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Old Girls’ Newsletter
Volume 9: Issue 3
Term 3 2014
Chit -Chat
The third term has been a busy one for the Old Girls’ Guild. Lindsay
Wayt neé Birss organised the Grade 6 Old Girls’ quiz where the girls
divide up into groups and go on a fact finding mission around the
school. The history of the school is so important and the quiz is a
fun way to get the girls to learn about it. Thank you, Lindsay, for all
your hard work in putting this event together and for donating the
prizes.
On Saturday 30 August the TWC Old Girls Guild hosted a very
successful Moms and Daughters morning which was attended by
our senior school girls along with many of their moms and
grandmothers. We were treated to a morning of laughter and
entertainment by Mary Steward in her fantastic one-woman show,
‘Womanhood’. As Mary shared her story with us on the journey
from girl to woman, it was wonderful to see how all of us, whether
teenagers or mothers or grandmothers, were able to relate to her
experiences and laugh (or shed a tear) with her. Laughter is the
best medicine and this was evident in the smiling happy faces that
left the LHC that morning.
20 Year TWC Reunion
TWC Class of 1994 held our 20 year reunion over the weekend of 30 August 2014 with much
laughter and walks down memory lane. As the first matriculants of The Wykeham Collegiate,
having started our first year of high school in the newly merged school, we were a closely
knit year and the reunion served as a reminder of the amazing times we had during our 5
years together.
48 of us ended our school career at TWC and 25 of us made it back to celebrate 20 years
since those stressful last few days and months walking the school corridors. There were
many faces that we desperately missed but despite their absence what a weekend we had…
For those of us not (overseas) travel or baby (sitter) restricted, we travelled back to KZN and
stayed for the weekend at St Ives Hotel & Restaurant in Lions River and started our reunion
weekend in style on the Friday evening. Saturday’s more official reunion events included tea
and a tour of the school, efficiently organised and managed for us by Pru Deenik and Mrs
Metherell (who made us feel like we’d time-warped straight back into high school with her
accurate memories of how things were when we were there back in the day).
The school itself has progressed and adapted so much, yet kept its character completely
intact. We all felt so proud and nostalgic and absolutely loved everything, especially all the
hilarious anecdotes that accompanied the official tour.
“Brilliant weekend filled with so many laughs and happy memories. I was very impressed
with how the school was looking and all the wonderful facilities! Friends made there have
truly been friends like sisters for life! X Jo Fly (Nicholson)
“Our 20yr school Reunion class of 94 was just such a fun- filled weekend! Firstly doing the
tour of the school with Mrs Metherell who taught me Biology 22 years ago was super
special. The schools improvements were astonishing which made us all feel so proud to have
been a part of such an amazing school. Seeing all us girls together bonding and sharing our
stories was really special as well and I look forward to our 25 yr one for more fun together!”
Maria Dorazio neé Arapogloy
After the formal events we all travelled back to the Midlands for lunch at Abingdon Wine
Estate and then finished up back at St Ives for dinner and more laughs (and even a skype
chat with Tanya Surtees in the US!)
The weekend could not have been more highly entertaining and, most of all, so genuinely
heartfelt – old friends and now forever friends. Together we made memories that have and
will continue to last a lifetime. For those of us who were there it was a unanimous vote that
we can’t wait another 10 years so agreed on a 25 year reunion as the next chapter in the
lives of our “Class of ’94”.
Bridget Grobler neé Booysen
Some Feedback from the attendees
Wonderful two days spent with special people. Just made me wish that I had a daughter
who could go to TWC.
Janet Pitts neé Dewar
“True friendship isn’t about being inseparable…it’s about being separated and nothing
changes”. Too true for our year hey girls?
Liza Seele neé Wilson
The Weekend was truly awesome. Wine, laughter and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Leanne Odell neé Peate
Such a fun weekend spent with girls that share special experiences and memories that
nothing can replace or erase. Walking around the school was eye opening and nostalgic in
the best of ways. Just wish it was a 5 year occurrence and not 10!
Josie Hughes neé Bowman-Edgar
Just managed the lunch but it was well worth the long trip!
20 years does change one’s perspective… a beuoootiful combo of catching up with the school
kid you knew versus introductions to the adult they have become. Do wish the next one was
sooner. *chuckle*
Shannon Taylor
My 5 years at TWC were filled with so much fun, our 20 year reunion reminded me how
privileged I was to attend such a wonderful school with a group of such wonderfully fun and
positive ladies! Honestly was such a treat to see you all again!
Jessica Fender neé Bodley
For all your reunions contact Pru Deenik neé Fieldgate
Email: prudenced@twc.org.za
Phone: 033 342 0752
Cell: 082 453 8019
Old Girls’ Gathering - Inanda Club
“On 24 July the Gauteng based Old Girls joined the Old Hiltonians for sundowners at the
Inanda Club. This was the first event to kick off our quarterly get-togethers to be held in
Gauteng. The event was well attended by Wykeham, Collegiate and TWC old girls ranging
from Matric 1974 to Matric 2001. The ladies had a fabulous time catching up and even
managed to get a few free drinks from the Old Hiltonians. Please keep a look out for the
next event to be held in October and we really hope to see more ladies there.”
We are so pleased to have Claire Du Bourg as our Johannesburg Old Girls
Liaison; thank you for your contribution to the Old Girls’ Guild. Please
support Claire at all the upcoming events that she will be organising.
Contact details: clairelynndubourg@gmail.com / 083 7872704
Upcoming event
Venue:
The Keg and Filly – Sunninghill
Date:
23 October 2014
Time: 6pm
Events Term 4 2014
Thursday 9 October 2014
Old Girls Grade 12 Tea
Friday 17 October 2014
Valedictory Service
Announcement & Induction of
New School Leaders
Friday 17 October 2014
Thursday 27 November
2014
Friday 28 November 2014
Festival of Praise
Grade 8-11 Prize Giving
The Wykeham Collegiate Choir wins overall
gold in ATKV National Choir competition
On Friday 1 August, The Wykeham Collegiate Choir took part in the ATKV National Choir
Competition held at the ZK Matthews Hall at UNISA in Pretoria. They came away as national
overall winners of the “Afrikaans Minder Ervare Kore” category, achieving a score of 91%
(cum laude). They also collected the prize for the best interpretation of an African song and
won the girls’ section. Choirmaster, Jaco Goosen, overjoyed with this result commented
that only two choirs had attained a cum laude score on the night and that the commitment
and many hours of practice had paid dividends.
We attended the evening and listened in awe
to the renditions of the Senior Choir on Friday
night. Congratulations to all concerned for
the professionalism and dedication that must
have gone into it. Not that I am biased, but
they definitely gave the best performance of
the night.
Judy (Collegiate 1969) and Hugh Mitchell
Old Girls News
Lizelle Carter-Brown neé Dalmeida
Wykeham 1978
News:
Matriculated Wykeham 1978… married to Patrick Carter-Brown, soon to live in Howick.
Have a son, honours Botany/Biodiversity and daughter, physiotherapist.
Nirvana Shanalee Pillay
Wykeham 1996
News:
I was at TWC since its inception and was at Wykeham in Loop street since standard 1 (Mrs
Bennetts class). I have kept my maiden name and Shanalee is my second name i.e. Nirvana
Shanalee Pillay. I have obtained a Phd and MBA degree and am a neuroscientist.
Judy Johnson
Wykeham 1973
News:
I am still flying my little seaplane and loving every minute of it! Very challenging (and scary
at times!) but the joy I bring to others on scenic flights is immeasurable. I have my business
on the market and will be going back to Vanuatu (New Hebrides) with a slightly bigger
seaplane so that I can service the tourist market there and help local Nivanuatu people in
the outer islands. This desire has burned fiercely in my heart since the first time I travelled
there about fourteen years ago. Now that my children (Stephen 26 and Ruth 22) are no
longer dependent on me, I feel I can follow my dream.
Joanna Fly Neé Nicholson
TWC 1994
News:
Living and teaching at Clifton Nottingham Road. Teaching Grade R. Married Steve Fly and
have a daughter Jessica age 7, son age 5.
Tasheem Suleman neé Gani
TWC 1994
News:
Lives in Durban, qualified Beauty Therapist.
Birth Notices
Beth Harper Cripwell born 29 July 2014 to Adam and
Emma Cripwell neé Wright (TWC 1999)
in Barbados.
Hayley Schmidt neé Woodley TWC (2006) and
Megan Mary, born 13 July 2013 in Durban.
In Memoriam
Soaring with Eagles
Sandra Jean Nairn Da Silva – Wykeham 1981
Robyn Uys nee Baldrey – TWC 1999