St mary’s dsg old girls’ association newsletter may 2008 message from the president of st mary’s dsg old girls’ association

1978 Sue-Ann Maccara (Shearar) [e-mail]
We're planning a family trip to Europe in 2008, so I'm thinking I might just add a side trip to S.A. too, I'm DEFINITELY planning on being there!!  For those of you who don't remember, I left D.S.G. half way through our Matric year (after being there since Gr. 1!!!!!) and really regret missing our Matric dance!!!!!

 

Great to hear from you all!  I have very fond memories of good old D.S.G.!

 

P.S. if you're ever out this way, PLEASE look us up, or better, come and stay with us!  We live in North Vancouver Canada!

1978 Anne Morrison (Wyllie) [e-mail]
I am still married to Terry (26 years later) and Danielle (21) has finished her BComm Marketing degree at Stellenbosch.  I have been repping for Kapula Candles for six years and really enjoy having flexi-time – and time to do my own thing (like play tennis!) 
1979 Valli van Zijl (Blaine) [e-mail]

It always seems so strange, but comforting, sitting here in London (where I've been for 21 years) and receiving the updates on DSG. One day I will get to a reunion - perhaps for our 30th in 2009!

1979 Shan Townes (Fitzgerald) [e-mail]
My life is very full. I work for my husband supposedly mornings only and then am "free" to rush around with kids all afternoon. Samuel (8) is in Grade 3, Peter (6) is in Grade 1 and my baby, Joseph (3) is at play school. Will definitely be at my 30th reunion next year!!
1980 Bridget O’Donoghue [e-mail]

My news is that I have had a 4th child - now 14 months old - a girl named Isla

1981 Colleen Steyn (Carrick) [e-mail]
Unfortunately I won't make the reunion, as I'm in NZ and it isn't a time when I can get away.  I'm hoping once my son, who is currently in his second last year of school, finishes school, I'll be able to sneak away for a bit of time in Pretoria.  My daughter (Danielle) is in her second year of university studying BA in Classics, History and Greek, and son (Jacques) as said above in his second last year of school - very sporty like his father, Geoff.  I work at the school he is at as does my husband.  So it has been very much a family affair as our daughter also went there.  We're planning a trip back in December 2008 for Danielle's 21st, and will be stopping in Pretoria as we'd like to do a trip to the Game Reserve.  My family has all moved from there and so the ties have been cut unfortunately, but I would love to catch up with anyone around at that time.
1981 Caprice Barbour (Pettem) [e-mail]

What bad timing on my part! Amber and I will actually be flying in to SA on July 5th but there is a reunion of our village in Swaziland the weekend of the 12th.  We are hoping to stop into DSG on the way to Swaziland to show our daughters (my only child (23) and Amber's oldest (9)) the school on the way through. Have a great reunion.

1982 Melanie Mensing [e-mail]
I must say we had a high standard of teaching at the DSG, and I often think of the teachers and the fun times.  Where would be without all that background?  The teaching there changed my life - it was inspiring.
1982 Jenny Godfrey (Barclay) [e-mail]
I bumped into Viyonne Viljoen here in New Zealand just a few weeks ago at one of our ski lodge functions and we spoke about all our old school friends of 1982 matriculation class.   I have been living in New Zealand on and off now for 14 years.  I am still very busy and work for a company in the US. I have worked full-time since leaving University.
1982 Anne van Blerk (Fair) [e-mail]
We are living in Warmbaths know running a resort.  We moved here from Pongola about 5 years ago.  Am still happily married, my son is 3rd year civil engineering at Tuks and my daughter is in Matric.

1983 Sasha Scholtz (Melvill) [e-mail]
I see that you have left Margaret Scholtz off the 1983 list.  She is my sister in law and now lives in Zim. Marion Hoole (Blaine) may be able to help you with Helen Harvey’s contact details; she also lives in Kommetjie, CT, where Helen lives [e-mail]

1985 Nicole Rosendorff (du Buisson) [e-mail]
We are emigrating to Canada in the next few months.
1986 Jen Hamilton-Browne [e-mail]
My son and I are planning to move to Australia in 2008, along with my parents to be with the rest of my family. 
My battle against my brain tumour is ongoing and well I feel great actually. The pipe that runs behind my ear through my chest is doing great and I and do not let it get me down or depressed. Sometimes I lose my memory and I walk around with a note book so that I can remember everything, even where I parked my car.  I forget Matt from school every now and again but I have great friends who take him home for me.  You get used to it, but if I can teach you only thing it is to live for today and cherish every waking moment.  I will not take chemo or radiation; my life is just perfect the way it is and I just have to slow down. 
1986 Vanessa Ratcliffe [e-mail]
I got married (some would say finally!) to Nico Lombard in October.  It was a wonderful day with the ceremony at St Peter’s church in Hermanus followed by a luncheon for 200 guests plus 20 children (!) up in Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The weather played ball which was lucky as it was a risky outdoor venue.  It was peak whale season and they really came to the party….see pictures of us on the rocks with whales in the background!  DSG girls from class ‘86 who were there were Janet Anderson, Susan Malan, Jane Simmonds and Sharon Hamilton.
I’m now in St Anton, Austria for the winter season.  Nico has seasonal businesses here. Thanks to communication technology, I’m able to run my travel company (an inbound tour operation to Southern Africa) from here http://www.southerndestinations.com and I go skiing in my spare time of course!   I am trying to learn German too. I speak fluent French these days, but that doesn’t get me very far here.
Other news to spread… is that the mosaic project that I founded in Hout Bay is finally sustainable and they are working on orders for the States and Paris.  If any of you are interested in mosaics and are in Cape Town and would like to visit the studio, please get in touch.    There is a website:  www.mandelaparkmosaics.co.za
1986 Beverley Verster [e-mail]
Just a quick update to let you know that I have started a new job - back in IT! Had to do it as the UK government has retrospectively changed their residence rules and I needed to earn more money than the university was paying me in order to stay in the country! I've had a VERY stressful year thus far! However, it all seems to be working out, as the new job, although VERY challenging, seems quite enjoyable. I'm a business analyst at a company that does commodities trading. The new location is lovely as the offices are in Oxford Street near Marble Arch and Hyde Park. Hours are long though.
1987 Fiona Pienaar (Harris) [e-mail]
Sorry this reply has taken me so long, but two little bodies to run around behind takes its toll! Jane Claire was born on 8 November - a whopping 4.5kg, and continues to do really well. She is an incredibly easygoing little girl. Her big sister Imogen has taken a shine to her and is keen to help - sometime too independent. Immy started school and loves it! I love my maternity leave, although the list of things to do doesn’t seem to get any shorter!
1987 Shaakera Ismail [e-mail]
A little bit of what I’ve done since leaving school.  I qualified as a medical doctor at Wits in 1993, with Mary Fair and Eva Johansen, Michele Hayward was a year behind us. I married a colleague in my class and we are at present both General Practitioners in Private Practice in Pretoria.   We took over my Dad’s massive practice and unfortunately he died in 2007. I live in Laudium, have 3 children Irfaan aged 13, Raeesa aged 12 and our new addition Azhar aged 13.
1987 Fiona O’Keane [e-mail]

Wow, what a great surprise, I'm in Dublin, checked my emails to see what's happening at work and found one from you! I visited Jenny Bridges in London a few days ago so am assuming she forwarded my details on.

Jenny gave me an update on our class, it sounds like most are married with kids, while my mom is still praying I'll get there, I'm not sold on the idea for myself. Juggling a career in TV and one in Radio is more than enough to keep me busy. Who would have thought the one kid who point blank refused to study or do sports at school would grow up to be the biggest work-a-holic of them all who does triathlon's for fun?

Renee Jeannes and Simone Robinson are in Cape Town too. Both doing very well, Ren is a homeopath, Simone works for the Rupert family as a chef. I will forward them both the news letter and spreadsheet.

1987 Patricia Raphesu [e-mail]

 

My name is Patricia Raphesu and I was at DSG from 1984 to 1986. I left when I was in Std 9 (1986) so my Matric class is 1987. I am in contact with Trish Stewart but would love to have contact info of the old girls, especially Sonia Hutchinson (Matric 1987).

1987 Kate Whittingham-Jones [e-mail]
We're still living in Wiltshire, and both still at the same jobs.  If anyone is visiting the UK and heading west, please do get in touch.  We are unlikely to be visiting SA this year as we have a few "big" birthdays next year, so will be home for that.  I hope the reunion is as fun as it was last year for our 20^th – it was so good to meet up with everyone again.
1988 Jenny Tselentis (Hatzinikolaou) [e-mail]
I now have a daughter, Andrianna. She is 8 months old. My son, Pavlos, is 3 years old. I am back from Athens and living in Umhlanga, Durban for the moment so I'm hoping to make it to the reunion. I bumped into Ruth Spencer about a week ago (for those of you who remember her). She is looking fantastic. She also mentioned she keeps in touch with Nicola Hornsby who is married and living in Scottburgh in KZN. I have also been in touch with Shantelle Rapier who lives in Kloof here and has two daughters who attend St Mary's in Kloof. We're hoping to arrange things to all come to PTA together.
1988 Nicole Whittingham (Kirkley) [e-mail]
I am hoping to get to the 20 year reunion this year. It is so lovely to read and remember old names and memories - especially things like cake - Emily and Francina. I have been living in the UK since I matriculated. My husband and I live in Derbyshire with our three cats. We work together just outside Manchester owning a full service marketing agency www.wilson-cooke.co.uk. We have no children as yet, but are hoping to change that soon. I would really like to get to the reunion this year and see some old faces.

 

My sister, Lindsay’s email address is [e-mail]. We are both hoping to come over in July, work permitting.

1988 Angela Rogers (Koopman) [e-mail]
I will definitely be attending the Old Girls Reunion on Saturday 12^th July 2008 - looking forward to it.
1988 Nomakhosi Skosana [e-mail]
Class of '88,

 

It would be so nice to see as many of you as possible at Reunion 2008......please make an effort!

1988 Lynda Hall (Vickers) [e-mail]
It has been great to get into contact with old school friends again and would love to hear from you all and see some photos of you and your families.  My husband, Roy and I moved to Gold Coast, Australia three years ago and we just love it. We have three children - Megan (11), Nicole (9) and Mark (5).  They are three very busy active kids who have kept me on my toes hence I have not worked for several years now. We spend a lot of time on the beautiful beaches and Roy is a big fisherman so he just loves going out to sea and is very relieved that at least his son will go out with him.  We have become the biggest campers ever and spend every holiday camping next to the sea.  The kids just love it making friends wherever we go.  They lead hectic schedules (or should I say - I do) with sport after school so getting away is a special time for us.  We have been lucky to have lots a family visiting us here in Oz, which has been so special.  We went back to SA for Christmas in 2006 and hope to get back at the end of this year again.  
1989 Kerrin Miller (Person) [e-mail]
Our update is that Paul and I became the over-the-moon parents of a little girl, Charlotte Grace. I had her on 10 November 2007, and she was 3.8kg. Motherhood is overwhelming and has changed everything! Charlotte is a gorgeous and very precious little girl!
1989 Melissa Williams [e-mail]
I am now working as a Project Manager for a company called Boness Properties.  We are currently doing a development of eleven villas in Mauritius - (In fact I am here in Mauritius at the moment).  I am involved in the marketing and sales of the project and it has been incredible to see how many South Africans are looking at Mauritius as an investment opportunity. (Perhaps there are some DSG old girls out there who might want to look at this - We open in August 2008).

 

I am also working with the Amy Biehl foundation on a couple of projects, the most interesting at the moment being a Children’s Juggling DVD, which is part animated and part live. This has been an amazing project, which we have been doing with a Media Company that Boness owns, and we are hoping to launch the DVD by the end of March to fundraise for the Amy Biehl foundation. The DVD is an excellent tool for Children's motor skills / left-brain / right- brain development etc.  It is also rather useful for management and team building.

 

Otherwise that's me - I'm dating a lovely man - still living in Cape Town.  Mum and Dad are in Pretoria and my brother and sister in law are living in Cape Town.  I can't believe that our year has been out of school almost twenty years.  Not sure where the years have gone - still feels like yesterday.

1990 Rae Arnott (Gilbert) [e-mail]
I am living in Jhb and am a busy stay at home mom. I have two boys, Simon 5 and Jonathan 3 and a half. I saw Rachel (Briggs) last year May when I was in London with her two little boys. I also see Angela (Chippy Barnetson) every week when we scrapbook together! I have found quite a few friends on Facebook too.
1990 Lindsay Kirkley [e-mail]
I'm living in England - Newcastle upon Tyne in the north east and I work for local government. Director of Policy and Improvement, which means a lot of things...but basically, I'm responsible for ensuring the effective running of the local Council. I attribute this great job to my fantastic learning experience gained at DSG.
I have recently been in touch with Rae Gilbert from my year - we were meant to meet up in the UK recently while she was on holiday here but unfortunately diaries did not permit. I would love to hear regular updates from DSG. I've got to say, the eight years I was there were the best.
1990 Mathoto Mashiane [e-mail]
I obtained my Law Degree from the University of the Western Cape in 1995. I subsequently obtained a Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigations Diploma from the University of Johannesburg in 2005. I am a mother of a cute 7 year old son. I am currently employed at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as Senior Forensic Auditor.
1990 Kim Vonk (Meyer) [e-mail]
Unfortunately I will be unable to attend Old Girls this year as after much consideration I and family will be relocating back to the UK, after 18 months in Cape Town.  My husband has gone ahead of myself and our boys.  We are headed for Bristol!
 
1990 Nikki Kemp (Millerd) [e-mail]

I left school and went to Rhodes University to study Human Movement Studies and followed this with an HDE. During my final year a met the man I am now married to, Adrian Kemp. I taught for 9 months at a school in Grahamstown and then was offered a franchise called Playball (teaching children 2-7yrs life skills using sports as means). I have now been running playball and coaching swimming for 11 years and still haven't left Grahamstown.

We have two children Devon (8) and Carina (6) who are the delight of our lives. Devon is in grade 2 this year and I cannot believe how much they learn at such a young age.

I still keep in touch with Rae Arnott, Lyndall Hill and Carrie Wood.

1990 Assunta Dagon (Nusca) [e-mail]
Samuele, our 33 month old little boy is growing like a weed. He has quite the personality and keeps us in fits of laughter. Bianca was born on September 6 so is approaching 6 months of age. She is a very happy (and good) baby. We have just moved to Cleveland (Ohio) as Michael just accepted a position at the Cleveland Clinic. The winters are long and harsh here, but the city offers wonderful cultural activities and the people are very friendly. We hope to get back to South Africa for a visit over Christmas, or soon thereafter.
1990 Anne-Marie Greiff (Wrogemann) [e-mail]
After 12, 5 years of corporate life, I have started my own business as a life coach. I have a beautiful daughter Amy-Lee who is 2.5 years and two stepsons, Georges and Andrew.
1991 Carrie Woods (Patrick) [e-mail]

Craig and I are still living in Tanzania. Dar es Salaam, as its name suggests, is a haven of peace. Despite the obvious challenges of living in a developing country we enjoy the tropical climate and lifestyle that the town offers us. Weekends are full of sailing and exploring the little islands around the coast. Ending a hard week having a sundowner at the yacht club really helps one relax in a matter of seconds!

I am teaching in the International School which is keeping me out of trouble. I am in charge of imparting knowledge to Grade 4 kids – who in turn keep me on my toes and in tune with the latest gadgets and fads. I never thought I would enjoy teaching this age group and still at times miss the energy and diverse minds of the teenagers.
Last year Craig and I experienced the joy of becoming parents. Caitlin Jenna Wood was born in March and has been a delightful addition to our family. She is the socialite of the family already and has the ability to charm anyone!
1992 Lize-Marie Britz (Binsbergen) [e-mail]
I will not be able to attend the reunion as my boys Justin 5 yrs and Jayden 3 yrs have their birthdays then.
I have finished my B Pharm degree and after working in retail pharmacy have moved to do contract work for Aspen Pharmaceutical at CSIR Pretoria. My husband is the Head of the Narcotics unit for SAPS Pretoria.  My boys keep me very busy but I must say I enjoy them - it's just a pity they grow up so fast.

1992 Gillian Kane-Berman (Boyce) [e-mail]
Thank you for all the wonderful emails with all you news and photos! It is just wonderful to hear from old friends again! So glad that everyone is doing so well! I got shock the other day when I did the maths and realized that we matriculated 15 years ago – are we really that old already?? Where has the time gone to? On a really hectic day I do long back to the simple days in our blue (sexy) dresses with very little cares in this world. Now we are working, some married, some with children – not so simple but WOW! Seems crazy!
Any way we are doing very well! My fantastic husband, Mark and I will soon celebrate our 9^th wedding anniversary, yes married life is wonderful!! We have two amazing children – Thomas is 8 and Carolyn 4 (almost 5) – between golf, karate, soccer, ballet, 1^st grade and preschool we are very busy – never mind work and housework! We moved to San Diego California (USA) over two years ago and have settled down so well here. We bought a beautiful home a year ago, in a wonderful neighborhood. San Diego is just an awesome place to live, such a beautiful city on the ocean with so much to do and see – we truly are blessed to have been sent here by the nursing agency that relocated us! The weather is just awesome – never too hot or cold (easier for South Africans to adapt to). We have made some wonderful friends and are always very busy! We have a couple of good South African friends whom we met over here and always have good parties/fun with them! Our children attend really fantastic schools and are both just thriving (so cute with their American accents!). Mark started his own company here in the US working in agriculture as he did back home – things were slow initially but have picked up rapidly and he is doing very well – just has to travel a lot!
I am still working as a Nurse at a small but very good hospital, not too far from home. I am on a medical/surgical/cardiac telemetry unit – very fast pace with very high acuity of patients. I have learnt so much over here – continuing education is part of your career and the opportunities to learn are endless. I was just nominated as Nurse of the Year at my hospital and this is a great honour since I have only worked there 2 years! I do love being a nurse and so enjoy my patients but the 12 hour shifts are long especially with two little ones and a travelling husband. For this reason I studied last year and am now a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant – I work with attorneys on medical related cases, it is very exciting and challenging. I work independently from home which is awesome. I hope to grow my business enough to be able to not have to work the long hospital hours! It is hard work getting a business going but I am very motivated and excited – I have just recently started working on my first big case!
Last year I had my first trip back to South Africa since we left. Mark travels back to SA every 3 – 4 months on business as he still has two companies back there.
We are really very happy living in the USA and have no regrets about the choice we made to move – the opportunities for our children (and ourselves) are endless! We do miss our families and friends but thanks to emails and webcams and telephones we are in constant contact! We have also had a lot of visitors from home which is wonderful! If anyone ever comes to the USA please look us up we would love to have you to stay!
1992 Jenny Walker (Bridges) [e-mail]
I have two little ones Jessica (3 ½ yrs) and Ashley (2 yr). It is so hard to believe that 15 years ago we are all running around DSG and now we all have our own families and grown up lives to run.

 

I have been living in London for the past 6 / 7 years. My Mom and Dad live in St Francis Bay (Easter Cape) but have relocated for 6 months of each year to Dubai where my sister Sharon and her two girls are based. My husband’s family are in Cape Town so we ideally would like to relocate back to CT one day. The girls are registered for Hershel, St Cyprians and Springfield, so watch this space.

 

I still keep in touch with Fiona O’Keane who is in Cape Town and producing documentaries and still the very same. Her e-mail address is [e-mail] or she has a website which has a contacts page on www.fionafurey.co.za I also hear from Jean Wilcocks (Mays) who lives in Johannesburg and has Kirsten 5 yrs and Luke 18 months. She is a freelance journalist to magazines.