Providing for the future takes vision, perseverance, planning and resources.
The St Andrew’s Heritage Foundation was established in 2007 to promote the ongoing legacy of the school and to safeguard its history, heritage, traditions, and ethos of Excellence in Education. This is achieved through a series of strategic fund-raising initiatives that serve not only to reinforce our position as a top-class institution, but to facilitate improvements to existing facilities, and further expansion.
The Foundation receives and accepts donations, bequests, sponsorships and bursaries on behalf of St Andrew’s School for Girls.
The Endowment Fund and the daily operation of the Heritage Foundation are carefully managed by an independent board of governors, who oversee all activities and ensure financial accountability.
How you can contribute:
- A single donation through cash, credit card or internet transfer
- Pledging regular payments (monthly, quarterly or annually) to the Legacy Campaign
- Leaving a bequest to the school; ceding a life policy, shares or property
- Gifts in kind e.g. sporting equipment, sculptures, electronics
Signing up for the Woolworths MySchool Card initiative and listing the St Andrew’s Heritage Foundation Trust as a beneficiary: https://www.myschool.co.za/supporter/apply. All monies raised through the MySchool Card initiative benefit the Old Girls’ Association Bursary Fund and the work of the Heritage Foundation within the school.
St Andrew’s Old Girls’ Association chair Alessia Ryan-Pinto.
The St Andrew’s Old Girls’ Association helps past students keep in touch with their alma mater, its staff members, and their peers from school. It also raises funds that go towards providing financial support in the form of bursaries.
Apart from keeping alumnae abreast of an exciting line-up of events that enable friends to reconnect, this portal shares news on the successes, adventures, and achievements of past students who are doing great things.
Contact Information
● Download our profile
● Current committee
● Database portal link: https://saog.alumnet.co.za/
Links to our social media pages:
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16645998998/
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standrewsoldgirls/
● Email address: standrewsoldgirls@gmail.com
Updates
● Click here to update your details.
Shop and Donate
● Click here to purchase something from our online shop (you will need to register or log into our portal).
● Click here if you would like to be contacted about making a donation.
Annual Reunion (held at the school)
In Autumn every year we host a reunion for past students celebrating their 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th etc year out of school. The day starts with a short chapel service, followed by tea on the matric lawns and Heritage Walks around the school. We then invite the ladies to join us for a three-course lunch in the senior school hall. These events are festive and lively and the ladies enjoy catching up and reminiscing about their days at school. It is also an opportunity for them to interact with Honorary Old Girls (teachers who have given 10+ years to the school).
Fundraising Events
One of our mandates is to raise funds for bursaries. We achieve this through the hosting of ad hoc fundraisers. We also use part of these funds to support uBambiswano. Past events include an evening with Clive Scott, a Murder Mystery dinner, Race Days at Turfontein, and Golf Days at Glendower Golf Course. In addition, we sell various items, the profits of which also benefit the Association. Recent initiatives include the Cupped Coffee wagon, branded Eco-coffee mugs and the installation of vending machines for toiletries and other such items. A new initiative that we have instituted is to rent the school as a wedding venue to alumni.
Reunions outside of Johannesburg
We try to host at least one out-of-town reunion per year to include alumni living outside of Johannesburg. We usually alternate between Durban and Cape Town. We have occasionally held reunions in the UK, US and Australia – specifically to celebrate milestone birthdays of the school.
Old Girls making us proud
Old Girls in the news
- We are proud of all our alumni and would love to hear more stories about their successes. Scan the QR codes for more info on each of them.
- Congratulations to Karen van den Oever (2000), who set a new Women’s Deep Cave Diving Record.
- Watch an interview with Dr Sihle Asiedu-Darkwah (née Thango, 2009), discussing pre- and post-natal pregnancy Health with Palesa Tembe on Afternoon Express.
- Pippa Ehrlich (2004) and James Reed won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for ‘My Octopus Garden’.
- Roxanne Atkinson (née Kemp, 2002) published ’The Unicorn Baby’, where the myths of modern parenting are debunked.
- Katia Scherf (2012) opened her second restaurant, Mixy’s, in Cape Town.
- Philippa Johnson-Dwyer (née Johnson, 1992) and her horse Elfie represented South Africa in dressage at the Paralympics.
- Dr Leigh Gordon (née Donald, 1991) participated in the Tokyo Olympics, where she was one of three international medical officers for the International Hockey Federation.
- Basani Maluleke (1995) former group CEO of African Bank, announced her move to Capitec Bank in August 2021.
Supporting our members
Over the years we have commissioned items and supported alumni-run businesses and initiatives in an effort to both support individuals in our network and beautify the school. Most recent initiatives include:
● Ceramic and metal water features donated and installed in the ARA quad. Designed and produced by Sarah Cronin (née Bohler, Class of 1995)
● Metal wall sculpture in memory of Honorary Old Girls who have retired or left the school. Mounted in the rose garden under the jacarandas. Designed and produced by Old Girl Sarah Cronin (née Bohler, Class of 1995)
● Silver pendants with a rose design, given to matric girls at valedictory as a symbol of their transition to being alumni. Designed and produced by Alex Hyslop (Class of 1995)
● Ratang Bana/Khulani Creatives reusable shopping bags, given as gifts to reunion attendees. In support of an initiative started and run by Jane Simmonds (Class of 1986), which supports a community of women in Alexandra.
Staying involved with the school
Our mandate includes being present at all levels within the school, and while the bulk of our focus lies with the senior school students, we like to make an effort to support all parts of the school, including uBambiswano. Some of the ways we get involved include:
● Hosting a tea to introduce the matrics to the alumni network and tell them about the Association and its benefits
● Handing out Easter Eggs to all students in anticipation of the April holidays
● Spoiling the matrics with ’good luck’ packs prior to exams, reminding them that we are there to support them
● Organising business network events for the benefit of alumni, students and parents, inviting past students to speak about their careers
● Attending prize-givings, plays, sports events and more.
Ways to support us:
Visit our online shop: click here (you will need to register on our online portal to access the shop).
● Purchase an Eco-coffee mug from the uniform shop at the school.
● Click here if you would like to be contacted about making a donation (in cash or kind).
● Purchase a hot or cold beverage from the Cupped Coffee wagon in the front drive.
● Join the committee (contact us for more information).
● For instant donations, scan the QR code:
