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The hosting of the Round Square International Conference in the first week of October highlighted the fact that our Grade 11 students would need to take up an active leadership role in the preparations. Our Matrics begin their last set of Preliminary Examinations on Monday and have very few school days left thereafter.
And so we brought forward the voting for Leadership 2018, with the intention of having next year’s leaders shadowing and supporting the current leaders. This allows not only for a longer hand-over period and true mentorship into the roles they will be assuming, but also frees up the current leaders to focus more exclusively on their academics pending the final examinations. The 2018 leaders will only assume their leadership positions fully after Valedictory and Leadership Induction, both of which take place early in the fourth term.
Our leadership selection happens upon completely democratic lines, and over the years our students have become ever more responsible and discerning voters. As the values inherent in the concept of servant leadership have become better understood and the role and responsibilities more clearly defined, so high expectations in terms of ethical behaviour and effective delivery have been laid down. The possibilities for personal growth are counterbalanced by the obligations to the constituency that voted them in and the institution that they are there to serve. Within our school culture, collaborative leadership is key and all students have the platform to take up primary leadership roles when opportunities present themselves. Similarly, there is an expectation that the Heads of School, Houses and Portfolios learn how to be good followers when required.
Despite what we aspire to and for our girls, inevitably the announcement of leadership leaves some girls disappointed that their aspirations have not been met. I urge them to be kind to themselves and accepting of the processes of democracy – and remind them that a title alone does not make a leader. Our world needs many kinds of leaders and their places in the leadership system, wherever they are, can absolutely provide opportunities to gain or hone skills and to identify where their unique talents, passions or skills can make a difference that will feed into the greater good. Our 2017 leaders have shown the way, and I pay tribute to their graciousness in sharing the last quarter of their leadership year with the current Grade 11 group.
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ROUND SQUARE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017
(30 September to 5 October)
As the time for this international conference is rapidly approaching, so too is the realisation that we will be the proud hosts of an extraordinary opportunity: to showcase our school, our city, our country to a world audience of future global leaders.
The organisation of such a monumental event is enormous and challenging, and I am so grateful to all the staff, girls and parents who have come on board to help us. It is going to be 5 intense days, but what I know with absolute certainty is that everybody involved will be left the richer for the exciting experience that awaits us. A very special thank you goes to all of you who have changed holiday plans to be a part of this – in a big or small way. The fact that so many musicians and performers, in addition to the Grade 11 Barazza Leaders, will be required to perform in the Opening Ceremonies on Sunday and Monday has interfered with plans people may have made to take a double holiday week. Thank you to those who have so graciously and generously offered to host our international student guests, and to those who have put up their hands to help our staff with some logistics and support in the planned activities.
This is a BIG occasion for St Cyprian’s School and I know that we will all be talking about it for years to come. Although not easy to take on something of this unprecedented magnitude in addition to the demands of our normal timetable and schedule, it will be the highlight for many girls of their entire schooling career.
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ROUND SQUARE DAY
St Cyprian's School celebrated Round Square Day in honour of Kurt Hahn's birthday and a special Round Square cake was made to mark this occasion. Our girls also wore civvies today to raise funds for the Round Square Discovery Fund. This supports a range of Round Square programmes including the materials for International Service Projects (tools and associated costs), as well as bursaries for students who would not otherwise be able to participate in RSIS or RSIC activities.
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ESKOM REGIONAL EXPO
Nine Grade 11 Projects were entered into the Regional Expo for Young Scientists and we are delighted at the results achieved: 8 medals were awarded to St Cyprian's School - 4 bronze, 3 silver and 1 gold.
Three of the projects received special prizes in their respective categories and we are very proud of Gabriele Gess whose project was awarded the Best Female Eskom Science Project prize and was also selected to go on to the National Expo in Johannesburg in October. Well done to all the girls who entered.
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MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL TROPHY
Our quiz team, comprising Carmin Veldsman (Grade 11), Teresa Steyn (Grade 10), Anna Daniel (Grade 9) and Romy Stevens (Grade 9), displayed amazing grit and intelligence to win the Most Improved School trophy at this year’s SAIIA Inter-Schools Quiz competition held at Bishops School last night. The four students read the Cape Times newspaper over a period of ten days, studying all international, political and economic issues which featured in the newspapers.
The team made a giant leap from being number 33/50 in last’s competition to finishing sixth this year. It was a remarkable achievement borne out of collaboration and critical thinking - key 21st Century learning skills that the school has inculcated in the students.
“We’re going for the ultimate prize next year - the Number 1 spot,” said an elated Carmin.
“I’ve benefited immensely from the knowledge I’ve acquired from reading the newspapers,” chipped in a smiling Anna.
We can only wish our school the best in the next installment of the quiz competition. The trick is effective and efficient preparation.
NB: SAIIA: South African Institute of International Affairs.
Mr Jack Mutsvairo (Teacher in charge of Quiz Club)
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On Wednesday 2 August we had a wonderful Lunch Time Concert featuring four St Cyprian's School piano students. Well done to Robyn Hathaway, Talia Macdonald, Jaden Willie and Karin Harrison.
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On Friday 4 August, our students were treated to a performance by the well-known Cape Town based rock and, Early Hours. Their high-energy performance was enjoyed by all.
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On Wednesday 16 August we had our annual Matric Composition Concert. Phillipa Crichton-Stuart, Julia Weinert, Robyn Snowdon and Lorena Marais all presented fantastic original works to an appreciative audience.
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Well done to our Grade 10 Marimba Band for their outstanding performance at the Marimba Jam Festival held at the Joseph Stone Auditorium on the evening of Thursday 17 July.
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All are warmly invited to the St Cyprian's Choral and Strings Concert taking place at the Centre for the Book on Monday 11 September at 18:00. Seating is limited and tickets can be purchased at the school shop for R50 each. The evening will include a combined Prep and High School Choir singing alongside the String Ensemble. This is an evening not to be missed!
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We are excited to once again be performing at the All Girls' Schools' Choir Festival taking place at St George's Cathedral on the evening of Monday 18 September. Entrance is free of charge, and tickets can be booked by clicking on the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/NH5wmxbPwubgYDTK2
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UPCOMING CONCERTS
We have a number of additional concerts coming up to which all are invited:
Tuesday 29 August 18:00 -
Guitar Concert in the Voorkamer
Tuesday 5 September 18:00 -
Wind Concert in the Voorkamer
Tuesday 5 September 19:00 -
Piano Concert in the Voorkamer
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WOMEN'S DAY CHAPEL SERVICE
In commemoration of the Women's March that took place on the 9th of August 1956, a special High School Chapel Service was held that included guest speakers as well as our previous chaplain, Rev Natalie. The girls were asked to donate sanitary pads that were blessed during the service and will be donated to the girls at Harry Gwala Secondary School.
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MATHS CLUB
This week our girls enjoyed teaching the students at Zonnebloem Nest High School the language of probability.
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CREATIVE ARTS DRAMA
The Grade 8 Creative Arts Drama class is introduced to Praise Poetry by Simphiwe Gumede (Grade 11), who entertained and inspired the girls with her reading of "Praise Poem for Nokukhanya Luthuli" by Gcina Mlophe.
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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
"The person who says it cannot be done, must not interrupt the person doing it." Chinese Proverb
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THE 2018 LEADERSHIP GROUP
Heads and Portfolio Leaders
| Head Girl |
Hannah Nelson |
| Deputy Head Girl |
Bonolo Tlhapane |
| Head of Boarding |
Lethabo Manotho |
| Head of Public Relations |
Chloe Steward |
| Head of Academics |
Karin Harrison |
| Head of Sport |
Georgia Dix-Peek |
| Head of Culture |
Luna Johnson |
| Head of Round Square |
Yvana Ramos |
| Head of Chapel |
Daniela Cruz |
Heads of Houses
| Anderson |
Simphiwe Gumede |
| Darke |
Hannah Nelson and Luna Johnson |
| Verinder |
Alexandra Faure |
The full list of leadership placements (Deputy Heads, Sectional Heads and Portfolio Committees) can be found on BlueSky.
Congratulations to all our 2018 leaders, and especially the core group above. You can feel proud of the faith your peers and the staff have vested in you. Remember always the Kurt Hahn quote which certainly applies in this circumstance:
“To whom much has been given, much is expected. “
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FASHION SHOW
Last Thursday and Friday night the Grade 10 Grade presented the annual Fashion Show. This year the theme was Stitched Reality and the girls put on a thrilling performance of note. A special congratulation goes to the Consumer Studies, Design and Art students who made and modelled their own clothing. From fairytale twists, dynamic duos and vintage vogue wonders the girls put on A vibrant display of brilliant grade collaboration and creativity. A tremendous thank you goes to all the Grade 10 tutors for the hours of additional time and effort that they put in to this show in order to make it such a wonderful success.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Monday 21 August
Grade 12 Examinations Commence
Wednesday 23 August
12:15-12:40 Lunch Time Music Concert
Friday 25 August
15:00-19:30 U16 & U19 PGSGU Netball Inter-Schools Tournament
Saturday 26 August
08:00-13:00
U14 & U15 PGSGU Netball Inter-Schools Tournament
Monday 28 August
18:00-20:00 SAIIA Inter-Schools Quiz
Tuesday 29 August
18:00-19:00 WS: Guitar Concert
Wednesday 30 August
12:15-12:40 HS: Lunch Time Music Concert
Thursday 31 August
14:00-15:30 Blood Donation Clinic
Friday 1 September
15:00-20:00 U14 & U16 PGSGU Hockey Inter-Schools Tournament
Saturday 2 September
08:00-13:30 U16 & U19 PGSGU Hockey Inter-Schools Tournament
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Denika Veerasamy - Pembroke School, Australia
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The Round Square Exchange Students went on Safari over the weekend to experience the Spirits of Environmentalism and Adventure.
Our Explorers had great fun as they worked together on the night drive, taking responsibility of the spotlight and searching for wildlife in the dark.
They saw 4 of the Big 5 and were taught some African Djembe Drumming by one of the Rangers!
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INCLUSIVITY SUMMIT
The theme for the latest Inclusivity Summit held at Good Hope Seminary High School, focused on unpacking the silence around gender violence. The conversation was led by Dr Jim Lees, a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at The University of the Western Cape.
From the corner of the room rang a bell. Every four minutes the bell would ring, alerting you to its presence, yet we were unsure of its purpose. After an hour passed, deep in conversation, the bell continued to ring every four minutes. It was not until Dr Lees read out the statistics of rape in South Africa did the purpose of the bell become known. In South Africa, a woman is raped every four minutes.
We were taken on an emotional journey whilst exploring and exposing the silence around gender violence. Topics such as why women live in fear, the silence around the abuse of men and boys, as well as victim blaming and shaming were discussed, debated and even acted out.
Dr Lees believes in the need for a movement to create a new kind of humanity that cherishes, nurtures, protects and preserves all life. By simply breaking the silence around gender violence and creating a safe place to facilitate communication we can begin this movement and create change.
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GRADE 8 ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY
The Grade 8 EMS classes participated in an "Entrepreneurship Day" as a way of marrying theory to practice of the work covered during lessons that highlighted the role entrepreneurship plays in the growth and development of the South African economy. The girls had fun experiencing, on a small scale, the pressures businesses go through in trying to make good sales in a competitive environment.
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Megan Pryce-Lewis, Grade12, recently played in her 100th St Cyprian's School 1st Team match. This is a fantastic and very rare achievement. Well done Megan!
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Our U16 and U19 hockey teams had the opportunity to play against teams from Loretto School in Scotland. These 'friendly' games provide opportunities for our coaching team to try new player combinations, give younger girls a chance to play, and for our teams to learn to be adaptable against all opposition. The U16 team lost 1-3 and the U19 team won 4-1.
Upcoming Events:
We wish our U15 and U19 soccer teams well for their matches at the annual derby with Rhenish Girls School on Saturday, 19 August. We also wish our 4 St Cyprian's School tennis girls who will be playing against an U15 touring side from St Anne’s on Saturday 19 August at St Cyprian's School.
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