This year's annual South African Girls’ Schools Association (SAGSA) conference took place in the picturesque town of Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown, and was hosted by The Diocesan School for Girls (DSG). RGJS was represented by Belinda Petersen (Principal), Neil Ryklieff (Deputy Principal) and Roxanne Greeff (Foundation Phase Head). 

The three-day conference, which included delegates from some of South Africa’s top state and independent girls’ schools, focused on the theme of Personal Sustainability. The days included a combination of presentations interspersed with smaller breakaway sessions. Topics covered included ADHD, autism in girls, the importance of sustainable sleep health, the need for perfection in girls, from burnout to breathing - the art and science of energy management in the learning environment as well as character development - identity, community and purpose. 

A strong thread throughout the conference was the mental, emotional and spiritual wellness of our girls and how much pressure they are under to achieve academically and on the sports field. Added to this, unhealthy social media use (time as well as content) is also a major contributing factor driving unhealthy and unsustainable pressure.

Some pearls of wisdom by the speakers include:

“There is power in kind acts.”

“I must be THE best in the moment, must change to: I must be MY best in the moment”  -  “the moment changes all the time.”

“Be kind to yourself in the moment.”

“ADHD - a different brain, not a broken brain”

“Power naps work.”

The conference offered a special opportunity, as well as encouraged members to collaborate, forge connections, share insights, and reflect on the evolving challenges and remarkable opportunities, we, as educators, have within our schools. 

For the first time at the Conference, a Soap Box allowed 12 delegates the opportunity (4 minutes each) to share creative ideas that were successes at their schools. Our principal stepped up to the box and delivered her 4 minutes on RGJS’s Staff Mentorship Programme, which was well received. 

The RGJS delegates walked away from the SAGSA Conference 2025 having made connections for future collaboration, richer with innovative insights on overall wellness and the heightened awareness to build resilience within our girls. These learnings will enable us as we build our strategy into the future. 

Rustenburg was invited to take part in the Herschel Winter Sports Festival on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May. Our U10A, U11A, U12A and U13A Netball teams took to the courts on Friday afternoon, playing fixtures into the evening under the lights.

All our teams played exceptional netball with girls bringing the gees from the sidelines and the energy on the court.

The U12 and U13 B and C netball teams and U9A, B and C Hockey teams battled it out on Saturday morning. The U11A Hockey team played in the afternoon, with the playoffs under lights in the evening.

All our athletes not only showed up in true Rustybug Spirit on the court and field, but it was so encouraging to have so many staff and parents from other schools compliment our girls on how well they played and their wonderful attitude and sportsmanship. We can be very proud of our Rustybugs.

 HERSCHEL HOCKEY & NETBALL FESTIVAL PHOTOS