Uvelwano - Ndinovelwano. Ndiyaqaphela xa umntu ekhathazekile okanye edinga uncedo lwam. Ndiyazibonakalisa ukuba ndiyakhathala.
Compassion - I have compassion. I notice when someone is hurt or needs my help. I take the time to show that I care.
Deernis - Ek het deernis. Ek let op wanneer iemand seerkry of my hulp benodig. Ek neem die tyd om te bewys dat ek omgee.
February is commonly known as the month of love as we celebrate Valentine's Day. It was beautiful to see the sea of red, pink and white on Tuesday amongst girls and staff alike. There is far too much unkindness in the world so it's wonderful to stop for a moment and be reminded of the power and impact of love and kindness towards one another.
It's no coincidence that our value for this term is compassion - the first thing we need to work on in our quest to have an impact! Compassion is love in action. It is what we do to show care and kindness to others. It is noticing when help is needed and doing what we can for others.
It's also no coincidence that we have chosen yellow as the colour of compassion. Yellow typically represents friendship and joy (when we think of the significance of yellow roses). How we choose to treat others will make a difference in whether we can make an impact on those around us or not.
So, as we work towards being a community that focuses on impembelelo, let's start with compassion - love in action!
Belinda Petersen
Principal
HOD Creative Arts
I am Hendrik Marais, Head of Music and Creative Arts. I am passionate about music education and the value it adds to the holistic development of young people.
It is official: I FEAR sleep!
Latest edition: Discovered the magic of being on the beach only in recent years.
Piano, Class Music
I am Adele Newman, a piano, class recorder and class music teacher at RGJS. I enjoy teaching all the Rustybugs in my care and feel blessed to be part of an amazing, well-functioning and strong music department. I love spending time with family and friends, getting out into nature, wine tasting, trying out new recipes, travelling and exploring new places, especially those ‘off the beaten track’.
Piano, Class music
I am Leah Adams, Class Music, Piano, and Voice teacher as well as the Junior Choir conductor.I am generally a shy person who uses music as a medium to break through that barrier. I've been performing in the music industry for 13 years and teaching for 10. When I'm not at work, I enjoy long walks on the beach, cooking/baking, and making music. I also enjoy traveling, especially in and around Africa.
Violin; Orchestra
I am Odile Burden, violin teacher and conductor of the Senior string ensemble and Orchestra. I adore playing chamber music with my friends, and you can spot me performing with the Cape Town Baroque Orchestra. My family and I love spending time in parks, camping, and going to the beach. I am passionate about the accessibility of quality music education, and over weekends I put my dancing shoes on and go salsa dancing.
Piano, Guitar, Class Music
I've been a music teacher at RGJS for six years. I love music and dancing and have performed in many dance and musical theatre productions around Cape Town. I enjoy watching concerts, shows and movies, and spending time with family and friends.
I am Lauren Lyons, a voice teacher and music department administrator at RGJS. I enjoy working with all my incredible students and colleagues. When I am not working, I spend every second with my beautiful daughter, Summer and my husband Russell. We love being outdoors, drinking endless cups of coffee and spending time with family and friends. We are very excited to meet our little girl in July!
My name is Georgia Jones. I am a woodwind music teacher and performing alto and baritone saxophonist. I love swimming in the sea and spending time with my close friends and family. On the weekends you’ll catch me doing just that!
I am Cathy Gray, a flute, recorder and piano teacher at RGJS. I love making things: clothes, cakes, beautiful music and lovely memories with all the Rustybugs I'm lucky enough to teach!
Babette Viljoen
I am Babette Viljoen, piano teacher at RGJS.
I live in a small house in Claremont with a huge piano and the biggest braai in the Southern Suburbs. I love swimming in the ice cold ocean, watching shows in theatres, fine dining with friends, and a good braai - especially on a Monday.
I am Rina Schutte, the cello and Muzkanda teacher at RGJS. I also teach at Rustenburg High and conduct the Cape Town Philharmonic Junior String Orchestra. Apart from teaching I also love playing cello, especially for musical theatre. I toured around the world with Matilda the musical for two years. I also regularly play with the Cape Town Philharmonic. In my spare time, I love to read and go hiking.
My name is Luthando Mzele originally from Eastern Cape. I did my degree/honors degree at University of Fort Hare majoring in African Music.
I’m working for Marimba Jam company. I teach about 8 schools with 13 bands currently. I’m motivated by the impact that music is bringing to my students, and to see them grow through my teachings.
In my spare time I create digital sounds as I’m a music producer, and I’m also a choir conductor at church so over the weekends I compose songs for them.
My name is Craig Williams and I am a violin teacher at RGJS but I also play the viola. My favourite composer is Tchaikovsky. On the weekends I enjoy hiking and swimming with friends. I love food, especially sushi!
I am Annerike du Plessis. I have been teaching piano at Rustenburg for a few months now (what a privilege!). I have been playing piano for over 19 years and am quite passionate about letting people experience the magic of music and what it can mean for a child's development. In my free time, I write poetry, go on walks with friends, watch crime documentaries and play with my two cats - Shostakovich and Brahms. I look forward to the year and its challenges!
I am Kendall Williams. I am a piano teacher and a composer! I love the beach and love spending time with friends and family at the beach, if you happen to pass by there is a big chance you will catch me there!
My name is Noluvuyo Maha and I am a Violin teacher. I always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I really enjoy teaching.
On weekends I enjoy spending time with my husband and my two kids.
I am Murray Buitendag, a music professional specialising in performance and education. My greatest passions in music involve trombone performance, harmony, analysis, and ensemble directing. You can find me at various gigs during the weekend. If not, then there is a good chance I'm either gardening, trying out new cuisine or on the golf course.
Congratulations to Busi Maho who has been elected as an SGB Educator representative. Thank you to Lee-Anne Prinsloo for her role on the School Governing Body over the past two years. Your service to our school is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Janine Joemat on her election to the School Governing Body. Your service to our school is appreciated.
Thank you to all our parents and guardians who came out to vote on 8 February.
Thank you to all those who participated in our WhatsApp Poll yesterday. Due to the increased traffic congestion, we are going to implement the following trial from Monday, 20 February 07:00 - 08:00;
Bays in front of Rustenburg House will be a slip lane, cones will demarcate the area.
Drive into the lane and once stopped, staff and parent volunteers will be waiting to assist and walk your daughters to the gate.
The bays in front of the Grade 6 playground and in Burg Road will operate as per normal drop-off zones.
We ask for grace and patience during this trial period, we are all in this together.
Thank you to all those who were able to attend the Valentine's Picnic on Tuesday evening. Special thanks to Leah Adams, Lauren Lyons and Odile Burden for serenading and playing for us on the evening. Thank you to the Music Department and the Grade 7 Fund Raising Team, a lovely evening was had by all.
R12 265.00 has been collected to date from our Valentine's Civvies Day. These funds will be used to purchase Recycle Bins around our school. We are all excited about the journey we are on as a school, making an impact with our recycling initiatives.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FAMILIES FOR THE IMPACT YOU ARE MAKING!
Thank you to our Early Act Club members for the recycling posters, which will be displayed around our school.
Our Grade 2 learners had a wonderful morning on the beach and at the Hout Bay Museum on 8 February. Thank you to all our families who assisted with lifting our Rustybugs, your support is greatly appreciated.
On Monday our Grade 5s had their first outing of 2023 to Intaka Island. Thank you to all our families who assisted with lifting our Rustybugs, your support is greatly appreciated.
There was great excitement on Monday 13 February as our Grade 7 Bug Buddy Leaders met their 2023 Bug Buddy Family. The families connected in houses and spent time getting to know each other while playing games. All the families are looking forward to welcoming the Grade Rs later this term.
Thank you to all our Grade 4 parents and guardians who were able to attend the Parent Talk last week. It was wonderful to connect and share. Thank you to Kate Stamper (Remedial Therapist) for the very insightful presentation on how to support our Grade 4 learners with the transition into the intermediate phase.
Hello Rustybug Moms! Did you attend Rustenburg Junior or Rustenburg High? We are updating the Alumnae database and would like to include news from our alumnae; upcoming reunions etc. All past Rustybugs can contact Asonele Kotu for more information kotua@rghs.org.za
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
IMPORTANT DATES TERM 1 2023
Wednesday 22 February: World Thinking Day
Thursday 23 February: Prospective Parent School Tour
Friday 24 February: RGJS CAMP OUT - Save the date!
Tuesday 28 February: School Community Meeting 19:00
Friday 3 March: House Day - Help The Rural Child
ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE RGJS SITE
Everyone is invited to join us for a COMMUNITY SING-A-LONG tomorrow morning from 07:30 - 07:50 in the Orton Hall. No previous singing experience required. What a great way to start your weekend, join us!
All staff, parents and guardians are invited to the first School Community Meeting of 2023 on Tuesday 28 February at 19:00. At these meetings, we share the vision and plans for our school and invite the engagement of our school community as we move forward together for 2023.
Child Supervision will be available, please click on this link.
RGJS parents/guardians and Rustenburg Alumnae are invited to join the Rustenburg Chorale. Rehearsals are every Tuesday evening 19h00 - 20h00 during the school term in the Orton Hall.
Please complete this form if you would like to join us.
Thank you to everyone that has already booked for the Camp Out next Friday 24 February. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening. Bookings close on Monday on KARRI. Please contact Pam for any queries. pamhei@rgjs.org.za
Friday 3 March is our first House Day of 2023. We will be supporting
HELP THE RURAL CHILD.
Learners may come to school in their PE kit wearing their HOUSE SHIRTS on Friday. (Grade Rs can wear any colour T-shirts, they will be advised of their house soon!)
How can we assist HELP THE RURAL CHILD?
Do you have clothing that you have outgrown, books you don’t read, ornaments that are gathering dust, toys that you no longer play with, pots and pans stored away, unwanted gifts, CD’s, DVD’s, etc? All of these items, in good condition, can be donated to
HELP THE RURAL CHILD!
All learners will receive a large packet to take home and during the holidays you can sort your things, fill your bag and bring it back to school during the first week of school in Term 2.
Should you have furniture items you would like to donate, HELP THE RURAL CHILD will arrange to collect them from your home.
Please contact 021 685 2810 to arrange.
Thank you in advance for supporting this incredible charity.
On Wednesday 22 February - WORLD THINKING DAY, learners may come to school in their respective uniforms to celebrate World Thinking Day which has been celebrated since 1926. World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship and an opportunity for all Guides and Girl Scouts to think of each other and celebrate their sisters all around the world.
MUSIC
We are proud of our music learners for obtaining outstanding results in the November 2022 Practical Music examinations. A total of 27 girls received acknowledgement on the TRINITY TOP ACHIEVERS LIST in South Africa.
CONGRATULATIONS and WELL DONE to all our participants.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Bugs Boutique will be open at the following times:
Trading Hours 2023
Monday 12:45 - 15:30
Wednesday 12:45 - 15:30
Friday 12:15 - 14:30
Bugs’ Boutique Temporary Closure:
The Bugs’ Boutique will be moving to a new accounting and point-of-sale system at the end of the month. This will require us to pause trading for the week of 27 February to 3 March so that we can transfer all the data, ensure everything is working as it should and train staff on the new systems. This move will also lay the groundwork for a new online store that will allow you to purchase your uniform items online for collection from the shop, which we are hoping to launch later in the year.
The last day of trading will therefore be Friday 27 February, and we will re-open on Monday 6 March. The first Saturday of the month opening will be on 10 March.
MYSCHOOLCARD
RGJS PARENT PRAYER GROUP
A group of parents meet on Zoom on a Wednesday morning from 8:00 - 8:30 to pray for our school. Anyone wishing to join the group can please contact Katherine Wiseman 083 321 7155.
ADVERTS
Please contact Pam Heiberg for advertising rates & queries pamhei@rgjs.org.za
Please note that placement of an advertisement does not indicate endorsement by the school.