ACADEMIC
From the Head of Grade 11 Head of Grade 11: Ms Lorraine Gardiner B1: Ms Liza September B2: Ms Anita Pretorius B3: Ms Monika Brandt B4: Ms Marieta Langenhoven B5: Ms Irene Adley, Ms Tarin Scharneck B6: Ms Zaandre Theron
This year Rustenburg celebrated its 120th birthday. The festivities culminated in a joint Cross Country event with the Junior School held at the High School. The Grade 11s enjoyed pairing up with little Grade 2 girls and running the race together. In some cases it was the Grade 2 girl who ended up dragging the older girl over the finishing line! The girls were treated to cake and juice afterwards, which made up for the pain of running. Friendships were fostered between the two schools and there was a warm feeling of unity and school spirit resulting from the joint venture. The Grade 11s of 2014 have adjusted to a number of new form teachers this year, namely Ms Dianne Leonard, Ms Louise Lawrence, Ms Leanne van Rensburg and Ms Laura Barrett, whilst they have had continuity with Ms Lorraine Gardiner and Ms Zélia Simpson who were their form teachers the previous year. This group of girls has shown their strength and have dealt with these changes effortlessly. A highlight of the Grade 11 year was the Leadership Camp which was held at Witzenberg at the end of Term 1. This provided an opportunity for the girls to improve on or develop their leadership skills and to bond as a grade. While the early morning run was not popular with a number of girls, they endured it without too much complaining. The activities that proved to be most popular were the trust activities and the canoe race across the swimming pool in a cardboard box. The latter ended in disaster for all teams but one, who managed to survive for three lengths of the pool and, in so doing, established a new record! There were definitely budding designers in this team! Two Grade 11 girls participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange, namely Mia van Aardt and Julia Darke. Julia was also invited to the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp, firstly as a team leader and then as a facilitator, while Emily O’Ryan was honoured by being elected to the President’s Award Youth Committee.
won the Hip-Hop Indaba in August, as well as participating in an Indonesian dance in Mossel Bay earlier in the year. At the Afrikaanse Eisteddfod we had a number of achievers: Marianne Schwellnus and Samantha McCrindle took part in a piano duet, attaining Diploma, Ashleigh Curtis received Distinctions for both her solo musical item and for her piano duet, while Catherine Smith received two Silver medals for recorder. Tatum Skriker was awarded the Pederson and Lennard Award for consistent all-round excellence and unique design style. BuhleBemvelo Zimba attained third position in the District Public speaking Competition, as well as being one of the girls chosen to visit Stroud High School in the United Kingdom as a member of the Afri-twin Tour. There was also huge honour for Bronwen Barratt and Jessica Smith who had their essays published in the English Alive journal. For something different and innovative, Tiana Hansraj founded the iClub, which is a group of learners who are passionate about the change and evolution of technology. Abigail Baker, Natalie and Katherine Davidson, Jarita Kassen and Michaela Madurai were finalists in a competition for young South Africans who showed initiative and enterprise. Their app, called HushApp, is a self-help group offering advice on a number of topics and is accessed on cell phones. Grade 11s were true achievers on the sport field and in the swimming pool. Our provincial representatives were Ziyanah Fredericks (Western Cape Ladies’ Open Touch Rugby), Samantha McCrindle (U21 Western Province Touch Rugby), Elle Mouton (Western Province Ladies’ Open and U21 Touch Rugby), Hannah Nassen (U17 Western Province Touch Rugby), Michelle Winter (U18 Seals Indoor Hockey and U18B Western Province Hockey) and Chelsea van Rensburg who was awarded Western Province Colours for Swimming, as well as taking part in the South African Open Water Championships, the South African Short Course Championships and the South African Nationals Level 2. Zoë Goslett displayed her lowerlimb prowess by completing the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, as well as participating in the ITU triathlon together with fellow Grade 11s Rebecca Haines and Yuh-wen Samantha Ma. Abigail Tudge excelled in diving and achieved first place in the Western Province 1m diving competition, as well as a second place in the South African Novice age group division. Finally Haidee Davis was honoured by being nominated as Western Province U18B Hockey Captain, as well as being chosen to attend the leadership programme at Harvard University during the June holidays. This grade will be the Rustenburg leaders for 2015 and they have the potential to be dynamic, compassionate and enthusiastic leaders of the highest calibre. May they continue on their journey through their final year at school living every moment, enjoying every day and remembering to work hard towards their goals.
Grade 11s excelled in many areas in the cultural field. Carla Scholtz
Alston le Roux Cup for Drama
This trophy was donated in 1998 with the request that it be awarded annually to the pupil, or pupils, who offered the greatest contribution to the development, promotion and service to the theatrical genre at Rustenburg High School for Girls in that particular year. The 2014 recipient was Julia Holzberg (Grade 11). Julia first represented Rustenburg in Drama in 2011 when she travelled to the Eastern Cape as part of the touring production of “Who’s your Daddy?” “Who’s your Daddy?” was named Best Overall Production at the festival. In 2013 Julia tackled the role of Jenny, Miss Brodie’s favourite pupil, in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”. This year Julia’s commitment to “HAIR RAISING” was invaluable. She also had the responsibility of delivering the powerful final monologue of the show, of a young girl at her own mother’s funeral. Julia has received Full Colours for Drama.
RGHS MAGAZINE 2014
29
