Activities News: 2 February 2024

Activities News: 2 February 2024

RITES OF PASSAGE

Much has been written about the passing of time, but poets, lyricists, wise old sages and the stories shared from one generation to the next all agree that it is fleeting. On Tuesday 30 January we welcomed the new Grade Eight class into the Collegiate fold. Forming part of their rite of passage, receiving the school blazer from the Grade Twelve assigned as her Old Pot, each Grade Eight learner exchanged name badges with a fellow New Pot. With the Grade Eight Rite of Passage, the Grade Twelve class of 2024 pledged their allegiance to Collegiate and received their badge as a Matric privilege. Mrs Erasmus prayerfully asked each to their own God to be guided in “being the example to their juniors and fill their hearts with respect, kindness and compassion” as we embody the five core values of the school in thought, in word and deed.

ARTISTIC SWIMMERS

We are proud to announce the success of our Artistic Swimmers who participated in the National Age Group Championships in East London last December. This was a new experience for them, as they had never competed at the National Level before obtaining the following results in various categories:

In the juniors category, Aneesah Lindoor and Rachel Taylor showed their skills in both Technical and Free routines. Aneesah earned a bronze medal in Tech and a silver medal in Free, while Rachel clinched the gold medal in Technical.

In the Novice 13 and over Figures category, Kate Erasmus, Shanna du Plessis and Jordyn Leigh-Roman demonstrated their consistency and teamwork. They secured the 7th, 9th and 10th positions respectively in the Figures, before joining forces to claim the gold medal in the trio event.

In the youth category, Kim Dell Robertson gave a strong performance in her Figures and Solo. She displayed her grace and confidence in the water.

Furthermore, Rachel and Aneesah received a great honor by being chosen for the Senior Free team representing South Africa at the 21st World Aquatics Championships in Doha this February.

We applaud our Artistic Swimmers for their amazing achievements and wish them all the best for their future endeavors.

STEAM WEEK

The Collegiate Girls’ High and Junior Schools are celebrating 150 years of excellence this year. There will be various events throughout the year to mark this milestone. In March 2024, we will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) events.

The week of 4-8 March 2024 is dedicated to the STEAM week’s activities, and will culminate in a STEAM Expo (local businesses, tertiary institutions, service providers and retail outlets), STEAM Career Popup (with Collegiate parents briefing visitors about their chosen career), and a STEAM Talks Evening (with esteemed guest speakers and refreshments) on 7 March 2024.

The abovementioned trio of STEAM events is open to all Collegiate learners and parents, as well as to neighboring schools, their staff and parents.

Book via Quicket for our Academic Evening of Guest Speakers: https://qkt.io/qtz5Nn

Details of the STEAM Career Popup:

Date: 7 March 2024

Time: 15:00 - 16:30

Place: Ivy Leaf, Collegiate Girls’ High School

• Setup will be between 10:00 and 11:00 for parents who will present at various stalls on their career
• The stand area is ideally 2m x 1m or merely a table and chair that we provide

If you are interested in hosting a stand at the Career Popup, please fill in this form so that we can make contact: https://forms.gle/uuGjEBqF26eE7VLN7

We are inviting any Collegiate parents who own or work for a business or institution in any of the STEAM fields to occupy a stand at the STEAM Expo and we are extending this invitation to various stakeholders.

The cost for exhibitors is R500 per stand.

Examples of exhibitors could include private and public tertiary institutions offering careers in STEAM fields, solar power businesses, cell phone companies, tech businesses, IT companies, retail outlets selling gadgets, gaming and devices, sustainability companies, waste and renewable energy firms, 3D printing businesses, app and programme distributors, businesses offering extra lessons in STEAM fields etc. This list is endless.

Details of the STEAM EXPO:

Date: 7 March 2024
Time: 15:00 - 19:00
Place: Gym Hall, Collegiate Girls’ High School

• Setup will be between 10:00 and 13:00
• Please do share your business logo with us so that we can include this in the marketing when and if possible
• The stand area is ideally 2m x 1m but will be dependent on what you wish to exhibit
• Electrical outlets will be supplied, but please supply your own extension cable
• A permanent generator is available on site.

If you are interested in hosting a stand at the Expo, please fill in this form so that we can make contact: https://forms.gle/FwYRg5B6CMiDpLZ68

Please do email us at zandrig@cghs.co.zashould you have any questions.

HOISTING OF 150 FLAG AND 150 FORMATION

The 'Old Girl' was beaming with pride as one of many birthday photographs celebrating a 150 years of girls' education was taken. It became immediately evident that Mrs Nel's skill for bringing together the Collegiate was not only out of respect for the 'Old Girl', but the belief that there are still things for which it is worthwhile standing to attention. A special moment too was the hoisting of the 150 flag.

INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS DAY

Many of Collegiate’s most important and memorable events have taken place on days of poor weather, gusty winds and the threat of lightning. On Monday 29 January, with clear skies and calm air, the scene was set for an enjoyable day of athletics. However, the summer sun had heard the Collegiate athletes wanted an exciting day of sport that the track itself nearly fainted from the high temperatures. However, the learners and staff persevered to conclude the Athletics Day with many memories to share in the future. Jenna Coetzee is commended for setting a new record for the U/16 1500m event. Not only is Jenna an accomplished Track Athlete, but a high-performance swimmer and respectful student in the class. St Michael and St George House were victorious in the Spirit Category with their theatrical war cry and cheering.

The results of the Athletics Day are captured as follows:

HOSTEL LIFE

The first in-weekend at Waterfield House got off to a colourful start teams dressed in different bright colours! The Grade 11 CID organised an evening of fun, music and trivia, with boarders sporting different outfits according to their group colour. Each group presented an impressive group cheer that had the room filled with laughter and smiles. The rest of the weekend passed by with many activities, swimming, bonding and tradition.

MUSIC

We commend our musicians for their impressive results for their 2023 Trinity College of Music practical examinations (completed at the end of 2023). These talented learners have achieved distinctions for their performances:

Maria Freercks (Flute Grade 1)

Ava Beary (Saxophone Grade 6)

Olivia Freercks (Clarinet Grade 6)

Lara Lötz (Piano Grade 3)

Congratulations to the Music Department on the outstanding success of our learners, a testament to your dedication and the harmonious impact of music education.

Congratulations to the following learners who have been selected for the Eastern Cape Wind Orchestra: Hayley Libbrecht (Clarinet 1), Clarice Pieterse (Clarinet 1), Maria Freercks (Flute 1), Eden Oliver (Flute 2), Hannah Campbell (Trumpet 2), Beth Burley (French Horn) and Amy Elliott (Percussion). The orchestra performed in a Gala Concert at Summerwood Primary School on 16 December.

Congratulations to the following learners who have been selected for the Eastern Cape String Orchestra: Cailin Louw (Violin), Omhle Manona (Violin) and Cwenga Williams (Violin). The ECSO course took place in December with a Gala Concert at Summerwood Primary School. The Orchestra was conducted by former Collegiate Girls' High School Concert Band Conductor Mr Grant Snyman.

OPEN WATER SWIMMERS

We are proud to announce the success of our open water swimmers who participated in the ECA Open Water Championships in Jeffreys Bay. The event was held over two days and the weather was very pleasing, which also created a positive and competitive atmosphere. our swimmers had the following results:

In the women’s 7,5km championship race Tiara Finnis placed 3rd and in the women’s 5km championship race Sienna Gous placed 3rd, with Tiara Finnis placing 4th.
In the 1,5km sprint, Sienna Gous placed 3rd in the women’s category and Mila Delport who swam in the 3km championship race placed 2nd in the women’s category. The girls did exceptionally well and also managed to qualify for the Open water Nationals competition which will be held in March this year.

MUSICAL REHEARSALS

Our Musical Theatre learners, joined by male actors from Grey High School and Victoria Park High School, have been hard at work since August and selflessly took time out of their holidays to bring you something extra special next year. The cast celebrated the last rehearsal of 2023 with a holiday party. At the start of 2024, they continued with a fast paced rehearsal schedule. The production team, led by Mrs Hemingway, is very excited to reveal what's in store, and we can't wait to entertain you!

RACING

It was a thrilling ride to the chequered flag for Emma Oberholzer who completed the racing season at the Aldo Scribante Main Circuit. Pitting her Yamaha against competitive Hondas, she was placed first overall in the 150s Clubman and received a special award

CLASS OF 2023

Collegiate once again attained a 100% pass rate, with 97.8% attaining Bachelor Passes and 2.2% obtaining Diploma Passes. Twenty of our learners attained an aggregate above 80%.

Our Class of 2023 impressed with their work ethic and we asked four of the class to tell us about their experiences. Head Girl Kyla Nienaber explained that knowing the opportunities available to her, she recognised that it was up to her and only her to achieve the results she needed. This kept her motivated to achieve the best that she could. She believes that there is a reason for everything and that the Lord has big plans for us, so if we face disappointments, we should recognise that the Lord has a bigger and better plan. Patience and faith are important to Kyla. She hopes that every member of the Class of 2023 is proud because each one faced triumphs, setbacks and struggles but persevered. Kyla will be coaching Hockey and Waterpolo and taking various courses while awaiting the possibility of studying overseas. She is grateful to her teachers, parents and friends who created an environment for her to achieve her goals while taking care of herself. Her favourite quote is, "You are your own competition." Her recipe for success was to make sure that you understand what you are learning rather than just learning it, trust that have done enough, learn for 45 minutes and then have a 15 minute break, get enough sleep and have a balance. Favour Melariri, Deputy Head Girl, believes that self motivation and discipline are key factors enabling you to prosper. Her goal is to be a powerful, strong, independent business woman who helps others. She wants to be a women who loves unconditionally. She is grateful for her family who are her pillar of strength. They showed love and support and were by her side at all times. She is also grateful for her friends who laughed with her along the way and showed her love. She loves the quote, "Do your best and God will do the rest." Favour's advice to the Class of 2024 is to work hard, be diligent and depend on your faith. She wants to continue to use the attributes she acquired in her 5 years at Collegiate Girls' High School to help others and herself to be the best version of herself. Holly Price, one of our top academic achievers, is motivated by the opportunities that she has worked for and that await her, and the people she surrounds herself with who encourage her to achieve her dreams. She is grateful for the support provided by her family, friends and the school. She believes that the teachers at Collegiate Girls' High School have played a massive role in her school career by providing constant help and patience. She believes that discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most. She believes that the key to success is self-discipline. Being able to study even when you do not feel like it is critical. It is important to balance your time and balance your academics and social life. Holly plans to study towards a Bachelor of Biological Sciences at the University of Pretoria and to study Medicine thereafter to become a surgeon. Nicole Lister, our top achiever, is self motivated and goal orientated. She believes that she was fortunate that her parents never set unrealistic expectations for her and that they always believed in her and supported her. They never gave her any idea that she could not achieve whatever she set her mind to. She is grateful for the phenomenal teachers of an amazing school. She remembers her bag being stolen in June, just before examinations, with all her textbooks and detailed summaries. All progress seemed lost in that moment, but teachers helped and supported her and she came back stronger despite the setback. Nicole will be studying teaching and hopes to teach History, Life Sciences and Afrikaans. She wants to make the same positive impact on others that her teachers made on her. She believes that time management, repetition, cue cards, self-motivation and goal-orientated approaches help you to succeed. Nicole believes that being a tutor and co-ordinator of the Studying Sisterhood helped her revise by helping others understand. It helped her motivate herself and she was able to encourage others to reach their personal best.