South Peninsula High School – Non Ministrari Sed Ministrare (Not to be served, but to serve)

Non ministrari Sed ministrare

South Peninsula High School was established in 1950 and is situated in the Metro South Education District. South Peninsula High School has a roll of approximately 1000 pupils and is served by a dedicated staff.
South Peninsula High School is located in the Steurhof area of Cape Town. It is bordered on the western side by Klaproos Road, on the southern side by Old Kendal Road, on the eastern side by Azalea Road and on the northern side by the AG de Villiers field (which is leased to the school), with Constantiaberg Hospital to its north.

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ENROLMENT 2025

A very successful information session on the application procedure and requirements was held on Saturday, 2 March. Prospective parents were reminded that applications open on Monday, 11 March 2024 and close on Friday, 12 April 2024.

For more information, click here.

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INTER-HOUSE 2024

As anyone associated with SP would know, the undoubted highlight of Term 1 is the inter-house athletics competition. The excitement among current and ex-students is incomparable with any other school related event. Last year, Kendal broke the three-year dominance of Azalea. Could they do it again?

Once again, the two days of the event were live-streamed, and, once again, the comments from ex-students throughout the two days confirmed the uniqueness of the SP inter-house tradition.

At the end of Day 1, the day of the field events and long distance races, Azalea and Kendal were level on points with 284,5, Mimosa were third with 273 and Protea brought up the rear, with 239.

On Day 2, even though Mimosa threatened briefly at one stage, and always lurked in the background, it soon became clear that the real race was between Azalea and Kendal, as suggested by the scores at the end of Day 1. At one point Kendal led by 6 points but the closeness of the final points just before the relays (Azalea leading by 2 points) indicated that those races would determine the final outcome. In fact, as it turned out, as the Boys U19 took their marks for their relay, there was a possibility that, depending on the permutations, any one of three results was possible – a win for Azalea, a win for Kendal or a tie! As it turned out, Azalea won the race, with Kendal in 4th place, restoring Azalea to first place, which Kendal had borrowed for 2023. Mimosa finished a comfortable third overall, with Protea finishing some way back.

The final points: 1. Azalea – 490,5; 2. Kendal – 487,5; 3. Mimosa – 459; Protea – 384.

Azalea – Champions of 2024

MATRICS 2023

Once again the SP family can be proud of its latest set of matriculants. Surpassing the overall pass rate of the previous three years, this group has achieved the highly impressive pass rate of 98,5%, with 206 students having written the exam. This is even more commendable given the fact that, as Grade 9s in 2020, they were the last group to resume schooling after the Covid lockdown, so, in a sense, they were always playing catch-up.

Overall, 10 students achieved an average of 80% or more, with the top student being Jayden May, with an average of 87%, obtaining distinctions (A aggregates) in Business Studies (99%!!!), Tourism (93%), Accounting (91%), Economics (91%), Maths, Afrikaans and Life Orientation. In second place was Yonela Ginise (84,7%), with distinctions in Tourism (91%), Maths, Xhosa, Geography, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Life Orientation. Completing the top three was Abdul-Kader Jainoodien (83,43%), who achieved distinctions in Maths (90%), Engineering Graphics and Design, Life Orientation, Physical Sciences and English.

There was a Bachelor’s Pass rate of 70,87%, and there were 165 subject distinctions altogether. At the annual Awards Ceremony at the residence of the Premier, SP received a special award for ‘Consistent Pass Rates of 95% and more over five years’.

Well done to the class of 2023! We wish them well on the next phase of their journey.

Top 10 — From left to right: Uwais Abrahams, Ebrahim Harnekar, Abdul Kader Jainodien, Jaden May, Yonela Ginise, Bilqees Samuels, Zhaahira Hendricks, Hudaa Noordien, Simone Knowlden, Jarred Leslie.

SP’S FIRST FEMALE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Following the retirement of Mr Barry Saunders in December 2022, Mrs Faadiyah (Samsodien) Myburgh was appointed as Deputy Principal as from 1 January this year. Mrs Myburgh, like so many other SP staff members, is an ex-student, having matriculated in 1991. Having joined the staff in 2003, she has proved her value to the life of SP in so many ways, both as an educator and, in recent years, as part of the senior management structure.

Mrs Myburgh also makes history by becoming the first female staff member to be appointed permanently as a Deputy Principal at SP. I’m sure all of the SP family will join me in wishing her every success in her new position as she continues contributing towards taking SP to ever greater heights.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

December 2022 saw the retirement of two long serving members of the staff of South Peninsula, Mr Paul Slater, after 39 years, and Mr Shahim Miller, after 25 years.

Mr Slater will be remembered for his excellence and inspirational teaching in Biology/Life Sciences, his incredible work ethic and his insistence on high quality work from his students. His off-beat sense of humour lightened many a lesson. An avid golfer, he introduced the sport to SP, and some past pupils went on to play representative golf. He currently serves as President of WP Golf.

I am sure that the entire SP community will join me in thanking Mr Paul Slater for his immense contribution to the school, and in wishing him well for the years ahead.

May his future be filled with many eagles, birdies and holes-in-one!

Mr Miller joined the staff in 1998 as the teacher of Technical Drawings, now known as Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD). He soon made his mark, as his matric students consistently produced excellent results. Many successful engineers today attribute their success to Mr Miller’s guidance at school. Mr Miller was also a member of the Maths department, specialising in the junior grades.

As an educator, Mr Miller drove his students to produce only their best work, and accepted no excuses for anything less. On the sports field, Mr Miller was in charge of the u15 boys’ cricket team, and instilled the importance of discipline in them. He also managed one of the boys’ soccer teams at one stage. We wish Mr Miller a happy, well deserved retirement as looks forward to spending more time with his family.

REST IN PEACE, MRS PETERS

On 8 November 2023, SP was stunned at the news of the sudden passing of Mrs Carol Peters, an integral member of our admin staff for many years. She will always be fondly remembered for her warm and welcoming smile, her kindness and her patience, often under extremely trying circumstances. In a special assembly the following day, a few staff members shared their recollections of Mrs Peters. A common theme was her devotion to her job, often going well beyond the call of duty, her meticulousness in everything she did and her willingness to help parents, students and staff alike. Many comments were made that Mrs Peters made them feel special.

She embodied the motto of SP- Non Ministrari sed Ministrare (Not to be served but to serve).

May her dear soul rest in peace.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES 2023

The annual launch of the Clubs and Societies is a highly anticipated event, especially for the Grade 8s, as they visit the colourful stalls located around the Hall, looking for a Club or Society to join. Perhaps they will find one which encourages them to start a new hobby or one which tickles their service-orientated fancies. Co-ordinated by Mr Nicholas Dagnin, the Clubs and Societies are run by students, with the support and Guidance of teachers. View more photos here.

FIRST TERM – ATHLETICS FEVER!

Every year (Covid-affected years being the exception), the first few weeks at SP are consumed by the excitement, the rivalry and the intrigue associated with, firstly, the Inter-House athletics competition, and then the Inter-Schools competition. The first term of 2023 was no exception. From the placing of the Grade 8s and other new students into their houses in the first week, to the frenetic two weeks or so of eliminations and training in the boiling sun, followed by the March Past, and then the two days of the competition itself, the pulse of SP was throbbing with athletics fever. The question on everyone’slips was whether Azalea would make it four in a row.

The two days did not disappoint. With the event being live-streamed for the second year in a row, SP students past and present (and the extended SP family) were kept enthralled. At the end of Day 1, Azalea led Kendal by a mere four points. However, Day 2 saw Kendal soon overtaking Azalea, and they stayed there for the rest of the day. Champions of 2023!

Winning Team — The Kendal teachers, with House Leader Ms Deidre Bastian fourth from left.

The Inter-Schools competition was as exciting. SP convened the A-Section for the first time in decades, and, as expected, the event was well organised, with student assistants and teachers in charge of various portfolios performing their duties in the SP Way! With thirteen schools competing, the competition was always going to be tough, and the presence of Mondale suggested that second place was the only realistic target for the rest. This suggestion was soon confirmed! By the end of the day, SP had done extremely well to finish third behind Mondale and the combined Wynberg Boys and Girls, and leaving Plumstead and Steenberg in its wake. A good number of our athletes progressed to the semi-finals and then the Champion of Champions competitions. Below are some of the top performers.

Saarah — Devon Thomas (2nd in Triple Jump)

THE MATRICS OF 2022 RISE ABOVE THE ODDS

After having to endure interrupted schooling for two of their final three years of their school careers, the SP class of 2022 surpassed all expectations. 188 candidates wrote the exam, achieving a pass rate of 98.4%. We achieved a Bachelor’s Pass rate of 85%, with 16 students achieving A passes. 7 achieved percentages from 79.0 to 79.86! Our top achiever was Gulfaam Roomaney, with 91.57%, followed by Zayyan Bedford (88.71%), Aaminah Harris (88.57%) and Reece Basson (88.14%).

All four were subsequently honoured for their achievements at the residence of Premier Alan Winde in the annual Provincial Awards ceremony.

Prov Awards — With Head of Education Brent Walters and Premier Alan Winde are (l-r) Reese, Aaminah, Zayyan and Gulfaam.

Further honours lay in store a few weeks later at the Metro South District Awards. Gulfaam received awards for achieving joint second place in the District, joint top achiever in Tourism and top achiever in Accounting; Zayyan was joint top achiever in Consumer Studies and Tourism; Leila Behardien was the top achiever in Agricultural Sciences; and Juwairiyah Manuel received the Director’s Award for achieving against all odds – her mother passed away a few years ago, and her father is critically ill, and she still achieved excellent results.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

December 2023 saw the teaching careers of three SP teachers come to an end. On 6 December, tributes were paid at a farewell lunch to Deputy Principal and English teacher Mr Barry Saunders; Afrikaans, History and Agricultural Sciences teacher Mrs Lizette Davids; and Xhosa teacher Mrs Thozama ‘Mama’ Yawa, who retired after 43, 15 and 9 years respectively at the school.

In his speech, Mr Saunders highlighted some of the many changes which had taken place in South Africa since he started teaching in 1980 – a turbulent year with months long school boycotts. These changes included the declaration in 1990 of the unbanning of liberation organisations and the first democratic elections, among many others. He also mentioned the various changes in the education system, as well as school specific changes, such as the ‘disappearance’ of some of the essential tools of the trade, like the typewriter and pink correcting fluid.

Mrs Davids spoke of SP as an institution that will stay with her forever, and thanked her SP family for their support around the recent passing of her husband. She urged the staff and pupils to continue flying the SP flag high. Mama Yawa, who was joined by her daughter in a rendition of the ‘Click Song’, said that the school and everyone at the school would always stay in her sweet memories because of the love, respect and ubuntu shown by everyone. She exhorted the staff to continue to shine.

TEQBALL

On Tuesday 27 September, a few of our students participated in a demonstration of a new game that is set to take the world by storm. Called Teqball, it originated in Hungary but is spreading fast throughout the world. SP was introduced to it by former Proteas player and Cobras coach Ashwell Prince and cricket coach Cheslyn Lodewyk. Played on a curved table similar to that used in table tennis, it can be played by singles or doubles, and it involves a high degree of footballing skills. The official site is https://www.teqball.com.

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DERBY DAY

In yet another first in the history of SP, we hosted Livingstone High on Saturday 27 August in a first ever (and definitely not last) derby day. Students competed against each other in soccer, rugby, volleyball, table tennis and chess on a day when the shared history, both political and academic, was celebrated. With good support from non-participants, the event was very successful. SP’s jazz band and dancers added to the entertainment. See more photos here.