MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Guardians

We will communicate with you as soon as we receive information from the Department of Education, as regards their plans and strategies for reopening of our schools. At this time, nothing has been finalised. 

In the interim:

• We will continue to offer our daily programme of remote teaching and learning for our whole school. We will endeavour to ensure that we deliver lessons of the highest standard, and that that our teachers are available to assist each pupil with their questions, problems and concerns.
• We are preparing our school and staff for when school reopens.  Much needs to be done so as to ensure that our school meets the rigorous requirements and regulations set down by government because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Management, administrative personnel, teachers and support staff need to be trained, protocols developed and put in place and procedures implemented, so as ensure that our school complies with all hygiene and safety standards.

At this difficult time, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to you for your understanding, patience and forbearance. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. We understand and sincerely appreciate your invaluable contribution in enabling our children to continue their education from home.

Kind regards

Neville Workman
Principal

RELIGION

Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of Catholic Education. Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon that we can use to change the world. Our world has changed dramatically over the past few months, but the values and teachings of Catholic education have remained steadfast. Pope Francis reminds us to always embrace what is beautiful and ambitious. Catholic education celebrates the liberation of the hearts and minds of our young people, the inspiration coming from our Lord Jesus. Our schools are called to be signs of love, mercy and hope for an everchanging global society. Even during these difficult times, we can celebrate Catholic Schools Week and the institutions which provide not only an academic education, but platforms where our young people can grow in their faith and become caring members of our society.

During this week we can focus our thoughts and prayers on many members of our community. We can pray for our parents and say thank you for all the sacrifices they make. We can pray for our teachers and all who work in our school, that they will continue to help everyone feel safe and welcome. We need to pray for our priests, our sisters and our parish community, that together we can continue to grow in our faith. We can pray for our country, for the vulnerable, the homeless, the poor, and those experiencing hardship, job loss and insecurity. We can ask our Lord to have mercy on those who are ill and suffering, we can pray for blessings for our doctors and nurses. Last but certainly not least, we can pray for our Assumption girls, that the Lord will guard and guide them through these times of remote learning and social isolation. This is the time to carry the light of Christ in our hearts, minds and actions. This is the time our school community, even in this new world of social distancing, lockdown and masks, can continue to live the Gospel message to love one another. I once read a quote that said, “Our prayers may be awkward, our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” We may not be able to celebrate our faith in our churches and places of worship, but God is still available.

Throughout the week, we encourage our Assumption families to pray the Rosary, read prayerful daily reflections and commit to acts of kindness, charity and mercy.



We are in May, the month of our Mother Mary. This is a special time to honour Mary and to learn about her. Pope Francis has asked that we turn to Our Lady in this month of May for her intercession for help in combating this virus.
"If you ever feel distressed during your day -- call upon our Lady -- just say this simple prayer: 'Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.' I must admit -- this prayer has never failed me." – Blessed Saint Mother Teresa

What can we teach our children about our Blessed Mother? Mary looked after Jesus, she loved Him and taught Him many things about life and religion. She always looked to God for guidance in her faith. Her life wasn’t easy, yet she always walked a path of hope and confidence. We can ask the following questions of ourselves and our children:

Do we listen to the teachings of our Lord about how to behave and to love God and everyone around us? Do we know that Jesus walks by our side always and guides us through difficult times? Real devotion is about obedience, about being faithful to God and to our conscience. This is what Mary’s story teaches us.

It was during difficult times that our Lady appeared to the children of Fatima. A hundred years ago, Mother Mary appeared to three children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta in a rural area known as Fatima in Portugal. Her message was a simple one, pray and especially pray the Rosary. This happened during another frightening pandemic that had struck the world, the Spanish Flu, which killed over 50 million people. Mother Mary brought a message of hope then, and she is with us still to help calm our fears and lead us towards her Blessed son Jesus.


We find ourselves in a very unfamiliar environment, where we are faced with great uncertainty, worries and fear. We worry about hygiene, sanitizing everything, wearing masks and social distancing. What does this mean for us and our families? We cannot even gather together as people of God. But we must continue to pray and hope. Take this time to reflect upon your life, it is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to your loved ones.

I chatted to many of the Grade 5 girls during the week, and I was touched and amazed by their youthful spirit and their joyful accounts of the wonderful memories they have made during the past few weeks with their families, baking, gardening, exercising, playing with their pets. These are the important things to hold onto and to nurture. This is the time to reach out to family and friends. Let us stay positive, we do not know what the future will bring but we can trust in the guidance of our God. This too shall pass. 

Mrs S Bondonno

Prayer

When we aren't sure, God, help us be calm;
when information comes from all sides, correct and not, help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe, and anxiety seems to be the order of the day, slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts, when we can't touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected, when we have to be socially distant;
help us to love as perfectly as we can, knowing that "perfect love casts out all fear."
Amen

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

MATRICS 2020 INVITED TO EXAMINE UNIVERSITY OPTIONS

The University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand and INSCAPE, a South African design college with a campus in Dubai, have all recently contacted Assumption Convent with relevant information for our Grade 12 learners. The two Joburg universities have forwarded presentations about the tertiary courses and applications procedures. Inscape invited our learners to participate in Virtual Open Days. This information has been posted for our matric learners in their Life Orientation Teams platform. Parents of matric pupils are encouraged to discuss these options with their daughters. For more information, they may also contact Mr Kyle Lauf (ACS, Life Orientation teacher).

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DEBATING FIRST TEAM

Congratulations to our Senior Debaters; Team Cyan made it through to the Championship League, Team Phoenix just missed it. Well done, girls. Our top ACS speaker for SACEE League, rounds one to six is Marion Vetten in Grade 12.



Back row: Nadia Sousa (Cyan); Gabriella Paolini (Cyan); Nicole Da Silva (Phoenix); Zenande Xaba (Cyan); Stephané Buchner (Phoenix); Angelia Antonie (Cyan); Betsaleel Lunanga (Phoenix)
Front row: Tshiamo Seema (Phoenix); Nomfundo Mthembu (Phoenix); Marion Vetten (Cyan)

SIYAVULA LEADERSHIP BOARD TOTALS AS OF 12 MAY 2020

Physical Science:
Grade 12:

• Erin Lewis: 11 730 atoms
• Dominique Salgado: 3 010 atoms

Grade 11:

•  Alessia Allegretti: 3 520 atoms
•  Brittany Pearson: 3 090 atoms

Grade10:

• Raquel Nogueira: 3 660 atoms
• Tiara Raphael: 2 380 atoms

Mathematics:
Grade 12:

• Luyanda Simelane: 13 770 atoms
• Carey Ejike: 5 910 atoms
• Keabetsoe Matshoge: 4 550 atoms

Grade 11:

• Anotida Mudiwa: 8 810 atoms
• Nicole Vieira: 7 100 atoms 
• Gabriella Paolini: 7 060 atoms

Grade10:

• Tatenda Rusere: 14 410 atoms
• Gaia Otter: 5 580 atoms
• Nicola Lydall: 4 370 atoms

Grade 9:

• Catherine Naidoo: 23 900 atoms
• Ana Cordeiro: 18 350 atoms
• Simphiwe Mashabela: 10 610

Grade 8:

• Sayuri Govender: 36 460 atoms - Overall Leader
• Isabella Rocha: 19 440 atoms
• Mbali Ngcobo: 10 560 atoms

Well done girls, you are using your time at home to improve your skills and knowledge in Mathematics and Science. Proving once again that adversary brings opportunity. Siyavula is an excellent tool to prepare for NBT’s in Grade 12.

Heleen Rademeyer
Head of Mathematics

Please be advised that Esquires online facility is available for school uniform. Check it out on www.esquires.co.za. Esquires will be open for deliveries from 1 June 2020.  7 Days delivery time from date of order and some stock items limited due to lockdown. Parents can also order via email on email address: eyedeas@worldonline.co.za. Orders will be packed and will be ready for collection from 1 June 2020 when the shop will reopen. No returns policy unless in original packaging and items are unopened. 

HIGH SCHOOL SPORT

We congratulate the following girls who have been selected for our hockey and netball teams. We are not sure when hockey or netball will resume, but non the less, well done on your selection. 

HOCKEY TEAMS

NETBALL TEAMS

1st Team
Daniella Jesus, Abigail Mwakassa (Captaiin), Michela Barecchia, Tayla Mileder (Vice Captain), Clarese de Andrade, Reabetswe Modiga, Anotida Mudiwa, Holly Bannister(u16), Storm Sheerin(u16), Kiara Krchnavy(u15)

2nd Team
Lisa Godwin (Captain), Nicola Moll (Vice Captain), Teresa Park, Kholofelo Mashaba, Oriana Pita Olival, Keana Greeff, Nicole da Silva, Nicole O’Connor, Erin Lewis, Angelia Antonie. 

U16 A Team
Kelsey Kearns, Nolwazi Mabuza, Chioma Robinson, Ayanda Phakathi, Sarah Greenwood, Raven Reckas, Warona Makhubela

U15 A Team
Lethabo Maphumulo, Lisa Klopper, Atu Phahla, Tracey Moukouemi, Mataphelo, Kgabo Moloto, Trysta Slabbert, Zivana Kriel

U15 B Team
Phelokazi Ngobese, Cwenga Matomela , Abigail Gomes, Kayla Eibl, Jessica Ewa , Amber Smith, Micaela Tavares, Amy Jackson

U14 Squad
Oluchi Jones, Haleigh Knipe, Mbali Ngcobo, Bryanna Abaidoo, Sayuri Govender, Gabriella Whitfield, Rutendo Amoda, Raquel De Freitas, Madison Meyer, Caitlyn Fish, Tayla Swift, Taylor Nance-Kivell, Cristin Quainoo, Bathabile Mashiane, Emma Isherwood, Emma Lauf

RIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

Our Grade 1s hard at work and learning new skills.


 

Sit 'n Knit

Wondering how you can keep busy at home during the lockdown? Mulalo and Mariza have just what you need!
The Johannesburg Mini Councillors are asking you to help us keep The Vuvuzela Squad warm as they help Soweto women walk from their homes to nearby transportation hubs. This takes place as early as 2am. We will need your help to knit blanket squares that are crocheted together to make blankets. These blankets are then distributed amongst the disadvantaged and people in need.

BABY STEPS 2 ASSUMPTION

Dear Parents                                                                                                               

During the last two weeks the children have learnt about the Weather and Autumn. In the next two weeks they will be learning about farming and farm animals. The online lessons are going well. Children are getting used to this new way of teaching and learning. Thank you parents for helping us, the support the teachers have had is really overwhelming, thank you.

Please note the following for future zoom classes: 

• Please try to implement a strict working environment, where your child is seated at a table and not running around as much as possible during our zoom lessons. A calm and structured environment is preferred. 
• Children need to answer questions on their own without the parents help. 
• Please try not be present if possible and eliminate any background noise such as TV, cell phones, etc 

Thank you for your constant support and participation during our zoom classes so far. The teachers and the learners are settling in well and we look forward to improving and growing together.

  

Work Packs

Two weeks of prep will be delivered before Monday if you do not have a printer. The first week of prep will be sent out on Friday as usual via WhatsApp for parents to plan their week ahead. Teachers will e-mail this same work pack through on Monday morning. Teachers will communicate their class zoom schedules directly with you. 

School Opening

We are doing all we can to make sure our school is safe and Covid-19 compliant. The school is being sanitized from top to bottom, safety equipment is being bought and staff are undergoing a lot of training. All procedures are being put into place so that we can open as soon as we get the 
‘go ahead’

 

Keeping all our families in prayer at this time.
Look forward to seeing you all soon. 

Kind Regards

Tracey Urquhart
Baby Steps 2 Assumption Principal

OUR COMMUNITY PAGE

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIRTH OF YOUR BABIES

We welcome two new baby girls to our ACS family
                                                                                                                                                       

Congratulations to Vanessa  Larcher Goncalves (below) who matriculated in 2008, on the birth of her baby girl, Ariana Sofia Goncalves Lume.


Congratulations to Alessia Pompa in Grade 8 on the birth of her baby sister. 

ALUMNI NEWS

Shené de Rijk matriculated from Assumption Convent in 2009. She obtained a degree in education and taught for a few years before deciding to return to full time study. She completed a BA(Psychology) at the University of Johannesburg in 2019. During lockdown she was notified that she had been awarded the Faculty Prize for being the top undergraduate student in the Faculty of Humanities at her graduation. Shené is currently completing her BA(Honours) in Philosophy at UJ.
Shené attended Assumption Convent from Grade 0 to Matric and attributes her love for learning to the caring and dedicated staff, and the nurturing environment during her formative years at Assumption Convent School.

After five weeks of closure, we are appealing to all our friends and supporters to help us replenish our shops with good quality winter stock items like warm clothing, blankets, heaters, etc. 

Despite all our belt-tightening, there is still a mountain of warm clothing sitting unused in the cupboards of so many Jozi families. We all tend to hoard when times are tough, keeping clothes in our cupboards that we will never wear.

Please, please bag those unused woollies and we will collect them from you, starting from Tuesday, 5th May. All you need to do is call us on 011-728-1052 or 011-728-0737, and adhering to lockdown rules, our drivers will collect bags or boxes left outside your house or office, or left with Security Guards - whatever is most convenient for you. 

Jacqui Kaye                                                              Lyn Wells
CEO ( jacquikaye@hospicewits.co.za)                   Fundraising Manager (lynwells@hospicewits.co.za)