ABSA borgskap

Oud leerder Abè Baardman, konsultant by ABSA, skenk vir ons o.19A rugby span 22 T-hemde, waterbottels en pette. Hier ontvang die kaptein, Dean Carolus, die skenking vanaf Mnr. Conradie.

JP George en kollegas skenk groot

40 skoolhemde
20 skool vaal langbroeke en
10 paar skool sokkies

Is op, Saterdag 7 Junie 2008 in ontvangs geneem deur mnre P. Buis & J. Niemand vanaf mnr. J.P. George (bestuurslid verbonde aan die Wooworths kleregroep te Kaapstad).

Volgens mnr. George is die skenking moontlik gemaak deur mede-werkers van Woolworths: Bjorn Kloft, Chantal Daniels, Charlene Timm, Derek Ronnie, Faried Benjamin, Gavin Asary, Grant Petersen, Hayley Woods, Heinrich Petersen, Liesbet Kristafor, Louise De Koker, Norita Felix, Portia Van Staden & Shawn Dersley.

Ons opregte dank en waardering.

Old Learner evidence of excellence

Hilton Pietersen, learner of Ashton Secondary in the period from 1993 to 1997, strong cricket player of the time (Boland team), now works for the Commissioner of SARS Dr Pravin Gordhan.

During the Monday assembly Hilton shared an inspirational message with the learners of today, encouraging them with his example of excellence the hard way.

Not only did he give credit to the school and the teachers of the time for his "sufficient preparation" as Hilton called it in the book he handed over to the school to remember him by, but he also said a big thank you to Ashton Secondary by facilitating a very big donation to the Bursary Fund.

The R20000,00 cash deposit from Bedford CN, Michael Williams will now be ours to give the poorer learners a chance to better educational opportunities.

This significant donation from Michael Williams with the help of Hilton Pietersen is an outstanding example of their keen awareness of the need for rural community empowerment.

We are proud of and have indeed been blessed to have had a privilege of once being part of Hilton's life!

YK

School Bursary Fund

Ashton Secondary Bursary fund was established September 2007.

This fund helps students to further their education and apply to numerous institutions. The biggest aim of this fund is to help students to live their dreams.

Ashton Secondary Bursary fund depends on monthly donations from educators and donations from businesses. This fund is growing slow but steadily.

The Ashton Secondary Bursary fund has only helped on student from 2007 up until now. We are striving to help more students in the future, but we can not do it without your help, so please help us and donate money to the fund, so that we can help our future. You can contact the school at:

Tel: 023-6152027

Fax: 023-6153387

THANK YOU !!!

John Niemand (teacher)

Superstars 2008 - the history in the making

On Friday the 29th of February at the City Hall for the first time in the history of Ashton Secondary on such a scale the Superstars talent competition was held. This event is significant not only as a financial success, but even more in terms of the full-out support of the Ashton community where it exceeded all our expectations.



Professionalism is what makes this competition different from anything else. It was skillfully organised: from people involved to venue and equipment used, everything bears a stamp of thorough preparation.



The three judges, Michelle Jacobs (teacher, H. Venter Primary), Polinda Braaf (Ashton Municpal Offices) and I (a complicated Russian surname ;), are all in possession of extensive prior musical training. Quality was our motto in selecting the winners, not at all an easy task, since most of the 15 participants showed passion and determination amplified by enormous musical talent.



Marinda Beukes (teacher, H. Venter Primary) is another music professional without whom the evening would have been impossible. She volunteered to be the choir director for Ashton Secondary with their first performance to take place during Monday Assembly on the 3d of March. As the Master of Ceremony she was our star. Inspiring the audience with her singing, improvised rapping and lots of jokes up her sleeve, she would have won the competition herself if we had been able to break the rules ;)

All the guests and teachers who volunteered to contribute their time and equipment to the success of the Superstars competition did it out of love for the community and our children, having asked no fee whatsoever for their charitable services; and our live music band was no exception.



Mervin Plaatjies (SAPS Ashton) played 1st keyboard. Sacrificing his time, he kindly came through to the school for a couple of days before the competition for rehearsals to make sure everything ran smoothly. He has 10 years music experience, and his deep love for the Lord also made him part of the Ashton United Reformed Church (VGK) Worship team.



Samuel Daniël Jansen (wages assistant, Unipack) , or Dannie as everybody knows him, was in charge of the sound system and played the bass guitar. This specific talent runs in their family so much that he inherited it and learned music from his mother. "To play music is a gift from God," says Samuel. He also wants to encourage us, adding, "Serve the Lord with all you've got inside you."



Ady Thompson (fork-lifter driver, Langeberg Tigerbrands) was playing the drums for the Superstars. He has been a percussionist for a whopping 34 years! He is sure that his musical talent comes from God, saying, "I am glad about the gift I got from the Lord. We need God in Ashton. Look for Him. Stay with him, and you won't go wrong."

Felix Soldaat (production line, Langeberg Tigerbrands) was also part of the band. With no formal music training, he gained his experience by playing for the church. He says, "You must believe in yourself, no matter what other people say, in order to achieve something in life. If that's in place, you can rise above your circumstances. And that's what we've seen tonight."

Besides A. Thompson we have already mentioned, the parent component of the School Governing Body was represented by J. Andries and J. Buys, who helped a lot. Sharon de Koker, mother of Lauren Cupido (10A) made the presents for the judges. At the same time, Carol-Ann Lemmetjies, Vinonia van Rooi and Elrina Plaatjies were the learners that played a big role as event support staff.

Our special thanks goes out to the following teachers of Ashton Secondary and their families for support of the Superstars: Samuel Murtz (as voting operator), Desmond Buis (as photographer and equipment donor), J. Niemand (though absent from the event, as donor of a gift pack), Margaret Willemse (as main event organiser and prize sponsor - R300), Peter Buis (as coordinator and prize sponsor - R400).



A good deal of innovation marks this year's Superstars competition. We successfully pioneered the so-called "sms"-voting system designed by me that practically gives the power to the audience to vote for their favourites. This effectively means that the judges do not have a complete freedom to appoint winners, and the people just loved it! (More on this in the competition analysis article.)



As Samuel Murtz put it, "I did not even have time to enjoy the concert after everybody started voting. It felt like a was in the middle of a storm."



The funds raised amount to R2504,00 (gate), R963,70 (retail), R2470,80 (voting) - with a total of R5938,50.



Congratulations to all the participants as well as the winners Sebastian Pietersen & Ashwin Simpson (1st place), Jowayne Jaftha (2nd), Anneli Freeman (3d).

And, yeah, one more time, Ashton community, thanks for your support. We're looking forward to more events like this with you on our side.



You rock!!!


YK

Wall of Fame: Sponsors 2007-2008

We want to acknowledge the following donors for donations made
towards our school.

2007
W. Scholtz	R5 000.00
Langeberg & Ashton Foods Ltd	R2 000.00 p.m. groceries - hostel
J. Niemand	R500.00
J. Noble	R1 000.00
J.P. George	Mathematics classes on Saturdays
Wentzel Transport	R200.00
Strauss Transport	R200.00
Johnsons Transport	R200.00
2008
Frederick Wawini	2 Rugby balls
Strauss Transport	R300.00
Zandvliet Estate	R200.00
De Wetshof	Wine Gift pack
Van Loveren	Wine Gift pack
Bon Courage	Wine Gift pack
Langeberg & Ashton Foods Ltd	R2 000.00 p.m. groceries - hostel
Multisave Ashton	Free dance facilities once a year

Thank you very much, your help is always welcome and appreciated.

Edward Beukes, serving and humble

Tremendous value has been added to Ashton Secondary by our highly spiritual and respected colleague Edward Beukes.

Incomprehensibly for many, Edward has not abandoned his deep pro-active involvement in school affairs after his resignation in January 2008. In so doing he sets a very high standard for all teachers at school.

On the photo you can see him making the finishing touches to the wall of fame, which is supposed to display the pictures of people the school will be proud of forever.

As I walk by tomorrow, I really want to see him on many of those pictures. And let he and what he means to our school be a constant reminder of how mightily Jesus can use a humble person.


YK