Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE
Welcome to
the Westering
Family
VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2023
westringer
THE
03 Editor's Note
Photography contributions:
Ms Auguste
Adrienne Mortimer
Aimee Brown
Editor’s Note
Welcome fellow Westeringers to the first edition I am most excited to work with our hard-
pf Westeringer magazine for 2023. It is a great working technical team who ensure that
honour and pleasure to be writing my first ‘letter the design of the magazine turns out
from the editor note’ and it is an exciting perfect for everyone to enjoy. The team is
moment. Firstly, I would like to thank Mrs. run by our lovely and most bubbly
Classen and the past Westeringer editor, Alex teacher, Miss August and besides her is
Norris for entrusting me with this role. I first only this year’s technical director, Asive Nqebe.
joined the Westeringer in 2022 as an additional I am also pleased to be working with the
club that I could participate in but during that lovely Ms. Zwiegelaar who will be assisting
process I started enjoying writing articles and me in editing articles prior to publication
worked hard on every article that I wrote; the of each edition.
hard work paid off and was seen by the editor,
which is why I am now writing this note. To my partner, the vice-editor for 2023,
I have done a lot of research about the duties Khanyisa Tembani, I am pleased to be
and responsibilities of being an editor to working with you and running the
prepare myself for this role and ensure smooth Westringer this year.
running of the club. Many past editors had their
own way of doing things and this year I am I hope you all enjoy browsing through this
most excited to implement some ideas that I magazine that our team has worked hard
have for the magazine with the help of my in producing.
fellow reporters who I would love to thank and
compliment for their hard work this term and
for the well-written articles.
Sihle Cengimbo
Our photographers also worked hard in
gathering pictures, some of which you will find
Editor-in-Chief
while reading the magazine.
THE WESTRINGER | 3
DON'T JUST
WORK HARD
WORK
SMART
Welcome to
the WHS Family
Grade 8 Adventure Day
written by Ezra Manuel and Kamvalethu Mampangashe
Photos by Ms August
THE WESTRINGER | 5
Nande (8T): On the day of the adventure
day, I was very excited for the activities we
were going to do, and I could not wait for it.
We had to walk when we got there. I was
very tired yet when we got there. We got to
do so many nice activities and they were to
die for. I thank all the helpers who helped us
complete the activities and if I get another
opportunity, I will go there again.
6 | THE WESTRINGER
BE KIND
TO YOUR
MIND
Meet the
Teachers
Interview with Ms January
Written by: Lisakhanya Mthembu
8 | THE WESTRINGER
Meet the
Teachers
MRS SOLOMON INTERVIEW
By: Sibabalwe Magqabi
THE WESTRINGER | 9
The scorching hot sun rose on the 27th of
After all entrances were made, the athletics
January 2023, it was the school’s first official
athletics day after a long dry spell due to
began. How those kids ran in the hot burning
Covid-19. As the day began, you could see sun for relays, sprints etc., we’ll never know.
that the spirits were high with everyone
dressed in different shades of their house The athletics day was a huge success for all of
colours. Seeing everyone get dressed in us. The learners’ smiles were so bright that we
tutus, wearing crazy wigs and even crazier had to put shades on. It felt as though that
socks made my spirits lift. athletics day was what the school needed, a
day of partial rest and relaxation as we embark
Pringle, Gush, Matthews, and Shaw house
on the new year. Near the end of the day, the
were all on the pavilion in their respective
announcement was made that Pringle had
places. The anticipation was in the air, so
thick you could slice it with a knife. In came
won!! Joyous screams resonated throughout
the house of blood and war, Gush house the Pringle house stand as they jumped and
was ready to blow our socks off. Seeing the hugged each other for a job well done. It was
red splattered across the field was an true teamwork so well done to the Pringle house.
experience to remember. With smiles on
their faces they danced together as one
family, one family ready to win the title.
THE WESTRINGER | 11
Westering High School offers many sports and one of Vol 8 Issue 22
the most successful is athletics. We decided to
interview the star athletes about their experiences
going through to metros, their goals, dreams, and
what they think it takes to make a star athlete.
12 | THE WESTRINGER
“The only one who can
tell you, ‘You can’t
win’ is you and you
don’t have to listen.”
– JESSICA ENNIS-HILL.
14 | THE WESTRINGER
GETTING TO KNOW OUR
STUDENT LEADERS BY SIHLE CENGIMBO
2022 Was an exciting year for this young lady as The heard girl position is an honorable one but with
she was announced the head girl of Westering every high every position comes with many challenges.
High for the year 2023 and the JCC deputy mayor Hayley describes one the most challenging aspects has
and this young lady goes by Hayley Rowe. been keeping her patience when dealing with
Hayley Rowe describes herself as someone who disrespectful learners as well as remaining positive no
sees the positive side in everyone and everything matter what upsets her or discourages her as she does
and is someone who never loses hope. She strives not want that energy do to feed off to her prefects and
to make a difference wherever possible and doing having them feel upset.
her part to help those in need. Her favorite Hayley Rowe hopes to become a successful lawyer one
memories at Westering are ones where she is day and open her own law firm. She hopes that she will
surrounded by her loved ones, whether it’s singing be able to give back to those in need and help the
early in the morning in the matric quad with her youth to achieve their dreams and not feel that they are
fellow matrics or crying from laughter from the unable to because of their financial positions. There is
head boy, Onikayo’s bad jokes or cheering her also a high chance of her pursuing a career in politics,
heart out during derby days. to help the citizens of our country and rebuild the
Hayley Rowe has been involved in the debate club economy.
since Grade 8 and has loved every moment. For future leaders of 2024, this are the words of advice
Debating has always been the place where she she would like to give you, ’Trust your fellow head
felt most welcomed as they appreciate the large leaders as they are the only one’s hat truly understand
amounts she speaks. It is helped her find her what pressure you have. Support each other even if you
confidence with regards to public speaking and do not agree with each other and always stay true to
directing her to choose a career in law. yourselves. Do not let popularity make you lose your
Her favorite hobbies are reading as it helps her character.’
escape and forget about reality. Hayley also has Hayley Rowe is currently in her last year of high school, a
love for music and whether she is cooking or matric student, and her way of signing out is with
studying, there is music always playing in the excellent final exam results and hopefully with many
background. distinctions as well as with no regrets but filled with
Hayley describes her reaction to being announced pride from the journey she has had and the friendships
head girl as an emotional one but an amazing that will last a lifetime. Her journey was an eventful one
day that she will never forget. When her name
was called by Mr. Hayward, she was in disbelief
and climbed the stairs of the stage as tears of joy
were falling down her face. She has never felt
much joy as she did that day and knows she has
made her 14-year-old self-proud.
8 | THE WESTRINGER
Your RCL
President
Lisa: Of all the things the RCL and RCL
executive have done in your years of service,
what is your favourite achievement and why?
Chloe: My favourite achievement was what we
Lisa: What are some of the challenges you have done on our fields on derby days. The
face as the chairperson? spirit squad is my favourite. To see our
Chloe: As the chairperson of the students become one to support the teams
Representative Council of Learners, I try my playing against other schools is a heart-
utmost best to make sure that a student’s warming moment. Working with the spirit
situation has a solution that they are happy squad has taught me so much because we
with, but at times the student is not entirely faced great criticism, but Westering is not
happy with the solution or feedback they ready for what is yet to come from our spirit
receive. Trying to meet the expectations of squad!
our learners is a challenge.
Lisa: Since the Valentine’s Day ball was such
Lisa: Is there a reason as to why the RCL a success, can we expect more of that in the
voting system has changed into a campaign? future?
Chloe: Most definitely. Being an RCL is no joke. Chloe: Yes, Westering High can expect more
It takes a lot of courage to stand up and be the socials in future since our students were so
voice of the students in your class and well-behaved. However, the RCL has not been
represent them in every way possible. The planning for another social. We have planned
voting system has changed because we to have one social a year. The V-ball has the
wanted students to choose their RCL wisely. potential to become an RCL tradition.
We wanted the RCLs to make themselves
available to be voted for, instead of others just Lisa: Lastly, do you have a teaser for what we
nominating the most popular people because can expect from the RCL this year?
the office of RCL is extremely important. The Chloe: The only teaser I can give is that our
reason for this was to see if the candidate theme is ‘student empowerment’. Westering
could voice the students’ issues and concerns High School will have to wait and see what
and if their RCL would be brave enough to exciting things the RCL has in store for them
take on challenges for their class’s well-being. this year!
THE DEBATING BOARD
CHAIRPERSON
The Debate club of Westering High is one of the
most competitive clubs, run by amazing
debaters who work very hard representing the
school. This year one of the best Westering
debaters and qualified adjudicator, Zeenat Ali
was elected chairperson of the debate club for
the year 2023.Zeenat is a highly self-motivated
person who strives for success and positive
outcomes. A few words she would use to
describe herself is self-confident, enthusiastic,
and passionate, these characteristics continue
to build her into the person she is today as it
ensures that her personality is unique amongst
Westering High School.
She describes herself as 100% a bookworm and
considers reading as a hobby as well as
reading the news. The activities she commits
herself to the most are debating and chess as
they reveal her personality in terms of mind and
confidence. When elected as chairperson, it
was an exciting experience and proud moment
for herself and something she had worked hard
for, for 4 consistent years into debating.
Zeenat says that her preparation process for a Zeenat describes her journey at Westering High
debating match would be nothing without her as a very long one and the school has offered
wonderful league teammates. It is a process so much in terms of societies and activities in
that requires extensive research, time, and effort which she was able to expose herself to. She
and that not many people have the skills to plans on expanding her debating skills after
place their mind on those efforts. She tries to high school as well as majoring in a medical
interpret a topic from every point of view and course in university. Zeenat has a very busy
views it from a debating perspective, an schedule, and it has improved by proper
adjudicators perspective as she is also a planning where she plans out her week and
qualified one and from the opposing team makes sure she is aware of the following days
perspective to ensure no ambiguity activities as she can be a very forgetful person.
Her advice for the future chairperson of the
Her closest friends were the most supportive
debate club is that they should ‘’BELIEVE IN
when they found out she was the chairperson
THEMSELVES! ’’As the position of the Chairman
of the debate club for 2023. There are many
of Debating isn’t a title that is easy to carry
people that she can name but a few is her around and their confidence will drive them to
fellow league debtor and vice-chairperson achieve many things.
Hayley Rowe, and her main three supporters This is Zeenat Ali last year of high school and
were Sihle Cengimbo, Mpolokeng Zililo and she would like to sign out by saying, ’Your
Melissa Mukhombe.is caused when formulating confidence is what makes up for who you are!
an argument. Chairman of Debating for 2023, signing out!’
18 | THE WESTRINGER
A fond farewell
On Friday the 24 February 2023, we bid She describes her newly found
farewell to one of our dearest Westering motherhood as being hectic, as her
high teachers, Mrs Barrow. daughter has been in and out of the
We interviewed Mrs barrow about her hospital 12 times but she’s a resilient little
experiences at Westering high, having girl who keeps the former westering
been a student and now a teacher. She teacher on her toes. It’s been an
taught English mainly and her restated interesting learning curve, but her
class was 9E. Mrs barrow has taught at the daughter is one of the most important
school for so many years and has been parts of her life. We asked her about her
involved in many spheres that the school experience as a former student but now a
has to offer. She describes herself as an teacher and she says ;” it was lovely to
incredibly energetic person and she hates come back and teach here because i
being late. Mrs barrow doesn’t like to ask knew how everything worked from a
for help so she is often not afraid of taking student’s point of view ; obviously
on tasks and challenges on her own, teaching is different to being a student but
namely she would knock in nails herself or it was nice because I already know most of
drill a hole. She’s a hard worker and is also the rules of the school ,how everything
known for her athletic side as she is one of worked uhm what’s really nice about
the athletics coaches at Westering as well Westering is that it is a school that has a lot
as recently had several athletes that to offer and learners take that for granted,
qualified for PE high schools. uhm also when you’re young you think
nobody
TH
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1 7
understands how you feel and things like
that , but I think for me personally having
being a learner here and a teacher I can
relate to a lot more than the learners
actually think I do so I think that’s a pro but ,
in terms of the school itself , the education
that the learners get here the teachers really
go over and above and they really put a lot
of effort in and the teachers put a lot of effort
in the sports as well and extra hours on the
weekends ,things that the learners don’t
even know they’re doing so it’s , is …honestly
I’m not saying this because I was a learner
here but it is one of the best schools to
attend in PE” which no one can disagree
with. Her move to New Zealand was not
anything short of chaotic as in the
beginning, everything was going smoothly
but it was only a matter of time before the
dust settled and everything came into light.
le stand together it’s almost like all the other
One instance consisted of her storage
problems disappear for the moment and
container which held their furniture left only
that’s something I’m going to miss.”
a month after it was supposed to leave the
country and now, they will be stuck without
She ends off her interview with advice to her
furniture for quite some time but entails that
matrics and the matrics to come ,” What
she doesn’t regret any part of her process as
they do this year in school and this last
their main reason to move there was
couple of months in school does not define
because of their daughter. She recounts that
their future I think that’s advice to any matric
her reason for the sudden relocation was
that they are not limited to what they get at
because she was worried about her
the end of this year ,there’s always a way to
daughter’s future as she cannot predict how
get around something and get to where you
the conditions of our county will be by the
want to be in life”, this may even apply to
time, she’s in matric 18 years.
anyone who’s willing to listen to the wisdom
hidden in her words.
She has been spending her last few months
in South Africa marking as she feels obliged
Mrs Barrow is a kind, nurturing person and
not to leave it onto another teacher when
knows how to make someone feel listened
she leaves. They have been spending time
to. Her departure will leave a dent in our
with their family and friends as flights to and
school environment that we will all feel. She’s
from to there are expensive but has also
a one-of-a-kind teacher who puts in the
been enjoying her favourite food and snacks
effort for, on a smaller scale, her student,
that won’t be available where she’s going.
and her athletes but in a leader scale, the
learners at Westering high. She will be
She states that she’s going to miss the
missed dearly, and we as the Westeringer,
people of South Africa the most even though
wish her well in this new and exciting
she has heard that people from New Zealand
journey.
are delightful , “ I don’t think they can
compare with South African people and the
By Thimna Gqogqa
vibe that we have in South Africa uhm it’s
always amazes me that when something
that’s happening across the country like a
big event or whatever that the peop
GOODBYE
TO ONE “This is not the end. I will only be at rest,
and I will see you again when the Lord
returns and restores all things.”
THE WESTRINGER | 21
True humility is
of yourself; it is
thinking of
yourself less.
C.S. LEWIS