Resilience and Celebrating Women

For Women’s Day, we explores the superpower of resilience.

Think of dropping a cup and ball. The cup will break and the ball will bounce.

This cup looks strong, hard, solid and sturdy. 

The ball appeared softer. Less solid. Less impressive.

Every one of us will experience moments when life feels like that fall.

A friendship changes.

An oral doesn't go as planned.

A disappointing result.

A difficult situation at home.

People let us down.

Many people think resilience means being strong. But it is actually about being able to bounce back, the ability to adapt, recover and keep moving forward when life is difficult.

While we cannot always choose what happens to us, we can choose how we respond.

When challenges come, our first reaction is often:

"Why is this happening to me?"

A more helpful question is:

"What strength does this situation require from me?" 

That small shift changes our focus and is a growth mindset.

Instead of feeling powerless, we begin looking for possibilities.

Perhaps the situation requires courage.

Patience.

Perseverance.

Kindness.

Asking for help.

Research into resilient people has found that they do not see themselves as victims of circumstance. They draw on support from others, problem solve, and value hope and perspective. They recognise that difficulties are part of life, but they do not allow those experiences to define them. 

Instead, resilience says: My identity is not in labels or mistakes. I am enough, and that's my superpower.

We celebrated Women’s day on 9 August, and it is 70 years since the historic march of 20 000 resilient women to the Union Buildings to protest pass laws being extended to women. They came from different communities, spoke different languages, and lived very different lives, yet they were united by a common belief that injustice could not go unchallenged. 

Many travelled long distances and risked arrest or intimidation. When they reached the Union Buildings, they stood in complete silence for thirty minutes.

Twenty thousand women. 

With courage.

Conviction.

And

Resilience.

At Collegiate, we speak about being comfortable in our skins and courageous in our community. Those women embodied that spirit. They knew who they were, what they stood for, and they were prepared to make a contribution bigger than themselves. 

Our school's 3rd Annual Public Lecture on 13 October 2026 will feature renowned storyteller Michael Charton, presenting “Strike the Rock", which explores the power, courage and resilience of the women who took part in the 1956 Women's March. 

Resilience can be bouncing back like the ball.  Choosing courage when fear is easier. Continuing when others would quit. Standing up for what is right. Bouncing back from adversity. 

The women of 1956 remind us that some of the greatest superpowers are found in ordinary people who are resilient and courageous.

National Geography Olympiad Certificate

Congratulations to the following learners:

Minentle Jojo

Nolitha Makasana

Afikile Tyiso

Further Studies Mathematics

Many of our learners took part in the UCT Mathematics Competition in the 2nd term, held at Alexander Road.

The following girls are receiving certificates of merit as well as position certificates:

Grade 9 pairs – Merit certificate and 3rd place: Kaitlyn Richter and Megan Woolward

Grade 11 pairs: - Merit certificate to: Adrijaa Bhadra and Mackenzi Smit

Merit certificate to: Sarah Kruger and Olivia Freercks

Grade 12 pairs – Merit certificate and 2nd place: Lilitha Papu and Philippa Stevens 

Individuals:

Grade 8 –          

Merit certificate to: Aisha Lorgat

Gold certificate and 3rd place: Harshita Kaswa

Grade 9 –          

Gold certificate and 1st place: Abbygail de Lange

Grade 10 –       

Gold certificate and 1st  place: Holly Tudhope

Grade 11 –       

Merit certificate and 3rd place: Elizabeth de Kock

Grade 12 –       

Gold certificate and placed 1st: Clarise Pieterse

Choir

In July, our choir had the privilege of participating in the Final round of the annual prestigious ATKV Applous national Choir competition in the City Hall, Cape Town. Choirs from all provinces participated in this prestigious events. We competed in the Merit: Girls’ Choirs category and were placed 4th receiving a Gold certificate with a result of 84.1%, narrowly missing the 3rd position with .5 %.  We are very proud to announce that our choir have won the certificate for the Best performance of an African song. We want to commend the choristers for their commitment and hard work. We thank the staff,  Mrs Agenbag, Miss Potgieter and Ms Roodt who accompanied them on the tour.

SOPRANO 1

Esona Bono

Omhle Manona

Karien Tobias

Linomtha Duntsula

Amkitha Fani

Khokela Phiri

Okuhle Mkhize

Bagcine Mhlaba

Minenhle Maisela

Hlelo Sifo

Joy Mtsatse

Nqabisa Tukwayo

Lilitha Basebe

Zingce Futshane

Luminathi Faxi

Michelle Owolabi

Jayden Coltman

Ayikholi Solwandle

Inathi Bikani

SOPRANO 2

Keletso Grootboom

Cwenga Williams

Ave Goboza

Tammi-Lee Saayman

Nina van Heerden

Linomtha Rala

Avuziwe Mahlalutye

Unako Nondlazi

Ambesa Dyasi

Mia de Bruijn

Khazimla Kondlo

Aphiwe Kondlo

Zanda Bisiwe

Buhle Selani

Makube Nikelo

Didi Chengwe

ALTO 1

Aisha Mxokozeli

Luna Khuse

Imange Gcusa

Boledi Chuene

Zimfefe Gomomo

Nasiphi Nomavuka

Alu Mpofu

Amahle Makedama

Minentle Jojo

Ingelosi Mnqatu

Kiarra Mugwagwa

Min'entle Mlambo

Caryn van Heerden

Onwaba Ndlaleni

Yolo Jakavula

Morgan Brown

Lipata Mohale

Sachi Adams

Kumele Jack

ALTO 2

Mishkah Burger

Lisakhanya Gqunta

Nandi Mehlo

Vuyolwethu Dyasi

Lunathi Damane

Lulwando Mbekeni

Achumile Gqeke

Mihlali Chikowero

Silindokuhle Zulu

Luminathi Getze

Isivuyisile Mguda

Emihle Mazantsana

Lazola Mrawusi

Aluta Dlulane

Zanga Nxala

Siphahle Moni

CHARITY BAZAAR CONGRATULATIONS

Beautiful handmade fish were displayed around the school. They were created by the talented ladies who hosted the International Quilting Festival at our school during the holidays.

For our Charity Bazaar, we displayed them as a reminder of the well-known saying:

"If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."

One of our greatest superpowers is the ability to make a difference in the lives of others. Through your generosity, creativity, teamwork, and willingness to serve, you showed that even small actions can have a lasting impact.

The bazaar was about more than a single afternoon of fundraising. It was about learning to be people who give, serve, and uplift others throughout our lives. In that sense, the lessons of the day will continue long after the stalls have been packed away.

Thank you to every learner who contributed. Thank you to Mrs Lotz, Mrs Vanderlinden, and Mrs Muthayan for driving the arrangements; to the Finance Team for their hard work behind the scenes; to the RCLs and prefects for their leadership; to those who stayed behind to help clean up; and to everyone who served at the various stalls.

It was a wonderful example of Collegiate sisterhood in action and of Facta Non Verba - deeds, not words.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill, and what a life every girl of the College leads with Facta Non Verba as her motto. After a successful Charity Bazaar on 24 July 2026, we had the privilege of handing over our donation of profits to Project Flamingo of R76 871.30. These funds will be used for all at Livingston Hospital who face cancer and go towards making their treatment area a space of dignity, comfort and grace. Today we are reminded of Gandhi's words: " The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

 Aspire Week 

Aspire stands for 

A – Agency

S – Safety 

P – Positivity

I – Inclusion 

R – Respect 

E – Equity

We aspire to answer a deeply personal question in 2026:

What is your superpower?

Not the kind found in action movies of flight or invisibility or strength.

Instead real-life superpowers that change families, communities, and even the world. Superpowers are the unique gifts that shape who you are and who you can become:

Kindness. Courage. Leadership. Creativity. Resilience. Compassion. Integrity.

An eagle, like many birds, has wings. What makes it different from other birds is what it does with those wings.

An eagle sees farther, flies higher, and rises above storms.

Imagine an eagle spending its life in a chicken yard, never looking up, never stretching its wings, never discovering what it was created to do.

The tragedy is not that the eagle lacks wings, but that it never realises it has them.

Many people go through life the same way, never recognising the gifts they already possess.

Too often we compare ourselves to others, wishing we had their confidence, talents, or opportunities. But the world does not need another copy of someone else. It needs the unique contribution that only you can make.

That is the heart of our Claim Your Superpower programme.

This journey is not about becoming someone else. It's about recognising the strengths and value you already possess.

Over the coming weeks, we challenge you to ask yourself:

What are my strengths?

What makes me unique?

What challenges have helped shape me?

What gifts do others see in me?

How can I use my strengths to help others?

During ASPIRE Week 2026, Collegiate learners embarked on a journey of self-discovery, growth and purpose through this year's theme,"Claim Your Superpower." Guided by the values of Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect and Equity, the programme encouraged every learner to recognise her unique strengths and consider how these gifts can be used to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 

The week opened with an inspiring address by guest speaker Mrs Kathy Balshaw, who encouraged learners to see themselves as a GEM: Grateful, Encouraging and willing to Make the effort. Her message challenged each girl to recognise her own worth while intentionally uplifting those around her. Learners were reminded that one of the greatest ways to discover their own strengths is to help others discover theirs. This positive start set the tone for a week focused on confidence, service and personal growth.

Throughout the programme, learners were challenged to rethink the idea of a "superpower". Rather than focusing on fictional abilities, discussions centred on real-life strengths such as resilience, empathy, creativity, leadership, courage and kindness. Through assemblies, classroom activities and reflection exercises, girls were encouraged to identify their talents, passions and values, and to recognise that every person has something unique to contribute. 

A presentation for the learners explored practical ways to identify and develop personal strengths. Learners were encouraged to look for clues in their daily lives, reflect on the qualities others see in them, and consider how their gifts could be used to positively influence the world around them. Through discussions on mindset, resilience and self-belief, girls were challenged to think beyond marks, popularity and social media validation and instead focus on the legacy they hope to leave behind. The powerful question,"What legacy will you leave behind?", encouraged thoughtful reflection on purpose, contribution and character. 

The programme also created opportunities for meaningful conversations around diversity, inclusion and human connection. In partnership with the Nelson Mandela University Centre for the Advanc

ement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD), Collegiate hosted a Simamele on Racial Discrimination. The interactive session highlighted the importance of empathy, understanding and respectful engagement with others. 

Many of the themes explored during the week addressed challenges facing young people today, including social media pressures, self-worth and comparison. Learners examined how likes, followers and online approval can never replace genuine confidence, purpose or identity. Through a strengths-based approach, girls were encouraged to embrace their individuality and recognise that their value lies not in external validation but in who they are and how they choose to impact others. The programme also drew inspiration from the stories of remarkable individuals who transformed challenges into opportunities. 

A creative and reflective Poetry Workshop hosted by Ms Kromhout and the Literary Society provided learners, staff and Old Girls with an opportunity to explore identity, individuality and personal stories through poetry. 

Underlying every activity and conversation throughout ASPIRE Week was the belief that strengths become most powerful when they are used in service of others. Our learners were left with a simple but powerful message: the greatest danger is not failure, but believing that you have nothing special to offer. The world does not need another copy of someone else. It needs the unique contribution that only you can make. By recognising, developing and sharing their strengths, Collegiate learners were challenged to truly claim their superpower and use it to make a difference.

National English Olympiad Success

Congratulations to Emily Ball (Grade 12) on her outstanding achievement in the 2026 National English Olympiad. Emily was placed 49th in South Africa, placing her among the top 1% of participants nationally.

This exceptional accomplishment reflects Emily's advanced critical thinking skills, sophisticated literary analysis, and strong written communication abilities. Competing against thousands of learners from across the country, her achievement highlights both her personal dedication and the strength of academic excellence at Collegiate.

We are immensely proud of Emily and celebrate this remarkable national recognition.

SACEE Public Speaking Challenge

Two voices, one incredible showing! Holly Tudhope and Hlalumi Balfour represented Collegiate Girls' High School at the South African Council for English Education (SACEE) Public Speaking Challenge hosted by Alexander Road High School on Friday 4 September. In a fiercely contested field, Holly claimed 1st place in the Senior section while Hlahlumi took 2nd in the Junior section. "Speak with confidence, and the world will listen.

Annual SASMT Competition

From 21–23 August, several Music learners took part in the Annual SASMT Competition alongside talented musicians from across the Eastern Cape. Asemahle Nomnganga reached the final round in both the D1 and D2 solo categories — on both her first and second instrument — and claimed 2nd place overall in the D1 (Grade 4–6 solo section) on saxophone. Aisha Mxokozeli advanced to the final round and was announced overall winner of the D2 senior solo category (Grade 7 and higher). We are immensely proud of their dedication, artistry, and this outstanding achievement.

Consumer Studies Clothing

Beyond Maths, Science, Languages and the Arts... we teach skills for life. Well done to our Grade 12 Consumer Studies girls who made their own garments in their practical exam! Beyond the exam, it's a skill that will last a lifetime. May it provide comfort on cold days and warm their hearts for years to come.

House Day

We celebrated the achievements of our girls at Queen Elizabeth House Day. It was a special morning welcoming back Old Girl and former Head of Hostel, Dr Lerato Melato from the class of 2007. Her message to the girls was one that will stay with us:  Love yourself, flaws and all. You are made imperfectly perfect. A beautiful day of celebration, sisterhood, and reminding our girls just how powerful we are.

MEC Excellence Awards

Our school attended the MEC Excellence Awards for the 2025 NSC exams. 

We are so proud to announce our awards:

Top Performing School and Leadership in Education Award

Excellence in Teaching: English Home Language

Excellence in Teaching: Mathematical Literacy

A huge congratulations to Mrs Louise Erasmus, our Principal, and our Subject Heads who received these awards.  But these awards don’t belong to just a few. They belong to every single learner, staff member, parent, and employee of Collegiate. This is what teamwork looks like. This is what excellence looks like. What a privilege to celebrate these achievements with our Collegiate community

Golf Day

Perfect weather, perfect company! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Collegiate Golf Day. It was a day full of laughter, friendship and great golf. A huge thank you must go to Stefan from Steammevents and our sponsors, especially our title sponsors Tavcor Suzuki and Daisy - we appreciate you! Our Collegiate community is truly something special.

Spring Dance

The Spring Dance was pure magic! Our Grade 11s danced the night away with their brothers from Grey at their Spring Dance - lighthearted, beautiful, and full of joy. From dance floor moves to singing at the top of their lungs, it was just good old-fashioned fun! A night to remember!

Fever Friday

Our school grounds turned into a Fever Friday sports arena! There was music, there was a braai and there was SO much spirit. We came together to celebrate South African sport and pride in our nation — with fun as the main aim of the game. What an incredible day of unity, laughter, and Collegiate pride!

Mandela Day

On Mandela Day, Collegiate girls truly lived out our motto, Facta non Verba. Together with Project Flamingo, we spent time with cancer patients at Livingstone Hospital and shared kindness where it was needed most. We also celebrated the success of our 67 Blanket Drive, collecting more than 250 blankets, with many being handed to patients in need. What a privilege it was to dedicate our 67 minutes to making a difference.

Interact 

We proudly held our annual Interact Induction. Outgoing President Clarice Pieterse handed over the leadership of the Collegiate Girls' Interact Club to incoming President Shiloh Searle.

We sincerely thank Clarice for her dedicated service and wish Shiloh every success in her term of office.  Here’s to another year of leadership, service and making a difference! Facta Non Verba

Netball Tournaments

Our invitational First Team Netball competed in the Nico Malan Fast 5 Netball Tournament!

Our girls played with incredible grit and determination, battling their way all the way through to the finals. They went down 17-24 to Pearson High School in a tough final, securing a silver medal for the day.

The Tavcor Suzuki Netball Festival is always a highlight during the June/July holidays. We welcomed schools from all over to compete in this tournament from 16 to 18 July. This year, in our fifth annual tournament, it was Hudson Park that walked away victorious with Despatch High School taking the second place. Our own girls secured a bronze medal and we cannot wait to welcome all our friends back next year.

Results:

Won vs Nico Malan 29-21

Lost vs PHS 11-21

Won vs Brandwag 19-14

Won semi vs Despatch 29-28

Our Fast Five First Team Netball played in the Sunridge Blunden Fast Five Tournament in very chilly conditions. We beat Pearson(inv), lost against Despatch and played Brandwag for 3rd/4th place. We’re thrilled to announce our girls brought home the Bronze Medal. Well done, team

Clarendon Girls’ High School Derby Weekend

We celebrated success across the board:

Cross-Country

Our girls took to the course at the PE Golf Course and ran with heart.

Public Speaking 

A huge congratulations to Izzy Casali for winning the Junior Public Speaking. 

Tennis

Our matrics played their very last match together on home court. A special moment to end a season. 

Squash

Convincing win for our squash girls against Clarendon. 

Chess

Our chess players were also in action over the weekend.

From the field to the stage to the court — Collegiate pride all around.

Hockey

That’s a wrap on our Hockey Season and what a season it has been! 

We want to thank Clarendon Girls' High School for joining us for our end of season derby. It’s always so special to share the pitch with our sisters from East London. 

14A lost 1-3

14B lost 0-1

14C lost 0-3

16A won 4-1

16B drew 1-1

16C won 5-0

1sts won 9-0

2nds won 5-0

3rds won 5-0

Netball

What a special way to wrap up the winter netball season, proudly sponsored by Tavcor Suzuki.

14A won 16-6

14B drew 15-15

14C won 22-1

15A lost 12-19

15B lost 14-18

15C lost 5-12

16A won 26-9

16B won 12-10

16C won 19-5 

1st won 32-17

2nd lost 10-11

3rd won 17-3

Thank you to Tavcor Suzuki for supporting our girls, and to Clarendon for another wonderful derby day.

League Squash

We had a fantastic day of league squash for our teams as we took on Muir and Pearson. 

Our First Team fought incredibly hard against Muir, narrowly going down in a closely contested match. There was some fantastic squash on display, and the girls can be proud of the determination and fight they showed right until the end. 

Our Second Team put on a brilliant performance against Pearson, playing some great squash and securing a well-deserved win.

SA Hockey

We congratulate Salome Oosthuizen! Following her return from the Top 12 Hockey Tournament, our First Team Goalie was called up to represent South Africa in the U18A side.  Salome joins her fellow Collegians who are also currently representing our country in various tournaments.  Tamia Naidoo was selected to represent an Eastern Cape Hockey Team on a two-week hockey exchange programme in Germany. 

Rising Stars Hockey Championship

Rising Stars Bronze Medal for U16A!

Our U16A Hockey Team travelled to Makhanda to compete in the Rising Stars Hockey Tournament.

Facing 12 teams fighting for the top spot, our girls showed grit, teamwork and heart.

We’re proud to announce: U16A brought home the Bronze Medal!

Drew 1-1 vs Sterling

Won 1-0 vs St Anne's

Won 2-1 vs La Rochelle 

Lost 0-1 vs Garsfontein

Won 3-1 vs Durban Girls College

Won 2-1 vs Paarl Girls

Fairtree Hockey Top Twelve

We are the Top 12 Hockey Champions!

What an amazing season of hard work, determination, and achievements.  We are incredibly proud of our First Team. 

Oranje and Eunice Derby

Our teams travelled to Bloemfontein and we thank Mrs Nel, Mrs Posthumus, the Sports Department and the teachers and coaches who accompanied the learners.  There was a wonderful atmosphere at Oranje, Eunice and … even at Grey College where some of you were to support brothers.  We are so proud of the First Team win against Oranje on the Friday night and against Eunice on the Saturday.  This derby has been a tradition for well over 10 years — a weekend where we celebrate good competition, camaraderie, sportsmanship, and spending time with colleagues and learners who have become close friends. Thank you to our host school and to all our girls for representing Collegiate with such pride.

Hockey

Results vs Eunice:

14A lost 0-3

16A won 3-1

1st won 3-1

Results vs Oranje

14B lost 0-3

14A lost 0-4

16D lost 1-7

16C lost 0-3

16B Lost 0-1

16A lost 1-4

3rds lost 0-2

2nds lost 0-6

1sts won 4-2

Netball

Results vs Eunice

U14A lost 10-16

U14B won 19-12

U14C lost 26-9

U14D lost 13-8

U15A lost 8-22

U15B lost 47-2

U15C lost 43-0

U15D won 13-4

U16A lost 13-14

U16B Lost 24-10

1sts Drew 23-23

2nd Drew 12-12

3rds won 27-9

Results vs Oranje

U14A won U14B

U14C lost 42-6

U14D lost 25-0

U14E lost 2-32

U14F lost 1-36

U15A lost 3-45

U15B lost 8-14

U15C lost 5-7

U15D Lost 

U16A won 16-10

U16B Lost 23-8

U16C Lost 37-4

U16D lost 34-3

1sts lost 15-31

2nds lost 7-26

3rds lost 11-19

4ths Lost 38-7

Hockey against Pearson

Our Hockey girls took on Pearson. Despite the weather, our girls played some proper hockey and did our school proud. We would like to extend our gratitude to the staff, girls, parents and our brothers from Grey who faced Mother nature and stayed to support our girls. Results vs Pearson

14B lost 0-8

14A lost 0-4

16D won 2-1

16C drew 0-0

16A won 1-0

4ths lost 0-3

3rds lost 0-3

2nds won 1-0

1sts won 4-2

Ballet

Excellence in Motion. We want to congratulate Alice Reekie on her outstanding results at SAIBC 2026 — the South African International Ballet Competition.

Alice achieved the following:

Junior Classical – 1st Place in SA Gold Award

Junior Contemporary – 2nd Place in SA Silver Award

Scholarship to the Youth Grand Prix (YGP) Europe, awarded by juror Lorelei

Well done, Alice!

Choir Performance

Our Choir performed at the Pearson Serene Sounds Choir Festival and they were absolutely stunning!

EP Youth Choir

From 7–11 August, 13 of our choir girls travelled to Sun City as part of the Eastern Cape Youth Choir to compete in the prestigious Summa Cum Laude choir competition. 

The Eastern Cape Youth Choir is conducted by our very own Mrs. Gustel Agenbag. They made our province proud on the national stage! 

Visual Arts

We are incredibly proud to share that Grade 12 learner, Kristen Botha, has won the Young Artist Award at the prestigious Vuleka National Art Competition.

Vuleka is an open national competition to artists from the age of 18, and Kristen exhibited her artwork in Cape Town alongside established artists from across the country.

This is an amazing achievement and a testament to Kristen’s talent, dedication, and creativity. We celebrate her in abundance and can’t wait to see what she creates next. 

Well done, Kristen!

Title: Becoming her

This artwork represents the journey of a young girl becoming the woman she will one day be. The younger figure is shown painting an older version of herself, symbolising how the choices she makes, the experiences she has and the lessons she learns throughout her youth all contribute to shaping her future identity.

School plays an important role in this process, it is more than just a place of learning; it is a place where friendships are formed, values are developed, challenges are overcome and dreams for the future begin to grow.

The experiences and opportunities provided during these years help shape who we are and can create a brighter future for us.

For me, this artwork is especially personal as I have attended Collegiate from Grade 00 through to Grade 12, meaning that the school has been a part of almost my entire life. It has influenced the person I am today through the friendships, memories, opportunities and life lessons I have gained along the way.

Although my time at school is coming to an end, the impact it has had on me will remain long after I leave.

The older figure represents not only my future self, but also the person I am constantly working towards becoming. Becoming Her reflects the idea that our youth lays the foundation for our future and that the people and places that shape us during these years will always remain a part of who we are.

While I may leave Collegiate, it will always be a part of my story, and a part of me.