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We immerse our learners in experiences that prepare them for leadership in a challenging and changing world. There is in each grade a programme uniquely designed to prepare our learners for inspirational and courageous leadership. In the senior years of their schooling, it’s the real McCoy. A dynamic and rigorous learner leadership programme takes place.

Particular Programmes designed for leadership development in each Grade

Grade 8

Belonging: getting to know your peers and your school

It is particularly through our carefully designed orientation programme that we work to create a strong sense of belonging in the school. We believe that our learners experience satisfaction and fulfillment when they feel connected to their peers and their school.

 

Leadership opportunities:

  • Democratic election onto the RCL
  • The Grade 8 Pledge Ceremony
  • Application to be Class Captain
  • Captains of sports teams within age group
  • Members of committees of specialist groups

Grade 9

Establishing and recognising boundaries

It is particularly through the Alternative Education Programme which takes place at the end of term 1, that our learners learn to recognise their strengths and limitations, in very practical ways. Through this, they learn to encourage and support each other, and the value of teamwork.

Leadership opportunities:

  • Democratic election onto the RCL
  • Application to be Class Captain
  • Captains of sports teams within age group
  • Members of committees of specialist groups

Grade 10

Preparing for leadership

In this year, we encourage the learners to look at leadership and be answerable to each other and to their school, our Grade 10s are taught to develop their particular interests, concerns, and talents with leadership and self-growth in mind.

 

Leadership opportunities:

  • Democratic election onto the RCL
  • Captains of sports teams within age group

Grade 11

Consolidating, extending and practising leadership

In this year, having leadership and self-growth in mind, their practical learning is consolidated and extended through a 3-day leadership camp specifically designed to deepen their understanding of themselves, each other, and the skills vital for excellent leadership.

 

Leadership opportunities:

  • Democratic election onto the RCL
  • Captains of sports teams within age group
  • Members of committees of specialist groups

Grade 12

Leading the school and preparing for the world

By the time our Grade 12 student leaders are appointed, they have shown that they have the talents and the vision to assume responsibility of a portfolio. Potential candidates write letters of application and submit CVs and manifestos for the scrutiny of the school and the staff with whom they work closely. They are interviewed and required to address the student body they serve. Accountability, delivery and integrity are expected of our leaders as they lead the student body. This actively prepares them for the kinds of skills needed for the workplace and tertiary education.

Leadership opportunities:

  • Successful application to serve on the School Council
  • Leadership of projects committees
  • Leadership within the hostel
  • Democratic election onto the RCL
  • Successful application as Leaders of Tutor Groups
  • Leadership of specialist groups/teams/committees
  • Matric Committees
The benefits of this system are evident in the spirit of our leaders: strong, confident, innovative and active, they are prepared for positions in a challenging world.

School Council

School Council Leaders

The school council is a portfolio-driven council of leaders. 16-17 young women go through a rigorous application process to head up the top leadership positions within the school.

School Council

Leadership – Representative Council of Learners

The Representative Council of Learners is a statutory, democratically elected student body. Three representatives are elected by each grade for each grade.

Further Leadership Opportunities

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About our principal

Jennifer Wallace started her teaching career in 1996 at St Cyprian’s School, in the History and English Departments, and became the Deputy Principal of the school 15 years later. Over the course of her teaching career, she has been fortunate to have had many opportunities to travel – teaching short courses on Apartheid and post-Apartheid South African history in Denmark, the USA, Canada, England, and Peru, and helping to lead international service projects, cultural history tours, and conferences with learners to various countries. These experiences helped to shape her firm belief in a holistic approach to education that is of global relevance, while at the same time remaining firmly rooted in, and committed to, the South African educational landscape.

In 2014 she completed her MPhil (specialising in Educational Administration, Planning and Social Policy) degree through the University of Cape Town and began her part-time study towards her PhD a few years later, graduating in 2020. Her thesis, entitled ‘The Gift of a Scholarship: The reflective accounts of scholarship recipients attending elite secondary schools in post-apartheid South Africa’, focuses on the narrated experiences of scholarship students from historically disadvantaged communities who attended elite secondary schools in South Africa. A book based on this research, and co-authored with Dr Jennifer Feldman, has been published by Springer Nature as a part of their international Cultural Studies and Transdisciplinary in Education series.

In January 2020 Dr Wallace was appointed the Principal of Wynberg Girls’ High School and is very proud to lead this dynamic, diverse, and values-driven public school. Her key focus areas in this position include: ensuring that WGHS constantly builds upon its fine reputation for academic excellence and relevance; empowering our learners to be self-sufficient, inquisitive, and compassionate critical thinkers and engaged, environmentally-aware citizens; creating an inclusive environment in which all can find a sense of belonging and feel valued; ensuring opportunities for growth and the building of character by means of involvement in a wide range of cultural, sporting, and service-driven activities; creating dynamic learning spaces to inspire and support our educational vision; and investing in relationships with strategic partners to the benefit of our school and our community.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

A warm welcome to Wynberg Girls’ High School! Founded in 1884, we are proudly recognised as one of South Africa’s preeminent public schools for girls, and all who consistently identify as girls. Wynberg Girls’ High School embraces a values-driven approach to education, with our identified core values of Integrity, Inclusivity, Courage, Accountability, Respect, and Empathy forming the foundation of our approach to who we are, all we do, and what we stand for. We believe in providing holistic opportunities for exploration, growth, and development through our wide range of activities offered in each of our four Pillars (Academics, Culture, Service and Sport) in addition to our two Portfolios (Communication and Sustainability).


On the academic front, we are firmly established within the annual Top Twenty Schools of Excellence in the Western Cape by means of our Grade 12 National Senior Certificate results, as awarded by the Western Cape Education Department. We recognise that in addition to cognitive engagement and curiosity, learning is an emotional experience. As such, we believe that by creating a happy and inclusive environment in which all can find a sense of belonging, and providing the physical infrastructure to support our teaching practices, our learners will be inspired to challenge themselves, and each other, in their pursuit of knowledge and understanding.


It is both an honour and a privilege to be the Principal of this wonderful school. I hope that whether you are a learner, an educator, a parent, and Alumnae, or a visitor, you are as inspired by this place as I am and that together we will continue to produce young women and leaders of character who will make a significant and positive mark on this world.