Inside this issue:

Matric Results 2 & 3

Senior Academic

Prizegiving Results

4 & 5

Opening School Mass &

Blood Drive

6

Maths News 7

Grade 8 Camp Discovery 8-10

Matric Social 11

Important dates to diarise 12

ST DOMINIC’S SENIOR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

One School, One Family, One Spirit

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2016

Dear Parents

A warm welcome back to all our students and parents and a very big welcome to all our new students

and their families. It’s hard to believe that we are already at the end of January. The term opened with a

wonderful Mass where the entire school came together – thank you to Ms Erica Rindfleisch and her

team.

Our new Grades 8s have settled in well. They began the year with a camp to get know each other. Many

of the activities at Camp were facilitated by the Top 9 Execs. This is one of the ways we develop leader-

ship at the school. Thank you to the Execs who gave up their holidays to plan and make this such an

enjoyable event. Thank you also to the staff who assisted and planned the camp – especially Ms Rind-

fleisch, Mrs Gous and Mrs van Zyl. The Grade 8s will complete their welcome weeks today and sign up

for extra-curricular activities. This will create additional demands on time and commitment and we ask

that parents support us in this regard.

The Aquatics season is well under way. The girls have acquitted themselves well at galas both home and

away. Some of the swimming events have ended in nail-biting finishes which had us all on the edges of

our seats. The water polo girls are also doing well. Out First team recently competed at the St Mary’s

Summer Splash and played exceptionally well. Well done to them.

Congratulations to the matrics of 2015. They did not disappoint and produced some outstanding matric

results. Many thanks to all the teachers who have worked with the girls over the years.

Congratulations also to all the girls who received academic awards at the recent Awards Ceremony. We

are certainly blessed to have such high achievers and look forward to great things to come. Mr Loring,

the Headmaster, who is set to deliver a paper at an international Conference for Girls Schools in New

York next week, gave us shortened version of his presentation. The theme of his paper includes What

can a small private Catholic school in Boksburg offer to the rest of the world? It was a tremendously in-

spirational speech because it reminded us that what we offer to the rest of the world is our willingness to

serve the greater community through our actions, thoughts and prayers. It is in our acute awareness of

the poverty that surrounds us and our willingness as a school to undertake projects that will assist in the

upliftment of those communities that defines who we are. Mrs Meyer, Pre-Primary Principal will be ac-

companying Mr Loring and we wish them a meaningful conference.

This is such a busy term and we encourage parents to download the school communicator at

www.school-communicator.com/download.php to keep abreast of events, test and sporting schedules.

The Social will take place on the 12 February, please see the letter to parents for details. This is the ma-

jor fundraising event for the 2016 Matric Dance, so we encourage all the girls to support us. The Social is

a safe sociable environment for the girls to dance to some of South Africa’s most well-known DJs.

Finally, a warm welcome to the new staff who have joined us this year: Mrs Sue Murray joins us as Busi-

ness Studies, Accounting and EMS teacher. She has also taken on the role of Grade 10 Tutor. Welcome

also to Mr Neville Smith, a musician in his own right, who joins us in the music department. Other new

faces include Mrs Saddiqah Patel, Mrs Dawn Vollmer and Mrs Pat Fitzsimons who are helping out whilst

Mrs Sham and Mrs Schult are on accouchement leave. A warm welcome (welcome back) to all of you.

May your time at St Dominic’s be filled with happiness and fulfilment.

Have a good term

Sharon Fitzgerald

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Schult on the safe

arrival of your new and healthy baby girl! May God bless, guide and watch over you, your baby and

your family!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2015

Once again, our Matric’s did us proud, with a 100% pass rate.

Of the 69 candidates that wrote, 64 obtained a Bachelors Degree Pass (that means 93% of our matrics

last year have gained University entrance and all are eligible for tertiary study).

Further, they obtained a total of 58 distinctions.

Every teacher at our school has made a contribution to the future of these young ladies, as they embark

on a journey into the adult world. We wish them all well.

Our top Achievers were:

6 Distinctions: Nicole Cancela

5 Distinctions: Megan Roberts

4 Distinctions: Gabriella Van Praag

3 Distinctions: Heidi Davis

Itumeleng Msimanga

Emma Turner

The KIM BREDELL floating Trophy is awarded annually to the top Matriculant: Nicole Cancela

She obtained distinctions in Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting, and Life Orientation

One School, One Family, One Spirit

Mr Loring and Nicole Cancela

Page 4

Senior Academic Prizegiving 26 January 2016

Academic Scrolls (80% or more)

GRADE 8 2015

1) Jayde Polley

2) Nomusa Sidu

3) Katherine Thorn

4) Kayla Stevenson

5) Gabriella Delgado

6) Melissa Kruger

GRADE 9 2015

1) Courtney Madeley

2) Claudia Lilje

3) Zoë Robinson

4) Kelly Morrison

5) Tatum Peyerl

6) Taylor Evans

7) Kiana De Freitas

8) Kayleigh Rose

9) Megan Spitaels

10) Leila Schultz

11) Hlumelo Kabane

12) Reece Pierce-Jones

13) Nicole Dezulovic

14) Kayla Louw

15) Grace Da Ascencao

GRADE 10 2015

1) Samantha Johnson

2) Chante De Freitas

3) Hannah Le Roux

4) Jenna-Lisa Da Camara

GRADE 11 2015

1) Marcela De Olim

2) Jessica Van Der Spuy

3) Natasha Lavis

4) Bianca Costa-Tré

5) Tanisha Ravjee

6) Zandile Gando

7) Nabeela Lambat

8) Savanna Brombacher

9) Caeleigh Foster

10) Cassidy Langton

11) Sarah Duarte

12) Sindiswa Figlan

13) Caitlin Deysel

Grade 8: Jayde Polley and Mrs Gous

Grade 11: Marcela De Olim and Mrs Jacobs

Gr 10: Samantha Johnson & Mrs Brennan

Grade 9: Courtney Madeley and Mrs Geier

Gr12 Parents’ Evening 14 January

Thank you to all our matric

parents for attending the

parents evening on 14th

January.

The following was dis-

cussed:

Mrs Tuniz discussed the

criteria for university

entrance requirements.

Mrs Fitzgerald spoke

about the value of goal

setting.

Mrs. Van Praag dis-

cussed the matric year

from a parent’s per-

spective.

Page 5

One School, One Family, One Spirit

Senior Academic Prizegiving 26 January 2016

DUX STUDENTS

NABEELAH LAMBAT FLOATING TROPHY

Grade 8 Jayde Polley 87.18%

NICOLE CANCELA FLOATING TROPHY

Grade 9 Courtney Madeley 89.98%

SASHA CORLETT FLOATING TROPHY

Grade 10 Samantha Johnson 87.03%

ANNE-MARIE HÜSTER FLOATING TROPHY

Grade 11 Marcela De Olim 88.17%

FULL ACADEMIC COLOURS

Savanna Brombacher Caitlin Deysel

Caeleigh Foster Natasha Lavis

Bianca Costa-Tré Marcela De Olim

Zandile Gando Nabeela Lambat

Tanisha Ravjee Jessica Van Der Spuy

HONOURS BLAZERS 2015

Caitlyn Deysel Full colours for Academics and Marimbas

Zandile Gando Full colours for Debating, Public Speaking and Academics

Bianca Costa-Tré Full colours for Public Speaking, Media and Academics

Kganya-Khanya Magabane Full colours for Drummies and Marimbas

Prestige Award:

Natasha Lavis: Swimming, Media and Academic

WELL DONE GIRLS!

Mrs Fitzgerald and Natasha Lavis

Mrs Fitzgerald & Kganya-Khanya Magabane

Mrs Fitzgerald and Zandile Gando

Page 6

One School, One Family, One Spirit

Opening School Mass

The school’s first mass was celebrated on 13 January in the Jubilee Centre. Fr David Rowan was

the celebrant. In his homily Fr David urged us to be merciful towards all those around us.

During Mass we prayed for a deep reverence towards God’s creation, our home. We also prayed

for the new pupils, our new and substitute teachers, that they may become part of our school

community. We also prayed: “Creator God, we place this school year with all its plans, hopes

and dreams before you. Pour out your spirit on all our endeavours. Let us never be so rushed or

pressed for time that we don’t have time for one another or to reach out to one another. In spite

of commitments, may we all find the space to ponder what guides our thoughts and decisions

each day.”

Our Communion Reflection was a valuable lesson from a little bee.

I stand in our garden.

enjoying myself looking down at a tiny bee, as it enjoys itself in one of the roses.

This little creature of God is rolling in the pollen,

covering his little body with it!

Then he stops …

and drinks from the nectar of the rose.

I watch him in awe.

Then he walks around in the rose,

Just enjoying the lovely scent.

Then he goes and lies down on his back, as if taking a rest.

All of a sudden he gets up and goes rolling in the pollen again.

He seems to be having the time of his life!

I’m enjoying myself too,

watching this tiny little bee enjoying himself so much.

After I’ve watched him for quite a long time,

he finally decides it’s time to fly home.

I just stand there looking at the beautiful rose, which is empty now.

Then I hear a soft whisper in my ear:

It is the voice of God.

“You enjoyed my little bee now didn’t you?

There is a valuable lesson from the bee today.

The rose with all its beauty and perfume represents me.

And the little bee represents you.

Now the nectar it was drinking represents my sweet presence.

And the pollen – my Holy Spirit.

You see,

you must look,

see and enjoy

all the beauty I have made,

and drink the sweetness of my presence,

to be filled with my Holy Spirit.

I want you to enjoy my presence,

for my nectar brings healing to your soul.

I want you to realise, too

it's fun to be with me,

for

I AM

Joy and Loving kindness.

I AM

your Creator,

Almighty God.”

BLOOD DRIVE

The first in a series of

blood drives took place at

St Dominic’s on

18 January.

We managed to obtain 20

units of blood.

Thanks to all the

learners and staff who

donated blood.

CAMI Maths Centre

Our CAMI Maths centre offers additional support (free of charge) to our high school

students who experience difficulty in Maths. This program starts off with basic Math-

ematical concepts and works towards the work that they are currently doing in class.

Students work individually at their own pace and they may make use of the centre

as often as they need to. A Maths teacher will be present to help where necessary.

The centre will be open from Monday to Thursday from 14:00 to 15:00. Students

may book half hour sessions. The booking sheet is on the table in the CAMI centre.

Please see Mrs. Van der Merwe for more information.

Grade 10 Core Maths Students

It is imperative that both the Grade 10 students and their parents take cognisance of the following:

Extra Maths is every Monday from 13:50 – 14:30. This is only compulsory for all students who obtained less than 50% for any test. Otherwise everyone is welcome.

Tuesdays OR Wednesdays from 13:50 – 14:30 are compulsory lessons as a

specific chapter of the curriculum is taught during this time. Maths Files These files are a fully comprehensive version of the curriculum including

notes, examples, exercises and answers, all of which are thoroughly ex-plained in class. Under no circumstances may these files be photocopied by anyone as St Dominic’s has copy rights to them and the work involved compiling them.

Homework This is absolutely essential as it consolidates the concepts taught each day.

Any student will be at an obvious disadvantage if this is incomplete. Cami Maths This takes place every day Monday – Thursday from 14:00 to 15:00 in the

library. Cami is designed to further assist students who wish to practice specific concepts with which they may battle to master either present or past.

Please be aware that in Grade 10 the students’ marks often drop especially in

the June Exams. Many students have not yet realised how thoroughly they need to know the

finer details of their work. They often also take a while to realise the vol-ume of work as well as the pace as which it comes.

Something new is learnt every day if you pay attention!

Mrs Donly

Mrs Van Der Merwe

Page 8

One School, One Family, One Spirit

Grade 8 Camp Discovery

On 8 January 90 excited Grade 8 girls and their parents arrived at school to begin their

journey as members of the St Dominic’s Family. The adventure started with introduc-

tions followed by a Prayer Service.

The Top 9 Matric Executives then took the girls with all their luggage (there was an aw-

ful lot for 2 days) to the waiting buses.

We arrived a Camp Discovery at about 10:00 and we were all taken to our sleeping ac-

commodation. We then assembled in one of the lapas to receive our instructions for the

day. A refreshing swim was enjoyed by all as the temperature was around 42 ºC!!

After a delicious lunch the girls followed a Bundu trail where they had to identify certain

words and at the end of the trail make a song using those words. This was followed by

a water Obstacle Course through water and the highlight was swinging from a platform

into a small dam – even Mrs Evans took the plunge. On our way back to camp some

very welcome rain began to fall – they have not had rain in that area for 4 months!!

After supper we assembled in one of the halls and the Executives moved from group to

group explaining to the girls their roles at St Dominic’s. During this time the storm be-

came worse and the power went out so the proceedings were concluded by torchlight.

The facilitators played one last game with some very sleepy girls and then everyone

retired for the night. By 11:00 everyone was literally “lights out”.

After breakfast on Saturday the girls were divided into 3 groups for rotation sessions

which included a Game Drive and 2 group Dynamics Courses. This was followed by

“Boeresport” and a very welcome lunch for 90 hungry girls.

Everyone then enjoyed a water polo game where nobody seemed to know the rules –

GREAT FUN!! The girls then prepared supper as each group had to make their own

“potjie” – by all accounts the potjiekos was delicious and there were definitely no

“seconds” available.

After supper Ms Rindfleisch gave us all a very informative talk on the history of St

Dominic’s School. This was followed by a Paraliturgy Service celebrating the Baptism

of Jesus. Due to another huge storm once again the lights went out luckily the Hall had

a generator!

Page 9

The facilitators finished up with a very rowdy game with lots of running around which

was much like musical chairs – the overall winner was Josie Mentor in Grade 8B.

Bed time after another exhausting fun-filled day.

The Executives had the girls up bright and early on Sunday for a special sunrise ser-

vice. The grumpy girls were not happy at being awoken before dawn. However, the

mood improved dramatically after experiencing the beauty of an African sunrise. The

Grade 8s expressed their gratitude.

After breakfast it was time for group photos, the big pack up and clean up. The bus-

es arrived at 10:00 we said our “thank yous” and “goodbyes”.

We arrived back at School at 12:30 with 90 tired girls with lots of dirty clothes!!

SORRY MOMS. A good time was had by all.

On Friday 15 January we had our “Bring and Share” evening with the Grade 8s and

their parents. Our thanks to Jamie-Lee Du Plessis for putting together an excellent

PowerPoint presentation so that the parents could see what their daughters had ex-

perienced at Camp Discovery. After a short session in the hall where we were ad-

dressed by Mr Loring, Mrs Fitzgerald, Mrs van Zyl, Mr Warren Flinn (PTP) and Bian-

ca Costa-Tré (Matric Deputy Head Girl) we proceeded to the Jubilee Centre to enjoy

supper and a chat. The evening ended with the Grade 8s entertaining their parents

with some songs.

We wish all our Grade 8s and their parents a happy and successful Grade 8 year

with the rest of the St Dominic’s Family.

Ms Rindfleisch, Mrs Gous, Mrs Evans, Mrs Els and Mev van Zyl

(Teachers on Camp Discovery)

Page 12

One School, One Family, One Spirit

DATES TO DIARISE for February

Tuesday 2 February East Rand Gala (St Dunstan’s)

Grade 9 Parents Evening / Euro Tour

Wednesday 3 February Poetry for Life Competition 14h00

Thursday 4 Feb PTP Meeting

Saturday 6 Feb Inter-Dominican Swimming and Tennis 07h30

Drummie Skills Day 10h00– 16h00

Tuesday 9 Feb Shrove Tuesday

East Rand Gala (home)

Wednesday 10 Feb Ash Wednesday

Thursday 11 Feb Gala—St Andrews

Friday 12 Feb School Social

12-14 Feb Midmar Tour

Squash Festival St Mary’s

Tuesday 16 Feb East Rand Gala at Volkskool Heidelberg

Inter Catholic Gala

Wednesday 17 Feb Matric Farewell Fundraiser

Gr 11 Geog Day Trip Magaliesberg

18-21 Feb St Peter’s 1st Team Water Polo

Shaun Fuchs U15 Water Polo

Thursday 18 Feb CLOSE MID-TERM 12H00

Tuesday 23 Feb OPEN AFTER MID-TERM

East Rand Gala (Home)

Soirëe 18h00 for 18h30

23 - 25 Feb English Olympiad Camp

Wednesday 24 Feb Water Polo Tour to Reddam

Thursday 25 Feb Gala St Teresa’s

25-27 Feb Summer Festival CBC

Friday 26 Feb Water Polo vs St Peter’s

Saturday 27 Feb Outreach (Colin House Fun Day)

New Parents Social

Lightning Alarm

We remind all our parents

and learners that when

the lightning alarm goes

off and the light is flash-

ing, you need to take cov-

er. Please do not remain

outdoors, under the trees

etc.