SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS - St Mary's School

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 5 NUMBER 12 / 1 July 2011
Back
Front
Dali Tambo, Deanne King, H E Elio Menzione, Rachel Tambo, Des Hugo
Emanuela Vercalli, The Hon Angie Motshekga, Amelia Gambetti
Dates to Diarise
JUNE
Mon 11 07h40 School re-opens
Thurs 14 14h15 FV Art prac
Sat 16 08h00 Howell/Pullen Hockey
Tournament
FV National Benchmark Test
(Maths) at UJ
19h00 Buskaid (charity concert)
Sun 17 17h30 Chapel service (all welcome)
Mon 18 07h40 FV English Orals
18h00 PTA meeting in the
Boardroom
Tues 19 07h40 FV English Orals
15h30 Careers Expo − Gym
18h00 Careers Evening Form III and
FIV
Wed 20 07h30 Senior Class Reps Meeting −
SMOGS
07h40 FV English Orals
14h15 FIV Art prac
14h30 Winter Sports photos
18h00 FII Subject Choice Evening
Thurs 21 07h40 FV English Orals
14h15 FV Art prac
Fri 22 07h40 FV English Orals
15h00 Howell/Pullen Hockey
semi-finals at St Andrew’s
Sat 22 08h00 Howell/Pullen Hockey finals
at St Andrew’s
08h00 FV Art prac
Sun 23 17h30 Chapel service (all welcome)
FROM THE HEADMISTRESS’ DESK
St Mary’s Junior School, this week, hosted
an international conference on the
Reggio Emilia approach to education.
This is a philosophy centred on early
childhood learning. The conference was
opened by the Minister of Basic Education
Angie Motshekga, the Italian Ambassador
to South Africa HE Elio Menzione,
and Dali Tambo whose family has significant
ties to the city of Reggio Emilia. It
was attended by teachers from both the
state and independent sectors, as well
as international delegates. I believe the
conference was a good reminder for us
about how important collaboration and
partnerships are in education.
St Mary’s is in an enviable position in
that we enjoy international networks
and that we are exposed to international
thinking and trends in education.
We are also a South African school that
can, and should, contribute to the
wider education project in our own
country. St Mary’s can add significantly
to developments in local education by
sharing our experiences, expertise and
resources.
Our partnerships with neighbouring
schools and the Alexandra programme
contribute much to our character and
ethos and we will continue to make a
deliberate effort in this regard.
I thank Des Hugo and Tessa Browne
for the valuable contribution they have
made to education by organizing and
hosting the Reggio conference.
Yours sincerely
Deanne King
Headmistress

2 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011
A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Financing of Project Edge
The Edge, no longer a project, is in full operation.
Anyone who has been to any one
of the many events and functions which
have taken place in the auditorium since
the formal opening on 10 August 2010 will
know what a fine facility it is. Anyone who
has wandered around its corridors during
teaching hours will have felt the energy
that is being generated there. The Edge
represents the School’s commitment to
ensure that St Mary’s develops the power
of creativity in each of our girls. I believe
that the building is more than meeting our
objectives.
Some parents have asked how much
the building cost? How has the School afforded
it? Even, is the School still solvent?
To the last question I can give an emphatic
yes. For as long as the School is
full (which it is – the problem which the
Heads face is turning away more than
half of those who apply for admission),
and parents are meeting their financial
obligations to the School, the School has
all the resources needed to fund its day
to day operations.
As to the Edge itself, at the time in
September 2008 when the Board gave
its approval for the project to start, the
final budgeted cost worked out by the
architects and quantity surveyors was
just less than R51 million. This included
provision for cost escalations and other
contingencies. With adjustments to the
plan and other savings achieved during
the construction phase, the final cost for
the building as delivered was just over
R45 million. Perhaps the most significant
part of the savings was the fact that the
escalation provisions were simply never
used.
Turning to the funding, at the start of
the project, the School had built up over
the years, for the project, accumulated
capex reserves of some R25 million. The
balance of the cost was funded out of
development levy payments since the
start of the project, together with interest
earned on the reserves, donations received
towards the project and the rest
from capital asset depreciation provisions
over the last three years.
The Board is extremely
grateful for the generosity
of those people who made
donations to the project.
For the sake of prudence,
we arranged a R25 million
standby facility from
Investec Bank. This was a
precautionary measure to
cater for the financing of
any unplanned expenditure
which the School might
have had to incur during
the construction phase.
Due to the careful and
conservative approach of
the Board to the preparation
of budgets this did not
become necessary. As a result,
we have been able to
complete the project without
drawing down on that
facility at all.
A priority will be to rebuild
the reserves from the
development levy over the
next two to three years,
before we can even consider
further significant building
or infrastructure projects.
However, bearing in
mind the Board’s strategic
priority focused on the development of
staff, some part of the levy may have
to be used on staff development programmes.
In addition, while we are now
blessed with a campus with impressive
facilities, major capital assets like this
will require significant maintenance over
the years to come. The Foundation too
will be called upon to fulfil its mandate.
The seeds of this magnificent building
were sown as long ago as 1999. It
is worth reminding ourselves that this
was not an easy project for a school to
undertake and, in acknowledging the
contribution of many individuals and of
the parent body, we should be proud of
what has been achieved. We must also
remember that although the burden of
paying for a material part of the cost of
this project rests on the present generation
of parents, some of whose daughters
may not get 13 years of benefit from it,
the School exists as a very fine institution
on the land in Waverley because of
the equally or even greater contribution
made by previous generations of parents.
Overall, the Board is confident that
the Edge has been completed in a financially
sustainable and prudent way, and
that it is an essential addition for the
School’s continued relevance into the
future. The St Mary’s community needs
now to ensure that the Edge delivers
what it promises and what we built it
for.
Nigel Carman
Chairman

3 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011
BUSKAID charity concert
Be sure to reserve your tickets for a
superb concert. On Saturday 16 July,
St Mary’s School will be hosting a charity
concert at The Edge. The concert will
feature the world-renowned Buskaid
orchestra who will have just returned
from a tour to Columbia. They will be
supported by the St Mary’s Choir and
the St John’s College Jazz Band, fresh
from the Grahamstown Festival.
The concert is in aid of the Siyafunda
Education Support Trust and the proceeds
will go towards building a classroom
for the Nkente Secondary School
in the Kentani area of the Eastern Cape.
The concert starts promptly at 19h30.
Tickets cost R120 which includes afterconcert
drinks.
For tickets or more information, call
Troy on 011 531 1869 or 011 531 1800.
The Siyafunda Education Support Trust
is a registered charity organization and
all donations are tax-deductable.
Careers evening and EXPO
Tuesday 19 July 15h30 to 20h00
Careers Expo 15h30 to17h45 Gym,
ALL WELCOME to visit the exhibits
Career Sessions 18h00 to 20h00
The Edge, Forms III and IV girls
At the Careers Expo in the Gym, from
15h30 to 17h45, girls in Forms II, III, IV and
V and interested parents are welcome to
visit the stands where representatives
from tertiary institutions will be present
to answer queries on skills-based courses
such as business management, ICT, beauty
and health, fashion, design and branding.
Also represented will be some overseas
institutions and sports scholarships.
Representatives from UJ, Rhodes and the
University of Pretoria will participate as
will as organizations which offer gap year
opportunities.
The expo will be followed by the annual
Careers Evening, where each girl
in Forms III and IV, together with the
Grade 11 St Mary’s / Alexandra High
Schools’ Programme students, has an opportunity
to hear more about the fields in
which she has expressed interest. In the
past, girls have found that the Careers
Evening has helped them to focus on
BuskAiD
CHARITY CONCERT
ST MARY’S CHOIR
IN AID OF NKENTE
SECONDARY SCHOOL
THE EDGE, ST MARY’S SCHOOL
16 JULY 2011 7.30pm
ST JOHN’S JAZZ BAND
specific study fields and stimulated them
to explore these areas more thoroughly.
The evening is compulsory for all students
in Forms III and IV.
Parents are welcome to attend the sessions
which will be held in the Senior Hall
and The Edge theatre, 18h00 to19h00 and
19h00 to 20h00. Each of these sessions
will be repeated once as the girls rotate
to their respective choices. Tea for parents
will be served from 17h30 to18h00 in
the Senior Hall.
The Business of the Creative Arts presentation
at The Edge theatre will comprise
a panel of guest speakers involved in
making movies, music and writing.
The Business World of Sales and
Logistics presentation in the Senior Hall
includes speakers involved in supply chain
management and marketing.
Interested parents please reply to
lyn@stmary.co.za
Lynn Moony
The Open Door
Counselling and Careers Centre
011 531 1843 lyn@stmary.co.za
Meet a member of
the PTA —
Connie Mashaba
Connie is married to Herman and they
have two children, Khensani, who
is in Form IV, and Rhulani, who is at
St David’s Marist in Grade 8.
Connie is the Managing Director of
Black Like Me products.
As a PTA member, Connie’s portfolio includes
responsibility for Mzanzi Ink Cartridge
Recycling collection.
Music department
We have space for pupils who would
like to learn the bass guitar, violin
or trumpet.
If your daughter is interested in lessons,
please contact Troy Stead on
011 531 1869 or troys@stmary.co.za.

4 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011
Visual arts
The Form IV Art girls have been working
on the theme ‘The Head’ this term.
They had to consider the head as the
birthplace of thought, emotion and
identity, the intellect and the mind.
After much research and many thematic
drawings, the final product culminated
in either a two- or three-dimensional
piece for the girls’ exam practicals.
Featured below are some of the results.
Sue Heydenrych
HoD: Visual Arts
Daniela Caetano
Jessica Katzen
Michaela Christou
Michaela Zambetti

5 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011
Media Centre
Form I Science Fiction and Fantasy
scrapbooks
Chido Chivaura, a Library monitor and
matric Art student is a keen reader.
She combined her talents to set up a
display of manga books in the Library.
The girls have appreciated her artwork
and book selections. This is a lovely way
to encourage others to try the graphic
book collection in the Library.
The eagerly anticipated Form I
Science Fiction and Fantasy scrapbook
adjudication took place during the first
week of the examinations. A panel of
five judges was treated to a collection
of wonderful pages which ranged from
Arthur Dent being tortured by Vogon
poetry in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the
Galaxy, to Bilbo’s adventures in The
Hobbit, and Surplus Anna challenging
Longevity laws in The Declaration.
The final outcome was extremely
close with Form IK emerging victorious
by one vote. The panel praised the
interesting selection of teen reads.
They also stressed the importance of
careful editing. The scrapbooks will be
on display in the Library after the midterm
break. Parents and students are
welcome to visit the Wantage Centre and
comment on the titles selected, quality
of reviews, as well as the creativity and
visual appeal of the pages.
Anneli Silvennoinen
Librarian Resource Centre
Belinda Williams
Form I English Teacher
Felicia Tobias was one of the judges
Sport noticeboard
Hockey
The results of the matches of the teams that have played in the
Grays League follow. We are waiting for the final league results.
It must be noted that for only the second time in 25 years, the
1st team was beaten in their league. Although they did not lose
any matches, they drew to St Stithians and the St Stithians 1st
team achieved a better goal difference. The U16A team can be
assured of an age-group victory as they did not lose a match in
the league.
TEAM
Northcliff
Parktown
Roedean
Kingsmead
1 st 8-0 6-0 7-0 10-0 2-1 5-0 1-1 2-1 0-3
2 nd 6-0 4-0 4-0 3-0 1-0 4-1 1-1 2-0 0-2
16A 7-0 10-0 7-0 14-0 2-0 9-0 7-0 1-1 2-0
16B 6-0 9-0 1-0 1-0
15A 10-0 6-0 4-0 9-0 0-1 6-0 6-0 2-1 2-1
15B 3-0 2-0 6-0 1-0 0-1
14A 3-0 4-0 0-1 3-0 5-0 4-0 0-2 1-0 0-3
14B 6-0 6-0 3-0 6-0 7-0 1-0 5-0
St Andrew's
Brescia
St Stithians
PHSG
Menlo Park
All our other teams have played in the Malik League but there
are still many results outstanding.
Hockey will continue after half-term. We need to play matches
against Waverley Girls’ High, St Dominic’s and Waterkloof,
and Interhouse matches are to be played. There are two teams
visiting us from England: King’s Worcester School and The Cheltenham
Ladies’ College. Both these teams will play hockey and
netball matches against some of the St Mary’s teams.
The 1st and U16A teams will participate and, hopefully, defend
their titles in the Pullen and Howell Trophy Tournaments
respectively.
Duathlon
Congratulations to our two Form Is who represented Gauteng
at the South African Duathlon Championships in Cape Town over
the long weekend. Gabriella Nutter came 4th and Jaime Leslie
came 8th in the 14 to15 age group.
School photographs
School photographs will be taken on Thursday 14 July from
12h00. There will be no class photographs as this year individual
photographs will be taken. Your daughter will be given a

6 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011
letter, informing you of the cost of the individual photograph. If
you would like her to have her photograph taken, please ensure
that she returns the money and form after half-term.
All academic, sport and cultural photographs will be taken
during the afternoon. We do not envisage being finished before
17h30 and, irrespective of the time, your daughter will be
expected to appear in all necessary photographs, correctly attired.
A list of the order that the photographs will be taken will
be published as soon as it is finalised.
Jessica Katzen 7th in Equitation Level 3
4th in Performance Riding Level 1
8th in Dressage Level 1
Marisa Cetinich 2nd in Working Riding Level 4
6th in Working Riding Level 4
2nd and 3rd in Dressage Level 4
Lisa de Beer
4th in Working Riding
Quix
Director of Sport
Equestrian
The 4th and final qualifier has now been held. Once again the
St Mary’s team did very well with some top placings. The results
are:
Abigail Tucker 3rd in Working Hunter Level 4
8th in Show Jumping 2-Phase Level 5
4th in Show Jumping Competition Level 5
Zoleka Mosiah 6th in Working Hunter Level 3
8th in Show Jumping 2-Phase Level 3
12th Show Jumping Competition Level 5
Jessica Clark 6th in Show Jumping 2-Phase Level 5
6th in Equitation Level 5
Jessica Clark and Lucy Young
Sarah Joubert 11th in Show Jumping Competition Level 4
5th in Show Jumping 2-Phase Level 4
Catherine Cawood 7th in Show Jumping 2-Phase Level 3
4th in Show Jumping Competition Level 3
Lucy Young 1st in Show Jumping Competition Level 3
4th in Performance Riding Level 3
4th & 5th in Dressage Level 2
Tessa Shorten 1st in Show Jumping 2-Phase Level 1
4th in Show Jumping Competition Level 1
5th in Equitation Level 1
8th in Working Riding Level 1
Katherine Krone

7 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011
Studium Apertum
Date: Saturday, 30 July 2011
Venue:
Time:
Cost:
St Mary’s School, Waverley
Registration from 08h00
Symposium from 09h00 to 17h15
R150pp
A family discount of R120pp applies to families of four or more people.
PLEASE PRINT
First name:
Surname:
Contact number (w/h):
Contact number (cell):
Email address:
Total amount paid: R
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
BANKING DETAILS
STANDARD BANK: BRAMLEY (004005)
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 001789163
REFERENCE: Your surname and the word ‘Studium’
Please fax or email proof of payment as well as the booking form to
086 504 1122 or michelle@stmary.co.za

8 Senior School News St Mary’s School, Waverley 1 July 2011