Paarl Girls' High - Old Girls

Old Girl Shannon Bartlett (matric 2012) has been named captain of SA Netball’s Fast5 team. Shannon and her team are currently in Christchurch, New Zealand, to participate in the 2024 FAST5 Netball World Series.

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐝𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐚𝐥 𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑

We are proud of Hannah de Waal (right), matric 2013, who recently participated in the Mad2Run adventure. The event took place from 11-20 October for 24 hours non-stop over 8 days for a total of 1 520km - all for the MAD Leadership Foundation, which focuses on developing young leaders through education. The race started in Alberton, Gauteng and ended at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. For the event, they were divided into teams that had to run in relay style, at least 10 km per day per person, but some days Hannah challenged herself with 20 km per day. They were challenged with high day temperatures and ice-cold nights, which made it extremely difficult.

After the team arrived in Cape Town on the Friday, they also ran the Cape Town Marathon of 42.4km on the Sunday.

Congratulations, Hannah!

Rethabile Tala l Matric 2020

As a person who has always been into sports, I always had a love for rugby. I was fortunate to find this non-contact form of rugby that I was able to join. My journey with tag rugby started in 2022 when I started coaching tag at schools such as Bishops, Littlebosch and Sweet Valley. In November 2022 I was selected to participate in a test series against Great Britain in Cape Town.

This experience paved the way for my selection for the Mixed Open team which would be travelling to Limerick, Ireland to compete in the 2023 Tag World Cup. We competed against countries such as Australia, New Zealand, France, Great Britain, Italy and Japan, where we made history by becoming the first South African tag rugby team to receive national colours and placing 5th, receiving the Shield.

In February 2024, I captained the Raiders which was part of the Tag Premier League. My performance at this tournament allowed me to once again be selected for the SA Mixed Open team, which I co-captained, that would travel to Reading, England in July 2024 to take part in a test series against Great Britain, where we made history once again by beating Great Britain for the first time.

Additionally, I have been trying to contribute to the growth and inclusivity of the sport by actively being involved with helping @‌tagrugbysa in establishing a women’s side which will travel to Australia for the Tag World Cup in 2025.

Thinking back to my school days I remember all the exhilarating sports events, which I was always excited to be a part of or spectate. The high level of sports at Paarl Girls’ High made it easy to fall in love with all different kinds of sports and paved the way to me being the sportswoman I am today.

Michelle van Eyssen l Matric 2018

Reflecting back on my lovely school years at Paarl Girls’ High fills my heart with warm emotions.

During these years, I developed my love for two closely related fields: art and fashion, and of course, running (especially around the track). After matriculating in 2018, I followed my passion and completed my Bachelor’s and Honours degrees in Fashion Design at FEDISA in Cape Town. My fascination with the interdisciplinary theories and methodologies of the industry motivated me to further my studies in the field of fashion. With a bit of grit, a whole lot of dedication, and the help of a generous sponsorship, I had the privilege of completing my two-year Master’s Degree in Fashion Studies at The New School—Parsons, Paris.

Ek het baie gegroei in die twee jaar van alleen my voete vind in ’n land waar die mense nie altyd so mooi terug glimlag soos by die huis nie. Despite this, living in Paris has opened up incredible opportunities for me. I am currently working on creative initiatives alongside an art director in the luxury industry, a field I hope to pursue in future.

I can only thank the Lord for the beautiful journey He has brought me on—for the lifelong friends I still have from school, a strong community in Paris and back home, and the endless adventures of navigating the ups and downs of life with joy.

Ek hardloop nog graag, neem baie foto’s van my Parys-gedoentes en spandeer ’n uur of twee te veel op video-oproepe met my liefste familie en vriende by die huis. Ek is baie trots om ’n Old Girl te wees en dink aan my dae onder die akkerbome en om die atletiekveld met ’n groot glimlag.

Saterdagoggend, 12 Oktober, heel toevallig die dag na ons matriekafskeid in 1974 50 jaar gelede, het 11 van ons by ons alma mater in die Paarl ontmoet. Ons wou graag die ou bekende plekke besoek en ook sien hoe die skool oor die jare gegroei en verander het. Aletta Marais en mevrou Van Zyl het ons met ope arms verwelkom en onmiddellik weer tuis laat voel. Aletta het ons met baie geduld en vaardigheid op 'n omvattende toer van die skool en gronde geneem. Dit was nie maklik om ons stil te kry of na die volgende plek aan te beweeg nie. In 'n oogwink was ons weer 18 en kon nie ophou om te praat en wys en herinner nie. 'n Warboel van opgewondenheid en emosie om saam in die plek te wees wat so 'n groot invloed op ons gehad het en wat ons help voorberei het vir wat voorlê. Ons was almal baie beïndruk met die uitbreidings en ook verlig om 'n bietjie nostalgies te kon voel in plekke soos die wetenskap- en huishoudkundeklasse. Na die heerlike skooltoer het ons die koshuis besoek waar mnr Du Plessis ons van al die verwikkelinge daar vertel en deur die bekende ou gange begelei het. Ons kon nog baie langer talm, maar van ons vriende het vir ons by die restaurant Zuus gewag vir middagete. Daar is ons laatmiddag na lekker eet en baie praat weg, ons vrese dat ons moontlik na so 'n lang tyd nie meer aanklank met mekaar sou vind nie, geheel en al ongegrond bewys.

Sondagoggend het sewe van ons by Babylonstoren ontmoet om verder stories van hoogte- en laagtepunte te deel en saam te eet.

Almal was dit eens dat die twee dae 'n vreugdevolle ervaring was.

Vrydag, 11 Oktober was se 2024 Uitstapdag. Ons spog met ses Old Girl mammas met dogters in matriek asook twee Old Girl oumas wat die geleentheid bygewoon het (foto 1). Soos gewoonlik was dit 'n baie emosionele oggend.

Dr Kate Townsend (née De Villiers), matriek 2004, het 'n baie inspirerende boodskap aan die matrieks gelewer (foto 2). Hoofdogter van 2020, Mia Swart en groentjiekaptein, Bianca Kirstein het ook 'n spreekbeurt gehad (foto 3). Hulle was die huidige matrieks se miladys.

Baie spesiaal is dat Talita Aucamp (née Hill) Old Girl van 2005 (foto 4), wiskunde onderwyseres by HMS, die matrieks se graadvoog was van hul gr. 8 jaar tot matriek.

Ampliora et altiora!

Old Girl, Mienke Ehlers, het die week by die HMS Kunstetoekennings-aand 'n Eretoekenning ontvang vir haar bydra tot die kunste in Suid-Afrika.

Baie geluk !

Mariet Venter (née van Rensburg) het in 2010 matrikuleer en praktiseer tans as ‘n Pediatriese Arbeidsterapeut. Sy het ‘n nagraadse kwalifikasie in Sensoriese Integrasie.

Dit is juis in HMS wat Mariet haar liefde vir Lewenswetenskappe en Gemeenskapsdiens ontdek het - destyds deur ‘n skooluitreik na die Paarl-Skool vir Kinders met Fisiese Gestremdhede. Arbeidsterapie stel kinders in staat om hul uitdagings op ‘n fisiese, kognitiewe of emosionele vlak te oorkom en hul volle potensiaal te bereik.

Girls' High kweek empatie in hul leerders deur gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en die waardes van dié besonderse skool.

“𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦”- Mother Teresa

Caitlin Hayman l Matric 2017

After matriculating, I started my Bachelor of Social Science degree, where I majored in Criminology and Psychology. I finished my degree in the allocated time of three years, and after that I completed my Bachelor of Social Science Honours with Specialisation in Criminology. I earned these two degrees at the University of the Free State.

The following year (2022), I started working at Varsity College in Sandton as a lecturer in the Faculty of Law. Currently, I am busy with a Masters of Social Science with Specialisation in Criminology, where my main focus is minority victims. I am still a lecturer at Varsity College, where I lecture Criminology from first to third year, as well as Research and Gender-based violence to third-year students.

I remember sitting at the back in class with my friends and reading the Picture of Dorian Gray in the hot Paarl sun during one English period. I recall memorising the specific way to say ‘I’m sorry I’m late for class’ in German in Grade 9. I remember netball games in the early years, and hockey games in the final years of high school, where I played horribly but still had loads of fun with phenomenal teammates.

To this day, I will never forget my English teacher, Miss Alting-Mees, who forever inspired me and cultivated my love for reading, which I still love to this day.

𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕

Ek kan skaars glo hoe vinnig die tyd gevlieg het – 12 ongelooflike jare onder die akkerbome!

Na ek in 2017 gematrikuleer het, het ek my liefde vir kreatiwiteit gevolg en in 2020 my graad in BA Visuele Kommunikasie by Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography ontvang.

Ek het grootgeword in die restaurant bedryf en dit was vir my altyd duidelik dat ek daardie liefde wou verder vat. Vandag werk ek as hoof van bemarking vir ons familie se restaurant franchise en dit is ‘n ongelooflike voorreg om saam met my familie te werk en ons visie uit te leef.

My “Girls High Magic” het begin die dag toe ek my blink nuwe klein skoolskoentjies aangetrek het vir my eerste dag by Girls' High, Graad 8 het gevoel soos 'n natuurlike verlenging van daardie trots. Elke fase van hierdie reis, van laerskool tot matriek, het 'n diep invloed op my gehad. Dit was hier waar ek die waarde van lojaliteit, harde werk en ware vriendskappe ten volle besef het. Dit was werklik die fondasie van wie ek vandag is.

Baie dankie Girls' High vir alles wat julle vir my geleer het - vir die lewenslesse, die vriendskappe, die waardes. Mag ek net byvoeg, ek het nog nie ‘n lekkerder muffin gehad as daardie Vrydag markdae se koshuis muffins met die karamel bo-op nie!

Girls' High hosted a highly successful Ladies in Spring brunch this past weekend at Leopard’s Leap, where women were celebrated in the most beautiful setting. The morning was made even more special by guest speaker, actor, and TV presenter Hannes van Wyk, who gave an inspiring speech that honoured women and the role of motherhood. It was truly a feel-good event shared with friends! A heartfelt thank you to the Old Girls who contributed so generously with gift vouchers, gifts, and more for the lucky draws. It was also wonderful to see a few Old Girls in attendance, making the day even more memorable.

📸:

𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧-𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢é 𝐔𝐲𝐬 𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖

Wat 'n voorreg om vandag 'n bydrae te skryf vir my alma mater oor my reis na vyf goue jare onder die akkerbome.

After matriculating in 2018, my love for literature led me to study a three year undergraduate degree in Arts and Culture at Stellenbosch University (SU), majoring in English Studies and Psychology. In 2022, I was thrilled to venture into the media landscape as an honours student at SU's acclaimed journalism department.

Shortly after graduating, I moved to Cape Town where I first joined the Daily Maverick's team as a lifestyle journalist intern, and thereafter Food & Home Magazine as a member of their social media and digital team. I also worked part-time in the modelling industry and had the pleasure of taking part in the 2023 SA Menswear Fashion Week. Alongside my duties at the magazine, I started working as a waitress at one of Cape Town's esteemed restaurants, which helped me gain the hospitality experience needed for what was to follow.

Ek woon tans in Dubai en reis die wêreld deur as 'n lugwaardin vir Emirates. Sover is dit 'n fantastiese verrykende ervaring wat my inspireer om my liefde vir skryf en toer in die toekoms te kombineer.

Daar is min wat my kon voorberei vir so 'n groot skuif oor die waters heen, maar my ervaring by Hoër Meisieskool het definitief 'n aandeel daarin gehad. Die skool en koshuis was tog my eerste huis weg van die huis af. Ek is innig dankbaar vir die lewenslesse en vaardighede wat ek gekry het in 'n veilige omgewing soos HMS wat groei en gemeenskap uitleef.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐰 (𝐧é𝐞 𝐃𝐮 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐳) 𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖

Wat ‘n voorreg om vir my alma mater te kan skryf oor my paadjie ná my wonderlike skooljare by Girls’ High!

Ek het BSc Sonografie (beter bekend as Ultrasound/Sonography) gaan studeer by CPUT en in 2023 my graad verwerf. Ek doen tans my gemeenskapsjaar by GJ Crookes hospitaal in Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal. My passie lê verseker by obstetrie en ginekologie.

Tydens my besige studies het ek ook modelwerk probeer inpas nadat ek tydens my matriekjaar deur 'n agentskap genader is. So het ek die wonderlike geleentheid gehad om tydens die 2019 universiteitsvakansie in Milaan te gaan woon en werk. Ek was ook van plan om in 2020 Londen toe te reis, maar toe gebeur Covid!

Verder het ek in April vanjaar getrou met my hoërskoolliefde wat ek op die Jip-toer ontmoet het in 2017. Ons is opgewonde oor die toekoms en beplan om volgende jaar Januarie na Londen te verhuis. Ek sal dan bietjie ‘n breek vat van baba’s scan en terugkeer na my modelloopbaan wat ek nog altyd opsy moes skuif ter wille van my studies. Ek sien uit om te sien wat die Here vir my in gedagte het!

Ek gaan jok as ek sê ek verlang nie na my jare by Girls’ High nie! Pouses onder die akkerbome; markdae op Vrydae waar mens die lekkerste brownies en doughnuts kon koop; Interskoleweek; 4M; en natuurlik die snoepie!

Ampliora et Altiora

Zelna Fourie (née Jooste) l Matric 1994

I matriculated from Paarl Girls’ High in 1994. I have only the best memories of my time spent at Girls’ High. I loved my school and my hostel and felt very proud to be part of a school with such a rich heritage. After school I studied Drama at the University of Stellenbosch. After graduation, I spent around 10 years living, working and travelling abroad. I still believe experiencing so many different cultures and ways of life provided me with a rich understanding and respect for the diversity of life. There are so many inspiring ways to see and experience life and we are all different for a reason.

I also taught English in South Korea for 6 years, which was incredibly meaningful to me. It was during this season of my life that I rediscovered my passion for art. On my return to South Africa, I qualified as a yoga instructor and continued creating art. I specialise in oil painting but also enjoy charcoal and pencil portraits. Creating beauty in art and my surroundings is an essential part of my being. I focus on subjects that bring joy to the viewer, to lift them up and to inspire them. I love painting faces, women wearing beautiful clothes, dancers, swimmers, and water. These subjects are closely linked to my love of photography, fashion, and swimming.

My new project will focus on atmospheric landscapes in a more loose brushstroke. These days I spend most of my time taking care of my 6-year-old twins, Ziva and Gisele. I had children at a much later age and feel very grateful for these miracles and my wonderful husband. I believe God's timing is perfect and after years of a nomadic lifestyle, I am enjoying being settled. I also continue to teach yoga when I am not painting. Health definitely equals happiness. No amount of success or money can equal the richness of a balanced healthy life rooted and guided by God.

Thank you, Girls’ High, for teaching me to be grounded, respectful and dignified and most of all to be kind. I remember that it did not matter if you were good at academics, sport or culture, the girls were always kind and friendly to each other. You could always be yourself.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐬 (𝐧é𝐞 𝐃𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐭) 𝐈 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒

Na vyf goue jare by HMS het ek besluit om onderwys te gaan studeer in 2015.

Na afloop van my vier jaar op universiteit het ek in Desember 2018 na Dubai verhuis om as lugwaardin vir Emirates te werk en die wêreld te verken. Dit was ‘n ervaring wat my lewe só verryk het. Die oorspronklike plan was om na 'n jaar terug te keer en my onderwysloopbaan te begin. Maar toe ek my weer kom kry, het ek in my eerste klaskamer in Abu Dhabi gestaan, waar ek twee jaar gewoon en gewerk het.

In Desember 2020 is ek getroud, en my man en ek het teruggekeer na Dubai, waar ons die volgende drie jaar deurgebring het en ons twee seuntjies gebore is. In Julie vanjaar het ons terug verhuis na die Paarl, waar ons nou woon, werk en ons seuns grootmaak.

Ek is HMS ewig dankbaar, want dit is onder die akkerbome en in die gange van die skool waar my droom en liefde vir onderwys begin het.

𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐰𝐞𝐫 (𝐧é𝐞 𝐙𝐢𝐧𝐧) 𝐌𝐱 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗

Do you know the feeling you get when you walk into a house where you feel at home and have made a lot of good memories? Driving past or walking on the Girls' High school grounds gives me a feeling very close to that, combined with nostalgic excitement – everything is always an adventure at school – and, of course, the unmistakable, unforgettable Girls' High magic. After school I studied at Stellenbosch, where I met my husband, Frank. My best accomplishment of those few years! During my studies and thereafter I provided freelance language services to a few companies. These days I mostly assist independent writers to self-publish their books, but our main focus is the Gospel of Jesus – we are a missionary family and currently situated in a very small farming town in the Eastern Cape called Komga. It is the biggest joy and privilege to live and minister the salvation, healing and love of Jesus to people. We homeschool our three children and enjoy it immensely.

It's always wonderful hearing from or running into acquaintances from school, so don't hesitate to make contact if you want to!

Ilze du Toit (née Tredoux) is deur HMS Paarl vir haar bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van gimnastiek vereer.

Sy was ‘n leerder aan HMS Paarl vanaf pre-primêr en het in 1989 matrikuleer. Vanaf 1990 tot 1992 studeer sy Menslike Bewegingskunde en verwerf in 1993 ook haar Hoër Onderwys Diploma. In 1994 voltooi sy haar Honneurs in Biokinetika by Maties.

Vanaf 1995 tot 2000 was sy verbonde aan ‘n Biokinetika-praktyk in die Paarl. Sy het haar eie praktyk gehad tussen 2000 en 2005. Ná die geboorte van hul tweeling, Alyx en Leah, het sy ‘n breek geneem en vanaf 2010 tot 2012 haar eie praktyk vanaf die huis bedryf. Vanaf 2013 is sy die suksesvolle eienaar en afrigter van . Sy het haarself in hierdie tyd as vlak 2-afrigter asook vlak 3-beoordelaar in gimnastiek bekwaam.

Ilze vertel self meer:
My ervaring met afrigting is, soos hul in Engels sê, “priceless” en die genot om die gimnaste te sien groei van hoe hulle as baie jong gimnaste by die klub aangekom het en dan as volwasse jong dames uitstap, kan ek nie beskryf nie. Dit oorweldig ‘n mens se hele lewe op ‘n baie positiewe manier. Om elke persoonlikheid te leer ken en maniere te vind om met almal te werk, maak afrigting ‘n baie spesiale beroep. Om die glimlagte op elke gimnas se gesig te sien wanneer sy byvoorbeeld ‘n nuwe tegniek bemeester, bring die positiewe ervaring elke dag op my pad.

Natuurlik is daar ook uitdagings en die huidige hoë standaarde en verwagtinge om op nasionale vlak te presteer, raak vir die algemene gimnas wat ook aan skoolsport deelneem, baie moeilik. Ons hanteer hierdie uitdagings deur so min as moontlik druk op hierdie gimnaste te plaas.

Ons leuse is beslis om balans te handhaaf en die jong kind in haarself en in haar sport te laat groei. Dus sal jul altyd sien dat ‘n ritmiese gimnas ‘n baie gebalanseerde persoon is en een wat presteer op alle gebiede van haar lewe. Dis gewoonlik die jong dame wat ook akademies presteer en ook as leiers gekies word.

*Continues in comments