Newsletter 18 : 19 October 2012 - Parktown High School for Girls

N E W S L E T T E R
PARKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Tyrone Avenue, Parkview, Johannesburg 2193
Tel: 011 481 5900 Fax: 011 486 1828 Email: postmaster@parktowngirls.co.za
Issue No.18 19 October 2012
GENERAL SCHOOL NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS !!
VALEDICTION
On 11 October the school celebrated the academic achievements of the Matric Class of 2012.
We were honoured to have Dr Gillian Godsell as our guest speaker. Her
inspirational words touched not only the matriculants, but also the staff and
parents/guardians. It is truly inspiring to know that there are people like Dr
Godsell who appreciate and value the all-round educational opportunities
Parktown promotes and the importance of schools like ours for the future of the
country.
A valediction is always an emotional occasion because it is a “goodbye”.
Elisa Moyane’s speech about the apples (learners) who did not fall far from the trees
(parents/guardians and teachers) brought tears to many eyes.
And if being compared to fruit was not enough, Mrs Cereseto then compared the girls to colour
pencils in a pencil case and urged them to make their lives colourful masterpieces.
Congratulations to all the learners who received prizes. As a school we are proud of them and
wish them all well for their final examination.
SPECIAL AWARDS:
DUX SCHOLARUM AND ELIZABETH HEDDING AWARD – Aqeela Meer
ACADEMIC HONOURS - awarded for a Re-award of Full Colours and an average above 80%
1. Aqeela Meer 89% Academic Honours
2. Ria Parbhoo 85% Academic Honours
3. Shaakirah Madhi 84% Academic Honours
4. Amisha Desai 81% Academic Honours
5. Aa'isha Dollie 80% Full Colours
6. Munawwar Tayob 80% Academic Honours
AWARDS TO THE HEAD GIRL AND DEPUTY HEAD GIRLS
Head Girl – Elisa Moyane
Deputy Head Girls – Lindsay Collett and Alexandria Green-Thompson
REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF LEARNERS' AWARD - Geena Parker
THE STEFANIE RÄDEL MEMORIAL AWARD - Thandeka Sithole and
Alexandria Green-Thompson
This award is made in recognition of a motivating and enthusiastic person who is willing to help
others to shine. She delights in seeing the group's success rather than her own.

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP COLLIER CUP - Serena Fourie
This is an award for service to the school community made to a learner who is not a
Representative Council of Learners' Councillor.
ROTARY CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Gemma Ritchie
OLD PARKTONIAN AWARD - Alexandria Green-Thompson
Best All-rounder: Academic, Sports, Leadership and Service.
MATRIC 98 CUP FOR ENDEAVOUR – Naledi Legodi
This award is made in recognition of endeavour and consistent effort in all subjects.
AWARDS ASSEMBLY
Congratulations to the following girls who received awards at the Awards Assembly held on
Friday 12 October.
FULL COLOURS
Yulia Konovodova (Canoeing)
Vuyiswa Myaluza (Choir)
Beverly Makobe (Choir)
Thandeka Sithole (Choir)
Isabel Tollman (Dance)
Alexis Partridge (Dance)
Layla Radosavljevic (Dance)
Amma Sarfo-Adomah (Dance)
Helen Georgiadis (Dance)
Amy Grose (Dance)
Kiah Johnson (Debating)
Manthipe Moila (Debating, Photography)
Thalia Pretorius (Dramatic Arts)
Naeema Hussein El Kout (Soccer)
THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF LEARNERS FOR 2013
PRESIDENT - Maryam Elgoni
DEPUTY PRESIDENTS - Johara Naidoo and Zandalee Pillay
SECRETARY- Kirsten Mayet
TREASURER - Sibongiseni Mcitwa
HOUSE CAPTAINS
Alseids Basetsana Moila
Dryads Genevieve Rochecouste
Hesperides Tshegofatso Putu
Nereids Nicole van Wyk
Oreads Frances Zoghby
Pleiades Michaela Champion
HALF COLOURS
Shaakirah Madhi (Academic Enrichment)
Alexandria Green-Thompson (Canoeing)
Geena Parker (Debating)
Gemma Ritchie (Debating)
Tamara Bergmann (Dramatic Arts)
Bryanne Coxon (Dramatic Arts)
Kerryn Gammie (Dramatic Arts)
Mbalenhle Bhembe (Marimbas)
Nadia Myburgh (Marimbas)
Gemma Ritchie (MUN Debating)
Kaamillah Soeker (MUN Debating)
Danika Corrall (Orchestra)
Amy Pearson (Photography)
Amy Grose (Photography)
Nora Jiyane (Service Committee)
Tanith van Wyk (Touch Rugby)
Ivy Nganga (Library)
Ameesha Vallabh (Library)

SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY REPRESENTATIVES – Aaliyah Kara and Basetsana Moila
HEAD OF THE PORTFOLIOS
Sport Fiona Xiong
Culture Fallon Thomas
Caring Avumile Mtimde
Events Laikyn Bismarck
Tradition Paige Klepper
Spirit Laicken Swartz
Environmental Cassady Morris
Ambassadors Josie Everatt
Advertising Thingo Mthombeni
Discipline Aaliyah Kara
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
Learners may order the extra-mural group photographs from the website.
The photos can be ordered and viewed on www.lifeimaging.co.za Login Code:
pcphs2012
The deadline for orders is 6 November and learners should please send proof of
payment with order form.
ACADEMIC NEWS
SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT TESTS
The Gauteng Department of Education selected Parktown Grade 10s and 11s to
participate in the English and Mathematic Benchmarking Schools International
Assessment Tests (SIAT) set by the University of New South Wales, Australia, along
with over 22 000 other learners in South Africa.
In the tests for English the following results were achieved:
414 students participated and were awarded:
260 High Distinctions
109 Distinctions
27 Credits
18 Participation Certificates
Top Achievers: English
Grade 11 (2011) - Kiah Johnson
Grade 10 (2011) - Josie Everatt
In the tests for Mathematics the following results were achieved:
141 students participated (this includes the learners taking Mathematics and Mathematical
Literacy) and were awarded:
204 High Distinctions
78 Distinctions
58 Credits
74 Participation Certificates
Top Achievers: Mathematics
Grade 11 (2011) Ria Parbhoo
Grade 10 (2011) Robyn-Christie Bremner

CULTURAL NEWS
PARKTOWN BOYS’ MAJOR PRODUCTION
In an intimate cast of nine our girls made up half the cast. The farcical plot of “Noises Off” is
exceptionally quick paced and complex and, as expected, our girls shone. The performances
required great energy and focus as each actor essentially played two characters. A big round of
applause to Tamara Bergmann, Bryanne Coxon, Caitlin Rabe and Frances Zoghby.
JUNIOR HOUSE PLAYS
The Junior House Plays, held on 15 and 16 October, were a great success this year. The effort
and time that the cast and crew members put into their productions were evident in the high
standard of their performances. The plays were thoroughly enjoyed by learners and
parents/guardians alike.
A special thank you to all who supported the performances.
The awards for the event are as follows;
Best Advertising: Nereids
Best Set: Nereids for “Beauty is a Beast”
Best Costume Design: Dryads for “Journey to Space”
Best Ensemble: Alseids for “All in a Day’s Work”
Best Technical: Nereids for “Beauty is a Beast”
Best Directors: Merissa Naidoo and Marushka Soobben (Nereids)
Best Play: Alseids for “All in a Day’s Work”
Actresses were awarded as follows;
Merit Performances: Erin Gradidge for Floor sweep (Pleiades)
Keletso Morwane for Agent Tad Dashing (Alseids)
Mia Rose for Vuyo Khumalo (Hesperides)
Lissa Ndlovu for Trekky (Oreads)
Best Cameo Appearance: Ammaarah Noormohamed for Hunter (Oreads)
Most Promising Actresses: Mothei Madumo for Thembi Khumalo (Hesperides)
Lebogang Kotane for Dummy (Oreads)
Best Supporting Actresses: Tshiamo Moretlwe for Nick and Cleaner (Nereids)
Maleesha Sundram for Doctor (Pleiades)
Best Actresses: Tamia Ameen for Queen (Oreads)
Layla Cassim for Mrs Brown (Dryads)

TENNIS
Results:
16 October vs. Roedean
A Team won 46 - 17
B Team won 35 - 28
19 October vs. Kingsmead
SPORTS NEWS
A Team won 36 - 27
B Team lost 35 - 28
TOUCH RUGBY
The touch rugby league got off to a rather Wet start with two of the three games having to be
cancelled because of rain. The following are the remaining dates of games. They will all be
played at Zoo Lake Sports Club.
19 October
26 October
2 November
9 November
EQUESTRIAN
Equestrian Camp 2012: “Operation Berg and Bridle”
During the September holidays, the Parktown Equestrian team set out on our first ever riding
camp to a Boerperd Stud and Trail Riding Farm in the Drakensberg. Everyone, including Mrs
Sales and Ms Dowling, were truly transformed into
“farm girls” for our four-day adventure. Our days
were filled with morning rides in the mountains,
milking and herding cows and even riding a tractor.
We were privileged to have been visited by a
farrier and a vet, who demonstrated different
aspects of horse care and health to us.
We returned home dusty and exhausted from a
worthwhile experience that pushed our boundaries
and taught us all a great deal.
A very big thank you goes to our warm hosts,
Johannes and his family, for opening their home to
us, and the parents and teachers that made this
camp possible.
Thank you to the team for a memorable weekend of horsey fun!
If you would like to experience these farm activities and scenic trail rides for yourself, call
Johannes Rossouw on 082 957 0083.
Article by Yumna Bham (Equestrian Captain 2013)

OLD GIRLS’ NEWS
Melissa Lazenby of Meyersdal, Alberton has been awarded the prestigious fully
funded PhD Peter Carpenter Climate Change Scholarship from the University of
Sussex in the United Kingdom, to commence January 2013.
Melissa achieved 7 distinctions in Matric 2006. After completing a gap year in the
United Kingdom in 2007, she enrolled at the University of Pretoria for a BSc
degree in Meteorology. She completed her degree with magna cum laude in
2010 and completed her Honours in Meteorology in 2011 also with magna cum
laude. We wish this young ambitious woman great success in her PhD research.
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWS
PASSIONATE AND PROUD!
CUPCAKE COMPETITION & SPRING CLEAN CAR BOOT SALE
Our thanks to all who participated to make the day a fun-filled success!
People found treasures and sold their unwanted junk that immediately
became someone else’s treasure! The Cupcake Competition received the most beautiful and
creative entries – well done to all our Master Chefs – you outdid yourselves. Our wonderful
Celebrity Judge, Ashish Gangapersad (Prada in Isidingo), bravely nibbled his way through all
the entries in order to arrive at his final decision and the winners are:
1. Kaitlyn Pillay
2. Aay-Esha Ismail
3. Perusha Gounder
Ashish kindly signed every autograph and took endless photographs with our delighted girls and
we are so grateful to him for his generosity. Congratulations to our winners who enjoyed truly
fab prizes.
Heartfelt thanks must go to the hard-working PA parents and the wonderful teachers and
administrative staff who always join us. You are an incredible team of dedicated Parktonian
supporters who never stop being willing and able. Thank you.
Cup-cake winner – Kaitlyn Pillay
THE SCHOOL SHOP
THE SCHOOL SHOP is often the first impression new
parents/guardians and their daughters/wards have of Parktown –we
need YOUR help to make it a warm and welcoming one please.
The SCHOOL SHOP will be open on the following dates:
Saturday 24 November – 09:00 to 13:00 and Saturday 1December –
09:00 to 13:00
Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 January 2013 – 09:00 to 13:00
Please make contact with our co-ordinator in charge, Ms Theresa
Moila, on 083 400 4377 or mail her on Theresa.Moila@transnet.net
and clearly state the date and time you are able to volunteer for. We
really need your help in running the school shop efficiently and
professionally.

MY SCHOOL CARD
Our My School Card holders are still raising funds for us every month
without it costing them a cent – in fact, on certain Woolworths purchases
it even saves them money! My School Card has signed up a new partner
called Power24.co.za (www.power24.co.za )
Now you can buy your prepaid electricity via online banking / mobile
banking and your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet beneficiary can get up to 1.5% of the value
back as a donation! Go to www.power24.co.za
Our next PA meeting is on Wednesday 14 November. Please make an effort to be there as
we say farewell and thank you to good friends and plan the year ahead. We have a wonderful
team who have outdone themselves this year and we look forward to doing even better in 2013,
but we can only do that with your continued support.
COMMUNITY NEWS
It’s back and it’s bigger and more festive than ever!
The Parkview Christmas Market 2012 will take place at George Hay Park from 30 November to
2 December. The market is a shopping and entertainment extravaganza for all to enjoy. For
many Johannesburg families this outdoor Christmas shopping experience has become a
Yuletide tradition.
With a variety of stalls to visit and
entertainment for both young and old, the
market provides a wonderful opportunity for
family and friends to spend time together.
Food stalls, live music performances from
some of South Africa’s talented musicians,
Christmas carols, a traditional Nativity play,
children’s funfair-style rides, arts & crafts
and a visit from Santa; it’s all a part of the
Market’s festive flare, the focal theme
always on providing visitors with typically
European-themed festivities.
This is even more evident when night falls and the Market is transformed into a twinkling
wonderland.
All proceeds from the Parkview Christmas Market will be donated to the Nicarela charities
(www.nicarela.org.za), including the entrance fee which is R40 for visitors 12 years and over.
Kids pay per activity.
Opening times:
Friday 30 November: 15:00 – 22:00
Saturday 1 December: 10:00 – 20:00; Concert: 20:00 – 22:00
Sunday 27 November: 10:00 – 16:00

THE SCHOOL ACCEPTS OUTSIDE ADVERTISEMENTS.
WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NATURE AND QUALITY
OF THE SERVICES OFFERED.
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To find your perfect au pair or for more information, please contact us:
Website: www.jozicares.co.za
Email: info@jozicares.co.za
Tell: 011 275 0513
Cell: 071 613 8960