Waverley Girls' High School is a public school for girls located in the suburb of Waverley in Johannesburg

Johannesburg

Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...

, South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

. It is situated opposite Saint Mary’s School.

History

For 12 years, Highlands North High School was a co-educational school. However, students were dichotomised according to their genders as a method of ensuring the female learners were not overshadowed by their male counterparts, who monopolised most of the staff’s attention. Thus Waverley Girls' High was established, and became the sister school to what is now Highlands North Boys.
Waverley Girls' was one of the first public schools to allow students who were racially discriminated against into the institution.
Waverley has two hockey fields, two netball courts, a swimming pool and two functional tennis courts. WGHS does not have its own website, and online information about the school is currently extremely deficient.

Current administration

Miss C. Tomaselli was appointed as principal in 2007. She was preceded by Miss G. van der Krol. Miss B. Schakberger (administrative) and Mrs A. Wanckel (academic) both serve as deputy principal. the School Management Team ismade up of Mrs Lopes (Afrikaans), Mrs van Rensburg (English), and Mr Masinge (EMS). In order for the school to run effectively the following were appointed to the team in a School Governing position. Mr Mabi (NS/Life Sciences/Physical Science), Miss Govender (Life Orientation) and Mrs Jacobs (Practical Subjects). It is under the leadership of this efficient team that the school is growing not only in number but also in reputation.

Staff

The school classes have a ratio of 35 - 1 as per National Policy, with classes of 20 students (in Mathematics) to 40 in Grade 8. The school is growing each year at an alarming rate and is one of the top 100 schools in the Gauteng. The school staff is multi-racial with the emphasis on expertise and experience.
The school has a forward thinking policy and has promoted certain members of the Ground Staff according to their skills.

Sporting activities

Waverley Girls offers the following sports options:

Winter Sports:

• Hockey
• Cross-Country
• Netball
• Soccer
• Tennis coaching (Professional coaches)

Summer Sports:

• Swimming
• Tennis coaching (professional coaches)
• Soccer
• 'Tae-Bo

Cultural activities

• Public - Speaking
• Debating
• Choir
• Drama
• TLC (Teenagers Loving Christ; a weekly gathering of students during break times to engage in prayer and worship)
• Chess
• First Aid
• Buddy reading
• Book club
• Poery club
• Art appreciation
• Computers
• Peer counselling
• Charity club

Uniform

The summer uniform comprises:

• Blue button-up tunic with white cuffs and collar
• White ankle socks
• School Blazer (mandatory)
• White pull-over with school crest (Matrics only)
• Black school shoes

The winter uniform comprises:

• White long-sleeved shirt
• School tie
• Dark blue skirt
• Black stockings or knee-length school socks
• Blue jersey
• White pull-over (Matrics only)
• School Blazer (Compulsory)
• Black school Shoes
• School scarf and beenie
• School tracksuit(to be worn with school shoes)

Students are prohibited from carrying school bags of any ‘exotic’ colour so as to inculcate uniformity and pride. Only shades in keeping with the school colours, such as blues and blacks, are permitted.

Academics

As per the National Policy of South African Education Waverley has fully implemented the National Curriculum Statement.
Waverley High School is progressive in its approach to education and has embraced solutions to possible obstacles presented by the streaming of learners into different categories of capabilities. Studies have shown that to put leaners into classes according to their academic capabilities causes feelings of inferiority and intimidation. It is felt that each learner should be considered at their own level and not labelled.

At the end of 2008, we were privileged to have been included in a Gauteng on Line project which allows each child to have access to the internet. Unfortunately there have been teething problems and the centre has been slow to become up and running. The parents and learners were kept abreast of progress through our bi-weekly news letter.

Our learners come from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and their parent at times find it difficult to pay the school fees. This puts a large burden on the school and thus we can not afford to offer the outing we would like to owing to financial constraints.

Subjects offered at Waverley:

Compulsory Subjects:

• English (Home Language)
• Afrikaans (First Additional Language)
• Mathematics OR Mathematical Literacy
• Life Orientaion (includes Physical Edcuation)

Other subjects:

• Life Sciences
• Phuysical Science
• History
• Geography
• Accounting
• Business Studies
• Visual Art
• Consumer Studies

Behaviour of learners

The school has a code of conduct which the learners have adopted and follow.
As per any school there are defaulters who are dealt with accordingly.

The good team work of the SMT and the input of the teachers and RCL has enabled us to deal with a limit number of disagreement between teenagers. We are teaching our learners to control themselves, behave more responsibly and act like young ladies. They are starting to take pride in themselves and their school. Getting very upset when the school is maligned. They have taken on the responsibility under the leadership of the RCL in promoting the school ethos.
The area of concern is 'litter' which is prevalent in all schools in our country.

General conduct

Waverley Girls' is known for being a well-behaved school and we have parents that camp at our doorstep until we have accepted their daughter. Truancy is not prevalent as we have introduced a fingerprint system and absenteeism if followed up with parent. We do have many parents phoning in to advise us when their daughter is ill. Our learners have taken responsibility and phone to advised when the transport is late.
We have a qualified Social Worker who is available to help our learners with their problems.

School fees

In 2011 our school fees are R 7 400.
Discounts are offered for prompt payments.
We are a fee paying school and measures are taken to deal with the defaulters.