Snippets Pretoria High School for Girls
From the Headmistress What a scorching end to 2015, definitely a far call from the typical “white Christmas” pictures splashed in the media. This year has once again been busy and action-packed. When children state that the year “flew past”, one can be sure that they have participated and been involved with numerous activities in and out of school; a good sign. The children of today need to show resilience and “hang in there” despite not always succeeding at their goals, and try again. In addition, they need to be accountable in terms of meeting commitments at home and at school; attending extra lessons they are expected to or advised to attend; handing in work on time; feeding the dog without being reminded. As parents and educators we owe this to them. They are in high school and the tertiary institutions they attend one day will definitely not “run after them” reminding them of test days; content to be studied; exam venues, etc. The sooner they master the skills of resilience and accountability, the better they will perform at school and after school. As per sport and cultural reports, the programmes were more low-key during this term as the examinations started so soon into a short term. We were once again complimented on our beautiful facilities and grounds by the markers who came to the school in December. Thanks are due to Mr Schüttenberg, Mr Mashishi and their team of general assistants who help to keep the facilities neat and tidy. Please encourage your daughter to do so as well and realise how privileged she is to attend school in such a beautiful environment. The actual original school building and hostel buildings are 100 years old this year.
11 December 2015 Issue 4 2015 Inside this issue: From the Headmistress
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Minister visits PHSG
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Cultural Highlights
3
Sport Highlights
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Old Girls’ News
5-6
Pauline Spruÿt Myers
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Makro/MySchool
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Advertisements
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2016 School Calendar
Term 1
13 January - 18 March
Term 2
5 April - 24 June
Term 3
18 July - 30 September
Term 4
10 October - 7 December
Important Dates 15 & 16 January Grade 8 Camp 27 January Grade 8 Commencement Ceremony 11 February Valentine’s Ball 25 February Inter-House Gala 14-17 March House Play Festival 13 April Parents’ Evening 28 April Jersey Display
On the academic front, we await the grade 12 results which will be available on 6 January from 08:00 until 12:00 at the school. We thank the academic educators for their dedication and commitment and many hours put into extra lessons, sport and cultural activities. Thank you in addition to the educators who matric-marked, therefore being fully aware of standards and marking requirements which they then feed back to the school. At the end of this year we bid farewell to Mrs Floor, who we thank for replacing Mrs van Schoor in the maths department from July. Mrs Meintjies leaves the school after three years to go to an independent school. We wish her well. Mrs Janse van Rensburg sadly leaves the school after fourteen years to accompany her husband to Cape Town where he will be starting in a new position. We wish the whole family well as they move and start afresh. Mrs L du Toit retires at the end of the year after eighteen years at the school. We also thank her in advance for seeing the 2015 Iris magazine through to publication. Thank you to the administrative staff who play a vital role in supporting the academic side of the school to be able to function effectively. The hostel staff also need a special word of thanks as they worked through the school holidays and had to cope with lengthy bathroom renovations. Best wishes to all of you for a blessed Festive Season and a good rest, should you be privileged to have holiday during this time. Travel safely and spend time talking to your children; get to know their heart and in this way ensure good communication with them. KA du Toit Headmistress The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga visited the markers at PHSG Marking Centre on Friday 11 December.
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Cultural Highlights The following is an outline of the activities of the Cultural Department during Term 4: Public Speaking: This group met with Pretoria Boys High School and spoke about gender equality. PBHS and PHSG Bagpipes: Mr Blackmore and the pipers played in assembly on the first day of term ensuring a wonderful start to the final quarter. The Ceilgh at Boys High was a most enjoyable event. There are more than 10 girls who would like to join the pipe band. Ballroom Dancing: The joint Ballroom Dancing at Boys High has taken off with a bang. The first group completed their course this term and next year there will be two groups dancing. Orchestra: The PHSG Orchestra was invited to perform at the Deutsche Schule Pretoria and at the Cornwall Hill College Festival. Choir auditions: The senior choir auditions have taken place. There are 30 new members which means that the choir will consist of 80 members next year. Carols by Candlelight: This was the first time that this most enjoyable evening was held in the Formal Gardens. The programme design used was from a Christmas Concert held at the school in 1905. Talent Identification: Attendance by the grade 8s of 2016 was good and valuable information regarding the musical ability of these young ladies was collected. Marimba Band: As marimbas have been purchased by the school, auditions to become part of the a marimba band will take place early in 2016. Mrs B du Toit HOD: Extra-curricular Culture Issue 4 2015
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Sport in Term 4 Athletics The athletic season was most exciting. The scientific approach to the training sessions definitely made a big difference. PHSG hosted the successful Inter-High Athletics. Hockey The hockey players received a training programme for the December holidays. Netball The 1st and 2nd Teams underwent sport scientific testing during November. After this they were each given a training programme for the December holidays. Swimming The swimming continued with pre-season training during the exams. During the first two weeks in December the training continued on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at TUKS. The swimmers will receive a training programme for the holidays. After the success of the camp held during the first week in January this year, Mrs Albertyn and Mrs Houtman (two coaches) decided to have a swimming camp again the week before the school starts in 2016. The camp will run from Wednesday 6 January to Friday 8 January. Tennis The tennis team played against Penryn College from Nelspruit on Saturday 31 October. This was a major success and a derby should definitely be considered as a future event. Three out of the four PHSG team members won their single matches which is a very good result. Waterpolo The waterpolo players were given a training programme for the school holidays. Grade 8 Clinics The Grade 8s of 2016 were invited to attend diving, hockey, netball and/or squash clinics in term 4. The clinics were a major success with record numbers attending each of these. The feedback from the upcoming grade 8 parents was most positive. Talent Identification Two dates were available for the Talent Identification programme, Friday 13 November and Friday 20 November. This is the third year PHSG is running the programme and the number of new grade 8s attending doubled from the previous years. Both sport and cultural disciplines were part of the programme Mrs M Marais Director of Sport
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Old Girls’ Reunion Weekend If you are an Old Girl this is a weekend to remember! Many Old Girls’ travel from around the world to attend. It all begins on the Friday afternoon when any Old Girl may “book” into the hostel to spend the night. Whoops of laughter and shouts of joy are the order of the day as past boarders race around reminiscing about their hostel days! The formalities begin on the Friday night with a cocktail party in the McWilliam Quad. This event gains popularity every year as any Old Girl may attend whereas the luncheon on the Saturday is restricted to those who are celebrating their 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and above year reunions. On the Saturday morning the formal business of the AGM is completed early and then the Old Girls take on current girls: hockey, netball, waterpolo, tennis, basketball and squash matches are played. On the cultural side there is a fierce debate upstairs in the Music Centre. During the morning the music for the Sunday morning Service is rehearsed by current and ex musicians. Mrs Du Toit and members of the SGB take all interested Old Girls on a comprehensive tour of the school and grounds. The Old Girls are always amazed at the preservation and development of their alma mater. At 12:30 the crowds gather in the foyer to attend the luncheon. The excitement is a joy to behold as these old friends recognise and greet each other tumultuously and the years of separation fade away. The happy weekend is given a fitting closing with a lovely Service at noon on the Sunday by The Venerable Tim Lowes. Mrs Joan Manders Marketing and PR Manager
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Old Girls’ Reunion Weekend
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Mrs Pauline Spruÿt Myers PHSG is sad to inform the Girls High family that Pauline Spruÿt Myers passed away peacefully in Pretoria on 9 December 2015. Pauline was a revered old girl and staff member of our school. She served on the staff for over 37 years and was respected and loved by all who knew her. Our deepest condolences go to all her family and friends.
Makro/MySchool Whatever you’re planning during the school holidays, remember to swipe your Makro and MySchool cards whenever you’re at the tills. With every swipe, you’re helping to upgrade facilities at our school and to enable our girls to go on tour. All you have to do is:
Apply for Makro and MySchool cards if you do not have these, and only if you intend using them!
Get your extended family to apply for one or more cards - grandparents, aunts and uncles are all welcome.
Use your cards at every opportunity - we often forget to use our cards because we’re in a rush!!
Use your cards at all supporting partners - look for the logo of MySchool supporting partners – and Makro Silver Lakes, Wonderboom and Centurion.
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Update your Makro and MySchool profile by going online to www.myschool.co.za or www.makro.co.za Make this a memorable summer by helping us to raise much-needed funds. And remember, it costs you nothing at all. This summer, the best things in life are free.
MySchool National Partners
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Advertising Should you wish to place an advertisement in Snippets, please contact Joan Manders at 012-4307341 or jmanders@phsg.org.za
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