In assemblies we have celebrated three past pupils and a parent whose determination and sacrifice has resulted in being selected for the Beijing Olympics. We were privileged to have Mr Moss Mashishi address the group with words of praise and encouragement. The netball team who went to Australia to experience an international sports festival in Brisbane arrived home with the trophy! The reason: sheer determination and the ability to work as a team. First Aiders won the National St John’s Ambulance competition and the Orchestra’s performances have been a delight to the School. A number of individual successes have occurred and interhouse events have been run efficiently with wonderful ‘girl spirit’. Megan Scott established 8 new swimming records (read about it further down) Tutors and girls have spent time looking at lessons to be learnt from the June examinations; these have been largely about technique. St Andrew’s was represented at the regional Science Expo. Girls have been busy with ICDL exams and matrics have delivered their final English orals.

There is so much! The highlight of all remains the manner in which the girls celebrate and support one another, acknowledging themselves as individuals and the interdependence of a team.

It is time for a break! Have an enjoyable August holiday.

As the axis shifts towards intellectual labour and services, companies and businesses need people who are creative, innovative and flexible.Too often they cannot find them. He pointed out how countries, businesses and organizations all over the world are pouring resources into the development of creativity and yet there still seems to be a gap between the supply and the demand for creative and innovative people.

He mentioned that in his opinion, children seem to ‘grow out’ of creativity, rather than become more creative as they go through the system. In a lighter moment, and illustrating his concern about this, he spoke about a child drawing in a classroom and a teacher asking the child what she was drawing. The child replied, “I am drawing God.” The teacher responded by asking the child how she could draw God when no one knew what God looked like. The child answered,
“ They will, when I am finished.”

If you would like to view this video yourself, you can see it on www.ted.com. This site is worth a visit and is the video is definitely food for thought in our planning for the years ahead.

Our senior school equestrian team are currently lying in second place in the 10 -12 rider category. All team members have qualified to compete in the SANEF Schools Gauteng Finals at the end of this term. They will represent St Andrew’s in the Gauteng East (Ekurhuleni) team.

Senior: 1st Farrar, 2nd Milner, 3rd Athlone and 4th Selborne.
Adjudicated by Steve Stevenson who has just completed his term of office as President of Rivonia Toastmasters.
Junior 1st Farrar. 2nd Athlone 3rd Selborne and 4th Milner.
Adjudicated by Tracy Frankel from Ubambiswano who is a toastmaster.

Special mentions for excellence were made: Farirai Sanyika, Sian Rees, Mokgadi Kgosana, Katya De Oliviera, Chelsea Tucker and Sibongile Majija.
Thanks to our Masters of Ceremonies Alex Patterson and Nala Xaba.

Trophy winners

The latest edition of Destiny magazine features an article on our Old Girls' Business Lunches. The business editor, is Cara Bouwer, an old girl.
London Reunion 3 October 2008
If you are in contact with any past pupils living in the UK, please ask them to visit the Old Girls website for further details about this exciting event.

All parents of boarders should have received an invitation to a special tea at the new facility on Tuesday 2 September. Please contact Mrs Ann Wright if you have not received your invite to this special occasion.

Matric Dance brunch and fashion make-over

In June the Saturday School runs a different programme because the senior school girls are studying for their exams and are not able to help. On one of the days, the Saturday School has a life skills day and this year we focused on HEALTH. The day started with some games where the pupils learnt about AIDs and HIV. Later in the morning Mrs Dodge taught about the value of exercise; Confident Kids drama taught about the importance of cleanliness and Joline Geldenhuys and Heather Cook ran an art workshop looking at healthy eating and doing things for others. All in all, a fun and informative day.

Well done to Candice Pollack who has reached the semi-finals of the SABC show, “Whip the Chef.” The series is currently being aired on SABC 2 on Thursdays at 14:30.

Please email all your friends and family in the UK that St Andrew’s will be at the SA Homecomingrevolution Expo which is being held at Kensington Olympia. South African corporates will be there to offer jobs. Schools will also be exhibiting. ISASA will be there to provide information for teachers wishing to return to South Africa.