Cultural Updates and News
Cultural News and articles written by our girls
CHOIR CAMP
The Girls’ College Choir arrived at Parnassus Farm in Magaliesburg on Saturday 31st January. We were both surprised and relieved by the stunning dormitories and newly built bathroom facilities. For the next two days we spent many hours putting together the songs we had started to learn in our weekly choir practices, as well as some brand new pieces. The rest of the time was spent swimming, relaxing and appreciating the five star food.
The highlight of our trip was definitely the camp fire concert. We were amazed by all the talented voices and the confidence of our new grade eights. Thank you to Mrs Oelofse for organizing the camp as well as Ms De Nysschen, Ms Mopondo and Ms Shange for accompanying us. The two days were well spent and have prepared the choir for the busy year ahead.
Nathalie Dieltjens, Grade 11
Our Choir leaders:
Choir head girl: Sane Nkomo
Soprano 1 leaders: Nathalie Dieltjens and Nomalanga Luthuli
Soprano 2 leaders: Lerato Josephs and Shumirai Sithole
Alto leaders: Liziwe Memani and Tashana Paulser
TRANSFORMATION V-DAY
MASS ORCHESTRA CONCERT
On 15th March, the St Stithians College Orchestra and Saxes of Note took part in a mass orchestra and ensemble concert at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG). This is a prestigious event where 140 musicians gather together to play musical items and celebrate music. This year’s mass orchestra consisted of instrumentalists from Trinity College, Kingsmead, OWLAG and, of course, St Stithians College.
In preparation for the performance, the musicians met up for two combined rehearsals at Kingsmead. The conductor and arranger, Mr. Eddie Clayton, introduced us to the three vastly different mass pieces: South African Medley (which included local favorites such as Kaptein by Kurt Darren, Weeping and Waka-Waka by Shakira and Freshly Ground), the theme song of Remember the Titians and Kashmir composed by Led Zeppelin. This last mass item was a favourite amongst the musicians and audience. In addition to the mass items, St Stithians played the well-known song Don’t Stop Believing, accompanying vocalist James Deacon from the Boys’ College.
Many hours of hard work went into this concert, but everyone involved felt that their efforts paid off. One could truly feel the passion and love for music in the auditorium. I would like to thank all of the music students for being such impeccable representatives of our school, Mrs Borello and Mrs Prinsloo for supporting us and, most importantly, Miss Bleeker – our orchestra director - for ensuring that we played to the best of our ability. The mass orchestra concert was an event to remember.
Kathryn Beek, Grade 12
DEBATING
This year, St Stithians Girls’ College participated in the junior and senior SACEE world schools debating league. This is a forum for our girls to learn to structure a logical argument, think on their feet and to debate in front a group of people. So far, our senior team, Kea Tainton (Grade 11), Sirini Pather (Grade 11), Nomalanga Luthuli (Grade 11) and Nina Nathanson (Grade 10) have participated in rounds one to three (speaking brilliantly and winning one of their debates). Our junior girls, from whom a final team has not yet been picked, have participated in rounds one to four, definitively winning two out of those debates, with the final round results being closed.
This year so far, the St Stithians Girls’ College Model UN Team comprising Gabriella Fedetto (Grade 10), Janai Mintah (Grade 10), Michaela Watkins (Grade 10), Shumirai Sithole (Grade 10) and Talya Rorich (Grade 10) have participated in a delegation at Roedean School, where they represented Myanmar and spoke beautifully. Model UN is a style of debating that reflects United Nations conferences and teaches our girls to speak as diplomats.
We look forward to an exciting year of debating.
Sarah Nathanson, Grade 12
ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC – HIGHEST MARK ACHIEVER – SABRINA MYBURGH
Sabrina Myburgh (Alto Sax Grade 7) has been selected to perform at the ABRSM high Scorers’ Concert. Participants in this concert have been selected from candidates who played in May/June ABRSM exam session and achieved a final mark of 134/150 or higher. The piece they have been selected to play is based on the highest mark achieved for their pieces.
FILM CLUB
The “Pixie Lowe” documentary has won best documentary at the national Mzansi film festival.
The girls involved in this film project were : Emily Fields, Sabrina Potter and Rophiwe ( Fi Fi ) Mukhondo
