Newsletter 1

Welcome Back

WELCOME BACK to all our pupils and parents.  We extend a warm welcome to our new pupils and trust you will be very happy as you join our Assumption family.

Matric Results

Assumption Convent School is proud of the results achieved by its 49 candidates in the 2011 IEB Matriculation Examinations.  The school achieved a 100% pass with 98% of candidates also achieving entry to degree study at university. Our candidates achieved distinctions and B symbols in 50% of all subjects written.
 
The school achieved numerous distinctions across the full range of subjects:

• Twenty candidates achieved 1distinction.
• Six candidates achieved 2 distinctions
• Three candidates achieved 3 distinctions.
• Five candidates achieved 4 distinctions.
• Two candidates achieved 7 distinctions
• One candidate achieved 8 distinctions.

Congratulations to our top achievers for 2011:

1. Lesne Pucjlowski - 7 distinctions. We are very proud of Lesne's achievements. She was one of 59 pupils out of 8281 candidates placed on the IEB 'Outstanding Students List' for 2011. Furthermore, she was placed in the top 1% of all IEB candidates for English, Life Sciences and Mathematics. Lesne’ achieved an overall average of 91%.
2. Kayleigh Niemand - 8 distinctions
3. Dawn Nsubuga 7 - distinctions

Whilst we are proud of our pupils who have excelled academically, we are equally proud of all of our pupils who have worked really hard and have achieved to their potential.  We must also not lose sight of the fact that a good education is so much more than just top academic results.  We have succeeded when our school turns out Matriculants who are cheerful, honest, polite, kind, humble and diligent.They have the life skills and emotional intelligence to overcome life's inevitable setbacks and disappointments and still achieve their goals. They never give up and always give of their best. Click here to view our top achievers.

Condolences

Our prayers and sympathy are with the Nienaber, Makamedi and Kadur families who have lost a beloved family member. Sister Janine (past principal of Assumption Convent School) recently lost her brother who was the Bishop of Port Elizabeth.

Congratulations

• Miss Royce, Miss Bawden and Miss Pillay on their engagement
• Mrs Goosen and Mrs Knipe on their expected bundles of joy
• Miss Addington who successfully completed her Bachelor of education degree.

Staff Changes

• Mrs Beverley Dunn takes up the front office duties. 
  For the past 7 years Mrs Dunn has been secretary and receptionist at Roedean School. We also warmly welcome Mrs Dunn's 2 daughters to our primary school.
• Mrs Gabby Sheerin comes to our grade 2 class from Bishop Bavin School where she has taught there for 9 years. We also warmly welcome Mrs Sheerin's 3 daughters to Assumption.
• We welcome Mrs Stuart as the senior teacher in our pre-school. Whilst Mrs Stuart has specialised in grade 2 for many years, she is a qualified foundation phase teacher and she has always had a passion to teach in the pre-school. Mrs Stuart will be joining Mrs Comoroff in the pre-school. 
• Ms Bawden comes to us from Saheti Primary School where she was the sports co-coordinator for the past 3 years.  Ms Bawden’s great passion is rowing and she has excelled in rowing both a university and nationally.  Ms Bawden is the senior girls’ rowing coach at St Georges Rowing Academy; the home of Bishop Bavin and Assumption Schools. Ms Bawden will be taking over responsibilities for sport in our primary school. Ms Bawden takes over from Mrs Ritky.
• Mrs Ritky moves to her new position in grade 5.  Mrs Ritky has taught PE and sport at Assumpion for more than 10 years and prior to this was at Rosebank Convent. In her long career, Mrs Ritky has also had extensive experience in teaching at senior primary level. 
• We congratulate Mr Lydall who takes up the position of HOD sport and extra murals.
• Whilst still on sport, we are pleased to also welcome Miss Baumann.  Ms Baumann is a one of SA’s top up and coming swimmers.  She will be assisting with our high school swimming during the first term. 
• Ms Barnsley joins us from Dominican Convent School Belgavia.  Prior to this, Ms Barnsley  taught English to matric level at Sandrigham High for 15 years and before that at Hyde Park High School. Ms Barnsley has contributed to academic publications and the learning Channel on SABC.  In recognition of her excellence in teaching, she has received numerous awards at district, province and national level. Ms Barnsley’s daughter is a pupil in our high school. 
• Mrs Herd takes over from Ms Balmer who is on accouchement leave in the first term. Mrs Herd was previously HOD Life Sciences at Crawford College and St Peter’s and is a past head of Yeshiva College.  Mrs Herd will be teaching Biology.
• Kyle Lauf takes over from Mrs Aub who is on accouchement leave during the first term.  Mr Lauf has taught both in the UK and SA, both in the high and primary school.  Apart from his teaching commitments, Mr Lauf also runs a documentary and production company.
• Tanya Bekker is a parent and member of our Board of Governors.  She is a senior lecturer and counsillor at Wits university and  is currently completing her doctorate.  In 2011, Mrs Bekker a piloted a counselling service at Assumption Convent.  The demand has been overwhelming and many primary and high school pupils and some of our teachers have benefitted hugely.  The Board of  Governors has taken the decision to formalise this position and from this year, Mrs Bekker will be providing counselling on a part time but regular basis.  She will be operating from the old PE office. Details are available from Mr Reed (primary school) and Mr Davis (high school).  I must take this opportunity to thank Mrs B ekker for providing this invaluable service.
• Mr Verner will cover for Mrs Maraschin who is currently overseas on an ISASA visitorship.  Mr Verner has recently retired from Bishop Bavin School.
• WELCOME BACK To Mrs De Rijk after major surgery.

Website

Our new website has just been launched, this website allows easy navigation and has been split into the different sectors within the school. please visit our ‘new look’  website www.assumptionconvent.co.za and send any feedback to marketing@assumptionconvent.co.za

Communication

Please ensure that you load the School Communicator onto your computers as this is the most effective way in which we communicate with parents on a daily basis.  The application will keep you updated on forthcoming events and notices. We also upload photos onto the communicator on a regular basis.

The School Communicator can be downloaded from the website http/www.school-communicator.com/download.php 

• This application is available in both Apple Mac and windows version. 
• Select your school from the dropdown list and click on the windows button
• When prompted, please click save and download to your computer.
• Once the installer has completely downloaded (the file should be approximately 6MB in size) you can double click on the icon to start the installation process.
• Alternatively you may click “run” after clicking “save” follow the instructions from there.
• Security The School Communicator is configured to communicate only with the D6 server. It uses proprietary technology, including custom xml, to transfer information between the Communicator and the server. To ensure that the School Communicator cannot be used to introduce viruses or malware every interaction is signed using public/private key encryption. The Communicator will only execute a command if it can verify that the instruction has in fact come from the School Communicator server. In addition, the School Communicator may only read/write/delete files in the Application Data folder into which it was installed. It cannot access or modify files outside of that directory.
• Bandwidth approximately 30Mb of bandwidth per month. Typical usage is even lower, but this depends on how the school uses the communicator and the number of documents that are uploaded.
• The School Communicator Mobi Site is also available. Go to the following address on your cell phone and select the school you wish to look at from the dropdown list.  You will be able to view all the content that appears on the School Communicator at that time. http/mobi.d6communicator.com

Open Day

Our Open Day will be held on Saturday 18 February from 08:00 to 11:00.  Please invite your family and friends to come and see our wonderful school in action.  For more information, please visit our website www.assumptionconvent.co.za.

Anyone can assist us by putting up our Open Day posters in restaurants, hairdressers, swimming schools, dance studios, businesses etc, please contact Mrs Sousa on 011-6165053 or marketing@assumptionconvent.co.za

Join our '100 CLUB’

The Board of Governors has established a Trust Fund.  The purpose of the Trust Fund is to secure the long term future of the school.  The Trust Fund will eventually be used to finance future development projects and hopefully also to ‘put a brake’ on annual fee increases.  One of the ways that we can all support this bold and exciting initiative is to join the 100 Club.

100 Club members will contribute R100 per month via a debit order.  A reference number will be allocated to every subscription.  At the end of May and November each year, all reference numbers will be entered in a lucky draw.  35% of all money collected will be paid out in prizes with the split as follows.

• 1st Prize : 15% of the money collected over the preceding 6 months
• 2nd Prize : 5% of the money collected over the preceding 6 months
• Consolation Prizes: The remaining 15% of money collected over the preceding 6 months will be split equally between 10 lucky winners
• Prize money will be credited to the winners’ bank accounts within 5 working days from the date of the draw. Winner’s names will be published in our weekly newsletter.

It is the intention over time, to grow the 100 club to 1000 members or even more.  An important facet of this innovative fund raising campaign is the very generous proportion of income that will be allocated to prizes.  As already indicated, there will be two draws a year; 35% of takings will go towards prizes and the ratio of prizes to tickets will be one to ten. For example, if there are 1000 members, 100 prizes will be awarded at both draws.  With 1000 subscribers, R420 000 will be allocated to prizes with two draws of R210 000 per year.  Importantly, none of the income will go to cover expenses or administration costs. All income will be allocated to prizes or the Trust Fund.

In conclusion, with a clear vision for the future, this very special school of ours will be able to soar to new heights.  I appeal to those whose children have just started in Grades 00 and One and equally those in Grade 8 & 12 to support this bold initiative.  Join us in shaping the future of Assumption Convent School.  This is your opportunity to leave a lasting legacy!

To find out more, or if you are already considering supporting our Trust Fund, kindly contact our Marketing Manager, Marinella Sousa on (011) 616 5053 or visit our website www.assumptionconvent.co.za 

Announcements

• Primary Leaders – these were announced this morning after Mass.  A full list will be in next week’s newsletter and on the website.
• Primary School Parent’s Introduction Evening - this will take place on the evening of Tuesday 24 January.
• Grade 8 Parent’s Introduction Evening - this will take place on the evening of Monday 16 January from 17h30 to 19h00 in the Mini Hall.
• PTA Executive Meeting - Wednesday 18 January at 17h30.
• Extra mural timetable: This will be handed out to the children today, and will be available on the website soon.
• Primary Gala.  This will be taking place next Friday afternoon 20 January, from 13.00 and we hope to be finished by 15.30.
• Late comers.  Please assist us by getting your child to school before 07.40 in the morning.
• Ballet will start on Monday 30 January. For enquiries call Lee-Anne Rebelo on 082 346 0688.

Sports Department

Congratulations

• To our girls who row for St George’s rowing academy, they were placed 3rd in the prestigious Port Alfred regatta that took place in December.
• Kayla van der Walt who attended a National PSI indoor hockey tournament in Cape Town in December, her team from Eastern Gauteng, The Quaggas were placed second.
   

Swimming Fixtures

• HIGH SCHOOL Gala at Brescia on Thursday, 19 January – Swimming Squad.
• PRIMARY SCHOOL Interhouse Gala on Friday, 20 January, 13:00 – 15:30.
• HIGH SCHOOL Interhouse Gala, Saturday, 21 January, 8:30 – 12:30.
  All children to be here at 7:45.

Advertisements (placed privately)

Join us for creativity classes in Kensington.Painting &drawing , Mixed mediums  ,Loads of fun for children ! Call  Fiona  084 734 9050. 

Yours Sincerely

Neville Workman
Principal