21 July SP Newsletter

Edition: 415
21 July 2016
Weekly Newsletter of St Peter’s Girls SP School
FROM THE HEADMASTER
This newsletter is the start of a ten school week countdown to the Girls School Ten Year Birthday Celebrations
on Thursday, 20 October – just before our extended Mid-term break in the Advent Term. The significance of this
celebration is far more than being in existence for 10 years, it’s rather about how much has been achieved in a
very short space of time.
This week we start with some memories from our Founding Headmistress, Mrs Trish Attlee:
2006 – by TRISH ATTLEE
When the opportunity arose to head up the Girls School, I enthusiastically took up
the challenge. The planning and setting up of the school commenced in February
before the opening in 2006.
One of my first tasks was to present to parents who had their daughters’ name down, but had not confirmed their
placement. It was my task to convince them that St Peter’s Girls School was the school of choice for their daughters.
It was a challenge which I took up with a fair amount of trepidation. The school buildings were a long way from
completion, and there were no role models or school leavers from which I could illustrate our product. However, I
had the advantage of not only knowing the Boys School, but being passionate about every aspect of the
environment. It was from this reputation that the parents were sold on the idea of the Girls School.
It was not long before we had 80 children enrolled for the first day of school: A full Grade 0 contingent and two
half-full Grade 2 classes which filled during the course of the first year. Five class teachers were employed, namely
Jan Buck, Roz Benson, Belinda Ramsden, Shelli Golden and Nadine Leamy and two teacher assistants, Sindi
Mofokeng and Prayer Phadu. Part-time staff included Jenny Hugo (librarian) and Cara Eggett (sports teacher) who
are still with us today and Noelene Reynolds (music teacher). The new girls arrived at school on the first day with
colourful balloons flying high at the entrance and a large banner welcoming them into the St Peter’s family.
The highlight of the year was, undoubtedly, the official opening of the school. After my installation as Headmistress
in the Chapel, the St Peter’s boys formed a path across Newlands Field through which the girls, teachers and guests
walked to reach the Girls School. St Peter’s flags were waved in welcome during this significant and epic journey.
Greg Royce carried a young boy on his shoulders emphasising the human aspect of our school and signifying our
ethos – relaxed but professional, caring and certainly ‘not prissy’. Angie Motshekga, the MEC for Education and
Mary Metcalfe, the Head of WITS University Education Department, attended the momentous occasion and the
bishop at the time, Rt Rev Dr Brian Germond, blessed our school.
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During the first year, many traditions were initiated which still continue today. The Moms and Daughters Tea, the
Dads Camp Out, Grandparents Tea Party and Book Week are a few of the activities which come to mind. One of
our parents organised a visit by Jonty Rhodes, who gave a fielding clinic to both girls and boys. This was a highlight,
not only for the children, but the moms and teachers too! The first Concert in the Park was held, with Ed Jordan
being the guest singer. This became, until recently, an annual event and was known as the Winter Warmers
Concert.
It seems like yesterday that St Peter’s Girls School opened its doors for the first time and the memories which
prevail in the hearts and minds of our founding staff and pupils are, indeed, happy and fulfilling ones.
Photos from 2006
Mrs Angie Motshekga & Mrs Trish Attlee at the Official Opening of the school
Mrs Cara Eggett supervising the Dressing-up Race!
Mr Greg Royce
Mrs Shelli Golden in the Staff Race at the gala!
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Olivia Buck (now in Grade 10 at Brescia House) and
Mrs Janet Buck
21 July 2016
Mrs Jenny Hugo at the first Pyjama Party
Have a wonderful weekend!
Darrel Webb
(Headmaster)
SPORT DEPARTMENT
There will be a further inter-schools’ cross country meeting on Thursday, 4 August, at St Peter’s. All girls are
expected to run.
Inter-house hockey will be played on Friday, 5 August during the school day – further details will be distributed
next week. A reminder that girls need to ensure they have all the relevant kit for their hockey lessons: gum guard,
shin pads, stick, correct hockey socks and their sports kit.
All girls must please wear a hat for all sports lessons, and bring their own water bottle. See the School
Communicator under the Resources tab for sports notifications.
Liz Ashmore (Director of Sport) [email protected]
THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING NAMES
On Monday, 18 July we celebrated Mandela Day. At Chapel on Monday I spoke to the Senior Prep Girls about this
extraordinary human being. I related two personal experiences where I had the honour of interacting with the
man and I spoke a little about his sincere objective to interact with people, no matter who they were. Yesterday
morning I showed the SP Girls this very clever Marketing Advert by Coke COKE AD: The Happiest Thank You
highlighting the importance of knowing the people we interact with on a daily basis. And with this, came a question
to them (and now to you) as to whether or not they know who they interact with on a daily basis and whether or
not they (or you) are able to thank them by name?
Darrel Webb
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10th BIRTHDAY HISTORY QUIZ HELD ON 12 JULY
Thank you to all the girls and their families who participated in our inter-house quiz last week. The girls had fun
learning about the humble beginnings of our school while celebrating the rich heritage we share today.
The winning house was OLIVER – congratulations!
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ
The following girls: Abby Shih, Sohara Naido, Mvuko Nesengani and Amy Ralph participated in a General
Knowledge Quiz held at Brescia House School on Tuesday afternoon. The girls participated enthusiastically and
had great fun.
LIBRARY BOOKS
Please ensure that library books are returned to the library before the end of term. Arrangements may then
be made for books to be taken out for the holiday.
Jenny Hugo
(Librarian)
MANDELA DAY: 2016
We would like to say a huge thanks to the St Peter’s families who have contributed so generously to the charities
which we have chosen to support this year. We couldn’t have done it without you!
The Mandela Team
HOT DOG DAY
Our next Hot Dog Day will be on Friday, 29 July.
If you are available and would like to help, please add your name to the list which will up on the front door of
Reception (Senior Prep) and on the notice board – next to the Grade 0 sign out sheets - (Junior Prep), from
Monday, 25 July.
Five volunteers per grade are required and are to meet us at 09:30 (for Grade 0 – 2) and 09:45 (for Grade 3 – 7),
at the Mvukuzane Pavilion.
The cost of Hot Dog Day is R20.
Jen, Marcia & Nicky
(Hot Dog Day Co-ordinators)
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SCHOOL SHOP – PURCHASE OF SUMMER UNIFORMS
There is only one Wednesday afternoon left before the term ends. (Wednesday, 3 August will be closed as it is
Voting Day)
The shop will be open (for the updating of summer uniform, only) on Thursday, 4 August between 12:30 and
15:30.
Nadia Thompson
(School Shop Assistant)
PA NEWS
ANNOUNCEMENT
The St Peter’s Prep Parents Association is delighted to announce that the School has won the “WinR100k school competition
with MySchool and Woolworths” in our category which is based on the number of supporters.
The prize comprises R100 000 for the School plus R50 000 for an under resourced school of our choice.
The PA, in consultation with the school, has elected to spend this R100 000 windfall as follows:
·
R50 000 will go towards the purchase of audio visual equipment for the chapel, something we believe will be of
benefit to each and every St Peter's Prep pupil; and
·
R50 000 will be donated to the ‘Isematholeni Intern Programme’ run by St Peter’s Prep Schools, a very
worthy cause.
For those who don’t know, this programme is an Accelerated Teacher Intern Learning Programme for
teacher interns, with a special focus on Foundation Phase teachers. The aim of this programme is to
provide on the job training to teacher interns from previously disadvantaged backgrounds while they
study, and serves to provide mentoring and support to these teacher interns in their growth and
development as teachers with the intention that they will go back into the community as qualified teachers
who will impact the education and lives of hundreds of children going forward. This programme runs on
funding raised by the St Peter’s Foundation for this purpose from parents of the School and other corporate
and individual donors.
We have nominated under-resourced Sefikeng Primary School (situated on the Leeukop Prison Grounds) and
Diepsloot Combined School (situated in Diepsloot) to receive the R50 000 in equal shares (R25 000 each). These
are the two community partnership schools supported by the St Peter’s Prep School’s Outreach Programme and
with which we have a good working relationship.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the St Peter's families for their wonderful support of this
competition.
Please keep swiping!
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COFFEE IN KEYS PAVILION
The Keys Pavilion is open for coffee in the mornings. A Nespresso
coffee machine is available, with an ‘honesty box’ system, for those
who would like to make themselves a delicious ‘cuppa’!
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LOST
An iPad was left outside the Dodson Hall/Diningroom, after the Boys School play last week, and has gone
missing.
It is a white mini iPad and is in a flower case with a blue spine. There is a crack at the bottom of the screen.
It belongs to Kelsey Elliott (Grade 5 MA, in the Girls School). If someone has it, please return it to any of the four
school's Reception desks - so it can be returned to Kelsey.
HOLIDAY CLUBS
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21 July 2016
QUOTATION
FORTHCOMING WEEK
Monday
25/07/2016
Flexible Learning Programme
Tuesday
26/07/2016
Flexible Learning Programme
Wednesday 27/07/2016
Flexible Learning Programme
Wednesday 27/07/2016
REMINDER: COLLECTION FOR CHAPEL TOMORROW
Thursday
28/07/2016
13:30:00
16:30:00 Hockey Matches (Grade 3) vs St Stithians/Brescia House
Friday
29/07/2016
Friday
Home
29/07/2016
13:30:00
16:30:00 Hockey Matches vs St Mary's
Home/Away
Saturday
30/07/2016
07:00:00
07:00:00 Choir tour leaves
Chapel car park
Sunday
31/07/2016
HOT DOG DAY
Choir on tour
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