 30 people re-connecting on 4th March in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. Karen’s note to me brought so many people together – some SAHETI Alumni and other friends of SAHETI - Angelo Roussos, Dimitri Tzitzivacos, Mary Nicolaou, Michael Statheros, Aliki (Elia) Ttappous, Marianne (McGhee) Kohler, Warren Thomson, John Sferopoulos, Tasha (Tsokas) Rossen, Ian Katsivalis, Sheldon Thomas (by phone from

Cape Town!), Andrea Raftopolous, Helen (Yiannoulis) Moustakis and some partners (and I’m sure I’ve missed some, my apologies) and some who nearly made it but couldn’t. Many of our friends on Facebook from all over the world were with us in cyberspace and it was pretty amazing to know how connected we can be, if we just try.

Of course, some of the old friends are still good friends today, but most of us had not seen each other since we were our childrens’ ages – well my children anyway! There were no flowers, speeches or bands, but the evening was more successful than any of us imagined. We laughed and laughed. We remembered and told tales and laughed more. In the stories our friends told, many of us realised that who we are today was already evident back then. Every photo I look at from the evening is full of smiling faces that seem to look exactly as they did in the 80’s. More beautiful probably, more filled with life and love and experience and comfort in themselves. I couldn’t take the smile off my face for days. I still can’t. A small opening in a feather pillow and the world is connected!

Heidi (Greenberg) Brauer, SAHETI Alumna - Class of 1983

Karen (Wurfl) Becker, Penny Spentzouris, Heidi (Greenberg) Brauer, John Sferopoulos, Dee Glyka Sferopoulos, Andreas Raftopoulos,

Tasha (Tsokas) Rosen, Aliki (Elia) Ttappous

Back: Ian Katsivalis, Karen (Wurfl) Becker, Front: Heidi (Greenberg) Brauer, Angelo Roussos, Aliki (Elia) Ttappous

Reunions The SAHETI Alumni office provides the platform to help facilitate the organisation of reunions. If you would like to organise a reunion and reconnect with fellow classmates please contact the SAHETI Alumni Office at [email protected]. We would be happy to assist with planning of these functions. Common reunions celebrated are the following:• 10 Year • 20 Year • 30 Year

Upcoming reunionsClass of 2004 – 10 year reunionA reunion is scheduled to take place in 2014 for the class of 2004. For more information please contact your fellow classmate and organiser, Bianca Prinsloo on 0833964266 or email her at [email protected].



THE SAHET I ALUMNI

DATABASEPlease continue to encourage all past pupils to make contact with the SAHETI Alumni office as our correspondence is mostly via email and sms.

Simply send an email to [email protected] and notify us of your most up to date contact details; and contact details of any other Alumni you may have.

SUCCESSFUL ΣAHETIANS


Kate Katopodis (1992) at the forefront of newsSource: DSTV MultichoiceLeading media operator and pay TV company MultiChoice has created a dedicated Carte Blanche Channel for the duration of the Oscar Pistorius Trial – one of the South Africa’s most high-profile criminal cases. The award winning Carte Blanche team is working alongside high skilled journalist Katy Katopodis and Editor-in-chief from fast breaking Eye Witness News, to anchor the broadcast on DStv channel 199. Led by esteemed channel executive director George Mazarakis, key personalities driving the channel and it’s editorial content include Derek Watts, John Webb, Bongani Bingwa, Devi Sankaree Govender, top social media lawyer Emma Sadleir, experienced radio talk show host Leigh Bennie, legal journalist and radio talk show host David O’Sullivan, and former BBC presenter Subniv.

Vicky Crease (1989) wins big in VegasSource: (NV) PR WebWednesday evening 26 March marked the close of 2014’s CaterSource and EventSolutions annual conference with it’s Andy Warhol-inspired awards banquet “La Vie En Coulour”. Award-winning caterer Vicky Crease of Vicky Crease Catering took away three of the organization’s Catered Arts through Innovated Excellence (CATIE) awards winning in the Signature Caterer for Best Event, Best Plated Menu, and Best Buffet Presentation and Menu categories. Vicky is no stranger to the CATIE awards, having won eight of them in previous years. “To be acknowledged by your peers and competitors who get and understand what you do is the highest, most respected honour” in response to her wins. The CATIE awards recognize achievement of exemplary food production at an event. The conference, which took place in Las Vegas from March 23 through 26, showcases the finest in catering and event talent as well as the latest trends and tricks of the catering and event industry.

Michele Grech-Cumbo (2005) challenges the concept of traditional playground equipment Michele graduated from the University of Johannesburg with a B-Tech qualification in Industrial Design, Product and Three Dimensional Design. He harnessed his skills in everything from concept drawing/sketching to model making, 3D printing/rapid prototyping and CAD modelling and Engineering Drawings. Applying a user-centred approach he designed and prototyped Sprouts playground equipment for children aged 8 – 12 years old that correctly develops gross motor skills, improves cognitive skills and socialisation with other children.

Savva Pouroullis (2013) talks about the release of his debut novel I first had the idea of writing a full-length science fiction novel when I was thirteen. At the time, I was writing monthly columns for the Hellenic News and I had aspirations for writing. I was even so forward as to consider it for a career. My experience in writing anything longer than several pages was non-existent and I had no clue where to start, so I began as I do with my columns - I simply chose a random spot and allowed it to manifest from there. By the end of my first year in high school, I had seventy pages of something - not something worthwhile, but something which could serve as a foundation. It soon became the basis for what I consider to be a powerful story and characters involving themes and ideas I had yet to learn at the time. My skill as a writer was not at a level to write a book, and this made the first three years difficult. I made little progress, and the progress I did make was heavily changed several times. It was difficult being happy with my past writings when I was still developing my abilities through school.

However, as I explored different kinds of philosophy and literature and gained experience through that, with practice and many changes to the plans for my book, I turned it into something worth reading and built people and places deeper than a cardboard cut-out. I would only say that I was ready to undertake the writing of a novel by the age of seventeen, which was when the vast majority of development occurred.

The full-scale shape of the novel did not come to me until I was well into it. In fact, the first hundred pages were written without knowing what would happen next. The same can be said for the next hundred, but once I had my story in mind, it flowed well and the writing came without pause.

Ultimately, this book became a repository for what I gleaned from literature. It is fun, it has its explosions and space battles and its infantry warfare, but it also has something more. Without my knowing it, War of the Element turned into a manifesto for my empirical understanding of humanity, as well as for my hopes and ideals for humans. In a way, I would have humanity become like the Atlanteans in the novel. They are powerful and fearsome by nature. They have an innate need to kill, fight and to show their power, but choose instead to defy that nature by practising discipline and humanist principles- not for the sake of tradition or even because they simply think it to be ‘right’, but because it proves them to be all the more masterful and respectful of their own power. Each great warrior is also a learned philosopher.

If I were forced to speak of my hopes for this book, I would say that I have none. It is no secret that a debut novel typically gets nowhere, with some world-famous exceptions. Regardless, I hope it is a good read and worth its five dollars in disk space. I encourage others to share it, whether by legal means or not. Without making any promises, I hope to begin a new novel some day and build upon the mythos I created in this story.

Savva Pouroullis, SAHETI Alumnus - class of 2013‘War of the Element’ as an e-book is available on Amazon. For more information visit www.amazon.com

Nadia Tsiaparis (2008) prepares SAHETI pupils to shineAs a past pupil of SAHETI, it is both an honour and a privilege to be teaching at my old school. Since matriculating in 2008 I went onto study a Bachelor of Commerce Marketing Management degree. Having successfully completed my degree I am came to the realisation that my passion was in teaching and not with the corporate and business world. To help me realise this dream, I was privileged to be a recipient of a bursary through the SAHETI Educator Bursary Fund and went on to register at WITS to study toward a Bachelor of Education - a four year degree, majoring in English and sub majoring in Sign Language. During my studies I managed to include my other passion in life – the passion for travel.

Although studying at WITS was at times challenging, I was able to cope and handle the pressures of university life rather well. Thanks be to SAHETI! SAHETI is not just a school, but rather a family, and a community. It is also a school that stays true to its motto of “know thyself”. On leaving the school my appreciation for this core value which underpins this great school grew. I came to realise that not only was I the recipient of a solid academic education but also an emotional and personal one. SAHETI made me into the person I am today, it showed me who I wanted to become and who I did not want to become. Through the countless lessons in the classroom, it prepared me for life’s endless lessons.

In 2014, I have now come back home to SAHETI as a Grade 3 Primary school teacher – no longer behind the desk but alongside a digitised smart board board – I have come home. I can say with confidence and with certainty that teaching is my calling in life and cannot wait to continue my journey at SAHETI. Keep a close eye on me as I provide my pupils with the tools and ability to shine and discover who they are and where they want to go, just as my teachers once did with me.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me make my dream a reality - to SAHETI for their continuous support throughout my studies – I am both proud and truly blessed to be a part of the SAHETI family.

Nadia Tsiaparis, SAHETI Alumna and Grade 3 teacher - Class of 2008

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