vghs magazine 2015
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VGHS Vision and Mission StatementVG Staff Principal's Prize-giving Address2014 School LeadersRCLHead Girls' Prize-giving SpeechVG pupilsGrades 8 - 12 Honours and Colours Recipients; Provincial and District representatives, Skills Development photosAcademic AchievementsPrizes for academicsCreative Writing - English and AfrikaansJohan Carinus Art Centre AwardsArt photo pagesBeyond the textbooks - Olympiads and Expos Social awarenessCultural ActivitiesPrizes for CultureChess ClubChoirChristians in ActionCreative Writing ClubDebating SocietyHiking ClubInteract Society Marimba BandOrchestraPhotojourn ClubService ActivitiesThe President’s Award AwarenetFirst AidLibraryGreen TeamSport CodesPrizes for SportAthleticsCross CountryHockeyNetballOutside SportsSquashSwimmingTennisHouse Awards and ActivitiesDorsetGraemeRuthvilleThursfordHouse PlaysHostel LifeEleanor Brown HouseBeaufort HouseRenfrew HouseMather Pike HouseDenise Long HouseSpecial InterestThe Sound of MusicFounders’ WeekendMatric Dance Dresses
Contents
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MISSION STATEMENT• We provide a broad spectrum of activities and facilities.• We encourage a balanced life-style without
compromising academic standards.• We encourage responsibility towards the community
and the environment.• We encourage our learners to develop, to their full
potential, condence, critical thinking skills and self-discipline.
• We encourage independent and creative thinking.• We encourage social interaction with people from
different backgrounds.• We acknowledge effort as well as achievement.• We value the unique qualities and talents of each
learner and staff member.• We provide opportunities for: taking initiative; building
condence and selfesteem; functioning individually and as part of a group.
• We promote helpfulness, honesty, loyalty, diligence, courtesy, commitment, consideration and respect for all.
• We encourage learners to set goals and work towards those goals.
• We acknowledge the uniqueness, individuality and specic needs of each learner, teacher, general staff member and parent.
VGHS VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT
VISIONAt Victoria Girls’ High School we support and respect one
another in a safe and happy environment. Our broad spectrum of activities and facilities enriches all, as we strive for
excellence.
PAGE 4
VG Staff
Back row: Ms R. Woudstra; Mr J. Still; Mr H. Kunju; Mr G. Mitchell; Ms M. Hartley; Mr D. Stoloff; Ms J. Smith Third row: Ms B. Mavuso; Ms D. Smuts; Mr P. Urban; Ms P. Van Der Linde; Mr S. Mkhize; Ms A. Watson; Ms J. Baart Second row: Ms O. Bunu; Ms K. Kazadi; Mr S. Jeffries; Ms A. Goosen; Ms S. Nicholls; Ms E. Farquhar; Ms T. Siga Front row: Ms S. Richards; Dr S. Hanton; Ms A. Retief; Mr W. Schmidt; Ms N. Hayes; Ms K. McCrindle; Ms N. Czeredrecki-Schmidt
Tribute to Muriel Winifrid Wood1927/08/03 - 2015/09/04Miss Wood attended VG from Sub
thA to 6 Form – or in more modern
terms from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
After school she studied for a BSc
at Rhodes University, where she
was one of the rst women to be
awarded a science degree; and
qualied as a Geography and
Mathematics teacher. After
working in Port Elizabeth and King
William's Town, she took up a
teaching position at VG in 1955.
She stayed at VG as a very
dedicated teacher for another 31
years.
She was highly respected. Ms
Wood was always willing to walk
the extra mile for the girls, whom
she cared for very much. Even
after her retirement she helped
the school by standing in as a
secretary and at a later stage as
an assistant matron in the hostel.
Old Girls remember her for her
dedication and hard work.
Lessons started with “10 short
questions”. As she was well
travelled, she could always share
interesting post cards,
photographs, slides and
mementoes as part of lessons –
remember there was no internet,
only her passion and love of
geography! They remember her
fondly for her enthusiasm; love of
life; and for singing “Waltzing
Matilda.”
The more recent Old Girls
remember her as Miss Wood who,
despite her frailness, made every
effort to addend concerts,
Founders' Weekend celebrations
and Prize Giving evenings. She
would always take the time to
speak to all concerned, still
showing a great interest in life at
VG.
The current VG girls will not
remember her in person, as she
was too unwell to undertake
school visits. They only know her
by the photo outside the
principal's ofce. Although she
was elderly she was ery and still
insisted on her opnions about VG
being heard. The Portfolio Heads
always went to visit her at
Brookshaw where she stayed and
shortly before she passed away
Khanya Jonas and Michaela
Chowles as Captain and Deputy
visited her for her birthday in order
to spoil her with owers and cake
from the VG Family.
Miss Wood's life and dedication is
an example and inspiration to all
connected to VG and she is
fondly remembered by the very
wide VG family.
ACADEMIC
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VG Staff ACADEMIC
PAGE 6
STAFF TEACHING STAFF
PRINCIPAL Mr W. Schmidt B.A (Hons), HDE History
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Ms A. Retief B.A, HOD Afrikaans
HEADS of DEPARTMENT Ms N. Czeredrecki-Schmidt B.Sc., B.Ed (Hons), PGCE Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural
Sciences Dr S. Hanton B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D, PGCE Natural Sciences, Life Sciences Ms N. Hayes B.A (Hons), HDE English, Mathematics, Dramatic Arts Ms K. McCrindle B.A, HDE English
GRADE HEADS Ms S. Richards B.Soc.Sci. (Hons), PGCE Mathematics Ms T. Siga B.A, PGCE isiXhosa Mr J. Still B. Com. (Hons), PGCE Accounting, Mathematical Literacy.
Ms P. van der Linde Life Orientation, Technology, Social Sciences, Computer Literacy
Ms A. Watson B.A, PGCE English, Life Orientation, Creative Arts
TEACHERS Ms J. Baart B.Mus. (Hons), R.U.L.M. (SM &
CM) Music, Creative Arts
Ms E. Farquhar
HDE (H.Ed) Sec., ACE
Consumer Studies, Economic and Management Sciences
Ms A. Goosen B.Psych (RC), PGCE Life Orientation, School Counsellor Ms M. Hartley B.Mus. (Hons), R.U.L.P. Music, Creative Arts Mr S. Jeffries B.Com, PGCE Accounting, Computer Applications
Technology, Technology, Economic and Management Sciences
Ms K. Kazadi B.A (Hons), M.A. Music Mr H. Kunju B.A (Hons), M.A. isiXhosa Ms B. Mavuso B.A, PGCE Mr G. Mitchell B.A, HDE English, Life Orientation Mr S. Mkhize B.Mus. Music, Creative Arts Ms S. Moffat B.Sc. (Hons), U.E.D. Physical Sciences Ms S. Nicholls B.Sc, B.Ed. Mathematics, Natural Sciences Ms J. Smith B.Sc, PGCE Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy Ms D. Smuts
Dip. Education
Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences
Mr D. Stoloff B.Sc., HDE Life Sciences, Geography
Mr P. Urban B.A, PGCE History, Dramatic Arts, English, Creative Arts Ms R. Woudstra B.A (Hons), M.A., PGDIP,
PGCE English, Afrikaans
JOHAN CARINUS ART CENTRE
PRINCIPAL Ms M. Kloppers B.A.F.A. Ed Visual Art and Design (Theory)
TEACHERS Ms J. James B.A.F.A. HDE Design (Ceramics), Design Theory
Mr G. Germond M.F.A., Dip. Adv. F.A., PGCE Visual Art (Sculpture), Visual Arts Theory
Ms B. Haggard B.F.A., PGCE Visual Arts (Painting), Design Theory
Ms C. Jacot-Guillarmod B.F.A, M.F.A., PGCE Design (Textiles), Design Theory
Mr J. Grifths B.A.F.A. Creative Arts, Visual Arts Theory
Ms M. van der Merwe B.Tech, PGCE Visual Art (Printmaking), Visual Arts Theory
Ms M. Strooberg Ms J. Deyzel
B.A. PGCE
B.F.A. PGCE
Creative Arts, Design Theory
Creative Arts, Visual Arts Theory
Johan Carinus Art School
Back row: Ms J. Deyzel, Mr J. Grifths, Mr G. Germond, Ms C. Jacot-Guillarmod Front row: Ms M. Strooberg, Ms B. Haggard, Ms M. Kloppers (Principal), Ms J. James
PGCE Students
Back row: Ms L. Barnes; Mr S. Barker Ms P. Zwezwe; Mr A. Mtileni; Ms V. Ojo Front row: Ms S. Vlandir; Ms Richards; Ms J. Hannon
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VG Staff ACADEMIC
Ground staff
Back row: Mr T. Yame; Mr A. Moni; Mr C. Mahabeni; Mr E. Kobo; Mr W. Mahabeni Front row: Ms A. Mbangi; Mr C. Nieuwoudt; Mr W. Schmidt; Mr C. Berriman; Ms J. Fetman
VG Staff HOSTEL, OFFICE AND GROUND
Back row: Ms Fourie; Ms Du Toit; Ms Nqwaba.; Ms O'BrienFront: Ms Werth; Mr Schmidt; Ms Strauss
Ms J. Mitchell Hostel SuperintendentMs S. Dampies MatronMs R. Michaels MatronMr E. Hazell House ParentMs N. Seyepe House ParentMs R. Woudstra House ParentMs Z. FillisMs C. GqobotiMs Z. HebaMs C. HloyiMs D. KetoMr T. MahabeniMs P. MagwalaMs M. MoodieMr G. MpangisoMs T. PlaatjieMs N. StoffMs B. TrollipMs N. ThwaniMs E. VivanaMr T. YameMs N. Zamani
HOSTEL STAFF
Ms T-L. O'Brien P.A. to PrincipalMs R. Fourie SecretaryMs P. Werth Financial ManagerMs R. Strauss Financial AssistantMs L. du Toit Financial AssistantMr V. Moni IT ManagerMs Y. Nqwaba Admin Intern.
OFFICE STAFF
Mr C. NieuwoudtMr C. BerrimanMs J. FatmanMr W. MahabeniMs A. MbangiMr M. Koba Mr S. MtwaloMs L. NqowanaMr N. Sam
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GROUND STAFF
Back row: Ms Plaatjie, Ms Magwala, Mr Mpangiso, Mr Mahabeni, Ms GqabothiMiddle row left: Ms Trollip, Ms Fillis, Ms Thwani, Ms Moodie, Ms Oerson, Ms ZamaniFront row: Ms Michaels, Mr Hazell, Ms Mitchell, Ms Woudstra, Ms Dampies, Ms Siyephe Floor: Giuliette Mitchell
Donkin House
Hostel Staff
Ofce Staff
PAGE 9
VG AwardsPRINCIPAL'S PRIZE-GIVING ADDRESS
Good Evening Ladies, Gentlemen, Special Guests and young ladies of Victoria Girls' High School. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here tonight – to the 2015 VG Speech Night and Prize Giving – where we have the opportunity to reect on the highlights of the year at Victoria Girls' High School.
We live in constantly changing times and the i s sues that a r i se a t universities and in our community cannot help but spil l into the classroom, but, much like Androulla Vassiliou, the former European Commiss ioner for Educat ion, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, who opened the Changing Lives & Opening Minds Conference in Budapest last March I believe that our best path to navigate these times is an excellent education.
In an extract from her address Ms Vassiliou stated the following: “I believe education can restore hope in our ability to choose and shape the society we want to live in. Education is surely one of the places where we can rediscover our values and a sense of identity.
We often hear that our schools and universities must adapt to the needs of employers. And of course this is true: our institutions of learning should indeed open their doors to the world around them, and work with local partners to ensure their teaching keeps pace with social and economic change.
But education must be more than that: it is one of the most powerful
tools for shaping our society's future, including the way we think about and organise the world of work. If we want a society that is open, fair, democratic and dynamic, then surely the creation of that society begins in the classroom.”
This past week all of the VG staff – teachers, admin, nancial, hostel and grounds staff – have been involved in an Appreciative Inquiry intervention. It was only recently that I was introduced to the idea of Appreciative Inquiry, which basically advocates understanding what is good about an organisation and then building on that to collectively work towards a desired future. One of the key elements of Appreciative Inquiry is the anticipatory principle which posits that what we do today is guided by our image of the future. Androulla Vassiliou's statement picks u p o n b o t h t h e s e i m p o r t a n t elements: Positivity – restoring hope; and looking forward – shaping our society's future.
Looking for and focusing on the positive is not always easy. When I rst met our Appreciative Inquiry facilitator, Mr Schalk van der Merwe, I mentioned to him that I thought one of my strengths was that I am a good problem-solver. His response was interesting: “The problem”, he said, “with being a good problem-solver is that you start to look at everything as a problem”. His challenge was to try to nd the positive in what we do and how we do it.
This approach to thinking makes a lot of sense. The more positive you can be about something the easier it is to work with. Just think of those subjects you regard most positively or the people in your life you are most positive about. Being positive about someone or something signicantly reduces the work required when dealing with it or them.
That said, just thinking about the state of education in South Africa can sometimes be enough to slam the door on all positivity. But in the midst o f a c r u m b l i n g a n d c h a o t i c education system VG is competing with the very best schools in the country – so we must be doing something right! For me, the success of VG is built on our values: passion, integrity and excellence; as well as the two massive academic pillars of
the Arts and the Sciences.
At VG we offer all ve Art disciplines: Music, Drama, Dance (which we introduced this year), and, thanks to the John Carinus Art Centre – Visual Art and Design. This year we have seen our Arts departments enter the A l e x a n d e r P l a y h o u s e D r a m a Competition (the only school from Grahamstown to do so) and The Shakespeare Schools' Festival; where VG was the only school to have the entire production beautifully directed by one of our Grade 11s, Nienke Botha. After entering the Creative City Project Foto Fence Competition, Nienke and Caryn Potgieter were selected by the Head of Photography at Rhodes, Brent Meistre, to be part of the specialised photography course that he has been running. As usual there were many entries into the De Beers English Olympiad, and the Grade 11s enjoyed the Grade 11 English Festival. Through the Johan Carinus Art Centre we have had a number of girls produce some truly excellent artworks; which we really hope they will donate to the school so we can display it for years to come - I'm not too sure that we have the space inside the buildings for some of Ongezwa Lusizi's giant sculptures, but I'm sure we can make a plan! The VG Music School's performances over the course of this year have been phenomenal and every year i t appears that Mr Mkhize wants to engage in bigger and bolder projects! And if ever we need reminding of how we equip our pupils with skills and condence and then send them out into the world – well done to 5th Harmony for playing their rst, and hopefully not last, gig at the Acoustic Café recently.
Our other academic pillar at VG is Maths and the Sciences and there have been some except iona l achievements over the last year. Khanya has already mentioned that L a u r e n a n d D a n i e l l e w i l l b e interviewed as part of the selection process for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona in 2016, but this just a small part of our success. At the regional Science Expo VG took home the top four projects and all four girls were awarded gold medals and bursaries to study at Rhodes University. A further gold, three bronze medals, two merits and a part icipation
pic Warren
VG Awards PRINCIPAL'S PRIZE-GIVING ADDRESS
certicate were all awarded to the VG g i r l s , mak ing us the top performing school at the regional expo. Since 2012 VG has produced t h e w i n n i n g p r o j e c t a t t h e Grahamstown regional expo; and has had a total of 16 girls travel to Johannesburg to take part in the National, and now International Science Expo. At the International Expo in Johannesburg recently the top four VG projects once again shone, earning the school three gold awards, with special prizes and more bursaries being awarded to L a u r e n a n d J a c q u i J a m e s . Interestingly, out of the 834 projects on display, there was only one other school at the International event with more than two representatives – n o m e a n f e a t a s t h e Grahamstown regional group was one of the smallest groups that attended this year's Expo. The Grade 11 science pupils entered the Grahamstown Enviro Quiz hosted by the Rhodes University Environmental Science Department – and thanks to some fast ngers, and Jacqui James's uncanny ability to distinguish chicken noises from all other bird calls on the planet, the team won overall and walked off with R3 000 for the Sciences Department! The SAASTA Science Olympiad was written in Term 1 and the VG girls signed up in droves, with our largest number of entrants ever taking place. Jacqui James was placed in the top 150 of the 5000 o d d p u p i l s w h o w r o t e t h e Olympiads. The Young Academics S c i e n c e L e c t u r e S e r i e s h a s continued to delight the girls this year with some fascinating talks being presented by top research students linked to Rhodes. Our partnership with Rhodes University and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity has grown this year with more girls applying for, and being accepted, into the prestigious Science Internship Programme. We can see the results of this partnership in our constantly improving academic performance in the sciences, and are grateful that Rhodes and SAIAB continue to offer this special programme to our pupils.
Academics is our core business at VG and we pride ourselves on producing exceptional results. The
year began with the Class of 2014's superb performance in the nal examinations, which, once again, demonstrated that hard work and self-motivation leads to excellence. Our school continues to maintain a 100% pass rate, but with our focus on excellence and knowing that just a pass is not good enough, it is more important to look at the number of Bachelor's Degree passes achieved by the matrics. In 2014 the matric class achieved a 97% Bachelor's Pass rate! This increase, from an average of about 92%, in Bachelor's Passes, for me, is a much more important marker of our school's performance, as it is the result of a process that began in their Grade 9 year when the girls were choosing subjects; and through careful guidance and extensive support, has allowed them to ourish.
All of these academic triumphs are in no small part due to VG's dynamic teaching staff. At the beginning of the year our teaching staff was joined by Ms Goosen, Ms Kazadi, Mr Kunju, Ms Mavuso and Ms Smith and who have coped admirably with the demands of the classroom, in addition to being register class teachers and taking a full co-curricular load. Well done on surviving Year One.
It is always so much more enjoyable to welcome staff than it is to say goodbye, especially to people who have left their mark at the school: This year we say goodbye to a handful of staff: two teachers – Ms Woudstra and Ms Watson, our two teacher interns – Ms van der Linde and Ms Bunu, and our assistant grounds manager Mr Berriman.
Ms Woudstra – your love of the girls is apparent in your lessons, and your concern for their well-being and safety never goes unnoticed. You have offered much to VG with your willingness to get involved in all sorts of activities – from Netball to Hiking and Camping, from organising VG's participation in the Rhodes Silent Protest, to making costumes for The Sound of Music and offer ing Japanese and French lessons during WEP. Thank you for all you have done in the classroom, and at Renfrew House as a house mother, it is greatly appreciated.
Ms Woudstra will still be about at the start of the year and will only be relinquishing her house parent role at the end of the rst term, so will still likely see her around before she heads off to see even more of the world.
Ms Watson – you are a treasure and if there was any way to bribe your to stay we'd do it! I've tried a couple of times, but obviously I've been a bit too subtle. Thank you for all your netball hours, running with Grade 9 drama classes, and bringing such energy to VG. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you as a Grade Head as you have been tireless in your efforts to follow up with girls and parents. Much luck as you travel to Gauteng to be closer to you r fami l y – I s t i l l don ' t understand why someone would want to go and live in the Great Smog, but I admit defeat in trying to keep you in Grahamsotown.
Tonight we also say goodbye to our two intern teachers. Ms Bunu heads off to study full time outside of the Eastern Cape. In the two years that she has been with us she has grown enormously and while she has the makings of a truly formidable teacher, when I asked her if she was still going to go into teaching her response was 'Not necessarily teaching, but some day I'd like to run the Department of Education'. I look forward to working for her one day.
I've known Ms van der Linde since I started working at VG and she was a very naughty pupil in Grade 9. She has given her all since returning to VG to be part of the Internship Programme, going on to become our rst team hockey coach and one of our more senior Grade Heads. Her leaving will be felt not only by Hockey and Athletics, and by her Grade 10s, but also in the Staffroom – where she constantly tried to get me to sit on her lap. At least now I won't have to follow through with that harassment suit.
Mr Berriman will be taking up a post a Graeme College at the end of this month and we wish him all of the best in this new endeavour. I have no doubt that Graeme will soon have some of the best grounds and gardens in Grahamstown.
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On behalf of the parents and girls I'd like to thank our teaching staff for the amazing work that they have done this year. It really is the little extras that count – pushing girls to enter competitions, Olympiads, Science Expo and guiding them each step of the way, you are a vital part that go to create the society we dream of having in South Africa.
To the School Management Team, thank you for all your work this year, it is not an easy job to continually plan ahead, anticipate what might be and manage what is, but without your input and your voices VG would not be such an amazing school. It remains a pleasure to work with you. Well done to Dr Hanton who has taken up the portfolio of Head of Staff this year and expanded it to include all IT matters, no small feat given our massive IT upgrades that are underway.
A very special thank you must go to Mrs Retief – who was nally made our ofcial deputy principal by the Department this year, after doing the best job possible since 2011. I truly value your support and your voice of reason and calm when things become heated. Thank you.
Thank you too to our Hoste l Superintendent, Mrs Mitchell, the matrons and hostel parents for taking the time to run our hostels; it is through your considerable efforts that we are able to create the secure and homely environment we strive for at VG. In 2016 there will be a restructuring of the hostel system with the off campus hostel Mather-P i k e b e i n g t u r n e d i n t o accommodation for Mrs Mitchell and her family.
General maintenance at VG is an ongoing event and is admirably done by Mr Niewoudt and his team of ground staff. Thank you for all your hard work keeping the school looking beautiful, it is another key e l e m e n t i n m a i n t a i n i n g o u r positivity.
I have a l ready thanked our teaching, hostel and ground staff for their hard work this year, but cannot fail to mention how hard the admin and nancial staff have worked. It is often harder to see
what i s be ing done in the i r respective spheres, as their work is not felt as immediately as teaching, running a hostel or xing a leak – that is of course until one of the printers runs out of ink, or there is no salary in your account! Thank you to Ms Werth, Ms du Toit, Ms Fourie, Ms O'Brien and Ms Strauss for keeping the cogs of the VG machine ticking over so effortlessly.
I must thank our parents on the Governing Body for being prepared to get involved and help run our school; your interest, expertise and involvement is greatly appreciated. Without a doubt your contributions to decisions, your voice in dealing w i t h n a n c e s a n d y o u r consideration of all parents at VG is an important aspect of creating our VG society.
This year the PTA has fundraised close to R30 000 and the bathrooms at Vicky's will receive an overhaul with these funds. These kinds of projects could not be completed without the support of the parents and girls, especially when we ask for participation in our fundraising endeavours – like rafes socials and food evenings. Thank you.
Thanks to the all the parents, guardians and sponsors of our girls for your continuing support. We truly appreciate the efforts you make to extend the learning from the classroom to home.
Khanya has given you a more d e t a i l e d p i c t u r e o f V G ' s accomplishments this year, and they truly encapsulate the core values of our Passion, Integrity and Excellence. It is no surprise when you look at the programmes of our award ceremonies this week and see the same names appearing, that these VG girls are motivated, driven and embody the ethos and vision of our school.
So, in retrospect, while being p o s i t i v e a b o u t t h e s t a t e o f education in South Africa can be a challenge, being positive about VG is actually really easy! In fact, we seem to be doing so much right that we have a great basis on which to build as we strive to be even better.
While we have a lot we can work
from and be positive about, what about the anticipatory principle of Appreciative Enquiry? If Louise Hay is correct when she says “Every thought we think is creating our future” then by being positive we are certainly moving in the right direction, but what does our future hold? No one can say with certainty what lies ahead, but I do know where the Governing Body and staff of VG want us to be.
Looking around you are going to see immediate changes: new school buses, new computer labs and classroom tech, and all the toilets being revamped. Soon you will see all the school roofs being cleaned, patched and painted. In ve years' time we want to have a n e w S c i e n c e T e c h n o l o g y Engineering Arts and Maths Centre, so that we can build on our amazing performance in the Sciences. In addition we envisage a new Dance and Drama Studio, the conclusion of our Hostel Upgrade Programme and a dynamic staff upskilling programme for our Interns and existing teaching and support staff. In ten years' time we envisage VG being seen as premier teacher training school in the country, as well as the top girls only public school in this province. We want to create the type of school that other schools look to when looking to emulate excellence.
Earlier I quoted Androulla Vassiliou w h e n s h e s t a t e d “ I b e l i e v e education can restore hope in our ability to choose and shape the s o c i e t y w e w a n t t o l i v e i n . Education is surely one of the places where we can rediscover our values and a sense of identity.” From tonight's speeches, and this week's awards, I bel ieve that VG is denitely on the right path. We spend more time doing than saying, we have a shared identity as members of the VG family, and we have the ability to shape our future together.
Thank you.
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VG AwardsPRINCIPAL'S PRIZE-GIVING ADDRESS
2014 School Leaders PORTFOLIO HEADS
Portfolio HeadsBack row: P. Seyisi; S. Tyibilika; K. Davies; J. Tyson; L. Mthenjana Front row: M. Chowles; Mr W. Schmidt; K. Jonas
Head Girl and DeputyM. Chowles and K. Jonas
PAGE 12
Heads of HostelsL. Mazomba and L. Jojo
PAGE 13
Good evening honoured guests, ladies, gentlemen and VG girls.
It gives me great pleasure to deliver this speech as the Head Girl of 2015, so, please sit back and enjoy as I share with you some of our school's ne qualities and our achievements over the past year.
What is a FARM? A quick search on Google says: “A farm is an area of land and its buildings, used for growing crops and rearing animals.” And we all know, of course, that these crops and animals wouldn't just be used to feed you and me, they would be used to feed the world.
I say: A farm is an area of land and its buildings used for the accommodation of young minds and leaders that are being equipped to go out and change the world. A farm is for feeding intelligence, for development and growing the economy. A farm, for me, is what Victoria Girls' High School represents.
As pupils at VG, most of us start out as little seedlings in grade 8, while some of us are transferred from other farms, to our greener pasture. Through the various “farming methods” and sometimes works of miracles, created by the teachers and staff at the school, we are grown from our varied states, into ripe, nutritious and fresh fruits and vegetables that are sent out into the world, and although we seem, at times, superhuman we are denitely not genetically modied.
Our 2014 crop, after being planted as
seedlings in the VG grounds in 2010, obtained a 100% 'ripening rate' of ne fruits and vegetables, sure to make the best juices, wines or vegetable soups as they travel the world. A big congratulations to Nicole Oyentunji for achieving 5 A symbols and for being the VG Dux Scholar of 2014. We also acknowledged the road to ripening of some of the crops still present within our elds and especially congratulate: Kyra-Aynsli Davies, Lunako Mthenjana, Asanda Mtshabe, Milagre Lang, Jacqui James and Lauren James on achieving Academic Honours. Tonight gives us another platform to celebrate and acknowledge the ne qualities and efforts of our girls on their way to ripening and with that being said, massive congratulations to everyone receiving prizes tonight; these are the fruits of your labour.
The entries of our girls into The Science Expo, The Afrikaans, English, Maths and Science Olympiads with the results they harvest being gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as top awards show just how fertile and rich our soil is. Special mention must go to Lauren James and Danielle Walker who are preparing for their interviews for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. I have no doubt that they will keep rooted in the fertile soil of the sc ience depar tment ; and continue to grow.
N o t o n l y d o w e s p e c i a l i s e i n commercial farming, but also in subsistence farming, this is evident in o u r A c a d e m i c E n h a n c e m e n t Programme, which involves Matrics and other senior pupils tutoring most of the subjects offered at our school. The Skills Development Programme is also a place for growth as it offers our girls the opportunity to teach others and enhance their own sporting and cultural skills through coaching.
T h e c o m m i t m e n t , e f f o r t a n d enthusiasm of these coaches as well as our staff coaches, outside coaches and players have led to a great season on the sports eld. This season has not been determined just by wins or losses b u t r a t h e r t h e t r e m e n d o u s improvement and high spirit of all our sports teams. A special mention must go to the U/16A netball squad for being unbeaten this season, well done ladies. We had some girls blossom in their sports and many received Provincial Colours, I would like to especially congratulate the Squash Team for having 5 girls reach the Eastern Province Level, a very big well
done to them and congratulations to Kanyisa Gwata for making the South African U/18B hockey side. The Cross Country Team has also had quite a rich season with many of the runners making it through the Sarah Baartman Trials and moving on to the Eastern Cape School Champs, great work ladies.
The choir has provided us with some sweet melodies this year with The Founders' Weekend Concert in March and their Easter performance of Stainer's Crucixion. The Founders' Concert served, once again, as an incredible platform for the showcasing of the talents of our Marimba Band, the Orchestra and our Voice girls, and as always, it was a great success. The Victoria Primary Schools strings group were particularly pleasing to watch at Founders' and we look forward to watching their growth. Thank you to the Music Department and the music girls for always making time to share their talents and represent us well.
There have been a few tough weeds to pull during the growing season but it has been an absolute honour serving as the Head Girl of 2015. I would like thank my parents and family for their support, for instilling the values and principles seen in me to be a worthy candidate for this position; I would not have made it without you. I had a great Leadership Team, the Class of 2015, behind me and an amazing bunch of Portfolio Heads to work with which only made this experience a lot more enriching and unbelievably fun. You are all amazing, thank you.
Thank you to Mr Schmidt, or as he calls himself “Omhle Kakhulu Kakhulu” which means “The Beautiful One”, for his guidance, support and advice throughout the year. For not minding a few of my tears every now and again and always checking to see if I'm coping. Thank you to him for always willing to give our ideas a chance with the simple response “Okay, what do you need me to do?” Also, Mr Schmidt, thank you for showing us that it's okay to be the same age for at least 5 years or maybe more. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you.
To Mrs Retief, thank you for your patience, kindness, your thorough instructions, your compassion, for always being there to make sure we all know what needs to be done and for helping the RCL organise and run the coolest cake sale in the history of VG.
Mr Still, thank you for being an amazing Grade Head and almost a father to the
VG AwardsHEAD GIRLS' PRIZE-GIVING SPEECH
Khanya Jonas
PAGE 14
Dur ing the Founders ' Assembly members shared with the audience something about the family they represent. This made it evident that leaners at VG come from a vast variety o f d i f fe rent backgrounds and inuences. And yet we all belong to one family: the VG family. Members then shared what they have learnt at VG as values and attitudes to equip them for life in an ever changing, challenging society consisting of people from different backgrounds. The message was clear: if you utilise the opportunities given to you at VG, you will be equipped more than sufciently for life and be able to bloom where ever life plants you.Members were trained as re wardens. During an evacuation with a twist, it was established that a mere 54% of learners survived the re. The reason lies therein that girls try to pack their belongings once the warning bell rang. The school was given feedback and encouraged once again to restrain from packing and thus wasting valuable time in saving their lives by moving outside the building.The RCL plays a valuable role as go between for learners, staff and the SGB. On several occasions members brought problems to light that could then be addressed in an effective way to serve the school's needs best. This role is invaluable and as it appears behind the scenes, the rest of the girls do not even carry knowledge of it. This implies that RCL members are never recognised for this part of their contribution. However, they keep on fullling this seemingly insignicant task.
For their dedication and awareness and courage I wish to thank them.A lot of fun was had during the RCL Market Day breaks. Food was sold, games were played and song requests were played. This initiative meant that R800 was paid into the Choir Uniform Fund, as well as R641 towards the expenses to send the Senior Debating Team to compete at Provincial level, as this was an expensive, but wonderful opportunity to showcase VG talent.Members played an invaluable part in ensuring the success of the PTA's Food Fair. They assisted the Class Teachers in different ways.I thank all members for their willingness
to be involved, for their time given to serving the school and for the positive attitudes displayed. It has indeed been a successful year.
Back row: M. Marawu; Z. Ndlovu; L. Nqadala; M. Lang; S. Goodes; S. Mjali; M. Cobotwana; G. Xozwa Second row: SA. Mkumbuzi; S. Meth; Z. Magadla; N. Petse; L. Nqumani; M. Gadu; N. Aja; E. Mwepu Front row: S. Heleni; T. Cannon; M. Chowles; Ms A. Retief; K. Jonas; S. Mvelo; Z. Chiduza
RCL REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF LEARNERS
m a t r i c s , y o u r e n t h u s i a s m a n d involvement have helped us have lots of fun while working and your constant motivation and acts of compassion have denitely helped push us.
I would also like to mention a few more teachers: Thank you to Ms Farquhar for making sure everything ran smoothly and was functioning for the Functions Committee; you denitely helped make my job a pleasure. Thank to Ms Goosen for always willing to listen and for the much needed support. Thank y o u t o M r M i t c h e l l f o r h i s encouragement and endless stories, to Mr Mkhize for always boosting my ego w i th an “Ah Schoo l Capta in !” whenever he saw me and for always managing to put a smile on everyone's
face during singing practice. Thank you to Ms Nicholls for her realistic life lessons, given mainly through maths sums, “Ladies do not fall into the trap of buying a car you are told you can start paying back after 5 months, its EVIL, in fact I th ink I want to cal l that company.” Also, thank you to Ms Nicholls for bring the rst teacher, I think in history, to thank people for attending detention. On Behalf of VG, I'd like to thank all the teachers, for their constant support and for always steering us in the right direction. Even though our actions at times might not validate this statement, we are truly grateful.
Lastly, thank you to all the ladies at VG for trusting me to lead you through this
year. I have no doubt that your condence in me has only helped me g row and become rm in the condence and strength I have developed, not just as a leader but as a person. And this I sincerely believe I would not have achieved without the chance that you afforded me. I am certain that this farm of ours will grow, and continue to produce the nest fruits and vegetables which will be sent out into the world, not just to feed it, but to completely transform it. I wish you all everything of the best for the future and I urge you to continue ying the VG ag and keep your heads up high by our motto, “With Courage and Toil, Virtute Et Opera.”
Thank You
VG Awards HEAD GIRLS' PRIZE-GIVING SPEECH
PAGE 16
VG Pupils GRADE 8
Back row: N. Tshuma; S. Yawa; C.Prins; J. Magabie; M. FryMiddle row: R. Hendricks; A. Dyongmani; C. Bell; M. Amos;H. Maqubela; L. Denston; Front row: Z. Dhlamini; Q. Myolwa; A. Matches; Ms S. Nicholls; L. Nqumani; S. Mafani ; L. Williams Absent: S.Richards ; A. Mlata
Graeme
Back row: C. Morrison; L. Mafumana; L. Zondi; S. Goliath; A. Nonkonyana Middle row: S. Tities; H. Tyatya; L. Antoni; L. Ngece; S. Matshisi; B. Mquba; A. Qongqo; H. Makana Front row: Z. Lang; A. Nkuhlu; N. Aja; Mr Mkhize; L. Benya; T. Pinini; M. Davies
Thursford
Back row: O. Msebi; C. Wessels; Z. Nkomana; M. Wambi; S. Magula Middle row: Z. Mnyani; R. George; A. Tom; L. Richard; K. Mtoba;U. Keza; J. Swarts; L. Jass; K. Michaels Front row: R. Ledwaba;B. Ntuta; Ms T. Siga; E Mwepu, Z. Mnyani; K Lisakanya
Dorset
Open Monday – Sunday 06h30 - 23h00
Pepper Grove Pick ‘n Pay, 22 African Street,
Grahamstown Tel: 046 6361747
Ruthville
Back row: S-L Bridger; M. Kopo; K. Nonkontwana; Z. Fatyi; K. Bartis; S. Manona Middle; E. Morgan; E. Koch; M. Majeke; M. Ndemka; A. Toyisi; K. Jackson-Moss Front row: A. Mesatywa; S. Chita, M. Gadu; Mr D. Stoloff; Y. Joseph; A. Rala; Y. Nkonki Absent: S. Notyesi, M. Ncepu
VG PupilsGRADE 8
PAGE 17
A year of challenges… Grade 8, 2015By Emily Morgan and Zuzu Nkonyana
The most challenging experience we went through at VGHS was constantly getting lost in the school building. We will always remember the sinking feeling in our stomach's as we heard the second bell ring. However, we survived the rst week of school due to the kind and calm way that VGHS girls gave us accurate directions to the classroom. Some girls would even lead us right to the door of the classroom even though they would be late for their own class.We kicked off the year with an afternoon full of fun with Grade 8 Orientation committee at the Pavilion. That was a Friday afternoon to remember full of fun games, laughter and running, despite the hot weather. On the fourth week of the rst term on a Friday the whole
grade with our grade teachers we went to Hobbiton for more fun. We were transported there by our school busses, at 9:00 am we were all there ready to face the day that was drizzling. And that couldn't stop us from enjoying our day. We were divided into four groups and the team building fun began. We went hiking, we did obstacle course and middle rope games. That was another day well spent.We also enjoyed a movie night with popcorn and juice and thank to Mr Stoloff for choosing the movie for us. We must admit that this year was full of trials, but with the help of our grade head and teachers we managed to make it to the end. And we would like to say thank you to the whole school for a great year.
PAGE 18
VG Pupils GRADE 9
Back row: L. Jojo; U. Hanton; C. Igiraneza; K. Prince; O. Teketa;L. Mcotsho Middle row: Z. Meyer; M. Chikiwa; S. Dlukulu; L. Frank;S. Maxham; A. Mfono; N. Klaas Front row: A. Kroqwana; H. Puzi;A. Mkumbuzi; Mr G. Mitchell; S. Ngxata; A. Dlekedla; S. Zilwana
Dorset
Back row: A. Sentile; S. Mhlauli; A. Betela; S. Nqumba, J. Delport;A. Vena Middle row: S. Ketani; O. Ngxe; Y. Sizani; A. Butterworth;A. Mzana; A. Njingana; S. Phillip; S. Kalipa; Z. HasenbergFront row: D. Baines; S. Manakaza; A. Makeba; Ms A. Watson;N. Petse; M. Zimmerman; K. Olivier
Graeme
Back row: Y. Manana; S. Sotashe; J. Grewar; B. Nojoko; A. Sonyamba; P. Benyon Middle row: R. Hart; F. Eddie; A. Jacobs; S. Ngoqo; C. Kula; A. Mansoor; S. Ralo Front row: S. George; S. Mahlati; C. Hillman;Mr H. Kunju; Z. Magadla; S. Saul; L. Ralo
Ruthville
Back row: T. Ntloko; F. Kirby; L. Mbengo; A. Vos; S. SithongaMiddle row: O. Mafuya; C. Faltein; C. Oti-agyemang; S. Mbhali;M. Dalasile; Q. Heba; E. Gumenge; H. Nel Front row: C. Fuller;R. Mafalala; S. Meth; Ms D. Smuts; O. Davane; A. Mapaqha;Z. Mabizela
Thursford
VG PupilsGRADE 9
PAGE 19
Grade Head: Ms A. Watson
Class Teachers: Ms A. Watson, Mr
G. Mitchell, Ms D. Smuts and Mr H.
Kunju
This year has had many labels for the grade 9s; excitement, difculty, fun, scandal and perseverance. But overall, it has been a wonderful year for grade 9s.
The year was kicked off with a fun
day of team building activities
and challenges at the Grey Dam.
The grade was split into groups
and had to achieve certain goals
but the overarching goal the
grade 9s orientated towards was
“have each other's backs”.
In term 2, the grade 9s
participated in a Careers Day
held at the Albany Museum. It
proved to be benecial for the
grade as it was the necessary
information for their big choice at
the end of the year.
Term 3, swooped in unnoticed
and before we knew it, the grade
was rehearsing, creating and
perfecting our Spring Day Play,
the theme being “Local is
Lekker”. It was an undoubted
success and highlight of the year.
Congratulations must go to the
girls in the grade and their
teachers for putting on such an
elaborate and fun play.
The grade 9s, along with the rest
of the school, took part in the VG
Food Fair, run by the PTA. Our
grade put on a ne show and the
register teachers were so proud
when all the food in grade 9 stalls
were sold out quickly.
Finally, we have come to the end
of the year and the nal task for
grade 9s is the nal subject
package choices for grade 10
and saying goodbye to their
grade head Ms Watson. It has
been a great year with Ms
Watson at the helm to guide the
grade 9s and she will be missed
dearly.
Grade 9 – A year of many things…..
PAGE 20
VG Pupils GRADE 10
Back row: B. Magabie; Aviwe Marambana; M. Mona; E. Heinker;V, Mafanga; Anovuyo Marambana Middle row: A. Bongwana;N. Myaluza; K. Marangxa; C. Smith; M. Halana; E. Hain; S. Sibejele;C. Isaacs; F. Van Heerden; L. Matyholweni; Front row: J. Okoh; Z. Tom; E. Goodes; Ms P. van der Linde; S. Goodes; S. Moss; C. Joubert
Ruthville
Back row: A. Nombombo; J. Jacobs; Y. Baartman; C. Vogel;K. Klingenberg Middle row: N. Fullarton; W. Titi; N. Nyangana;H. Wessels; S. Mqomboti; Front row: U. Twalo; S. Olivier; Y. Gusha;Ms J. Smith; S. Mjali; S. Zonke; N. Tafane
Graeme
Back row: A. Saki; J. Welkom; M. French; S. Ngxoweni; S. Vawda;F. Akanbi Middle row: A. Tulwana; A. Mkumbuzi; K. Tokota;I. Mtumtum; E. Prince; L. Bala; Z. Kutu Front row: J. Myburg;E. Duvenhage; M. Nelani; Ms O. Bunu; M. Cobotwana; A. April;M. Green
Dorset
Back row: S. du Plessis; K. Christian; Y. Siyila; A. Mcuba; C. LambertMiddle row: M. Ganiso; Q. Mqolweni; S. Mboyo; N. Mki; E. Ndleleni;K. Kuscus; A. Sakasa; L. Flotman Front row: M. Mantla; J. Cummings; U. Songca; Ms J. Baart; G. Xozwa; K. Jonas; C. Craigie
Thursford
VG PupilsGRADE 10
PAGE 21
Now we're not so small! Grade 10, 2015
Grade Head: Ms P. van der LindeClass Teachers: Ms P. van der Linde, Ms O. Bunu, Ms J. Baart, Ms J. Smith
2015 was a stepping stone for the Grade 10 class, no longer juniors and on our way to becoming seniors. We could nally do the subjects that interested us; and for m a n y h a d t o a c c e p t m o r e
responsibility for our actions. We have had some good achievers this y e a r , w i t h S u m a i y a V a w d a achieving Academic Half Colours. Sara Goodes and Jillian Welkom were awarded Art Half Colours by Johan Carinus Art Centre. The biggest event for the grade was, of course, the Spring Dance where the school hall was transformed into a
space of magic and wonder. The girls looked beautiful, the partners equally good and a great time was had by all. The grade 10 outing was a great day – we hiked, we laughed and we played games; nishing it all off with a great braai at Grey Dam. Thank you to all the class teachers and especially Ms V; we had a wonderful year with you all.
PAGE 22
VG Pupils GRADE 11
Back row: I. De Vos; N. Botha; M. Lackay; B. Gwedla; Middle row:A. Mantshontsho; S. Makwena; M. Mqeke; L. Du Preez; T. Gabavana; L. Mankuntsu; S. Waka Front row: M. Sihlahla; S. Kolwane; M. Lang;Mr S. Jeffries; N. Siyepu; D. Walker; A. Vos
Thursford
Back row: J. Ginn; K. Jaji; Y. Mgebuza; G. Du Toit; N. ManeliMiddle row: S. Sabisa; T. Butterworth; Y. Niwa; Z. Mbiyoza; V. Zanekile; S. Bay Front row: N. Dyongman; L. Cuka; A. Vaaltyn; Mr P. Urban;M. Marawu; S. Makeba; Y. Kalipa
Graeme
Back row: A. Jadezweni; L. Rayi; K. Gxamza; S. Martinus; Middle row: S. Kabeya; C. Findlay; Z. Gosani; S. Malgas; Z. Mvula;B. Baneld; T. Kakaza Front row: S. Manyathi; A. Coltman; Z. Ndlovu; Ms B. Mavuso; S. Macingwane; J. Fischer; K. Vermeulen
Dorset
Back row: N. Mgxoteni; S. Ndibaza; L. Vastamaki; A. Tsana; A. Potwana Middle row: T. Randall; Z. Nyumka. L. James; A. Kenene; A. Ralo; S Ntunguzi; S. Madolo Front row: S. Nortje; J. Benyon; P. Lamani; Ms S. Richards; L. Nqadala; J. James; L. Fondini
Grade Head: Ms S. Richards
Class Teachers: Ms S. Richards, Ms
B. Mavuso, Mr P-J Urban and Mr S.
Jeffries2015 was a fun lled, busy and exciting year. We started off the year by welcoming two new girls and a new teacher to our grade. We were later joined by two exchange students Anna and Luulia who helped broaden our horizons.The Matric Dance committee, headed by Danielle Walker and ass isted by the enti re grade, s u c c e s s f u l l y h o s t e d t h e r s t combined Matr ic Dance and Parents function. The Casino Royale themed evening, started off at Vicky's where parents, girls, partners and the staff could mingle. The girls were then driven over to Prime,
where they had the whole venue to themselves. It was a huge success.The annual grade 11 camp at Hobbitton-on-Hogsback was great fun and was enjoyed by all. We were fortunate to have great weather and even better food! The girls came home hot, dirty and tired, clearly a successful camp.This year the Grade 11s hosted two Shadow Shifts at Spur as their grade fundraisers and used the money to support the Association for the Physically Disabled and to buy C h r i s t m a s g i f t s f o r t w e n t y unprivileged pre-schoolers. Thank you to the girls for giving of your time, it was worth it to make other people happy.Watch out world, the class of 2016 is on its way!
Ruthville
Almost there…..Grade 11 2015
PAGE 24
VG Pupils GRADE 12
Back row: B. Maneli; A. Somyalo; C. Potgieter; S. Nombeu; T. Bennett; O. Gqokoma; Y. Featherstone Middle Row: J. Swanepoel; S. Seyesi;S. Mvelo; C. Sias; Z. Ngqawana; A. Mtshabe; B. Ngesi; P. SeyesiFront row: S. Ncetani; N. Cassels; L. Mancotywa; Ms M. Hartley;L. Mazomba; K. Jonas; Z. Mcotsho
Dorset
Back row: K. Hendricks; S. Sazona; K. Speckman; A. Magama;Middle Row: M. Mcuba; N. Potgieter; S. Heleni; K. Matiwane; S. Teki;S. Hewana; M. Du Plessis; Z. Nkala Front row: L. Mthenjana; S. Mpama; L. Njokweni; Ms R. Woudstra; Z. Majola; A. Zingela; N. Nkone;
Ruthville
Back row: L. Moko; K. Gusha; C. Chika; S. Hill; L. BunuMiddle Row: A. Klaas; Z. Styoshwana; B. Jonklass; A. Maxama;S. Moyeni; V. Zondani; C. Quiens; A. Ndlole; Front row: K. Gwata;M. Chowles; C. Majeke; Ms K. Kazadi; T. Cannon; S. Sangoni;D. Walton
Graeme Thursford
Back row: L. Jojo; W. Nyikila; E. Dyonase; E. Zatu; E. Mdingi; S. Mbunge; C. Mtotoba; V. Sphere Middle Row: L. Tutu; O. Lusizi; A. Ngcebetsha; Z. Setti; Q. Sixaba; T. Ndabula; Z. Chiduza;S. Nkwandla Front row: S.Tyibilika; B. Sankobe; K. Davies; Mr J. Still;S. Tonjeni; K. Roji; J. Tyson
VG PupilsMATRICS
PAGE 25
Absent from individual photos: Sisanda Mbunge
Abonga Zingela Amanda Somyalo Anathi Maxama Anovuyo Klaas Asanda Mtshabe
Avuma Ndlole Ayabulela Ngcebetsha Azini Magama Babalwa Sankobe Bathule Maneli
Brittany Jonklass Bulali Ngesi Caryn Potgieter Chandre Chika Chaneez Sias
Chulumanco Majeke Chulumanco Mtotoba Cleo Quiens Donica Walton Elam Dyonase
PAGE 26
VG Pupils GRADE 12
Emihle Mdingi Entle Zatu Jesmine Swanepoel Jody Tyson Kanyisa Gwata
Kathy Spekman Khanya Jonas Khanya Matiwane Khanyisa Gusha Khanyisa Roji
Kirsten Hedricks Kyra-Ainsli Davies Lelethu Mazomba Leletu Bunu Lihle Jojo
Likhaya Moko Luchulumanco Njokweni Lunako Mthenjana Lutho Mancotywa Lwando Tutu
VG PupilsMATRICS
PAGE 27
Michaela Chowels Michaela du Plessis Mvelo Mcuba Nicole Cassels Nicole Potgieter
Nonty Nkone Odwa Gqokoma Ongezwa Lusizi Phelela Seyesi Qhawekazi Sixaba
Ricayla Denston Sanelisiwe Tyibilkila Sesethu Nombeu Sheugnet Hill Sihle Teki
Sima Heleni Simnikiwe Sangoni Simtandile Mvelo Siphosethu Moyeni Siphosihle Hewana
VG Pupils GRADE 12
PAGE 28
Sisanda Ncetani Siya Mpama Siya Nkwandla Siya Seyesi Siya Tonjeni
Siyolise Sazone Tahnee Bennett Thina Ndabula Tiffany Cannon Valencia Sphere
Vuyo Zondani Wanda Nyikila Yasmine Featherstone Zamamiya Majola Zenande Mcotsho
Zimkita Ngqawana Zoe Setti Zubenathi Styoshwana Zusiphe Nkala Zvikoberero Chiduza
Academic PRIZES FOR ACADEMICS
PAGE 30
GRADE 8 First in Grade Emma KochThe Dr Ella Britten Prize for English Emily Morgan(School doctor in the 1930s and 1940s) A Prize for Academic Excellence Emily Morgan, Sinochumo Manona, Mihle GaduA Certicate for Academic Achievement Robyn Hendricks, Zoë Lang, Kate Jackson-Moss, Mila-Jo DaviesThe G.B.S. Mutual Bank Prize for Diligence Yolanda JosephDiligence Certicates Sinochumo Manona, Emily Morgan GRADE 9 First in Grade Ntombekhaya FundaniThe Dr Ella Britten Prize for English Julia GrewarA Certicate for Academic Achievement Naledi Petse, Yibinathi ManonaThe G.B.S. Mutual Bank Prize for Diligence Naledi PetseDiligence Certicates Ntombekhaya Fundani, Abuyile Mkumbuzi, Sinesipho
Sotashe GRADE 10 First in Grade Sumaiya VawdaThe Dr Ella Britten Prize for English Sumaiya VawdaA Prize for Academic Excellence Emma Goodes, Sarah GoodesA Certicate for Academic Achievement Keisha-Ann Christian, Meeca Green, Kaylin Jonas,
Zizipho Kutu, Sesethu Mqomboti, Janet Okoh, Uviwe Songca, Jillian Welkom, Gugu Xozwa
The G.B.S. Mutual Bank Prize for Diligence Sesethu MqombotiDiligence Certicate Meeca Green, Janet OkohGRADE 11 The Burkinshaw Prize for the Top Scholar(Jennifer and Kathleen matriculated in 1969 & 1970 respectively) Lauren JamesSecond in Grade Jacqui JamesThe Dr Ella Britten Prize for English Jacqui James, Lauren James, Milagre LangA Certicate for Academic Achievement Milagre Lang, Avela Mantshontsho, Jessica Benyon, Ilse
de Vos, Nienke Botha, Kamva-Elihle GxamzaThe G.B.S. Mutual Bank Prize for Diligence Zikhona Nyumka, Avela MantshontshoGRADE 12 The Old Girls' Union Martha Emslie Prize for the Top Scholar(An old girl and teacher) Lunako MthenjanaThe Elsbeth Dixon Prize for Mathematics (Matriculated in 1978; CEO of Common Purpose SA, dedicated to developing leaders) Lunako MthenjanaThe Muriel Wood Prize for Geography(Matriculated in 1945; teacher from 1955 - 1985,passed away in 2015) Lunako MthenjanaThe Prize for Life Orientation Lunako MthenjanaThe Vivian Cole Prize for Life Sciences (Matriculated in 1971. Dr de Klerk is currently theRhodes University Dean of Students) Lunako MthenjanaThe Physical Sciences Prize Lunako MthenjanaSecond in Grade Kyra-Aynsli DaviesThe Glennie Prize for English (Miss Glennie was Principal from 1900 - 1923) Kyra-Aynsli DaviesThe Prize for Drama Kyra-Aynsli DaviesThe Prize for isiXhosa Phelela SeyisiThe Dr Ella Britten Prize for English Literature Jody TysonThe Laurette Munnik Prize for History (Matriculated in 1969. Her father, Judge President of theTranskei, donated the prize in her honour) Simnikiwe SangoniDie Rapportryersprys vir AfrikaansEerste Addisionele Taal Tahnee BennettThe Prize for Accounting Asanda MtshabeThe Prize for Music Donica WaltonThe Prize for Consumer Studies Zamamiya MajolaThe Prize for Mathematical Literacy Kanyisa GwataThe Debra Locke Cup for Computer Applications Technology
AcademicPRIZES FOR ACADEMICS
PAGE 31
(Matriculated in 1988; teacher from 1994 - 2005) Zimkita NgqawanaThe Virginia Reed Trophy for Excellence in Visual Art Theory Jody TysonThe Lynel Wallace Memorial Cup for excellence in Design (practical)(Matriculated in 1980. She died in a motor car accident in 1985) Bulali NgesiThe Dorothy Nel Trophy for Excellence in Design (theory and practical) Jesmine SwanepoelAustin Cup the best overall mark in Visual Arts or Design Jody TysonA Prize for Academic Excellence Asanda MtshabeA Certicate for Academic Achievement Tahnee Bennett, Tiffani-Amber Cannon, Khanya Jonas,
Lutho Mancotywa, Emihle Mdingi, Likhaya Moko, Chulumanco Mtotoba, Sisanda Ncetani, Zusiphe Nkala, Simnikiwe Sangoni, Phelela Seyisi, Sanelisiwe Tyibilika, Jody Tyson, Donica Walton
The G.B.S. Mutual Bank Prize for Diligence Michaela Chowles
SPECIAL PRIZESGrasshopper Garden Services Trophy for the Most Trilingual Learner Milagre LangThe Corinne Purdon Cup (Most Bilingual Learner)(School Captain in 1957) Sumaiya VawdaThe Junior Bilingual Prize Emma KochCerticates for Bilingualism Emily Morgan, Sinochumo Manona, Khanyisa
Nonkontwana, Sara Goodes, Gugu Xozwa, Jacqui James, Avela Mantshontsho, Kyra-Aynsli Davies
Die Maskew Miller-Longman Trofee (Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal Graad 10/11) Meeca GreenDie Livingstone Trofee (Vordering in Afrikaans)(Miss Vermeulen, later Livingstone, taught Afrikaans in the 1960s) Jody TysonThe Mycoroot Shield for Scientic Endeavour Lauren James, Jacqui James, Danielle WalkerThe Cecilia Goldberg Cup for Endeavour (Matriculated in 1966) Khanya MatiwaneA Certicate for Endeavour Khanyisa RojiThe Nadine Bailie Cup (Excelling in Challenging Circumstances) Ntombekhaya Fundani(Matriculated in 2003) The Adriaan Trophy for Perseverance (Senior) Shelby Moss(Tessa passed away in 2000 while in Gr 10) The Setti Cup for Perseverance (Junior) Faith Eddie(The Setti sisters tragically lost close relatives while they were at school.) The Prize for General Knowledge Sacreé KabeyaThe Conacher-Riddin Trophy for Neatness in Grade12 (This trophy was presented in the early 1980s by the mothers of
Megan and Zanne Conacher and Bonita Riddin) Michaela Chowles and Lihle JojoThe Millie McLeod Trophy for Class Spirit Grade 12 Drama
MUSIC PRIZES
The Newcombe Bowl for Musical Excellence Jessica Benyon and Emily Morgan(Donated by Mrs Newcombe in 1959) The Jeanine Baart Trophy for Contribution tothe Musical Life of the School Sisanda Ncetani and Sanelisiwe Tyibilika(Jeanine Baart has been teaching music at VG since July 1985) The Jeanine Baart Trophy for woodwind(Jeanine Baart has been teaching music at VG since July 1985) Jessica BenyonThe JH and BM Trophy for the best Marimba Instrumentailst(Jillian Haarhoff and Boudina McConnachie are past music teachers) Simamkele HeleniDiligence Certicates
SCHOLARSHIPSGrade 12 Lunako MthenjanaGrade 11 Jacqui JamesGrade 10 Emma GoodesGrade 9 Ntombekhaya FundaniGrade 8 Caitlin Bell, Zoë LangVictoria Primary Dux Emma Koch, Emily MorganCultural Jessica BenyonSport Zusiphe Nkala, Hostel Sanelisiwe Tyibilika, Ongezwa LusiziRotary 2015 Cheryl Joubert
Academic PRIZES FOR ACADEMICS
PAGE 32
ACADEMIC AWARDS Honours: Kyra-Aynsli Davies Jacqui James Lauren James Milagre Lang Lunako Mthenjana Asanda MthshabeColours: Jessica Benyon, Tiffany Cannon, Ilse de Vos, Kamva
Gxamza, Khanya Jonas, Lutho Mancotywa, Avela Mantshontsho, Emihle Mdingi, Likhaya Moko, Chulumanco Mtotobo, Sisanda Ncetani, Zusiphe Nkala, Simnikiwe Sangoni, Pelela Seyisi, Sanelisiwe Tyibilika, Jody Tyson, Donica Walton
Half Colours: Nienke Botha, Sumaiya Vawda, Danielle Walker
Honours and Colours RecipientsAccolades
Back row: S.Tyibilika; S. Sangoni; K. Jonas; K. Gxamza; E. Mdingi; L. Mancotywa Middle row: Z. Nkala; C. Mtotoba; J. Benyon; M. Lang; A. Mtshabe; I. de Vos; L. Cuka; A. Mantshontsho;Front row: L. James; Ms N. Hayes; K. Davies; Mr W. Schmidt; L. Mthenjana; Ms K. McCrindle; J. James
PAGE 33
My Secret Hiding Place
By Sumaiya Vawda
Grade 10
The shrill of the school bell resonates through our classroom. I force myself to break away from my thoughts; my eyelids are still stained blood-drenched imagery from my vivid memory, whilst my body quivers uncontrollably, just like the very day on which my fate altered before my innocent eyes.
The fatal accident which rendered my parents lifeless, and divided my greed-driven family, is a haunting vision which plagues my thoughts. My beloved sister and I were then brutally cast away to separate orphanages.
Suddenly self-aware, I wipe the drool of saliva from my chin and swiftly arrange my backpack, hoping that none of my classmates had noticed my distances gaze. To my dismay, Angie, who possesses characteristics starkly contrasting to her angel-like name, approaches me with a smirk. She doesn't spare an insult in shredding my dignity before I manage to meekly slide away.
I decide to sneak away to my faithful shed for recess. It is the only remain of my childhood memories which survived the inheritance feud. The abandoned latticework of wood now seems to hunch amidst a growth of trees, but I am still able to locate it with ease.
I enter the shed with caution as a s i g n o f r e s p e c t . U n d e r m y supervision, the shed remains neatly intact. I nestle against a cushion and settle in for a relaxing recess of reading.
The sudden creak of the rusted door hinges shatters the perpetual silence. Startled, I notice a familiar pair of penetrating eyes as they nd mine from the doorway. What is Angie doing here?
My mind and heart begin to compete in pace. I ponder how Angie was able to trace my careful footsteps to the shed when she screams, “This is my shed! What are you doing here?”
The refraction of light suddenly highlights a photograph perched
on the one remaining shelf in the shed. “Angel ica?” I mumble through stied breaths.
Every part of me aches with excitement and pain, as Angelica and I spend the remainder of recess indulged in deep conversation.
I nally have someone with whom I can share my secret hiding place. Our hiding place now a rainbow-splashed utopia, shall forever remain a symbol of the reunion of my sister, Angie, and myself.
I guess fate is able to re-align itself for youthful smiles, and the frowns of deteriorating sheds alike.
A Squid in the Desert
By Kyra-Aynsli Davies
Grade 12
A dark and baleful eye lifted to contemplate the burning gaze of the desert sun. Tired, and alone, the giant squid looked back on his long, long life, and he remembered.
He remembered when he was rst transported from the black depths of the ocean, into a large, clear tank in a stainless white laboratory. It had been bright, but the light was not as harsh and hostile as the glare of the sky's eye was now. He remembered the experiments, countless chemicals and tests, and the joy of the scientists when they succeeded in creating the rst immortal creature. Him. Little did they know, he was also to be the last.
The scientists. There was one in particular, whom he recalled with what a human mgt call fondness, or love. It was a female, with large-rimmed glasses which reminded him of his own huge, inhuman eyes. Every time she entered the lab, she would come to his tank and bend down, waving her forelimb to him in greeting. Her lips would pull over her t e e t h , b u t h e d i d n o t f e e l threatened. When she left, she repeated the ritual, but in farewell instead.
He missed the dead humans, but most of all her. Her death had come long before the death of civilisation, and he had mourned in his own way, refusing to eat, starving h i m s e l f . H o w e v e r , h i s o w n immortality stopped him from
joining her in death.
Now it was just him. There were no longer any humans, or oceans, just an endless expanse of heat and desert sand, broken only by the inhospitable cold of night. His only companion was pain, as the sun baked him and the eternal wind ung into his soft skin to sting his into submission. But the sea beast only regenerated. Death would not give him the mercy he bled for.
He remembered the small metal plaque on the corner of his tank in the lab. The female with the large glasses had repeated the word on it t o h i m , m a n y , m a n y t i m e s . Specimen 2b-9W7: CHRONOS.
Chronos struggled in the sand, ignoring the sharp, hot bite of the sand. His body was made for the yielding buoyancy of water, and his immortality prevented him from adapting to the cruel weight of terrestrial gravity. But with time, he managed to lift a single titanic t e n t a c l e i n t o t h e a i r . W i t h gargantuan effort, he twisted the tortured appendage to wave twice. Once in greeting, and once in farewell.
The tentacle fell to the sand once more, to writhe pathetically in the punishing heat of a star it may outlive.
He remembered. And he longed for the past.
Man Is Born Free And Everywhere He is In Chains
By Linamandla Nqadala
Grade 11
This past weekend, my wife Desi and I were clearing the beach house where her parents spent their last days. I always wondered why Desi never expressed a wish to sell the house like most working adults who'd recently lost their parents do. My curiosity was short-lived when I witnessed her expression as we crossed the threshold. It was as though she was claustrophobic. It was like I was stuck in a house that was lacking oxygen but lled only with emotion and nostalgia. I never really knew Desi's parents; they passed away before I could visit them. But from the stories Desi has
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shared, I could tell that they were humble and honest.
There is just something uncomfortable about invading the property of the dead. It's as though while going through their most prized possessions; I somehow got to know them on a deeper personal level. The real people they were was shown in a secretive side that never got to explore the world. I could see my father-in-law sitting on the front porch and drinking an exquisite 50-year-old bottle of French wine. The home ofce was decorated with peasant letters, guillotines and portraits of Louis XVI. In that moment I wished we had had a single conversation just to understand his obsession with the French Revolution. As a history teacher , I loathe the F rench Revolution. Nonetheless, I admired his passion.
I gazed at the Jean-Jacques Rousseau quote in a vintage wooden frame that caught my eye, “Man us born free and everywhere he goes he is in chains.” I inched as I felt a hole burned through my chest, the feeling of familiarity. Memories, of the little boy I was, ashed before me, bits and pieces of my life ying into my face, accelerated by all the motions I ever felt like a rushing wind.
Then suddenly, I did something I hadn't done in decades. I cried. I cried for the little boy in me that wanted to be set free. I cried for the man in me that wanted to escape from the chains of pain. I thought of Desi, my sweet beloved, Desi. I cried because we had to sell this beautiful home so that er could survive.
Assassin
By Niamh Spingies
Grade 10
Drops of fresh, cool water streamed and dripped from the valleys of his face. Blades of tall grass punished any passing disturbances by a passing of dew drops that gently clung to its next host. The thunderous melody of waves hitting rock was accompanied by the waking birds' wondrous call. But, as it goes, this was no less than a typical Scottish morning.
Dante Menteath moved briskly
thought the towering meadows and paid no attention to the sea or the birds. Although through acute sense, he was aware of it all, he was aware also of the bow within his left hand and the stone building becoming ever closer. Dante was aware of the six guards over the villa's terrace and the seven inside. The blood in his face turned his skin to ames and his heartbeat was in unison with his step.
Suddenly he dropped to the ground without any hesitation or fear of injury. “And now we wait,” he muttered to h imse l f . He took out a h igh ly d e c o r a t e d b o x a n d r o l l e d a cigarette. Morning turned into midday and day into night, cigarette after cigarette, nally Dante stood up. He as about 40 metres from the villa, but that did not bother him. He drew an arrow and pulled it into place. The people outside the building were no longer people; they were to his eyes shadows and targets, the onlyu shot he would accept was a bulls eye.
In only a matter of seconds Dante had taken his shots. All were dead, not a whisper would be passed, not a t r ibute to the bodies that lay mangled on the oor. They meant nothing. Swift, crisp steps on grass and twig carried him to the house of his target in a little less than a minute.
All was silent. The entrance presented itself and he took it. His stealth was impeccable and his movements graceful and deadly as he turned he villa into a tomb. The last target stood and his bow was staring into the face of his enemy… swish, bang, crash.
His job was done.
The Horse
Jody Tyson
Grade 12
He stamps his hoof and the ground shakes
His eyes rolling to the back of his head
He champs on the bit and the brindle quakes
His coat gleaming against the red
Toward the heavens he tosses his mane
He snorts a greeting and the wind replies
He is one that shall never be tame
There is no holding back once he ies
With apprehension he dances on the spot
Tossing his head toward the sky
Kicking his hooves about in a knot
He hears the grandiose of the eagle's cry
The s i ren, he lunges fo rward, consuming the land with vigour, eating up the vast stretch of ground
The horse, surging with strength, tearing up the air with vivacity, he cannot stay still at the sound.
The Snowake
Jody Tyson
Grade 12
The snowake: dancing
Upon the wind, teasingly,
Welcoming winter.
Acceptance
Danielle Baines
Grade 9
Going down an endless road
Looking for something
Nothing else matters
Except for it
We want it more than anything
It runs our lives
We'll give anything to have it
What is it you ask
Look deep inside you
You'll nd it there
That empty space
Longing for one thing
Acceptance
Reject
Kyra-Aynsli Davies
Gradfe 12
She stands in front of a mirror.
Naked-
joyful in her creation
The paper girl
stares up at her Maker
in a childlike wonder, and whole-bodied love
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“Wrong. It's all wrong”.
her face changes,
as if discovering her happy ending,
riddled with writhing maggots.
it falls,
crumples like so many pages of paper
Failure
She tears-
her inked features blotting
with Someone Else`s tears.
The smooth expanse of paper skin
folds in on itself;
throws itself away
Companion
!
By Kyra-Aynsli Davies
Grade 12!
Not even wispy mist
Dares to creep over
The turgid waters of Lake Mundi. !
Neither man nor beast
Steps to drink, for fear
Of the darkling leviathans
Belied by Her still waters. !
Her only companion
Is the weeping willow,
Whose twisted boughs and edgéd leaves
Trail through the Lake’s waters, unharmed.
The three minute ood
Jacqui James
Grade 12
Stray droplets linger in the empty corridors
Even before the bell rings
Which sets off the rusting, chatter and patter of feet
Some make a quick escape
But others are caught in the breakers
As classes pour out
Into the rising tide
Soon there is a heavy ow
And the droplets get swept along
Heedless of their will
Small islands struggle to stand
Against the converging torrents
The ood swirls round corners
Gushes down stair cases
Dams up at door ways
And unguided intersections
The classrooms begin to ll
And the ood begins to dissipate
Leaving behind a few hurrying stragglers
Once more the peel is heard
The corridors are empty
Afrikaans Kreatiewe Skryfwerk 2015
Uittreksels uit Graad 12 opstelle
Geluk lê nie in besittings of goud
nie, geluk woon in die siel
Moenie oor aardse besittings
bekommerd wees nie, jy gaan dit
verlaat as die tyd kom. Bekommer
eerder oor hoe jy mense behandel,
fokus op die goed wat reg loop en
nie negatiewe dinge nie. Lag elke
keer as jy die kans kry en spandeer
tyd met die mense wat iets vir jou
beteken. Dit sal jou siel gelukkig
maak, want dit is die klein dinge wat
die meeste gewig dra.� � � � � � � � �
Kirsten Hendricks
Geluk lê nie in besittings of goud nie,
geluk woon in die siel. Ek glo dat al
het ek die duurste goed in die
wêreld, as ek nie gelukkig is nie, is
daardie duur goed niks werd nie.
Donica Walton
My plek van stilte
Wanneer ek op die vloer is, met my
arms in die lug soos 'n groot voël,
voel ek vol van vryheid. Wanneer
ek op die vloer is, met my kop so
hoog soos 'n groot bok, voel ek
sterk. En wanneer ek op die vloer is,
met my rok wat vol en rooi soos 'n
prentjie is, voel ek pragtig. Voor die
musiek begin, is ek kalm. Ek dink nie
oor die wêreld nie, ek dink nie oor
my probleme nie. Voor ek begin om
te dans, is my liggaam en kop kalm,
soos die kalmte voor die storm.
� � � � � � � � �
Jody Tyson
Die wind waai koel en sag oor my
gesig. Dit voel asof ek op die wolke
oor die hele Grahamstad dryf. Ek
kan alles van bo af sien. Ek luister na
die manier hoe ek asemhaal, in en
uit. Ek wil nie my oë oopmaak nie,
want dit beteken dat ek weer terug
na die aarde toe moet kom.� � � � � � � �Jesmine Swanepoel
My laaste plek van stilte is wanneer
ek uiteindelik in my bed kan klim na
'n lang dag van skool en werk.
Wanneer ek op my eie is. Voor ek
slaap, sê ek dankie vir die dag en
dat ek veilig was. Ek dink aan al die
dag se aktiwiteite en alles wat ek
geleer en ervaar het. En dan maak
ek my oë toe en ek slaap. � � � � � � �Zoë Setti
Ons woon in 'n wêreld waar 'n mens
moet droom. Ek droom oor my
toekoms, ek bou paaie vir myself
wat ek moet volg.
Om iemand in die lewe te wees,
moet jy alleen werk. Mense sal nie
altyd langs jou wees nie, want hulle
bou hule eie lewe. Jy moet jou
potensiaal ontwikkel en jou eie
drome volg.
Alle mense moet 'n plek van stilte
vind sodat hulle hul eie paaie kan
maak en hul drome en gedagtes
realisties kan maak. �� � � �
Zimkita Ngqawana
Almal van julle kan ook 'n stil plek
hê. My stil plek is nie 'n kamer of 'n
tuin nie. Dit lê nie tussen die sand en
see nie. Dit benodig nie 'n sleutel of
'n bed nie. My stille plek woon diep
in my hart en al wat ek moet doen
om daarby uit te kom, is om my
bruin oë toe te maak en te glo.� � � � � � � � �
Brittany Jonklass
AFRIKAANS
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Academic CREATIVE WRITING
Die koshuislewe bou selfdissipline
Alles hang van jou af, hoe jy optree
as mens, hoe jy lyk as jy soggens
skool toe gaan en ook jou maniere,
want jou ouers is nie by jou om elke
oomblik vir jou te sê hoe jy jouself
moet gedra nie. Die koshuislewe
bou selfdissipline, want jy moet altyd
na jouself kyk en vir jouself dink,
sowel as agter jouself skoonmaak,
want niemand anders gaan dit vir
jou doen nie.� � � � � � � � �
Cleo Quiens
Die ronde wêreld
Die meeste van die tyd lyk die
wêreld soos 'n baie groot plek waar
mense hulle siel kan verloor en hulle
identiteite vergeet in die gesig van
onsekerheid. Mense weet nie wat
hulle wil doen met hulle eie lewe
nie, so hulle kies om iemand anders
se lewe op te mors en die meeste
van die tyd werk dit. Maar somtyds
werk dit nie, want jy vind mense wat
glo. En hulle glo met elke klein
haartjie op hulle liggaam, hulle glo
met hulle hele hart dat daar iemand
is wat altyd aan hulle kant is, en dié
persoon kyk oor hulle en wys vir hulle
die regte pad om te stap. � � � � � � �Luchulumanco Njokweni
Sonbrille op die strand
Op die strand sien ek ʼn paar mense.
Die son is uit en alles lyk perfek. Die
mense lag, swem, speel en
hardloop. Hulle lyk gelukkig, maar
hulle dra sonbrille.
ʼn Sonbril steek hul regte emosies
weg. Dit beskerm hulle, nie net teen
die son nie, maar teen hul diepste
gevoelens. Die dinge wat hulle
seermaak, die dinge wat hulle bang
maak, en wat niemand anders
moet sien nie. Dit is ʼn muur
waaragter hulle wegkruip omdat dit
maklik is. As hulle hul sonbril afhaal
en op die strand sit, in die
openbaar, sit hulle dit waar almal dit
kan sien. Maar sal hulle dan nog so
gelukkig lyk? �� � �
Sara Goodes
ʼn Kinderkamer
deur Jennifer Cummings
As ek my oë toemaak, sien ek ʼn
kinderkamer vir ʼn seun. Ek sien ʼn
baba-blou muur, en as jy instap,
trap jy op ʼn grasgroen mat wat soos
egte gras lyk. As jy opkyk, is daar
drie wit vensters met ligblou
gordyne. Langs die gordyne is daar
ʼn paar rame met prentjies van die
seun. Hy het ʼn groot glimlag op sy
gesig.
Die tema van die kamer is die see.
Daar is ʼn dubbelbank met twee
kussings – een ligblou en een
liggroen. Langs die dubbelbank is
daar ʼn werkstafel met kryt en papier
daarop. As jy opkyk, is daar ʼn
donkerblou lig met groen sterretjies.
In die middel van die kamer is daar
ʼn groot plek waar die kind met ʼn bal
kan speel.
Buite die venster is daar ʼn swembad
met kristal water. Daar is die mooiste
tuin met blomme in al die kleure van
die reënboog. Daar is ʼn groot boom
teen die muur langs die venster, en
as ek mooi kyk, sien ek daarin
daarin ʼnvoëlnes. � � �
Jennifer Cummings
Human beings have a lot in
common and one of these is that
regardless of our age or
background, we've all had the
painful experience of losing a loved
one.
The poets are Grade 9 pupils at
Victoria Girls High School and are
both expressing their feelings about
the nature of death and
remembering their loved ones.
AWUHLUTHANGA NA?
nguAsiphile Vena
Ndisoloko ndicinga,
Ndicinga ngoMaMpinga
UMaMpinga owayethandeka,
Azange ndicinge ukuba
angasutywa
Kodwa sathi sisambuka,
Ukufa kwaka kwamxhwila
Ndisoloko ndicinga uMaMpinga
Kufandini awuhluthanga na?
Kufandini awudinwanga na?
Isizwe sethu siyaphela nguwe?
Izizalwane nezalamane ziyaphela
nguwe?
Ndikubukel' uginya ubimbiliza,
Ndikubukel' uginya uqongqoloza
Kanti kufa awuhluthanga na?
Kufandini awuhluthanga na?
About two weeks ago, these young
poets took part in the poetry
category of the S.E.K Mqhayi
competition organised by Mr
Mayalo from the Grahamstown
District Ofce (Education). The
competition was held at Nombulelo
Hall and the judges were Ms Sinam
from Nombulelo Secondary School,
Mr Mhlekwa from Kutliso Daniels
Secondary School and Hleze Kunju
from Victoria Girls High School. The
competition was tough and the
standard was very high. Kutliso
Daniels Secondary School
proceeded to the next level of the
competition, having taken First
Place. Unfortunately we were unable
to publish her poem in this edition. In
second place, Noluvuyo Mgxoteni,
a grade 11 learner from Victoria
Girls High School with her poem
entitled 'Intsomi kaNongqawuse'
was followed by Aphiwe Bongwana,
a grade 10 learner also from Victoria
Girls' High School. The theme for this
competition was Nongqawuse. She
was a Xhosa prophetess whose
prophecies led to the disastrous
cattle-killing crisis of 1856–1857
when two thirds of the people died
of starvation and tens of thousands
of people ed to the Colony in
search of work (Owen 1994).
nd2 Place: INTSOMI KANONGQAWUSE
Uthulele ntoni Nombanda nawe
Mhlakaza?
Kutheni unganqandi nje
kusonakala?
Kutheni ninganqandi nje
isiXHOSA
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AcademicCREATIVE WRITING
kumoshakala?
Tyhini nayeka kwatshabalala!
Hayi madoda waphel' umzi kaXhosa
Yho! Hayi ngenene
nguNongqawuse lo
Namyek' uNongqawuse ebalis'
intsomi emini
Suka nakhukhumala, nathabatheka
nathi phithi
Suka naxhamazela, naqhatheka ne-
swiiiiiii
Kanti ubuphi na wena Sarhili?
Uthule umamele uginy' ingwiqi
Yojiwa imfuyo, kwatyiwa bimbilili
Cwaka! Iphi na loo ntlutha, naloo
madla?
Tyhini nibethwe ngemfe iphindiwe.
Cwaka!
Sesishiyeke nje naloo ntlambo
kaNongqawuse � � � � �NguNoluvuyo Mgxoteni
rd3 Place KHANKXA-NKXA!
WAVALELWA UNONGQAWUSE
Safa saphela isizwe sikaSarhili
Safa saphela isizwe sabantsundu
NguNongqawus' uqhawukelwe
ziingqondo
Umprofetikazi omncinane eprofet'
ubuxoki
Yaphel' imfuyo ngumlamb' iGxarha
Aphel' amasimi ngumlamb' iGxarha
Yinina ukuba niprofetis' ibhinqa
Akhal' amadod' amakhulu
akwaXhosa
Safa isizukulwana sikaHintsa,
sikaGcaleka
Oh yini na Nongqawuse ubaxokisa
Ngumhla we-18 kweyoMdumba
1857
Mini eyaka ayabinabuhle yagcwal'
inzondo
Usigqibile isizukulwana somz'
ontsundu
Etilongweni Nongqawuse Ngena!
Ngena!
Khankxa-nkxa, khankxa-nkxa! zatsho
izitshixo
Wavaleeeeeeelwa umprofetikazi
wobuxoki
NguAphiwe Bongwana
IIKATI ZAM: U-SOCKS NO-SCRUFF NguEmily Morgan
Iikati zam zintle kakhulu nangona z inge lu lo uh lobo ekuth iwa y i “Pedigree” ngesiNgesi, utsho ugqirha wezilwanyana. Zingumxube weekati e z a h l u k e n e y o . U b o y a b a z o bumhlophe, mdaka nangwevu. Zifana ngalo mibala, kodwa zahlukile ngezinye izinto. Umzekelo; U-Socks ubhityile, ungumzingeli obukhali, uneenzipho ezimhlophe. U-Scruff yena utyebe kakhulu, usoloko elele imini yonke, avuke, atye, aphinde a l a l e . U n a m e h l o a l u h l a z a . Awunakutsho ukuba ezi kati zizalwa yikati enye.
Njengazo zonke i ikat i , ez i kat i azibuthandi ubusika. Ngamanye a m a x e s h a z i z i m e l a p h a n t s i kwengubo ukuzigcina zishushu. Ayilocebo lilungileyo eli xa ingubo isesofeni. Khawufane ucinge ukuba kunganjani kuzo xa umntu ehlala bhuma phezu kwazo engaziboni.
Omnye umkhuba ombi, u-Scruff ufunde ukulenca iinzwane zabantu xa begqiba ukuhlamba. Asazi n o k u b a u c i n g a u k u b a abacocekanga ngokupheleleyo na, okanye uthanda incasa yesepha.
U-Socks uthanda ukusipha izipho, ewe izipho! Uthanda ukuzibeka phants i e lawun j i . As i kuthandi ukufumana ezi zipho, ngakumbi xa ziqalisa ukubhabhazela zigqibe indlu yonke. Khumbula ke ukuba isipho asinakutyiwa kwa ngulowo uze naso. Luxanduva lwethu ukuba simtyise ngokwethu. Ngentsimbi yesihlanu k u s a s a u - S o c k s u t h a n d a u k u m b a m b a z e l a u t a t a w a m empumlweni. Ukuba utata akamhoyi impumlo yakhe igcwala iinzipho atsho axhume ngoko nangoko.
Kutheni ndizithanda nje iikati zam? Okokuqala, zizibhotile zam ezishushu, kwaye z i yah lek i sa xa z id la la . Ndiyazithanda kuba zindenza ndizive ngcono xa ndikhathazekile. Inye qha into endiyenzayo, kukuziphulula. A z i h l e k i , a z i n d i n t l o n t i k w a y e z i y a n d i t h a n d a . Y i n t o n i e n y e enokucelwa ngumntu kumhlobo wakhe?
'Iintlungu Zobomi' by Luhlumelo Benya a grade 8 pupil at Victoria Girls High School. She writes about the pains and sorrows of this life. She nishes off with a question, “now tell me, why thy be?”
IINTLUNGU ZOBOMI
Ubomi bubuhlungu xa usezintlungwini,
Ude ube nethemba lolonwabo ongaluboleka
Bathi kunzima ukuphumelela
Ndasoloko ndizingela lo mpumelelo
Iintlungu azinakuhlanjwa nayimvula
Kodwa usuka uphelelwe ziingqondo
Zakumka iingqondo kuqal' impambano
Yanga ndingahlala ndonwabile
Amaqabaza elamuni emanxebeni
Shu! Zintlungu zobomi ke ezo
Kowu! Zibuhlungu iintlungu zobomi
Ndixelele ke, kutheni kunjalo?
NguLuhlumelo Benya
Oh! Dlangamandla!
Izilingo, iinkqwithelo nezaqhwithi zikhona zona
Ubuxaka-xaka beenkxwaleko zobomi butsho macala
Kodw' uDlangamandla, Nca! Ubambelel' ethembeni
Ndithi xa ndiphaphazela ndiphambuka endleleni
Andinqande, andiqoqe andifak' endleleni
UDlangamandl' ondizalayo likhaka lam
Iintlungu zobomi azikho manqapha-nqapha
Yiyo lo nto uDlangamandla esoloko endixhasa
Inkxaso ekhatshwa luthando yinto enganqabanga leyo
Kwaye uyanyamezela uDlangamandla ondizalayo
Kuba kaloku ekunyamezeleni ukhon' umvuzo
Ewe ngokuqinisekileyo zikhon' iziqhamo
PAGE 37
AcademicCREATIVE WRITING
Yena ukuko konke endikufunayo ebomini
Ngendiphi na ngaphandle kwakhe?
Ngendiyintoni na ngaphandle kwakhe?
Ngendingubani na ngaphandle kwakhe?
Enkosi MamTolo, Zulu, Dlangamandla
Ndiyambulela ophezulu ngawe mama wam.
O! Dlangamandla!� � � �NguMakazukiswe Halana
UMNYAMA
Ndiphuphe ilizwe elizele iinkwenkwezi eziqaqambileyo,
Ndavuka ndikwilizwe eliphantsi kwelifu elimnyama.
Ndiphuphe ilizwe elinoxolo nemvisiswano,
Ndavuka ndikwilizwe elivutha umlilo neziqhushumbiso.
Ndiphuphe ilizwe elinik' ithemba,
Ndavuka ndikwilizwe elilambathayo.
Ndiphuphe ndikwilizwe lobomi,
Ndavuka ndikwiphupha elingcolileyo.
Lo ayingombongo wokukhalaza, Lo oyingombongo wokukhalala
Lo ayingombongo wokulahl' ithemba, kuba ilizwe sele lalahl' ithemba.
Ndiphuphe ngelizwe elingekhoyo,
Ndavuka ndikwilizwe elikhoyo, endingalithandiyo.
Kodwa ndaqhubeka ndiphupha, ndiphupha, ndiphupha.
Ndiqhubeke ndiphupha ngelizwe laseTopiya endilifunayo,
Ndivukile, ndivukela ukujamela ilizwe ngomsindo nentlungu.
Lo ngumbongo wotshintsho. Umbongo webhongo nomnqweno nenkuthazo.
Lo ngumbongo ochasene nabantu abangenabuntu, MNA NAWE!
Lixesha lokuba siyeke ukuthanda amaphupha nokucaphukela ilizwe lethu.
Yintoni injongo yoko?
Ukusondeza intliziyo yakho kwinto
engekhoyo?
Lixesha lokuthatha amathemba namaphupha uwanike ilizwe eliphilayo, ngoba ngubani ofuna ukuvuka enomsindo?
Ndidiniwe kukuphila isiqingatha solonwabo lwam.
Nldifuna ukuphila kwilizwe apho ukuphila kubhetele kunamaphupha.
Yeka ukonwabela ukuphupha endaweni yokusombulula iingxaki, yonwabela ukwenza ilizwe elikonwabisayo xa uvuka ukulo.
Ndiphuphe ngelizwe elinombala wengqondo yam, ndavuka ndikwi-'rainbow nation' gxebe ndikumnyama osele sawulibala ukuba sawenza!
Siphupha ngelizwe elinombala omnye! Vukani nibone nanku umnyama!
NguMilagre Lang
INTSIKELELO?
Uyandithoba ubuye undinyuse
Uyandisikelela ubuye undishwabulele
Uyandikhathaza ubuye undithuthuzele
Bomi, kazi uyiyo na intsikelelo?
Uyandindlandlathekisa ubuye unditeketise
Uyandipha uphinde undohluthele
Uyandicinizela ubuye undikhulule
Bomi, kazi uyiyo na intsikelelo?
Uyandikhathaza ubuye undincumise
Uyandibulala ubuye undiphilise
Uyandimfamekisa ubuye undibonise
Bomi, kazi uyiyo na intsikelelo?
Uyandikhulisa ubuye undinciphise
Uyandichola ubuye undilahle
Uyandinkcenkceshela ubuye undiyekelele
Bomi, kazi uyiyo na intsikelelo?
Okungabulaliyo kuyomeleza
Ngamaciko ke lawo xa ethuthuzela
Bubomi ke obo kuba buyomeleza
Kodwa ndisabuza, ndicel' uphendulwa
Bomi, kazi uyiyo na intsikelelo? NguSinovuyo Meth
Iingcinga Ngaye NguSanele Phillip
Ndamonyula phakathi kwabanye
Ndambanga ndathi yena ngowam kanye
Kanti ngenene mna naye sibanye
Bekucace gca okwekat' emhloph' ehlungwini,
Ukuba ndobanay' ebumnandini nasezintlungwini
Besihlala sobabini siphunge
Athi konk' okubi okuthethwa ngaye ngamampunge
kwaye bambekela nje imigibe
Ukuze zonk' ezomhlaba zimgqibe
Babemgxeka bemkwekwa bemfanisa nako konke okunkone
Kodwa mna ndandimonwabisa ndimhlekisa ndimgone
Ndabubukela buphel' ubomi bakhe ngenxa yamaqothaqikili
Ebengumhlobo kum, ndisoloko ndinaye nokuba kunini
Silala ngengub' enye nokuba iimeko zithini
Ngenj'ixukuxa ndakelwa yincwadana
Endixelel' ukuba ushiyekelwe lithutyana
Futhi akakwazanga
Ndiyeke konke ndaya ngezikaTshiwo
Ndaka edunduluzile, ndazi kungekatshiwo
Uhambo lwakhe lwandikhwankqisa
Kodwa iingcinga ngaye zisandonwabisa.
PAGE 37
AcademicART
Johan Carinus Art Centre Awards 2015
Junior Art AwardsGold Grade 8 – M. Davies
Grade 9 – L. Ralo
Silver Grade 8 – K. Jackson-Moss
Grade 9 – U. Hanton
Bronze Grade 8 – E. Morgan
Grade 9 – C. Hillman
Visual Arts: Painting
Gold Grade 10 – C. Smith
Grade 12 – J. Tyson
Silver Grade 10 – K. Jonas
Grade 11 – T. Butterworth and J. Ginn
Visual Arts: Printmaking
Gold Grade 10 – S. Goodes
Silver Grade 10 – C. Craigie
Grade 11 – V. Zanekile
Bronze Grade 11 – B. Baneld
Grade 12 – S. Sangoni
Visual Arts: Sculpture
Silver Grade 11 – Z. Ndlovu
Bronze Grade 12 – O. Lusizi
Design: Ceramics
Gold Grade 10 – M. Fani
Grade 11 – T. Randall and S. Makwena
Grade 12 – N. Cassels, N. Potgieter and J. Swanepoel
Silver Grade 11 – S. Marthinus
Design: Textiles
Gold Grade 11 – V. Zanekile
Silver Grade 10 – J. Jacobs, J. Welkom and S. Moss
Grade 12 – B. Ngesi
Bronze Grade 11 - Y. Kalipa
Carinus Colours Awards and Art Badges
Grade 10: minimum average of 80% over 3 terms
Grade 10 Visual Arts: S. Goodes
Grade 10 Design: J. Welkom
Grade 11 and 12: minimum average of 75% over 3 terms
Grade 11 Visual Art: J. Ginn, A. Vos and T. Butterworth
Grade 12 Visual Art: J. Tyson
English Olympiad
This year the theme of “Stories and
Language of Mzansi” had a denite
local avour which made it very
accessible for the participants.
Seventeen girls entered with eight
receiving silver awards and four
receiving bronzes.
The process of going through the
material, debating the issues and
nally writing the exam is excellent
preparation for university essays
and generally extending creative
thought. It is always a worthwhile
experience and we commend
those that entered.
Maths Olympiad and Competitions
This year, VG had 50 entries in the
South African Mathematics
Olympiad. Of these, 14 qualied to
write the second round.
Unfortunately, none of the girls
rdmade it through to the 3 round,
but we are hopeful that this will
change in 2016.
VG mathematicians also
participated in the Rhodes
University Mathematics Experience
and did very well. Several of the
girls went on to attend regular
training sessions held by the Rhodes
Education Department and tried
out for the South African team.
Science Expo, Olympiad and Quiz
ESKOM Science Expo
Once again VG has had a successful run at the Grahamstown regional ESKOM Science Expo. Ten out of the eleven projects that were entered received an award; wi th VG
cleaning up the top 4 out of 5 placings!
This highlights how we are not only a school that excels at the arts, but how we are the top science school in the participating districts of Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani and Amatole! Congratulations to the following girls:
1st place - Lauren James2nd place - Danielle Walker3rd place - Jacqui James4th place - Lelethu RayiThese are all gold medal and Rhodes University bursary winners, who will be part of the six delegates that travel to the International Science Fair, in Gauteng, later this year.
Other VG achievers were:
Jamie Lee Delport - Gold MedalUrsula Hanton - Bronze Medal
Aimee Vos - Bronze Medal Kamva Gxamza - Bronze MedalLilitha Jojo - Merit CerticateCeline Iriganeza - Merit Certicate
Abuyile Mkumbuzi - Participation Certicate
In the October school holiday the top expo project winners travelled to Johannesburg to take part in the International Science Expo. Our girls did exceptionally well with the following results:
Lauren James - Gold Medal, the
PAGE 40
Beyond the textbooks OLYMPIADS AND EXPOS
Expo winners
Expo internationals
PAGE 41
Beyond the textbooksOLYMPIADS AND EXPOS
Category Prize for Plant Sciences, has been offered a bursary at Stellenbosch and the University of Pretoria and is to be interviewed to attend the Intel ISEF in Phoenix in 2016.
Danielle Walker - Gold Medal and is to be interviewed to attend the Intel ISEF in Phoenix in 2016.
Jacqui James - Gold Medal, Microscopy Society of Southern Africa Special Prize, has been offered a bursary at the University of Pretoria.
Lelethu Rayi – Highly Commended
Unfortunately, neither Lauren nor Danielle were selected to travel to the USA, but we are immensely proud of all their efforts this year.
SAASTA Science Olympiad
The olympiad this year saw a large number of girls turning out to write this very challenging paper. Congratulations to Jacqui James on achieving ????
position – no mean feat given there are over 5 500 entrants in the Olympiad.
Rhodes University Enviro Quiz
In September a grade 11 team of
science boffs, composed of Leletu
Rayi, Jessica Benyon and Jacqui
James, took part in the annual Enviro
Quiz hosted by the RU Environmental
Science Honours class - and thanks to
some fast ngers, and Jacqui James's
love of chicken noises, beat Graeme
College in the nals! The team was
amazing on the night and really did
VG proud - especially when they
walked off with R3 000 for the
Sciences Department!
PAGE 42
PRIZES FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Cultural Activities PRIZES FOR CULTURE
Senior English Best Speaker Milagre LangJunior English Best Speaker Espérance MwepuDie Rapportryersbeker (Beste Senior Spreker: Afrikaans) Milagre LangBeste Junior Spreker: Afrikaans Sonwabisa NgxataSenior isiXhosa Best Speaker Siyemkele MpamaThe Peddie Prize (Junior isiXhosa Best Speaker) Sinovuyo MethThe Virginia Lee Prize for Drama and/or Dance(An old girl from the 1940s who was a well-known singer) Nienke BothaThe Stella Patrick Prize for Work Backstage(An old girl interested in backstage work) Ilse de VosThe Philippa Morton Cup (Best Senior Debater)(School Captain in 1965) Sumaiya VawdaMost Improved Debater Milagre Lang Most Promising Debater Ntombekhaya FundaniThe de Groot Trophy for the Best Chess Player(Linda de Groot was a teacher at VG from 1991 - 1995) Victoria JacksonMost Improved Chess Player Khanya TokotaMost Promising Chess Player Kaylin JonasThe Mathie Cup for the Star Choir Singer Phelela SeyisiMost Improved Choir Singer Simanye MadoloMost Promising Choir Singer Sinochuma Manona & Zandi MnyaniThe Denise Lesar Cup for service to Choir(Music teacher from 1988 - 2000; Choirmistress up until 2006) Sisanda NcetaniMost Outstanding Marimba Band Player Simamkele HeleniMost Improved Marimba Band Member Simanye MadoloMost Promising Junior Marimba Band Member Siphosethu NgoqoMost Outstanding Orchestra Member Jessica BenyonMost Improved Orchestra Member Siso MjaliMost Promising Orchestra Member Emily MorganThe Nan Pike Memorial Award for English Poetry in Grade 8 Jennifer TeifelThe Barbara Timm Memorial Award for English Poetry in Grade 9 Danielle Baines(Matriculated in 1966) Dr Bobbins' Poetry Awards: English: Grade 10 Kayla Klingenberg Grade 11 Lelethu Royi Grade 12 Kyra-Aynsli Davies
MUSIC PRIZES
The Newcombe Bowl for Musical Excellence Jessica Benyon and Emily Morgan(Donated by Mrs Newcombe in 1959) The Jeanine Baart Trophy for Contribution to theMusical Life of the School Sisanda Ncetani and Sanelisiwe Tyibilika(Jeanine Baart has been teaching music at VG since July 1985) The Jeanine Baart Trophy for woodwind Jessica Benyon and Simamkele Heleni(Jeanine Baart has been teaching music at VG since July 1985)
Cultural ActivitiesPRIZES FOR CULTURE
PAGE 43
CULTURAL AWARDS
Colours: Lukhanyiso Cuka Jessica Benyon Milagre Lang
Half Colours: Siphosethu Moyeni, Sisanda Mbunge, Kirsten Hendricks, Milagre Lang, Yoliswa Gusha, Ilse de Vos, Simanye Madolo, Mbali Mqeke, Kathy Speckman, Zusiphe Nkala, Tahnee Bennett, Sacreé Kabeya, Sisanda Ncetani, Tulile Kakaza, Noluvuyo Mgxonteni, Liyema Fondini, Zintle Gosani, Aphiwokuhle Ralo, Linamandla Nqadala, Anati Maxama, Nienke Botha, Kuhle Jaji, Yasmine Featherstone, Bathile Maneli, Simthandile Mvelo, Caryn Potgieter, Jesmine Swanepoel, Cleo Quiens, Ricayla Denston, Siyolise Sazona, Jody Tyson, Zubenathi Styoshwana, Valencia Sphere, Amanda Somyalo, Sesona Bay, Britany Jonklass, Donica Walton, Wanda Nyikila
PAGE 4
Cultural Activities CHESS CLUB
Chess Club Back row: S. Maxham; M. Ndemka; L. Frank; M. Mantla; A. Nombombo Middle row: O. Davane; S. Ngxata; N. Tshuma; K. Marangxa;A. Sakasa; K. Tokota; K. Jonas Front row: S. Sibejele; Z. Lang; L. Moko; Ms J. Smith; O. Gqokoma; L. Mthenjana; L. Williams
Captain: Victoria JacksonTeacher-in-Charge: Ms J. Smith
Wow, this year has been a wild one for the Chess Club and I can hardly believe it's over. Firstly we found ourselves with an eclectic and excited new coach, Ms Smith, whose unwavering dedication and enthusiasm to the sport was greatly appreciated throughout the year.
We started the year off with a new batch of eager young minds who were enthusiastic to learn the sport. This year we played two games against Port Alfred, one in term one where the results were 9-1 in Port Alfred's favour. However just a few months later, at our annual derby day in term 3 we won twice, were stalemated twice and lost six. This is incredible when you consider some of the players had never played
chess before. Another chess event of note was the annual Interhouse Chess competition which resulted in Thursford as clear winners. I strongly feel that within a few years VG will have the best chess team it has ever seen. Thank you to all who participated this year and spend many hours learning and honing their newfound skills.
PAGE 44
PAGE 45
Back row: R. Denston; L. Bunu; I. De Vos; N. Mgxotheni; D. Walton; J. Okoh; L. Fondini; S. Manyathi; A. Potwana;Y. Mgebuza; A. Tsana; S. Mbunge; S. Teki; S. Moyeni; A. Maxama Third row: S. Bay; M. Mqeke; K. Hendricks; A. Ralo;C. Potgieter; Y. Featherstone; V. Zanekile; T. Gabavana; Q. Sixaba; A. Saki; A. Ngcebetsha; S. Martinus; B. Jonklass;N. Mki Second row: G. Xozwa; A. Klaas; C. Quiens; M. Ganiso; S. Seyesi; S. Madolo; Z. Gosani; S. Hewana; U. Songca;S. Kabeya; Z. Kutu; A. Mcuba; P. Seyesi Front row: M. Lang; K. Roji; Z. Nkala; L. Jojo; E. Zatu; S. Ncetani; Mr S. Mkhize;A. Somyalo; A. Zingela; V. Sphere; J. Swanepoel; E. Dyonase; K. Jonas
Senior Choir
Back row: L. Richards; Q. Heba; L. Mafumana; A. Betela; M. Ndemka; N. Petse; M. Dalasile; A. Rala; B. Mgquba; C. FalteinThird row: S. Meth; Z. Nkomana; A. Mzana; S. Phillip; K. Mtoba; A. Sonyamba; K. Nonkontwana; K. Mtoba; S. Manona; L. Antoni; R. Hendricks Second row: N. Klaas; H. Makana; A. Qongqo; H. Tyatya; A. Sentile; Y. Sizani; S. Ngoqo; A. Tom; A; Dyongman; F. Eddie; A. Mfono Front row: L. Zondi; S. Mafani; A Makeba, M. Davies; A. Mkumbuzi; Ms J. Smith; T. Ntloko; R. Mafalala; L; Maboza; L. Ralo; B. Nojoko
Cultural ActivitiesCHOIR
Junior Choir
PAGE 46
Captain: Sisanda NcetaniVice Captain: Amanda SomyaloTeacher-in-Charge: Mr S. MkhizeSenior Choir Head: Mr S. MkhizeJunior Choir Head: Ms J. Smith
For choir this year has been lled
with excitement, fun and a lot of
hard work. The year came with a
slight change - the Junior Choir
was headed by Miss Smith and
they practised on their own every
Monday and joined with the
seniors on Wednesdays. This was
denitely innovative, because Miss
Smith brought with her a different
music taste, giving the choir variety
and exibility. We started the year
off with a successful performance
of Stainers' Crucixion where we
collaborated with Ntsika High
School and guest soloists namely,
Khumbulani Ntabeni, Charles
Antrobus and our ever young
Peter Breeztke who was our
accompanist. Our relationship with
Ntsika High School didn't end
there, as we performed 'Bawo
Thixo Somandla' with their basses
at our Founders' Weekend Concert
in the Park. We then participated
in the Annual Masicule Festival,
which this year was held at City
Hall, and as always, was
electrifying. The DSG/SAC music
festival followed at which VGHS
was well represented. We also
travelled to Mthatha during the
VGHS marketing weekend for a
performance which was
immensely enjoyed by our
Mthatha parents, families, old girls
and friends. We left the
community of Grahamstown
stunned when we opened the
Schools' Festival, in July, with a
prolic piece Iza Ngomso, Come
Tomorrow; we then sang with the
school at the Prizegiving evening -
once again wowing the crowd.
The choir has worked extremely
hard to make sure that these
performances were a great
success - a big thank you denitely
goes to them. Our VG family
including our parents and friends
have always given us a
tremendous amount of support;
and this year was that and more. A
big thank you goes to Mr Mkhize,
Ms Smith and the entire school for
making 2015 a successful year for
the choir.
Cultural Activities CHOIR
PAGE 47
Back row: L. Mbengo; J. Okoh; M. Zimmerman; K. Olivier; J. Delport; A. Kenene; S. ZonkeMiddle Row: H. Nel; Z. Nyumka; E. Koch; S. Wapi; Y. Joseph; S. Mhlauli; Z. Magadla; S. Mahlati; Y. Manana; K. TokotaFront row: S. Waka; K. Gxamza; M. Sihlahla; Ms T. Siga; Ms D. Smuts; P. Seyesi; S. Macingwane; L. Matyholweni
Cultural ActivitiesCHRISTIANS IN ACTION
Society Head: Phelela SeyisiTeacher-in-Charge: Ms T. SigaSenior CIA: Ms T. SigaJunior CIA: Ms D. Smuts
This has been a year full of growth, excitement and of course, worship.We kicked off the year with the joining of UNITY, a school's Christian club and through them interacted with the different
schools involved, namely, Graeme College, Kingswood College, DSG, and St. Andrews College. We also attended Unity Rally's as well as Unity meetings which were for growing our individual clubs.
Our mission this year was nding our identity in Christ. We continued to host our own worship evenings which were
our highlights for the year and we are very grateful to the girls who attended, the guest speakers and Ms Siga. This was indeed an exceptional year and I would like to thank Ms Smuts, Ms Siga, UNITY and all my sisters in Christ for making it so very special.
PAGE 48
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB
Society Head: Kyra-Ainsli DaviesDeputy Head: Victoria JacksonTeacher-in-Charge: Ms B. Mavuso
2015 has brought with it an inux of
fresh blood for Creative Writing, not
only in the form of new members,
but also now guided by Ms
Mavuso. While this recent
transfusion means that the pressure
is on, our literary heart is stronger
than ever.
Each writer is as different from the
next as the cells in the body, and
with each week's session we
become closer and closer to our
own unique ideals. Variety is the
spice of life, they say, and life is
certainly not bland in Creative
Writing this year, as our writers all
show off their own recipes for
poignant pieces in a diverse range
of styles, from prose to poetry and
everything in between.
Creative Writing is, as always, a
refuge from the stresses of the
outside world, and a means with
which to express what is otherwise
left unsaid.
The Practical People - Kyra-Aynsli
Davies
Methodical. Meticulous. Machine.
Day in, day out.
We wake, we work, we rest.
We laugh and we cry.
But we do not speak.
Not anything of value, anyway.
What point is there?
Cradle your thought in the writhing
hive of your mind
Protect it from tangible reality.
Day in, day out.
Continuing routine
for the simple pleasure of routine.
The same tasks, the same silence,
Minds alive with foetal words
that will never be born.
Poetry in motion.
Poetry in action.
Poetry,
As with secrets and silence,
Is broken when spoken.
A warm feeling - Mila-Jo Davies
I stand in my living room, facing
the replace which holds a great
beast coloured with orange, red
and yellow. Swaying forward and
backward, backward and
forward, leaping out and about,
begging for everyone to pay
attention to it and nothing else, on
the verge of becoming
uncontrollable but never crossing
the line. This moment triggers a
memory, and I allow myself to be
engulfed by this spontaneous
memory.
In my memory, I see my younger
self sitting on the same carpet that
I was standing on only moments
before this memory came. But I am
not alone. For a young girl, about
my age, sits behind me, playing
with my hair.
The memory evaporates like mist
dissolving into the atmosphere,
and I spin around, half expecting
the girl to be there behind me, but
she isn't. I relax and let myself slip
back into this memory that sends a
warm, tingling feeling through my
body, reaching the very tips of my
ngers.
I begin to focus on the smooth,
quiet words that the girl is
speaking. She says, “I am going to
miss you so much. I hope you know
that.”
I then hear another voice, but this
time it comes from me, only it's the
younger version of me, “Of course
I know that. And I'll miss you even
more.”
“Friends?” she asks.
“No,” I reply, “Best friends.”
That was the last thing to happen
before I come out of my sleep-like
state and begin to feel the warmth
rush out of me, even though the
blazing re still roars before me.
Is it because… - Lisakhanya Kota
Is it because of the pigment of my
skin that we'll never be equal? That
makes my 100 trillion cells different
from yours. That makes you look at
me like I'm an enemy trespassing
your grounds, every day. Every day
you never seem to fail to make me
feel like the pigment of my skin is
something I should be ashamed of
in this society. Is it because of the
pigment of my skin that makes you
judge me because of what my
ancestors did for equality and
freedom, not only for themselves
but for all races in this country?
That makes you carry anger
around because of a brutal past.
A past that'll always be tattooed
into the history of this country. A
country that has always had a rich
history etched into the heart of
brutality!
I still ask, is it because of my skin? I
am not any different from you just
because my skin's fate was to be a
few shades darker than yours. I am
one of 50 shades of black.
And that doesn't make us any
different.
Cultural Activities
PAGE 49
Society Head: Lelethu MazombaDeputy Head: Wanda NyikilaTeacher-in-Charge: Ms A. WatsonSenior Debating: Ms A. WatsonJunior Debating: Ms N. HayesisiXhosa Debating: Mr H. Kunju
This house believes 2015 to be the
greatest year for VG debating. This
year has been one lled with great
experiences for the VG debaters.
The junior team was introduced to
the Oxford style debating, in which
they made us proud. We had our
very own Wanda Nyikila represent
us in the State Of Province Address
Schools Debate, where she was up
against representatives from many
other schools in the Eastern Cape.
Our rst debate against Graeme
College was one that set the
standard for the rest of the year as
we pulled out all the stops. Milagre
Lang, Sumaiya Vawda and Sacreé
Kabeya were delegates at the
National United Nations Debate
Competition Workshop, but could
not compete, nonetheless they
made us proud as they carried the
name of VG high up the ladder.
The Derby Day was as exciting as
any other year, our debaters once
again showed us what they're
capable of doing when put
behind the podium and given just
8 minutes to prove themselves. We
also had the very interesting
Teachers vs Pupils Debate, with a
team consisting of Mr Schmidt, Mr
Mitchell and Ms Mavuso, the
competition sure was tight. As the
year progressed both our Senior
and Junior teams not only
debated their hearts out but also
showed us that unity is strength
and when there is team work and
collaboration of ideas, wonderful
things can be achieve. We saw
this as six of our girls; Wanda
Nyikila, Lelethu Mzomba, Milagre
Lang, Sacreé Kabeya, Sumaiya
Vawda and Cheryl-Ann Joubert
competed in the Eastern Cape
Provincials Debating Competition
and they all did exceptionally well
in their debates. Remember, those
who cannot understand how to
put their thoughts on ice, should
not enter into the heat of debates.
Senior DebatingBack row: M. Ganiso; N. Nyangana; N. Mki; S. Vawda; S. Mboyo; S. Ndibaza; A. Vaaltyn; S. Sibejele; W. Titi; S. Mqombothi; C. Joubert Front row: A. Potwana; M. Lang; W. Nyikila; Ms A. Watson; L. Mazomba; S. Kabeya; S. Bay
Junior DebatingBack row: N. Fundani; L. Kota; B. Njoko; Z. Mabizela Middle row: S. Meth; R. George; O. Msebi; L. Jojo; A. Betela; O. Mafuya; A. Mfono Front row: N. Petse; W. Nyikila; Ms A. Watson; Ms N. Hayes; A. Makeba; A. Maphaqa
Xhosa DebatingBack row: T. Ndabula; S. Mpama; A. Potwana; S. MethFront row: B. Sankobe; P. Seyesi; Mr H. Kunju; A. Somyalo; A. Mantshontsho
DEBATING CLUB Cultural Activities
PAGE 49
GENERAL KNOWLEGE CLUBCultural Activities
Society Head: Sacreé KabeyaSociety Deputy: Milagre LangTeacher-in-Charge: Mr W. Schmidt
At the beginning of the year Mr. Schmidt emphasised the importance of doing what you love, that there is no point in doing something if you hate it. He spoke about if there is something which you love then you will succeed in this eld. If there is something which you are passionate about, you should take the initiative and share that passion with others for example by starting a new co-curricular activity - and so the General Knowledge Club was formed! Knowledge is an important part of life and being a knowledge sponge is a bonus! We started off the year with our new format Interhouse General Knowledge Quiz in which each house had a team made up of a girl from each grade. The girls competing showed their competitive
edge and des i re to win f rom beginning to end. The results were as
thfollows: in 4 position Graeme house, rd nd3 Dorset, 2 was Thursford and the
winner was Ruthville. Well done to them! At the annual derby day against Port Alfred High School we held our own in the quiz. VG`s team consisted of Jody Tyson, Kyra-Ainsli Davies, Ilse de Vos, Zintle Mvula and Munashe Chikiwa. The team did their best and narrowly lost to Port Alfred. For our nal quiz match against Graeme College we brought in the big guns consisting of a team of Kyra-Ainsli Davies, Jody Tyson, Milagre
Lang, Munashe Chikiwa and Sacreé Kabeya, these girls clearly know their stuff as we convincingly beat the boys. I would like to thank both Mr Schmidt and Ms Cherry for the tips they gave on every quiz we hosted. Last but not least I would like to thank M i l a f o r h e r e n t h u s i a s m a n d helpfulness this year. I leave you with this quote: "Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power.”
General Knowledge Back row: M. Chikiwa; Z. Mbiyoza; I. De Vos; Z. MvulaFront row: J. Tyson; M. Lang; Mr W. Schmidt; S. Kabeya; K. Davies
PAGE 50
Cultural Activities HIKING CLUB
Teacher-in-Charge: Mr D Stoloff
2015 has seen a somewhat rain interrupted year for the Hiking club. The great Potjie hike that was planned for term three was just not destined to happen, with the h e a v e n s o p e n i n g o n t w o consecutive weekends and thus foiling our valiant attempts.
Nevertheless, two wonderful outings were enjoyed by the club. In the fourth term, a post Park Run b reak fas t took p lace in the Botanical Gardens. This was extremely well attended by Grade 8 girls who had to run before tucking in to the rusks, cereals, fruit juice and chomps! Hopefully, this outing stimulated some interest in VGHS Park Run participation for the future.
The highlight of the year, however, was the weekend trip to Elundini Backpackers near Hogsback. Mr Stoloff, Dr Hanton, their children and 8 pupils visited the rural village about
14 km from Hogsback. Apart from an interesting tour of the village and rural life (we stayed in huts and used rather interesting toilet facilities), the group enjoyed both awesome hospitality and of course, the mushroom hunting that took place. All girls were sworn to secrecy about the location of Mr Stoloff's favourite Porcini locations.
Hopefully 2016 will bring more mushrooms and more camping. In fact , very poss ib ly , a Going Nowhere Slowly trip may be on the cards!
PAGE 52
MARIMBA BAND
Head of Society: Iviwe NtasthaDeputy Head: Sima HeleniTeacher-in-Charge: Mr H. KunjuJunior Marimba: Ms M. HartleyIntermediate Marimba: Ms K. KazadiSenior Marimba: Mr H. Kunju
The year started off on a different note, with variations of music brought by our new members and our new conductors Mr Kunju and Ms Kazadi. This excitement resulted in our rst performance at the
Concert in The Park being a huge success and a great kick-off to our year. Maintaining the high note all 3 bands performed at the Sci-Fest Opening at the Monument where the VG musical talent was witnessed, and enjoyed by many. The excellent performers received great recognition and crescendo'd to even higher levels. Passion and love for music were the common factor that kept the girls working in accord.
All of this would have not been possible without Ms Hartley, Ms Kazadi and Mr Kunju who took on the challenge with great enthusiasm. A big thank to my vice Simamkele Heleni and to the girls for the great jam sessions, as well as performing with passion and enthusiasm. To the members of 2016 never underestimate what you and those wooden planks can create.
Senior MarimbaBack row: S. Kolwane; U. Songca; B. Maneli; Y. Siyila ; S. Madolo; Z. Mvula Front row: A. Ralo; S. Heleni; Mr H. Kunju; S. Madolo; L. Fondini
Intermediate MarimbaBack row: M. Cobotwana; A. Sakasa; S. Mboyo; I. Mtumtum;U. Twalo; G. Xozwa Front row: U. Twalo; J. Okoh; Ms K. Kazadi;A. April; N. Tafane
Junior Marimba Back row: M. Ndemka; A. Betela; Z. Nkomana; C. Oti-agyemang; O. Teketa ; L. Ngece;L. Mafumana; A. Nonkonyana ; Y. Nkonki; S. Matshisi ; K. Nonkontwana Middle row: N. Klaas;Y. Sizani; C. Faltein; A. Mesatywa; K. Mtoba; L. Richard; B. Ntuta; E. Mwepu; L. Antoni ; Z. Magadla; S. Yawa; E. Morgan Front row: S. Ngoqo; L. Nqumani; S. Nqumba; B, Njoko; Z. Lang; Ms M. Hartley; R. Ledwaba; A. Makeba; H. Nel; H. Tyatya
Cultural Activities
PAGE 54
Head of Society: Tahnee BennettDeputy Head: Simtandile MveloTeacher-in-Charge: Ms M. Hartley
The year started off on a high note
for the orchestra as they prepared
for the Founder's Day Concert in
the Park. There, they performed
Gershwin's “Summertime” and
debuted “Let it Go” from the movie
Frozen. This piece, arranged by Ms.
H a r t l e y , w a s p l a y e d a s a n
accompaniment to the VGHS
choir and the VPS choir who
performed with them.
In the second term they performed
at the SAC/DSG Youth Music
Festival where the orchestra was
highly commended on their huge
improvement since 2014.
The third term began with long
rehearsals to prepare for the
Prest ige Arts Evening, which
featured the orchestra as the main
performance. Among other works,
they debuted “Iza Ngomso”, a
piece composed by Christopher
Tin and arranged for orchestra by
Ms. Hartley.
Thank you to all the girls for your
dedication and hard work. Ms.
Hartley, thank you for never giving
up on us and for always believing
that we could do our best.
Good luck to the orchestra for next
year!
Back row: B. Gwedla; J. Benyon; L. Nqadala; K. Christian; Y. Gusha; Y. Siyila; O. Teketa; L. Jojo; Z. Ndlovu; U. TwaloMiddle row: R. Hendricks; S. Sabisa; L. Cuka; T. Kakaza; L. James; P. Benyon; Z. Tom; F. van Heerden; J. James; S. Mjali; M. Ganiso; A. Mkumbuzi Front row: S. Heleni; Z. Styoshwana; L. Mancotywa; S. Mvelo; Ms M. Hartley; T. Bennett; S. Sazona; D. Walton; E. Morgan
PHOTOJOURNALISMORCHESTRACultural Activities Cultural Activities
PAGE 55
Editors: Ayabulela Ngcebetsha and Nontyatyambo NkoneTeacher-in-Charge: Ms B. Mavuso
2015 has been an eventful year
and we're grateful to have been
able to capture it in the Verbal.
This year we received guidance
and profuse mentorship from Ms
Mavuso, making sure that all the
overlaps had been cut and that
the silly typos had been
autocorrected. We're thankful for
her unwavering support and
patience. We had an avid group
of girls who worked tirelessly in
producing perceptive changing
articles that pushed our minds on
edge.
In trying to build up momentum
towards our sales, we all created
posters that successfully
advertised the Verbal - increasing
excitement amongst the VG
community. That was not all; the
girls were bribed with mufns to
buy the released issue. How's that
for food for thought? Whilst writing
our preliminary exams, the girls
organised and directed their very
own photo-shoot and came up
with innovative ideas to ensure
that next year's Verbal will be an
even greater success.
A big thank you goes to everyone
who took part in compiling the
Verbal, and ensuring that it had
been well distributed. Best of luck
to the editors of 2016.
Back row: O. Mafuya; M. Mqeke; L. Nqadala; L. Rayi; K. Lamani; T. Gabavana; L. MankuntsuFront row: Z. Styoshwana; A. Ngcebetsha; Ms B. Mavuso; N. Nkone; A. Somyalo
Cultural ActivitiesPHOTOJOURNALISM
Service Awards PRIZES FOR SERVICE
PAGE 56
The M.G. Richardson Cup for Service Khanya Jonas(Donated by an old girl, Cecilia Gelvan, later Goldberg) The Johannesburg O.G.U. Cup Simamkele Heleni and Simthandile Mvelo(Courtesy, Loyalty and Quiet Service) Sister Preston's Prize for Service at the Junior Hostels Vuyolwethu Zanekile(Nurse-matron at EB hostel) Miss M.G. Richardson's Prize for Service at Beaufort House Lihle Jojo(School Principal from 1950 -1976) The Neil McDougall Cup for Service in the Hostel in Grade 12 Lihle Jojo (His step-daughter, Denise, was the School Captain in 1985)
PAGE 57
Service ActivitiesFIRST AID
Back row: S. Moyeni; C. Majeke; L. Moko; E. Zatu Front row: D. Walker; Ms O. Bunu; O. Lusizi
Chairperson: Ongezwa Lusizi
Vice chairperson: Danielle Walker
Teacher in charge: Ms O. Bunu
Committee: Likhaya Moko, Entle Zatu, Chulumanco Majeke, Siphosethu Moyeni
This year the First Aid society started on a good note, with Ms Bunu joining the team. First Ad lessons on Tuesday were now taught by St John's Ambulance instead of the committee and it brought a new level of commitment to the society. We also had our rst blood drive, the target given to us was 45 units and we surpassed it by collecting 55 units. A number of our girls wrote their Level Three First Aid certicate course, and they all passed it with ying colours! The winter season
was very busy because of hockey and netball matches. The committee, along with the assistance of the society members, that had written the Level One certicates, got to apply their knowledge and dealt with various injuries during the sports matches. VGHS had hosted their last blood drive of the year with a target of 48 units, which once again was a success as we obtained 59 units. During the third term a number of our girls managed to attain their Level One First Aid certicate. A big thank you needs to go to Ms Bunu for her hard work in managing the committee, and the events hosted by the society, not forgetting the committee members for their hard work in the weekly service and hosting blood drives. And lastly, yet most importantly, the school for
giving the First Aid girls an opportunity to practice their skills throughout the year.
PAGE 58
Society Head: Nienke BothaTeacher-in-Charge: Mr D. StoloffCommittee:
This year the Green team took on many exciting challenges, our main goal being to restore the bin system to an efcient recycling system. After trying different ways to encourage the girls to recycle, we came up with the idea of creating posters with a list of
celebrities that recycle too, which can now be seen decorating our school hallways. Next year the Green team aims to take on many more projects and see more girls joining our Green team family. Help save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
Service Activities GREEN TEAM
Service Activities
PAGE 59
INTERACT SOCIETY
Chairperson: Phelela SeyisiDeputy Chairperson: Anelisa VaaltynTeacher-In-Charge: Mr G. MitchellCommittee: Kanyisa Gwata, Ayabulela Ngcebetsha, Milela Marawu,Michaela Chowles, Chloe Finlay, Jordan Fischer, Zvikomborero Chiduza, Luulia Vastamaki
"Service above self." That was our motto for the year and without a doubt we lived by it. This was an exciting, entertaining, educational and emotional year. We started off as the 2015 committee at the end of 2014 with the Interact Committees of Grahamstown (ICOG) Christmas boxes for the elderly, headed by Mrs Coetzee from Mary Waters and the Browns, aRotarian couple from England
who became our Rotary parents. We then attended our rst ICOG meeting where we interacted with committees from Nombulelo Senior Secondary School, DSG, Graeme College, and Mary Waters at which Anelisa Vaaltyn was elected as the ICOG President. We continued with our weekly educational sessions such as the CMVellem Primary School reading programme, the Victoria Primary School aftercare and the St. Mary's Day-care Centre.
Our biggest highlight was our annual Interact social themed "A night In Paris" which was a great success and the proceeds went towards Lumka and Solulele's school fees - they are our sponsored little sisters as part of the Children Helping Children project
that VG is part of. We also enjoy various activities with our little sisters namely, a fun afternoon at the BotanicalGarden and planned a birthday party for Lumka. This year was not only fun-lled but also heartbreaking. Earlier into the year, one of our CM Vellem reading group members, Likhaya, passed away due to cancer. He was dearly loved and will always be missed.
The Interact committee served with such dedication, enthusiasm and was able to overcome all its challenges. Thank you to Mr Mitchell and the entire committee for an incredible year of laughter, hard work and dedication. Best wishes to the 2016 committee and Interact family at large.
Back row: Z. Chiduza; C. Finlay; K. Gwata; M. Chowles; M. Marawu; A. Ngcebetsha Front row: L. Vastamaki; A. Vaaltyn; Mr G. Mitchell; P. Seyesi; J. Fischer
Service Activities LIBRARY
Senior Librarians:Back row: L. Mankuntsu; Y. Kalipa; M. Sihlahla; K. Jaji; A. Mantshontsho
Front row: A. Mtshabe; S. Sangoni; Ms S. Nicholls; Z. Mcotsho; L. Mthenjana
PAGE 60
Open Monday –
Sunday
06h30 -
23h00
Pepper Grove Pick ‘n Pay, 22 African Street,
Grahamstown Tel: 046 6361747
PAGE 61
Service Activities PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Back row: B, Njoko; L. Rayi; A. Vos; S. Manyathi; Y. Siyila; N. Ndibaza; M. Sihlahla; Y. KalipaThird row: A. Mantshontsho; T. Randall; L. Bala; V. Zanekile; Y. Mgebuza; A. Tsana; K. Jaji; M. Marawu; I. de Vos; A. Jadezweni; S. Bay; T. Kakaza; J. Teifel; K. Jackson-MossSecond row: N. Siyepu; T. Butterworth; J. James; S. Kolwane; F. Akanbi; S. Malgas; L. Nqadala; B. Gwelda; M. French; T. Gabavana; L. James; C. Finlay; M. MqekeFront row: T. Ndabula; Z. Styoshwana; A. Vaaltyn; Z. Ngqawana; K. Matiwane; Ms B. Mavuso; O. Lusizi; L. Mankuntsu; S. Mqomboti; J. Fischer; D. Walker
Chairperson: Khanya MatiwaneDeputy Chairperson: Ongezwa LusiziTeacher-In-Charge: Ms B. Mvuso
President's Award is a youth
empowerment programme that
empowers that empowers our youth
to make our community a better
place. This year we started off with
Anelisa Vaaltyn joining the President's
Award Grahamstown Youth
Committee , Lilitha Mankuntsu being
elected as the chairperson for 2015
and Zimkita Ngqawana joining the
President's Award committee at
school.
This year the President's Award
service group took part in a winter
clothing collection and collected 12
bags of clothing and it was a mission
sorting out the clothes. The clothes
collected by the service group were
given to the Grahamstown
committee of which it was distributed
to the needy in the township. We also
took part in the President's Award
annual fun run, of which it was a
great success and big thank you
must to the VG family for the support
shown.
President's Award isn't just about
giving back to the committee, but
also about challenging yourself as an
individual by setting out on a
adventure of hiking with friends and
other people. This is always the fun
part because it allows the girls to
meet and interact with other people
from different schools and
backgrounds. Ntumekelelo Siyepu,
Siyamthanda Kholwane, Sisipho
Ndimbaza, Avela Jadezweni took the
challenge of going on a Bronze
Award hike at Assegai Trails, just
outside of Grahamstown. This was a
tough 24km hike and a special
mention must go to Ntumekelelo for
hiking in a skirt and always singing to
lift high the spirits of the girls! This year
has been a quite a successful year
and two of our girls completed their
Bronze Award, ve completed their
Silver, Jacqui and Lauren James are
currently completing their Gold
Award. We are proud of these girls
for their achievements.
2O15 proved to be a true success
and a big thank you must go to Mr
Mitchell and Ms Mavuso for guiding
the girls and the committee for their
hard work and efforts.
PAGE 63
Sport CodesPRIZES FOR SPORT
PRIZES FOR SPORT
TENNIS The Kim Bradeld Trophy (Most Outstanding Player) Sanelisiwe Tyibilika(Matriculated in 1999) The Y. Andrews Cup (Senior Singles Champion) Sanelisiwe TyibilikaThe Coleen Crockart Cup (Senior Doubles Champions) Sanelisiwe Tyibilika & Jessica BenyonThe Norah Dold Cup (Most Improved Player) Sesona Bay & Zimkita NgqawanaKimmel Cup (Junior Singles Champion) Keisha-Ann Christian(Matriculated in 1958) The Diane Smuts Cup (Most Promising Player) Michaela Zimmerman(Diane Smuts has been on the VG staff since 1996) EP Representative Keisha-Ann Christian - U15
SWIMMING The Diane Muir Cup (Most Outstanding Swimmer) Jordan FischerThe Joan Ellenbogen Cup (Most Improved Swimmer) Shelby MossThe Most Promising Swimmer Award Mila-Jo DaviesThe Menda Wright Trophy (Senior Victrix Ludorum) Jordan FischerUnder 16 Victrix Ludorum Aimeé VosUnder 14 Victrix Ludorum Melissa Amos
NETBALL The Farquhar Cup (Most Outstanding Player) Sanelisiwe Tyibilika(Liz Farquhar has been a Consumer Studies teacher since 1988) Ellen Dell Trophy (Most Improved Player) Nozibele Dyongman(Matriculated in 1975)
Farquhar Cup (Most Promising Player) Ziyanda MagadlaEP Representative Siyamthanda Makeba - U17
CROSS COUNTRY The Most Outstanding Runner Bianca Baneld & Zusiphe NkalaThe Most Improved Runner Lukhanyiso CukaThe Most Promising Runner Linique Denston & Thandile PininiThe J. Pugh Cup (Senior Champion) Bianca BaneldThe P.T.P.A. Cup (Under 16 Champion) Linique DenstonThe J. Pugh Cup (Under 14 Champion) Aphiwe Nonkonyana
HOCKEY The Nan Pike Trophy (for the most outstanding First team player) Chaneez SiasThe Angela Hart Trophy (Most Improved Player) Tulile Kakaza(Angela Hart was a teacher at VG from 1993 - 2001)
The Thompson Trophy (Most Improved 1st Team Player) Sesethu Mqomboti(Lyndal Thompson was the rst team hockey coach) Award for the Most Promising Player Sisipho Macingwane & Sesethu
MqombotiThe M. Bowker Cup (Most Promising Grade 8) Asavela Qonqo(Matriculated in 1970)
The VGHS 1st Team Hockey Trophy(for sportsmanship & endeavour - as voted for by the girls) SA Representative Kanyisa Gwata - U18 B
PAGE 64
Sport Codes PRIZES FOR SPORT
SQUASH Kierryn Gendall Trophy (Most Outstanding Player) Simnikiwe Sangoni(Matriculated in 2001)
Wendy Havenga Trophy (Most Improved Player) Yibanathi Manana(Matriculated in 1998)
Award for the Most Promising Player Caitlin BellLaura Alfers Trophy for Contribution to Squash Simnikiwe Sangoni & Nicole Potgieter(Matriculated in 1998)
The Cecile Scheepers Cup (Senior Champion) Simnikiwe SangoniJunior Champion Yibanathi MananaEP Representatives Simnikiwe Sangoni - U19 A Lunako Mthenjana - U19 B Nicole Potgieter - U19 B Yibanathi Manana - U14 A Caitlin Bell - U14 B
ATHLETICS
Best Field Performance Yoliswa GushaBest Track Performance Bianca BaneldMost Improved Athlete Field Events Yoliswa GushaMost Improved Athlete Track Events Bianca BaneldReynolds Cup (Most Promising Athlete: Field events) Hlomla Puzi(Lynette was School Captain in 1992) Most Promising Athlete: Track events Espérance MwepuSenior Victrix Ludorum Jemma GinnU16 Victrix Ludorum Linique DenstonU14 Victrix Ludorum Espérance Mwepu
PRESTIGE PRIZES The Miles Sisters' Cup for Sportswoman of the Year Kanyisa Gwata - SA U18B Hockey(Nicola, 1993, and Claire, 1995, were both good sportswomen) The McColl Cup (Good Sportsmanship) Chaneez Sias(Principal from 1923 -1927) The Nan Pike Memorial Prize for Service to Co-curriculars Sanelisiwe Tyibilika(An outstanding sportswoman) The Bayes Cup (Improvement in Several Sports) Keisha-Ann Christian(Anne Bayes matriculated in 1939. She was an excellent tennis player, and her mother was Grahamstown's rst Lady Mayor))
SPORT AWARDSColours for Squash Simnikiwe SangoniHalf Colours for Cross Country Jody Tyson Bianca Baneld Lukhanyiso CukaHalf Colours for Squash Lunako Mthenjana Nicole PotgieterHalf Colours for Hockey Chaneez SiasHalf Colours for Tennis Sanelisiwe Tyibilika Chaneez SiasHalf Colours for Netball Sanelisiwe Tyibilika Siyamtanda Tonjeni Simtandile Mvelo Abonga Zingela Siyamthanda MakebaHalf Colours for Swimming Jody TysonHalf Colours for Athletics Sanelisiwe Tyibilika Bianca Baneld Jemma Ginn Yoliswa Gusha Sisipho Macingwane Jody Tyson Zusiphe Nkala
PAGE 64
Sport Codes EP REPS 2015
Eastern Province/Sarah Baartman District/Albany Zone Representatives (176)Back row: Y. Gusha; S. Makeba; S. Manyathi; H. Puzi; M. Zimmerman; S. Macingwane Third row: Y. Manana; S. Wapi; Z. Tom; A. April; L. Nqadala; S. Mafani; C. Prins; K. Christian Second row: L. Denston; C. Bell; J. Ginn; S. Dlukulu; M. Gadu; B. Baneld; E. Mwepu; F. Eddie; L. Cuka Front row: Z. Nkala; K. Gwata; S. Tyibilika; Mr W. Schmidt; S. Sangoni; L. Mthenjana; N. Potgieter
PAGE 64
Sport Codes SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Back row: T. Bennett; C. Chika; Z. Majola; A. Jadezweni; A. Vaaltyn; S. Sazona; J. Tyson; N. Cassels; N. Dyongman; S. Manyathi; M. Lang; J. Fischer; D. Walker; Abigail Vos; L. Rayi, E. Dyonase, A. April, Z. Ndlovu, L. Moko, N. Nkone; L. Nqadala;Third row: Z. Chiduza; Z. Ngqawana; Z. Styoshwana; T. Ndabula; A. Maxama; I. Mtumtum; B. Jonklass; W. Nyikila; B. Gwedla; Y. Mgebuza; Y. Featherstone; S. Moyeni; A. Magama; S. Mvelo; B. Maneli, C. Quiens, K. Matiwane, K. Klingenberg, F. van HeerdenSecond row: A. Ndlole; S. Kabeya; L. Cuka; N. Potgieter; S. Hewana, S. Ntunguzi; A. Ngcebetsha; T. Butterworth; Z. Mbiyoza; O. Lusizi; M. Mqeke; T. Kakaza; S. Bay; S. Seyesi; M. Mcuba, M. Cobotwana, N. Siyepu, B. Ngesi, P. SeyisiFront row: B. Sankobe; T. Cannon; O. Gqokoma; K. Gwata; S.Tyibilika; Ms K. McCrindle; A. Zingela; A. Somyalo; S. Tonjeni; S. Sangoni; C. Sias; L. Mazomba
PAGE 65
Sport Codes ATHLETICS
Back row: B. Baneld; T. Kakaza; L. Nqadala; J. Ginn; M. Chowles; M. Green; Y. Gusha; J. Fischer; M. Wambi; L. Rayi; A. Nonkonyana; Z. Tom;A. Coltman Third row: L. Denston; L. Cuka; S. Mqomboti; C. Prins; S. Wapi; A. Vos; S. Chita; L. Antoni; H. Tyatya; S. Kabeya; Z. Kutu;Second Row: J. Cummings; S. Manona; M. Gadu; S. Dlukulu; S. George; T. Pinini; L. Nqumani; S. Mafana; M. Amos; E. Mwepu; F. Eddie; S. Tities Front row: S. Macingwane; Ms T. Siga; J. Tyson; Ms A. Goosen; S.Tyibilika; Mr S. Jeffries; Z. Nkala; Mr G. Mitchell; H. Puzi; Ms P. van der Linde; A. April
Sport Codes ATHLETICS
PAGE 66
Captain: Sanelisiwe TyibilikaVice: Zusiphe Nkala
Teacher-in-Charge: Mr Jeffries
Coaches: Ms van der Linde, Mr
Urban, Ms Smuts, Ms Goosen, Ms
Siga, Mr Mitchell
To recover from the long inactive
December holiday the athletics
season kicked off with gruelling tness
sessions, and new faces in the
coaching department.
With our rst big event was the
Albany Athletics Trials and the
coaches dedicated their time,
energy and hard work into preparing
the athletes for the challenges that
were ahead of them. The Albany
Trials came; and fourteen of the VG
athletes were selected to represent
the Albany Athletics Team at the
Sarah Baartman District Athletics
Meeting. At this event eleven VG
athletes were able to secure twelve
medals, of which nine were bronze,
two were silver and one was a gold
medal. Bianca Baneld who was the
recipient of the gold medal, was then
selected to represent the Sarah
Baartman District at the EC Athletics
Trials.
To end of the athletics season, the
athletes attended the annual
Grahamstown Triangular where VG rd stwas placed 3 on the eld, but 1 in
terms of supporters! A special
mention must go to the following girls stfor securing a 1 place in at least one
of their events: Aimeé Vos, Elam
Dyonase, Hlomla Puzi, Sanelisiwe
Tyibilika and Sisipho Macingwane.
Thank you to all our coaches for
dedicating their time and energy to
the athletes. Without our coaches we
wouldn't have made it this far. To the
athletics captain of 2016, I wish you
all the best. To the team of next year,
don't let defeat THROW you off the
TRACK!
CROSS COUNTRY Sport Codes
PAGE 67
Back row: S. Kabeya; J. Ginn; T. Pinini; L. Nqumani; Y. Nkonki Middle: F. Eddie; Z. Fatyi; A. Nonkonyana ; E. Mwepu; S. Yawa ; B. Baneld; M. Majeke Front row: M. Wambi; L. Denston; Z. Nkala; Mr S. Jeffries; J. Tyson; L. Cuka; Q. Myolwa
Captain: Sanelisiwe TyibilikaVice: Zusiphe Nkala
Teacher-in-Charge: Mr Jeffries
Coaches: Mr Jeffries, Mr Stoloff
Cross Country is more than just a sport
at VGHS. The Cross Country team is a
fami ly that radiates posit iv i ty,
motivation and growth not just in
terms of physical tness, but also in
terms of attitude. Cross country gives
every dedicated athlete a positive
challenge and if you treat everything
in life like a good run, improving and
ghting with all you've got, you surely
will succeed.
T h e s e a s o n s t a r t e d w i t h t h e
welcoming of new enthusiastic
athletes, this team was certainly the
biggest cross country team there's
been in the past few years. The
competitive Cross Country season
started quite late this year; with the
rst league event being the Makana
League trial, held at the Rhodes
University, followed by another one
held at the Miki Yili Stadium. A
majority of our athletes made the
Albany team and progressed to the
Sarah Bartmaan trials which were
held in Graff-Reinet. Ten out of the
eleven athletes progressed to the
E a s t e r n C a p e S c h o o l s
Championships, and, a special
mention must go to Bianca Baneld
and Jody Tyson for receiving bronze
medals in their age categories; as
well as Zusiphe Nkala for receiving a
gold medal.
We closed off the season with the
annual Inter-house Cross Country
race. This is the second year of the
new route and this year we didn't
have the 2.5 km option. This was a
jubilant day with the whole school
participating, for the cross country
team it was a competitive event with
each person determined to make
their houses proud. The day was a
success and the top achievers were
as follows:
u/14 u/16 u/19
Winner Aphiwe Nonkonyana Linique Denston Zusiphe Nkala
Runner-up Espérance Mwepu Lukhanyiso Cuka Bianca Baneld
The season couldn't have been better. Each year comes with more athletes, greater dedication and enthusiasm;
this year was certainly a success.
Captain: Chaneez SiasVice: Jordan Fischer
Teacher-in-Charge: Mr Still
Coaches: Ms van der Linde, Mr
Still, Ms Smuts, Ms Mazisa, Ms
Roberts
The December holidays had come
to an end and early in term 1the
VGHS hockey girls put on their
running shoes to attend Mr Still's
tness programme.
Our girl's impressed the coaches
with their talent at trials and as soon
as the teams were selected we
were off to the start of a great
season. stBefore the end of the 1 Term the s tU 1 4 A , U 1 6 A a n d 1 T e a m s
attended the Eastern Province
Trials tournament. This was an
awesome experience with all three
teams s leeping over in Port
Elizabeth for two nights. All three
teams did very well and it was the
rst experience for many of the girls
to attend this kind of tournament.stSoon after the 1 Team packed
their bags and were off to Graaff
Reinet for the Union High School
Rugby and Hockey festival. The
girls played very well and came
away with 2 wins, 2 draws and only
a single loss.ndThe 2 term started with the news
that Kanyisa Gwata, Leticia du
Preez, Sesethu Mqomboti, Chelsea
Isaacs, Caitlin Bell and Sasha-Lee
Bridger had all made it through to
the second round of EP Hockey
Trials in their respective age groups.
Kanyisa Gwata eventually made it
into the EP U18A team and at the
Inter-Provincial Tournament was
chosen for the South African U18B
team. stThe 1 Team also took part in the
Kingswood Hockey festival playing
6 matches in 3 days. This was great
fun and the team played really
well. During the year we played
many different teams in a variety of
Derby Days and festivals. The
highlight been the Linkside festival
in August which is always a great
way to end the season. The nal
matches of the year against Port
Alfred once again proved to be a
great success.
Thank you to Miss Van der Linde our stawesome 1 Team coach and to
Mr Still (Head of Haockey) for
guiding hockey during the year.
We would also like to thank all of
our other dedicated hard working
coaches, Mrs Smuts, Miss Mazisa
and Miss Roberts for their passion
and interest in us and in hockey at
Victoria Girls' High School. Without
them there would be no hockey!
To the teams of 2016:
“Remember to play for that badge
on your chest with pride, integrity
and honour!”
Sport Codes HOCKEY
PAGE 68
Hockey 1st TeamBack row: C. Findlay; J. Benyon; S. Macingwane; Z. Ndlovu;S. Ngxoweni; S. Mqomboti Front row: B. Baneld; M. Green; C. Sias;Ms P. van der Linde (coach); J. Fischer; Abigail Vos; K. Christian Floor: L. Du Preez
C. Sias - Hockey half Colours K. Gwata - EP and SA hockey Rep
Hockey 2nd TeamBack row: J. James; Z. Majola; L. Nqadala; L. Rayi; S. Bay; N. Myaluza; A. Coltman Front row: O. Gqokoma; T. Butterworth; C. Chika;Ms Z. Masiza (coach); B. Ngesi; T. Kakaza; L. James Floor: V. Zondani
Hockey U16C/DBack row: R.Hart; J.Cummings; N. Aja; N. Mnyani; Y. Nkonki; C.Craigie; Q. Myolwa; E. Ndleleni; K. Marangxa: A. ButterworthFront row: S. Notyesi; S. Moss; S. Olivier; Mr J Still (coach); M. Halana;S. Manakaza; Z. Mabizela Floor: Y. Kalipa (Goalie)
Hockey U16ABack row: A. Mkumbuzi; A. Qongqo; P. Benyon; S. Dlukulu;M. Cobotwana Front row: K. Prince; E. Goodes; A. Njingana; Mr J. Still (coach) K. Olivier; A. Vos; C. Prins Floor: C. Isaacs
Hockey U16BBack row: F. Van Heerden; A. Marambana; C. Fuller; S. Du Plessis;A. Nombombo Front row: J. Delport; L. Nqumani; T. Pinini; Ms D. Smuts (coach); M. Zimmerman; S. Goodes; Aviwe MarambanaFloor: A. Dyongman
Hockey U14ABack row: R. Hendricks; C. Bell; M. Amos; K. Bartis; E. Mwepu; K. Jackson-Moss Front row: Z. Mnyani; A. Mesatywa; M Gadu; Ms C. Roberts (coach); S. Bridger; K. Mtoba; L. Jass Floor: B. Ntuta Absent: A Mlata
HOCKEY Sport Codes
PAGE 69
Hockey U14BBack row: S. Yawa; H. Tyatya; S. Magula; A. Matches; R. George Front row: M. Dalasile; S. Chita; A. Nonkonyana; Mr J Still (coach);L. Antoni; S. Goliath; Y. Joseph Floor: Y. Kalipa
Sport Codes NETBALL
Netball U19A (262)Back row: S. Mvelo; A. Zingela; N. Dyongman; S.Makeba; S.Sangoni Front row: Y. Gusha; S.Tyibilika; Ms Z.Hoyi (Coach); Ms E. Farquhar; S. Tonjeni; S. Manyathi
Netball U19B (282)Back row: S. Ntsunguzi; N. Dyongman; M. Marawu Front row: K. Jaji; L. Nqadala; Ms Z.Hoyi (Coach); Ms L. Farquhar; A. Maxama; S. Ndibaza
Netball U16A (266)Back row: S. Manona; S. Sotashe; Z. Magadla; Z. Kutu Front row: A. Mcuba; K. Gxamza; Ms A. Watson (Coach); Ms E. Farquhar; H. Puzi; Z. Tom
Netball U16B (270)Back row: F. Eddie; O. Teketa; S. Nqumba; S. Mbhali; L. Denston Front row: I. Mtumtum; S. George; Ms A. Watson (Coach); Ms E. Farquhar; U. Twalo; S. Zonke
Netball U16C (287) Back row: N. Aja; S. Ngoqo; Y. Nkonki; Q. Myolwa; N. Mnyani Front row: M. Halana; V. Mafani; Ms E. Farquhar (Coach); A. Makeba; T. Ntloko
Netball U14A (274)Back row: S. Mahlati; S. Sithonga; M. Radu Front row: L. Maboza; M. Wambi ; Ms R. Woudstra (Coach); Ms E. Farquhar; Z. Dhlamini ; A. Rala
Netball U14 B & C (278)Back row: S. Tities; C. Morrison; L. Williams; A. Nkuhlu; C. Wessels; S-L. Bridger; O. Msebi; L. Ngece Front row:S. Mafani; R. Ledwaba; Ms R. Woudstra (Coach); Ms E. Farquhar; K. Nonkontwana; S. Chita
PAGE 70
Sport Codes NETBALL
Captain: Sanelisiwe TyibilikaVice: Siya TonjeniTeacher-in-Charge: Ms FarquharCoaches: Ms Hoyi, Ms Watson, Ms Woudstra, Ms Goosen, Ms Farquhar
After saying goodbye to Ms Barnett last year, the netball season said hello to two new coaches - Ms Goosen who joined Ms Woudstra with the u14 team and Ms Hoyi who took over as the u19 coach. New coaches meant new coaching techniques were brought to the court and this was quite exciting for the girls.
The girls attended the Albany Netball Trials and the Sarah Baartman District Netball Trials. Sigcine Manyathi, Siyamthanda Makeba and Sanelisiwe Tyibilika were the selected to represent the Sarah Baartman District at the Eastern Cape Netball trials, where Siyamthanda was then selected to represent the u17 EC Netball
Squad. With our rst big obstacle, as teams, being around the corner the netballers wasted no time and began their rather sweaty journey. Through sweating, screaming, shouting and falling on the court the girls were able to give schools such as Kingswood College, DSG, Queenstown Girls' High, Winterberg, Adelaide (and so many more) a run for their money, even when they were not victorious at the end of the game. Defeats here and there did not kill the spirit of the VG netballers, but instead encouraged us to work harder for our next victory. Our highlight of the season was winning all our games at the Port Alfred Derby Day. Port Alfred just couldn't nd victory even though they played our teams who had already played against Hoërskool PJ Olivier earlier that day.
In no time we saw the season come to an end with the Linkside
festival where we continued to play with passion and enthusiasm. At this festival the u16As squad still remained unbeaten, a feat rarely seen over an entire netball season.
Thank you to all our coaches for their hard work. The cries of anguish from squats, the sweaty foreheads and the aching arms truly did pay off in the end. To the captain of next year, Keep on VG BULALING and to the teams of next year, don't forget to not do it until you get it right, but rather to do it until you can't get it wrong and enjoy every opportunity you get to play!
PAGE 71
Sport Codes SQUASH
Captain: Simnikiwe SangoniVice: Chantelle Smith
Teacher-in-Charge: Mr Jeffries
Coaches: Mr Bell, Ms
Wannenberg, Mr Urban, Mr Jeffries
This year was a very successful
year for the squash ladies. Over
the past few years, the ladies
have had a constant team that
has grown to be a strong team
that has won the majority of their
matches. All this would not have
been possible without the help of
Mr Bell and Ms Wannenberg, the
squash coaches and Mr Jeffries,
Head of Squash.
Congratulations to Lunako
Mthenjana and Nicole Potgieter
for being awarded their half
colours and Simnikiwe Sangoni for
receiving Colours.
The various squash teams
participated in the Alan Stapleton
Tournament and, this year more
individuals made it to the nal trial
rounds for the Eastern Province rdTeams. This year the 3 team
participated in the local league
games for their very rst time, and
although met some stiff
competition, performed well
overall.
There were more Eastern Province
Squash representatives this year,
half of which made the A teams
in their respective age groups,
and this is a direct result of the
efforts of their coaches and hours
spent practising on the court. The
league matches were also a big
success with the teams th thparticipating in the 5 and 6
leagues, which consisted of
matches against local schools
and Port Alfred High School. The st1 team won a majority of their
thmatches in the 5 league and
look to be steadily improving!
One of the highlights for this year, stwas when the 1 team played
against Port Alfred High School's,
where they won 12-3, this was
especially important to the team
as it was their last home match
and they beat a predominantly
male team!
rd3 Team SquashBack row: F. Van Heerden; L. Cuka; J. Ginn; R. Hart; N. Fullarton Front row: Mr S. Jeffries; S. Tonjeni; Mr P. Urban (Coach)
st1 Team SquashBack row: N. Potgieter; Y. Manana;L. Mthenjana; M. CobotwanaFront row: Mr S. Jeffries; S. Sangoni; Mr R. Bell (Coach)
nd2 Team SquashBack row: C. Bell; S. Mhlauli; O. Teketa; M. Chowles; C. Igiraneza Front row: Mr S. Jeffries; Mr R. Bell (Coach)
PAGE 73
EP Reps
Sport Codes SWIMMING
Captain: Jordan FischerVice Captain: Abigail VosTeacher-in-Charge: Ms N Czeredrecki-SchmidtCoaches: Ms S van der Waal, Ms N Czeredrecki-Schmidt, Ms Farquhar, Ms McCrindle, Ms Richards, Ms Hofmeyr
Swimming is not a sport for the feint
hearted as it takes a lot of time
and dedication to achieve the
goals you have set for yourself. We
started the year off with trials for
the grade 8s and any interested
girls; and based on that the girls
were placed into teams. The
beginner swimmers must be
commended on their
determination and willingness to
face their fears and learn how to
swim. A big thank you must go to
Ms McCrindle and her team of
assistants for their hours in the pool
pushing the beginners to the best
of their ability. A 'keep up the
good work' to the second team
swimmers with Ms Farquhar, and a
'continue to improve' goes out to
the intermediate swimmers with Ms
Hofmeyr.
The Interhouse Gala took place at
the end of term 1 and the support
from the houses for their swimmers
was amazing. Well done to Dorset
for winning the Spirit Cup, and to
Thursford for winning overall, it was
a very enjoyable day.
Congratulations to Jody Tyson for
receiving half colours for
swimming, Jordan Fischer for
winning the u/19 Victrix Ludorum,
Aimeé Vos for winning the u/16
and Melissa Amos the u/14.
Congratulations to Coach and her
husband (affectionately known as
Mr Coach) on the birth of beautiful
baby Mila, we loved being able to
watch your baby bump grow and
giving her kisses, but even more
glad to give her back when she
cries!
I'd like to thank the girls for
supporting me this year as the
swimming captain. “Swim like
there's no tomorrow, like today
never happened and like
yesterday wasn't good enough.”
st1 Team SwimmingBack row: K. Vermeulen; J. Tyson; E. Goodes; M. Lang; S. Moss; S. Goodes; C. Craigie, Z. LangMiddle row: C. Bell; A. Butterworth; L. Du Preez; A Vos; M-J Davies; C. Iriganeza; J. Delport; T. Butterworth; M. Amos Front row: D. Walker; J. Fischer; Ms S. Van der Waal (Coach); Ms N. Czeredrecki-Schmidt (Coach); A. Vos; K. Christian
PAGE 74
Sport Codes TENNIS
Captain: Sanelisiwe TyibilikaVice: Chaneez Sias
Teacher-in-Charge: Ms Smuts
Coaches: Ms Smuts, Mr Stoloff, Ms
Kilian
Our tennis season started off with
a new xture - against Clarendon
Girls' High School. It was on a hot
Saturday morning when 12 of our
girls travelled down to East London
to play this xture. Regardless of
how the heat was acting against
us, we still managed to play well
and do our best. We,
unfortunately, lost most of our
games, but well done to Zimkita
Ngqawana and Bianca Baneld
for winning at least one of their
two games.
The season progressed and the
annual Knight Shield was around
the corner. The coaches and the
players put in a lot of effort to
prepare for this event. When the
event nally came we
unfortunately lost to both
Kingwood College and DSG, but
we surely did give Kingswood a
run for their money.
A number of our girls also
participated in the Albany
Tennis Trials. Keisha Christian
and Michaela Zimmerman
were both selected to
represent the Albany District
in a match against the
Midlands Tennis Team.
Keisha was then selected to
represent the Eastern
Province Tennis Team at the South
African Schools Inter-provincial
Tennis Tournament.
Kate Jackson-Moss, Keisha Still,
Michaela Zimmerman, Jessica
Benyon and Sanelisiwe Tyibilika
represented VG at the inaugural
Sherryl Luden Tennis Tournament
for Girls. This tournament was held
at various Grahamstown courts,
and the girls had to play doubles
matches. Despite the overall loss in
this tournament the girls played
with great enthusiasm and hustled
for points until that very last point.
They won 39-36 against Kingswood
and lost 29-46 against DSG overall.
Overall the girls were unfortunately
placed third in the tournament,
with just eight points behind
Kingswood who were placed
second.
Well done to all the girls for playing
their hearts out throughout the
season and thank to Mrs Smuts, Ms
Kilian and Mrs Stoloff for being
wonderful coaches. Without them
we wouldn't be the amazing
players we are today. To the
captain of 2016, lead your team
along the road of success, get
back up if you have fallen; and
keep the VG ag ying high.
stTennis 1 Team Back row: B. Baneld; S. Manyathi; Y. Mgebuza; S. Bay Front row: Z. Ngqawana; J. Benyon; S.Tyibilika; Ms D. Smuts (Coach); C. Sias; K. Christian; M. Zimmerman
Tennis U15 Back row: H. Nel; K. Bartis; K. Jackson-Moss Front row: M. Fry; B. Nojoko; T. Ntloko; Mr D. Stoloff (Coach); A. Makeba; P. Benyon; E. Mwepu
Tennis 2nd Team Back row: A. Coltman; L. Rayi; S. Mqomboti Front row: Anovuyo Marambana; M. Halana; Ms J. Kilian (Coach); Z. Kutu; Aviwe Marambana
PAGE 76
Sport Codes OUTSIDE SPORT
PAGE 76
Karate
VG currently has 4 girls who are involved in Karate – Kayle Olivier, Chloë Vogel, Mila Lang and Zoë Lang. These girls are regular competitors in local competitions where they perform extremely well.
Ballroom Dancing
This year has seen an increase in the number of girls taking part in Ballroom and Latin American dancing. The following girls are to be congratulated on their achievements in various competitions:
Jody Tyson – Honours in both Ballroom (Waltz and Tango) and Latin American (Cha-Cha and Rumba)Ashton Coltman - Honours in both Ballroom (Waltz and Tango) and Latin American (Cha-Cha and Mambo)
Bianca Baneld - Honours in both Ballroom (Waltz and Foxtrot) and Latin American (Cha-Cha and Boogie)Georgina du Toit - Honours in both Ballroom (Waltz and Foxtrot) and Latin American (Cha-Cha and Boogie)Tasmin Randall has also participated in competition this year with her dance academy.
Horseriding
Melissa Amos
In 2014 she qualied for the Eastern Cape South African National Equestrian Schools Association (SANESA) team and competed at the National Competition in Pretoria. She was also the regional winner of her working hunter class. This year she has been representing Victoria
Girls' High School (notice the school badge on the numnah of her horses) in SANESA Qualiers. She is a graded rider with SA Show Jumping, Showing SA and Eventing SA. She competes within the Eastern Cape in the disciplines of showing, show jumping, equitation, dressage and eventing which consists of dressage, show jumping and cross-country. She does show jumping at 90cm and eventing at 80cm and cleared 1,2m in the power jump at the recent Bathurst show. Currently she competes on her black pony Forever Flicka and on her horse Gaelic Dane.
Paula Benyon
Paula has been riding well this year; She has improved her skills and is looking to ride more in 2016.
Ballroom dancers Karate
Karate Karate
P. Benyon on Silver Flute M. Amos on Forever Flicka T. Randall - Ballroom dancing
House Awards and Activities
House ExecutivesBack row: E. Zatu; Z. Ngqawana; N. Nkone; S. Sangoni Middle row: E. Dyonase; S. Tonjeni; C. Sias; B. Ngesi; Z. Nkala; K. Gwata; L. Moko Front row: Ms D. Smuts; Mr G. Mitchell; Ms K. McCrindle; Ms P. van der Linde; Ms E. Farquhar Absent: Iviwe Ntsatha
HOUSE TROPHIES
PAGE 77
The Mathie Academic Cup Dorset(Taught History from 1950 - 1985 when she retired as Deputy Principal) The Lithins Cup (Community Service) Graeme(Miriam Lithins matriculated in 1951) The Newman Cup for the Arts ThursfordThe P.J. and M. Dugmore Cup (Societies and Leadership) Dorset(Presented by Mr & Mrs C.E. Dugmore in gratitude for the tuition received by their three daughters) The Barnard Cup for Interhouse Games Dorset(Miss Barnard was Sportsmistress in 1957 & 1958) The House Shield Dorset
House Awards and Activities DORSET
House Captain: Bulali NgesiVice Captain: Zimkita NgqawanaGames Captain: Chaneez SiasTeacher-in-Charge: Mr G. Mitchell
The colours yellow and gold have
always represented victory and
winners. Dorset this year has lived
up to their colours and has added
passion into everything they have
done this year. From winning
Games Day, to raising the House
Shield, we have conquered all the
other houses with our spirit and will
to succeed in everything we do.
We have broken our “coming
second” streak and it is now up to
next years' leaders to continue
leading with pride. Mr Mitchell has
taught us this year “Hot like
mustard, sweet like custard,
Dorset's going to beat you, done
and dusted!” The House Executive
would like to thank everyone who
has helped build this well-oiled
machine that is Dorset House. I
would like to thank Zimkita and
Chaneez for being the best team
to work with, for and helping me
cope with this year.
PAGE 78
House Awards and ActivitiesGRAEME
House Captain: Likhaya MokoDeputy Captain: Simnikwe SangoniGames Captain: Kanyisa Gwata
Teacher-in-Charge: Ms. E.
Farquhar
It has been a great year for
Graeme because, not only, did
we focus on winning, but we also
strived to have fun in all that we
did. We started the year off with a
win at the Interhouse Singing
where we sang a medley of
Sarana's Siwelele and the
Soweto Gospel choir's Baba
Yethu. During the year a number
of girls kept the green ag ying
high. Yoliswa Gushu broke the
high jump record during
Interhouse Athletics and Kanyisa
Gwata made the South African
u/18 B hockey team. As the year
progressed we took home
another win, which was the
Interhouse hockey event which
was a fun lled experience for
everyone who took part. Term
three came by very quickly and
Graeme won the Interhouse Plays.
Our play was about the Albertina
Sisulu, and we paid tribute to her
amazing, humbling life. Thank you
to the grade reps for their
hardwork over the year; and to
Simnikwe Sangoni and Kanyisa
Gwata for their hard work, the
great amount of love the have for
Graeme and the measures they
went through to ensure that we
PAGE 79
House Awards and Activities RUTHVILLE
House Captain: Nonty NkoneDeputy Captain: Iviwe NtsathaGames Captain: Zusiphe Nkala
Teacher-in-Charge: Ms. P. van der
Linde
Ruthville has become a family
where each and every member
has shown unwavering support,
companionship and love toward
one another throughout the year.
The girls sang tirelessly in preparing
for the Interhouse singing that took
place in the rst term. The hard
work and absolute dedication was
not in vain as we came second to
Dorset house. A big thank you
must go to our singing director,
Simanye Madolo.
The year held more events where
our girls could show that they are
not only gifted in singing, but also
gifted in General Knowledge as
we won this year's competition.
The girls also took part in the
Interhouse squash competition
where victory was once again
ours. We came in third place for
netball; however, this only
motivated us to aim higher for the
upcoming events.
Interhouse plays were another
platform to show the versatility of
our family, compliments to
everyone who was a part of the
production as it was a pleasure to
watch. However, this would not
have been possible without our
house play director, Abongile
Potwana. Interhouse cross country
was indeed a testing event to
partake in as it involved a lot of
running and singing…and running
and crawling towards the nish
line. Congratulations to Linique
and Zusiphe for coming rst in their
respective age groups.
To everyone in the Ruthville family,
your support, love and unrelenting
cheerful spirit will forever be
appreciated.
PAGE 80
House Awards and Activities
THURSFORD
House Captain: Siya TonjeniDeputy Captain: Entle ZatuGames Captain: Elam Dyonase
Teacher-in-Charge: Ms. D. Smuts
Good, better, best –never rest,
never rest until good is better and
better is best. This is what kept us
going this whole year. We had a
“mascot” of an owl which
represented wisdom, intelligence
and power. We also welcomed
Mrs Smuts as our new Teacher-in-
charge.
We started off with Games day,
which took us in third place,
which was not a sign for things to
go bad. Our dolphins showed
other houses how it's done, with sttaking 1 place in the Interhouse
ndGala. A well-earned 2 place in
the Interhouse Hockey, along ndwith 2 place in the Interhouse
Netball, with giving the other
house a run for its position. We
captured the other opponents stking and took 1 place in the
Interhouse Chess game,
CHECKMATE!!! Even though we
didn't win most of our Interhouse
events, we still raised the blue
ag up high.
A big thank you must go to the
Thursford staff members for their
support and the wonderful team
who made this all possible. To the
committee of 2016, good luck
and always remember, “Coming
together is a beginning, keeping
together is progress, working
together is success –Henry Ford”.
PAGE 81
House Awards and Activities DRAMATIC ARTS
Interhouse Plays
The house play directors of 2015
were tasked with writing or nding
a play in celebration of “Amazing
Women”. Each of the ve
directors wrote her own play.
Graeme's play honoured Albertina
Sisulu, Thursford's honoured Ruth
First, Ruthville's paid homage to
the women who won the rst class
action against sexual misconduct
in the work place in America and
Dorset's tracked the life of Liberian
peace activist – Leymah Gbowee.
The standard of the plays and the
performances was extremely high,
and the audience was both
entertained and educated.
Congratulations to all the girls
involved on an enjoyable evening.
The following awards were made:
Best Play: Graeme House
Best Performer: Avela
Mantshontsho
Best Dance Crew: Sisipho
Macingwane; Kamva Gxamza;
Thulile Kakaza
Best Supporting Performer: Phelisa
Lamani
Best Bit Part: Sanele Philips and
Sethu Zonke
Highly commended: Zenande Tom
PAGE 82
Written by: Ms J. Mitchell, Ms Siya and Uviwe Songca
This year has certainly gone by fast. It feels like it was just the other day we were welcoming the grade 8 and 10s to Eleanor Brown House now it's time to bid them a fond farewell, they were the best!
The year started off with a braai organized by Ms January, former EB Matron, where the girls got to know each other. It can sometimes be very difcult and scary to start at a new hostel so the braai aimed to create new bonds between the girls and the staff. At the braai the girls played games like 30 seconds and broken telephone.
Ms Mitchell, our Hostel Superintendent and her family, took the grade8s for an overnight stay at Chappies Cushion Ranch. The girls had fun organising and cooking their own meals, followed by a swim in the pool. The team building events laid on by Chappie's staff soon brought out a competitive streak in the grade8s with everyone assisting each other in their teams to ensure they were the winners however good
sportsmanship prevailed!
The Grade 10s went to Kwantu Game Reserve with Ms Mitchell because they had requested to see tigers which are not native to South Africa however this game reserve had rescued some. As well as seeing the tigers they were given a talk on conservation and 5 star lunch. The jeep safari was thrilling unfortunately one jeep got stuck in the mud and the boarders had to assist in pushing it out!
The boarders dance was lots of fun with prizes being given out for Best Dressed and Best Couple. The end of year Xmas party was the best ever with all staff joining in. Ms Mitchell and the EB stooges practiced a song and dance number “Somebody Hates Me” by Reel Big Fish which went down a storm with the boarders at the party, (hint, hint old girls we want a sound system!) A big thanks must go out to Ms Michaels for the amazing red velvet cake which tasted delectable and Ms Dampies who organised all the boarders Xmas presents.
This year has also been quite busy for the EB girls with many of our
girls making us proud not only in the classroom but also on the sports eld. But it's also been a challenging year with girls dealing with power outages and saying goodbye to Ms January who moved back home to Port Elizabeth and now works at Collegiate. As another year draws to a close we say a fond farewell to our stooges and thank them for their patience and hard work as well as the weekend activities that they planned for us.
Hostel LifeELEANOR BROWN HOUSE
Back row: Y. Baartman; A. Rala; S. Magula; S. Notyesi; S. Chita; A. Nkuhlu; A. Mesatywa; Z. TomThird row: A. Matches; Q. Mqolweni; M. Majeke; L. Ngece; O.Msebi; M. Halana; I. Mtumtum; U. Songca; N. Aja; N. Mnyani Second row: A. Mkumbuzi; N. Myaluza; M. Gadu; S. Manona; N. Nyangana; A. Qongqo; Z. Mnyani; M. Cobotwana; G. XozwaFront row: M. Mona; V. Mafanga; J. Okoh; Ms R. Michaels; Ms J. Mitchell; Ms T. Ashipala; M. Nelani; E. Ndleleni; U. Twalo
PAGE 85
BEAUFORT HOUSE
Back row: S. Sangoni; M. Sihlahla; C. Majeke; S. Tonjeni; K. Jonas; S. Macingwane; K. Gxamza Third row: B Gwedla, L Moko ; A. Kenene; L. Mthenjana; S. Mpama; A. Potwana; E. Mdingi; L. Mancotywa; Z. Mcotsho; P. Lamani;A. Jadezweni; N. Nkone; L Nqadala. Second row: A. Mantshontsho; Z. Nkala; Z. Styoshwana; T. Ndabula;Z. Ngqawana; C. Mtotoba; A. Mtshabe; S. Kolwane; A. Somyalo; K. Matiwane; T Kakaza, O Lusizi, N Siyepu,S Nkwandla Front row: S Tyibilika, Ms S Parbhoo, Ms B Moholi; L. Jojo; Mrs J. Mitchell; L. Mazomba; Mrs S. Dampies;Ms P. Mantwana; Ms Z Magazi ; S Ncetani
2015 has been a good year to be
at Beaufort House as each term
the matrons and stooges have
organised an array of activities for
us to do. We had a nice outing to
the Port Alfred at the beginning of
the year. The girls played games,
had walks on the beach, swam
and generally had fun. We were
spoilt with delicious KFC for lunch.
In term 2 Mrs Dampies organised
an Easter egg hunt after the Easter
holidays, what a great way to nd
our chocolate x! The matrics had
their farewell in May and they had
an amazing evening at Prime.
After the dance they returned to
hostel and wound down with
some snacks and music before it
was time to head off to bed.
In term 3 the grade 11s invited
Renfrew over for a pyjama party,
where they got to eat popcorn,
watch movies and have a good
time. We also had our Boarders
Dance where the girls could get
dressed up, dance to the great
music and eat some delicious
food.
In term 4 it was time to hit the
books and so there were far fewer
weekend activities. As always we
were spoilt at the Xmas banquet
some girls even said it was the best
Xmas banquet ever. The girls were
very impressed with their cell
phone pouch and headband
gifts. A big thank you to the
stooges for their interest and
involvement in the lives of the girls,
and to Mrs Dampies for running BH
this year.
Hostel Life
PAGE 87
Hostel Life RENFREW HOUSE
Back row: U. Keza; R. Ledwaba; Z. Dhlamini; M. Marawu; S. MjaliSecond row: S. Tities; K. Tokota; S. Ngxata; C. Kula; K. Klingenberg; S. Bay; S. Mqomboti; L. Cuka; Z. MeyerFront row: V. Zanekile; L. Rayi; Mr G. Mitchell; Mrs J. Mitchell; Ms R. Woudstra; Y. Gusha; K. Jaji
House parent: Ms Ruth Woudstra
Lawn bowls, art therapy and
spooky Halloween cupcake
decoration. These are just a few of
the activities that kept the RH girls
entertained this year.
Accompanying us were our
stooges Ms Lisa, Ms Buyi, Ms
Bukeka and Ms Sapho, whom we
were all sad to see go. But we
were lucky enough to nish the
year off with Ms Thandi and Ms
Tuletu, who we enjoyed getting to
know.
The main outing of the year was a
weekend trip to Thomas Baines
Nature Reserve just outside
Grahamstown, where we really
got to know each other through
team-building activities. After
wining and dining our tastebuds in
a cooking competition which the
dessert group won, we sang songs
and listened to ghost stories
around a campre.
Regular weekend activities
included movie nights, playing 30
Seconds and going on town
walks. We also had a free writing
session in Bots, a karaoke evening,
and a pre-exam netball match
which was great for de-stressing.
The bowling club experience was
exciting as we all learned for the
rst time how to bowl. We took a
record number of group seles at
the Grahamstown Bowling Club,
and at our picnic in Bots
afterwards. Thank you to Ms Lisa
and Ms Sapho for braaiing wors
for the boeries.
'Frozen' was the theme of our end
of year
Christmas
party. The
entertainmen
t committee
went all out
with their
decorations,
and even
created a
not-yet-
melted Olaf
snowman.
We enjoyed
a very special
meal (thank
you to the kitchen!) and each
boarder received 'nes', which
had us all in stitches. The festivities
ended with a water balloon ght
and a swim the day after.
We are sad to leave RH as it
becomes the new Grade 9 hostel
in 2016, but are grateful for the
fellowship we have had with our
RH family members, and the
unforgettable memories.
PAGE 88
Hostel LifeMATHER PIKE HOUSE
Back row: S. Meth; Y. Manana; S.Mbhali; L. Mcotsho; A. Maphaqa; L. Mbengo; S. Mahlati; Z. Magadla; S. Maxham Front row: R. Mafalala; Mr E. Hazell; Mrs J. Mitchell; Ms S. Duze; S. Saul
Wri�en by: Mr E. Hazell
2015 has been an exci�ng year for
MP. We welcomed two new girls:
Rethabile and Thandwayo. For our
first ou�ng of the year we went to
Chappies Cushion with the DL
boarders, where we had a braai,
swam and enjoyed team building
ac�vi�es. Other ac�vi�es during the
year including a social, where all the
girls dressed up and looked
spectacular. At Gfactor, Sambesiwe
did us proud by taking to the stage
and showing off her singing talent.
Two other highlights of the year were
the matric dance dress viewing and
the borders dance. We also had a
squash ba�le between Mr Hazell and
Yibanathi (won by Yibanathi) and a
dance off between Sinomtha and Mr
Hazell. Mr Hazell was surprisingly
voted the winner. One exci�ng
adventure that we had was taking
turns to ride Mr Hazell's bicycle. It
was quite challenging because the
bicycle was too big and the seat was
too high, nevertheless we had lots of
fun. We have loved and appreciated
our two stooges, Ms Duze and Ms K.
some of our most memorable
ac�vi�es were playing Mafia and
baking cappuccino muffins with Ms K;
and Mr Hazell's end of the year
movie night with movies projected
onto the wall. Throughout the year
Mr Hazell has also been busy outside
conver�ng our grassy patch into an
Aloe garden. We ended off the year
with our Christmas party and awards
evening, where we all received
awards which highlighted some of
our good quali�es.
We would like to thank Mr Hazell,
Ms Mitchley and our Stooges Ms K
and Ms Duze for the energy they put
into making MP our home this year.
PAGE 89
DENISE LONG HOUSE
Back row: A. Mkumbuzi; A. Mfono; S. Mhlauli; N. Petse; M. Dalasile; S. Wapi; F. Eddie Front row: L. Jojo; S. Manakaza; Ms K. Hofmeyr; Mrs J. Mitchell; Mrs N. Seyephe; H. Puzi; Z. Mabizela
Written by: Hlomla Puzi and Lilitha
Jojo
During the school terms we have
had braais for some of the
weekend activities as our hostel
mother Ms Ntombi is also one of
the FEEDEM-Pitseng managers;
and knows a lot about cooking
great meals.
We went to Chappies Cushion as
our hostel outing, along with the
boarders from Mather Pike for an
overnight trip. We did team
building activities which were
great fun! This certainly helped
create the family feeling at our
little hostel. In term 3 we said
goodbye to our fun stooge Ms
Kelly, but we also welcomed an
amazing stooge, Ms Paliso, who
has taught us some fantastic
dance moves ! Ms Peekay helped
us to learn to ride a bike which was
hilarious, and saw most of us
wobbling around the tennis courts
and driveway of the school. This
year we have learnt to work
together as a big family and how
to tolerate each other's
differences without being
complete drama queens. At our
Christmas Party we had a theme
and played Secret Santa, which
was a lovely way to end the year
receiving a special little gift. We
would like to thank our stooges Ms
Paliso and Ms Peekay for looking
after us and taking us to church,
swimming and for town walks
throughout the year.
Hostel Life
PAGE 90
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Tel: 0828776287 or join us on Facebook!
Special InterestWOZA ALBERT
PAGE 83
WOZA ALBERTIn term 3 we were taken back in time by the VG matrics and the Drama teachers performing their adaptation of an all-time South African favourite, Woza Albert! by Percy Mtwa and Bongeni Ngema. The tragi-comedy explores the second coming of Jesus (Morena) during apartheid times and is a poignant look at South African society at the time. The class shifted the performance to the hall oor giving themselves more room to involve the audience, and subtly change the dynamic by making use of more entrances and exits. The funds raised on the evening were
donated towards the publication of a South African play entitled Uhm… by Alex McCarthy and Callum Tilbury
Uhm … is about a young black woman, Coceka (or 'CK' to those who can't pronounce it), born 'Xhosa' but raised 'English'. She falls in love with Tony while she is writing her Master's thesis, which is about Victorian (hint!) literature. But it is not going well ... in fact, the ghosts of Queen Victoria (hint!), Cecil John Rhodes, and Sol Plaatje begin to haunt her. She can't silence their voices, and they begin to affect her relationship with Tony, who cannot see the ghosts.
The play is about the grey areas between language, race, and culture; specically, about how the English language tends to colonise, and then erase African culture. Will Coceka listen to Cecil and Victoria (hint!), who want to claim her allegiance to England? Or to Sol Plaatje, the ghost hiding under her bed, who insists that she mustn't give up her African roots? With all the Victorian connections we just couldn't resist being part of this publication process! We look forward to seeing it in print soon.
PAGE 93
Special InterestEXCHANGE TRIP TO GERMANY
My Exchange – Linamandla
Nqadala
Change is inevitable. It is rapid,
brutal, beautiful, hurtful,
colourful, amazing, unexpected,
overwhelming and most of all
constant. Being an exchange
student is going from thinking
you know who you are, then
having no idea who you are
anymore to then being
someone new.
I nally felt how it was like to be
on your own. Away from home,
with no one I really knew. It was
learning to trust. Trust people
who at rst are only names on a
piece of paper.
While I was there, I had to get
out of my comfort zone and eat
food I wasn't used to eating; try
to speak a strange language
and learn more about the
German culture.
I was fortunate enough to stay
with an English speaking family. I
attend a gymnasium where I got
to experience the difference
between South African schools
and German schools. With the
family, I did various activities
ranging from visit places like
Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg and
Leipzig; to skiing and ices skating
and going to different Christmas
markets. From that I learned all
that I had not known about
Germany.
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