N E W S L E T T E R - 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. 5 9 March 2012
GENERAL SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY ELECTIONS 2012
Please be here on 13 March at 18:00 for 18:30 to exercise your right to choose the School
Governing Body for the next term. Please bring your SA ID book or passport if a foreigner.
We need you to be present in person as we require a quorum for the elections to be valid.
Proxy votes do not count towards the quorum.
SA WRITERS’ WEEK
For the second year running Parktown High School for Girls took a week to pay homage to South
African writers. This year the week was dedicated to two prolific South African playwrights:
Athol Fugard, who will be celebrating his 80 th birthday this year and
Reza de Wet who sadly passed away on 26 January.
The Poetry Club held poetry and book readings daily in the library at breaks and in the spirit of
fostering our own South African writers they held a poetry writing competition.
Congratulations to Helena Milne in Grade 10 for being the overall winner !!
The Grade 10 Dramatic Arts learners entertained the crowds at breaks by performing
extracts from South African plays. The week culminated in a ‘dress up day’ where
learners were encouraged to dress up as a female character from a South African
novel, play or poem. Friday’s assembly showcased the best dressed characters of the
day in an exciting fashion show. Gemma Hart in Grade 12 walked away with first prize
for her portrayal of writer, Nadine Gordimer.
Parktown Girls was particularly fortunate to have three renowned writers address the
school. Mr Nic Dawes (Editor-in-Chief of the Mail & Guardian, investigative journalist
and champion of press freedom), Mrs Edith Bulbring (former journalist and writer of
fiction for young adults) and Mr Anthony Altbeker (award winning author and a “new
journalist” who specialises in crime, justice and security studies in South Africa) enlightened the girls to
what it meant to be a South African writer writing today. In the interests of a ‘new’ mode of writing Nic
Dawes tweeted the following about the week :
“There is quality about schools that are working – you can feel it in the interaction,
the tone, the space. Parktown Girls has that.”
Parktown teachers representing three different forms of South African
literature:
Miss Bastiotto as Eve from Madam & Eve (from the cartoon by Zapiro)
Miss Greenberg as Miem from the play Missing (Reza de Wet)
Miss Häusler as Lucy from the book Disgrace (J.M. Coetzee).

FUN DAY
Details of the Programme:
� Parents / guardians dropping off items for their daughters / wards must all be off the drive
by 08:15. If they park inside the gates behind the school, they will only be able to remove
their cars from 12:30 onwards
� The Fun Day opens officially at 09:00. The Performance Programme will begin then and the
stalls will open for business and judging then.
� The Fun Day will end at 12:15. We will aim to have everyone off campus by 13:00
IMPORTANT DATE TO DIARISE – MONDAY 26 MARCH
An Informative talk to parents/guardians by Dr John Buswell from Rape-wise South Africa about
important topics concerning your teenage girls. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend this
meeting as the information provided is vital in today’s times.
Time: 18:00 – 19:00
Venue: School Hall
GRADE 8 STAY-A-WAKE
“Can you survive a Stay-a-wake?”
Two hundred excited Grade 8s burst into the exotic Stay-a-wake survivor island themed hall on
Friday night determined to put their survival skills to the test. They were greeted by an ‘ancient
island dweller’ before they met their enthusiastic tribal leaders and named their tribes. The
atmosphere was electric! An energetic Stay-a-wake dance added to the fun and enjoyment.
Various games were played throughout the night and were thoroughly enjoyed by both the Grade
8s and the Potted Sports Committee members.
Stay-a-wake 2012 was a thrilling event where the Grade 8s got to socialise and meet their peers.
Although everyone was exhausted towards the end, it finished on a high note with all tribes
presenting their war cries at a final ‘tribal council’ ceremony.
The title of The Ultimate Stay-a-wake Survivor was shared; everyone had survived the night!
Thanks to Mrs Davidson, Miss Hulley and the parents who stayed awake with us and also helped
to make the night memorable.
SPORTS NEWS
INTER-HIGH DIVING COMPETITION (6 March)
Nine schools competed and Parktown was placed
seventh. We are very proud of our girls as they have
worked so hard this season and have moved up one
place from last year.
A special mention goes to Senna Bosman (Grade 11)
who has only been diving for less than one year, placed
seventh out of eighteen divers in her age group. Well
done !

EQUESTRIAN
On 12 February eight girls competed in the SANESA Qualifier 1 Competition
against top private schools. The girls did exceptionally well with Parktown receiving
TEN Rosettes. Congratulations to the girls on their result and for upholding the
Parktown name. The individual results were as follows:
Rider Class Placing
Miranda Hunt Show Jumping - 2 phase (level 1) 40/47
Equitation (level 1) 21/26
Daniela Rotteglia Show Jumping - 2 phase (level 1) 18/47
Show Jumping competition (level 1) 6/23
Yumna Bham
Dressage (level 1)
Show Jumping competition (level 2)
21/37
38/42
Dressage (level 1) 6/37
Tasneem Dindar Equitation (level 1) 14/26
Show Jumping competition (level 1) 27/47
Dressage (level 1) 15/37
Theresa Miller
Equitation (level 2)
Show Jumping competition (level 2)
16/30
27/42
Show Jumping - 2 phase (level 2) 7/37
Dressage (level 1) 10/30
Andrea Green-Thompson
Equitation (level 2)
Show Jumping competition (level 2)
28/30
31/42
Show Jumping - 2 phase (level 2) 20/37
Working Riding (level 3) 1/11
Lindsay Collett
Working Hunter (level 2)
Show Jumping competition (level 2)
2/16
35/42
Show Jumping - 2 phase (level 2) 9/37
Dressage (level 1) 13/36
Laura Gertzen
Working Riding (level 2)
Equitation (level 1)
1/8
2/26
Show Jumping competition (level 1) 23/47
CANOEING
There is a new members’ day this Sunday (11 March) from 09:00 at Dabulamazi Canoe Club. All
new members and families are welcome to come and find out more about the Club and paddling.
The annual boat sale will start at 11:00 – there are often bargains to be had!!
TENNIS
Results:
Matches played on 28 February vs. Leeuwenhof vs. St Teresa’s
A Team won 41 – 22 C Team won 43 - 20
B Team won 59 – 4 D Team won 32 - 31
Matches played on 6 March vs. St Mary’s vs. Kingsmead
A Team won 62 -19 C Team lost 56 - 7
B team won 44 - 37 D Team lost 43 - 6

INTER-HIGH SWIMMING GALA
The annual Inter-high "A" Swimming Gala took place on 8 March at Ellis Park, hosted by St
Teresa's. Parktown was placed second out of nine schools. This means we will be competing in
the Premier League next year. Thank you to all the Grade 8s whose support and encouragement
helped to spur the swimmers on.
A special mention goes to Sian Fuller (Grade 12) who got the best time in her 50m freestyle race
(29.97 seconds).
Our ducks have worked very hard this season and we are extremely proud of them. Well done!
The swimmers on their way to the Gala.
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Parkview Residents’ Association and SafeParkview invites you to attend their joint AGM.
Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday 27 March
Time: 18:00 for 18:30 (to end at 21:00)
Venue: Parkview Senior School (parking off Donegal)
Info: info@parkview.org.za, 082 820 8437

THE SCHOOL ACCEPTS OUTSIDE ADVERTISEMENTS. WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICES OFFERED.
LIFT REQUIRED URGENTLY:
From Rosebank Mall to Parktown Girls
Monday to Friday. Mornings (return in the afternoons).
OR
From Paulshof and surrounds to Parktown Girls
Monday to Friday. Mornings (return in the afternoons).
Willing to share the expenses.
Please contact Ann on 084-0117729 or 011 798-6000
(office hours).
TEXT BOOKS FOR SALE:
I have the following text books in stock:
� Afrikaans Sonder Grense Graad 10 also
recommended for Grade 9
� Thomas at Rockster.net (vir Graaad 9)
� Paljas en die Storie van Klara Viljee
Graad 11)
For more Details Contact:
Mrs D Makan cell: 0795196208 or
011 680-7364 (a/h)
Star Quality Kids Agency presents a Special 1 day Workshop
Calling all aspiring young performers.
A new and exciting workshop will be happening on the 12/03/2012.
The workshop will consist of skills to aid you in auditioning and building confidence.
We will give the kids a basic overview on vocal skills body language and improvisation too.
Cost : R200 Time : 9:00-11:00 Venue : Paterson Park Recreational Centre
(7 th Ave Orange Grove / Norwood next to Norwood police station)
To book contact zinzi@starquality.co.za or on 079 883 6586

MATRIC DANCE DRESSES AND SUITS
Come and see our extensive range of stunning matric dance outfits to hire or buy.
We have :
� Imported dresses
� Latest fashion and new suits
� Largest range of jewellery and bags
� Largest range of matching tie colours
� We can dress you and your partner
All sizes (28-46) and all colours. Come in and see our showroom at
409 Jan Smuts Ave, Blairgowrie or phone 011 781 4781. www.justtonightjosephine.co.za