Dear Family and Friends of St Anne’s

The last few weeks have seen inspiration and energy expended into creating and practising war cries for galas – interhouse and interschool. Some girls are legendary in ‘hyping up’ the spirit, working out moves, and ensuring that House and school spirit soar up a few notches. It was a lot of fun watching the enthusiasm and entertaining competition among cheerleaders as they rallied their troops to shout just a bit louder as they went through their repertoire of war cries at our recent Interhouse Gala.

In enjoying all the antics, it also got me thinking more deeply about why traditional practices like these are important. And my reasoning is that it is actually very simple. One of the really important reasons for war cries is that they bind groups together, and build loyalty, camaraderie and promote fun, and what is significant is that girls are united in supporting something bigger than themselves. This creates a passionate and clear sense of belonging and boosts identity and pride.

A crucial factor in promoting good mental health, is to promote ways of growing an authentic sense of belonging, and through this, of supporting identity. Belonging and identity are vital for all people at any age, but seemingly more so for adolescents, and so something as perhaps frivolous and ‘wild’ as war cries, actually carries a much deeper significance than what they might be thought to do at face value.

War cries are collective bonding rituals which contribute towards making our Ladies in Blue feel part of a supportive sisterhood and this impacts their sense of wellbeing. War cries at St Anne’s celebrate unity rather than being combative, and in musing over the age-old tradition this week, I was left with renewed respect for the power of war cries in uniting girls together in support of something bigger than themselves, which, in turn, ties more firmly their own sense of belonging to St Anne’s. This boosts their sense of identity. And they have a lot of fun together too, and this is infectious. (So infectious, that even some of our Usherwood Mums joined in, donning their green!).

Enjoy catching up with some of our school news in this Blue Note.

Warm regards

Mrs Debbie Martin | COLLEGE HEAD

SWEET TREATS FOR SWEET MOMENTS  

Compiled by Mrs Agnes Manzungu, Consumer Studies Teacher

Our Grade 10 girls whipped up decadent Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day, each one beautifully topped with a Caramel Chocolate Heart. Meanwhile, the Grade 9 girls spread the love with their delightful Valentine’s Day biscuits—sweet treats baked with care and creativity!

VALENTYNSDAG: LOVE IN AFRIKAANS

Compiled by Mr Jacques Lyons, Head of Afrikaans

The Afrikaans Department partnered with Maritzburg College to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a meaningful and creative way. Through a shared love of language, culture and connection, our Grade 11 girls crafted 74 beautifully made Valentine’s cards, each accompanied by a special Afrikaans poem for the Grade 11 boys of Maritzburg College.

In return, the boys surprised our girls with heartfelt cards of their own. The exchange created wonderful excitement on both campuses. More than a simple celebration, this initiative strengthened the bond between the two schools and offered students a valuable opportunity to engage with Afrikaans and with one another in an authentic and memorable way.

GRADE 8 HEALTHY BODY IMAGE TALK

Guest Speaker: Mrs Fran Steart, Registered Dietitian
Compiled by Mrs Meg Meeding, Head of Life Orientation

Student Reflections

By Madeline Steyn
On Monday this week, Mrs Steart came to give a talk to the Grade 8s about her journey and the profession of being a dietitian. It was such a helpful talk, showing us ways to develop good eating habits, how to create a nourishing diet, and how to improve our health and gain more energy. She was cheerful, friendly, and open to all our questions. Her message has truly planted a seed in our minds and encouraged us to be more healthy.

By Sadie Quin
On Monday afternoon, we were called into the Auditorium for a talk with a guest speaker. We were warmly welcomed by a dietitian who open‑heartedly shared her high school experiences, highlighting both the challenges and the successes she encountered. Her story emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and developing a strong mindset.

By Nondalo Mkhasibe
Thank you so much for telling us about your past and including the hard moments too. We all know you are so brave, kind, and thoughtful. Thank you for teaching us the best ways to eat a healthy, balanced diet, and how to fuel our bodies to keep our energy up. Thank you so much!

By Zara Johnston
A healthy body image is something many girls aim for, especially in our teen years. To me, it means feeling confident and appreciating the body God has given us, inside and out. We all look different, and that’s something we should celebrate. With social media everywhere, it’s easy to believe we need to look “perfect,” but those images aren’t real life. They can make us feel like we aren’t good enough, when actually we are. We are blessed to have bodies that move, think, grow, and carry us through each day. Looking after them with healthy food, enough sleep, and positive thoughts is so important. That’s why Mrs Steart’s talk meant so much to me. She shared a difficult and personal experience, and many girls needed to hear her message about body image and self‑acceptance. I found it truly inspiring. Thank you, Mrs Steart.

MATRIC INTERVIEW TASK

Compiled by Mrs Meg Meeding, Head of Life Orientation

As part of their Life Orientation portfolio, the Matrics recently participated in a formal interview with either a senior member of staff or an external professional. In class, the girls have been learning about behavioural interview techniques, and this task provided a valuable real‑world opportunity to put those skills into practice.

Each student interviewed for one of the following roles: a holiday job, an internship, or a scholarship. Throughout the process, the girls conducted themselves with confidence, maturity, and professionalism. It was wonderful to see them applying what they have learnt in such a meaningful and impressive way.

We are confident that these experiences will stand them in good stead as they navigate future academic and career opportunities. Go for it, girls!

The images below are of Keira Sim, being interviewed by Mr Mike Acutt (Business Manager), and Kate Sardi, being interviewed by Ms Sibongile Mthembu (Human Resources).

GRADE 12 THEATRE OUTING

Compiled by Mrs Kirsten Franz, English Teacher

The Grade 12s recently travelled to Hilton College to watch this year’s production of Othello, an opportunity to experience Shakespeare in its most powerful form: live on stage. The performance was exceptional, with Nhlakanipho Manqele delivering a compelling and emotionally layered portrayal of Othello.

A highlight for the girls was seeing past pupil Kaylee McIlroy play Desdemona with confidence, grace and real dramatic presence. After the show, she warmly greeted the Matrics and expressed how special it was to perform in front of fellow St Anne’s girls.

The Grade 12s represented the school beautifully, with their theatre etiquette noted and praised by the cast. It was a memorable and inspiring outing that brought the play to life and deepened the girls’ appreciation of Shakespeare.

GRADE 10 DRAMATIC ARTS RESIDENCY 2026

Compiled by Ms Lynn Chemaly, Head of Theatre

Our Grade 10 Dramatic Arts students delivered a brilliant Work‑in‑Progress performance of Cinderella – The Politically Correct Version as the culmination of their week‑long Dramatic Arts Residency. A packed theatre enjoyed an energetic and polished production, and it was evident that the girls had gained significant skill, discipline and confidence throughout the process.
We extend our sincere thanks to their Residency teacher, Roberto Pombo, for his wisdom, expertise and inspiring leadership. We are extremely proud of all the students achieved.

Student Reflections

Sibongakonke Madondo
Developing a performance in under a week, especially without a fixed script, meant adapting constantly and trusting the process. At times it felt overwhelming, but I learned that progress comes from perseverance, patience and teamwork. Even when things feel uncertain, staying committed can lead to something you’re truly proud of.

Nthabiseng July
Drama Residency was amazing. Being with my drama family and watching everyone come out of their shells was the best part. Repeating my lines over and over was tough, but it taught me that practice builds confidence. Being scared doesn’t mean I can’t do it, and I will carry that lesson forward.

Kiara Govindasamy
I loved it. Working with my talented friends and Mr P taught me patience, listening and responsibility. Drama involves a lot of trial and error, and I gained confidence in expressing myself without becoming anxious. These skills will help me in academic presentations and future leadership roles.

Zoe Rice
I learned so much about stage presence, projection and committing fully to a character. One challenge was pushing myself to give full energy in every rehearsal, especially when I didn’t feel up to it. Working through those moments taught me responsibility to the group and strengthened my focus.

Lianté Erasmus
What felt intimidating at first quickly became a space to experiment, take risks and grow. Overcoming nerves, staying present in character and committing physically and emotionally were all challenges that helped me improve. The highlight was performing and seeing everything come together as a team.

Mackenzie Lindsay
I found Residency incredibly enjoyable. Learning to express emotion and apply it to different characters was exciting, even while balancing schoolwork and memorising lines. The performance day was the highlight, and the experience boosted my confidence in communication and public speaking.

Mimi Olivier
It was fascinating to see how a devised play is rehearsed and to receive feedback from a performing arts professional. Adapting the script and creating stage pictures were challenging, but I learned so much. I will take these skills into the future, especially performing with a group and adapting to new situations.

LIFE SCIENCES IN ACTION: LEARNING THAT COMES ALIVE

Compiled by Mrs Jenny Raghoo, Head of Life Sciences

Life Sciences classrooms have been buzzing with hands‑on discovery this term.

Our Grade 12s extracted DNA from strawberries, watching the strands of genetic material appear right before their eyes and bringing the world of molecular biology vividly to life.

Meanwhile, the Grade 10s explored the lock‑and‑key mechanism of enzyme action, learning how enzymes are uniquely shaped to fit their substrates. They also carried out food tests to identify biomolecules such as starch, glucose and proteins, observing the colour changes that confirmed their results.

Engaging practical investigations like these continue to strengthen scientific skills and deepen conceptual understanding — truly Life Sciences in action.

FRENCH DEPARTMENT WELCOMES MONSIEUR JOHANN ROBINET

Compiled by Mrs Sally Evans, French Teacher

St Anne’s had the privilege of welcoming Monsieur Johann Robinet and Mademoiselle Alex Stewart on Friday 6 February. Monsieur Robinet is the Education and French Attaché for the French Embassy to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.

He works closely with Alliance Française and with all schools where French is taught, strengthening educational and cultural ties between France and Southern Africa.

Two of our students, Siphesihle Khumalo and Katlego Ramuki, had the honour of welcoming Monsieur Robinet and showing him around the school. A delightful highlight was the number of French students who happened to meet him along the way and were able to share their learning experiences in French.

Monsieur Robinet was impressed to learn that 140 pupils from Grade 8 to 12 take French at St Anne’s, and that we offer DELF A1, A2 and B1 in addition to the IEB curriculum. He also enjoyed discovering sausage rolls, a proudly South African snack for which he admitted there is no French translation.

Thank you to all the students and staff who greeted and hosted Monsieur Robinet and Mademoiselle Stewart so warmly. Your hospitality made them feel right at home.

POLAR BEAR DAY: BREAKING THE ICE WITH MICHAELHOUSE

Compiled by Ms Denbigh Maurer & Ms Alyssa Selby, School Psychologists

Friday the 27th brought one of our most anticipated traditions: Polar Bear Day. For those who may not know, this special event brings the Grade 8 students of St Anne’s and Michaelhouse together to “break the ice” through a series of fun, interactive activities designed to help them get to know one another.

The day was led by our peer counsellors, supported by other student leaders, who demonstrated strong leadership in ensuring that every activity was inclusive, engaging and enjoyable. From cookie decorating and musical chairs to three‑legged races, charades and Categories, the laughter never stopped. Even a few Matrics couldn’t resist joining in the fun.

Each activity created meaningful opportunities for connection, teamwork and shared experiences, all underpinned by a friendly sense of competition.

Overall, Polar Bear Day proved once again to be an important step in bringing the two groups together and strengthening our sense of community.

FIRST TENNIS TEAM SHINES AT THE ISTT 2026

Compiled by Ms Yoliswa Majola, Sport Intern

The St Anne’s First Tennis Team achieved a stellar 3rd‑place finish at the 2026 Independent Schools Tennis Tour (ISTT), hosted this year at Springfield Convent College in Cape Town. Competing against a strong field of eight schools, our seven‑player squad delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

The team secured impressive wins against Kingswood (6–3), Roedean (9–0) and hosts Springfield (7–2), with their only narrow loss coming against DSG (4–5). Their consistency, determination and tactical discipline were evident in every match.

This podium finish represents a significant improvement on last year’s results and was further highlighted by Olivia Clark being voted Player of the Tournament by all participating schools — an exceptional achievement and a testament to her skill and sportsmanship.

The tour was a resounding success, showcasing the team’s resilience, growth and commitment. Well done to all the players and coaching staff on a superb performance.

HOW TO SUPPORT STEPP

END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS

Girls may be collected on Thursday 26 March from 14h00, and the greater Durban buses will depart at 14h00. We prefer for the Joburg bus to the Wanderers Club to travel in daylight and so it will depart on Friday 27 March at 06h30.

Flights may be booked to depart on Thursday 26 March from Durban’s King Shaka airport from 17h30, and to depart from Pietermaritzburg’s Oribi airport from 17h00. Alternatively, flights may be booked to depart on Friday 27 March from Durban from 10h30 or from Pietermaritzburg from 08h30.

The closing date for all end of term transport is Wednesday, 18 March 2026 at 13h00.