LEC 2014

Lesego Molabe

BonoloMalebo

Alexia Hattingh

Margo Desai

TsholanangMokoma

The High School for Girls Potchefstroom Newsletter No. 1 2014

GHS Heart Beat

Dear Parents The year started with the great news about our matric results. We are extremely proud of our Grade 12s of 2013 and their outstanding results. Congratulations to the staff, parents and every grade 12 learner on their sterling effort. I have attached a flyer on our outstanding academic results. Please share this with friends and prospective new girls and make them aware of the opportunities available at our wonderful school. We are very confident of the future of our school with our lovely girls. The new girls and the grade 8s are settling in well. I look forward to working with and meeting all our parents at all our functions this year. Remember, your presence at the function shows your daughter that you are interested in what your daughter does. It is also a day to bond with her, as well as a day to meet her friends and their parents. Dont miss out on these moments with your daughter... just do it ...for the girls! Unfortunately there will be is no Prestige Athletics this year as they are renovating the stadium therefore the parent campout will be postponed to another weekend possibly in the 2nd term. I extend a warm welcome to our new teachers: Ms G Duganzich :Head of Department English, Mrs C Wilmans : Mathematics, Mrs Moolman: Physical Science, Mathematics, Miss Juyn- Life Sciences. To all parents, girls and staff, I wish you a happy and prosperous 2014.

Academic
Our 2013Matric results.

Our university entrance, which reflects the quality of teaching, was 93.3% we achieved 1st place in the North West Province! We achieved a 100% pass rate. Our 104 matriculants achieved a total of 222 Distinctions The total overall average of the grade 12s was 70,2% We were Top in Potch on average in the following subjects: Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography and Life Orientation. Top scholars: YaseerahHassim 8th in NW 7 Distinctions & 93.3% average. ZafeerahHassim 9th in NW 7 Distinctions & 93.0% average. KinahWillemse 10th in NW 8 Distinctions & 92.4% average. Fallon Fourie 19th in NW 8 Distinctions & 91.1% average. Thelma Mosehle 8 Distinctions & 87.5% average. 7 Distinctions: 6 Distinctions: KeabetsweMonageng; Faith Rasekgwalo

Girls High Greetings EF Meyer (Mrs)

BuhleMayatula; Bernadette Nunes; and Takalani Ramatswana. Academic Top Five for 2013 Gr 8: Firdous Hoosen, Ayo Ogunrombi, Tshepeho Seobi, Jade Craigen, Alannah Theron Gr 9: Tshepahalo Seobi, Micaela Ponte, Paige van der Poll, Linda van der Sandt, Meighan Matras Gr 10: Michelle Lategan, Banabohle Mahlatsi, Angela Strydom, Keamogetswe Mongake, Kensane Langa Gr 11: Aanu Ogunrombi, Rendani Modau, Chawa Madoroba, Mathibe Marumo, Alexia Hattingh WELL DONE GIRLS!

Reading Lab
A subject-specific extensive reading programme is in operation in our Media Centre to improve our learners reading and comprehension skills. This is a must for every learner as it also helps with concentration and learning. All grade 8s & 9s have one period a cycle on the reading programme. The reading programme is available to all the other girls in the afternoons. Please book with Mr Presher or Mr Henning.

Knitting of Strips
All girls must participate in the knitting of strips. All strips must be in by the end of the second term. The knitting of strips is a long-standing tradition which started in 1945. We urge you to buy the wool and to encourage your daughters to start knitting. Lets all make an effort to knit our own strips this year and to hand in more than prescribed. Part of our task, as parents and educators is to instil a sense of community responsibility to teach the girls to reach out to those less fortunate than themselves.

GHS Twitter & SMS messages

In an attempt to improve our communication with parents we will be using sms messaging and the GHS Twitter which is e-mailed to all parents. These are short notes with important dates and reminders. The GHS Twitter is e-mailed to our parents every two or three weeks. Please keep us informed of any changes to your e-mail address and especially if you have not received any mail. Parents without e-mail facilities must complete the reply slip to inform us so that a paper copy can be sent home with your daughter.

Finance
Exemption or partial exemption from school fees: Application forms are available from the Finance Office. Enquiries in this regard can be directed to Mrs Jacobsz. Applications close on 24 February 2014. No late submissions will be considered. Forms must be complete with ALL attachments before submission with be processed.

Lockers
The textbooks needed by the girls at school are extremely heavy and not ideal to carry around all day. We recommend that the girls have suitcases with wheels and not carry heavy bags on their backs. We also have lockers for the girls to place their books in during the day. These are rented out for R50-00 per term. The money raised per term will be used to increase the number of lockers. We hope you will support this project until we have the required number of lockers for use. The ideal remains buying a set of wheels for the suitcase.

Newsletter
Newsletters will be sent home on all hostel weekends out. In the past the reply slip had to be signed and returned to indicate receipt of the letter. However this system was not effective. Please help by asking for the newsletter to ensure you are aware of the latest at school.

Code of Conduct
Every learner received a copy of the 2014 Code of Conduct last year. The Code of Conduct is there to protect the rights of every learner and educator and to ensure a safe learning environment for all. An extract of the Uniform rules can be found in the Information Booklet given to every learner at the beginning of this year.

National Girls Festival

The Annual All Girls Schools Sport & Cultural Festival will take place at Collegiate Girls High in Port Elizabeth from Saturday 26April-Tuesday 29 April. Only the Netball and Hockey teams will represent the school. If your daughter has been selected, she has been given a letter with all the information. It is a privilege to have been chosen to represent the school and I hope parents will support their daughters with the necessary finances.

Uniform / Hairstyles / Badges / Hymn Books

Our uniform is to be worn with pride. Please ensure that your daughter has the correct school uniform and hairstyle according to the prescribed rules. All girls with unsuitable braiding or dyed hair must have their hair fixed by MONDAY, 3 FEBRUARY.

Day Girl Fund

Every Day girl is expected to contribute R120 per year to the Day girl Fund. This will be used for the Christmas party and for other fun events with the aim of promoting unity amongst the Day girls. The boarders have this fee for special treats included in their boarding fees. It would be appreciated if all the day girls could pay their R120-00 as soon as possible.

Matric Jersey
Special white jerseys for the matrics will cost R195-00 each. Only jerseys paid for will be ordered and we will not be able to place another order. The money for the jersey must be paid for before 24th February. Matric braiding costs R65-00 and the metal badge costs R25-00. All payments must be made directly to the Finance Office.

ID Documents
Girls who are turning 16 this year and those who are older but have not yet applied for ID documents should do so. They will receive an ID card and not a book as previously. Arrangements will be made by the school with the Department of Home Affairs and where possible we will help in this regard.

Matric Farewell 2014

All grade 12 parents are reminded that the Matric Farewell takes place on 11 April 2014. All grade 12s are required to pay R350 towards the funding of this event as soon as possible. The matric dance costs more than this and the additional cost for each learner is sponsored by the school. All matric dance fees must be paid by 5 March.

Clothes and Personal Possessions

All clothes and personal possessions should be marked clearly. All items to be sent to the laundry must indicate the learners name and laundry number as well as the Hostel name. Please mark with waterproof clothing markers.

Pocket Money
School accounts may not be used for pocket money.

Drop off and Pick Up Zones

Parents may fetch their daughters at the front gate of the school or at the gate at the back of the school by the Hall. Please do not park in front of a gate or across the driveways when dropping off or picking up your daughter. Parents may not drive into the school grounds to drop off or fetch learners. Parking bays in Kock Street are for the taxis. All girls travelling by taxis must leave and enter the school at the hall area. In other words all girls travelling by taxis must be dropped off and picked up in Kock Street and not in front of the school.

Extra-Mural
We are experiencing a very busy extra-mural season. With the help of our staff and expert coaches we are continually trying to build up our players skills. Our girls must embrace the challenge of developing their talents in the many activities at school. Parents we also need your support. Where possible please attend our matches and support your daughter if there are financial implications such as uniform or entrance fees required.

Bus Tickets
Tickets for Midway Bus Service can be bought from our financial office every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00. No arrangements will be made after a Wednesday afternoon. Parents will be able to deposit money directly into the school account by Internet banking. Proof of deposit must be faxed to the office, indicating bus fare with your daughters name and surname. Such payments should be made by the Monday to prevent problems occurring. Parents also have the option of paying the entire terms bus fare at the beginning of each term. Girls may also pay at school via their bank debit cards.

Hockey Clinic
We would like all our girls to attend a Hockey or Netball clinic during the holidays. It is important that we improve the standard of our game and skills and it can only be done with extra practice and competition. Please support your daughter to improve her skills by financing the coaching clinic. A few reminders of events to take place! Your daughter will appreciate your support.
Athletics 4 Feb Relay competition (Pretoria) 13 Feb PUK Reeks (Pilditch, Pretoria) 15 Feb Potch trials for POSSA (Gimmies) 19 Feb Prestige College Top 10 Athletics at Pilditch, Pretoria POSSA (Promosa) Swimming 6 Feb Gala : Parktown 13 Feb 14-15 Feb 26 Feb Gala : Roedean School Championships (Rustenburg) Gala : St Conrads

Olympiads
Girls who would like to enter for Olympiads may do so with the teacher responsible. Participation in the Olympiads is voluntary but to participate girls must pay an entrance fee with their application. Computer Olympiad: Round 1: 11 March 2014 Round 2: 9 May 2014 English Olympiad: 4 March 2014: 14:00-17:00 Maths Olympiad 13 March 2014: 14:15-17:00 Entries for World Knowledge Olympiad: Open to learners Grade 8-12 R10 per learner (Money to be paid before 14 February) To be written on 22 May 14:00-15:15

22 Feb

27 Feb Chess 8 Feb

Gala : St Stithians

Hockey & Netball 24 Feb Hockey & Netball trials (Senior)

Chess Tournament (Girls High) Chess Tournament (KHS)

22 Feb Drummies 8 Feb Drummie camp at school

Dietary Requirements Hostel

It has become increasingly difficult to meet all the special dietary requests from the hostel girls. We can only consider special requests if accompanied by a doctors certificate (provided annually) and even then we will only provide for the following: Full vegetarian, Non-pork, No fish, Lactose intolerant and Diabetics with special needs. Too many girls claim to be vegetarian and without the necessary protein in their diet they create other health problems. Please, we are unable to accommodate any other dietary requirements.

Choir 8 Feb 15 Feb Choir camp at school Choir camp at school

New Girls 2014

REPLY SLIP: DONATIONS - PAVILION BRICKS

LEARNERS NAME: _______________________________________ (Please print) Gr: ____________________

I would like to buy a brick. Please tick appropriate block.

Enclosed find cash for R600 for a brick

Enclosed find cheque for R600 for a brick

Enclosed find proof of internet payment of R 600 for a brick

I would like to buy _________ bricks @ R600 each

Chosen wording to be on brick: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

REPLY SLIP: E-MAILS AND SMS TEXT

LEARNERS NAME: _______________________________________ (Please print) Gr: ____________________

I do receive E-mails I do receive SMS messages

I cannot receive E-mails I do not receive SMS messages

Parent Signature: _______________________________ E-mail address:______________________