College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College

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College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College
College Chatter                                                           Issue
                                                                           #99

From the Helm
“The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as step-     We have all faced difficulties over the past few months,
ping-stones. Laugh at them, tread on them, and let them      but we can learn from our children by focusing on the
lead you to something better.” – Enid Blyton                 simple things that bring us joy.

During this time of rapid change, I have been impressed      During this time of uncertainty and challenge, we have
with the resilient and courageous manner in which our        all learnt to be more resilient, flexible and responsible.
girls have overcome the obstacles in their path. One of      Technology has become an integral part of everyday
the greatest things we can learn from our girls is how to    learning where understanding, knowledge and skills are
adapt to change, have fun and thrive.                        key. Our rapid advances in the use of online learning and
                                                             online communication has become the silver lining of the
The school day in the Junior Primary has been completely     pandemic and equipped all of us with new skills which
transformed. Girls are spending more time outdoors in        are appropriate for the 4th Industrial Revolution world
the sun, enjoying movement, exercise, and story lessons.     we face.
Mask-wearing and physical distancing is the new norm.
Our girls have learned to appreciate and find richness in    This time will pass. However, I believe we will emerge
the simple things of life such as enjoying the spectacular   stronger, more resilient and adaptable to change.
view of Durban from our very own school field. Never
has the Moses Mabhida Stadium looked so impressive!          Carol-Anne Conradie
                                                             Head of Junior Primary

College Moment
                                                                                                          The stepping
                                                                                                          stones in our
                                                                                                          JP Play Area
                                                                                                        remind our little
                                                                                                         girls that they
                                                                                                         can overcome
                                                                                                          any obstacle
                                                                                                            by being
                                                                                                           courageous
                                                                                                          and resilient!
College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College
Page 2
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                                                                         July
                                                                         2020

  Junior Primary                                                                            Our two special Grade R
                                                                                          teachers make such a differ-
                                                                                           ence in so many little girls’
                                                                                               lives. We love you
                                                                                              Miss Grainger and
It’s so lovely having our
                                                                                                   Mrs Dunbar.
   girls back at school.
They enjoy the sun, fresh
     air and learning
        new things.

                                                                                      Click to watch
                                                                                'A Day in the Life of Our JP'
                                                Spending time with
                                               our friends at break is
                                                     wonderful.

           We miss our girls wearing their
                 school uniforms!

                                               Our creative Mrs
                                                Zwane takes the
                                             Grade 1 isiZulu classes
                                                to another level.
College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College
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                             July
                             2020

Senior Primary
                           The SP celebrated an 'open air' online assembly.

Colourful Art lessons in
full swing in the SP and
      enjoyed by all.

                                                      SP girls enjoying the
                                                       fresh air, beautiful
                                                        Durban weather
                                                      during their NS and
                                                         isiZulu lessons.
College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College
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                                                            July
                                                            2020

MySchool
                                                 We are living in uncertain times which presents
                                                 challenges to all of us – schools and parents alike.
                                                 One of these challenges is funding for schools.

                                                 Durban Girls’ College is already on the MySchool
                                                 programme. We, at MySchool, would like you to raise
                                                 more funds via our programme, and to do it in the safest
                                                 possible way (contactless).

                                                 How parents can apply for their MySchool card:
                                                 • Download the MySchool App and receive your
                                                 virtual card immediately.
                                                 • Visit https://www.myschool.co.za/portal/register and
                                                 apply online for a free MySchool card.
                                                 • Use MySchool’s electronic application form, accessi-
                                                 ble through the link below, when parents apply to admit
                                                 their child to your school.

                                                 You can print the electronic forms and you may email it
                                                 to cs@myschool.co.za

                                                      Click to download forms

Foundation - School-Days
DGC FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP

“When girls are educated, their countries
become stronger and more prosperous."
- Michelle Obama

Contribute to the education of girls each time
you shop at Dis-Chem or fill up at a Shell
Garage. Join School-Days today and support
the DGC Foundation!

When joining, select 'Durban Girls College
Foundation' as the beneficiary.

         Click here to join
College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College
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                                                                                  July
                                                                                  2020

Meet our Staff
Catherine Grainger - Grade R Teacher
I clearly remember my first day in Grade 1 at Durban Girls’ College, being so excited
to attend the same school as my late Mum and Aunt. There were teachers who made
me feel valued and nurtured. During my school years, I developed a desire to learn
and teach others. My aim is to have the same positive impact on the girls I teach.

The United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Cape Town are places where I gained in-
valuable teaching experience. I am thrilled to be back in my home town and to be
teaching at College. The Foundation Phase is a caring, colourful environment. My
dynamic and committed colleagues inspire me with their new ideas and passion for
teaching. Our curriculum is progressive and presents exciting new challenges. Visual
tools such as Thinking Maps and Thinking Hats help the girls develop critical and
creative thinking.

My Grade R girls are curious and excited about learning new things. It is so impres-
sive to see how adaptable these little treasures are. I am fortunate to spend my days
with my Grade R girls. Getting to see the world through the eyes of a six-year old, on
a daily basis, constantly reminds me not to take life too seriously. To laugh at myself
and to find magic in the smallest of things. This is a true privilege.

From our Chaplain
Michelle Edgcumbe
                                                            On Tuesday, it was World Conservation Day. This is relevant at a
                                                            time when we see the strain that COVID has placed on the areas
                                                            of eco-tourism and wider global environmental efforts. Part of being
                                                            good stewards of the world is, surely, to be praying for wisdom in
                                                            how to care for it – for the energy to commit to personal responsi-
                                                            bility and for the sustenance of conservation organisations. Need
                                                            inspiration? Remember that creation displays God’s greatness and
                                                            grace, and is precious. Take a few minutes this weekend to go out-
                                                            side and think of the following lyrics based on Psalm 148:

                                                            Hallelujah!
                                                            Orchard trees, cedars tall, forests green
                                                            They all sing, they all sing
                                                            Lift their voices to the King
                                                            Praise his name, his holy name Hallelujah!

                                                            Hallelujah!
                                                            The fox and sparrow both the wild and the tame
                                                            They all sing, they all sing
                                                            Lift their voices to the King
                                                            Praise his name, his holy name Hallelujah!
College Chatter From the Helm - Durban Girls College
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                                                            July
                                                            2020

Eid Al-Adha
                                   THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CELEBRATION OF EID AL-ADHA
                                   A day awaited by many of our Muslim girls, in which we honour
                                   the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his
                                   son. Ibrahim (p.b.u.h) showed his sincere obedience to Allah
                                   (God) by following His command to sacrifice his son even though
                                   the command seemed unbearably difficult. As a result of Ibrahim’s
                                   unwavering faith and devotion, Allah replaced Ibrahim’s son with
                                   a lamb to sacrifice instead of his son.

                                   From that day onward, every Eid al-Adha, once a year, Muslims
                                   around the world commemorate Ibrahim's sacrifice whilst we are
                                   reminded of selflessness, loyalty and faithfulness in Islam.

                                   The day is spent celebrating with family whilst indulging in all sorts
                                   of treats.

                                   We wish all our friends who are celebrating a joyous and blessed Eid.

                                   Aisha Akoob and Naqiyah Moosa

College House

                     Beautiful Ifafa lilies blooming at College House.

“   Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember,
       you have within you the strength, the patience, and the
         passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
                                                                                               “
                                 - Harriet Tubman
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