CULTURAL ROUND UP

May 06, 2017 | Girls’ College

MUSIC NEWS

ABRSM Music Certificates

Congratulations to the following girls obtained an average of over 90% for their examinations:

Rodina Ayaya - Grade 6 Theory
Amira Sithole - Grade 5 Theory
Siphokazi Macheke - Grade 5 Theory
Amanda Aitken - Grade 5 Theory
Keisha Vythilingham - Grade 5 Theory
Zaba Phakati - Grade 5 Theory
Alexandra Keogh - Grade 5 Theory
Polina Novikova - Grade 5 Singing
Jessica James - Grade 3 Theory
Kayla Jack - Grade 3 Flute
Amira Sithole - Grade 1 Piano

Interschools Orchestra Concert

The St Stithians College Orchestra had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the Four Schools Orchestra Concert at OWLAG (the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy) during the weekend of the 18th of February. Copious amounts of rehearsing together with the four other schools - Trinity House, Randpark Ridge, Kingsmead and OWLAG - resulted in an incredible mass orchestra piece where the students showcased their amazing musical talent. We had the honour of being conducted by Eddie Clayton who inspired us to continually strive to be the best musicians we can be. Not only was the mass orchestra item spectacular, but so was our own rendition of the Game of Thrones theme song. At the end of days filled with practicing and much hard work, not only is music made but many new friends too. Our dedication, commitment and passion for music made all the hard work worthwhile.

E'jane Li and Tanamarie Booysen (Orchestra leaders 2017)

Orchestra

At the Girls’ College Academic Awards Evening, we were treated to performances by Harmony, soloist Sarah Falconer and the Flute Ensemble.

Choir

GC Choir sang singing along with Amazwi at the Duke’s Valentine Concert and then at the Prep Arts Festival, where the à Capella group Harmony also performed. The choir went on camp on 25th – 26th March. This was to prepare for the Singing Sista’s Festival at St Mary’s on 4th April and our own interschools Choir Festival on 10th April in the Chapel.

Duke’s Valentine’s Concert

The Duke’s Valentine’s concert was a wonderful evening filled with songs performed by the Duke’s of Cornwall, the Boys' College Choir and the Girls' College Choir, as well as the Amazwi Choir who sang You Can't Hurry Love. The new Duke’s singers also entertained the crowds with their solo performances. Although the event was not held on Valentine's Day, the beauty and love within the songs performed made us feel as though we were back at the 14th of February.

Viebz Contemporary Music Competition

Victoria Lanham-Love (Gr 8) was selected as a finalist at the recent Viebz contemporary music competition held at St Andrews this week (the only Saints girl who made it through). It was a huge achievement to have made the finals out of 180 contestants and we were very proud of her.

Choir Camp

The St Stithians Girls' College Choir attended their annual Choir Camp at 'Wag 'n Bietjie Camp Site' in Midrand. The Choir members practiced diligently and displayed immaculate manners. The matrics impressed with their leadership skills by engaging the Choir in early morning yoga and meditation sessions. The highlight of the camp was surely the campfire concert and it was a pleasure to see the endless talent amongst the girls. The Choir was accompanied by Mrs Oelofse, Mrs Orsmond and Ms Mabuza.

DANCE NEWS

Individual Achievements

The results for Emma Fraser & Erin Brammer from the Dance World Cup:

Junior Group Classical Ballet “ Le Corsaire” 1st Place 83.6%. Gold Medal (Emma Fraser & Erin Brammer in the Group)
Junior Small Group Ballet “Prodigy”. 3rd Place 80.6%. Bronce Medal (Emma Fraser & Erin Brammer in the Group)
Junior Group Modern & Contemporary Dance. “ Gateway to Heaven”. 1st Place 89.8% Gold medal (Emma Fraser & Erin Brammer in the Group)
Junior Group Jazz & Show Dance. “ My Baby Don’t Dance” 2nd Place Silver medal 79.6% (Emma Fraser In Group)
Junior Group Jazz & Show Dance “ Sing”. 5th Place 78.3% (Erin Brammer in Group)
Junior Group Jazz & Show Dance “Swing” 6th Place 78.1% (Emma Fraser & Erin Brammer in the Group)

Saints Dance Crew

Congratulations to the boys and girls who have been selected as members of the Saints Dance Crew . The Crew consists of hip hop and contemporary dancers from Girls' and Boys' College. This synergy group will represent St Stithians College later in the year at the annual Interschools Dance Competition.

Dance Training on Fridays

We have started Friday dance fitness classes with invited teachers exposing our girls to the various styles of dance from hip hop, modern, tap and even yoga.

FNB Dance Umbrella

Congratulations to the 14 girls who performed in the FNB Dance Umbrella Fringe Programme. The performance for Girls' College was on Sunday 26th February at the WITS Theatre.

DRAMA NEWS

Theatre Club Outing

On Thursday 2nd February, the Grade 10 - 12 Girls' College and Grade 11 - 12 Boys' College Dramatic Arts learners attended a performance of Mike Van Graan's new play "When Swallows Cry" at the Market Theatre. This riveting piece of theatre, which tackles contemporary debate around migration and the questionable nature of 'civilised communities' and levels of barbarism and empathy in all humanity, made a lasting impression on all the learners and staff. This synergistic event has re-ignited the Dramatic Arts learners in their belief that theatre can be used as a tool for societal reform through discussion. The learners were able to meet with playwright Mike Van Graan and the director Lesedi Job in her outstanding directorial debut.

Major Production: The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht

A review on the production by parent and School Head - Alison Scott:

"Last night, for me, was about watching hope and holding on to optimism for our young people's future.

I've seen many, many school productions, and most of these excellent, but The Caucasian Chalk Circle as presented by St Stithians College yesterday was on a different level. It was technically superb and creatively a treat with the synergy between the musicians and players, script and costume, actors and audience seamless and tangible. It was the first time in a long time that I have been swept up into a story and time just passed without me knowing it.

But it was much more than that, much more. I was struck, deeply, by the cohesion of the cast and crew - regardless of gender, age, race, language, ability or difference. They were in unison, bonded for a purpose, doing this event in their lives together. Arresting me completely, I saw these teenagers pack up: first, they gathered for a moment of prayer, one of gratitude and one to lift up the needs of one of their friends. I watched, in one evening, the ethos of a school play out on every level.

Well done to the kids, and well done to the school leaders and dedicated teachers who make it happen, tirelessly and selflessly - over years."

Senior Drama Showcase

The senior drama students performed in a combined showcase in the GLT.

G10        Greek Choral Verse
G11        Realism Scenes
G12        Own choice scenes.

Junior Drama Club

Weekly practices for the Grade 8s and 9s are being taken teaching assistant Hayley Hurst and around twenty girls are attending on a regular basis.

Tech Crew Training

Our new AV Tech Manager, Francois Swanepoel, is working with student tech leaders E’ Jane Li and Callum Sutherland, to develop the skills and knowledge of the backstage and technical crews every Friday in Mears Hall.

Phyzz Fest

On the evening of the 18th February in Mears Hall, St Stithians Girls’ College hosted the sixth annual Interschools Phyzz Fest. This festival is a celebration of all the creative and original movement work that is done by drama students around Gauteng. This year we were joined by around 80 performers from St John’s College, St Peter’s College, St David’s Marist Inanda, and our own Boys College. Also in the audience were the dedicated Drama teachers from the participating schools and special professional guests: the Matchbox Theatre Collective, ZikkaZimba and Liquid Fusion.

Phyzz Fest is a wonderful opportunity to experience captivating, challenging and humerous stories expressed through movement. Performing alongside so many other talented students is an experience that will remain with me forever.

On behalf of all the Saints girls I would like to thank Mrs Hanly for organising the event and coaching us, alongside Mrs Henning, the MCs – Kelsey Kinmont, Demi Olivier and Moraig Louw – Zaba Phakathi for her photography, the back stage and technical crew (especially Sisipho Makolomakwe who did her own little dance while sweeping the floor!) and the Grade 11 Matric Fundraising Committee for providing refreshments.

Special congratulations go to the students who were selected to perform:

Cross Fire - Two friends, forced apart by war, are called upon to choose a side...

Thoriso Dlomo, Tiro Serobe, Laura Van Rooyen and Nana Moloi

Blind Date - Who pays the bill? Who pays the price of conviction?

Tayla Prendergast and Bonolo Shiceka

A Million Colours “The piano keys are black and white, but they sound like a million colours in your mind.”

Veronica Louw and Lucretius Aureliius.

Written by - Veronica Louw, Grade 12

Drama Synergy Workshops

We had a great start to the year with combined BC and GC workshops that were held on Saturday 21st January. Renowned actress, Dorothy Ann Gould, came to train the students in the art of voice, plus Nicky Haskins and Bailey Snyman from The Matchbox Theatre Collective kept us active with a demanding and dynamic movement session. It was a day in which our students overcame inhibitions and built friendships, working together to create drama. Many thanks to Lizeth Roux (BC), Taryn Henning, Hayley Hurst and Peta Hanly who also joined in with the workshops.

Movie Makers Major Production Film Shoot

On Sunday 5th February, boys and girls from the Movie Makers Club teamed up with MJH Productions to create a cinematic prologue for this year’s Major Production, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. With a cast of eight students and our very own Mr Perold as the Old Farmer, we spent the day filming against a green screen that would later be converted to a desolate landscape during rendering phase of post-production. The effect we were aiming for was that of a grainy black and white movie that would have been shot in the 1940s.

This was a fascinating opportunity for our Drama students to learn the very different techniques of film acting and, although hard work, was a really rewarding experience. Thank you to all of you who participated and made this such a special synergy event.

GC CAST: Veronica Louw, Hannah Schutte, Hannah Jackson, Gina Breetzke, Emma Schipholt

BC CAST: Thulo Serobe, Michael Nothnagel, Andile Khuluse

Individual Drama Achievements

Daniela Nash competed in the South African Championships for the Performing Arts in Drama and Modelling. She entered 20 pieces for Drama and 4 for Modelling, and she received 16 medals, 15 for drama and 1 for modelling, including 5 gold, 9 silver and 2 bronze. She therefore qualifies to represent South Africa at World Championships in Los Angeles next year. This is the third time she has entered this competition and the third time she’s been asked to represent SA. Congratulations Daniela.