WYNBERG GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

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

JULY 2013

PILLAR AWARDS TERM 2Dear Parents

How can I not write about the subject on everyone's minds here at Wynberg? "Thoroughly Modern Millie" opened to a capacity audience last Saturday and runs from tonight, Wednesday 31st July, until Saturday 3 August. The show is absolutely fantastic and, after the first show, I heard a prominent performer in the Arts in Cape Town remark that she had expected a school show and had been privileged to see a professional performance. Well done to everyone who has been involved in the show! We are extremely proud of you!

Being present at one big event always makes me think of the many other events which take place in our busy calendar. Not only has Wynberg produced a musical this year, we have also produced an exceptional serious drama, Antigone, earlier in the year. Our music department also performed most professionally in their recent concert and our choirs and vocalists continue to excel in the eisteddfods.

When one sits in an audience, one often forgets the amount of time that each individual performer has given to perfect her particular part. Not much of that time is in the limelight and it requires perseverance and determination to produce the results which we are privileged to see in the final performances. It is this commitment to the task at hand of which I am particularly proud. The Thoroughly Modern Millie cast has been practising for these shows since January this year. During this time they have continued to write tests and exams, do homework, prepare orals

Congratulations to Yeukai Chamba (Sport), Kate Bell (Academics), Hong Ju Nam (Culture) and Laeeqa Allie (Service). Wynberg is very proud of you!

and projects, and maintain their standard of work. It has been a long and hard journey for these young people and they deserve our support and applause - we should be in the audience to see them showcase their talents.

Not only has the Cultural Pillar been hard at work this term, our Sport, too, continues to improve, with some wonderful successes. There have inevitably been some disappointing results but we trust that this will make team members work harder to improve their skills. Sometimes, it just requires the belief that you can win. A positive attitude will always make success easier!

The Service Pillar has produced work of a high standard this term in organizing the Mandela Day projects which are reported elsewhere in this newsletter. How can one not be amazed at the items which were produced and distributed to those in need? It was a special day at Wynberg to observe the passion and enthusiasm with which all the girls took part in the projects. We all know that it is important to give back to the community. It is inspiring to be present when a task team of over 1000 people join together - the sense of unity and purpose in the school during those 67 minutes was tangible - and I hope that, for many girls, that hour of their lives ignited a passion to help others for more than just 67 minutes in a year.

I have not forgotten the Academic Pillar! Now in the third week of term, we are into the Tuesday test cycle and heading towards the Prelim exams for the Matrics at the end of August. Girls who failed to achieve their Wynberg Pass last term, have the opportunity to raise the bar this term by consistent work and handing work in on time.

We trust that we will see you at the side of the sports field, supporting the many activities of the school and enjoying the marvellous Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Warm regardsShirley HardingPRINCIPAL

Emma and Samantha Martin won the Aviva Pelham award for the Best Junior Duet in the Vocal Section and were invited to perform at the junior prize-winners’ concert. In the Senior section, Robyn Burrows, Simone Daniels and Georgia Bailey won the Aviva Pelham award for the Best Trio and the WGHS Choir was awarded the WC Foster Ladies’ Choir trophy.

Emma Martin &Samantha Martin

Simone Daniels, Georgia Bailey & Robyn Burrows

AS Level History teachers, Jill Freed and Mario Fernandez, are immensely proud of Lauren Gildenhuys and Lauren Mitchell who have been placed joint top of AS Level History in South Africa. AS Levels are international examinations run by Cambridge University and written by students all over the world. WGHS has been offering AS Levels to students since 1999.

AS LEVELS HISTORY: TOP IN SA!

AS LEVELS ENGLISH: TOP IN SA!

AS Level English teachers, Alex Kourie, Miki Lawrence, Pat Orpen and Jackie Kunze are equally proud of Lauren Gildenhuys, who was also placed first in South Africa in the AS Level English exam.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF SA:

SCIENCE ESSAY COMPETITION

What a year for WGHS - 6 prizewinners!Anna Jacobs won 1st prize, R2000, from the Claude Leon Foundation, for her essay: “The doping debate: Can science stamp out doping in SA sport?” In addition, her essay was judged one of the top two in the entire competition, and as such, will be printed in Transactions of the Royal Society in SA. Jessica Hawkridge won a Merit, R250, in the same category.Grace Steel won 1st prize, R1250, for her essay on the sustainability of the SA coastline; Lauren Mitchell was second in this section. Lindsay Powell won 2nd prize for her essay: “A World with Bees”. Lauren Gildenhuys won a Merit in this category.Congratulations to all these girls, and congratulations to their Science and English teachers as well. What a wonderful achievement!

Above: Anna Jacobs, Jessica Hawkridge, Grace SteelBelow: Lauren Mitchell, Lindsay Powell, Lauren Gildenhuys

CONSTANTIA WINS HOUSE CUP

Leweston School - on tour from the UK - gave an outstanding performance to the Grade 10s. Unfortunately the weather changed the plans for a Waterfront concert - this had to be cancelled and reorganised to be held in the Wynberg Girls’ Junior School hall. There the Leweston choir gave a recital, followed by the WGH choir, orchestra, jazz band and ensembles. A very enjoyable musical evening!

Head of Constantia, Eden Lyons,

with the House Cup

which Constantia

won in Term 2.

DR BARRABLE

SAYS:”I DO!”

Congratulations to Dr Anne Barrable who married David Woods on 29 June at St Stephens Church in Pinelands. We wish them love and a long, happy life together.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD: SILVER MEDAL

Ely, Jennifer 81,18 8Martin, Laura 78,24 11Gildenhuys, Lauren 78,24 12Jacobs, Gabrielle 77,65 12Kiefer-Walker, Claire 77,06 10Stemmet, Kaelin 77,06 12Kimmie, Layla 74,71 12Omoding, Ntando 74,71 12Persson, Amber 72,94 10

For the first time we have a learner who has come 3rd NATIONALLY (amongst the Grade 8s nationwide) and has won Gold. Congratulations to Jennifer Ely!

WORLD KNOWLEDGE OLYMPIAD

LEWESTON SCHOOL CONCERT

The Leweston School Choir

Andi Hoole, Monique Ewen & Justine Terry

Being awarded a President’s medal involves completing four different pillars: an adventurous journey, skills, service and physical recreation. Unfortunately, Monique Ewen’s silver was delayed when she injured her knee doing 4 days of hiking in Cape Point with Justine Terry and Andi Hoole. All of them did 36 hours of service, in various organisations - amongst others donating blood, the Cancer walk, the Chaeli campaign. Andi and Justine agreed that the challenging 4 day hike was one of the highlights, as were the friendships made along the way. They are all hoping that the President’s Awards (known in the UK as The Duke of Edinburgh Awards) can become a school club, as many Wynberg girls already fulfil the necessary criteria for the awards. Andi, Monique & Justine have all completed their bronze and silver awards and are planning on finishing their gold before the end of matric. Well done, girls!

Botha, Nicole 72,94 11Lee, Michelle 72,35 12Bell, Kate 72,35 12Goliath, Lauren 71,76 11Pinto, Taylor 71,18 9Ismail, Azrah 71,18 11Harrison, Claudia 71,18 12Deneys, Megan 70,59 11Steel, Grace 70,59 12De Abreu, Amalia 70,00 12Sulaiman, Aminah 70,00 12

2 Hip2B 2 2 2Hip2B Hip2B Hip2B

From building a system of water pipes (out of straws), to 2 making our own chocolate shakes, the Hip2B competi-

tion kept us on our feet and thinking! 3 Wynberg teams

Wynberg participants:Grade 8: A Jacobs; H Ju Nam; R BredekampGrade 9: R Manuel;M Anderton; D Arries; A DoutGrade 10: N Wentzel; A Brown; L Moodley; B PetersenGrade 11:T Petersen; L Goliath; A Kooverjee; A Ismail; L MartinGrade 12: L Powell; L Mitchell

2 Hip2B

Mrs van Harten with some of the participants

entered the competition, armed with cellphones but they were not much help as the signal was very weak! While we did not walk away with medals, we did leave with many new ideas having had a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Grade Grade% %

67 MINUTES

5314 sandwiches 5 Bingo Games, 38 sock puppets 40 puzzles, 85 sleeping bags 67 Memory games198 teaching clocks 60 decorated boxes18 sets of flashcards 96 practice lace tying shoes169 boxes coconut ice 60 packets of counting aids 4320 Stop Hunger Now meals 74 bags of playdough

We arrived in a hot and steamy Bangkok late on Sunday evening. The girls were given a portion of the budget and the first leader had to figure out how to get to the backpackers. After some waiting we were eventually delivered to the bustling and vibrant Khoa San road and found New Joe’s backpackers. So began the adventure. With a different leader every day, the girls had to plan activities, transport, accommodation and meals. The first week was difficult for them as they realised that they could not look to their teachers for answers. It was also rough for the teachers who had to keep quiet and endure! From trains to Marigold hotel type buses, to speeding ferries and tuk tuks, we travelled hundreds of kilometres and along the way the girls learned how to see! They saw cities with golden temples, and lush and bright forests in rural areas, and relaxed on a postcard perfect island. They experienced so much, and that was just using their eyes. They also learned to look for clues, the tourist information signs, bus stops, remembering how they got somewhere and so how to get home.

WYNBERG GIRLS CHALLENGE THAILAND

The girls learned how to talk and listen: how to bargain, how to ask for directions, how to ask for advice - and all using gesticulations and facial expressions. Luckily the Thai people are warm and friendly and interested in helping foreigners! Communication skills were greatly enhanced through these interactions and also through working with each other to achieve their goals. The girls also learned how to taste. They started out with French fries, toasted sandwiches, chips and ice-creams and ended up eating pad thai, curries and other culinary delights...even a scorpion or two. And there were challenges to be endured. The heat was over 40 degrees and the humidity 100%. Sweat was a best friend and a breeze was a blessing. The equatorial sun was harsh and burned quickly, while mosquitos were always looking for a juicy bit of skin. Then there was squatting on porcelain toilets, squirty hoses instead of toilet paper and a bucket instead of a shower. They also dealt well with the challenge of shopping in Thailand and dancing on beaches. We experienced Erawan falls and had fish nibble our toes; we walked Hellfire Pass and heard about the atrocities committed to build it in record time. At a small school, 50 metres of road was laid in a day and the girls tried their hand at teaching young Thai children. Arriving home and looking at our Wynberg girls , I’m proud of them, and I’m pretty certain that in the overall challenge, the girls won. S Muhl

Wynberg girls who were members of the WP U14 South Hockey team. They finished 2nd at the U14 Girls Regional Hockey tournament held in George these holidays.

PROVINCIAL HOCKEY CATCH-UP

Back: A Hendricks; C van der Berg; S Smith; A WilliamsFront: H Hellenberg; L Sidzumo

South Africa's Emma Manners-Wood performs her routine in the synchronised swimming solo free preliminary at the Fina Swimming World Championships in

SYNCHRO NEWS

Barcelona, Spain. Emma (Class of 2009) was Head of Sport at Wynberg..

Two Wynberg girls have been selected as part of the South African National Equestrian Schools Association (SANESA) Western Province team for 2013. They will

SANESA NEWS

compete against Boland and South West Districts at the Regional Final Competition in August. At the end of this competition a Western Cape team will be selected, based on results at the competition, plus riders’ performances at SANESA regional qualifying competitions. This team will then compete against teams from the other provinces in September.Abigail Kempster riding Tatooine Undercover:High School Level 1: Performance Riding & Working Riding.Chelsea Tillet riding Howling Wind:High School Level 1: Equitation, Prix Caprilli Class 1, Prix Caprilli Class 2 & Working Hunter.High School Level 7: Performance Riding & Working Riding.In addition, Wynberg Girls’ High is in 2nd place for Category B Schools (schools with between 2 & 4 horse and rider combinations) in the overall standings for the season.

Chelsea Tillet & Abigail Kempster

CROSS-COUNTRY

AIR RIFLE SHOOTING

Georgia Mingo has been shooting at Voortrekker High School for some time. Provincial shooting matches were held In June and July, and in both of these matches Georgia shot well above the MQS (minimal qualifying score) which is 810 points out of a 1000.

In the first match she shot 831 and in the second, 864, winning the bronze medal. Georgia now only has to shoot in the final two matches of the year to earn her provincial colours in Air-Rifle shooting ! Georgia’s coach says: “She is a credit to her family and her school - I just wish that there were more of the Wynberg girls shooting!” Georgia would be the 3rd Wynberg girl to be capped for shooting - the others were Simone Potter and Kate Giljam. Well done, Georgia, and good luck for the last 2 shoots!

Georgia Mingo

Last week's cross country race at Milnerton was held on a perfect day in beautiful sunshine. The runners were in high spirits and enjoyed good races, with Lauren Jonathan winning the U16 girls race and Kirsten Roodman coming third in the U15 race.

Back: J Steenkamp, Middle: T Rhoode, T Damstra, J Featherstone, L Jonathan, S Wiegand,

C Spaans, Z Wichman, L Mzaza, A ForsterFront: J Featherstone, T Warrin, C Brown

A Zani, K Roodman

KICK-BOXING CHAMPION!

Kendra Findlay - a member of the SA ISKA Martial Artsteam - took part in the ISKA World Champs in the USA.She came 1st in ‘Clash Sparring’ and 2nd in ‘PointFighting’. This means that she is effectively WORLDCHAMPION in her weight and belt division!!WOW! Well done, Kendra! We are all SUPERproud of you!

HOCKEY

MATCHES VS WESTERFORD

Wynberg U16A: drew 0-0Tamsyn Gaynor played very well. Wynberg U16B: won 2-0Goals were scored by Lisa Isaacs and Jamee Henderson and Valeshka Harkhu made some very good saves to ensure our win. Wynberg U16C: lost 0-1Danielle Page defended excellently and led the team well - she was Player of the match.Wynberg U16D: won 2-1Wynberg U14 A: drew 0-0Player of the match: Hannah HellenbergWynberg U14B: won 1-0 Isobel Evans scored the only goal - a quick free hit outside the circle. Player of the match: Shannon Reilly Wynberg U14C: won 2-0A Super performance by everyone! Goals were scored by Nuraan Marlie and Carryn Stevens.

Wynberg 1st: postponedWynberg 2nds: lost 0-2Wynberg 3rds: drew 1-1

Wynberg won 2-0.

The team was a little rusty but as the game wore

on, the Wynberg team started to put together

some constructive passes. Chelsea Manoek scored

first, and then Cara Geere got on the end of great

right-side cross to slam the 2nd goal home.

WGHS 1STs vs SEDBERG (UK)

WGHS 1STs vs ST PETERS’ COLLEGE

Ardingly College’s U15 team played our 16A team: 24-9 to Wynberg. Our U19B team played Ardingly's U17 team: final score 26-7 to Wynberg. The 1st team continued the winning streak after a very good, fast game: final score 15-8 to Wynberg. Anna Jacobs was Player of the match. The netball girls thank Ardingly College for showing us such sportsmanship and talent and we wish them luck for the rest of their tour. Anna Jacobs

U16A Hockey: Tamsyn Gaynor (Player of the match) scored in the 1st half but the team could not maintain the momentum and Ardingly ran out 2-1 winners. Well done to them.

WGHS U16A’s vs ARDINGLY

1ST NETBALL vs ARDINGLY

1st Hockey: It is always a wonderful experience to be exposed to teams from other countries. This was a tough and competitive match - eventually Wynberg scored after an excellent baseline run by Cara Geere, and then Jamie Southgate scored a second. Ardingly did not throw in the towel and the final score was Wynberg 2, Ardingly 1. C Palmer

NETBALL & HOCKEY VS ARDINGLY COLLEGE (UK)

On Thursday 25 July, the WGHS 1st Hockey team played another touring side from the UK: St Peters’ College. They braved the cold weather with us and shared our first match this season under the lights. Wynberg dominated possession of the ball and territory throughout the match and scored 6 goals. An excellent performance by Wynberg.

BUILDING BRIDGES

On Saturday the 20th July, the annual SAICE Bridge Building Competition was held at the Convention Centre in Canal Walk. Kgori Mogatle, Rachel Suttle &

Saskia Schroder took part and built a bridge for 5 and a half hours. At the testing stage our bridge held a mass of 45 kilograms placing us 17th out of 24 participating schools from all over Western Cape. “We had lots of fun building the bridge. Although we are disappointed at the failure load, we have learnt a lot and are proud of our improvement from last year.” Saskia Schroder (captain) Well done girls! Kgori Mogatle, Rachel Suttle, Saskia Schroder

THE SUPPORT!Somehow the Wynberg netball girls heard that the netball matches to be played at Springfield would be very well-supported by the Springfield girls, possibly by most of their school. The word went out - our netball girls need support! Well! The deafening support from the WGHS spectators was spectacular! The Spirit Teams were in fine form and led our huge crowd of supporters with gusto. They arrived en masse, singing and chanting loudly as they strode up the hill towards the netball courts. We heard them before we could see them – they sounded like warriors arriving for war! What a moving sight! They then gathered next to Court One and didn’t stop cheering for a moment, singing some old and new tunes, but improvising as the games heated up. They rocked, bopped and swayed – whatever worked - in their efforts to make their presence felt. Netball matches have never been so loud! One couldn’t hear the umpires. WGHS supporters were definitely ‘Player 23' and hugely helped our netball girls to win their closely-contested matches. Our thanks to them.

NETBALL vs SPRINGFIELD

THE MATCHES:Both our under 19 matches against Springfield were nail-biting, adrenalin-filled games which either school could have won. The U19Bs half-time score was 8 – 8. Each player contributed and continued to feed the ball to our shooters, Sasha and Kirstie Duncan. The scores were neck-and-neck, until, when the final whistle blew, we won 21 – 20 . Fantastic!The U19A team had to work really hard for the full 40 minutes of play. Springfield had very good defense players, so shooters Olivia Adams, Anelisa May and Sasha Duncan had to be in top form. Again the half-time score was 8 – 8, and again Wynberg kept the scores level with every centre pass. Everyone pulled together and played superbly, and eventually, a deja vu moment, Wynberg had just gone ahead 17 – 16, when the final whistle went. Congratulations to both teams and particularly to Players 23!!!

Back: Kirsty Duncan, Emma Horner,

Sasha Duncan, Mrs S Williams, Geneva Lloyd,

Paige RadfordFront: Kayla Budha, Robyn Schippers,

Christin SandsU19B’s

Back: Yeukai Chamba, Anelisa May, Mrs A Smith (Manager), Olivia Adams, Natalie Zeelie, Mrs S Williams (coach), Anna Jacobs

(Captain), Micaela CliffordFront: Anita Myeki, Sarah Stieger, Samantha de Kock

In short: the Wynberg Netball teams had a clean sweep against Springfield Convent: U14A won 15-10; U14B won 13-12; U16A won 23-9; U16B won 16-4; U19A won 17-16, and U19B won 21-20.

MILLIE OPENS : RAVE REVIEWS!

Kelton Goertz (Jimmy),

Dillon Birns (Trevor),

Schael Igwe (Mrs Meers)

Georgia Bailey (Millie),

Rachel Suttle (Dorothy), Bulumko Woji (Muzzie),

Keenan Oliphant (Director),Clinton Claasen (Musical Director)

Lindsay Wills (Assistant Director),

They’re going to

be talkingabout ‘Millie’

for years!

Do youreally wantto miss it?!

BOOK NOW:021-7902200

orbookings@

wynghs.co.za

Trish Notcutt (Choreographer), Sarah Ferguson-Brown (Set Design), Gerda van Oordt (Costumes)