Weekly Newsletter – 30 September 2011
International Schools’ Shakespeare Festival
On Sunday the 25th September, the Wynberg Boys’ Acting Society took part in the Shakespeare Festival, together with Chris Hani High School, Vista Nova and the Spotlight Drama Studio. Once again this was event was organised by Mrs Filinova- Bruton, who had been responsible for a similar festival in Johannesburg the week beforehand. These performances have been so successful that next year there are plans to include schools from Durban as well.
Two casts of colourfully costumed pupils from Wynberg Boys’ and Girls’ High skilfully performed a hippie version of “As you like it“, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Thanks to Keenan Oliphant and Katherine Luyt who assisted with the production.
Grade 8 House-Building
On the 27th and 28th September, the Grade 8’s travelled up to Witsand, Altantis to work with Mellon Housing Initiative in their quest to build homes for families who currently live in shacks. The boys worked well, painting, varnishing and clearing away rubble and generally making themselves useful.
This year they were transported to the building site in busses and received sun block, lunch and refreshments from the organisers, which were most welcome as it was hot and dusty. Thank you to the Grade 8’s for assisting so willingly, to staff who accompanied them, and to parents who made this worthwhile project possible.
Weekly Cricket Report
For all those interested in keeping abreast of the latest news, fixtures, results and current happenings of Wynberg Cricket, please go to:
• Our website http://www.wbhs.org.za/explore/sport/cricket/
• Wynberg Cricket Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Wynberg.Cricket should you wish to receive updates, “like” the page and all updates will come through your Facebook profile.
• School Communicator (make sure you PERSONALISE it to receive cricket NEWS) or http://mobi.d6communicator.com on your smartphones.
Reports
Third term reports for Grades 8 – 11 will be handed out today, Friday. Uncollected reports will be left in the office of the front of house secretary for collection by parents.
The following inserts are in the report envelopes:
• Report
• Newsletter
• Circular 57: Report explanation
• Student Disciplinary record (Term 3)
• Student Academic Merit record (Term 3)
• Grade 8 boys – Buddy Report from the matric buddy
• Parent Questionnaire
• Circular 53: Books and stationery
• Caxton Textbook list
• Mason Stationery Lists
Grandparents Day
While the majority of the schools were out on their annual camps, the Grade 8’s invited their Grandparents on Thursday to join them for a Wynberg Experience.
For the Grandparents, it gave them a chance to enjoy their grandson exclusively to themselves and see how he operated in his High School environment.
For the Grandson, it gave him an opportunity to show off his school and its facilities.
For the School, it gave us a chance to show off our boys – their pride in uniform, their manners, and their confidence on stage.
Every boy performed on stage in front of his proud Grandparents – either giving a speech, playing in a band or singing a song with the rest of his class. Cameras flashed, applause rang out and everyone beamed. After the boys had served their grandparents tea and snacks, they settled in to quizzing their Grandparents on various aspects of their school lives. Here are some of the questions asked: What was the difference with school in your day? What was your funniest moment at school? Did you ever have to visit your Principal?
The boys had to read a selection of answers out on stage and it soon became obvious that the Grandmothers were far naughtier than the Grandfathers at school!
The Grade Camps
Although not all the stories and experiences have been told yet, initial reports indicate that all three camps were a great success.
The Grade 9’s were challenged in a physically demanding camp at Grabouw where they learnt to work together in their tutor groups and houses.
The Grade 10’s were able to bond as a Grade as they enjoyed hiking over Boland mountains and beaches.
The Grade 11’s, after spending a day at school getting a taste of what to expect in Matric, spent two days paddling down the Breede River.
The value of camps of this nature cannot be measured. The friendships made, the new experiences undergone, the fears conquered, the challenges accepted and overcome – are all intangibles which can be only gauged by a firmer handshake, a positive glint in the eye and a more confident gait.
Wynberg Congratulates
• Anthony De Beer competed in the South African National Karate Championships and won a silver medal for Unison Kata and a silver medal for Kumite (fighting). He has been selected to represent South Africa at the upcoming World Karate Championships in the USA in July next year.
Ian Melliar Waterpolo Tournamemnt
Wynberg hosted the 5th Ian Melliar Cup from Thursday 22 September to Sunday 25 September. The tournament was a huge success. Wynberg boys took part in two teams, the Wynberg U/15A team and the Ian Melliar Invitation team which consisted out of B team players from various schools which did not make the cut for their A teams.
The tournament saw 20 teams from all over the country attending and the tournament itself is widely regarded as the most prestigious U/15 tournament in the country. The tournament saw a professional neutral reffing structure, hundreds of spectators, braais and sunshine, the perfect way to kick start the Summer sport season. The games started at 07h00 in the mornings and went on to 22h00 in the evenings. The competition was fierce and the pool was a hub of excitement.
We had man of the match prizes after every game, a special tournament team selected at the end of the tournament as well as the 3 best players of the tournament (best attacker, defender and goal keeper). Wynberg Boys’ High School ended up winning the tournament and in so doing became the 1st Cape Town school to do so. They defeated defending champions St John’s 7-3, St Peter’s 10-3, Affies 9-0 and drew to Westville 6-6 in the pool stages and Beat Maritzburg 7-4 in the quarterfinals, Beat SACS 5-3 in the semi final and then really turned it on in the final beating St Andrews 7-0.
The following Wynberg boys and staff members made the Ian Melliar Tournament team 2011:
Paul Du Plessis
Brandon Wood
Nick Enslin (awarded the prize for the best defender of the tournament)
Michael Pollecutt
Kyle Tattersel
Coach: James Whiston
Assistant Coach: Julian Vincent
Holiday Tours
The following school teams will be representing Wynberg during the holidays – and we wish them well.
CRICKET
1st XI – Cape School Week in King Williamstown
U15A – Grey Festival in Port Elizabeth
U14A – Hilton Festival in Natal
WATERPOLO
1st – SACS Tournament
15A – Sterrenberg Tournament in East London
U15B – Sterrenberg Tournament in East London
Sporting end to the term
It has been an outstanding conclusion to the term in that the school has won 6 trophies – Villagers 7-a-side, Hockey Knockout – lst, U16B, U14A, Melliar Cup (U15 Waterpolo) and then the news came through at the end of term that our Wynberg team has won the Interschools surfing trophy. We have had a wide variety of sporting success this term. Very well done to all these teams.
Holidays
The third term has been a long one – one week longer than normal – so the holidays ahead are needed by both teachers and pupils. We wish all our parents a relaxed holiday with their sons. School starts again on Monday 10th October – and we ask all parents to ensure that their sons return with neat haircuts and smart uniforms ready to tackle the final term of the year.
Quote of the week
(Thinking of the Camps)
Mental toughness is difficult to explain. It is a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. It is a state of mind – you could call it character in action.
Vince Lombardi – American Football Coach
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