LINDSAY DELL - ROTARY EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

Lindsay Dell, a Grade 11 learner at Queenstown Girls' High School, was fortunate enough to be accepted to go on a six-week exchange to Germany in December. This short-term exchange program was organised by Rotary. This is life in Germany according to Lindsay :

"I was very well matched to my exchange sister, Roswitha Kloidt, who came to stay with me in the winter of 2011. Both Roswitha's stay in South Africa and my stay in Germany were incredible experiences for me. Despite the language difference we became such good friends.

It was very interesting to learn about the German culture and to be a part of their way of life. In some ways it was extremely different to the South African culture and in some ways it was very similar. The biggest shock after spending my first week there was the freezing cold weather and the challenge of understanding nothing of the German language. Fitting in was difficult at first , but I had a very patient and loving host family that made me feel at home in no time. During the six week visit I attended school for two weeks, which was nothing like Girls' High at all, and I also went on a seven day tour of Germany with forty other Rotary exchange students. I made unforgettable friends, learnt an incredible amount in the short time I was there and visited some of the most beautiful places in the world.

A highlight has to be risking my life on the ski slopes in Austria while skiing for two days. It was so much fun and definitely something I would do again if I got the chance. Another highlight was going by train to Kφhn to spend New Years on the Rhine River and being able to watch the famous fireworks display which was absolutely breathtaking.

Among other things I learnt to be independent and responsible and to cope with problems I have never been faced with before in a completely new environment. I learnt to try new things and have an open mind and to take each day as it comes and treat it as an experience. I have benefitted greatly from the exchange program and am so grateful for the opportunity I was given.'

SPORT

Jenna Lucas participated in an Endurance Race held in Middleburg, Northern Cape.  She came 2nd overall in the 86km with a time of 4h22.  This is an excellent achievement considering the heat she and her horse had to deal with during the race.

NEW STAFF

Girls' High School welcomed Mrs Nonkoliseko Mtwana from Cape Town at the start of the new school year. Mrs Mtwana, who holds a number of post graduate qualifications, is a highly experienced teacher and will be joining the school's growing Xhosa Department. Mrs Mtwana previously taught at Christel House, an independent school in the Western Cape. Girls' High School also welcomed well-known local educator Mrs Margaret Dreyer onto the teaching staff. Mrs Dreyer will be assisting in the English Department. The Eastern Cape Education Department has still to resolve the filling of substantive vacancies.