AFS/Rotary Exchange Programme
We facilitate exchange programmes through two organizations: AFS Inter-culture South Africa and Rotary International. Girls from Grades 9 – 12 are eligible to apply to the AFS programme and Grade 12 girls are eligible to apply to both organisations. Both organisations offer a short 6-week and a year-long exchange programme. Many girls taking French as a subject choose to go to French-speaking countries to improve their ability to speak French. These cultural exchange programmes offer unique opportunities for girls to experience the culture and schools of foreign countries.
Choirs
Choral singing is an important activity at TWC and the standard is high. There are two choirs which function throughout the year. The larger of the two performs at major school functions such as Founders’ Day, Music over Maritzburg and Festival of Praise. The smaller Competition Choir sings music of a more challenging nature and participates in various choral competitions. This particular group has monopolized the first place in one or more categories in the Michaelhouse Choral Competition since 2001.
Community Service
TWC has a strong community service ethos and all girls from Grade 8 to Grade 12 are required to complete a minimum of 6 hours community service per annum. The girls may choose to complete these hours on their own or through Community Service projects organised by the school. Our girls are involved in things as diverse as the “Bread Buddies” feeding scheme, raising funds for the SPCA and tutoring at underprivileged schools, to name but a few.
Computer Club
This is a club where girls who have a passion for computing and communications meet. Many people perceive the club as a place where nerds unite and do whatever they do on computers. While this is to an extent true, the members also perform a service to other girls in the school community. They act as monitors and are assigned duties after school and during prep time during which they are equipped to help other girls who may require assistance. From time to time they also have a social gathering where they discuss problems relating to the use of computers and how to improve the use of technology at school.
Debating
TWC participates in the Pietermaritzburg Schools League in the Grade 8, Junior and Senior categories. Two teams are entered in each section or category of the League. Staff members attend adjudicator training and the girls are encouraged to attend debating workshops organised for them by the KwaZulu Natal Schools Debating Association. The top 20 debaters from the Pietermaritzburg League are invited to the Provincial Debating Championships which take place towards the end of the academic year.
Ensemble Instrumental Music
There are two wind ensembles, one in the Junior school (approx. 40 players) and the other in the Senior School (approx. 55 players). Both ensembles consist of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, keyboard and percussion. Instrumental tuition is of a high standard at TWC and the two Ensembles give instrumentalists a wonderful opportunity to play in large groups. The number of instrumentalists has necessitated TWC’s holding its own annual eisteddfod with external adjudicators.
The Ensembles perform regularly at school functions, and locally in Pietermaritzburg. The Senior Wind Ensemble generally undertakes an annual tour within South Africa.
Various smaller ensemble groups (including a Jazz Band) are drawn from the two larger ensembles.
The Interact Club undertakes a small project every term, often in co-operation with one of our local Rotary Clubs who then arrange for the distribution of the items collected. We also meet at least once a term with Interact Clubs from other schools in Pietermaritzburg to listen to guest speakers, get to know one another and reach out and help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Media Club
This is an interactive club open to all grades in the High School. It is a relaxed environment where the girls can express themselves through any form of media from books to displays in the Media Centre. Their time is also spent increasing their general knowledge as well as sharpening their thinking skills. The Media Club aim to provide a happy and stimulating environment.
SCA/Cell Groups
As an ecumenical school, The Wykeham Collegiate embraces Christianity as part of its lifeblood. Worshipping Jesus as a lifestyle rather than something that happens on a Sunday is important at TWC and to do that we have cell groups and a Student Christian Association (SCA) for the girls to exercise and grow in their relationships with God over and above the Chapel services that run during the week. Cell groups generally meet once a week and the girls run these under the guidance and leadership of the Head of Cell groups as well as our own Pastor. SCA meets on a Friday at lunch time and is similarly run by a committee of girls under the leadership of the Head of SCA and our Pastor.
The President’s Award
The President’s Award, a programme for empowering the youth, was introduced at the beginning of 2007 at TWC. This award, modelled on the Duke of Edinburgh Award, is a self-development programme. We currently have one girl completing her Silver Award and one her Gold Award.
Zenith Club
This is a public speaking society for the senior girls from Grade 10 to Grade 12. The club meets twice a term. One meeting is a formal dinner meeting, usually with members of a gavel or toastmasters’ society from another school. The second meeting is more informal and usually some form of training takes place. The Zenith Club’s aim is to help girls gain self-confidence, learn team work and leadership skills, develop the ability to listen and to organise thoughts and influence others through improved speaking skills.
