Dear Family and Friends of St Anne’s
During the recent Grade 9 Parents’ After Dinner Chat, I referenced a book written about fifteen years ago by Rachel Simmons, and which is still as relevant as ever, in providing insight, wisdom and guidance about supporting and raising adolescent girls. There has since been a lot of interest expressed from parents, via email and discussion alongside the sports’ fields, and so I thought I would focus, in this Blue Note, on some of Simmons’ insights from her title, “The Curse of the Good Girl”.
The book’s blurb states: “Rachel Simmons argues that in idealizing the ‘Good Girl’ – unerringly nice, polite, modest, and selfless – we teach girls to embrace a version of themselves that curtails their power and potential.” The identity of the ‘good girl’ is so narrowly defined that it is honestly unachievable as the expectations are crazily unrealistic, and rob girls of their strong sense of self and ultimately, of their joy.
Schools traditionally reward what Simmons refers to as the myth of the ‘good girl’. Simmons’s image of this concept is of a girl who is unfailingly compliant and a ‘people pleaser’. One who works blisteringly hard at all she does as she strives for perfection, masks her feelings, hides her faults, and is crushed when she makes a mistake. The ‘good girl’ is quiet about her views and plays it safe, stands back for others routinely, and is self-critical. These qualities do not equip young women well for life beyond school, as the qualities they need are those celebrated in the ‘real girl’ as opposed to the ‘good girl’.
As a school, and as parents, we need to bolster the concept of the ’real girl’ by intentionally seeking ways to bolster our girls’ positive self-esteem, assertiveness, bravery and a clear inner voice which they are free to act on. These are the qualities which will equip them for life beyond our school gates: for their tertiary studies, for healthy relationships, and for the workplace. In advocating for the ‘real girl’ as opposed to the ‘good girl’, we need to intentionally free girls from impossible standards and to rather promote the importance of courage, of safe risk taking, of the freedom and power contained in authenticity, and the impact of being more open and of using one’s voice effectively.
It is an exciting challenge for us to find more ways of putting the concept of the ‘real girl’ into practice, and I will share more thoughts about this going forward, and would enjoy hearing about yours too, from a parent’s perspective.
Kind regards and in celebration of ‘real girls’.
Debbie Martin | COLLEGE HEAD
CONFIRMATION
By rev dr susan van niekerk (chaplain)
We had a very blessed time at our annual Confirmation Camp and our Confirmation Service which was conducted by our retiring bishop, Bishop Nkosinathi Ndwandwe.
Here are some comments by those who were confirmed:
Confirmation camp has made me realize how special the power of God and the Holy Spirit can bring people together. At the beginning of camp, I felt nervous and unsettled, not too sure if I would be able to find a true connection with God and on the last day of camp I felt as if I was a completely different person, I felt grounded and excited to start this new beginning in my life. – Rylee Robson
Confirmation camp was truly a wonderful experience. Although coming into camp nerves were high, by the end we were all feeling very grounded and confident in our faith. Camp was filled with art, nature, stories and many, many laughs! I am so grateful to have gone on such an amazing experience and now I can confidently spread the word of God! – Antoinette Olivier
I really enjoyed confirmation camp. I found it grounding and at the end of the camp, I felt restored and peaceful. I will continue to praise the Lord’s name and I feel I have become so much closer to God in only 4 days. It is definitely an experience I would recommend to all wanting to enhance their faith. – Beatrice Whitthall
My time at confirmation camp in two words would be “remarkably special”. The love of God and those around me, radiated through every single activity. This is a time I will never forget as I grounded my relationship with God and grew new friendships with others. – Isabella Rost
I really enjoyed confirmation camp. It was eye opening and I learnt a lot about my relationship with God and grew in my faith. Thank you. – Rylee McGhee
I feel extremely grateful and fulfilled that I had the opportunity to experience Confirmation camp, I thoroughly enjoyed my time! A highlight was definitely charades, making memories and making new friendships that will last a lifetime. It was special getting to know myself, God and the Christian religion better. I look forward to the Confirmation service on Friday and seeing us all grow in this new chapter of our lives! – Jess Buxton-Forman
Confirmation camp was an amazing experience for me. I learned so much, not just about God, but about why we do all these things. I created relationships with people I would have never known and I learnt about myself and grew. – Zara Johnson
Camp was really special for me as I had the opportunity to get closer to God in a way that I had not been able to do before. It was really nice to have time dedicated to spending time with God, especially with how busy our lives are these days and I felt it made me so much closer to Him. I was able to just pause and focus and reflect on my spiritual journey and helped me grow in myself. – Gia Kritzinger
Confirmation camp was the best decision I made for myself and my relationship with God. Through it, I grounded my faith, connected with girls who are also growing in God and found the Holy Spirit within me. This camp opened my eyes to see God in myself and how He works in others. I found a piece of myself that God placed in my heart and I will forever be grateful for Him. Camp changed my life and he continues to bless it every day. – Kiara Govindasamy
My time a confirmation has taught me that every little thing that we have is a privilege and we should show gratitude towards together with that we should practice self forgiveness more because sin is mistake not an immoral disaster. Although the time I had was filled with lots of love, laughter and connections I did not even know that I could build. So to sum it confirmation is not an ultimate sacrifice to God but a rather a dedication and growing experience that is filled with lots of love. – Aphila Zondo
Confirmation camp allowed me to open myself up and build my relationship with God. It fostered connections between us centred around the Holy Spirit, and our personal journey with the Holy Spirt. Coming back from camp, I felt a sense of hope and resilience. I feel so much gratitude to have been around such strong women of Christ that shared their wisdom throughout. Confirmation camp felt like a new beginning. A place for us to start over and grow. I will forever cherish and be grateful for my experiences. – Lehakoe Nhlapo
My confirmation camp was one of the most meaningful and enriching experiences of my life. Throughout this journey, I feel that I have grown significantly in my faith and developed a deeper understanding of my relationship with God. It was truly a grounding experience, one that allowed me to pause, reflect, and reconnect not only with my faith but also with myself and those around me. The camp created a space where I could build genuine connections, and I am especially grateful to have shared this journey with such caring, loving, and joyful individuals. Their support and presence made the experience even more memorable and impactful. My baptism was a particularly powerful moment for me. It felt like a true cleansing and a new beginning, marking an important step in my spiritual journey. Being surrounded by people who supported and encouraged me made this moment even more meaningful. It was a beautiful and rewarding experience that I will carry with me moving forward. – Amy Baguley
During my time on confirmation camp, I was able to give my full attention to God while forming meaningful new friendships. Everyone shared a genuine passion for learning about the Christian faith, which is what brought us so close. I worked through many obstacles that had been getting in the way of my faith, allowing me to grow both personally and spiritually. The day of my baptism was an unforgettable experience, and I’m truly grateful I got to share it with such caring and genuine people. – Zoe Rice
I really enjoyed confirmation camp and feel like I have definitely strengthened my relationship with God. I learnt so much about the Christian faith through fun games and meaningful discussions. I am excited to get confirmed and so grateful for this special opportunity. – Annabelle Rattray
GRADE 8 STILL LIFE DRAWINGS
By MR matthew ovendale (art teacher)
Our Grade 8 artists have been exploring the fundamentals of visual art through an in-depth still life project. Students investigated the basic elements of art, principles of design, and compositional structure by arranging a variety of inanimate objects into their own still life compositions. They then photographed their arrangements and used these images as reference for a series of preparatory drawings, culminating in a final coloured pencil rendering.
The results have been outstanding — the students have produced a remarkable variety of thoughtfully composed and beautifully rendered drawings that showcase both their technical skill and creative vision. Well done, Grade 8!
BRINGING LIFE SCIENCES TO LIFE
By MRs jENNY RAGHOO (Head of LIFE SCIENCES)
The Life Sciences department continues to foster a love for learning by creating exciting, hands-on experiences that bring scientific concepts to life. Through practical investigations, creative projects, and memorable classroom activities, learners are encouraged to engage deeply with the subject matter while developing curiosity, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for the world of science.
Our Grade 10 learners recently completed a practical investigation to test for the presence of starch in a leaf as part of their study of photosynthesis. During the practical, learners used boiling water, ethanol, and iodine solution to determine whether photosynthesis had taken place in the leaf. This experiment allowed learners to apply scientific theory in a practical setting while developing important laboratory skills and investigative techniques.
At the end of Term 1, the Grade 10s also showcased their creativity by designing and baking cakes that represented the various organelles of a plant cell. From chloroplasts and vacuoles to nuclei and mitochondria, learners produced impressive and detailed edible models that demonstrated both scientific understanding and artistic flair. The activity was thoroughly enjoyed by all and provided a memorable way to reinforce key concepts learnt in class.
Meanwhile, our Grade 11 learners explored the fascinating world of microbial biotechnology through a fun and interactive cottage cheese-making activity. As part of their study of microorganisms and biotechnology, learners investigated how microbes are used in food production. The practical experience gave learners valuable insight into the role of bacteria in fermentation processes and highlighted the important applications of biotechnology in everyday life.
It has been wonderful to see our learners engaging enthusiastically with Life Sciences through practical, creative, and real-world learning opportunities.
GRADE 12 AFRIKAANS: PROCESS ESSAY
By MrS SANDRA STEYN (AFRIKAANS Teacher)
One of the formal assessment tasks completed by the Grade 12 Afrikaans learners was the process essay. This assignment provided the opportunity to refine their initial drafts and make considered, meaningful improvements. They were encouraged to adopt either a descriptive or narrative approach, with a strong focus on varied and expressive language.
Two of our girls produced truly exceptional essays. Emma van Rensburg responded to a cell phone image prompt by creating her own title and crafting a vivid piece enriched with striking metaphorical language. Laura Ellis also drew inspiration from an image—this time of a person looking into a mirror—and her essay captures genuine emotion and deeply relatable ideas that resonate with both her peers and adults alike. We are proud to showcase her outstanding work to the school community.
My Selfoon – Emma van Rensburg
My selfoon. My hele lewe, ’n koue blokkie metaal in my hande. Soms sit ek en bewonder die gladde kurwes van die skurk in my lewe. Elke klik voel soos ’n stap nader aan wat soos die einde van die wêreld voel. My jong gesig kyk terug na my op die blink, swart skerm. Elke pos trek my verder en verder weg van die werklikheid. Dit is my ontsnapping na ’n tronksel. Net hierdie tronk kan ek verlaat wanneer ek wil, maar ek kies om te bly—elke keer.
En ek is nie alleen nie. Miljoene swart oë, ontbloot van emosie, staar terug na my vanuit die ander selle. Hulle oordeel my liggaam met wrede gesigte. Elke duim van my lyf word ontleed terwyl menings na my geskree word van links en regs. Mense wat ek nog nooit ontmoet het nie, praat oor my liggaam asof dit hulle plig is om dit te kritiseer, en hulle wys my foute deur die metaalstawe. Menings waarvoor ek nooit gevra het nie, maar wat my tog diep beïnvloed. Vingers wys na my soos swaarde.
Die geskree voel soos ’n tromklop in my kop- so hard dat my ore begin lui. Met bewerige vingers skakel ek my marteltoestel af. Dit is nou stil, en ek sit en kyk na dieselfde swart skerm wat ek toegelaat het om my lewe te beheer. Die klein toestelletjie wat ek toegelaat het om al my gedagtes, my keuses en my aksies te beheer. Alles wat ek is, hang af van wat vreemdelinge op die internet wil hê ek moet wees.
Maar ek kies die pyn – elke dag.
Wie is ek? – Laura Ellis
Ek staan dikwels voor die spieël en soek in my beeld na antwoorde wat ek nooit vind nie. Ek bestudeer elke kenmerk asof ek myself vir die eerste keer sien. Ek sien my bruin oë, my lang hare en my lang gestalte en wonder wanneer ek in hierdie persoon ontwikkel het.
Ek kan nog die klein Laura onthou wat in graad agt ingestap het asof dit gister was. Haar kort beentjies, mond vol draadjies en skooluniform wat te groot vir haar was. Sedertdien het ek soveel gegroei, nie net fisies nie, maar ook persoonlik.
Ek het baie nuwe dinge probeer, baie nuwe mense ontmoet en meer geleer as wat ek gedink het moontlik is. Ek het gestruikel en misluk, gelag en gehuil, maar bo alles het ek verander.
My skaamheid het selfvertroue geword en my onsekerheid het wysheid geword. Ek is nou seker van my waardes en belangstellings. Skool voel steeds soos my tuiste en my vriende soos my familie. Tog is daar steeds dae wanneer ek soos ’n legkaart met ’n stuk wat weg is, voel. Ek sukkel nog met heimwee en twyfel soms aan myself. Waarom herken ek steeds nie hierdie vreemdeling in die spieël nie?
Ek het tot die besef gekom dat om jouself te vind dalk nie ’n bestemming is nie, maar ’n reis. Ek het dalk nie al die antwoorde nie maar dit is reg so. Ek is nog jonk, ek leer nog, ek groei nog. In plaas daarvan om te vra wie ek is, begin ek nou versigtig bou aan wie ek wil wees. Ek leer om die meisie in die spieël lief te hê.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DINNER AT MICHAELHOUSE
By Mr Andrew Woodgate (Maths and Economics Teacher)
Close to the end of last term, thirty St Anne’s commerce girls attended a dinner and inspiring talk hosted by the Michaelhouse Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Networking Society. The evening provided a valuable opportunity for meaningful conversation, networking and the sharing of ideas in a warm and welcoming setting. The girls thoroughly enjoyed both the delicious dinner and the company of their Michaelhouse hosts.
The guest speaker for the evening was Allan Knott‑Craig, a well‑known South African entrepreneur. He is best recognised for his role in founding and leading several major technology and telecommunications ventures, most notably Mxit. His latest venture, Fibertime, is a particularly interesting business which focuses on providing Fiber internet connection to South African townships.
Allan Knott‑Craig spoke candidly about his entrepreneurial journey, sharing not only his successes but also the many failures he has encountered along the way. He emphasised the importance of resilience, learning from mistakes, and remaining purpose‑driven in the face of challenges. His honest reflections and practical insights resonated strongly with the learners.
A huge thank you to Mike Sevenoaks from Michaelhouse for setting this up and extending an invitation to St Annes, to attend the evening. The St Anne’s girls were highly engaged throughout the evening and left feeling inspired by both the content of the talk and the connections made during this memorable event.
GRADE 8 CREATIVE WRITING & POETRY
In English, the Grade 8s have been experimenting with descriptive writing: short poems to capture an emotion or paragraphs to describe a person who they know well.
“Anxiety” by Mila Mattison Anxiety is purple. It tastes like raw onions. It smells like expired milk. It looks like an endless room. It sounds like a buzzing alarm. And it feels sharp and spikey.
“My mother” by Rachel Shen-Yu
She stands behind the easel as golden, gleaming rays of sunlight pour through the glass doors, shining on the silver, square frames resting on her nose. Behind the glasses, her warm eyes, the colour of roasted chestnuts, study the blank canvas carefully with confidence.
Her outgrown fringe falls onto her face, covering them like a curtain. She gently brushes them aside without losing sight of the potential artwork. Strands of black, silky hair frame her face as her fingers, marked with streaks of blue and yellow paint, guide the brush smoothly across the canvas.
The soft scrape of the bristles fills the quiet, calm room. She steps back, tilts her head, and smiles proudly at the vivid colours blooming before her.
Her eyes glistening with pride as she leans forward once more, lost in the world of painting.
Descriptive paragraph by Azaria Naidoo
Katriya sat in front of her canvas, holding her paintbrush carefully in her hand. She studied each colour closely, finding beauty in every shade. Even when the colours did not seem to go together, she blended them perfectly. When a dark colour tried to take over, she made it soft with lighter shades. She painted over mistakes instead of erasing them. Her brush moved boldly across the canvas, each stoke filled with courage. She carefully added colour to every empty space, leaving nothing forgotten. When she finally stepped back, her painting was full of life.
In our English lessons over the past few weeks, the Grade 8s have been experimenting with writing creatively, descriptively, and authentically. They were tasked with capturing the essence of something in a unique way, using their five senses, incorporating original figures of speech, and paying close attention to their word choices. These are some of their responses…
“Scuba Diving” by Charlotte Allan
Diving is a bright blue
It is summertime
Under the sea
It is sunny
Diving is a wet suit
It’s a swinging hammock
It’s The Little Mermaid
A roll of sushi
"Excitement" by Mackensey Fourie
Excitement is papaya pink.
It is popping candy exploding on your tongue and it smells like freshly baked pancakes in the early morning.
Excitement looks like a fluffy puppy wrapped in a grinning girl’s arms.
It sounds like children screaming in delight, as they tear wrapping paper off presents under the Christmas tree.
Excitement is joy simmering under your skin, unable to be contained.
“A Doctor” by Reese Hastings
A doctor is blue.
He is a dull winter’s day
in a hospital.
He is rainy.
A doctor is scrubs,
A flickering lamp.
He is a five-hour movie,
A cold, raw fish.
“Grief” by Mira Kwarteng
Grief is a dark grey
The taste of bitter chocolate
A strong copper smell
It looks like a losing battle
Sobbing fills your ears
Grief hurts like an open wound.
“Love” by Nokukhanya Ngcobo
Love is as red as the flesh of a strawberry.
Love tastes like a sugary brownie
and smells of freshly baked cookies.
Love looks like bright red rose petals.
It is the sound of friends laughing.
Love soothes my heart.
“St Anne’s” by Amy Wilson
St Anne’s is navy,
A winter storm
On the sport fields,
Yet a sunny day
In our number ones.
We’re a chapel bench
On the set of An Interview with God
Accompanied by a fresh cookie.
“Jealousy” by Sasalethu Maphumulo Jealousy is a mirror with shattered glass, portraying skew reflections Jealousy is a bitter taste lingering on my tongue yearning for that fruity flavour that never seems to come Jealousy is that ring in your ears that never lets you rest Jealousy is in the depths of your thoughts, telling you that you need to be the best Jealousy is the spasm on your neck that keeps you up all night, the bandage wrapped around your scarred ego that feels just a little too tight Jealousy is that candle-lit diffuser emitting smells to impress those who come over Jealousy is that final breath that makes you feel cold all over. “Dragon Fruit” by Jennifer Skead Bright pink and flawless Smooth, squishy, and flawless A heavenly taste dancing on my tongue A tropical dream.
“Love” by Arabella Carlisle Love is peaceful pink. It tastes like Lindt chocolate oozing out the corners of my mouth. Love smells like bright blooming roses. It sounds like a hummingbird in the distance. I feel love wherever I go.
GRADE 10 BRIDGE BUILDING
By MrS JENNIFER FORREST (HEAD OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES)
Innovation, teamwork, and a touch of friendly competition were on full display as Grade 10 students recently took part in an exciting bridge-building challenge. Tasked with designing and constructing model bridges using only sticks and glue, learners pushed the boundaries of creativity and engineering skill – with impressive results.
Once construction was complete, the real test began: each bridge was carefully loaded with weight until it reached its breaking point. The aim was simple yet demanding — build a structure capable of supporting the greatest load while adhering to a strict set of design parameters.
Emerging as the winning team were Amanda Mchunu and Atlehang Phalatse, whose bridge withstood an incredible 39 kilograms before giving way. Their design demonstrated not only strength but also a clear understanding of structural efficiency, earning them well-deserved first place.
In second place were Abigail Crawford, Rylee McGhee, and Beatrice Whittall, whose bridge held an impressive 30 kilograms. Their effort showcased excellent teamwork and thoughtful engineering.
What made these achievements particularly noteworthy was the simplicity of the materials used. Constructed entirely from sticks and glue, the bridges highlighted how effective design and careful planning can transform basic materials into remarkably strong structures.
Throughout the project, students worked within a set of carefully defined parameters. These included limits on the number of sticks, bridge height, amount of glue used, width, overlap of components, and maximum road clearance. Balancing these constraints while striving for maximum strength challenged learners to think critically and apply engineering principles in a practical context.
Overall, the bridge-building challenge was a resounding success, celebrating both creativity and scientific thinking. With such impressive displays of talent and determination, the future of engineering certainly looks bright.
“Bridge building was a challenging process that required a lot of time, careful planning, patience and very close attention to detail. The construction was the most demanding part of the experience, finding ourselves in the lab most afternoons with the sounds of ongoing hammering all around. The most nerve-wracking part was the final weighing test. We all sat on the edge of our seats with our hearts rapids beating in our chest and waited for our turn to come. Despite all the stress and long hours spent, it was incredibly fulfilling witnessing the culmination of all our hard work during our bridge testing. Watching as kilogram after kilogram of weights were loaded onto our bridge brought a strong sense of accomplishment and made the entire process worthwhile.” – Ripfumelo Mukhari
More Than Just Sticks and Glue
“Starting with a small pile of uncut sticks and tubes of glue, each group aspired to build a strong and innovative bridge structure that would – hopefully – carry the most weight while using resources efficiently. With rules and restrictions, and minds full of ideas, we transformed these simple materials into bridges that may or may not meet our high expectations. To begin, each group condensed their ideas into a 1:1 scale drawing of one side of the bridge. This plan served as a guide throughout the building process, ensuring consistency even if small adjustments were made along the way. However, the sides of the bridge still had to match the final blueprint. Much of our time was spent carefully measuring and cutting sticks to fit the design. Once all the pieces were prepared, we secured them in place over the blueprint using nails. This step was essential, as it prevented movement while the glue dried and helped strengthen the overall structure. Once both sides were complete, we connected them with pieces in between, forming a three-dimensional bridge capable of supporting weight while meeting the required guidelines. While this project was time-consuming and often tested our patience, it proved to be highly beneficial. Not only did we develop skills such as teamwork, communication, and the ability to combine ideas, but we also gained a deeper understanding of real-life physics. Concepts like tension and compression, weight distribution, and structural stability became much clearer as we applied them throughout the building process. We also had to be resourceful and constantly adapt, teaching us to think on our feet and test our theories. Overall, this hands-on experience gave us a new perspective on physics, showing us that what seems simple in theory can be far more challenging in practice.” – Emma-Kay Holley
ST ANNE’S GOLF & PADEL DAY
THE SPORTS ROUND UP
Catch up on the latest Sports Round-up, 13 May 2026, on our socials or below.
