WGJS Magazine 2018 WGJS 2018 School Magazine | Page 6

Principal ’ s Report
The Power of
Yet
Most people are aware of the folklore of the abominable
snowman or Yeti, who is said to reside in the Himalayas.
This “elusive creature”, reported to have footprints the
size of a bear, has been seen by few, but feared by
many. While the hunt for the Yeti can be considered
either from fear or curiosity, at WGJS our girls are using
the legend as a source of encouragement by focusing
on a positive growth mindset.
Yeti has taught us to add an extra word to all our
challenges – I can’t do this … YET, providing the
opportunity to build persistence and resilience. This
mindset sets the tone for all future thinking, responses
and challenges.
Rather than receiving news of sightings of Yeti, we have
celebrated the many stories of how our girls have used
this mindset change and shared it with others. One
young lady used it to face a tough karate competition
and then encouraged other participants to get up after
a tough fight and face further challenges.
Others shared the pleasure of travel with Yeti and he
was treated to adventures in faraway destinations such
as Turkey and India.
Yet another family included Yeti in their religious
celebrations and shared this experience with the class.
What a wonderful way to expand our cultural heritage!
Our Grade 1s have learnt to read and our Grade 7s
have mastered the standards required to move on
to high school. We have thrilled in our achievements
in the classroom and been honoured as a top school
in the Systemic Awards for academic achievement in
2017. We have celebrated with the top three students
in a mental mathematics district challenge, silver
and bronze medallists at the Eskom Science Expo
and numerous sporting achievements. Our greatest
celebration though, has to be personal growth and the
development and nurturing of relationships with friends
and families.
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The future of South Africa depends on our children. As
we endeavour to empower them with creative thinking
skills, we also strive to provide a moral compass by
instilling important values. We appreciate that these
values are not only embedded at school, but are also
encouraged at home. Without supportive parents our
school would not be the happy place it is. Thank you
to each one who has made a contribution to Wynberg
in 2018.
Of special significance is the School Governing Body.
In March we thanked the outgoing SGB, several of
whom had offered many years of their time to assist
with the governance of the school, and welcomed a
newly elected team. Their contribution is immense and
we thank them for their time and commitment.
WGJS continues to be blessed with incredible staff.
Thank you for your dedication and passion which
continues to take us to the top in every sphere. Without
this team effort we would not be the amazing school
we are today.
Mrs Dee Cawcutt
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