BUG NEWS

19 June 2025

MOEITE: Ek gee my beste poging aan alles wat ek doen. Elke keer as ek probeer, word ek sterker. My moeite maak my elke dag beter!

EFFORT: I give my best effort to everything I do. Every time I try, I grow stronger. My effort makes me better every day!

UMZAMO: Ndizama kangangoko ndinako kuko konke endikwenzayo. Ngalo lonke ixesha ndizama, ndiyomelela. Imizamo yam indenza ndibe ngcono yonke imihla.

This term has truly been a celebration of effort at RGJS! Our staff have gone above and beyond in various ways to ensure that this long, busy term has been jam-packed with learning experiences that develop our growth mindset as individuals and a school community. There have definitely been some lessons learnt that encourage the focus on effort. But what do we teach our Rustybugs when things don't go according to plan despite the real effort we've put into something? Maybe some feel a sense of disappointment with their results this term. How do we walk alongside them and support them on their journey of learning grit and resilience in these moments?

We shouldn't allow them to give up after a failed attempt. Help them establish little goals to keep working towards success. Encourage them to acquire the habit of committing to daily tasks and not allowing them to go unfinished. Learn to lose in games. These are great learning opportunities to work through frustrations and nurture self-control. Teach them the power of the desire to excel, not to be perfect. The beauty of effort lies in the progress one makes. Learn to overcome setbacks by looking for solutions and not allowing complaints to prevail.

As adults, we know from life experience that the journey of growing is often accompanied by pain. We don't grow when things are easy. It is up to us to help our Rustybugs deal with challenges and disappointments by focusing on their effort, learning and growth. It is the same with relationships. The effort required to maintain friendships must come from both sides. If we expect kindness, we must give kindness.

Since this is our last newsletter for the term, I wish our Foundation Phase all the best for their production next week! And to everyone, a well-deserved break. May it be a time of rest and reflection on the first half of the year, whilst eagerly anticipating the possibilities that lie ahead. Best wishes and safe travels!

Belinda Petersen

Principal

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to Craig Williams on the passing of his mother.

Condolences to Noluvuyo Maha on the passing of her uncle.

Condolences to Lezel McCrae on the passing of her brother and her cousin.

Condolences to Janine Davids on the passing of her mother-in-law.

Condolences to Reyanah Manuel on the passing of her uncle.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this sad time.

CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS: To Happy Nenemba on her graduation (BEd Intermediate Phase) 🎉🎉🎉

NATIONAL TEACHING AWARDS (NTAs)

At a prestigious event hosted by the Metro Central Education District (MCED) at Pinelands High School yesterday, several RGJS teachers were acknowledged for their contribution to the school and education at large. Well done to all our participants who bravely accepted the nominations!

Each participant presented to a panel of MCED officials and union representatives according to their respective categories. The preparation for the presentations was quite intense as they were under pressure to compile 30-minute presentations within a matter of days! Our RGJS teachers did our school proud with the highest number of participants representing one school!

The winners in each category will proceed to the next round - the Provincial NTAs - to represent the district alongside the winners from the other districts in the province.

Well done to -

Carlen Riettels – Excellence in Primary School Teaching

Roxanne Greeff – 1st Runner-Up, Excellence in Primary School Teaching

Sanette Jardim – 1st Runner-Up, Excellence in Grade R Teaching

Jessica Banks – 1st Runner-Up, Excellence in Life Skills Teaching (Grades 1–6)

Margo Laurie – Winner, Excellence in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning

Belinda Petersen – Winner, Excellence in Primary School Leadership

Well done to our staff, we are so proud of you.

WELCOME

We are delighted to introduce the Head of Music from 1st July 2025, Ms Harlene Veotte.

Hi everyone, I’m Harlene Veotte and I’m so excited to be joining Rustenburg as Head of Music. I’ve taught both locally and internationally, and I’m passionate about inclusive music education that helps students feel seen, heard, and celebrated. I love creating musical experiences that spark joy and build confidence — whether it's through singing, playing, or performing together.

Outside the classroom, I’m usually recharging in nature — either walking through the forest, sitting by the ocean, or stargazing with a cup of rooibos in hand. I’m also a total dog lover and firmly believe that music and laughter are essential ingredients for a good life. Looking forward to the journey ahead!

FIRE TRAINING COURSE

On Friday, Anne van Wyk, Darryll Klink, Francois Joshua, Damian Giebelaar, Marshall Jacobs and Neil Ryklieff attended a Fire Training Course.

Fire Training Course

SCHOOL NEWS

RGJS IMPORTANT DATES TERM 2 & 3 2025

ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE FULL CALENDAR, IS AVAILABLE ON THE RGJS SITE

Disabled Access - Don't hesitate to contact admin@rgjs.org.za should you require wheelchair access or assisted access to our school campus.

BEAUTIFUL BEASTS

The excitement is building as we count down the final week until our Foundation Phase production, Beautiful Beasts, takes to the stage!

Our Grade 1–3 girls have been working hard, and we can't wait for you to see them shine.

Welcome to the bountiful grasslands!

Each year, the animals of the savanna come together for the most glamorous event of the season — the Beautiful Beasts Pageant! With dazzling stripes, spots, long legs and majestic manes, the “beautiful” animals strut their stuff while the “Uglies” are left in the shadows.

This heartwarming tale follows the “ugly” animals — the warthogs, hyenas, a vulture, rats, storks, and a wildebeest — as they take a stand using teamwork, creativity, and courage to clean up their shared home and prove that beauty isn’t just skin deep!

Packed with a little humour, a lot of heart, and a powerful message about inclusion and the environment, this play reminds us all that every creature has something special to offer.

Tickets are R100 per person.

Dates: Wednesday 25 June 10:00 am & 06:30 pm

Thursday 26 June 10:00 am & 06:30 pm

Please take note of the classes performing when purchasing your tickets on KARRI.

PARKING FOR EVENING PERFORMANCES: The Funny Festival is on at the Baxter, and parking may be limited in the surrounding area.

ASSEMBLIES

LESSON FROM AN OLYMPIAN

On Tuesday 10th June, our Grade 2 Team delivered the assembly message. Mrs Lee-Anne Prinsloo shared the story of John Stephen Akhwariran, who ran in the 1968 Olympics and asked our Foundation Phase Rustybugs how they would feel if they were the ones in his position. John Stephen Akhwari completed the Olympic Marathon, and came in last place. In the message, Mrs Prinsloo spoke about the EFFORT we all have to put in to achieve anything in life.

ASSEMBLY

YOUTH DAY

On Tuesday morning, our Foundation Phase assembly message was presented by the Grade 1 Team. Mrs Nina Giraudeaux explained why we had a public holiday on Monday and asked our Rustybugs what lessons we have learned from what happened on 16th June 1976. Our grade 1s shared the changes that have been implemented as a result of the 1976 uprising and how we, as Rustybugs, can do better, to be responsible learners.

GRADE 1 ASSEMBLY SLIDE SHOW

GRADE 1 ASSEMBLY PHOTOS

DIGITAL DEN OFFICIAL OPENING

Our Digital Den was formally opened on Tuesday evening by Belinda Petersen and Unathi Stofile, RGJS SGB Chairperson. After many months of renovations, the upgrade of the "old computer room" is complete! Grateful thanks to the Grade 7s of 2024 and Standard Bank, who partly financed the development of our new Digital Den.

Junaid Sonday, Chantal Tobias and Sino Manise from Standard Bank expressed their delight at being part of the project and being able to contribute to a dynamic new learning space, particularly in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world.

During the launch, Mrs Tamli Elliot demonstrated some of the innovative technology available in the Den: probots; Lego; Chrome Books; electronic workshop kits; interactive giant TV screen and more!

In keeping with our school's recycling journey, tables and stools were repurposed and the original wooden floor was restored. The tables allow for multiple flexible seating options for any kind of lesson.

THANK YOU to all the staff and parents who have been instrumental in this project from conception to completion.

Thank you to Wesley Ford for sharing our Digital Den opening in this week's edition of the Southern Suburbs Tatler.

DIGITAL DEN OPENING PHOTOS

DIGITAL DEN RENOVATION AND RUSTYBUGS ENJOYING THE NEW DEN

GRADE 3 PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Today the Grade 3s enjoyed ending off their Healthy Food PBL, by baking Rolls and adding some healthy food toppings.

GRADE 3 PBL PHOTOS

SHARED READING

A very BIG THANK YOU to all our parents and guardians for coming to read to our Rustybugs in Term 2. The early mornings have been very cold, so your support in reading to our Grade R-3s is greatly appreciated.

SHARED READING PHOTOS

TEA WITH THE DEPU-T

Thursday Tea with the Depu-T is an opportunity for me to connect with the Grade 7 girls in a relaxed manner over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Every second Thursday, eight Grade 7 girls are chosen randomly to have an opportunity to chat about anything related to themselves and/or RGJS – it must be noted that this is not an opportunity for the girls to spill the proverbial T…

The first session started very quietly because the girls chosen were unaware of this new initiative. However, soon after tea was sipped and biscuits nibbled, they were more at ease and the conversation started to flow more easily. The first conversation centred around high schools for 2026.

I look forward to T-ing off with eight different girls at our tea sessions.

Neil Ryklieff

GRADE 7 BUSINESS CONFERENCE

On Saturday, 6 September 2025, from 09:00 to 12:00, Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School will proudly host its annual Grade 7 Business Conference — an exciting and enriching event designed to empower, educate, and ignite an entrepreneurial mindset among young learners.

This conference aims to give our Grade 7 learners an authentic business experience, featuring inspiring keynote speakers, interactive exhibitions, registration booths, curated goodie bags, and more!

We want our learners to walk away informed, inspired, and energised by the possibilities that exist within the world of business and innovation.

To make this event a success, we are currently seeking RGJS community members and entrepreneurs who would be willing to:

Exhibit their goods or services, deliver short talks, or serve as guest speakers

Your presence will not only add value to the day but will also help shape the minds of future innovators and business leaders.

If you’re interested in being part of this vibrant learning experience, we’d love to hear from you!

Please complete this FORM if you'd like to be involved.

RECYCLING @ RGJS

Plant The Seed has introduced a friendly competition among Cape Town schools, featuring a monthly leaderboard on social media. The top three will be ranked based on the amount diverted—giving our school a chance to be recognised!

We look forward to being on the leaderboard soon!

Keep recycling, Rustybugs!

MAY RECYCLING REPORT

SCHOOL FEES

Thank you for paying your school fees on time. Your financial obligation to RGJS ensures that our Rustybugs receive quality tuition in a well-maintained and safe environment. New flooring in the Grade R block, painting and waterproofing of Rustenburg House, front office upgrade and renovation of the Digital Den are just a few of the major projects we have been able to carry out thus far in 2025.

We encourage families to continue paying school fees on time.

TUESDAY SANDWICHES

As one of our Outreach initiatives, RGJS delivers sandwiches and fruit to the girls at Molo Mhlaba Girls' School in Khayelitsha every Tuesday.

For those able, please bring an extra sandwich and/or a piece of fruit. The girls must place them in the box in Rustenburg House before 08:00 every Tuesday.

NORVAL GALLERY ART COMPETITION

The Norval Gallery in Steenberg recently hosted an inspiring art competition celebrating 30 years of democracy in South Africa.

Eight learners from Rustenburg were selected to take part, and each of their entries captured the brief with a thoughtful and inspiring message.

Farah Sonday 7C, Julia Cox 7C, Faatimah Long 7A, Zoe Shoko 7A, Landa Gosa 6C, Rachel Frankish 5A, Maya Villet 5C, and Ayesha Rhoda 5C.

A remarkable 144 entries from young artists in Cape Town took part in this exciting competition. Each artwork reflected the unique voices and creative interpretations of South Africa’s democratic journey through the eyes of its youth. The competition was divided into age categories, allowing learners to showcase their talents within their peer groups. Prize-giving took place at the Norval Gallery on Youth Day, Monday 16 June. The event was well attended, with the winning artworks on display in the gallery. We are incredibly proud to share that Maya Villet in Grade 5C achieved third place in her age category - a wonderful accomplishment in such a large and competitive field.

We celebrate not only her success but also the powerful role that art plays in giving young people a voice in shaping the future of our democracy. Maya’s artwork is currently on exhibition in the Norval Art Gallery. The beautiful entries from Rustenburg are on display in Rustenburg House.

Well done, girls!

Miss Ludik

MUSIC

NATIONAL HUBERT VAN DER SPUY MUSIC COMPETITION

Congratulations to Sadie Owen 6c, who has been selected to participate in the prestigious National Hubert van der Spuy Music Competition. The competition is currently the only one of its kind in South Africa and offers a unique opportunity for children aged 13 years and younger to compete against their peers from all across the nation. It will take place in Stellenbosch from 30 September - 4 October this year.

Well done, Sadie!

SPORTS

CROSS COUNTRY NEWS

It seems Murphy’s Law was in full effect during the recent races with the weather being Polar opposites each week - icy winds to hot, dry conditions!

Race 7 - Friday, 06 June: Kenilworth Race Track

The day started with an icy wind and dark, threatening clouds looming overhead.

Despite the chilly conditions, the rain held off.

The girls set off at a rapid pace, crossing the Kenilworth horse racing track in search of their rhythm. Parents had to wait patiently, eagerly anticipating their daughters’ appearance on the finishing straight. The headwind that the girls endured was nothing short of challenging. At the end of the race, each girl received a pair of Crazy Store socks, bringing sheer delight to their faces.

Race 8 - Friday, 13 June: Heathfield Primary School (Sub Zonal Champs)

The race was hosted at Heathfield Primary School and the weather was hot and sunny!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following girls who qualified and placed in the top 20 at Sub Zonals and have been selected to run in the Zonal Champs Race tomorrow (20 June).

U9: Imogen Gordon; Kate Hendricks

U10: Holly Haldane; Imogen Lentz

U11: Imogen Fairweather; Victoria Kuhn

U12: Haniya Achmat, Liberty Wallace, Sophie Gray, Tazkia Mohamed Hoosain

U13: Ava Mattushek; Gia Heldsinger; Julia Cox; Steffanie White

MESSAGE from your captains (Steffanie White & Kayla McMartin)

Fellow runners, we’ve had an amazing first half of the season and we’ve created something special - a real Cross Country family🤗

As you may know, the annual Inter-Schools Cross Country event is just around the corner in Term 3! Please keep up with your running fitness during the school holidays because consistency is KEY! Remember, we cannot build fitness overnight and a break from training can set us back.

And lastly, a huge THANK YOU to our awesome parents for supporting us every step of the way, getting us to and from race venues, so we can do what we love!

Let’s keep pushing, Rustybugs!

KIRSTENHOF U9 NETBALL AND HOCKEY FESTIVAL

Well done to all our U9 Hockey and Netball players who participated in the U9 Kirstenhof Hockey and Netball Festival last Friday. The weather may have been cold and windy, but that didn't stop our sporting Rustybugs from bringing their "gees" and incredible sportsmanship.

Well done, U9s, we are so proud of you all.

EVENTS

GR 7 FUNDRAISING

Our Grade 7 Fundraising Team are selling Bobum 100% Recycled Microfibre Towels. The collection will be open on KARRI today, Friday 23rd May and closes on Wednesday 20th August.

The delivery date for the towels will be at the start of Term 4, just in time for the swimming season!

The towels are R285 each.

HOLIDAY CLUB

Mercia Williams and Anne van Wyk will be running Holiday Club during the upcoming July Holidays. Please click on the links below to sign up:

Mercia's Holiday Club 30th June - 11th July

Anne's Holiday Club 14th - 18th July

OUTREACH

KNITTING - 67 MINUTES

As the winter holidays are approaching, it is time to get those knitting needles out and start making squares.

If any families have wool to donate for our knitting boxes, please send them to school for attention Pam Heiberg. The wool will be placed in tubs in the library together with knitting needles, ready for our Rustybugs to knit during break time. We will be collecting squares throughout June and July for Mandela Day.

As Mandela Day falls in the school holidays, we encourage our Rustybugs, all families and staff to share their 67 Minutes on Mandela Day with Pam Heiberg. We'd love to share how you made a difference on Mandela Day in our next newsletter.

MOLO MHLABA & RGJS

As one of our Outreach initiatives, we would like to assist Molo Mhlaba with the following items that you may no longer be using and would like to pass on to the girls at Molo Mhlaba:

Art materials: paint, paint brushes, pastels, crayons

Stationery

Reading Books

Secondhand musical instruments

Secondhand sporting kit or gear

If you have any of the above items in good condition, please drop them off at the front office, clearly marked MOLO MHLABA.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

BUGS BOUTIQUE

Please access Bugs Boutique through Grosvenor Road, the road adjacent to RGHS. Please use the small pedestrian gate on Grosvenor Road.

Bugs Boutique Trading Hours 2024 - During the school term

Monday 12:45 - 15:30

Wednesday 12:45 - 15:30

Friday 12:15 - 14:30

SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST

BUGS BOUTIQUE ONLINE STORE

All orders placed through the online store will be delivered to RGJS.

LOST PROPERTY

Please encourage your daughter to check the Lost Property Boxes.

Please complete this FORM if you are missing an item, but remember to remind your daughter to check the boxes as well.

STARS IN THE MAKING

KARATE STAR

Congratulations to Sienna Bagley in 5b, who recently received her green belt in Karate.

Well done Sienna, we are so proud of you.

DANCING STAR

Congratulations to Logan Davids 3a, who performed in the Cape Dance Festival.

Well done Logan, we are so proud of you.

DANCE STARS

Congratulations to Ella Coulstock-Welsh 7b and Isla Meyer 7c who took part in the Cape Dance Festival as well as competing in the South African Body of Dance competition, where they picked up multiple medals.

Well done Ella and Isla, we are proud of you.

MYSCHOOLCARD

R6,929.04

Raised in April

Thank you to all our SWIPERS!

THANK YOU FOR SWIPING YOUR

New to RGJS and have a MYSCHOOL Card, please remember to change your beneficiary to RGJS.

All funds raised go towards our school bursary programme!

MYSCHOOLCARD

Sign up here for MYSCHOOL CARD
Add RGJS as your listed beneficiary
Already a MYSCHOOL CARD holder? Change your beneficiary to RGJS here
SWIPE SWIPE SWIPE

EVERY SWIPE CHANGES A LIFE

ADVERTS

Please contact Pam Heiberg for advertising rates & queries pamhei@rgjs.org.za

Please note that the placement of an advertisement does not indicate endorsement by the school.

JACK & THE BEANSTALK

This July, treat your learners to a spellbinding theatrical experience with Jack and the Beanstalk at The Baxter Theatre! Presented by the acclaimed KickstArt Theatre in association with The Baxter, this award-winning pantomime is making its Cape Town debut and promises to be the highlight of the school holidays.

Performance Dates:

03 – 27 July 2025

Show Times:

Various matinee and evening performances, including rare Sunday shows

Venue:

The Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter

Ticket Prices:

• Adults: R300

• Children: R250

• Students: R260

• Seniors & Block Bookings: R210

Booking Information: