Rustenburg Times

07 September

2012

Volume Three Issue Three

Rustenburg High School for Girls, Camp Ground Road, Rondebosch 7700

Tel: (021) 686-4066 / (021) 686-3683 / (021) 685-4710

Fax: (021) 686-7114; E-mail: info@rghs.org.za

Website: www.rghs.org.za

Rustenburg: a school of excellence where girls are leading courageously, exploring their unique potential confidently

and serving the world compassionately.

Success for Yohan Chun

Afrikaans Senior Olympiad

2

Grade Nine Testing Civvies Day

Leaving school early

NEWS FLASH

3

Old Girl News

4

Alyxé Rosenberg President’s Award

BUGGED

5

Grade Twelve Gap Year

Varsity College Bursaries

Overheard in the parking lot ...

6

Messiah

7

Music Department

8—9

Sports News 10—11

Art Flash

12

Calendar Paws

13

Rustenburg: diversely talented

Yohan Chun, piano competitions

winner

SA Reps: Ms Theron, Kiana Neethling, Mrs Williams

and Lianne Verwey

National Drama Winners

International mathematician, Lauren Denny

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For talented Grade 12 Rustenburg Girls’ High School pianist Yohan Chun, the past week has been undoubtedly one of the most challenging, yet rewarding weeks of her young life. On Tuesday 28 August, 2012, she stepped on stage at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow to compete in the 22nd Johann Vos Pi-ano Competition. She won the senior section of the competition playing a Scarlatti Sonata and a dazzling Al-legro de Concierto by the Spanish composer Granados. Of the 3 finalists she was the only girl and won a prize of R3000. The Johann Vos Piano Competition takes place over two rounds with three sections – Piccolo (Grade 6-7), Jun-ior (Grade 8-10) and Senior (Grade 11-12). On Saturday 1 September, 2012, she com-peted again in the prestigious Pieter Kooij Mu-sic Competition held in the beautiful Welge-

meend Salon at Jan van Riebeeck Hoërskool in Cape Town. Yohan was again on top form as she won the first prize of R2500, beating 10 performers in the final round. The first round of the competition saw fifty tal-ented high school musicians deliver perform-ances of the highest standard. Another Rusten-burg Grade 12 pupil, Gladys Kisela, taught by Ms Robyn Jepson, was also one of the 10 final-ists on saxophone. Yohan is taught by Ms Judith Dernier, a senior music teacher at Rustenburg Girls’ High School. Ms Dernier describes Yohan as an ex-tremely hard working, yet humble student, with exceptional talent. She participated in both these competitions in the middle of her Grade 12 Preliminary examinations. Yohan intends furthering her studies in Music at the University of Cape Town next year.

Rustenburg musician aces two competitions in one week

Kiana Neethling lift club Dear Rustenburg Parents, we recently moved to town from Kenilworth and I was wondering if there were any other girls who come to Rustenburg from town so that we could set up a lift club. Please advise how I can go about this. Kind regards Michaela Cramer Africa Bespoke c +27 82 9712429 | t +27 71 6955546 | f +27 86 6694722

Afrikaans Senior Olympiad 2012 On Tuesday, the 15th of May 20 Rustenburg Girls wrote the Senior Afrikaans Olympiad. It was RGHS’s first year to take part in the Olym-piad and we achieved excellent results with 4 of our participants placing in the Top 20 for the Western Cape. Nicola Cilliers (D3) scored 89% and placed 2nd overall in the province followed by Petruné Beattie (E1), Robyn Paterson (D5) and Lauren Denny (D5). The Olympiad is a very beneficial experience and we encourage girls to partici-pate next year. Robyn Paterson

Afrikaans skitter by vanjaar se Senior Afrikaanse Olimpiade

Baie geluk aan 20 leerders wat deelgeneem het met julle pragtige uitslae. Een en almal van julle het julle beste gelewer. n Spesiale pluimpie aan die top 4 kandidate. Rustenburg High School is trots op julle. Sterkte aan die juniors wat die vierde Septem-ber skryf. Hou die blinkkant bo! Baie dankie vir julle deelname - dit word waardeer - so bly Afrikaans relevant en le-wendig. M. Langenhoven

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General Information

All Grade 9 learners will have to write two sets of standardised ENGLISH and MATHMATICS tests over the next two months: The Annual National Assessments (ANA) will be written later this month and the Western Cape Educa-tion Department (WCED) diagnostic/systemic testing is scheduled for October. These tests will not be used be used for pro-motion purposes at the end of the year. They have been set so that the Education Depart-ment can measure learners’ progress and whether they have reached the expected levels in literacy and numeracy. This will assist the Department in establishing where it is necessary to intervene if a particular class or school does not perform to the national levels. The results can also serve as a guide to whether your child needs any assistance in a particular area or not. Learners cannot really prepare for these tests as such, but their subject teachers will give them some idea of what kinds of questions to expect.

We have been notified that testing for our Grade 9 learners will take place as follows: 19 September English ANA 21 September Mathematics ANA (Calculators may be used) 12 October WCED Systemic Tests English and Mathematics

Please note that ALL LEARNERS

are expected to be present in order to be tested on these days.

As these are ordinary school days, teaching will resume immediately after the assessments have been completed, so learners must ensure that they have the relevant books with them.

CIVVIES DAY : Friday 21 September We will be having a civvies day to raise money for our end-of-year thank-you gifts for our support staff. This team works hard throughout the year to ensure that our building and grounds are cleaned and main-tained. This is our opportunity, as a school commu-nity, to show our appreciation to them for what they do for us throughout the year. Your support of this civvies day, at a cost of R10-00 per learner, would be greatly appreciated.

GRADE NINE TESTING

Leaving School Early: Reminder for Girls and Parents

Please remember that when girls are collected from School during the course of the day for any reason, they WILL NOT BE called by the Office as this is far too disruptive for classes. Girls must excuse themselves and come down at the expected time to meet their parents.

Old magazines required

Ms Chambers is looking for any old magazines, especially National Geographic, Time,

The Economist, Wildlife, no matter how old they are. Please take directly to her or leave with the

secretary

NEWS FLASH Lauren Denny has been chosen to represent South Africa in the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad in Tunisia during September. More

details in the next newsletter.

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Old Girl News

Success for Malika Malika Omar, currently living and working in Dubai, has recently received another musical acco-lade. She writes as follows: It is with great honour that I announce that I have been included in Time Out Dubai's (Time Out being awarded PPA International Consumer Magazine of the Year 2010 and 2011) list of the United Arab Emirates' Best-Selling Acts Ever. This is the second accolade I've been surprised with in a number of months (the first being in the Top 10 of the Region's Hottest Talents by The Na-tional newspaper). Each one of you has made an impact on me per-sonally or professionally and I thank you for you sin-cere encouragement. It is only due to your good wishes that I have reached these surreal career milestones. My wish is that I can continue to make great mu-sic, by exploring other genres and developing as an artist and businesswoman; as well as do more char-ity-driven projects such as 'New Hope' in aid of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (www.cdbaby.com/malikao). Please check out the online link of the Time Out list where I'm truly humbled to be amongst the region's most talented musicians: http://www.timeoutdubai.com/gallery/34328-10-best-selling-uae-acts-ever?image=5. My sincere best wishes to you all. Warmest regards Malika Omar , Performing and Recording Artist

Reunion of Rustenburg Actresses Four recipients of Rustenburg’s Alston le Roux Drama Cup met at the “BUGGED!” drama showcase on the evening of 22 Au-gust. They were (from left): Ms Gabriella Pinto (2005, 2007), Ms Meghan Smith (2009), Ms Hannah MacMillan (2011) and Ms Carey Wallace (2000). It was very spe-cial to have these Rustenburg Old Girls, all who were recognised for their service to the theatrical genre in various years, to-gether at an event celebrating the success of the Dramatic Arts department. Ms Gabriella Pinto, the only double winner of the cup since its donation in 1998, has since gone on to graduate with a degree in Theatre and Performance from the Univer-sity of Cape Town. She served as the guest speaker for “BUGGED!” and, in her address, highlighted to the audience the value which the performing arts holds in modern society. Ms Meghan Smith, who is studying archi-tecture at the UCT, has used her own skills as a stage performer to mentor many of the Grade 12 aspiring actresses. Ms Han-nah MacMillan is currently in her first year at UCT and, in July, achieved the highest class result in her Drama Theory course. Ms Carey Wallace is a qualified drama teacher at the Cape Academy of Perform-ing Arts. She will be assisting with Rusten-burg’s major production, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” planned for 2013.

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Amy Biehl Foundation Scholarship Congratulations to Alyxé Rosenberg who was nominated for the Amy Biehl Foundation Scholarship. We are really proud to announce that she made the short list of six. Alyxé is involved in several spheres of service to community, helping at Glendale Home for the mentally Impaired and at Atlantic Hope which is a home for babies awaiting adoption as well as Operation Smile!

General news

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Congratulations to Hyun-Joo Park

in Grade 12, who has attained her Bronze level of the President’s Award.

Theatre and spectacle came to the Kemp Hall on the evening of 22 August when the Dramatic Arts department staged, for the first time, a “BUGGED!” drama showcase. The delighted audience enjoyed three short productions on the night:

“Miss Conception” (Grade 12 Dramatic Arts. Theme: Babies)

“Soldier On” (Grade 12 Dramatic Arts. Theme: War)

“Bride’s Head, Revisited” (National Drama Winners)

Old Girl, Ms Gabriella Pinto (E 2007), offici-ated as guest speaker and welcomed the audi-ence by outlining what she has gained through her own tertiary studies in drama. Gabriella cur-rently holds a B.A. degree in Theatre and Per-formance from the University of Cape Town. For the two Matric casts this was an opportu-nity to present their original, theme programmes which will be formally assessed by the Curricu-lum Advisor and visiting adjudicators on 9 Octo-ber. Their parents have watched as these shows have grown organically over the past two years. Scenes have been added and amended in a continual process of revision. The final

products were both compelling and thought-provoking. Rustenburg’s annual submission to the Na-tional Girls Schools’ Festival has, for the past five years, been presented to a Cape Town au-dience at the Bishops Play Festival. The unex-pected cancellation of this fundraising event created an opportunity for Rustenburg ac-tresses to perform at Rustenburg. “Bride’s Head, Revisited” not only won the national com-petition, but also received 7 awards. The “BUGGED!” programme formally an-nounced that the school will be staging a major dramatic production in 2013. The script, which has been selected, is “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” The first round of auditions for “Miss Brodie” have been scheduled for Sunday, 9 August in the Drama Room. “The Prime of Miss Jean Bro-die” will not be new to the Kemp Hall stage. The very same production was presented by Rus-tenburg High School for Girls in 1996.

BUGGED! drama showcase: 22 August

Dame Maggie Smith as the original and

iconic Miss Jean Brodie

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Rustenburg Times

GRADE 12s GAP YEAR

OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN ACTION VOLUNTEER AFRICA

Action Volunteer Africa is an NGO which is piloting a programme in the Western Cape

in 2013. The organization will do placements in a large number of NGOs in order to help volunteers

up-grade their skills while making a difference to communities.

Contact Lisa Garson at

lisa@actionappointments.co.za.

General News

VARSITY COLLEGE BURSARIES Bursary sports include : mountain biking, cycling, swimming, triathlon, running, surfski \ canoing, waterpolo, surfing and golf. High achievers in these sports from a club and school level to provincial and national level will be considered. Requirements for bursary will include compet-ing on behalf of varsity College, mentoring be-ginners, managing the respective club on campus etc.

Please contact Khalid Mooradd at Varsity College 021 6855021

kmooradd@varsitycollege.co.za if you would like to apply or need more information

Mathematics in Grade 8 moves from Arithme-tic to Algebra. Algebra is generalised Arithmetic and it deals with abstract concepts using x and y. This is quite a jump for some learners. The curriculum has been well planned so that most learners will be able to master it in the time allotted. Some learners take longer to grasp concepts and these learners may need extra help. Extra help is available for those that really struggle. Rustenburg invites these learners to participate in an extra class, but the numbers are limited and attendance is compulsory. Peer tutoring from older learners is also available. Some parents do prefer outside lessons. The Mathematics teachers are always available to answer questions.

Mathematics is like sport or music. The more you practise the better you become. But you do need to practise every day. This is more than just your homework. Mathematics is such an emotional subject that usually the learner does the homework for the subjects that she likes first. Mathematics is left for last and by that time it is easier to say: “I don’t understand”. At Rustenburg we expect the learners to be responsible for their own learning. She should be keen to learn and be attentive in class. All the Mathematics teachers are willing to give extra work for extra practice.

“All Maths is interesting. You just have to work harder at

some of it.” Paul Scott: retiring editor of the Australian Mathematics Teacher

journal.

Overheard in the parking lot… “Why does my daughter in Grade 8 need to have extra Maths lessons?”

Pictured right: Miss Michelle Meyer,

ROG and Mathematics teacher

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Music Department News

From the conductor, Brandon Phillips How could I ever forget the performances we had? Yes it will die with me. I felt that the young

musicians and I created a stronger bond each time we rehearsed. And thinking back to the per-formances, I remember when the choir started singing the first piece. My eyes opened and I got

such a shock. The choir and orchestra jumped to such a great level compared to the final re-hearsal. And then and there I knew that the musicians were going to be magical. They gave their

everything from beginning to end. And I thank them for it.

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Music Department News

Well done and thank you to Cassandra Cranfield (keyboard),

Azraa Parker (baritone saxophone) and Robyn Smith (euphonium)

who performed at the Marjorie Marx Benefit concert at Groote Schuur Primary School on Friday 31 August. Their performances were

greatly appreciated and the GSPS was proud of its Old Girls.

Well done to our RGHS musicians who learn at the Beau Soleil Music Centre. They were all involved in an excellent Gala concert in the City Hall on Saturday 25 August. The Chamber Choir joined the Beau Soleil Strings in a performance of 4 movements from Vivaldi’s Gloria. The RGHS participants were

Preliminary Band Rebecca Terry, Flute, Ashleigh Curtis, Oboe

Intermediate Band: Roxanne Pitt, French Horn,

Emily Norris, Percussion

Senior Strings Stephanie Lawrenson, Violin 1,

Kirsten Buchanan and Lindiwe le Brasseur,

Violin 2, Abigail Mallows, Viola,

Lynne Donson (Soloist), Seul Jung and Julia Cooke, Cello.

Senior Band Ashleigh Joubert Clarinet,

Alexandra Mould, Bassoon, Megan Denny, Trumpet,

Robin Smith, Euphonium.

Chamber Choir SOPRANO 1:

Jenna Bryden, Ashleigh Curtis, Joycelyn Foster, Julia Holzberg, Pearl Jung,

Adrienne Marais, Tamsin Metelerkamp, Terusha Navsaria, Corné Odendal, Catherine Smith, Courtney Wallace,

and Tarryn Williams.

SOPRANO 2: Hannah Abrahams-Crocker,

Emma Bergh, Alexa Bessinger, Haley-Anne Box, Rouzanna Coxson,

Sakeenah Kerbelker, Anja Mühr, Kim Petersen, Grace Thomson (Deputy)

and Ellen-Anne Williams.

ALTO: Fraîche-Rosée Baloubeta,

Hannah Bridgens, Isabella Cupido, Lauren Davis (Leader), Lynne Donson,

Aimèe George, Caitlin Grüning, Gladys Kisela, Lindiwe le Brasseur,

Sandisiwe Mdoda, Cheryl Muchapondwa and Kelley Petersen.

CONTRALTO:

Lauren Davis (Soloist)

BEAU SOLEIL GALA CONCERT 25th AUGUST 2012 AT THE CAPE TOWN CITY HALL

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Music Department News

ORCHESTRAL Eervolle Vermelding (70-75%)

Anja Mühr, Rania Davids, Alicia Lee, Isabella Cupido (strings)

Kirsten Barratt, Christine Monteverdi, Rebecca Haines, Stephanie Lawrenson

(strings) Eervolle Vermelding+ (76-77%)

Doyeou Ku, Lauren Denny (flutes) Ashleigh Barnard, Danielle Lund (flutes)

Eervolle Vermelding++ (78-79%) Jenna Bryden, Lauren Denny (flutes)

Hoogste Lof (90%+) Lauren Denny, Joo-Young Kim (flutes)

STRING INSTRUMENTS

Eervolle Vermelding (70-75%) Irena Nolte (Romantic/Modern)

Alexandra Wittenberg-Scott (Baroque/Classical)

Anja Mühr (Romantic/Modern) Lof +(86-87%)

Anja Mühr (Baroque/Classical)

RECORDERS Eervolle Vermelding++ (78-79%)

Roxanne Christian (Baroque) Catherine Smith (Modern)

Lof (80-85%) Kerryn Duff (Modern)

Lof +(86-87%) Kerryn Duff (Unaccompanied)

Catherine Smith (Baroque & Sonata) Roxanne Christian (Unaccompanied)

RGHS Recorder Ensemble – Gold Medal Lof ++(88-89%)

Kerryn Duff (Baroque) Catherine Smith (Unaccompanied C & F)

Silver Medal

Roxanne Christian/Catherine Smith (Duet) – Silver Medal

Rouzanna Coxson/Alexandra Mould (Duet) – Silver Medal

Hoogste Lof (90%+) Kerryn Duff (Sonata)

Rouzanna Coxson (Baroque, Unaccompanied, Modern & Sonata) – Silver Medal (Sonata)

Roxanne Christian (Unaccompanied) Alexandra Mould (Baroque & Modern)

– Silver Medal Alexandra Mould (Concerto)

– Gold Diploma Berocca G

– Gold Medal

SENIOR VOICE Lof +(86-87%)

Tamsin Metelerkamp (Folksong) Grace Thomson (Own Choice)

Lof ++(88-89%) Tamsin Metelerkamp (Own Choice, Aria Antica)

Anja Mühr (Aria Antica) Pearl Jung (Aria Antica)

Grace Thomson (Aria Antica) Anja Mühr/Pearl Jung (Duet)

Lauren Davis/Grace Thomson (Duet) Hoogste Lof (90%+)

Tamsin Metelerkamp (Musical) Kirsten Pienaar (Afrikaanse Woorde, Own

Choice, Folksong, Musical) Aimee George (Own Choice,

Folksong, Musical) Grace Thomson (Musical)

Lauren Davis (Afrikaanse Woorde, Aria Antica, Own Choice)

Julia Holzberg/ Kirsten Pienaar/ Aimee George (Trio)

PIANO SECTION to follow in next Newsletter

KAAPSE AFRIKAANSE EISTEDDFOD RESULTS 2012

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Sports News

PGSGU Cross Country Friday 25 August

This event took place on a beautiful sunny af-ternoon on the slopes of Table Mountain. The event was hosted by St. Cyprians. Congratula-tions to all the Rustenburg runners who com-pleted this tough 4km route. Our top scorers were Sasha Sivertsen running in the U14 race, placed 2nd and Nicky de Villiers who placed 4th in the u18 race. Thank you to all our runners. Rustenburg placed 4th overall.

U14: Sasha Sivertsen, Ali Wittenberg-Scott, Georgia Satchwell, Layla Mahomed,

Kathleen Holcroft U15:

Samantha McCrindle, Tamsin Metelerkamp, Isabella Meyer

U16: Elle Mouton, Sarah Prutton,

Lindiwe le Brasseur U17:

Kristi Lanser, Natalie Luyt, Lauren Denny, Amina Vallie

U19: Nicky de Villiers , Christine Monteverdi,

Amy Scott and Natalie Pinto

NICKY DE VILLIERS and SARAH DONDE Congratulations to Nicky (u19) and Sarah

(u16) who were rewarded for their outstanding performances during the cross country season. They were awarded with certificates and med-

als at an awards function for placing third in their respective age-groups in the Southern

Zone.

PGSGU NETBALL TOURNAMENT Due to inclement weather predicted for Saturday 25 August, the u14 and u16 tourna-ments had to be cancelled. The u19 netball tournament went ahead and was hosted by Rustenburg at Herschel’s indoor venue. This tournament proved to be a ‘closely-fought contest’. Due to only having one court, the matches were reduced to 12 minute matches with no subbing or changeovers allowed. We brought in five provincially graded umpires for the morning, which resulted in a netball tourna-ment of high quality The Rustenburg team played well, placing 3rd behind Herschel and the winners, Springfield.

TENNIS KIANA NEETHLING

continues to impress with her tennis perform-ances. Kiana won the Boland Mini Series 3

women singles title on Sunday 2 September.

Pictured right:

Nicky de Villiers (E2) finishing strongly on a

tough course

Pictured left:

Sasha Sivertsen (A4)

receiving her prize

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Sports News

HOCKEY MATCH RESULTS

Thursday 23 August 1st team drew 1 – 1 against Settlers

Saturday 25 August

RGHS vs Monument Park: U19A lost 2 – 3

U19B won 4 – 0 U16B won 4 – 0

RGHS vs Muizenberg:

U16C won 15 – 0 U14C lost 0 - 3

(suspended due to rain)

ICE SKATING

During the weekend of 25-26 August, the Western Province Ice Skating Champion-ships and Inter club competition took place.

Jessica Stanton and Emma Swart both took part in their respective synchronised

ice-skating teams.

Congratulations to Emma Swart, who received the award of ‘

WP ICE SKATING SPORTSWOMEN OF THE YEAR FOR 2012’

Well done Emma!

Western Province Water Polo trials 2012

SATURDAY 13 October, 2012

Under 19 Venue: Herschel

Time: 08h00 to 10h00

Under 16 Venue: Herschel

Time: 15h30 to 17h30

Under 15 Venue: Reddam

Time: 10h30 to 12h30

Under 14 Venue: Herschel

Time: 12h30 to 15h30

Under 13 Venue: WBHS

Time: 08h00 to 11h00

PGSGU U16 Hockey Tournament: Friday 7 September at Herschel

@14h30

Rustenburg matches are as follows 14h55 vs St Cyprians

15h45 vs Herschel 16h35 vs Wynberg

17h50 vs Springfield 19h55 vs Sans Souci

PGSGU Squash tournament:

Saturday 8 September at WPCC @ 08h30

Talented Grade Eight

runner, Sasha Sivertsen,

in action at the recent

PGSGU Cross Country Competition

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Art Flash …

Final Grade

Twelve

offerings

Jodie Naude

Mieke Loubser

Natalie Pinto

Jueun Kim

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Rustenburg Times

Calendar

TERM 3

A NOTICE FROM PAWS

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has asked Rustenburg, and specifically the Earth Children Society, to help promote the Arabian Nights Themed Dance, to be held in Septem-ber to raise money for much needed medical and surgical equipment. Jaime Gray PAWS Representative, Earth Children Society

PDSA ARABIAN NIGHTS DINNER

The PDSA is hosting a really exciting Arabian Nights Dance to raise funds for surgical and medical equipment on the 14th of September starting at 19h00 at the Athlone Civic Centre. There will be cheese and wine as an entrée as well as a three course meal (available in Halaal). The entertainment includes a band, DJ, raffle, auction and belly dancing. The dress code is strictly formal or theme dress. Tickets cost R130. It is a really wonderful idea for a gift to buy for friends or parents. Buy a few tickets and go as a group to enjoy a wonderful evening filled with exotic entertainment and good food.

If anyone is interested please see

Jaime Gray in D4 (jaimegray26@gmail) or

contact Sandy or Zoe 021 638 513/4 (sokkers@pdsa.org.za)

Saturday 08 International Literacy Day Inter-Schools Squash (WPCC courts) 08h30

Tuesday 11 SGB Sub-Committee Meetings 17:30

Wednesday 12 Grade 11 German and History outing (Holocaust Centre)

Friday 14 Grade 12 Preliminary Examinations end isiXhosa Dinner (Thomson Hall) 18:30 – 20:30

Monday 17 Rosh Hashanah Grade 10 & 11 English, Afrikaans/isiXhosa Writing Examinations Grade 12 Visual Arts and Design final practical Academic lessons for Grades 8, 9 and non-Art Grade 12 learners

Tuesday 18 Rosh Hashanah

Wednesday 19 Gr 9 Language ANA Annual Music Concert (Kemp Hall) 19:30

Thursday 20 Assembly: Heritage Day presentation (History)

Friday 21 Civvies Day (for support staff gifts) Extended form period for checking of mark schedules Gr 9 Mathematics ANA Grade 10 Afrikaans Southern Cape Tour leaves after form period Boarders weekend out

Sat 22 National Ensemble Competition @ Stellenbosch University