st dominic`s senior school newsletter

7 AUGUST 2015
ST DOMINIC’S SENIOR
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents
Maya Angelou wrote: “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the
lapels…”
Much educational research that is now being published suggests that girls do better in a single sex education. There are a number of reasons for this: one is that
boys and girls think differently; another is that girls will do things in a girls-only
school that they would not do in a co-ed school. The latter is something in particular that I have noticed at St Dominic’s. Quite simply, our girls get “stuck in”. Be it
jumping into and swimming across the icy waters of our swimming pool to raise
money for the Johannesburg Zoo, or recreating the splendor of Elizabethan England and reciting Shakespeare - our girls rise up to the challenge. There is a
healthy balance between the emphasis on academic excellence, sport and fun
which contribute to the well-rounded individuals we want to grow. These past few
weeks the school has been busy with the elections of the new executive body and
I am proud to say that every current grade eleven girl has pledged to become involved in at least one of the various committees serving the school and greater
community. This is the essence of servant-leadership as Bill Gates says: “As we
look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”
Thank you to the staff for their unstinting dedication and hard work this term, and
to the Ethos team in particular who lead a wonderful staff retreat last week.
Saturday, 8 August is the feast day of our founder St Dominic’s. To commemorate
this occasion all the girls were given sticky treats today.
To all who are part of our St Dominic’s family, have a wonderful break and safe
travels till we see you again in September.
Sharon Fitzgerald
Inside this issue:
Tribute to Mrs Ross
2
Headgirl Report and Marimba 3
& Steelband News
2015 /2016 Executives
4
English Alive & the
Elizabethan Evening
5
Polar Bear Plunge
Dignity Dreams
7
8
Klipriviersberg Hike
Geography Tours
9
10
11
Savannah Esteves
Rational Pi Day, Tour de Maths 12
Dates to Diarise
11
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Page 2
A Tribute to
Mrs Melanie Ross
Mrs Ross joined the Staff of St
Dominic’s in 1991. Now after 25
years of dedicated service it is time
for us to say goodbye.
During her time at St Dominic’s Mrs
Ross has taught HISTORY to Grade
7, 8,9 and 10 learners and ISIZULU
to Grade 5 to 9 learners.
The number of learners who chose to take HISTORY as a MATRIC SUBJECT is testimony to her passion for the subject and her excellent teaching skills.
As a HOMEROOM CLASS TEACHER every year she has always had an exemplary
class and this is due entirely to her excellent organizational skills, strict discipline and
‘no nonsense’ attitude which is also clearly evident in her subject teaching. She is
loved and respected by all her students.
Mrs Ross was also the SENIOR HOCKEY COACH and overall HOCKEY ADMINISTRATOR for 13 years. She still regularly attends Hockey matches to support and encourage her students.
Mrs Ross was responsible for organising the MATRIC FAREWELLS IN 1995 AND
2000 and both these Farewells were very successful events which will long be remembered by the Grade 11s and Matrics in those years.
Every year our Grade 10 students are privileged to be able to visit Babanango Valley
in KwaZulu Natal on a HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY and ISIZULU excursion.
These tours have been organised and managed by Mrs Ross for the past 18 years. I
have accompanied Mrs Ross on at least 10 of these tours and have witnessed the
learning which has taken place “outside the classroom” and the fun, laughter and camaraderie evident on every one of these tours. The success of the tours is due to the
passion that Mrs Ross has for educating her students in and out of the classroom.
Mrs Ross has always assisted the MATRIC CHARITY AND ETHOS COMMITTEE in
all their various endeavours. For
the past 5 years she has also
been involved in organising
teams of girls to pack meals for
the ‘STOP HUNGER NOW’ PROJECT on Saturday mornings.
They usually pack in excess of
20 000 meals in a morning.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Ross most
sincerely for her dedicated service and invaluable contribution
to the St Dominic’s Family over
the past 25 years not only as a
passionate teacher and exceptional organiser but also as an
enthusiastic supporter of the
learners in their various activities.
We wish Mrs Ross and her husband, Grant, God’s richest blessings and everything of the best
for the future as they re-locate to
their new home in the beautiful
Natal Midlands.
MRS G GOUS
Headgirl Report Back
Page 3
And the journey comes to an end I reflect on what an amazing year it has been. I
started off leading a group of 19 ladies as the future leaders of St Dominic’s and we
have now formed a bond so close and so very dear to my heart. The executive committee have been my sidekicks, my guardian angels and my best friends through this
past year and I strongly believe that we have made changes within this school. From
the spirit and attitudes of the girls to the physical difference we have made in people’s lives by all our successful charity drives as well as the improvement of the overall support and attendance at functions.
This year has had its fair share of ups and downs but I am pleased to say that it is an
experience I will not be soon to forget. The St Dominic’s family has a very special
place in my heart for now and forever. A year like this would not have been possible
without the help of a few very special guardian angels that I have been privileged to
work with. So a huge thank you goes out to Mevrou Jacobs, Mevrou Van Zyl, Mrs
Fitzgerald, Mrs Haw, Mrs Bossert, the teachers and staff, my executive committee as
well as every single young lady who I have come into contact with over this past
year. This school has taught me lessons that extend far further than the four surrounding walls of each of my classrooms and I hand over my position with the greatest pride and honour and I thank the school for trusting me with this position over the
past year. I hope I have made you all proud and I look forward to the years to come
as a St Dominic’s old girl. We truly are one school, one family, one spirit.
Amy-Sue Lithgow
Headgirl 2014/2015
Marimba and Steelband News
On 1st and 2nd August over 70 St
Dominic’s Marimba and Steelband
girls went to take part in the International Marimba and Steelband
Festival, held at St Benedict’s.
Our girls played beautifully and
learnt much from other groups,
particularly in areas such as song
presentation etc.
It was also a good opportunity for
connecting with schools / institutions all over South Africa. Over
80 institutions were represented at
this Festival.
Thank you to Ms Olivier, Ms
Masanabo. Ms Bembe and Mrs
Notice
Reminder
As per contract
conditions, a terms (3
months) written notice is
required should your
daughter be leaving at
the end of the current
year. Failure to do so
will result in a term’s
notice being charged in
lieu thereof. School fees
are due monthly in
advance. Please ensure
that accounts are kept
up to date monthly.
All accounts for the
current year to be settled
in full by no later than
the 15th of December
2015.
Should you have any
queries, please do not
hesitate to contact Lynn
Stewart or Iris Kruger on
011 917-0133; fax 011
917-8081 or
Penny for making it possible to
accounts@stdominics.co.za.
attend this event.
Thank you.
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Page 4
ST DOMINIC’S EXECUTIVES 2016
Abena Osei-Fofie
Bianca Costa-Tré
Candice Potgieter
Cassidy Langton
Daniela Weyers
Danielle Dry
Dayna Waghorn
Given Mpotu
Jamie-Lee Du Plessis
Jenah Fell
Jessica van der Spuy
Khumo Molokomme
Marcela De Olim
Michaela Rees
Michlene Pedro
Nabeela Lambat
Savannah Barman
Shannon Fourie
Tanisha Ravjee
Tumi Malukeke
Zama Buthlelezi
Zandile Gando
One School, One Family, One Spirit
English Alive Congratulations
We are delighted to announce that two of our St Dominic's students were selected from entries across South Africa to be published in ENGLISH ALIVE, a prestigious English Journal. The
students are: HEIDI DAVIS (grade 12) for her essay, THE BIG BAD WOLF DIDN'T
BLOW THE HOUSE DOWN and SAMANTHA JOHNSON (grade 10) for her poem:
DIFFERENT IN THIS WORLD.
We offer heartfelt congratulations to these students for keeping the St Dominic's flag
flying high on the national front for English.
Elizabethan Evening 2015
If I asked in a whispered tone would you let me take you by the hand
and take you on a journey through history? A journey back to about
400 years ago to when the Renaissance man himself walked the
earth. Will you let me take you back to meet…………..WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARE!!!
The Elizabethan evening of 2015 proved to be nothing short of magical. Despite living in the 21st century the matrics managed to transform
our netball court into a 1600s Elizabethan market. We saw every Shakespearean
character from Hamlet to Juliet and got to meet Shakespeare himself in the flesh. We
were even treated to a very special visit by Queen Elizabeth the 1st and her successor King James the 6th.
The market saw peasants, jesters, witches and aristocrats alike. We even saw a duo
of mimes who proved to us that talking is certainly a privilege. The atmosphere was
created by fashion, soliloquies, food stalls and even a tavern.
William Shakespeare himself introduced over 1600 new words into the English language and we were fortunate enough to hear examples of these when we were taken on a trip through the ages. Our experience of Shakespeare was brought to life in
a way we will always be grateful for.
Thank You are two simple words that cannot begin to express the gratitude we feel
towards the fact that this Elizabethan Evening was a reality. A huge thank you goes
out to Mrs Fanucchi who made the evening happen and without whose passion we
wouldn’t truly appreciate Shakespeare. Thank yous must also go out to Mrs Carlstein
and Ms Reindfleish who helped judge the evening and Mrs Adams who worked the
sound. Multiple other teachers made appearances and we also thank them for coming to appreciate our efforts. Mrs Fitzgerald’s trivia truly proved to be enjoyed and
appreciated by all.
Shakespeare himself once said, “Some are born great,
some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust
upon them.” This evening proved to us that Shakespeare
created characters that fulfilled all these and we saw them
brought to life by our very own classmates. We did our part
to be a part of the world of Shakespeare and for that we
thank the man himself.
Heidi Davis
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Page 5
Page 6
On July 21, we were lucky to have Daniella
Snyman come and speak to the girls at assembly. Daniella is a 19 year old cancer survivor. She is a former student of Boksburg
High School and was diagnosed with leukaemia just before her Grade 12 prelim
exams. She was forced to leave school to
undergo cancer treatment, which was successful and she is now in remission. She
spoke with great passion and enthusiasm and
encouraged the girls to donate blood.
The SANBS blood bank was at school the
next day and we had an overwhelming response from our students. Usually we manage
to donate about 25 units of blood per drive,
and this time we achieved 38 units. We had
an additional 10 girls who were not allowed to
donate blood for various reasons, but did
come out and try. We have to congratulate all
these donors, especially the many ‘first time’ donors, many of whom were very
nervous about it.
I am hoping we will be able to have Daniella come and speak to us again, and she
has indicated that she is happy to do so.
The next blood drive at the school will be on Wednesday, Oct 7 in the Ballet Room.
Looking
for a
plumber?
Polar Bear Plunge
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Polar Bear Plunge
A polar bear plunge is an event held during the winter where participants enter a
body water despite the low temperature. Normally the polar bear plunges are held
to raise money for a charitable organisation.
Worldwide polar bear plunges are usually held on New Year’s Day, some participants having to break the ice before entering the water!
St Dominic’s started plunging in 1995 and all monies raised from our entrants was
used to sponsor the Polar Bears at Johannesburg Zoo. Unfortunately “Gee Bee”
and “Lang”, our bears have passed away. The news is that there may be a possibility of seals returning to the Zoo! So it will still be a Polar Bear Plunge, keeping the
international trend, but hopefully we will sponsor some seals!
Our “Plunges” are part of an exclusive worldwide club!
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Page 7
Page 8
Dignity Dreams Project
Each term, the Ethos and Charity Committee of St Dominic’s holds the responsibility of encouraging their peers and the St Dominic’s family to get involved as
much as possible in the good work to help our surrounding community. As a
committee they raised money for this very special project to make a difference in
young women’s lives.
On the 21st July our girls went with Mrs Van Zyl, Sandra Miller and two social
workers from Child Helpline to Keketo Primary in Katlehong. We spent the morning with the principal,
teachers and Gr 7 girls.
Our girls handed over the
sanitary bags to the Gr 7 girls
and experience an unforgettable event.
Thank you Robyn Mooney
Mev Van Zyl
and your committee for
running this project in a very
professional way.
Mrs Van Zyl
Robyn Mooney
One School, One Family, One Spirit
St Dominic’s Mountain Goats
Page 9
Klipriviersberg Hike
On Sunday 2nd August we went on our firs day hike in 2015.
St Dominic’s and what a beautiful place it proved to be. We were blessed with
lovely weather on a typical Highveld Winter’s day.
We followed a number of the 9 hiking trails in the reserve. The aloes are in full
bloom and we were lucky enough to see springbok, blesbok and wildebeest on
the trail. The 14 girls really enjoyed the day. Our thanks to Mr Fraser for or-
gansing the hike and Mr van Zyl for driving the quantum.
Another fun filled hiking day was enjoyed by all.
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Mrs Gous
Mr. Kevin Fraser
Klipriviersberg is a Nature Reserve about 25 minutes away from
Page 10
Jennifer Haw and Teagan Lubbe were invited to play in the Boksburg Schools
Golf League over the past weekend. The girls played well and St Dominic’s ended
in fourth position.
Congratulations to Jennifer Haw (2nd left) who was awarded her School League
Colours for finishing in the Top four. Well done Jennifer!
Teagan Lubbe came 2nd in the Women’s Open Championships which was played
at Wanderers.
Geography Tours 2015
Everything in the world is geography. This is certainly evident in all the tours that
occurred in July.
The Grade 8s went on the Johannesburg hop on/ hop off bus broadening their historical and geographical insight to the establishment of Johannesburg.
The grade 12s spent an afternoon studying the greater Johannesburg area in
terms of the layout of urban land uses.
Both the grade 11 and 12 geography groups enjoyed overnight tours into Golden
Gate, Drakensberg and Clarens areas including a visit to the Drakensberg Eskom
Power Station.
In September the Grade 9 learners will be enjoying a week long
trip to the Blyde River Adventure Camp, visiting environmental
centres and geological formations.
The best learning takes place outside the classroom. All these
tours / outings have enabled the learners to ‘see’ the world they
live in, as the quotation in my classroom reads:
“Without geography, you are going nowhere.”
Mr Craythorn
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Page 11
Savannah in the Spotlight
Congratulations this week must go to
our Grade 10 learner Savannah
Esteves and her Ballroom Dancing
achievements. Savannah and her
partner were recently invited to compete in Germany at the Bad Homburg
Open
Championships
were placed in 4
th
where
they
position. On the
th
27 Of June
Savannah and her partner not only
competed at the Western Coast Super Series Championships in Cape
Town, but they won and have been
dubbed the Western Coast Latin
Champions.
Savannah
was
also
awarded the prestigious ‘Queen of the
Lain’ award which is based on Quality
Performance, Attire and Presentation.
She has also performed on Strictly
Come Dancing Season 8 as a guest act with the Idols Winner Mr Lloyd Cele.
Savannah and her partner Sean are currently training for the WDC Al Porto City
Open Championships which will be held in Portugal in September this year, and in
December they will be competing in the World Championships in Paris.
Congratulations on all your outstanding Ballroom Dancing Achievements Savannah.
We are very proud of you.
RE Teachers
Retreat
On Monday 3 August
the High School RE
teachers led RE teachers from the Pre-school
and Primary School on
a special Pilgrimage
Retreat. The general
consensus was that:
“It was just what we
needed”.
After the Pilgrimage
Retreat the teachers
enjoyed a tea. Thank
you Mrs Geier for our
sheep cupcakes.
RE Teachers Pilgrimage Retreat
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Ms Rindfleisch
Page 12
“Rational” Pi Day
On Wednesday, 22 July tuck-shop vouchers, in the form of a
circular disc were placed strategically all over the school,
associated with a circle of course. Knowing that each Maths
teacher had hidden one in her class, never have learners
been so enthusiastic to get to a Maths lesson. It did not
take the girls long to reveal the hiding place of each disc.
The most observant or the hungriest girls are as follows:
Kelsi Swiegers, Jessica Green, Ntsoaki Choma, Tshego Ratale, Jenna Whiting,
Jessica van der Spuy, Danielle du Preez, Katya Berimbau, Savannah Oelofse and
Ashlyn Lee.
Congratulations to the girls who found the tuck shop vouchers.
Tour de Maths
This is a voluntary Mathematics competition held approximately 6 to 7 times annually. It is applicable to mainly grade 9 and grade 10 learners and is usually held at a
prestigious Johannesburg school.
Often up to 200 enthusiastic participants descend on the host school and each team
of 4 learners vehemently tackle a thought provoking, non syllabus based, set of
Mathematical calculations. Two learners from 2 different schools form each team of
4.
At the 4th leg, held at Roedean on 14th May St. Dominic’s took 12 grade 9 and 10
volunteers. We proudly returned home with 2 of our learners, Samantha Johnson,
Gr 10, and Ange Kinunu, Gr 9, having clenched 2 nd place. A proud moment indeed.
Several other spot prizes were also given and 2 of our girls won top Casio
calculators.
Samantha Johnson
Ange Kinunu
Mrs. Donly
One School, One Family, One Spirit
Our annual music picnic will be held on Saturday 19 September 2015,
from 12 until 3pm. This year we are going to hold it on the hockey field,
celebrating the new grand stands, so be sure not to miss it! But also
please make sure to bring your own umbrella or Gazebo, as there are
NO trees on the hockey field.
Ms Olivier
Our students will be performing as
usual, with musical items varying
from songs to instrumental
items. We have also invited outside
guests to perform, so do come and
enjoy this special day with us.
Bring your picnic, blankets and sun
umbrellas and have fun!
Ms. Olivier
Dates to Diarise
7 August
Handing Over Ceremony
School Closes at 12:00
8 August
St Dominic’s Day
9 August
Women’s Day
29 & 30 August
Drummie Provincial Trials 07:00 to 17:00
30 Aug to 4 Sept
Sun City Tennis Tournament
31 Aug to 4 Sept
Winter School Grade 12s
6 & 7 Sept
Grade 11 Geography Tour
8 Sept
School Reopens Day 1
12 Sept
Drummie Annual Prize Giving and Social
Inter – Catholic Golf Day
14-18 Sept
Grade 9 Tour to Mpumalanga
17 Sept
Choir Festival / Workshop at Holy Rosary
19 Sept
Music Picnic 12h00 to 15h00
Drummie AGM
21 Sept
Summer Uniform
22 Sept
Sports Dinner
23 Sept
Heritage Day Celebrations
24 Sept
Heritage Day
25 Sept
School Holiday
One School, One Family, One Spirit