January: From the Academic Director's Desk:

25 January 2008: It appears to be a time of ends and beginnings, looking back and looking forward, as we start the term and reflect on the previous year’s matric results and reward other grades at Prize-Giving. But at the same time we start the year afresh with new grade 8’s eager to get started on their lessons.

I pick up the new job of looking after the academic side of the school and look forward to the challenge ahead. I have been incredibly impressed with how well prepared the school is for entering the academic year. Every subject has prepared a yearplanner for each grade, recording exactly what needs to be covered. Examination and test timetables are all in place and no pupil can claim not to know what is expected through the coming year.

The matrics of 2007 did themselves proud recording 23 aggregate distinctions, 115 subject distinctions and 86 passes with merit.  The average for the school was 65%. What is particularly pleasing is to see the number of young men who realised the importance of these examinations, investing a huge effort in their preparations and being rewarded with a superb improvement in their results. Particular congratulations to two pupils who showed huge improvement —Head Prefect, Uwais Razack and one of the lst XV rugby players, Stephen Huemer. It is also good to see that those who were actively involved in all four pillars of the school were at the top of the final rankings, attesting to the benefit of an all-round approach to their education.

Congratulations to the top 5 of each grade in 2007:

Grade 11: Edmund Rodseth; Glen Hartmann; Matthew Gruter; James Stock and Daniel Donaldson
Grade 10: Luke Metelo-Liquito; Dean Grant; Jason Adams; Rudi Engelke and Mihali Grispos
Grade 9: Jared Lesar; Marc Borchardt; Deul Choi; Jay Benson and Steve Smit
Grade 8:  Adrian Wiegman; Imraan Samuels; Reinhardt Spammer; Gary Chedburn and Carl Bodenstein

Our Top Achievers: Jared Gr 9, Edmund Gr 11, Luke Gr 10 and Adrian Gr 8

The academic committee, in the able hands of Edmund Rodseth, has great plans for the year, already beginning their work on ensuring that communication is good. They are busy collecting a large number of examinations to distribute to pupils to allow them the chance to adequately prepare for the mid- and end-of-year examinations. This term sees the launch of a new initiative in the academic field. Over the next few weeks the Wynberg Academic Institute will begin its work. Following a set programme, certain teachers will be available to pupils in the afternoon who wish to get extra stimulation.

These afternoons will be available to all:

Ø    whether it is a pupil needing extra help in mastering a language,
Ø    or those who wish to develop their ICT skills,
Ø    or those who are brilliant mathematicians and wish to develop their Olympiad skills,
Ø    or those wishing to work with a peer in the Bridging the Gap programme,
Ø    or numerous other opportunities.

Details will be contained in the weekly planner and be advertised to pupils

As part of the Institute we are hoping to develop a series of afternoons or evenings where we have adults with an academic interest offering a short, stimulating input to a small group of pupils. If there are any parents or friends who may be able to contribute in any way to this programme, please would you contact me on neddy@wbhs.org.za?

Best wishes for a good term —please give every support that you can to your child, encouraging them to get down to homework in a quiet environment, to get on with projects immediately, to be an enthusiastic participant in class, but most importantly, please encourage them to read.

NEIL EDDY

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